A W A R D - W I N N I N G
G U I D E
T O
UNIQUE
REGIONS
T H E
S U N S H I N E
S T A T E
BEACHES
THEME PARKS
ECOTOURISM
SPORTS
MORE THAN
1,500
D I S P L AY U N T I L J U N E 3 0 , 2 0 1 5
$6.95
Naturally connected.
Theres no better place to feel a connection with nature than
at our parks. Where fun and laughter are as common as the
stunning sights at SeaWorld. Where thrilling roller coasters
soar through the exotic lands of Busch Gardens. And where
underwater adventures give way to wonder and excitement
at Aquatica. Explore the world around you by making
memorable connections at all of our parks.
For the best deals on tickets, visit SeaWorldOrlando.com
or BuschGardensTampaBay.com.
800-656-9111 s www.RoyalShell.com
For real estate sales visit
www.RoyalShellSales.com
VA C AT I O N & S E A S O N A L R E N TA L S
Bonita Springs, Fort Myers, Naples, Sanibel and Captiva Islands
KEY W
EST
HO
A R AT
RG
LA
KE
The Florida Keys is known for warm water, endless sunshine and a laid
back attitude. But with everything from world-class shing and diving,
a thriving art and music scene and an incredible variety of bars and
restaurants, youll have to learn to pace yourself.
DA
RA
a-keys.com 1.800.a.keys
MO
A
SL
Take a
step back.
GOVER N O RS M ESSAGE
RICK SCOTT
GOVERNOR
October 2014
Dear Friends:
As Governor of the Sunshine State, I invite you to explore the many great
opportunities available to enjoy Floridas beautiful beaches, world-class fishing and golf,
award-winning state parks, and cultural wonders and attractions. The people of Florida
look forward to showcasing the hospitality that makes our state the number one travel
destination in the world.
There are many wonderful reasons to visit Florida, and Floridians enjoy hosting
millions of guests year round. No matter when you visit or how long you stay, I am
confident our great weather and friendly businesses will provide you an enjoyable and
memorable experience.
As you enjoy our numerous attractions and scenic beauty, I invite you to also learn
more about what we are doing to make Florida the best place for businesses to succeed. As
a lifelong entrepreneur, I understand what it takes to grow a business and that Floridas
prosperity is linked to the rich and diverse cultural heritage of our residents.
A thriving tourism industry is vital to growing jobs, and we are working to draw
both domestic and international visitors, as well as increase direct international air service
to Florida. Every 85 visitors to Florida equals one job in our state and that is why we are
working every day to continue to attract even more visitors and grow more jobs for Florida
families.
Enjoy your visit to Florida, and I invite you to visit Florida often.
Sincerely,
Rick Scott
Governor
SOCIAL
There is only one word to describe Downtown Delray Beach, Florida SOCIAL!
Whether you are casual, urban, sophisticated or chic, the heart of our historic Village by the Sea will never disappoint
the social side of you. Our thriving community of artists, culture and entertainment, along with our eclectic shops and
mouth-watering cuisine, will have you spreading the word about Downtown Delray Beach far and wide.
Take your family and friends for a warm dip in the crystal blue waters of the Atlantic along two miles of pristine beach.
Come and explore SOCIAL Downtown Delray Beach!
DelrayBeachDDA.com I 561.243.1077
#DowntownDelray
E DI TORS M E SSAG E
good old-fashioned road trip is the best way to discover and experience
all Florida has to offer. I strongly recommend abandoning the freeways
in favor of backroads and oceanside drives, stopping whenever you
please to explore small towns and communities along the way. This is where the true essence of
Florida shines brightest, oozing with southern hospitality and charmand delightful surprises.
Over the years, my annual road trip of discovery has become a ritual as I search for new experiences to report and recommend to our readers. What Ive come to appreciate is there is so much
more to Florida beyond the bright city lights and theme parks.
This year, my husband and I rented a self-catering unit at the reasonably priced Tropical Breeze
Resort on Siesta Key. Situated immediately across the road from an award-winning beach regularly
recognized as No. 1 in Florida by Dr. Beach and a quick walk to wonderful restaurants and boutiques in the quaint Siesta Key Village, it was a perfect choice. While in the Sarasota area, check
out the Marie Selby Botanical Gardens and the on-site Christy Payne Mansion and Carriagehouse
Tea Shop, performances at the Asolo Theatre, the MOTE Marine Laboratory and the wildly acclaimed Circus Sarasota.
From there, tour Labelle and Lake Okeechobee in Hendry County, the second-largest freshwater lake in the USA, and stay at the apparently haunted Clewiston Historic Inn. This area is
a haven for bass fishing, birding, stargazing and RV camping. While there, visit the museum in
Clewiston to view dinosaur bones, a prehistoric horse and ancient manatees called dugongs.
Just 20 miles south of Clewiston, birders should make their way to STA 5 to see the protected
caracara bird.
In nearby Moore Haven in Glades County, Gatorama is one of the last roadside attractions and
home to Goliath, a 50-foot alligator. Owners Patty and Allan Register also operate Fisheating
Creek Outpost, a 52-mile canoeing trail through 18,000 pristine acres.
Situated on scenic A1A just south of St. Augustine, Marineland Dolphin Adventurehome to
Nellie, the oldest dolphin in captivity (born in 1943)operates as a research institute and is the
first responder for stranded animals in the area. Marineland Dolphin Adventure schedules fieldtrip classes, and in partnership with the University of Floridas Whitney Marine Laboratory for
Bioscience, runs summer camp programs for ages seven to 12 and 13 to 17, in which participants
rescue dolphins and learn about the local ecosystem. And, by the way, Marineland also hosts
unique wedding and corporate events.
Visiting Orlando? Take a break and spend a day in Lake Wales visiting Bok Tower Gardens.
The singing tower, built using coquina, four million pounds of Georgia marble and ceramic tiles,
is something to beholdand hear. A brass door to the Founders Room depicts the story of creation and 60 bellsweighing a total of 60 tonsserenade visitors every day.
Catering to youngsters, two to 12, LEGOLAND in nearby Winter Haven covers 150 acres where
a 152-room LEGOLAND Hotel is scheduled to open in 2015. In addition to games and rides, children are taught to drive at the Ford Driving School, learn about fire safety at the Big Tent and
much more.
In neighboring Lakeland, Safari Wilderness Ranch is a permanent 260-acre working game
ranch for animals that were born in captivity, for exotic pets whose owners cannot care for them
and for animals from zoos that no longer operate. Animal habitats are as natural as can be for
each species, and animals breed naturally.
Its all here waiting for you to discover. Just let curiosity be your guide.
Donna S. Vieira
Editor
Experience
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CONECUH
BAKER
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Fli
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ESCAMBIA
31
Graceville
ESCAMBIA
OKALOOSA
HOLMES
331
90
S A N TA R O S A
84
MILLER
HOUSTON
COOK
BROOKS
CHARLETON
441
GRADY
27
LEON
arys
R.
Panama City
OLA
CALHOUN
APAL
ACH
IC
B AY
41
19
90
JEFFERSON
Tallahassee
iJasper
Madison
17
White Springs
WAKULLA
Perry
D U VA L
Jacksonville
Jacksonville Beach
COLUMBIA
10
129
98
Fernandina
Beach
NASSAU
301
H A M I LT O N
MADISON
SUWANNEE
LIBERTY
90
NORTHEAST
BAKER
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41
TAY L O R
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UNION
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ST JOSEPH BAY
GULF
L A FAY E T T E
FRANKLIN
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High Springs
Cross City
R.
Suw
annee
Palatka
Gainesville
Fanning Springs
DIXIE
St. Augustine
ALACHUA
GILCHRIST
NORTH
CENTRAL
S T. J O H N S
Alachua
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Apalachicola
C L AY
Starke
BRADFORD
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Apalachee Bay
A T L A N T I C
O C E A N
R.
ECHOLS
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GADSDEN
231
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Destin
Cumberland Island NS
St M
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Pensacola
NORTHWEST
CAMDEN
CLINCH
THOMAS
WASHINGTON
Fort Walton
Beach
Warrington
BRANTLEY
WARE
17
G LY N N
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319
L. Seminole
Marianna
LOWNDES
WA LT O N
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LANIER
D E C AT U R
SEMINOLE
JACKSON
29
Milton
WAY N E
AT K I N S O N
COLQUITT
MITCHELL
G E N E VA
COVINGTON
BALDWIN
PIERCE
221
82
BERRIEN
75
R.
Satilla R.
65
PUTNAM
Palm Coast
FLAGLER
Flagler Beach
Williston
27A
LEVY
17
MARION
Ormond Beach
L. George
Ocala
Daytona Beach
41
92
Inglis
Waccasassa Bay
De Land
VOLUSIA
75
Citrus Springs
Deltona
LAKE
Leesburg
SUMTER
98
19
Sanford
Winter Park
301
27
Brooksville
SEMINOLE
Titusville
Orlando
HERNANDO
ORANGE
CENTRAL
WEST
Largo
St. Petersburg
275
98
Tampa
92
St J 192
ohn
sR
B R E VA R D
Sebastian
HILLSBOROUGH
Apollo Beach
41
TAMPA
BAY
INDIAN RIVER
Frostproof
Vero Beach
17
301
Avon Park
Wauchula
OKEECHOBEE
M A N AT E E
441
98
HARDEE
95
S T. L U C I E
Fort Pierce
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75
Sarasota Springs
Jensen Beach
Stuart
Okeechobee
HIGHLANDS
S A R A S O TA
G U L F
O F
M E X I C O
CENTRAL
EAST
Melbourne
OSCEOLA
Haines City
Winter
Haven
Bartow
POLK
Plant City
PINELLAS
Cocoa Beach
17
Land O Lakes
Clearwater
Cocoa
Kissimmee
Polk City
PA S C O
Tarpon Springs
CENTRAL
95
441
Winter Garden
CITRUS
MARTIN
98
DE SOTO
Venice
41
GLADES
Indiantown
Lake
Okeechobee
Port Charlotte
Englewood
Jupiter
CHARLOTTE
Gasparilla Island
Charlotte Harbor
HENDRY
PA L M B E A C H
Lake Worth
Delray
Beach
Boca Raton
LEE
Immokalee
Sanibel
SOUTH
WEST
27
Fort Myers
Cape Coral
441
Pompano Beach
Ft Lauderdale
Golden Gate
Naples
95
75
COLLIER
Marco Island
41
BROWARD
Hollywood
Big Cypress
National Preserve
Miami
Beach
Miami
Kendall
Hialeah
MONROE
DADE
Homestead
Everglades National Park
1
Key Largo
FLORIDA BAY
Big Pine Key
Marathon
Key West
MAP OF FLORIDA
12
SOUTH
EAST
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TABLE OF CONTENTS
52
GENERAL INTRODUCTION
AND INFORMATION
18
WELCOME TO FLORIDA:
Whats Your Guilty Pleasure?
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2015 TRAVEL GUIDE TO FLORIDA
17
WELCOM E TO F LO R IDA!
18
lorida often makes the news in both traditional outlets and social media pages,
with plenty of strange headlines. They
range from natural occurrences (Shark Pulls
Kayaker Eight Miles Up Coast) to human
goofiness (Naked Thieves Take Burgers from
Southwest Florida Eatery). The truth is,
Florida is a colorful state with a tremendous
amount of diversity, and those who live and
visit here wouldnt have it any other way.
Its also a big, long state, made up largely of
coastline1,200 miles of it, of which 663 are
foot-friendly sand. When visitors think of
Florida, many picture the standard: tropical
weather, beaches and umbrellas.
Salt and strange goings-on arent entirely
accurate, however. The interior of the state is
far different than many expect, with freshwater resources, agricultural plains, equine
culture and plenty of wildlife.
CLOCKWISE FROM BOTTOM LEFT: SANTA ROSA CO. TOURIST DEVELOPMENT COUNCIL; VISIT ST. PETERSBURG/CLEARWATER; CELSO DINIZ/SHUTTERSTOCK; JOE DETRICK/WWW.VISITCITRUS.COM;
MONROE COUNTY TOURIST DEVELOPMENT COUNCIL; AMELIA ISLAND TOURIST DEVELOPMENT COUNCIL
BY JEN KARETNICK
For instance, Floridas interior waterways acquaint travelers to a different side of the state.
Lake Okeechobeein the center of the state
is the second-largest freshwater lake in the
contiguous United States. It not only provides
drinking water for many surrounding and
southern counties, but its also an agricultural
resource for the states abundant produce. It offers some of the best largemouth bass fishing in
Florida, and the protective dike that encircles
the lake is part of the National Scenic Trail, a
110-mile route, which is popular with hikers,
naturalists, cyclists and horseback riders. (Horse
enthusiasts should also head to Ocala and the
Davie/Plantation region, where there are horse
farms, schools, trails and competitions galore.)
In addition, Florida has more than 30 firstmagnitude freshwater springsthe most of any
state or nation in the world. Most of these watering holes, including Wakulla Springs, one of
the deepest, and Silver Springs, one of the
largest, are clustered in Central West and North
Central Florida.
Finally, Florida also claims quite a river culture, notwithstanding the famed River of Grass,
a.k.a. the Everglades, where the native and nonnative wildlife is the most diverse. If youre lucky,
on a jaunt through the Everglades, youll spot the
elusive and endangered Florida panther, the only
big cat that lives in the wild in the state.
From airboat rides and alligator spotting in
the swamps to kayaking along the immortal
Suwannee River, framed by cool, green wood-
A BOUNTIFUL LAND
Florida, which means land of flowers, is virtually covered in blooms, ranging from its state
flower, the orange blossom, to exotic
bougainvillea and birds of paradise.
In fact, Florida is largely agricultural and depends on export crops as diverse as sugar cane
and tomatoes to survive, while still leaving
plenty available for passersby to purchase. Its
biggest trade is in sweet corn and green beans,
and visitors are often amazed to find farm
The Florida Keys are perfect for paddleboarding.
19
WELCOM E TO F LO R IDA!
20
SPORTS GALORE
When it comes to professional sports, Florida
is again in the running for best in the
country and has a plethora of stadium and
bowl games for sports fans to enjoy yearround. That doesnt include, of course, the
famous baseball spring-training facilities. Nor
does it take into account the myriad golf and
tennis tournaments and facilities in Orlando,
Daytona, Naples, Miami and other cities.
Of special note, Marlins Park in Miami,
the home of the Miami Marlins, which
opened for the 2012 baseball season, is truly
user-friendly. And while Miami Heat fans are
mourning the loss of LeBron James, theyll
still be mobbing American Airlines Arena
FAMILY ENTERTAINMENT
Resorts and attractions, such as SeaWorld
Orlando, Walt Disney World, Universal
Orlando Resort, Miami Seaquarium, Busch
Gardens in Tampa and LEGOLAND Florida,
are an inescapable part of Floridas identity
and destinations in their own right. Water
parks, such as Shipwreck Island Waterpark in
Panama City Beach, Adventure Island in
Tampa and Adventure Landing in
Jacksonville, offer thrilling experiences for the
whole family, and are especially refreshing in
the summertime when the air can be quite
humid. Popular smaller parks include Lion
Country Safari and Rapids Water Park, both
in Palm Beach County, and Butterfly World in
Broward County.
Or head farther south to Biscayne National
Park, where all the aforementioned outdoor
activities are available together with snorkeling, diving and glass-bottom boat tours. In
fact, most of the 173,000 acres of the park are
underwater and only accessible by boat! Its
certainly worth renting one to search the islands for evidence of native tribe inhabitants,
to explore shipwrecks and to drift above the
coral reef system, where more than 200 species
of fish thrive.
With more than 4,300 square miles of total
water area and 54,252 land miles waiting to be
discovered, Florida never disappoints. FL
FROM LEFT TO RIGHT: FLORIDA'S SPACE COAST OFFICE OF TOURISM; VISIT FLORIDA
H I S TORY
W
Learn about Seminole heritage
in the Everglades.
SOUTHEAST
Thousands of years before the first European
explorers arrived, Florida was populated by
Native Americans such as the Tequesta people,
who lived near the mouth of the Miami River.
After a recent excavation uncovered the remains of a village, the state Division of
Historical Resources has preserved the site as
the Miami Circle Park.
Other Native American tribes survived the
incursion of northern settlers in the 1800s by
22
moving into the Everglades, where they gradually rebuilt their society. Now, visitors can
learn about the Seminole and Miccosukee
tribes, sample native cuisine, take a ride on an
airboat or watch alligator wrestling at Billie
Swamp Safari and other attractions along US
41 (Tamiami Trail) and I-75 (Alligator Alley).
Clewistons Ah-Tah-Thi-Ki Museum (which
means a place to learn) is a living village of
early Seminole culture and well worth a visit.
To help mariners avoid rocks and reefs, the US
established several lighthouses in the region in the
1800s that can now be toured by visitors. For example, the Cape Florida Lighthouse on Key
Biscayne near Miami, as well as Garden Key
Harbor Lighthouse at Fort Jefferson National
Monument and nearby Loggerhead Key
Lighthouse (both in Dry Tortugas National Park),
all offer fascinating glimpses into Floridas past.
Historic Key West offers the Harry S. Truman
Little White House, a favorite vacation spot for
the president in the late 1940s and early 50s, and
the Ernest Hemingway Home & Museum.
CLOCKWISE FROM BOTTOM LEFT: VISIT FLORIDA; VISIT FLORIDA; JORG HACKEMANN/SHUTTERSTOCK
The historic Ca dZan mansion, the Ringling winter home, overlooks Sarasota Bay.
The Rocket Garden at the Kennedy Space Center features authentic rockets from past space explorations.
SOUTHWEST
In Fort Myers, inventor Thomas Edison and his
friend Henry Ford built Florida homes, known
today as the Edison & Ford Winter Estates with
a museum, botanical gardens and laboratory. To
the north, not far from another historic landmark, the Boca Grande Lighthouse in Gasparilla
Island State Park, is the Gasparilla Inn & Club,
which has attracted visitors since 1913.
In Bradenton, the Gamble Plantation is the
only remaining antebellum plantation house in
southern Florida. Nearby, the historic town of
Palmetto boasts its own historical park for a
peek back in time, as well as an ancient Native
American location, the Madira Bickel Mound
State Archaeological Site.
Farther north in Sarasota, the Ringling
Estate is a standing legacy to the rich history of
the American circus and houses a wealth of
circus artifacts, including the worlds largest
miniature circus. Surrounding gardens feature
an extensive variety of native and exotic trees,
as well as the oldest rose garden in Florida,
founded by Mable Ringling. Next door, the historic Asolo Repertory Theatre is an active
performance space, presenting the best in theater, music, dance and film.
CENTRAL EAST
In 1949, Cape Canaveral was chosen as a test
site for the US missile program. A decade later,
the Cocoa Beach-Titusville area was the heart
of the nations space program, including Apollo
11, the 1969 mission that carried astronauts
Neil Armstrong and Buzz Aldrin to the moon.
Now, the Kennedy Space Center Visitor
Complex allows guests to experience the glory
years of the US space program.
Located on the US Air Force Base is historic
Cape Canaveral Lighthouse; be sure to check
tour information before planning your trip. To
the north, the Ponce de Leon Inlet Lighthouse &
Museum, Floridas tallest, guards the waterway
at the southern end of the Daytona Beach area.
CENTRAL
For a survey of Central Floridas intriguing past,
visit the Orange County Regional History
Center in Orlando, where you can see exhibits
such as a cracker cabin, a typical pioneer
home from the 1800s.
One of Floridas leading African Americans
was Zora Neale Hurston, a leading 20th-century
author whose works influenced writers such as
Toni Morrison and Ralph Ellison. An annual
festival in Eatonville near Orlando celebrates her
life and recognizes her contributions to literature.
FEATURED LINKS
Ah-Tah-Thi-Ki Museum
ahtahthiki.com
Apalachicola
cityofapalachicola.com
City of Palmetto
palmettofl.org
23
H I S TORY
CENTRAL WEST
The lighthouse on St. George Island near Apalachicola.
NORTHEAST
Back in 1513, Spanish explorer Juan Ponce de
Len set foot on a sandy Atlantic beach near
todays St. Augustine and christened the new
land La Florida, probably because of the
abundance of spring flowers. Four decades
later, Pedro Menndez de Avils founded St.
Augustine, now the oldest continually inhab-
24
CLOCKWISE FROM BOTTOM LEFT: JORG HACKEMANN/SHUTTERSTOCK; JEFF KINSEY/SHUTTERSTOCK; THOMAS BARRATT/SHUTTERSTOCK
The Loews Don CeSar Hotel in St. Petersburg Beach is listed on the National Register of Historic Places.
During the 1820s, when Florida was a US territory, the plantation was the home of Zephaniah
Kingsley, a slave-owner who spoke out for civil
rights, and his free African wife Anna.
One of Floridas hidden historic treasures is
Fernandina Beach on Amelia Island north of
Jacksonville. Many buildings in its 50-block
historic district are on the National Register,
and the Amelia Island Museum of History
showcases the regions fascinating past. Visitors
can also tour the Amelia Island Lighthouse
property on Saturdays between 11 AM and 2
PM. Built during the Territorial Period in 1838,
it is the states oldest lighthouse. While in the
area, scout out the historic Fort Clinch and
Visitor Center for a vivid glimpse into the nations past during the Civil War.
NORTH CENTRAL
During the early 1800s, Floridas population
was concentrated in North Florida, where
Tallahassee became the territorial capital. One
of the citys highlights from that era is The
Grove, an historic mansion finished in the
1830s by Richard Keith Call, an aide and advisor to General Andrew Jackson.
When the Civil War broke out in 1861,
Florida joined the Confederacy, the smallest
state to secede from the US. During the war,
Union troops fought the Confederates in several battles in the North Central area, including
the Battle of Natural Bridge in 1865, one of the
last Confederate victories in the war. To the
south near Lake City, soldiers in Civil War
NORTHWEST
One of the nations oldest cities on the Gulf
Coast, Pensacola has flourished under Spanish,
French, British, Confederate and US rule, and
today is known as the city of five flags. In the
heart of the city is Historic Pensacola Village,
which includes 27 buildings and museums operated by the University of West Florida.
In the late 1500s, the Spanish first settled in
the region to protect their settlements and
galleons carrying gold from Mexico. Storms,
battles and other accidents resulted in numerous sinkings, and divers today can explore
12 wrecks along the Florida Panhandle
Shipwreck Trail between Pensacola and Port St.
Joe. Visitors can also tour historic lighthouses
in the region, such as the Pensacola Lighthouse
and Museum, built in 1859.
In the 1700s, the British took control
of the region, building Fort Barrancas and
Fort George. Then, a Spanish army with US
volunteers ousted the British forces during a
1781 battlea little-known victory of the
American Revolution. FL
FEATURED LINKS
Florida Black Heritage Trail
flheritage.com/preservation/trails/
blackheritage/index.cfm
Fort George
exploresouthernhistory.com/fortgeorge
Miami Circle
flheritage.com/archaeology/projects/miamicircle
The Breakers
thebreakers.com
The Grove
flheritage.com/grove
The Ringling
ringling.org
25
INSIDER TIPS
26
CLOCKWISE FROM BOTTOM LEFT: BOB KRIST/FLORIDA KEYS NEWS BUREAU; CRISTINAMURACA/SHUTTERSTOCK; HARRY B. LAMB/SHUTTERSTOCK; JOHN PANELLA/SHUTTERSTOCK
A variety of lodgings is available throughout the Sunshine State, including houseboat rentals.
MEMBERSHIP RATES
Joining a local club and/or organization, such
as the American Automobile Association
(AAA) or a wholesale shopping club like Sams
or BJs, can score you discounts on car rentals,
cruises, hotel rooms and travel packages.
FLIGHT DEALS
Helpful websites such as Hipmunk.com,
TripAdvisor.com and Airfarewatchdog.com let
you register for alerts. Youll be sent an email
when fares on routes youre interested in drop,
and when they do, jump on it.
