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Magic at Sunrise
“It was like being in a dream,” he said, his eyes misting. “And it turned out to be a more beautiful, peaceful dream than I could have imagined. I’ll never forget it.”
Tags: flight, Orlando, museums, Pensacola,
Not Just Gators Country
A 40-year-old annual tradition, the Spring Arts Festival sets the stage for an amazing weekend of dance performances, concerts and, of course, the opportunity to purchase one-of-a-kind art pieces.
Tags: Gainesville, art_and_culture, museums, theater, festival, art, history,
The Wright Stuff
Erected in the midst of orange groves, the Wright-designed Florida Southern College campus reflects obvious influences from its natural environment, with structures ranging from traditional chapel, low-level buildings to a breathtaking water dome.
Tags: architecture, Lakeland, art_and_culture, culture, museums, history,
Tropical Island Getaway
Pristine and remote, the islands inspire romance, naturally sparked by the setting sun.
Tags: beaches, Sanibel_Island, shelling, Fort_Myers_Beach, Captiva_Island, wildlife, fishing, shopping, festival, history, museums,
Many-Splendored Southwest Florida
SunStream Hotels & Resorts' properties offer accommodations that reflect Southwest Florida's laid-back, understated elegance.
Tags: Naples, Fort_Myers, Fort_Myers_Beach, art_and_culture, fishing, museums, shopping, hotels, resorts,
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,
Ten-Mile Marathon
Marathon is the "Family Fun and Boating Destination" of the Florida Keys. And it certainly lives up to this title, with outstanding boating, fishing, swimming, snorkeling, shopping, dining and unique sites you won’t find anywhere else.
Tags: Florida_Keys, Marathon, dining, beaches, museums, wildlife, resorts, festival,
Tallahassee: Capital of Culture
At the Mary Brogan Museum of Art and Science, kids can hoist themselves up a pulley, brave the winds in a hurricane simulator or try their hand at lots of mind games.
Tags: Tallahassee, museums, history, culture, tours, African_American, dining,
Frisbees to Fossils
At the well-known Sandbar Restaurant, diners can dig their toes into the sand while lunching on buffalo burgers or wasabi-encrusted salmon. Locals and visitors have been coming to this site since 1913.
Tags: Bradenton, beaches, Anna_Maria_Island, Bradenton_Beach, Cortez, museums, dining,
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,
Big Cypress Adventure
The Ah-Tah-Thi-Ki Museum, which in the language of the Seminoles means "a place to learn," shows through exciting exhibits, rare artifacts and cultural displays how these early Floridians once live and flourished in the Everglades.
Tags: wildlife, Everglades_National_Park, museums, Native_American,
An Eventful New Year
The surfing contest will feature a crowd favorite called the Red Bull Tow-At. Surfers will compete to see who can catch the biggest air as they are towed into waves by a Sea-Doo Personal Watercraft at speeds of up to 20 mph.
Tags: museums, surfing, parks, art, Melbourne, festival, wildlife, Titusville,
Zookeeper for a Day
Home to 75 different species of rare and exotic animals including the Matschie's tree kangaroo of New Guinea, the small-clawed otter of Asia and the South American ocelot, the Santa Fe College Teaching Zoo has a little something for everyone.
Tags: zoos, Gainesville, wildlife, museums, parks,
Upscale Arts in Naples
If escaping to the Paradise Coast is high on your list of priorities, Naples can provide an enriching experience in the arts set in a lively, sophisticated city.
Tags: Naples, art_and_culture, shopping, art, culture, theater, museums, antiques,
Getaway to Gainesville
Be sure to stop by the Butterfly Rainforest, a living exhibit that supports hundreds of vibrant, free-flying butterflies. Stroll down the winding path past waterfalls and lush plants and trees in the four-story screened vivarium for a one-of-a-kind experience.
Tags: Gainesville, museums, art, culture, festival, sports, theater,
There Is a Season
You don't have to ride a "hawg" to appreciate the action and machines that stream through the area for four days annually during Biketoberfest, this year Oct. 16-19. As the festival planners like to say, "there's a little biker in all of us," so let out your inner biker as you party to live music all around town.
