Florida – All The Information About The Sunshine State

Florida – The Sunshine State is one of the most attractive travel destinations in the United States. This flat and sunny state is a perfect spot for a trip, vacation, shopping, entertainment, nature, and more. Florida has it all in scorching temperatures. The massive Disney World resort south of Orlando is a very popular tourist destination featuring four theme parks. Competing with it are the Universal Studios theme parks. Miami, located in southern Florida, is one of the most vibrant cities in the USA, in a perfect blend of Latin and Jewish chic.

How many days in Florida?

To fully experience everything worth seeing in Florida, you need to dedicate at least two full weeks.

Click here for all the information on car rental in the USA + useful tips and significant discounts…

14 Things You Must See and Do in Florida

1. Disney World theme parks in Orlando
2. Other theme parks such as Universal Studios, Legoland, Busch Gardens in Tampa, and more
3. The party scene of South Beach in Miami Beach
4. Cruises to the Caribbean or the Bahamas from Miami or Jacksonville port
5. Wild nature of swamps and alligators in the Everglades
6. History of European settlement in St. Augustine
7. Cross bustling Duval Street in Key West to the southernmost point of mainland USA
8. Bridges between the Keys on the Overseas Highway
9. The white beaches of Clearwater
10. Space shuttle launches at Cape Canaveral
11. NASCAR races in Daytona Beach
12. The mansions of Palm Beach
13. Beach vacations on the Gold Coast
14. Golf in Jacksonville

What is Florida?

• Florida was a Spanish territory where the first European city in America, St. Augustine, was established in 1565
• In 1821, the United States acquired Florida as part of an agreement with Spain, which also led to Mexico's independence
• Afterwards, guerrilla wars began with the Seminole Indian tribes living throughout Florida who were required by law to move west of the Mississippi but refused
• On March 3, 1845, Florida became the 27th state of the USA. This was after most of the native tribes were relocated west due to American victories in the Seminole Wars, leaving only a few in the wild areas of the Everglades

Starting from the 1920s, Florida experienced a huge population boom as many began to flock and buy land there. During World War II, existing military bases in Florida were expanded and others were built due to its strategic location and favorable weather that allowed for outdoor training even in winter.

After the war, many soldiers stayed behind, and the population continued to grow. In fact, until the 1950s, Florida was a typical southern white state, with only small Latin populations in parts of Tampa and Miami. African Americans in the state faced discrimination similar to that in other southern states.

Today's Florida

• Since the 1950s, Florida's population growth has continued at a high and steady rate, essentially until today
• As noted, Florida developed as a destination for tourism and leisure tourism, but it also attracts thousands of residents each year, making the construction industry important and central here. This is also why during economic downturns, Florida ‘takes a hit' first and harder than other states
• The population growth was also aided by the expansion of air conditioning usage starting in the 1950s, which allowed comfortable living and working conditions in Florida throughout the year
• The arrival of many immigrants from Cuba and other Caribbean islands like Haiti to Florida, especially to Miami, turned Miami into the economic and cultural hub of the Caribbean and an important center of the Latin world in general.

Spanish became commonly spoken in wide parts of the state, and its character changed. Starting in the eighties, Florida became the fourth largest state in terms of population, increasing its political importance. Today, it has already become the third largest state by population, surpassing New York, with only California and Texas ahead of it.

Due to the American election system where the majority in each state takes all the state's votes, Florida repeatedly becomes fertile ground for rivalry between the Republican and Democratic parties. The diversity of its population causes it to be a ‘swing state', meaning that in every election its votes can go to either camp. As a result, presidential campaign managers invest their best efforts and resources there.

How to Get to Florida?

How to Reach South Florida by Plane?

Miami International Airport (MIA) – Miami's major international airport serves as the main gateway to Florida and the southeastern part of the USA (although the Orlando airport is busier throughout the year). The airport is accessible from almost every corner of the world and the USA, including a direct line from Ben Gurion Airport.

The giant airport has three terminals and no fewer than 130 gates. The largest operator at the field is American Airlines, with dozens of regular routes within the USA, as well as to most of the Caribbean islands and Central and South America. The airport is located just a 15-minute drive from downtown Miami and 15 minutes from Miami Beach.

Click here to find attractive flight prices to Florida's airports…

Orlando International Airport (MCO) – The major airport in Orlando serves the city's nearly legendary tourism traffic. Orlando has become one of the busiest and most popular vacation destinations in the USA due to its massive number of themed amusement parks, led by Disney World and Universal Orlando Resort.

The airport is well connected with all the major hubs in the USA and quite a few destinations in Europe. You can reach Orlando directly via transfers from several European cities like London or Frankfurt. The airport is just a twenty-minute drive from Lake Buena Vista and Disney's downtown, and twenty minutes from Universal's competing resort.

Tampa International Airport (TPA) – The largest airport in the metropolitan area is located west of downtown Tampa, heading towards Clearwater. The airport is relatively large and connects Tampa with many destinations across the USA, as well as a few in Canada, the Caribbean islands, and Europe. It's a ten-minute drive from Tampa's center, a half-hour from Clearwater, and twenty minutes from St. Petersburg via the Howard Frankland Bridge.

Fort Lauderdale–Hollywood International Airport (FLL) – The airport in Fort Lauderdale is well-connected with domestic flights within the United States. It has 4 terminals and mainly serves American low-cost airlines. There are also flights from the airport to Canada and numerous destinations in the Caribbean. It's located right in the center of the city, slightly to the south, just a 5-minute drive from Las Olas Boulevard. The travel time from Fort Lauderdale Airport to Boca Raton is around half an hour.

Jacksonville International Airport – Jacksonville International Airport is located north of downtown in Florida's largest city, just a 20-minute drive away. The airport is accessible from almost every corner of the USA, well connected with all major ports on the Atlantic coast, the Midwest, as well as Los Angeles and Las Vegas on the Pacific coast. There are also very convenient routes from Miami and Fort Lauderdale for those who don't want to travel too far from Southern Florida.

Key West International Airport (EYW) – The simplest way to reach the southern part of the Keys and Key West is by a direct flight to the Keys' capital. The airport is accessible from several major airports in the USA such as Newark, O'Hare in Chicago, Atlanta, and even Miami. There are seasonal routes that vary from many airports across the USA. The travel time from the terminal to Duval Street, the heart of Key West, is just about ten minutes.

How to get to Miami by car?

Since Miami is a final destination, being at the southernmost tip of Florida with only sea or swamps beyond, reaching it by car is usually the last stop before flying home or to another major city in the US to continue the trip.

