14 best general florida travel guides

General Florida travel guides provide comprehensive information about the state of Florida, its attractions, history, and more. These travel guides are valuable resources for tourists and travelers looking to explore the diverse offerings of the Sunshine State. Here's what you can expect to find in general Florida travel guides:

  1. Geographical Overview: Florida is a southeastern U.S. state known for its stunning coastline along the Atlantic Ocean and the Gulf of Mexico. Travel guides typically start with an overview of the state's geography, climate, and regions.

  2. Attractions: Florida is home to a wide range of attractions, and travel guides list popular destinations like Walt Disney World in Orlando, the Kennedy Space Center on the Space Coast, the vibrant nightlife of Miami, the Everglades National Park, and the Florida Keys. Guides also cover lesser-known but equally captivating places to explore.

  3. History: Travel guides often provide historical context, detailing Florida's past as a Spanish colony, its role in the Civil War, and its growth through tourism and development. They may also discuss Native American history and the state's cultural heritage.

  4. Outdoor Activities: Florida is renowned for its outdoor activities, including water sports, boating, fishing, golfing, and hiking. Travel guides offer recommendations for outdoor enthusiasts and adventurers.

  5. Beaches: Florida is famous for its beautiful beaches. Guides typically feature information about the best beaches for swimming, sunbathing, and water sports, along with safety tips and beach regulations.

  6. Wildlife: The state's unique ecosystems are home to diverse wildlife, and guides may provide insights into where to spot manatees, alligators, dolphins, and various bird species.

  7. Cuisine: Florida's cuisine is influenced by Caribbean, Latin American, and Southern flavors. Travel guides often highlight must-try dishes, seafood restaurants, and local delicacies.

  8. Accommodations: Guides include recommendations for hotels, resorts, vacation rentals, and camping sites, catering to different budget ranges and preferences.

  9. Transportation: Information on airports, highways, public transportation, and car rental services helps travelers plan their journeys within the state.

  10. Events and Festivals: Florida hosts numerous events and festivals year-round, such as the Miami Art Basel, the Gasparilla Pirate Festival in Tampa, and the Daytona 500.Travel guides provide details on these events and how to participate.

  11. Maps and Itineraries: Many travel guides come with maps and suggested itineraries to help travelers make the most of their visit, whether they're interested in theme parks, cultural experiences, or outdoor adventures.

  12. Practical Tips: Guides often include practical information about weather, safety, and travel tips specific to Florida.

General Florida travel guides aim to be comprehensive resources that assist travelers in planning their trips, providing insights into the state's history, culture, and attractions to make their visit memorable and enjoyable.

Below you can find our editor's choice of the best general florida travel guides on the market
  

Fodor's Florida (Full-color Travel Guide)

Fodor's Travel

Based on 76 reviews Check latest price

Product features

HELPFUL PLANNING ADVICE

Find what you need faster with color-coded category icons and easier-to-read two-column text.

GORGEOUS COLOR PHOTOS

Beautiful photos packed throughout will fuel your wanderlust.

ITINERARIES AND MAPS

Itineraries, maps, travel tips, and neighborhood guides will acquaint you with your destination and help you maximize your time.

IN-DEPTH FEATURES AND EXPLANATIONS

Learn about history, culture, and more with in-depth spotlight features

Lonely Planet Florida (Regional Guide)

Lonely Planet

Based on 112 reviews Check latest price

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Welcome to Florida

A hundred worlds – from magic kingdoms and Latin American and Caribbean capitals to mangrove islands, wild wetlands, spaceship launch pads and artist colonies – are all contained within this flat peninsula.

Maybe there’s no mystery to what makes the Florida peninsula so intoxicating. Beaches with sand as fine and sweet as powdered sugar, warm waters, rustling mangroves: all conspire to melt our workaday selves.

Includes:

Moon Florida Keys: With Miami & the Everglades (Travel Guide)

Moon Travel

Based on 11 reviews Check latest price

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Get Inspired

Moon’s local authors share the best things to do, see, and eat for a variety of travelers, so you’ll find your bliss whether you’re a beach bum, a history buff, a foodie, or still figuring it out

Plan Your Adventure

Travel your way with customizable itineraries and strategic lists that highlight all of your must-sees, as well as hidden gems you’ll love

Travel with Confidence

Moon provides everything you need, including helpful background, insider tips, and detailed maps, to experience your perfect trip

Fodor's South Florida: With Miami, Fort Lauderdale, and the Keys (Full-color Travel Guide)

Fodor's Travel

Based on 34 reviews Check latest price

Product features

HELPFUL PLANNING ADVICE

Find what you need faster with color-coded category icons and easier-to-read two-column text.

