Florida Travel Guide

Florida is the Sunshine State - a subtropical peninsula of theme parks, 1,200 miles of beaches, the wild Everglades and near-constant warmth.

Known for: beaches, theme parks, the Everglades, and year-round sun

Don’t miss: the theme parks of Orlando, tropical Miami and South Beach, the Everglades, and the Florida Keys

When to go: winter and spring; summers are hot and stormy

Stretching from the temperate pine forests of the Panhandle to the tropical islands of the south, Florida is a low-lying peninsula defined by long coastlines, mangrove swamps, barrier islands and broad sandy beaches. The state’s character is a lively mix of sun-soaked resort towns, subtropical wetlands and vibrant, multicultural cities.

Florida’s signature urban centres include Miami with its Art Deco beaches and Latin-flavored nightlife, and Orlando, home to the world-famous Walt Disney World Resort and a cluster of major theme parks; historic St. Augustine and the cultural waterfront of St. Petersburg add quieter, museum-rich stops. On the natural side, Everglades National Park is an otherworldly sawgrass wilderness of mangroves and wading birds, while the shallow tropical waters off the coast hide marine preserves and coral reefs.

Outdoor life is central to visiting Florida: paddle through mangrove tunnels, boat or take an airboat ride into the Everglades to watch alligators and birdlife, fish or dive the coral reefs of the Florida Keys, and relax on expansive Gulf and Atlantic beaches that are ideal for swimming, boating and surfing. Winters in the north bring mild hiking and birding, while the south offers year-round snorkeling and kayaking.

Food and drink in Florida reflect its crossroads location: Cuban and Caribbean flavors thrive in Miami, fresh seafood (especially stone crabs, grouper and shrimp) is ubiquitous along the coasts, and the iconic tart-sweet Key lime pie is a must-try in the Florida Keys; the state also boasts lively craft beer scenes in Tampa Bay and South Florida dining that ranges from casual fish shacks to upscale seafood restaurants.

From the neon glamour of South Beach and the family-magic of Walt Disney World Resort to the wild, untamed waterways of Everglades National Park and the remote turquoise atolls of Dry Tortugas National Park, Florida packs beaches, wildlife, history and big-city culture into one sun-drenched state - perfect for beach days, theme-park thrills and outdoor adventure.

Florida’s climate shifts from humid subtropical in the north to tropical in the far south; summers are hot and wet across the state while winters are generally mild and drier, making late fall through spring the most pleasant for most visitors.

Visitors typically explore Florida by rental car for flexibility, while major cities are served by flights and limited rail or bus connections for longer hops.

Major Highways

Major routes include I-95 running up and down the Atlantic coast, I-75 running from the Gulf coast through the peninsula (including the Alligator Alley crossing to South Florida), I-4 connecting Tampa, Orlando and Daytona Beach, the Florida Turnpike linking the Miami area to central and northern Florida, and US-1 which runs the length of the Florida Keys.