Florida

Florida is the southeast corner of America sticking into the ocean. Beaches on both coasts, theme parks, swamps, and retirement communities. The weather is hot and humid most of the year. Hurricanes hit from June to November. Two weeks covers the main areas but the state is bigger than you think. It’s touristy and developed but the nature parts are cool.

Florida Theme Parks and Orlando

Orlando is theme park central with Disney World, Universal, and SeaWorld. Disney World is four separate parks plus water parks. It’s massive and expensive and crowded. Universal has Harry Potter stuff that people go crazy for. The parks are fun but exhausting and cost a fortune. Orlando itself outside the parks is just highways and chain restaurants. Summer is brutally hot for standing in lines.

Florida Keys and Miami

Miami has South Beach with art deco buildings and beautiful people. The beach is wide with turquoise water. Ocean Drive has outdoor cafes and clubs. Little Havana has Cuban food and cigar shops. Wynwood has street art covering entire buildings. The city feels Latin American more than American. Traffic is bad and drivers are aggressive.

The Florida Keys are islands connected by the Overseas Highway. Key Largo has diving and snorkeling. Islamorada is quieter. Key West at the end is the party island. Duval Street has bars and drag shows. Sunset at Mallory Square is a whole thing with performers. Hemingway’s house has six toed cats everywhere. The drive down through the keys is beautiful over bridges.

Florida Everglades and Gulf Coast

The Everglades is a massive swamp ecosystem. Alligators everywhere in the water. Airboat tours are loud and fun. Walking trails let you see birds and wildlife. It’s buggy and hot but unique.

Tampa and St Petersburg on the Gulf Coast have calmer beaches. Clearwater Beach has white sand. The Gulf water is warmer and clearer than the Atlantic side.

Food is Cuban sandwiches, key lime pie, stone crabs, grouper sandwiches, alligator bites.