Millions of pleasure-seekers can't be wrong! Florida is North America's favourite holiday destination and draws hordes of tourists all year round. The reason for the state's popularity as a vacation station is its sunny climate and situation. Consisting of a peninsula jutting out into the Atlantic Ocean from the southeastern corner of the United States, Florida's uneven coastline is indented with estuaries, bays, inlets, lagoons and rivers, creating ideal enclaves for the location of holiday resorts. Right in the south the peninsula ends in an arc of islands resting on coral reefs, known as the Florida Keys, today joined and accessed via a highway ending in Key West, the southernmost point of the United States.

After World War II, tourism development took off at a great pace, not to enhance its natural attractions, but in the form of building man-made ones. The central part of the state, particularly around Tampa and Orlando, has since become a theme park paradise for thrill seekers. Enticing venues offer everything from water slides to rollicking roller coasters, and themed animal habitats attract thousands to the accompanying resort hotels on the huge sites of Disney World, Sea World, Busch Gardens and other major resort operators.

The state's biggest city, Miami, echoes the vibrancy of the rest of this holiday Mecca, with its soft white sandy beaches vying for attention with the city's numerous attractions and colourful neighbourhoods. Its famous Art Deco district and Latin American quarter are constantly thronged with visitors, many of them passengers from the hundreds of cruise ships that come and go in the bustling port. Within easy access from Miami are the Everglades, a marshy grass plain resonating with wildlife and filled with alligators.

Aptly named the 'Sunshine State', Florida can offer anything anyone seeks in a holiday, whether it be fine wining and dining, learning about space exploration, discovering endangered wildlife, riding a roller coaster or bronzing on one of its famous beaches.

Norton Museum of Art

Address: 1451 South Olive Avenue, West Palm Beach

Admission: $12 (adults), $5 (13-21 years) Monday to Saturday 10am to 5pm; Sunday 1pm to 5pm. Closed on Mondays between May and October

Telephone: (561) 832 5196

Gumbo Limbo Environmental Complex

Address: 1801 North Ocean Boulevard

Admission: $5 per person donation suggested Monday to Saturday 9am to 4pm; Sunday 12pm to 4pm; closed New Year's Day, 4 July, Thanksgiving and Christmas

Telephone: (561) 338 1473

Seminole Reservation

Address: Big Cypress Seminole Reservation

Admission: $9 (adults), $6 (children 4-12 and seniors) Daily 9am to 5pm

Telephone: (800) 683 7800

Miami Science Museum

Address: 3280 South Miami Avenue

Admission: $14.95 (adults), $10.95 (children 3-12), free for under 3s. Other concessions available. Prices include museum galleries, planetarium shows and wildlife center Daily 10am to 6pm; closed Thanksgiving and Christmas

Telephone: (305) 646 4200

Miami Seaquarium

Address: 4400 Rickenbacker Causeway

Admission: $37.95 (adults), $27.95 (children 3-9) Daily 9.30am to 6pm

Telephone: (305) 361 5705

Miami-Dade Cultural Centre

Address: 101 West Flagler Street

Admission: $8 (adults), $5 (children 6-12) to each museum. Children under 6 are free. Art Museum: Tuesday to Friday 10am to 5pm, Saturday and Sunday from 12pm, third Thursdays until 9pm. Historical Museum: Monday to Saturday 10am to 5pm, Sunday from 12pm, third Thursdays until 9pm

Telephone: Art Museum: (305) 375 3000; Historical Museum: (305) 375 1492

Vizcaya Villa

Address: 3251 South Miami Avenue

Admission: $15 (adults), $6 (children 6-12). Under 5s free Daily 9.30am to 4.30pm; closed 25 December

Telephone: (305) 250 9133

Spanish Monastery

Address: 16711 West Dixie Highway

Admission: $5 (adults), $2 (children), other concessions available Monday to Saturday 9am to 5pm; Sunday 1.30pm to 5pm

Telephone: (305) 945 1461

Coral Castle

Address: 28655 South Dixie Highway

Admission: $9.75 (adults), $5 (children); other concessions available Sunday to Thursday 8am to 6pm, Friday and Saturday until 9pm

Telephone: (305) 248 6345

Everglades National Park

Admission: $10 per vehicle, or $5 per pedestrian or cyclist, valid for seven days Open year round; the main park entrance (near Homestead and Florida City) is open 24 hours a day

Telephone: Ernest F. Coe Visitor Center: (305) 242 7700

Ybor City

Busch Gardens

Address: 10001 N. McKinley Drive

Admission: $74.95 (adults), $64.95 (children 3-9). Multi-day, and combination park tickets are also available Opening hours vary according to the day and month, but the park is generally open daily between 9am and 10am, closing between 5pm and 9pm; extended hours in July and July

Telephone: 1 888 800 5447

Museum of Science and Industry

Address: 4801 East Fowler Avenue

Admission: $20.95 (adults), $16.95 (children 2-12), includes one IMAX film. Other concessions also available Monday to Friday 9am to 5pm, until 6pm on weekends

