Florida

Below is a selection of some of Florida's most notable cities. Other cities can be found under their specific regions.

• Tallahassee – The state capital and thriving college town home to three schools, including Florida State
• – The "Venice of America" with its expansive canal system, also known for beaches and boating
• Jacksonville – Sprawling city encompassing large beaches, world-class museums, and award-winning golf
• – The center of Caribbean and Latin American culture, famed for its beachfront nightclubs
• Orlando – The theme park capital of the world also features exciting dining, a lively arts scene, and ample recreation
• – White-sand beaches draw tourists to this town of ancient shipwrecks and military fighter jets
• St. Augustine – The oldest city in the country is home to two more-than 400-year-old Spanish forts, restaurants, and shops
• – Large Gulf Coast metro area home to bustling nightlife as well as famed natural sites
• West Palm Beach – Ritzy town home to the rich & famous, featuring high-end shopping and beautiful beaches

• – Historic island at the north end of the state, with excellent golf resorts and a lively downtown
• Biscayne National Park – A massive marine park protecting a wide range of animals and coral reefs
• – The longest stretch of unspoiled beach on the Atlantic coast, near rocket launches
• Everglades National Park – Massive, vital, and delicate ecosystem protecting a great variety of plants and animals
• – Chain of islands stretching into the Caribbean, offering tropical scenery and a laid-back lifestyle
• Gulf Islands National Seashore – 12 islands along the Gulf Coast, featuring excellent beaches and sea turtles
• – Extensive inland forest giving visitors a taste of old Florida charm
• Walt Disney World – The "happiest place on earth", encompassing 4 theme parks, 2 water parks, and countless other amenities

While Florida is considered to be part of the South, it originated not as a British colony, but as a Spanish one. As such, the state has a unique history of its own. Despite this, Florida was a founding member of the Confederate States of America, and like other Southern states shared the experience of slavery, racial segregation and intolerance. Today, Florida's population is diverse and many regions are considered quite progressive.

History

Florida was inhabited by Native Americans for over 13,000 years before the arrival of European explorers, slavers and colonists. It is estimated that there were some 350,000 inhabitants, of many tribes, when the Spanish explorer Juan Ponce de León arrived in 1513. Members of the Calusa tribe fought effectively, so it took a few decades before Europeans were able to establish colonies. The first of those date back to the 1560s with St. Augustine, established in 1565, holding the distinction of being the oldest permanent European settlement in what's now the United States.
Like almost everywhere else in the Americas, the history of European oppression and murder of Native Americans was tragic in Florida. Following the substantial depopulation of the state's native tribes, the Seminole tribe moved in and established themselves there in the 18th century. They, too, fought very hard, and continued to guard their independence as well as they could after Spanish Florida was ceded to the United States in 1821. The new territory functioned as a slave plantation economy, much like the rest of the Southern United States at the time, and the Seminoles gladly welcomed runaway slaves and accepted them into their tribe. Following their defeat in 1842 after the seven-year Second Seminole War, almost the entire tribe was deported west of the Mississippi River as part of the Trail of Tears.
Florida was admitted to the Union as a slave state in 1845, but seceded and joined the Confederacy with the rest of the South in 1861. While largely untouched by the American Civil War, the state enthusiastically enforced Jim Crow segregation laws against its then very large (approximately 44%) black population for a century after the Confederates' defeat.

However, there were three 20th-century migrations that fundamentally changed the character of Florida, to the extent that many people no longer consider much of the state to be culturally Southern: The move of one-fifth of the state's African-American population to the Northern United States as part of the Great Migration during the first decades of the 20th century; the arrival of an increasing number of white retirees from the North after the spread of air conditioning in the 1950s; and the arrival of several waves of Cuban immigrants after the victory of Fidel Castro in 1959, who established themselves above all in South Florida, particularly Dade County. Florida has also seen major influxes of Latino immigrants from Puerto Rico, the Dominican Republic, Central and South America, and Mexico, and there have also been many Haitian immigrants.
Today, Florida is a very diverse state, almost evenly divided between Democrats and Republicans, with the North being more Republican and the South being more Democratic. As such, no one accent dominates in the speech of its residents. It's often said that Florida is the only state that gets more "Southern" the farther north you go, and that is indeed true in a cultural sense.