Tags: beaches, Daytona_Beach, motorcycling, art, culture, festival, Ponce_Inlet, 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,
Jacksonville on the Rise
In recent decades, there has been a push to make the city and its St. Johns riverfront as attractive to visitors as it is to business. It’s working.
Tags: Jacksonville, museums, zoos,
Heart of Florida: Scenic Trail of Arts and Culture
The Heart of Florida Scenic Trail is an 'inside track' kind of guide to the literary sites, art galleries, botanical gardens, state parks, theaters, music venues, dance companies, antiques shopping, historical regions and museums that embroider north Florida’s rich fabric.
Tags: art, culture, Gainesville, Cross_Creek, Ocala, Micanopy, museums,
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,
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,
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,
The Family Heritage House Museum in Bradenton
The Family Heritage House Museum holds an extensive black history library of books, newspaper clippings, magazines, photographs and audio cassettes.
Tags: Bradenton, museums, African_American,
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,
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,
Where the Gardens Grow
With two loggias on each side, a central fountain and majestic majul palms, the Central Garden is a tempting place to take a cool break with a box lunch during the day.
Tags: gardens, museums, Coral_Gables, Palm_Beach, Sarasota, Daytona_Beach, Winter_Park,
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,
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,
Cultural Currents
Known for its award-winning beaches, the St. Petersburg/Clearwater area's cultural happenings are making waves of their own this summer.
Tags: St_Petersburg, Clearwater, museums, culture,
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,
Run Away to the Circus in Sarasota
Whether you plan a visit around the Circus Sarasota schedule, try your own skills as a trapeze artist or visit the Circus Museums, you’ll be happy you didn’t just spend the day at the beach.
Tags: family, Sarasota, theater, museums,
Florida's Shoreline Treasures
If you’ve got gold fever in your heart – and so many of those with an adventurous heart do! – plan on spending an extra day or two on your next vacation looking for real Spanish treasure.
Tags: Vero_Beach, beaches, Sebastian, Melbourne, museums, Fort_Pierce,
Apalachicola on the River
This town is like a chilled oyster with cocktail sauce and pinch of horseradish. You have to try it at least once.
Tags: Apalachicola, dining, hotels, museums,
Museum Memberships in Florida
An individual membership earns you unlimited admission, discounts at both the museum and online stores and admittance to advance viewings.
Tags: art, museums, Delray_Beach, Gainesville, St_Petersburg, South_Beach,
The Morikami Museum and Japanese Gardens
Zigzagging bridges over the lake slow you down so you can watch snapping turtles poke their heads above water; pine trees, apropos of longevity, are placed to both hide and reveal the next intimate moment with nature.
Tags: Delray_Beach, museums, gardens, art, culture, history, been_there_havent_done_that,
In Search of the Circus
Memories come flooding back when I see famed Ringling clown Lou Jacobs’ tiny car, hobo clown Emmett Kelley’s props, Harold Ronk’s ringmaster costume, the Zacchini cannon and the Wallenda high-wire platform.
Tags: Sarasota, family, museums, Venice, history,
Quick Florida Family Road Trips
Families who board in Fort Myers will love traveling north and across the historic Caloosahatchee Trestle and Drawbridge.
Tags: Lake_Wales, citrus, family, museums, Miami, transportation,
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,
Scouting the Northwest's Art Galleries
Belmont offers a series of art classes, many lasting for only a day or even a few hours. Learn how to blow glass, sculpt pottery, create glass beads or design your own jewelry.
Tags: Pensacola, Destin, Fort_Walton_Beach, Beaches_of_South_Walton, Grayton_Beach, Santa_Rosa_Beach, Panama_City, art, museums, culture,
Secrets from the Space Coast
To balance its newfangled, youthful personality trademarked by spaceships and surfboards, the Space Coast presents a flip side where history and Old Florida style lend dimension.
Tags: outdoors_and_nature, Cocoa_Beach, Cocoa, Titusville, dining, museums,
Exploring the Treasure Coast
In stark contrast to the faster pace just to the south, these destinations feature a culturally vibrant, yet laid-back quality of life centered on beaches, boating, fishing, community and the outdoors.
Tags: Stuart, Jensen_Beach, history, museums, Hobe_Sound, Hutchinson_Island,
Tampa Bay: A Cultural Hotspot
After sundown, Ybor City transforms into a fun-filled retreat for adults, offering some of the area's best nightlife and venues for live jazz, blues, salsa and reggae.
