Page 16 - Travel Guide to Florida 2020

WELCOME TO FLORIDA

For conservancy on a smaller but no less
important scale, many programs all over the
state, such as the Museum of Discovery and
Science in Fort Lauderdale, help protect sea
turtle nests. If visitors are in the area at the right
time, they may be able to witness a hatching.

WATER, WATER EVERYWHERE
Florida is made up of 1,200 miles of
coastline, of which 663 are foot-friendly
beaches. It isn’t all salty water and fruity
cocktail culture, however. The interior of the
state is far different than many expect, with
nearly 8,000 lakes and almost 1,700 rivers
and streams. Lake Okeechobee—in the
center of the state—is Florida’s largest. It not
only provides drinking water for many
surrounding and southern counties, but it is
also an agricultural resource for the state’s
abundant produce. It offers some of the best
largemouth bass fishing in Florida. The
protective dike that encircles the lake is part
of the National Scenic Trail, a 110-mile route,
popular with hikers, naturalists, cyclists and
horseback riders. (Horse enthusiasts should
also head to Ocala and the Davie/Plantation
region, where there are horse farms, schools,
trails and competitions galore.)
DELRAY BEACH PADDLEBOARDER • VISIT FLORIDA/PETER W. CROSS
In addition, the state has some 30 first-
GREAT SAVINGS
magnitude freshwater springs—more than
any other state. Most of these watering holes,
Head to South Florida in the heat of summer for good deals. Winter yields great rates in including Wakulla Springs—one of the
northern Florida. Orlando has its own seasons, which coincide with school breaks; Visit deepest, and Silver Springs—one of the
Orlando recommends visiting during “deal season,” August 15–September 30. largest, are clustered in Central West and
Save on attractions, restaurants and shopping by visiting VisitOrlando.com/en/ North Central Florida.
Finally, Florida claims quite a river
discounts-and-tickets and reputable online ticket brokers such as Mousesavers.com,
culture, notwithstanding the famed River of
Ticketmomma.com, UndercoverTourist.com and OfficialTicketCenter.com.
Grass, a.k.a. the Everglades, where native and
The Entertainment Book (entertainmentbook.com) is a local favorite and you don’t
non-native wildlife is the most diverse. If
have to be a local to buy it. Also try Groupon.com or LivingSocial.com for 35 to 90 percent
you’re lucky, you’ll spot the elusive and
off at hotels, attractions and restaurants. Four of South Florida’s top attractions—Lion endangered Florida panther, the only big cat
Country Safari, Miami Seaquarium, Museum of Discovery & Science and Zoo Miami— living in the wild in this state.
offer unlimited visits for 100-plus days at SummerSavingsPass.com. From airboat rides and alligator spotting
In the Tampa Bay area, CityPASS offers savings of 50 percent on admission to the top in the swamps to kayaking along the
immortal Suwannee River, framed by cool,
five Tampa Bay attractions: Busch Gardens Tampa Bay, The Florida Aquarium, ZooTampa
green woodlands, and crabbing in the
at Lowry Park, Clearwater Marine Aquarium and the Museum of Science & Industry or
tributaries of the Apalachicola River,
the Chihuly Collection. Since the pass is good for nine consecutive days starting with
waterway adventures are endless. Here is
the first day of use, you’ll have plenty of time to take in all of the sites. Plan your visit also where you’ll find wild boar, which
at CityPASS.com/Tampa. acclimated after the Spanish brought over
their native pigs 500 years ago.

14 2020 TRAVEL GUIDE TO FLORIDA