Wanderlust World Wanderlust World More tourists come to Orlando than any other theme park destination in the U.S. Walt Disney World Resort is the largest theme park in the world. It includes four theme parks, two water parks, 32 resorts, five golf courses and even a wedding pavilion. Other theme parks in Orlando include Universal Studios, which lets visitors see back lots and sets from movies and where some visitors catch Blue Man Group's weekly performances. Finally, water parks such as Aquatica Water Park, with 36 water slides and 80,000 feet of beach space, and Wet 'n Wild, regularly voted America's No. 1 water park, give families plenty of activities.
The Florida Keys, a 100-mile archipelago in South Florida, is famous for diving. Key Largo is known as the diving capital of the world. French Reef is the only living coral barrier reef on the continental United States; the Benwood shipwreck on the French Reef is one of the world's most explored shipwrecks.
Warm, clear blue water and soft white sand bring tourists from around the world to Florida's beaches. Some Florida beaches are also famous for lively nightlife and an active club scene. Miami's South Beach is famous for its white sand beaches during the day and clubs and nightlife at night. It boasts hundreds of dance clubs regularly open until 5 a.m. Fort Lauderdale is known as the "Venice of America" for its intricate canals; 4,100 restaurants and 120 clubs add to its popularity as a tourist destination. Palm Beach is a popular destination for the wealthy, with over 160 golf courses, 47 miles of coastline and 100 miles of waterways and rivers.
The Everglades, which includes the 1.5 million acre Everglades National Park, is the largest protected wilderness area east of the Mississippi. Florida is famous for the exotic wildlife that makes its home in the Everglades, including the American alligator, manatees, the Florida panther, the great blue heron, flamingos and the American crocodile. The Everglades are also home of many exotic orchid species, and a popular destination for birding, with over 350 species. Wildlife can be viewed on boat tours, from kayaks, and by helicopter, on both group and private tours.