*A guest post From Ruthie’s Routes

I met Ruthie, via Twitter, and started reading her blog. I thought her blogs were fun and really informative, and since I’m currently in Florida, I asked Ruthie to write a blog for us! I hope you enjoy it!

– Stacey

When I was asked to write a guest post about Florida, I could not pinpoint one specific place. There are so many great places, parks, and things to do in the state! That’s why I decided to write about some facts about Florida. Florida has a lot to offer those who visit. Much of Florida is located on a peninsula between the Gulf of Mexico and the Atlantic Ocean. With a total of 663 miles of beaches and tropical weather (most of the year), it’s no wonder people visit this Caribbean-style, tropical destination.

Though our climate and weather is tropical, we still get some cool breezes. Our summer and fall seasons run May through October, and it’s considered to be the hottest and longest season. Winter and spring are our dry seasons. During this time, Floridians look forward to turning off their air conditioning and opening their windows. From around November through March/April, you can enjoy cooler air and breezes. Hurricane season is June 1st through November 30th. There is nothing remarkable about this time of year. It’s a very stressful time for those living in the state, and we have learned to be ready for when one hits. Because we are surrounded by water, and we border the Atlantic Ocean, we also have a low-pressure system, and hurricanes tend to form in 80 degree temperature waters, according to Ask.com.

The beaches are our more popular destinations for visitors and spring breakers. With the majority of the state surrounded by water, you’ll never have a problem finding a beach. Florida has some of the most beautiful beaches in the USA. Destination weddings are very popular in Florida. Some of the most popular beaches in the state are Clearwater Beach, St. Pete Beach, Miami Beach, Siesta Key, Daytona Beach, Fort De Soto Park Beach, Anna Maria Island, New Smyrna Beach, Melbourne Beach, and Longboat Key, to name a few.   

Some of the most famous theme parks in Florida are located in Orlando – Disney World, Epcot Center, Magic Kingdom, SeaWorld, Universal Studios, Islands of Adventure, Discovery Cove, Disney Hollywood Studios, Disney Animal Kingdom, and LegoLand are among the biggest tour attractions, and in the Tampa Bay area, Busch Gardens and Adventure Island. With millions of people visiting the parks each year, it’s no surprise that Florida is growing in the tourism industry. Luckily for me, I have the luxury to visit the parks, at least once a year, with the convenience of a one-hour drive; it’s one of my favorite places to visit!

International Flower & Garden in Epcot Center – Orlando, FL

Mickey & Mini Mouse at Epcot Center – Orlando, FL

Florida is home to many types of wildlife including alligators, dolphins, whales, manatees, Florida panthers, eastern cottontail rabbits, wild boar, leatherback sea turtles, bald eagles, osprey, and seagulls, to name a few.

Tourism in Florida is growing every year. With many outdoor activities, beaches, parks, and things to do, it’s no wonder that more and more people are moving and visiting Florida. Between July and September, 22.9 million visitors came, and the numbers keep rising.

Some of the best universities are located in Florida, too. Here are Florida’s top 10 universities (in no particular order) – University of Florida in Gainesville; Florida State University in Tallahassee; University of South Florida in Tampa; University of Miami in Coral Gables; Florida International University in Miami; University of Central Florida in Orlando; Florida Atlantic University in Boca Raton; Nova Southeastern University in Fort Lauderdale; Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University in Daytona Beach; and the Florida Institute of Technology in Melbourne. So, whether you are looking to study nursing, arts, engineering, or aeronautical, Florida has the right university for you.

If you are an avid outdoors person and love the beach and water, you have come to the right place! With many accessible water sports, Florida has something to offer everyone. Some of the water activities you can enjoy are paddling, surfing, boating, fishing, snorkeling, jet skiing and diving. There are more water sports to do around Florida, but those are the most popular ones. Another Great area is Sarasota Florida, which is still relatively unknown and wonderful to explore.

BIO: I grew up in the northeast and have lived in Florida for 25 years. My name is Ruthie, and I’m the blogger for Ruthie’s Routes. I started my blog to document my travels around Florida, other countries, and the US. I hope you have enjoyed this post as much as I have. If you want to follow my journey, feel free to connect with me via social media.

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