Alternatively, those starting their trip in Miami can definitely head north to other destinations in Florida (like Orlando) and then continue, for example, on a road trip along the east coast of the US.

For a half-day trip to the Everglades (departing from Miami), click here…

• The main highway running through the entire Miami metropolitan area and reaching New York is the I-95
• This highway is congested most hours of the day and is very busy, but it is the main route of the metropolitan area
• The road heading west to the western side of Florida through its desolate and swampy center is the I-75 and it is also a toll road
• Highway 1 runs along Florida's east coast, while A1A is a scenic route along Florida's beaches like Miami Beach and later Palm Beach, often merging with Highway 1.
• It's an urban road with traffic lights, so it's quite slow. On your way to almost any point near the coast, you'll travel parts of it.
• Recommended for those who want to get familiar with the metropolitan area. Drive its length at least from Miami Beach to Boca Raton to appreciate the unique character of the northern beach suburbs. The journey will take significantly longer than on I-95, but along the way, you’ll discover quieter and less famous beaches and towns.

Click here to rent a jet ski in Miami…

Arriving in Miami by Sea

Port of Miami is the largest passenger seaport in the world, and while most cruises depart and return on a circular route, there are also cruises where passengers disembark and continue by flight to their final destination or stay for a few days in the city to relax after long days at sea.

Click here for a day trip to the Bahamas Islands by ship departing from Miami Port…

Car rental in Miami

To get from the airport to the city, most travelers to Miami or Florida in general will rent a car, as it is the most convenient way to reach any point in the city or state. Miami is car-friendly, and although there is a train line, public transport isn't really viable here.

In Miami, like in other parts of Florida, there are toll roads. One of them is located at the exit from the airport to the city, so it's very important to ensure that your vehicle has the ‘Sun Pass', which is the chip toll road cameras can detect.

Click here for all the information on car rental in Florida + helpful tips and significant discounts…

When to Visit Florida?

• The best time to visit Miami is during the winter and spring seasons when the weather is very stable and unbelievably pleasant.
• Winter in Florida is probably the most perfect weather in the entire Western world. Winter temperatures are very pleasant, around 20 to 25 degrees Celsius, and there's not much rain. For this reason, masses of tourists head to the Gold Coast to spend their winter in the warmth and sun of Florida.
• Unlike the pleasant winter, summers in Florida are quite harsh. The summer temperatures are high and the humidity is just awful.
• Although the summer weather is tough, Florida in the summer is one big celebration. Once the scorching sun subsides and the afternoon rains end, the state's cities light up with neon lights, bustling restaurants, lively bars, and parties.
• As we move towards August, the humidity rises and around 3:00 PM, a pouring rain begins for over an hour, breaking the humidity. This phenomenon occurs in significant parts of Florida.

From late spring to fall, significant tropical storms can occur in Florida, occasionally including hurricanes that noticeably impact the Atlantic coast and Gulf Coast. All of Florida's coastline is vulnerable to hurricanes, and if one is on a collision course, it's best to stay away from the landfall area (hurricane tracks can be known a few days before they hit).

How to Plan a Travel Route in Florida?

Florida is one of the most popular travel destinations in the United States. The tropical and flat state in the southeastern corner of America is packed with a wealth of interesting and vibrant cities like Miami and Tampa, tourism empires like Disney World Resort in Orlando and Universal Parks, historical cities like St. Augustine and Palm Beach, stunning golden beaches, national parks with breathtaking nature (swamps and alligators), and, above all, a particularly hot and fun vibe.

Florida has a unique character of America, with a scorching and sweaty summer, perfect winter, hurricanes, oranges, and an atmosphere you won't find anywhere else.

Click here for all the selected travel routes in the cities and countryside of Florida…

Click here for travel route planning in Florida and professional advice…

Travel Itinerary in Florida

Planning a trip in Florida is pretty straightforward and linear, with a few detours here and there. The main route in Florida is the I-95 highway, which runs along the east coast of the state. Along this road (and its parallel roads, the 1 and 101), you'll find most of the attractions and activities to enjoy in Florida.

• This highway starts in downtown Miami and continues north all the way to New York. Heading south, highway 1 crosses through all the Florida Keys to Key West, offering a stunning journey over bridges and small islands.
• From Miami, it's worth taking a slight detour west to the Everglades National Park at the end of the peninsula.
• North of Miami, you'll find all the cities of the Gold Coast, such as Fort Lauderdale, Boca Raton, and Palm Beach.
• From West Palm Beach, it's a good idea to take a detour to the large Lake Okeechobee.
• Heading north on the 95, you'll reach the Kennedy Space Center at Cape Canaveral, near the resort city of Cocoa Beach.
• Eastward, you'll find Orlando, home to the massive Disney World resort, arguably the most enticing tourist attraction in all of eastern USA.
• Orlando also boasts two Universal theme parks (compared to Disney's four), the SeaWorld park, and loads of other attractions.
• West of Orlando lies the large Tampa Bay metropolitan area, including the city of Tampa, the beautiful St. Petersburg, and Clearwater, renowned for its stunning white beaches along the Gulf of Mexico.
• From Tampa Bay, head east towards the lovely Daytona Beach, famous for NASCAR races and Spring Break festivities.
• From Daytona, continue north to St. Augustine, the oldest city in the USA, teeming with fascinating historical sites and further to the sizable Jacksonville.

Everything You Need to Know About Staying in Miami

Staying and vacationing in Miami is an intense and especially fun experience. In Miami Beach and near Downtown Miami, there is an unbelievable amount of accommodations, from luxurious resorts on the most golden beaches to four and three-star hotels with an urban vibe offering city experience at much more affordable prices.

On Miami Beach's Ocean Drive, the further south you go toward South Beach, the closer you get to the heart of the city's almost legendary nightlife that comes alive after the summer sunset (it's simply too hot during the day!). Up the coast, luxurious resorts and beachfront vacation hotels await.

Click here for all the information and tips on accommodations and hotels in Miami and Miami Beach…

The best neighborhoods to stay in Miami

Here are the 5 areas we think are the best to stay in Miami:

1. Ocean Drive in Miami Beach – the hub for entertainment and nightlife in Miami
2. Brickell and Downtown Miami – Established and renowned institutions in the heart of the city
3. Bal Harbour – Pure relaxation on the beach or by the pool
4. Sunny Isles Beach – Ocean tranquility in fabulous beachfront hotels
5. Coral Gables – Vibrant urban atmosphere outside of Miami

Everything You Need to Know About Staying in the Florida Keys

The Florida Keys are a popular destination for travel and leisure all year round (except when there are hurricanes, then it's definitely not advisable to be there). A trip in the Keys should last at least two days, so finding a place to stay for at least one night is almost unavoidable.