Telephone: (813) 987 6100

Tampa Museum of Art

Address: 2306 North Howard Avenue

Admission: $10 adults, $5 children; concessions available Tuesday to Saturday 10am to 4pm; every third Friday includes Art After Dark from 8pm to 11pm

Telephone: (813) 274 8130

Henry B. Plant Museum

Address: 401 W. Kennedy Boulevard, University of Tampa campus

Admission: Donation $5 (adults), $2 (children) Tuesday to Saturday 10am to 4pm; Sunday 12pm to 4pm

Telephone: (813) 254 1891

Florida Aquarium

Address: 701 Channelside Drive

Admission: $19.95 (adults), $14.95 (children 3-12). Other concessions available Daily 9.30am to 5pm; closed on Thanksgiving and Christmas

Telephone: (813) 273 4000

Walt Disney World

Admission: Admission to any one park: $79 plus tax (adults), $68 plus tax (children 3-9). Park Hopper tickets can be added to the price for $40 for access to all parks. Various other packages and combination tickets are also available Open daily, but park hours vary according to the month and day; it is best to check on their website for up to date information

Telephone: (407) 939 6244

Sea World

Admission: $79.95 (adults), $69.95(children 3-9). Packages and combination tickets are available Daily from 9am, but closing hours vary according to the month, closing earlier in winter

Telephone: (800) 327 2424

Universal Studios

Admission: Each park is $79 plus tax (adults), $69 plus tax (children 3-9). Multi-day and multi-park tickets are also available Daily from 9am, but closing hours vary according to the month, closing earlier in winter

Telephone: (407) 363 8000

Wet ‘n Wild

Address: 6200 International Drive

Admission: $47.95 plus 6.5% sales tax (adults), $41.95 plus 6.5% sales tax (children 3-9); other concessions apply and passes are available. Afternoon discounts are available year round Open daily year-round, but hours vary according to the season. Generally the park opens between 9am and 10am and closes between 5pm and 7pm, with longer hours during June and July

Telephone: (407) 351 1800; or (800) 992 9453 (toll-free, US only)

Lee County Manatee Park

Address: 10901 State Road 80

Admission: Parking: $5 per day; kayak rentals $10 per hour Daily 8am to sunset

Telephone: (239) 690 5030

Orlando Odditorium

Address: 8201 International Drive

Admission: $18.95 plus tax (adults), $11.95 plus tax (children 4-12) Daily 9am to 1am

Telephone: (407) 363 4418

Orlando Museum of Art

Address: 2416 North Mills Avenue

Admission: $8 (adults), $7 (scholars 6-18), other concessions available Tuesday to Friday 10am to 4pm, Saturday and Sunday 12pm to 4pm. Closed Mondays

Telephone: (407) 896 4231

Kennedy Space Centre

Admission: Maximum Access admission: $38 (adults), $28 (children 3-11). Astronaut Hall of Fame only: $17 (adult), $13 (children 3-11). Other options are available Daily 9am to 5.30pm, with shuttle-bus tours departing regularly between 10am and 2.15pm. The Astronaut Hall of Fame closes at 6.30pm

Telephone: (321) 449 4444

Fantasy of Flight

Address: 1400 Broadway Boulevard S.E, Polk City

Admission: $28.95 (adults), $14.95 (children 5-12). Other concessions available Daily 10am to 5pm; closed Thanksgiving and Christmas

Telephone: (863) 984 3500

National Museum of Naval Aviation

Address: 1750 Radford Boulevard, Suite C

Admission: Free Daily 9am to 5pm; closed Thanksgiving, Christmas and New Year's Day

Telephone: (850) 452 3604 or 452 3606

Pensacola Historical Museum

Address: 115 E. Zaragosa Street

Admission: Free Monday to Saturday 10am to 4.30pm

Telephone: (850) 433 1559

Civil War Soldiers Museum

Address: 108 South Palafox Place

Admission: $6 (adults), $2.50 (children 6-12) Tuesday to Saturday 10am to 4pm

Telephone: (850) 469 1900

Tallahassee

Marine Life Center of Juno Beach

Address: 14200 US Hwy One, Loggerhead Park, Juno Beach

Admission: Free Monday to Saturday from 10am to 4pm; Sunday 12pm to 3pm

Telephone: (561) 627 8280

Edison and Ford Winter Estates

Address: 2350 McGregor Boulevard, Fort Myers

Admission: Homes and Gardens tour: $20 (adults), $11 (children 6-12); other options and concessions available Daily 9am to 5.30pm; open until 9pm in December

Telephone: (239) 334 7419

Koreshan State Historic Site

Address: Intersection of U.S. 41 and Corkscrew Road, Estero

Admission: $5 per vehicle holding up to 8 passengers; $4 for single occupant. Guided tours are also available for $2 Daily 8am until sunset

