The Gift of Florida: Sunshine State Vacations

Want to find a gift that someone will remember for a lifetime? Give them a Florida vacation! There’s a multitude of locations to visit in Florida – including unique subtropical ecosystems, cultural hotspots and even a path to the stars. Here are a few top spots to visit on your next Sunshine State vacation.

Everglades National Park

There’s no place like the Everglades. These grassy, tropical wetlands form an ecosystem found nowhere else on Earth. Here you can take an airboat tour, go fishing, wade through the wetlands on a swamp walk, go birdwatching or possibly catch a glimpse of a Florida panther.

Dry Tortugas National Park

Accessible only by boat or seaplane, Dry Tortugas National Park is comprised of seven tiny islands, 70 miles off the coast of Key West in the Gulf of Mexico. Take the opportunity to explore Fort Jefferson, one of the largest 19^th-century forts in the United States. You can also go snorkeling or diving to see the coral reef heads, shipwrecks and colorful marine life waiting just below the waves.

Kennedy Space Center

The Kennedy Space Center isn’t just a museum – launches are still happening here today! At the Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex, you can relive the moon landing, try astronaut training simulators, explore Space Shuttle Atlantis, learn about the Hubble Space Telescope and meet a real astronaut.

Florida Reef Tract

The Florida Reef Tract is the only living coral reef in the continental United States. It’s also the third-largest coral reef in the world. Starting at Dry Tortugas National Park and stretching to the St. Lucie Inlet, it’s approximately 360 miles long. The complex ecosystem of bright coral and diverse marine life makes it a perfect place for diving and snorkeling. Just remember to leave the reef the way you found it.

Little Havana

No trip to Miami is complete without a visit to Little Havana. This neighborhood is rich with Cuban influence and filled with history and flavor. Stroll along Calle Ocho, the main artery of Little Havana, and experience authentic Cuban restaurants, art galleries, cigar shops, clubs and cafes. Don’t leave without a taste of cafecito (aka Cuban espresso), and maybe a freshly-rolled cigar.

Florida is the gift that keeps on giving. Tell us your favorite Florida vacation memories in the comments below.

Start planning your Florida vacation today.