• If you're heading to the Keys for a vacation (highly recommended!), it's wise to find a cozy spot to stay for a few days amidst the dreamy beaches stretching from Marathon to Key Largo
• The largest city and leading tourist destination in the Keys is the fabulous Key West, one of the most unique spots in the USA and a top choice for the LGBTQ+ community. Unfortunately for the city, it's located at the very end of the Keys, more than a two-hour drive from Key Largo and three and a half hours (without traffic) from Miami.
• Staying in Key West is an especially fun experience. The vast majority of hotels and accommodations are located in the unique wooden houses of the Old Town, just a short walk from the entertainment center on Duval Street. These hotels are mostly private and tend to be pricey.
• There are large resorts from international chains such as Marriott and Ibis along the Gulf of Mexico coastline in the eastern part of the island, not far from the airport, along North Roosevelt Avenue.

Since accommodation in Key West is quite expensive (to say the least), another lodging option in the Keys is in the city of Marathon, located beyond the Seven Mile Bridge. Marathon offers a range of excellent hotels and motels from top chains, at really affordable prices. The issue with these hotels is the night drive from the bustling city and crossing the Seven Mile Bridge (over the ocean) in the dark.

Accommodation and Hotels at Disney World Resort Florida

Staying in the right hotel is a key part of the vacation and leisure experience in the Disney World parks. Since it's impossible to cover the parks in one day and Walt Disney's entire plan was to make the evening experience and overnight stay a part of the fantasy, finding a hotel near the theme parks is a must.

Click here for all the info and tips on staying at Disney World Resort and Orlando…

• Within the Disney World resort, there are nearly 40 resort hotels and vacation inns where you can sleep and have breakfast with Mickey Mouse
• These resorts are connected to the Magic Kingdom and Epcot and are part of the theme park experience
• All around, there's a plenty of additional accommodations – standard American hotels and motels in Kissimmee, Lake Buena Vista, and Orlando

This guide is designed to help you locate the exact lodging options at the Disney World Resort and Orlando, aiming to maximize your magical kingdom experience. The park’s themed hotels offer an optimal experience for kids, but you can save quite a bit by staying outside the vast park complex.

Click here to check availability and prices for hotels near Disney World Orlando…

For a Disney World combo ticket for three parks, including 24/7 travel agency assistance, click here…

For a convenient private transfer for the whole family from the airport to Disney or Universal parks, click here…

Where is the best place to stay at Disney World?

Here are the 5 areas we think are the best to stay at Disney World:

1. Disney Resort Orlando Hotels – Breakfast with Mickey and a monorail straight to Magic Kingdom
2. Four Corners – The best resorts (not Disney-owned)
3. Near SeaWorld Orlando – Excellent resort hotels not far from the park
4. Lake Buena Vista South – Good motels at affordable prices
5. Old Town Amusement Park Area – Closest to Disney World at motel prices

Map of Accommodation Areas at Disney World

Everything you need to know about accommodations in Tampa and St. Petersburg

The Tampa Bay metropolitan area has four main clusters of accommodations:

1. The beach resort hotels from Clearwater south to St. Pete Beach – Fantastic vacation hotels in various tiers, right by the wide sandy beach of the barrier island. Accommodation options include all the major American brands like Marriott, Hilton, and IHG brands (Holiday Inn, InterContinental, and more). The largest cluster on the beaches is at the spectacular Isle Of Palms and St. Pete Beach.
2. Downtown Tampa hotels – The hotels in downtown Tampa are large urban hospitality institutions at four and five-star levels. In the heart of the city are giant, sparkling hotels like Hilton, Hyatt, Le Méridien, and more. Just a bit outside the city center, you'll find urban hotels at a three-star level.
3. Tampa International Airport Hotels – The hotels surrounding Tampa International Airport are often high-standard motels. Their location is excellent, right in the middle between Tampa, the beach areas, and St. Petersburg.
4. Downtown St. Petersburg Hotels – The hotels in downtown St. Petersburg are similar in nature to those in Tampa. They are generally large and modern hotels of major American chains like Marriott, Hilton, and others.

Click here to check hotel availability and prices in St. Petersburg…

Click here to find accommodations in Tampa hotels…

Click here to check availability and prices at the beautiful beach hotels south of Clearwater…

Map of Recommended Accommodation Areas in Tampa Bay

Key West and the Florida Keys

The Florida Keys are a breathtaking chain of islands accessible via one of America's most amazing highways – the Overseas Highway (Route 1). At the end of this highway lies the unique and independent city of Key West, a popular travel and vacation destination.

The city is famous for being the home of author Ernest Hemingway, having stunning sunsets at Mallory Square, and offering fun times on the legendary Duval Street. It's one of the most beloved holiday and residence spots for the LGBTQ+ community, reflecting the freedom and liberal spirit of islands distant from American civilization.

Click here for all the information on the Florida Keys and Key West…

What are the Florida Keys?

• The name ‘Key' is not a key but a distortion of ‘Cayo' meaning a small island in Spanish
• Ponce de León Juan Ponce de León, the Spanish explorer, was the first European to explore and map the area in 1513
• The Keys are a chain of islands located in Monroe County, the southernmost county in Florida
• It is a chain of islands connected by a highway with many bridges over the water, spanning about 110 miles from Key Largo to Key West
• This chain separates the waters of the Atlantic Ocean from the Gulf of Mexico and its westernmost point, Key West, is only about 95 miles from Cuba, considered the southernmost point in continental USA (Hawaii is further south)

This route, where Florida's Highway 1 runs, is considered one of the roads with the most unique scenery in the USA, with much of the highway literally running over the sea.

The drive along the road to Key West is a must-see for anyone spending a few days in Miami.

You can make the round trip in one day, but it's recommended to stay overnight in Key West or one of the other ‘Keys' to enjoy the islands' unique tropical vibe.

What is Key West?

The size of Key West island is 4 miles by one and a half miles. Since 1822, the island served as a U.S. military base when it was not yet connected to the mainland and was not part of Florida. A railway reached the island via wooden bridges in 1912 but was destroyed by a hurricane in 1935 and replaced by a highway, which you can still drive on today, in 1938.

Key West is the largest city in the Keys and the capital of Monroe County (technically also the capital of the unofficially recognized independent state of the Conch Republic). About 25,000 people live in the city, most in Old Town, the western quarter of the city.

