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Find out why Florida has been a traditional family vacation destination for decades. Where else can you find the ocean on one side, a gulf on the other and beautiful rivers in between? While Florida is known for it's theme park destinations and white sandy beaches, there is more to this special place than just beaches and mouse ears. Nicknamed the "Sunshine State", most of Florida has a humid subtropical climate, with temperatures averaging 90 degrees Fahrenheit (32 degrees C) in the summer months, and mid-40 to 50 degrees Fahrenheit (4-7 degrees C) in the winter months. On the southern tip of the state are the Florida Keys, which have a true tropical climate. The Keys are surrounded by water and enjoy temperatures that rarely exceed 90 degrees Fahrenheit in the summer or fall below 60 degrees F in the winter. If venturing to the Keys, make sure to look for Hemingway's six-toed cats. Other popular tourist destinations include the following cities, just to name a few: Orlando, Miami, Destin, Sanibel Island, Captiva, Jacksonville (largest city), Tampa, Kissimmee, Fort Lauderdale, Sarasota, St. Petersburg, St. Augustine (the oldest city in the U.S.), Tallahassee (Florida's capital), Panama City, Gainesville, Sarasota, Fort Walton, Daytona, Lakeland, West Palm Beach, Naples, Hollywood Florida's natural beauty is unsurpassed on the Gulf Coast, particularly Destin, which is known as the Emerald Coast because of the clear and emerald green waters of the Gulf. Destin has become a popular romantic getaway, as well as a great family vacation destination. The Atlantic coast offers a truly spectacular beach experience also, with hundreds of miles of pristine beaches, piers for fishing, and beach side restaurants for indulging in fresh seafood. Of course, there is more to Florida than just snorkeling, scuba diving, and sailing. If you and your family are looking for more to do than just sit on a beach or explore theme parks, Florida offers a plethora of activities including taking in baseball games, football games and auto races. For those wishing to take in some natural beauty, Florida has a variety of national parks for hiking, bird watching, or camping: Big Cypress National Preserve Biscayne National Park Canaveral National Seashore Castillo de San Marcos De Soto National Memorial Dry Tortugas National Park Everglades National Park Fort Caroline National Memorial
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