13 Things Florida Is Known And Famous For

Florida’s stunning locations make it a favored vacation option for families, tourists, and every other visitor. It has numerous things to offer – citrus, seafood, and key lime pie, pedestrian-friendly streets, beach parties, warm beaches in winter, good food, great temperature, and tide pools. Since the state gets plenty of sunshine and typically has milder subtropical temperatures, it is known as the Sunshine State.

If you are wondering what is Florida known for, it is for its beaches, beautiful landscapes, great reptile zoos, theme parks, orange groves, bungee jumping spots, and theme parks like Disney World and Universal Studios. The Florida Everglades, located on the East Coast, are well-known for their natural splendor.

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Florida is constantly changing, and as you get from the north to the south of this wonderfully diversified state, it seems and feels like a whole other planet. Oh, I forgot to tell you, Florida is home to some amazing tattoo studios and tattoo artists. Learn all about the stunning and vibrant Southeast state of Florida in this article.

Interesting Facts About Florida

Florida has plenty to offer and even more interesting things, making it a fascinating tourist attraction. The city is not just about romantic Florida beaches. If you are curious about what is Florida known for, then check out the interesting facts about Florida below!

• Ponce de Leon, a Spanish explorer, gave the region the name Florida when he first arrived in 1513. It was formerly referred to as Pascua Florida, or “Flowery Easter.”
• The first European colony in North America was in Saint Augustine, which came into existence in 1565.
• Florida is the only Union State that borders the Atlantic Ocean and the Gulf of Mexico. It has the longest coastline in the contiguous United States, which is 1,350 miles or 2,170 kilometers.
• The Constitution of Florida is the only state in the union that is revised every 20 years.
• The University of Florida Gators gave Gatorade its name, where the beverage was initially created.
• The world’s premier diving destination is Key Largo, also referred to as the Diving Capital of the World.
• The first scheduled passenger service airline flight between St. Petersburg and Tampa was piloted by young aviator Antony H. Jannus on January 1, 1914, making aviation history.
• Due to its 185 miles of local canals, Fort Lauderdale is referred to as the Venice of America.
• Florida has the unique attribute of being home to two rivers with the same name. The Withlacoochee River can be found in both central Florida and north central Florida. Apart from the name, they don’t share anything.
• According to the Florida State Constitution, pregnant pigs may not be kept in cages.
• Florida’s highest natural elevation, 345 feet, is in Britton Hill, a city in the state’s panhandle.
• If you want to know what makes Florida so special, then Disney World is certainly one of the many reasons. It is Florida’s top tourist destination.
• There is just one area on earth where alligators and crocodiles may live side by side, and that is in the Florida Everglades.
• Florida produces the most watermelons in the nation and is well-known for its oranges.
• The biggest city in the U.S. is Florida’s Jacksonville.
• The longest coastline in the United States is in Florida, spanning 1,350 miles. Over 800 miles of beach are also available for enjoyment.
• Florida has about 500 bird species, crocodiles, black bears, panthers, manatees, pumas, sharks, and dolphins.
• Florida is the world’s capital for amusement parks.
• Key West boasts the country’s highest temperature and is the hottest location. You would know if you have strolled down Duval Street in July in Key West.

What is Florida Known For?

Florida is famous for numerous things and places. Here are some of the best-known features of Florida that you can check on your next trip.

Beaches

Florida has the nation’s longest coastline, which contains several breathtaking beaches. With 663 miles of beaches, Florida boasts numerous beaches that feature beautiful, crystal-clear, and warm water. Miami Beach’s South Beach neighborhood is well-known across Florida.

Art Deco structures that have been restored to their former splendor may be seen along the section of Ocean Drive known as SoBe, which faces the white sand beach.

Miami Beach, Clearwater Beach, and Daytona Beach are the most renowned beaches in Florida. Miami is also one of the fastest-growing cities in Florida. They have long been known as popular destinations for Spring Breakers.

Since they were constructed on immaculate beaches, many of Florida’s state parks have kept their conditions as close to their original form as possible.

State Parks like Honeymoon Island and Anastasia Island draw large crowds of visitors. State Parks in Florida include a lot of campgrounds that are close to the ocean. 

Public beaches in locations like Sanibel/Captiva, Siesta Key Beach, and Cocoa attract tourists and locals. Nearly all of Florida’s coastal regions have access to gorgeous beaches, except the Big Bend region. You can plan a romantic Florida getaway at this location.

Oranges

What is Florida known for? Definitely, oranges. The quantity of citrus fruits in Florida is well-known. It produces the most citrus fruit in the country. The luscious flesh and reviving flavor of citrus fruits are well known. They are common throughout Florida.

Florida is renowned for its juiciest and sweetest oranges in the United States. You may pick the fruit at several orchards during the busiest growing season, from December to May.

