Travel Oracles 50 States: Florida
As part of my summer series - Travel Oracles 50 States - I am revisiting each os the fifty American states as an overview on travel culture and history. Today: Florida
Joined: On March 3, 1845, Florida became the 27th state to join the United States. As a former slave state, Florida officially joined the Confederacy on February 28, 1861.
Original Indigenous Peoples: There are more than a dozen original Native American tribes in Florida - Pensacola, Apalachee, Guale, Timucua, Potano, Ocale, Tocobaga, Mayaimi, Ais, Calusa, Jeaga, Tequesta and Matecumbe
First Settlers: Written records about life in Florida began with the arrival of the Spanish explorer and adventurer Juan Ponce de León in 1513. Sometime between April 2 and April 8, Ponce de León waded ashore on the northeast coast of Florida, possibly near present-day St. Augustine.
History moment: In 1819, after years of negotiations, Secretary of State John Quincy Adams achieved a diplomatic coup with the signing of the Florida Purchase Treaty, which officially put Florida into U.S. hands at no cost beyond the U.S. assumption of some $5 million of claims by U.S. citizens against Spain.
Known for: Beach resorts, Cuban Culture, amusement parks, warm and sunny climate, attractions such as Walt Disney World, the Kennedy Space Center, and Miami Beach draw tens of millions of visitors annually. Also Cocaine trafficking of the 80s and the ‘Florida Man’ trope
Cities: Miami, Orlando, Palm Beach, Daytona, Key West, St. Augustine, Naples, Jacksonville, Tampa, Key West
Movie setting: Scarface, Something about Mary, The Birdcage, Out of Sight, The Florida Project, Magic Mike, and obvious movie + TV: Miami Vice
Musicians from: Gloria Estefan, Ariana Grande, Pitbull
Surprising facts: Florida has the longest coastline (1,197 statute miles) in the contiguous United States, with 825 miles of accessible beaches to enjoy. It's the only state that borders both the Atlantic Ocean and the Gulf of Mexico. Wherever you are in Florida, you're never more than 60 miles from the nearest body of salt water.
With its accessible and varied pleasures, Florida is enjoyed of many (certainly it’s high numbers of snowbirds and retirees). Drawn to the colonial charm of St. Augustine, Miami's pulsing nightlife, the glitz of Palm Beach, or the quiet expanse of the Everglades, the powdery white beaches of the Panhandle to the vibrant coral reefs of the Florida Keys, the ocean is always calling—for sailing, fishing, diving, swimming, and other water sports. Let’s travel to Florida
My Experience: I have been to the state many times, for both business and pleasure. My grandparents used to winter there as well (typical give all of the snowbirds and retirees there). I have made stops in Miami, Ft. Lauderdale, Daytona, Palm Beach, St. Augustine, and Orlando (for Disney World, obvs). Having lived in NYC previously, it was a short flight for which many regularly fled south for warm weather and beaches. I have not written much on the state, so my past Miami post may be outdated now. There are honestly a lot of places to visit depending on what type of vacation you want, so I encourage you to visit their tourism page as I am just adding a selection of stops I like below:
Miami & Fort Lauderdale: Almost a century after the art deco movement, Miami remains one of the world's trendiest and flashiest hot spots. Luckily for visitors, South Beach is no longer the only place to stand and pose in Miami. North of Downtown, the growing Wynwood and Design districts are home to Miami's hipster and fashionista movements, and the South Beach "scene" continues to extend both north and west, with the addition of new venues north of 20th Street, south of 5th Street, and along the bay on West Avenue.
Saint Augustine: Augustine is one of Florida's few historical cities, and also has beautiful architecture, dining, and beaches
Key West: Your Keys experience begins on your 18-mile drive south on "The Stretch," a portion of U.S. 1 with a specially colored blue median that takes you from Florida City to Key Largo. The real magic starts at Mile Marker 113, where the Florida Keys Scenic Highway begins. As the only All-American Road in Florida, it is a destination unto itself, one that crosses 42 bridges over water, including the Seven Mile Bridge—with its stunning vistas—and ends in Key West. Look for crocodiles, alligators, and bald eagles along the way.
Nature: Apalachicola National Forest, Everglades National Park, Biscayne National Park, Dry Tortugas National Park, Big Cypress National Preserve, Timucuan Ecological and Historic Preserve, Gulf Islands National Seashore
Ranking in US: Per the annual US News report, Florida is currently ranked #10 out of 50 in 2021, up from #13 in 2019. I find that interesting considering all of its many political and education issues. However, it has attracted many new residents from NY for low taxes and housing, and a strong economy.