Florida also has a few airports that might
not be on your radar. In 2011, Northwest
Florida Beaches International Airport (ECP)
was the first international airport to be built in
the US in more than a decade. Northwest
Florida Regional Airport (VPS) offers easy ac-
27
INSIDER TIPS
Alligators have right of way in Florida.
ACCOMMODATION
Booking a place to stay sight unseen can be
nerve-wracking. Contact the local convention
and visitors bureau in the city or county youll
be visiting for free assistance.
BANKS
Most banks are open Monday through Friday
from 9 AM to 4 PM, however, TD Bank has locations open every day. ATMs (automated
teller machines) can be found everywhere from
convenience stores to festivals. Many stores
allow debit card users to obtain cash back
above their purchase without a transaction fee.
DRIVING
Florida is easy to explore by vehicle. Bring your
own, or if youre at least 25, you can rent one.
28
HEAT
Heat exhaustion can affect anyone, especially
young children and the elderly. Symptoms include mild muscle cramps to dehydration. If
you or someone you are with feels faint, head
for air conditioning and starting drinking fluids.
HOLIDAYS
Banks and government offices, including the
post office, are closed on major US holidays.
Most attractions remain open year-round.
Holidays are listed in the back of this guide.
GATORS
The American alligator is found in all of the
states 67 counties. Do not feed alligatorsits
dangerous and illegal. Dont allow pets near waters that may contain alligators. Alligators are
most active between dusk and dawn.
Floridas base sales tax on purchases is six percent, with some counties adding discretionary
taxes. Most hotels charge a bed tax and some
will add a resort or amenities tax and even
parking fees.
TIPPING
In America, tips are expected for good service.
Its how many in the service industry make
their living. Add 15 to 20 percent for wait staff
and bartenders; US$2 per person for shuttle
drivers, valets and bellhops; US$2 per night for
maid service; US$2 to $10 per person for tour
guides, depending on length and enjoyment;
and 10 to 15 percent for fishing guides.
TRAVEL INSURANCE
While you cant plan for bad weather, you can
ensure your vacation does not leave you high
and dry. If weather does significantly affect
your trip, travel insurance policies reimburse
you for your expenses if you submit your receipts as supporting documentation.
WEATHER CONDITIONS
Afternoon thunderstorms are common in the
summer. They usually start and end quickly.
Hurricane season runs June 1November 30, but
there is no need to worry as your hotel (and the
local news) will keep you well informed. Keep in
mind Florida is the lightning capital of the United
States. If thunder roars, go indoors. FL
T R I VI A
WHATS IN A NAME?
BY DONNA S. VIEIRA
29
STATE G E M S
BY DEBI LANDER
SOUTHEAST
Its called the No Name Pub, and this quirky
eatery might also be the hardest to find it lies
off US Highway 1 at mile marker 30.5 bayside,
down the winding road in a settlement known
as No Name Key. However, its out-of-the-way
location doesnt keep people from discovering
the local landmarks world-class pizza and ramshackle decor.
At mile marker 50.5 bayside, Crane Point
Museum and Nature Center features the
Museum of Natural History of the Florida Keys,
the Marathon Wild Bird Center and the historic
Adderley House. Take time to wander along in-
30
CLOCKWISE FROM BOTTOM LEFT: KAMIRA/SHUTTERSTOCK; DANIEL KORZENIEWSKI/SHUTTERSTOCK; VISIT SARASOTA COUNTY
The famous No Name Pub on Big Pine Key is a landmark in the Florida Keys.
SOUTHWEST
Sanibel Island is known worldwide for its
shelling with more than 400 varieties found on
the beaches, particularly after an especially
high or low tide. The Bailey-Matthews National
Shell Museum showcases rare shell specimens
from around the world. Sanibel also offers great
biking excursions along a 25-mile path, most
separated from roadway by vegetation, making
it a safe trail for families.
The main attraction on Captiva Island:
none. That is the attraction! The natural beauty
of the island attracted Anne Morrow
Lindbergh who wrote her best-selling book Gift
from the Sea here. Capture photo-worthy sunsets at the Mucky Duck on the north end, a
popular hangout that is never short on cold
beer and fresh seafood.
Gasparilla Island is home to the sophisticated little beach town of Boca Grande where
you can browse and dine in historic venues,
such as a railroad depot and movie theater.
Then spend the night in the grande dame
Gasparilla Inn & Club, circa 1913, a member of
the Historic Hotels of America.
Just north of Fort Myers, Cabbage Key is a
100-acre island, reminiscent of days gone by.
Accessible only by boat, the Cabbage Key Inn
and Restaurant, built by playwright and author
Mary Roberts Rinehart in 1938, sits on an
Indian shell mound 38 feet above sea level. The
restaurant features cheeseburgers and the
FEATURED LINKS
Amelia Island Museum of History
ameliamuseum.org
Circus Sarasota
circusarts.org
Daytona Beach
daytonabeach.com
No Name Pub
nonamepub.com
Operation Migration
operationmigration.org
Safari Wilderness
safariwilderness.com
31
STATE G E M S
CENTRAL EAST
The sights, sounds and ground-shaking vibrations havent retired with the space shuttle. The
excitement is as palpable as ever during rocket
launches at the Kennedy Space Center, where
NASA science missions and government satellites as well as commercial space endeavors are
carried out regularly.
Dont miss Floridas prehistoric giant ground
sloth at the Museum of Arts & Sciences (MOAS)
in Daytona Beach. The museum offers the finest
collection of American Art in the southeast, the
most important compilation of Cuban art outside of Cuba and a significant Chinese art
collection. Also on display is Coca-Cola entrepreneur Chapman Roots lifetime collection of
Americana, including two private rail cars.
Smyrna Dunes Park rises above a wide expanse of dunes with two miles of elevated
boardwalk. While in New Smyrna Beach, get a
permit, gather some wood and enjoy the ambiance of a beach campfire. Bonfires are
permitted from November 1 to April 30 when
The Ponce de Leon Inlet Lighthouse and Museum is open daily.
CENTRAL
Get away from Orlandos hustle and bustle at
Polk Countys Bok Tower Gardens featuring a
60-bell carillon Singing Tower where you can
enjoy concerts daily at 1 and 3 PM. This tranquil retreat is surrounded by water and historic
landscaped gardens, perfect for picnicking, geocaching and taking in sunsets from one of the
states highest elevations at 298 feet. Every Easter
Sunday the site is home to a beautiful sunrise
service. Also visit the 1930s Mediterraneanstyle mansion, Pinewood Estate, especially
attractive during the Christmas tours.
Who would have guessed you can ride a
camel while viewing game animals on the
plains of Florida? Safari Wilderness Ranch in
Lakeland also offers safari truck tours for closeup encounters with eland, water buffalo,
springbok, Grants zebra, blackbuck antelope
and more endangered species in large herds.
The Castle Hotel, part of Marriotts
Autograph Collection in Orlando, immerses
guests in art, music, cuisine and culture within
its Bavarian-inspired exterior, elegant accommodation, and one of the best rooftop views of
Disney Worlds and Universals nightly fireworks displays.
Ocala is horse country and the 22nd Annual
Southeastern Pro Rodeo returns on March 27
and 28, 2015. Get ready for jam-packed performances filled with saddle and bareback
bronco riding, tie down roping, steer wrestling,
barrel racing and, the always popular and most
dangerous eight seconds in rodeo, bull riding.
Lake Istokpoga in the Sebring area of
Highlands County is one of the biggest trophy
bass fishing lakes in Florida and the United
States. Largemouth bass are the fish of choice
here, but youll also find black crappie and
bluegill. Best time to catch largemouth bass is
CLOCKWISE FROM BOTTOM LEFT: VISITCENTRALFL; DAYTONA BEACH AREA CVB; AMELIA ISLAND TOURIST DEVELOPMENT COUNCIL
CENTRAL WEST
Consider lodging at St. Petersburgs icon,
known as the Pink Palace or Loews Don CeSar
Hotel, which oozes the glamor of bygone days.
Former guests included F. Scott Fitzgerald,
Al Capone, Clarence Darrow, Franklin
D. Roosevelt and department store tycoons,
Bloomingdale and Gimbel.
Thousands of kites fill the sky each January at
the Treasure Island Kite Fest, Floridas largest
kite-flying event where some kites are as big as a
school bus. Competitors here vie for a spot in the
Grand Nationals, so just watching is exciting.
Guides from the Adventure Center at
Plantation on Crystal River take visitors out
scalloping during the summer. The chef at West
82 Grill will then cook your catch. In the
winter, the Crystal River is the ideal spot to
swim with manatees.
NORTHEAST
Marineland Dolphin Adventure just south of
St. Augustine, the worlds first oceanarium, offers a trainer-for-the-day program including all
the activities that fill a marine mammal specialists day, such as preparing meals, feeding
animals, attending an animal-training lecture,
observing and tracking behaviors, and most
importantly, encountering dolphins.
The Scottish Highland Games & Festival in
Green Cove Springs brings a wee bit o
Scotland to Northeast Florida with Scottish
athletics, music and food. In 2015, the games
will take place on February 28 at the Clay
County Fairgrounds.
Smell the excitement at the Spice & Tea
Exchange in St. Augustines historic district.
Following the framework of an 18th-century
trading post, displays of teas and spices evoke
a sense of stepping back in time. St.
Augustine Distillery offers free tours of its
handcrafted operations.
Walters Reef Caf, run by First Coast
Technical Colleges award-winning School of
Culinary Arts, is one of St. Augustines hidden
culinary gems. The caf prepares students for
careers as culinary professionals, while providing a dining experience for the public.
NORTH CENTRAL
FEATURED LINKS
Southeastern Pro Rodeo
ocalarodeo.com
The Ringling
NORTHWEST
ringling.org
Water Taxi
watertaxi.com
worldgolfhalloffame.org
33
THEME PA R K S
WORLDS OF FANTASY
SEAWORLD ORLANDO
Immerse yourself in wonder at SeaWorld
Orlando, where the aquatic world comes alive
like no place else. Climb aboard and ride the
mighty Manta, a face down, headfirst roller
coaster. Experience the power and grace of
killer whales in the awe-inspiring Shamu
show, One Ocean. Share an epic voyage with
sea turtles on the 3D 360 TurtleTrek. An ocean
of fun is waiting to be explored at one of the
worlds most popular marine-life parks. Jump
in and dive deep.
34
And, theres nothing cooler than the allnew thrilling, chilling adventure, Antarctica:
Empire of the Penguin. Experience the mystery and wonder of Antarctic life on the ice
through the eyes of a penguin, sensing the
beauty and drama of their sometimes dangerous habitat. Antarctica: Empire of the
Penguin is a family ride that combines upclose animal connections with state-of-the-art
interactive ride technologies for adventures
that are different each time. Explore a massive
penguin colony of more than 250 penguins in
an expanse that envelops you in cool extremes,
both above and below the penguins icy world.
Its a must-see, one-of-a-kind theme park
experienced only at SeaWorld Orlando.
Tip: SeaWorld offers amazing special events
throughout the year. Consider planning your
vacation during one of these festivities. Unlike
CLOCKWISE FROM TOP LEFT: SEAWORLD ORLANDO; BUSCH GARDENS TAMPA; WALT DISNEY/MATT STROSHANE
The new Seven Dwarfs Mine Train is the crown jewel of New Fantasyland at Walt Disney Worlds Magic Kingdom.
2015 TRAVEL GUIDE TO FLORIDA
35
THEME PA R K S
36
UNIVERSAL ORLANDO
Harry-fanatics will be in Hogwart Heaven this
year at Universals Islands of Adventure. Explore
more of the wizarding world than ever before at
The Wizarding World of Harry PotterDiagon
Alley. A new multi-dimensional thrill ride is
nothing short of magical as you find yourself
navigating the perils of the Gringotts vaults with
Harry, Ron and Hermione. Grab some grub at
the Leaky Cauldron and be sure to wrap your
hands around your own magic wand at
Ollivanders wand shop. Hogsmeade invites
wanna-be wizards to explore the classrooms and
corridors of Hogwarts castle.
Theres more marvelous mayhem and magic
throughout the park. After departing Harry,
exhibit your fearlessness by braving the
Incredible Hulk coaster, the Amazing
Adventures of Spider-mannow in highdefinition 3Dand Dudley Do-Rights Ripsaw
Falls. Tiny travelers will love the wonkiness of
Dr. Seusss creations as they ride the CaroSeuss-el and meet Horton the Elephant.
FEATURED LINKS
Aquatica Orlando
AquaticaOrlando.com
Discovery Cove
DiscoveryCove.com
LEGOLAND Florida
legolandflorida.com
SeaWorld Orlando
seaworldparks.com/en/seaworld-orlando
LEGOLAND FLORIDA
GO LF
38
SOUTHEAST
Gentlemen and ladies, start your golf carts.
Whether its Miami, Palm Beach, Fort
Lauderdale or another beach community,
youre never far from a golf course.
The Trump National Doral Miami Resort,
with its five championship golf courses, has
undergone a property-wide US$200-million
refurbishment in the past two years. The
resorts famous Blue Monster course has been
completely redesigned to be even more monstrous. Be sure to check out the 2015 Cadillac
Championship taking place from March 410.
In Aventura, 18 miles north of Miami,
Turnberry Isle Miami has two palm- and lakedotted courses with high-impact water features.
The property showcases a Mediterraneandesigned resort hotel, voted one of the worlds
best by Travel + Leisure Magazine.
PGA National Resort and Spa in Palm
Beach Gardens is home to The Champion, site
of the PGA Tours annual Honda Classic, and
four other impressive layoutsplus the PGA
National Golf Academy.
SOUTHWEST
Encompassing golf-happy communities such as
Naples, Fort Myers and Sarasota, this region of
the state is extremely welcoming to the whitedimple ball set.
The upscale, family-owned Naples Beach
Hotel & Golf Club has been entertaining
golfers since the late 1920s. Redesigned, refurbished and enhanced several times, the course
often receives accolades as one of the top
women-friendly golf courses in the nation.
For fans of legendary Scottish designer
Donald Ross, the venerable Bobby Jones Golf
Club in Sarasota has two 18-hole championship courses and a nine-hole executive course
ideal for players of all skill levels.
CLOCKWISE FROM BOTTOM LEFT: VISIT ORLANDO; DAYTONA BEACH AREA CVB; ; NAPLES, MARCO ISLAND, EVERGLADES CVB; VISIT ST. PETERSBURG/CLEARWATER; DISCOVER THE PALM BEACHES
CENTRAL EAST
Daytona Beach is home to the Ladies
Professional Golf Association (LPGA), which
is headquartered at LPGA International, an
upscale resort/residential complex with two
highly rated layouts: the Arthur Hillsdesigned Legends Course and the Rees Jones
Champions Course.
To fully immerse you in the golf experience,
the PGA Village in Port St. Lucie, owned and operated by the PGA of America, has 54 holes
designed by Tom Fazio and Pete Dye and a stateof-the-art 35-acre learning and performance
center for instruction and game improvement.
CENTRAL
CENTRAL WEST
PGA National Resort and Spa in Palm Beach Gardens is home to The Champion course and the annual Honda Classic.
2015 TRAVEL GUIDE TO FLORIDA
39
GO LF
NORTHEAST
This golf aplenty area is brimming with highprofile courses and resorts.
In Ponte Vedra Beach, headquarters for the
PGA Tour, the Sawgrass Golf Resort & Spa is
home to 99 holes of golf featuring THE
PLAYERS Stadium Course at TPC Sawgrass,
where the famous No. 17 island hole awaits you.
Near St. Augustine, the sprawling 6,300-acre
World Golf Village resort/residential development draws golf enthusiasts with World Golf
Hall of Fame, and the King & Bear and the
Slammer & Squire courses.
Two other area resorts on golfers must-play
lists are Hammock Beach, a Salamander Golf &
Spa Resort in Palm Coast with 36 holes of exceptional golf, and Omni Amelia Island Plantation,
30 miles north of Jacksonville, which has three
picturesque and challenging courses certified by
the Audubon International Certified Sanctuaries.
NORTH CENTRAL
Away from the theme parks and attractions,
this region of the state offers a slower pace and
superb golf options.
40
Southwood Golf Club in Tallahassee, a design by PGA Tour star Fred Couples, is set on
lush former pastureland accented by rolling
hills, giant oaks dripping with Spanish moss
and impressive native grass areas.
In Gainesville, the Mark Bostick Golf
Course, situated on the northwest corner of the
University of Florida campus, is a legendary
Florida course, designed by Scotsman Donald
Ross in the 1920s and later renovated and modernized by architect Bobby Weed in 2001.
FEATURED LINKS
Bay Point Wyndham Resort
baypointwyndham.com
Hammock Beach
hammockbeach.com
Innisbrook
innisbrookgolfresort.com
LPGA International
lpgainternational.com
NORTHWEST
omnihotels.com
perdidobaygolf.com
PGA Village
pgavillage.com
Reunion
reunionresort.com
Saddlebrook Resort
saddlebrook.com
D I S C O V E R
E X P L O R E
R E L A X
EXP E RI E NC E AN UN PA R A L L E L E D VA C AT I ON
World Golf Hall of Fame & Museum
Championship Golf Courses
First-Class Accommodations
State-of-the-Art Instruction
8 6 6 . 3 3 1 . 9 0 4 3 | S T. A U G U S T I N E , F L | W O R L D G O L F V I L L A G E . C O M
GA M B L I N G
BY RICHARD WESTLUND
42
SOUTHEAST
Southeast Florida has the widest collection of
gaming venues with everything from largescale casinos featuring table games, poker and
slot machines, to horse racing, dog tracks, jaialai and offshore gambling cruises.
Resorts World Bimini offers Bimini
SuperFast, a cruise ship, which sails to Resorts
World Bimini Casino in the Bahamas on
Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday from Port
Everglades, Fort Lauderdale, and Friday,
CLOCKWISE FROM LEFT: SEMINOLE HARD ROCK HOTEL AND CASINO; GREATER FORT LAUDERDALE CVB; RESORTS WORLD BIMINI
SOUTHWEST
Enjoy live world-class thoroughbred racing January through April at the Gulfstream Racing and Casino Park in Hallandale Beach.
The Bimini SuperFast cruise ship sails for the Bahamas from Fort Lauderdale or Miami ports.
2015 TRAVEL GUIDE TO FLORIDA
43
GA M B L I N G
The Palm Beach Kennel Club features live greyhound racing, a poker room and numerous other options.
FEATURED LINKS
Balearia Bahamas Express
ferryexpress.com
bestbet
bestbetjax.com
Big M Casino
bigmcasino.com
Dania Jai-Alai
dania-jai-alai.com
CENTRAL EAST
Fort Pierce Jai-Alai & Poker has live and simulcast gaming action along with poker tables and
tournaments.
To the north, Melbourne Greyhound Park
and Club 52 hosts poker action, live greyhound
racing and simulcast wagering.
Sailing twice daily from Port Canaveral,
Victory Casino Cruises offers offshore gambling activity including slots, poker, sports
betting and more than 30 table games.
Since 1948, Daytona Beach Kennel Club
and Poker Room has been a mainstay in the
areas entertainment landscape. Located near
Daytona International Speedway, the club offers live greyhound racing, as well as simulcast
greyhound, thoroughbred, harness and jai-alai
wagering with a large poker room.
CENTRAL
Orlando Jai-Alai in Fern Park has live jai-alai
action and simulcast wagering. Ocala Poker
and Jai-Alai in Reddick (midway between
Ocala and Gainesville) is a non-smoking facility, which hosts poker tournaments and live
games, as well as simulcast wagering.
CENTRAL WEST
Seminole Hard Rock Hotel & Casino in Tampa
is one of the worlds largest casinos with more
than 5,000 slot machines and 90 table games,
44
hialeahparkcasino.com
Miccosukee Casino
miccosukee.com/gaming
Orlando Jai-Alai
orlandojaialai.com
NORTHEAST
pbkennelclub.com
rwbimini.com/superfast-cruise-ship
NORTHWEST
Since 1955, Ebro Greyhound Park and Poker
Room has brought exciting racing action to
Northwest Florida. Located northwest of
Panama City Beach, Ebro has live racing, a
popular poker room and simulcast wagering,
along with trackside dining. FL
seminoleimmokaleecasino.com
1 S e m i n o l e W a y, H o l l y w o o d , F L
SeminoleHardRockHollywood.com
SP O RT S
BY JEFF OSTROWSKI
46
A NATIONAL PASTIME
Baseball is a big deal in Florida, where the
Major League Baseball season starts early.
Every March, Floridas Grapefruit League is
home to spring training for 15 clubs, including
the Atlanta Braves, Boston Red Sox, Detroit
Tigers, New York Yankees, New York Mets and
Toronto Blue Jays. The states spring training
stadiums have undergone a major upgrade over
the years. Fans no longer sit on metal bleachers.
Instead, the ballparks have turned into smaller
versions of Major League stadiums, complete
with luxury suites. Roger Dean Stadium in
Jupiter (spring training home to the Miami
Marlins and St. Louis Cardinals) was designed
by the same architectural firm that drew up the
CLOCKWISE FROM BOTTOM LEFT: GETTY IMAGES; JERRY ZITTERMAN/SHUTTERSTOCK; RICHARD CAVALLERI/SHUTTERSTOCK; PERRY CORRELL/SHUTTERSTOCK
The Crandon Park Tennis Center in Key Biscayne is home to the Sony Open.
A rider competes at the Palm Beach County Horsemen's Association event in Wellington.
SLAM-DUNK
Florida has emerged as a basketball powerhouse, too, thanks to LeBron James
high-profile decision to join the Miami Heat in
2010. The Heat reached the NBA Finals in 2011
but lost, then won the NBA championships in
2012 and 2013 before losing again in 2014. The
states other NBA team, the Orlando Magic, has
reached the NBA finals twice.
College hoops are big news, too. The Florida
Gators have won two NCAA championships
and both Florida State and the University of
Miami field strong teams.
TOUCHDOWN!
Florida fans are passionate about all their
sports, but football has the strongest hold. The
state is home to three NFL teamsthe Miami
Dolphins, Tampa Bay Buccaneers and
Jacksonville Jaguars.
Florida fans love their pro teams, but theyre
even more passionate about their college
teams. Florida, Florida State and Miami all
have produced NCAA championships and
Heisman Trophy winners. The football teams
at the University of Central Florida (UCF) and
the University of South Florida also have
stepped up their games in recent years. UCFs
quarterback last year, Blake Bortles, was the
No. 1 pick in the National Football League
draft by the Jacksonville Jaguars.
GOT STICK?
Hockey doesnt generate the same passion
among Florida fans as other sports, but the
Sunshine State boasts two NHL teams
nonetheless. The Florida Panthers play in
Sunrise, near Fort Lauderdale, and the Tampa
Bay Lightning skate in Tampa. Both teams have
enjoyed occasional success. The Lightning won
the Stanley Cup in 2004, and the Panthers
reached the NHL finals in 1996.
GRAND SLAMS
While hockey isnt exactly synonymous with
Florida, tennis is. The Sony Open in Key
Biscayne offers spectators the chance to see
POUNDING HOOVES
Florida is home to a dozen high-profile teams
and a number of big-time events, however
there are plenty of highlights thatll never
make SportsCenter. For horsepower on four
legs rather than four wheels, check out the
Palm Beach International Equestrian Club, a
mecca for the horsey set in Wellington, west
of Palm Beach. The 120-acre club hosts the
Winter Equestrian Festival, the nations largest
and richest grand prix jumping event.
Olympic equestrian athletes from around the
world compete.
47
SP O RT S
Wellington is also home to International
Polo Club Palm Beach, which attracts players
from around the world.
48
FEATURED LINKS
Alafia River State Park
floridastateparks.org/alafiariver
Florida Gators
gatorzone.com
Florida Panthers
panthers.nhl.com
gate-riverrun.com
Homestead-Miami Speedway
homesteadmiamispeedway.com
CHALLENGE YOURSELF
Florida offers some of the best ocean swimming youll find anywhere, so be sure to pack
your goggles.
