Known as the
‘Sunshine State’, Florida’s weather and glorious beaches attract over 60 million
visitors every year. Amusement parks and beach destinations are popular but
Florida offers so much more. Where else can you inspect spaceships in the
morning and swim with manatees in the afternoon? Here is my list of the ten
best things to do in Florida.
Orlando Theme
Parks
Infamous for its
theme parks, Orlando is a favourite with families and thrill-seekers looking
for fun in the sun. There is a huge array of fun parks and there really is
something to suit everyone. Embrace your inner big kid and head to Disneyland
or pick up Universal tickets for a fun few days.
Kennedy Space
Centre
Space exploration
still seems a bit make-believe to me but visiting the Kennedy Space Centre at Cape Canaveral made it all
very real. The centre has an exhibition of rocket engines and information about
the space crews. You can also see the launch pad and several spacecraft.
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| Kennedy Space Centre, Florida, USA |
Everglades
Florida’s
Everglades are magnificent and well worth a visit for a swamp hike, airboat
ride or kayak trip. You can get up close and personal with some local creatures
such as crocodiles, alligators, manatees and tortoises at wildlife parks too. I
was talked into holding a baby alligator while there and was surprised at how
warm its body felt.
Fort Lauderdale Beach and Promenade
Florida has some
great beaches but Fort Lauderdale’s beach, combined with the recent development
of the café and shop-lined promenade makes it my favourite to visit. If you’re
after a bit of culture while you’re there visit the International Swimming Hall
of Fame. It is both a swimming pool and a museum, just back from the beach, and
houses all sorts of swimming memorabilia.
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| Fort Lauderdale Beach Promenade, Florida, USA |
Fort Lauderdale
Intercoastal and yachts
With almost as
many waterways as roads Fort Lauderdale is known as America’s Venice. The town
is carved up by intercoastal waterways and is an international yachting centre.
It is a great place to imagine what life is like for the rich and famous. For
the best view, walk to the centre of the SE 17th Street Bridge; it
is the highest bridge in the area.
Coral Castle
If you’re after
something different how about visiting a castle hand-carved out of chunks of
coral? Built by an eccentric Latvian,
Coral Castle’s construction is a mystery. It was built in secret over a period
of 28 years between 1923 and 1951. It is rumoured to be a memorial to
unrequited love, but that and the many other secrets of Coral Castle remain
unknown to this day.
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| Coral Castle, Florida, USA |
Miami Holocaust
Memorial
Developed by a
small group of Holocaust survivors in the 1980s, the Holocaust Memorial in the Miami
Beach Botanical Garden is an attention-grabbing sculpture and permanent
memorial to the Jews that perished at the hands of the Nazis. The bronze arm
outstretched into the sky has small figures clinging to it and each other
depicting the many people who probably died believing nobody cared. It was
controversial when it was built and is still confronting to look at today.
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| Miami Holocaust Memorial, Florida, USA |
Lincoln Road
Miami South Beach
has several shops but my favourite shopping avenue is Lincoln Road by far. The palm
tree-lined pedestrian street is home to several quirky independent boutiques,
as well as mainstream shops and cafes. It is a great spot for people watching
but, more importantly, is a lovely place to shop.
South Beach
The streets of
South Beach, especially Ocean Drive, are lined with retro 1930s-inspired art deco
buildings in gorgeous pastel shades. The street looks like a movie set. The architecture
alone is worth visiting for but the wide flat expanse of beach here is lovely too,
and also a favourite place to be seen for the young up and coming of Miami.
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| Miami South Beach, Florida, USA |
Key West
The Florida Keys
are a string of islands hanging off Florida’s southern tip and Key West is the
largest. One-time home of the Ernest Hemingway, Hemingway House is a must-see.
The building has been restored and is ruled by a gang of six-toed cats
descended from Hemingway’s cat. Key West is also home to the southernmost point
of continental USA and a monument celebrates this on the south side of the
island. Street entertainers will keep you occupied on Mallory Square, which is
also a great place to take in the glorious sunsets. The many cafes offer great
spots to try the local specialty Key Lime Pie.
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| Ernest Hemingway House, Key West, Florida, USA |
Have you been to
Florida? What would you add to this list?