Culture

Florida is geographically the southernmost of the contiguous United States, and it is a unique blend of societies. The Florida Panhandle, much of North Florida, rural areas of Central Florida, and the Florida Heartland remain part of the cultural region of the South, where you will find traditional southern cooking, entertainment, dialect, and lifestyles, much as you would expect in states like Georgia or Alabama. Generally, the further south you go in the state, the more unlike the South it seems, and although Southern culture can be found in every region of the state, it is not always prevalent.
Cities such as Tampa and Orlando offer the feel of the South, alongside many other cultures. There are a lot of Southerners in these areas, but also many people who are from other areas like the Midwest or the Northeast. Miami, on the other hand, is unique in that it feels like a cross between an American metropolis and a major Latin American city (like Rio or São Paulo). There are some Seminole Native American reservations and villages throughout southern Florida, namely in the Everglades, and their indigenous culture can be experienced by visiting a shop and browsing arts and crafts. The southernmost Florida Keys offer yet another flavor, full of the casual, slow-paced atmosphere of beach life. In short, Florida is a full-fledged region of the United States in its own right.

Landscape

Florida's coastline is world class, with several gorgeous beaches, bays, and estuaries. The Floridian landscape is extremely flat, with lakes and wetlands scattered throughout most of the state. The only exceptions are parts of Highlands, Polk, Lake, and a few other counties in the center of the state where rolling hills are common. The highest point in the state is the Britton Hill on the Panhandle, and the Iron Mountain in Polk County is the highest point on the Peninsula. Florida's cities tend to be big, sprawling, and well-developed, but far from each other. Despite being a densely-populated state, there are fortunately still several expanses of wilderness left (although they are often found near a large city). Many rural parts of the state grow citrus and sugar cane, but farmland tends to be far from the usual tourist areas. The Florida Panhandle and most of North Florida consist of farmland and pine trees, but as you travel south, you'll see more wetlands and urbanization. The Florida Keys are a small chain of tropical islands with their own unique geography.

Climate

Florida is known around the world for its balmy weather. The state's mild winters have made it a haven for retirees year round as well as temporary residents known as "snowbirds". Summers can be long and hot, with the interior being a few degrees warmer than the immediate coast. Coastal areas experience gentle breezes during the summer, and the beach is usually the coolest place to be.
While those coastal breezes are a welcome relief from the scorching temperatures, they are also the cause of the most notorious Florida weather feature: thunderstorms. While the storms are often brief, they are common, and anyone visiting Florida during the rainy season (mid-June to September) should plan a few indoor activities in the afternoons as a backup. Florida's thunderstorms occur every day during the rainy season and typically form 20-30mi (32-48km) inland and either move toward the center of the state or toward the coast. Due to this, rain can be occurring just a few miles inland from the coast, while those at the beach experience a beautiful day.
While the storms cool the air, bringing a welcome relief to stifling temperatures, many produce considerable amounts of dangerous lightning and some bring hail, high winds of 50 mph (80 km/h) or more, and tornadoes. See the "stay safe" section for thunderstorm safety. Many tourist areas, such as Walt Disney World, have multiple attractions available even during downpours.
The spring is the driest time of the year, leads to wildfires nearly every May and early June.
The six-month hurricane season runs from June 1 through November 30 and Floridians have learned to be ready when a storm threatens the area. If you plan on visiting during the summer or fall, stay aware of the news and weather advisories. Information is available from the National Hurricane Center.
Average annual temperatures:
Summer: 81°F degrees (27°C) in North Florida; 83°F degrees (28°C) in South Florida
Winter: 53°F degrees (12°C) in North Florida; 67°F degrees (20°C) in South Florida
The above temperatures are average temperatures throughout the day.
During the summer, high temperatures on the peninsula are usually around 90°F (32°C) on the coast, in the high 80°Fs (around 30°C) in the Keys, and in the mid-90°Fs (around 35°C) inland, with low temperatures ranging from around 80°F (26°C) on the coast to the mid-70°Fs (around 24°C) inland. During the winter, temperatures are much more variable. Freezing temperatures (below 32°F/0°C) occur at least once a year as far south as Central Florida, but even on the coldest days it will warm back up into the 50°Fs (around 15°C). It is best to consult individual city pages for temperatures during the winter.