If youre interested in more than just a casual
swim, consider one of Floridas open-water
swim races. Swim Miami hosts races ranging
from one mile to 10 kilometers in April, and the
Tampa Bay Open Water Swim stages one-mile
and half-mile swims in May. Truly hard-core
endurance athletes can sign up for the 12.5mile Swim Around Key West, held each June.
For athletes who like to bike and run after
they swim, Florida offers a busy schedule of
triathlons. The Miami and Tampa regions host
a number of tris, and Clermont, just west of
Orlando, has emerged as a hub for athletes who
want to go faster. Clermonts National Training
Center includes a 76-yard pool and physiology
lab. Runners looking for warm weather and flat
courses are attracted to Floridas winter races.
Among the big events in 2015 are the Walt
Disney World Half Marathon (January 10) and
Marathon (January 11), the Miami Marathon
and Half Marathon (scheduled for January 25),
the Fort Lauderdale A1A Marathon & Half
Marathon (February 15), Tampas Gasparilla
Distance Classic 15K (February 21) and
Jacksonvilles Gate River Run 15K (March 14).
If rowing is more your speed, check out
Nathan Benderson Parks world-class rowing
facility in Sarasota. The newly opened parks
500-acre lake includes a 2,200-meter sprint
course and a 1,500-meter practice course. This
igfa.org
macarthurbeach.org
pennekamppark.com
Jacksonville Jaguars
jaguars.com
Miami Dolphins
miamidolphins.com
Miami Heat
nba.com/heat
Miami Marlins
miami.marlins.mlb.com
Orlando Magic
nba.com/magic
Spiegel Grove
spiegelgrove.com
49
BY ROCHELLE LASH
50
FROM THE TOP: AMBROSIO PHOTOGRAPHY; MEXICO BEACH COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT COUNCIL
Cheeca Lodge in the Upper Keys partners with sister hotel, the new Marker Resort Key West, for fabulous weddings and honeymoons.
FEATURED LINKS
Captain Slates Scuba Adventures
captainslate.com
Creek Ranch
creekranch.net
Epicurean Hotel
epicureanhotel.com
51
VAC AT I O N H O M ES
52
Minto has been creating award-winning homes and communities in Florida for nearly 50 years.
2015 TRAVEL GUIDE TO FLORIDA
53
Grand Opening! New Single Family, Paired Villa & Coach Home Designs!
Located on 2,400 acres dedicated to lakes, nature preserves and natural habitat,
outdoor-inspired amenities complete this new community. Just minutes from
Downtown Naples, and area attractions. Luxury Single Family, Paired Villa and
Coach Homes from the low $400s to the high $700s.
5445 Caribe Avenue, Naples, FL 34113 | (888) 807-7190
VAC AT I O N H O M ES
Seek advice from financial
and real estate experts.
REGIONAL APPEALS
While US and international visitors purchase
homes and condos throughout the state, four
regions tend to attract the largest share of
second-home purchases: Southeast, Southwest,
Central and the Panhandle.
56
FEATURED LINKS
Anna Maria Vacations
annamariavacations.com
Florida Realtors
Lennar
floridarealtors.org
lennar.com
Minto
minto.com
Toll Brothers
tollbrothers.com
CLOCKWISE FROM THE CENTER LEFT: FELIX MIZIOZNIKOV/SHUTTERSTOCK; GOODLUZ/SHUTTERSTOCK; NAPLES, MARCO ISLAND, EVERGLADES CVB; V&V HOSPITALITY & MEDIA SERVICES
PETS
BY JEN KARETNICK
PET-LOVING HAVENS
57
PETS
All dressed up for the Key West Dachshund Walk.
Paw Park of Historic Sanford, the oldest offleash dog site in Central Florida, features a
separate play area for small breeds, self-watering bowls, plenty of live oak shade trees and
even showers to cool down your critters on
sweltering days.
Tampa Bay boasts more than a dozen offleash parks, including Mango Dog Park, a
shady, five-acre tract with swim areas and
pavilions; Curtis Hixon Waterfront Dog Park
and the freshly renovated Davis Islands Dog
Park, both of which are feted for their water
features; and a few Paw Playgrounds in
Anderson, Boca Ciega and Fort De Soto, which
are fully fenced and even offer showers.
For more water recreation and exercise, as
well as raised bathing tubs and an agility
course, visit Jacksonvilles off-leash, fenced,
multi-acre Dog Wood Park facility.
HOWL-WORTHY EVENTS
Do you travel because of your pet? If not, perhaps you should start! Orlando, for instance,
hosts more than eight annual events, such as
Paws in the Park Pet Walk, which raises
money for the SPCA of Central Florida, and
the Global Pet Expo and the Orlando
Pampered Pet Expo at the Orange County
Convention Center.
Theres also the Annual Doggie Art Festival
in nearby Winter Park and the Posh Pooch
Festival, a multi-tiered contest at neighboring
Celebrations Lakeside Park.
Check out Bark at the Ball Park daysone
at the George M. Steinbrenner Field in Tampa
and another at the Bright House Field in
Clearwaterwhere you can take in a game
and pet vendors simultaneously.
If youre into breed-specific destinations,
head to South Beach in Miami in January for
the Dachshund Winterfest.
Holidays such as Halloween are arguably
the most interesting times to travel with animals, if only to participate in events such as
the Pet Masquerade and Parade in Key West,
which, even though the dogs are leashed, can
be quite a howl.
58
CANINE HANGOUTS
For a complete list of dog-friendly parks and
beaches, visit DogFriendly.com, which offers information on 20 cities with coastal access. This
handy list is especially helpful if you want to
know if and where leashes are required. (While
many parks and beaches invite animals to
frolic, some require pets to be regulated on sixfoot leashes.)
One must-stop on the Gulf of Mexico is Dog
Island just south of Carrabelle, which is accessible only by ferry or boat and welcomes
leashed, well-behaved, four-legged sidekicks
everywhere, except in the nature conservatory.
South of Cocoa Beach in Central East
Florida, Canova Beach Dog Park is a popular
leashed-dog hangout. Be sure to enter the
beach through the south crossover to avoid any
fines. A little farther north, pet-friendly Smyrna
Dunes Park rises above a wide expanse of
dunes with two miles of elevated boardwalk.
Prefer off-leash beaches? Consider Lee
Countys Barkingham Park in Fort Myers and
Dog Beach in Bonita Beach; Scott Complex
Dog Park in Pensacola, where facilities include
human and hound water fountains and pooperscooper stations; Happy Tails Canine Park in
Bradenton; and Higgs Beach Dog Park in Key
West, where small and large animals have separate playgrounds.
CLOCKWISE FROM TOP LEFT: ANDY NEWMAN/FLORIDA KEYS NEWS BUREAU/HO; FLORIDASHISTORICCOAST.COM
CREATURE COMFORTS
Pets are welcome on city walk tours of St. Augustines historic area.
FEATURED LINKS
Aloft Hotels
starwoodhotels.com/alofthotels
Aventura Mall
aventuramall.com
Camp Canine
campcanineflorida.com
Jacksonville Landing
PUPULAR BOULEVARDS
Lincoln Road in Miami Beach is the place to
stroll, especially if youre rooming at the
jacksonvillelanding.com
Paw Playgrounds
pinellascounty.org/park/dog_parks.htm
Piglets Pantry
pigletspantry.com
TAIL-WAGGING FAVORITES
nsbfla.com/petfriendly
thealfondinn.com
59
EC OTO U R ISM
BY SANDRA FRIEND
ature lovers have an endless list of reasons to explore Floridas wild places.
Start with the hundreds of shimmering freshwater springs, lush tropical forests,
a 2,000-mile coastline, and the worlds only
Everglades. Add in the states location on migratory paths for birds and butterflies, and native
species youll rarely, if ever, see elsewhere: the
American crocodile, the Florida panther, the
West Indian manatee and a colorful spectrum of
native orchids and bromeliads. Eco-friendly accommodation and tour options sensitive to the
native habitats continue to expand. So when in
Florida, embrace the wild: get outdoors.
SOUTHEAST
The Everglades, the watery heart of South
Florida, covers more than 734 square miles of
sawgrass prairies, mangrove swamps and tropical hammocks. Experience this wilderness via
its trails, roads and guided tours offered in
60
CLOCKWISE FROM BOTTOM LEFT: BOB CARE/FLORIDA KEYS NEWS BUREAU; VISIT FLORIDA; VISIT FLORIDA
FEATURED LINKS
Aardvarks Florida Kayak Co., Inc.
floridakayakcompany.com
Apalachicola Bay
apalachicolabay.org
SOUTHWEST
Lush cypress strands dense with orchids and
bromeliads await visitors bold enough to explore
the Big Cypress Swamp in the western Everglades.
Blanketing more than a million acres, this watery
wilderness is Americas own Amazon, accessed
through public lands, such as Big Cypress National
Preserve and Fakahatchee Strand Preserve State
Park. Swamp walks enable visitors to experience
the wild with a guide. For a gentler walk into a cypress strand, follow the boardwalks of Six Mile
Cypress Slough Preserve in Fort Myers.
Along the Imperial River, Bonita Nature
Place is a new nature center to delight the kids,
who will also enjoy the indoor field trips at the
Dalton Discovery Center, the central feature of
the 21-acre Conservancy of Southwest Florida
Nature Center in Naples.
Bicycles are big around Charlotte County,
with the Yellow Bike Loaner Programthe first
Florida free bike loan programoffering visitors an eco-friendly way to explore Punta
Gorda. Another first is Florida Tracks & Trails,
a 1,000-acre outdoor recreation facility with
on-site camping and activities ranging from
paintball and Motocross to off-highway vehicle
trails and a recreation lake.
Grab a paddleboard to explore the Neville
Marine Preserve Trail, which winds between Casey
Cherry Pocket
cherrypocket.com
61
EC OTO U R ISM
Pet a stingray at Brevard Zoo.
Watch for the rare and endangered scrub jay in Lake County.
CENTRAL EAST
Get to know Floridas marine communities
better at the Florida Oceanographic Coastal
Center, a 57-acre facility in Stuart with touch
tanks and trails through mangrove forest; it also
offers guided after-dark turtle nesting walks on
Hutchinson Island. There are more than 225
acres to explore at Oxbow Eco-Center, where
62
programs for children and adults alike showcase the spectrum of nature found in and
around Port St. Lucie. The new Lagoon
Greenway provides several miles of hiking trails
through mangrove forests along the Indian
River Lagoon in Vero Beach. Protecting more
than 20 miles of oceanfront, Archie Carr
National Wildlife Refuge near Sebastian is a top
nesting site for sea turtles.
Ocean-goers who love the outdoors will delight in the addition of cabins to popular Jetty
Park in Cape Canaveral, where RVs and tent
The B Resort at Walt Disney World raises awareness of Florida wildlife by adopting the gopher
frog, a Florida species in decline, as a stuffed
mascot in every guest room. Take one home and
part of the proceeds benefit the Wildlife
Foundation of Florida. At Disneys Animal
Kingdom, the Wild Africa Trek harnesses you
into a hike above hippos before boarding a
bouncing safari ride that takes you past exotic
animals in the African savannah. Early risers
catch the early birds with a photographers pass
at Gatorland in Orlando. Slip in before the
crowds to capture top-notch images of the many
nesting birds above the alligator ponds.
Wildlife sightings are guaranteed at Circle B
Bar Reserve near Lakeland, renowned among
photographers and birders for the density of its
bird life. Newly opened Holloway Park &
Nature Preserve provides cross-country runners with a place to train in nature, and a new
natural space for birding in Lakeland. Watch the
sun rise over the marshes of Lake Lowery at
Oak Harbor Lodging and RV Park, a 198-site
family-owned campground that feels like a nature park. At Cherry Pocket Fish Camp, rustic
cabins and RV sites provide out-the-door access
to fishing on Lake Pierce; at night, its famed
restaurant draws diners from around the region.
CLOCKWISE FROM CENTER LEFT: LAKE COUNTY CVB; FLORIDA'S SPACE COAST OFFICE OF TOURISM; CITRUSCOUNTY.COM
CENTRAL
CENTRAL WEST
There are more places to play at Werner-Boyce
Salt Springs State Park. Enter at the Main Gate
trailhead to enjoy hiking trails and a kayak
launch into its vast coastal marshes. The Nature
Coast is known for its mazy marshes, so hiring a
guide is recommended. Aardvarks Florida Kayak
Co., Inc., offers unique tours of the 23,000-acre
St. Martins Marsh Aquatic Preserve, as well as
more standard manatee tours, a mainstay of the
Crystal River-Homosassa area. Paddlers love
Chassahowitzka River Campground, the launch
point for adventures in the watery
Chassahowitzka National Wildlife Refuge.
Fort De Soto Park attracts millions annually to its beaches along Tampa Bay; its trails
lead you into mangrove forests where manatees cruise the shallows. With 238 sites, many
of which look out on Tampa Bay, its campground is on every campers list. But did you
know you can take a tent out to Anclote Key
Preserve State Parkaccessible only by
NORTHEAST
Learn where your seafood comes from.
Departing from Fernandina Beach, Amelia
River Cruises puts all hands on deck to work
on its eco-shrimping tours, a perfect match for
a city known for its shrimping heritage.
Discover just how close the coastal wetlands
are to the gleaming skyscrapers of downtown
Jacksonville on a dolphin-watching cruise with
Captain Brooks Mitchell of Jax Water Tours.
You cant get closer to the beach than Huguenot
Memorial Park Campground, which features
71 sites on a spit of sand at the mouth of the St.
Johns River.
Take a guided trip through the estuaries between St. Augustine and Flagler Beach with
Ripple Effect Ecotours by kayak or on board
quiet vegetable oil-powered Eco-Explorer
boats. Now partnering with Marineland
Dolphin Adventure and the University of
Floridas Whitney Lab, Ripple Effect Ecotours
FEATURED LINKS
Florida Keys Reef Explorer
fla-keys.com/diving/reefexplorer
Gatorland
gatorland.com
Giraffe Ranch
girafferanch.com
Lagoon Greenway
indianriverlandtrust.org/cfiles/
projects_lagoongreenway.cfm
63
EC OTO U R ISM
Dolphins frolic near the shores of the Palm Coast and Flagler Beaches area.
FEATURED LINKS
Manatee Hammock Campground
brevardcounty.us/ParksRecreation/North/
ManateeHammock
NORTH CENTRAL
A bounty of springs through this region promises access to the states most beautiful
swimming holes and camping spots. Celebrate
the springs each April at the Marion County
Springs Festival, held at a different spring each
year for more than a decade. Centered on its
own bubbling spring on the Santa Fe River,
Ellie Rays RV Resort & Lounge has cabins and
deeply shaded tent and RV sites.
For an off-the-beaten-path paddling trip,
head to Wacissa Springs, an unspoiled waterway
east of Tallahassee, where Wacissa River Canoe
Rentals will float your boat. Keep Paddle Florida
in your bookmarks. This non-profit sponsors
flotillas of canoes and kayaks on supported trips
along Floridas rivers at varying times of the year.
Gainesville has always been a mecca for
birders, with Paynes Prairie Preserve State Park a
perfect place to spot sandhill cranes and whooping
64
NORTHWEST
South of Tallahassee, St. Marks National Wildlife
Refuge is a popular stop on the Great Florida
Birding & Wildlife Trail, especially in October
during the annual monarch butterfly migration.
See the delicate microfauna of the Gulf of
Mexicoseahorses, jellyfish, crabs, and more
along with sea turtles and stingrays at Gulf
Specimen Marine Laboratories, Inc., in Panacea.
For a hands-on experience with aquaculture,
learn how to tong oysters from the oyster beds
with an oysterman on Apalachicola Bay.
Paddle a massive tupelo-cypress swamp
known as the Dead Lakes with a guided tour
from Off the Map Expeditions, LLC. This watery wilderness is the birthplace of tupelo honey,
processed and shipped from Wewahitchka,
where you can try a sample at Smileys Apiaries.
Howl with the wolves during an overnight campout at Seacrest Wolf Preserve, the largest wolf
preserve in the southeast US; tours are offered
to the public on Saturdays.
For sugar-sand beaches with a salty breeze,
head for T.H. Stone Memorial St. Joseph
Peninsula State Park, with its camping options
to delight all visitors, including backcountry
tent camping and A-frame cabins above the bay.
Imagine your own private white-sand beach
on a gentle bend of a freshwater river. Campers
at Blackwater River State Park in Santa Rosa
County can sneak away from their gravel sites
in the woods down a nature trail and boardwalk to a quiet getaway; day visitors to the park
have a busier swimming hole upriver. FL
offthemapexpeditions.com
Oxbow Eco-Center
stlucieco.gov/erd/oxbow
Paddle Florida
paddleflorida.org
Smiley Apiaries
smileyhoney.com
Spring-to-Spring Trail
volusia.org/trails
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AUGUST
31, 2014
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SOUTHEAST FLORIDA
A STUDY IN
Vt
BY JEFF OSTROWSKI
WHATS NEW
Visitors to the middle Florida Keys can now enjoy
an immersive experience with reef fish, invertebrates, stingrays and even sharks without entering
the ocean at Florida Keys Aquarium Encounters,
a marine life attraction that recently opened in
Marathon. Learn about the importance of marine
conservation and discover the Keys complex underwater habitats. A signature feature is the coral
66
reef exhibit and shark habitat housed in a massive 200,000-gallon interconnected saltwater
aquarium. Following an instructional presentation, participants can immerse themselves in
the tank to hover over the artificial coral reef
structure and observe marine species that are
part of the in-tank ecosystem.
Prez Art Museum Miami is the newest
addition to South Floridas cultural scene.
Housed in a US$130-million building overlooking Biscayne Bay, the freshly opened
museum features contemporary art. But the
building itself is the star. Designed by awardwinning architects Herzog & de Meuron, the
structure is a swirl of striking terraces,
canopies and floor-to-ceiling glass. The
200,000-square-foot facility includes a sculpture garden and a restaurant.
If you prefer shopping to art, a new entry to
Floridas shopping scene is Delray Marketplace,
which includes Polaroid Fotobar, Gymboree,
Yankee Candle and other small shops, plus
movies and dining establishments, such as Burt
& Maxs Grille, Cabo Flats Cantina & Tequila
Bar and Shula Burger.
The Palm Beach Outlets in West Palm
Beach serves up the latest addition to Southeast
Floridas consumer culture. The mall, just off
Interstate 95, opened with 100 stores, including
such favorites as Saks Fifth Avenue OFF 5th,
Cole Haan, Kenneth Cole, The PUMA Store,
Nike Factory Store, Under Armour and Banana
Republic Factory Store. The adjacent
Marketplace at the Outlets opened in the fall of
2014, featuring Whole Foods Market and
Sports Authority.
Scheduled to open in summer 2015, the 350room Margaritaville Hollywood Beach Resort is
being built on the famous Broadwalk in
Hollywood. It will tower 17 stories over the
Atlantic and Intracoastal Waterway and will include multiple food and beverage venues,
recreational areas including multiple pools, beachfront cabanas and entertainment venues, the
15,000-square-foot world-class St. Somewhere
Spa, a beachfront fitness center, 7,000 square feet
of retail space, the Johnson Street Amphitheatre
and ample meeting and convention space.
JANUARYFEBRUARY
South Florida Fair, West Palm Beach
FEBRUARY
ArtiGras Fine Arts Festival, Jupiter
Delray Beach Garlic Fest
Food Network South Beach Wine & Food Festival
Miami International Boat Show
FEBRUARYMARCH
Honda Classic, Palm Beach Gardens
MARCH
Boca Bacchanal, Boca Raton
Calle Ocho, Miami
Las Olas Art Fair Part II
Major League Baseball Spring Training, Jupiter
Savor the Avenue, Delray Beach
Sony Open Tennis, Key Biscayne
Winter Music Conference, Miami Beach
APRIL
Delray Affair
Lauderdale Air Show
Palm Beach International Film Festival
APRILMAY
Sunfest, West Palm Beach
MAY
Humphrey Bogart Film Festival, Key Largo
JULY
Hemingway Days, Key West
Miami Swim Week
AUGUST
Brazilian Film Festival of Miami
AUGUSTSEPTEMBER
International Ballet Festival, Miami
SEPTEMBER
Miami International Wine Fair
OCTOBER
Boogie by the Beach, Sunny Isles Beach
Fantasy Fest, Key West
Fort Lauderdale International Boat Show
Italian Film Festival, Miami
Key West Goombay Festival
NOVEMBER
Key West Film Festival
Miami Book Fair International
Sunny Isles Beach Jazz Fest
DECEMBER
Art Basel Miami Beach
Design Miami
Holiday Boat Parades
Miami Short Film Festival
Explore beauty and peace in the Japanese Gardens at Morikami Park in Delray Beach.
2015 TRAVEL GUIDE TO FLORIDA
67
SOUTHEAST FLORIDA
Water taxis are a great way to explore
Fort Lauderdale or Miami.
INSIDERS TIPS
Water Taxi Miami hop-on/hop-off service
connects Miami and Downtown Miami and
the new Marlins Stadium with Miami
Beach/South Beach, Key Biscayne, Coconut
Grove, Fisher Island and Indian Creek.
Water taxis are also an excellent way to
take in the sights along Fort Lauderdales
waterways and provide access to both
Hollywood and Fort Lauderdale beaches,
world-class shopping and dining, and the
many cultural and historical sites in both
citiesall for one low price. A convenient
trolley system also runs in both cities from
beachside to downtown.
Located midway between downtown
Miami and Fort Lauderdale, the city of
Sunny Isles Beach offers free community
shuttle service seven days a week with three
different routes for the convenience of residents and visitors. Shuttle buses are
handicapped accessible and are available
for such use when a reservation is made at
least 24 hours in advance.
Depending on where you plan to visit, a
number of international and regional airports service Southeast Florida besides
Miami International Airport: Fort
Lauderdale-Hollywood International Airport,
Palm Beach International Airport and Key
West International Airport.
68
BEACHES
Beaches are Southeast Floridas original tourist
attraction, and the beach experiences here are
as varied as the region itself.
The beach area at Bahia Honda State Park
in the Lower Florida Keys was named one of
the United States top 25 beaches for 2014 by
TripAdvisor. Bahia Honda features a pristine,
sandy expanse thats part of a 524-acre state
park. Deep near-shore waters are ideal for
swimming and snorkeling, and the park also
offers camping, picnicking, nature trails, the
Sand and Sea Nature Center, a marina and
rental cabins.
South Beach is perhaps Southeast Floridas
most iconic destination. The art deco architecture, wide beach and vibrant nightlife draw
pleasure-seekers from everywhere. For a quieter
experience, try snorkeling at John Pennekamp
State Park in Key Largo or at John D. MacArthur
Beach State Park in North Palm Beach.
The beaches around Southeast Floridas
many piers also are a good bet. Among them:
Newport Fishing Pier in Sunny Isles Beach,
Dania Beach Pier, Anglins Fishing Pier in
Lauderdale-by-the-Sea, Pompano Municipal
Pier, Deerfield Beach International Fishing Pier,
Lake Worth Pier and Juno Beach Park Pier.
FEATURED LINKS
Ann Norton Sculpture Gardens
ansg.org
Aventura Mall
aventuramall.com
Bimini SuperFast
rwbimini.com/superfast-cruise-ship
Boomers!
boomersparks.com
Butterfly World
butterflyworld.com
Cool de Sac
cool-de-sac.com
Dadeland Mall
simon.com/mall/dadeland-mall
Delray Marketplace
delraymarket.com
Dolphin Mall
shopdolphinmall.com
Falls Mall
simon.com/mall/the-falls
Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood
International Airport
broward.org/airport
69
SOUTHEAST FLORIDA
FAMILY ENTERTAINMENT
FROM LEFT TO RIGHT: ANDY NEWMAN/FLORIDA KEYS NEWS BUREAU; ALBERT BARR/SHUTTERSTOCK
FEATURED LINKS
IMAX
imax.com
Jungle Island
jungleisland.com
Lincoln Road
lincolnroad.org
Marlins Park
m o r r i s o n
FLAGLER MUSEUM
palm beach, florida
marlins.com
Miami Seaquarium
miamiseaquarium.com
Mizner Park
miznerpark.com
Monkey Jungle
monkeyjungle.com
71
SOUTHEAST FLORIDA
The legendary Fontainebleau Hotel Miami Beach overlooks the Atlantic Ocean.
