Florida travel guide

When people hear the word "Florida," the first two words that come to many minds are "theme park." And Florida definitely has the lion's share. Or, should we say, the mouse's share. Either way, there is no shortage of theme parks in this state! Of course, Walt Disney World is the largest, most diverse of any of the theme parks. The Magic Kingdom has been joined in the last several years by EPCOT, Disney's MGM Studios, and Animal Kingdom. Each park is completely different, and offers a variety of attractions for everyone in your family.

Not only does Disney offer four unique, separate parks, they also offer a number of water-parks, nightclubs, camp grounds, golf courses, resorts, and shopping experiences. You will find vacation packages available that include as many or as few of these opportunities as you are interested in. The range of resort prices accommodate most any budget, making it possible for many people to enjoy the benefits of staying on Disney property, such as free transportation to the parks and other attractions, and extended park hours for resort guests. Even if you choose to make hotel reservations elsewhere, there are opportunities at many of the resorts that you will be able to take advantage of, such as character dining experiences. Different characters are available at the dining experiences offered in the parks and at several of the resorts. Call to make reservations well in advance, and to see which characters will be appearing at each of the locations.

However, there are more to theme parks than the mouse. The Orlando area also offers Universal Studios and Islands of Adventure for those looking for traditional theme park roller coasters and attractions. You can experience the movies as if you were really there, and let the kids visit Dr. Seuss. Sea World offers a relaxing, exciting adventure involving the opportunity to get up-close and personal with killer whales, dolphins, stingrays, sharks, polar bears, and more. And, Sea World boasts its own amazing roller coaster, as well. Sea World's Discovery Cove offers you the opportunity to swim with the dolphins, and gives you the chance to interact with a variety of sea life like never before. Reservations are required, so be sure to call well in advance.

Not too far from all of the hustle and bustle of Orlando, you will find Sea World's sister park, Busch Gardens, in Tampa. Busch Gardens is not only famous for its brewery and heart-stopping roller coasters, but also for the opportunity to spend the day with giraffes, zebras, elephants, tigers, and hundreds of other animals from Africa. A play area and rides for the kids, as well as music, shows, and games for the whole family make this another must-see during your visit. The third park in this family is the Adventure Island water park, which is located across the street from Busch Gardens. Tickets are available that will include admission to the individual parks, or to any combination of the three.

Beyond theme parks, many people choose Florida as their vacation destination for the beaches, and there are definitely many from which to choose. While the first to come to mind may be Clearwater or Daytona, there are hundreds and hundreds of others as well. Selecting one not known for its appeal to the Spring Break crowd can offer a quieter, more relaxing walk along the sand. Also, carefully selecting when you choose to visit these beaches can make a world of difference as well. Consider what you are hoping to get out of your trip to the beach, and make your plans accordingly. For instance, if you are interested in nightlife, Miami beach might be the perfect vacation spot for you. If you are looking for sharks' teeth, definitely try Venice beach, on the west coast of the state. If your dream vacation includes riding the waves, your best bet will definitely be along the east coast of Florida. Keep in mind that certain times of the year are obviously more crowded along Florida's beaches. If that is when you would like to visit, be sure to plan ahead. And, as you might expect, choosing to vacation at other times will offer you more choices of accommodations, as well as lower prices.

Another way to enjoy all that nature has to offer in Florida is to visit some of the state's freshwater springs. The cool, spring water is perfectly clear, and is a cool 72 degrees year round. There are plenty of campgrounds and parks around these springs that offer the chance to canoe, snorkel , tube, scuba dive, or swim in these incredibly beautiful settings. There is nothing more relaxing than spending the afternoon in an inner tube, floating lazily down Crystal River, looking for manatees, and watching the fish. If scuba diving catches your interest, consider Ginny Springs, just outside of Gainesville. This nature park offers a huge campground, and the opportunity to dive in a number of fresh water springs on the property. Or, visit Devil's Den, in the center of the state. This underground spring offers an incredible experience for divers and snorkelers alike, as well as camping accommodations and a swimming pool, for those preferring to swim in a more controlled environment. Silver Springs is a nature-based theme park that offers the opportunity to enjoy a ride along the river in a glass bottom boat, so you can see all of the amazing life in the water, without ever getting wet. Animal shows and a petting zoo round out this attraction.

If your idea of the perfect vacation involves adding a sprinkle of education, Florida can offer that as well. A visit to St. Augustine will fill your vacation with enough history to keep the grandkids listening for months. There is an old one-room school house, the fort that was built by the Spanish settlers, and a lighthouse to visit. Farther south, and across the state, you can find the winter home of Thomas Edison in Ft. Myers. Visitors are able to tour his home as well as a museum full of Edison's inventions. Sarasota offers the Ringling Museum of Art on the property of the Ringling family's home. And, of course, there is Cape Canaveral. Visitors of any age will be amazed to see the space program up close and personal, and to see where so many of the launches that are a part of our history have taken place. At times, visitors are able to see launches take place, however it is best to call ahead and find out what is scheduled, and when visitors will be permitted to watch. Keep in mind that any launch may be postponed due to the weather. Also, launches can be seen from the surrounding areas, not just from the space center's property.

When planning a trip to Florida, it is imperative that you keep the weather in mind. Summers in Florida are hot. If you are planning to include camping or other outdoor activities as a part of your vacation, carefully consider how comfortable you will be in the summer. Even the natives in Florida avoid tent camping during the summer. If you have an RV, or air-conditioned camper, this might not be a consideration. Also, be careful visiting the beach during the middle of the day. You will be amazed at how quickly you will sunburn, making the rest of your trip a very uncomfortable experience. Even when visiting the theme parks, you might not realize how much of the day you have spent in the sun, and should be careful not to get over-heated or sunburned. Always be sure to drink plenty of fluids and wear sunscreen anytime you visit the Sunshine State. Also keep in mind that summer afternoons involve rain most days. It may only rain for a few minutes, or you may find yourself in the middle of a hurricane. Again, plan accordingly. What many people do not realize is that fall and spring in Florida are still very warm, less rainy, and offer beautiful weather. Also, these times of year are less crowded at many of the attractions. If your vacation schedule is flexible, check with the attractions or hotels that you are interested in, and find what recommendations they can make as far as the best times to visit.

With these things in mind, you are ready to plan the Florida vacation of your dreams! There truly is something for everyone!