Telephone: (239) 992 0311

South West Florida Museum of History

Address: 2300 Peck Street

Admission: $12.50 (adults), $8.50 (Children) concessions available Tuesday to Saturday 10am to 5pm

Telephone: (239) 321 7430

Shell Factory and Nature Park

Address: 2787 North Tamiami Trail, North Fort Myers

Admission: Shell Factory: free. Nature Park: $10 (adults), $6 (children 4-12) Shell factory: daily 9am to 8pm. Nature Park: daily 10am to 7pm

Telephone: (239) 995 2141

Ernest Hemingway Home and Museum

Address: 907 Whitehead Street, Key West

Admission: Adults $12; Children $6 Daily 9am to 5pm

Telephone: (305) 294 1136

Key West Lighthouse Museum

Address: 938 Whitehead Street, Key West

Admission: $10 (adults), $5 (children); under 6s free Daily 9.30am to 4.30pm. Closed Christmas Day

Telephone: (305) 295 6616 Ext. 16 for information

Pigeon Key

Address: Marathon

Admission: $7 (adults), children are admitted free

Telephone: (305) 289 0025

Crane Point

Address: 5550 Overseas Highway, Marathon

Admission: Adults $11; Children $7; Concessions available Monday to Saturday 9am to 5pm, Sundays 12pm to 5pm

Telephone: (305) 743 9100

Butterfly Conservatory

Address: 1316 Duval Street, Key West

Admission: $12 (adults), $8.50 (children 4-12), under 4s free Daily 9am to 5pm; last entry 4.30pm

Telephone: (305) 296 2988

Audubon House and Tropical Gardens

Address: 205 Whitehead Street, Key West

Admission: $10 (adults), $5 (children 6-12), under 6s free Daily 9.30am to 5pm

Telephone: (305) 294 2116 or 1 877 294 2470 (toll free)

Dolphin Research Center

Address: 58901 Overseas Highway, Grassy Key

Admission: $19.50 (adults); $13.50 (children 4-12); other concessions available Daily 9am to 4.30pm

Telephone: (305) 289 1121

National Key Deer Refuge

Address: 179 Key Deer Blvd, Big Pine Key

Telephone: (305) 872 2239

Lincoln Road Mall

Address: The Lincoln Road Shopping District runs east to west from Collins Avenue to Bay Road

Admission: Most shops are open daily from 9am to 6pm, as is the Sunday Market

Wolfsonian Museum

Address: 1001 Washington Avenue

Admission: $7 (adults), $5 (seniors, students and children) Open daily from 12pm to 6pm. Closed Wednesdays. Late openings on Thursday and Friday till 9pm

Telephone: (305) 351 1001

Jungle Island

Address: 1111 Parrot Jungle Trail

Admission: $30 (adults), $25 (children) Daily from 10am to 6pm

Biscayne National Park

Address: Dante Fascell Visitor Center, 9700 SW 328th Street, Homestead

Admission: Entrance is free, camping is $10 per night plus the cost of boat transportation Dante Fascell Visitor Center is open daily, 9am to 5pm

Telephone: 305 203 7275

Crandon Park Beach

Address: 4000 Crandon Boulevard, Key Biscayne

Telephone: 305 361 5421

Gold Coast Railroad Museum

Address: 12450 S. W. 152 Street

Admission: $6 (adult), $4 (children 3-12) Weekdays 10am to 4pm, weekends 11am to 4pm

Telephone: 305 253 0063

Miami Children's Museum

Address: 980 Macarthur Causeway

Admission: $15, free for children under 1 year Daily 10am to 6pm

Telephone: 305 373 5437

Pinecrest Gardens

Address: 11000 Red Road, Pinecrest

Admission: Entrance is free, $3 for Splash ‘n Play Daily 9am to sunset

Telephone: 305 669 6942

Azul

Address: 500 Brickell Key Dr, Mandarin Oriental Hotel

Food Type: Fusion

Emeril's Miami Beach

Address: 1601 Collins Avenue

Food Type: Creole

Palme d'Or

Address: 1200 Anastasia Avenue, Coral Gables

Food Type: French

Shoji Sushi

Address: 100 Collins Ave, South Beach

Food Type: Japanese

Santo Miami Beach

Address: 430 Lincoln Road

Food Type: International

Joe's Stone Crab

Address: 11 Washington Avenue

Food Type: Seafood

News Café

Address: 800 Ocean Drive

Food Type: Café

Señor Frog's

Address: 3480 Main Hwy, Coconut Grove

Food Type: Mexican

Timo

Address: 17624 Collins Ave, Sunny Isles

Food Type: Mediterranean

Red Fish Grill

Address: 9610 Old Cutler Rd

Food Type: Seafood

Jack's Place

Address: Rozen Plaza Hotel, 9700 International Dr

Food Type: Seafood

A Land Remembered

Address: Rosen Shingle Creek 9939, Universal Blvd

Food Type: Steakhouse

Cala Bella

Address: 939 Universal Blvd

Food Type: Italian