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History Lives on at Spooky Florida Locations
Florida’s centuries-old history provides a strong connection to interesting places and significant people. As it turns out, some of them linger a bit longer than expected.
Tags: historical_sites, St_Augustine, Ocala, Cedar_Key, Miami, Amelia_Island, Pensacola,
Kissimmee: Theme Parks and Beyond
Connected to Orlando at the hip, Kissimmee gives vacationers all that playtime city has to offer plus the golf courses, cattle ranching heritage, lake tours and hometown friendliness it calls its own.
Tags: Kissimmee, theme_parks, parks, Orlando, boating, historical_sites, downtowns_and_small_towns, resorts, theater,
Spanish Missions in Florida
Among the missions of Apalachee, the Franciscans achieved their greatest success. By the time Bishop Calderón visited the Florida mission field in 1675, the bulk of the missions he visited were in Apalachee.
Tags: St_Augustine, historical_sites, Spanish_Heritage,
Uncovering Historic Cocoa Village
Cocoa Village is a unique delight. There is something for everyone in this historic spot. Located in the restored downtown area of Cocoa Beach, it is 20 minutes away from Kennedy Space Center and less than an hour’s drive from Orlando and its world-renowned theme attractions.
Tags: Cocoa_Beach, Cocoa, historical_sites, Kennedy_Space_Center, history, shopping, art, antiques, dining, culture, theater, Orlando,
Ten Local Loves
Tags: Bradenton, Anna_Maria_Island, Cortez, art_and_culture, culture, historical_sites, dining, beaches, downtowns_and_small_towns, Scenic_Highway, outdoors_and_nature, sports,
Fiestas, Freebies and Fun
Celebrate the founding of Pensacola at the 60th annual Fiesta of Five Flags from June 4-11, when Seville Quarter comes alive with special events.
Tags: Pensacola, Perdido_Key, festival, events, resorts, beaches, fishing, museums, zoos, historical_sites,
Kooky, Spooky St. Augustine
Treasury Street is the narrowest in the country at only seven feet wide, leaving just enough room for two men to carry a chest of gold from docked ships to the Treasury.
Tags: St_Augustine, family, history, historical_sites, historic_districts, art_and_culture, culture,
Take the Overseas Highway to Adventure
With inexpensive entrance fees and lengthy activity rosters at state parks along the Overseas Highway, it's possible to plan an action-packed itinerary of snorkeling, hiking, bird watching, kayaking, camping and fishing and still have cash left over for key lime pie!
Tags: Florida_Keys, Key_Largo, Key_West, Marathon, Big_Pine_Key, parks, snorkeling, birding, hiking, kayaking, camping, fishing, wildlife, Islamorada, historical_sites,
Hop Aboard Alternative Transportation
If you want to see the "Horse Capital of the World" up close and personal, then hop aboard an hour-long horse-drawn trolley or carriage ride.
Tags: history, historical_sites, St_Augustine, Fernandina_Beach, Amelia_Island, Ocala, Key_West, Tampa, Ybor_City, Dade_City, Fort_Lauderdale, Tarpon_Springs, Fort_Myers, Marco_Island, Kissimmee, Orlando, boating, flight, transportation, parks, tours,
Tracing Florida's Spanish Heritage
Situated on a hill overlooking the city, this mission houses a variety of reconstructed buildings from Spain’s 1600s heyday.
Tags: history, historical_sites, culture, Pensacola, Tallahassee, St_Augustine, Key_West, Ybor_City, Orlando,
Cattle, Rustlers, Roundups: Are We in Florida?
Cow hunters are Florida's version of cowboys. Instead of lariats they used whips, and they trained dogs to herd cattle through marshes, hammocks and flatlands.
Tags: historical_sites, history, Lake_Wales,
Talla-history
Back downtown, meet the city's most prominent resident; at 9 feet tall, Herman is hard to miss. A towering mastodon skeleton inside the Museum of Florida History, Herman was found in nearby Wakulla Springs in the 1930s; the mastodon is a tribute to just how far back Tallahassee's storied history stretches.
Tags: Tallahassee, culture, history, historical_sites, museums,
Wild About Marathon
At the Grassy Key Dolphin Research Center, kids have a lot to get excited about, because who can resist a dolphin's smile, let alone a kiss from one of the lovable mammals? Or a chance to play – even paint – with one?
Tags: Key_West, Marathon, dolphins, family, museums, historical_sites, snorkeling, wildlife, outdoors_and_nature,
Be Your Own Indiana Jones
Where there’s history, there’s a treasure trove of stories. Take an Ancient City tour in St. Augustine. Stroll the old streets, climb aboard the trolley tour and stay up late for a ghost tour.
