Florida

Miami is not a typical American city — it is the unofficial capital of Latin America. Over 70% of the residents speak Spanish as their first language, Cuban cafeterías serve Cortadito and Croquetas on every corner, and the nightlife is among the most exciting in the world. Add to that Art Deco architecture, turquoise waters, and an art scene that rivals New York.

South Beach (SoBe)

The legendary beach between 1st and 23rd Street is the heart of Miami Beach — and one of the most iconic beach promenades in the world. Pastel-colored Art Deco hotels from the 1930s line the Ocean Drive, while on the other side, wide, white sand and warm Atlantic waters beckon. During the day, sunbathers and volleyball players, at night, Ocean Drive transforms into an open-air party with neon lights, music from the bars, and an endless stream of Lamborghinis and Ferraris.

The Art Deco Historic District includes over 800 buildings in Art Deco, Streamline Moderne, and Mediterranean Revival styles — the largest collection of this architecture worldwide. The Art Deco Walking Tour by the Miami Design Preservation League is the best way to understand the history of these buildings (daily at 10:30 a.m., about $25).

Wynwood & Design District

The former warehouse district Wynwood is now Miami's creative heart. The Wynwood Walls — an open-air museum with huge murals by international street artists — are a must-see. Every second Saturday of the month, the Wynwood Art Walk takes place, where dozens of galleries open their doors. Surrounding it: craft beer breweries, vegan restaurants, and boutiques.

Little Havana

Along Calle Ocho (SW 8th Street), Miami's Cuban heart beats. Old men play dominoes in Máximo Gómez Park, the scent of freshly rolled cigars fills the air, and in the Ball & Chain bar, couples dance salsa to live music. Try a Cafecito (strong, sweet Cuban espresso) at a Ventanita (street window) — from $1 — and a Cubano Sandwich at Versailles, the most famous Cuban restaurant in the USA.

Brickell & Downtown

Miami's financial district Brickell has become the city's trendiest residential area in recent years. Glittering skyscrapers, the Brickell City Centre for shopping, and along the bay, the Brickell Key Promenade with views of the skyline. Next door in Downtown: the Pérez Art Museum Miami (PAMM) with contemporary art in a stunning building by Herzog & de Meuron, and the Phillip and Patricia Frost Museum of Science with a three-story aquarium.

The Everglades are one of the most unique ecosystems on Earth — a vast, flat wetland stretching across the entire southern tip of Florida. Often dismissed as a "swamp," the Everglades are actually an extremely slow-moving river: 80 km wide, only 15 cm deep, flowing from Lake Okeechobee to Florida Bay. Declared a National Park in 1947 and a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1979, the Everglades host a fascinating wildlife found nowhere else in the world.

Wildlife

The Everglades are the only place in the world where alligators and crocodiles coexist. Also present are Florida panthers (only about 200 left), manatees, bald eagles, roseate spoonbills, and over 360 bird species. In the winter months (December–April), animals concentrate at the few waterholes — the best time for observations.

Park Access

The park has three entrances:

• Main Entrance (Ernest Coe Visitor Center) — 45 minutes from Miami. The most developed access with the 61 km long Park Road to Flamingo. Here are the best hiking trails: the Anhinga Trail (1.3 km, guaranteed alligator sightings!) and the Gumbo Limbo Trail through tropical hardwood forest.
• Shark Valley — on the Tamiami Trail (US-41). A 24 km loop trail (on foot, by bike, or with the tram tour). The observation tower at the end offers a 360° view over the "River of Grass."
• Gulf Coast (Everglades City) — starting point for boat tours through the Ten Thousand Islands, a labyrinth of mangrove islands. Ideal for kayakers and anglers.

Airboat Tours

The iconic propeller boats glide over the shallow grassland and are a true Florida experience. Note: Within the national park, airboats are prohibited — tours start from private providers along US-41 (Tamiami Trail). Recommended: Coopertown Airboat Rides (since 1945) or Everglades Safari Park. Costs: $25–50 per person for 30–60 minutes.