In the Old Town of Key West, you can feel a Caribbean, Cuban, and American vibe in a unique mix. Many of the houses on the island are designated for preservation and are made of wood. Today, and especially in the past, the island was a haven for artists and writers, including Ernest Hemingway. You can still see the house where he lived, and the Ernest Hemingway Festival is held every July.

Miami and Miami Beach

Miami is the largest and most important urban center in Florida. The city is the heart of the vast metropolis stretching along the Gold Coast up to Palm Beach. Miami is a vibrant city with a mixed Latin and Jewish flair that is most purely expressed on Ocean Drive in South Beach. This part of Miami Beach is full of clubs and is lively all day (on the stunning beach) and night. There is much more to see around Miami, such as Little Havana, Coconut Grove, and the fabulous Miracle Mile in Coral Gables.

Click here for all the information on traveling to Miami…

What is Miami?

• Miami is the heart of the largest metropolitan area in Florida and the entire southeastern part of the USA (about the same size as the Atlanta metropolitan area in Georgia)
• In Miami itself, about half a million people reside (in Jacksonville to the north, there are almost a million residents), but in the giant metropolis, nearly seven million people live
• The Miami metropolitan area stretches along the Atlantic Ocean coast from Homestead in the south to West Palm Beach in the north, along what's called Florida's Gold Coast

Miami is a very new city, with its center and entire metropolitan area built during the 20th century.

This is a very international city by nature, with a large part of its population being Spanish-speaking. The city serves as a gateway to the USA from the Caribbean Islands, with many immigrants residing from Cuba, Puerto Rico, Haiti, Jamaica, and other small islands.

The city's weather is still Caribbean with a tropical character—hot and extremely humid in the summer and wonderfully pleasant throughout the rest of the year.

• An enormous Jewish community also blends into the city's international atmosphere, with most arriving as part of the “Sun Belt” migration upon reaching retirement age
• The Miami area is the third-largest Jewish center in the USA after New York and Los Angeles
• The traditional Jewish areas are Miami Beach, Aventura, Hollywood, and Boca Raton, but Jewish communities and individuals are scattered throughout the metropolis

Miami, and especially Miami Beach, have developed greatly after many retirees from New York and northern USA started buying vacation apartments there. Given New York's significant Jewish population, many of the homebuyers in Miami were Jewish.

Miami is an important city for commerce and transportation, featuring a large port, a major airport, and a central hub for the Caribbean cruise industry.

Everything to See and Do in Miami Beach

South Beach in Miami Beach is one of the prettiest and most vibrant beaches in the southern part of Florida. The southern neighborhood is a fun destination for party and club enthusiasts, especially in the entertainment areas of Ocean Drive.

A bit to the north, the center of Miami Beach boasts the lively pedestrian mall of Lincoln Road, nearby which are several interesting attractions and museums. Miami Beach combines vacation spots with intriguing sites, notably the fascinating Holocaust Memorial, symbolizing the importance and centrality of the Jewish community in the city.

Click here for all the information on touring Miami Beach and South Beach…

Downtown Miami and Satellite Districts

Downtown Miami isn't large, but like any American city, it's filled with tall, shiny skyscrapers. The Atlantic coastline of downtown includes the Port of Miami and the tourist-attracting Bayside Marketplace. On the outskirts of downtown, you'll find the well-known residential districts of the city, which also hold numerous attractions.

Little Havana

Just west of Downtown on 8th Street (Calle Ocho in Spanish) lies the traditional residential area of Cuban exiles who arrived in Miami starting in the 1950s following the unrest that led to the communist revolution on the island. In March, the Calle Ocho Festival is held here, attracting many visitors to the area. Eighth Street is the heart of the district with a wide variety of specialty shops, but above all, excellent Cuban restaurants that have become must-visit spots for tourists.

The Port of Miami

The largest port in the southeastern United States. Its touristic uniqueness stems from it being the largest passenger port in the world, largely because it's the departure point for the famous cruises heading worldwide, especially to the Caribbean Islands and the Bahamas. The two largest cruise companies in the world, Carnival Cruise Line and Royal Caribbean, are based in Miami.

Brickell

South of downtown but closely connected to it is the Brickell neighborhood, named after one of the city's founders. This area has grown significantly in recent years, with dozens of skyscrapers rising above the waters of the edges of Miami's bay. Central Brickell Avenue is regarded as Miami's Wall Street, hosting offices of most major banks. Amidst the offices, there are mainly residential apartments in high-rise buildings (condominiums), and the neighborhood has become highly trendy for young professionals and families from the city.

Coconut Grove

Right next to Key Diner, you'll find Miami's trendiest neighborhood, Coconut Grove. This area began gaining almost mythological status in the 1960s as Florida's main concentration spot for hippies (the sun + Florida's commercial quantities of drugs created a particularly chill-out vibe). Today, it's a pretty established place with giant apartment buildings along the oceanfront and beautiful, organized parks like Kenneth M. Myers Bayside Park and Peacock Park. Nearby, you'll also find the historic Barnacle.

Coral Gables

Coral Gables is a small city overseeing the entire southwestern area of Miami. About 50,000 residents live here, mainly in the northern part near Miracle Mile. South of the northern neighborhood is the University of Miami campus, which is also within the city, and further south lies the luxurious modern development along the Atlantic Ocean, less relevant to tourists.

Click here for all the information on touring Downtown Miami, the satellite districts, and Coral Gables…

Fort Lauderdale

Fort Lauderdale is Miami's chilled-out version, located just a bit north of Miami's bustling downtown. The city blends Miami's sizzling qualities to the south with the (relatively) calm vibe of the Golden Coast cities heading towards Palm Beach to the north. On the main street, Las Olas, you'll find a vibrant urban atmosphere with a bunch of restaurants, bars, and fun spots. The Fort Lauderdale beach is also a fab place for a walk and leisure, with several interesting sites nearby.

Click here for all the info on touring Fort Lauderdale…

What is Fort Lauderdale?

• Fort Lauderdale is a large city in the massive Miami metropolitan area, just a half-hour drive from Miami's downtown.
• The city is the capital of Broward County, which stretches from Hollywood adjacent to Miami (Dade County) to the border of Boca Raton (located in Palm Beach County).
• The city's nucleus was the fort built by Major William Lauderdale in 1838 as part of the Second Seminole War.
• Lauderdale led a militia called the Tennessee Volunteers and a few weeks after establishing the settlement, returned north with his unit. Although the fort was abandoned, it still bore his name.
• The city itself was established near the fort (of which almost nothing remains) at the end of the 19th century.
• In 1911, it was declared a city and, like the entire Florida coastline, underwent rapid and vast urban development.
• Today, about two hundred thousand people reside in Fort Lauderdale, making it the second most important urban center in this part of the Miami metropolitan area.
• Since the 1930s, the city has become an important tourist destination, and by the 1950s, it became a haven for sun immigrants—those who move to Florida from the cold belts up north and settle in the Miami metropolitan area (including many Jewish retirees from New York).

