What Is Florida Known For? 7 Amazing Things To Know

What is Florida Known For? 

Florida is the 27th state of the United States; it earned statehood on March 3, 1845. It is now the country’s third most populous state. Interesting, isn’t it? 

Now, answering the question ‘What is Florida known for typically,’ it would be for its white sand beaches and as the East Coast home of Mickey Mouse. But that’s not all, you know?

This article comprises all the secrets that have made Florida a household name. So, let’s begin by exploring all the reasons why Florida is famous and why people dream of living here or at least visiting once.

Natural Attractions of Florida 

Everglades National Park

In southern Florida, a large grassy wetland called the Everglades, also known as the ‘River of Grass.’ It is a nature lover’s paradise and an ideal home for different plants and animals.

A popular tourist destination, and besides its natural beauty, it is home to a diverse wildlife population, including numerous alligators and crocodiles.

The park is always covered in swamps, lakes, canals, and rivers, which is why it attracts many visitors. However, it’s important not to swim here due to the presence of alligators and other potential risks.

One important quality is the vast mangrove forest, integral to maintaining water cleanliness.

Alligators 

Alligators are giant reptiles in Florida. You can spot them in swamps and wet areas. They eat fish, birds, small animals, and other reptiles.

Alligators are known for being big and having strong jaws that can snap shut quickly. They are a big tourist attraction in Florida, and people go to alligator farms to see them up close. Some people even hunt alligators for their tasty meat, which is seen as a special treat.

Theme Parks 

Florida is known as the “Theme Park Capital of the World.” It has lots of cool theme parks like Walt Disney World, Universal Studios, and SeaWorld.

Walt Disney World is a big theme park and resort in Lake Buena Vista, Florida. Disney owns and runs it, and it’s one of the biggest tourist spots in the world.

Disney currently has five theme parks in Orlando. They are Epcot Center, Discovery Cove, Blizzard Beach, Animal Kingdom, and Hollywood Studios.

Universal Studios Florida is a popular theme park in a different style. It has cool stuff like the Wizarding World of Harry Potter, and it’s designed to look like the entertainment industry.

Legoland is a great place for people who love Lego and want more than just rides. They have cool rides, shops to buy stuff, special events, and even a driving school for kids.

SeaWorld is a theme park about the ocean. Lots of people go there because they like it. The place where Mickey Mouse, Goofy, and other Disney characters live has many hotel rooms and a monorail to get around.

Palm Trees 

You see palm trees a lot in Florida. People use them to make things look nice, and they also use them to make palm oil. Palm trees originally come from tropical places, and in Florida, they grow in many places.

Also Read: Where is pine island Florida

Palm trees in Florida are thorny against hurricanes. They look pretty and tropical. Tourists like them and often take pictures with them.

The Daytona International Speedway 

Daytona International Speedway is a racing track in Daytona Beach, Florida. They have the Daytona 500, one of the world’s most famous races there.

The Daytona International Speedway has more famous races like the 24 Hours of Daytona and the Rolex 24. The track has steep curves and is very famous worldwide.

The Dali Museum 

A well-known museum all about the artist Salvador Dali from Spain has lots of his art, over 2,000 pieces, the biggest collection outside of Spain.

The Dali museum has fun things you can play with and teaches you stuff. Lots of people visit it in Florida because it’s a top tourist spot.

Beaches 

Florida has lots of coastline, over 1,000 miles, and it’s sunny all year round. That’s why they call it “The Sunshine State.” And because of that, Florida is known for having some of the world’s greatest beaches.

Every year, lots of tourists come to sunny Florida to visit its famous white sand beaches. Some are great for families, while others are famous for partying.

South Beach, Panama City Beach, Miami Beach, and Fort Lauderdale Beach are some of Florida’s top party beaches.

Related: Best beaches in Florida for couples

Families in Florida will have a good time at beaches like Daytona Beach, Clearwater Beach, Cocoa Beach, and Fort de Soto Beach.

