Theme Parks & Attractions
There’s a reason Florida is called Theme Park Country. The Orlando region is home to Walt Disney World Resort, Universal Orlando Resort, SeaWorld Adventure Park and neighboring Discovery Cove. To the west is Busch Gardens Tampa Bay. Family attractions include Kennedy Space Center, Silver Springs, Orlando’s Gatorland and St. Augustine Alligator Farm.
Everglades – the river of grass
With an area of more than 0.6 million hectares, the Everglades are a unique ecosystem: The landscape consists of large areas of sedge, interrupted by forest islands and waterways. This biotope is home to many animal and plant species – including more than 400 species of birds, alligators, deer, panthers and the only crocodile population in the USA. Activities in Everglades National Park include train tours, canoeing, biking, camping and bird watching. Airboat and swamp buggy tours are available outside the park.
Where is the beach here?
According to travelationary, Florida has 1,770 kilometers of beaches – a dream for water sports enthusiasts and sunbathers. The number of extraordinary beaches is large: Daytona Beach is one of the few sandy beaches on which cars are allowed to drive. For a few dollars you can spend the whole day here, watching windsurfers and experiencing a very special American feeling.
Fossil shark teeth can be found at Venice Beach. Small specimens can already be found on a walk – larger teeth can be found on the offshore reefs. Those who prefer collecting shells and snail shells head to Sanibel Island, which has around 400 different species of mollusks. Close by is Cayo Costa, an uninhabited offshore island. The best way to get there is by boat and spend the whole day on the miles of sandy beaches – swimming, snorkeling, fishing, or “shelling” as the shelling is called.
Clearwater Beach stands for unlimited beach fun : playing volleyball, jetting along the coast with a waver runner or parasailing through the mild air – all this can be experienced here. The Siesta Public Beach in Sarasota is family-oriented – shallow water, lifeguards, a children’s playground and fine white sand.
In the tropical-looking Siesta Key Village, pretty boutiques, cafés and restaurants invite you to stroll and feast. A little paradise awaits you on Bahia Honda Key: Palm trees sway in the sea breeze on the seemingly untouched sandy beaches, the water is warm and clear and you would love to spend the whole day in the sea. As a contrast, Miami’s South Beach offers itself : Here it’s all about seeing and being seen – plus pastel-colored Art Deco buildings, street cafes, trendy hotels and boutiques as an unforgettable ambience.
Sports and adventure holidays in the Sunshine State
VUSA sports tips: Florida has top areas for water sports such as swimming, sailing, water skiing, jet skiing, windsurfing, paragliding, diving and fishing. The Sunshine State also plays a pioneering role in various fun sports, such as kiteboarding in and around Miami. The kiter surfs the water with a combination of wakeboard board and stunt kite, with a speed of 40 km/h and flights of up to 20 meters being not uncommon.
Anyone who has ever wanted to fly free like a pelican through the air can take a flight in a microlight on Florida’s Gulf Coast. The small planes are ready at Airport Manatee at the Sunshine Skyway Bridge: climb into the plane with your pilot and enjoy the wonderful panorama.
If you’re more comfortable in the water than in the air, give in to wreck diving. There are three coral reefs off Fort Lauderdale’s beaches – suitable for both snorkelers and serious divers. Good underwater visibility and fantastic reefs can be found off the coast of Palm Beach. The Gulf Stream ensures clear water blessed with an abundance of fish. Between May and September you can even swim with sea turtles here. The sea is crystal clear at Sebastian Inlet State Park. There are excellent surfing opportunities here.
Does it give you that special thrill of freefalling down to earth? One of the most famous “drop zones” in the world is Zephyrhills, also known as “Skydrive City”. Many a record attempt in team jumping has been made in the mecca for skydivers.
Fascinating underwater
world Today, divers can admire over 50 different types of coral off the coast of Florida. The 150-mile-long reef off the south coast of the Keys is the only coral reef in the United States and is a conservation area. Dozens of old ships and a few disused (and completely cleaned) oil platforms were also sunk to create new biotopes for fish, corals, sponges and other molluscs and coelenterates. Snorkelers and divers have fantastic opportunities to discover the fascinating underwater world. However: You only have to look at it: Touching the fragile underwater world is strictly forbidden!
