You’ll really enjoy going to school in Florida if you like beaches. This state is between the Gulf of Mexico and the Atlantic Ocean. There are miles and miles of coastline. The warm weather means you’ll be able to enjoy the beaches all year round. Over 22 million people visited the state between January and March in 2010.

The three largest cities in the state are Jacksonville, Miami and Tampa. Jacksonville is on the shore of the Atlantic Ocean in the northeast part of the state. Miami is in south Florida on the Atlantic Coast. Tampa is on the Gulf Coast near the middle of the state. These three cities have similar climates. Temperatures during the day range from about 60 in the winter to around 80 in the summer. Miami is a little warmer than Jacksonville and Tampa. Temperatures in Miami are as high as 69 in the winter and 83 in the summer.

You’ll be able to swim and sunbathe along Jacksonville’s 20 miles of beaches. The St. Johns River runs through the city. There’s a lot to do at The Jacksonville Landing on the riverfront. You can have a leisurely meal at the restaurants overlooking the river or have a snack at the indoor food court. You’ll be able to buy souvenirs and handmade goods at the shops. There’s live entertainment here on the weekends. Visiting the Jacksonville Maritime Museum at the Landing will give you an overview of the area’s maritime history.

Other museums in Jacksonville are the Museum of Science and History, the Cummer Museum of Art & Gardens and the Museum of Contemporary Art. Historic sites in the area include the Kingsley Plantation from the late 18th century and the Merrill House from the 19th century.

There’s more information about Jacksonville attractions at http://www.visitjacksonville.com.

Miami is about 345 miles south of Jacksonville. You’ll find plenty of beaches here. There’s a lot to do on the beaches besides swimming and sunbathing. You can walk, bike, fish and jog. You’ll be able to camp or go boating along the Snake River near the beach at Oleta River State Park.

There are other attractions in Miami. The Vizcaya Museum and Gardens has 10 acres of gardens. You can take a Behind-the-Scenes Tour at Zoo Miami to get a close look at the animals or interact with dolphins at the Miami Seaquarium.

You’ll find a variety of things to do in Tampa if you’re in training there. There are plenty of places for sunbathing on the beaches. You can get a look at Tampa Bay when you take a dinner cruise or a sunset cruise. A visit to Busch Gardens will give you a chance to see African animals on a Serengeti Plain tour. You can parasail above the beaches or speed through the water on jet skis.

You’ll have a wonderful time furthering your education near the beaches in Florida. You can learn more about the state’s beaches and other attractions at http://www.visitflorida.com.