Water Sports 

Florida is famous for boating and watersports. It has a super long coastline, lots of lakes and rivers, and many places to go fishing, swimming, and kayaking. People also love surfing, windsurfing, and kitesurfing in Florida. 

Go on a dolphin-watching boat or kayak during the sunset in the Florida Keys. But if you want to be more adventurous, you can snorkel with manatees, try kiteboarding, or explore shipwrecks by diving.

Florida Keys 

The Florida Keys are a bunch of sandy islands in the South of Florida. They stretch from near Miami all the way down to Key West and are popular with Florida tourists.

The Florida Keys are famous for their relaxed vibe and simple elegance. You can find beautiful beaches, fancy resorts, and exciting adventures there, so it’s a great place for everyone.

Key Largo is the biggest island and is great for scuba diving and snorkeling. Marathon has amazing beaches and is where sea turtles live. Key West is famous for art, history, and big parties.

Golfing 

Florida is known as the world’s golf capital because it has over 1,100 golf courses. Whether you like flowery courses by the ocean or simple ones in the countryside, there’s a golfing adventure for everyone. Golfing in the Florida sunshine state is always enjoyable!

Freshwater Springs 

Florida is not just known for its salty beaches; it also has stunning freshwater springs, mostly in central Florida, inside state and national parks.

Ichetucknee Springs and River State Park are famous spots for freshwater springs. During the summer, Florida locals enjoy floating down the 6-mile river to the Santa Fe River.

Lots of people visit Gilchrist Blue Springs because of its crystal blue waters. To fun do kayaking, paddleboarding, having picnics, and even diving off wooden platforms there.

Sea Shell 

Florida is famous for having some of the best beaches for collecting shells in the United States. You can find all sorts of beautiful shells in different shapes and colors.

To find the best and unbroken shells, go to Sanibel Island (Blind Pass Beach) and nearby Captiva Island (Cayo Costa State Park).

What Food Is Florida Known For?  

People in Florida enjoy eating and drinking outside, especially if they can see the ocean. 

Florida, being a big and diverse state, has lots of tasty foods to try. Here are some of the best Floridian dishes you should taste on your vacation (and don’t forget to enjoy them with fresh Florida orange juice):

Stone Crabs 

In Florida, people love to eat stone crabs. Caught from October to May, and the best part is their claws. Stone crab has a special and yummy taste and texture, and that’s why people in Florida relish it.

Key Lime Pie

Key lime pie is a dessert made with key lime juice, egg yolks, and sweetened condensed milk. It’s tangy, smooth, and usually served with whipped cream or ice cream.

Gator Tail 

In Florida, you will see alligators, especially in the Everglades; big reptiles are up to 15 feet long and eat fish, birds, small animals, and other reptiles.

People in Florida like to eat a gator tail made from an alligator’s tail. They cook it by frying or grilling, and it’s a bit chewy with a hint of fishy taste. Gator Tail is popular because it’s special to Florida and seen as a special treat.

Apalachicola Oyster

Apalachicola oysters are big and tasty oysters from Apalachicola Bay in Florida. People catch them from September to April and eat them raw with sauce. Also used in dishes like oyster stew, gumbo, and po’boys.

Cuban Sandwich 

A Cuban sandwich is made with ham, pork, Swiss cheese, pickles, and mustard, all on soft and slightly sweet Cuban bread.

People love it because the mix of ham, pork, and cheese makes it salty and savory, and the pickles and mustard add a touch of sweetness and tanginess. You will easily find Cuban sandwiches in Florida, especially in Miami; interestingly, they are not pricey.

What Fruit Is Florida Known For? 

The biggest citrus producer in the U.S. is Florida. 74 million citrus trees grow fruits like oranges, grapefruit, tangerines, lemons, and tangelos. 

Citrus fruits are known for their juicy, tasty flesh. In Florida, people use them in cooking, like making marmalade, salads, and drinks. They also make juice, jam, and candy from these fruits. Go for Navel, Valencia, Pineapple, Ambersweet, or Hamlin varieties, the best types of citrus fruits.