ROAD TRIPS
An all-time favorite is the drive from Miami to
Key West on the single-lane Overseas Highway,
which crosses the Seven Mile Bridge. Flanked by
water on both sides, you might imagine youre
floating through Islamorada, Key Largo,
Marathon Key and Big Pine Key. Dawn and dusk
are prime times for birdwatching. If youre lucky,
youll spot great blue herons, white cranes and
bald eagles. Check FloridaRambler.coms milemarker guide to know where to stop and when.
For a stunning short drive, head east from
downtown Miami. If you choose the
Rickenbacker Causeway, youll spot ships at
the Port of Miami and the downtown skyline,
and youll quickly be transported to the OldFlorida feel of Key Biscayne. Take the
MacArthur Causeway to Miami Beach to view
the ships from a different angle, and youll be
headed straight for the new Florida vibe in
South Beach.
Another classic drive takes you along State
Road A1A from Deerfield Beach north to
Palm Beach. Youll pass some of the worlds
priciest oceanfront mansions as youre treated
to views of the Atlantic Ocean and the
Intracoastal Waterway.
For wildlife sightings, head west on
Tamiami Trail from Miami, where youll spot
alligators and turtles. To see more gators, head
to Shark Valley, a paved trail off Tamiami Trail
thats perfect for biking and walking.
If bass fishing is your thing, take State Road
80 west from West Palm Beach. Once you leave
the urban area, youll be surrounded by sugarcane fields all the way to the small town of Belle
Glade, which borders Lake Okeechobee.
CLOCKWISE FROM BOTTOM LEFT: VISIT FLORIDA/PETER W. CROSS; FOTOLUMINATE LLC/SHUTTERSTOCK; AVENTURA MALL
kids ride a subway, visit a cave, build sand sculptures and puppets, and learn about other cultures.
If arcade-style fun is your speed, try the
Boomers locations in Dania Beach and Boca
Raton. Attractions include laser tag, batting
cages, mini golf, climbing walls and go karts.
Displaying some 150 species and more than
20,000 butterflies in its aviaries and gardens,
Butterfly World in Coconut Creek promotes itself as the largest butterfly facility on the planet.
The place abounds with passionflowers and
other nectar-rich plants. Butterfly World is also
home to hummingbirds and The Bug Zoo
houses scorpions, spiders and, if youre not
feeling too squeamish, giant Asian cockroaches.
If sea creatures are more your kids speed,
visit the Gumbo Limbo Nature Center in Boca
Raton. See sharks in the centers saltwater
tanks, and view sea turtles that are recuperating
before being released into the ocean.
In West Palm Beach, the South Florida
Science Center and Aquarium recently unveiled a US$5-million renovation. Upgrades
include an 8,000-gallon aquarium and expanded exhibition space.
If you prefer to get outside, Rapids Water
Park in Riviera Beach north of West Palm
Beach boasts dozens of waterslides, a wave pool
and a lazy river. Just one of the highlights: Big
Thunder serves up a 45-degree drop and
speeds of 20 mph.
The Loggerhead Marine Life Center in Juno
Beach also includes aquariums and a sea turtle
SHOPPING
Dadeland Mall, Miamis original and most iconic shopping center, features more than 185 retail stores and restaurants while The Falls mall,
one of the largest open-air shopping, dining and entertainment centers
in the US, showcases more than 100 stores, restaurants and cafs. West
of Miami, Dolphin Mall boasts restaurants and some 240 stores.
Another popular destination is Bayside Marketplace, situated along the
water in the heart of downtown Miami. Shops include Express, GUESS,
Victorias Secret and Wet Seal.
Bal Harbour Shops, in a ritzy enclave north of Miami, is one of the
regions trendy shopping areas, which counts Chanel, Herms, Gucci,
Thomas Pink and Jimmy Choo among its tenants.
EXPERIENCE
THE LAGO MAR DIFFERENCE.
Nestled amid ten lush acres on the Atlantic Ocean.
Offering the areas largest private beach,
204 luxurious rooms and suites, and full-service
European spa. Rated by Zagat as One of the
Best Resorts in Fort Lauderdale.
73
SOUTHEAST FLORIDA
SPAS
If youre keen to pamper yourself, South Florida
offers no shortage of options. Many full-service
hotels feature an array of facials, massages and
nail treatments.
The Biltmore in Coral Gables, Fontainebleau
in Miami and Trump International Beach
Resort in Sunny Isles Beach are but a few that
provide spa services in Miami-Dade County.
In Broward County, the Westin Diplomat
Resort & Spa in Hollywood, the Fort
Lauderdale Marriott Harbor Beach Resort &
Spa, the Hilton Fort Lauderdale Beach Resort,
the Hyatt Regency Pier Sixty-Six in Fort
Lauderdale and the Fort Lauderdale Marriott
Pompano Beach Resort & Spa are among the
partial list of hotels with full spas. In Palm
Beach County, there are spas at Boca Raton
Resort and Club, Eau Palm Beach Resort & Spa
in Manalapan and PGA National Resort & Spa
in Palm Beach Gardens.
If youre in Florida during the months of
April or October, watch for Spa Week specials.
74
FEATURED LINKS
Oleta River State Park
floridastateparks.org/oletariver
Overseas Highway
fla-keys.com/highway.cfm
rapidswaterpark.com
Sawgrass Mills
simon.com/mall/sawgrass-mills
Spa Week
spaweek.com/spas/Florida
Swap Shop
floridaswapshop.com
The Breakers
thebreakers.com
Water Taxi
watertaxi.com
Zoo Miami
zoomiami.org
FROM LEFT TO RIGHT: SEMINOLE HARD ROCK HOTEL & CASINO; COURTESY OF THE MONROE COUNTY TOURIST DEVELOPMENT COUNCIL
FLO R I DA K E YS
ONLY IN THE^x
BY MARY BURNHAM
MUST SEE...MUST DO
To see why Key Largo is known as the Dive
Capital of the World, take a dive or snorkel trip
from John Pennekamp Coral Reef State Park
out to the living coral reef. Youll see shipwrecks
and the underwater Christ of the Abyss statue.
Backcountry sport fishing and saltwater flyfishing were pioneered in Islamorada. Take a
charter fishing trip from the Sport Fishing
Capital of the World.
With numerous marinas, family-friendly resorts, the world-famous Turtle Hospital and
Dolphin Research Center, Marathon is the
Keys premier boating and family destination.
Wildlife is the theme in the Lower Keys.
Seek out the tiny, protected Key Deer in the
National Key Deer Refuge or take an ecotour
to view stunning birdlife in the Great White
Heron National Wildlife Refuge.
From pirates and wreckers to Cuban and
Bahamian influences, the island of Key West is
LIVE IT UP
Key West boasts more than 350 bars and
restaurants, ranging from sophisticated fine
dining at Pisces to the clothing-optional
rooftop Garden of Eden.
In the quieter, low-key Lower Keys, stop in
to watch live music or sports on the big screen
at Boondocks tiki bar or the quirky No Name
Pub on No Name Key. Toast the sunset over the
famous Seven Mile Bridge, and take a moonlight dip in the saltwater pool at the Sunset
Grille in Marathon.
In Islamorada you can find live music any night
of the week at places such as the Green Turtle,
Morada Bay or the legendary beachside Lorelei.
Only in the Keys can you enjoy a beer or
wine with your popcorn while watching a firstrun feature film at B&B Tavernier Cinema.
INSIDERS TIP
At the southern end of Marathon, park at the
beginning of the Seven Mile Bridge and walk,
jog or bike two miles on Old Seven, the former
railroad bridge, to historic Pigeon Key. FL
FEATURED LINKS
The Monroe County Tourist Development Council
fla-keys.com
RETAIL THERAPY
Take home some freshly roasted treasures
from Babys Coffee on Sugarloaf Key. Shop for
novelty souvenirs in Key Largo at Shell World
Pigeon Key
pigeonkey.net
Turtle Hospital
turtlehospital.org
75
DE LRAY B E AC H
YOUR PERFECT
VACATION
[tx
BY DARIEN ARDEN
MUST SEEMUST DO
Picture Delray Beach as an all-inclusive resort
where you check in and dont have to go elsewhere. The main street, Atlantic Avenue, is a
perfect vacation haven where you have the
luxury of choosing from myriad cultural events,
attractions and venues to complete your stay.
The Delray Beach Center for the Arts at Old
School Square takes advantage of the great out-
76
LIVE IT UP
This big small town offers a countless array of
activities, and is fit not only for families and romance-minded adults, but everyone in
between. The bustling nightlife is complete
with boutique shops, award-winning restaurants and unique downtown spots around
every corner.
Artists Alley, a quirky gem just off the main
strip, harbors a grassroots working colony of
artists who welcome visitors to explore their
creations during the Third Thursday Open
Studios and Galleries event, during which you
can mix and mingle with 26 local artists at 18
studios and gallery spaces.
FROM LEFT TO RIGHT: DOWNTOWN DEVELOPMENT AUTHORITY OF DELRAY BEACH; DELRAY BEACH CENTER FOR THE ARTS
FEATURED LINKS
Downtown Development Authority of Delray Beach
downtowndelraybeach.com
32 East
RETAIL THERAPY
For those days not spent lounging at the beach,
hit the streets and enjoy the thriving shopping
scene. Atlantic Avenue and Pineapple Grove
offer a mix of luxury and boutique to historic
(80 years and counting) and modern shops, all
within a two-mile stretch of quaint storefronts
and welcoming cafs.
Periwinkle is a perfect boutique to spoil
yourself with fun and energetic Florida
fashions, and is a shining complement to
the rainbow of items at the playful jewelry
store, Sequin.
32east.com
Artists Alley
artistsalleydelray.com
INSIDERS TIP
Deck 84
mydelraybeach.com
rapoportsrg.com
Delray Downtowner
delraydowntowner.com
Periwinkle
periwinkleonline.com
The Seagate
TheSeagateHotel.com
H OT E L S PA B E A C H C L U B C O U N T R Y C L U B YA C H T C L U B R E S I D E N C E S
TheSeagateHotel.com
1-888-689-9564
1000 E. Atlantic Ave., Delray Beach, Florida 33483
77
DELIGHT YOUR
fxx
BY KARA FRANKER
MUST SEE...MUST DO
From the beaches to the arts, nature parks to the
Everglades, families will find sun-drenched days
and fun-filled nights.
Stroll along the retro-cool Hollywood Beach
Broadwalk with its outdoor cafs and sunkissed beach. Then hop aboard the trolley to
Arts Park in Young Circle. Head to Fort
Lauderdale Beach, where youll find a bricklined beachfront promenade.
Embark on a sightseeing cruise on board the
Water Taxi or Jungle Queen, to cruise along the
Intracoastal Waterway, explore Millionaires
Row and learn about the history of the Venice
of America.
Then brush up on the art scene at the
Museum of Art Fort Lauderdale or wander
around the 35-acre Bonnet House Museum
& Gardens.
78
LIVE IT UP
INSIDERS TIPS
RETAIL THERAPY
Known as Greater Fort Lauderdales style
mile, Las Olas Boulevard features fashionable
boutiques, art galleries and cozy sidewalk cafs.
Listing more than 300 designer outlets, such
as Burberry and Hugo Boss, Sawgrass Mills is
the place to hunt for the perfect deal.
Meanwhile, the Galleria at Fort Lauderdale
offers more of a traditional mall-style shopping
experience, with department stores such as
Neiman Marcus and specialty shops like J.
Crew and Apple.
FEATURED LINKS
Greater Fort Lauderdale Convention
& Visitors Bureau
sunny.org
Jungle Queen
junglequeen.com
Water Taxi
watertaxi.com
Known as the "Venice of America," Fort Lauderdale has more than 300 miles of inland waterways.
Turn your next visit to Miami into a grand slam with a visit to Marlins Park.
Experience the thrill of live baseball along with an All-Star lineup of food,
drink and entertainment options! Join the party at Marlins Park in 2015.
Marlins Baseball. Dive in!
THEATER
EXHIBITS
EVENTS
LEARNING
DelrayArts.org
51 N. Swinton Avenue t Delray Beach, FL 33444 t 561.243.7922
This project is sponsored in part by the State of Florida through the Florida Department of State,
Division of Cultural Affairs and the Florida Council on Arts and Culture.
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SOUTHWEST FLORIDA
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CLOCKWISE FROM TOP LEFT: F11PHOTO/SHUTTERSTOCK; LEE COUNTY VCB; NAPLES BOTANICAL GARDEN/NAPLES, MARCO ISLAND, EVERGLADES CVB
WHATS NEW
83
SOUTHWEST FLORIDA
Pick up genuine souvenirs at Village of
the Arts in Bradenton.
84
the von Liebig Art Center and lively performances at the Sugden Community Theatre.
ArtisNaples (formerly Naples Philharmonic)
brings still more performance arts and is home
to the Miami City Ballet and the world-class
Baker Museum. The citys Naples Botanical
Garden showcases subtropical vegetation in settings that reflect the culture of Brazil, the
Caribbean, Asia, Florida and beyond.
On a more somber note, the Holocaust
Museum and Education Center of Southwest
Florida presents collections and stories related
to the Holocaust and other genocides.
Year-round, Naples hosts art shows including
downtowns prestigious Naples National Art
Festival in February, the Mercato Fine Arts
Festival in March and the ArtsNaples World
Festival in May.
The art scene in Fort Myers centers around its
downtown historic River District, where Art
Walk takes place the first Friday of the month and
Music Walk the third Friday. The Sidney & Berne
Davis Art Center and Arcade Theatre, home to
the nationally acclaimed Florida Rep, both occupy historic buildings with distinctive period
architecture. The Southwest Florida Museum of
History dwells in a former-life train depot. The
Edison & Ford Winter Estates is one of Southwest
Floridas finest historic gems. A handful of art galleries completes downtowns artistic landscape.
Downtown Punta Gordas riverfront architecture recalls the boom years of the late 19th
century with Victorian mansions, handsome
government buildings and colorful vernacular
homes. Browse the galleries of the Visual Arts
CLOCKWISE FROM BOTTOM LEFT: V&V HOSPITALITY & MEDIA SERVICES; VISITSARASOTA.ORG; VANESSA RODGERS/BRADENTON AREA CVB; LEE COUNTY VCB; NAPLES, MARCO ISLAND, EVERGLADES CVB
BEACHES
FEBRUARY
Everglades Seafood Festival, Everglades City
MARCH
Manatee Heritage Days, Bradenton
Mercato Fine Arts Festival, Naples
Old Florida Festival, Naples
Peace River National Art Festival, Punta Gorda
APRIL
De Soto Heritage Festival, Bradenton
Sarasota Film Festival
Sharks Tooth Festival, Venice
APRILMAY
ArtsNaples World Festival
MAY
Anna Maria Island Wedding Festival
JUNE
Sarasota Music Festival
JULY
Suncoast Super Boat Grand Prix, Sarasota
SEPTEMBER
Culinaria Restaurant Weeks, Bradenton
OCTOBER
Ding Darling Days, Sanibel Island
Ringling International Arts Festival, Sarasota
Stone Crab Festival, Naples
NOVEMBER
American Sand Sculpting Championships,
Fort Myers Beach
Sarasota Chalk Festival
DECEMBER
Bradenton Blues Festival
85
SOUTHWEST FLORIDA
The perfect setting for a romantic
evening on the Paradise Coast.
NOVEMBER 11DECEMBER 28
SOUTH PACIFIC
JANUARY 6APRIL 11
14-15 SE ASON
THE MATCHMAKER
JANUARY 14MARCH 1
GOOD PEOPLE
JANUARY 21APRIL 12
MARCH 11-APRIL 19
OUR BETTERS
The downtown Naples scene is a gourmet banquet that deserves serious noshing. Go casual
and waterfront at Riverwalk, or dress up for fine
dining at Mediterranean-vibe Sea Salt. Come
dark, things heat up along Fifth Avenue South,
particularly on weekends and during Evening
on Fifth, the second Thursday of each month
October through May.
The Mercato center in North Naples is also
known for its vast variety of restaurants, lively
clubs and shops. Try MASA for fine Mexican
or the new Rusty Bucket to watch the game and
eat all-American favorites. Or do dinner and
movie all-in-one with deluxe seating at
Silverspot Cinema.
Fords Garage, a local chain that takes its cues
from Henry Fords local historic home, fixes appetites throughout the Fort Myers area. Now with
asolo
rep
MARCH 31-APRIL 26
SOTTO VOCE
LUCK BE A LADY:
WOODY SEZ:
86
SEARCH
THE RINGLING
ringling.org
SOUTHWEST FLORIDA
A royal poinciana-lined street in Naples.
88
FROM LEFT TO RIGHT: PAMELA MCCREIGHT/SHUTTERSTOCK; V&V HOSPITALITY & MEDIA SERVICES
FAMILY ENTERTAINMENT
In Fort Myers, the name of the game is baseball. Two major league teamsthe Minnesota
Twins and Boston Red Soxplay their spring
league games in March and early April at
Hammond Stadium and JetBlue Park, respectively. In summer, the Fort Myers Miracle plays
and hosts youth baseball camps.
At local parks, kids can do everything from
free-falling down a waterslide (Sun Splash
Family Waterpark in Cape Coral), extreme
biking (Strausser BMX Sports Complex in Cape
Coral), riding a mini-railroad train (Lakes
Floridas
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15080 Livingston Rd, Naples,, FLL 34109
North Collier Regional Parkk (1.5 miles
mi from
from I-75)
Open daily 10am-5pm, Sundayy 11am-4pm
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Waterfront dining on Lido Beach in Venice.
2015 TRAVEL GUIDE TO FLORIDA
89
SOUTHWEST FLORIDA
FEATURED LINKS
A Beach Retreat
abeachretreat.com
Arcade Theatre
floridarep.org
ArtisNaples
artisnaples.org
thebelltowershops.com
Bradenton Riverwalk
realizebradenton.com/index-php/riverwalk
90
fifthavenuesouth.com
Fleamasters Fleamarket
fleamall.com
Inn on 5th
innonfifth.com
ROAD TRIPS
Views along the Sanibel Causeway and Captiva
Drive star in many a commercial, but all of the
coasts islands promise sea glimpses and local
color. The drive through Fort Myers Beach,
Lovers Key and Bonita Beach and another from
Anna Maria Island through Lido Key are particularly representative of island life.
For glimpses of wildlife, try W.J. Janes
Memorial Scenic Drive in Fakahatchee
Strand Preserve State Park or Loop Road in
the Everglades.
To delve into Southwest Floridas rural, smalltown character, plan day trips to Goodland on
Marco Island, Pine Island near Fort Myers,
Babcock Ranch outside Punta Gorda, Boca
Grande near Port Charlotte, and Palmetto across
the river from Bradenton. To its east, Sarasota
and Punta Gorda lay claim to a number of small
organic and other farms you can visit.
seakeywestexpress.com
lidobeachresort.com
Mercato
mercatoshops.com
Miromar Outlets
miromaroutlets.com
Mitchells SandCastles
mitchellsandcastles.com
Modern Pentathlon
sbpentathlon.com
MOSH Planetarium
moshplanetarium.com
SOUTHWEST FLORIDA
Relaxing in Naples.
INSIDERS TIPS
Birders flock to Southwest Florida. Hot
spots include the Everglades, Audubon
Corkscrew Swamp Sanctuary, Rookery Bay
National Estuarine Research Reserve,
Tigertail Beach and J.N. Ding Darling
National Wildlife Refuge. Birding is best fall
through spring and at low tides.
Ride your bike to the beaches of Sanibel
Island to avoid fees.
Sarasota beaches offer free parking.
If a couple of days in Key West are on
your itinerary, park the car and climb
aboard the Key West Express in Fort Myers
Beach (year-round) or on Marco Island
(seasonal) for a relaxing 3.5-hour ride
(versus a four- to five-hour drive) to
Floridas southernmost point.
92
SPAS
Contrary to many resorts these days, fine resorts in Southwest Florida devote special
attention to their spas, rather than adding them
on as an afterthought.
In the Naples area, you will find stand-alone
spas at the Marco Island Marriott Resort, Golf
Club & Spa; the Ritz-Carlton Naples; the
Waldorf-Astoria Naples; and Naples Beach Hotel
& Golf Club. The Ritz spa contains its own
healthy caf, =H2O+, which offers cooking
classes January through April.
The Hyatt Regency Coconut Point Resort &
Spa in Bonita Springs boasts an indoor water
shiatsu pool. The Sanibel Harbour Marriott
Resort & Spa in Fort Myers offers massage with
SHOPPING
ANTIQUES TO BOUTIQUES, GOLFING TO GREAT DINING, AND FUN FOR THE WHOLE
FAMILY AT RODEOS, FARM TOURS AND AN EXOTIC ANIMAL REFUGE.
Reel excitement: DeSotos dual stock
of fresh and saltwater fish makes fishing
here doubly rewarding.
SOUTHWEST FLORIDA
Stay at the historic Cabbage Key Inn.
FEATURED LINKS
Naples Zoo at Caribbean Gardens
napleszoo.com
Ritz-Carlton
ritzcarlton.com
sarasotajunglegardens.com
94
Tanger Outlets
tangeroutlet.com
The Cypress
cypressbb.com
The Ringling
ringling.org
The Ritz-Carlton
ritz-carlton.com
Tigertail Beach
tigertailbeach.net
sunfleamarket.com
Towles Court
towlescourt.com
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Tuesday to Sunday, 1:00-4:00 pm
January - April
Tuesday to Friday, 12:30 - 5:00 pm
Saturday and Sunday 1:00 - 4:00 pm
A cooperative
cooperative
1$3/(60$5&2,6/$1'
effort funded by
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TIMELESS BEAUTY,
ax Twxx
BY ALISON R. JANISSEN
WHATS NEW
The new Cici and Hyatt Brown Museum of
Art, an expansion of the Museum of Arts &
Sciences in Daytona Beach, is scheduled to
open in 2015. This 26,000-square-foot
building will house an unprecedented permanent collection of more than 2,700 paintings
of Florida, plus six changing galleries.
Also in Daytona Beach, fans of the
DAYTONA 500 can expect to see and experience some changes at the Daytona International
Speedway, which is undergoing a major
US$400-million reimagining, known as
98
Spanish Plate Fleet, the museum features artifacts, displays and an observation deck that
overlooks the Atlantic Ocean. Even today, salvagers work to recover gold, silver and the
Queens jewels that were lost to the sea and its
sandy shores.
In Melbourne, the Art and Antique Studio is
an artist-owned and operated gallery that features the work of 14 local artists. Their creations
range from oil, acrylic and watercolor paintings
to photography, pottery and woven baskets. Chat
with the artists and enjoy light refreshments
during a monthly First Friday Art Walk.
At the Kennedy Space Center Visitor
Complex, meet real astronauts who walk the
grounds and answer questions, marvel at the
size and magnitude of the rockets on display in
the Rocket Garden, crawl through a model of
the International Space Station, experience the
five-story screens in two IMAX theaters, and
explore Angry Birds Space Encounter featuring
seven exhibits for all ages. Since 2013, the complex is also the permanent home of Space
99
INSIDERS TIP
Turn off the sun, and the beach becomes a
natural wonder. It also becomes the location to witness one of natures most ancient
events: a nesting sea turtle.
More than 100,000 threatened and endangered sea turtles nest on Florida
beaches in June and July, so parks and environmental groups up and down the
Atlantic coast organize guided nighttime
turtle walks.
On a typical turtle tour, visitors are led to
a spot on the beach where a sea turtle is digging a hole a foot or two deep with her hind
flippers. The turtle then starts filling the nest
with soft-shelled eggs the size of table tennis
balls. After laying her eggs, she refills the nest
with sand and heads back into the ocean.