Tags: history, historical_sites,
Everything Old Is New Again
According to longtime club member Chris Kelly, the somewhat kitschy lure of shuffleboard attracts all sorts of people and has been the foundation of many friendships and love affairs.
Tags: St_Petersburg, history, historical_sites, hotels, dining, nightlife, music, shopping,
Funky Florida
There is nothing else like the Miami River Circle in the continental United States. It is America's Stonehenge, the only known ancient structure we have cut into bedrock.
Tags: Miami, Sarasota, Homestead, Fort_Myers, St_Augustine, historical_sites,
Portals to the Past
Some are pyramid shaped and many were ceremonial. While most of the stories and rituals have been lost to time, there is enough left for us to literally step back 1,000 years.
Tags: history, historical_sites, Crystal_River, Tallahassee, Cedar_Key, Englewood, DeLand, Fort_Walton_Beach,
Been There, Haven't Done That!
You've seen the theme parks, the big cities and the major attractions. Now it's time to go off the beaten path. On your next Florida excursion, plan for some extra travel time to visit these offbeat, quirky roadside attractions.
Tags: dining, museums, history, historical_sites, outdoors_and_nature, parks, culture, Apalachicola, Carrabelle, Fort_Walton_Beach, Marianna, Milton, Panama_City_Beach, Pensacola, Santa_Rosa_Beach, water_sports, Cross_Creek, Gainesville, Madison, Suwannee, Tallahassee, White_Springs, Steinhatchee, Amelia_Island, beaches, Flagler_Beach, Jacksonville, Palatka, St_Augustine, Crystal_River, St_Petersburg, Tampa, Tarpon_Springs, Kissimmee, Lake_Placid, Lake_Wales, Lakeland, Winter_Park, Hobe_Sound, Okeechobee, Ponce_Inlet, Sebastian, Stuart, Titusville, kayaking, Vero_Beach, Bradenton, Clewiston, Punta_Gorda, Coral_Gables, Delray_Beach, Fort_Lauderdale, Florida_Keys, Miami, Key_West, Homestead, Palm_Beach, Marathon, been_there_havent_done_that, Monticello, downtowns_and_small_towns, resident,
Springhill Baptist Church in Perry
The "Cypress Logging" panel honors the mostly African American laborers who contributed to the local lumber industry.
Tags: African_American, historical_sites,
Famous Names of Southwest Florida
After a visit to the Edison and Ford Winter Estates in Fort Myers, you may be inspired to go home and tinker with any crumb of an idea.
Tags: Fort_Myers, Naples, Sarasota, Captiva_Island, history, historical_sites,
Pioneer Settlement for the Creative Arts
Throughout the settlement, there are not only pictures that say a thousand words about rural life and folk arts, there are also objects that tell entire tales.
Tags: history, Daytona_Beach, historical_sites, culture,
Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Memorial Park in Lake Worth
One of the largest memorials commemorating the life of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., this park contains numerous plaques and photos honoring Dr. King’s life, family, speeches and the civil rights movement.
Tags: African_American, historical_sites, historic_districts, Lake_Worth, West_Palm_Beach, Delray_Beach, museums,
Florida Keys Home to Many African American Historic Sites
Established by both black and white Bahamians, the congregation of Trinity Presbyterian Church was truly integrated, with no designated seating.
Tags: Florida_Keys, Marathon, Key_West, African_American, historical_sites, historic_districts,
Lincoln Memorial Park in Dade County
Once one of the major centers of entertainment for blacks, this building housing The Lyric Theater is the lone survivor of the “Little Broadway” district that flourished in Overtown for almost 50 years.
Tags: parks, African_American, historical_sites, historic_districts, Miami,
St. Ruth Missionary Baptist Church in Dania
In the early 1950s the northern tip of what is today John U. Lloyd Beach State Park was purchased by the Broward County Commission for use as the “Colored Beach.” Beachgoers took a ferry to reach the beach until a road was built in the 1960s.
Tags: Dania_Beach, African_American, historical_sites, Fort_Lauderdale, museums,
Grover and Pearl Koons House in Sarasota
Payne AME Chapel is a symbol of the focus of black spiritual life.
Tags: African_American, Sarasota, historical_sites, history,
Fort Myers Centennial Park
At Centennial Park, a single black soldier standing before a wall with a gate represents the gateway to freedom from slavery.
