First sighted by Don Juan Ponce de Leon in 1513, Florida was originally named La Florida, or Land of Flowers. Today, the climate of this southern state continues to encourage the growth of many exotic, sub-tropical and tropical plants. Because of the climate, Florida also calls numerous visitors to the pristine beaches that line the peninsula, from the eastern coast overlooking the Atlantic Ocean to the western beaches and panhandle areas that line the Gulf of Mexico. Off the mainland are thousands of island escapes, including the famous Florida Keys.

Florida's sandy beaches, stellar attractions, historic spaceport, ancient city, everglades, and coral keys are just waiting to be discovered.

Florida's First Coast of Golf stretches 75 miles along Northeast Florida's coastline from Amelia Island southward through Jacksonville, Ponte Vedra, Palm Coast and Daytona Beach. So, if you're looking for a golf vacation with challenging courses, first-class accommodations, great year-round weather, all at a reasonable price, then Florida's First Coast is your destination.

The exquisite First Coast of Florida offers the tranquility of Amelia Island and Fernandina Beach, the excitement of Jacksonville, previously chosen the sixth best golf destination in the US by Golf Digest, and the distinction of Ponte Vedra/St. Augustine, home of The PGA Tour and the World Golf Village which includes The International World Golf Hall of Fame and IMAX Theater.

When Key West toppled from its position as one of the country’s richest towns to one of its poorest, the federal government sent the WPA in 1932 to build an open-air aquarium and jump-start tourism. The Key West Aquarium today lures visitors with homey charm and the promise of petting a shark. To show its eco-conscience, it has become involved in raising baby sea turtles.

The world’s most comprehensive collection of the famed surrealist painter has found a permanent home at the Salvador Dalí Museum in St. Petersburg. Ninety-five of the artist’s oils, spanning all four of his aesthetic periods, enable the collection at the museum to give visitors a whole picture of this much-admired artist. More than 100 watercolors and 1,300 graphics, photographs, sculptures and objects d’art augment the oil collection.

Busch Gardens Tampa Bay is the ultimate family adventure park offering a wide range of attractions that encourage guests to delve into the African Continent. There is a lot going on at Busch Gardens Tampa Bay. For the thrill-ride lover, the choices include: SheiKra, the tallest dive coaster in the world and at 200 feet, Florida's tallest roller coaster; Gwazi, the Southeast's largest and fastest double wooden coaster and more.

If you were to walk one mile of Florida beach every day, it would take you longer than two-and-a-half years to get around the whole state. With 1,100 miles of beaches, it’s no wonder Florida has one to suit every visitor. Whether you're interested in birding, shelling, surfing, treasure hunting, people watching, snorkeling, history or romance, Florida has a beach to suit you. Read this insider's summary of the best beaches in the sunshine state.

Mummies, reliefs, coffins and artifacts dating back close to 4000 B.C. will be a part of this exhibition. The exhibition will cap the museum’s 50th anniversary in grand style. More than 200 works will be included in the exhibit, which is part of the massive collection housed in the museum from the Museum of Fine Arts (MFA), Boston. The exhibition contains objects from a period of more than 4,200 years including the Predynastic Period,(ca. 3850-2960 B.C.).

The Old Florida Heritage Highway makes up a 48-mile trail that begins south of Gainesville on U.S. 441, travels through Paynes Prairie Preserve State Park and winds its way through forested and pastoral countryside to the historic communities of Micanopy, Rochelle, Evinston and Cross Creek. Travelers can access U.S. 441 from I-75/S.R. 331/Williston Road exit and head south, or from the Micanopy/C.R. 234 exit to head north along the trail.

Most nights at Picolo’s – The Red Bar in Grayton Beach, you can sink into a comfy couch to hear the bar’s jazz band. This funky restaurant, housed in an old general store, features décor ranging from a guitar on the wall to busts on the piano to a lighted head of Santa Claus. The menus are simple – salads, sandwiches, a Belgian waffle and mimosas are lunch items. Choose from just five dinners – including a fish dish and a shrimp and crawfish dish – most of which come with a salad billed as the best on the Emerald Coast.

Architecture in Florida is much more than beach homes and theme parks. The many layers of history that have washed over the Florida landscape have left distinct styles of building. From the early 16th century onward, Florida’s architectural heritage has grown in many different directions. The González-Alvarez House in St. Augustine is the oldest surviving Spanish colonial house in Florida. The current structure dates from the early 18th century. Cholokka Boulevard in historic downtown Micanopy is an enchanting district of rustic, tin-roofed, wood-framed “Cracker” structures.