Florida Travel Tips - Daytona Beach, Jacksonville, Miami, Orlando

Travel Notes: North America: Florida: About Florida: Florida Travel Tips

Read what others say about Florida.

Florida Reservations

Book a Rental Car - Check out Flights - Compare Hotel Rooms.

Clearwater Beach, Florida

Escape to Paradise: by A.J. Burch.

Get set for a dose of beauty as you cross the bridge. After leaving the mainland, you'll get a gorgeous view of the Gulf of Mexico and Clearwater Beach.

Finding Good Food and Nightlife: by Bridget McCray.

Clearwater Beach is well known for it's sugary sand beaches, pleasant weather and warm Gulf of Mexico waters.

Situated midway on Florida's west coast, just 30 minutes west of Tampa and 90 minutes west of Orlando, Clearwater's beach island is connected to its downtown by palm-lined Memorial Causeway.

From fast food to fine dining; pubs, bars, and night clubs to waterfront restaurants; places to eat in Clearwater Beach appeal to all the family.

Daytona Beach, Florida

Golfing Daytona: by Shelley Poulton.

A golf vacation in Daytona Beach can be as good for your bank account as it is for your swing. Despite the vast selection of famous golf courses, the area is not quite as expensive as you might think.

Professional Golfers Choose Daytona Beach: by Rita Cook.

Daytona Beach is rapidly becoming known as Florida's golf capital. So well known that the Ladies Professional Golf Association (LPGA) even relocated to Daytona from Texas.

Take Your Family to Daytona Beach: by Rita Cook.

Oftentimes when travellers think of Daytona Beach, the first thoughts that come to mind are spring break and loud teenagers.

Well, if you're not exactly the 'spring break' type (and even if you are), Daytona is much more than college students, rock bands and motorcycle buffs; it is also a place for family fun.

Fort Myers Beach, Florida

The History of Fort Myers Beach: by Christina Tourigny.

Fort Myers Beach shares its heritage with its namesake the City of Fort Myers. This city was once home to the famous Seminole Indian Chief, Billy Bowlegs.

Ft. Lauderdale, Florida

Ft. Lauderdale's Tropi Rock Resort: by Wendy Maxey.

Ft. Lauderdale's Tropi Rock Resort likes to cal itself 'one of the most unique small resorts in the world'; set in a cozy setting that somehow manages to blend influences from Europe, the Caribbean, and a charming 'old Florida' that has nearly disappeared.

Features include a Baroque fountain, a private gazebo and a large freshwater outdoor swimming pool with a two-storey rock waterfall.

Ft. Lauderdale: What's All the Fuss?: by Chris Tourigny.

There's plenty of ways to play in sunny Ft. Lauderdale; even away from the beach. The sun-kissed city boasts seaside playgrounds, more than 200 parks and a bountiful selection of attractions that showcase everything from butterflies to tyrannosaurs.

Spa-ing in the Sunshine State: by Michael Quinlan.

First-time visitors to Ft. Lauderdale should be forewarned that staying at a resort spa is indeed a luxury - one that can often come with a lavish price tag. Still, if you're looking for ways to economize while you revitalize, bargains are available.

Inverness, Florida

A Nook Along Florida's Nature Coast: by Regina Ballard.

Situated 10 minutes south of the Florida Turnpike's northern gate at Wildwood and five minutes east of I-75 via State Road 44, Inverness has retained its old-Florida charm by preserving and protecting acres of natural scenery first appreciated by the Florida Crackers.

Jacksonville, Florida

Exploring Northeast Florida: by Janice Farnsworth.

At the northeastern tip of Florida, just south of the Georgia border, lies a huge land mass encompassing city and country, swamp and ocean. This landmass, Jacksonville, has everything from an Anheuser Busch Brewery to the Jacksonville Zoological Gardens.

The Wild Side of Jacksonville: by Janice Farnsworth.

One of Jacksonville's most popular attractions is the Jacksonville Zoo, and I recently found out why.

Key Largo, Florida

Key Largo and the Upper Keys: by Omar Perez.

A few hours in the Florida Keys need not take up your entire weekend. In fact, you can indulge in just about everything the Conch Republic has to offer in just a few hours - in Islamorada and Key Largo anyway.

Key West, Florida

Key West Isn't a City, It's a State of Mind: by Christina Tourigny.

The laid back lifestyle, southern charm and Caribbean flavor are what make Key West what it is today; and it's just a short, picturesque drive from Miami, down US-1.

Cruise pasengers can also maximize their Key West shore excursion time on a watersport party boat; enjoying jet skiing, snorkeling, banana boat rides, kayaking, sunfish sailboat, windsurfing, waterskiing, knee-boarding or just floating on a raft.

