With Florida’s 1,800 miles of coastline, average high temperatures in the 80s, endless beaches and awe-inspiring sunsets, it’s no wonder 1,000 people a day move to the Sunshine State. From major metropolises to sleepy beach towns, Florida cities fit the bill for adventure, romance and relaxation.
Wedding Requirements Florida is a relatively easy state in which to marry. Apply for your marriage license (valid for 60 days) in any county, regardless of where the wedding will take place. There’s no waiting period if you and your intended have completed a state-sanctioned marriage-prep course or reside out of state (otherwise, there’s a three-day waiting period). In addition, prospective couples are now required to read a 16-page booklet about divorce, which describes child-support payments and situations such as how a court would divide their assets. For more info, visit myorangeclerk.com/service/marriage.shtml.
What to Do
Water Sports In Florida, water sports — from backcountry and sport fishing to kayaking and sailing — are a way of life. One of the best places to jump in is the Florida Keys, affectionately known as the islands you can drive to. Established as a marine preserve in 1990, the Keys — and the 2,600 square miles of ocean surrounding them — are still home to some of the most pristine coral reefs and sea life around. Snorkeling and diving are tops at Key Largo National Marine Sanctuary and John Pennekamp Coral Reef State Park (both off Key Largo), as well as Looe Key National Marine Sanctuary (in the lower Keys). Inland, the St. Johns River, the state’s longest, runs through Jacksonville and past tiny north Florida towns and marinas. Plan on boating all day before pulling off at a local dive, such as Whitey’s Fish Camp, in Orange Park, where you can sample Florida favorites like gator tail.
Best Beaches There’s a reason Northerners, spring breakers and snowbirds flock to Florida: the beaches. On the Gulf Coast, the smooth white sand and balmy water recall the Caribbean. Our picks: the New Urbanist enclaves along the Panhandle’s Highway 30A, as well as cozy beach burgs like Sarasota and Naples farther south. Meanwhile, the Atlantic side boasts bigger surf and iconic getaways like Palm Beach (home of names like Jimmy Buffett and Rush Limbaugh) and Miami, the latter of which offers lively South Beach, Vegas-caliber nightclubs and designer shopping. Or for a winning combo of sun, sand and history, rent a beachfront condo near historic St. Augustine, where eclectic boutiques and alfresco eateries dot the marina area.
Beautiful Sunsets Gulf Coast and Florida Keys sunsets are remarkable. Period. And nobody does sunset parties quite like the Sunshine State. The most well-known shindig is the Key West Sunset Celebration at Mallory Square. Each night as the sun sinks into the Gulf of Mexico, the zaniness commences as artists, musicians, food vendors, psychics, tightrope walkers, sword swallowers and other entertainers amuse the crowd. Clearwater Beach, on the central Gulf Coast, puts on a similar nightly show at Pier 60. Take in the spectacle, or just wade in the calm waters and appreciate the natural beauty.
Off the Beaten Path Head to the Dolphin Connection, in Duck Key just north of Marathon, for a 45-minute dolphin encounter. Here, trained staffers verse you on the dolphins’ natural habitat before ushering you into the water, where you’ll learn how to feed the friendly ’phins and engage them in showstopping tricks and twirls. — Blake Miller
