2019 Travel Guide to Florida

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2019 T R A V E L G U I D E T O

FLORIDA www.floridatravelguide.travel

DISCOVER THE CHARM OF AMAZING REGIONS

8

AWARDWINNING BEACHES

DISPLAY UNTIL JULY 31, 2019

10

THRILLING ECO ADVENTURES

SENSATIONAL RIDES AND ATTRACTIONS

$7.95

• ARTS & CULTURE • WHERE TO SHOP • SPORTS GALORE • ROMANTIC GETAWAYS • ROAD TRIPS • FESTIVALS & EVENTS • TRAVEL TIPS . . . AND MUCH MORE!

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EDITOR’S MESSAGE

A

ccording to the Global Attractions Attendance Report, Florida has more theme parks than any other place in the world and its long list of attractions just keeps growing.

No doubt, visits to the beach will be high on your list so you might want to check out some of Florida’s awardwinning beaches: Siesta Key Public Beach in Sarasota; Caladesi Island State Park in Dunedin/Clearwater; Grayton Beach State Park in Santa Rosa Beach; St. George Island State Park in Franklin County; Barefoot Beach Preserve County Park in North Naples; Delnor-Wiggins Pass State Park also in Naples; Fort De Soto Park in Tierra Verde/St. Petersburg; Delray Beach in Palm Beach County; St. Joseph Peninsula State Park in Cape San Blas; and Bill Baggs Cape Florida State Park on Key Biscayne, just to name a few.

With more than six million new North American households having adopted the camping lifestyle since 2014, it should be no surprise that Florida is the perfect place to enjoy the great outdoors. Sites can range from relaxing campsites along Florida’s picturesque coastline to modern-day glamp-grounds.

Down in the Florida Keys, state parks offer incredible experiences, whether

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2019 TRAVEL GUIDE TO FLORIDA

you’re taking in Florida Bay’s aquamarine hues to the west or enjoying a spectacular sunset over the deep turquoise waters of the Atlantic Ocean to the east. The Keys also feature an abundance of water activities such as fishing, boating, scuba diving, snorkeling and kayaking. Popular camping facilities include Boyd’s Key West Campground on Stock Island, Big Pine Key’s Bahia Honda State Park, the John Pennekamp Coral Reef State Park, the Fiesta Key RV Resort & Marina on Long Key and the Sunshine Key RV Resort & Marina on Ohio Key. Home to Ocala National Forest, Ocala/Marion County contains some of the best camping, hiking and recreation in the U.S. One of the oldest camping sites is Juniper Springs Recreation and Campground where vacationers can canoe or kayak down the seven-mile-long Juniper Springs Run for an up-close look at Florida’s array of wildlife.

Perched on a high bluff above an oxbow of the Kissimmee River, the historic Camp Mack, a Guy Harvey Lodge, Marina & RV Resort, was once a retreat for executives of the Coca-Cola Company. Guests can stay at the lodge, cabin or RV sites and enjoy all the amenities, including a marina, boat rentals, a swimming pool, an outfitter store and a kidzone.

For a dose of Old Florida, head to Mary’s Fish Camp near Weeki Wachee where mullet, mangrove snapper, snook and redfish abound. Try your hand at paddleboarding or explore backcountry waterways by boat or canoe with a hired guide.

For those looking to discover Florida’s natural landscapes and retro attractions, there’s no better region than Florida’s Adventure Coast. The area between Brooksville and Weeki Wachee is where to go for unspoiled natural spaces, spectacular sights and the sounds of songbirds during the migrating season.

Less than an hour north of Tampa and an hour west of Orlando, this coast is perfectly situated and provides natural parks with miles of trails to explore on foot or by bike. Scenic campgrounds range from rural and forest sites to fish camps and lakeside resorts.

Situated alongside the Santa Rosa Sound in Northwest Florida, the Santa Rosa RV Resort is a luxury RV resort boasting first-class amenities like upgraded Wi-Fi. Set along a quarter-milelong private beach, its location makes staking out a secluded sunbathing spot as simple as ever. Pet owners love the Magnolia Beach Campground, also in the Santa Rosa Sound, where campers can spy dolphins, take walks on the pier and participate in water sports.

One of Florida’s most relaxing places is the tiny, delightful town of Navarre Beach, nestled in Florida’s Panhandle. Renowned for its perennial sunshine, white-sand beaches and laid-back atmosphere, this is a great place to explore a beautiful part of Florida. Try zip lining through the canopy with Adventures Unlimited, paddling or kayaking through Backwater River State Park, hiking among the impressive dunes on the Gulf Islands National Seashore or tackling the waves with Sage Paddle Co. A local landmark, the Navarre Beach Pier, the longest in the state, measures 1,545 feet long and towers 30 feet above the glittering water. The Navarre Beach Camping Resort offers several camping and shorefront RV spots, ranging from basic tent pads to large premium drivethroughs. There are also funky and colorful cottages, which sleep anywhere from two to 14 people.

Florida in all its splendor awaits you.

Donna S. Vieira Editor

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2 0 19 T R AV E L G U I D E T O

FLORIDA www.floridatravelguide.travel

The 2019 TRAVEL GUIDE TO FLORIDA is published by Globelite Travel Marketing Inc., a leading lifestyle media company and publisher of The Travel Guides to Canada, The Travel Guide to California, and Dreamscapes Travel and Lifestyle Magazine.

Joseph P. Turkel, President and Group Publisher Valerie Saunders, Vice President Judi Scharf, Vice President PUBLISHER

Joseph P. Turkel

EDITOR

Donna S. Vieira

EXECUTIVE EDITOR ART DIRECTOR CIRCULATION MANAGER DIRECTOR OF RETAIL MARKETING DIRECTOR OF FINANCE PRESIDENT & GROUP PUBLISHER ACCOUNT DIRECTORS

Judi Scharf Mark Tzerelshtein Julia Wall Craig Sweetman Gloria Mungo Joseph P. Turkel

Vivian Hunt Joe Turkel Lisa Turner

EDITORIAL CONTRIBUTORS Susan B. Barnes | Vanessa Caceres | Kara Franker Kevin Fritz | Janet Groene | Jen Karetnick | Melody Pittman Edward Schmidt Jr. | Chelle Koster Walton | Richard Westlund Sally White | Stephen Winston

FLORIDA OFFICE:

A SUNNY DAY IN DESTIN, FLORIDA. PHOTO: DIGIDREAMGRAFIX/SHUTTERSTOCK

401 E. Las Olas Blvd., Suite 130-446, Fort Lauderdale, FL 33301 Tel: 1-888-700-4464 Fax: 416-497-0871 email: tigc@rogers.com www.floridatravelguide.travel

CANADIAN OFFICE: Globelite Travel Marketing Inc. 3 Bluffwood Drive Toronto, Ontario M2H 3L4 Tel: 416-497-5353, 1-888-700-4464 Fax: 416-497-0871 email: tigc@rogers.com www.floridatravelguide.travel ISSN: 1926-2531 (Print) ISSN: 1927-7253 (Online) No part of this publication can be reproduced or duplicated without the written permission of Globelite Travel Marketing Inc. The opinions in this magazine are those of the writers and do not necessarily reflect the views of Globelite Travel Marketing Inc. Publications Mail Agreement 40047932. Contents © copyright 2019.

Printed in Canada.

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FLORIDA ADMISSION TO THE UNION: March 3, 1845 NICKNAME: The Sunshine State OFFICIAL LANGUAGE: English SPOKEN LANGUAGES: Predominantly English and Spanish CAPITAL: Tallahassee LARGEST CITY: Jacksonville LARGEST METRO: Miami TOTAL AREA: 58,560 square miles WIDTH: 361 miles LENGTH: 447 miles ESTIMATED POPULATION (2017): 20,925,620 HIGHEST ELEVATION: Britton Hill at 345 feet Sources: Wikipedia, StateofFlorida.com and edr.state.fl.us Information, dates and websites were correct at time of printing and are subject to change without notice.

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2019 TRAVEL GUIDE TO FLORIDA

1 Key Largo

FLORIDA BAY Big Pine Key

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Everglades National Park

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TABLE OF CONTENTS

20 GENERAL INTRODUCTION AND INFORMATION 14

WELCOME TO FLORIDA: Plunge right in!

20

HISTORY: A rich heritage

FLORIDA VACATION THEMES 26

ECOTOURISM: Take it outside.

30

THEME PARKS: Just for the thrill of it!

34

LIFESTYLE LIVING: Find your happy place

38

SPORTS: A world of sports

30

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FLORIDA REGIONS, COUNTIES AND CITIES 42

SOUTHEAST FLORIDA: Mix it up.

56

Florida Keys: Paradise on Earth

58

SOUTHWEST FLORIDA: Expand your horizons.

66

CENTRAL EAST FLORIDA: A grab bag of amazement

76

Martin County: Small-town feel, big-time fun

78

CENTRAL FLORIDA: Rollickin’ good times guaranteed

86

Sebring: Choose your own vacation speed.

88

WEST CENTRAL FLORIDA: Dive into nature’s bounty.

98

Crystal River/Citrus County: Manatee capital of the world

42

100 NORTHWEST FLORIDA: Quiet pleasures & Southern charm 108 Franklin County: The unforgettable "forgotten coast" 110 Explore Northwest Florida: Get back to nature in Northwest Florida 110 Jackson County: A natural playground 112

NORTH CENTRAL FLORIDA: Learning centers & rural gems

120 NORTHEAST FLORIDA: A priceless treasure trove 127 St. Augustine & Ponte Vedra: Rediscover Florida’s Historic Coast.

66

98

100

COVER: Flying high on the Gulf Coast of Franklin County.

(Franklin County Tourist Development Council)

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WELCOME TO FLORIDA

PLUNGE RIGHT IN!

BY JEN KARETNICK

RULES OF THE ROAD

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T

he Sunshine State has attracted visitors to its sandy shores for the past 500 years, however, people first reached Florida at least 12,000 years ago. The coastline was very different then because the sea level was much lower than it is today. As a result, the Florida peninsula was more than twice its current size.

Written records about life in Florida began with the arrival of the Spanish explorer and adventurer Juan Ponce de León in 1513, marking the beginning of the American Frontier. He named what he saw “La Florida,” or “place of flowers,” because of the lush landscape. Indeed, Florida has 300 native plants, ranging from the thorny sweet acacia to the wild azalea.

The state lists an additional 1,300-plus introduced exotics, many of them considered invasive. Others are housed in botanical gardens, such as the renowned Fairchild

Tropical Botanic Garden in Coral Gables and the Central Florida Zoo and Botanical Gardens in Sanford.

A BOUNTIFUL LAND Ironically, the state flower, the orange blossom, is considered an exotic, albeit one that became extremely important to the region’s economy.

Native to Southeast Asia, the orange tree is an evergreen shrub brought to the colony of St. Augustine in 1565. The orange and its aromatic blossom, which connotes fertility and good fortune, quickly became representative of the area. Many towns such as Davie have Orange Blossom Festivals. Today, Florida is the largest producer of oranges in the US, as well as the honey made by the bees that sip pollen from the fragrant blossoms.

In fact, Florida depends on export crops as diverse as sugar cane and tomatoes to survive, while still leaving plenty of sweet corn and

FROM LEFT TO RIGHT: VISIT FLORIDA; VISIT FLORIDA; SPACE COAST OFFICE OF TOURISM

Florida is easy to explore by vehicle.

Bring your own, or if you’re at least 25, rent one. Visitors ages 16 and up holding licenses from other states or countries may drive in Florida.

Cash is no longer accepted on some Florida toll roads. Purchase a SunPass Mini Sticker transponder at one of the more than 3,100 retail locations for US$4.99 plus tax. A minimum opening balance of US$10 is required. Most rental cars come with a SunPass.

Drivers and front-seat passengers must wear seat belts. All children under 18 are required to wear seat belts, regardless of where they are sitting. Children, three and younger, must be secured in a federally approved child-restraint seat in the back seat; children, ages four and five, also must be in the back seat and secured by a childrestraint seat or a safety belt.

Florida has strict drunk driving laws and texting while driving is illegal. Pedestrians always have the right of way at crosswalks. And remember, hot pavement acts like ice when rain first hits it, so be cautious driving during rain showers.

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green beans available for passersby to purchase. Visitors are often amazed to find farm stands and U-pick farms offering everything from boiled peanuts and fresh blueberries in Gainesville to mangoes and lychees in the southern areas of Redland and Homestead. Throughout the year, festivals, such as Plant City’s Florida Strawberry Festival in late winter and the mid-summer International Mango Festival at Fairchild Tropical Botanic Garden in Coral Gables, are hugely enjoyable, multi-day attractions.

If you prefer bottled fruit, wineries are popping up everywhere, with many offering both grape varietals as well as tropical fruit vintages.

WILD ABOUT FLORIDA Florida is home to more than 500 bird species, which amateur ornithologists can track along The Great Florida Birding Trail.

Completed in 2006 by the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission, the 2,000-mile trail comprises four sections— the Panhandle, East, West and South—and lists what species can be found where.

Florida also has more than 170 native butterflies. In addition to finding them in

the parks and in the wild, visitors can observe them in conservatories such as Butterfly World in Coconut Creek and the Butterfly Rainforest in Gainesville.

The 142 native species of amphibians and reptiles, including 50 kinds of snakes—of which only six are poisonous—are equally fascinating. You can view these and the 50 additional non-native species at many zoos and safaris, ranging from Zoo Miami to Lion Country Safari in Loxahatchee and Tampa’s Lowry Park Zoo. At Jungle Island in Miami, brave guests hold giant pythons.

Visitors who prefer to check out natural habitats where wild things reside can hit any section of the sprawling Everglades. There, a range of activities, from boating and fishing to biking and hiking, puts one in close touch with nature’s biggest beasts and smallest insects. The curious can also arrange private tours with exotic animal rescue and rehabilitation operations such as the Zoological Wildlife Foundation and McCarthy’s Wildlife Sanctuary, both located in South Florida.

For conservancy on a smaller but no less important scale, many programs all over the state, such as the Museum of Science & Discovery in Fort Lauderdale, help protect

NEED TO KNOW Many beaches, parks and festivals don’t charge an entrance fee, or if they do, it’s only a few dollars. If you do run out of cash, ATMs are everywhere from convenience stores to festivals. Many stores allow debit card users to obtain “cash back” above their purchase without a transaction fee. Most banks are open Monday through Friday from 9 AM to 4 PM, however, TD Bank has locations open every day, except major holidays.

Banks

and

government

offices,

including the post office, are closed on major US holidays. Most attractions remain open year-round.

Florida’s base sales tax on purchases is six percent, with some counties adding discretionary taxes. In addition to pet deposits, most hotels charge a “bed” tax and some will add a “resort or amenities tax” and even parking fees.

OPPOSITE: Blowing Rocks Preserve on Jupiter Island. ABOVE: A beautiful beach on Amelia Island. RIGHT: Golfing on the Space Coast.

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sea turtle nests, and if visitors are in the area at the right time, they may be able to witness a hatching.

WATER, WATER EVERYWHERE Florida is made up of 1,200 miles of coastline, of which 663 are foot-friendly sand. It isn’t all salty water and fruity cocktail culture, however. The interior of the state is far different than many expect, with nearly 8,000 lakes and almost 1,700 rivers. Lake Okeechobee—in 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 it’s also an agricultural resource for the state’s abundant produce. It offers some of

GREAT SAVINGS Head to South Florida in the heat of summer for good deals. Winter yields great rates in northern Florida. Orlando has its own seasons, which coincide with school breaks; Visit Orlando recommends visiting during “deal season,” August 15–September 30.

Save on attractions, restaurants and shopping by visiting VisitOrlando.com/ discounts-and-tickets and reputable online ticket brokers such as Mousesavers.com, Ticketmomma.com, UndercoverTourist.com and OfficialTicketCenter.com.

The Entertainment Book (entertainmentbook.com) is a local favorite and you don’t have to be a local to buy it. Also try Groupon.com or LivingSocial.com for 35 to 90 percent off at hotels, attractions and restaurants. Four of South Florida’s top attractions—Lion Country Safari, Miami Seaquarium, Museum of Discovery & Science and Zoo Miami— offer unlimited visits for 100-plus days at SummerSavingsPass.com.

In the Tampa Bay area, CityPASS offers savings of 50 percent on admission to the top five Tampa Bay attractions: Busch Gardens Tampa Bay, The Florida Aquarium, ZooTampa at Lowry Park, Clearwater Marine Aquarium and the Museum of Science & Industry or the Chihuly Collection. Since the pass is good for nine consecutive days starting with the first day of use, you’ll have plenty of time to take in all of the sites.

Plan your visit at CityPASS.com/Tampa.

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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, 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, the state has more than 30 first-magnitude freshwater springs—the 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 claims quite a river culture, notwithstanding the famed River of Grass, a.k.a. the Everglades, where native and non-native wildlife is the most diverse.

If you’re lucky, you’ll 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 woodlands, and crabbing in the tributaries of the Apalachicola River, waterway adventures are endless. Here is also where you’ll find wild boar, which acclimated after the Spanish brought over their native pigs 500 years ago.

Beyond the rivers and lakes, bodies of water on either shore of the Florida peninsula offer deep-sea fishing and diving opportunities galore.

BREAK OUT THE SUNSCREEN Blessed with climates ranging from subtropical in the north to tropical in the coastal and southern regions, Florida is known as the “Sunshine State.” Temperatures average a balmy 70 F daily, with highs usually peaking in the 90s in July and August. And while the lowest temperature ever recorded in the winter of 1899 was –2 F in Tallahassee, the normal lows, which last only a couple of days, hover around the 40s or 50s during January or February.

Although Florida has its share of inclement weather, it’s renowned for being the warmest state in the US mainland.

CLOCKWISE FROM CENTER: LAURENCE NORAH/FLORIDA KEYS NEWS BUREAU; AMELIA ISLAND CVB; RAFFAELLA CALZONI/SHUTTERSTOCK.COM: DAYTONA BEACH AREA CVB; KEN MCCRAY/VISIT JACKSONVILLE; PHOTO COURTESY OF VISITSARASOTA.COM

WELCOME TO FLORIDA

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OPPOSITE TOP: Kayaking off Amelia Island. OPPOSITE CENTER: Fort Jefferson Beach in Dry Tortugas National Park in the Florida Keys. BELOW: American alligator in Everglades National Park. RIGHT: The Museum of Arts & Sciences in Daytona Beach. BOTTOM LEFT: The Sarasota Chalk Festival.

BOTTOM RIGHT: The historical Florida Theatre in downtown Jacksonville.

STAY CLEAR

American alligators and crocodiles are found in the state’s 67 counties.

Wherever you see a body of water—even a large puddle that has formed on the side of a highway—you should assume a reptile is in it. Do not feed alligators: It’s dangerous and illegal. Never swim in a canal or wade in an unknown body of fresh or brackish water, especially at dawn or dusk, which are their feeding times. And keep small children and pets away from fresh or brackish water shorelines at all times.

The currents of Key Biscayne and the coastal areas around Fort Myers, particularly Sanibel and Captiva islands, are perfect for learning the rudiments of paddleboarding, ocean kayaking and other water sports. If you’re shell hunters, the Gulf Coast, from Fort Myers to Sarasota, is where to go. And if you’re lucky, you may find thousand-yearold sharks’ teeth.

FAMILY ENTERTAINMENT Resorts and attractions are an inescapable part of Florida’s identity and some are destinations in their own right.

Head south to the 173,000-acre, mostly underwater Biscayne National Park, where all sorts of outdoor activities are available together with snorkeling, diving and glassbottom boat tours. It’s certainly worth renting a watercraft 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.

Popular water parks in Southeast Florida include Rapids Water Park in Palm Beach County and Broward County’s collection of child-pleasing soakers: Paradise Cove Water Park at C.B. Smith Park, Splash Adventures Water Park at Quiet Waters Park, Castaway Island Water Park at Topeekeegee Yugnee Park, and Tropical Splash Water Park at Central Broward Regional Park.

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.

STAY COOL Heat exhaustion can affect anyone, especially young children and the elderly.

Symptoms include mild muscle cramps to dehydration. If you feel faint, head for air conditioning and start drinking fluids. Also keep in mind that Florida is the lightning capital of the United States. Afternoon storms start and stop quickly and often without much warning. However, most parks and some other public places are equipped with lightning detectors. Heed the saying, “If thunder roars, go indoors.”

Hurricane season runs June 1–November 30, but there is no need to worry as your hotel (and the local news) will keep you well informed. If you plan a trip during hurricane season, it’s wise to buy travel insurance.

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HISTORY

BY RICHARD WESTLUND

A RICH HERITAGE preserved the site as the Miami Circle Park.

Other Native American tribes survived the incursion of northern settlers in the 1800s by moving into the Everglades, where they gradually rebuilt their societies. 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). Clewiston’s Ah-TahThi-Ki Museum (meaning “a place to learn”) is a living village of early Seminole culture and definitely worth a visit.

To help mariners avoid rocks and reefs, several lighthouses, erected in this region in the 1800s, are open to visitors. For fascinating glimpses into Florida’s past, tour the Garden Key Lighthouse at Fort Jefferson National Monument and nearby Loggerhead Key Lighthouse (both in Dry Tortugas National Park); the Cape Florida Lighthouse on Key Biscayne near Miami; and the 159-year-old Jupiter Inlet Lighthouse and Museum in The Palm Beaches, where outdoor exhibits include the Lighthouse Keeper’s Workshop, the Tindall Pioneer Homestead and a Seminole chickee.

The Museum of Art & History at the

F

lorida’s history is an intriguing one, filled with swashbuckling tales of Spanish adventurers, legendary Civil War battles and US astronauts’ pioneering ventures into space. Native American, African American and Hispanic cultural sites bring Florida’s vivid past to life while coastal forts, lighthouses, museums, mansions and vintage hotels showcase historic treasures for all to view.

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 an excavation uncovered the remains of a village, the state Division of Historical Resources has

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CLOCKWISE FROM BOTTOM LEFT: ROB O’NEAL/FLORIDA KEYS NEWS BUREAU/HO; FLORIDASHISTORICCOAST.COM; THE BEACHES OF FORT MYERS & SANIBEL; PETER ETCHELLS/SHUTTERSTOCK.COM

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Custom House in Key West is South Florida’s most important historic building. Built in 1891, the red brick national landmark was returned to its former glory in 1999 following a nine-year, US$9-million restoration project. Exhibitions within expose visitors to a Florida they may have never known. Clinton Square Market, now a bilevel shopping mall, is housed in an 1800s building that was once a US Navy coal depot.

Historic Key West also 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.

Other cultural sites in the region include Miami’s historic Lyric Theater, which was a major entertainment center for African Americans in the state’s segregated society.

A few blocks to the south, Little Havana reflects Miami’s Cuban heritage, with restaurants, clubs and shops where you can buy hand-rolled cigars.

Pioneer homes and historic hotels are found in Fort Lauderdale, Boca Raton and West Palm Beach. Two examples are Stranahan House on the New River in Fort Lauderdale and the Bonnet House Museum & Gardens near the Intracoastal Waterway.

In The Palm Beaches, the Boca Raton Resort and Club, the Colony Hotel & Cabana Club in Delray Beach and the world-famous Breakers Hotel in Palm Beach are examples of Florida architecture from the 1920s. The Breakers actually dates back to the late 1890s when railroad magnate Henry Flagler began bringing northern visitors to Florida, but after the hotel’s second disastrous fire, it was rebuilt in 1926.

SOUTHWEST Inventor Thomas Edison and his friend Henry Ford built their Florida homes in Fort Myers. The compound is known today as the Edison & Ford Winter Estates and features a museum, laboratory and botanical gardens.

To the north, not far from the historic Boca Grande Lighthouse in Gasparilla Island State Park, the Gasparilla Inn & Club has attracted visitors since 1913.

Koreshan State Historic Site in Estero was the scene of one of the most unusual chapters in Florida history. In 1894, Cyrus Reed Teed founded the Koreshan Unity, a community of followers who believed the universe existed within a giant, hollow sphere. Today, the site has 11 wellmaintained historical structures dating from 1882–1920 as well as landscaped grounds with exotic ornamental plants from around the world.

In Bradenton, the Gamble Plantation is the only remaining antebellum plantation house in southern Florida. Nearby, the town of Palmetto boasts its own historical park for a peek back in time, as well as an ancient Native American attraction, 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 world’s 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 historical Asolo Repertory Theatre is an active performance space, presenting the best in theater, music, dance and film.

OPPOSITE TOP: Menendez statue and Flagler College, St. Augustine. OPPOSITE BOTTOM: Hemingway Look-Alike Contest contestants. TOP: Exterior view of the Edison and Ford Winter Estates in Fort Myers. ABOVE: Statue of early sponge diver in Tarpon Springs.

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HISTORY

In 1949, Cape Canaveral became a test site for the US missile program. A decade later, the Cocoa Beach-Titusville area was the heart of the nation’s 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 the historical Cape Canaveral Lighthouse; be sure to check tour information before planning your trip.

To the north, the Ponce de Leon Inlet Lighthouse & Museum, Florida’s tallest, guards the waterway at the southern end of the Daytona Beach area.

CENTRAL

TOP: Bradley’s Country Store in Tallahassee. CENTER: Re-enactors at Fort Clinch on Amelia Island. ABOVE: Florida Historic Founding Day in St. Augustine.