Tags: Tampa, culture, Ybor_City, museums, art,
From Museums to Moussaka
You never stop learning about culture in the St. Petersburg/Clearwater area, also known as Florida's Beach.
Tags: culture, Tarpon_Springs, Dunedin, history, museums, St_Petersburg, food_and_wine,
Fun-Filled Jacksonville
The miles of laidback beach, lined with small but picturesque sand dunes, are perfect for swimming, relaxing or wildlife watching (porpoise can be sighted year 'round and northern right whales can sometimes be seen off the coast in winter).
Tags: Jacksonville, Jacksonville_Beach, family, museums,
Stars and Stripes in Northwest Florida
Military folk and civvies alike flock here for more than the trolley tour. Admire such legendary aircraft as an F-14 Tomcat, much like the one Tom Cruise piloted in "Top Gun."
Tags: Pensacola, flight, history, museums, diving,
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,
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,
Out On The Town
Fernandina Beach’s 50-block historic district extends lace-curtain charm through 19th-century B&Bs, inviting boutiques and side streets that hold bell-ringer churches and museums.
Tags: Sarasota, Fernandina_Beach, Tallahassee, Tarpon_Springs, Delray_Beach, museums, history, historic_districts, culture, gardens, art,
Jet Set
Each April, the start of the flying year, more than 160,000 people “drop in” to Lakeland for the seven-day Sun ’n Fun Fly-In which features daily air shows, a nighttime aerobatics display and, occasionally, fly-bys courtesy of the Blue Angels.
Tags: Lakeland, Tallahassee, history, Lake_Wales, museums, Pensacola, Merritt_Island,
Generation M (for Museum Going)
Imagine leaving your home forever to travel halfway around the world and battle the enemy in a strange land of alligators and dark-skinned giants.
Tags: Boca_Raton, Boynton_Beach, Fort_Lauderdale, Fort_Myers, Homestead, Jacksonville, Lakeland, Marathon, Miami, Naples, Palm_Beach, Pensacola, Ponce_Inlet, Sanibel_Island, Sarasota, Stuart, Tallahassee, Tampa, West_Palm_Beach, Panama_City, museums, family, St_Augustine, aquariums,
Paradise for Two
The bedroom opened to a spacious balcony with a clear view of the beach. We were so close to the ocean we could taste the salt.
Tags: resorts, romance, spas, Palm_Beach, shopping, museums, Jupiter,
Victorian Fairytale
The romance of the Victorian era lives on at Florida's bed & breakfasts, whether beachside, bayfront or in the middle of the state.
Tags: Apalachicola, Gainesville, Key_West, Lake_Wales, bed_and_breakfasts, museums, St_Petersburg, St_Augustine, dining,
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,
Water World
If you'll pardon the pun, there's something totally cool about a Florida water park that's designed to look like a ski resort.
Tags: Clearwater, Crystal_River, Ocala, Orlando, Tampa, White_Springs, water_parks, family, zoos, aquariums, museums, Lake_Buena_Vista, High_Springs, outdoors_and_nature, Weeki_Wachee,
Florida's Retro Theme Parks
Many of the rides are highly embellished versions of rides you might see at the state fair - scrambler, Ferris wheel, Tilt-O-Whirl, bumper cars.
Tags: Homestead, Islamorada, Key_West, Orlando, Pensacola, Tampa, St_Augustine, museums, outdoors_and_nature, theme_parks, water_parks, gardens, St_Petersburg, wildlife, zoos, aquariums, sealife,
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,
Family Must-Sees
Your kids will be kissed and hugged by dolphins and sea lions respectively at Theater of the Sea in Islamorada.
Tags: Clearwater, Crystal_River, Fort_Myers, Gainesville, Islamorada, Jacksonville, Kissimmee, Marianna, New_Smyrna_Beach, Orlando, Palm_Beach, Pensacola, Tampa, Venice, West_Palm_Beach, Winter_Haven, Kennedy_Space_Center, museums, wildlife, sealife, family, Siesta_Key, Fort_Walton_Beach, theme_parks, zoos, water_parks, aquariums, Everglades_National_Park, Daytona_Beach,
Golf and Sports in Port St. Lucie
You can certainly bet on the fact that in Port St. Lucie, life is all about sports.
