In 2021, a record number of tourists visited Florida: what is worth seeing in the state

Florida received more visitors in 2021 than any other year in the state's history, with almost 118 million people. Writes about it The Center Square.

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Total hotel revenue in Florida hit the highest level in the state's history at $17,3 billion, up 2% from 2019.

Last quarter, from October to December, Florida welcomed 30,9 million people, marking the second straight quarter in which total visits exceeded pre-pandemic tourism levels in 2019. This is 61,9% more than in the last quarter of 2020.

The majority, 29 million, were domestic travelers, up 57% from the last quarter of 2020 and 7% more than the last quarter of 2019.

Travelers, according to Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis, "flocked to Florida for a sanctuary from lockdown policies."

“In Florida, we put freedom first, and as a result, people from all over the country and around the world are choosing to vacation in our state to avoid quarantine. Among them are many politicians who advocated this reckless solution to the problem,” he said. “While tourism in other states is just starting to recover, Florida is leading the way – we are now surpassing pre-pandemic levels and setting new visitor records.”

Approximately 1,5 million international visitors visited Florida in the last quarter of 2021, up 198% from the last quarter of 2020.

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There were 359 visitors from Canada alone in the last quarter of 000, nearly three times the number from the previous quarter.

The total number of aircraft at Florida's 19 airports grew by 108,7% in the fourth quarter of 2021 compared to 2020, with the number of domestic aircraft increasing by 105,4% over the same period. Miami had the highest number of passengers at 5,83 million, up 150,5% from 2020.

What to see in Florida

If you, like most, are planning a trip to Florida, then do not forget to visit several attractions in the state. The publication told about the best of them The Crazy Tourist.

Everglades National Park

It was created in 1947 after environmentalists managed to convince the government that the area was special. And now the Everglades is the second largest national park in the country, second only to Yellowstone.

It consists of subtropical swamps. The river here flows out of Lake Okeechobee and provides excellent habitat for wildlife such as otters, turtles, crocodiles, and even panthers. The wet ecosystem in the park makes it an ideal place for wildlife boat trips.

Walt disney world

Walt Disney World is the most popular of all the tourist attractions in Florida.

The giant amusement park gives visitors the Disney magic that is adored all over the world.

Walt Disney World has a lot to offer not only to children, but also to their parents.

Thrilling rides like the legendary Space Mountain keep adults entertained while kids can meet their favorite Disney characters.

Universal Studios

Universal Studios in Orlando is a working film and television studio and one of the most popular amusement parks in the United States.

Commonly referred to as Universal Orlando, it offers a wide range of rides and entertainment influenced by movies released by Universal.

In addition to a wide range of attractions for all levels of adventurism, the park has a huge selection of entertainment, shops and restaurants.

Kennedy Space Center

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The 567 km² Kennedy Space Center has hosted many important space shuttle launches in American history.

Guests are offered a bus ride through the vast complex, as well as various exhibits and exhibitions at the Kennedy Space Center Visitor Center.

The site is still one of the most important in the US, with tickets available to view some of the rocket launches.

Busch Gardens Tampa

One of the most popular attractions in Busch Gardens Tampa is the safari park, offering visitors the opportunity to get up close and personal with exciting activities.

The park is home to some of the most famous thrill rides in the US, including the SheiKra (extreme roller coaster).

Salvador Dali Museum

In St. Petersburg, the Salvador Dali Museum is located in a rather strange building, which is somewhat reminiscent of a glass ball, partially protruding from the box.

The museum offers a fascinating collection of Dali's work as well as his life story, and is a great attraction for everyone - even those with little interest in art and sculpture.

Coral Castle

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This stone sculpture was built by one person - Edward Leedskalnin between 1923 and 1951.

The impressive feat was that Edward cut and moved over 1100 tons of stone single-handedly.

Built at night and under the cover of darkness, no one knows how the "coral castle" was created to this day, and Ed's methods are still debated by scientists and architects to this day.

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Coral Castle is open every day and the mystery surrounding the sculpture definitely makes it worth a visit.

Museum of Science and Discovery

Located in Fort Lauderdale, the museum is one of the largest in Florida. During the year it is visited by the largest number of visitors among all states. The museum hosts exhibitions that inform about Florida, such as how hurricanes work, and also has a booth about the Everglades National Park.

Among other things, the museum has nine cockpit simulators, allowing guests to test their flying skills.

Fairchild Tropical Botanical Garden

Photo: Shutterstock

Created in 1936 by Robert H. Montgomery, the gardens showcase a wide variety of flora and fauna, including a new exhibition of rare Central and South American butterflies.

The garden offers educational programs for all ages, among other things, and is home to many art exhibitions throughout the year.

Legoland

The second largest Legoland theme park in the world, second only to Windsor in the UK, is located in Winter Haven, Florida.

The park is a Lego fan's dream. There are over 50 Lego themed rides, shows and other entertainment.

There is a hotel on site with Lego-themed rooms.

Discovery Cove

Discovery Cove allows visitors to swim with dolphins, snorkel with stingrays, even walk on the "seabed" and get up close and personal with marine animals. This is a unique opportunity to see these exotic animals up close.

Here, among other things, there is a large freshwater lagoon where guests can see a family of otters and feed tropical birds.

gatorland

Not all amusement parks in Florida have giant rides, super laser shows, and fireworks.

Gatorland invites you to experience the thrill in a much more natural way - in the company of hundreds of crocodiles and alligators.

Here you will find a feeding show without special effects and a great participation of the public.

WonderWorks

This upside-down building in Orlando is hard to miss. Inside, it's a mixture of a children's museum, arcades, and a theme park.

Cool rides include sitting in a hurricane simulator, lying on a bed of nails, and stomping on aliens that have invaded earth.

This crazy, thematic and unique "museum" is located on International Drive. It is certainly intended for children, but adults will also find plenty of entertainment for themselves here.

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