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Everglades City, Florida -

Everglades City is as good a place as any to commence a tour of the US Gulf Coast, not least because the Gulf Coast Visitor Center for Everglades National Park is located here. Explore the park before hitting the road and heading northwest.

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Naples, Florida -

Naples is an exclusive enclave, a wealthy city known for its world-class golf courses. Naples area beaches include the stunning Barefoot Beach County Preserve.

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Marco Island, Florida -

South of Naples and nestling on Marco Island—one of Florida's most popular islands—is Tigertail Beach. A wildlife hot zone, Tigertail is also a favorite watersports destination.

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Fort Myers, Florida -

Fort Myers is a major tourist destination within the state. The city is fringed by a huge strand of sand, effectively the coast of the barrier isle, Estero Island.

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Venice, Florida -

Venice, Florida, can boast its very own Venice Beach, landmarked by the Venice Jetty. Tourist amenities include a boardwalk and an inviting collection of bars and restaurants.

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Sanibel Island and Captiva Island, Florida -

Located 30 miles (48 km) off the coast of Fort Meyers, these two beautiful islands serve as a romantic escape for anyone seeking solace in a lush tropical environment.

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Siesta Key, Florida -

Anchored off the coast of Sarasota, Siesta Key features one of the best beaches in the United States. Siesta Key itself is a barrier island heaped with golden sand and fringed with limestone outcrops.

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St. Petersburg, Florida -

St. Petersburg, often referred to by locals as St. Pete, lures tourists with a number of visitor attractions, among them the Salvador Dalí Museum—home to more masterpieces of the Spanish surrealist artist than any other museum in the world.

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St. Pete Beach, Florida -

Another reason to linger in the vicinity is to explore St. Pete Beach. The resort is famous for its epic stretch of sand and the pink Moorish-style Don CeSar Hotel, a 1928 landmark.

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Anna Maria Island, Florida -

South from St. Petersburg across Tampa Bay lies Anna Maria Island. Two beaches stand out on this delightful barrier island—Bean Point Beach and Manatee Public Beach.

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Fort de Soto Park, Florida -

Moored in Tampa Bay about eight miles (12 km) south of St. Petersburg is Fort de Soto Park. Its eponymous beach is an inviting day-trip destination. The island's other band of sand, North Beach, is a haven for birdlife.

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Tampa, Florida -

Further north, Tampa is the third-most populous city in Florida after Jacksonville and Miami. This buzzing metropolis deserves a good few days of your time to take in sights such as the Museum of Science & Technology and the Florida Aquarium.

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Clearwater, Florida -

Lapped by the Gulf of Mexico and Tampa Bay, Clearwater is known for its superb aquarium facility and the dazzling Clearwater Beach, a natural wonder set on Clearwater Beach Island.

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Cape San Blas, Florida -

For seclusion and communion with nature, head out to Cape San Blas. Connected to the Florida peninsula by a sliver of land, Cape San Blas is home to St. Joseph Peninsula State Park.

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Shell Island, Florida -

Shell Island is seven miles (11 km) of undeveloped paradise teeming with wildlife. The spectacular narrow finger of white sand known as Panama City Beach also lends its name to the resort town, a popular regional destination.

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Pensacola, Florida -

The westernmost city in the Florida Panhandle, Pensacola was first settled in 1559 by Spanish explorers. Pensacola's engaging history museum chronicles the city's fascinating timeline. Later, hit the beach on Santa Rosa Island, itself surrounded by the Gulf Islands National Seashore.

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Orange Beach, Alabama -

Head further west out of Pensacola and you cross the state line into Alabama's 60-mile (96-km) stretch of Gulf coast. Orange Beach will likely be your first port of call. This compact Gulf Shores city is, of course, named for its wonderful beach. But check out, too, the Orange Beach Indian & Sea Museum, which explores Native American and fishing history.

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Mobile, Alabama -

To the northwest across the bay lies Mobile, Alabama's only saltwater port. If you can, time your visit during Carnival: Mobile hosts the oldest organized Mardi Gras celebrations in the United States.

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Biloxi, Mississippi -

The Mississippi Gulf Coast, also known as Coastal Mississippi, comprises over 60 miles (nearly 100 km) of coastline, of which nearly 30 miles (just under 50 km) is pure beach. The city of note is Biloxi, which lies directly on the Mississippi Sound, with barrier islands scattered off the coast and into the Gulf of Mexico.

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Bay St. Louis, Mississippi -

Bay St. Louis is also worth exploring. This historic city showcases several buildings of architectural merit including the Hancock Whitney Bank, established in 1899.

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Fort Massachusetts, Mississippi -

One of the US Gulf Coast's most evocative historic monuments is Fort Massachusetts. Located on West Ship Island, the fort was built following the War of 1812. It later played a pivotal role in the American Civil War. The building lies within the boundaries of the Gulf Islands National Seashore.

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New Orleans, Louisiana -

New Orleans is the first big city waiting to welcome you after motoring into the Louisiana Gulf Coast region. What can be said about the "Big Easy" that hasn't already been written or sung about? Spend a few days here soaking in the atmosphere before exploring beyond the city limits.

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Fontainebleau State Park, Louisiana -

It's worth diverting to Fontainebleau State Park, set on the north shore of Lake Pontchartrain. An overnight visit allows you to take in the lake, Bayou Cane, and Bayou Castine.

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Baton Rouge, Louisiana -

Baton Rouge is connected to the Louisiana Gulf Coast via the mighty Mississippi River. There are plenty of reasons to hang out in the city, including browsing the Shaw Center for the Arts.

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Galveston, Texas -

The Texas Gulf Coast features the country's longest stretch of undeveloped coastline. Galveston serves as its lively gateway.

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Houston, Texas -

If you feel so inclined, take a few days out and head inland to busy Houston. There's plenty to keep the visitor occupied, with tourist attractions like the Johnson Space Center, the Museum of Fine Arts, and the Houston Museum of Natural Science.

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Rockport, Texas -

Meanwhile back on the coast, and west out of Galveston, brings you first to Rockport. Anyone seeking local flavor and a down-to-earth vibe should pull up in this relaxing coastal getaway.

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Corpus Christi, Texas -

In stark contrast to Port Aransas is Corpus Christi, the largest city on the Texas coast. A collection of great beaches attracts sun lovers while some of the most visited attractions are located on North Beach, where the Texas State Aquarium and the USS Lexington Museum on the Bay are located. And foodies take note. Corpus Christie is a town known for its eclectic restaurant scene.

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Brownsville, Texas -

The Texas Gulf Coast, indeed the US Gulf Coast, effectively ends at Brownsville. The city is set adjacent to the border with Matamoros, Mexico. As you'd expect, a year-round subtropical climate and deep-rooted Hispanic culture pervades this attractive frontier destination.

Sources: (National Park Service) (American Battlefield Trust)

See also: Explore Mexico's beauty from a bird's-eye view

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