English is the official language of the state. However, Spanish is the native language of approximately 20% of Florida residents, and the further south you go, the more Spanish speakers there will be. In some parts of South Florida, Spanish is the preferred language in everyday activities. Miami is most notable, where nearly 80% of residents do not speak English as their native language and 30% do not speak any English at all. Tampa also has a sizable Spanish-speaking population, and neighborhoods where it is almost exclusively spoken. Like anywhere where there is a large presence of another language, expect Spanish words or expressions used or calqued into everyday English.
Native-born non-Hispanic Floridians will usually speak with a Southern accent. However, after the migration of millions of Americans from other states to Florida, the Southern dialect is becoming diluted with other accents.

By plane

• (MCO) - your choice airport for Disney World and the other attractions in Central Florida. Located south of downtown Orlando, this airport offers tons of car rentals and free shuttles to Disney and Universal for visitors.
• (MIA) - the biggest airport for travel in South Florida, it's the best option for trips to the Everglades or Miami's beaches. The airport is a hub for American Airlines and the most popular entry point with a wide variety of flights from Europe, South America, Central America, the Caribbean, Cuba and Mexico.
• (TPA) - serves the Gulf Coast, namely the Tampa Bay area. There are direct flights offered from all over the U.S. and from a number of international destinations in Canada, Cuba, Europe, Latin America and the Caribbean.
• (FLL) - the fourth-largest airport in Florida, and another valid option to consider with many domestic low-fare carriers such as JetBlue, Frontier Airlines, Spirit Airlines and Southwest Airlines.
• (JAX) - primary airport for travel in North Florida, serving Amelia Island and historic St. Augustine.

Other large airports can be found in Pensacola, Fort Myers, Tallahassee, Saint Petersburg/Clearwater, West Palm Beach, Sarasota, Key West, Gainesville, Melbourne, and Sanford. There are many more airports throughout Florida that may get you closer to your destination; watch for these smaller airports while researching your destination.

By train

Amtrak has two services to Florida:

• Amtrak Auto Train (Trains #52 & 53) carries passengers and automobiles between Lorton, Virginia and Sanford, Florida (north of Orlando), effectively serving as a car-rail link to Florida from the Washington, D.C. metro area. This train makes no stops between Lorton & Sanford and is a way to cut back on the extra mileage and wear and tear on the car.
• Amtrak Silver Service (Trains #91 & 92 and #97 & 98 respectively) are two routes that both begin in New York City and end in Miami. The trains follow the same route heading to Florida, except in North and South Carolina. Within the state, the trains run the same line from Jacksonville to Kissimmee. There, they split again, and the Silver Star (Trains #91 & 92) diverges to head west towards Lakeland and Tampa while the Silver Meteor (Trains #97 & 98) continues south towards Winter Haven. Both routes meet again further south and serve the rest of the stations along Florida's east coast to Miami.

By car

Three Interstate highways connect Florida with adjacent states

• Interstate 95 enters Florida from Georgia just north of Jacksonville and parallels the Atlantic coast, never more than 25 miles inland, until its terminus south of downtown Miami. Interstate 95 provides the most convenient route for people from the East Coast, New England, eastern parts of Canada. Jacksonville, Daytona Beach, and the Miami-Fort Lauderdale-West Palm Beach area are all serviced by I-95, with access to Orlando provided via Interstate 4.
• Interstate 75 also enters Florida from Georgia and passes through the center of the state until the Tampa Bay area, after which it follows the Gulf of Mexico coast (10-20 mi/16-32 km inland) to Naples, where it heads due east across the Everglades to Fort Lauderdale. Interstate 75 is most convenient for travelers arriving from Atlanta and the Midwest.
• Interstate 10 enters Florida from Alabama near Pensacola and passes through the center of the Panhandle and across North Florida until its terminus in Jacksonville. Interstate 10 is most convenient for travelers from Louisiana, Texas, and areas further west.

Additional major highways entering Florida include:

