Florida Travel Guide
It’s called the Sunshine State for a reason…
Florida is famous for its sunshine, hence its nickname. This is where folks in the United States escape in the winter for warmer weather, where we get gorgeous white sand beaches, and home to cities like Miami and Orlando, the theme park capital of the world!
North Florida presents historic St. Augustine, the oldest city in the U.S., known for its Spanish colonial architecture and fortresses.
You’ll find Orlando in Central Florida, home to Walt Disney World, Universal Studios, and SeaWorld. Nearby, the Space Coast hosts the Kennedy Space Center, where you can witness rocket launches and explore NASA exhibits. And surrounding Orlando you’ll find the historic citrus growing capital of the state.
South Florida features Miami’s lively arts and culture scene, incredible architecture, renowned nightlife, and the unique ecosystem of the Everglades National Park, known for its alligators and subtropical wilderness.
The Florida Keys offer a laid-back island vibe, with Key West providing stunning sunsets, historic sites, and the famous Overseas Highway drive, one of the most popular road trips in the country!
You can find more beaches along Florida’s Gulf Coast and beach towns like Sarasota and Naples.
With gorgeous beaches, cool cities and destinations, historic landmarks, theme parks, and popular road trip routes, Florida is one of those states that we enjoy coming back to again and again, each time a little different than the last!
Quick Tips for Visiting Florida
When is the best time to visit Florida?
The best time to visit Florida is generally from late fall (November) to spring (April), when most of the US is cold!
During these months, the weather is typically mild and pleasant, with lower humidity and temperatures averaging between 65°F to 85°F (18°C to 29°C), making it comfortable for outdoor activities, beach trips, and theme park visits.
Florida’s warm winter climate makes a perfect warm weather winter vacation in the United States, especially in southern areas like Miami and the Florida Keys, where temperatures are warm enough for swimming and sunbathing.
Spring is also a great time to enjoy the outdoors and natural areas including national parks and nature reserves. With spring break, this season also marks a peak in tourism and is often the most crowded.
The summer months of June to August can be really hot and humid and not for the faint of heart with temperatures often exceeding 90°F (32°C).
The summer months are also the rainy and hurricane seasons, particularly affecting coastal areas. That being said, many people still vacation here in the summer for theme parks and beach getaways.
Fall (September to November) offers warm temperatures and fewer crowds, making it a great time to visit.
The best time to visit Florida really boils down to what area you’re trying to visit and the activities you’re wanting to do.
How Much Time Do I need in Florida?
How much time you need for a visit to Florida depends on what you want to do and the area you want to cover. If you’re solely visiting a city destination like Miami or Orlando, you can enjoy most attractions in a long weekend of 3 to 4 days.
To experience the state of Florida fully, plan to spend at least 7-10 days to visit multiple destinations throughout the state. It takes approximately 6 hours to drive from the north of Florida down to Miami (and an additional 3.5 hours to get to Key West from Miami).
If you plan at least a week, this allows you to travel at a comfortable pace and see a few different destinations. For example, if you’re visiting Miami plus the Florida Keys, I’d say you need at least 2-3 days for Miami and another 4-5 days to enjoy the Florida Keys on a meaningful visit.
What is Florida most famous for?
Florida is most famous for its warm weather throughout the year, stunning beaches, Miami, and Orlando’s theme parks.
That being said, Florida has more than gorgeous coastal scenery. You’ll find culturally rich destinations, historic sites, national parks, nature reserves, natural springs, and more.
Florida is home to world-renowned theme parks like Walt Disney World and Universal Studios in Orlando.
Visitors can also explore cultural and historic landmarks such as the Kennedy Space Center, the Art Deco Historic District in Miami, and the historic city of St. Augustine.
You’ll also find lively cities like Miami, Orlando, and Tampa, each offering unique experiences from vibrant nightlife to family-friendly entertainment.
What’s the best way to get around Florida?
The best way to travel around Florida is by car. Having a car provides the flexibility to visit different destinations and attractions at your own pace.
Florida’s highways, like I-95 along the East Coast and I-75 through the interior, offer convenient routes with more scenic drives, including the Overseas Highway to Key West.
If you want to save time and get from one part of the state to another, you can use regional airports for quicker travel between cities like Miami, Tampa, and Orlando. All of these airports will have rental car options too.
Must Try Food in Florida
Food to try in Florida depends on what area you’re in as there are specialties from different parts of the state.
Key Lime Pie is one of the most famous treats in the state best enjoyed in the Florida Keys. This tangy and refreshing pie is made by the state’s key limes and is a great treat to have on a hot day!
Stone crab claws are harvested from October to May around the Gulf Coast and Florida Keys. This delicacy is known for its sweet meat and served chilled with mustard sauce.
Cuban sandwiches, originating from Miami’s Cuban community, feature roast pork, ham, Swiss cheese, pickles, and mustard on Cuban bread, yum.
Conch fritters, a favorite in the Florida Keys, are deep-fried balls of conch meat and spices.
Gator tail, often found at festivals and seafood restaurants, offers a more exotic dish to try, typically served breaded and fried.
And you can’t skip orange juice when you’re in Florida! This state is famous for its citrus industry and gives you a taste of sunshine in every cup. When you’re around historic citrus growing areas, be sure to try orange flavored treats too!
Explore our guides
Florida Keys
The Florida Keys is one of the most famous road trip destination in the country, and there’s a good reason why, it’s stunning! The various ‘keys’ of the Florida Keys all offer something different with your final destination being the vibrant town of Key West, the southernmost point of the continental United States.
You’ll find plenty of gorgeous beaches in Key Largo, underwater nature preserves you can snorkel or dive at, local wildlife rescues you can visit, great resorts, and charming towns to visit!
What’s even better is that the Florida Keys has tons of great sustainable attractions too.
Central Florida
Central Florida has SO much more than Orlando! While Orlando is a fun destination to visit for theme parks, there are more activities in Orlando to check out too.
We enjoyed a great road trip through Central Florida’s Lake County to get a feel for ‘Old Florida’ in towns like Mount Dora and Tavares, a historic citrus growing region that’s just a short distance from Orlando.
This area ended up being a really fun road trip, we made a scavenger hunt out of finding the old citrus label signs around Lake County to pay homage to the marketing used by farmers before WWII making fun stops in towns, farms, and quirky roadside attractions along the way!