OPPOSITE: Cape St. George Light in Franklin County.

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For a survey of Central Florida’s fascinating past, visit the Orange County Regional History Center in Orlando to view exhibits such as a “cracker cabin,” a typical pioneer home from the 1800s.

One of Florida’s leading African Americans was Zora Neale Hurston, a prominent 20th-century author whose works influen-

ced such writers as Toni Morrison and Ralph Ellison. An annual festival in Eatonville celebrates her life and recognizes her contributions to literature.

WEST CENTRAL Located in Tampa’s Channelside District, the Tampa Bay History Center houses 60,000 square feet of exhibits that link the region’s modern culture with sports legends, railroad tycoons, cattle drives, pioneers, Spanish conquistadors and Florida’s first Native inhabitants. From the museum, it’s a short drive to Ybor City, known as Tampa’s Latin Quarter for more than a century. Visitors can enjoy Cuban coffee and cigars and dance to Latin rhythms.

To the west in St. Petersburg Beach, the Loews Don CeSar Hotel is known as “Florida’s Pink Castle” since it opened in 1928. Another Florida treasure is Tarpon Springs, where visitors can tour the historical sponge diving docks and sample Greek food at numerous restaurants.

NORTHEAST Back in 1513, Spanish explorer Juan Ponce de León set foot on Florida’s sandy shores. and christened the new land “La Florida,”

CLOCKWISE FROM BOTTOM LEFT: FLORIDASHISTORICCOAST.COM; AMONFOCUS.COM; VISIT TALLAHASSEE; FRANKLIN COUNTY TDC

CENTRAL EAST

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probably because of the abundance of spring flowers. Four decades later, Pedro Menéndez de Avilés founded St. Augustine, now the oldest continually inhabited city in North America. Featuring an historical district containing more than 30 colonial-era buildings, St. Augustine provides a unique glimpse into Spanish colonial life.

Highlights include Castillo de San Marcos, the oldest masonry fortification in the continental US, and the St. Augustine Lighthouse & Museum.

In 1738, in an attempt to destabilize the plantation economy of the British colonies by creating a free black community to attract slaves seeking escape and refuge, the Spanish established the fort and town of Gracia Real de Santa Terese de Mosé as the first free black community in North America. For an in-depth history of Florida’s African Americans and their contributions, request a copy of the Florida Black Heritage Trail from Visit Florida at 850-245-6333.

To the north, Jacksonville traces its roots to the French who landed at the mouth of the St. Johns River in 1562 and founded Fort Caroline two years later. However, a Spanish force soon captured the fort, and the French became a distant memory. Through the years, the Spanish maintained control of the region, establishing forts, farms and missions, including Fort Caroline and the Kingsley Plantation House (c. 1798), both of which are located in the Timucuan Ecological & Historic Preserve, one of the last unspoiled coastal wetlands on the Atlantic coast. 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 Florida’s hidden treasures is Fernandina Beach on Amelia Island north of Jacksonville. Many buildings in its 50-block historical district are on the National Register, and the Amelia Island Museum of History showcases the region’s 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 state’s oldest lighthouse. While in the area, scout out the Fort Clinch and Visitor Center for a vivid glimpse into the nation’s past during the Civil War.

NORTH CENTRAL

NORTHWEST

During the early 1800s, Florida’s population was concentrated in North Florida, where Tallahassee became the territorial capital.

One of the city’s highlights from that era is The Grove, an historical 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 fights 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 uniforms annually re-enact the Battle of Olustee. The state also publishes the Florida Civil War Heritage Trail, a guidebook to Florida battle sites.

Southwest of Tallahassee, visitors can tour the unspoiled fishing community of Apalachicola, the center of the state’s oyster industry for many decades. Nearby is the St. Marks Lighthouse in St. Marks National Wildlife Refuge.

One of the nation’s 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.” At its heart, Historic Pensacola Village 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 historical 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 battle—a little-known victory of the American Revolution.

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TAUBMAN SHOPPING CENTERS

Florida’s ultimate shopping and dining destinations

BY STEVE WINSTON

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RH Gallery in Florida and an array of luxury brands. Over a dozen restaurants line the center’s open-air Bay Street—among them are The Cheesecake Factory and The Capital Grille. Families will also love the Busch Gardens indoor play area for kids.

Sarasota may be known for its miles of beaches, but it’s also home to one of the newest shopping centers on Florida’s West Coast—The Mall at University Town Center.

Anchored by Saks Fifth Avenue, Macy’s and Dillard’s, it features nearly 150 stores and restaurants, over half of which are unique to this region. Many of the restaurants, such as BRIO Tuscan Grille and The Cheesecake Factory, are also exclusive to the market.

There’s an indoor play area for the kids and the center offers free shuttle services for guests staying at local hotels.

Welcoming millions of domestic and international visitors every year, all three

shopping centers received the TripAdvisor 2018 ‘Certificate of Excellence’ for outstanding consumer reviews. Special discounts and offers from participating retailers are also available to out-of-town travelers through each of the centers’ Passport to Shopping program.

Explore stores, dining, events, sales and offers by visiting the following websites.

FEATURED LINKS Dolphin Mall: shopdolphinmall.com International Plaza: shopinternationalplaza.com The Mall at University Town Center: mallatutc.com TOP: The Mall at University Town Center is located in Sarasota.

ABOVE LEFT: Dolphin Mall is the largest outlet shopping center in Miami-Dade County. ABOVE RIGHT: International Plaza and Bay Street is the dominant luxury shopping and dining destination in the Tampa area.

TAUBMAN CENTERS, INC.

nown for their extraordinary retail environments, Taubman shopping centers offer everything from luxury, contemporary and fast-fashion brands, as well as unique dining and familyfriendly entertainment. Located in several of Florida’s most popular travel spots, make sure the following retail destinations are on your itinerary.

Dolphin Mall is Miami-Dade County’s largest outlet shopping center where you can find upscale goods at value prices at over 240 specialty stores, including H&M, Nike Factory Store, Polo Ralph Lauren Factory Store and more. Food and entertainment are essential aspects of the mall and it offers over 20 options, including Buffalo Wild Wings, The Cheesecake Factory, Dave & Buster’s and P.F. Chang’s. Music lovers can catch live shows featuring local artists every weekend in Ramblas Plaza. Shuttle services to the mall are available from Miami International Airport, Miami Beach and select hotels.

Located adjacent to the Tampa International Airport and less than five miles from the Port of Tampa, International Plaza and Bay Street is the dominant luxury shopping and dining destination in the region. It offers the only Neiman Marcus and Nordstrom on Florida’s Gulf Coast, plus Dillard’s, the first

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ECOTOURISM

BY SALLY WHITE

TAKE IT OUTSIDE.

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nown for glistening sugar sand beaches and sparkling turquoise waters, Florida draws visitors from around the world. With more than 80 different ecosystems and a vast array of natural resources, this sun-kissed state, known for balmy winters and sultry summers, offers something for everyone.

The glittering depths of Williston’s subterranean underwater caverns of Devil’s Den and the saltier explorations around the shipwrecks from Pensacola to Port St. Joe serving as artificial reefs to the local marine life on the Florida Panhandle Shipwreck Trail beckon avid scuba divers. Hiking enthusiasts find themselves drawn to the challenges of the 1,400-mile Florida Trail, the National Scenic Trail stretching from the Everglades to Pensacola Beach, while others prefer to drink in the vista views from the canopy walkway of Myakka River State Park or climb the limestone bluffs above the whitewater rapids at Big Shoals State Park.

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Eleven thousand miles of waterways, the warm waters of the Gulf of Mexico and the cooler Atlantic entice paddlers to investigate the wilds and anglers to cast their lines in hopes of snagging a bass or prize-winning cobia.

With an extensive variety of natural resources available, it can be difficult for travelers to choose how to spend their time.

These top 10 Florida ecotours not only aid the state’s ecotourism through public education, but also give back to their community to help maintain these diverse native assets for future generations to enjoy while allowing visitors unique opportunities to experience wild Florida.

1

SNORKEL LIVING REEFS AT DRY TORTUGAS NATIONAL PARK IN THE FLORIDA KEYS.

Vibrant tropical fish dart past, ducking to hide in the depths of the colorful living coral and sponges at the Dry Tortugas National Park situated within the Everglades & Dry Tortugas

CLOCKWISE FROM BOTTOM LEFT: ANDY NEWMAN/FLORIDA KEYS NEWS BUREAU; © NAPLES, MARCO ISLAND, EVERGLADES CVB; JONELL MODYS; A DAY AWAY KAYAK TOURS: VISIT CITRUS

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Biosphere Reserve. This 100-square-mile reserve encompasses seven islands and the tail end of a reef that stretches from Miami to this national park 70 miles from Key West.

The remote location has minimized human impact on the reef, making it one of the best underwater snorkeling and diving locations in America. The Dry Tortugas National Park provides a home to abundant fish life, sea stars, queen conchs, anemones, sea turtles and 30 species of coral. The Dry Tortugas can be reached via daily ferry from Key West. The ISO-certified Yankee Freedom III is the official national park ferry, providing nearly five hours of exploration time and complimentary snorkeling gear to use while visiting America’s southernmost national park. Tickets can be purchased online or at 240 Margaret Street, Key West, Florida 33040. The ferry departs from 100 Grinnell Street, Key West, Florida 33040. 1-800-634-0939. drytortugas.com

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WALK THROUGH A WILDLIFE HAVEN AT AUDUBON CORKSCREW SWAMP SANCTUARY IN NAPLES. An 800-year-old wilderness greets visitors at this 13,000-acre swamp, home to the largest nesting colony of endangered wood storks, the ghost orchid and the largest old-growth bald cypress forest in North America. A 2.25mile boardwalk meanders through wet prairie, marshlands and pine flatwoods where more than 200 species of birds such as the snowy egret, barred owl, limpkin and sandhill crane reside. Visitors can choose a 1.5-hour guided tour on the boardwalk or go at their own pace to enjoy this ancient natural haven. 375 Sanctuary Road, Naples, Florida 34120. 1-239-348-9151. corkscrew.audubon.org

temperatures and water salinity levels, occurs June through early October. Come midOctober through March, bioluminescent jelly combs, a creature similar to a jelly fish, but without the sting, congregate in the waters of the Indian River Lagoon to illuminate the cooler nights. A Day Away Kayak Tours offers 90-minute bioluminescence guided tours and full-moon paddle tours from Merritt Island Wildlife Refuge year-round. Tours can be purchased through their website.

Tour launch point is at Haulover Canal at Merritt Island National Wildlife Refuge, Florida 32782. 1-321-268-2655. adayawaykayaktours.com

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OPPOSITE TOP: Exploring the Big Cypress in Southwest Florida. OPPOSITE BOTTOM: Aerial view of Dry Tortugas National Park and Fort Jefferson.

BELOW: Boardwalk at Audubon Corkscrew Swamp Sanctuary in Naples. CENTER: A glow-in-the-dark bioluminescence phenomenon at Indian River Lagoon.

BOTTOM: Swim with manatees in Crystal River.

SWIM WITH THE MANATEES ON THE NATURE COAST.

Crystal River, a winter playground to the West Indian manatee, attracts thousands of these gentle giant sea cows when water temperatures in the Gulf of Mexico begin to drop. In mid-January 2018, over 800 manatees gathered in the Crystal River area at one time. Manatees like to frolic in the warmer waters of the spring systems around Kings Bay and are often spotted in the Three Sisters Springs at the Crystal River National Wildlife Refuge. Though no longer on the endangered list, they remain a “threatened” species. River Ventures has been taking guests to swim and snorkel

3

EXPERIENCE BIOLUMINESCENCE IN A KAYAK AT INDIAN RIVER LAGOON. In the darkness of the night, kayaks glide across the Indian River Lagoon and Mosquito Lagoon in Merritt Island National Wildlife Refuge. Every swish of the paddle and movement in the water spawns swirls of glowing electric green color through the water. This glow-in-the-dark phenomenon, caused by a combination of single-celled microorganisms called dinoflagellate, warm

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ECOTOURISM with the manatees since 2010. Prices for their three-hour manatee encounters include the boat trip, snorkels, wetsuits and even swim noodles. Other more exclusive trips are available as well. Manatee season is from November to March, but they can be spotted around Crystal River year-round.

Tours leave from 498 SE Kings Bay Drive, Crystal River, Florida 34429. 1-877-581-8401. riverventures.com

from an observation tower and over the cliffs to cross a water-filled canyon.

8045 NW Gainesville Rd, Ocala, Florida 34474. 1-352-351-9477. zipthecanyons.com

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The hum of the Segway propels visitors past sand dunes and Native American Timucuan shell mounds on Fort George Island in Jacksonville’s Northside. A Florida naturalist leads this 1.25-hour guided off-trail tour through the maritime forest aboard crossterrain fat-tire Segways that ensure stability with zero emissions. Guests are given instructions on riding before setting off to explore the salt marshes, oak canopies and clear waters along the Timucuan Preserve.

Paddlers unable to resist the call of the unusual beaches and rock formations around the Talbot Islands have the opportunity to try one of Kayak Amelia’s paddle tours to explore the tidal streams and sand bars.

13030 Heckscher Drive, Jacksonville, Florida 32226. 1-904-251-0016. KayakAmelia.com

SOAR ACROSS LIMESTONE CANYONS WITH CANYONS ZIP LINE & CANOPY TOURS IN OCALA.

The whirr of metal on metal takes guests flying through the air across the open landscape of natural Central Florida. The ground drops away to reveal the steep cliff walls and gaping limestone pits of a bygone era. Located on 100 acres of private property with expansive canyons, lakes and islands, Canyons Zip Line & Canopy Tours offers visitors a unique look at Florida’s geology.

The University of Florida discovered evidence of a prehistoric manatee and crustacean fossils in the limestone caves and walls and now visitors can explore this preserved environment from above, with nine zip lines, two rope bridges and a rappel across this area of wild Central Florida. The 1,600-foot “Super Zip” affords a bird’s-eye view of the deepest canyon, while the thrilling 1,100-foot “Speed Trap” takes guests

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GLIDE THROUGH TIMUCUAN HISTORY AND MARITIME FORESTS WITH KAYAK AMELIA SEGWAY TOURS NEAR JACKSONVILLE.

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PADDLE WITH SCHOLARS IN A NATIONAL ESTUARINE RESEARCH RESERVE IN ST. AUGUSTINE. Paddle the coastal backwaters of the 77,000acre Guana Tolomato Matanzas National Estuarine Research Reserve with certified Florida Master Naturalist Instructors through twisting and winding tidal corridors on a “guided by nature” two-hour kayak tour.

Fresh water drains into the watershed, creating a habitat abundant with diverse aquatic plant and wildlife. Over 300 birds, 40 reptiles and 20 amphibians and 500 different plant species reside in this unique ecological environment. Ripple Effects Adventure Outfitters, located in the town of Marineland just South of St. Augustine, also offers tours aboard the only vegetable-oil powered ecotour boat in Northeast Florida and catch-and-release fishing opportunities for angling enthusiasts. 101 Tolstoy Lane, St. Augustine, Florida 32080. 1-904-347-1565. rippleeffectecotours.com

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CLOCKWISE FROM BOTTOM LEFT: FLORIDASHISTORICCOAST.COM; CANYONS ZIP LINE & CANOPY TOURS; VISIT FLORIDA; SCOTT BENOWITZ; RYAN KETTERMAN/VISIT JACKSONVILLE; VISIT PENSACOLA; VISIT PENSACOLA

BELOW: Tubing on the Ichetucknee River. CENTER: Zip line across limestone canyons. BOTTOM: Kayaking at the Guana Tolomato Matanzas National Estuarine Research Reserve near St. Augustine. OPPOSITE TOP LEFT: Inside a cavern at Florida Caverns State Park. OPPOSITE TOP RIGHT: Kayaking through the marshes and waterways near Jacksonville.

OPPOSITE CENTER: A sea turtle hatchling. OPPOSITE BOTTOM: Exploring the diverse ecosystems and environmental habitats of Escambia County.

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TUBE THE CRYSTAL CLEAR WATERS OF THE ICHETUCKNEE RIVER IN FORT WHITE.

Marianna, Florida 32446. 1-850-482-1228. floridastateparks.org/park/Florida-Caverns

Float the pristine sapphire waters of the Ichetucknee River, the cleanest spring-fed river in Florida, declared a National Natural Landmark in 1972. Visitors can choose between the 1.5-hour or 3.5-hour tube float within Ichetucknee Springs State Park on this lazy six-mile river with opportunities to see natural Florida springs, otters, beavers and even manatees. Ichetucknee State Park only just began renting tubes within the park.

Kayak and canoe rentals are also available, and only non-motorized vessels are allowed on the river. 12087 SW U.S. Highway 27, Fort White, Florida 32038. 1-386-497-1113. floridastateparks.org/park/Ichetucknee-Springs

HUNT FOR TREASURE ALONG THE ENVIRONMENTAL GEOCACHE TOUR OF ESCAMBIA COUNTY.

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DESCEND INTO THE LABYRINTHINE UNDERGROUND AT FLORIDA CAVERNS IN MARIANNA.

The only dry-air cave tour in a Florida state park can be found at Florida Caverns State Park in North Florida. Visitors take a 45minute guided tour with a park ranger winding their way through narrow passages and around unique limestone formations like dripping stalactites, mounding stalagmites, flowstones and draperies. Blind crayfish, bats and cave salamanders can also be found in this unusual 65 F year-round Florida habitat. 3345 Caverns Road,

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Ten geocache sites take treasure hunters through diverse ecosystems and unique environmental habitats of Escambia County.

Using GPS coordinates, visitors hunt down the hidden caches, experiencing bayou boardwalks; a glimpse of the carnivorous white top pitcher plant of Tarkin Bayou Preserve State Park; oyster reefs; salt marsh and sea grass habitat of Project Greenshores; and the rolling sand dunes of Perdido Key among the highlights on their geocaching adventure tour. The Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) and the City of Pensacola partnered to create this remarkable ecotour. Visitors who locate eight out of 10 caches can take their log-in sheet to the DEP in Pensacola to receive a coin commemorating the 450th birthday of Pensacola.

Participants should log their finds on geocaching.com. Log sheets and coordinates are found at myescambia.com/our-services/ natural-resources-management/natural-resourcesconservation/escambia-county-geocaching-tour Commemorative coins may be picked up upon tour completion at the DEP, 160 West Government Street, Pensacola, Florida 32502.

1-850-595-8300.

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THEME PARKS

JUST FOR THE THRILL OF IT!

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or theme parks and family fun, there’s no place like Florida where a never-ending array of thrilling rides and major attractions promise fun-packed excitement and adventures for all ages.

SEAWORLD ORLANDO Introduced in summer 2018, SeaWorld Orlando’s Infinity Falls is a new twisting and turning river rapid ride that showcases a lush South American jungle environment and native animals that call this habitat home. Wind your way around soaking fountains and waterfalls as you pass the remains of an ancient civilization. The 1,520-foot, four-minute adventure features a vertical elevator that lifts rafts in preparation for a 40-foot drop into churning and exhilarating waters.

The Infinity Falls adventure ends at Harmony Village where you’ll find interactive experiences educating and inspiring guests about conserving freshwater ecosystems.

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After braving Infinity Falls, enjoy other SeaWorld Orlando adventures, shows and animal encounters.

The Killer Whale Up-Close Tour gives guests the opportunity to learn about the park’s majestic killer whales in brand new ways. And the popular Dolphin Nursery is now more interactive and includes larger windows, giving guests the chance to see mothers and young dolphins up close.

Throughout the animal-themed exhibits at SeaWorld Orlando, you’ll learn about the park’s ongoing work in the rescue and rehabilitation of injured and orphaned wildlife—more than 32,000 animals over the past 50 years.

SeaWorld Orlando’s first digitally enhanced ride transformed its legendary Kraken roller coaster into a virtual reality (VR) roller coaster creating Kraken® Unleashed: Virtual Reality Experience.

Guests embark on a deep-sea mission alongside sea creatures inspired by extinct and legendary animals of the

past, including the mighty Kraken. A custom digital overlay with uniquely designed VR headsets deliver a one-of-akind adventure to this 150-foot tall, 65 mph coaster.

Nearby, Discovery Cove welcomes guests to swim with sharks. The allinclusive day resort that offers the opportunity to swim with dolphins added the awe-inspiring Shark Swim program to its list of interactive animal adventures.

Enjoy closer-than-ever encounters with these legendary predators, including Pacific blacktip, reef whitetip, nurse shark, zebra shark and spotted wobbegongs.

The shark program teaches kids how shark finning and overfishing threaten many shark species. SeaWorld Orlando donates five percent of the proceeds from this attraction to the Guy Harvey Ocean Foundation (GHOF) in support of shark conservation and research. The Shark Swim experience is available to Discovery Cove guests 10 years and older.

UNIVERSAL ORLANDO RESORT. OPPOSITE: VISIT ORLANDO

BY KEVIN FRITZ

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OPPOSITE TOP: The Reef Pool at Universal’s Volcano Bay. RIGHT: Crush ‘n’ Gusher, a water coaster thrill ride at Disney’s Typhoon Lagoon. BOTTOM: A new family raft slide, Ray Rush, is making a splash at Aquatica, SeaWorld Orlando’s Waterpark.

Discovery Cove also features a Ray Feeding experience, which gives guests the chance to feed cownose and southern stingrays as well as thousands of tropical fish before embarking on a private, guided swim of the Grand Reef.

Aquatica, SeaWorld Orlando’s Waterpark, features high-speed water slides, exhilarating wave pools, and 7,800 square metres of sparkling white, sandy, tranquil beaches to the delight of all ages. This one-of-a-kind waterpark is also home to Ihu’s Breakaway Falls, a multi-drop tower slide.

BUSCH GARDENS TAMPA BAY Busch Gardens Tampa Bay is the undisputed king of coasters in West Central Florida with world-class coasters: Kumba, Montu, SheiKra, Cheetah Hunt, Scorpion, and the new kid on the block, Cobra’s Curse, a family spin coaster, the only one of its kind in the world. For its younger guests, the park offers two mellower rides, Sand Serpent and Air Grover. Falcon’s Fury is a face-first fall from 335 feet in the air.

Visitors at Busch Gardens have much to look forward to in spring 2019 with the opening of Tigris, Florida’s tallest launch coaster, which will catapult riders through an exhilarating array of looping twists with forward and backward motion, breathtaking drops, a 150-foot skyward surge and an inverted heartline roll, all at more than 60 mph. In addition to this new thrill ride, Busch Gardens will be offering 52 weeks of seasonal events for a full year of fun.

Of course, Busch Gardens Tampa is much more than roller coasters. It’s also one of the country’s premiere zoos.

At the park’s Animal Care Center, guests can observe animal care first-hand and even take part in animal-care experiences ranging from nutrition and treatments to X-rays and surgeries. This state-of-the-art facility is also home to the hit Emmy-nominated TV series, The Wildlife Docs, which takes viewers inside the work of zoological professionals, including Busch Gardens’ own veterinarians and trainers.

ORLANDO’S HIGHEST Skydive Space Center: An 18,000-foot fall makes this home to the world’s highest tandem jump.

Warbird Adventures: A 100-percent hands-on experience takes you up to 8,000 feet in a vintage military aircraft.

Orlando Balloon Rides: An untethered, scenic adventure aboard hot-air balloons reaches heights of up to 2,500 feet.

Wallaby Ranch Hang Gliding Flight & Park: Enjoy a bird’s-eye view from a hang glider as you’re towed 2,000 feet in the air.

Orlando Heli-Tours: Soar 1,000 feet above Orlando’s top attractions and incredible firework shows.

Skyscraper: Still in development, the 570foot tower with a roller coaster woven throughout will make this the world’s tallest roller coaster.

The Orlando Starflyer: The 450-foot-tall attraction provides sky-high thrills at speeds up to 60 mph.

ICON Orlando: Standing 400 feet tall, this is the tallest observation wheel on the east coast.

The Sling Shot at Magical Midway: This thrill ride launches riders 390 feet high.

Dr. Doom’s Fearfall: Riders are skyrocketed 185 feet in the air with more thrust than a 747 jet.

Ko’okiri Body Plunge: This new Volcano Bay water park attraction features a 70degree fall and 125 feet of white-knuckle fun.

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THEME PARKS

FEATURED LINKS Aquatica Orlando AquaticaOrlando.com Busch Gardens Tampa Bay BuschGardensTampaBay.com Discovery Cove DiscoveryCove.com SeaWorld Orlando SeaWorldOrlando.com Universal Orlando Resort universalorlando.com Walt Disney World disneyworld.disney.go.com Visit Orlando

TOP: All aboard the Hogwarts Express at The Wizarding World of Harry Potter at Universal Orlando Resort. ABOVE: Explore the world of Andy’s backyard with your favorite Toy Story characters. OPPOSITE TOP: Animal experiences at Busch Gardens Tampa Bay. OPPOSITE BOTTOM: Macy’s world-famous parade at Universal Studios.

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UNIVERSAL ORLANDO Step right into the middle of the action with the new Fast & Furious–Supercharged attraction, which debuted at Universal Studios in 2018. Based on the popular film franchise, this incredible ride takes you from an afterrace party to a high-speed escape from a criminal cartel.