• US 1 enters Florida north of Jacksonville and snakes along the east coast between Interstate 95 and the Intracoastal Waterway/Atlantic Ocean. Unlike I-95, US 1 continues past Miami and is routed over a series of bridges (including the famous Seven Mile Bridge) through the Florida Keys to its terminus at Key West.
• US 231 enters Florida from Alabama and crosses the Panhandle north-south to its southern terminus at Panama City Beach. US 231 provides convenient access to the Panhandle from the Midwest via it connection with Interstate 65 in Montgomery.
• US 98 enters Florida near Pensacola and remains close to the Gulf of Mexico coast until the Panhandle meets the Florida peninsula at the "Big Bend" area. Unlike I-10 to the north, which runs through the interior of the Panhandle away from the coast, US 98 provides a scenic drive and convenient access to the beaches. After leaving the Panhandle, US 98 runs diagonally down the peninsula to West Palm Beach through primarily rural areas.
• US 27 enters Florida from western Georgia and provides access to the state capital, Tallahassee, before routing through mostly rural areas of the peninsula. Down the center of the state between Florida's Turnpike and Miami, US 27 is a primary trucking route, and as such this route can be a hassle while dealing with heavy traffic.
• US 301 enters Florida just north of Jacksonville and was once the main route from the Northeast. It is a very scenic alternative to I-95 with a lot less traffic. Exiting I-95 at Santee, South Carolina motorists can follow US 301 through Georgia and into Florida and connect to I-95 again in Jacksonville for Atlantic coast destinations, or continue on to join I-75 at Ocala for Tampa and the Gulf coast.

By boat

Florida is possibly the largest state for cruise ship vacations in the United States. Cape Canaveral, Tampa, Miami, and Fort Lauderdale are all popular starting ports, with cruises heading throughout the Caribbean. There are also many short-term casino cruises that depart from Pinellas County and around South Florida.
Ferry service is also available to and from the Bahamas, with service between Fort Lauderdale and Freeport, and between Miami and Bimini.

By bus

Bus service connecting the major cities in Florida is provided by Greyhound, RedCoach, and Megabus. There are a number of local and regional public transportation agencies that offer intercity bus services throughout the state.

By car

Car rental agencies abound in Florida and many are available at every major airport. Orlando, in particular, is known as the "Car Rental Capital of the World". With Florida being the most visited state in the US, car rental rates here are among (if not the) lowest rates in the country due to sheer volume.
Florida's major highways include:

• Interstate 4 crosses diagonally from Tampa, heads east through Plant City and Lakeland, then continues northeast past Kissimmee, Walt Disney World, and Orlando, before ending at Interstate 95 near Daytona Beach. Interstate 4 is the most travelled highway in Florida and due to the large volume of traffic, high speeds (70 mph,112 km/h outside of urban areas), construction, and large number of tourists it is also the most dangerous highway in the state, in terms of the number of accidents.
• Interstate 95 enters Florida from Georgia north of Jacksonville and travels down the Atlantic coast past St. Augustine, Daytona Beach, Cape Canaveral, Vero Beach, West Palm Beach, and Fort Lauderdale before ending at US 1 just south of downtown Miami.
• Interstate 10 enters Florida from Alabama near Pensacola and travels across the Panhandle, past Tallahassee and Lake City, and through rural North Florida to its terminus at I-95 in Jacksonville.
• Interstate 75 enters Florida from Georgia and runs south through the center of the peninsula past Gainesville and Ocala before crossing just east of Tampa, where it then parallels the Gulf coast past Bradenton, Sarasota, Fort Myers, and Naples, after which it travels due east across the Everglades (a section known as 'Alligator Alley') to the Miami suburbs.
• Florida's Turnpike is a toll road that runs from I-75 south of Ocala, through Orlando, West Palm Beach, and Fort Lauderdale before ending south of Miami. It provides the easiest access to Orlando and southeast Florida for persons entering the state via I-75 or I-10.
• Interstate 275 is a secondary Interstate that runs from I-75 north of the Tampa area, past downtown Tampa and Saint Petersburg, where it crosses the 5.5-mile-long (8.8km), 193 foot-tall (58.8m) Sunshine Skyway Bridge before it rejoins I-75 south of Bradenton. Interstate 75 does not provide access to these areas, it instead passes through rural and suburban areas 10 miles east of Tampa.
• U.S. Highway 1 is a historic and scenic highway that travels down the Atlantic coast between I-95 and the ocean before being routed over a series of bridges (including the famous Seven Mile Bridge) through the Florida Keys to its terminus at Key West.
• State Road A1A runs parallel to US 1 and Interstate 95, but lies to the east of the Intracoastal Waterway (mainly on the barrier islands), running mostly along the oceanfront and offering incredibly scenic views.
• US 98 enters Florida from Alabama at Pensacola and travels a very scenic route along the Gulf Coast of the Panhandle, after which it continues diagonally across the peninsula to its terminus in West Palm Beach.
• US 27 is a well-traveled alternative to the Florida's Turnpike and runs from Miami, along Lake Okeechobee and through the mostly-rural Heartland of Florida before continuing through Ocala, Gainesville, and Tallahassee.
• US 41 runs west from Miami on a scenic 2-lane journey through the Everglades, and then travels along the Gulf Coast, around the east side of Tampa Bay, and north into Georgia.

