11 things to know before going to Florida

20.10.2023 - 12:55 / lonelyplanet.com / Sunshine State

The Sunshine State has it all – luminous golden beaches, the Walt Disney World hustle and bustle, alligators sunbathing in the Everglades, roadside orange groves, and everything in between. 

With such diversity in geography and experiences, it’s easy to plan a multifaceted journey that you can’t get in any other US state. Having called Fort Lauderdale home for eight years – and taken many road trips to Florida from Virginia to visit my grandpa when I was a tot – I’ve witnessed, firsthand, too many journeys gone sour. They often look like families covered in sunburn, a lack of consideration for the quick-changing elements (thunderstorms and hurricanes, oh my!), and a misconception of just how diverse Florida truly is.

To help you plan your time in Florida, here are the top things to know about health, safety, and local etiquette.

November to March is considered peak “snowbird season,” when those not wanting to endure frigid temperatures in northern confines flock to their Florida homes for the winter. Count on hotels, restaurants, and attractions statewide being busiest during this time frame and book any experience ahead of time as much as possible. On the contrary, the summer months (June through August) are among the hottest, with temperatures peaking in the mid- to upper-90°Fs. To avoid the crowds and heat, consider a spring (April–May) or fall (September–October) trip.

One of the biggest mistakes on any Florida visit? Only experiencing one geographical facet of it, most often either Orlando’s theme parks or a single beach. Rent a car or take the Brightline – a high-speed train that opened new routes September 2023 between Orlando and Miami – to dabble in it all. In between and well beyond, there are historic towns worthy of pit stops or multiday stays, too, from America’s oldest city (St Augustine) to the craft brewery-loaded Tampa.

The Atlantic hurricane season runs June 1 through November 30. With warm ocean waters surrounding the state and an expanse of open water east to Africa as well as the Gulf of Mexico for systems to develop, Florida is often ground zero for hurricane activity. Keep an eye on the National Hurricane Center’s latest forecasts before and during your trip to see what may be coming your way.

Florida has three national parks – Biscayne, Dry Tortugas and Everglades. All primarily in South/Central Florida, they are each buzzworthy and often packed thanks to their aquamarine waters and white-sand bliss. Often overlooked and for a bit of a quieter venture, Florida’s state parks have equally dazzling attractions, be it snorkeling with starfish in the Florida Keys at Bahia Honda State Park or navigating caves at Florida Caverns State Park outside of Tallahassee.

It’s the Sunshine State.