Boca Raton

Boca Raton is one of the iconic residences for sun immigration in Florida. The city has become a well-known cultural concept, appearing in popular culture as the primary destination for Jewish retirees from the New York metropolitan area who come to enjoy the sun and lifestyle of Florida. Boca is a new city without a city center but offers some interesting attractions and mainly a lot of residential building projects alongside canals, lakes, and the Atlantic Ocean coast.

Click here for all the information on traveling in Boca Raton…

What is Boca Raton?

Boca Raton is one of the well-known cities on the Gold Coast. It's located halfway between Fort Lauderdale and West Palm Beach and is known as a top residential destination for retirees who have flocked to Florida with the sun migration.

• Officially, Boca is home to about a hundred thousand residents, but it is an integral part of the larger Miami metropolitan area, connected with surrounding communities like Pompano Beach to the south and Delray Beach to the north.
• The city's name means ‘Rat’s Mouth,' named after Lake Boca Raton on whose shore it sits. The Spaniards gave the lake this name due to a rat infestation that flooded their ships while docked.
• The city was founded in 1924 and is considered quite old compared to the surrounding Gold Coast cities. This part of Florida has experienced intense development over the last sixty years, and everything here is new and very shiny.
• The development of the city is associated with Edison Mizner, an architect from a family of diplomats, who designed the city with prominent Mediterranean and Spanish influences.
• The city's foundation was the Boca Raton resort that Mizner built, from which the Boca Raton village developed, and later the entire city.
• Since its construction, Boca has become a popular spot for vacation and residences. Many wealthy individuals built their winter homes here, and a significant population moved to live in the city starting from the 1930s.
• In recent decades, the city has developed into a favored residential area for elderly Jews from the New York metropolitan area, with numerous senior living projects built. This migration is part of American pop culture, exemplified by the fictional development “Del Boca Vista,” the community where Jerry Seinfeld's parents reside in the iconic series.

Palm Beach

The resort town of Palm Beach is one of the most prestigious historical locations in South Florida. Henry Flagler, the owner of the Standard Oil Company and the father of the Florida East Coast Railway, settled on this protective island. From his home in Palm Beach, he practically managed the development of all of Florida.

Today, Palm Beach is a millionaire's estate town nestled between the Atlantic Ocean shore and the Lake Worth Lagoon. Among the giant golf courses and mansions, there are several must-see attractions like the historic Breakers Hotel by Flagler, the prestigious Worth Avenue shopping street, and the Flagler Museum. To the east is the larger city of West Palm Beach.

Click here for all the information on a trip to Palm Beach and West Palm Beach…

What is Palm Beach?

• The luxurious resort town of Palm Beach is located on a long, sandy barrier island, about an hour and a quarter's drive north of Miami.
• It is separated from the large city of West Palm Beach by the Lake Worth Lagoon.
• This is the most exclusive town on the Gold Coast, and the private playground of Florida's founder, Henry Flagler.
• Flagler, the owner of Standard Oil, was the one who initiated and built the Florida East Coast Railway. This railway line connected Jacksonville with what is today Miami
• Flagler established a significant part of the coastal cities, such as Miami, and played a huge role in the development of the other cities in South Florida
• Flagler built Palm Beach as a very luxurious residential area, where he also built his home
• Flagler founded West Palm Beach as a working town intended to serve the wealthy of Palm Beach
• Today, the town remains a winter residence for some of America's wealthiest, like the Kennedy family and Donald Trump, with more than 30 town residents classified as billionaires
• About ten thousand permanent residents live in Palm Beach, and during the winter, another twenty thousand people, who are considered residents but do not live year-round, populate the city

Orlando and Disney World

Orlando is the most attractive tourist destination in Florida and one of the most sought-after in the US and the world. The sleepy city in the heart of Florida turned into a tourism empire with the opening of Disney's Magic Kingdom. Walt Disney developed an impressive series of theme parks under the name Disney World, followed by other major companies like Universal, Lego, and SeaWorld, which opened their own massive theme parks.

Large resort hotels, motels, countless restaurants, and malls have opened in and around the theme parks. Today, the entire area is considered the most vibrant entertainment spot in the US throughout the year (winter in Florida is a dream!).

Click here for all the information on traveling to Orlando and the Disney World Resort…

Click here for all the information on sites and attractions in Orlando (except the theme parks)…

Disney World – The Largest Amusement Resort in the World

There aren't many places in America that match Disney World for a perfect vacation and travel experience for both kids and adults alike. In the resort's four theme parks, Walt Disney has crafted the ultimate vacation experience that lets the entire family dive into a world of fantasy.

This is the perfect place to spend time with the kids in the Magic Kingdom and Epcot Park, some of the largest and most famous theme parks in the world. Surrounding them are numerous water parks, resort hotels where you can have breakfast with Mickey Mouse and Pluto, entertainment venues, and restaurants that are part of the experience, offering loads of fun and enjoyment in the ultimate American experience.

Click here for the complete guide to Disney World Resort…

What is Disney World Amusement Park?

Walt Disney World Resort, or simply Disney World, is probably the main attraction in all of Florida and one of the most popular vacation spots in the entire United States.

• This massive complex of themed amusement parks, resorts, water parks, and more under Walt Disney's fantasy world umbrella is the largest tourism project in the world, attracting an unbelievable number of visitors year-round
• It is the largest amusement park in the world, both in terms of area and the annual number of visitors
• The enormous resort opened in 1971 in an area southwest of Orlando and west of the city of Kissimmee. Technically, the massive resort is located in Lake Buena Vista
• The park was built on the site of EPCOT, an Experimental Prototype Community of Tomorrow, a utopian concept from the 1960s envisioned by Disney.
• Near EPCOT, Disney opened the Disney World complex in 1971, bringing to Florida what had been operating in Anaheim near Los Angeles since 1955 (Disneyland).
• Eventually, the Disney company abandoned the original community idea after Disney himself passed away, and in 1982 transformed the community into EPCOT Park.

Click here to check availability and prices for hotels near Disney World Orlando…

Click here for a combo ticket to three parks at Disney World, including 24/7 travel agency support…

Click here for a private and affordable transfer for the whole family in a van from the airport to the Disney or Universal parks…

The Magic Kingdom

The ancient kingdom or the Magic Kingdom, Magic Kingdom, is what we know as the Disney theme park brand. The park is bustling with families and visitors all year round, who come to experience the perfect fantasy concocted by Walt Disney. The park is based on the original Disneyland, but the park at Disney World is larger and more developed than the one in Anaheim, California.

