(This article originally appeared in the June 2022 issue of Military Officer, a magazine available to all MOAA Premium and Life members. Learn more about the magazine here; learn more about joining MOAA here.)

If you are calling it a career from the military or embarking on a new chapter in life, head to sun-kissed Florida, where state income taxes don’t exist and outdoor activities are possible 365 days a year. Residents and visitors alike will find plenty to do.

“The sunny days and warm winters, the balmy ocean and gulf, fishing and golf, major league baseball, NFL and NBA, world-class colleges and universities, excellent local school systems, and people … from all over the globe make Florida a great place to live,” said Ron Birchall, a St. Augustine resident and president of the Ancient City MOAA Chapter. “My wife, Nancy, and I say we are always on vacation!”

Sponsored Content: Your retirement adventure awaits at Indian River Colony Club on the Space Coast of East Central Florida. Nestled in the new town of Viera, Indian River Colony Club (IRCC) (ColonyClub.com/MOAA) is a 55-plus golf community for military veterans, set on 453 lush acres that include nature preserves, an 18-hole championship golf course, and nearly 800 individual homes. The finest country club amenities, generous maintenance program, and 24-hour gated and staffed security give you the freedom to really relax. Enjoy dining in the At Ease Club, the 3,000-square-foot heated pool, tennis courts, fitness center, and clubs for nearly every hobby! Plus, the friendliest neighbors anywhere. Owned entirely by its members and managed by professional staff, IRCC is your retirement duty station and “The Place Patriots Call Home.”

Located along the Florida Panhandle, the Gulf of Mexico is a fantastic place to drop anchor and try your hand at deep sea fishing. Mackerel, cobia, and sailfish are plentiful in these waters, as are delicious fish such as amberjack and grouper. Get hooked up at one of many deep sea fishing charters operating out of the resort town of Destin, close to prominent naval and Air Force bases.

The oldest continuously occupied settlement in the U.S. is located in St. Augustine. An orange’s throw away from Jacksonville, this charming small town boasts significant military history.

The Spanish established the settlement in 1565, nearly a half-century before the English colonized Jamestown, Va. After taking a tour of the Castillo de San Marcos — a 315-year-old Spanish fort — visit the St. Augustine Lighthouse and Maritime Museum, where you can climb 219 steps to the top of a beautiful black-and-white striped lighthouse built in 1875.

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To really get to know the locals, take an airboat cruise or kayak through the Florida Everglades. And by "locals," we mean the 200,000 alligators that call the vast inland waterways home.

But it isn’t just the reptiles that make visitors “ooh” and “ahh.” There have been more than 350 avian species spotted around the area.

“There are no other Everglades in the world,” said the late Marjorie Stoneman Douglas, a prominent conservationist and advocate for the Everglades. “They are, they have always been, one of the unique regions of the earth: remote, never wholly known. Nothing anywhere else is like them.”

Those looking beyond Miami and its endless supply of libations and nightlife should roll down A1A to the nearby Florida Keys.

Visit the Florida Keys National Marine Sanctuary and John Pennekamp Coral Reef State Park where you can snorkel with sharks and swim past shipwrecks. If you want to check off a national park from your bucket list, sail to Dry Tortugas National Park. Located 70 miles from Key West, this remote wonder can be reached only by boat or sea plane. The park is made up of seven islands, with Fort Jefferson as its centerpiece. If you really want to rough it, camp at Garden Key. But be sure to plan out your trip as the Yankee Freedom Ferry sells out months in advance.

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Unwind in one of the many fantastic beach towns along Florida’s Space Coast. Nature lovers can check out Canaveral National Seashore, a popular place for manatees, sea turtles, and birds.

Or check out the Kennedy Space Center at Cape Canaveral: View an Apollo spacecraft, learn about the heroes who worked Mission Control for the moon landing, or pay a bit extra for the immersive Astronaut Training Experience — this five-hour program prepares participants for a trip to Mars.

New Smyrna Beach is known as one of the best surfing spots on the East Coast. Located just half an hour south of Daytona Beach, New Smyrna boasts consistently good waves to ride.

Need a board? Red Dog Surf Shop, Nichols Surf Shop, and Quiet Flight Surf Shop will get you outfitted for a gnarly good time. There’s even a section of the New Smyrna Museum of History dedicated to the sport, highlighting famous East Coast champions Charley Baldwin and Kem McNair, who helped put the small town on the surfing map.

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With attractions like Walt Disney World and Universal Orlando, the kid in you will never be disappointed in Florida. Want to go on a safari? Check out Disney’s Animal Kingdom Theme Park for close-up views of animals. Or, you could build your own lightsaber at Disney’s Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge, or ride a broom at Universal’s Wizarding World of Harry Potter.

If you aren’t afraid of heights, hop on Orlando StarFlyer, the “world’s tallest swing ride” according to the Orlando Convention and Visitors Bureau. It stands 450 feet in the air, twirling you around while providing amazing aerial views of the surrounding area.

Whether you’re brokering a business deal or just having fun with family and friends, Florida’s links are a great place to tee it high and let it fly!

According to VisitFlorida.com, Florida has more golf courses per capita than any other state, and many have hosted professional tour events. However, if you’re on a budget, check out Tallahassee’s Hilaman Golf Course, ranked one of the best cheapest golf courses in the state. This relatively short but  picturesque track costs under $50 to play and is located just a chip shot away from Florida State University and the state capital.

FLORIDA FOODIE FACT: Pound for pound, the diminutive city of St. Augustine packs a punch when it comes to dining and entertainment options. Start your day with a healthy culinary outdoor experience at Crave, where wraps and smoothies with names such as Rising Sun keep the mood light and refreshing. End your evening with a glass of fine wine and smooth jazz at The Cellar Upstairs, which provides an amazing view of downtown and the San Sebastian River.