Guests can’t get enough of the new Volcano Bay, Universal Orlando’s third theme park. Unlike Islands of Adventure and Universal Studios Florida, Volcano Bay, featuring Krakatau, the 200-foot volcano overlooking a Pacific-island, is all about getting wet. The volcano is home to the park’s Krakatau Aqua Coaster, an exciting, first-of-its-kind aqua coaster that propels you upward and downward through the volcano’s interior peaks and valleys. Volcano Bay offers more than 30 experiences including a multi-directional wave pool with sandy beaches and twisting multi-rider raft rides. Take the Ko’kiri Body Plunge, a 70-degree, 125-foot fall through a trap door or relax on the Kopiko Wai Winding River.

Join Jimmy Fallon and his guests on a fun-filled, 3D motion-simulated race through, under and above New York City.

Race Through New York Starring Jimmy Fallon at Universal Studios Florida is also the testing ground for no line waiting.

Guests simply make reservations on the Universal Orlando Resort Mobile app or nearby kiosk. The attraction also features a Tonight Show memorabilia museum and live shows starring the Hashtag Panda and the Ragtime Gals barbershop quartet.

Harry Potter fans will be happy to celebrate Christmas in the Wizarding World of Harry Potter. Hogwarts Castle in

CLOCKWISE FROM BOTTOM LEFT: VISIT ORLANDO; © 2012 UNIVERSAL ORLANDO RESORT. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED; VISIT ORLANDO; VISIT ORLANDO

VisitOrlando.com

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Hogsmeade and Diagon Alley will be transformed into wintery Christmas wonderlands to the delight of all. There is also a new holiday parade featuring Macy’s, which includes appearances by the Minions and other favorite characters from Despicable Me, Madagascar and Shrek—and even Santa Claus.

WALT DISNEY WORLD Don’t be alarmed if you see a Disney bus driving by without a driver. The themepark giant rolled out driverless shuttle buses in 2018 for guests to get around. If you’d rather travel by water, Disney also debuted a gondola transportation system connecting Epcot, Disney’s Hollywood

Studios, Disney’s Caribbean Beach Resort, Disney’s Art of Animation Resort and Disney’s Pop Century Resort.

At Disney’s Hollywood Studios, you may find yourself shrunk to the size of a toy to explore the world of Andy’s backyard with your favorite Toy Story characters, including Woody and Buzz. The new Toy Story Land also showcases Slinky Dog Dash, a family roller coaster and Alien Swirling Saucers, a ride in which aliens cruise around in toy flying saucers attempting to capture your rocket toy vehicle with “The Claw.”

Another jewel at Walt Disney World is Pandora — The World of AVATAR at Animal Kingdom. Experience the Na’vi River

Journey as it transports you through a bioluminescent rainforest, while AVATAR: Flight of Passage invites you to take an exhilarating flight on the back of a mountain banshee. Over at Epcot, Mission: Space added a new third mission, which includes a tour around Earth.

Be sure to treat your crew to Miss Adventure Falls at Typhoon Lagoon. The new family-style raft attraction takes guests on a splashing journey through the fabled Captain Mary Oceaneer’s past. The two-minute ride is among the longest water rides at Disney.

In summer 2019, Disney’s Hollywood Studios is opening its doors to the new Star Wars-themed land—Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge—where guests will land in the middle of the action as they live their own Star Wars stories in this fully interactive world.

MORE ENJOYMENT AWAITS Enjoy open-air views of Orlando on board the 450-foot-tall Orlando Starflyer, which swings up to 24 guests through the air at up to 60 miles an hour.

Orlando Watersports Complex debuted Central Florida’s first Aquapark, featuring a modular series of inflatable, interlocking climbing obstacles, pathways and slides for hours of watery fun.

TIP Located at 8201 International Drive in the heart of Orlando’s tourism district, Visit Orlando, the only official visitor center, offers deals and unbiased expert advice to visitors seeking information.

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LIFESTYLE LIVING

FIND YOUR HAPPY PLACE.

BY RICHARD WESTLUND

D

TOP: Vacation home rental in Central Florida.

ABOVE: Pastel cottage at the Tradewinds Resort on Anna Maria Island in the Gulf of Mexico. OPPOSITE BOTTOM: The Plumeria model home by Minto at The Isles of Collier Preserve in Naples, Florida.

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o you dream of trading in winter blizzards and shoveling snow for Florida’s endless summers?

While the polar vortex grips northern locations, Florida’s moderate year-round climate provides ample opportunities to enjoy and explore the state’s natural treasures, ranging from natural springs to vast conservation areas that include the Everglades, where you can spend days hiking, cycling, paddling, swimming or birdwatching. Central Florida, the country’s top amusement park destination, is perfect for young and old alike. With 10 professional sports teams plus dozens of minor league and collegiate teams, Florida is a sports fanatic’s playground. In fact, many of baseball’s top teams call the state home during their spring training season. And with more than 663 miles of beaches along its Atlantic and Gulf Coast shores, you’re never more than 60 miles from the ocean.

If you have a permit to work in the US, the state of Florida has no state income tax— a definite plus—and the cost of living is less expensive when compared to other

major US states. It all adds up to a better quality of life.

Those who are ready to buy into the Florida state-of-mind have many choices, thanks to an abundance of new homes and condos available across the state to fit any budget or desired lifestyle.

LOCATION OR LIFESTYLE When searching for a Florida home, there are two basic approaches to consider: location and lifestyle. You may already know where in Florida you want to live. If so, you should familiarize yourself with the neighborhoods, look at typical houses, townhomes or condos, get a sense of prices, and contact a real estate professional who understands the local market and can help you make the right choice.

Another strategy is to focus on your desired lifestyle. Do you picture yourself in a private golf community, a high-rise on the beach or in a scenic, rural location?

Then, you’ll want to compare homes, prices and amenities in different locations around the state. Those over age 55, for

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example, might want to compare the offerings at On Top of the World in Ocala with The Villages northeast of Orlando.

Again, a real estate professional can help you make a well-informed decision.

RESIDENTIAL OPTIONS

CLOCKWISE FROM BOTTOM LEFT: TOM SHELBY/BRADENTON AREA CVB; VISIT CENTRAL FLORIDA; ROB HARRIS

If you’re considering a move to Florida, be aware there are some differences in home design and construction compared with houses in cooler climates. For instance, few Florida homes have a basement because of the underlying hard limestone rock and high ground-water level. Newer homes may be more spacious and feature modern kitchens, baths, flooring and fixtures.

A number of leading homebuilders in Florida develop residential communities throughout the state. Minto Communities USA, based in Florida since 1978, has represented integrity and value to homeowners for over 40 years. Minto builds exceptional new homes and communities to meet every lifestyle, with more than 25,000 new homes built in 48 communities. Minto is dedicated to continuous improvement in design quality and customer experience.

Featuring award-winning homes and world-class recreational amenities, Minto’s master-planned communities are located in the Sunshine State’s most popular locations,

including Sarasota/Bradenton, Naples, Sunrise, Palm Beach County, Port St. Lucie, Daytona Beach and coming soon to Watersound in the Florida Panhandle. Minto offers a home style for every lifestyle, from waterfront condominiums to townhomes and coach homes, villas and single-family homes—priced from the low US$200s to over $1.5 million.

In addition, Latitude Margaritaville is a new portfolio of active adult communities developed by the global lifestyle brand Margaritaville and Minto. Offering resortstyle amenities, Latitude Margaritaville is the ideal destination for those looking to live the Margaritaville lifestyle as they grow older, but not up. The communities feature a resort-style pool, fitness activities, game and hobby rooms, arts and learning programs, live entertainment, signature Margaritaville food and beverage concepts, and more. The first Latitude Margaritaville community in Daytona Beach was ranked the nation’s most popular active adult community of 2018 by 55Places.com.

Condos and apartment buildings vary widely in design and construction and often develop distinct “personalities.” A high-rise condo with 600 units is akin to a miniature city with many services and amenities, which command a higher monthly maintenance fee.

However, if the purchase price and monthly fees are a big consideration, you may prefer a smaller building with a pool, spa or entertainment area—or no amenities at all.

Condos have been a major part of the Florida market since the 1970s, so the age and condition of a building can affect its desirability and price. A recently constructed residence may have a more appealing design, new appliances, marble baths and other modern features compared to an older unit that has never been updated. However, the older unit may still appeal to buyers on a tight budget.

SEASONAL RENTALS If you love the Florida lifestyle, but aren’t ready to buy, consider a seasonal rental. You can enjoy the beach, boating, golf, shopping and all the attractions for several weeks or months without making a permanent financial commitment. It’s also an excellent way to “sample” different locations and lifestyles to see where you feel most comfortable if you do decide to purchase in the future.

Almost any type of home, condo or apartment around the state can be used as a seasonal rental. For example, Royal Shell, voted “the Best Vacation Rental Company on Sanibel Island” for 10 consecutive years, offers hundreds of quality vacation rentals on Sanibel and Captiva, Fort Myers, Bonita Springs, Naples and other locations in Southwest Florida, as well as in the Ocala area in Central Florida. Similarly, Wyndham Vacation Rentals manages Florida vacation rentals in Orlando as well as across the Panhandle.

FEATURED LINKS Holiday Inn Club Vacations ihg.com/HolidayInnClubVacations Minto Communities USA mintoUSA.com Royal Shell royalshell.com Wyndham Vacation Rentals WyndhamVacationRentals.com

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SPORTS

I

f you love sports, Florida has a plethora of teams playing in phenomenal stadiums and arenas.

For those who want to participate in the action, the opportunities are equally impressive with a variety of biking and hiking trails in urban and wilderness areas, numerous marinas with deep sea fishing and yacht charters, dozens of topnotch scuba diving sites just offshore and a spectacular inventory of golf courses and tennis courts.

FIELDS OF DREAMS

TOP: Fly Fishing from kayaks in the Everglades. ABOVE: Exterior view of Marlins Park in Miami. OPPOSITE TOP: 12 Hours of Sebring event. OPPOSITE BOTTOM LEFT: Streamsong Resort in Polk County. OPPOSITE BOTTOM RIGHT: Clearwater Beach volleyball.

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Baseball fans flock to Florida during the month of March when 15 teams train and play exhibition games prior to the season.

It’s a great way to see your favorite players when they’re more accessible for autographs and you can be closer to the action.

The engaging venues include George M. Steinbrenner Field in Tampa, where the Yankees train and which has a massive Yankees memorabilia store, and Jet Blue Park in Fort Myers, a Boston Red Sox training venue featuring a replica of Fenway Park’s Green Monster.

From April to October, enjoy regular season Major League Baseball in Miami with the Miami Marlins, a National League team owned by famous baseball player Derek Jeter, and with the Tampa Bay Rays, an American League team that competes at St. Petersburg’s domed Tropicana Field.

EPIC COURSES You’ll have little difficulty teeing it up in Florida, which boasts more than 1,400 golf courses and over 50 resorts where golf is the main amenity. Many of Florida’s golf resorts are world-renowned and home to iconic courses like THE PLAYERS Stadium Course at TPC Sawgrass in Ponte Vedra Beach, the Blue Monster at Trump National Doral in Miami and Copperhead at Innisbrook, a Salamander Golf & Spa Resort near Tampa. In addition, there is a plethora of superb daily fee courses to play with designer tags like Jack Nicklaus, Tom Fazio and Robert Trent Jones.

The PGA Tour utilizes Florida every year as sites for some of its most prestigious tournaments. You can stroll among the lush fairways and palm trees and watch some of golf’s

CLOCKWISE FROM BOTTOM LEFT: COURTESY OF MIAMI MARLINS; © NAPLES, MARCO ISLAND, EVERGLADES CVB; VISIT SEBRING; VISITSTPETECLEARWATER.COM; VISIT CENTRAL FLORIDA

BY EDWARD SCHMIDT JR.

A WORLD OF SPORTS

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greatest stars. The tournament lineup includes The Honda Classic at PGA National Resort & Spa in Palm Beach Gardens in February; Valspar Championship at Innisbrook, a Salamander Golf & Spa Resort in Palm Harbor in early March; Arnold Palmer Invitational at Bay Hill Club & Lodge in Orlando in mid-March; and THE PLAYERS Championship at TPC Sawgrass in Ponte Vedra Beach in mid-May.

HOOPS HEAVEN You can follow the bouncing ball in Florida from October to May with the NBA’s Orlando Magic and Miami Heat. Both teams play in the hotly contested Southeast Division, which also includes the Atlanta Hawks, Charlotte Hornets and Washington Wizards. Check schedules because it’s a great chance to see the NBA’s brightest stars like LeBron James, Stephen Curry and Kevin Durant play against the Florida teams. The Magic play their games at the Amway Center in downtown Orlando and the Heat play at the AmericanAirlines Arena.

For major college basketball, the menu is impressive led by Gainesville’s University of Florida two-time NCAA champions. The University of Miami and Tallahassee’s Florida State University annually field strong teams.

University in Boca Raton. The Miami Dolphins and the Hurricanes began playing in a new setting in 2016 after the SunLife Stadium underwent a US$500-million facelift and changed its name to Hard Rock Stadium.

At the end of each season in December and early January, Florida hosts several major college football bowl games, including the Miami Beach Bowl at Marlins Park in Miami; Boca Raton Bowl at FAU Stadium in Boca Raton; Capital One Orange Bowl at the Hard Rock Stadium in Miami Gardens; St. Petersburg Bowl at Tropicana Field in St. Petersburg; Russell Athletic Bowl and Buffalo Wild Wings Citrus Bowl at Camping World Stadium in Orlando; TaxSlayer Bowl at Everbank Field in Jacksonville; and Outback Bowl at Raymond James Stadium in Tampa.

SOCCER SUPERSTARS Florida has quietly become a haven for great professional soccer. Orlando City SC of the MLS, founded in 2013, plays to record-

breaking crowds at Orlando City Stadium in downtown Orlando. The team has a loyal fan base as well as fun tailgating parties before the games.

The Orlando Pride of the National Women’s Soccer League is led by superstar Alex Morgan.

Fortunately, there are plenty of opportunities to see the sport in Florida. The state has two North American Soccer League teams—the Tampa Bay Rowdies and the Jacksonville Armada—and a National Premier Soccer League team, the Boca Raton Football Club.

OWN THE ICE With two NHL teams in the state, Florida offers fans superb opportunities to see topnotch hockey on their visit. The Tampa Bay Lightning, a playoff team in 2016, plays their games at Amalie Arena in downtown Tampa.

Farther south in the Miami metropolitan area, the Florida Panthers, which were founded in

FOOTBALL FRENZY Gridiron icons like Don Shula, Dan Marino and Tim Tebow are synonymous with football in the Sunshine State. Pro and college football dominate the sports scene in Florida in the fall and early winter.

Home to the Miami Dolphins, Tampa Bay Buccaneers and Jacksonville Jaguars, Florida gives fans the chance to watch NFL football games in warm, sunny weather even in October and November.

College football passions run deep in Florida with highly successful programs like Gainesville’s University of Florida Gators, Tallahassee’s Florida State Seminoles and Miami University Hurricanes. The Gators have won three national championships, the Seminoles have won three and the Hurricanes have captured five. Other colleges with top-flight Division 1 programs where you can experience the game with all of the colorful pageantry are the University of Central Florida in Orlando, University of South Florida in Tampa and Florida Atlantic

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BELOW: EverBank Field Club Level 1 in Jacksonville. CENTER: Cycling through the countryside in Sebring. BOTTOM: Delray Beach International Tennis Championships. OPPOSITE TOP: The Jacksonville Equestrian Center.

1993, skate at the BB&T Center in Sunrise.

Both teams have had their moments in the limelight when the Lightning won the Stanley Cup in 2004 and the Panthers played in the NHL finals in 1996.

TERRIFIC TENNIS The fuzzy ball set loves to play and watch tennis in Florida. Resorts like Boca Raton Resort & Club, Saddlebrook Resort near Tampa and Omni Amelia Island Plantation Resort north of Jacksonville have expansive, world-class tennis complexes. Spectators enjoy the Miami Open, which dates back to 1985 and has featured major stars such as Martina Navratilova, Serena Williams, Novak Djokovic and Rafael Nadal. The 2019 Miami Open will be staged from March 18– 31 in the Hard Rock Stadium.

POWERED TO WIN It doesn’t get any bigger and better than the DAYTONA 500 in Daytona Beach, NASCAR’s speedy answer to the NFL’s Super Bowl. The race typically, but not always, occurs on the last Saturday of February.

Sebring in Central Florida is hosting the popular 67th Annual Mobil 1 12 Hours of Sebring event on March 16, however racing fans may want to be there when gates open on March 13 for four days of octane-fueled fun.

Just south of Miami in Homestead, the Homestead-Miami Speedway hosts NASCAR’s Ford Ecoboost races in mid-November.

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thoroughbred horse farms is known as “The Horse Capital of the World.” Area farms have produced 45 national champions and six Kentucky Derby winners. Several of the farms offer tours and Ocala is home to national equestrian events and competitions, including the HITS Ocala Winter Circuit, Live Oak International and Ocala Breeders’ Sale.

In Northeast Florida, the Jacksonville Equestrian Center features 80 acres of horse paradise complete with a giant indoor arena, outdoor show rings and over 400 stalls.

While polo matches take place in Palm Beach, Sarasota, Wellington and The Villages south of Ocala, Wellington is probably the most famous, drawing equestrian enthusiasts and celebrities from all over the world during its equestrian season, which runs from January to April. Every winter, Wellington turns into a hub for the glamorous equestrian lifestyle. From the Global Dressage Festival to International Polo and the Winter Equestrian Festival, there is simply no comparison to this horse-lover’s paradise. And with Wellington Insider Tours, visitors are given a behind-the-scenes peek at what the judges, competitors and show managers get to see: a true insider’s tour.

Florida’s high-profile horse racing tracks are Gulfstream Park Racing & Casino in Hallandale Beach, Hialeah Park Racing & Casino in Miami and Tampa Bay Downs in Tampa.

EXCITING EQUESTRIAN

ANGLING ALL-STARS

Ocala, 80 miles north of Orlando, with 600

You’ll be reeled in by all of Florida’s phenomenal fishing possibilities. Amazingly, Florida has over 8,000 miles of shoreline if you include inlets, bays and capes. Better still, the weather is warm yearround so you can fish any day of the year.

Marinas for deep-sea charters are located in all parts of the state. Two of the most noted are Islamorada in the Keys, which is known as the “Sport Fishing Capital of the World,” and Destin in the Panhandle that’s been dubbed “The World’s Luckiest Fishing Village.” There are also numerous piers, docks and bridges where you can drop a line and make a big saltwater catch as well as reefs and wrecks offshore where fish congregate.

CLOCKWISE FROM BOTTOM LEFT: VISIT FLORIDA; VISIT SEBRING; VISIT JACKSONVILLE; JACKSONVILLE EQUESTRIAN CENTER.

SPORTS

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For freshwater enthusiasts, Lake Okeechobee and rivers in the Everglades are great spots to fish for largemouth bass, bluegills and sunfish. Throughout the state, a network of lakes, canals and channels provides excellent places to fish for largemouth bass, catfish and crappie.

OCEAN EXPLORATIONS One of the appealing aspects of snorkeling in Florida is the wide variety of “shore dives” possible. You don’t have to swim far to see amazing marine life.

The Florida Keys has dozens of intriguing spots such as Cannon Beach at John Pennekamp Coral Reef State Park, where you can see placed remnants of an early Spanish shipwreck about 100 feet off the beach, and Fort Zachary Taylor Historic State Park and Beach off Key West, where you can view tropical fish and live coral. Other prime snorkeling havens throughout the state include Red Reef Park in Boca Raton, Phil Foster Snorkel Trail in Riviera Beach and Blowing Rocks in Jupiter.

For those who scuba and want to dive deeper, Florida’s thousands of miles of coastline and numerous lakes offer a plethora of opportunities. Many divers flock to the natural reefs near Fort Lauderdale and Miami.

There are also several artificial reefs in different parts of the state created by sunken steel ships and structures. Freshwater divers can explore caves and caverns in various springs and lakes.

READY TO RIDE If you like riding on two wheels instead of four, Florida has some exceptional paved bike trails.

Recreational riders absolutely revel in the temperate year-round biking weather and the flat terrain that makes cycling easier.

Some of the more popular trails include the West Orange Trail in Orlando, which stretches 22 miles and passes through quaint towns like Winter Garden and Oakland; Cedar Key Railroad Trestle Nature Trail, located 50 miles southwest of Gainesville, a 13-mile ride to three connecting keys; Amelia Island Trail, a 5.7-mile trail in the picturesque coastal village of Fernandina Beach; and the 22-mile Sanibel Island Bike Trail, a stunning ride that takes cyclists through the pristine J.N. “Ding” Darling National Wildlife Refuge and past a lighthouse, beaches and Periwinkle Way, where restaurants and shops are easily accessible.

WORKOUT WONDERLAND Keeping in shape is easy in Florida, which has an excellent menu of nature, hiking and running trails in both urban and wilderness settings.

Runners have a lengthy lineup of topnotch races, marathons and triathlons scheduled throughout the year. Some of the biggest in 2019 are the Walt Disney World Marathon on January 13; Miami Marathon on January 27; Florida Challenge Triathlon in Clermont in March; and Star Wars Half Marathon at Walt Disney World Resort on April 7.

A popular spot for serious fitness training is the National Training Center in Clermont, 20 miles west of Orlando, which has a 400-meter outdoor track, cross-country course, sports fields and 70-meter-long swimming pool.

Swimming enthusiasts can enjoy ocean swimming and just about every hotel and resort has a swimming pool. To learn about the history of swimming, visit the International Swimming Hall of Fame and Museum in Fort Lauderdale.

For those who prefer canoeing and kayaking, Florida is a paddling paradise with more than 1,700 miles of rivers, streams and creeks formed by 700-plus natural springs. The area around Naples and Marco Island is an increasingly popular spot for paddlers. The Wilderness Waterway is a 99-mile water trail from Everglades City to Flamingo, with no development along the course, and the Paradise Coast Blueway is a system of paddling trails with GPS-marked routes from Everglades City to Marco Island.

FEATURED LINKS Amway Center, Orlando amwaycenter.com Boca Raton Football Club bocaratonfc.com Daytona International Speedway daytonainternationalspeedway.com Disney Marathons and Running Events rundisney.com Florida Panthers nhl.com/panthers Florida State Seminoles seminoles.com Homestead-Miami Speedway homesteadmiamispeedway.com Jacksonville Football Club armadafc.com Jacksonville Jaguars jaguars.com Miami Dolphins miamidolphins.com Miami Heat nba.com/heat Miami Marathon themiamimarathon.com Miami Marlins miami.marlins.mlb.com Miami Open miamiopen.com Miami University Hurricanes hurricanesports.com Orlando Magic nba.com/magic Orlando Pride orlandocitysc.com/pride Paradise Coast Blueway paradisecoastblueway.com Sebring International Raceway sebringraceway.com Tampa Bay Buccaneers buccaneers.com Tampa Bay Lightning nhl.com/lightning Tampa Bay Rays tampabay.rays.mlb.com Tampa Bay Rowdies rowdiessoccer.com THE PLAYERS Stadium Course at TPC Sawgrass, Ponte Vedra tpc.com/sawgrass University of Florida Gators floridagators.com Wellington Insider Tours wellingtoninsidertours.com

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SOUTHEAST FLORIDA

MIX IT UP.

Party, swim, dine, shop, visit galleries or museums, take in a performance, gamble, indulge in nature’s abundance or simply relax.

From Key West to The Palm Beaches, Florida’s Southeast coast is a plethora of unlimited possibilities and experiences.

BY KARA FRANKER

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A DAY IN...

FORT LAUDERDALE

MIAMI

THE PALM BEACHES

Start your morning with a tour of the beautiful historic Bonnet House Museum & Gardens or snorkel or dive to explore 69 miles of natural coral reef just offshore. Board a water taxi and cruise through the 300+ miles of Intracoastal waterways while viewing some of the most incredible mansions and homes.

Revel in a unique dock-and-dine experience at one of many waterfront restaurants before taking in a show at the Broward Center for the Performing Arts.

End with a stroll along picturesque Las Olas Boulevard.

Relax poolside at one of many chic hotels and hit the waters of South Beach. Stroll down Lincoln Road for shopping al fresco and enjoy a world-class meal while people-watching at an outdoor restaurant. Visit the art collection at the Pérez Art Museum Miami next to beautiful Biscayne Bay, and take an afternoon walk through Museum Park. Head over to Wynwood to take in the vibrant street art. Spend the evening at one of the Miami Design District’s unique restaurants.

Start your day at the iconic Jupiter Inlet Lighthouse and cruise south down to Loggerhead Marinelife Center to check on the sea turtles.

Lunch in West Palm Beach. Ride the trolley through CityPlace and down Clematis Street; with so many local hot spots to choose from, the decision is guaranteed to be difficult, but delicious! Head to Boca Raton for the afternoon, renting bikes to experience the Ocean Boulevard Path, or stroll around Mizner Park. End the day dancing and dining along Atlantic Avenue in Delray Beach.

FROM LEFT TO RIGHT: GREATER FORT LAUDERDALE CVB; ANDY NEWMAN/FLORIDA KEYS NEWS BUREAU/HO; JILL C. WEISBERG; VISIT FLORIDA; DISCOVER THE PALM BEACHES

KEY WEST Begin your day with breakfast in the outdoor courtyard of Blue Heaven. Then wander the Old Town district enjoying colorful Victorian architecture.