By train

• Phillip Pessar
  Amtrak Silver Star (Trains #91 & 92) and Silver Meteor (Trains #97 & 98) - This is a relatively expensive option but will suffice if other means are not possible. Both routes span from Jacksonville to Miami. While the two routes are slightly different, they both stop at the following stations: Jacksonville, Palatka, DeLand, Winter Park, Orlando, Kissimmee, Winter Haven, Sebring, Okeechobee, West Palm Beach, Delray Beach, Deerfield Beach, Fort Lauderdale, Hollywood, and Miami. The slight difference between the two routes is that the Silver Star detours to Lakeland (to/from the north only) and Tampa (to/from the south only) while the Silver Meteor proceeds directly to Winter Haven from Kissimmee.

• Sun Rail

  phone: +1 855 724-5411
  Sun Rail is a north-south train on weekdays through Sanford, Orlando, and Kissimmee, from Poinciana at its southern end, and DeBary at its the northern end. Bus connection is provided from Orlando International Airport to the Sand Lake Road station by Linx routes 11, 42 and 111; and from Orlando-Sanford International Airport to the Sanford station by Linx route 46E.

• Tri-Rail

  phone: +1 954 783-6030
  The regional rail for South Florida with a single 18-station route from its north end at Mangonia Park, through Fort Lauderdale and West Palm Beach to its south end Miami Airport. It runs the same route as the Amtrak Silver Service from Miami to West Palm Beach with the same shared stops at West Palm Beach, Delray Beach, Deerfield Beach, Fort Lauderdale and Hollywood. This train is connected to Miami International Airport by the MIA Mover shuttle train, to the Fort Lauderdale Airport by a shuttle bus, and to the West Palm Beach Airport by Palm Transit bus route 42 or 44 and the Tri-Rail Shuttle Bus.

• BrightlineA private railroad running passenger trains since early 2018, initially between Fort Lauderdale and West Palm Beach, with service to Miami added in the summer of 2018. An extension to Orlando is expected to be opened in 2020.

By ferry

A high speed ferry service, the Key West Express, operates from the cities of Fort Myers and Marco Island with daily service to the Historic Seaport district of Key West. The ferry ride takes approximately 3½ hours and the Fort Myers vessels have a capacity exceeding 300 passengers. Amenities include outdoor sundecks, flat-screen TVs, galley service and a full bar.

• Kennedy Space Center Visitor ComplexAmerica's spaceport for the manned missions to the Moon and the Space Shuttle, in Cape Canaveral. The Visitor Complex contains spacecraft displays, two IMAX movies, the Astronaut's Hall of Fame, exhibits chronicling the history and future of space exploration, a Space Shuttle Launch Experience, and more.

• , founded by the Spanish in 1565, is the United States' oldest permanent European settlement. It contains a large colonial fort, multiple attractions and site detailing its history, countless restaurants and bars, and plenty of shops in its small, walkable downtown.
• in Orlando is full of Florida's most unique animal and is one of the oldest tourist attractions in the state.
• Florida's Lighthouses are numerous, historic, and beautiful; take some time to visit these iconic images of the coast.
• Spring Training baseball occurs throughout the state in late February and March, and offers the ability to watch your favorite players for discount prices (front row tickets can be purchased as low as $15-20) and in smaller, more intimate venues.

• Salvador Dalí MuseumIn downtown St. Petersburg, it's the largest collection of Dalí artwork outside of Europe.

• is the longest cable-stayed bridge in the world and an engineering masterpiece crossing the mouth of Tampa Bay. Two long fishing piers beside the bridge, the approaches of the previous bridge, are renowned among local fishermen and provide a less expensive alternative for saltwater fishing.

• The Florida Holocaust MuseumLocated in downtown Saint Petersburg, this is one of the largest Holocaust museums in the U.S. and exhibits a box car used by Nazis to transport prisoners to extermination camps like Auschwitz.

• ,1.5 miles off the Daytona Beach exit (261) on I-95, is home of the number one event in stock car racing - NASCAR's Daytona 500 (February), along with other events throughout the year.

• Ybor CityOne of the largest party districts in the country, with countless bars, restaurants, clubs, and cigar stores, located near downtown Tampa. Has a very historic feel, with a combination of Latin and Italian influence.