Tags: African_American, historical_sites, history, Fort_Myers,
Collier County Museum
Permanent displays at the Collier County Museum trace the history and development of Collier County from prehistoric times to the present and include an exhibit on the role of Black Seminole Indians during the Second Seminole War (1835-1842).
Tags: African_American, Naples, historical_sites, history, museums,
The Blanchard House Museum of African American History and Culture of Charlotte County
Since Russell’s death, the Blanchard House Museum has been operated as an open access, educational institute devoted to the procurement, preservation, study and display of artifacts and materials related to the history, culture and contributions of African Americans in Charlotte County.
Tags: African_American, Punta_Gorda, historical_sites, history,
Fort Pierce Was Home to Zora Neale Hurston
This museum and gallery features the work of Backus as well as that of a number of Highwaymen artists
Tags: African_American, historical_sites, history, art, museums, Fort_Pierce,
The Old Macedonia Colored Church in Gifford
On February 18th, 1907, Murray E. and Sara Braddock Hall, members of early white families, donated land for the Macedonia Colored Baptist Church in Sebastian.
Tags: African_American, historical_sites,
Cocoa's Hilltop Cemetery Established in the 1880s
The Harry T. and Harriette V. Moore Cultural Center is a repository of Moore family artifacts, historical documents, and features a timeline of strategic events of the pre-civil rights era beginning with slavery.
Tags: Titusville, African_American, Merritt_Island, Melbourne, Cocoa, historical_sites, historic_districts,
Dade Battlefield State Park
When slavery was abolished in 1865, the Royal community was founded by former slaves from the old Green Plantation located near the Withlacoochee River.
Tags: African_American, historical_sites, history,
Sanford's Little Red School House
Constructed in 1913, th St. James African Methodist Episcopal Church is the work of African American architect Prince W. Spear.
Tags: African_American, historical_sites, Sanford,
The Brown Home in Bartow
One of four all-black regiments in the regular army at the outbreak of the Spanish American War, the 10th Cavalry camped on the shore of Lake Wire in the spring of 1898 while awaiting transport to Cuba.
Tags: Lakeland, Lake_Wales, African_American, historical_sites, history,
Kissimmee's Bethel African Methodist Episcopal Church
This one-story Masonry Vernacular church was constructed in 1916.
Tags: African_American, Kissimmee, historical_sites,
The Zora Neale Hurston National Museum of Fine Arts in Eatonville
In 1887 Eatonville was the first of the African American formed communities to incorporate with an all black government.
Tags: Eatonville, African_American, historical_sites, historic_districts, history, Orlando, Winter_Park,
West Ocala's Historic District
The only surviving brick 19th century religious structure in Ocala, the present Gothic Revival church stands behind the site of the original white frame building.
Tags: African_American, historical_sites, historic_districts, Ocala, Dunnellon,
The Townsend House in Clermont Serves as a Museum
The Townsend house was moved to its present location, restored and now serves as a museum featuring artifacts and history of early settlers and residents.
Tags: African_American, history, historical_sites, Mount_Dora,
First Missionary Baptist Church in Sebring
Hopewell School was the first public school for African Americans in Avon Park, serving for many years as the center for educational, cultural and social activities.
Tags: , historical_sites, Sebring,
Pinellas County African American History Museum
The Sulphur Springs Depot is a 1924 wood-frame railroad depot typical of rural stations in the south that required separate facilities for white and “colored” passengers during segregation.
Tags: St_Petersburg, Tarpon_Springs, African_American, historical_sites, history,
The Mount Zion African Methodist Episcopal Church of Dade City
Mount Zion African Methodist Episcopal Church's present building, dedicated in 1920, was the first Protestant church of masonry construction in Pasco County.
Tags: African_American, historical_sites, Dade_City,
The St. Paul African Methodist Episcopal Church in Plant City
With its large sanctuary, balcony and basement, the St. Paul African Methodist Episcopal Church was the site of numerous civil rights meetings in the 1950s and 1960s.
Tags: African_American, historical_sites, history,
Brooksville's Bethlehem Progressive Baptist Church
According to oral histories, Frank Saxton, a white man, built this church in 1861 for his former slaves
Tags: African_American, historical_sites, history,
St. Mary's Missionary Baptist Church in St. Augustine
At St. Mary's Missionary Baptist Church, on June 9, 1964, Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., told 500 supporters that he would participate in a sit-in at a motel restaurant the next day, anticipating correctly that he would be jailed.
Tags: St_Augustine, African_American, parks, historical_sites, history,
Palatka's Bethel African Methodist Episcopal Church
Established in 1892, Central Academy became the first accredited Negro high school in Florida in 1924.