Tags: Port_St_Lucie, golf, Fort_Pierce, sports, parks, tours, museums,
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,
Flights of Fancy
Exhibits, tours and lectures span 100 years of aviation history.
Tags: Cocoa, Tampa, Titusville, Kennedy_Space_Center, museums, flight,
Martin County Beaches: A to Z
Also, Stuart Beach offers everything Jensen Beach Park does, plus basketball, a playground and the Elliott Museum, which teaches area history and contains life-size historical replicas, including a general store and ice cream parlor.
Tags: Jensen_Beach, Jupiter, Palm_Beach, Stuart, wildlife, beaches, museums, Hobe_Sound,
The New Daytona Beach
Aaron, Jean-Michael and I finished our last visit to this place we call kid-heaven with a late lunch in Ocean Walk Shoppes, colorful and representing what's freshest in Daytona Beach's family-fetching image.
Tags: Daytona_Beach, Ponce_Inlet, family, racing, , piers, resorts, shopping, museums,
The Keys for Kids
Head south to Islamorada, where you can swim with playful sea lions and graceful giant rays, or just enjoy the animal shows and educational displays at Theater of the Sea.
Tags: Islamorada, Key_Largo, Key_West, Marathon, Florida_Keys, family, hotels, parks, museums, dining,
Downtown Tampa: Past and Future Rolled into One
Amazingly, it seems I've been transported to another era. Lamps lit with Edison filament bulbs, courting chairs and flocked wallpaper still decorate the resort.
Tags: Tampa, Ybor_City, museums, theater, culture,
Dry Feet, Warm Memories
Plan an early morning or late afternoon visit to National Key Deer Refuge if you want to spy the endearingly tiny white-tailed deer that seek shelter there.
Tags: Big_Pine_Key, Islamorada, Key_Largo, Key_West, Marathon, parks, museums, resorts, wildlife,
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 St. Petersburg
Grassy parks line the seven-mile waterfront and host festivals throughout the year. One park, known as Spa Beach, is sandy and popular for sunning.
Tags: St_Petersburg, museums, piers, fishing, walking_tours,
A-Foot in Fernandina Beach
The Amelia Island Museum of History hosts interesting, specialty walking tours based on the town's historic ghosts, Centre Street and other themes.
Tags: Amelia_Island, Fernandina_Beach, historic_districts, shopping, museums, walking_tours,
A-Foot in Fort Lauderdale
Big city meets carefree beach within a three-mile stroll along Fort Lauderdale's most fashionable streets and walkways.
Tags: Fort_Lauderdale, Miami, Palm_Beach, West_Palm_Beach, transportation, resorts, shopping, hotels, parks, museums,
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,
Family-Friendly Fort Lauderdale
I had discovered paradise - the world's largest discount and entertainment mall housing designer outlets such as Saks Fifth Avenue, DKNY and Neiman Marcus.
Tags: Fort_Lauderdale, shopping, museums, art, history, culture, resorts, family, Dania_Beach,
A Beach for Each
Getting to Captiva Beach is a romantic adventure in itself; quaint restaurants shaded by tropical foliage, cozy bed & breakfasts and colorful boutiques dot the path to seductive seclusion, breathtaking sunsets and romance.
Tags: Estero, Fort_Myers, Fort_Myers_Beach, Fort_Myers_Beach, Sanibel_Island, beaches, family, parks, water_sports, museums, romance, shelling, destination,
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,
Florida in Flight
Florida's 320 days of sunshine a year are perfect for tasting the sweet, delirious freedom that is human flight.
Tags: Kissimmee, Lakeland, Tampa, flight, Kennedy_Space_Center, family, museums,
A1A Scenic and Historic Coastal Byway
If golf or tennis is on your mind, then Ponte Vedra Beach is a must-visit.
Tags: Flagler_Beach, Jacksonville, Ponte_Vedra_Beach, driving_tours, Scenic_Highway, museums,
Florida Keys Scenic Highway
Key West was home to many literary greats including Tennessee Williams, Truman Capote, Robert Frost and Thornton Wilder.
