What could be better than a summer road trip to the most beautiful and wildest points of Florida? Indeed, nature is one of the main advantages of the sunny state of the United States. It attracts with a variety of landscape, as well as unique rich fauna and flora.
Florida is a place of concentration of nature reserves, national parks, and other green areas where you can spend some time admiring the enchanting scenery and enjoying the wildlife. Moreover, the tropical and subtropical climate of the state makes it possible to visit it at any time of the year.
We have prepared the list of the greatest natural attractions available in Florida, and specified their addresses, so it will be easy to find them by car. If you need a vehicle in Florida, Value car rental in Orlando is a reliable supplier which is ready to provide an excellent rental car according to your taste…
Fairchild Garden is a fairly large park, occupying over 34 hectares of land. Its extensive collection of tropical gardens includes rare tropical plants, palm trees, and grape trees. Virtually the whole task and goal of the botanical garden is to keep tropical plants safe and avoid the extinction of some species.
Fairchild also collaborates with leading educational institutions of the city – the University of Miami, Miami-Dade College and the University of Florida.
Every year the garden holds many festivals and events – the International Chocolate Festival, the International Mango Festival, the Butterfly Festival, the Bird Festival, and the Garden Festival are among them. By visiting the garden, you will contribute to the development of this place – part of the money from the purchase of tickets goes to the improvement of the Fairchild Botanic Garden.
Address: 10901 Old Cutler Rd, Coral Gables, FL
Admission: $25/person
Everglades is the southernmost U.S. national parks, located on the tip of the Florida Peninsula in the subtropical zone. In general, it covers only a fifth of the Everglades natural area in the south of the peninsula, but this is enough to be the third largest U.S. national park and attract about a million people every year.
The park has something to boast of – this area features not only huge impressive swamps, but also interesting mangroves, rainforest, small rivers and many lakes. In the local humid subtropical climate various plant and animal species feel comfortable. For example, crocodiles and alligators inhabit the waters of the Everglades. Also, in the park you can see the manatee and many other representatives of the local fauna.
The national park itself has a rather thoughtful system of roads, paths and tourist centers. The entire infrastructure is created in such a way as not to disturb the fragile ecosystem of the park. Special attention is given to a variety of water activities that you can try out in the park – from simple boating to kayaking and fishing.
Address: 40001 State Hwy 9336, Homestead, FL
Admission: $25/car, or $8/person
Dry Tortugas National Park was established in 1935, and covers an archipelago situated 108 km away from the Key West, Florida. The park is famous for its landscapes, the diversity of marine fauna in coral reefs and tropical birds.
The main attraction of Dry Tortugas is Fort Jefferson – the largest coastal fortification in the Western Hemisphere, built in the middle of the XIX century. There were used more than 16 million bricks for building the fort, but the construction was never completed.
You can get to the park only by a seaplane or a ferry. Organized excursions from the mainland suggest a sightseeing and entertainment program.
Address: Florida, USA
Admission: $10/person
(photo by Niall Forrester)
The Venetian Pool is the major hallmark of Coral Gables. This is a historic public swimming pool designed in the style of Mediterranean Renaissance. It was created in 1924 on the site of abandoned limestone quarries, the area of which was about 16,000 square meters.
Currently, the Venetian Pool in Coral Gables is the largest freshwater basin in the United States – its volume is about 3,100 cubic meters. Water is supplied to it daily from nearby artesian wells. Depth varies from 4 to 8 feet – the deepest place is near a large waterfall.
Since 1981, the open-air swimming complex has been included in the National Register of Historic Places and is the only pool in this list. For travelers, the historic swimming pool is available from March till October.
Address: 2701 De Soto Blvd, Coral Gables, FL
Admission: $13/person for adults, $8/person for kids 3-12
70 miles away from Miami there’s a safari where you can drive a car just a meter from an African lion or giraffe. The park completely conveys African nature, so it’s quite possible that you will start to forget whether you are in Florida or Kenya. Rhinos, zebras, elephants, monkeys, located near the car will only complete the amazing picture.
In addition to the safari, there are hiking trails as well as a small amusement park, where you can entertain your children. By the way, Lion Country Safari allows visiting the park by a rental car.
Address: 2003 Lion Country Safari Rd, Loxahatchee, FL
Admission: $28.50/person for adults, $21/person for kids 3-9