Florida Getaways: Towns to Visit in the Sunshine StateWe continue with destination suggestions in the United States, a country we know little about beyond the most popular destinations.
Today it's the turn of a beautiful state that is much more than Orlando or its amusement parks, so if you're planning a trip and want to get off the beaten path, this article is for you.
Florida
This state is also known as the Sunshine State, Sunshine State. It is half the size of Finland. It is a peninsula in the southeastern United States and shares a border with Alabama and Georgia, being theThe only state that has coastline on both the Atlantic and the Gulf of Mexico. And that means there are two time zones, Eastern Time and Central Time.
The state capital is Tallahassee, to the north, but the most popular city is Jacksonville, in northeast Florida and on the St. Johns River.
Obviously everyone comes here for Disney parks, Cape Canaveral, Universal Orlando, the beaches of Miami, the Kennedy Space Center, the Keys or the Everglades, but as we said at the beginning, there are more, there are towns to visit in the Sunshine State.
As it has a Humid subtropical climate In general, the weather is good all year round, and its biodiversity is beautiful, something that can be seen in its landscapes, its keys, forests, beaches, swamps, springs, rivers and more.
But if you're looking for destinations that, in addition to these natural beauties, offer cultural and historical charm, then we can introduce you to some interesting towns to visit, experience, and remember forever.
St. Augustine
This town is known as the oldest town in the United States and is 450 years old. It's on the call Florida's Historic Coast, like many towns and cities, so it is a coastal destination with beautiful beaches.
The oceanfront part of town is beautiful, but don't let the ocean distract you because St. Augustine's true charm lies in its cobblestone streets and exquisite architecture.
It was founded as San Agustín in 1565 by the Spanish explorer and admiral Pedro Menéndez Avilés, and had very hectic moments in his life every time he was harassed by English privateers, Francis Drake among them.
Therefore, among its historical attractions, there is the San Marcos castle, overlooking Matanzas Bay. The current structure dates back to the 17th century and is spectacular.
You should also know that during the colonial era in the United States, under English rule, St. Augustine was a refuge for black slaves fleeing the South Carolina plantations.
You should visit the historic center with its old buildings, including the oldest house and gardens, the Villa Zorayda Museum, with a Moorish feel and built by a millionaire in 1883, the Plaza de la Constitución and the old Ponce de León Hotel.
New Smyrna Beach
This little town on the east coast of Florida is between St. Augustine and Coca Beach. just an hour's drive from downtown Orlando.
That's why there can be a lot of people on weekends, because its meters and meters of beaches attract visitors on sunny days, to do surf too. But there are restaurants, shops, cafes, nightlife if you want, and a charming historic center.
Stuart
This little town won the USA Today Readers' Choice Award last year. Best coastal town in the entire country.
Stuart It is in Martin County, on the Atlantic coast, located on what is known as the Treasure Coast and is part of the Port St. Lucie metropolitan area. Its nickname is Sailfish Capital of the World.
Stuart is only 22 square miles and is very close to the St. Lucie River and the Indian River Lagoon, so it's great for fishing. It has a Humid subtropical climate So their summers, although short, are extremely humid and hot and yes, there may be hurricanes.
The visit to this town to visit in the Sunshine State can begin with the Stuart Heritage Museum which operates in a two-story building that is several years old and now houses more than 10 objects dating from the mid-50th century to the XNUMXs.
La Krueger House It is a huge mansion built in 1894, in the middle of a pineapple plantation, on a stretch of land that juts out into the river. There is also the Florida Oceanographic Center and the Sailfish Splash Waterpark, a family amusement park.
Obviously we add its beaches, the Stuart Beach and Bathtub Beach, the riverfront promenade, the Roosevelt Bridge, Flagler Park, Fisherman's Wharf...
Cedar key
On our list of Florida getaways: Towns to visit in the Sunshine State It's the turn of another fishing village: Cedar Key.
Cedar Key is on Florida's north-central coast and is anything but typical, so that's part of its charm. The town is located on the rugged Natural Coast and is a A destination for relaxing, walking the dog, fishing, kayaking, or boating. and visit the Cedar Key National Wildlife Refuge with its 13 small islands.
Downtown has that old-town Florida charm: old architecture, a nearby beach, a park, and plenty of water everywhere. Sightseeing is concentrated around the old cemetery, the Cedar Key Museum State Park, the Arts Center, and, as we mentioned, the National Wildlife Refuge.
Cedar Key is like a fishing village straight out of Hemingway's mind.
Venice
Venice is a charming destination that It is on the gulf and has a great beach. In fact, the most famous beach of all is called Venice, and it has soft sands, beautiful twilight scenery and not far away, a excellent reef for divers.
Venice is just an hour from Boca Grande, a popular residential neighborhood built on Gasparilla Island, with white sands, turquoise waters, and affordable prices.
Venice is known as the Shark Tooth Capital of the World by fossils that have been found in its geography. In April of this year, for example, the Sharks Tooth Festival took place to celebrate the first hundred years of its historic center.
Truth is a divine destiny to know.
Amelia Island and Fernadina Beach
Fernadina Beach is the northernmost destination on Florida's Atlantic coast, on Amelia Island. This away from the noise and it is a beach destination that combines all the charm of a historic town.
It's great for rent a bike and go for a walkThere are many cycling trails and excellent hotels, the expensive ones, where people arriving at the private airport, which is not far away, stay.
But well, it's worth going for a few hours and getting to know it.
So far then the article of Florida getaways: Towns to visit in the Sunshine State. They are destinations that are generally within a two to three hour radius from Orlando, with great beaches, restaurants, outdoor activities… You just need to discover them.