The Florida Keys are a chain of over 1,700 islands stretching like a string of pearls 200 km into the Gulf of Mexico. Connected by the Overseas Highway (US-1) — one of the most spectacular roads in the world, crossing 42 bridges, including the legendary Seven Mile Bridge. At the end awaits Key West, the southernmost city in the continental USA and a place that feels like the Caribbean — only with an American passport.

The Overseas Highway

The drive from Miami to Key West takes about 3.5–4 hours (without stops), but plan a whole day. The Mile Markers (MM) count down from MM 126 (Florida City) to MM 0 (Key West). Important stops:

• Key Largo (MM 106–91) — Gateway to the underwater world. The John Pennekamp Coral Reef State Park was the first underwater state park in the USA. Glass-bottom boats, snorkeling, and diving to the famous "Christ of the Abyss" statue.
• Islamorada (MM 90–65) — "Sportfishing Capital of the World." Tarpon, Bonefish, and Sailfish bite here. The Theater of the Sea offers swimming with dolphins.
• Marathon (MM 65–47) — The Turtle Hospital is a rescue station for sea turtles with daily tours ($25, reservation required).
• Bahia Honda State Park (MM 37) — The most beautiful beach in the Keys and one of the best in Florida. Powdery white sand, crystal-clear water, few tourists. Campsites available (book months in advance!).

Key West

The Conch Republic (as Key West humorously calls itself since a playful "Declaration of Independence" in 1982) is a magical place: Victorian wooden houses in candy colors, chickens running freely through the streets, drag shows next to Hemingway bars, and America's most famous sunset at Mallory Square, where street performers, musicians, and fire-eaters gather every evening.

Must-see: the Ernest Hemingway Home ($18), where the writer lived from 1931 to 1939 and wrote some of his most important works — including the famous six-toed cats that still inhabit the garden today. The Southernmost Point (buoy at the southernmost point) is the most photographed motif in the Keys. The Duval Street is the party mile with bars, restaurants, and the legendary Sloppy Joe's (Hemingway's favorite bar).

Orlando is the undisputed theme park capital of the world. Over 75 million visitors a year come here to experience the largest concentration of amusement parks on the planet. The city itself is not particularly appealing — but what happens in and around International Drive and Lake Buena Vista is simply overwhelming.

Walt Disney World

The largest resort in the world — twice the size of Manhattan — consists of four theme parks, two water parks, over 25 hotels, and the entertainment complex Disney Springs:

• Magic Kingdom — The classic with Cinderella's Castle, Space Mountain, Splash Mountain, and the legendary "It's a Small World" ride. Especially magical: the nightly "Happily Ever After" fireworks.
• EPCOT — Future and world culture. The World Showcase with 11 country pavilions is ideal for adults (drink your way around the world!). The new Guardians of the Galaxy: Cosmic Rewind roller coaster is sensational.
• Hollywood Studios — Home to Star Wars: Galaxy's Edge, the most detailed theme area ever built. The Millennium Falcon: Smugglers Run and Rise of the Resistance are among the best rides worldwide.
• Animal Kingdom — Half zoo, half theme park. Pandora — The World of Avatar with the Flight of Passage Ride is breathtaking. The Kilimanjaro Safaris offer a real safari experience with giraffes, elephants, and lions.

Prices: from $109 per day (1 park), multi-day tickets significantly cheaper per day. Park Hopper Option +$65. Genie+ (Skip-the-Line) from $15/day.

Universal Orlando

Disney's biggest competitor — and often superior in terms of roller coasters and thrill rides:

• Universal Studios — Film-based rides. The Hagrid's Magical Creatures Motorbike Adventure is one of the best roller coasters in Florida.
• Islands of Adventure — The Wizarding World of Harry Potter — Hogsmeade with the legendary Hogwarts Castle and the Forbidden Journey Ride. A Butterbeer is a must!
• Volcano Bay — Universal's water park with the imposing Krakatau volcano as its centerpiece.

