Since yesterday was Valentine’s Day and all, we figured we’d make a little valentine to our favorite state. Roses are red, violets are blue. Here’s why we love Florida, and you should, too:

1. From the Panhandle in the north...
Flickr/Olin Gilbert
Pictured: Pensacola Beach.
2. ...to our Southernmost Point...
Flickr/Evangelio Gonzalez
Pictured: Dry Tortugas National Park, Key West.
3. ...and everywhere in between, our state is full of natural and man-made beauty.
Flickr/Ricardo Mangual
Pictured: Bok Tower Gardens, Lake Wales.
4. You're never far from some of the best seafood on the planet.
Flickr/Sam Howzit
Like Apalachicola oysters and Florida stone crab.
5. Or the world's best grocery store.
Flickr/brownpau
Publix, duh!
6. Ditto for the perfect piece of Key lime pie.
Flickr/Sam Howzit
And literally anything else Key-lime related.
7. Florida is home to the only living coral reef in the continental United States.
Jerry Reid via Flickr/eutrophication&hypoxia
As well as some pretty incredible artificial reefs, like sunken USS Oriskany.
8. We also lay claim to the oldest city in the country.
Flickr/Doug Kerr
St. Augustine is the oldest continuously occupied European-founded settlement in the contiguous U.S. (but it's so much easier just to say the nation's oldest city).
9. Our state is rich in culture and history.
Bill Serne via Flickr/VISIT FLORIDA Editor
Pictured: Ybor City, Tampa.
10. Not to mention, you can find the best Cuban sandwich of your life here.
Lara Cerri via Flickr/VISIT FLORIDA Editor
Especially in Miami, Tampa or Key West.

Related Stories

This Nighttime Float Under A Canopy Of Lights Belongs On Your Florida Bucket List

This Nighttime Float Under A Canopy Of Lights Belongs On Your Florida Bucket List

 7 Waterfront Retreats In Florida That Are Perfect For Warm Weather Adventures

7 Waterfront Retreats In Florida That Are Perfect For Warm Weather Adventures

 I Visited A Unique Pizza Place In Florida With A Gigantic 30-Tap Self-Pour Beer Wall

I Visited A Unique Pizza Place In Florida With A Gigantic 30-Tap Self-Pour Beer Wall
11. Who doesn't love fresh-squeezed Florida orange juice?
Flickr/Caitlin Regan
12. Or a dip in a crystal clear spring?
Julie Fletcher via Flickr/VISIT FLORIDA Editor
Pictured: Ichetucknee Springs.
13. How about a stroll under the shade of majestic moss-covered oaks?
Flickr/JR P
Pictured: Eden Gardens State Park.
14. We can't forget about the most magical place on Earth...
Flickr/Joe Penniston
Pictured: Walt Disney World.
15. Or possibly the weirdest.
Flickr/anoldent
Pictured: Key West.
16. Cinderella's Castle isn't even the coolest one we have.
Flickr/lancearoundorlando
Coral Castle in Homestead and Solomon's Castle in Ona are completely one of a kind.
17. If you get caught in the rain, just wait 10 minutes.
Flickr/Jed Scattergood
And hey, at least there's no snow.
18. There's always something new to explore...
Flickr/Steve Janosik
Pictured: Edward Medard Regional Park in Plant City.
19. And plenty of ways to relax.
Flickr/Ricardo Mangual
Pictured: Jetty Park Beach, Cape Canaveral.
20. Yep, Florida is home to a lot of amazing things...
Flickr/S P Photography
But the best thing it's home to is you.

That’s why we love Florida. What do you love most about our state? Please leave your comments below!

OnlyInYourState may earn compensation through affiliate links in this article. As an Amazon Associate, we earn from qualifying purchases.

Related Articles