You Won’t Believe How Many UFO Sightings There Have Been In Florida This Year

Every now and again we'll hear about people spying mysterious objects, but you won't believe how many UFO sightings there have been in Florida this year.

When it comes to aliens and UFO's, I'm honestly not totally sure where I stand. Most of the time, I see the videos and don't see what others see, so either I'm the realist or I just don't see what they're seeing. A friend of mine in Fort Myers is ALL about it. Every day he's telling me about the latest and showing me the videos always saying "this is so wild, right?" Sure, I don't think I can say 100% that alien life doesn't exist, I'm just not sure I can buy into all these sightings. Maybe I just have to see one with my naked eye to really believe it. Well, plenty of people have.

If you want to see a high number of UFO's, it seems heading west is the best idea. Think Area 51. But according to Axios, Florida is a hotspot for UFO sightings as well. In fact, over time there have been over 7,500 in the state with the most sightings in Broward County. But what's really crazy, is that it's only June and the National UFO Reporting Center says in 2024 there have already been 63 in the Sunshine State.

There have been a few here in Southwest Florida including in Cape Coral and Punta Gorda. Other sightings not too far away include those in Bradenton, Osprey, Tampa, Lakewood Ranch, Sarasota and Clewiston. What people are saying they witnessed varies from bright lights to medium-sized ships to cloud formations and blinking lights.

For a full list of UFO sightings around the country, click here

When driving down the road in Cape Coral, Fort Myers, Naples, there doesn’t seem to be a shortage of popular fast food options.  There’s a McDonald’s, Chick-Fil-A, Taco Bell or some other drive-thru fast food stop on pretty much every corner.

I've mentioned before that I am an avid TikTok user. I follow a ton of foodie influencers from other parts of the country and it seems like we might be missing out on some popular fast food joints here in Southwest Florida.

The folks over at TimeOut released their list of the 15 best fast food restaurants in America, and it's confirmed that some of the most popular locations aren't in Southwest Florida or even in Florida or the Southeast Region of the United States, for that matter.

One popular fast food joint, in particular, currently trending on social platforms; In-N-Out. The Flying Dutchman, one of their most popular menu items, is all the rage right now.

I have to admit, I have tried a copy cat version at home and I can't wait to get my hands on the real thing. It's messy, but worth it. On the inside you'll get a two beef patties with two slices of cheese, there is no bun. It's become more popular as of late as people have started using grilled onions as the bun, with a squeeze of pepperoncini to give it a little extra kick.

Unfortunately, the closest location to us here in Fort Myers is in Houston, Texas. So unless you have plans to travel out west, the copy cat version will have to do for now.

In addition to In-N-Out, there are other fast food joints we are definitely missing out on. I've tried a few, but not all.

Let's take a look at some of these popular fast food joints in other parts of the country, that we are missing out on in Southwest Florida.

I think this one goes without saying.  Raising Cane's has gained so much popularity from social media recently, and with huge collaborations, like Post Malone and Barstool Sports.  According to The Raising Cane's website, their concept is simple and unique.  They say they only have ONE LOVE – quality chicken finger meals!

Raising Cane's is inching closer to Fort Myers.  They've got 16 locations in Florida, the closest to us is in Clearwater, FL.

OK!  I have been to Whataburger and it is delicious.  Think drive-thru really late at night when you need something greasy in your belly.  There are 45 locations in Florida, but the closest to us in SWFL is all the way in St. Augustine.

Another chicken joint.  I've stopped at a Bojangles many, many times for breakfast in North Carolina and the country ham biscuit is my go to!!!  Another must try, the Bo-Berry.

Right now, they've got one Florida location located in Clermont, about three hours north of us in SWFL.

I think I went to a Jack In The Box while on vacation in Hawaii like 20 years ago and I don't recall it knockin' my socks off.  But, I do see Jack In The Box getting some love on TikTok, so we might be missing out.  They stay open late with a typical fast food menu of burgers, chicken sandwiches, CURLY FRIES, chicken fingers and shakes.

Like In-N-Out, no Jack In The Box locations in Florida or even close by.  The closest store is in California...whomp, whomp.

Another fast food place I haven't tried, but I can bet I would love.  What's not to love?  It's Mexican fast food, what could go wrong.  As all of the other places I've mentioned, I learned about Del Taco on TikTok, from one of my favorite influencers, SnackQween.

From what I can tell, it's a lot like Taco Bell.  They've got 2 for $3 Mix-N-Match deals and are open late.

There are several Del Taco locations in Florida and the closest isn't that far from SWFL, it's in Bradenton.  There are two locations there, one on 14th Street W and the second on Manatee Ave.  That's a doable drive for sure, especially a great option as you make your way to Tampa or Orlando for summer road trips.