It is a plus among all the advantages and disadvantages of living in Florida. In several areas of the state, grapefruit, orange, and lemon trees are grown. They are the main ingredient in many Florida cuisines, including marmalade, salad, and drinks. Jam, sweets, and juice are other products made from citrus fruits.

Theme Parks

Florida is called the “Theme Park Capital of the World“. It is home to several theme parks, including Walt Disney World, Universal Studios, and SeaWorld.

Disney presently runs five theme parks in the Orlando region, including Epcot Center, Discovery Cove, Blizzard Beach, Animal Kingdom, and Hollywood Studios.

In contrast, Universal Studios Florida features well-liked attractions, including the Wizarding World of Harry Potter, and is styled after the entertainment business.

Sea World is a park with a marine theme. Millions of people visit these theme parks yearly as they are well-liked travel destinations. The home of Mickey Mouse, Goofy, Donald Duck, Snow White, and the Seven Dwarfs today has hundreds of hotel rooms on-site. It also has a monorail system to transport visitors between the different parks.

Plenty of Sunshine

A sunny day can lift your mood instantly, and Florida is known for having more of them than any other state in the union. Parts of Florida receive an average of 361 days of sunlight a year, earning it the nickname “The Sunshine State”. St. Petersburg in the Tampa Bay region is known as the “Sunshine City”.

The city holds Guinness World Record for receiving the sunniest days in a row, about 25 months. It is also one of the cheapest cities to live in Florida. Nowadays, many people are considering to move to Florida, due to its affordability. However, there are some dangerous places also in Florida, that you should avoid while picking a place to live in.

Besides, due to its pleasant weather and stunning beaches, Florida is a well-liked holiday spot. It is also famous for its breathtaking sunrises and sunsets. The Sunshine State is renowned for its fine-sand beaches, sparkling waterways, and verdant landscape.

You can bask in it during the heat of the day along the Atlantic Coast and watch the sun vanish into the Gulf of Mexico in the evening.

Kennedy Space Centre

The Kennedy Space Center in Florida is well-known for hosting several rocket launches that sent people to the moon and into space. It is located on Florida’s central Atlantic coast giving it the nickname “Space Coast“.

This enormous site has a fascinating museum with guided launchpad tours. It covers everything from the first days of unmanned rockets to manned flights that orbited the globe and beyond.

KSC debuted in 1962 and was selected by NASA in 1968 as their human space mission launch facility. You can gain knowledge about the space program’s history, including the landing of humans on the moon, the International Space Station, and the Space Shuttle.

The Kennedy Space Center also serves as the hub for space missions. It is home to a sizable collection of rockets and historical artifacts that draw countless tourists each year.

With many actual rockets in the rocket garden, the Atlantis space shuttle on display, and exhibits from the Apollo missions, KSC commemorates the nation’s space past.

Palm Trees

The palm tree is a symbol of the Sunshine State. Florida is home to 30 different species of these tall, elegant tree species. Moreover, twelve of the varieties are native to the state.

It is hard to mention a Florida vacation without palm trees, water, and beaches. The majority of the pictures shot here feature palm palms. You can see them even in the most budget-friendly places in Florida.

In Florida, palm trees are a common sight. In addition to being used to create palm oil, they are frequently utilized as decorations. Due to their famed resilience to storms, palm trees are planted in many areas of Florida. They are renowned for having lovely, tropical looks. A well-liked tourist attraction is palm palms.

Water Sports

Due to the abundance of water, boating and other watersports are popular in Florida. Like most individuals who drive a car, Floridians throng their boats. Weekends are spent in

Florida residents spend their weekends indulging in watersports like waterskiing, riding Sea-Doos, tubing, or simply cruising around bays, inlets, and ports. The world’s center for boating and fishing is in Florida.

Fishing, stand-up paddle boarding, scuba diving, water skiing, kayaking with manatees, and kneeboarding are all available in Florida. Beach volleyball and sunbathing are also common activities of people here.

You may want to beware of the nude beaches in Florida. You can even swim with manatees and dolphins in some places. You can take a ride on a jet ski in the sea or an airboat through a swamp. If you are feeling brave, parasailing and windsurfing are also some options.

St. Augustine

St. Augustine is the oldest city in the country and a well-liked vacation spot, especially for a couple friendly Florida getaway. It is renowned for the Spanish colonial architecture that characterizes this seaside enclave in northeast Florida.

There is now an archaeological park called the Fountain of Youth, where Juan Ponce de Leon, the former governor of Puerto Rico, first came in 1513. In 1565, adventurer Pedro Menendez de Aviles established the region’s first prosperous Spanish town.

The Castillo de San Marcos in St. Augustine is the oldest masonry fort in North America. Numerous historical landmarks can be found in the city, a well-liked spot for dining and shopping. It is also one of the safest cities in Florida.

The Spanish style of architecture prevalent in many of the city’s structures makes St. Augustine famous worldwide. A popular tourist destination for those interested in history, the city hosts various museums.

