Florida
Or if you are looking for warmer climes this winter, you might be better heading a little further south to the sunny skies of Florida. Weather-wise, the months of December and January are considered by many to be the best time to visit the Sunshine State, enjoying a dry and temperate climate with daily temperatures hovering pleasantly between 18 and 24C. Here, you may be more concerned with finding ways to keep cool and here are some of our suggestions on how to chill out in Florida.
1. The most obvious choice has to be a visit to one of the many water based theme parks around the State. Seaworld is perhaps the most obvious of these - you're sure to cool off on the Journey to Atlantis or during the sensational Shamu Show. And the delights of Discovery Cove should not be missed - a tropical hideaway where you can snorkel amongst exotic fish, explore coral reefs and even swim with dolphins. But you'll need to book your tickets well in advance! Or head to the thrills of Universal's Wet n' Wild waterpark.
2. Children are also bound to enjoy getting wet at Universal's Islands of Adventure - dodging the water cannons at the Curious George playground or paddling around the If I Ran the Zoo interactive playground - but make sure you take a towel! And if you want to get really wet, how about Popeye and Bluto's Bilge Rat Barges or Dudley Do-Rights Ripshaw Falls?
3. For more water thrills, head to Busch Gardens and take a turn on the Congo River Rapids or Stanley Falls. Or if you fancy cooling off without the thrills of a ride, simply stand on the bridge overlooking the Tanganyika Tidal Wave and you're sure to catch a wave of your own! And if the little ones are getting hot and bothered, distract them with views over the Serengeti Plain from the leisurely SkyRide
4. If you fancy getting back to nature, head for the Florida Springs for a cooling dip. If the cool waters don't take your breath away then the variety of fish may - and if you're really lucky you may even spot a manatee! Kayaking and tubing are other leisurely ways to enjoy the springs and explore this unique ecosystem.
5. For a cool night out, how about a visit to Orlando's Icebar. The bar is kept at a chilly -3C, offering a welcome respite from the heat outside. And if you are travelling with children aged 8 and over, they are allowed into the bar before 21h30 each evening.
6. Or enjoy the Sunset Festival at Pier60 in Clearwater.
7. Head for the beach - there are plenty to choose from in all directions. Some of our favourites include the quiet shores of Sanibel and Captiva Islands on the Gulf Coast and Siesta Key near Sarasota.
8. Meanwhile, on the Atlantic Coast, Miami is a much favoured beach destination with a wide variety of attractions including Dolphin Harbor at the Miami Seaquarium and the Everglades Alligator Farm where you can catch a breeze and blow the cobwebs away with an exhilarating airboat ride.
9. Spend a day at the Fort Lauderdale Museum of Discovery and Science - see the sharks in their Atlantic Coral Reef or learn more about the Everglades on an interactive nature trail before enjoying the incredible 3D IMAX theatre experience. Or, closer to Orlando, is Tampa's Museum of Science and Industry where you can examine the night sky in the Planetarium, experience the impact of a hurricane and immerse yourself under the sea in the IMAX Dome.
10. Take to the water and rent a boat for a day or join one of the many day trips from Naples. With the Gulf of Mexico's tranquil waters and the extensive system of backcountry mangrove estuaries, the area is filled with incredible wildlife and natural beauty with many areas only accessible by boat.
11. And finally, just as in New York, one of the most popular ways to escape the temperatures outside is to head to the air conditioning of the shops. The Florida Mall and Sawgrass Mills are both popular choices.
Ask a question or have your say about New York or Florida
Please feel free to add your thoughts, tips or general comments on "NY vs Florida". Or ask a question about either New York or Florida.
| New York |
This webpage is intended to be used as a source of information only. Traveljigsaw gives no warranty or guarantee whatsoever regarding the accuracy, currency, reliability or completeness of the information provided for these events and attractions. Any warranties regarding such information which may be implied by law, statute or otherwise are hereby excluded to the fullest extent permitted by law. Visitors are advised to check the accuracy of the information provided here for themselves, including dates, fees and times, with the attractions or event providers themselves
Entries should be positive reviews about a destination you have enjoyed visiting or know well. The submitted comment should be no more than 100 words long and should be your own original work and not subject to copyright. All comments may be published and used by Travel Jigsaw for publicity purposes. Entries may be edited. The entrant is deemed to have accepted these terms and conditions by submitting his/her comments.
