Although it's the state nickname, describing Florida as the Sunshine State is like calling Martha Stewart "manic." Sure, it's true, but not necessarily all the time -- and it doesn't nearly begin to describe the state's other marketable assets. There's a lot more to Florida than just sunshine -- and, yes, we get those pesky hurricanes. Weather aside, choosing the best of Florida is by no means simple. While millions of visitors flock here to escape the bleakness of winter and landlocked locations, they don't all come down for sun, fun, and Mickey Mouse. Granted, the promise of (mostly) clear skies and 800 miles of sparkling, sandy beaches is alluring, as are the animatronics and roller coasters in Orlando and Tampa, but there's much more to the state than that. In many ways, Florida is like a beautiful, blond beauty queen who everyone thinks is all fluff until they find out she's a Rhodes Scholar.
Here you can choose from a colorful, often kitschy assortment of accommodations, from deluxe resorts to the few-and-far-between mom-and-pop motels. You can visit remote little towns such as Apalachicola or a multicultural megalopolis such as Miami. You can devour fresh seafood, from amberjack to oysters -- and then work off those calories in such outdoor pursuits as bicycling, golfing, or kayaking. Despite overdevelopment in many parts of the state, Floridians have maintained thousands of acres of wilderness areas, from the little respite of Clam Pass County Park in downtown Naples to the magnificent Everglades National Park that stretches across the state's southern tip.
Choosing the "best" of all this is a daunting task, and the selections in this chapter are only highlights. You'll find numerous other outstanding resorts, hotels, destinations, activities, and attractions described in this book. With an open mind and a sense of adventure, you'll come up with bests of your own.