Thus, owing to its rich heritage and ample places to visit, St. Augustine is one of the best places to live in Florida.

Florida Keys

A group of islands known as the Florida Keys is located off Florida’s southern coast. It is a 120-mile-long group of tropical islands that separates the Atlantic Ocean from the Gulf of Mexico.

When you get to Key West, you will be 90 miles from Cuba and at the southernmost tip of the continental U.S. connected by bridges, residents and tourists enjoy visiting them. If you are planning to move here, you should know the pros and cons of living in the Florida Keys.

Most people associate the Florida Keys with their beaches because of the crystal-clear water and fine sand. The Keys are a terrific place to go fishing and are also home to several fish species. They are a popular destination for boating, fishing, scuba diving, and Key West’s never-ending nightlife.

Florida is an amazing state. You won’t regret moving to Florida. You can also visit the Ernest Hemingway Home and Museum while in Keys. Mallory Square in Key West hosts a nightly sunset spectacle worth attending.

Read Also:

• 10 Amazing Places For Camping In The Florida Keys
• Uncover your slice of coastal heaven without breaking the bank in the Florida Keys

The Everglades

Florida is known for the Everglades. It is the biggest subtropical wilderness in the United States, affectionately known as “The Swamp”. For rare and threatened species like the manatee, Florida panther, and American crocodile, this World Heritage Site is an essential habitat. A unique environment can only be found in the Florida Everglades.

Except for a few slivers of habitation on each shore, the Everglades, which span 3 million acres, encompasses most of South Florida. Alligators, which inhabit many of the streams of the Everglades, are its most famous inhabitants.

You can visit Everglades National Park on an exhilarating guided trip to see wildlife in its natural setting.

The Everglades, sometimes known as the “River of Grass”, is a watershed and natural filtration system made up of slow-moving water, swamp reeds, thick muck, and other vegetation. The Everglades is a well-known location for bird viewing because it is also home to several different bird species.

Manatees

Although dolphins are well-known in Florida, the manatee is unquestionably the state’s most famous marine animal. The curious and kind animal wanders gently in bays and rivers and attracts tourists to areas where it is frequently spotted.

These enormous, endearing herbivores are also known as sea cows. They are indigenous to various parts of the state of Florida.

Boaters are advised to avoid approaching manatees because their propellers might hurt them. Manatees are an endangered species and are fascinating to observe.

However, when they interact with people through physical contact, their behavior may shift, increasing their risk of damage. So, you should avoid touching them while visiting.

The gentle giants swim south and assemble in the springs and Gulf because they prefer warmer waters. You can also spot them in these natural springs in Florida. The ideal time to see manatees is during the winter, when you can also snorkel, swim and kayak with them. Despite their imposing size, they are kind, innocent, and playful animals.

Crocodiles and Alligators Together

The American Alligator is the recognized state reptile of Florida, possibly due to the state’s abundance of alligators. Alligators and crocodiles are only found together in Florida, the only place in the world. Alligators are a protected species, and there are currently an estimated 1.5 million of them in Florida.

The dreaded alligator has a lifetime between 35 and 50 years, grows 8 to 11 feet long, and weighs 200 to 1,000 pounds. Crocodiles continue to become bigger, occasionally reaching lengths of 17 feet.

Crocs and alligators may be found throughout Florida, primarily in freshwater lakes, ponds, and streams. These reptilian carnivores consume both amphibians and other reptiles in addition to fish.

Domestic pets that resemble some of their other prey in size have been reported to be devoured by them. They dwell in ponds on golf courses, lakes, canals, streams, rivers, and, occasionally in swimming pools.

Sea Shell

The greatest shelling beaches in the United States are renowned for being found in Florida. You can gather your shells on these beaches. They come up in many beautiful forms and hues, making it difficult to choose. I recommend, exploring the shelling beaches in Florida.

You can visit Sanibel Island (Blind Pass Beach) and nearby Captiva Island (Cayo Costa State Park) for the best possibilities of discovering undamaged beauties.

Tigertail Beach on Marco Island, just south of Naples, is where more than 400 different types of shells are available for you to collect. Coquina Beach on Anna Maria Island and Venice Beach, known as the “Sharktooth Capital of the World“, are two other excellent shelling sites.

Read Also:

• 22 Fun Things To Do On Anna Maria Island
• 8 Gorgeous Beaches on Anna Maria Island
• 11 Best Beaches in Southwest Florida: Escape to Paradise

Final Words

The pristine beaches, clean waters, and verdant landscape of the Sunshine State are some of the best answers to what is Florida known for. Additionally, it is the location of numerous tourist attractions like Walt Disney World and Universal Studios.

Florida is the ideal destination for vacationing, relocating, or retiring. Its borders are astounding with their stunning beaches and natural beauty, while its cities feature exceptional infrastructure and vibrant cultural offerings.

FAQs – What Is Florida Famous For