Miami, Florida

An Everglades Advocate: by Deborah Straw.

Marjory Stoneman Douglas became known during her lifetime, all 108 years of it, as the Everglades' patron saint, primarily because of her 1947 book 'The Everglades: River of Grass'; which redefined the popular conception of the Everglades as a treasured river instead of a worthless swamp.

Canoeing Florida: by Omar Perez.

While boating is a popular pastime in the waters off Florida's coast, canoeing the state's rivers is just as, if not more, enjoyable. Unlike boat trips, canoe excursions allow visitors to truly experience nature in its most pristine form, floating through tranquil settings that could go unnoticed because of a boat engine.

Miami: Florida's Cultural Hotspot: by Chris Tourigny.

Miami is a tropical, metropolitan city whose neon lights burn 24 hours a day, seven days a week.

With a little bit of history, a splash of culture and some international influence, residents have created a milieu that continues to attract visitors to Greater Miami and its beaches.

Miami: Not All Glitter and Nightlife: by Lourdes Diaz.

Although much of the recent attention lavished on Miami has centered on its South Beach nightlife and notorious hotspots, there is another side to this city by the bay - Miami for the family.

South Florida's Soul Food: by Deborah Straw.

The flavor of South Florida, especially of Miami and Key West, is distinctively Cuban. Almost every restaurant in Key West offers a few Cuban specialties or recipes inspired by the cuisine. These meals are beautiful, delicious and hardy. They're also reasonably priced.

Naples, Florida

Carefree and Quiet Getaway: by Christina Tourigny.

Walk down the Naples Pier and view the beach from above the Gulf of Mexico. It's a resting spot for pelicans and snowy white egrets just waiting for a friendly fisherman's handout. Occasionally there's even dolphins frolicking offshore.

Orlando, Florida

Thrill-Seekers Watch Out!: by Shelley Poulton.

It's summer, and for thrill-seekers around the world that means only one thing: amusement parks.

Panama City, Florida

Panama City Beach: by Chris Tourigny.

Florida's Panama City Beach has become a major tourist attraction - and not just for spring breakers. Visitors are drawn to Panama City's sparkling white sandy beaches, emerald-green waters and tropical breezes.

Sanibel Island, Florida

A Gift From Mother Nature: by Chris Tourigny.

Mother Nature has created a masterpiece with Sanibel Island. She has bestowed the Florida island with powder-soft white sandy beaches, blue-green waters, gentle gulf breezes and miles of seashells.

St. Pete Beach, Florida

The History of St. Pete Beach: by Christina Tourigny.

The City of St. Pete Beach is a barrier island community located just off the Pinellas County mainland of Saint Petersburg, just south of Treasure Island, and 20 miles from Clearwater Beach.

Sailors and pirates first settled the Gulf coast beaches back in the 1700's. Today much of its colourful, if unsavory, history remains in stories and folklore about infamous pirates who roamed offshore for over a decade.

Steinhatchee, Florida

Steinhatchee Landing Resort: by A.J. Burch.

The spirit and romance of Old Florida can be savoured at Steinhatchee Landing Resort and River Inn with a step back in time.

Tampa, Florida

Back-Door Culinary Tour Of Tampa: by Bridget McCrea.

If you visit Tampa Bay for sunshine, you will not be disappointed.

You may be surprised to discover, however, that to dine Tampa Bay is to be blessed with wonderful food - delicious, diverse and exciting cuisine reflecting the multi-ethnic make-up of this city that stands at the threshold of both the Caribbean islands and Latin America.

Write For Travel Notes

Submit a Florida Travel Article:
If you're on the road or have just returned from somewhere in Florida, send us your updates for publication.

Florida Accommodation

Florida Hotel Guide:
Where to stay around the state of Florida.

US Hostels:
Ideal for backpackers and those travelling on a budget: dorms, shared accommodation and private rooms.

Florida City Guides

Become a Florida City Guide:
You really know the Florida scene - where to eat, where to stay, and what to do. Tell our visitors more about the sights and delights and how to make the most of their time in Florida.

Visiting Florida:
Useful travel tips for visitors to Florida.

Florida Links

Florida @ Travel Notes:
Travel and tourism links for Florida.

Sightseeing Tours, Events and Attractions.

Florida Travel Guides

Florida Travel Guides:
Browse Amazon's best-selling list of books on travel in Florida.

Miscellaneous

Backpackers:
Budget accommodation around the United States and Canada.

Travel by Car:
Driving distances between major cities in the United States.