The whole process takes 30 to 60 minutes.
This moving, educational experience is
enormously popular with Florida residents
so make reservations as soon as you decide to visit. Children under the age of eight
are discouraged on most walks in order to
minimize disturbances to the mother-to-be.
Five entities between Jensen Beach in
Martin County and Titusville in Brevard
County offer walks:
BEACHES
Close your eyes, and picture yourself on the
beach. Whether you envision yourself absorbed
102
FEBRUARY
DAYTONA 500, Daytona Beach
Downtown Festival of the Arts, Stuart
FROM LEFT TO RIGHT: DAYTONA BEACH AREA CVB; JESSE KUNERTH/SHUTTERSTOCK; ST. LUCIE COUNTY TOURISM OFFICE
MARCH
Bike Week, Daytona Beach
Under the Oaks Art Show, Vero Beach
DeLand Outdoor Art Festival
APRIL
New Smryna Beach Balloon & Sky Fest
Easter Surfing Festival, Cocoa Beach
Fort Pierce Oyster Festival
MAY
Stuart Sailfish Regatta
SEPTEMBER
Rivertown Craft Fair, DeLand
OCTOBER
Biketoberfest, Daytona Beach
NOVEMBER
DeLand Original Music Festival
Halifax Art Festival, Daytona Beach
DECEMBER
St. Johns River Christmas Boat Parade, DeLand
103
Cypress Lake. The Driftwood Resort, established in the early 1900s, is a two-story pirates
nightmare of a hotel with shifting levels and
crammed with a mish-mash of objects. For
those for whom an overnight stay would be
overwhelming (kids love it), a temporary visit
to the propertys restaurant might be just the
ticket. Waldos serves traditional seafood fare
along with wraps, salads and burgers.
Cocoa Beachs blues and music bar, the
Beach Shack has long been a local and visitor
favorite for good times and soulful music.
Located directly on the beach, this mainstay is
open daily and features live music nightly.
JBs Fish Camp & Restaurant, on the waters
of the Canaveral National Seashore at the
south end of New Smyrna Beach, is a favorite
with locals, most of whom arrive by boat. Its
so much more than a seafood restaurant, with
a full bar, live music and indoor/outdoor
seating. Kids can see manatees, dolphins and
plenty of exotic shore birds right from the
dock, and if they want to fish but forgot a pole
at home, they can just rent one! You can even
arrange to rent a kayak, take a pontoon boat
cruise or hook up with a fishing guide. The
camp offers the freshest seafood (literallyit
grows its own clams) and is practically next
door to the Canaveral National Seashore Park,
where after lunch you can climb up Turtle
Mound, a Calusa Indian archaeological site.
FAMILY ENTERTAINMENT
Take a break from the beach and spend an afternoon with art, history and technology. The
Elliott Museum in Stuart hosts a dynamic and
interactive collection of antique automobiles,
vintage boats, an impressive baseball collection,
and a deep trove of Treasure Coast histories
and stories thats sure to delight all ages.
Board the Sunshine Lady from her dock in
Stuart for a guided tour of the Indian River
Lagoon and its wildlife residents, which include bottlenose dolphins, manatees, sea
turtles and a vast array of birds. She even packs
a plankton and zooplankton net to fill discovery scopes for a view of life in the ocean.
Sunshine Wildlife Tours guides point out the
mangroves and the seagrass beds that are responsible for sustaining life in the estuary and
discuss the importance of maintaining the
fragile balance of this ecosystem.
Scheduling your visit early in the year?
From January through April you can explore
the historical significance of Floridas citrus industry at Als Family Farms in Fort Pierce.
A guided tour takes you through a working
wet-line and packinghouse.
Also in Fort Pierce, the St. Lucie County
Aquarium features the Smithsonian Marine
Ecosystems Exhibit, providing a window into
the underwater worlds of the Indian River
Lagoon and Atlantic Ocean. Nearly 8,000
The Daytona International Speedway is undergoing a major update known as DAYTONA Rising.
104
CLOCKWISE FROM BOTTOM LEFT: DAYTONA INTERNATIONAL SPEEDWAY; V&V HOSPITALITY & MEDIA SERVICES; DAYTONA BEACH AREA CVB
FEATURED LINKS
Als Family Farms
alsfamilyfarms.com
Beach Shack
beachshackbar.com
ROAD TRIPS
The Zora Neale Hurston Dust Tracks Heritage
Trail moves through the City of Fort Pierce in
a chronological representation of Hurstons impact on St. Lucie County. Kiosks and trail
markers indicate important sites, such as the
Seven Gables House, Garden of Heavenly Rest
and the former Fort Pierce Chronicle headquarters. Enjoy a bus tour of the trail and peek
inside the Zora Neale Hurston House.
cocoabeachkayaking.com
DAYTONA Rising
daytonarising.com
Elliott Museum
elliottmuseumfl.org
Hallstrom House
irchistorical.org
105
SHOPPING
Discover an endless source of homegrown
foods and handmade crafts at one of the areas
many open-air farmers markets. Items such as
fresh produce, local honey, regional delicacies
and folk art are presented by their makers at
markets up and down the Central East region
from the Stuart Green Market in Martin
County to New Smyrna Beach Farmers Market
in Volusia County.
Looking for deals? At the Vero Beach Outlets
you can count on discounts of up to 65 percent
on iconic brands, such as Coach, Dooney &
Bourke, Polo Ralph Lauren, J. Crew, Banana
Republic, Williams-Sonoma and much more.
Shoppers who are 55-plus receive additional discounts on Tuesdays, and a complimentary
106
SPAS
Sandpiper Bay Florida Club Med, in Port St.
Lucie, is home to the only Club Med Spa by
LOccitane in the US. Its 6,000 square feet of
renowned pampering is for anyone seeking to
rediscover lifes balance with healthy, nourishing experiences for face, body and spirit.
Indulge on a journey to a serene oasis at the
Vero Beach Hotel and Spa, where nurturing
therapies offered by the tranquil White Orchid
Spa will inspire and renew. Even the manliest
of men will enjoy the facilitys specialty gentlemens services, and all can benefit from
customized modalities designed to banish tension from the body and stress from the mind.
In Daytona Beach, the 100-year-old Plaza
Resort and Spa is lovely and restful, but possibly haunted! Local legend has it that a
previous guest frequents the hallways and
hangs out in the bar. Its Ocean Waters Spa uti-
CLOCKWISE FROM BOTTOM LEFT: VISIT FLORIDA; NEW SMYRNA BEACH AREA VISITORS BUREAU; ARTO HAKOLA/SHUTTERSTOCK; MARTIN COUNTY CVB
FEATURED LINKS
Maritime & Classic Boat Museum
mcbmfl.org
Skydive DeLand
skydivedeland.com
Tours On Horseback
beachtoursonhorseback.com/index.html
Waldos
waldosvero.com
107
ENDLESS RECREATION
MUST SEE...MUST DO
TripAdvisor recently recognized the Stetson
Mansion in DeLand as the Most Popular
Tourist Attraction in Florida. As the Sunshine
States first luxury home, it was built in 1886 by
famed hat maker John B. Stetson. Now meticulously restored, tours are offered year-round
on Tuesdays and Thursdays.
On the streets of Downtown DeLand, historic, architecturally rich buildings house
boutiques, antique stores, galleries and gift
shops, interspersed with sidewalk cafs and
restaurants. Take a self-guided walking tour
past sculptures, murals and historic plaques
scattered throughout town. For a keener sense
of West Volusias history, visit the Pioneer
Settlement for the Creative Arts in nearby
Barberville, established in 1763 as a trading
post on the west side of the St. Johns River.
Springs and their crystal-clear temperate
waters, wildlife and lush landscapes are major
draws in West Volusia. Blue Spring State Park
in Orange City is known as the official winter
home to more than 250 manatees. Strategically
placed observation decks offer excellent
viewing vantages. Swim, snorkel or float on an
inner tube down the natural lazy river.
108
Blue Spring State Park is a great place to swim, snorkel or float on an inner tube.
RETAIL THERAPY
Feel the New England-southern vibe in the
areas boutiques, antique stores and galleries.
Backhome Antiques has been selling the best
antiques here for more than 20 years. For
unique and unusual gifts by Florida artists, stop
by Wolfes Gallery.
INSIDERS TIP
People from around the world gather for readings, healings and seances at the Cassadaga
Spiritualist Camp, a mystical 119-year-old
community in West Volusia. Browse the shops
on the tree-lined cobblestone streets and consult with a medium along the way. FL
LIVE IT UP
For gourmet food and exceptional wine
selections, try the new Sinatras Downtown
Ristorante at Artisan Downtown. Great-tasting
craft beers and ciders and fresh homemade
food are yours at the newly opened Persimmon
Hollow Brewing Company.
There are so many reasons to dine indoors
or out at the critically acclaimed and globally
inspired Cress Restaurant in DeLand, featuring
locally sourced menu items. Chef Hari
Pulapaka is a three-time James Beard semi-finalist for Best Chef South and a two-time Food
& Wine Magazine nominee for top 100 Peoples
Best New Chef. This dining establishment was
also rated the top restaurant in Central Florida
by the Zagat Orlando Guide and honored by
the food editor of the Orlando Sentinel as the
Best Overall Restaurant in Central Florida.
FEATURED LINKS
West Volusia Tourism Advertising Authority
VisitWestVolusia.com
Cress Restaurant
cressrestaurant.com
Stetson Mansion
stetsonmansion.com
BY KEVIN FRITZ
Tw V{t
STEEPED IN HISTORY
Tw Y
BY KEVIN FRITZ
MUST SEE...MUST DO
Few realize New Smyrna Beach is the second
oldest city in Florida. Once the largest British
colonization attempt in the New World, the area
is steeped in history. More than 30 historical
sites continue to intrigue visitors, including the
Sugar Mill Ruins, Old Fort Park, Eldora State
House and the nearby Ponce Inlet Lighthouse.
A walk through the Canal Street Historic
District is a step back in time; be sure to check
out the New Smyrna Museum of History.
Known as one of the top 100 small art
towns in America, New Smyrna Beach is said
to be a city that celebrates art with a whole
heart. Browse around The Hub on Canal,
which provides a home and gallery space for
working artists. The Atlantic Center for the
Arts draws aspiring artists to learn from accomplished peers.
110
RETAIL THERAPY
LIVE IT UP
When hunger strikes, the area features more than
150 nosh options. Many sit directly on the waters
edge, including the venerable JBs Fish Camp.
Along Flagler Avenue, Canal Street and beyond,
INSIDERS TIP
Head out to Disappearing Island, a secluded
low-tide piece of land thats accessible only by
boat. Every day, an island appears as the water
recedes at the inlet. Join locals and those in the
know for a day on pure sandy land. FL
FEATURED LINKS
New Smyrna Beach Area Beach Weeks
beachweeks.com
NSBFLA.COM
NSBFL
A.COM
800.214.0166
CENTRAL FLORIDA
THE EPICENTER
y Y
BY KEVIN FRITZ
112
Head over to the Lakeland area in April for SUN n FUN, the Annual International Fly-In & Expo.
WHATS NEW
Resorts make vacation life seamless and hasslefree. One of the newest, Streamsong Resort in
Polk Countys Fort Meade has opened its 216room luxury lodge. The 16,000-natural-acre
resort situated between Orlando and Tampa
features bass fishing, a sporting clays facility, a
grotto-style spa and three restaurants. Guest
rooms and suites feature floor-to-ceiling windows with views of the propertys lakes and
natural surroundings.
For attraction enthusiasts with young ones,
the new DUPLO Valley at LEGOLAND
Florida brings the LEGO DUPLO line of preschool building toys to life. The farm theme
includes a train, mini-tractor ride and water
play area. Dont miss the new six-foot LEGO
Globe built out of more than 250,000 LEGO
bricks, which is part of an initiative to further
educate renewable-energy use inside the park.
Then meet your favorite characters. Interact
and take pictures with Buddy, Max, the LEGO
Friends and even Emmet from the LEGO
Movie at Buddys Character Corner based in
the historic Magnolia Mansion inside the Fun
Town section of LEGOLAND Florida Resort.
Feeling nostalgic? LEGOLAND Florida has
reopened the Florida Pool and Oriental
Gardens section of Cypress Gardens, which
formerly occupied this land in Winter Haven.
The pool was originally built as a set for the
1953 film, Easy to Love, starring Esther
Williams.
Scheduled to open in spring 2015, the
Orlando Eye, a 400-foot observation wheel on
International Drive, is part of the new US$250million I-Drive 360 dining-and-entertainment
complex filled with restaurants, stores and attractions, including a Sea Life Aquarium and a
Madame Tussauds wax museum.
At Orlandos core three theme parks, great
new adventures await. Harry Potter continues
to marvel young and old alike at the new
Wizarding World of Harry PotterDiagon
Alley situated within a replication of London
in Universal Studios Florida. Diagon Alley
features shops, a restaurant and a multi-dimensional thrill ride, Harry Potter and the Escape
from Gringotts.
Universals Cabana Bay Beach Resort has
opened with 1,800 moderately priced, family
suites and value-priced guest rooms.
Experience its 10-lane bowling alley and sand
beaches. Universal Orlando has also opened
eight new dining choices at CityWalk, including the Hot Dog Hall of Fame, featuring
iconic hot dog creations from famous ballparks.
Join Snow Whites lovable little friends at
Walt Disney Worlds new Seven Dwarfs Mine
Train coaster. The Magic Kingdom also unveiled a new parade: Disney Festival of Fantasy
Parade. Stay at the new Four Seasons Resort
Orlando at Walt Disney World Resort and
enjoy a Tom Fazio-designed golf course, fullservice spa, four restaurants, an elaborate pool
area and nightly views of the Magic Kingdom
fireworks. Make your way to downtown
Orlando and visit the spectacular new Dr.
Phillips Center for the Performing Arts, which
opened in November 2014. The state-of-the-art
Center is Orlandos new home for Broadway
productions, the Orlando Ballet and a gamut of
concerts and special performances. See a show
or just relax with some refreshments on its
roomy outdoor plaza.
Experience Kissimmee
ExperienceKissimmee.com
Visit Orlando
visitOrlando.com
Four million pounds of Georgia marble and ceramic tiles were used to build the exquisite Bok Tower in Lake Wales.
2015 TRAVEL GUIDE TO FLORIDA
113
CENTRAL FLORIDA
Take a dip in the clear waters of Wekiwa Springs State Park.
114
Who would guess that the largest concentration of Frank Lloyd Wright designs in the
world is in Lakeland, Florida? The legendary
architect oversaw and designed the construction of 12 structures, including his only
planetarium, on the campus of Florida
Southern College.
A little-known fun culture stop in Lake
County is the miniature White House on display at the Presidents Hall of Fame in
Clermont. The 10-ton replica was formerly on
display at the Ronald Reagan Presidential
Library.The intricate details of the Oval Office,
Lincolns bedroom and other legendary rooms
are incredible.
Harry P. Leu Gardens and Leu House
Museum are part of a 50-acre botanical park
created as gardens in 1936. Stroll pathways past
50 varieties of azaleas, 50 species of bamboo,
2,000 camellia plants and 50 kinds of citrus
trees. The house, built in 1858 by Orlando pioneers Angeline and David W. Mizell, is open
for daily tours.
North of downtown Orlando, the Orlando
Museum of Art, the Orlando Science Center,
CLOCKWISE FROM BOTTOM LEFT: VISIT FLORIDA; JASON PATRICK ROSS/SHUTTERSTOCK; VISITCENTRALFLORIDA.ORG; VISIT FLORIDA
BEACHES
Although there are no seaside beaches in this
region, there are plenty of options to cool off
by the water.
In Osceola County, Lake Tohopekaliga,
known as Lake Toho, covers 19,000 acres and
spans 42 miles in diameter. At Fantasy Surf in
Kissimmee, indoor surfing and bodyboarding
will make you feel like youre at the beach.
Nearby, try water skiing, wakeboarding,
wakeskating, wakesurfing and kneeboarding at
the Orlando Watersports Complex.
A short drive west of Orlando, Lake Louisa
in Clermont, the largest in a chain of 13 lakes,
is designated an Outstanding Florida Water
Way. Take a swim and admire the rolling hills
of Lake County.
Dont forget Central Floridas water parks.
There are many from which to choose and
many have their own beaches. From Walt
Disney World and SeaWorld to Wet n Wild
and LEGOLAND Florida, wet thrills abound.
For a more natural setting, Wekiwa Springs
State Park, north of Orlando, boasts a pristine
spring-fed swimming hole. Or relax on a canoe
or kayak and join the otters as they float down
the river.
FEBRUARY
Mount Dora Arts Festival
Silver Spurs Rodeo, Kissimmee
MARCH
Arnold Palmer Invitational at Bay Hill
Winter Park Sidewalk Arts Festival
MARCH TO MAY
Epcot International Flower & Garden Festival
APRIL
Florida Film Festival, Orlando
SUN n FUN Fly-In and Expo, Lakeland
The Great American Pie Festival, Celebration
MAY
Orlando International Fringe Theatre Festival
Star Wars Weekends, Disneys Hollywood Studios
JULY
Red, Hot and Boom, Altamonte Springs
SEPTEMBER TO OCTOBER
Halloween Horror Nights at Universal Studios
SEPTEMBER TO NOVEMBER
Epcot International Food & Wine Festival
NOVEMBER
Festival of the Masters, Disney World
The Lady of the Lakes Renaissance Faire, Tavares
DECEMBER
Osborne Family Spectacle of Lights,
Disneys Hollywood Studios
115
CENTRAL FLORIDA
INSIDERS TIPS
Your family will never forget this little-known
family getaway, offering a hands-on encounter with animals, such as lemurs,
kangaroos and deer. The Exotic Animal
Experience, located on a horse farm 15
miles east of Orlando, allows you to touch
and feed exotic animals that you have only
seen in the zoo or on TV. Get kissed by a
llama or nuzzled by a pot-bellied pig. All of
the animals are tame and love human contact. Enjoy no crowds and plenty of fresh air.
Lake County is a birdwatchers paradise.
Conservation is important here and you just
might spot the rare and endangered scrub
jay found in the area.
SunRail, a new commuter rail operating
from the border of Volusia County, south
through Greater Orlando, is a great way to
get from one town to another for as little as
US$2. The trains currently only operate
MondayFriday, between 6 AM and 9:30 PM.
116
FAMILY ENTERTAINMENT
When its time for some fresh air, the Allen
David Broussard Catfish Creek Preserve State
Park in Polk County covers more than 8,000
acres of scrub, sandhill and flatwoods land.
Enjoy six miles of hiking trails, fishing
and excellent wildlife-viewing opportunities,
including several protected animal species:
Florida scrub jays, bald eagles, gopher tortoises
and Florida scrub lizards.
In Lakeland, visit the 260-acre Safari
Wilderness Ranch and take a safari ride to ex-
Go-carting in Kissimmee.
117
CENTRAL FLORIDA
The Mall at Millenia in Orlando is
a favorite shopping destination.
ROAD TRIPS
Take a break from the parking lots and embark
118
CLOCKWISE FROM BOTTOM LEFT: VISITCENTRALFLORIDA.ORG; VISIT ORLANDO; THE MALL AT MILLENIA; WYNDHAM GRAND ORLANDO RESORT BONNET CREEK
SHOPPING
If you are looking for a taste of Florida, the
Bartow Farmers Market has fresh produce,
preserves, pickles and more. Or try the
Lakeland Downtown Farmers Curb Market for
some citrus from Scottys Produce. For mall
shopping in the area, hit the nearly 100 stores
at the Lakeland Square Mall.
The Mall at Millenia in Orlando has become
a favorite with locals and visitors. This shopping mecca features some of the most stylish
shops in all of Central Florida: Tiffany & Co.,
Gucci and Louis Vuitton, to name a few. The
Orlando Premium Outlets International Drive
and Orlando Premium Outlets Vineland
Avenue offer discounts in hundreds of brandname stores, while the upscale Pointe Orlando
off International Drive features Tommy
Bahamas Store, Tommy Hilfiger and Armani
Exchange. Want big? Florida Mall in Orlando
offers 1.9 million square feet of space and more
than 250 stores to shop til you drop.
Park Avenue in Winter Park is the quintessential place to shop in Central Florida.
Wander in and out of shops, such as Tuni,
Siegels Winter Park, Ten Thousand Villages
and Charyli as you walk the brick-lined street.
Nearby Winter Park Village features Pier One
Imports, Owen Allen and Ulta.
North of Orlando, Renningers Antique
Center & Farmers & Flea Market in Mount
Dora is worth the trip. The family-owned business, situated on 117 acres in the rolling hills of
SPAS
Nothing says relaxing on vacation like a day at
the spa. And nothing says a Florida spa vacation like the 40,000-square-foot spa at the
Ritz-Carlton Grande Lakes, which employs
Sunshine State ingredients in citrus-inspired
treatments. There is even an outdoor rooftop
eco space where you can lie in a hammock and
get a massage. Try the four-hands massage
during which oil is drizzled over your body and
two therapists perform a full-body massage.
At Waldorf Astoria Spa by Guerlain near
Walt Disney World, customized treatments
help you bid goodbye to anxiety, stress and insomnia. Blue Harmony Spa at Wyndham
Grand Orlando Resort Bonnet Creek reminds
guests of the nourishment provided by the
great blues of the worldwater and skies. The
newly remodeled Disneys Grand Floridian
Resort & Spa blends the resorts turn-of-thecentury elegance with modern touches and a
dash of Disney.There are 15 treatment rooms
and relaxation areas, as well as orchestral music
harmonizing with your selected treatment.
In Orlandos trendy Dr. Phillips community,
The Woodhouse Day Spa caters to men and
women. Relax with a facial, massage or body
treatment in a Vichy shower. Indulge in the
Woodhouse Escape, a full-body ritual that begins with a bamboo body scrub followed by a
FEATURED LINKS
Allen David Broussard Catfish Creek
Preserve State Park
floridastateparks.org/catfishcreek
Aquatica Orlando
AquaticaOrlando.com
Discovery Cove
DiscoveryCove.com
Gatorland
gatorland.com
Garden Theatre
gardentheatre.org
ICEBAR Orlando
icebarorlando.com
LEGOLAND Florida
florida.LEGOLAND.com
A massage room at the Blue Harmony Spa at the Wyndham Grand Orlando Resort Bonnet Creek.
2015 TRAVEL GUIDE TO FLORIDA
119
CENTRAL FLORIDA
FEATURED LINKS
Orlando Sanford International Airport
orlandosanfordairport.com
Safari Wilderness
safariwilderness.com
SeaWorld Orlando
120
SeaworldOrlando.com
Showcase of Citrus
showcaseofcitrus.com
Streamsong Resort
streamsongresort.com
SunRail
sunrail.com
WonderWorks
wonderworksonline.com
PHOTO: VISITCENTRALFLORIDA.ORG
SeaWorld Orlando
Immerse yourself in wonder at SeaWorld Orlando, where the aquatic
world comes alive like no place else. Climb aboard and ride the
mighty Manta, a facedown, headrst roller coaster. Experience the
power and grace of killer whales in the awe-inspiring Shamu show
One Ocean. Share an epic voyage with sea turtles on the 3D 360o
TurtleTrek. An ocean of fun is waiting to be explored at one of the
worlds most popular marine-life parks. Jump in and dive deep.
New is Ihus Breakaway Falls Brave a watery free fall on the all-new
Ihus Breakway Falls, Orlandos tallest, steepest and only multi-drop
tower slide of its kind. At nearly 80 feet tall, Ihus Breakaway Falls is
where youll face your fears and each other.Offering four unique slide
paths, youll step into one of three breakaway boxes and watch each
other fall one-by-one or test your bravery on a fourth open slide for
a different but just as thrilling experience. Youll never know whos
going to breakaway rst and the anticipation of who drops next is
part of the wild ride. Aquatica Orlandos exclusive attractions promise
unlimited fun, sending guests on amazing undersea adventures and
through breathtaking animal exhibits.