This is the perfect place for a trip with children, where you can meet all your favorite Disney characters and enjoy all the iconic amusement rides. The heart of Magic Kingdom is Cinderella's castle, one of Disney's most famous landmarks.

Click here for the complete guide to visiting Disney's theme park – Magic Kingdom…

Epcot Center

Epcot Theme Park at Walt Disney World is the second most popular theme park in Disney's Florida resort. While the Magic Kingdom appeals to younger children, Epcot Center is more for teens and adults (there's even local alcohol in each of the country's pavilions).

This park is packed with activities and attractions that explore (in true Disney fashion) the big world around America and the world we live in.

Click here for the complete guide to visiting Disney's Epcot theme park…

Animal Kingdom

Disney's Animal Kingdom theme park is where kids can meet the animal world under Disney's nearly fantastical filters. In the green, jungle-filled area, there are plenty of animal-themed attractions, both African and Asian.

At the park, you can embark on a safari where you'll see large African animals, pet livestock at the petting zoo, or stroll among the great apes and wildlife of Southeast Asia. Besides the animals, you can also take a walk through Pandora's forests, the fantastic world from the movie Avatar.

Click here for the complete guide to visiting Disney's Animal Kingdom theme park…

Disney's Hollywood Studios Park

The Hollywood Studios theme park is the third theme park of the Disney World Resort. In the amusement park, you can enjoy all the fun and creativity of the movies produced by Disney and its subsidiary Pixar. The park is full of attractions related to Disney characters, both legendary like Mickey Mouse and contemporary ones like Toy Story.

The leading franchise in the park is, of course, the smash hit Star Wars. George Lucas's iconic film series boasts many of the park's most popular attractions.

Click here for the complete guide to visiting Disney's Hollywood Studios theme park…

Universal Orlando Resort

Universal Orlando Resort is a massive entertainment complex located just north of the Disney World Resort. It is the second most popular destination for vacations and holidays in Florida after its longstanding competitor to the south. The resort features two famous theme parks, Universal Studios Florida and Islands of Adventure. The parks offer thrilling rides and lots of memorabilia related to the gigantic production company. The resort also includes accommodations, a large and popular themed water park, and, of course, its own small downtown area for evening entertainment.

Click here for the complete guide to the Universal Orlando Resort theme park…

What is the Universal Orlando Resort?

• The Universal Studios Amusement Park in Orlando, Florida opened in 1990 following the Disney World tourism boom
• This park has always been the biggest competitor of Disney World and the two parks of the time – the Magic Kingdom and Epcot
• With Disney World expanding, Universal also decided to develop their theme park into a large resort including evening entertainment places, a water park, and hotels
• Additionally, the second theme park of the resort – the wonderful Islands of Adventure park – also opened
• The park is located just north of Disney World towards the center of Orlando.
• This is the second most popular entertainment spot in Orlando and all of Florida (after Disney World, of course).

Tickets to Universal Orlando Resort Theme Parks

Click here to purchase two-day tickets to both theme parks…

Click here for a one-day combo ticket to both parks and same-day park-to-park access…

Click here to purchase the Universal Explorer Ticket (both theme parks + Volcano Bay water park)…

Universal Studios Florida

Universal Studios Florida is a large theme park located just west of Orlando, Florida. It is the larger of the two theme parks in the Universal Orlando Resort complex, which is the main competitor of Disney World in the city.

The park is packed with attractions and rides related to Universal's movies, including fast roller coasters, 3D and 4D movies, and a plethora of experiences for children and families. All around, there are plenty of places for entertainment and dining, encounters with famous movie characters, activities, and play areas.

Click here for the complete guide to visiting Universal Studios Florida theme park…

Universal Islands of Adventure

Universal's Islands of Adventure is a theme park featuring rides for all ages along with all the popular Universal and other companies' franchises. The park is composed of eight sections that appeal to both children and teenagers. It includes beloved franchises like Harry Potter, Marvel superheroes, Dr. Seuss's fantasy world, Jurassic Park, and more. The park offers extreme rides as well as rides suitable for young children, playgrounds, shows, restaurants, and memorabilia shops.

Click here for the complete guide to visiting Universal's Islands of Adventure…

Tampa Bay

Tampa and St. Petersburg are the central cities in the Tampa, St. Petersburg, and Clearwater Metropolitan area—commonly known as Tampa Bay, named after the deep bay they surround. This is the second largest urban area in Florida, after the sprawling Miami metropolis. More than that, it's the largest urban area along the Gulf of Mexico on Florida’s west coast. Tampa Bay is packed with excellent museums, recreational and leisure areas, and stunning sandy beaches that are very popular for American domestic tourism.

Click here for all the information about traveling in the cities of the Tampa Bay Metropolitan…

What is the Tampa Bay Metropolitan?

Tampa Bay is a large metropolitan area located on the western side of Florida, along the Gulf of Mexico. Around the large bay, there are three main cities making up the metro area known as Tampa, St. Petersburg, and Clearwater, collectively called the Tampa–St. Petersburg–Clearwater Metropolitan.

• The center of the metropolitan area is the city of Tampa, home to about 400,000 residents
• St. Petersburg has a population of about a quarter million people
• Clearwater, the smallest among the main metro cities, has around 120,000 residents
• The three cities are spread along the northern part of the bay, with St. Petersburg and Clearwater situated on a western peninsula and Tampa located to the east
• Each city in this contiguous metro area has its own unique character and downtown, and all are worth visiting

Though the Tampa metropolitan area is larger than the Orlando metro area, the latter is more famous due to its tourist attractions, primarily Disney parks. Tampa is therefore considered the smaller tourist sister of Orlando.

• The geographical location of the Tampa Bay metropolitan area makes it humid, hot, and particularly rainy in the summer months, while the winters are dry, sunny, and wonderfully pleasant.
• The city of Tampa serves as the business hub of the metropolitan area and is home to the large international airport.
• St. Petersburg is the more prestigious and youthful area of the metropolitan. The city is an elongated peninsula with luxurious mansions along its shores, and it also boasts a fascinating downtown.
• The last city in the metropolitan area is Clearwater, located west of the other two cities. Clearwater is a city with a coastal strip on a long barrier island – much like Miami Beach. Clearwater's beaches are repeatedly chosen as the most beautiful in all of the United States, famed for their white sand.
• Much like Miami Beach, Clearwater attracts tourists mainly from the northern parts of the United States, with many even purchasing vacation homes in the residential buildings along its famous beaches.