Tags: African_American, historical_sites, Palatka,
The Williams House of Fernandina Beach
Though Jefferson Davis stayed at this 1859 Antebellum mansion when he was president of the Confederacy, it later became part of the Underground Railroad for runaway slaves. The secret room used for that purpose is still in existence.
Tags: Amelia_Island, African_American, historical_sites,
Kingsley Plantation Historic Site in Jacksonville
Visitors at the Kingsley Plantation can explore the plantation house, remains of 23 tabby construction slave quarters, a barn, waterfront, kitchen house and interpretive garden.
Tags: African_American, history, historical_sites, Jacksonville,
Joseph Green House in Orange Park
Completed in 1938, Orange Park Negro Elementary School represents one of the few buildings constructed by the school board in the 1930s.
Tags: African_American, historical_sites,
Olustee's Battlefield State Park
This site commemorates the February 20, 1864, Battle of Ocean Pond.
Tags: African_American, parks, historical_sites, history,
Old Shadeville High School Marker in Crawfordville
A monument was placed at the site of the former school in 1992 by Shadeville High School Alumni.
Tags: African_American, historical_sites,
Greenville is Home to Ray Charles Memorial Statue
“This monument is dedicated to the former slaves of Madison County, their supporters and the unsung heroes who gave their prayers, blood, sweat and tears to help make our community what it is today.”
Tags: Madison, historical_sites, African_American,
Tallahassee's Diverse Historical Sites
The Integration Statue recognizes three of the first African American students to enroll and graduate from Florida State University in the 1960s.
Tags: Tallahassee, African_American, history, historical_sites, museums,
The Elizabeth School in Monticello
In 1936, African American students in grades one through twelve consolidated in this public school building from the Masonic Lodge, Bethel AME Church and Miss Lenora Mills’ store.
Tags: African_American, historical_sites, Monticello,
Jasper's Post Office Features 1942 Murals
The Jasper Post Office was built with Works Progress Administration (WPA) funds in the 1930s. Pietro Lazzari’s 1942 tempura murals depict workers managing cotton, tobacco and turpentine crops.
Tags: African_American, historical_sites, White_Springs,
The Good Shepherd Lodge of Quincy
The Stevens School was built for all grades in the 1920s Foundation. Dr. William Spencer Stevens became the first African American to open a medical practice in Quincy.
Tags: African_American, historical_sites, Quincy,
Trinity United Methodist Church of Lake City
Gothic architectural style and stained glass windows distinguish the Trinity United Methodist Church as a historic landmark in Lake City.
Tags: African_American, historical_sites,
Gainesville's Institute of Black Culture
The Dunbar Hotel was the only African American hotel in Gainesville in the early 20th century. The Dunbar family welcomed touring musicians, educators, businessmen and their families.
Tags: African_American, Gainesville, museums, historical_sites,
Washington County's Historic Church and School Buildings
Moss Hill United Methodist Church is one of the nation’s best examples of frontier church architecture.
Tags: African_American, historical_sites,
Defuniak Springs' Tivoli School Building
Tivoli School opened in 1912 to serve black students in elementary and junior high grades.
Tags: African_American, DeFuniak_Springs, historical_sites,
Santa Rosa County's Historic Churches
The Mount Pilgrim African Baptist Church is an excellent example of Gothic Revival architecture designed by Wallace A. Rayfield, a leading African American architect in the South during the early 20th century.
Tags: African_American, historical_sites, Milton,
Greenwood's Renaissance Park Offers Annual Community Festival
Each year in September and December, a community festival takes place as African American tradition bearers demonstrate folk life traditions of pig picking, hog dressing, sausage making and soap making.
Tags: African_American, festival, historical_sites, Marianna,
George Washington High School in Port St. Joe
George Washington High School began in a wooden building located near Main Street and Avenue G around 1940.
Tags: Port_St_Joe, historical_sites, history, African_American,
Fort Gadsden in Apalachicola National Forest
Fort Gadsden and the remains of the Negro Fort are found in the wilderness of the Apalachicola National Forest.
Tags: history, historical_sites, Apalachicola, African_American,
Historic African American Sites in Pensacola
Built in 1895, the historic Kate Coulson house is now home of the African American Heritage Society’s resource center.
Tags: history, historical_sites, African_American, Pensacola,
The Rosenwald School of Panama City
The original Rosenwald School building, which served black students during segregation, still remains on its original site.
Tags: history, historical_sites, Panama_City, African_American,
A Vintage Cape Canaveral Tour
The Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex pays tribute to circa-1960s space culture, especially in its collection of rare memorabilia at the U.S. Astronaut Hall of Fame.
