Jason Ferguson - Moon Florida Road Trip: Miami, Fort Lauderdale, Daytona Beach, Walt Disney World, Tampa, Sarasota, Naples, the Everglades & the Keys

JASON FERGUSON

Ask any longtime resident of Florida how they feel about their state, and they'll get a gleam in their eyes. They'll lean in a little closer as if they're about to tell you a treasured secret and tell you about a spot off a nearby river, along a beautiful beach, or amid the buzzing electricity of the city. This spot, they'll say, could only be found in Florida. And it's places like that, wonderful spots so numerous that it seems nearly every resident has their own private collection, that continue to make Florida one of the most unique places in all of the United States, if not the world.

Florida's history has long been one of people laying odds that the allure of a tropical paradise in the continental United States will remain endlessly attractive. And those people have been right more often than they've been wrong. From Henry Flagler constructing railways down the Atlantic coast that would eventually give rise to the cities of Palm Beach and Miami, to Walt Disney furtively buying up marshland south of the once-sleepy town of Orlando in order to ensure a cohesive and holistic experience for visitors to his theme park, Florida's development as a state has been inextricably intertwined with its attraction as a tourist destination. It's remarkable that, even as development seems destined to take over the state, there are always no matter where you are expansive and extensive examples of Florida's wild and natural beauty.

On this road trip, you will see what has drawn people to the Sunshine State for centuries. Sitting on the beach watching the sun rise above the Atlantic with nothing but the squawks of gulls and the waves disturbing the peace, you can imagine the Spanish galleons coming over the horizon. The same hopeful eyes those sailors cast upon the land before them have been set on every part of this great state. The sense of boundless opportunity, the awe-inspiring natural beauty, the numerous opportunities for recreation and relaxation, the sun, the sand, the swamps... Florida still inspires even the most hard-hearted souls with its beguiling promise: a promise of a paradise the way it ought to be.

Informed by the culture of its substantial Latin American population, by the tropical sea breezes that blow in over Biscayne Bay, and by its stature as the states largest metropolitan area, Miami manages to be urban and stylish while maintaining the laissez-faire sort of cool that comes with year-round gorgeous weather. With skyscrapers and condominiums crowding the downtown area, art deco architecture and fashion-forward clubbing in South Beach, the lush, wealthy beauty of Coconut Grove and Coral Gables, and suburbs extending until the wilderness of the Everglades stops them, Miami neatly summarizes all the dreams and nightmares that people have about Florida.

Fort Lauderdale has recovered from its role as the preferred destination for collegiate spring-breakers and has evolved into a cultured mellow place with vibrant nightlife and arts scenes that complement its beautiful public beaches. Farther north, Palm Beach has maintained its status as the richest town in Florida for almost 100 years. Its sister city of West Palm Beach offers a more urban experience and relaxed atmosphere. The beaches and fishing in Fort Pierce contrast with the slightly uptight oceanfront vibe in Vero Beach. These two cities along the Treasure Coast are as unique as they are different from other locales in South Florida. Farther north, the generally laid-back atmosphere that comes with living on the coast is a little more evident. Whether youre staring in awe at the rockets of the Kennedy Space Center, the race cars of Daytona International Speedway, or historic St. Augustine (the oldest continually inhabited city in the United States), you still cant help but notice that its the areas natural beauty that is by far its primary attraction.

A visit to Orlandos theme parks is a fundamental part of many peoples idea of a Florida vacation. Thankfully, each of the major resorts in Orlandothe Walt Disney World Resort, Universal Orlando Resort, and SeaWorldcontinue to meet and exceed the expectations that come with that idea. More importantly, each of them offers something different. And although Walt Disney World is interchangeable with the idea of a trip to Orlando in many travelers minds, the fact is that even without the land of theme parks south of downtown, the city of Orlando and the Central Florida region are a compelling vacation destination. The city of Orlando offers a diverse array of cultural attractions, outdoor activities, and nightlife action. The sights in its immediate area, most notably the historic and upscale city of Winter Park, are also quite compelling.

This part of the state literally has it all. Urban explorers will enjoy the nightlife and urban scruffiness of Tampa and the historic and walkable downtown area of St. Petersburg. Families flock to the theme park thrills of Busch Gardens and the gorgeous beaches that stretch for miles south of Clearwater. Outdoor adventures abound, from the backwater rural vibe of Crystal River to the hiking, nature-watching, and other natural activities that abound along this beautiful coastal area.

Traveling along the south Gulf Coast of Florida is something of a mixed bag. Along with the stunning natural beauty of beaches like those on Sanibel Island and the barrier islands along the coast of Sarasota, there are economically struggling cities like Fort Myers and tony locales like Naples. Nonetheless, its one of the most beautiful parts of the state. Art lovers will enjoy browsing the galleries of Naples and Sarasota and beach bums will love the white-sand beaches and blue waters.

clockwise from top left: downtown Fort Pierces marina; the Everglades; the historic lighthouse of Sanibel Island