Because College can be a Beach

Florida seems to be getting hotter, and we don't mean global warming. Rather the state seems to be gaining in media attention, celebrity visits, and incoming new residents. These three phenomena feed on each other. However it's also true that the state offers unique cultural attractions. Here are some key Florida regions to consider for schools:

Miami More than two million people call this increasingly international city home, and almost 11 million visitors a year drop by. Why is...

Because College can be a Beach

Florida seems to be getting hotter, and we don't mean global warming. Rather the state seems to be gaining in media attention, celebrity visits, and incoming new residents. These three phenomena feed on each other. However it's also true that the state offers unique cultural attractions. Here are some key Florida regions to consider for schools:

Miami
More than two million people call this increasingly international city home, and almost 11 million visitors a year drop by. Why is the city so popular? Miami captures the imagination. It's a chief port of entry for South and Central American cultures, many of which put a premium on passionate, colorful late night partying, followed by a day of chilling on the beach.

Here are some good brush strokes for the city, from an AOL/Travel Leisure Poll:

- No. 1 for Singles Scene and Latin Beat

- No. 2 for Steamy Encounters

- No. 3 for Hotels with Happening Bars, Big Bargains, Designer Outposts, and Home Design Mecca's

- No. 4 for Romance

- No. 5 for Romantic Walks

- No. 6 for Shopping, Unique Boutiques, Flea Market Finds, Diverse People, Eye Candy, Jazz Clubs, and Rooms with a View

In short, put down your books, and your choices will be many.

Fort Lauderdale Florida
A swarm of the nation's college students vote every spring through their travel plans that this is a good destination.

Area schools are near 23 miles of palm-fringed Florida beachfront. Over 30,000 boats explore 165 miles of waterways. Not far from area beaches you'll find live theatre, a huge 3D IMAX screen, the Florida Grand Opera, a historic district, the Museum of Art, and plenty of nightclubs.

Orlando, Florida

Orlando, Florida is a heavily planned region and the focus of all that planning is to ensure people have a great time. Attention, of course, is dominated by theme parks such as Walt Disney World, Sea World and Universal Studios. The overall effect is that Orlando the third leading destination for overseas visitors behind New York and Los Angeles. But the lesser publicized fact is that there is also a broad selection of theatre, dance, museums, festivals and galleries. With so many visitors, nightlife choices abound, including acres of comedy clubs, dance halls, live entertainment venues and restaurants.