Snap a “mandatory selfie” at the Southernmost Point in the continental USA. Visit the Ernest Hemingway Home & Museum and the Butterfly & Nature Conservatory. Grab lunch in the Historic Seaport before embarking on a reef snorkeling excursion.

Catch a beautiful sunset and the action at Mallory Square. Dine at an Old Town restaurant and sample the nightlife on Duval Street.

SOUTHEAST FLORIDA

YOUR SOUTHEAST FLORIDA EXPERTS Discover The Palm Beaches: ThePalmBeaches.com Downtown Development Authority of Delray Beach: downtowndelraybeach.com/dda Greater Fort Lauderdale Convention & Visitors Bureau: sunny.org Greater Miami Convention & Visitors Bureau: miamiandbeaches.com Hollywood Community Redevelopment Agency: visithollywoodfl.org Lauderdale By The Sea Chamber of Commerce: lbts.com Sunny Isles Beach Tourism and Marketing Council: sunnyislesmiami.com The Monroe County Tourist Development Council: fla-keys.com

OPPOSITE: Shopping along Las Olas Boulevard in Fort Lauderdale.

TOP FROM LEFT TO RIGHT: Key West Sailing Regatta; Outdoor murals by Tati Suarez in downtown Hollywood; Art deco architecture in South Beach, Miami; Shops on Worth Avenue in Palm Beach.

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SOUTHEAST FLORIDA

ARTS AND CULTURE

INSIDER’S TIP A trip to South Florida must include the live music scene. Check out these hot spots for some of the best concerts and opportunities to sway to the sounds of your favorite band: Key West: Duval Street bars such as Sloppy Joe’s and Hog’s Breath Miami: AmericanAirlines Arena, Adrienne Arsht Center, Bayfront Park Amphitheater Miami Beach: The Fillmore Miami Beach at the Jackie Gleason Theater, BleauLive at the Fontainebleau, New World Symphony Hollywood: Hard Rock Live, Hollywood Bandshell Greater Fort Lauderdale: BB&T Center, Revolution Live, Seminole Paradise, FATVillage Boca Raton: Mizner Park Amphitheater, Sunset Cove Amphitheater Delray Beach: Old School Square Entertainment Pavilion, bars along Atlantic Avenue, Art’s Garage West Palm Beach: Perfect Vodka Amphitheatre, Kravis Center for the Performing Arts, Palm Beach Opera, Meyer Amphitheatre, Coral Sky Amphitheatre

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Cultural and art institutions dot the coast of Southeast Florida and brim with one-of-akind features, combining eco beauty, rich history and unique works of art.

Worth a visit every time you explore Key West, the Ernest Hemingway Home & Museum, Harry S. Truman Little White House and Audubon House & Tropical Gardens are cultural mainstays. Tour the Key West Art & Historical Society’s new permanent exhibit at Fort East Martello Museum to view more than 100 sculptures created by the late Key Largo folk artist, Stanley Papio, whose works are acclaimed for their inventiveness and humor. In Islamorada, the Third Thursday Artwalk features artists, vendors and entertainment.

As the home of Art Basel Miami Beach, the world’s most prominent annual art fair held in December, Miami-Dade County boasts a variety of opportunities to experience local and international art. For highly acclaimed performing arts and Broadway-style shows, head to the Adrienne Arsht Center for the Performing Arts. Stroll down the street-artclad avenues in the Wynwood Arts District, home to an abundant collection of local galleries as well as Tony Goldman’s popular Wynwood Walls. In downtown Miami, waterfront Museum Park boasts the Pérez Art Museum Miami, a highly regarded institution offering a taste of modern architecture and intellectually stimulating exhibits.

There’s also the Bass Museum of Art in Miami Beach, which reopened in the fall of 2017.

For a different, but memorable, experience, visit the Holocaust Memorial in Miami Beach or the Holocaust Documentation & Education Center in Dania Beach.

Fort Lauderdale has plenty of museums, galleries and performing arts institutions to visit. Located on bustling Las Olas Boulevard, where shopping and dining abound, the NSU Art Museum of Fort Lauderdale is the perfect place to view more than 7,000 works by artists like Pablo Picasso, George Bellows and Diego Rivera. Children and adults alike love the Young At Art Museum in nearby Davie.

The LEED-certified 55,000-square-foot facility inspires, educates and entertains all ages with interactive exhibits, as well as fun art classes and camps.

The Cultural Council of Palm Beach County promotes a wide range of theater, dance, art, music and history in what’s known as Florida’s Cultural Capital. Located in the popular Mizner Park, the Boca Raton Museum of Art houses an array of contemporary and modern art collections. For a unique taste of Japanese arts with the picture-perfect Florida backdrop, visit the Morikami Museum and Japanese Gardens in Delray Beach.

West Palm Beach is home to the Ann Norton Sculpture Garden, located at Norton’s former residence where she spent the last 30 years of her life creating pieces for the garden she helped design. From her famous Gateway sculptures to pieces inspired by a trip to Tibet, the museum and garden bring the vision of this creative artist to life. Other gardens worthy of exploration include the Four Arts Botanical Garden and the Mounts Botanical Garden.

The Norton Museum of Art in West Palm Beach is one of the most renowned art museums in Florida, featuring acclaimed exhibitions, programs and a permanent collection. And, dating back to 1902, Whitehall, Henry Flagler’s Gilded Age estate in Palm Beach, is a National Historic Landmark and open to the public as the Flagler Museum, featuring guided tours, changing exhibits and special programs. For entertaining shows from elegant ballets to Broadway musicals, visit the Kravis Center for the Performing Arts, the Wick Theatre & Costume Playhouse and Palm Beach Dramaworks.

For something more intimate, but just as impressive, look up the playbill for the Maltz Jupiter Theater in Jupiter.

ROB O’NEAL/FLORIDA KEYS NEWS BUREAU/HO

LEFT: Ernest Hemingway’s studio at the Ernest Hemingway Home & Museum in Key West.

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ANNUAL EVENTS JANUARY

MARCH–APRIL

SEPTEMBER

Art Deco Weekend, Miami Beach Key Largo Sailfish Challenge Las Olas Art Fair Part I, Fort Lauderdale Miami International Jazz Festival South Florida Fair, West Palm Beach Uncorked, the Key Largo and Islamorada Food & Wine Festival

Miami Open Tennis presented by Itaú Palm Beach International Film Festival

Brazilian Film Festival of Miami

FEBRUARY ArtiGras Fine Arts Festival, Jupiter Coconut Grove Arts Festival Delray Beach Garlic Fest Food Network & Cooking Channel South Beach Lake Worth Street Painting Festival Miami International Boat Show Wine & Food Festival Honda Classic, Palm Beach Gardens

APRIL

OCTOBER

Dania Beach Arts & Seafood Celebration Delray Affair Miami Beach Gay Pride Miami Beach Polo World Cup MiFo LGBT Film Festival Tortuga Music Festival, Fort Lauderdale

Boogie by the Beach, Sunny Isles Beach Fantasy Fest, Key West Humphrey Bogart Film Festival, Key Largo Key West Goombay Festival Spa & Wellness Month of The Palm Beaches

MAY

NOVEMBER

Sunfest, West Palm Beach

MARCH

JULY–AUGUST

Boca Bacchanal, Boca Raton Calle Ocho, Miami Jazz in the Gardens Music Festival, Miami Gardens Las Olas Art Fair Part II Major League Baseball Spring Training, Jupiter Miami International Film Festival Original Marathon Seafood Festival Ultra and the Winter Music Conference, Miami

Miami Spa Month

Fort Lauderdale International Boat Show Key West Film Festival Key West World Championship Powerboat Races Miami Book Fair International Miami International Auto Show Miami Short Film Festival NASCAR Ford Championship Weekend Sunny Isles Beach Jazz Fest

AUGUST

DECEMBER

Dine Out Downtown Delray

Art Basel Miami Beach Capital One Orange Bowl, Miami Gardens Design Miami Holiday Boat Parades King Mango Strut Parade, Coconut Grove

JULY Hemingway Days, Key West Lower Keys Underwater Music Festival

AUGUST–SEPTEMBER Crave GFL Restaurant Month International Ballet Festival, Miami Miami Spice Month

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gallon pool. Boasting an impressive collection of rare plants and flowers, as well as a sprawling tropical oasis, Fairchild Tropical Botanic Garden hosts special events like the International Mango Festival and International Orchid Festival.

The Phillip and Patricia Frost Museum of Science is now open at its new home in Downtown Miami’s Museum Park. The 250,000-square-foot facility includes a planetarium, aquarium and science museum.

Head to ArtsPark at Young Circle in downtown Hollywood to enjoy a 10-acre interactive park complete with a children’s play area. Flamingo Gardens & Wray Botanical Collection offers 60 acres of diverse native plants and trees, a Bird of Prey Center with a free-flight aviary, and the chance to view alligators, flamingos, bobcats and Florida panthers. For a mix of ecology, history and architecture, the Bonnet House

MUST-SEE ATTRACTIONS

1

BOCA RATON HISTORICAL SOCIETY & MUSEUM: bocahistory.org

2

DRY TORTUGAS NATIONAL PARK: drytortugas.com

3

GUMBO LIMBO NATURE CENTER: gumbolimbo.org

4

PHILLIP AND PATRICIA FROST MUSEUM OF SCIENCE: frostscience.org

5

ZOO MIAMI: zoomiami.org

Museum & Gardens in Fort Lauderdale is a 36-acre estate preserving a piece of Old Florida charm. While in Fort Lauderdale, hop on board the Jungle Queen for a sightseeing cruise. Then, check out more than 20,000 butterflies from around the globe at Butterfly World in Coconut Creek, the world’s largest butterfly park.

Visit the Arthur R. Marshall Loxahatchee National Wildlife Refuge in Boynton Beach for guided marsh tours, bird walks, canoe trips and more. In Loxahatchee become part of the herd at Lion Country Safari, a drivethrough adventure where you can check out more than 1,000 animals including giraffes, lions, zebras and monkeys. Nearby, the South Florida Science Center and Aquarium features more than 50 hands-on educational exhibits, a state-of-the-art planetarium, a new science laboratory for educational programs and an upgraded theater.

At the new Flamingo Experience at the Palm Beach Zoo, visitors ages five and up are welcome to mix and mingle with pink Chilean flamingos.

Providing the opportunity to see endangered sea turtles and other marine life up close, the Loggerhead Marinelife Center in Juno Beach is a hospital for injured sea turtles where visitors learn about Florida’s marine life and the ecosystem. An on-site playground and a series of educational programs can keep guests entertained for hours, or families can hop across the street to picturesque Juno Beach.

TOP: The Phillip and Patricia Frost Museum of Science in downtown Miami. LEFT: Cycling in Miami Beach.

OPPOSITE TOP: Lion Country Safari.

CLOCKWISE FROM BOTTOM LEFT: ULADZIK KRHIN/SHUTTERSTOCK; PHILLIP AND PATRICIA FROST MUSEUM OF SCIENCE; DISCOVER THE PALM BEACHES

ATTRACTIONS Southeast Florida offers an abundance of family-friendly attractions, many showcasing the Sunshine State’s unique ecosystem and wildlife.

In the Florida Keys, the Mel Fisher Maritime Museum in Key West displays gold, silver and treasures recovered from sunken wrecks, while Dolphin Research Center and Turtle Hospital in Marathon invite the whole family to get up close and personal with sea life. Florida Keys Aquarium Encounters, a conservation center also located in Marathon, conducts guided park tours as well as tarpon and shark feedings. At the Florida Keys History & Discovery Center in Islamorada, enjoy an interactive historical experience through a new permanent model of Indian Key, once the Florida Keys’ second largest community outside of Key West only accessible by private boat or kayak.

The Florida Everglades is where naturalists and adventurers can spot alligators on airboat tours and learn about the Miccosukee Tribe’s unique way of life at the Miccosukee Indian Village.

For more exciting animal encounters, visit Zoo Miami just north of Homestead, Monkey Jungle south of the zoo, Jungle Island in downtown Miami and the Miami Seaquarium in Key Biscayne. At the Seaquarium, visitors enjoy the Penguin Isle, a habitat for African penguins, which can be viewed above and below water in a 9,000-

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FEATURED LINKS ARTS AND CULTURE Adrienne Arsht Center for the Performing Arts, Miami arshtcenter.org Boca Raton History Museum bocahistory.org Boca Raton Museum of Art bocamuseum.org Cultural Council of Palm Beach County PalmBeachCulture.com Henry Morrison Flagler Museum, Palm Beach flaglermuseum.us Holocaust Memorial Miami Beach holocaustmemorialmiamibeach.org Lake Worth Playhouse lakeworthplayhouse.org Mounts Botanical Garden of Palm Beach County mounts.org Norton Museum of Art, West Palm Beach norton.org NSU Art Museum, Fort Lauderdale nsuartmuseum.org Old School Square, Delray Beach oldschoolsquare.org Palm Beach Dramaworks palmbeachdramaworks.org Pérez Art Museum Miami pamm.org The Ernest Hemingway Home & Museum, Key West hemingwayhome.com The Society of the Four Arts, Palm Beach fourarts.org

ATTRACTIONS Bonnet House Museum & Gardens, Fort Lauderdale bonnethouse.org Butterfly World, Coconut Creek butterflyworld.com Jungle Island, Miami jungleisland.com Lion Country Safari, Loxahatchee lioncountrysafari.com Loggerhead Marinelife Center, Juno Beach marinelife.org Mel Fisher Maritime Museum, Key West melfisher.org Miami Seaquarium, Key Biscayne miamiseaquarium.com Miccosukee Indian Village, Everglades miccosukee.com Palm Beach Zoo & Conservation Society palmbeachzoo.org Phillip and Patricia Frost Museum of Science, Miami frostscience.org South Florida Science Center and Aquarium, West Palm Beach sfsciencecenter.org

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BEACHES AND OUTDOOR GEMS

TOP: Jupiter Inlet Lighthouse and Museum.

ABOVE: A green sea turtle near John Pennekamp Coral Reef State Park in Key Largo. OPPOSITE TOP: Hollywood Beach Broadwalk. OPPOSITE BOTTOM: Sunrise at Hollywood Beach.

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A trip to Florida isn’t complete without some much-needed beach time.

Spend the day swimming, kayaking and snorkeling in crystal-clear water at Bahia Honda State Park, located between the historic Seven Mile Bridge and Big Pine Key in the lower Florida Keys. This stretch of sand has been listed many times among the best beaches in the USA. Home to two sprawling beach parks, Key Biscayne is perfect for oceanfront family picnics. Visit either Crandon Park Beach at the entrance to the island, or Bill Baggs Cape Florida State Park at the island’s end.

At Bill Baggs, climb the steps of a historical lighthouse (c. 1825) or kayak along the water’s edge. Or fish on the seawall of Biscayne Bay where you can spot the remnants of Stiltsville, a collection of historical structures on stilts hovering over the water that dates back to the Prohibition-era rumrunner days.

Of course, in Miami, you’ll not want to miss the sparkling sands of South Beach.

Families love the kid-friendly facilities and mini splash and play area at South Pointe Park Beach, while those who want to be in the “scene” head to the beach along Ocean Drive. Farther north, the beach in Surfside is a favorite among locals because of its laidback vibe and access to a waterfront walking path. Or check out Oleta River State Park Beach, ideal for kayaking and canoeing.

Famous for its bustling beachfront district and an entertainment destination in its own right, Hollywood beach features a variety of sidewalk cafes, boutiques and ice-cream parlors—so go for a dip and then cruise the Broadwalk. Spend the day boating or canoeing at John U. Lloyd Beach State Park in Dania Beach, a popular turtle nesting spot.

Drawing spring break crowds for years, Fort Lauderdale Beach runs the length of North Atlantic Boulevard and makes the perfect beach day easy because of its proximity to a variety of restaurants and amusing attractions. Seeking a quiet respite?

Enjoy serenity in the shaded picnic areas at

CLOCKWISE FROM BOTTOM LEFT: FRAZIER NIVENS/FLORIDA KEYS NEWS BUREAU; DISCOVER THE PALM BEACHES; GREATER FORT LAUDERDALE CVB; ALAN MALTZ

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Hugh Taylor Birch State Park, which also features monthly mangrove habitat walks.

In Boca Raton, the Daggerwing Nature Center features a 3,000-square-foot exhibit hall surrounded by 40acres of natural area to explore.

Check out the panoramic views from the

Jupiter Inlet Lighthouse and Museum at Jupiter Beach Park.

In Juno Beach, venture out on a wildlife turtle walk then navigate through the rare coastal hammock and natural dune systems, part of Florida’s most precious habitat.

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SOUTHEAST FLORIDA ENTERTAINMENT For hot days and sultry nights, these neighborhoods and hot spots will keep you entertained around the clock, seven days a week.

Fans of fine beers, ales, rums and more can enjoy local libations throughout the Keys. For the ultimate barhopping adventure complete with plenty of local music, Duval Street is party central in Key West. At the end of the stretch, Mallory Square is the perfect place to sip a tropical cocktail and watch street performers during the nightly sunset celebration. Tour the Key West First Legal Rum Distillery, located in a former Coca-Cola bottling plant and on the site of a former preProhibition-era bar named Jack’s Saloon, and sample free rum. Eat Drink Discover Key West recently launched a new adventure blending food, libations, strolling and sailing. The “Tall & Crawl,” a pirate-themed land and sea tour, introduces visitors to the history as well as the present-day beauty and charm of Key West. The tour features a variety of food and rum tastings on land as well as refreshments served on board an 80foot pirate ship replica, the square-rigged Jolly II Rover. Passengers can help raise the vessel’s red sails, participate in a “firing” of the cannons, and view the Key West Historic Seaport, Sunset Key, Christmas Tree Island and Fort Zachary Taylor Historic State Park.

Miami has so many popular entertainment districts you could spend weeks here and still not hit every hot spot. Two of the most famous areas are Ocean Drive and Lincoln Road on South Beach. Home of the Art Deco Historic District, renowned nightlife, luxurious hotels and tons of local eateries, both locations offer the ultimate South Beach experience. The Time Out Market on Drexel Avenue just off Lincoln Road in Miami Beach features a curated mix of 17 kitchens, three bars, an art space and a demonstration kitchen. Clubs like LIV at the Fontainebleau and Hyde Beach at SLS South Beach draw the hottest DJs and late-night revelers. Back on Miami’s mainland, the Mary Brickell Village near downtown is a popular spot for locals to live, work and play, thanks to a bevy of skyscraper residences, rooftop bars and posh eateries.

Both the Wynwood Arts District and Miami Design District have been drawing the

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cultural elite to hobnob over sophisticated cocktails, luxurious shopping and celebrityhelmed restaurants. Joining other trendy neighborhoods, there’s a resurgence of the MiMo Biscayne Boulevard Historic District, where you’ll find hip restored hotels and bars from the 1950s. MiMo, short for Miami Modern, describes a design aesthetic unique to Miami that was influenced by American fascination with futurism, jets and space exploration. Lush and tropical Coconut Grove is experiencing a resurgence with new restaurants and boutiques opening up on a regular basis. And in Little Havana, stroll down Calle Ocho to savor a taste of nostalgic Cuban culture where eateries serve authentic pastelitos and Cuban coffee that packs an impressive punch. Not to be overlooked, CityPlace Doral near the Miami International Airport is a recent development with new dining options, shopping venues and residences.

For casino fun, head west toward the Everglades and the Miccosukee Resort & Gaming, which includes non-stop thrills like high-stakes poker, jackpot games and a 1,000plus-seat bingo hall. Catch year-round horse racing at the Village at Gulfstream Park in Hallandale Beach, home of the Florida Derby.

Check out the 800 Vegas-style slot machines, poker tables, open-air mall, international restaurants, bowling alley and art galleries.

There’s even a children’s entertainment center called Cool Corner, which keeps kids hopping. Also, in Hallandale Beach, the Mardi Gras Casino features slots, virtual table games, poker, live entertainment and dining venues. For more round-the-clock casino action and nightlife, head to the Seminole Hard Rock Hotel & Casino in nearby

Hollywood, where a 5,500-seat theater draws popular musicians and comedy acts. Check out the Dania Beach Casino and Jai Alai. This more than 60-year-old site of Dania Jai Alai has received a complete US$60-million renovation, including a full casino, slots, 21table poker room, restaurants and a concert area. Or challenge Lady Luck at the nearby Isle Casino Pompano Park, featuring 1,500 slots, poker tables, six restaurants, harness racing and entertainment.

For a unique gaming experience, let the San Gwann, a 400-passenger cruise ship, transport you from the Port of Miami to Resorts World Bimini to enjoy non-stop

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taville Beach Resort. Las Olas Boulevard offers plenty of dining options, plus many live entertainment and local music performances every weekend. Mizner Park in Boca Raton is the place to go for shopping, dining and fun.

The West Palm Beach Arts & Entertainment District (A&E) unites a fast-growing number of the area’s top cultural institutions and burgeoning art scene. This cultural corridor covers a one-mile city

radius and encompasses more than 20 distinct and distinguished cultural venues including Palm Beach Dramaworks on Clematis Street and the Society of the Four Arts on the island of Palm Beach.

Downtown West Palm Beach is also known for its eclectic mix of restaurants along Clematis Street and in CityPlace, a popular West Palm Beach destination for shopping, dining and entertainment.

FEATURED LINKS BEACHES AND OUTDOOR GEMS Daggerwing Nature Center, Boca Raton floridahikes.com/daggerwing-nature-center Jupiter Inlet Lighthouse & Museum jupiterlighthouse.org

ENTERTAINMENT Miami Design District miamidesigndistrict.net Seminole Hard Rock Hotel & Casino, Hollywood seminolehardrockhollywood.com

ROAD TRIPS Brightline gobrightline.com Overseas Highway fla-keys.com/highway.cfm

SHOPPING Aventura Mall, Miami aventuramall.com Bayside Marketplace, Miami baysidemarketplace.com Brickell City Centre, Miami brickellcitycentre.com Dolphin Mall, Miami shopdolphinmall.com Festival Marketplace, Pompano Beach festival.com/products/ flea-market-fort-lauderdale Las Olas Boulevard, Fort Lauderdale lasolasboulevard.com The Galleria Mall, Fort Lauderdale galleriamall-fl.com The Gardens Mall, Palm Beach Gardens: thegardensmall.com Sawgrass Mills, Sunrise simon.com/mall/sawgrass-mills Worth Avenue, Palm Beach worth-avenue.com

CLOCKWISE FROM TOP LEFT: PATRICK FARRELL/VISIT FLORIDA; VISIT FLORIDA; ROB O’NEAL/FLORIDA KEYS NEWS BUREAU/HO

action in a 10,000-square-foot casino featuring popular table games, slot machines, a high-limit gaming salon, a Sports Book and a full indoor-outdoor restaurant.

In Southeast Florida, dining and entertainment collide on a variety of popular main drags.

Stretching more than two miles along the ocean, Hollywood’s Broadwalk features panoramic beach views, a variety of outdoor restaurants and the very popular Margari-

OPPOSITE TOP: South Beach, Miami. ABOVE: Nightlife in Miami. LEFT: The New Year’s Eve Big Red Shoe Drop in Key West.

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INTERNATIONAL GATEWAYS Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood International Airport: fll.net Key West International Airport: eyw.com Miami International Airport: miami-airport.com Palm Beach International Airport: pbia.org Port Everglades: porteverglades.net PortMiami: miamidade.gov/portmiami Port of Palm Beach: portofpalmbeach.com

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TOP LEFT: Underwater Music Festival in the Florida Keys National Marine Sanctuary off Big Pine Key. TOP RIGHT: Uncorked Food and Wine Festival in Key West. CENTER: Betsy, a giant lobster sculpture at the Rain Barrel Artisan Village in Islamorada. OPPOSITE TOP: CityPlace in West Palm Beach.

OPPOSITE BOTTOM: The monumental tubular Aventura Slide Tower by Carsten Höller at Aventura Mall in Miami.

CLOCKWISE FROM BOTTOM LEFT: BOB CARE/FLORIDA KEYS NEWS BUREAU; BOB CARE/FLORIDA KEYS NEWS BUREAU/HO; ANDY NEWMAN/FLORIDA KEYS NEWS BUREAU; DISCOVER THE PALM BEACHES; AVENTURA MALL

ROAD TRIPS Probably the most iconic, convertible, windin-your-hair drive in Southeast Florida is that along Route 1, a.k.a. the Overseas Highway, from Miami to Key West.

But who says a road trip means you have to drive a car? Why not let someone else do the driving and hop aboard Brightline, Florida’s new city-to-city passenger train that uses nearly 200 miles of Henry Flagler’s existing Florida East Coast Railroad? And since trains hit speeds of 125 miles per hour, you can expect to reach your destination faster than if you drove. Stations in Miami, Fort Lauderdale, West Palm Beach and Orlando are designed to connect with current public transportation options in each city, making it simple to explore those locations. Expect railcars with plush seating, on-board amenities such as Wi-Fi, and competitive pricing compared to other travel options.

