Welcome to Florida and the Best Life

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.

Florida Panhandle Beaches

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.

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. These nests must never be desturbed.

At hatching, hundreds of baby turtles make their way to the ocean where they will stay for years until

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 dimmed lighting during the nesting season to help the hatchlings find their way using the moon as a beacon.

Jacksonville, Florida Beaches

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 and Ferdinanda Beach, classic beach communities that are favorites 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. Brevard County, nicknamed the Space Coasts sport 72 miles of pristine beaches and is home to Port Canveral and the Kennedy Space Center.

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.

Port Canaveral serves as a gateway for travelers heading to the Caribbean, Bahamas, and beyond with renowned cruise lines like Disney, Royal Caribbean, and Carnival Cruises. The port also offers a wide range of services, including cargo operations, fishing charters, and leisure activities. Its strategic location near Kennedy Space Center adds a unique allure for visitors, making it a key hub for tourism and commerce in the region.

Additionally, SpaceX uses the port to dock their barges that catch its reusable Falcon 9 stage one rockets out at sea. Visitors to the port might see one the barges awaiting the rocket's pickup to shuttle it back to the SpaceX facility at the Kennedy Space Center. Several Spacex stage one rockets have been reused more than 20 times.

South Florida Beaches

South Florida is a different world after dark, offering a vibrant mix of nightlife, casinos, and sports. From the electric beats of Fort Lauderdale night clubs to the laid-back lounges of Miami Beach, Hollywood Beach, Fort Lauderdale beaches, and Pompano Beach.

Tampa Bay, FL

Tampa, FL is one of the fast growing cities in Florida and the Tampa Bay area also 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 Beach and Florida Keys Beaches

Miami Beach with its wide sandy beaches stretch for miles and bring you along a stretch of fantastic hotels

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 championship hockey teams can also be found in Miami with and Tampa. MLS soccer teams are popular in Miami and Orlando.

Colleges in Florida

Florida Public Universities

• University of Florida (Gainesville)
• Florida State University (Tallahassee)
• University of Central Florida (Orlando)
• Florida Atlantic University (Boca Raton)
• Florida International University (Miami)
• University of South Florida (Tampa)
• University of North Florida (Jacksonville)
• University of West Florida (Pensacola)

Florida Private Universities

• University of Miami (Coral Gables)
• Rollins College (Winter Park)
• Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University (Daytona Beach)
• Eckerd College (St. Petersburg)
• Florida Institute of Technology (Melbourne)
• Florida Southern College (Lakeland)
• Nova Southeastern University (Fort Lauderdale)
• Stetson University (DeLand)
• Ave Maria University (Ave Maria)
• University of Tampa (Tampa)

Florida Casinos and Race Tracks

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.

Florida Poker Rooms

Florida hosts 27 poker rooms throughout the state. Several poker rooms are incorporated into Florida casinos, but there a many more that operate independently. Several of the poker rooms operate within Florida Jai Alai frontons that offer seasonal live play. Also, all Florida poker rooms offer simulcast racing and Jai Alai.

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.

Tampa Bay Downs is the Florida's thoroughbred horse track, is located in Tampa, FL. Live races are held December - May of each year, but simulcast and the Silk poker room keep the facility open year around.

Florida Equestrian Activities

Like horses? Horseback riding is available in every area of Florida. 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 tour operators throughout Florida that provide excellent beach riding experiences.

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 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 horse shows are featured in the winter season, numerous equestrian events are held at each venue throughout the year. All of the horse show venues in Florida offer free admission for most events, while some charge for parking. Check their websites for more information.