Prices: from $119 per day (1 park), Park-to-Park from $174 (necessary for the Hogwarts Express between parks!).

Other Parks

SeaWorld Orlando (marine animals and roller coasters, from $79), LEGOLAND Florida in Winter Haven (ideal for children 2–12 years, from $89), and Kennedy Space Center at Cape Canaveral (90 minutes from Orlando, $75) — where you can experience real rocket launches.

Florida's West Coast at Tampa Bay is the more relaxed, authentic counterpart to Miami. Tampa is an up-and-coming metropolis with a lively craft beer scene and the historic Ybor City, once America's cigar capital. Just across the bay lies St. Petersburg (short: St. Pete) with one of Florida's best art scenes and supposedly the sunniest climate in the USA — 361 sunny days a year according to the Guinness Book.

Tampa

Ybor City, founded in 1885 by Cuban cigar workers, is now a National Historic Landmark District with brick factories converted into bars, restaurants, and galleries. The Columbia Restaurant (since 1905, Florida's oldest restaurant) serves legendary Cuban and Spanish cuisine — the 1905 Salad and the Cuban Sandwich are a must. On Saturday nights, 7th Avenue transforms into a lively party mile.

The Busch Gardens Tampa Bay combines a theme park with African wildlife — the roller coasters (especially SheiKra, a dive coaster with a 90° drop, and Iron Gwazi, the fastest hybrid roller coaster in the world) are among the best in Florida.

The Florida Aquarium in the harbor district is excellent — especially the outdoor "Wetlands Trail" and the swimming courses with penguins (yes, really).

St. Petersburg

The city has transformed from a sleepy retirement village into an art metropolis. The Salvador Dalí Museum houses the largest Dalí collection outside Europe in a spectacular building with a geodesic glass dome. Also, the Museum of Fine Arts, the Imagine Museum (glass art), and over 50 murals in the Murals District.

The beaches west of St. Pete — St. Pete Beach, Clearwater Beach, and Treasure Island — are regularly voted among the best beaches in the USA. Soft, white quartz sand, warm Gulf water, and spectacular sunsets.

Florida's Southwest Gulf Coast is the elegant, quieter counterpart to the Atlantic beaches. Here, pristine white sandy beaches meet upscale dining, excellent golf courses, and a relaxed atmosphere that has attracted wealthy Americans for decades. Naples is the jewel of the region — one of the richest small towns in America with a Fifth Avenue that may not rival New York, but with its boutiques, galleries, and restaurants, it is quite impressive.

Naples

The Fifth Avenue South and the Third Street South form the elegant center with upscale restaurants, art galleries, and boutiques. The Naples Pier is the perfect place for the sunset — one of the most beautiful on the Gulf Coast. The Naples Zoo at Caribbean Gardens is a charming small zoo with a boat ride to the primate islands.

The beaches of Naples — especially Vanderbilt Beach, Delnor-Wiggins Pass State Park, and Barefoot Beach — are among the most beautiful and quietest in Florida. The sand is so white and fine that it squeaks underfoot.

Sanibel & Captiva Islands

Two offshore islands famous for their shells — the "Sanibel Stoop" (the bent posture of shell collectors) is a proverbial phrase. The J.N. "Ding" Darling National Wildlife Refuge on Sanibel is one of the best bird-watching areas in the USA. No high-rises, no chain restaurants — just nature, shells, and relaxation. Accessible via the toll Causeway Bridge ($6).

Marco Island & Ten Thousand Islands

Florida's largest barrier island offers luxurious resorts and the beautiful Tigertail Beach. From here, boat tours start into the Ten Thousand Islands — a labyrinth of mangrove islands home to dolphins, manatees, and ospreys.

