The Best (and Worst) of Florida, 2009

For Americans that love to travel, but were being squeezed by an ever tightening economy, the word in Florida for 2009 was FREE. While "freebies" might have lured some travelers, otherwise it wasn't a particularly spectacular year for Florida's tourist industry. Still, the only really bad news was the closing of the historic Cypress Gardens. Check out the best new attractions, values, beaches and news of 2009.

| Best (and Worst) of Florida, 2009 |

^{Photo Cypress Gardens © Dawn Henthorn, licensed to About.com}