All About Florida and the Good Life

Facts| Universities | Theme Parks | Miami | Key West | Florida Panhandle

About Florida

- The Capital of Florida is Tallahassee which is located in north Florida and is also home to Florida State University and Florida A&M University.

- Florida is called the Sunshine State because Florida enjoys around 230 days of sunshine per year on average, making it a popular destination for vacationers seeking sun-filled getaways.

- Jacksonville, FL holds the title of the largest city in Florida by population and land area. According to the latest data, Jacksonville has over 950,000 residents but that number is somewhat deceiving since it includes all of Duval County. In comparison, Miami-Dade County which includes Miami, supports a population of 2,700,678 in 27 municipalities.

- Orlando, Florida is the most visited city with Disney World, Universal Studios, and Sea World amusement parks. Disney World includes four parks, Magic Kingdom, Epcot, Animal Kingdom, and Hollywood Studios. Universal Studio's newest park in Orlando is Epic Universe, joining Islands of Adventure, Volcano Bay, and Universal Studios.

- The Florida State Bird is the Northern Mockingbird. This bird is known for its exceptional vocal abilities, often mimicking the sounds of other birds and even mechanical noises. The Northern Mockingbird can be found throughout Florida.

- The Florida State flower is appropriately the Orange Blossom. The orange blossoms are known for their lovely scent, which fills the air during the blooming season.

- A marker in Key West, Florida marks the southernmost point in the continental USA. Key West is a very popular destination in Florida with resorts, fishing, boating, and fabulous sunsets.

-  Florida hosts four national parks which are Everglades National Park, Canaveral National Seashore, Biscayne National Park, and Dry Tortugas National Park. Additionally Florida also has national preserves including the Big Cypress Preserve, Ocala National Forrest, Apalachicola National Forest, the Osceola National Forest and the Florida Keys National Marine Sanctuary.

- The University of Florida in Gainesville, FL has as a mascot, the Florida 'Gator in recognition of Florida's prolific alligator population.

World Famous Florida Beaches

Visit Florida's beaches from Destin, FL in the Florida Panhandle all the way to Key West, Florida, the southern most point in the USA. Enjoy beautiful beaches, deep sea fishing, seafood restaurants and views on the Atlantic Ocean and the Gulf of Mexico. And, you have never seen more beautiful sunsets from Mallory Square.

Drive your car on the beaches 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, annual surf contests, and Surfin Santas.

On the west coast of Florida are the island beach favorites at Sanibel Island, Longboat Key and Siesta Key. Here, the way of life is an ode to the beach vibe and fabulous sunsets that draws all beach lovers to the sea.

The Florida Panhandle has some of the finest beaches in the world and great seafood restaurants with the freshest fish in the country.  Cities such as Pensacola Beach, Destin and Fort Walton Beach attract tourists from all over the world to the Florida Panhandle beaches.

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 on one of Florida's beaches.

Sea Turtle Nesting Season in Florida

Every year, thousands on turtles return to their favorite Florida beaches to lay hundreds of eggs in carefully dug nests in the sand. The majority of nesting takes place between March and October. The five species of turtles that nest on Florida beaches are Loggerhead, Green Turtle, Leatherback, Kemp's Ridley, and Hawksbill. Beachfront hotels, restaurants, condos, and private residences all use special lighting during the nesting season to help the hatchlings find their way using the moon as a beacon.

Orlando, Florida and Disney World

Orlando is a favorite destination during all seasons so be sure to book your reservations well in advance and be sure to check out vacation rentals that might suit you better than a traditional hotel room. Hotel pricing is based on seasonal demand, with holidays and vacation times being the busiest time with the highest prices.

Jacksonville, Florida

Jacksonville, Florida is sometimes called the First Coast as it is just south of the Florida-Georgia line on the Atlantic Ocean. Jacksonville is home to Amelia Island, a classic beach community that is a favorite for many southeastern United States residents. Further south along the coast is Saint Augustine Beach with its historic fort and spectacular beaches.

Florida's Space Coast

Just 45 minutes directly east of Orlando, on the Atlantic Ocean, sits Kennedy Space Center where man's travel to space starts.

Viewers 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.

Blue Origin has established a large presence near the Kennedy Space Center and has started a series of test launches of its New Glenn rocket this year. The first flight of the New Glenn rocket successfully reached orbit, a real accomplishment for a a first flight. Blue Orign plans to reuse the first stage of its New Glenn rocket although the first attempt at a landing fell short.

The Kennedy Space Center with it rich history of space exploration is the second most visited attraction in Florida. Space Coast rockets are launched from the Kennedy Space Center and the nearby Canaveral Space Force Station.

Port Canaveral

The Space Coast is also home to Port Canaveral, the world's second busiest and the world's highest rated cruise port. Disney Cruise Lines, Royal Caribbean, Norwegian Cruise Lines, and Carnival Cruise, all dock their latest and greatest cruise ships here. Book a fantastic cruise now at Port Canaveral. .