Cultures

Florida hosts lots of festivals that show off its diverse culture and food. Some famous ones include the Miami International Film Festival, the Tampa Bay Blues Festival, and the South Beach Wine and Food Festival.

Florida is also known for art festivals like Sarasota Film Festival and Art Basel Miami Beach. These bring people in from all over and highlight the skills of Florida’s artists.

Cuban culture has had a big impact on Florida, especially in Miami. Many Cubans came to the U.S. from Cuba in the 1960s, and now Florida has more Cuban people than any other place in America.

You can see Cuban culture in Florida through:

• Food: Cuban dishes like ropa vieja, picadillo, and plantains are popular in Florida’s restaurants.
• Music and Dance: Cuban music like salsa, rumba, and cha-cha is loved all over Florida. You can find live music and dance events at many clubs and venues. Miami’s Calle Ocho festival is a huge celebration of Cuban music and culture.
• Art: Florida has galleries and museums that display incredibly contemporary Cuban art.
• Heritage Sites: Florida has historic places that show Cuban culture, like the Cuban Memorial Plaza in Tampa and the Bay of Pigs Museum in Miami.

Sports 

Florida is called the boating and fishing capital of the world. Now, let’s explore some of the different sports in Florida. The state brags three football teams, two Major League Baseball teams, two basketball teams, and two professional ice hockey teams.

Additionally, there are three major universities with highly ranked sports teams and a few smaller but growing universities making their mark in the sports world.

Some of Florida’s notable sports teams include the Miami Heat, Tampa Bay Buccaneers, and Jacksonville Jaguars, along with college teams like the University of Florida Gators and the Florida State Seminoles.

Industries 

Florida is a top spot for making planes and plane parts, with 249 companies in this field, because Florida has good tax rules for businesses.

Since there were not enough skilled workers, Florida wanted to keep the plane industry robust. So, they invest in STEM education, which means science, technology, engineering, and math, to ensure enough trained people for these jobs.

Now, Florida is called the Space Coast because of the Kennedy Space Center, where NASA launches missions. It’s also a fantastic place for tourists to learn about space history and see rockets.

The Space Coast is famous for space stuff, but it’s also great for tourists because it has many beaches and fun things to do.

Nascar 

NASCAR, the big car racing thing in America, started in Daytona Beach long ago and is still there today. People arrive at the Daytona International Speedway to watch the big race called the Daytona 500. It’s like the Super Bowl for racing. They also do cool things at the Speedway, like motorsport competitions, concerts, car shows, and parties.

The citrus industry employs over 76,000 people and represents a $9 billion sector. Florida’s amusement park industry, valued at $6 billion, provides jobs for about 55,000 individuals. Every year, approximately 78 million people visit Florida’s theme parks.

Best Place to Live 

Florida is an attractive place to live for various reasons, including its warm and sunny climate, no state income tax, exceptional amenities, affordable housing, strong economy, year-round outdoor activities, rich cultural offerings, and abundant recreational opportunities. Additionally, the state has the best restaurants and dining options along its picturesque coastlines, making it a desirable destination.

Florida’s diverse population makes it an attractive place to live for not only retirees but also families, young adults, couples, and individuals from various backgrounds, including South and Black families.

Hurricanes 

Living in Florida has its drawbacks, and one significant downside is the threat of hurricanes. From June to November, the state has to contend with an unwelcome hurricane season. Florida is more susceptible to hurricanes between the Atlantic Ocean and the Gulf of Mexico than any other state.

Conclusion 

In final words, let us wrap up that Florida is not just limited to its white sand pristine beaches; instead, Florida is known for its ideal location and the vibes that Florida offers, and no other state has that much to offer. 

Florida has incredible affordability in housing, living standards, a wealthy lifestyle, the best restaurants with cheap foods, diverse amenities, a hot economy, beautiful weather, warm climate, best places to elope or marry with reasonable expenses, picturesque locations to go with couples, and much more.