• Go to the beach! You have numerous options here: Panama City Beach, Daytona Beach, St. Pete Beach, West Palm Beach and Siesta Key are some of the best.
• Visit Florida's world class theme parks and water parks.

• Walt Disney World - The most visited resort in the world, home to four theme parks, two water parks, and shopping, dining, and hotels galore.
• Universal Orlando - Disney World's biggest competitor, these two theme parks are home to The Wizarding World of Harry Potter.
• SeaWorld in Orlando and Legoland in nearby Winter Haven.
• Busch Gardens in Tampa.

Visit Everglades National Park, a place like no other on Earth, and take an airboat ride through the swamps. A drive across the Everglades on US 41 is a great way to get a sense of the park's size and scenery. Check out Everglades City for great attractions.

Explore some of the more than 150 Florida State Parks. The only three-time winner of the National Recreation and Park Association's Gold Medal for state park systems. Get a Florida State Parks Annual Pass for free admission to most of the state parks, or discounted admission at Skyway Fishing Pier State Park, Ellie Schiller Homosassa Springs Wildlife State Park and Weeki Wachee Springs State Park.

Visit the Seminole or Miccosukee Native American reservations throughout the state. Here you can find out about their history and culture, try their food, and gamble in the casinos on their land, which include several Hard Rock Casinos.

Go scuba diving or snorkeling through the many coral reefs, sunken vessels, and diverse array of sea life off of Florida's coasts. The most colorful fish can be seen in the tropical waters of Miami and further south.

Go hiking or backpacking in the many state and national parks and forests that have nature trails suitable for hiking and camping. A particularly good option is the Florida National Scenic Trail, a network of 1400 miles (2253 km) of hiking trails throughout the state. The most popular section of the trail is the 110-mile (177-km) loop encircling Lake Okeechobee.

Go fishing, with some of the best fishing action in the world (both salt and freshwater). Several large and tough fighting species such as Sailfish, Tarpon, and Largemouth Bass can be found lurking in water throughout the state.

Take a Cruise from the Port of Miami, Tampa, Fort Lauderdale, or Cape Canaveral on longer cruises run by the likes of Royal Caribbean, Carnival Cruise Line or Disney Cruise Line. There are also short nightly casino cruises in various places.

View a rocket launch, which are visible from virtually anywhere in the Peninsula when skies are clear. But the best viewing is up-close from Cape Canaveral's Kennedy Space Center, Cocoa Beach, Canaveral National Seashore, or Titusville.

Check out the Florida State Fair, held every February near Tampa. It hosts an exposition of counties, where each Florida county has a display and a representative to answer questions. In addition, the fair has animal displays and shows, an exhibition dedicated to citrus, various dance & cheerleading competitions, and a large selection of rides and games.

Florida's cuisine is a mix of many influences and its styles vary across the state from North to South. North Florida has a more Southern style; South Florida a more Caribbean one. There specifically, early Spanish and African cuisines have been given a new spin with the impact of Cuban and other Caribbean cultures, as well as from "snowbirds" escaping the Northern U.S. winters. Being on a peninsula, Florida's chefs have always had access to fresh seafood, and the long growing season provides fresh native vegetables almost year round.

• Citrus is a main export, and a tourist is apt to see many roadside stands offering free samples of orange juice and fruits to be shipped or carried home. Florida also grows grapefruit, avocado, mango, papaya, passion fruit, kumquat, coconut and other tropical fruits. These often provide the base for sauces and marinades and are also used in marmalades, soups, and desserts. Official state welcome centers located on I-10, I-75, and I-95 as you enter Florida offer free samples of orange juice to all visitors, a tradition that goes back decades.
• Strawberries are another popular fruit in Florida. Plant City, off I-4 east of Tampa, is the center of the Florida strawberry industry, where during the peak season (Feb-Mar) many roadside vendors offer flats (16 pints/12 lb/5.4 kg) and half-flats of strawberries for a small fraction of grocery store prices. Since most stands are owned by the individual farmers, the fruit sold was often harvested that morning or the day before. Fresh Florida strawberries are a treat no tourist should miss, at least if you visit in-season.
• Grouper is a very popular seafood caught in Florida's coastal waters. Fresh grouper is offered in many coastal cities, where local restaurants buy it straight from fishermen, and it is often served fried or grilled on a sandwich. State inspectors have cracked down to ensure that all restaurants offering "grouper" are in fact serving grouper, and not another less expensive white fish. Snapper, snook, tarpon, marlin, and shark are other Florida fish that you can find at coastal restaurants, although they are not nearly as ubiquitous as grouper.
• Southern food is available throughout most of North and Central Florida. Barbeque is popular throughout the state, with many small "barbeque shacks" to choose from. Any platter costing over $10 ($15 for ribs) should be avoided as the less expensive restaurants are almost always best. Sweet tea is also common throughout the state, although unlike most areas in the South, you have a choice between sweet and unsweet tea. Boiled peanuts, which taste nothing like a regular peanut, can be found at roadside vendors and are certainly worth trying. Dishes such as fried chicken, grits, okra, biscuits & gravy, and collard greens can also be found in restaurants and buffets throughout the state.
• Cuban food is common in the Miami and Tampa areas, with the most common dishes being the Cuban sandwich, flan, and black beans & rice.
• Local specialties, not readily available in many other locales, include alligator. It is healthy and most say it tastes like chicken, and it is often prepared like chicken nuggets. Key lime pie, found elsewhere now, is a Florida Keys invention, made from the local key limes.