Tags: Homestead, Key_Largo, Key_West, parks, museums, Florida_Keys, Scenic_Highway, driving_tours,
Bradenton Beach Scenic Highway and Tamiami Trail Windows to the Gulf Coast Waters Scenic Highway
The Gardens offer visitors of all ages a wonderful learning experience and some truly incredible sights.
Tags: Anna_Maria_Island, Bradenton, Bradenton_Beach, Sarasota, museums, zoos, Scenic_Highway, driving_tours,
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,
Miami and Key West
Visitors shop all day, lunch on food from almost anywhere in the world, visit art and historical museums, or just stroll through the streets of Miami's historic district.
Tags: Key_West, Miami, museums, shopping, driving_tours,
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,
Pensacola Bay Area and Milton
In the midst of the historic village, Seville Square, a grassy park graced by a romantic gazebo and a canopy of majestic oak trees, serves as a respite and a popular location for a variety of unique festivals.
Tags: Milton, Pensacola, museums, driving_tours, historic_districts,
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,
Unexpected Orlando
With Disney, Universal and SeaWorld around, the area's reputation for big-ticket fun goes without saying. But don't allow that to obscure the "unexpected Orlando."
Tags: Orlando, family, museums, outdoors_and_nature,
Capital Delights
Today, the mission has been meticulously restored to its 17th century appearance. Visitors can tour the continuing restoration, including a fort complex, a Spanish church, a Spanish home and the Indian chief's house.
Tags: Tallahassee, Wakulla_Springs, parks, museums, lighthouses, history, outdoors_and_nature,
More Than a Museum
The history of fishing in these parts is fleshed out with nets and scales - and a rowboat with a set of oars that symbolize the work ethic of early fishermen.
Tags: Cocoa, Cocoa_Beach, Sebastian, Titusville, museums,
Making History Fun
At the St. Augustine Lighthouse and Museum, kids are encouraged to climb the 219 winding steps to the top for a spectacular view of St. Augustine and beaches.
Tags: St_Augustine, family, history, museums, tours,
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,
Big Beach, Big Fun
Whether you're looking for history, eco-tours, live stage shows, music, pampering, elegant dining or high-speed thrills, you'll find it in friendly, accessible Daytona Beach.
Tags: Daytona_Beach, sports, beaches, spas, museums,
Bradenton, Pine Island, Punta Gorda and Sarasota
This area is known for its breathtaking natural beauty and unspoiled views and vistas found in the broad sweeps of white sand beaches on Anna Maria Island and Longboat Key.
Tags: Anna_Maria_Island, Bradenton, Charlotte_Harbor, Longboat_Key, Port_Charlotte, Punta_Gorda, Sarasota, parks, museums, art, driving_tours, outdoors_and_nature, 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,
Orlando and Beyond
No visit to Florida is complete without sighting an alligator. The easiest place to spot one of these primal creatures is at Gatorland. It's the "Alligator Capital of the World" and one of Florida's first major tourist attractions.
Tags: Orlando, driving_tours, museums, Tours_on_a_Tankful,
DeLand, Winter Park, and Sanford
Champion skydivers train here for competition, but thrill-seekers, including Tom Cruise and former President George Bush, also show up to take the plunge.
Tags: DeLand, Sanford, Winter_Park, museums, tours, art, driving_tours, Tours_on_a_Tankful,
Fort Walton Beach, Destin and Seaside
Destin, where anglers fall hook, line, and sinker for deep sea fishing, offers the quickest deepwater access along the Gulf - so close that you can fish and still see the shore.
Tags: Fort_Walton_Beach, Pensacola, Seaside, museums, fishing, driving_tours, Tours_on_a_Tankful,
Panama City and Panama City Beach
Cast away, if only for a day, on Shell Island, off the mainland of St. Andrews State Park. With seven-and-a-half miles of undeveloped coastline, this barrier island offers the best shelling this side of Sanibel Island.
Tags: Panama_City_Beach, beaches, museums, driving_tours, parks, cruises, shelling, Tours_on_a_Tankful,
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,
Cuban Heritage
Here you'll find exotic fruit stands, Cuban bakeries and casual sidewalk cafes where you can sample Cuban cuisine.
