Welcome Welcome to the Sunshine State! it is my honor to welcome you to the Sunshine State. Whether your plans include visiting family and friends, discovering our state’s cultural and historical wonders, or basking in the sunshine on one of Florida’s 825 miles of beautiful beaches, I trust your experience will be unforgettable. As the state’s o cial source for travel planning, VISIT FLORIDA is pleased to provide this user-friendly magazine to assist you with getting the most out of your Florida vacation. It helps you design your trip around specifi c interests and activities, such as beaches, outdoors and nature, family, arts and culture, dining and nightlife, shopping, golf, and events and festivals. Within its pages we have included tips from Florida writers who know the Sunshine State well and are happy to provide you with expert advice to make your stay even more enjoyable. Also, look for scannable tags throughout the publication to connect with related videos and interactive experiences. With so many options, no two Florida vacations are the same, but each trip is sure to leave you with lifelong memories. I invite you to browse these pages, visit us online, and follow us via social media to plan your unique Sunshine State getaway. Sunny regards, ON BEHALF OF THE 1.2 MILLION FLORIDIANS EMPLOYED BY THE TOURISM INDUSTRY, Will Seccombe VISIT FLORIDA President and CEO I t Must Be the Sunshine! It is with great pride that I invite you to enjoy all that Florida has to o er. Each year, millions of visitors travel to Florida to discover our world-renowned beaches, attractions, state and national parks, natural, heritage and cultural wonders, world-class golfi ng and fi shing, and our many incredible dining, shopping and entertainment venues. To assist you with planning the perfect Sunshine State vacation, this VISIT FLORIDA publication o ers expert tips from Florida writers, plus detailed information on all there is to see and do, organized by topic and region of the state. With so many wonderful reasons to visit Florida, the tourism industry is committed to providing exceptional value and hospitality to our visitors. Floridians enjoy welcoming guests year round, so no matter when you come or how long you stay, you are sure to experience the same warmth and friendliness that has made Florida one of the world’s most popular vacation destinations. I trust that your stay in the Sunshine State will be both enjoyable and memorable, and I invite you to visit us again soon. Sincerely, AS A NATIVE FLORIDIAN, I AM PRIVILEGED TO CALL THIS INCREDIBLE AND DIVERSE DESTINATION MY HOME. William D. Talbert, III, CDME Chair, VISIT FLORIDA Board of Directors OFFICIAL VISITOR’S GUIDE 4 9
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