Florida bans indoor smoking in restaurants, but it is allowed outdoors unless the establishment prohibits it.

Alcoholic beverages abound throughout the state. However, five rural counties in the northern third of the state are "dry counties", and no alcohol is sold in them. Stand-alone liquor stores are often built into strip malls, supermarkets, and pharmacies, and most grocery stores, gas stations, and convenience stores sell beer and wine. Bars and clubs are popular throughout the state, with Miami Beach being well-known for a variety of themed and upscale bars with innovative mixed drinks. Unique bars and clubs can also be found in downtown Orlando and the nearby tourist areas closer to the theme parks and resorts of Disney and Universal.
No visit to Florida is complete without a cup of their famous orange juice. In most of the welcome centers, you can have a free sample.
Like every other U.S. state, the purchase and possession age for alcohol is 21 and it's fairly well enforced. Underage drinking "stings" are frequent in most tourist areas. Florida allows smoking in bars, including those that serve food, but the bar must get less than 10% of their revenue from food.

Florida is increasingly becoming a major destination for shopping. The Orlando and Miami areas are home to a plethora of shopping malls, including many outlet malls home to shops selling brand-name products for discounted prices. There are also a large number of stores selling souvenirs, although most are not locally produced. The Kissimmee area near Orlando, especially, has a much larger amount of retail stores than typical of U.S. cities. While traditionally these shops catered largely to American families on vacation, most now serve foreign shoppers who flock to these malls to buy products significantly cheaper than at home. It's not uncommon at some shopping malls in Orlando to encounter tourists from around the globe, especially on weekdays when most Americans are working. In the last few years, Brazil has become the largest source of international visitors to the state, with many coming on shopping group tours and sometimes wearing matching shirts. Due to this, major shopping centers in the Orlando and Miami areas now offer services in Portuguese.
Most goods for sale in the state are subject to sales tax. In most of the state the rate is 7%, but it varies from 6-7.5% (6% state sales tax and up to 1.5% local sales tax). This rate is almost never listed on the advertised or displayed prices.

Internet

Nearly all hotels offer Wi-Fi internet access for guests; some even have Ethernet ports for higher-speed wired connections. Many businesses also have Wi-Fi internet access, sometimes for free. This even includes some clothing/department, grocery, and convenience stores in addition to the more typical restaurants and shopping malls.
Wi-Fi internet access is also available at public libraries. It's almost always free for everyone with their own device (laptop, smartphone, tablet). Computers set up for internet access by patrons require a username and password to access; nearly all libraries will issue a "guest pass" for non-cardholders (i.e. non-residents), either for free or for a small charge ($1-2). Use of library computers is subject to time limits which vary widely.
The large majority of "internet cafes" in the state are actually nominally illegal casinos, set up for online gambling in an attempt to circumvent gambling laws. Such internet cafes do not have typical computers for general use. Instead, they are usually enclosed in a slot machine-style cover with only a few buttons to press, and set up to only view gambling websites. Patrons pay for short periods of time, sometimes using odd methods like buying prepaid phone cards. After a high-profile crackdown on an operator of dozens of such internet cafes, the state banned the opening of all new internet cafes in 2013.

