By Susan Clary Some of history’s most beloved black performers -- Count Basie, Cab Calloway, Billie Holiday, Ella Fitzgerald and Duke Ellington -- couldn’t sleep in the best hotels or eat at the best restaurants when they visited Orlando during the ugly era of segregation. Instead, they made their…
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The shoreline is highlighted by swaying palms, golden-hued sand and the shimmering blue ocean. Wide, flat, sandy expanses are the norm, and you'll find plenty to keep you happy. The summers here are prime turtle nesting season, and if you're lucky you might get to see one crawl on the beach and…
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Tom Scherberger Want to explore the cultural, historical, and architectural treasures of Tampa’s Ybor City? There’s an app for that. Just go to Florida Stories Walking Tours, and download the app created by the Florida Humanities Council. With this app you can learn, at your own pace and on your…
Read MoreBy: Gary McKechnie In the nearly 200 years since Washington County, Florida was created in 1825, it hasn’t strayed too far from its roots. There are still nearly 400,000 acres of open fields and dense forests, but now they’re crossed by two-lane roads and dotted with small communities, a state…
Read MoreIn Central Florida, two hours south of the bustling theme parks of Orlando, you’ll find Highlands County, a unique getaway that encompasses the towns of Lake Placid, Sebring and Avon Park. Be whisked back in time in downtown Lake Placid, where the town’s vivid murals portray the past with colorful…
Read MoreBy Kara Franker Measuring only 20 miles long and, in some places, barely 150 feet wide, Islamorada is a collection of islands located in the Florida Keys. Legend has it the area was named by Spanish explorers who, upon seeing the purple sky at sunset and the purple bougainvillea, called it “isla…
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Find more information about Florida’s accessibility here. Families traveling with a child on the autism spectrum or with special needs can find plenty to see and do in Destin , Fla. Whether your child needs a sensory-friendly attraction, a quiet break or a patient, caring destination to explore…
Read MoreBy Kellilynn Hann Whether you’re a fledgling birder or seasoned expert, Florida will undoubtedly end up on your must-visit list. That’s because Florida hosts more than 500 species of birds and has thousands of protected areas where you can view them. Here are five Florida birds you won’t see…
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Polka-dot dolphins and coconut postcards in Matlacha, Fla. - the beauty of visiting a small town. Polka-dot dolphins and coconut postcards in Matlacha, Fla. - the beauty of visiting a small town. By Herb Miller Like a gift of the gods, whimsy bubbles up champagne-like in Matlacha, a…
Read MoreTradeWinds Island Resort, flying over the Dry Tortugas, surfing lessons - family vacations with teens can be fun! By Aaron and Chelle Koster Walton It begins well before the official teenage milestone, 13. The "do I have to go along?" pre-vacation whine. I started hearing it from Aaron as a…
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