Coming to you hot and fresh today, I’m talking about Florida. I can’t believe I haven’t talked about Florida yet! Partially due to all of the attention Florida is getting with back to back hurricanes but also heavily influenced by 2nd Try releasing their Miami scavenger hunt, it’s time.
I’ve never been to Florida and frankly, when I think about the coast I always think about the Pacific. If there’s something the Pacific doesn’t have its those warm Atlantic waters. A former coworker of mine told me I absolutely have to do New Year’s in Florida, so I’ll take a look at what that’s all about. Florida is also ripe with multi-cultural influence, so let’s give in and have a good time!
Orlando
So what’s the deal with New Year’s Eve? I was none the wiser but the more I started looking into it, the more I realized Kevin was right! Orlando, Florida comes up again and again as the number 1 spot to party it up on New Year’s Eve. Helped of course by the warm weather (sorry Time’s Square…it looks frigid there), apparently Orlando also runs some of the longest fireworks display in the entire country. Add in some cheap drinks and your own fireworks and wow, sounds like I have a party to attend!
Alright, now lets talk about Disney World. I’ve never been. As a kid, I always wanted to go. As an adult, though, it just never seemed to be something that called to me. Something about it being expensive, not being able to dress up, and waiting in lines really turned me off. But what’s the saying…when in Rome? If I’m in the area, I think its mandatory to check it out. I’ll report back if I’m a convert and it really is the best place on Earth…or is that Disney Land?
Miami
Next, courtesy of The Try Guys and 2nd Try, I just learned about the World Erotic Art Museum in Miami. It features, among many other erotic displays, The Great Penis. The Great Penis is an enormous golden phallus that apparently you can also rest upon its golden testicles. Does that count as a roadside attraction? It does now!
Other things that I don’t think can be missed is visiting the Florida Keys and having Key Lime everything. Florida is also known for its Kumquats and I’d love to eat some Kumquat desserts (which I’ve never had). Something I’m a little less excited about is gator bites (deep fried alligator) but I feel like I could muster the courage to give it a shot, right?
Its definitely touristy (and maybe more of a “roadside” attraction than The Great Penis), but when you’re in the Florida Keys, you can also visit the southernmost point of the continental US. Its only 90 miles from Cuba. No wonder Cuban culture is so prominent in Florida! And speaking of Cuba, a Cuban sandwich sounds absolutely delicious. I’d love to get my mouth on one. Little Havana in Miami has become a epicenter for Cuban cuisine and culture and there’s sure to be plenty of delicious food and amazing artwork to be seen.
Everywhere Else
Here’s something nerdy for you to contemplate. The Lichgate tree. Have you heard of it? I think I heard about it some time around 2008, give or take a couple of years. And I learned of it only because I found a picture of someone in a Link (Legend of Zelda) costume standing in front of it. It was then I pledged I would see that tree! I stand by that. The tree, itself, is an enormous oak tree and looks to be something out of a fairy tale. Lichgate on High Road is the grounds it sits on, serving as a both a historical and preservative measure.
While we’re on the subject of trees, Florida offers something that not many others do – mangrove trees! You can only find Mangroves in Florida, Louisiana, and Texas. A good portion of the Everglades is made up by Mangroves. You can get there via Old Alligator Alley, otherwise known as US highway 41. These trees are neat because they are specifically adapted to growing in coastal saltwater. The ones we most often think of grow right up out of the water, though there are multiple species. They also serve a special function in the ecosystem. They house space for nurseries for fish, habitat for crabs, conches, and birds like pelicans and spoonbills, as well as alligators.
Florida is home to an abundance of tropical wildlife, both native and invasive alike. Native animals like the endangered Florida Panther and American Alligator are two really awesome sights to see, the alligator being much more likely to lay view to than the panther. You can’t forget the Manatee, who spend their winters in Florida. Equally as cool to see but very unfortunate for the Florida habitat are some invasive species like the Burmese Python and the Green Iguana. Among the many birds, a few very intriguing birds I’d like to see are the Roseate Spoonbill, the Magnificent Frigatebird, and the colorful Painted Bunting.
Florida is a pretty large state with a lot of coastline, so that lends itself to have an abundance of things to do and experience. Personally, I feel torn about snorkeling because it looks so silly from outside the water, but I imagine once you’re in the moment its way too cool of an experience to care. Swimming with manatees is a thumbs up, even if I can’t legally touch them. Coastline aside, Florida is home to many gorgeous state parks with plenty of water attractions and natural springs. This is a less populated option than the beaches and possibly even more beautiful!
There’s an abundance to do in the state of Florida without coming up in a “Florida man” search. See the complete list above for all the best ideas. And tell me down below – what do you think everyone should do when in Florida?
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