Tags: Cocoa_Beach, Titusville, Kennedy_Space_Center, historical_sites, history, sightseeing,
Fun Under Five Bucks
Whether you want to sightsee, brush up on some history or just relax on a white-sand beach, Florida offers a wide variety of activities from which to choose that are all under $5.
Tags: outdoors_and_nature, family, history, historical_sites, historic_districts, art, culture, tours, Scenic_Highway, sightseeing, value,
Pensacola's Underwater Treasures
Divers went down. Target 2 turned out to be a ship that carried bricks and probably dates from just before the Civil War. Target 17 turned out to be the mother lode, the X on the treasure map, the find of the century.
Tags: history, museums, historical_sites, diving, Pensacola,
The Spirit of Luxury at the Belleview Biltmore
Ten French doors led into a large enclosure housing the art-deco tiled indoor pool, complete with elegant columns, potted palms and lounge chairs. There was also a fully equipped exercise room and full service salon on-site.
Tags: Clearwater, resorts, luxury, history, historical_sites, tours,
Finding the Real Florida
Long before Pilgrims got their feet wet arriving at Plymouth Rock, Florida had a Spanish city named St. Augustine, complete with settlers, soldiers and plenty of parties on payday.
Tags: history, historical_sites, St_Augustine, Jacksonville, Tallahassee, Everglades_National_Park, resident,
Historical Hotspots in Florida's Capital
Each January, 150 varieties of camellias burst into full bloom and the Maclay House, a historic hunting lodge turned winter residence turned museum, opens for tours (through April). It's a sure sign that spring has sprung in Tallahassee.
Tags: Tallahassee, history, historical_sites, museums, gardens,
Florida's Grand Dames
The 1920s ushered in the golden years. Stocks were high, dresses were short and Florida grew some of its most regal hotels.
Tags: hotels, resorts, history, historical_sites, Mount_Dora, St_Augustine, Clearwater, Palm_Beach, Apalachicola, Sebring, Key_West, Lakeland, Jacksonville, Tampa, Coral_Gables, Delray_Beach, Boca_Raton, Clewiston, St_Pete_Beach,
Following the Seminole Trail
Why not take my family on a driving tour of all the Seminole historic sites in Florida? What better way to learn about our state than to combine a history lesson with a family vacation?
Tags: history, historical_sites, culture, Inverness, Islamorada, Clewiston, Native_American,
Art All Around Us
One of the oldest Colonial buildings in St. Augustine, the Prince Murat House, is named for Prince Achille Murat (Napoleon Bonaparte’s nephew) and contains antiques that have some historical connections to the Murat family.
Tags: architecture, Miami, tours, historical_sites, Pensacola, Seaside, Lakeland, Sarasota, Palm_Beach, Boca_Raton, Winter_Park, St_Augustine, canoeing, kayaking,
Daytona Luxe
Iron security gates guard the restored home and its regally appointed guest accommodations (think cedar-lined closets, antique furnishings and gold-plated bathroom fixtures), all within walking distance of the beach.
Tags: historical_sites, Daytona_Beach, luxury, art, shopping, history, bed_and_breakfasts, spas, culture, lighthouses, beaches, museums,
Where the Posh Play
Get a sense of Palm Beach’s wealth simply by driving along the island’s avenues, trying to guess which fortress wall or towering, maniacally manicured hedge conceals which celebrity home.
Tags: luxury, shopping, museums, Palm_Beach, hotels, historical_sites, art, driving_tours,
Shipwrecked
I’m talking Florida shipwrecks, where crystalline waters harbor wrecks teeming with marine life, and the history books have plenty of colorful stories to tell.
Tags: snorkeling, Florida_Keys, Key_West, Key_Largo, Daytona_Beach, Palm_Beach, Pensacola, boating, historical_sites, history, diving,
Life in the Slow Lane
At the nearby Yearling Restaurant, I got acquainted with some cheese grits, super-sized hush puppies and tender morsels of batter-fried ’gator tail. Clever displays of memorabilia and the house musician, veteran bluesman Willie Green, make this rustic roadhouse an irresistible diversion.
Tags: historical_sites, Micanopy, shopping, antiques, bed_and_breakfasts, High_Springs, Cross_Creek, dining,
Country Roads
As I settle into the drive, the road twists and turns for no apparent reason. Life here is slower, unpretentious and unstructured. Indeed, if you rush, you’ll find the curves more treacherous, the road bumps louder.