Discovery Cove
For the second consecutive year, Discovery
Cove was voted the No. 1 amusement park in
the world in the 2014 TripAdvisorTravelers
Choice Awards. Discovery Cove is an allinclusive day resort in where guests enjoy
a one-of-a-kind opportunity to swim with
dolphins, snorkel among rays and tropical
sh and hand-feed exotic birds in a free-ight
aviary. Freshwater Oasis features wading
adventures and face-to-face encounters with
playful otters and curious marmosets. A day
at Discovery Cove includes a freshly prepared
breakfast and lunch, snacks and beverages throughout the day plus rst-class amenities swim
vest or wetsuit, towels and swim gear, including a souvenir snorkel and eco-friendly sunscreen.
Also included is unlimited admission for 14 consecutive days to SeaWorld Orlando and Aquatica,
SeaWorlds Waterpark. Busch Gardens Tampa can be added for an additional charge, including
transportation.
At Discovery Cove, guests experience the most exciting animal encounters the world has to
offer in a breathtaking tropical atmosphere. Discovery Cove is a paradise of lush landscaping,
tropical reefs, winding rivers, a resort-style pool complete with waterfalls, and pristine white-sand
beaches. Learn more at DiscoveryCove.com
2014 SeaWorld Parks & Entertainment, Inc. All rights reserved.
INCREDIBLE
BEYOND
Vtx
BY SUSAN B. BARNES
WHATS NEW
Scheduled to open late 2014, the Tampa
Baseball Museum, housed in slugger Al
Lopezs childhood home in Ybor City, is a
must-see for those who love the game. Inside
youll find permanent and rotating exhibits
that span more than 125 years of baseball history, from the Little Leagues and the Negro
Leagues to the Major Leagues and everything
in between. Did you know that in addition to
Al Lopez, Wade Boggs and Lou Piniella found
their love of the game in Tampa?
124
The Chihuly Collection in St. Petersburg now has a shop to match its incredible gallery.
Visit Pasco
visitpasco.net
125
INSIDERS TIPS
Theres a little piece of Cuba in Central West
Florida. A small park on the west end of Ybor
City is dedicated to Cuban poet and revolutionary Jos Mart and has been owned
by the Cuban government since 1956.
126
BEACHES
With miles of coastline and beaches, Central
West Floridas stretches of sugar-white,
powder-soft sandy beaches found along the
Gulf of Mexico each have their own personalities and are the perfect playgrounds for all
ages. Whatever type of beach experience youre
looking forbe it quiet, action-packed, or anything in betweenCentral West Florida has
you covered.
A few of the regions best beaches are actually state parks. For a quiet, more natural beach
day without high-rises lingering behind you,
consider Anclote Key Preserve State Park,
Honeymoon Island State Park and Caladesi
Island State Park. One of the best beaches in
the area is at Fort De Soto Park, south of St.
Pete Beach.
Not only Floridians think the beaches here
are fantastic. TripAdvisor named three beaches
in Pinellas County to its annual list of the 25
Best Beaches in America, namely, St. Pete
Beach (No. 9), Caladesi Island State Park outside of Dunedin (No. 11) and Clearwater
Beach (No. 21).
At the end of the day, theres no better place
than a beach in Central West Florida to take in
spectacular sunsets.
CLOCKWISE FROM CENTER LEFT: VISIT FLORIDA; VISIT ST. PETERSBURG/CLEARWATER; VISITCITRUS.COM; CVB PHOTOGRAPHY/CITRUSCOUNTY.COM
FAMILY ENTERTAINMENT
Aside from miles of beaches, Central West
Florida appeals to everyone in the family.
When its time to go wild, be sure to visit Big
Cat Rescue in Tampa. The largest accredited
sanctuary in the country is home to more than
100 lions, tigers, leopards, bobcats and cougars
that have been rescued and are now cared for
by loving staff and volunteers. Get up close to
FEBRUARY
Brooksville Native American Festival
Clearwater Beach Uncorked
FEBRUARYMARCH
Bands, Brew & BBQ, Busch Gardens
Florida Strawberry Festival, Plant City
Gasparilla Festival of the Arts, Tampa
MARCH
Firestone Grand Prix of St. Petersburg
APRIL
Mainsail Arts Festival, St. Petersburg
Pier 60 Sugar Sand Festival, Clearwater Beach
APRILMAY
Viva la Msica, Busch Gardens
SEPTEMBEROCTOBER
Howl-O-Scream, Busch Gardens
OCTOBER
Clearwater Jazz Holiday
Seafood Festival, Cedar Key
NOVEMBERDECEMBER
Christmas Town, Busch Gardens
DECEMBER
Outback Bowl New Years Eve Parade & Band Blast
Order a plate of fresh crawfish at Neon Leons in Homosassa.
2015 TRAVEL GUIDE TO FLORIDA
127
ROAD TRIP
Greek cuisine, art, cultureits all here in the
small fishing village of Tarpon Springs. The
area was first settled in 1876, and today is a
popular day-trip destination from Tampa,
Clearwater, St. Petersburg and Pasco County.
Go for the history, culture and food, and youll
go back for more!
of St. Petersburg/Clearwater.
FEATURED LINKS
3 Daughters Brewing
3dbrewing.com
Al Di L Italian Bistro
aldila.info
Busch Gardens
buschgardens.com
Chihuly Collection
moreanartscenter.org
Clearwater Beach
clearwaterbeach.com
Columbia Restaurant
columbiarestaurant.com
Cycle Brewing
facebook.com/pages/
Cycle-Brewing/454861824560821
Dinosaur World
dinosaurworld.com
Dunedin Brewery
130
dunedinbrewery.com
Epicurean
epicureanhotel.com
Evangeline Spa
epicureanhotel.com/evangeline-spa
SPAS
guyharveyoutpost.com/destinations/florida/
st-pete-beach
SHOPPING
Indaba The Spa at Innisbrook is set amidst 900 acres of rolling hills, pine trees and four golf courses.
131
FEATURED LINKS
Le Mridien Tampa
lemeridientampa.com
Libert Management
libertemanagement.com
Philadelphia Phillies
phillies.com
RumFish Grill
RumFishGrill.com
Sandava Spa
clearwaterbeach.hyatt.com/hyatt/pure/spas
Spa Oceana
loewshotels.com/don-cesar/servicesamenities/spa-oceana
Tampa Theatre
tampatheatre.org
Tarpon Springs
spongedocks.net
132
The Cove
covecasualrestaurant.com
The Refinery
thetamparefinery.com
Ulele
ulele.com
Pedicure. Or, for a truly decadent spa experience, choose the Spa Oceana Sunset Bliss
Massagethe most expensive and exclusive
couples massage in the world, at US$3,500 per
couple. Start with a little relaxation in a rooftop
cabana and delicacies prepared by the hotels
executive chef, served with a bottle of Cristal,
and followed by a sunset, seaside couples
massage that will melt the world away.
When Hernando DeSoto reached the shores
of Old Tampa Bay in 1539, he thought hed found
the legendary Fountain of Youth that Ponce De
Len had missed. Since its founding in 1925, the
historic Safety Harbor Resort and Spa is where
healing waters flow. Today, the 50,000-squarefoot spa and fitness center, which Spa Finder
Magazine consistently recognizes among its top
10 US spas, features everything you need for that
youthful glow. Spend a day and choose from
more than 50 spa and salon treatments; or, stay
overnight and try Lavender Dreams, an Espiritu
Springs Mineral Bath combined with the
Lavender Dreams Ultimate Experience.
In Tampa, Evangeline at the Epicurean Hotel
takes organic to a new level with fresh fruit
scrubs, buttery lotions and botanical oils infused
with herbs from the hotels living wall. Each
treatment is customized to meet your needs, and
each ingredient is carefully selected to awaken
your senses and refresh your soul. In homage to
its foodie roots, Evangeline features treatments
that will leave you hungry, such as the Dulce
Delight manicure/pedicure, with scents of
Arabica coffee bean, caramel, butter brle, dark
chocolate and sweet cream milk emanating
throughout the service. Or, create your own aromatherapy blend to use during your treatment
and take home to enjoy afterward.
The
century-old
Historic
Federal
Courthouse in Tampa, also part of the US
National Register of Historic Places, opened as
Le Mridien Tampa in June 2014. Classic architecture beautifully sets off modern touches and
state-of-the-art technology, turning former
judges chambers into incredible guest rooms.
Whats more, as part of its UNLOCK Art program, the hotel has partnered with the Tampa
Museum of Art, offering guests complimentary
access to Le Mridien-affiliated contemporary
cultural centers in the city by simply showing
their key cards.
Aloft Tampa Downtown, on the Riverwalk
that winds its way through downtown Tampa,
opened in mid-2014 and is a terrific option for
business and leisure travelers alike. The former
Mercantile Bank office was re-purposed and
developed to feature 130 loft-like rooms in a vibrant, social atmosphere.
Situated upon 232 acres of preserved land, the
Plantation on Crystal River reopened in January
2012 after extensive renovations and boasts a fullservice family-oriented dive and tour marina, 27
holes of golf, a spa, dining and relaxing accommodation. The eco-friendly and green luxury
resort is surrounded by natural springs. FL
Hernando County
BROOKSVILLE
1-855-250-2482
www. naturallyhernando. org
EAST - Visitor Info Center, off I-75 at Exit 301
WEST - Visitor Info Center,
Weeki Wachee Springs State Park
Hernando Countys
NATURE COAST
133
CITRUS COUNTY
AT THE HEART
OF THE
atx Vt
BY AMANDA MIMS
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CLOCKWISE FROM CENTER LEFT: CITRUS COUNTY PHOTO LIBRARY/CVB PHOTOGRAPHY; VISITCITRUS.COM; VISITCITRUS.COM
PADDLING IN PARADISE
Citrus County is known as the water lovers
Florida for good reason.
On any given day, paddlers are found in
waterways throughout Citrus County, from the
Gulf waters of Ozello to the springs of
Homosassa and Crystal River to the Tsala
Apopka Chain of Lakes. Exploring the Nature
Coast by kayak, canoe or stand-up paddleboard is an experience unlike any other.
For a spring-filled day, rent a stand-up paddleboard or kayak and launch from Hunter
Springs Park in Crystal River to enjoy the bluegreen water outside the spring swimming area,
which is just off a small beach near the boat
launch. Then paddle about 30 minutes through
Kings Bay to Three Sisters Springs, a trio of
crystal-clear springs where snorkeling, diving
and paddling are popular activities.
RIVERSIDE CAMPING
Whether they come for the mild, sunny winters
or summertime scalloping adventurers, RVers
know they get the best of all worlds when they
stay in waterfront towns such of Crystal River
and Homosassa. Campgrounds here make a
FEATURED LINKS
Citrus County Visitors & Convention Bureau
visitcitrus.com
135
PASCO COUNTY
BY SUSAN B. BARNES
RETAIL THERAPY
MUST SEE...MUST DO
138
INSIDERS TIP
LIVE IT UP
Pucker up! Pasco County is the worlds largest
producer of kumquats, a small, tart, orange-like
fruit that is eaten in its entirety. Sample one at
Kumquat Growers, and if the timings right, attend the annual Kumquat Festival in January,
just like more than 40,000 people do.
When it comes to dining, there are plenty of
options in Pasco County. One of the local favoritesand Southern Livings toois Lunch
on Limoges, and if youre vegetarian, try Kafe
Kokopelli, both in Dade City. For dinner, its
hard to beat Chef Curtis Beebes Pearl in the
Grove, or his new venture in San Antonio,
LOCAL Public House & Provisions.
FEATURED LINKS
Visit Pasco
visitpasco.net
Giraffe Ranch
girafferanch.com
Kumquat Growers
kumquatgrowers.com
NORTHEAST FLORIDA
CELEBRATING
450 YEARS OF
[x|tzx
Book an historic tour of Flagler College in St. Augustine.
140
BY DEBI LANDER
the oldest continually occupied European settlement in America. Celebrations are expected
to be the grandest ever and are a must for
tourists and residents alike.
While in St. Augustine, dont miss the hallmark of the townthe US National Park
Monument, Castillo de San Marcos, usually referred to as the fort. Construction using
coquina (shell-stone) rock began in 1672 and
the structure is considered the oldest masonry
fort in North America.
Youll also find 36 buildings of colonial
origin still standing in the historic district.
Begin touring by purchasing a multiple-day,
hop-on trolley ticket from Red Train or Old
Town Trolleys. Tour the Gonzalez-Alvarez
House, the oldest Spanish colonial dwelling,
which has been occupied since the 1600s.
Children enjoy visiting the Oldest Wooden
Schoolhouse while adults always hope for
miraculous renewal from the water at the
Fountain of Youth. The Spanish Military
Hospital Museum appeals to anyone interested
in medicine. This building on Aviles Street is
an authentic reconstruction of a Military
Hospital that stood there from 17841821. The
Ximenez-Fatio House Museum, owned and
run by The National Society of The Colonial
Dames of America, dates back to 1798.
Much smaller than the Castillo de San
Marcos, nearby Fort Matanzas offers free boat
rides out to the uninhabited island named for
the massacre that occurred there. The site is
also run by the US National Park Service.
WHATS NEW
March is Florida Archaeology Month and
November is Native American Heritage
Month. In recognition of these, Ripple Effect
Ecotours is offering special kayak tours called
Native People of the Estuary, led by Joe
Woodbury, Park Specialist at Washington Oaks
Gardens State Park. Joes an archaeologist with
a passion for the native people of the region, the
Timucuans. Participants will learn how the
Timucua thrived within this rich landscape,
much of it unchanged since they were here.
Paddle the backwaters of the Guana Tolomato
Matanzas National Estuarine Research Reserve
with Ripple Effect Ecotours and see it as the
Timucuan people saw it 2,000 years ago. Dates
are scheduled for March 14 and 15 and
November 21 and 22, 2015.
The new St. Augustine Distillery on Riberia
Street offers free tours. The plant began
making handcrafted vodka and gin in 2014, by
distilling Florida-grown ingredients in smallbatch copper-pot stills. The adjoining Ice
Plant Bar and Restaurant sells the liquor and
INSIDERS TIPS
If you plan to visit St. Augustine, July,
March, April, June, February and May are
the busiest months, in that order.
September and October are slow and the
weather is perfect, and its also a good time
for cultural and historical events. Hotels in
the downtown core are usually sold out
Thursday to Sunday, but deals are available
midweek so plan accordingly.
Take a biplane ride over St. Augustine
with St. Augustines Biplane Rides just like
the barnstormers did in the 1920s and 30s.
View the San Marcos Fort, Bridge of Lions,
Flagler College, the Lighthouse and beaches.
The biplane is a 1935 Model WACO YMF5C, but was built in 2011.
Every February through May thousands
of photographers and birdwatchers descend upon the Alligator Farm in St.
Augustine. They go, not to see the gators
though they are coolbut to get an
up-close view of the hundreds of egrets,
roseate spoonbills and wood storks that
come to nest. Its a feast for the eyes.
Learn about artisan distilling at the St. Augustine Distillery on Riberia Street.
2015 TRAVEL GUIDE TO FLORIDA
141
NORTHEAST FLORIDA
142
The First Coast thrives with a variety of museums, a symphony orchestra, which has its
own orchestral hall, a Broadway Artists Series
and the annual Jacksonville Jazz Festival. Major
attractions, such as the annual Monster Jam
trucks and the circus, take over the Veterans
Memorial Arena while pop performers fill the
seats at the St. Augustine Amphitheater.
Historic tours of Flagler College highlight
the architecture of the former Hotel Ponce de
Leon, a National Historic Landmark in St.
Augustine. Built by railroad magnate Henry M.
Flagler in 1888, the complex is considered one
of the finest examples of Spanish Renaissance
architecture. Tours begin in the courtyard
leading into the grand lobby with its magnificent 80-foot domed ceiling supported by eight
CLOCKWISE FROM BOTTOM LEFT: V&V HOSPITALITY & MEDIA SERVICES: V&V HOSPITALITY & MEDIA SERVICES; FLORIDASHISTORICCOAST.COM; FLORIDASHISTORICCOAST.COM; PALM COAST AND THE FLAGLER BEACHES CHAMBER OF COMMERCE
FEBRUARY
Northeast Florida Scottish Highland Games &
Festival, Green Cove Springs
MARCH
Amelia Island dElegance
Gate River Run National 15K Championships,
Jacksonville
APRIL
One Spark, Jacksonville
APRILMAY
World of Nations Celebration, Jacksonville
MAY
Isle of Eight Flags Shrimp Festival, Fernandina Beach
Jacksonville Jazz Festival
THE PLAYERS Championship, Ponte Vedra Beach
JUNE
Drakes Raid Re-enactment, St. Augustine
BEACHES
AUGUST
SEPTEMBER
450th St. Augustine Founding Celebrations
A couple relaxes on Vilano Beach.
OCTOBER
Creekside Festival, Palm Coast
Florida-Georgia football game, Jacksonville
Spooktacular, Jacksonville Zoo
NOVEMBER
Amelia Island B&B Holiday Cookie Tour
NOVEMBERJANUARY
Nights of Lights, St. Augustine
DECEMBER
British Night Watch Grand Illumination Parade,
St. Augustine
Tommy Tant Memorial Surf Classic, Flagler Beach
Stroll through Washington Oaks State Gardens in Palm Coast.
2015 TRAVEL GUIDE TO FLORIDA
143
NORTHEAST FLORIDA
Waterfront dining in St. Augustine.
Visit Jacksonville
visitjacksonville.com
144
Take a guided kayak tour, led by a professional naturalist guide, and paddle the
backwaters of the 40,000 acres that have been
preserved at the Guana Tolomato Matanzas
National Estuarine Research Reserve (GTMNERR) in the Ponte Vedra area, voted the best
place to kayak in Northeast Florida.
During the summer months, jump aboard
Jacksonville Beachs convenient Beaches Trolley
to explore all the beach neighborhoods and attractions for just US$1.50.
Jacksonvilles Kathryn Abbey Hanna Park,
near Mayport, is the perfect outdoor playground for everyone, including pets. Take the
family picnicking or use the biking trails. Go
swimming or surfing at the premier surfing
spot in Northeast Florida, The Poles. Surfers
also hang ten at Micklers Landing in Ponte
Vedra Beach and at Flagler Beach.
Jacksonvilles Huguenot Memorial Park features 71 campsites at the mouth of the St. Johns
River and all water sports. The park is part of
theGreat Florida Birding Trail where a wildlife
area for nesting terns and shorebirds is roped
off to protect them in season. Lighthouses are
popular attractions. Visitors can tour the St.
Augustine Lighthouse and Museum (open
daily) or the Amelia Island Lighthouse, which
has limited-access viewing on Saturdays from
11 AM to 2 PM.
Charter fishing boats, with guides, are plentiful, but you can also fish from piers at Flagler
FROM TOP TO BOTTOM: ST. AUGUSTINE, PONTE VEDRA & THE BEACHES VCB; AMELIA ISLAND TOURIST DEVELOPMENT COUNCIL
NORTHEAST FLORIDA
FEATURED LINKS
AdLib Luxury Tours & Transportation, Inc.
adlibtours.com
Casa de Sueos
casadesuenos.com
Colonial Quarter
colonialquarter.com
146
FAMILY ENTERTAINMENT
Learn about Floridas rural past with a stop at
the Florida Agricultural Museum in Palm
Coast. The pioneer homestead gives folks a
taste of the bygone era. Take a wagon ride, shell
corn, pump water and meet farm animals.
More than 75 years old, Flaglers Marineland
Dolphin Adventure remains the worlds first oceanarium. Today the research facility continues to
study dolphin behavior and visitors can view these
charming creatures up close. Make reservations
ahead for special dolphin encounters.
The St. Augustine Colonial Quarter brings the
citys Spanish and British heritage to life through
authentic exhibits including a leatherworking
shop, a blacksmith, an 18th-century Spanish
home, and an on-site boat construction of a 50foot caravel. Around the corner, the Pirate &
Treasure Museum pleases swashbucklers with
one of the worlds largest collections of genuine
pirate artifacts. There are plenty of fun interactive
exhibits as well. A combined ticket saves money.
Join the pirate crew on the Black Raven for daytime family outings or evening cruises.
Teens wont complain about the frightful fun
of a ghost tour, especially popular around
Halloween. Explore the darker side of the
nations oldest city including the towns most
Flaglers Legacy
legacy.flagler.edu/pages/tours
Ice Plant
iceplantbar.com
Mud Muckers
mudmuckers.com
Nights of Lights
nightsoflights.com
Omni Jacksonville
omnihotels.com/hotels/jacksonville
Caps on the Water and Aunt Kates are two popular waterfront eateries in nearby Vilano Beach.
Near Jacksonville, Royal Palm Village Wine
& Tapas in Atlantic Beach serves wine and beer
in its retail shop and theres also a restaurant.
Choose from 1,200 bottles of fine wine and14
rotating drafts to pair with creative tapas made
from farm-to-table seasonal fresh ingredients.
Year after year, Ragtime remains a hip drinking
and dining spot while Zeta at Jacksonville
Beach is new to the list. Its brewery draws a
crowd that appreciates handcrafted beer.
In Jacksonville, the Riverside Arts Market,
open every Saturday from March through
December, includes live entertainment, a farmers
market and artists selling their wares. See
Jacksonville from the water aboard the Foxy Lady
while noshing on brunch, lunch or dinner menu
items. Hungry for sushi and Japanese? Try Tomo.
Peruvian calls for Ceviche Jax at the corner of
Atlantic Boulevard and Seminole Road. The San
Marco Dining District features some of the best
chefs in the city; try Matthews, Taverna or Bistro
AIX. In Riverside and Five Points, climb the
stairs at Black Sheep Restaurant for one of the
hottest rooftop bars in the city or make it a progressive dinner with stops at The Mossfire Grill
& Lounge and OBrothers Irish Pub.
On Amelia Island, stop in at the Elizabeth
Pointe Lodge, an award-winning bed and
breakfast, which is now open to the public for
breakfast and lunch. The Verandah Restaurant
at the Omni Amelia Island Plantation upholds
SHOPPING
The St. Augustine Outlet malls provide discount opportunities at more than 85 brand
names, including Banana Republic, Brooks
Brothers, Calvin Klein, Coach, J.Crew, Movado,
Nike, Ralph Lauren and Reebok. Youll also find
a huge Gander Mountain outdoor store.
Pedestrian-only St. George Street in the historic district of St. Augustine presents some
unusual finds. Explore the Womens Exchange
of St. Augustine gift shop in the historic Pena-
ROAD TRIPS
A favorite drive in the Flagler Beach area is the
Ormond Scenic Loop & Trail, a 30-mile double
loop of winding roads that take you along the
Atlantic Ocean and the Old Dixie Highway,
past rivers, creeks and marshes, barrier island
dunes and beaches, and historic dwellings.
147
NORTHEAST FLORIDA
FEATURED LINKS
One Spark
beonespark.com
Palace Saloon
thepalacesaloon.com
staugustinebiplanerides.com
SPAS
148
staugustinelighthouse.org
TPC Sawgrass
tpc.com/tpc-sawgrass
CLOCKWISE FROM BOTTOM LEFT: AMELIA ISLAND TOURIST DEVELOPMENT COUNCIL; AMELIA ISLAND TOURIST DEVELOPMENT COUNCIL; JQH/FLORIDASHISTORICCOAST.COM
alligatorfarm.com
149
JACKSONVILLE
NATURAL,CULTURAL,
AND OH SO
[|
BY MELANIE GREEN
MUST SEE...MUST DO
Dont miss the Cummer Museum of Art and
Gardens. Besides nearly 5,000 works of art, 1.5
acres of exquisite gardens border the St. Johns
River. Take advantage of free admission the
first Saturday of the month. Right by the
Cummer (also free and open on Saturdays) is
the bustling Riverside Arts Market, which includes the works of local artisans for sale, along
with a farmers market and live music by the
St. Johns River.