Dubbed “MiamiCentral,” the Miami station is located at NW 1st Avenue, between NW 3rd Street and NW 8th Street. From here, you can walk to AmericanAirlines Arena, Adrienne Arsht Center, PortMiami and Bayfront Park. Take the train up to the Fort Lauderdale station located at NW 2nd Avenue, between Broward Blvd. and NW 4th Street and walk to the Historic District, Museum of Discovery and Science, Riverwalk A&E District and the Broward Center for the Performing Arts. From the West Palm Beach station situated at Evernia Street, between S. Rosemary Avenue and S. Quadrille Blvd., take a stroll to the Clematis District, CityPlace and Centennial Park.

With promises of saving 25 percent on travel time compared to existing transportation options, it’s no wonder travelers enjoy riding the passenger train.

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SHOPPING Florida is a shopping mecca and features tons of opportunities to shop ‘till you drop.

The new Brickell City Centre is anchored

by Saks Fifth Avenue and features a variety of luxury, premium and contemporary retailers, including Sephora, Hugo Boss, Tommy Bahama, lululemon, Armani and others, and numerous dining establishments. Nearby, the super-luxe Miami Design District showcases the crème de la crème of high-end fashion, including Burberry, Cartier, Christian Louboutin, Dior, Gucci, Hermès, Louis Vuitton, Prada and Versace.

To the south in Wynwood Arts District you’ll find more art galleries, retail stores, antique shops and hip bars as well as one of the largest open-air street-art installations in the world.

Last year, Aventura Mall, Miami’s premier fashion destination and America’s most visited shopping center, debuted a new three-level, 315,000-square foot expansion wing, featuring dynamic shopping and dining experiences blended with experiential, artistic elements, including a nearly 93-foot-tall sculpture by Belgian artist Carsten Höller, down which

visitors can slide. Highlighting the new wing are a two-level Topshop Topman store and the much-anticipated return of Zara to the mall. Perched atop the expansion, a 7,000-plus-square-foot VIP Lounge provides a private ambience and a stylish VIP escape. Anchored by Bloomingdale’s, Nordstrom and Macy’s, Aventura Mall features more than 300 iconic retailers, including Givenchy, Gucci, Fendi, Burberry, Apple, Michael Kors and other shopper favorites. Other Miami malls you might want to add to your list include Dadeland, The Falls, Shops at Merrick Park and Bal Harbour Shops.

Considered among the most fashionable venues in the Sunshine State, Fort Lauderdale’s Galleria Mall features brand-name retailers from Apple to Neiman Marcus, dining and a currency exchange kiosk.

And don’t overlook Las Olas Boulevard with all its trendy boutiques, galleries and restaurants.

To score some impressive deals, head to Sawgrass Mills in Sunrise, where you’ll find 350-plus stores and the largest outlet shopping destination in the USA. Dolphin Mall is Miami-Dade County’s largest outlet shopping center where you’ll find upscale goods at value prices at over 240 specialty stores, including H&M, Nike Factory Store, Polo Ralph Lauren Factory Store and more. Shuttle services to the mall are available from Miami International Airport, Miami Beach and select hotels.

Another great spot for outlet shopping, Palm Beach Outlets features more than 100 stores including brand favorites Saks Fifth Avenue OFF 5TH, Ann Taylor Factory Store, Banana Republic Factory Store, Brooks Brothers Factory Store, J Crew Factory, Tommy Hilfiger and Vera Bradley.

Be sure to add Mizner Park Boca Raton, anchored by Lord and Taylor, to your bucket list of shopping malls. The Town Center at Boca Raton is another high-end shopping destination anchored by Nordstrom, Neiman Marcus, Saks Fifth Avenue and Bloomingdale’s, while the Gardens Mall in Palm Beach Gardens is a spacious, 1.4-million-square-foot shopping center with more than 150 worldclass brand names. Delray Beach’s Atlantic Avenue is lined with trendy boutiques and popular restaurants—it’s not uncommon to see all ages walking along this main-street style neighborhood hot spot. While you’re in town, check out the Delray Marketplace.

Don’t overlook Southeast Florida’s popular flea markets. The gigantic flea market at the Swap Shop in Fort Lauderdale features 2,000 vendors selling brand-name items at bargain prices. Florida shoppers inthe-know also head to the Festival Flea Market Mall, a veritable shopper’s paradise in Pompano Beach.

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Paradise on Earth A

s you cross the bridge from mainland Florida to Key Largo, you can feel your cares melt away. In this world of tropical islands, bordered by the Atlantic Ocean on one side and the Gulf of Mexico on the other, you gently ease yourself into a world of emerald waters, swaying palm trees, unique experiences and funky villages.

SEE AND DO Key Largo promises excellent diving sites where the waters are so clear that the underwater flora and fauna seem to burst into kaleidoscopic colors.

Islamorada, to the south, is renowned for sport fishing and draws celebrities from around the world to do just that. And if you charter a boat, you’ll likely bring home your dinner.

Composed of three main islands, the community of Marathon is a favourite

INSIDER’S TIP Situated 70 miles west of Key West and only accessible by seaplane or high-speed ferry, Dry Tortugas National Park features a Civil War fortress called Fort Jefferson, which never fired a shot.

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among families. Join a marine biologist on an interactive Aquarium Encounter experience at the Florida Keys Aquarium. Enjoy an unforgettable dockside encounter or swim with dolphins at the Dolphin Research Center. Visit the Turtle Hospital. Grab your snorkeling or diving gear and discover one of the most beautiful shallow reefs in the Keys at the Sombrero Key Lighthouse.

The peaceful and scenic Lower Keys are filled with interesting wildlife and great sites to visit, including two National Wildlife Refuges, a state park and a National Marine Sanctuary. And you may even spot the elusive Key deer.

DINE AND PLAY At the southernmost point, Key West offers wonderful restaurants, with menu items

ranging from Continental to Caribbean cuisine and often featuring a variety of delicious conch (pronounced “konk”) dishes.

Stop by Sloppy Joe’s Bar, one of Ernest Hemingway’s hangouts when he lived here.

Or visit his residence at the Ernest Hemingway Home and Museum. Other interesting venues worth touring are John James Audubon’s home, the Harry S. Truman Little White House, and the Mel Fisher Maritime Heritage Museum where treasures from the deep are displayed.

TOP: Aerial view of Key West.

CENTER: Uncorked Food and Wine Festival in Key West.

FEATURED LINKS Monroe County Tourist Development Council: fla-keys.com Audubon House & Tropical Gardens: audubonhouse.org Dry Tortugas National Park: nps.gov/drto Ernest Hemingway Home and Museum: hemingwayhome.com Harry S. Truman Little White House: trumanlittlewhitehouse.com Mel Fisher Maritime Heritage Museum: melfisher.org

FROM TOP TO BOTTOM: ANDY NEWMAN/FLORIDA KEYS NEWS BUREAU; LAURENCE NORAH/FLORIDA KEYS NEWS BUREAU

BY STEVE WINSTON

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SOUTHWEST FLORIDA

EXPAND YOUR HORIZONS. Stretching from the Everglades in the south to Sarasota-Bradenton in the north and from the Gulf of Mexico in the west to Lake Okeechobee to the east, Southwest Florida covers all the bases, balancing wildliferich Everglades backcountry with the art of masters, beach abandon with sophisticated museums and hometowns with home runs. Throw in superb shopping, dining and theater and you indeed score a home run.

BY CHELLE KOSTER WALTON

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BRADENTON, ANNA MARIA ISLAND, LONGBOAT KEY Wake up in your charming beachfront cottage and head to Ginny’s and Jane E’s to indulge in their famous crème brûlée French toast. Visit Pine Avenue, the heart of Anna Maria Island, and paint a sand dollar keepsake at the Shiny Fish Emporium.

Rent a bicycle from Beach Bums and tour the island. Visit Coquina Beach, voted best “island sand” in the US by Condé Nast. Enjoy a picture-perfect sunset and watch dolphins at play while dining at the Sandbar Restaurant.

FORT MYERS/SANIBEL

NAPLES/MARCO ISLAND

SARASOTA

Begin your day even before sunrise to find the best sea shells along the beach at the 1884 Sanibel Lighthouse. Then find out why the USA Today newspaper ranked the J.N. “Ding” Darling National Wildlife Refuge on Sanibel Island tops for birdwatching. After a chilled shrimp and fruit salad lunch at The Island Cow, be amazed at one of the US’s most-visited historical homes, the Thomas Edison & Henry Ford Winter Estates in Fort Myers. Cap off your day with dinner at the exclusive Veranda restaurant or at Pinchers.

Take an early morning walk along Marco Island’s crescentshaped white sand beach.

Search for shells and birdwatch at Tigertail Beach on the island’s north end, a top spot on the Great Florida Birding & Wildlife Trail. Book a sightseeing cruise on board Pure Florida’s Double Sunshine departing from Tin City on the Old Naples Waterfront.

Enjoy a grouper sandwich and slice of key lime pie at Pinchers Crab Shack next to the docks at Tin City. Explore the Children’s Garden and the Naples Botanical Garden.

Start your day with a freshly brewed cup of coffee and pastries in downtown Sarasota before heading to Bayfront Island Park for a stroll alongside Sarasota Bay. Hop over to St. Armands Circle for retail therapy and lunch at al fresco dining spots. Then grab a paddle and kayak the mangrove tunnels on Lido Beach. Reserve your evening for a sunset on Siesta Beach, where the luxurious quartz-white sand is unmatched.

Top off your day with cocktails and dinner at any of the delightful restaurants in Siesta Key Village.

SOUTHWEST FLORIDA

YOUR SOUTHWEST FLORIDA EXPERTS Bradenton Area Convention and Visitors Bureau: bradentongulfislands.com Boca Grande Area Chamber of Commerce: bocagrandechamber.com Charlotte Harbor Visitor & Convention Bureau: charlotteharbortravel.com City of Palmetto: palmettofl.org DeSoto County Florida Tourism Development Council: visitdesoto.com Discover Hendry County: DiscoverHendryCounty.com Naples, Marco Island, Everglades Convention & Visitors Bureau: paradisecoast.com Siesta Key Chamber of Commerce: siestakeyvillage.org The Beaches of Fort Myers and Sanibel: fortmyers-sanibel.com Visit Sarasota County: visitsarasota.com

OPPOSITE: Barefoot Beach. TOP FROM LEFT TO RIGHT: Sign of the Mermaid restaurant in Cortez Fishing Village on Anna Maria Island; Exterior view of the Edison and Ford Winter Estates in Fort Myers; Celebrating a great golf game on Marco Island; The Sarasota Chalk Festival.

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FROM LEFT TO RIGHT: © KAREN BARTLETT/© NAPLES, MARCO ISLAND, EVERGLADES CVB; BRADENTON AREA CVB; THE BEACHES OF FORT MYERS & SANIBEL; © MARCO ISLAND MARRIOTT; PHOTO COURTESY OF VISITSARASOTA.COM

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MUST-SEE ATTRACTIONS

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EVERGLADES NATIONAL PARK GULF COAST VISITOR CENTER, EVERGLADES CITY: nps.gov/ever/planyourvisit/gcdirections.htm

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EDISON & FORD WINTER ESTATES, FORT MYERS: edisonfordwinterestates.org

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J.N. “DING” DARLING NATIONAL WILDLIFE REFUGE, SANIBEL ISLAND: fws.gov/refuge/jn_ding_darling

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NAPLES BOTANICAL GARDEN: naplesgarden.org

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THE RINGLING, SARASOTA: ringling.org

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TOP LEFT: Ballet performance in Sarasota. OPPOSITE CENTER LEFT: A love bug all decked out in more than 20,000 shells.

OPPOSITE CENTER RIGHT: Shoppers in Sarasota. OPPOSITE BOTTOM: Tiger at the Naples Zoo.

CLOCKWISE FROM TOP LEFT: PHOTO COURTESY OF VISITSARASOTA.COM; THE BEACHES OF FORT MYERS & SANIBEL; PHOTO COURTESY OF VISITSARASOTA.COM; © NAPLES, MARCO ISLAND, EVERGLADES CVB

ARTS AND CULTURE Think of Southwest Florida and images of splendid beaches immediately come to mind. However, the region has a strong tradition of arts and culture told in its architecture, galleries, museums and theaters.

In Naples, art galleries line downtown streets, where you will also find free exhibitions at the Naples Art Association and lively performances at Sugden Community Theatre and Gulfshore Playhouse. Artis– Naples brings still more performance arts and is home to the Miami City Ballet and the world-class Baker Museum of Art. Yearround, the region hosts art shows including downtown’s prestigious Naples National Art Festival in February, the Stay in May Festival in April/May and the Naples International Film Festival in October.

In the past few years, neighboring Bonita Springs has leaped onto the arts bandwagon with the expansion of the Center for the Arts to a second campus with performing arts and a new film center, which hosts another annual international film festival. In summer 2016, the Southwest Florida Performing Arts Center opened with a celebrity-chef restaurant and a slate of nationally known comedians, bands, musicals and dance groups.

The art scene in Fort Myers centers around its historical downtown 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, occupy separate historical buildings with distinctive period architecture. A handful of art galleries completes downtown’s artistic landscape. Watch as Alliance for the Arts turns Fort Myers’ royal palm-lined McGregor Boulevard into a pedestrian-friendly art district of its own.

Downtown Punta Gorda’s riverfront architecture recalls the boom years of the late 19th century with Victorian mansions, handsome government buildings and colorful

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vernacular homes. Browse the galleries of the Visual Arts Center (VAC), which hosts the Peace River National Art Festival in March.

Sarasota arguably holds the loftiest reputation for the arts in these parts, stemming from the influence of the Ringling family, whose circus wintered here. The Ringlings exerted an Italianate influence on local architecture and the arts, culminating in the Ca’ d’Zan mansion on The Ringling grounds. Seeded with John Ringling’s own collection of Rubens and baroque art, The Ringling’s art museum collection covers 500 years of European art and specializes in late-medieval and Renaissance Italian works. In 2016, it debuted the Center for Asian Art to showcase revolving exhibits of its Asian collection.

The complex’s Asolo Repertory Theatre contributes to Sarasota’s rich theatrical

tradition, which ranges from new plays at the Florida Studio Theatre to Broadway shows at the Van Wezel Performing Arts Hall, designed by the Frank Lloyd Wright Foundation to resemble a scallop shell.

Taking up residence in a restored high school, the Ringling College of Art + Design’s Sarasota Museum of Art opened in 2018. For a driving tour of other architectural gems, including examples of the vaunted Sarasota School of Architecture, pick up a copy of the Tour Sarasota Architecture Guide at visitors’ centers. Galleries fill the Sarasota– Bradenton area, which boasts two artists’ colonies—Towles Court near downtown Sarasota and Village of the Arts in Bradenton. The colonies and downtown Sarasota schedule monthly gallery walks where you can meet the artists.

ANNUAL EVENTS JANUARY Forks & Corks Food & Wine Festival, Sarasota Mullet Festival, Goodland

FEBRUARY Bradenton Area River Regatta Cortez Fishing Festival Edison Festival of Light, Fort Myers Everglades Seafood Festival, Everglades City Swamp Cabbage Festival, Labelle

MARCH Clewiston Sugar Festival De Soto Seafood Festival, Bradenton Fort Myers Beach Shrimp Festival Marco Island Seafood & Music Festival Peace River National Art Festival, Punta Gorda

APRIL De Soto Heritage Festival, Bradenton Sarasota Film Festival Shark’s Tooth Festival, Venice

APRIL–MAY Harvey Milk Festival, Sarasota Stay in May Festival, Naples

MAY Blues, Brews and BBQ, Anna Maria Island

JUNE Sarasota Music Festival Spammy Jammy, Goodland

JUNE—JULY Suncoast Super Boat Grand Prix, Sarasota

SEPTEMBER—OCTOBER Island Hopper Songwriter Fest, Fort Myers Beach and Captiva Island

OCTOBER “Ding” Darling Days, Sanibel Island Ringling International Arts Festival, Sarasota Sarasota Pride Festival Stone Crab Festival, Naples

NOVEMBER American Sandsculpting Championship, Fort Myers Beach Florida Panther Festival, Naples Naples International Film Festival Old Florida Festival, Naples Sarasota Chalk Festival, Venice Symphony on the Sand, Longboat Key

DECEMBER Bradenton Blues Festival Holiday Nights, Fort Myers

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who built a shell mound on the property. Go inside and take a peek.

At Lee County Manatee Park in North Fort Myers, watch manatees from the observation deck and boardwalk or rent kayaks and paddle out to see them coming and going into the “bay.” The area is especially interesting during the winter months; the colder it gets the more manatees there are.

New in 2017 for Punta Gorda, the worldclass Peace River Botanical & Sculpture Gardens opened on a lovely riverside estate.

For families in Sarasota, the canopy boardwalk in the Children’s Rainforest Garden at Marie Selby Gardens is a don’t-

INTERNATIONAL GATEWAYS Southwest Florida International Airport (RSW), Fort Myers: flylcpa.com Sarasota-Bradenton International Airport (SRQ): srq-airport.com

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miss. Other family musts include the circus museums at The Ringling, Mote Marine Laboratory & Aquarium and Sarasota Jungle Gardens.

Bradenton’s history dates back to Hernando de Soto, and a national historical site recalls his first landfall. The South Florida Museum and Parker Manatee Aquarium nicely displays de Soto related exhibits, plus prehistoric animal recreations.

The aquarium is a second-stage rehabilitation center for rescue manatees before they are released into the wild.

Stroll along Bradenton Riverwalk for views, play areas, and easy-to-absorb learning experiences.

Bradenton’s Cortez community retains its feel of an Old Florida fishing village with a working waterfront and maritime museum. A number of charter boats depart from the docks to take you deep-sea or backbay fishing.

Head east of town for a little extreme adventure at TreeUmph!, an aerial obstacle course with zip lines.

CLOCKWISE FROM TOP LEFT: THE BEACHES OF FORT MYERS & SANIBEL; THE BEACHES OF FORT MYERS & SANIBEL; © NAPLES, MARCO ISLAND, EVERGLADES CVB; © NAPLES, MARCO ISLAND, EVERGLADES CVB

ATTRACTIONS Most of the attractions in Southwest Florida are outdoor venues or learning centers, which educate and inform visitors about the region’s bountiful nature and wildlife.

Take Naples, for instance, where the most visited attractions include the Naples Botanical Garden and Naples Zoo. The garden showcases subtropical vegetation in settings that reflect the culture of Brazil, the Caribbean, Asia and Florida. The zoo began as botanical gardens in 1919 and today is home to wild animals from around the world. In 2016 it debuted a special Florida panther exhibit to house a local cat blinded by a shotgun blast.

The Collier County system of museums occupies five unique venues in Marco Island, Naples, Everglades City and Immokalee—all of them family-friendly. The Naples Depot Museum unveiled a restoration of its 1947 tavern car in late 2017. The town’s most family-friendly museum, Golisano Children’s Museum of Naples, sits next to every kid’s favorite, the Sun-n-Fun Lagoon water park in North Naples.

Naples is known, too, for its superlative golfing opportunities. Besides playing lush, natural golf courses, adults and kids alike can get their game on at various golf schools and programs in the area.

In Fort Myers, the Edison & Ford Winter Estates, one of Southwest Florida’s finest treasures, offers guided and self-guided tours.

Nearby, the IMAG History & Science Center incorporates exhibits from the former Southwest Florida Museum of History and Imaginarium Science Center with new virtualreality exhibits for a one-stop museum that appeals to adults and children alike.

The Mound House, under development for several years and the town’s oldest standing structure, opened a cultural museum in late 2015 examining the Calusa,

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BEACHES & OUTDOOR GEMS You will find no nature-deficit disorder in Southwest Florida, where the great outdoors ranges from gorgeous, award-winning beaches to the raw wilderness of the Everglades ecosystem.

Around Naples and Everglades City, a number of state and federal parks and preserves safeguard fragile Everglade habitats—home to myriad birds and fish, deer, Florida panthers, bobcats, manatees, alligators, crocodiles, turtles and river otters.

Big Cypress National Preserve, the most massive of the public lands, provides inimitable opportunities for recreation among wildlife. Everglades National Park and Ten Thousand Islands National Wildlife Refuge protect the seas and wetlands of the so-called River of Grass.

Beach glamour begins in Marco Island and Naples with award-winning strands that cover the gamut from the municipal beach and historical fishing pier in Naples to the wild Delnor-Wiggins Pass State Park.

What do travelers, and particularly families, find so endearing about local beaches? The soft, white sand, gently sloping sea bottom and tot-friendly waves win raves.

Certain beach destinations, furthermore, have reputations for distinctive characteristics, such as the seashell overload on Sanibel and Captiva islands. Captiva Island and Lovers Key State Park are often listed in the most romantic category. The best shelling beaches around Sanibel include Bowman’s Beach and offshore Cayo Costa, which is accessible only by boat. A number of charters will take you there to collect shells.

In Venice, head to the fishing pier at Brohard Beach or to Caspersen Beach to sift for sharks’ teeth in the sand. In Sarasota, Siesta Key’s sand is famously soft and blindingly white, so don’t forget to pack the shades. This beach is often listed among America’s top beaches by Dr. Beach.

ENTERTAINMENT The nightlife scene in Naples—particularly downtown and in North Naples—gets continually livelier these days as young couples and families move in. Hit the live theaters around Fifth Avenue South, then stay to party at late-night clubs downtown.

Or take in a show at Artis–Naples in North Naples and later head to the clubs and pubs in the Mercato shopping and entertainment district. You can do both dinner and a movie at its Silverspot Cinema or at the Paragon Theaters at The Pavilion across the street.

North Naples also has its own comedy clubrestaurant complex.

For quirky spectator sport entertainment, you can’t beat the Swamp Buggy Races held three times each winter. It involves big-tired Everglade vehicles, lots of mud, and a festival queen who ends up in the deepest mud hole.

East of town in Immokalee, the Seminole Casino Hotel hosts gaming and big-name entertainment.

To the north, Bonita Springs is building a reputation for comedy, live music, dining, performing arts and indie films. It is also home to a greyhound racetrack.

Downtown Fort Myers has the hottest nightlife and special events scene in town.

Fort Myers is also home to two Major League Baseball stadiums that host the Minnesota Twins and Boston Red Sox during spring training. Come summer, the Fort Myers Miracle take to the field.

The Tampa Bay Rays train in Port Charlotte to the north, and off-season, the Charlotte Stone Crabs bat the ball around.

The Sarasota-Bradenton area is home to two spring training teams as well—the Pittsburgh Pirates and Baltimore Orioles, plus summer’s Bradenton Marauders. In 2019, the Atlanta Braves plan to move their training season to North Port, south of Sarasota.

Much of Sarasota’s entertainment and nightlife is of a higher brow ilk, with a reputation for fine theater, symphony and opera. Downtown Sarasota sparkles at night with sophisticated clubs, and Siesta Key has a beachy party atmosphere in the village.

Don’t miss the beach clubs of Bradenton Beach for more laid-back entertainment options. Bradenton’s Manatee Performing Arts Center infuses energy into downtown, as does its dynamic Riverwalk, the venue for December’s long-running blues festival.

OPPOSITE TOP: A young birdwatcher at Six Mile Cypress Slough Preserve in Fort Myers TOP: Skimboarding in the Fort Myers area. CENTER: Shelling on Keewaydin Island. RIGHT: Family boating in Naples.

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FEATURED LINKS Alliance for the Arts, Fort Myers artinlee.org Artis–Naples artisnaples.org Asolo Repertory Theatre, Sarasota asolorep.org Naples Art Association naplesart.org Sidney & Berne Davis Art Center, Fort Myers sbdac.com Southwest Florida Event Center, Bonita Springs swfleventcenter.com

ROAD TRIPS Head east of Naples along Tamiami Trail (Highway 41) to immerse yourself in the region’s wild side and Old Florida culture.

For glimpses of wildlife, try Janes Memorial Scenic Drive in Fakahatchee Strand Preserve State Park or Loop Road in Big Cypress National Preserve. Backroad Route 92 takes you from 41 to the time-stilled fishing community and seafood restaurants of Goodland.

Views along the Sanibel Causeway and Captiva Drive star in many commercials, but all of the coastal islands promise glimpses of sea and local color. The drive through Bonita Beach, Lovers Key and Fort Myers Beach and another from Lido Key through Anna Maria Island in Sarasota and Bradenton are particularly representative of island life.

From Fort Myers, head east along Route 80 to visit the small towns of riverside Alva and Labelle, and lakeside Clewiston.

Glimpse the region’s rural, agricultural personality along the way. Or plan a trip to Pine Island to the northwest. Its four communities are known for exotic fruit farming, ancient Calusa shell mounds, an artists’ village and fishing.

In the Port Charlotte area, a road trip to Boca Grande on Gasparilla Island scores for historical intrigue and lovely beaches. To its north, Sarasota lays claim to a number of small organic and other farms you can visit.

Look for the 2016 Agriculture Guide of Florida’s Gulf Coast. Cross the Manatee River from Bradenton to reach the attractions of Palmetto, a riverside beauty also known for its agricultural heritage.

