Built in the 1850s by Dr. Joseph Braden along the Manatee River, Braden Castle once served as both a family home and a refuge during conflicts between settlers and Seminole tribes. Constructed from tabby and coquina shell, the ruins still stand today as one of Bradenton’s oldest surviving landmarks and a reminder of Florida’s early frontier days. @America250FL 📸 April 10, 1970

Tampa’s story is shaped by the water, the people, and the industries that built a city unlike anywhere else in the world. America 250: A Portrait of Florida explores Tampa’s innovative roots, historic neighborhoods, and lasting influence on the state and the nation. From cigar factories to waterfront skylines, this episode captures the layers of history woven throughout the city. Watch the full episode at America250FL.com/content. Produced by Visit Florida for the Florida Semiquincentennial Advisory Commission’s America 250 commemorations.

Glowing water, clear kayaks, and a chance to spot the Milky Way overhead. Nights in the Merritt Island National Wildlife Refuge look a little different. 📍 Merritt Island National Wildlife Refuge | @flaspacecoast 📷 IG @getupandgotitusville

Postcards from St. Petersburg capture a downtown in motion, where Central Avenue and 4th Street buzzed with streetcars, storefronts, and visitors exploring the Sunshine City in the 1920s. As St. Pete continued to grow along Florida’s Gulf Coast, intersections like this became gathering places for commerce, connection, and everyday life, helping shape the city for generations to come. More than a snapshot of a busy afternoon, scenes like this reflect the energy and optimism woven into America’s story nearly 250 years later. @America250FL

A beachfront resort, Gulf views, and manatees casually swimming by. Only in Florida. ☀️ 📍JW Marriott Clearwater Beach Resort & Spa | @VisitSPC

A little moment of peace from the Florida coast. 📍Delray Beach | @PalmBeachesFL 📸 IG: @delraydroneshots

In St. Augustine, history is part of the landscape. It lives in the stone streets, the waterfront, and the stories passed down over centuries. America 250: A Portrait of Florida travels to the nation’s oldest city to explore the people, places, and moments that helped shape Florida's and America's history. Watch the full episode at America250FL.com/content. Produced by Visit Florida for the Florida Semiquincentennial Advisory Commission’s America 250 commemorations. @America250FL

Since opening in 1926, the Biltmore Hotel has stood as a symbol of elegance, hospitality, and history in Coral Gables. This past January, the Biltmore celebrated its centennial with an elegant gala reminiscent of the grand opening festivities hosted by George E. Merrick a century earlier, honoring the vision that helped shape one of Florida’s most recognizable destinations. A century later, the Biltmore remains an enduring part of Florida’s story and a landmark woven into America’s history. @America250FL

As America approaches its 250th birthday, Florida’s Capitol is hosting new exhibits and installations that connect visitors to the country’s founding history. Now on display in Tallahassee, this bronze statue of George Washington is on loan from Mount Vernon as part of Florida’s America250 commemoration. Visitors can see the installation inside the Capitol complex alongside exhibits exploring the people, moments, and ideals that shaped the nation’s early history. @America250FL

Pensacola has stories to tell. Some fly overhead. Some are anchored along the coast. America 250: A Portrait of Florida begins here. Episode one explores Pensacola’s naval roots and the hundreds of years of history that shaped our state. Watch the full episode at America250FL.com/content. Produced by Visit Florida for the Florida Semiquincentennial Advisory Commission’s America 250 commemorations.

In celebration of @America250FL, @VISITFLORIDA is bringing Florida history to life through a new docuseries, “America 250: A Portrait of Florida.” The seven-episode series showcases the people, places, and pivotal moments that have shaped Florida and, in turn, the United States. Each episode offers a compelling look at Florida’s enduring influence on the American story and encourages travelers to visit Florida's historical sites and landmarks in celebration of America 250. @America250FL Watch episodes now at America250FL.com/content

Florida honors the men and women who gave their lives in service to the United States. At sites like Veterans Plaza at the Riverfront Esplanade in Bradenton, their service is forever memorialized. We will never forget. Florida is grateful for your courageous sacrifices. @America250FL

The SS American Victory, recently designated as Florida’s Official Flagship, saw service during World War II, Korea, and Vietnam, supporting the movement of troops and critical supplies. Since 1999, the ship has been docked in Tampa and welcomes visitors as a museum and memorial. On Memorial Day, the SS American Victory will open early and welcome visitors all day, with a wreath-laying ceremony at 3 p.m. Additional military honors and commemorative ceremonies will take place throughout the day. Free admission will be extended to veterans and families of fallen service members. 📍 Tampa 🗓 May 25 More: bit.ly/4dY8bsK

Thought Florida was all beaches? At Florida Caverns State Park, you can walk through air-filled limestone caves, weaving past stalactites, stalagmites, and ancient formations shaped over thousands of years. 📍 Florida Caverns State Park | @FLStateParks

In the late 1800s, Silver Springs became one of Florida’s first major tourist attractions, known for its exceptionally clear, artesian waters. For early visitors, this was the view that stayed with them. Glass-bottom boat tours gave visitors a rare look beneath the surface. And they’re still operating today! @America250FL

Over 75 years ago, Fort Pierce was the birthplace of the first Navy Frogmen. 🇺🇸 They trained on these shores during WWII. Today, their legacy lives on at the National Navy UDT-SEAL Museum. 📍@VisitStLucie

Fort Barrancas dates back to the late 1700s, when it was constructed by the Spanish to protect Pensacola Bay. Later used by the United States, the fort played a critical role in coastal defense during key periods of early American history. Today, visitors can fully explore this preserved fort and learn about its strategic importance to Florida’s Gulf Coast. @America250FL

It’s almost the weekend. The emerald waters are shining. Life is good. 📸 @visitpensacola

A different side of Florida. The Ringling in Sarasota is a historic estate and museum complex once home to circus magnate John Ringling. Today, it features art museums, gardens and a courtyard inspired by Florence’s Uffizi Gallery, bringing a touch of Italian Renaissance architecture to Florida’s Gulf Coast. 📍 @TheRingling | @VisitSarasota

Florida has ALWAYS stood for Freedom. In the 1960s, Miami’s Freedom Tower served as a processing center for Cuban arrivals coming to the United States. To this day, it is a symbol of hope and freedom for those who fled Communism. Often referred to as the “Ellis Island of the South,” it stands today as an important testament to American liberty. @America250FL