If you like to experience living in new places throughout the US but don’t want to completely uproot from your home state, interim assignments are the way to go. Better than a vacation, less stressful than a full move, temporary relocation offers the opportunity to embed yourself in a new place and absorb the way of life like you just can’t do on a vacation. Florida has the largest percentage of seniors of all states, leading to many job opportunities for healthcare professionals. Read on to hear what else there is to do, see, and experience in Florida. Spoiler: it’s more than beach lounging!

BIGGER THAN A FISH TALE

It’s hard to think about Florida without thinking about water. Aside from the 8,000 miles of ocean and gulf coasts, Florida is covered with lakes and waterways teeming with fish. Whether your angling preference is deep sea, fly, kayak, or even cane pole, you’ll be able to discover a beautiful location to cast your line close to wherever you land. At Lake Piney Z, near Tallahassee, you can fish from the shore or take a canoe or kayak out on the water to reel in largemouth bass, carp, and bluegill. Blackwater rivers foster diverse flora and fauna, which make for good nature cruises and fishing expeditions. Those channeling their inner Ahab, should hire an Atlantic deep-sea charter to pursue blue marlin and tarpon. While there are no white whales, marlin will give you the size and tarpon will give you the fight to compare.

SPANISH AND NATIVE AMERICAN HERITAGE

The capital city of Tallahassee is home to several sites where you can learn about Native American history and European colonization. Mission San Luis served as the westernmost military, religious, and administrative capital of Spanish Florida in the 17^th century and where Apalachee Indians lived alongside the settlers. Take part in a candle making, historic cooking, or basket making workshop to be transported back to 1703. The Museum of Florida History is the full of rotating and permanent exhibits to connect Florida’s past and present. Ah-Tah-Thi-Ki Museum, a modern museum situated in the heart of the Big Cypress Seminole Indian Reservation, contains artifact exhibits and life-sized displays to experience the rich culture of the Seminole people.

INLAND APPEAL

Exploring Florida’s inland is sure to turn up something for everyone. Of course, there are the legendary Disney parks in Orlando, but don’t miss the thousands of miles of trails where visitors can travel on foot, by bike, or on horseback to commune with nature. Photography buffs are sure to find a plethora of subjects. Ocala, known as the “Horse Capital of the World, is home to the Florida Horse Park where many Thoroughbreds are brought to train during the winter. The park hosts nationally recognized and Olympic-level events throughout the year. And, finally, although this is a bit of a cheat because it isn’t really considered inland, we are including a swim with manatees at Crystal River because it’s upriver from the coast. And, it’s cool.

Florida is more than beaches, but we have to at least mention those beaches! Drive pretty much in any direction (except north, of course) and you’ll run into a beach of some sort in relatively short order. Quiet ones, lively ones, white ones, brown ones, all for the choosing. You can find the perfect Florida healthcare position on our job board. And, don’t forget your sunscreen.