Tags: Key_West, Miami, Miami_Beach, Tampa, Ybor_City, history, historic_districts, museums, driving_tours,
Arcadia, Sebring, Okeechobee and Lake Placid
The Castle, built by Renaissance man Howard Solomon (equal parts artisan and comedian), contains galleries of his art and more than 80 interpretive stained glass windows.
Tags: Arcadia, Lake_Placid, Okeechobee, Palm_Beach, Sebring, trails, wildlife, museums, canoeing, driving_tours, 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,
Miami and Beyond
One of its most cherished prizes, the Art Deco Historic District of Miami Beach, ranks as the largest collection of Art Deco buildings anywhere.
Tags: Coral_Gables, Miami, Miami_Beach, South_Beach, architecture, driving_tours, parks, museums, Tours_on_a_Tankful,
Neighborhood Attractions in Orlando, Tampa and Fort Lauderdale
Fish from the pier. Whack volleyballs in the very capital of beach volleyball. Play on the covered playground. Rent water toys. Relax with a good book.
Tags: Clearwater, Clearwater_Beach, Dania_Beach, Fort_Lauderdale, Hollywood, Kissimmee, Orlando, Tampa, family, beaches, aquariums, museums, parks,
Art Safari
Thousands of visitors go to St. Petersburg specifically to pay homage to this eccentric artist and to explore in depth his amazing vision of the world. And with so many of his great works to appreciate, take your time and dally a little.
Tags: Boca_Raton, Fort_Lauderdale, Gainesville, Jacksonville, Lakeland, Miami, Miami_Beach, Ocala, Orlando, Palm_Beach, Tallahassee, Tampa, West_Palm_Beach, art, museums, St_Petersburg, Sarasota,
Florida Keys/Key West Area
Attractions recall Ernest Hemingway's residence here, visits by Harry Truman, and the island's shipwrecking era, cigar-making days and military importance.
Tags: Big_Pine_Key, Islamorada, Key_Largo, Key_West, Marathon, Florida_Keys, parks, beaches, fishing, museums, aquariums,
Fort Lauderdale Area
Water is the way to go in Fort Lauderdale, known as "Venice of America" for its extensive system of canals and waterways.
Tags: Dania_Beach, Fort_Lauderdale, Hollywood, beaches, museums, parks, shopping,
Matlacha
Rural Florida is mainly where the state's landmark preservation efforts have succeeded, where proliferating trails and greenways lay themselves out, where wildlife remains plentiful and where small towns harbor traditional life.
Tags: Cape_Coral, Charlotte_Harbor, art, museums, fishing, dining,
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,
Cocoa Beach Area
It's a partying kind of place any weekend and particularly during shuttle launches.
Tags: Cape_Canaveral, Cocoa, Cocoa_Beach, Melbourne, Merritt_Island, Titusville, water_sports, Kennedy_Space_Center, museums,
Panama City Beach Area
Seaside restaurants serve fresh fish and Southern specialties. Bars and clubs keep the nightlife lively, especially during the popular ritual known as spring break.
Tags: Panama_City_Beach, Seaside, Panama_City, parks, museums,
Daytona Beach/New Smyrna Beach Area
The best surfing is at quiet Ponce Inlet, where a salty village of casual restaurants and visitor attractions has gathered.
Tags: Daytona_Beach, DeLand, New_Smyrna_Beach, Ponce_Inlet, Seaside, lighthouses, Ormond_Beach, museums, racing, parks,
Hands-On Fun
The ultimate hands-on sea experiences take place where special programs allow you to swim with dolphins and other marine creatures as you learn about their behaviors and habits.
Tags: Boca_Raton, Boynton_Beach, Clearwater, Daytona_Beach, Fort_Myers, Gainesville, Islamorada, Jacksonville, Kissimmee, Lakeland, Marathon, Miami, Naples, Orlando, Palm_Beach, Pensacola, Sanibel_Island, Sarasota, Stuart, Tallahassee, Tampa, West_Palm_Beach, museums, family, outdoors_and_nature,
World Golf Village
The hall of fame's temporary exhibits highlight the careers and exploits of golfing heroes and have included the likes of Byron Nelson, Gary Player, Ben Hogan, Bobby Jones and Arnold Palmer.
Tags: golf, museums, St_Augustine, sports, destination,
Florida Insiders
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Tim McDonald
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Terry Tomalin
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Hilda Mitrani
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