There was a time when the annual winter snowbird migration to Florida was a big deal. Chilly Northerners packed the beaches to be rewarded with that unpopular but obvious souvenir – a sunburn! Florida was the place to vacation if you were, well, not young.
Then in the 1970s, a pair of black ears changed the face of Florida tourism. Walt Disney World arrived and called to the child in all of us. We answered, big time. It helped that air travel became easier around then. Florida hit the top three States for tourism list and has stayed there. A proliferation of family-themed attractions followed. Where should we go for vacation this year? Do you really need to ask?
It’s possible that Mother Nature didn’t like this new setup. Where summer afternoons had always been interrupted by cooling showers, they started getting hotter with not a cloud in sight. Warm winters became a roller coaster of extreme cold and hot. The number of hurricanes and their intensity increased. This wasn’t the work of a Mother. Careless children – namely, Us – were responsible for this. Florida isn’t just a hot vacation destination; it’s plain, ol’ HOT.
Even as we learn our environmental lessons and try to correct our errors, the allure of Florida as a vacation destination remains. It’s the world’s hottest travel destination! Let’s take a look at some places to enjoy and some ways to protect ourselves.
The Space Coast
It’s where the first American in space “slipped the surly bonds of earth.” The first humans on the moon left home from this spot. Cape Canaveral/the Kennedy Space Center inspires pride, curiosity, and excitement in young and old.
You can learn about the US’s space program, meet astronauts, examine moon rocks and rockets. There’s even a special program in which you can train for a trip to Mars!
The Space Center’ many programs and experiences are extremely popular. Make your reservations waaaaay in advance to ensure getting the experience you want.
Security at the Cape is firm. Check the regulations carefully so you don’t get sent back to your car.
Horses, of Courses
What?!? Horses in Florida? The horse industry contributes almost $13 billion to the Florida economy. Did you know that 6 Kentucky Derby winners and Triple Crown winner Affirmed were all bred and trained in Central Florida? Marion County is home to more horses than any other county in the US. (Take that, Kentucky!)
Horse lovers can roam the farms, watch the horses train, enjoy the excitement of equestrian competitions and races, and, of course, ride in this verdant and fragrant part of central Florida.
The Ocala area is also home to Silver Springs State Park, where the peace of a glass-bottom boat ride or drifting a kayak can soothe 11 months worth of headaches in a very short time.
Miami Nice
The city of Miami has something for everyone. Make friends with animals at the Seaquarium, Jungle Island, and Zoo Miami. Savor Cuban culture – a little dance, a little chili, a little rum – in Little Havana. Take to the sea in a Biscayne Bay boat tour. Rediscover your rhythm in the vibrant nightlife.
The eye-popping Wynwood Walls is a one-of-a-kind outdoor museum that features street art murals of over 100 artists from 21 countries.
South Beach is as well-known for its Art Deco architecture as for its gorgeous beach and its incredible shopping opportunities. For the latter, try pedestrian-only Lincoln Road Mall. The Art Deco District Welcome Center is the place to start to fully enjoy this area. And just a note: little ones tend to find South Beach less interesting than do adults.
Theme Park Central
Disney started it, but now there are at least 11 major “theme parks” – including Universal, Legoland, and SeaWorld – in the Orlando area. Make no mistake: these parks are not cheap. Involve the whole family in saving for a trip. Let the kids save for a specific attraction in their favorite park. The fun can start long before the trip!
Other great adventures beckon beyond the theme parks. Tubing in a crystal-clear spring can be as exciting as a roller coaster. Blue Springs and Wekiwa Springs State Parks are known for hiking, swimming, scuba diving, fishing, canoeing, and other water activities.
Tree Trek Adventure Park puts you high in the trees of a natural pine forest for ropes courses and aerial obstacle courses. You can swing, climb, leap, and soar starting with 2 separate Kids Courses advancing to Red Course for experts and braggers! And Tree Trek is just one of many ropes course parks in the Orlando area.
The Shore by Any Other Name
Down here, they call them beaches. And Florida has around 663 miles of sandy public shoreline. The very best are the Gulf Coast beaches around Clearwater/St. Petersburg, mid-way down the west coast.
But you don’t have to go far into the state to find its “Emerald Coast” waters and sand castle mecca – the Panhandle beaches. Destin, Pensacola, Panama City. All are perfect for body surfing, beachcombing, and family gatherings.
Shell collecting, snorkeling, and dolphin watching are popular activities on all Florida’s beaches. Watch for the elusive green flash at sundown and count the stars from the cool sand in the dark. There are as many reasons to love the beaches as there are stars to count.
The One and Only
An ecosystem like that of the Everglades is found nowhere else in the world. This unique, 1.5 million acre area is designated a US National Park, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, and an International Biosphere Preserve.
They are home to hundreds of animal species, many of them endangered. While the animals get a lot of press, the plants of the ‘Glades are pretty impressive. Along with almost 200 threatened, endangered, or commercially exploited plants are 39 native orchid species.
The ‘Glades, described as a “river of grass,” can be accessed by boat tours, airboat tours, and a system of elevated wooden paths. Year-round ranger-led programs ensure visitors leave with knowledge and awareness as well as great memories of their time in the ‘Glades.
Margaritaville!
Key West, where you can hear someone singing (or trying to sing) Jimmy Buffet’s famous tune every hour of every day!
If your interests lie elsewhere, check out Hemingway’s house, where offspring of his own cats still live in safety. The Southernmost Point of the Continental US. The Butterfly and Nature Conservatory. Mallory Square, Duval Street. All are Instagram-worthy and accessible on a rented bike.
There is no better way to enjoy the true Key Lime Pie than frozen on a stick and dipped in chocolate. But beware: you’ll never be able to stomach TGIFridays version again!
Now about the heat: how do you survive this Paradise that is one stop short of H**l?
For starters:
Be Aware/Prepare
Write this list and carry it with you.
HAT! No one, no one, should walk around in Florida, summer or winter, with head uncovered.
WATER! Set your alarm if you must. Get in the habit of drinking some water every half hour. Think you don’t need it? It’s not a thinking issue. It just is. Carry a water bottle and fill it as often as you can.
SUNBLOCK! It’s probably cheaper at CVS in Florida than wherever you’re from. Buy extra. Go for the big numbers. SPF8 is not a sunblock! Don’t forget your instep and top of your ears (even with a hat) when you slather yourself with protection.
REST! Yes, get plenty of sleep. But rest during your busy days, too. Schedule in 10-20 minutes of sitting in the shade or AC every 2-3 hours. So you have to buy something to go into the store. Do it. It’s for your own good.
Final weird advice: Hurricanes are not tourist events. Please don’t try to go to the beach to “watch the waves come in.” Officials will be busy trying to protect people – maybe you – from themselves. Follow instructions. Evacuate. Leave. Scram.
Have a great time in the world’s HOTTEST travel destination!