Northern Florida, is home to Tallahassee, the state capital, and Jacksonville, the state's largest city. Gainsville, in northcentral Florida, is home to the University of Florida, one of the largest schools in the US. Florida State University and Florida A&M University are both located in Tallahassee. With several large Universities, Northern Florida not only produces outstanding scholars, but avid sports fans committed to their favorite local teams. The Florida Gators and the Florida State Seminoles are among the most popular. Jacksonville is a beautiful city located on the St Johns River and operates the largest urban park system in the US.

Jacksonville hosts one of College Footballs great rivalry games – the Florida vs Georgia Football Classic. Jacksonville is neutral territory for the teams and the 2010 game will be October 30th at EverBank Field. This three day event starts on Wednesday October 27th with the opening of RV City. The Gridiron Get Down is Friday featuring live performances by Jake Owen, Uncle Kracker and Fusebox Funk. Keep the partying in check, so you can make it to Saturday mornings game. No worries if you don't have a ticket there are Jumbotrons in various locations to catch all the action.

The Best Western Hotel JTB/Southpoint and Best Western Southside Hotel and Suites are convenient to EverBank Field. These are ideal options to get some sleep after some healthy tailgaiting fun. Rejuvinate at a Best Western Hotel so you can enjoy the game. For nice lodging options near the beach, look at the Best Western Oceanfront on Jacksonville Beach or the Best Western Mayport Inn and Suites in Atlantic Beach.

You can't get further down upon the Suwanee River than Cedar Key on North Florida's coast. Cedar Key hosts the 42nd Annual Seafood Festival October 16th and 17th, 2010. A popular regional event, visitors enjoy fresh local seafood in City Park, listen to live entertainment and browse over 200 arts and crafts booths. Coincidently, the same weekend the Seahorse Key Lighthouse west of Cedar Key will be hosting an open house on the island. This makes a great weekend getaway to enjoy the beautiful fall weather and great seafood with friends and family.

The 2010 Florida State Fiddlers Convention will be held in Trenton October 15th through the 17th at the Otter Springs Campground. Special guest Jake Krack will be highlighting the convention. Fiddlers and fans, this is your event – come enjoy a weekend of music, dancing and jamming with Florida's best fiddlers. Learn, teach or just listen – it will be a festive weekend in Trenton.

Trenton is just west of Gainesville about 20 miles. The Best Western Gateway Grand in Gainesville is a beautiful place to stay. Spend the weekend in clean and comfortable surroundings and get a good night's rest. The Best Western Suwanee Valley Inn in Chiefland is less than ten miles from Trenton. Located off US Highway 19 this is ideal for travelers who prefer a small town setting.

Daytona Beach Shoreline

The Atlantic Beaches of Florida and the Florida Keys are not impacted by the effects of the Deepwater Horizon oil spill. The beaches and water are open and thriving as normal. Summer vacationers are thinning out and it is time for the return of the snow birds. Key West, at the south tip of the Straits of Florida, is the southernmost point of the continental US. Famous for its relaxed pace, former resident Ernest Hemingway and thriving tropical bars, Key West is actually closer to Cuba than Miami. The Keys are the dividing line between the Atlantic and the Gulf of Mexico.

Key West's Fantasy Fest is one of the town's most popular events. The 2010 theme is Habitat for Insanity and the ten day festival runs October 22nd through the 31st. Goombay Fest, the Caribbean inspired festival kicks-off Fantasy Fest the first weekend along with the Royal Coronation and Vampire Balls. Parties continue all week with concerts, a full moon Lunar Lunacy Party and Headdress Ball. The final weekend features the Fantasy Fest Street Fair along Duval Street, filled with arts, crafts, food, libations and lots of fun. Also don't miss the Fantasy Fest Parade and Duval Street Promenade.

You will need a place to rest and Best Western has two Key West Hotels. The Best Western Key Ambassador Resort Inn is on the oceanfront with tasteful tropical décor, perfect for a Key West getaway. The Best Western Hibiscus Motel is centrally located within walking distance of Duval Street and all the action.

Miami Beach is well known around the world as a beach playground. South Beach being one of the most popular beaches and party destinations in the country, with a nightlife to match the beautiful wide sand beaches. Key Biscayne and Bill Baggs Cape Florida State Beach is home to the oldest standing structure in Miami-Dade County, its lighthouse. This is a delightful place to getaway, minutes from the hustle and bustle of Miami and Miami Beach. Enjoy biking, kayaking and fishing as well as wandering the walkways among the native florida vegetation.

Virginia Key, on the causeway to Key Biscayne, has beaches on both sides of the Rickenbacker Causeway. The north beach offers amazing views of the downtown Miami skyline and is ideal for windsurfing. The beach south of the causeway is secluded and offers nature trials and is the only beach in Miami-Dade County where dogs are allowed (on leash).

Best Western Hotels offers several beach and waterfront locations for travelers to Miami-Dade county beaches. The Best Western Atlantic Beach Resort is located on Collins Avenue in the heart of Miami Beach. With a beachfront location and ocean view rooms at affordable rates, you cannot go wrong. The Best Western On the Bay Inn and Marina is on North Bay Village Island in Miami Beach. Conveniently located off the 79th street causeway providing easy access to freeways and other area attractions. The Best Western Oceanfront Resort in Bal Harbour is also beachfront and offers suites with kitchens. A great option for an extended stay or families.