ATTRACTIONS Golisano Children’s Museum of Naples cmon.org Manatee Park, Fort Myers leegov.com/parks Marie Selby Botanical Gardens, Sarasota selby.org Mote Marine Laboratory & Aquarium, Sarasota mote.org Naples Zoo at Caribbean Gardens napleszoo.org South Florida Museum, Bishop Planetarium and Parker Manatee Aquarium southfloridamuseum.org

ENTERTAINMENT Manatee Performing Arts Center, Bradenton manateeperformingartscenter.com Mercato, Naples mercatoshops.com Seminole Casino Hotel, Immokalee seminoleimmokaleecasino.com

ROAD TRIPS Big Cypress National Preserve nps.gov/bicy Fakahatchee Strand Preserve State Park floridastateparks.org/park/Fakahatchee-Strand

SHOPPING Fifth Avenue South, Naples fifthavenuesouth.com Miromar Outlet Malls, Estero miromaroutlets.com Sanibel Outlets, Fort Myers sanibeloutlets.com St. Armands Circle, Sarasota starmandscircleassoc.com The Promenade at Bonita Bay promenadeshops.com The Mall at University Town Center, Sarasota mallatutc.com Third Street South, Naples thirdstreetsouth.com Village of the Arts, Bradenton villageofthearts.com

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CLOCKWISE FROM BOTTOM LEFT: © NAPLES, MARCO ISLAND, EVERGLADES CVB; THE BEACHES OF FORT MYERS & SANIBEL; © NAPLES, MARCO ISLAND, EVERGLADES CVB; PHOTO COURTESY OF VISITSARASOTA.COM; BUZZY FORD/NAPLES, MARCO ISLAND, EVERGLADES CVB .

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OPPOSITE TOP: Cycling in the Fort Myers area.

OPPOSITE BOTTOM: Swamp walk at the Big Cypress National Preserve. LEFT: Shopping in downtown Naples.

BELOW: Paddleboarder at sunset in Sarasota.

BOTTOM: Everglades Seafood Festival in February.

SHOPPING If you’re looking for unique buys, there’s plenty of that in Southwest Florida.

In the Everglades territory, visit the Big Cypress Gallery in Ochopee, home to Clyde Butcher, whose large-format art photography captures the Everglades and other natural treasures. (He also has a gallery and studio in Venice.)

In Naples, art galleries fill the downtown Fifth Avenue South and Third Street South districts. At the latter, buy your designer labels at Marissa Collections. Other popular outdoor shopping venues include The Village Shops of Venetian Bay, Waterside Shops and Mercato. On a budget? Look for like-new castoffs in the area’s consignment shops.

To the north in Bonita Springs, The Promenade at Bonita Bay made a remarkable comeback recently with anchor foodie market DeRomo’s. Coconut Point lays out a huge spread of big box stores and fashion boutiques.

Sanibel Island is known for its shell shops, nature art galleries and resort wear boutiques. For something entirely different, hit the Shell Factory & Nature Park in North Fort Myers, where an animal feature and family amusements enhance shopping for shells, jewelry and other Florida trinkets. In the past few years, the complex debuted a new zip line, playground and climbing wall.

In Punta Gorda, downtown and Fishermen’s Village present small, intimate shopping experiences. Hit Boca Grande on Gasparilla Island for a charming historic twist to your shopping.

St. Armands Circle is Sarasota’s most wellknown address for upscale shopping in a landscaped outdoor setting. The new Mall at University Town Center has shifted focus to Sarasota’s eastern extremities. Farther yet to the east, the community of Lakewood Ranch is known for its delightful shops and restaurants on and around Main Street.

For genuine local souvenirs, head to the region’s artist villages—Matlacha on Pine Island off Fort Myers, Towles Court in Sarasota, and Village of the Arts in Bradenton. Watch for news of art walk events in downtown Fort Myers, Punta Gorda and Sarasota.

Bargain-seekers head to the factory outlet malls: Naples Outlet Center, Miromar Outlet Malls in Estero, Sanibel Outlets in Fort Myers and Ellenton Premium Outlets near Bradenton. Or check out the flea markets: Flamingo Island Flea Market in Bonita Springs, Fleamasters Fleamarket in Fort Myers, Sun Flea Market (with its own miniamusement park) in Port Charlotte, the Dome Flea & Farmers’ Market in Venice and Red Barn Flea Market in Bradenton.

INSIDER’S TIP You can’t leave Southwest Florida without getting out on the water, whether it’s a paddleboard or kayak excursion, a shelling or sightseeing tour, or a fishing charter.

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CENTRAL EAST FLORIDA

A GRAB BAG OF AMAZEMENT

Florida’s Central East region offers a variety of experiences, ranging from space travel to mangroves and nearly 200 miles of stunning beaches.

Often referred to as the Treasure Coast due to historical shipwrecks and bounties that have washed ashore, much of the region remains uncrowded, affordable and family-friendly. Prepare to fall in love with its seaside towns and hidden gems.

BY MELODY PITTMAN

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DAYTONA BEACH

MARTIN COUNTY

OKEECHOBEE COUNTY

ST. LUCIE

Unwind along 23 miles of hardpacked beaches. Enjoy a casual shopping spree at the Riverfront Shops of Daytona Beach.

Schedule tee time at a tropically lush golf course. Sample local brews along the Daytona Beach Ale Trail. Tour Daytona International Speedway and meander through the local galleries, museums and historical sites.

Dine al fresco along the Halifax River while watching for dolphins. Take in an electrifying performance at The Peabody Auditorium. Finish with a leisurely stroll and watch the stars come out over Ponce Inlet.

Sit in splendor as the sun rises over the Atlantic Ocean. Next take a trip on the Loxahatchee River, Florida’s first federally designated Wild and Scenic River at Jonathan Dickinson State Park. Tour the last remaining House of Refuge; touch a stingray at Florida Oceanographic; cross the street to the Elliott Museum to be amazed at the antique car collection. Visit Jensen Beach, both downtown and the beach.

End the day in Stuart, the first town in Florida to be designated the “Happiest Seaside Town” by Coastal Living.

Rise early to hook up with your hired guide and find out why 730square-mile Lake Okeechobee offers one of the world’s most amazing freshwater game fishing experiences. Other top tourist draws in this area center around hunting and shooting sports.

Back in Okeechobee, enjoy good old-fashioned home cooking at a local restaurant or lunch at your favorite national chain. Grab your camera and hike or cycle along the prettiest part of Lake Okeechobee Scenic Trail. Later, drive to Kissimmee Prairie Preserve Park and spend a romantic night stargazing.

Relax on miles of uncrowded beaches or ride the beach on horseback. Kayak on the famous Indian River Lagoon, floating through tunnels of mangrove trees. Pack your clubs and choose from over two dozen golf courses, including the famous PGA Village in Port St. Lucie—voted one of the top 75 golf resorts by Golf Digest.

Immerse yourself in “Old Florida” culture in downtown Fort Pierce, one of the most historical and idyllic main streets in the USA, where Spanish period architecture is plentiful and local seafood is the main staple.

CENTRAL EAST FLORIDA

YOUR CENTRAL EAST FLORIDA EXPERTS Daytona Beach Area Convention & Visitors Bureau: daytonabeach.com Martin County Office of Tourism and Marketing: discovermartin.com New Smyrna Beach Visitors Bureau: nsbfla.com Okeechobee County Tourist Development Council: visitokeechobeecounty.com Space Coast Office of Tourism: VisitSpaceCoast.com Visit St. Lucie – Fort Pierce, Port St. Lucie & Hutchinson Island: visitstlucie.com Visit Vero Beach, Fellsmere, Sebastian: visitindianrivercounty.com Volusia County: volusia.org/visitors West Volusia Tourism Advertising Authority: visitwestvolusia.com OPPOSITE: Golfers at the LPGA International in Daytona Beach. TOP FROM LEFT TO RIGHT: Fun for all at Biketoberfest in Daytona Beach; House of Refuge, the last US Lifesaving Station; Lake Okeechobee; Tradition Square in Port St. Lucie.

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FROM LEFT TO RIGHT: DAYTONA BEACH AREA CVB; DAYTONA BEACH AREA CVB; MARTIN COUNTY OFFICE OF TOURISM & MARKETING; CHRISTOPHER LANCE/SHUTTERSTOCK.COM; VISITSTLUCIE.COM

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ARTS AND CULTURE In historical Fort Pierce, the nearly 100year-old Sunrise Theatre, a beautiful performing arts venue, hosts top-notch entertainers, comedy acts, musicians and performing artists. Also on the downtown waterfront of Fort Pierce, the A.E. Backus Museum & Gallery houses the nation’s largest public exhibition of artwork by Florida’s preeminent painter, A.E. Backus, as well as the State’s only permanent multimedia exhibition on the Florida Highwaymen. Changing exhibits from artists of national and international acclaim round out the museum’s Floridacentered mission. The outdoor Mural Plaza opens onto a park that borders the Indian River Lagoon and offers a place for fresh air and artistic inspiration.

Located in the middle of Central East Florida, Vero Beach has two very special

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venues. The Riverside Theatre runs six offBroadway performances per season and a Comedy Club event on select weekends.

Second is the Vero Beach Museum of Art, which houses regional, state and national art exhibits. Admission is free on the last Saturday of the month.

Melbourne’s Eau Gallie Arts District is a cultural pearl that supports the arts through galleries, museums, local stores and antiques.

You will find a combination of poets, dancers, potters and painters in this cute neighborhood. Commonly referred to as EGAD, it is home to Brevard County’s top fine art galleries and the Foosaner Art Museum. First Friday events take place in the Community Garden next to the bandshell. Come for hands-on artmaking, music and kids’ activities.

Visit Historic Cocoa Village and catch a show at Cocoa Village Playhouse, part of the community since 1924 and listed on the National Register of Historic Places.

MUST-SEE ATTRACTIONS

1

DAYTONA INTERNATIONAL SPEEDWAY: daytonainternationalspeedway.com

2

KENNEDY SPACE CENTER VISITOR COMPLEX, MERRITT ISLAND: kennedyspacecenter.com

3

MEL FISHER’S TREASURES, MUSEUM & GIFT SHOP, SEBASTIAN: melfisher.com/Sebastian/Sebastian_Museum.asp

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NATIONAL NAVY UDT-SEAL MUSEUM, FORT PIERCE: navysealmuseum.org

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STETSON MANSION, DELAND: stetsonmansion.com

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Situated between Cocoa Beach and Orlando, the award-winning main-street community of DeLand holds onto its past as it moves into modern times. DeLand is a thriving community full of pride and passion that is apparent by its numerous art murals, friendly patrons, shops and galleries. The Athens Theatre is a masterpiece of Italian Renaissance architecture, offering classic movies, independent films and live entertainment.

The Hub on Canal, in New Smyrna Beach (NSB), is unsurpassed for its individuality and original artworks. Nearly 80 artists convene in this contemporary exhibit hall, which doubles as a workspace where visitors can observe artists at work and buy directly from them. This is only one venue within the town’s four-block radius that makes up the Arts District filled with boutiques, galleries and cafes. Be sure to check out the Atlantic Center for the Arts, which draws aspiring artists from across the country to study dance, poetry, writing and painting and create unique unified experiences. They also have a free summer concert.

A newer artsy community is located in the greater Daytona Beach area. A visit to the Museum of Arts & Sciences (affiliated with the Smithsonian) gives you access to a train and railroad station exhibit, the Root Family collection of Coca Cola memorabilia, priceless Cuban and Chinese art displays, and the favorite giant ground sloth. For art, check out the Cici and Hyatt Brown Museum of Art, home to the largest private collection of Florida-themed paintings in the world, with many dating back to the 1800s.

FROM LEFT TO RIGHT: SPACE COAST OFFICE OF TOURISM; VISITSTLUCIE.COM; DAYTONA BEACH AREA CVB

CENTRAL EAST FLORIDA

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ATTRACTIONS Fort Pierce’s Downtown Farmers’ Market is a big draw on Saturday mornings from 8 AM to noon, rain or shine, with local foods, crafts and artwork for sale. Live music is also featured. Come and see why this farmers’ market consistently ranks among the top five in America.

Nature Lovers can choose from two botanical gardens in St. Lucie County. Heathcote Botanical Gardens in Fort Pierce showcases the country’s largest public display of tropical bonsai trees while the Port St. Lucie Botanical Gardens feature myriad tropical habitats.

For family fun-filled activities in Melbourne, visit the Brevard Zoo or Andretti Thrill Park. The zoo houses monkeys, jaguars, kangaroos, meerkats and a Komodo dragon, plus you can kayak through 22 acres of wetlands. The Andretti Thrill Park includes batting cages, kiddie amusement rides, paddleboats, a large arcade and indoor Lazer Tag. Best of all, there are several go-cart tracks, one of which is restricted to fans with a valid driver’s license who wish to travel 40 miles per hour on a European-style course.

One of Florida’s most famous attractions is the Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex. Discover what it means to be a hero through the stories of NASA’s Space Pioneers at Heroes and Legends featuring the US Astronaut Hall of Fame. Get a closeup view of Atlantis, the only space shuttle displayed in flight, with more than 60 interactive exhibits. A favorite activity is a buffet-style Lunch with an Astronaut in an air-conditioned setting, during which your

host, a retired astronaut, shares some of his or her fondest memories via a slideshow. Following the meal, there’s time to have photos taken with the hosting celebrity. Be sure to check the center’s website for rocket launches.

The Ponce Inlet Lighthouse, Florida’s tallest, is located in the town of Ponce Inlet, slightly south of Daytona Beach. It’s a great place to watch the sun set or catch a moonrise.

Feel the need for speed? Whether you are a devoted NASCAR fan or have no idea what all of the hype is about, the world’s first and only motorsports stadium, the Daytona International Speedway, will blow you away.

Having recently undergone a US$400million renovation, there are tons of things to see and do. Book a 30-minute or a 90minute VIP tour. NASCAR fans should sign up for the Richard Petty Driving Experience, where they can drive on the track or be a passenger for laps with a professional driver.

The Daytona International Speedway attracts millions of visitors annually.

Looking for quirky hidden gems in the Daytona Beach area? Visit Sugar Mill Botanical Gardens where dinosaur statues left over from a 1940s tourist attraction can be found. Or how about the wonderful, family-friendly, very affordable Marine Science Center in Ponce Inlet where you can touch stingrays, play with an octopus, observe the sea turtle hospital and learn about Florida’s marine environment.

And in DeLeon Springs State Park, you can make your own pancakes at the Old Spanish Sugar Mill, take an eco boat tour, hike nature trails and swim in the springs.

ANNUAL EVENTS JANUARY Frog Leg Festival, Fellsmere NASA Day of Remembrance, Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex Port Salerno Annual Seafood Festival ROLEX 24 at DAYTONA Space Coast Birding and Wildlife Festival, Titusville

FEBRUARY Annual Festival of the Arts, Hobe Sound DAYTONA 500 Downtown Festival of the Arts, Stuart Florida Craft Brew & Wingfest, Vero Beach Merritt Island Pioneer Day New York Mets Spring Training Games, Port St. Lucie

MARCH Bike Week Motorcycle Rally, Daytona Beach DeLand Outdoor Art Festival Grant Seafood Festival Okeechobee Music and Arts Festival Pelican Island Wildlife Festival, Sebastian Under the Oaks Art Show, Vero Beach

APRIL Florida Cheese Festival, DeLand Fort Pierce Oyster Festival Ormond Beach Celtic Festival

MAY Stuart Sailfish Regatta

JUNE Cocoa Beach Uncorked Vero Beach Wine & Film Fest

JULY Coke Zero 400, Daytona Beach

AUGUST Dancing in the Streets, Stuart

SEPTEMBER New Smyrna Beach Jazz Festival Rivertown Craft Fair, DeLand Space Coast Pride Festival, Melbourne

OCTOBER Biketoberfest® Motorcycle Rally, Daytona Beach Dark Sky Festival, Jasper Indiantown Roadeo Volusia Pride, New Smyrna Beach

NOVEMBER Annual Jensen Beach Pineapple Festival DeLand Original Music Festival Downtown Melbourne Food and Wine Festival Festival of the Trees, Vero Beach Halifax Art Festival, Daytona Beach Navy SEAL Muster and Music Festival, Fort Pierce Sebastian Clambake Festival Stuart Air Show Turkey Creek 5K Trail Run, Palm Bay

DECEMBER

OPPOSITE TOP LEFT: Gallery in Eau Gallie Arts District. OPPOSITE TOP RIGHT: Sunrise Theatre in Fort Pierce.

ABOVE: Daytona International Speedway.

Palm Bay Holiday Parade St. Johns River Christmas Boat Parade, DeLand Stuart Christmas Boat Parade Surfing Santas, Cocoa Beach Top of the Lake Christmas Festival, Okeechobee

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BEACHES AND OUTDOOR GEMS South of Stuart, the Jonathan Dickinson State Park offers awesome biking and hiking trails, ranging from normal to rugged terrain, mangroves and river swamps. Primitive campgrounds and water stations are available throughout the park. Outdoor enthusiasts enjoy the kayaking and boating experiences during the winter months.

Have you ever dreamed of riding horseback on the beach? Your dream becomes a reality on the beaches of Hutchinson Island during the cooler months and is just one of many gems to be enjoyed in St. Lucie County.

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Sebastian Inlet State Park, situated directly between Indian River County to the south and Brevard County to the north, is an excellent choice for family camping.

Spread over more than 600 acres, the park is part of the Great Florida Birding and Wildlife Trail and offers myriad activities including swimming, surfing, geocaching and scuba diving.

Merritt Island is one of only six places in the world where you can see bioluminescence in nature. Night tours are a must as you kayak along the Banana or Indian Rivers and get close to nature. Dinoflagellates and comb jellies glow in the dark river waters.

Think neon and maybe a hint of Avatar. This could be a once-in-a-lifetime adventure.

Outside of Deltona, the St. Johns River Eco Tour invites passengers to tour the St. Johns River by boat. Once a main highway for trade and commerce, this river has been designated an American Heritage River. It is home to Florida native wildlife and tropical plants, making it perfect for photo ops.

The seaside community of New Smyrna Beach evokes an atmosphere of Old Florida in its sidewalk cafes, boutiques and charming B&Bs and boasts one of the finest beaches on the Atlantic coast. NSB provides a perfect venue for surfing, world-class fishing, boating and kayaking. And like Daytona Beach, cars are permitted on 13 miles of hard-packed white-sand beaches found here.

TOP LEFT: Beach time on the Space Coast. TOP RIGHT: Fishing at the Cocoa Beach Pier. ABOVE: Off to a bike rally in Daytona Beach. OPPOSITE: Golfers at the LPGA International in Daytona Beach.

CLOCKWISE FROM TOP LEFT: SPACE COAST OFFICE OF TOURISM; SPACE COAST OFFICE OF TOURISM; DAYTONA BEACH AREA CVB: DAYTONA BEACH AREA CVB

CENTRAL EAST FLORIDA

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ENTERTAINMENT Every January, the three-day Taste of Little Italy takes place in the charming neighborhood of Tradition Square in Port St. Lucie where festival-goers embark on a cultural journey filled with authentic Italian food, music and art.

Florida is a hot spot for gambling and the Fort Pierce Jai Alai and Poker facility will please those seeking thrills. The sport of jai alai dates back 400 years. Another option is Club 52, in Melbourne’s Greyhound Park, featuring poker, live racing and a simulcast of horse and greyhound racing from across the nation. Club 52 hosts a “laugh your aces off” comedy show every Saturday night.

Guests must be 21 years old to enter either establishment.

Central East Florida’s premier music and arts entertainment center is the Maxwell C. King Center for the Performing Arts in Melbourne. Furnished with 2,016 seats, this 100,000-square-foot venue hosts musical, cultural and community events.

Port Canaveral is quickly becoming one of the most popular cruise ports in the nation.

The Cove, a waterfront recreation area, has a large selection of martini and tiki bars with live entertainment. The views from the nearby Exploration Tower are stunning.

Charter fishing boats and a casino ship are also available.

DeLand recently welcomed a newer sport, rugby. The Central Florida Warriors team is a member of the United States of America Rugby League (USARL). Games run June to August at the Spec Martin Municipal Stadium. The world-class Skydive DeLand facility attracts people from around the world. There are tandem jumps for nonprofessionals, where an experienced instructor uses a parachute system built for two and jumps with you. Skydive DeLand also offers an Accelerated Free Fall (AFF) course, an instructional program for beginners hoping to become skydivers.

The DAYTONA 500 attracts 40 of the world’s best drivers to compete in the

INTERNATIONAL GATEWAYS Daytona Beach International Airport: flydaytonafirst.com Orlando Melbourne International Airport: mlbair.com Port Canaveral Cruise Port: portcanaveral.com/cruise Treasure Coast International Airport: flytci.com biggest NASCAR event with the grandest purse. Dubbed the Great American Race, it’s the most important event on the annual racing calendar.

The Jackie Robinson Ballpark, in Daytona Beach, is home to the Daytona Tortugas baseball team, a Cincinnati Reds team affiliate.

The premier Ladies’ Professional Golf Association (LPGA) headquarters, also located in Daytona Beach, offers two fourstar courses.

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Major League Baseball teams have been spring training in Florida for more than 100 years. Traditionally, spring training takes place during the month of March, however, occasionally, it begins during the last few days in February. The New York Mets practice and play at First Data Field in Port St. Lucie. A season pass for Florida’s baseball spring training allows fans to attend games all month long for under US$100 per person. If you are not available for the entire month, you can also purchase single-game tickets on Razorgator.com starting at US$10. For schedule information, visit: Florida Grapefruit League: floridagrapefruitleague.com New York Mets, Port St. Lucie: newyork.mets.mlb.com

ROAD TRIPS Step back in time at the House of Refuge at Gilbert’s Bar in Stuart. The House of Refuge is the only one remaining of the original 10 havens built for shipwrecked sailors along the Atlantic coast of Florida. These houses played a critical role when ships dominated the trade markets of the world. The House of Refuge is listed on the National Register of Historic Places and offers fantastic scenery and photo opportunities.

A road trip for conservationists must definitely include the Archie Carr National Wildlife Refuge, a 20-mile stretch between Melbourne Beach and Wabasso. Best known for sea turtle conservation, this area is a natural habitat for 25 to 35 percent of all loggerhead and green sea turtle nests in the United States.

It’s also a nesting area for leatherback turtles, a very rare kind of sea turtle.

Visit Titusville to explore the Valiant Air Command Warbird Museum, which displays

a collection of aircraft carriers and artifacts of all types from around the world, from preWorld War I to the present.

Located in Volusia County’s Port Orange, Dunlawton Sugar Mill Gardens combines a history, nature and garden visit all rolled into one. The remains of the sugar cane refinery, leftover from the 1800s, is adorned with kitschy dinosaur statues throughout the park, ensuring fun for the entire family. The gardens are visually appealing, which is why many choose this site for marriage ceremonies. Bring a picnic lunch and make a day of it. Donations are accepted.

Take an inland trip to the Stetson Mansion in DeLand. This gorgeous Victorian mansion was the winter home of the famous milliner John B. Stetson and is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. Tour this spectacular home and note the intricate parquet floors and more than 10,000 sparkling leadglass windowpanes.

ABOVE: Aerial view of Fort Pierce.

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VISITSTLUCIE.COM

INSIDER’S TIP

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SHOPPING

Daytona Beach’s famous Boardwalk is lined with funky shops while the historic downtown offers a bounty of distinctive boutiques and restaurants. Situated across from the Daytona International Speedway, the brand new ONE

DAYTONA complex features a unique collection of first-to-market retail outlets and specialty shops, restaurants and live entertainment. And, bargain hunters will be thrilled with the Tanger Outlets, which opened in November 2016.

FEATURED LINKS ARTS AND CULTURE

BEACHES AND OUTDOOR GEMS

Atlantic Center for the Arts, New Smyrna Beach atlanticcenterforthearts.org Eau Gallie Arts District, Melbourne eaugallieartsdistrict.com Downtown Fort Pierce Farmers’ Market fortpiercefarmersmarket.com Museum of Arts and Sciences, Daytona Beach moas.org Sunrise Theatre for the Performing Arts sunrisetheatre.com The Riverside Theatre, Vero Beach riversidetheatre.com Vero Beach Museum of Art verobeachmuseum.org

Hutchinson Island floridashutchinsonisland.com Jonathan Dickinson State Park floridastateparks.org/park/Jonathan-Dickinson Sebastian Inlet State Park floridastateparks.org/park/Sebastian-Inlet St. Johns River Eco Tours, DeBary stjohnsriverecotours.com

ATTRACTIONS

ROAD TRIPS

Andretti Thrill Park, Melbourne andrettithrillpark.com Brevard Zoo, Melbourne brevardzoo.org Heathcote Botanical Gardens, Fort Pierce heathcotebotanicalgardens.org Marine Science Center, Ponce Inlet marinesciencecenter.com Ponce de Leon Inlet Lighthouse & Museum ponceinlet.org Richard Petty Driving Experience, Daytona Beach drivepetty.com The Old Spanish Sugar Mill Grill and Griddle House, De Leon Springs oldspanishsugarmill.com

Archie Carr National Wildlife Refuge fws.gov/archiecarr Dunlawton Sugar Mill Gardens, Port Orange dunlawtonsugarmillgardens.org House of Refuge, Stuart houseofrefugefl.org Valiant Air Command Warbird Museum, Titusville valiantaircommand.com

ENTERTAINMENT PGA Golf Club, Port St. Lucie pgavillage.com Skydive Deland Inc. skydivedeland.com Taste of Little Italy, Port St. Lucie tasteoflittleitaly.net

SHOPPING ONE DAYTONA onedaytona.com Tanger Outlets, Daytona Beach tangeroutlet.com/daytona Vero Beach Outlets verobeachoutlets.com ABOVE: Tanger Outlets in Daytona Beach.

