Florida Vacations and Exceptional Lifetime Living

Visitors | Residents | Snow Birds

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 and annual surf contests. On the west coast of Florida are island beach favorites at Sanibel Island, Longboat Key and Siesta Key.

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 in the Sunshine State.

Sea Turtle Nesting Season

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

Orlando is a very busy place 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 Florida's Space Coast 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.

The Space Coast is also home to Port Canaveral, the world's second busiest and 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.

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 South Florida

Miami, truly an international city, is one of the fastest growing areas in the Southeast United States and 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).

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 South Beach. Who knows, you might even run into some celebrities or hot, hot, hot models taking in the sun. Experience the exciting late night life of Miami and South Beach and don't miss New Year's Eve 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.

Florida University Sports

University of Florida Gators, Florida State University Seminoles, University of Miami Hurricanes, University of Central Florida Knights, Florida Atlantic University Owls, Florida International University Panthers, University of South Florida Bulls, University on North Florida Ospreys, and University of West Florida Argonauts.

Florida Casinos

Florida has gambling casinos that are associated with horse racing tracks and the Seminole Indian Tribe. You will find poker rooms, thousands of slots, and other table games at all the casinos. The best Florida casinos are concentrated in the South Florida area with the exception of the Seminole Hardrock Hotel and Casino in Tampa, FL. By the way, the Tampa casino is the closest casino to Orlando. South Florida in this instance means Miami-Dade County and Broward County (Ft. Lauderdale.)

Florida Poker Rooms

Florida hosts 27 poker rooms throughout the state. Several are incorporated into a Florida casino, but there a many more that operate independently. For the most part, these poker rooms were formerly associated with dog tracks that have since been banned in Florida. 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

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 Park, is considered an important qualifying race for the Kentucky Derby. This year's Kentucky Derby winner, Mage, was runner-up in the 2023 Florida Derby.

Florida has many thoroughbred breeding farms with over 35,000 thoroughbred horses located in the Ocala area. 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. Additionally, live races are held December - May of each year, but simulcast and a 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.

Florida Horse Shows

Florida is winter horse show capital of the United States with the FEI rated Winter Equestrian Festival and the Adequan Global Dressage Festival at Wellington International, Wellington, FL. At 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.

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, 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.