Dialing 911 at any telephone will reach the emergency services (police, fire, ambulance, etc.). Any U.S. phone, regardless if it is "active" or not, must be able to dial 911 if it is connected to the network, and such calls are always free.

Crime

Florida has varying crime intensity from city to city. In certain areas of the large cities it may not be safe to walk alone or even in small groups at night, although these are the exceptions and most of Florida is safe for visitors. Tourist areas rarely have violent crimes, but theft is an occasional occurrence. If the area doesn't feel safe, then it probably isn't.
Clip joint operators who trick visitors into paying large amounts of money for low-quality services may use local police to shake down voyagers under a Florida law that requires bar and restaurant patrons pay a disputed bill first and take it up later with their credit card company.

Weather

Florida has a high occurrence of hurricanes, though they don't hit the state every year. You might want to check the hurricane safety page if you are visiting Florida during the Hurricane Season, which runs June 1 to November 30.
Only two places in the world experience more frequent lightning strikes than Florida. The summer thunderstorms in Florida produce frequent lightning, which kills people each year and injures many more. Stay indoors during a thunderstorm and never seek shelter under a tree. Most casualties occur on golf courses, but lightning strikes everywhere. If you must go outdoors during a storm, try to stay away from any tall object, especially trees or anything made of metal. Occasionally, these thunderstorms will bring hail, high winds, and tornadoes. While the historical number of tornadoes in Florida is somewhat high, the overwhelming majority have occurred during hurricanes (Hurricane Jeanne alone spawned over 200 tornadoes in Florida). While some do occur during winter cold fronts and summer thunderstorms, 99% of them are weak (F-0/F-1). Thus, while statistics may suggest otherwise, tornadoes are not a big hazard in Florida.
Watch where and when you swim. While the beaches are great they sometimes harbor rip currents, bacteria, and jellyfish. Always check with the lifeguard stand or ranger station before heading in if no one is in the water or if the waves are rough.
Red tide is the name for harmful algal blooms that can occur on Florida's Gulf coast. They cause fish kills and water discoloration, and release toxins into the air that cause respiratory irritation. People with severe or chronic respiratory conditions, such as emphysema or asthma, should avoid areas where red tide is occurring. Swimming in water afflicted by red tide can cause skin and eye irritation and is not recommended.

Wildlife

Alligators are a threat throughout Florida (even in inland areas like Orlando and the Walt Disney World), and it should be assumed that they are present in all stagnant or slow moving freshwater. Never swim in any lakes or rivers unless signs tell you swimming is safe, and beware when approaching the water anywhere. Do not allow children to approach the water's edge.
Bears and Florida panthers, common before the arrival of Europeans in Florida, are now both endangered in the state. If you do see either, back off slowly or keep your distance, make constant noise to avoid startling the animal, and make yourself appear larger by waving your arms above your head. When hiking, make lots of noise to avoid starling an animal, and always keep small children close to you.
Volusia County is known for a high number of shark attacks, but they can occur anywhere in the state, so be careful when surfing. Even so, the number of attacks are less than 50, with a fatal attack every 2-3 years, amongst millions of visitors and residents who swim in the ocean. Swimming near dusk and dawn is the most hazardous.
Lionfish are a poisonous and invasive fish that are now present on reefs throughout Florida. They can be identified by their red-and white striped bodies and poisonous spines. Stings are extremely painful and often require hospitalization. Due to their status as an invasive species, any sighting of lionfish should be reported to wildlife management authorities immediately.
Jellyfish are also sometimes common at the beaches, and venomous snakes can be found year round across the state, so it is good to be wary of both.

Consulates

A large number of countries have consulates in and around Miami, with a much smaller number in Jacksonville, Orlando and Tampa. Full listings for these consulates and honorary consulates are in the articles for the cities where they are located. Always call ahead to determine if the consulate offers the services you require, such as passports, visas, and other official documents, as these services are increasingly being centralized at other locations. Some websites are available only in Spanish.

• Georgia - Heading out of Florida to the north is Georgia, with the historic city of Savannah and the resort beaches of Jekyll Island close by.
• Alabama - North of the Panhandle is Alabama, with the historic port of Mobile and popular resort town Gulf Shores a short drive away.
• Caribbean - The islands of the Caribbean are accessible by boat and plane from across Florida and offer a variety of both relaxing and adventure travel amidst a tropical paradise. For those interested in visiting the Bahamas, many owners of small boats will make the day-long trip to the island chain, and several small airlines offer flights for under $70 each way.