Fort Lauderdale — once known as the "Venice of America" for its 300 km of waterways and infamous as a Spring Break hotspot — has fundamentally changed in recent decades. Today, it is an elegant, grown-up alternative to Miami: equally beautiful beaches, but less hustle, cheaper hotels, and an excellent restaurant scene.

Beach & Las Olas

The Fort Lauderdale Beach stretches over 11 km and is wider, cleaner, and less crowded than South Beach. The Beachfront Promenade (A1A) is ideal for jogging, cycling, or strolling. Directly behind it runs the Las Olas Boulevard — Fort Lauderdale's most beautiful street with a mix of boutiques, galleries, restaurants, and bars. In the evening, Las Olas transforms into a lively nightlife area.

Waterways & Water Taxis

Fort Lauderdale's unique canal system is best explored by Water Taxi ($26 day pass, unlimited rides). The boats travel on the Intracoastal Waterway and the New River, passing millionaire villas with their yachts. The Riverwalk Fort Lauderdale along the New River connects parks, museums, and restaurants on a car-free promenade.

Culture & Museums

The NSU Art Museum Fort Lauderdale houses one of the most important collections of contemporary art in the southeastern USA. The Bonnet House Museum & Gardens is a hidden gem — an artist's estate from the 1920s amidst tropical gardens, right on the beach. And the Hugh Taylor Birch State Park offers mangrove forests, kayak tours, and a freshwater lake in the middle of the city.

Florida's cuisine is as diverse as its population — a fascinating mix of Cuban, Caribbean, South American, and Southern influences, enriched by top-quality seafood from the Atlantic and the Gulf. Here, you don't eat "typically American" — you eat better.

Cuban Food

Cuban cuisine is ubiquitous in South Florida. Indispensable:

• Cuban Sandwich (Cubano) — Ham, roast pork, Swiss cheese, pickles, and mustard on crispy Cuban Bread, grilled in the Plancha press. Tampa and Miami fiercely dispute its invention.
• Ropa Vieja — "Old Clothes": tender, shredded beef in a tomato-pepper sauce. Cuba's national dish.
• Lechón Asado — Whole suckling pig, slowly grilled over charcoal, with Mojo sauce (garlic, citrus, cumin).
• Cafecito/Cortadito — The strong, sweet Cuban espresso is a social ritual. Best enjoyed at a Ventanita (street window) for under $2.
• Croquetas — Fried croquettes, usually filled with ham (jamón). The perfect snack.

Seafood

Florida has over 2,000 km of coastline — accordingly, the seafood is fantastic:

• Grouper Sandwich — The unofficial fish of Florida. Best "blackened" (charred with Cajun spices) on a bun with coleslaw. Every beach restaurant has it.
• Conch Fritters — Fried dough balls with conch meat, especially popular in the Keys.
• Shrimp & Grits — Shrimp on creamy grits — a Southern classic that is standard in North Florida.
• Fish Tacos — Fresh fish (often Mahi-Mahi) in soft tortillas with mango salsa and lime crema.

Stone Crab

Florida's greatest culinary delicacy is in season from October to May. The claws of the Florida Stone Crab are harvested, and the animal is returned to the sea, where the claw regenerates — one of the most sustainable fishing methods ever. The claws are cooked and served cold with mustard sauce. Most famous: Joe's Stone Crab on Miami Beach (since 1913, no reservations possible, wait times of 2+ hours). Cheaper: Buy them yourself at the Flagler Fish Company Market and eat them on the beach.

Prices: Medium Claws about $40/kg, Jumbo about $80/kg. Expensive, but worth it.

Key Lime Pie

The official dessert of Florida (since 2006 by law!): A creamy filling of Key lime juice, condensed milk, and egg yolk on a graham cracker crust. The best are, of course, in the Keys — Kermit's Key West Key Lime Shoppe and Blond Giraffe Key Lime Pie Factory in Key Largo are pilgrimage sites. Important: Real Key Lime Pie is yellow, not green — anyone serving green uses food coloring and disqualifies themselves immediately.