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DAYTONA BEACH AREA CVB

The adorable town of Stuart is ideal for browsing boutiques and dining. From beach-themed to upscale kitchen shops, it is a favorite destination for tourists and locals alike. You’re sure to find clothing, shoes, jewelry and handmade arts and crafts.

When it comes to shopping in Central East Florida, Vero Beach is the crème de la crème. Ritzy boutiques on Ocean Drive are filled with items to make you ooh and aah.

Nearby Miracle Mile features shopping venues such as Bark Avenue (goodies for your pet), Chico’s and Cottonways. The Vero Beach Book Store is one of the best independent bookstores in the state, due to its jam-packed calendar full of best-selling author signings and presentations.

Florida is renowned for outlet shopping and one of the best is in Vero Beach.

Conveniently located at exit 147 off I-95, the Vero Beach Outlets showcases 60 designer and brand-name shops, including Williams Sonoma, Coach, Banana Republic and an expanded Restoration Hardware.

Avenue Viera, on the outskirts of Melbourne, is a pleasant outdoor shopping mall flanked with specialty restaurants, shops and a huge Carmike Cinemas movie theater on palm tree-lined sidewalks. Visit all the chain store biggies such as Kohl’s, Cost Plus World Market and Books A Million.

Historic Downtown Melbourne’s main street, East New Haven, is three blocks of fun packed with international eye-catching delights, boutiques, consignment shops and antique stores. Better yet, most are dogfriendly.

Looking for a unique shopping experience? The tree-lined Cocoa Village is home to one-of-a-kind shops, restaurants and other points of interest. In this surfers’ paradise, be sure to check out the Ron Jon Surf Shop, a Cocoa Beach landmark and the largest surf shop in the world.

New Smyrna Beach offers exceptional shopping and art galleries along both Flagler Avenue and Canal Street. The route stretches from the river to the ocean and is a wonderful reminder of old-school Florida.

Note the Flagler Walk of Fame, made up of engraved bricks along the sidewalk.

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MARTIN COUNTY

Small-town feel, big-time fun

BY STEVE WINSTON

SEE AND DO In Stuart, the largest town in the county, the downtown area has been restored to the early 1900s. It’s the site of the beloved Lyric Theatre. Built in 1926 as a silent-movie house, the venue was a casualty of the Depression, and over the years, was bought and sold several times. In recent years, however, it’s been revived to its original glory. And now, you can enjoy world-class entertainers and acts for a fraction of what you’d pay elsewhere.

Martin County is filled with family attractions, too. The Road to Victory Military Museum tells the story of America’s role in World War II and of the thousands of servicemen who trained on nearby beaches for the Normandy Invasion. The Elliott Museum, on beautiful Hutchinson Island, will have kids gasping in wonder as they’re

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taken on a wonderful journey through the past and into the future. Step back to a different time at the House of Refuge, erected on the beach in 1876 to serve as a shelter for shipwrecked sailors.

Winter and spring are perfect times to visit because of the numerous events happening throughout Martin County. Every Sunday, the Stuart Green Market fills downtown Stuart with the colors, aromas and textures of local fruits, vegetables, jams, spices and baked goods, along with works by local artists and craftspeople. And, on any day of the week, there are unique treasures to be found at trendy local shops, some of which have been in the family for generations.

DINE AND STAY Restaurants here often serve farm-to-table

cuisine because, in Martin County, the farms are never very far away. Of course, you can always reel in your own dinner on freshwater lakes, the beautiful Indian River Lagoon or the Atlantic. Outdoor enthusiasts can also enjoy superb golf courses, as well as scenic canoeing, kayaking and nature trails.

Here, too, you’ll find a variety of accommodation, ranging from budgetfriendly to lap-of-luxury properties, such as the upscale Hutchinson Shores Resort & Spa, which recently opened right on the beach.

The fun never ends in Martin County.

TOP: Miles of peaceful beaches frame Hutchinson Island.

CENTER: A welcoming mural in downtown Stuart.

FEATURED LINKS Martin County Office of Tourism and Marketing DiscoverMartin.com Elliott Museum ElliottMuseum.org House of Refuge HouseOfRefugeFL.org The Lyric Theatre LyricTheatre.com

MARTIN COUNTY OFFICE OF TOURISM AND MARKETING

A

bout 100 miles north of Miami in Martin County, the pace is laidback and natural beauty surrounds you at every turn. That beauty isn’t spoiled by high-rise buildings, either, because there’s a four-story limit, and you’ll never experience a traffic jam here. This is a different side of Florida.

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CENTRAL FLORIDA

ROLLICKIN’ GOOD TIMES GUARANTEED There are so many reasons why Central Florida is a family favorite. World-class theme parks provide awe-inspiring fun for all, while nature provides a backdrop found only in this region of the Sunshine State. Revel in its mix of culture, attractions and outdoor gems as you embark on your family’s vacation of a lifetime.

BY KEVIN FRITZ

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A DAY IN...

KISSIMMEE

ORLANDO

POLK COUNTY

SEBRING

Getting up before dawn is well worth it when you take in the sights of the theme parks and landscape from a hot-air balloon as the sun rises. Then continue your morning exploring the natural beauty of “Old Florida” as you paddle through the headwaters of the Florida Everglades at The Paddling Center at Shingle Creek. Historic Downtown Kissimmee is the perfect place for lunch as quaint Kissimmee Main Street offers great dining options, antique shopping and even ice cream made with liquid nitrogen.

Begin with a beverage from Barnie’s Coffee Kitchen on Park Avenue in picturesque Winter Park. Take a Winter Park Scenic Boat tour through lush canals and peaceful lakes. Visit the Charles Hosmer Morse Museum of American Art to view the world’s largest collection of works by Louis Comfort Tiffany. Lunch at East End Market in trendy Audubon Park. Stop to smell the roses at Harry P. Leu Gardens.

Enjoy a cocktail at The Woods in downtown Orlando. End with dinner at the French brasserie Dovecote followed by a performance at the Dr. Phillips Center for the Performing Arts.

Stop and smell the orange blossoms as you begin a day of citrus delight. Polk County (VisitCentralFlorida.org) offers delicious options, October through May, as one of the top citrusproducing counties in Florida.

Watch citrus candy being made at Davidson of Dundee and pick up some citrus souvenirs in the gift shop. Have lunch at Lang’s Taste of Florida Cafe— don’t miss the award-winning grapefruit pie. Complete your day with an authentic Florida experience, picking fresh oranges from the tree at Ridge Island Groves.

Start with a sunrise cycle or walk along the Cypress Trail boardwalk at Highlands Hammock State Park.

Golf the Citrus Golf Trail featuring Florida’s most affordable courses.

Stroll in charming Lake Placid with nearly 50 outdoor murals and small-town shops. Lunch at McLane’s Garden Cafe in historic downtown Sebring, then browse through “City on a Circle” boutiques and artist galleries.

Sample creative treats at the Sebring Soda & Ice Cream Works.

Finish with dinner at trendy 18 East Main and a performance at the Alan Jay Wildstein Performing Arts Center.

FROM LEFT TO RIGHT: VISIT ORLANDO; VISIT KISSIMMEE; VISIT ORLANDO; VISIT CENTRAL FLORIDA; VISIT SEBRING.

CENTRAL FLORIDA

YOUR CENTRAL FLORIDA EXPERTS Central Florida Visitors & Convention Bureau: VisitCentralFlorida.org City of Lake Wales: cityoflakewales.com City of Winter Park: cityofwinterpark.org Experience Kissimmee: ExperienceKissimmee.com Lake County Convention & Visitor’s Bureau: VisitLakeFL.com Ocala/Marion County Visitors and Convention Bureau: ocalamarion.com Orlando North, Seminole County Tourism: VisitSeminole.com Visit Orlando: VisitOrlando.com Visit Sebring: VisitSebring.com OPPOSITE: White Lightning at Fun Spot America. TOP FROM LEFT TO RIGHT: Riders on board a Wild Florida Airboat near Kissimmee; Charles Hosmer Morse Museum of American Art; Safari Wilderness Ranch in Lakeland; The murals of Lake Placid.

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ARTS AND CULTURE Known as the “Town of Murals,” Lake Placid features nearly 50 colorful murals within its outdoor art gallery. This small, Old Florida town is also known for its American Clown Museum and School. Soak in the culture in nearby Avon Park at the Museum of Florida Art and Culture and the Alan Jay Wildstein Center for the Performing Arts, both on the Avon Park campus of South Florida State College.

Located on Iron Mountain, Bok Tower Gardens in Lake Wales has been a fan favorite since 1929. Its 205-foot neo-Gothic and art deco “singing tower” houses one of the world’s finest carillons, with 60 bells playing concerts daily. Tour Pinewood Estate, a 20-room Mediterranean-style home built in the 1930s, nestled among a spectacular collection of ferns, palms, camellias and magnolias. Follow the River of Stone—a mosaic pathway composed of more than 100,000 handselected pebbles—to the 2.7-acre hands-on Children’s Garden, an outdoor kitchen and a farm-to-table edible garden.

Who would guess 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 13th structure, the Usonian House, was completed in 2013.

Based on an original 1939 design, the unique building is part of the new visitor center at the college.

The City of Orlando is now home to the Dr. Phillips Center for the Performing Arts hosting Broadway shows, concerts and community events in the heart of downtown.

North of downtown, the Orlando Museum of Art, the Orlando Science Center, Orlando Shakespeare Theater, Orlando Repertory Theatre and Mennello Museum of American Art are all conveniently located in the same culture complex, the 45-acre Loch Haven Park. Nearby, 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,

INTERNATIONAL GATEWAYS Orlando International Airport: orlandoairports.net Orlando Sanford International Airport: FlySanford.com

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50 species of bamboo, 2,000 camellia plants and 50 kinds of citrus trees. The house, built in 1858, is open for daily tours.

In artsy Winter Park, The Charles Hosmer Morse Museum of American Art is the world showcase for everything Tiffany with the most comprehensive collection of works by Louis Comfort Tiffany. For the oldest and most distinguished collections in Florida, the Cornell Fine Arts Museum at Rollins College is a must-see.

A visit to historical Winter Garden is a step back in time. Once the bustling center of Central Florida and the largest citrus shipping point in the world, artifacts found around Lake Apopka indicate Native Americans inhabited the land for thousands of years, up until the colonization of Florida by Spanish explorers. The Garden Theatre, built in 1935, was restored to its true Mediterranean Revival style in 2008.

For a fun way to enjoy culture, join the pedal-powered party through historical Sanford on a 15-passenger Limo Cycle.

Sit a spell in a rocker on the porch overlooking beautiful Lake Dora at The Lakeside Inn in Mount Dora, circa 1883. Enjoy the quiet while sipping iced tea, just as past visitors Thomas Edison, Henry Ford and US Presidents Dwight D. Eisenhower and Calvin Coolidge have done.

TOP LEFT: Orlando Science Center. TOP RIGHT: Usonian House, an example of Frank Lloyd Wright architecture in Lakeland..

BOTTOM LEFT: Glamping at River Ranch in Polk County.

OPPOSITE: Highlands Museum of the Arts.

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CLOCKWISE FROM BOTTOM LEFT: VISIT CENTRAL FLORIDA; VISIT ORLANDO; VISIT CENTRAL FLORIDA; VISIT SEBRING.

ATTRACTIONS While Central Florida is widely known for its big three—Walt Disney World, Universal Orlando and SeaWorld (see our Theme Parks story in this issue)—there are many other attractions you want to experience on your next visit.

In Lakeland, book a tour of the 260-acre Safari Wilderness Ranch and marvel at more than 450 exotic African and Asian animals.

Nearby, you’ll find the Water Ski Museum and Hall of Fame in Polk City.

For an airboat ecotour, check out Wild Florida Airboat & Wildlife Park in Kenansville on Cypress Lake. Get an in-depth look at the ‘gators, birds and eagles. Old Town in Kissimmee offers a Ferris wheel, a haunted house, themed restaurants, an arcade and shopping. For more rides and go-karts, head over to Fun Spot America–Kissimmee.

The Showcase of Citrus in Clermont is a family-owned roadside citrus farm and cattle ranch at which families can pick grapefruits, lemons, tangerines and oranges. Don’t forget the handcrafted creamsicles. At Clermont’s Lakeridge Winery & Vineyards, kids and adults can take turns stomping grapes.

The Crayola Experience in Orlando’s Florida Mall is a family attraction offering 25 hands-on experiences. Or take part in the Grande Lakes Orlando catch-and-release fish program and help track data for the Florida Wildlife Commission. Orlando’s Interna-

tional Drive is now home to the 25,000square-foot SEA LIFE Orlando Aquarium, Madame Tussauds wax museum and the Coca-Cola Orlando Eye, a 400-foot-tall observation wheel. At nearby iFly Orlando, test your bravery at this indoor skydiving experience. Don’t tell the kids, but at WonderWorks Indoor Amusement Park on International Drive, they can learn while having fun in this 35,000 square feet of edutainment. Fun Spot America, a familyowned theme park in the area, features multi-level go-karts, thrill rides, family rides and an arcade. (There is also a Kissimmee location.) Just north of downtown Orlando, the Orlando Science Center offers four stories of interactive, hands-on exhibits, an observatory, a cafe and the Dr. Phillips CineDome, a 300-seat theater for films and planetarium shows.

Venture over to Black Hammock Adventures in Oviedo for airboat rides on Lake Jesup, home to the largest alligator population in Florida, estimated at 9,000.

The Central Florida Zoo and Botanical Gardens in Sanford is home to more than 400 animals and the Barnyard Buddies Children’s Zoo. Feed the giraffes then cool off in the Wharton-Smith Tropical Splash Ground.

Near Ocala, a must visit in this region is the venerable Silver Springs State Park, Florida’s first attraction, known for its famous glass-bottom boats.

ANNUAL EVENTS JANUARY Central Florida Scottish Highland Games, Winter Springs Zora Neale Hurston Festival of the Arts and Humanities, Eatonville

FEBRUARY Mount Dora Arts Festival

FEBRUARY–APRIL Universal Studios Mardi Gras

MARCH 12 Hours of Sebring Arnold Palmer Invitational at Bay Hill Winter Park Sidewalk Arts Festival

MARCH–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 MID FLORIDA Mayfaire by-the-Lake Outdoor Art Festival, Lakeland Orlando International Fringe Theatre Festival

JUNE Silver Spurs Rodeo, Kissimmee

JULY Caladium Festival, Lake Placid Red, Hot and Boom, Altamonte Springs

AUGUST Grape Stomp & Wine Festival, Lake Placid

AUGUST–NOVEMBER Epcot International Food & Wine Festival

SEPTEMBER Plantation Redfish Classic, Crystal River Sebring Thunder Car Show Tour of Sebring Cycling

SEPTEMBER–NOVEMBER Halloween Horror Nights at Universal Studios

OCTOBER Lakeland Auto Show & Lake Mirror Concours

NOVEMBER Civilian Conservation Corps Festival, Sebring Highlands Fine Arts Festival, Sebring The Lady of the Lakes Renaissance Faire, Tavares

NOVEMBER–DECEMBER Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party

NOVEMBER–JANUARY Holidays at Universal Orlando Resort

DECEMBER Cookiefest, Sebring Highlands Bikefest Cycling, Sebring Holidays at the Hotel Jacaranda, Avon Park

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the largest in a chain of 13 lakes and designated an Outstanding Florida Water Way. Grab a pole or canoe and relish in the beauty of Lake County.

Excellent outdoor activities await north of Orlando, including the Lake Apopka Loop Trail, offering 15 miles of family biking where the odds of seeing a ‘gator are fantastic. Want to tube down a crystal-clear river fed by natural springs? Located in Apopka, local favorite Rock Springs Run at Kelly Park offers swimming, hiking trails, picnicking and concessions.

5

Visit Blue Spring State Park, home to hundreds of manatees, where the clear, 73-degree waters welcome swimmers, snorkelers and scuba divers. Picnic on the beach or stay the night at the campground.

In the Ocala National Forest, the southernmost forest in the United States, dozens of campgrounds and 600 lakes, rivers and springs welcome visitors year-round.

ABOVE: Exploring with Wild Florida. BELOW: Animal encounters in Kissimmee. OPPOSITE TOP: Boardwalk in Blue Spring State Park. OPPOSITE BOTTOM: Ferris wheel in Old Town Kissimmee.

MUST-SEE ATTRACTIONS

1

SEAWORLD ORLANDO: seaworldparks.com

2

UNIVERSAL ORLANDO RESORT: universalorlando.com

3

WALT DISNEY WORLD: disneyworld.disney.go.com

4

LEGOLAND: legoland.com/florida

5

HIGHLANDS HAMMOCK STATE PARK: floridastateparks.org/park/Highlands-Hammock

CLOCKWISE FROM BOTTOM LEFT: VISIT KISSIMMEE; LEFT VISIT ORLANDO; VISIT ORLANDO; VISIT KISSIMMEE

BEACHES AND OUTDOOR GEMS Whether nature-made or artificial, the Central Florida region is home to plenty of options for the family to cool off or explore.

Sebring is home to 95 crystal-clear lakes and the Highlands Hammock State Park, one of Florida’s oldest parks and a gem you must not miss. The park is renowned for its beautiful old-growth hammock and thousand-year-old oaks. You may catch a glimpse of a black bear and the Florida panther. An elevated boardwalk traverses cypress swamp where you may observe alligators, birds and other wildlife. Cycle the scenic three-mile loop drive or hike the park’s nine nature trails. Picnicking, birdwatching, catch-and-release fishing and ranger-guided tours are other popular activities and a fully accessible tram tour allows visitors to view wildlife relatively up close.

Campers should check out the full-facility and the youth/group campgrounds.

In Polk County, the Allen David Broussard Catfish Creek Preserve State Park covers more than 8,000 acres of scrub, sandhill and flatwoods land.

Like fishing? In Osceola County, Lake Tohopekaliga, known as Lake Toho, covers 22,700 acres, spans 42 miles in circumference, and is a hotbed for bass.

Take the family waterskiing, wakeboarding, wakeskating, wakesurfing and kneeboarding at the Orlando Watersports Complex. A short drive west, Lake Louisa in Clermont is

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ENTERTAINMENT Orlando has the most nightlife establishments per 100,000 residents, clocking in nearly 300.

International Drive, known as I-Drive, features an abundance of shopping, dining and entertainment for daytime or nighttime fun. Mango’s Tropical Café showcases exciting live shows, dancing and worldfamous cocktails within a vivacious Miamistyle club while Tin Roof offers live music performances by Central Florida’s best artists. Sip on a cocktail at a bar made entirely of ice at ICEBAR Orlando, enjoy a fiesta at Señor Frog’s or rock out to dueling pianos at Howl at the Moon. Pointe Orlando fuses dining and entertainment with spots ranging from the distinctive flavors of Cuba Libre Restaurant & Rum Bar and Greek dancing on the tables at Taverna Opa to the Southern comfort food of B.B King’s Blues Club and nightly comedy of Improv Comedy Club & Dinner Theatre. More recently, Pointe Orlando welcomed Main Event Entertainment to its eclectic range of venues.

Within close proximity to Orlando’s

world-famous theme parks, “Restaurant Row” is a one-mile stretch of Sand Lake Road featuring over two dozen exquisite restaurants. Many feature extensive bars, comprehensive wine lists and live music.

Universal CityWalk is another vibrant place to grab a quick snack, relax over dinner, mingle over cocktails, take in an

electrifying concert or dance the night away.

Select from a variety of dining options, such as The CowFish Sushi Burger Bar, Antojitos Authentic Mexican Food, Emeril’s Orlando, and VIVO Italian Kitchen. Nightclubs and other after-hour hot spots include CityWalk’s Rising Star karaoke club, where visitors take center stage and perform with a live band complete with backup singers. Classic American cuisine hits the spot at the world’s largest Hard Rock Café, while world-famous names in music and comedy perform at the adjacent Hard Rock Live Orlando. Drink in paradise at Jimmy Buffet’s Margaritaville. A little of the Big Easy is offered at Pat O’Brien’s, home of dueling pianos and the world-famous Hurricane drink. Savor oneof-a kind gourmet treats at the Toothsome Chocolate Emporium & Savory Feast Kitchen. Sports fans can catch the big game on nearly 100 HD Screens at NBC Sports Grill & Brew while grubbing out on hearty dishes.

Disney Springs, a 120-acre entertainmentshopping-dining complex at Walt Disney World Resort, offers more shops, restaurants and other venues. There are four distinct neighborhoods to explore here: The Landing, Marketplace, West Side and Town Center.

For a unique evening, board the Rivership Barbara-Lee in Sanford, an authentic sternwheeler paddlewheel ship, for a three-hour tour along Lake Monroe and the St. Johns River.

And while there is little casino action in Central Florida, Ocala Poker and Jai Alai in Reddick hosts poker tournaments and live games as well as simulcast wagering.

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INSIDER’S TIP Going to the Hard Rock Live for a show or a meal at the Hard Rock Café? Avoid the massive Universal Orlando parking garages and long walk (it’s long) and valet park. You will be much closer to your destination and happier when you leave. Besides, general parking is US$20 and so is valet for two hours or less. For more than two hours, you’ll pay US$35 after 6 PM. But, if you don’t mind the walk, arrive after 6 PM when general parking is free.

TOP LEFT: Pointe Orlando nightlife. ABOVE: Cycling through the countryside in Sebring. TOP RIGHT: Airborne at Skycoaster near Kissimmee. OPPOSITE BOTTOM: Shoppers at Pointe Orlando.

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ROAD TRIPS Take a break from the parking lots and embark on a scenic drive to experience some of Old Florida at its finest.

The Ridge Scenic Highway travels more than 38 miles along the Lake Wales Ridge, through the historical communities of Sebring, Frostproof, Lake Wales, Dundee and Haines City. While in Lake Wales, be sure to visit Spook Hill, a natural phenomenon that gives the illusion that cars are coasting uphill.

A drive west of Orlando to Clermont brings you to the Florida Citrus Tower built in 1956 on one of the highest hills in Florida’s ridge section.

An elevator ride to the top gives way to panoramic views of eight counties in Central Florida.

In Sumter County, explore the 80-acre Dade Battlefield State Park, where on

December 28, 1835, a Native American ambush started the Second Seminole War. There’s a picnic area, playground and visitor’s center.

Look for the Green Mountain Scenic Byway near Lake Apopka that shows off the region’s little-known rolling hills. Among the rural towns and villages, you’ll pass by the historical moss-covered Sadler Oaks in the community of Tildenville.

Ocala in Marion County is the center of the thoroughbred horse industry in Florida and beautiful rolling farmlands. Hop on the Florida Black Bear Scenic Byway, which travels through the heart of Central Florida to the Ocala National Forest. Look for springs, kayaking and fishing spots—you might even see the elusive Florida black bear.

CLOCKWISE FROM BOTTOM LEFT: VISIT SEBRING; VISIT ORLANDO; VISIT KISSIMMEE; VISIT ORLANDO

CENTRAL FLORIDA

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SHOPPING If you are looking for a taste of Florida, there are several outdoor markets selling fresh, local produce, preserves and products, including the Lakeland Downtown Farmers’ Curb Market and Bartow Farmers’ Market.

For mall shopping in the area, hit the more than 70 shops at the Lakeland Square Mall.

The Loop in Kissimmee is a popular outdoor mall, split into Loop East and Loop West, offering 30 retail outlets including Sunglass Hut and Old Navy. Stop for a cone at Ben & Jerry’s or grab a bite in one of 10 eateries.

The new Disney Springs, formerly Downtown Disney, is now home to more than 100 shops, ranging from Anthropologie and Lucky Brand to the LEGO Store and the Art of Disney.

Pointe Orlando, the lush landscaped, fresh-air destination near the Orange County Convention Center, is known for more upscale and specialty shops, such as Tommy Hilfiger and Victoria’s Secret.

Want big? Florida Mall in Orlando offers 1.9 million square feet of space and more than 250 stores to shop ‘til you drop.

The Mall at Millenia in Orlando has become a favorite of 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 International Premium Outlets and Orlando Vineland Premium Outlets offer discounts in hundreds of brand-name stores.

Park Avenue in Winter Park is the quintessential place to shop in Central Florida.

Wander in and out of shops, such as Tuni, Siegel’s 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, Renninger’s 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 Lake County, features hundreds of vendors, as well as vintage car and garden shows.

Nearby, ViaPort Florida in Leesburg features three dozen stores, while Paddock Mall in Ocala has 90 stores, anchored by Macy’s, Sears, Belk and JC Penney.

Explore the shops and boutiques on First Street in historical Sanford, once a major Central Florida hub. The town is also home to Seminole Town Square with six anchor stores including Burlington Coat Factory.