150
LIVE IT UP
RETAIL THERAPY
INSIDERS TIP
Jacksonville thrives on local business success
and nowhere is that more celebrated than at
Freebird Live, a live music venue in Jacksonville
Beach that honors the legacy of hometown
rock n roll legend band Lynyrd Skynyrd. FL
FEATURED LINKS
Visit Jacksonville
VisitJacksonville.com
Freebird Live
freebirdlive.com
Jacksonville and the surrounding area is a premier playground for outdoor and eco adventures.
visitjacksonville.com
CHOOSE YOUR
SOUTHERN-STYLE
Twxx
Kayak at the Alfred B. Maclay Gardens State Park in Tallahassee.
n this region of the Sunshine State, visitors can experience the full spectrum
of Florida life. From upscale dining,
shopping andaccommodationto spectacular
natural wonders and outdoorrecreation opportunities, North Central Florida has a little
bit of everything.
The two major cities in this region
Gainesville and Tallahasseeoffer vibrant
experiences for all. Both are college towns, so
expect to find a diverse blend of ages, races
and nationalities, all of which are reflected in
a wide selection of independent businesses
aimed at locals and out-of-towners. This is
where Old Florida meets New Florida.
What you get here are cities that still celebrate
their history while embracing an everchanging crowd from all walks of life.
Consider this Florida statistic that
mightsurprise some. Overall, wildlife-viewing
trips are second only to beach-relatedactivitiesexcluding fishingin importance to both
152
CLOCKWISE FROM TOP LEFT: G. HASTINGS-DESTINATION STYLE; VISIT GAINESVILLE; VISIT TALLAHASSEE
BY KEVIN MIMS
A Calusa Indian permanent exhibit at the Florida Museum of Natural History in Gainesville.
WHATS NEW
In 2014, Gainesvilles third craft brewery
opened its doors, with a name that pays homage
to some of the areas natural wonders. First
Magnitude Brewing Company, a 15-barrel operation established in part by a former
University of Florida professor (and passionate home brewer), is helping to fill an
increasing demand for local brews. The name
takes its inspiration from North Central
Floridas abundant freshwater springs. The
largest ones are referred to as first-magnitude
springs and North Central Florida is home to
more first-magnitude springs than anywhere
else on the planet.
Tallahassees newly renovated Cascades Park
and world-class amphitheater celebrated its official grand opening in March 2014. Located
right in the heart of Floridas Capital City,
Cascades Park is home to 2.3 miles of multipurpose paved trails, a kid-friendly discovery
area, the Imagination Fountain (73 jets of pure
entertainment) and a 3,500-seat outdoor venue.
Needless to say, this is definitely a dont-miss
spot when visiting the city.
A 700-foot-plus Canopy Walkway was also
completed in 2014, connecting two Tallahassee
153
North Central Florida is one of the go-to regions in the state for outdoor and history
lovers. Its not the Florida most people think
about and offers a side of things a lot of
visitors miss. For those who want to get off
the beaten path, this is the spot for you.
You cant visit this section of Florida
without visiting a few of the freshwater
springs. These places are the true gems of
Florida and make perfect day trips. Most
are part of the Florida State Parks system
and only cost a few dollars to access.
For paddlers, its hard to beat a trip on
the famed spring-fed Wakulla River. Head to
T-n-T Hide-A-Way Rental for kayak, canoe
and paddleboard rentals, as well as expert
guided tours. This is one of Floridas premier
wildlife viewing areas, so make sure to bring
along cameras and viewing optics.
One of the best long-distance paddling adventures in the country can be done
on the 170-mile Suwannee River
Wilderness Trail. Start your trip in White
Springs at Stephen Foster Folk Culture
Center State Park, staying at the trails river
camps along the way. They feature
screened-in camping porches, showers and
restrooms, and are located about every 10
miles on the trail. This is one adventure
youll never forget.
154
INSIDERS TIPS
years of the earths biological and cultural diversity through educational exhibits of
fossils, full-size megaladon jaws and wooly
mammoths, interactive Native American displays and galleries, and much more. The
museum is the largest natural history museum south of the Smithsonian and the
largest university-based museum of its kind
in the country. Besides permanent and traveling exhibitions, the museum is also home
to the Butterfly Rainforest, a living exhibit
that features hundreds of free-flying butterfly
and bird species from around the world. Its
a great attraction for the whole family, with
daily butterfly releases, feeding stations and
a lush tropical landscape.
Gainesvilles Hippodrome Theatre, known
locally as The Hipp, is where its at forindependent live performances and cinema. In
1979, the Hippodrome moved into Gainesvilles
historic Federal Building, an outstanding example of Palladian Classical Revival
architecture, with ornate limestone trim and
massive Corinthian columns. Originally the
first floor served as the Post Office, while the
second floor was a courtroom. These days,
more than 200,000 annual visitors passthrough
the doors of the Hippodrome to check out firstrun artistic films, film festivals and art
exhibitions from Florida artists.
Another important cultural venue in
Gainesville is the Samuel P. Harn Museum of Art
at the University of Florida, which maintains an
BEACHES
Not all of Floridas 1,200-mile coastline is lined
with white, sandy beaches. In some regions
North Central Florida happens to be one of
themthe coast is different than the typical
Florida postcard.
In the Big Bend and Nature Coast regions
along the Gulf of Mexico,theshoreline is wild
and beautiful, with palm islands and salt marshes.
Fishing and kayaking here are world-class; bring
your gear and be ready for the trip of a lifetime.
FEBRUARY
Pigfest, Tallahassee
Olustee Festival, Olustee Battlefield State Park
MARCH
Springtime Tallahassee
Suwannee Springfest, Live Oak
Wild Azalea Festival, White Springs
APRIL
Bradford County Strawberry Festival, Starke
Down Home Days Festival, Parade
& PCA Rodeo, Madison
Florida State Bluegrass Festival, Perry
Kayak Fishing Tournament, Inglis/Yankeetown
Old Florida Celebration of the Arts, Cedar Key
Panacea Rock the Dock Fishing Tournament
Santa Fe College Spring Arts Festival, Gainesville
Sopchoppy Worm Gruntin Festival
Suwannee River Jam, Live Oak
MAY
Big Bend Kayak Classic, Crawfordville
Florida Folk Festival, White Springs
Florida Wine Festival, Tallahassee
Hamilton County Rodeo, Jasper
Panacea Blue Crab Festival
JUNE
Florida African Dance Festival, Tallahassee
Jefferson County Watermelon Festival, Monticello
Tropical Nights Concerts at Spirit of the
Suwannee Music Park, Live Oak
Wild Blackberry Festival, Jasper
AUGUST
Starke Florida Bikefest
OCTOBER
Alligator Warrior Festival, OLeno State Park
Magnolia Fest, Live Oak
Micanopy Fall Harvest Festival
Operation Migration
Pioneer Day Festival, Mayo
Seafood Festival, Cedar Key
St. Marks Monarch Butterfly Festival
St. Marks Stone Crab Festival
NOVEMBERDECEMBER
Downtown Festival & Art Show, Gainesville
Twilight Christmas Parade, High Springs
Winter Nights & Holiday Lights, Tallahassee
155
156
CLOCKWISE FROM BOTTOM LEFT: ANNA MIKELL/VISIT GAINESVILLE; ANNA MIKELL/VISIT GAINESVILLE; VISIT TALLAHASSEE
FAMILY ENTERTAINMENT
Theres plenty of family fun throughout North
Central Florida, with real experiences rather
than theme parks. If seeing some of the natural
side of the state is what you are after, this is the
area for you.
In Cedar Key, Tidewater Tours and Boat
Rentals offers several trips to get your family
out on the water to view dolphins, migratory
birds (birding is fantastic here) and other
species. For a good understanding of Cedar
Key, take a two-hour island tour to the Cedar
Keys National Wildlife Refuge to see marine
life and learn about the ecosystem.
North Central Florida is springs country
and a visit to a few of these majestic natural
wonders should not be missed. For a good
walk-up look at a first-magnitude spring, travel
to Manatee Springs State Park in Chiefland, a
popular spot for diving, camping, wildlife observation, hiking, biking and swimming in the
FEATURED LINKS
Alfred B. Maclay Gardens State Park
floridastateparks.org/maclaygardens
Cascades Park
discovercascades.com
Faraway Inn
farawayinn.com
157
ROAD TRIPS
Springs Lodge (book a room here, its fabulous)
to the Wakulla River tour. The headspring is
considered one of the largest and deepest firstmagnitude springs in the world, and you can
splash down in it from atwo-level diving platform. For those interested in wildlife, the river
tour is out of this world. Expect to see alligators,
a variety of wading birds, outstanding scenery,
158
SHOPPING
Bringing home a few of the local goods goes
hand-in-hand with travel and folks will find
plenty of shops with antiques, crafts, art and
home decor items in the area. Almost every
smalldowntown area in North Central Florida
has something available for those looking to
pick up a thing or two.
Take US Highway 441 south from Gainesville to Paynes Prairie Preserve State Park.
Micanopy is one of the most well-known antique destinations in the entire state. Its the
oldest inland city in Florida so you can expect
to find special treasures in this historic location.
Stroll down Cholokka Boulevard and stop in at
Delectable Collectibles for a wide range of antiques and vintage items. Dont miss the
Mosswood Farm Store and Bakehouse for
earth-friendly crafts, pastries, jams, jellies, marmalades and bread baked in an outdoor brick
oven. Just outside of town, Smileys Antique
Mall offers 25,000 square feet of space with vendors specializing in different types of
collectibles and rarities.
The Tallahassee Downtown Market celebrated its 20th anniversary in 2014 and is the
place to go on Saturdays for local produce, live
music, arts and crafts and ready-to-eat foods.
Things kick off at 9 AM with the sound of
bagpipes during the Mercat March, a piperledparadeof merchants announcing they are
open. Its a greatplaceto get a feel for whats
happening in Tallahassee.
FEATURED LINKS
Gainesville-Hawthorne State Trail
floridastateparks.org/gainesville-hawthorne
Herlong Mansion
herlong.com
Hippodrome Theatre
thehipp.org
Paisley Cafe
thepaisleycafe.com
Satchels Pizza
satchelspizza.com
Tallahassee Museum
tallahasseemuseum.org
Trailahassee
trailahassee.com
159
WA KU L L A C O U N T Y
g Ux
MUST SEE...MUST DO
160
LIVE IT UP
Seafood may be the meal of choice in the
Sunshine State, but in Wakulla County seafood
is king. Retail markets along the countys coastline sell locally caught mullet, flounder,
grouper, red snapper and cobia that will have
your mouth watering.
For the freshest seafood from mullet to blue
crab and oysters, much of which is caught and
served by the venerable Lovell family, stop by
their Spring Creek Restaurant in the village of
Spring Creek. Poseys Up the Creek Seafood
Steam Room and Oyster Bar in Panacea is
renowned for fresh shrimp, clams and crabs.
Ochlockonee Bay is home to the famous
Angelo and Sons Seafood Restaurant that re-
RETAIL THERAPY
FEATURED LINKS
Visit Wakulla
visitwakulla.com
INSIDERS TIP
fs.usda.gov/fnst
Riverside Cafe
riversidebay.com
161
VisitWakulla
The Natural Place to Be in Florida
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u
k
Wa
T he Natural Pla c e
n
Be i
to
Florida
VisitWakulla.com
or call (850) 984-3966
GAI NES V I L L E
V{t
COLLEGE-TOWN
MUST SEE...MUST DO
From the Victorian splendor of the Bed and
Breakfast District, Gainesvilles top cultural attractions are within easy reach. For a crash
course in this citys arts scene, hit the monthly
Artwalk, where drink and dining specials complement visits to artists studios. Enjoy
professional theater and indie cinema at the
Hippodrome, or explore the Downtown
Festival & Art Show and the Santa Fe Spring
Arts Festival, centered on the historic Spanishstyle Thomas Center. On the UF campus, the
Cultural Plaza offers the Harn Museum of Art
164
LIVE IT UP
Nowhere is Gainesvilles revitalized downtown
more vibrant than Southeast First Street. Wander
the shops and restaurants, browsing the carefully
curated records at Hear Again, sampling houseinfused cocktails at Boca Fiesta or savoring sushi
at Dragonfly. Taste Latin fare at Emilianos, then
sample craft brews at Tall Pauls. Local flavor
abounds at the tasting room of Swamp Head
Brewery, as well as at Sweet Dreams Homemade
Ice Cream. Catch a film premiere at the Cinema
Verde Festival held in February or enjoy a free
concert on the Bo Diddley plaza from the patio
of The Lunch Box. The City of Gainesville Parks,
Recreation and Cultural Affairs plans a number
of such events throughout the year.
farmers markets.
Dont miss a trip to other small towns surrounding Gainesville: Antiquing in Micanopy
and visiting Marjorie Kinnan Rawlings Cross
Creek home are cant-miss experiences.
INSIDERS TIP
Many area attractions offer free admission or a
suggested donation. At Mill Creek Farm, a
sanctuary for retired horses in Alachua, admission is two carrots. FL
FEATURED LINKS
Alachua County Visitors & Convention Bureau
visitgainesville.com
Adventure Outpost
adventureoutpost.net
Artwalk Gainesville
artwalkgainesville.com
Florida Gators
gatorzone.com
Santa Fe College
sfcollege.edu
RETAIL THERAPY
Shoppers are drawn to the upscale Tioga
Town Center, home to the beloved Blue
Highway pizzeria and one of the areas seven
UF Performing Arts
performingarts.ufl.edu
BY ALISSON CLARK
NORTHWEST FLORIDA
SOUTHERN HOSPITALITY
u {x fxt
BY JANET GROENE
166
WHATS NEW
Two exciting additions are coming into the Florida
State Parks system. Kids and their parents can take
part in the updated Junior Ranger program similar
to that available at national parks. Sign up, get your
ranger credentials and see how many activities you
can accomplish to earn a badge or pin. The parks
now also offer geo-caching.
Its great news for kids of all ages that the
Miracle Strip Amusement Park at Panama City
Beach continues to add new rides. A southern
icon from 1963 until it closed in 2004, the park
reopened under new management and continues to grow. Nostalgia buffs will love that
many of the rides from the old park were found
and restored by the new owners. Acquisitions
include the 1964 Allan Herschell Carousel and
the Tea Cups ride from 1978.
Seaside, a pioneer in new urbanism it calls
the simple, beautiful life, established the
Seaside Institute in the 1980s. New in the communitys lyceum area is the Seaside Institute
Village consisting of a cluster of buildings devoted to education for both day visitors and
boarders. Courses range from photography and
writing to wellness programs.
INSIDERS TIPS
Look for rental fat-tire wheelchairs (and
sometimes strollers) in most major beach
areas. Conventional wheelchairs cant navigate the soft sands.
Turtles come ashore to lay their eggs on
Panhandle beaches from late May through
early July. Nighttime turtle walks in beach
areas are led by experts. Dont intrude on
turtle-nesting sites; its against the law.
Easily overlooked because its part of
the larger Heritage Park and Cultural
Center, the Indian Temple Mound Museum
in Fort Walton Beach includes a Native
American temple mound and relics said to
date back as early as 14,000 BC.
Keep an eye on the almanac for phases
of the moon, then do a search for city
name+ full-moon party. Theyre usually
found at beach landmarks, such as the
Margaritaville Beach Hotel in Pensacola
Beach and the Cape St. George Lighthouse
on Little George Island.
Unlike downstate Florida, this area can
get frosty. Some attractions are closed in
winter and most others have varying schedules so be sure to check ahead.
In small-town America, automobile
cruises were sometimes the only recreation for young people on Friday and
Saturday nights. By silent agreement, cars
would just show up to rev their engines,
crank up their speakers and cruise slowly
up and down Main Street. Such cruises still
rumble informally in many Panhandle communities. Some have become large
festivals where visitors can mingle with
other car buffs. One of the largest is in
downtown Panama City where Friday Fest
cruises on the first Friday of the month,
February through November, feature hundreds of cars as well as bands and vendors
covering a six-block area.
This area of the Gulf offers world-class
fishing with a wide choice of guided charters and boat rentals. The least expensive
way to go out to sea is simply to walk out
on fishing piers where a modest fee is
charged for anglers and a token fee for observers. Locations include Panama City,
Navarre, Pensacola and Gulf Shores.
For Civil War groupies, Northwest Florida
offers significant sites. The Battle of
Marianna in 1864 saw more than 25 percent of the male population killed, wounded
or captured. Battlefield tours can be
arranged. Fort Pickens in Santa Rosa Beach
was occupied by Union forces through most
of the war. A historic marker in Bagdad remembers the Skirmish on the Blackwater.
167
NORTHWEST FLORIDA
Anchoring a city-size vacation community,
the splendid Hilton Sandestin Beach Golf &
Spa has a new look following a four-month,
US$13-million renovation in 2014. The Hilton
stands on the 2,400-acre Sandestin Resort,
which includes a spread of shops, restaurants,
recreation facilities ashore and afloat, and offers a wide range of accommodation. Its Village
of Baytowne Wharf is the site of many special
events, tournaments, concerts and festivals including the popular Gumbo Festival.
The new Holiday Inn Resort Fort Walton
Beach Hotel has dazzling water features, a
choice of dining venues and the chains famous
Kids Suites with bunk beds and kid-friendly
decor. Gulfarium Marine Adventure Park in
Fort Walton Beach has introduced a Kids Safari
for children ages three and up. For an added fee,
a 30-minute tour provides a behind-the-scenes
peek at the parks sea creatures and keepers.
The role of naval aviation in the space program is central to the new Apollo exhibit at the
National Naval Aviation Museum, where a
Lunar Module replica anchors the new display.
Included are a replica Apollo spacesuit in a
lunar landscape with footprints and a storyline explaining the Navys role in recovering
command modules.
The population explosion at the Gulf Breeze
Zoo continues to wow visitors, who delight in
seeing the two little kangaroos and a giraffe
born here in 2013. In 2014 the zoo welcomed
its first spectacled owl chicks, and at press time
a mama zebra was expecting.
The Pensacola Blue Wahoos are giving baseball fans something to cheer about. The Double-A
affiliate of the Cincinnati Reds has moved to
Pensacola, playing in minor league baseballs
Southern League. Games in the showplace
Pensacola Bayfront Stadium are action-packed
reminders that the city has long been a steppingstone to the major leagues. Pensacola baseball
alumni include such immortals as Ted Williams,
Ty Cobb and Shoeless Joe Jackson.
168
stop to view a replica of the ice-making machine invented by Dr. Gorrie to cool his
patients during a yellow fever epidemic. The
larger discussion here, shown in interpretive
displays, is the important role yellow fever,
malaria and other tropical agues played in the
early Americas.
One of the regions most intriguing cultural
enclaves is in the time-warp hamlet of
DeFuniak Springs, founded in the 1880s.
Leaders of a quaint education movement of the
19th century known as Chautauqua, after its
origins on Lake Chautauqua in New York, established a winter home on the scenic shores of
what was then called Lake DeFuniak.
CLOCKWISE FROM TOP LEFT: TAD DENSON/SHUTTERSTOCK; WALTON COUNTY TOURIST DEVELOPMENT COUNCIL
BEACHES
With more than 200 miles of beaches along the
Gulf coast, not to mention excellent beaches on
bays, lakes and rivers, Northwest Florida is the
ultimate beach vacation destination. The question is, which beach? If youre staying in
beachfront accommodation, a beach is on your
doorstep. If not, youll need to find public
beaches, perhaps with parking. Many are
shown on free tourist maps available at hotels
and other visitor stops, as well as on tourism
websites listed here.
Panama City Beach is known for its nonstop energy, especially in March when
students arrive for spring break. For a quiet
picnic, the best beaches are the remote and
pristine sands on Dog Island, Dr. Julian G.
Bruce St. George Island State Park and T.H.
Stone Memorial St. Joseph Peninsula State
Park. For families, the beaches at state parks
are always a good choice. So is the Florida
FEBRUARY
Grand Mardi Gras, Pensacola
The Sandestin Gumbo Festival
MARCH
Celebrate the Arts, Gulf Breeze
APRIL
Sandestin Wine Festival
Flora-Bama Mullet Toss, Perdido Key
MAY
Pensacola Crawfish Festival
MAYJUNE
Bands on the Blackwater, Milton
JUNE
Billy Bowlegs Pirate Festival, Fort Walton Beach
Panhandle Watermelon Festival, Chipley
The Fiesta of Five Flags, Pensacola
JULY
Firecracker Day, Vernon
Pensacola Beach Air Show
JULYAUGUST
Summer Concerts in the Park, Marianna
AUGUST
Pepsi Gulf Jam, Panama City Beach
Sandestin Triathlon, Miramar Beach
Wausau Possum Festival and Miss Funday Pageant
SEPTEMBER
Marianna Festival Day and Battle Reenactment
Pensacola Seafood Festival
OCTOBER
Boggy Bayou Mullet Festival, Niceville
Destin Seafood Festival
Florida Seafood Festival, Apalachicola
Greek Festival, Pensacola
Mexico Beach Art and Wine Festival
NOVEMBER
Seeing Red Wine Festival, Seaside
DECEMBER
New Years Eve Ball Drop, Panama City Beach
Take a scenic coastal drive to beautiful Santa Rosa Beach in Walton County.
2015 TRAVEL GUIDE TO FLORIDA
169
NORTHWEST FLORIDA
Wine tasting in Mexico Beach.
170
FROM LEFT TO RIGHT: VISIT FLORIDA; WALTON COUNTY TOURIST DEVELOPMENT COUNCIL
Stand-up paddleboarding
at sunset in Walton County.
FAMILY ENTERTAINMENT
All-day family fun is a definite promise at
WonderWorks in Panama City Beach. More
than 100 hands-on activities include its Ropes
Course, Laser Tag, the Hurricane Shack with
winds up to 71 mph and a bubble lab that generates giggles for all ages.
www.navarrebeachadventures.com
800.480.7263
NORTHWEST FLORIDA
172
FEATURED LINKS
Bay Bares Park
baybares.com
Blue Angels
blueangels.navy.mil
Cordova Mall
simon.com/mall/cordova-mall
Cuvee Bistro
cuveebistrodestin.com
DeFuniak Springs
defuniaksprings.net
Dog Island
thedogisland.com
ROAD TRIPS
Drive US 98, the 157-mile-long stretch referred to as the Emerald Coast Route or the
Gulf Coast Highway from historic
Apalachicola to Gulf Breeze for almost non-
floridastateparks.org/stgeorgeisland
emeraldgrande.com
Fort Barrancas
nps.gov/guis/planyourvisit/fort-barrancas.htm
Fort Pickens
nps.gov/guis/planyourvisit/fort-pickens.htm
Goofy Golf
goofygolfpc.com
173
SHOPPING
Silver Sands Premium Outlets in Destin is the
largest in the region with 110 stores. Sandestin
Golf and Beach Resort is a city-size resort with
a pedestrian village filled with shops and places
to dine. The areas natural beauty attracts artists
specializing in all media from watercolor to fusion glass, textiles, jewelry and shell art. Places
to find prominent galleries include Seaside and
other communities along State Road 30A.
Portofino Boardwalk on Pensacola Beach is
a typical Florida shopping, dining, entertain-
174
CLOCKWISE FROM BOTTOM LEFT: COLIN D. YOUNG/SHUTTERSTOCK; EMERALD COAST CVB; VISIT FLORIDA
NORTHWEST FLORIDA
FEATURED LINKS
Hotel DeFuniak
hoteldefuniak.com
noblemanor.com
SPAS
Outstanding spa services and surroundings are
found at Serenity by the sea in the Hilton
Sandestin Beach Golf Resort & Spa, InnSpa at
the WaterColor Inn & Resort on Santa Rosa
Beach and Serenity Spa at the Bay Point
Wyndham Golf Resort & Spa in Panama City
Beach. Guests at chichi beach communities
such as Seaside and Rosemary Beach have a
wonderful choice of day spas, many of which
offer luxury services. The Pearl, a posh resort
in Rosemary Beach, offers a signature facial
with crushed pearls. Enjoy your treatments in
the spa or in a poolside cabana.
