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By BRENDA 🎶Here comes the sun, doo, dun, doo, doo…Here comes the sun, and I say…It’s all right……Little darling, it’s been a long cold lonely winter….🎶
Having experienced Cleveland’s winter, I couldn’t think of a better way to start a post about traveling to a sunny place than with The Beatles.
Florida, the southernmost state in the U.S., is famous for its warm weather and is a beloved winter escape—especially for those coming from the colder northern states.
When my Ugandan buds and I made plans to head to Florida, almost everyone assumed it was just the cold I was running from.
But for me, it was much more than that…
Having grown up in Uganda, I found it deeply therapeutic to travel to a warmer place during Christmas while living abroad.
The year 2022 found me booking tickets to Florida.
In this blog, I’ll share my experience exploring Florida and how this state unfolded itself to me—one memory, one moment at a time.
Solo Part of the Trip: Home Sweet Home
Orlando
I am a sucker for solo trips
The idea of exploring a new place entirely on your own terms is undeniably rewarding.
Just like on other solo trips, I dove into solo adventure mode before my friends joined me in Orlando.
As always, I began with my usual travel approach: get recommendations from locals, Google, or someone who’s been to the area—then build on that to create my own unique memories.
Zooming in on Orlando via Google Maps, I knew exactly how I wanted to explore this place.
There’s various water bodies – from ponds to lakes, peppered across the city’s layout.
I figured—what better way to explore Orlando than to follow the water?
I wanted to take it all in.
With no bike, my option was to walk to nearby ponds, lakes and parks.
As I walked, I couldn’t help but notice the tropical vibe: many homes had mango, avocado, pawpaw, and palm trees in their yards.
And couldn’t keep the excitement to myself about the plants because for some home sickness reason, I low key get excited when I see plants I have only seen back home.
To my surprise, the ponds were much closer to each other than I’d imagined from the map.
Some were caged off, others were open and wild—each with its own atmosphere and character worth experiencing.
As my mind concluded that this part of Orlando felt a lot like home, I spotted some trees that were completely new to me.
The Spanish Moss tree, for instance—an epiphytic bromeliad with silvery-green threads that drape hauntingly from the branches of big trees.
I took a pitstop at a park mid-walk.
The temperatures weren’t super warm, but at least I could sit on a bench outdoors and journal.
Something I did indoors while in Cleveland’s cold weather.
Orlando—aka “The Orange State”—also had a strong Latino influence, reminding me of Kampala in unexpected ways.
There was even a stretch filled with used car lots, which looked exactly like Nakawa Road.
“Kampala right there yooo,” I whispered to myself, chuckling as I walked.
Town of Celebration
Celebration is a town developed by the Walt Disney Company, and everything about it—from the name, the city in which it is located to the charm—makes it stand out.
It’s nestled in Kissimmee, which is pronounced as “kuh-SIM-ee” (rhymes with Jimmy).
Pro tip: if you say “KISS ME,” you’re clearly a tourist—and might get charged like one too!
With its blend of hometown elegance and storybook beauty, Celebration is the kind of place you want to walk through slowly—or better yet, bike.
At 21.5 USD(~77,000 Ugx), I got a bike from Celebration Bicycle Rental and tours to use as a means for exploration.
Driven by my plan to visit every pond or stream I saw on the map, I pedaled my way from downtown to the city’s edges—each park more beautiful than the last.
One of the coolest things?
The city-wide 25 mph speed limit, which a local told me is strictly upheld.
This made me feel safe to ride around freely.
That said, a few parks were marked for “residents only,” and technically, I was trespassing in a couple. Oopsssyyy!
Some of my favorite spots include;
- Savannah Square and long meadow Park
Close to each other by about an arm’s length, these two spots offered winding trails framed by blooming trees and peaceful water views that made my walk through perfectly reflective.
On a bike, their gentle paths and wide open green space made every ride feel like a breath of fresh, storybook air.
- Arbor circle
With its leafy canopy and winding boardwalk, Arbor circle invited me to take a peaceful walk beneath dappled light and bird songs.
Its blend of shaded paths and open stretches created such a calming rhythm during my bike ride making it perfect for reflecting on the move.
- Market street
As Celebration’s main street, Market Street buzzes with charm during the holidays—lined with cozy cafés, colorful storefronts, and blooming planters that made my Christmas Celebration experience worthwhile.