Tampa Bay, FL

Tampa, FL is one of the fast growing cities in Florida and the Tampa Bay area includes St. Petersburg, Bradenton, and Clearwater Beach. Tampa Bay 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. Tampa is also home to one of Florida's two thoroughbred horse racing tracks, Tampa Bay Downs.

Miami and Key West

Miami, also known as the Magic City, is truly an international city, and one of the fastest growing areas in the Southeast United States. Also, Miami 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).

Key West. And don't forget the charter fishing boats, 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 Miami Beach - South Beach. Experience the exciting late night life of Miami and South Beach and don't miss the exciting night clubs in South Florida.

Florida's Professional Sports Teams

Florida hosts three NFL Football Teams, the Miami Dolphins, Tampa Bay Buccaneers, and the Jacksonville Jaguars. Additionally, two NBA basketball teams call Florida home, the Miami Heat and Orlando Magic. MLB baseball teams, the Miami Marlins and Tampa Bay Rays are home town favorites. NHL hockey teams can also be found in Miami with and Tampa. MLS soccer teams are popular in Miami and Orlando.

Public Universities in Florida

1. University of Florida (Gainesville)

2. Florida State University (Tallahassee)

3. University of Central Florida (Orlando)

4. Florida Atlantic University (Boca Raton)

5. Florida International University (Miami)

6. University of South Florida (Tampa)

7. University on North Florida (Jacksonville)

8. University of West Florida (Pensacola)

Private Universities in Florida

1. University of Miami (Coral Gables)

2' Rollins College (Winter Park)

3. Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University (Daytona Beach)

4. Eckerd College (St. Petersburg)

5. Florida Institute of Technology (Melbourne)

6. Florida Southern College (Lakeland).

7. Nova Southeastern University (Fort Lauderdale)

8. Stetson University (DeLand)

9. Ava Maria University (Ava Maria)

10. University of Tampa (Tampa)

Hard Rock Hotels and Casinos

Florida's gambling casinos are mainly in South Florida but three casinos associated with the Seminole Indian Tribe are located in Tampa, Immokalee, and Brighton, Florida. The Seminole Hardrock Hotel and Casino in Hollywood, Florida is closest to Miami and Fort Lauderdale. The other Seminole Hardrock Hotel and Casino, is located in Tampa, FL, and is the nearest casino to Orlando, FL. and all of north Florida.

Florida Poker Rooms Near You

Florida hosts 27 poker rooms throughout the state. Several are incorporated into Florida casinos, but there a many more that operate independently. Several of the poker rooms operate in junction with Florida Jai Alai frontons that offer seasonal live play. All the poker rooms also offer simulcast racing and off track betting.

Florida Horse Racing at Gulfstream Horse Track and Tampa Bay Downs

Florida's premier horse race track, Gulfstream Park, is located midway between Miami and Fort Lauderdale, in Hallandale, Florida. And, live thoroughbred racing is featured throughout the year. The Florida Derby, at Gulfstream Horse Track, is considered an important qualifying race for the Kentucky Derby. The 2023 Kentucky Derby winner, Mage, was runner-up in the 2023 Florida Derby.

Ocala, Florida has many thoroughbred breeding farms with over 35,000 thoroughbred horses. Triple crown winner Affirmed was an Ocala bred thoroughbred.

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 races, off track betting, and the Silk card room keep the facility open year around.

Florida Equestrian Activities

Like horses? Horseback riding is available in every area of Florida. Rent a horse by the hour of enjoy a guided trail ride through some of the finest trails in the eastern United States.

Florida Horseback Riding on the Beach

Horseback riding o the beach should be on everyone's bucket list, and you won't find more places to ride on the beach than in Florida. There are several operators that provide an excellent beach riding experience that are located everywhere from the Florida Panhandle to Hutchinson island.

Florida Horse Shows

Florida is winter horse show capital of the United States with the FEI rated Winter Equestrian Festival (WEF) and the Adequan Global Dressage Festival at Wellington International, Wellington, FL. Ocala, FL hosts the World Equestrian Center Ocala, Florida Horse Park, and HITS Ocala Post Time Farm horse show venues.

Additionally, Fox Lea Farm and TerraNova Equestrian Center show venues are located in Venice, FL and near Sarasota, FL respectively. Both venues host rated horse shows including show jumping and dressage.

While the highest level shows are featured in the winter season, numerous horse shows are held at each venue throughout the year.

Florida College Equestrian Teams

All of Florida's major universities support equestrian teams that compete with other college horseback riding teams in Florida and Georgia. Depending on each school's program, teams compete in show jumping, dressage, eventing, and western pleasure.

Florida Rodeos and Barrel Racing

Florida hosts numerous professional rodeos throughout the year in including the iconic Homestead Rodeo and the Ocala Shrine Rodeo. Barrel racing in Florida, a fan favorite, can be witnessed throughout Florida with prize money attracting both female and male riders to these weekly events.