The Emerald Grande at HarborWalk Village
in Destin is a full-service resort with a lavish
spa. Guests and non-guests can buy membership in the fitness center on the second floor
overlooking the Gulf.
The Escape Wellness Spa in Pensacola is one
of the areas largest, offering a wide range of
treatments including skin care and prenatal
massage. Also in Pensacola, Still Waters Day
and Medical Spa offers a relaxation room, cou-
milb.com/index.jsp?sid=t4124
Rosemary Beach
floridastateparks.org/poncedeleonsprings
Portofino Boardwalk
pensacolabeachboardwalk.com
rosemarybeach.com
Saenger Theatre
pensacolasaenger.com
Seaside
seasidefl.com
Shell Island
visitpanamacitybeach.com/beaches/shell-island
The Pearl
thepearlrb.com
WonderWorks
wonderworksonline.com/panama-city-beach
175
RESOURCE DIRECTORY
FLORIDA TIME ZONES
While most of Florida is located in the Eastern Time Zone, a
portion of Northwest Florida is in the Central Time Zone. The
Apalachicola River is the dividing line between Central Standard
Time in the western part of Northwest Florida and Eastern
Standard Time in the eastern part.
Florida Welcome Centers are found throughout the state. (VISIT FLORIDA)
DATES
FESTIVALS
WEBSITES
mdpl.org/events/about-adw
spacecoastbirdingandwildlifefestival.org
gasparillapiratefest.com
floridastatefair.com
silverspursrodeo.com
flstrawberryfestival.com
officialbikeweek.com
springtimetallahassee.com
dunedinhighlandgames.com
sunfest.com
jaxjazzfest.com
floridafolkfestival.com
blueangels.navy.mil/show
fla-keys.com/hemingwaymedia
staugustine-450.com/
st-augustines-450th-anniversary-celebration/
visitpensacola.com/landing/seafood-festival
disneyworld.disney.go.com/parks/epcot
/special-events/epcot-international
-food-and-wine-festival
biketoberfest.org
November 2015
fmbsandsculpting.com
nightsoflights.com
December 2015
holidaylights.visittallahassee.com
miamibeach.artbasel.com
winterfestparade.com
Dates and websites were correct at time of printing. Information is subject to change without notice.
176
FEB
MAR
APR
MAY
JUN
JUL
AUG
SEP
OCT
NOV
DEC
BOCA RATON
min/max
precip.
58/76 F
2.78 in
58/77 F
2.76 in
62/80 F
3.00 in
66/83 F
3.40 in
71/87 F
5.73 in
74/90 F
7.31 in
75/92 F
5.94 in
75/92 F
6.91 in
74/91 F
7.01 in
71/87 F
5.73 in
66/82 F
4.24 in
61/78 F
2.46 in
BRADENTON
min/max
precip.
51/72 F
2.94 in
52/73 F
2.66 in
57/77 F
3.36 in
59/82 F
1.83 in
66/87 F
2.85 in
71/90 F
7.41 in
72/91 F
8.71 in
73/91 F
9.43 in
72/90 F
7.25 in
65/85 F
2.88 in
59/79 F
2.35 in
53/74 F
2.45 in
CLEARWATER
min/max
precip.
50/72 F
3.17 in
52/73 F
3.14 in
56/77 F
3.85 in
61/81 F
1.96 in
67/87 F
3.02 in
72/90 F
5.78 in
74/91 F
7.07 in
73/92 F
8.47 in
72/90 F
7.25 in
65/85 F
3.36 in
58/79 F
2.37 in
52/74 F
2.98 in
DAYTONA
BEACH
min/max
precip.
47/68 F
2.75 in
48/69 F
3.11 in
54/74 F
2.90 in
58/80 F
2.23 in
65/84 F
3.45 in
71/88 F
5.99 in
72/90 F
5.4 in
73/89 F
6.16 in
72/87 F
6.34 in
65/81 F
4.13 in
56/75 F
2.84 in
50/70 F
2.59 in
FORT
LAUDERDALE
min/max
precip.
57/75 F
2.22 in
57/76 F
2.93 in
62/79 F
2.76 in
65/82 F
3.37 in
70/85 F
6.65 in
73/88 F
9.58 in
75/90 F
6.64 in
75/90 F
6.77 in
74/89 F
7.56 in
70/85 F
6.52 in
65/81 F
3.94 in
60/77 F
2.17 in
FORT MYERS
min/max
precip.
53/74 F
1.84 in
54/75 F
2.23 in
58/80 F
3.07 in
62/84 F
1.06 in
67/89 F
3.87 in
73/90 F
9.52 in
74/91 F
8.26 in
75/91 F
9.66 in
74/90 F
7.82 in
68/86 F
2.94 in
61/81 F
1.57 in
55/76 F
1.56 in
JACKSONVILLE
min/max
precip.
42/64 F
3.31 in
44/67 F
3.93 in
50/74 F
3.68 in
56/80 F
2.70 in
63/85 F
3.55 in
70/89 F
5.69 in
72/91 F
5.60 in
72/91 F
7.93 in
70/87 F
7.05 in
60/80 F
2.90 in
51/73 F
2.19 in
44/67 F
2.72 in
KEY WEST
min/max
precip.
65/75 F
2.01 in
65/75 F
1.80 in
69/78 F
1.71 in
72/82 F
1.75 in
76/85 F
3.46 in
78/87 F
5.09 in
80/89 F
3.61 in
79/89 F
5.03 in
78/88 F
5.85 in
75/84 F
4.42 in
71/80 F
2.84 in
67/76 F
2.02 in
MIAMI
min/max
precip.
59/75 F
2.01 in
60/76 F
2.08 in
64/79 F
2.39 in
68/83 F
3.03 in
72/85 F
6.21 in
75/88 F
9.33 in
77/89 F
5.70 in
77/89 F
7.58 in
76/88 F
7.63 in
72/85 F
5.64 in
67/80 F
2.66 in
62/77 F
1.83 in
NAPLES
min/max
precip.
53/75 F
2.01 in
54/76 F
2.17 in
58/79 F
2.08 in
62/83 F
1.99 in
67/87 F
4.21 in
71/90 F
8.18 in
73/91 F
7.98 in
73/91 F
8.05 in
73/90 F
8.11 in
68/87 F
3.60 in
62/82 F
1.99 in
56/76 F
1.53 in
ORLANDO
min/max
precip.
51/71 F
2.33 in
50/71 F
4.00 in
55/77 F
3.24 in
61/84 F
1.30 in
67/88 F
3.10 in
71/90 F
7.53 in
73/92 F
7.15 in
73/92 F
7.07 in
73/89 F
6.27 in
66/84 F
2.86 in
57/77 F
1.65 in
52/73 F
2.01 in
PANAMA CITY
min/max
precip.
38/61 F
5.74 in
41/65 F
4.71 in
47/70 F
6.22 in
53/76 F
3.73 in
61/83 F
3.86 in
68/88 F
6.01 in
71/89 F
8.74 in
71/89 F
7.52 in
67/87 F
6.14 in
55/79 F
3.50 in
47/71 F
4.53 in
40/64 F
4.06 in
PENSACOLA
min/max
precip.
42/59 F
4.65 in
44/63 F
5.36 in
51/69 F
5.66 in
58/76 F
3.41 in
65/83 F
4.20 in
72/88 F
6.40 in
74/90 F
7.42 in
74/89 F
7.33 in
70/86 F
5.42 in
60/79 F
4.14 in
51/70 F
3.54 in
44/63 F
4.29 in
45/64 F
3.16 in
47/67 F
2.88 in
53/72 F
3.87 in
58/77 F
2.63 in
65/82 F
3.11 in
71/87 F
5.27 in
73/89 F
4.50 in
72/87 F
5.91 in
71/85 F
6.45 in
64/79 F
4.56 in
56/73 F
2.24 in
49/67 F
2.84 in
ST.
PETERSBURG
min/max
precip.
54/69 F
2.76 in
55/71 F
2.87 in
60/75 F
3.29 in
64/80 F
1.92 in
71/86 F
2.80 in
75/89 F
6.09 in
76/90 F
6.72 in
77/90 F
8.26 in
75/88 F
7.59 in
70/83 F
2.64 in
63/77 F
2.04 in
56/71 F
2.60 in
SARASOTA
min/max
precip.
51/72 F
2.94 in
53/74 F
2.66 in
57/77 F
3.36 in
60/82 F
1.85 in
65/87 F
2.85 in
74/90 F
7.41 in
73/91 F
8.71 in
73/91 F
9.43 in
72/90 F
7.25 in
65/85 F
2.88 in
59/80 F
2.35 in
53/74 F
2.45 in
TALLAHASSEE
min/max
precip.
38/62 F
4.77 in
40/66 F
5.52 in
47/73 F
6.21 in
52/80 F
3.74 in
61/86 F
4.75 in
68/90 F
6.93 in
71/91 F
8.82 in
71/91 F
7.53 in
68/88 F
5.58 in
56/81 F
2.92 in
46/73 F
3.87 in
41/66 F
5.03 in
TAMPA BAY
min/max
precip.
49/70 F
1.99 in
51/71 F
3.08 in
56/76 F
3.01 in
60/82 F
1.15 in
67/87 F
3.10 in
73/90 F
5.48 in
74/90 F
6.58 in
74/90 F
7.61 in
73/89 F
5.98 in
65/84 F
2.02 in
57/77 F
1.77 in
51/72 F
2.15 in
WEST PALM
BEACH
min/max
precip.
56/74 F
2.80 in
57/75 F
2.69 in
61/79 F
3.66 in
65/82 F
2.91 in
70/85 F
6.13 in
73/88 F
8.09 in
74/90 F
6.14 in
75/90 F
6.02 in
74/88 F
8.53 in
71/85 F
6.60 in
64/80 F
4.69 in
59/76 F
2.49 in
177
R ES O U R C E DIR E C TO RY
Cocoa Beach is popular with surfers
(V&V Hospitality & Media Services)
WEBSITES
autoclubsouth.aaa.com
AARP
aarp.org
aanr.com
www.acacamps.org
caa.ca
snowbirds.org
floridaleague.com
fadmo.org
flamuseums.org
campflorida.com
floridabicycle.org
ffea.com
myfwc.com
Florida Gardener
floridagardener.com
floridalighthouses.org
paddleflausa.com
flasports.com
www.floridatrail.org
goodsamclub.com
iaapa.org
igfa.org
koa.com
pga.com
caremedicalequipment.com
Cooling off at Sunny Isles Beach (Beatrix Csinger)
WEBSITES
jaxport.com
portcanaveral.com
porteverglades.net
keywestcity.com
miamidade.gov/portmiami
portofpalmbeach.com
tampaport.com
floridahikes.com/apoxee-wilderness-trail
floridastateparks.org/bahiahonda
floridastateparks.org/capeflorida
floridastateparks.org/curryhammock
floridastateparks.org/keylargohammock
floridakeys.noaa.gov
floridastateparks.org/forttaylor
floridastateparks.org/hughtaylorbirch
floridastateparks.org/indiankey
floridastateparks.org/macarthurbeach
floridastateparks.org/lloydbeach
floridastateparks.org/pennekamp
pinecrest-fl.gov
floridastateparks.org/lignumvitaekey
floridastateparks.org/longkey
floridastateparks.org/oletariver
webapps.dep.state.fl.us/DslParks/browse
floridastateparks.org/sanpedro
webapps.dep.state.fl.us/DslParks/browse
floridastateparks.org/thebarnacle
floridastateparks.org/windleykey
SOUTHWEST FLORIDA
Cayo Costa State Park
Charlotte Harbor Preserve State Park
Collier-Seminole State Park
Delnor-Wiggins Pass State Park
Don Pedro Island State Park
Estero Bay Preserve State Park
Fakahatchee Strand Preserve State Park
Gamble Plantation Historic State Park
Gasparilla Island State Park
Hickeys Creek Mitigation Park
Koreshan State Historic Site
Lake Manatee State Park
Lee County Parks & Recreation
Lovers Key State Park
Mound Key Archaeological State Park
Myakka River State Park
Oscar Scherer State Park
Rookery Bay National Estuarine Research Reserve
Stump Pass Beach State Park
Sugden Regional Park
floridastateparks.org/cayocosta
floridastateparks.org/charlotteharbor
floridastateparks.org/collierseminole
floridastateparks.org/delnorwiggins
floridastateparks.org/donpedroisland
floridastateparks.org/esterobay
floridastateparks.org/fakahatcheestrand
floridastateparks.org/gambleplantation
floridastateparks.org/gasparillaisland
webapps.dep.state.fl.us/DslParks/browse
floridastateparks.org/koreshan
floridastateparks.org/lakemanatee
leeparks.org
floridastateparks.org/loverskey
floridastateparks.org/moundkey
floridastateparks.org/myakkariver
floridastateparks.org/oscarscherer
rookerybay.org
floridastateparks.org/stumppass
collierparks.com/park/sugden-regional-park/
floridastateparks.org/avalon
floridastateparks.org/bluespring
floridastateparks.org/deleonsprings
floridastateparks.org/fortpierceinlet
floridahikes.com/gemini-springs-park
floridastateparks.org/jonathandickinson
floridastateparks.org/kissimmeeprairie
webapps.dep.state.fl.us/DslParks/browse
floridastateparks.org/savannas
floridastateparks.org/seabranch
floridastateparks.org/sebastianinlet
floridastateparks.org/stlucieinlet
floridastateparks.org/stsebastianriver
floridastateparks.org/tomoka
CENTRAL FLORIDA
Allen David Broussard Catfish Creek Preserve State Park
Colt Creek State Park
Dade Battlefield Historic State Park
Highlands Hammock State Park
Hontoon Island State Park
Lake Griffin State Park
Lake June-in-Winter Scrub State Park
Lake Kissimmee State Park
Lake Louisa State Park
Lower Wekiva River Preserve State Park
Paynes Creek Historic State Park
Rainbow Springs State Park
Rock Springs Run State Reserve
Silver Springs State Park
Split Oak Preserve
Wekiwa Springs State Park
floridastateparks.org/catfishcreek
floridastateparks.org/coltcreek
floridastateparks.org/dadebattlefield
floridastateparks.org/highlandshammock
floridastateparks.org/hontoonisland
floridastateparks.org/lakegriffin
floridastateparks.org/lakejuneinwinter
floridastateparks.org/lakekissimmee
floridastateparks.org/lakelouisa
floridastateparks.org/lowerwekivariver
floridastateparks.org/paynescreek
floridastateparks.org/rainbowsprings
floridastateparks.org/rockspringsrun
floridastateparks.org/silversprings
floridahikes.com/split-oak-forest
floridastateparks.org/wekiwasprings
Couple Spa at
Omni Amelia Island Plantation
(Omni Amelia Island Plantation)
179
RESOURCE DIRECTORY
180
floridastateparks.org/alafiariver
floridastateparks.org/anclotekey
floridastateparks.org/caladesiisland
webapps.dep.state.fl.us/DslParks/browse
floridastateparks.org/crystalriverarchaeological
floridastateparks.org/crystalriverpreserve
floridastateparks.org/egmontkey
floridastateparks.org/homosassasprings
floridastateparks.org/fortcooper
floridastateparks.org/fortfoster
floridastateparks.org/hillsboroughriver
floridastateparks.org/honeymoonisland
floridastateparks.org/littlemanateeriver
webapps.dep.state.fl.us/DslParks/browse
floridastateparks.org/skyway
floridastateparks.org/weekiwachee
floridastateparks.org/wernerboyce
floridastateparks.org/yborcity
floridastateparks.org/yuleesugarmill
NORTHEAST FLORIDA
Amelia Island State Park
Anastasia State Park
Big Talbot Island State Park
Bulow Plantation Ruins Historic State Park
Castaway Island Preserve
Dunns Creek State Park
Faver-Dykes State Park
Fort Clinch State Park
Fort George Island Cultural State Park
Fort Mose Historic State Park
Gamble Rogers Memorial State Recreation Area at Flagler Beach
George Crady Bridge Fishing Pier State Park
Guana Tolomato Matanzas National Estuarine Research Reserve
Little Talbot Island State Park
Mike Roess Gold Head Branch State Park
North Peninsula State Park
Olustee Battlefield Historic State Park
Pumpkin Hill Creek Preserve State Park
Ravine Gardens State Park
River to Sea Preserve
Washington Oaks Gardens State Park
Yellow Bluff Fort Historic State Park
floridastateparks.org/ameliaisland
floridastateparks.org/anastasia
floridastateparks.org/bigtalbotisland
floridastateparks.org/bulowplantation
floridahikes.com/castawayisland
floridastateparks.org/dunnscreek
floridastateparks.org/faverdykes
floridastateparks.org/fortclinch
floridastateparks.org/fortgeorgeisland
floridastateparks.org/fortmose
floridastateparks.org/gamblerogers
floridastateparks.org/georgecradybridge
floridacoasts.org/gtm
floridastateparks.org/littletalbotisland
floridastateparks.org/mikeroess
floridastateparks.org/northpeninsula
floridastateparks.org/olusteebattlefield
floridastateparks.org/pumpkinhill
floridastateparks.org/ravinegardens
webapps.dep.state.fl.us/DslParks/browse
floridastateparks.org/washingtonoaks
floridastateparks.org/yellowbluff
floridastateparks.org/maclaygardens
floridastateparks.org/cedarkeymuseum
floridastateparks.org/cedarkeyscrub
floridahikes.com/cofrin-nature-park
floridastateparks.org/devilsmillhopper
floridastateparks.org/dudleyfarm
floridastateparks.org/econfinariver
floridastateparks.org/wakullasprings
floridastateparks.org/fanningsprings
floridastateparks.org/forestcapital
floridastateparks.org/gainesville-hawthorne
floridastateparks.org/ichetuckneesprings
floridastateparks.org/lafayettebluesprings
floridastateparks.org/lakejackson
floridastateparks.org/laketalquin
floridastateparks.org/letchworth
floridastateparks.org/madisonbluespring
floridastateparks.org/manateesprings
floridastateparks.org/marjoriekinnanrawlings
floridastateparks.org/naturalbridge
floridastateparks.org/oleno
floridastateparks.org/ochlockoneeriver
floridastateparks.org/paynesprairie
floridastateparks.org/riverrise
floridastateparks.org/sanfelascohammock
floridastateparks.org/sanmarcos
fws.gov/saintmarks
floridastateparks.org/stephenfoster
floridastateparks.org/suwanneeriver
floridastateparks.org/wilderness
floridastateparks.org/troyspring
floridastateparks.org/waccasassabay
floridastateparks.org/peacocksprings
dep.state.fl.us/coastal/sites/apalachicola
floridastateparks.org/baldpoint
floridastateparks.org/biglagoon
floridastateparks.org/blackwatterriver
floridastateparks.org/camphelen
floridastateparks.org/constitutionconvention
floridastateparks.org/deerlake
floridastateparks.org/stgeorgeisland
floridastateparks.org/edengardens
floridastateparks.org/fallingwaters
floridastateparks.org/floridacaverns
floridastateparks.org/rockybayou
floridastateparks.org/graytonbeach
floridastateparks.org/hendersonbeach
floridastateparks.org/johngorriemuseum
floridahikes.com/oaks-by-the-bay-park
floridastateparks.org/ormanhouse
floridastateparks.org/perdidokey
floridastateparks.org/poncedeleonsprings
floridastateparks.org/standrews
floridastateparks.org/stjoseph
floridastateparks.org/tarkilnbayou
floridastateparks.org/threerivers
floridastateparks.org/topsailhill
floridastateparks.org/torreya
floridastateparks.org/yellowriver
NORTHWEST FLORIDA
Blackwater River State Forest
Cottage Hill State Forest
Pine Log State Forest
Point Washington State Forest
Tate's Hell State Forest
181
WEBSITES
acerentacar.com
Much of Floridas history is captured in its national parks, memorials, monuments and
preserves and the National Park Service works
hard to preserve it (nps.gov).
alamo.com
Auto Europe
autoeurope.com
avis.com
budget.com
dollar.com
economycarhire.com
Enterprise Rent-A-Car
enterprise.com
E-Z Rent-A-Car
e-zrentacar.com
floridasuncarrental.com
foxrentacar.com
interamerican-car-rental.com
hertz.com
honkcarrental.com
nationalcar.com
paylesscar.com
sixt.com
thrifty.com
usave.com
RV RENTAL COMPANIES
WEBSITE
allstarcoaches.com
NORTHEAST FLORIDA
Castillo de San Marcos National Monument
nps.gov/casa
americasbestrv.com
onfreewheels.com
cruiseamerica.com
elmonterv.com
giantrecreationworld.com
182
/RVRentals.asp
Palm Beach RV Rental
palmbeachrvrental.com
rvrentalsoforlando.com
USA RV Rentals
usarvrentals.com
ST. PETERSBURG
302
195 42
118 191
26
227
29
12
275 41
176
199
19
57
235 22
214
89
331 425 53
190
162
302
213 52
131 184
20
132
318
178 26
104 207
43
282
271 148 37
108 70
353 119
123
261 355 38
277
221
68
188
144
166
342 380 98
330
494
386
588
241
45
CLEARWATER
239 45
DAYTONA BEACH
DELRAY BEACH
20
28
FORT LAUDERDALE
17
FORT MYERS
140 82
JACKSONVILLE
KEY WEST
494
MIAMI
42
343
153
NAPLES
317
234 107
ORLANDO
135
261
PENSACOLA
355
103
ST. AUGUSTINE
38
292 386
ST. PETERSBURG
226 29
19
211
41
249 20
201
SARASOTA
197 12
57
240
41
287 54
172
TALLAHASSEE
163
98
249 287
TAMPA
217 41
191
20
26
277
221 68
22
26
148
43
123
153
107 232
-
144 166
103 292
-
192 194
54
TAMPA
201
SARASOTA
BRADENTON
17
PENSACOLA
ORLANDO
NAPLES
BOCA RATON
MIAMI
BRADENTON
TALLAHASSEE
KEY WEST
ST. AUGUSTINE
JACKSONVILLE
FORT MYERS
FORT LAUDERDALE
DELRAY BEACH
DAYTONA BEACH
140
FROM / TO
BOCA RATON
CLEARWATER
237
402
237
192
-
183
WEBSITE
Daytona Beach
flydaytonafirst.com
Fort Lauderdale
fll.net
flylcpa.com
Gainesville
gra-gnv.com
Jacksonville
flyjacksonville.com
Key West
keywestinternationalairport.com
Melbourne
mlbair.com
Miami
miami-airport.com
Orlando
orlandosanfordairport.com
Orlando
orlandoairports.net
iflybeaches.com
Pensacola
flypensacola.com
Punta Gorda
flypgd.com
Sarasota
srq-airport.com
St. Augustine
flynf.com
St. Petersburg/Clearwater
fly2pie.com
Tallahassee
tallahasseeregionalairport.com
Tampa
tampaairport.com
Valparaiso
flyvps.com
pbia.org
184
AIRLINES
WEBSITES
WEBSITES
Air Canada
aircanada.com
almtransportation.com
Air Transat
airtransat.ca
AirTran Airways
airtran.com
AMC Transportation
amctransportation.com
Allegiant Air
allegiant.com
centralfloridatours.com
aa.com
charterbusamerica.com
CanJet Airlines
canjet.com
classicbuslines.net
delta.com
EasyShuttle
geteasyshuttle.com
Frontier Airlines
flyfrontier.com
empirecoachline.com
ibcairways.com
JetBlue Airways
jetblue.com
endeavorbuslines.com
miamiair.com
greyhound.com
Southwest Airlines
southwest.com
magiccarpetride.travel
Spirit Airlines
spiritair.com
miamicoachtours.com
suncountry.com
miamijettours.com
Sunwing Airlines
flysunwing.com
Need-A-Bus
need-a-bus.com
United Airlines
united.com
US Airways
usairways.com
Pegasus Transportation
pegasusbus.com
Virgin Atlantic
virgin-atlantic.com
Sawgrass Tours
sawgrasstours.com
Vision Airlines
visionairlines.com
supertours.com
WestJet
westjet.com
usabuscharter.com
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