It is also home to one of my favorite moments: “Now Snowing,” a holiday event with soap-based snow foam that felt whimsical and festive—without the cold and frostbite of real snow.
- Walt Disney World
What a gorgeous corner of Florida’s world.
Honestly, they nailed it by calling it a “World”—because it felt like one.
On over 25,000+ acres (about the size of San Francisco), this enormous resort includes 4 major theme parks, 2 water parks, over 25 hotels, golf courses, and more.
While park tickets can be quite pricey, there are free experiences that offer just as much wonder:
Disney Springs
Disney charm meets lakeside serenity in this beautifully themed open-air space.
Between live performances, unique shops, and upscale dining, it’s pure magic—without needing a park pass.
And yes… churros!
I squealed when I found them here, a throwback to my time in Spain.
Yet another nod to Florida’s Latino influence.
Universal CityWalk
This spot pulses with energy—bold food, neon lights, live music, and shops that feel like mini adventures.
It felt like stepping into a party, and it was the perfect place for my friends and I to catch up.
The Road Trip: From Orlando to Miami to Tampa and finally to Cleveland
Now this was the real adventure—a road trip from Cleveland to Florida and back (minus me, who joined the parteeee in Orlando 😉)
From Orlando, we drove down the coast to Miami and circled back through the Tampa Bay area.
We planned as many pitstops as possible, chasing laughter, beaches, and a few wrong turns that turned into golden memories.
Some of the spots we hit along the way include:
Melbourne Beach
This was our first pitstop
With soft sands and a laid-back vibe, Melbourne Beach offered an uncrowded break from the journey.
It provided the perfect joie de vivre experience as we wandered along its boardwalk, swayed on its wooden swings amidst the joy of laughing deeply and experiencing an intimate connection to Florida’s Atlantic coast.
Palm Beach
Another great spot was the Palm Beach
While the unpredictable cold front happened, this place was the place to be during the Christmas break
Beneath swaying palms, Palm Beach dazzled with its blend of tropical elegance, historic estates, and manicured beauty stretching along crystal-clear shores.
At night, palm-lined streets twinkled with fairy lights, casting a dreamy glow that made our evening walk super worth it.
Miami Beach
Miami Beach, this place is vibrant and iconic—where art deco glam, turquoise waters, and a buzzing cultural scene collide.
There was so much to experience including a boat cruise along Biscayne Bay.
We had the vantage point of front-row views of celebrity mansions, city skylines, and the sparkling magic of Miami from the water.
At night, we indulged in Latino food and dance hall music that left a Floridian imprint on us.
St. Petersburg, Tampa Bay area and Cycling
Another golden stop on our journey.
From its streets to the vibe, this place glowed with holiday magic—waterfront light displays, skating rinks, and palm trees dressed in Christmas sparkle.
It’s also home to the St. Pete Municipal Pier, where the world’s first scheduled airline flight took off in 1914—a cool moment of aviation history.
Besides taking a walk, cycling was another way to absorb all the beautiful sunset views and the pier’s scenery along which palm trees were lined.
The city’s bike rental system introduced me to my first-ever electric bike (!!!).
At first, it felt like I wasn’t doing anything at all.
And well… I wasn’t.
The motor did all the work—I just had to gently pedal and enjoy.
With one of my friends, we biked through glowing streets, basking in the warmth of the people and the dazzling holiday lights.
Atlanta, Georgia
Waffle House at 3 AM — A Southern classic.
We couldn’t resist.
It’s a 24/7 spot that famously stays open during holidays and even hurricanes.
And somehow, at 3 AM, those waffles just hit differently.
Lexington, Kentucky
Did I mention this was a family trip?
Because it absolutely was.
We caught up with another Ugandan in Lexington and of course — grabbed some Kentucky Fried Chicken (straight from the source, baby!).
Couldn’t miss Gwen Reardon’s bronze horses frozen in action at Lexington Park
This was the final pitstop and a great way to end our trip, immersing ourselves in public art with a storytelling trail through Kentucky’s horse‑racing heritage.
Did we have an amazing trip?
Of course!
Would I still go back to Florida?
Definitely and this time, I’m staying longer.
Let me know your thoughts in the comments section below.