Tags: Winter_Haven, museums, theme_parks, historical_sites,
Pow Wow
The attending tribes form distinct drum sections, pounding out rhythms that are at times furious, at times languid, but always steady.
Tags: culture, music, museums, history, historical_sites, Clewiston, Native_American,
On The Road to Bohemia
I watched Little Miss Sunshine over a beer, a made-from scratch veggie burger and fresh-cut rosemary and parmesan fries (prepared on order in the theater’s kitchen) – delicious.
Tags: Orlando, theater, historical_sites, Winter_Park,
A Storied Journey
In Sebring, the scenic highway winds through the center of town and around Circle Park, decorated with trimmed oak and magnolia trees, flowerbeds and stylish streetlights.
Tags: Arcadia, Sebring, historical_sites, outdoors_and_nature, driving_tours, antiques,
Off the Beaten Path
In the 1800s, Florida was an open range with no fences, so the great herds of cattle - some with as many as 50,000 head - roamed freely.
Tags: Kissimmee, Ocala, Tampa, history, historical_sites, parks, Homosassa,
Pensacola's Family Attractions
How often, after all, do you run into a pair of turkeys on the sidewalk? These full-feathered creatures seem to get a kick out of "gobbling" for giggling children.
Tags: Pensacola, zoos, family, museums, historic_districts, flight, historical_sites, art, piers,
Coastal Guardians
Visitors come for the beach, for the pier, for charter boats, a casino cruise, for the waterfront restaurants and to walk the town's canopied lanes, escapist as ever.
Tags: Apalachicola, Cape_Canaveral, Jupiter, Key_Largo, Key_West, Marathon, Miami, Ponce_Inlet, history, historical_sites, lighthouses, beaches,
Insider Tips to Florida's Beaches
And lest we forget, it's beautiful! It continually makes several of America's Top 10 lists of best beaches based on sand, water quality and facilities.
Tags: Amelia_Island, Beaches_of_South_Walton, Grayton_Beach, Key_West, Naples, Palm_Beach, Sarasota, Sebastian, South_Beach, Venice, Vero_Beach, beaches, shelling, water_sports, snorkeling, romance, historical_sites, family, wildlife, surfing, sunsets, New_Smyrna_Beach, Daytona_Beach, St_Pete_Beach, birding, Ponte_Vedra_Beach, equestrian, Sanibel_Island, Hollywood,
Tracing Florida's Native American History
De Soto's army left no monuments or headstones to mark their passing. But the De Soto National Memorial, located where the conquistador is believed to have come ashore, captures this moment in history that would ultimately shape the great European nation's role in "La Florida."
Tags: Bradenton, Charlotte_Harbor, Crystal_River, Estero, Tampa, history, historical_sites, museums, culture,
Biking the West Coast
Henry Ford, the man behind the Model T, visited Edison's Fort Myers home in 1915 and liked the area so much, he returned the following year to purchase his own home.
Tags: Bradenton, Cedar_Key, Fort_Myers, Longboat_Key, Naples, Sarasota, Tampa, Venice, motorcycling, historical_sites, museums,
Biking Daytona and Beyond
St. Augustine's Colonial Spanish Quarter is a pedestrian maze of shops, eateries and attractions such as the Oldest Wooden Schoolhouse in America.
Tags: Daytona_Beach, Flagler_Beach, New_Smyrna_Beach, Ocala, Orlando, Palatka, Winter_Park, St_Augustine, museums, parks, beaches, Ormond_Beach, motorcycling, historical_sites, Ponce_Inlet, lighthouses,
Step Back in Time at Kingsley Plantation
Now, nearly 200 years later, the two-story plantation house is still standing, facing the banks of the Fort George River, which flows into the Atlantic one mile away.
Tags: Jacksonville, history, historical_sites,
A-Foot in St. Augustine
Don't miss the Oldest Wooden Schoolhouse and the Colonial Spanish Quarter, a living museum comprising several historic buildings and re-enactors demonstrating life during St. Augustine's early Spanish years.
Tags: St_Augustine, historical_sites, parks, historic_districts, walking_tours, museums, hotels, downtowns_and_small_towns,
A-Foot in Key West
Even the Southernmost Point in the U.S.A. and the island's beaches are within a half-hour's walk from Mallory Square.
Tags: Key_West, walking_tours, hotels, bed_and_breakfasts, historical_sites,
Ponce, Francis and Henry
Three decades of Spanish and British rule had made their mark on St. Augustine.