GORGEOUS COLOR PHOTOS

Beautiful photos packed throughout will fuel your wanderlust.

ITINERARIES AND MAPS

Itineraries, maps, travel tips, and neighborhood guides will acquaint you with South Florida and help you maximize your time.

IN-DEPTH FEATURES AND EXPLANATIONS

Learn about history, culture, and more with in-depth spotlight features

Moon South Florida & the Keys Road Trip: With Miami, Walt Disney World, Tampa & the Everglades (Travel Guide)

Moon Travel

Based on 9 reviews Check latest price

Product features

Get Inspired

Moon’s local authors share the best things to do, see, and eat for a variety of travelers, so you’ll find your bliss whether you’re a beach bum, a history buff, a foodie, or still figuring it out

Plan Your Adventure

Travel your way with customizable itineraries and strategic lists that highlight all of your must-sees, as well as hidden gems you’ll love

Travel with Confidence

Moon provides everything you need, including helpful background, insider tips, and detailed maps, to experience your perfect trip

Moon Florida (Travel Guide)

Moon Travel

Based on 16 reviews Check latest price

Explorer's Guide North Florida & the Panhandle (Third Edition) (Explorer's Complete)

Countryman Press

Based on 21 reviews Check latest price

Fodor's In Focus Florida Keys: with Key West, Marathon and Key Largo (Full-color Travel Guide)

Rick Steves Mediterranean Cruise Ports (Rick Steves Travel Guide)

Rick Steves

Based on 156 reviews Check latest price

Fodor's In Focus Florida Keys: with Key West, Marathon & Key Largo (Travel Guide)

Fodor's Travel

Based on 183 reviews Check latest price

Product features

HELPFUL PLANNING ADVICE

Find what you need faster with color-coded category icons and easier-to-read two-column text.

GORGEOUS COLOR PHOTOS

Beautiful photos packed throughout will fuel your wanderlust.

ITINERARIES AND MAPS

Itineraries, maps, travel tips, and neighborhood guides will acquaint you with the Florida Keys and help you maximize your time.

IN-DEPTH FEATURES AND EXPLANATIONS

Learn about history, culture, and more with in-depth spotlight features

DK Eyewitness Family Guide Florida (Travel Guide)

DK Eyewitness Travel

Based on 28 reviews Check latest price

Moon Florida Gulf Coast (Travel Guide)

Moon Travel

Based on 23 reviews Check latest price

Product features

Get Inspired

Moon’s local authors share the best things to do, see, and eat for a variety of travelers, so you’ll find your bliss whether you’re a beach bum, a history buff, a foodie, or still figuring it out

Plan Your Adventure

Travel your way with customizable itineraries and strategic lists that highlight all of your must-sees, as well as hidden gems you’ll love

Travel with Confidence

Moon provides everything you need, including helpful background, insider tips, and detailed maps, to experience your perfect trip

DK Eyewitness Florida (Travel Guide)

DK Eyewitness Travel

Based on 31 reviews Check latest price

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Welcome to Florida

Explore Florida’s world-famous theme parks, scenic coastlines, cosmopolitan cities, oft-forgotten nature trails, and so much more with the help of your DK Eyewitness guide. Whether you’re here for a quick visit or a grand tour, we’ll help you navigate the very best that Florida has to offer.

In-depth area-by-area guides

Our in-depth area guides make traveling across Florida easy, whether you want to admire the Art Deco hotels along iconic Ocean Drive, explore America’s first underwater state park, catch the rich fishing bounty off the Keys, or spot alligators in the Everglades—we’ve got you covered. And our selection of itineraries suggest several realistic ways to make the most of your time—whether you’re staying for a week or just a few days.

Be inspired

With so much to see, we’ve created expert-led special features that show how to experience Florida your way. Across detailed page spreads, we take a look at how to discover world-renowned beaches, entertain the kids, visit theme parks, marvel at striking architecture, find the best wildlife spots, get your culture fix, make the most of the outdoors, and sample the best cuisine.

Florida State Parks

Mountaineers Books

Based on 134 reviews Check latest price

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