Tampa

The city of Tampa is the major urban hub of the Tampa Bay metropolitan area. It's got a photogenic downtown filled with museums and interesting sites. Tampa's neighborhoods are also attractive, featuring great dining and entertainment spots like Ybor City, Tampa's SoHo, and Tampa Heights. The large amusement park Busch Gardens, part of SeaWorld, is like a piece of Orlando within Tampa, a popular spot for families who prefer not to make the two-hour drive to Disney World.

Click here for all the information about a trip to Tampa…

St. Petersburg

St. Petersburg is one of the most pleasant cities to visit in Florida. The city center borders the Tampa Bay to the west and is connected to Tampa and Sarasota through a series of stunning bridges, the most notable being the unique Sunshine Skyway Bridge. The city center hosts a series of important museums, with the Dali's museum taking the lead, dedicated entirely to the works of the Spanish surrealist artist.

Click here for all the information on visiting St. Petersburg…

Cape Canaveral and the Space Coast

Cape Canaveral is one of the most central places of American technology. It is an integrated base cluster of the U.S. Air Force and NASA. It's where the shuttle launches used to take place and now primarily launch rockets with satellites.

The launch experience is something special and attracts a large number of visitors. Besides that, the coastline is dedicated to the space program, with museums and historical artifacts of the world of missiles, aviation, and spacecraft. Surrounding are stunning nature reserves and great beaches for surfing and relaxation, in the town of Cocoa Beach.

Click here for the complete guide to traveling in Cape Canaveral and Cocoa Beach…

What is Cape Canaveral?

• Cape Canaveral is the most important site in the US space industry. Although it is a space of military bases, it is one of the most famous places in Florida due to the rocket launches into space
• The rocket launch pads belong to the US Air Force base and are located in the northern part of the cape
• The American Space Agency – NASA (National Aeronautics and Space Administration) is located at the nearby Kennedy Space Center base, which also hosts the NASA Shuttle Landing Facility

Although the Space Shuttle program was discontinued in 2011 (largely due to the tragic crash of the Columbia shuttle in 2003), the base still serves for rocket launches carrying satellites, and there's plenty of action going on there.

The base was also the site of the tragic Challenger shuttle crash, which exploded over the Cape sky on January 28, 1986. This disaster became a pivotal moment in American culture (all of America watched the explosion live on television), tragically killing 7 astronauts.

Daytona Beach

Daytona Beach is a popular resort city along the long sandy coast of a barrier island. Over the years, the city has become a favored vacation spot in the emerging area between Orlando to the south and Jacksonville to the north.

When the prestigious American NASCAR race headquarters was located in the city in the mid-1950s and the city's racetrack was opened, Daytona Beach experienced a tourism boom. Today, it is one of the most popular vacation destinations in Florida. Along the coast are resort hotels that are very popular with students during spring break.

Click here for all the information on visiting Daytona Beach…

What is Daytona Beach?

The small city of Daytona Beach is located on the Atlantic Ocean coast, halfway between Cape Canaveral and the large city of Jacksonville. Technically, it's still part of the greater Orlando metropolitan area, with the big city's downtown just a 50-minute drive from Daytona.

• About seventy thousand people reside in Daytona Beach, but throughout the year, the city's population nearly doubles with a massive influx of tourists.
• The city is a famous and important tourist destination, mainly because of its long sandy beaches in the historic Seabreeze District.
• Along the long barrier island, there are numerous beachfront hotels and resorts that are very popular with students on spring break.

Daytona is also famous for the most important event held in the city at the beginning of every February, the massive NASCAR Speedweeks race. This race takes place at the Daytona International Speedway, the huge car racing track close to the city's airport. The race attracts nearly a quarter-million people every winter, and the city simply bursts with racing fans.

St. Augustine

Saint Augustine, also known as St Augustine, is the first city established by Europeans on US soil that remains inhabited. The Spanish founded the city in the mid-16th century, and many parts of it still date back to that period. Unlike other cities in Florida, Saint Augustine is rich with ancient history, which now blends beautifully with modern Florida's bustling vibe – the tourism movement.

The city is packed with tourists who come to see the ancient forts and houses built 300 years ago. The city center is bustling with entertainment spots, hotels, and restaurants, making it one of Florida's top tourist destinations.

Click here for the complete guide to exploring the cradle of America, the city of Saint Augustine…

What is Saint Augustine?

With all due respect to Plymouth, Massachusetts, the landing site of the Mayflower, and Jamestown, Virginia, founded by John Smith, St. Augustine remains the first European settlement established in the USA that still exists today.

• The historic center of the city is still considered a town, with about 15,000 residents. Around 60,000 people live in the metropolitan area.
• St. Augustine was founded on August 28, 1565, almost 60 years before the British began permanent settlements in New England and twenty years before the failed British settlement in Virginia.
• The city was founded by Spanish admiral Pedro Menéndez de Avilés.
• The city wasn’t the first settlement in Florida, which was discovered in 1513 by explorer Ponce de León, but it is the earliest city in the USA that has remained inhabited since the early Spanish settlement.
• To this day, the city is filled with important historical sites, some dating back to the 16th century, all belonging to its unique Spanish settlement

Jacksonville

The city of Jacksonville is the bustling hub of North Florida. Like much of Florida, it's a new city without a lot of history, except for the French core at Fort Caroline, a French settlement site from 1564. Downtown, you'll find tall skyscrapers and beneath them are a few good museums. In the vicinity towards historic Saint Augustine lies the center of professional golf and its Hall of Fame. Near the city, there are also impressive natural sites and attractions related to the Deep South of America.

Click here for all information about traveling in Jacksonville…

What is Jacksonville?

• Technically, Jacksonville is the largest city in the state of Florida, with around a million residents and a metropolitan area of about 1.5 million (by comparison, Miami has about half a million residents but over six million in its metropolitan area!).
• The city is situated on the massive mouth of the St. Johns River, which is more of a broad body of water slowly flowing into the Atlantic Ocean, though it still holds the title of the longest river in Florida.
• Jacksonville is a quintessential Southern city, reminiscent of the cities in Georgia, its neighboring state just 40 kilometers to the north. It's quite different from Miami, a city built on the sun-seeking migration of New York metropolitan residents.
• The initial settlement in the area was actually French; they established Fort Caroline in 1564 at a strategic location at the river's mouth. The French hold on Fort Caroline was short-lived, as just a year later, the Spanish army from St. Augustine captured the fort, and the territory passed into their hands.