Tags: history, historical_sites, St_Augustine, tours, museums, hotels,
The Secrets of Fort Mose
Mostly comprised of former slaves from the Carolinas, Fort Mose was home to nearly 100 free blacks when it was founded more than 260 years ago.
Tags: St_Augustine, parks, , history, historical_sites,
B&B Beautiful
The Colonial Revival home is so stunning that passing cars slow down to see it. And though it's three blocks from busy Main Street, we heard nothing but songbirds during our stay.
Tags: Bartow, Lake_Wales, Lakeland, Orlando, Tampa, bed_and_breakfasts, parks, hotels, museums, historical_sites, romance, weddings,
Estuary Adventures in Tampa Bay
The island, a major seabird nesting area with plenty of human history as well, can be reached with an hour of hard paddling.
Tags: Egmont_Key, Tampa, wildlife, fishing, canoeing, historical_sites, parks, kayaking, hiking, St_Petersburg, outdoors_and_nature,
West Palm Beach, Delray Beach and Fort Lauderdale
Delray Beach, a Village by the Sea, has transformed itself over the past century into one of South Florida's most vibrant communities and resort areas.
Tags: Delray_Beach, Fort_Lauderdale, Okeechobee, Palm_Beach, West_Palm_Beach, music, art, museums, culture, shopping, historical_sites, diving,
Lakeland, Lake Wales and Lake Placid
Spook Hill is a mysterious experience for all visitors as their vehicle appears to roll uphill backward from a neutral position!
Tags: Lake_Placid, Lake_Wales, Lakeland, museums, outdoors_and_nature, historical_sites,
Winter Park, Mount Dora and DeLand
In typical New England fashion, the opulent residences of Winter Park are often secluded and hidden from public view. However, a scenic boat tour offers views of various mansions from the lakes and canals of the gracious and historic city of Winter Park.
Tags: DeLand, Mount_Dora, Orlando, Winter_Park, shopping, antiques, museums, art, parks, historic_districts, historical_sites,
The Florida Black Heritage Trail
As America's primary contact with Mahatma Gandhi for many years, Dr. Thurman preached about racial equality through non-violent change even before Martin Luther King, Jr.
Tags: Daytona_Beach, DeLand, Eatonville, Jacksonville, New_Smyrna_Beach, museums, history, art, trails, driving_tours, culture, historical_sites, Fort_Pierce,
Jacksonville, St. Augustine and Fernandina Beach
The 52-block historic district is comprised of more than 450 beautiful homes, churches, public buildings and commercial structures listed on the National Register of Historic Places.
Tags: Amelia_Island, Fernandina_Beach, Jacksonville, history, museums, historical_sites, historic_districts, driving_tours,
Trail of Florida's Indian Heritage
Our archaeological heritage is a legacy that we are privileged to experience and obligated to protect. It is a link to people and cultures that are mostly extinct, as well as to the vibrant native cultures of the present.
Tags: Bradenton, Brooksville, Clewiston, Crystal_River, Gainesville, Sarasota, Tampa, Weeki_Wachee, tours, St_Petersburg, museums, history, historical_sites, driving_tours, Native_American, resident,
Beaches and Bastions
Sand blew in ghostly gray sheets evoking coastal struggles first waged by Spain's defenders almost 450 years ago. For all of a day, everything felt hunkered down before bursting again into sunny renewal.
Tags: Ponte_Vedra_Beach, historical_sites, museums, parks, St_Augustine,
Uncovering the Ancient and Avant-Garde in Bradenton
At Emerson Point Park, whispers and shadows of a 1,400-year-old Native American village hide amidst 195 acres of mangrove swamps and salt marshes.
Tags: Anna_Maria_Island, Bradenton, Bradenton_Beach, Cortez, beaches, art, museums, parks, fishing, historical_sites, historic_districts, antiques,
Backyards and Attics
Here history fleshes out as costumed demonstrators involve kids in colonial cooking, candle making, blacksmithing, wool spinning and the likes.
Tags: St_Augustine, parks, lighthouses, historical_sites, museums, zoos, tours, fishing, family, historic_districts, water_sports,
Fort Myers and Beyond
Thomas Edison discovered Fort Myers as a cure for what ailed him, built a winter home and set up shop. He planted a garden full of exotics, including a banyan tree that has now reached 450 feet in diameter.
Tags: Estero, Fort_Myers, Fort_Myers_Beach, Sanibel_Island, Everglades_National_Park, driving_tours, historical_sites, parks, theater, Tours_on_a_Tankful,
Fort Lauderdale and West Palm Beach
Highway 98 east from West Palm Beach takes you to Lion Country Safari in Loxahatchee, where you drive past lions, giraffes, zebras, elephants and more in your own vehicle.