Downtown Orlando Skyline

The Gulf Coast of Florida includes the Northwest Panhandle region which some call the Other Florida. Summer in the Panhandle is peak season, unique for most Florida beaches. Beaches in St Andrews State Park, Perdido Key and Panama City are rated tops in the world. Pensacola and other cities combine rich history and culture with modern offerings to make interesting and exciting destinations. The Tampa Bay or St Petersburg / Clearwater beaches on the Gulf Coast are the most visited, but remain relatively uncrowded, with plenty of room for more visitors. Southwestern Florida's Gulf Coast features upscale Sanibel, Captiva and Gasparilla Islands along with the layed back Fort Myers Beach, a favorite spring break destination for students.

The Florida State Emergency Operations Center has determined it is unlikely the Western and Southern Gulf Coast beaches will see effects from the Deepwater Horizon oil spill. They have discontinued daily updates. Parts of Northwest Florida see occasional and sporadic sightings of tar balls but the beaches and waters are open and lively.

Beautiful Pensacola Bay hosts its 33rd Annual Pensacola Seafood Festival September 24th through 26th. The 2010 event, held in Seville Square, is recognized as one of the top events in the Southeast. Events include a 5K walk and run to work up an appetite, and it also kicks-off the area fall running season. Favorite foods include grilled conch, crab cakes, bang bang shrimp, soft shell crab and more – a foodies dream - come and sample the best of Florida's seafood dishes. Live entertainment by top local and regional performers will play throughout the festival, which will also feature over 180 arts and crafts vendors.

Visit for the weekend and enjoy a stay at the Best Western Blue Angel Inn, just off Interstate 10 in Pensacola. Begin the day with a complimentary deluxe hot breakfast before heading out to the seafood festival or Pensacola Beach. Other Best Western Hotel options include the Best Western Navarre, south of Pensacola near Destin, or the Best Western Ft Walton Beachfront, for a location on the water.

The Tampa Bay area features more than 15 Best Western Hotels along with enough attractions, events and fun to keep residents and visitors entertained. The 2010 Clearwater Film Festival September 29th through October 3rd is a wonderful opportunity for movie buffs to see extraordinary films from seasoned as well as emerging filmmakers. Families won't want to miss ZooBoo 2010 at Tampa's Lowry Park zoo. The zoo is decorated for Halloween, and weekends through October feature special haunting treats for the kids. Howl-O-Scream 2010 at Busch Gardens runs weekends through October. Fun for young adults, Busch Gardens is filled with ghosts, haunted houses and ghouls, and special Halloween concerts are featured.

The Best Western All Suites Hotel Near USF Behind Busch Gardens is ideal for access to Busch Gardens. This award winning Best Western Hotel features all suites with two rooms. Bring the family for a getaway to the Tampa Bay area.

Miami Beach, Florida

South Florida is the largest metropolitan area in the state. Urban cities like Miami, Ft Lauderdale, Boca Raton and Palm Beach are the commercial and business centers of the region. Homestead, Kendall, Plantation, Cooper City and other smaller communities have grown, filling in what is seemingly an endless city along the Atlantic Coast. Florida Beaches are well known, however life west of Interstate 95 is where the majority of residents, families and visitors live, play and enjoy South Florida life. Everglades National Park and the Big Cypress National Preserve dominate the land mass in South Florida pressing development towards the coasts and north into the state.

The Sun Life Stadium in Miami Gardens is home for the Miami Dolphins and it is football season! The Dolphins open regular season home play on September 26th against the New York Jets. Marc Anthony and Fergie will kick-off the home season singing the national anthem – looks like every game will be an entertainment experience. The Dolphins play through the end of the year with the last home game on December 26th against the Lions.

Sun Life Stadium is also home to the Florida Marlins and the University of Miami as well as the offical site of the FedEx Orange Bowl. Best Western Hotels can make a trip to any event a getaway. Skip the commute home and check in to one of three Best Western Hotels along I-95, convenient to Sun Life Stadium. The Best Western Hollywood/North Miami, The Best Western Fort Lauderdale Airport South Inn and Suites and the Best Western Fort Lauderdale Airport/Cruise Port are ideal and also provide easy access to all South Florida communities.

The Everglades Parkway known in South Florida as Alligator Alley is a straight shot connecting the east and west coast regions of South Florida. Naples on the west coast and Weston, west of Ft Lauderdale are the closest connecting cities.

The Red Snook Catch and Release Charity Tournament is one of South Florida's best fishing tournaments. Held in and around Naples the event is hosted by the Conservancy of Southwest Florida. The 2010 tournament is held the first weekend in October with a kick-off party and auction at the Naples Yacht Club. The awards reception is Sunday October 3rd at Northern Trust in downtown Naples. A great event to benefit water quality and estuary protection programs, and have a lot of fun fishing. Plan a trip to Southwestern Florida and enjoy the slower pace for a weekend.

The Best Western Naples Inn and Suites is located on 9th Street N, close to the coast. An ideal location with lush gardens and two outdoor pools. Bring the family – the kids will love the amenities. The Best Western Naples Plaza Hotel is another convenient location for visitors. Just off I-75, you have easy access to all the regions attractions and events.