It was only with Florida's joining the United States in 1821 that they decided to develop the fort and build a city to the west of it. The planned city was named after Andrew Jackson, the man behind the Adams–Onís Treaty that arranged the withdrawal of the Spaniards from the state (and the basis for Mexico's claim to ownership over California, Texas, and more). Jackson later became the seventh President of the USA.

In 1901, the city suffered a massive fire that consumed most of its buildings. Afterwards, the city was slowly rebuilt, mostly with new and dense construction in the center. In recent years, the city has been significantly affected twice by hurricanes, first by Matthew in April 2016 and a year later by Irma, which caused a significant rise in the river level and massive floods.

Sports and Entertainment Events in Florida

Florida is a very sporty state with significant representation in American professional sports. Across the state, there are a multitude of professional teams in all the major leagues of basketball, baseball, football, and even hockey. Professional sports in Florida are incredibly popular entertainment for the state's residents and, of course, a great opportunity for tourists to see live performances by the greatest NBA or NFL players.

The Jacksonville Metropolitan area is the most important center for golf outside of Scotland. It is the base of the PGA Tour, the professional golf circuit in the USA. The city of Daytona Beach is the home of NASCAR car racing, and every February, it hosts the Daytona 500 race, the highlight of the racing season in the USA.

Basketball – NBA Teams in Florida

The Miami Heat

The Miami Heat are the prestigious basketball team of Miami. The team plays at the Kaseya Arena, which was formerly known as the famous American Airlines Arena, seating 20,000 spectators. The arena is located right in the heart of the city, near Bayside Marketplace. The team was founded in 1988 and has won three NBA championships, the most recent in 2013. In recent years, the team has been one of the strongest in the league, always reaching the playoffs and advanced stages.

The address of the Heat's home stadium: 601 Biscayne Blvd., Miami

Click here to inquire and purchase tickets for Heat games on the NBA website…

Orlando Magic

The Orlando Magic basketball team is the city's sole representative in the top leagues of American sports. The team is named after Disney's park – the Magic Kingdom. Over the years, it has been home to several huge NBA stars, led by Shaquille O'Neal who began his successful career there.

The team plays at the Amway Center in downtown Orlando, which can seat 17,000 spectators. You can catch an NBA game while visiting the city's theme parks, making for a great evening outing.

Address of the Magic's home stadium: W Church St. 400, Orlando

Click here to purchase tickets for a Magic game on the NBA website…

Football – NFL Teams in Florida

The Miami Dolphins

The Dolphins are Miami's famous football team. Founded in 1966, they have won the Super Bowl twice in the past. The team is closely associated with their legendary quarterback Dan Marino, known as one of the game's greats who never won a Super Bowl (to get a sense of this, watch the movie Ace Ventura: Pet Detective).

The Dolphins play at the Hard Rock Stadium in Miami Gardens, about a 25-minute drive north of downtown. The stadium has a capacity of 80,000 spectators. The Dolphins are an important part of the city's fabric and a highly admired team, though in recent years they've been quite disappointing and rarely achieve success.

Address of the Dolphins' home stadium: Don Shula Dr. 347, Miami Gardens

Click here to check and purchase Dolphins game tickets on the team's website…

The Jacksonville Jaguars

The Jacksonville Jaguars are a great opportunity to see American football if you're already in town. The team was founded in 1995 and joined the NFL along with the Carolina Panthers from Charlotte (note the creative theme). The Jaguars are quite a decent team, often making it to the playoffs but never reaching the Super Bowl.

The team plays at EverBank Stadium, which seats 82,000 spectators. It's usually tough to get tickets for football games, but that's not the case in Jacksonville, partly because the team hasn't been doing great recently and also because the stadium is huge. The stadium is slightly east of downtown Jacksonville, near Highway 1.

Home stadium address: TIAA Bank Field Dr. 1, Jacksonville

Click here to book tickets for the Jaguars' games…

Tampa Bay Buccaneers

The Tampa Bay Buccaneers are the city's football team, playing in the NFL. The team has won the Super Bowl twice, most recently in 2020 after signing Tom Brady, the legendary quarterback of the New England Patriots. Their first win was in 2002, after ownership of the team passed to the Glazer family from Palm Beach, who also owns Manchester United football club in England.

The Buccaneers play at Raymond James Stadium which seats 70,000 spectators. The stadium is located near Tampa International Airport and tickets for the games can be acquired, though it's preferable to handle this a bit in advance.

Home stadium address: N Dale Mabry Hwy. 4201, Tampa

Click here to purchase tickets on the team's website…

Baseball – MLB Teams in Florida

The Miami Marlins

The Marlins are Miami's baseball team. They joined the MLB in 1993 and have won the World Series twice, with the latest victory in 1997. After their second win, the team went through a deep crisis from which they have yet to recover. The Marlins are considered the least profitable team in the league, and their achievements are scarce. Because of this, it's easy to find tickets to Marlins games, where the main attraction is often the opposing team (check when the Yankees come to play). The Marlins play at LoanDepot Park or Marlins Park as it's known, located between Little Havana and downtown.

The address of the Marlins home stadium: Marlins Way, 501, Miami

Click here to check and purchase tickets for Marlins games on the MLB website…

Tampa Bay Rays

The Rays (named after manta ray fish) are the professional baseball team of Tampa Bay. The team was established in 1998 and since then they've been playing, with partial success, in the MLB league. The team has reached the World Series twice and lost both times, but in recent years, they often make it to the playoffs and play quite well. The team plays in St. Petersburg, at Tropicana Field or “the Trop.” The stadium is located at the west end of downtown St. Petersburg, not far from the Chihuly Collection.

Home stadium address: 1 Tropicana Dr., St. Petersburg

Click here to purchase tickets for the team's games on the MLB website…

Hockey – NHL teams in Florida

Tampa Bay Lightning

Surprisingly, the hottest team in recent years in Tampa is the city's hockey team. While the Buccaneers are notorious for being unable to win football games below freezing temperatures, the Lightning are the pinnacle of frost achievements in one of the warmest cities in the USA. The Lightning have reached the Stanley Cup finals for three consecutive years, winning two of them in 2020 and 2021. Overall, the team has won three Stanley Cups since its inception in 1992, which is a pretty crazy statistic for NHL league teams.

The team plays at the Amalie Arena in the southern part of Downtown Tampa, near the Florida Aquarium and the city's historical museum. The stadium holds 20,000 spectators, and there is generally a difficulty in getting tickets for the team’s playoff games.

Home stadium address: Channelside Dr. 401, Tampa

Click here to purchase tickets for the team's games on the NHL website…