The state of Florida is a true paradise for both children and adults. Nowhere in the world will you find so much entertainment for young and old as here in Florida. The most southern state of America can be reached by plane within ten hours from the Netherlands. The time difference of an average of six hours back in time is not always handy, but with the right setting you are certainly used to it. The most visited parts of Florida are Miami, Tampa, Florida Keys, Orlando, Fort Myers, Sanibel Island, Fort Lauderdale and Daytona Beach. For the children, the most entertainment will be found in Orlando. In any case, the number of amusement parks is enormous. Florida is an excellent area to explore by car. The roads are generally good, the signage is more than okay and the petrol is very affordable. This way you can very well visit larger parts of Florida at your own pace. Many people who want to make a trip through America, choose Florida as their travel destination. With a rental car you can easily move through this sunny state. A visit to the Everglades, the theme parks of Orlando and South Beach in Miami should not be missed during your visit to the ‘Sunshine State of America’. Check necessaryhome for a list of U.S. cities starting with K.

Florida ‘s Top 10 Attractions

Miami Art Deco District
The Art Deco District is located directly on and around Miami Beach on South Beach and Ocean Drive. This part of the city is very recognizable by the pastel colored buildings built in the art deco style. Art Deco is an art and design style that originated in the 1920s and 1930s. Meanwhile, it’s also something really typical of Miami. Hardly anywhere in the world can you see so many very good buildings in this eclectic style as in Miami. Certainly the combination with the snow-white beach on South Beach creates a beautiful contrast. The organization MDPL the Miami Design Preservation League on Ocean Drive, Miami Beach ensures that this Art Deco District of Miami is preserved. They also organize special tours and other events. The founder was Barbara Capitman.

Everglades
For a bit of ‘Miami Vice’ feeling you should definitely take a boat trip on the Everglades. This is literally about it, since this happens with a hovercraft or airboat that is driven by wind and where you actually skim over the water at high speeds. The famous Everglades is a swampy natural area of ​​approximately 1.5 million acres in southwest Florida. Most of the Everglades is now a protected nature reserve and part of the National Park. Although the watery area is known for its alligators/crocodiles, there are many other animal species to be seen. A visitor center is located in the National Park with more substantive information about the area. But don’t forget to take a ride with a hovercraft and literally experience the park. Do not put your hands outside the boat.

The amusement parks
Both young and old can indulge themselves in Florida with visits to amusement parks. The Americans like it. At number 1 is of course the Disney Park in Lake Buena Vista Orlando with the associated parks Epcot, Animal Kingdom Park, Hollywood Studios, Universal Studios and the resorts. This is followed by parks such as SeaWorld Orlando, Kennedy Space Center, Bush Gardens, Discovery Cove and Legoland. Because the climate in Florida is quite warm all year round, water parks such as Wet’n Wild Orlando, Blizzard Beach and Typhoon Lagoon always do very well. A little cooling is especially welcome during the sometimes very hot summer days. During June, July and August it easily rises to forty degrees. All dreams seem to come true in Florida.

Sanibel Island
A little piece of paradise on earth is Sanibel Island. Sanibel Island is an island just south of Fort Myers in southwest Florida. From Punta Rassa there is a road ‘Sanibel Causeway’ to this beautiful island with its beautiful shell beaches. Another option to reach the island is by boat. Sanibel Island is very popular among kite and wind surfers. But sunbathers and other tourists have also clearly found their way to this beautiful island of Florida. In addition to the JN “Ding” Darling National Wildlife Refuge conservation area, Sanibel Island also has an old lighthouse from 1884, beautiful snow-white beaches and the most beautiful shells in the world. Wild dolphins are regularly spotted during various boat trips. The persistent subtropical climate naturally ensures many tourists who like to stay there all year round.

Florida Keys
Just the drive from Miami to the Florida Keys makes for beautiful pictures. Small connected islands take you past places where time seems to stand still on both the left and right of the road. Small cabanas on the water, with or without a hammock, quickly give you that relaxed feeling as you can experience on the Keys. Passing very small villages with swaying palms such as Fleming Key, Boca Chica Key, Park Key, Litlle Duck Key, Grassy Key, Indian Key and Key Largo you eventually arrive in Key West. This busiest part of the Florida Keys is also the most visited. Here you can visit the house of Ernest Hemmingway or enjoy yourself at the pier or in one of the cozy cafes on the island. And have you always wanted to swim with dolphins, but choose to do so responsibly? You can on the Keys!

Kennedy Space Center
The full-fledged John F. Kennedy Space Center (KSC) was built for the launch of the rocket that was part of NASA’s Apollo moon landing program in 1972. This American space center is located on Merritt Island in Florida, about an hour’s drive away from Orlando. Tours can be booked at the visitor center that give you access to the park and Cape Canaveral Air Force Station. In addition, there are also game reserves to visit such as ‘Merritt Island National Wildlife Refuge and Canaveral National Seashore’.

Castillo de San Marcos
The historic site of Castillo de San Marcos is located in St. Augustine, Florida. The beginning of construction is far back in history. Construction of the fortress started in the year 1672. Castillo de San Marcos was built by order of the Spanish Admiral Pedro Menendez de Aviles. For a short while it was then in the hands of the British, who soon renamed it Fort St. Mark. When the fort came into the hands of the United States around 1821, the name was changed again to Fort Marion and then in 1942 it was given the current and original name. Today, the fort is no longer a military establishment or prison, but a museum focusing on America’s history.

South Beach
Many a fashion report has been shot on or near the beach of Miami. Both during the day and at night, South Beach is busy with people enjoying themselves, wanting to be discovered, already made it or are on their way to being famous. All this coincides with beautiful people, beautiful places, nice restaurants and beautiful art deco buildings. Especially on Ocean Drive there are such buildings that are often shrouded in pastel colors. The terraces that separate the neighborhood and the beach are therefore invariably full. And in the evening when the lights go on it changes into an even more atmospheric whole. The most expensive cars pass and meanwhile there is an enthusiastic toast left and right with a nice drink.

Lowry Park Zoo
This zoo in Tampa Florida opened its doors in 1957. Over the years, a number of residences have been refurbished and converted to current standards through fundraising. Now today you can enjoy funny meerkats, monkeys, crocodiles, manatees, elephants, giraffes, rhinoceros and otters. In addition to animals, Lowry Park Zoo also has a few attractions to offer such as a log flume, merry-go-round and various animal shows.

Daytona International Speedway
This race track in Daytona Beach has become world famous. The first race was already held in 1959. Speeds of about 320 km per hour are regularly reached on the circuit. The sound associated with this gives the average spectator some form of goosebumps. Enthusiasts of this type of rallies will not easily find a similar job. The Daytona International Speedway and especially the Daytona 500 is feared and loved for this reason.