Best Florida Life

Sunshine State Visitors & Residents

World Famous Florida Beaches

Enjoy Florida's world famous beaches from Destin, FL to the Florida keys and Key West. Maybe you want to drive on the beach in Daytona Beach, or horseback ride on the beaches of Amelia Island. And, the surfs up at Cocoa Beach home of world famous Ron Jon's giant surf shop and annual national surf contests.

Florida has hundreds of miles of the finest beaches in the world. Enjoying the crystal clear water and permanent sunshine are only two of thousands of reasons to vacation in the Sunshine State. Florida Beach Hotels

Orlando Florida | Disney World | Universal Studios | Sea World

Orlando Florida is the home of Disney World, Universal Studios, Sea World, LEGOLAND, and world class hotels and resorts including Disney World Hotels and things to do in Orlando. Book Orlando Hotels.

Orlando is a very busy place during all seasons so be sure to book your reservations well in advance and be sure to check out vacation houses for rent that might suit you better than a traditional hotel room.

Kennedy Space Center Tour | Hotels on the Space Coast

Just 45 minutes directly east of Orlando on the Atlantic Ocean sits Florida's Space Coast where space starts at the Kennedy Space Center.

Suddenly, you realize what you are watching history in the making with every launch of new satellites or a trip to the space station to bring vital supplies. SpaceX has made the launches even more exciting with its safe return of the first rocket stages for future use.

The Space Coast is also home to Port Canaveral, the world's busiest and most highly rated cruise port. And, Disney Cruise Lines latest and greatest cruise ships sail from here. You will also find the Victory Casino Cruise ship here, with twice daily casino cruises that feature Florida's only live roulette and craps tables.

Tampa Bay | St Petersburg | Clearwater

Tampa, FL is one of the fast growing cities in Florida and the Tampa Bay area includes St. Petersburg, Bradenton, and Clearwater. Tampa features many fine beaches, boating, and outstanding fishing from piers or charter boats. And of course, as with all areas of Florida, quality golf courses abound.

Tampa is home to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers NFL team, the Tampa Rays MLB team, and the Tampa Bay Lightning Hockey Team. Tickets.

Tampa is also home to one of Florida's two thoroughbred horse racing tracks, Tampa Bay Downs.

Miami | South Beach | Key West

Miami, truly an international city, is one of the fastest growing areas in the Southeast United States and hosts many multinational companies as an entry to Latin America. Miami hosts the Miami Dolphins (NFL), Miami Marlins (MLB), Miami Heat (NBA), and the Florida Panthers (NHL).

And don't forget the fishing, snorkeling, scuba diving, and fabulous sunsets at Mallory Square in Key West. You will also want to wander down Duval Street and sip a few brews at one of Ernest Hemingway's favorite haunts including Sloppy Joe's Bar.

Enjoy people watching and be part of the night life in South Beach. Who knows, you might even run into some celebrities or hot, hot, hot models taking in the sun. Experience the exciting late night life of Miami and South Beach and don't miss New Year's Eve in South Florida.

Florida Horse Racing

Gulfstream Park Racetrack and Casino is located midway between Miami and Fort Lauderdale, in Hallandale, Florida. And, live thoroughbred racing is featured throughout the year with the Florida Derby and the Pegasus Cup.

Tampa Bay Downs is the other Florida thoroughbred horse track, and of course is located in Tampa. Live races are held December - May of each year, but simulcast and a card room keep the facility open year around.

Florida Casinos

Florida's casinos are concentrated in the South Florida area with three exceptions: First is the Tampa's Seminole Hardrock Hotel and Casino Tampa, FL., second is the Seminole Casino Hotel Immokalee, FL and the third is the Seminole Casino in Briton, FL.

Florida casinos do not have live craps or roulette tables, only electronic versions. Additionally, there are card rooms distributed throughout the state where poker games are available. Live Blackjack games are only permitted in Seminole operated casinos.

Seminole Gaming

The most popular casino destinations in Florida are the Hardrock Hotel and Casino in Hollywood, Florida and the Hardrock Hotel and Casino in Tampa, Florida. Both of these casinos are similar to Las Vegas type casinos and offer thousands of the latest slots, over 100 table games including blackjack, high stakes poker, Baccarat, and various Asian card games.

Florida Equestrian Life

Florida equestrian life includes world class horse shows, rodeos, horse racing, horse farms, polo, and recreational horse riding. Not surprisingly, horses in Florida are a multi-billion dollar industry and provide many levels of activity for both participants and spectators. Learn more about Florida equestrian life here.

Hotels Near Florida Horse Events

The best hotel deals near each of the Florida horse venues including Gulfstream Park, Wellington International, and World Equestrian Center, Ocala. Also, Fox Lea Farm, Venice, FL and TerrNova International Equestrian Center near Sarastota, FL.

Florida's Great Outdoors

Florida hosts some of the nation's most unusual parks such as Biscayne National Park which is 95% underwater and Dry Tortugas National Park. (This 100-square mile park is mostly open water with seven small islands.) Another underwater park is the Coral Reef State Park that protects fantastic coral reef just of the coast of Key Largo.

National Parks in Florida

The Sunshine State hosts world famous national parks such as Everglades National Park, Canaveral National Seashore, Biscayne National Park, Gulf Islands National Seashore, and Big Cypress National Preserve. National Parks are administered by the National Park Service.

National Forests in Florida

The national forests in Florida are administered by the US Department of Agriculture and are not part of the National Park Service. However, they operate in a similar manner and are a national treasure. The three national forests in Florida are Apalachicola National Forest, Ocala National Forest, and Osceola National Forest.

Florida National Scenic Trail

The Florida National Scenic Trail, better known as the Florida Trail, is a federally-designated, non-motorized recreation trail. Enticingly, the trail meanders approximately 1,500 miles across some of the most beautiful, unique landscapes in the entire country. Hikers, bicycle riders, and horseback riders may be found enjoying the trail during all seasons.

State Parks in Florida

The 175 State Parks in Florida are an outstanding example of government's contribution to its citizen's lifestyle. Those include, hiking, camping, boating, birding, bike riding, horse ridging trails, picnicking, and more. Guide to Florida's State Parks - Park Fee Schedule

And who would want to miss snorkeling the beautiful reefs at John Pennekamp Coral Reef State Park in Key Largo.

Celebrate Special Days at a Florida State Park

Someone is having a birthday or anniversary and you want to do something special. Consider reserving a picnic area at a park. Think about it, you get fresh air, room to run around, easy clean up, and noise dissipates. For example, here are the state parks with picnic facilities.

Want to do something different this Thanksgiving and get out of the kitchen? Plan your Thanksgiving at one of Florida's State Parks.

The Great Florida Birding and Wildlife Trail

The Great Florida Birding and Wildlife Trail is a network of more than 500 premier wildlife viewing sites across the state. When you want to know where to go in Florida to see native birds, butterflies and more, head for the Trail.

Florida Conservation

Florida has a series of delicate ecosystems from the River of Grass that flows south from Lake Okeechobee to the fragile coral reefs along both coasts. Additonally, Florida wildlife such as the Florida Panther face extension and are a protected species. During the migration season, Florida plays host to most bird species in the United States and of course is a famous destination for birders.
Several important groups are associated with Florida conservation including the Florida Conservation Coalition and The Conservation Trust for Florida.