Florida Welcome Center
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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.
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