Whether you buy a brand-new motor home or select one from the range of used diesel motor homes, one simultaneous thought that may cross your mind is where can you go on a trip. The easiest answer to this is to explore a place like Florida that has a lot to offer. The state’s attraction lies in its beaches, theme parks, shopping centers, and nightlife, which make it an ideal getaway destination for families with kids, couples, solo travelers as well as seniors. So if you are planning to go out, Florida promises to make your trip enjoyable and adventurous.
Why Explore Florida
Florida is full of surprises. Orlando, also known as the Theme Park Capital of the world, justifies its name with its elaborate adventure options. St. Augustine, the oldest city in America, is also situated here. Additionally, the Seminole tribe — a rich heritage of Native America, Henry Flagler’s railroads — an early 20th-century legacy, the Kennedy Space Centre — the home of space exploration, and the Ringling circus — that promises ‘the Greatest Show on Earth’, are all located in Florida.
Another, and perhaps the most important reason why Florida has become the favorite of many travelers, is that it is worth the investment. Florida proves to be a high-quality, reliable and consistent holiday destination along with offering value for money, which is a rare combination in today’s world.
When to Go
Florida is known as the Sunshine State, and there is a strong reason behind that. While the months of May to September can be hot and humid, the period from March to early May and from mid-October to late November are cooler, and the weather is pleasant for a vacation. The temperature of southern Florida is bearable in the winters, but the temperature of the northern region can drop below freezing point at night. So, depending on the temperature that you will be comfortable with, you can plan your vacation. The theme parks of Orlando are busy almost all round the year, so you can visit them anytime you want.
Where to Go
Florida is quite a large state, even larger than Wales and England combined, so you can’t expect to explore every bit of it at a single go. In terms of tourism, Florida can be distinctively divided into six areas — north-west, north-east, central, south-east, Gulf Coast, and the Keys. You can visit one part at a time or combine them to plan your trip.
- North-West
The main attraction of this region is the narrow strip of Panama City Beach which is renowned for its restaurants, hotels, nature parks, and attractions like land and sea wildlife. Though it remains a bit crowded during the period of US Spring Break holiday, it is otherwise a blissful beach. Other places that deserve a visit include Pensacola, Seaside, and Destin beaches where you can enjoy state preserves, water sports, and scuba diving.
- North-East
In this region, the city of Jacksonville is the primary attraction. The city is modern and lively and is famous for its riverfront, beaches, shopping hubs, and nightlife. It is home to the famed Tournament Players Club golf resort (Ponte Verde). You will also enjoy visiting the World Golf Hall of Fame at St. Augustine. The oldest fort of America, the Castillo de San Marcos, is also situated in this town. Colonial buildings and elegant landmarks like the Lightner Museum, Flagler College, and the Memorial Presbyterian Church are worth visiting.
- Central
The central region is perhaps the most happening part of Florida. With Orlando at its heart, central Florida offers you Disney, Universal, SeaWorld, and Legoland Florida. Other attractions include Daytona Beach, Kennedy Space Center, the Florida Aquarium, the Lowry Park Zoo, the Busch Gardens and Ybor City. Kissimmee is the haven of a large number of affordable holiday villas.
- South-East
This is the ‘glittery’ side of Florida. Beautiful hotels and condos frequented by the rich and famous dominate the seafronts. Along the Worth Avenue, places to visit include The Breakers Hotel and the Flagler Museum. Farther to the south, you can visit Boca Raton, Pompano Beach, Deerfield Beach, and of course, ‘the Venice of America’ — Fort Lauderdale. Shopaholic or not, you must also visit the largest shopping mall in the state, the Sawgrass Mills. Dining and nightlife are also quite exciting here. Visit Big Cypress, the home of Seminole Tribe, to see the Ah-Tah-Thi-Ki Museum and go for Billie Swamp Safari to explore the Everglades.
- Gulf Coast
Gulf Coast has warm and calm beaches that are ideal for families while the Atlantic side is suitable for people who like adventurous water sports and surfing. From Tarpon Springs to Marco Island, it is 210 miles of white sand beaches. Venice is known as the ‘shark-tooth capital of the world’ for the shark teeth that wash up on the shores.
- The Keys
The Keys are a beautiful arc of islands that stretch from the southern part of Florida to the Caribbean and ending near Cuba. These islands begin at Key Largo, which is famous for Bogart Film Festival and the John Pennekamp Coral Reef State Park.
More Florida Destinations
You can also visit Discovery Cove in Orlando where you can swim with a bottlenose dolphin and watch around 30 species of birds in the aviary. You and your family can explore the lagoons, waterfalls, grottos, and reefs filled with exotic fishes. You can also visit Busch Gardens in Tampa Bay, which is home to SheiKra — Florida’s tallest roller coaster. This ride is about 200 feet high, reaches a maximum speed of 70 mph, and lasts around three minutes. SheiKra is also the world’s tallest dive coaster, featuring a 138-feet dive into an underground tunnel and a water-feature at the end.
Florida brings to you an ecstatic journey which is full of wildlife expeditions, eco-adventures, and trending outdoor pursuits like fishing, cycling, kayaking, and golfing. Apart from the mass market, more luxury awaits in dining, hotels, and spas. So, if you have taken your pick from the best used diesel motor homes and decided to head out for a short weekend trip or a long vacation, you know where to go! Pack your bags, grab your driver’s license, and explore the unknown!
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