TRAVEL

Vacationing in Florida this summer? Five mistakes tourists make in the sunshine state.

Florida's economy thrives on tourists. But there's more to Florida than just Disney. Here's a roundup of mistakes to avoid on your trip to the sunshine state.

Lianna Norman
Palm Beach Post

Florida has the fourth highest GDP, or gross domestic product, in the country. In the Sunshine State, tourism is one of the largest contributing factors to Florida's high GDP is its robust tourism industry. From two coasts of beachfront to Disney, Universal and Busch Gardens, to a short cruise to the Bahamas, there isn't a lack of activities to keep you busy on your vacation.

But a great Florida vacation spans beyond beaches and theme parks. Here's a roundup of five mistakes you're probably making on your Florida vacations.

Visiting Florida during the height of hurricane season

Florida's hurricane season runs from June 1 through November. The peak of hurricane season falls between mid-August and October. Two of the deadliest hurricanes that Florida has seen in the last thirty years, Hurricane Andrew and Hurricane Charley, hit the state during August in 1992 and 2004.

If you're planning on coming to the sunshine state for your summer vacation, the earlier the better. If you're planning a warm getaway during the fall, keep up with NOAA's hurricane center and plan accordingly.

2023 hurricanes:First tropical wave nearly stationary in eastern Atlantic

2023 hurricane season:Fear rain as much as storm surge, climate change increases threat

Only visiting a Florida beach

Although Florida's beaches are beautiful and plenty, it's a mistake to only plan a beach days for your stay in the sunshine state. Home to 11 national parks, there is no shortage of wildlife experiences throughout the state. Big Cypress National Preserve boasts 729,000 acres of preserved natural swampland and is home to 35 species of mammals, including the Florida Panther, almost 200 species of birds, 51 species of reptiles, 18 species of amphibians and 66 species of fish. Just a 30-minute drive from Big Cypress is the iconic Everglades. This 1.5 million-acre wetlands preserve has been called "a birder's paradise."

Florida is also home to more than 700 natural springs, which is the largest collection of natural springs globally. Journey to the center of the earth (almost) at Devil's Den in Williston, Florida, spend a day floating down the Ichatucknee River at Ichatucknee Springs State Park or watch mermaids blow underwater kisses at Weeki Wachee Springs State Park.

If the outdoors isn't calling you, try visiting the oldest city in the country, Spanish-born St. Augustine or visit the Space Coast and check out The Kennedy Space Center.

Devil's Den and Dry Tortuga:Florida, take a bow! You took two spots on this 'bluest water in the U.S.' Top 10 list

Not going to a Florida beach at all

There may be a wealth of activities beyond the beaches of the sunshine state, but not going to one at all would also be a mistake. Florida is home to over 800 miles of coastline from the Gulf to the Atlantic and 650 public beaches. And while there's plenty, no two beaches are the same. Some are great for finding shells and shark teeth and some are amazing swimming spots, while others attract surfers and boogie boarders looking for waves.

For more guidance on which beachfront to book for your stay, check out this Florida beach that made it to Dr. Beach's top ten beaches list for 2023.

Take that, Hawaii!This Florida beach tops Dr. Beach's Top 10 list for 2023

Find your next vacation:Want to visit 8 of TripAdvisor's Top 25 Beaches in the US? They're right here in Florida.

Not all of Florida's theme parks are in Orlando

Iron Gwazi

Orlando may be home to Disney World and Universal, but it isn't the only place you can ride a roller coaster in Florida. The Florida theme park with the most rollercoasters is actually in Tampa. Busch Gardens Tampa has been serving thrills and adrenaline to visitors since 1959. The privately-owned theme park is also part-zoo and is designed around African and Asian themes, with roller coaster names like Cobra's Curse, Tigris, Sandserpent and Cheetah Hunt.

Disney cancels move to Lake Nona:Did Trump get it right on the DeSantis feud? What we know

'A really exciting time':12 of the most anticipated new roller coasters opening in 2023

Orlando has much more to offer than just theme parks like Disney

Even though Orlando is synonymous with Mickey Mouse and The Wizarding World of Harry Potter for most, there are so many more things to do in and around the city. The Orlando Museum of Art, about a 40-minute drive from Disney World, has a wide range of permanent and rotating exhibits.

If art isn't your forte, The Orlando Science Center has interactive exhibits on the human body, dinosaurs and outer space. For views, visit the The Wheel at ICON Park, a huge ferris wheel next to Orlando's Sea Life Aquarium, only a 15-minute drive from Disney World.

Lianna Norman covers trending news in Palm Beach County for The Palm Beach Post. You can reach her at lnorman@pbpost.com. You can follow her reporting on social media @LiannaNorman on Twitter.