Although
largely inhabited by the Seminole
Indians of Florida at the time, it was Ponce de León's
quest for the mythical Fountain
of Youth in 1513 that led to the European discovery of Florida.
Today, Florida
is best known as a vacation paradise for the young, and young-at-heart -- offering visitors fun-in-the-sun
at famous Florida
beaches dotting miles of shoreline
That includes the more famous Daytona, Miami,
and Fort Lauderdale beaches, along with the Florida Keys - and dozens off other top hot
spots while also serve as a magnet for college students on spring
break.
It's important to note that the Sunshine State at 447 miles in length is -- surprise! -- a lot more than Orlando and Miami.
Besides the famous draw of Disney World in Orlando, (left) other top Florida attractions around the state
include historic St. Augustine (middle) and the ornate beauty of the Ringling Complex in Sarasota (right).
In fact, often making the list of Top Ten Florida tourist attractions each year are places like historic St Augustine, the oldest occupied (and arguably the most charming) European settlement in the US, where horse-drawn carriage rides and gaslit streets are only part of the draw. Watch its Spanish past come alive in historic forts and houses coupled with a colorful trip back in time at the Pirate & Treasure Museum.
Miami's
Calle Ocho festival features 10 music
stages, food, art ...and a giant conga line!
2025 Florida travel events and festivals
Just up ahead, check out our 2025 Florida travel calender featuring memorable events and major festivals happening throughout the state this travel season.
Find out where and when to go, plus more info at the official websites for directions and opening/closing times.
It's THE spring event in Miami at the nation's largest Latin music fest, with a stroll through 15 street blocks of Little Havana filled with musical and dance stages, international food and sampling booths. Don't miss this one!
The annual spectacular regularly features the Navy Blue Angels or Air Force Thunderbird acrobatic teams, plus more aeronautic derring-do from demo teams and stunt pilots.
Home of the Navy Blue Angels, the town is right out on the beach to welcome them every summer. BONUS: several practice sessions in the days leading up to the big event.
Off the beaten path Florida
More Florida top spots? They include Amelia Island (almost on the border with Georgia) where more historic charm awaits along the 13 miles of some of America's most beautiful barrier island beaches. Here at one time or another, the French, Spanish and English all laid claim to the island, and today several historic houses serve as wonderful bed & breakfast accommodations for visitors.
Sarasota, too, always deserves a mention -- if only for its ties to 19th century circus baron John Ringling. Today, the Ringling Circus Complex is an 'only-in-America' mix of European art exhibition and circus museum. Plan to spend at least a day at the 66-acre estate that also includes the Ringling's outrageously ornate neo-Renaissance home as well as acres of landscaped grounds and flower gardens.
More about Florida travel & tourism around the Web:
Visit Florida - See the entire Sunshine State laid out with precision including
beaches, major attractions, hotels, restaurants, how to get there
and get around, maps and pictures, special interest features including
Florida for kids.
Coastal
East Coast : Florida - The complete road
tour from Jacksonville to Key West with things to see and do along
the way.
Although
largely inhabited by the Seminole
Indians of Florida at the time, it was Ponce de León's
quest for the mythical 
