(Photo: College Tourist)
1. Florida Beaches
The entire state has hundreds of beautiful beaches off the coasts with the Atlantic Ocean on the east side and the Gulf of Mexico on the west side, you’ll have endless options for beach choices. Some of the most well known beaches are South Beach, Sanibel Island, St. Petersburg, Naples, Daytona and Fort Lauderdale. In South Florida the water is almost always warm and perfect for a dip. Some northern parts get a little cooler but Florida beaches are perfect even in the wintertime.
Naples Beach, FL
2 The Florida Keys
The Florida Keys are a string of tropical islands that offer a laid-back vibe and are ideal for scuba diving, snorkeling, fishing, paddle boarding, boating and relaxing. The drive down to the keys is one of the coolest sights you’ll see. You’ll drive over the 7 mile bridge, pass some of the main islands like Key Largo, Islamorada, Marathon, as well as reach the southernmost point in the continental US in Key West. Key West is also home to Duval Street where you’ll find vibrant nightlife, Jimmy Buffet’s Margaritaville, Ernest Hemingway’s home and museum, and an incredible sunset on Mallory Square. Make sure you get a taste of some Key Lime Pie before leaving the lovely Florida Keys.
The Florida Keys
3. Florida Wildlife
Florida wildlife is pretty much amazing. You have manatees, alligators, iguanas, flamingos, dolphins, panthers, key deer, as well as hundreds of species of birds, fish, snakes and insects. Approximately 25% of all species of fish, reptiles, birds and mammals in South Florida are exotic. Florida is gator territory so keep an eye open for our coldblooded friends.
Florida Flamingos
Florida Alligators
4. Florida Sunsets & Sunrises
The west coast of Florida has some of the most gorgeous sunsets ever to be seen, while the east coast has top game in sunrises over the Atlantic Ocean. Floridian sunsets and sunrises are hard to beat.
Sunrise Over the Atlantic
5. Florida Fashion
Imagine packing your suitcase for a vacation at the beach… You’d pack your favorite bathing suit, your sundresses, shorts, hats, sandals and your ”summer” clothes, right? Well, Florida is basically and endless summer. Casual attire is always appropriate. Floridians live life on vacation. One of the favorite local brands Kowasa has done an incredible job and creating a brand that represent this lifestyle of mental purity, a constant vacation of the mind and body everyday.
6. Florida Nightlife
Florida has a wide spread of cities and towns each with a vibrant nightlife. One of the best-known night scenes is in Miami’s South Beach, which has a vibrant Latin flavor. However, there are fun downtown areas just about everywhere with strips of bars, clubs and lounges. There are also breweries and local wine bars everywhere with abundant options of drinks, live music and fun.
7. Florida Theme Parks
Let’s face it: you either still do, or have in the past, associated Florida with Mickey Mouse. It’s easy to understand why, because Florida is home to Disney World, which includes Magic Kingdom, Epcot, and Animal Kingdom as well as Sea World, Bush Gardens and Wet n’ Wild. Florida also hosts Islands of Adventure, home to Wizarding World of Harry Potter, and Universal Studios. If you haven’t been to the Wizarding World of Harry Potter, you are in for an adventure. You’ll be able to try some delicious butter beer in Hogsmeade, visit Diagon Alley buy a chocolate frog at the Honedukes candy shop, stop by the Gringotts bank, buy your wand at Ollivanders and take a ride on the Hogwarts Express.
The Hulk at Islands of Adventure
8. Florida Everglades
The Florida Everglades are a natural region of tropical wetlands in the southern portion of the state of Florida. The Everglades or the “glades” are composed of several complex ecosystems that include sawgrass marshes, mangroves, pineland and cypress swamps. The Everglades hosts thousands of Florida native, and even more exotic, plant and animal species. While visiting make sure you take an airboat tour of the Everglades, you’ll be able to get a taste of this incredible natural region of Florida and you can be sure to spot some gators out for a swim.
Airboat Tour of the Florida Everglades
9. Florida Sports
Florida is home to some incredible sports teams in basketball, football, hockey and baseball. There’s nothing like going to a Miami Heat game at the American Airlines Arena, a Miami Dolphins Game at the Sun Life Stadium, a Marlins Game at the Marlins Park or a Florida Panthers match at the Bank of America Stadium. The tailgating, games and team spirit are definitely animated and lively in the state of Florida.
10. Florida Colleges
Florida is not only a great place for college tourists to visit but also the perfect place to go to college. There are several major universities all over the state like Florida State University in Tallahassee, the University of Florida in Gainesville and the University of Miami, as one might know from the major college football rivalries. Some campuses like the one of Florida Atlantic University in Boca Raton is located just 3 miles from the Atlantic Ocean. There’s nothing better than going to campus where sunshine illuminates the tall palm trees and there is a refreshing sea breeze year round. The football games, tailgating and school events can get pretty electrifying all over the state.
Florida Atlantic University Football Game
11. Florida Local
Florida has some amazing local produce markets and gardens. Florida locals take part in some pretty amazing activities as well. There are nature centers where one can volunteer to help in marine biology research and work with sea turtles, such as Gumbo Limbo in Boca Raton. Local businesses and brands such as Kowasa (that cool brand mentioned in point 5) that also take Florida’s environment into their own hands by organizing events such beach clean ups. Spring breakers and tourists can take a toll on Florida beaches but locals make sure that the beaches stay clean while spending some time with friends seaside. If you’re visiting for a while, take advantage of the local events and help the world be a better place, the little things count.
Kowasa Beach Clean Up in Fort Lauderdale Beach, FL
12. Florida Activities
In Florida you have the beach as your backyard, so why not enjoy some paddle boarding, skim boarding, or snorkeling on your free time. The beach has other amazing activities to offer such as kite surfing, beach yoga, and some beaches such as Delray Beach has free surf lessons on the weekends. There is also kayaking and canoeing at places such as the Loxahatchee Riverbend Park, where you can rent out canoes or bikes for the day and enjoy some Floridian activities and landscapes with friends and family.
Kayaking in Delray Beach, FL
A visit to the lovely Sunshine State will leave you wishing for more sun, sand and sea. In Florida, every college tourist can live life on vacation.
Lake Boca, FL
Nikki McKenna of Florida Atlantic University writes for College Tourist, an online community for study abroad and student travelers, written by college students around the globe. We believe if college is a time to learn, what better way to learn than by experiencing the world? Get your story published on College Tourist here. Want to get inspired for your next travel adventure? Follow College Tourist on Twitter and Instagram.
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Filed under: LIFESTYLE Tagged: College Tourist, Florida, travel