Florida Welcome Centers
Encyclopedia
A Florida Welcome Center is a "tourist information house", generally located at the Florida
state line. These centers provide incoming visitors with a variety of information on travel, highways, sports, climate, accommodations, cities, outdoor recreation, and attractions. Every visitor is treated to a free cup of Florida citrus juice. Over the years, the nearly 90 million visitors have collected more than 350 million maps and brochures.
The Florida Welcome Centers are operated by VISIT FLORIDA
, the official tourism promotion corporation for the State of Florida. There are five official welcome centers. From West to East, they are I-10
(Pensacola
), US 231 (Campbellton
), Capitol
(Tallahassee), I-75 (Jennings
), and I-95
(Yulee
).
Florida was one of the first states to establish highway Welcome Centers. The first center opened in November 1949. It was located on US Highway 17 near Yulee. It was such a success that centers followed on U.S. 1
(near Hilliard
), U.S. Highway 41 (near Jasper
), U.S. Highway 231 (north of Marianna
), U.S. Highway 90 (west of Pensacola), and Tallahassee.
Florida also has a marine welcome center for yachts and boats entering the state. Located in Fernandina Beach, Florida
on the Intracoastal Waterway, the Welcome Center was recently re-opened and begins service to visiting vessels entering Florida waters beginning November 1, 2009. The Welcome Center is at the City Marina, located at the foot of Centre Street in historic Fernandina Beach. The marina has 30 and 50A electrical service, fuel dock and all facilities for visiting boaters.
Florida
Florida is a state in the southeastern United States, located on the nation's Atlantic and Gulf coasts. It is bordered to the west by the Gulf of Mexico, to the north by Alabama and Georgia and to the east by the Atlantic Ocean. With a population of 18,801,310 as measured by the 2010 census, it...
state line. These centers provide incoming visitors with a variety of information on travel, highways, sports, climate, accommodations, cities, outdoor recreation, and attractions. Every visitor is treated to a free cup of Florida citrus juice. Over the years, the nearly 90 million visitors have collected more than 350 million maps and brochures.
The Florida Welcome Centers are operated by VISIT FLORIDA
VISIT FLORIDA
VISIT FLORIDA is the DBA name for the Florida Tourism Industry Marketing Corporation , the business arm of the Florida Commission on Tourism....
, the official tourism promotion corporation for the State of Florida. There are five official welcome centers. From West to East, they are I-10
Interstate 10 in Florida
The of Interstate 10 in Florida is the eastern most section of the east–west Interstate 10 in the Southern United States. It is also the eastern end of the Interstate Highway known as the Christopher Columbus Transcontinental Highway, one of three coast to coast interstates, along with I-80...
(Pensacola
Pensacola, Florida
Pensacola is the westernmost city in the Florida Panhandle and the county seat of Escambia County, Florida, United States of America. As of the 2000 census, the city had a total population of 56,255 and as of 2009, the estimated population was 53,752...
), US 231 (Campbellton
Campbellton, Florida
Campbellton is a town in Jackson County, Florida, United States. The population was 212 at the 2000 census.-Geography:Campbellton is located at .According to the United States Census Bureau, the town has a total area of...
), Capitol
Florida State Capitol
The Florida State Capitol, in Tallahassee, Florida, USA, is the state capitol of the U.S. state of Florida. The building is an architecturally and historically significant building, having been listed on the National Register of Historic Places....
(Tallahassee), I-75 (Jennings
Jennings, Florida
Jennings is a town in Hamilton County, Florida, United States. The population was 833 at the 2000 census. As of 2004, the population recorded by the U.S...
), and I-95
Interstate 95 in Florida
Interstate 95 is the main Interstate Highway on the east coast of the United States; it serves the Atlantic coast of Florida. It begins at a partial interchange with U.S. Highway 1 just south of downtown Miami, and heads north past Daytona Beach and Jacksonville to the Georgia state line at the St...
(Yulee
Yulee, Florida
Yulee is a census-designated place in Nassau County, Florida, United States. The population was 8,392 at the 2000 census. The city was named for David Levy Yulee, Senator from Florida.-Geography:Yulee is located at ....
).
Florida was one of the first states to establish highway Welcome Centers. The first center opened in November 1949. It was located on US Highway 17 near Yulee. It was such a success that centers followed on U.S. 1
U.S. Route 1 in Florida
U.S. Route 1 in Florida runs along the state's east coast from Key West to its crossing of the St. Marys River into Georgia north of Boulogne, and south of Folkston. US 1 was designated through Florida when the U.S. Highway System was established in 1926.US 1 runs in the state of Florida, and...
(near Hilliard
Hilliard, Florida
Hilliard is a town in Nassau County, Florida, United States. The population was 2,702 at the 2000 census. As of 2004, the population recorded by the United States Census Bureau is 2,840...
), U.S. Highway 41 (near Jasper
Jasper, Florida
Jasper is a city in Hamilton County, Florida, United States. The population was 1,780 at the 2000 census. As of 2004, the population estimated by the U.S. Census Bureau is 1,848 . It is the county seat of Hamilton County. The United Methodist Church in Jasper, Florida is on the National Register...
), U.S. Highway 231 (north of Marianna
Marianna, Florida
Marianna is a city in Jackson County, Florida, United States. The population was 6,230 at the 2000 census. As of 2004, the population estimated by the U.S. Census Bureau is 6,200 . It is the county seat of Jackson County and is home to Chipola College...
), U.S. Highway 90 (west of Pensacola), and Tallahassee.
Florida also has a marine welcome center for yachts and boats entering the state. Located in Fernandina Beach, Florida
Fernandina Beach, Florida
Fernandina Beach is a city in Nassau County in the state of Florida in the United States of America and on Amelia Island. It is a part of Greater Jacksonville and is among Florida's northernmost cities. The area was first inhabited by the Timucuan Indian tribe...
on the Intracoastal Waterway, the Welcome Center was recently re-opened and begins service to visiting vessels entering Florida waters beginning November 1, 2009. The Welcome Center is at the City Marina, located at the foot of Centre Street in historic Fernandina Beach. The marina has 30 and 50A electrical service, fuel dock and all facilities for visiting boaters.