Florida Holidays
- Orlando holidays
- South West Gulf Coast holidays
- St Petersburg & Clearwater holidays
- Sarasota & Bradenton holidays
- Florida Keys holidays
- Miami holidays
- Fort Lauderdale holidays
- Palm Beach holidays
- Daytona Beach holidays
- Cocoa Beach holidays
- St Augustine & Ponte Vedra
Florida Information
General Information
Eating Out
Florida cuisine has come under many influences and its styles vary across the state from north to south. Early Spanish and African and Southern cuisine has been influenced by Cuban and other Caribbean cultures, as well as "snowbirds" escaping from the Northern US winters. Northern Florida has a more Southern style; the south a more Carribean one. Being on a peninsula, Florida's chefs have always had access to fresh seafood and the long growing season provides for fresh native vegetables.
Citrus is a main export, and the tourist is apt see many roadside stands offering free samples of orange juice and fruits to be shipped or carried home. Florida also grows grapefruit, avocado, mango, papaya, passion fruit, kumquat coconut and other tropical fruits. These often provide the base for sauces and marinades or are used in marmalades, soups, or desserts. One food not readily available in many other locales is alligator. Most say it tastes like chicken and it is often prepared similarly. Key lime pie, found elsewhere now, is a Florida Keys invention, made from the local key limes.
Nightlife
Alcoholic beverages abound throughout the state and (at least for being located in the conservative Southern U.S.) has somewhat liberal drinking laws. Liquor stores are quite often built into strip malls, supermarkets, and pharmacies...and most grocery stores, gas stations, and convenience stores sell beer and wine. Bars and clubs are quite popular throughout the state. Miami Beach is well known for a variety of themed and upscale bars with innovative mixed drinks.
Just like every other U.S. state, the purchase and possession age for alcohol is 21 and is fairly well enforced. Underage drinking "stings" are quite frequent in many touristy areas during popular times of year.