Tags: Boca_Raton, Boynton_Beach, Fort_Lauderdale, Palm_Beach, West_Palm_Beach, driving_tours, history, historical_sites, wildlife, museums, Tours_on_a_Tankful,
Pensacola and Beyond
Paradise found – that's what many visitors think the first time they walk barefoot in the squeaky sugar sand next to the tourmaline-green water of the Gulf.
Tags: Gulf_Breeze, Pensacola, historical_sites, driving_tours, Tours_on_a_Tankful, flight,
Tallahassee and Beyond
Ride along any one of Tallahassee's five official canopy roads, so designated because of their scenic, cultural, historical and archaeological character. These roads are actually dappled, green tunnels formed by massive live oak limbs overhanging the highway.
Tags: Tallahassee, historical_sites, driving_tours, museums, Tours_on_a_Tankful,
Amelia Island and St. Augustine
Today, the Fort is a living history museum, complete with costumed re-enactors who offer up tidbits about life in the fort and "complain" loudly about living conditions, the weather, food and paychecks. Candlelight tours of the fort are given during the summer on Friday and Saturday nights.
Tags: Amelia_Island, Atlantic_Beach, Flagler_Beach, Jacksonville, Palm_Coast, parks, museums, history, historical_sites, outdoors_and_nature, St_Augustine, driving_tours, Tours_on_a_Tankful,
Gainesville and Fort White
For an in-depth study of the preserve, hike, bike or ride a horse on the extensive trails traversing the park - you're likely to happen upon the herd of bison or wild horses that roam free.
Tags: Gainesville, Micanopy, outdoors_and_nature, history, historical_sites, parks, museums, hiking, driving_tours, Tours_on_a_Tankful,
Uncovering the Secret of Apalachicola
A fellow who moved from the San Francisco Bay area said that after a week in Apalachicola, he knew more people than he knew where he'd come from.
Tags: Apalachicola, historical_sites, bed_and_breakfasts, dining,
Florida's Archaeology
Many of Florida's archaeological sites research and preserve remnants of prehistoric cultures, and this one dates back furthest to 200 B.C.
Tags: Crystal_River, Estero, Panama_City_Beach, Pompano_Beach, Tallahassee, St_Augustine, history, historical_sites, St_Petersburg, Fort_Pierce, Native_American,
Must-Sees for Cuban History and Culture
Ybor City grew up around the cigar industry as a Latin district of Cubans and other nationalities. Cigars and Cuban food still figure importantly into this colorful historic area.
Tags: Daytona_Beach, Key_West, Miami, Tampa, Ybor_City, history, culture, St_Augustine, historical_sites, festival, art_and_culture,
Must-Sees for African-American History and Culture
Here Martin Luther King stayed while supporting local civil rights movements. It was also home to the man who taught Ray Charles, a student at the local school for the deaf and blind, to read music in Braille.
Tags: Amelia_Island, Daytona_Beach, Eatonville, Fort_Lauderdale, Jacksonville, Key_West, Miami, Orlando, Pensacola, Tallahassee, historical_sites, history, historic_districts, art, culture,
Must-Sees for Native American History and Culture
Crystal River Archaeological State Park served as a vital religious and political center for regional tribes from 200 B.C. to 1400 A.D.
Tags: Crystal_River, Estero, Fort_Lauderdale, Miami, Okeechobee, Tallahassee, Tampa, museums, historical_sites, art, parks, culture, art_and_culture, Native_American, downtowns_and_small_towns,
Chalet Suzanne
The inn soon became a favorite haunt of celebrities and royalty. And for three generations since, the family-run Chalet Suzanne has maintained its reputation for exceptional hospitality and four-star cuisine.
Tags: Lake_Wales, historical_sites, hotels, romance, dining,
Best Beaches For...
The grains are so fine, so white that you'll feel you are on packed sugar.
Tags: Amelia_Island, Beaches_of_South_Walton, Daytona_Beach, Estero, Fort_Lauderdale, Hollywood, Key_West, Melbourne, Naples, New_Smyrna_Beach, Palm_Beach, Pensacola, Ponte_Vedra_Beach, Sanibel_Island, Sarasota, Sebastian, South_Beach, St_Pete_Beach, Venice, Vero_Beach, parks, shelling, snorkeling, romance, historical_sites, water_sports, beaches,
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Lauren Tjaden
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Tim McDonald
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Terry Tomalin
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Hilda Mitrani
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Kevin Mims
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Terry Ward
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