FEATURED LINKS ARTS AND CULTURE Alan Jay Wildstein Center for the Performing Arts, Avon Park sfscarts.org Bok Tower Gardens, Lake Wales boktowergardens.org Florida Southern College, Lakeland flsouthern.edu/visitors/fllw-visitors.aspx Orlando Repertory Theatre orlandorep.com Orlando Shakespeare Theater orlandoshakes.org

ATTRACTIONS iFly Orlando iflyworld.com/orlando I-Drive Resort Area, Orlando internationaldriveorlando.com Safari Wilderness, Lakeland safariwilderness.com SEA LIFE Aquarium, Orlando visitsealife.com/orlando WonderWorks, Orlando wonderworksonline.com

BEACHES AND OUTDOOR GEMS Orlando Watersports Complex aktionparks.com/Orlando-watersports-complex

ENTERTAINMENT Hard Rock Café, Orlando hardrock.com/cafes/orlando House of Blues, Orlando houseofblues.com/orlando Pirates Dinner Adventure, Orlando piratesdinneradventure.com Planet Hollywood, Orlando planethollywood.com/locations/orlando Westgate River Ranch Resort & Rodeo wgriverranch.com

SHOPPING Disney Springs disneysprings.com Florida Mall, Orlando simon.com/mall/the-florida-mall Orlando Premium Outlets International Drive premiumoutlets.com/outlet/ orlando-international Park Avenue, Winter Park experienceparkavenue.com The Mall at Millenia, Orlando mallatmillenia.com

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SEBRING

Choose your own vacation speed.

BY STEVE WINSTON

S

SEE AND DO Although the population of the City of Sebring is only about 10,500, once a year this beautiful, slow-paced little town becomes the center of the auto endurance racing world, hosting the internationally acclaimed 12 Hours of Sebring endurance

INSIDER’S TIP Sugar Sand Distillery is Florida’s only estategrown sugar cane farm distillery. Combining the owners’ love of farming with their desire to produce handcrafted spirits, this true farm-to-bottle operation produces rum, whisky, vodka and moonshine and is open for tours from 11AM to 7PM on Thursdays, Fridays and Saturdays.

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OUTDOOR DELIGHTS

race at the renowned Sebring International Raceway. Known for its rough surface, it’s America’s oldest endurance race track and considered the birthplace of American endurance racing.

The nearby town of Lake Placid is called “The Caladium Capital of the World,” after the fields of the beautiful plants in bloom here, especially in late summer and early fall. Every July, a Caladium Festival features food, entertainment, arts and crafts for sale, and tours of the caladium fields. Lake Placid is also known for its interesting history and nearly 50 colorful outdoor murals. Purchase a mural tour book (US$3) at the Lake Placid Chamber to begin your walking tour and see if you can find the hidden item in each mural.

For more entertainment, the Highlands Little Theatre in Downtown Sebring provides local entertainment while the Alan Jay Wildstein Center for the Performing Arts in Avon Park hosts worldclass performances.

With nearly 100 freshwater lakes, the Sebring area is a great place to enjoy water sports and recreation activities such as kayaking, paddleboarding, waterskiing, boating and more. And the 27,000-acre Lake Istokpoga is renowned as one of the top trophy bass fishing lakes in the Southeast US. Tee off at one of several courses on the “Citrus Golf Trail,” where the prices are low, the courses are challenging, and natural beauty surrounds you. In fact, many courses sit in the middle of orange groves, where, in season, the sweet smell of blossoms in bloom permeates the air.

TOP: Cycling through Hammock State Park in Sebring.

CENTER: Oranges are iconic to this area.

FEATURED LINKS Visit Sebring (including Avon Park & Lake Placid); VisitSebring.com Alan Jay Wildstein Center for the Performing Arts: sfscarts.org Citrus Golf Trail: SebringCitrusGolfTrail.com Highlands Little Theatre: highlandslittletheatre.org Lake Placid Murals: VisitSebring.com/Murals/LakePlacid Maxwell Groves: ShopMaxwellGroves.com Sebring International Raceway: sebringraceway.com Sebring Soda & Ice Cream Works: facebook.com/sebringsoda Sugar Sand Distillery: SugarSandDistillery.com

VISIT SEBRING

ebring is known for its famous speedway. Yet, when people visit, they’re often amazed to find so much more, including beautiful peace and quiet for those seeking relaxation. In fact, Sebring and the surrounding areas of Avon Park and Lake Placid, bill their multi-faceted vacation opportunities as “Choose Your Speed.”

Here, you’ll find something to suit every pace, whether it’s lounging on a dock and watching the sun set or witnessing some of the most exciting auto endurance racing on Earth.

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WEST CENTRAL FLORIDA

DIVE INTO NATURE’S BOUNTY.

There’s something for everyone in West Central Florida: award-winning beaches and natural springs; the thrills and spills of theme parks; amazing adventures; world-class museums and galleries; a thriving nightlife; tempting shopping venues; and so much more.

BY SUSAN B. BARNES

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CRYSTAL RIVER/ CITRUS COUNTY Begin your day feeling wonder again. Swim with manatees in the amazing springs of Crystal River’s Kings Bay. Take the trolley to the Three Sisters Springs boardwalk. It’s like a national park in a single acre. At the Kings Bay waterfront, dine on seafood fresh from the Gulf of Mexico. Afterward, explore the shops of Heritage Village in downtown Crystal River. Later, take a sunset cruise or enjoy the show from Fort Island Gulf Beach. For dinner, reserve a table at Vintage on 5th, winner of Wine Spectator’s Award of Excellence many years running.

DUNEDIN

ST. PETE/CLEARWATER

TAMPA BAY

Cycle to Honeymoon Island, Florida’s most visited state park, to swim, fish and snorkel in the warm Gulf waters. Or pack a picnic and ferry over to Caladesi to hike, paddle or bask on award-winning beaches. After lunch return to historical downtown Dunedin to shop and stroll through waterfront parks.

Sample craft beers at the Dunedin Brewery. Admire the sunset and dine on fresh seafood at the Olde Bay Cafe.

During spring training, cheer for the Toronto Blue Jays at the Florida Auto Exchange Stadium.

Watch sunrise at North Shore Park in St. Pete. Grab breakfast at a St. Pete indie coffee house.

Walk to the Dalí Museum to view the artist’s largest collection of works outside of Spain.

Lunch at Urban Comfort before heading to Clearwater Beach to soak up the sun and splash in the warm Gulf waters. Stroll along Pier 60. Sip a tropical cocktail at Tommy’s Tiki Bar at the Hilton Clearwater Beach. For dinner with a view, the outdoor patio at Frenchy’s Rockaway Grill ends a perfect day.

Savor fresh guava turnovers and Cuban coffee at La Segunda Bakery in Ybor City before exploring Tampa’s eclectic Latin Quarter, one of Florida’s two historical districts. Visit José Martí Park, the only piece of American soil owned by the people of Cuba. Enjoy paella and sangria at Columbia Restaurant, Florida’s oldest dining establishment. Ride the TECO Historic Streetcar Line to the Tampa Riverwalk and nearby museums and attractions. Order cocktails at Franklin Manor, followed by a sunset dinner at Ulele and a nightcap at Ciro’s Speakeasy and Supper Club.

WEST CENTRAL FLORIDA

YOUR WEST CENTRAL FLORIDA EXPERTS Citrus County Visitors Bureau: DiscoverCrystalRiverFL.com City of Dunedin: dunedingov.com Hernando County Tourism Bureau: floridasadventurecoast.com Pasco County Tourism: visitpasco.net Visit St. Pete/Clearwater: visitstpeteclearwater.com Visit Tampa Bay: visittampabay.com Ybor City Chamber of Commerce: ybor.org

OPPOSITE: The Jungala Tiger Pool at Busch Gardens in Tampa Bay. TOP FROM LEFT TO RIGHT: A female manatee protects her offspring in Crystal River; The Highland Games in Dunedin; Jazz at Coachman Park in Clearwater; Building a life-size pirate ship at the Tampa Bay History Center.

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FROM LEFT TO RIGHT: © SEAWORLD PARKS & ENTERTAINMENT; DISCOVER CRYSTAL RIVER FLORIDA; VISITSTPETECLEARWATER.COM; VISITSTPETECLEARWATER.COM; TAMPA BAY HISTORY CENTER.

A DAY IN...

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ARTS AND CULTURE

INSIDER’S TIP With growing interest in travel to Cuba, it may come as a surprise that you can visit a part of Cuba right in Tampa’s Ybor City. Cuban-born poet, journalist, essayist and revolutionary José Martí frequently visited Ybor City in the late 1800s. During this time he did a large part of his planning and fundraising, and wound up calling Ybor City his “faithful little town” because of the support he received there. Today, the small, 0.14acre José Martí Park stands in tribute to the revolutionary, but what makes the park perhaps even more interesting is that it has been owned by the Cuban government since 1956.

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If beauty is in the eye of the beholder, West Central Florida has plenty to share. One showpiece sits on the Tampa Riverwalk, a pedestrian walkway that meanders through the city along the Hillsborough River. The Tampa Museum of Art is housed in an architectural work of art designed by Stanley Saitowitz. Inside, an incredible collection of contemporary and classical art, as well as enticing traveling exhibitions, are on display. From the museum, follow the Riverwalk south to the Florida Museum of Photographic Arts, showcasing works by local, national and international photographers, as well as historical collections.

Nobody does pirates like Tampa Bay. The newly expanded Tampa Bay History Center brings to life pirates, shipwrecks and treasure—complete with a 60-foot replica pirate ship to climb around, a real 1700s ship’s treasure chest and an authentic 1703 map of the Caribbean showing exactly where to attack ships full of treasure. The expansion also includes a cartographic research center and houses over 6,000 maps dating back as far as as 1493.

Back in downtown Tampa, step into simpler times amid the splendor of the storied 1920s “movie palace,” the Tampa Theatre. Tour the mesmerizing theater before the main feature begins, then sit back and relax while a volunteer organist serenades you on the Mighty Wurlitzer Organ before the curtain rises.

Within walking distance of each other in downtown St. Petersburg are the Museum of Fine Arts, with thousands of objects spanning 4,500 years, from antiquity to the present, and the Dalí Museum with the world’s largest collection of Salvador Dalí’s work outside of Spain, including 1,300 graphics, photos, sculptures and objets d’art; 96 oil paintings; and more than 100 watercolors and drawings. The structure housing the Dalí Museum is in itself a surreal piece of art. The Chihuly Collection recently moved to its new location on the Morean Arts Center campus in St. Pete’s Central Arts District, and features amazing works of glass art by the master himself.

To the north of Tampa, Dunedin is filled with galleries and regularly hosts arts and craft shows throughout the year. If you’re in the area January 5–6, 2019, head over to the 22nd Annual Downtown Dunedin Art Festival, which showcases more than 100 of the nation’s most talented artists and a broad spectrum of media including sculptures, glass, paintings, jewelry and ceramics. Admission is free. Every spring, world-class Scottish athletes descend upon Dunedin for the annual Highland Games & Festival that include a traditional Scottish gathering with music and dance, a parade and a full day of events and competitions.

For a peek into the history of the area, check out the annual Fort Cooper Days event in Inverness, where re-enactments of the Second Seminole War are held twice a day along with living history demonstrations.

CLALL IMAGES VISITSTPETECLEARWATER.COM

WEST CENTRAL FLORIDA

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ATTRACTIONS When it’s time to go wild, be sure to visit Big Cat Rescue in Tampa. One of the largest accredited sanctuaries for exotic cats in the world, this is home to about 100 lions, tigers, bobcats and cougars that have been rescued and are now cared for by loving staff and volunteers.

Another place to enjoy close encounters with animals is Tampa’s Lowry Park Zoo, winner of TripAdvisor’s Certificate of Excellence. Spend a day with animals from Africa, Australia, Asia and beyond, learning about their habitats and how to protect them, and you’ll easily see why it’s rated so highly.

Located right across the Street from Busch Gardens, Adventure Island is the ultimate combination of high-speed thrills and tropical, tranquil surroundings for guests of all ages. For the slide of your life, head over to Adventure Island Tampa Bay’s new epic drop slide, Vanish Point, which is located next to another family favorite, Colossal Curl.

Downtown, discover all of the wonders that lie beneath the water’s surface at the Florida Aquarium. Meet penguins, dive with sharks (SCUBA-certified only), swim with fish (for ages six and older) or sharks (for ages nine and older), or cruise out onto the waters of Tampa Bay to watch for dolphins.

The largest non-profit wild bird sanctuary in the US—the Suncoast Seabird Sanctuary in Indian Shores (located between St. Petersburg and Clearwater)—is dedicated to the rescue, rehabilitation and hopeful release of sick, injured and orphaned birds.

North of Indian Shores, Winter, the star of Dolphin Tale, makes her home at the Clearwater Marine Aquarium and is always happy to greet her fans. Plenty of other marine life live alongside Winter: stop and say hello to her friends, Hope and Nicholas, and the resident sea turtles, otters, stingrays, sharks, pelicans and clown fish.

You can get out on the water here, too, on board the aquarium’s 90-minute Sea Life Safari Nature Cruise.

Take another look beneath the water and you’ll find mermaids in the crystal-clear waters at Weeki Wachee Springs.

More amusement is found winding down the Weeki Wachee River on a Bayport River Safari; cooling off in the new indoor ice rink at Florida Hospital Center Ice in Wesley Chapel; creating art at the Glazer Children’s Museum in Tampa; indoor skydiving at the new iFly in Brandon; and walking among life-size dinosaurs at Dinosaur World in Plant City, not to mention the thrilling rides at Busch Gardens Tampa Bay.

ANNUAL EVENTS JANUARY 22nd Annual Downtown Dunedin Art Festival Gasparilla Pirate Festival, Tampa Outback Bowl, Tampa

FEBRUARY 27th Annual Downtown Dunedin Craft Festival Brooksville Native American Festival Dunedin Mardi Gras Parade and Festival Gasparilla Distance Classic Sant’ Yago Knight Parade, Tampa

MARCH–APRIL Food and Wine Festival, Busch Gardens Tampa Bay

MARCH 49th Annual Gasparilla Festival of the Arts, Tampa Firestone Grand Prix of St. Petersburg Florida Strawberry Festival, Plant City Fort Cooper Days, Inverness Tampa Pride

APRIL 44th Annual Mainsail Arts Festival, St. Petersburg Bern’s Winefest, Tampa Dunedin Highland Games & Festival Pier 60 Sugar Sand Festival, Clearwater Beach River Fest, Tampa Riverwalk Tampa Bay International Dragonboat Races

JUNE St. Pete Pride Festival and Parade

JUNE–AUGUST Summer Nights, Busch Gardens Tampa Bay

JULY–AUGUST Sunset Celebration, Tampa’s Lowry Park Zoo

SEPTEMBER–OCTOBER Howl-O-Scream, Busch Gardens Tampa Bay

OCTOBER Clearwater Jazz Holiday Creatures of the Night, Tampa’s Lowry Park Zoo Tampa International Gay & Lesbian Film Festival

NOVEMBER Dunedin Celtic Music & Craft Beer Festival Dunedin Wines the Blues Festival Feast with the Beasts, Tampa’s Lowry Park Zoo

NOVEMBER–DECEMBER Christmas in the Wild, Tampa’s Lowry Park Zoo Christmas Town, Busch Gardens Tampa Bay Victorian Christmas Stroll, Henry B. Plant Museum, Tampa

DECEMBER OPPOSITE TOP: Museum of Fine Arts in downtown St. Petersburg. OPPOSITE CENTER: John’s Pass Village and Boardwalk at Madeira Beach. ABOVE: Chihuly Collection at the Morean Arts Center in downtown St. Petersburg.

Clearwater Beach Uncorked Outback Bowl New Year’s Eve Parade, Ybor City

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BEACHES AND OUTDOOR GEMS West Central Florida’s stretches of sugarwhite, powder-soft sandy beaches found along the Gulf of Mexico are perfect playgrounds for all ages.

For a quiet, more natural beach day without high rises towering behind you, consider Fort De Soto Park, south of St. Pete Beach, or Anclote Key Preserve State Park to the north. Caladesi Island State Park is a perfect destination not only for beaches, but also for its four-mile kayaking trail and its three-mile nature trail. Nearby Honeymoon Island State Park was connected to Caladesi Island until a hurricane separated them in 1921. Once a popular honeymoon destination in the 1940s and 1950s, it is now a favorite among birdwatchers and welcomes more than one million visitors annually.

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MUST-SEE ATTRACTIONS

1

CLEARWATER MARINE AQUARIUM: seewinter.com

2

THE DALÍ MUSEUM, ST. PETERSBURG: thedali.org

3

THE RIVERWALK, TAMPA: thetampariverwalk.com

4

THREE SISTERS SPRINGS, CRYSTAL RIVER: threesistersspringsvisitor.org

5

YBOR CITY, TAMPA: yborcityonline.com

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Not only Floridians think the beaches here are fantastic. Two local beaches made it onto TripAdvisor’s 2018 Travelers’ Choice list of “Top 25 Beaches–United States”— Clearwater Beach (No. 1) and St. Pete Beach (No. 7). And at the end of the day, there’s no better place than a beach in West Central Florida to watch spectacular sunsets over the Gulf of Mexico.

When water temperatures dip below 72 F in Florida, West Central Florida’s natural springs are terrific spots to see manatees, thought to be mermaids by sailors too long at sea. Popular manatee viewing spots include Weeki Wachee Springs State Park, Homosassa Springs Wildlife State Park, Three Sisters Springs in Crystal River and the TECO Manatee Viewing Center in Apollo Beach, just south of Tampa.

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ALL IMAGES: VISITSTPETECLEARWATER.COM

ENTERTAINMENT When it comes to nightlife, West Central Florida likes to party. And there are plenty of spots to do just that.

Ybor City’s thriving nightlife ranges from dance clubs and live music venues to quiet pubs, while Tampa’s South Howard Avenue, or SoHo, is filled with restaurants. However, this hip strip really comes alive after dinner when the drinks begin to pour.

Professional sports take hold of West Central Florida on the ice, on the field and on the pitch. The Tampa Bay Lightning are on the ice for their 2018–19 and 2019–20 seasons through April, unless the team makes the playoffs and their NHL season is extended in pursuit of the coveted Stanley Cup. Take the family out to the ball game during spring training or during the regular season for that matter. Beginning in March, the Toronto Blue Jays take their swings at the Florida Auto Exchange Stadium in Dunedin (once ranked one of the top five places to watch a spring training game by Sports Illustrated), while the New York Yankees play spring ball in Tampa and the

Philadelphia Phillies step up to the plate in Clearwater. The Jolley Trolley travels from Clearwater to Dunedin and on to Tarpon Springs, making it easy to catch a few spring training games along the route. During the regular season, the Tampa Bay Rays play their opponents at the 72 F Tropicana Field in St. Petersburg.

On the pitch in downtown St. Petersburg, the Tampa Bay Rowdies soccer team begins its pre-season matches in March, and the regular schedule takes them through the summer and late into the fall.

OPPOSITE TOP: Playtime at the beach. OPPOSITE LEFT: Sponge docks in Tarpon Springs. OPPOSITE BOTTOM: Skateboarder at the Dalí Museum in St. Petersburg. TOP LEFT: St. Pete Pride Festival in downtown St. Petersburg. TOP RIGHT: Firestone Grand Prix in downtown St. Petersburg. ABOVE: Night out at the Tryst Gastro Lounge in downtown St. Petersburg.

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ROAD TRIPS Greek cuisine, art and culture—it’s all found in the small fishing village of Tarpon Springs. The area was first settled in 1876 by Greek immigrants, and today has the highest percentage of Greek-Americans than any other city in the US. What was once “the sponge capital of the world” is a popular daytrip destination from Tampa, Clearwater, St. Petersburg, Dunedin and Pasco County. Go for the history, culture and food, and you’ll find yourself wanting to go back for more!

Park the car and walk, run, cycle or rollerblade along the Fred Marquis Pinellas Trail, a 40-mile protected, multi-use greenspace created along an abandoned railroad corridor that extends from St. Petersburg to Tarpon Springs.

For a truly unique experience you won’t soon forget, head over to Crystal River where various tour operators provide the equipment and let you swim among West Indian manatees in super clear waters. Visitors who prefer to stay at arm’s length from the gentle

giants can rent a kayak (with or without a guide) to observe them as they swim and play below in the warm waters. If this option is still too close for comfort, you can watch manatees any day of the year from the underwater observatory at the nearby Ellie Schiller Homosassa Springs Wildlife State Park. The park also showcases other native Florida wildlife, including black bears, bobcats, whitetailed deer, American alligators and crocodiles, and river otters, and offers Wildlife Encounter programs and a children’s education center.

INTERNATIONAL GATEWAYS Port Tampa Bay: tampaport.com/cruise St. Pete-Clearwater International Airport: fly2pie.com Tampa International Airport: tampaairport.com

ALL IMAGES: VISITSTPETECLEARWATER.COM

LEFT: Driving in Philippe Park in Safety Harbor. ABOVE: Family at Pier 60 in Clearwater Beach. BELOW: Musician at a Drum Circle ceremony on Treasure Island. BOTTOM LEFT: Fishing near the Sunshine Bridge in St. Petersburg.

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WEST CENTRAL FLORIDA SHOPPING What’s a vacation without shopping?

Pull out your credit cards and get ready to fill your bags at the International Plaza and Bay Street in Tampa. It features the only Neiman Marcus and Nordstrom on the Gulf Coast, as well as all-time favorites Dillard’s, the first RH Gallery, Gap, J. Crew, Banana Republic and H&M, and over a dozen restaurants. Families will also love the Busch Gardens indoor play area for kids. Just down the road, WestShore Plaza counts Macy’s, LOFT, Old Navy and Dick’s Sporting Goods among its storefronts, so there are plenty of shopping opportunities here, too.

Tree-lined streets, historical homes and shopping à la European village make Hyde Park Village one of Tampa’s hot retail spots. It’s easy to spend the day here. Shop for a bit in the morning at brand-name stores, such as west elm, Sur la Table, lululemon athletica, Brooks Brothers, Anthropologie and others. Later, enjoy a bite to eat at the re-imagined Goody Goody, nibble on a cupcake at Sprinkles or sip wine at the Wine Exchange Bistro & Wine Bar. For more outdoor shopping, slip over to The Shops at Wiregrass in Wesley Chapel, where boutiques and department stores

entice shoppers with their wares, or Tampa Premium Outlets in Lutz for 25 to 65 percent savings on designer brands.

St. Petersburg’s Grand Central District is gaining popularity among shoppers, and it’s easy to see why. Spend a day leisurely strolling along the avenue lined with fine art galleries, record and vintage clothing shops, and antique stores. There are also plenty of restaurants and bars along the way, so take your time and enjoy all this shopping district has to offer.

Looking for a little something to take back to friends back home? Souvenir shopping is perfected at John’s Pass Village & Boardwalk in Madeira Beach. Drop by any of the 100plus shops for everything from T-shirts and shells to artwork and more.

If you admire arts and crafts, don’t miss the 27th Annual Downtown Dunedin Craft Festival February 9-10, or the Gasparilla Festival of the Arts in downtown Tampa March 2-3. Just a short drive from Tampa, the small coastal town of Dunedin attracts some of the country’s finest artists and crafters to its annual event. If you miss it, the town hosts additional craft festivals throughout the year, so don’t despair!

FEATURED LINKS ARTS AND CULTURE: Tampa Bay History Center tampabayhistorycenter.org Tampa Museum of Art tampamuseum.org The David A. Straz, Jr., Center for the Perfoming Arts strazcenter.org

ATTRACTIONS Adventure Island Tampa Bay AdventureIsland.com Busch Gardens Tampa Bay seaworldparks.com Dinosaur World, Plant City dinosaurworld.com Seaside Seabird Sanctuary, Indian Shores seabirdsanctuary.com The Florida Aquarium, Tampa flaquarium.org Zoo Tampa at Lowry Park lowryparkzoo.org

BEACHES AND OUTDOOR GEMS De Soto National Memorial nps.gov/deso Ellie Schiller Homosassa Springs Wildlife State Park floridastateparks.org/park/Homosassa-Springs Weeki Wachee Springs State Park floridastateparks.org/park/Weeki-Wachee

ENTERTAINMENT Seminole Hard Rock Hotel & Casino, Tampa seminolehardrocktampa.com Tampa Bay Lightning nhl.com/lightning Tropicana Field, St. Petersburg tampabay.rays.mlb.com/tb/ballpark

Grand Central District, St. Petersburg grandcentraldistrict.org Hyde Park Village, Tampa hydeparkvillage.com International Plaza and Bay Street, Tampa shopinternationalplaza.com John’s Pass Village & Boardwalk, Madeira johnspass.com Tampa Premium Outlets, Lutz premiumoutlets.com/outlet/tampa The Shops at Wiregrass, Wesley Chapel theshopsatwiregrass.com

LEFT: Shopping at the Pierce Street Market in Clearwater.

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SHOPPING

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CRYSTAL RIVER/CITRUS COUNTY

Manatee capital of the world

BY STEVE WINSTON

INSIDER’S TIP Inverness on the Lakes is a gem. Abundant lakeside boardwalks and cycling trails lead to its historical downtown filled with fun sidewalk cafes and pubs. You can even see where Elvis once shot a movie at the Old Courthouse Heritage Museum.

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W

hat makes Crystal River so very special? It’s the Manatee Capital of the World. It’s the only place in the country where you can legally interact with these beloved gentle “sea cows,” which weigh as much as 2,000 pounds and exhibit a great affinity for humans. They’ll swim right up to you!

The waterways in the Crystal River area attract between 800 to 1,000 manatees between November 15 and March 31. That’s more than anywhere else in Florida and represents one-sixth of the state’s entire manatee population. People come from all over the world to observe and swim with these lovable creatures.

“It’s an amazingly profound experience,” says a local guide. “You’ll come out of the water a changed person.”

SEE AND DO The Crystal River area is filled with natural 73 F springs that feed its rivers and bays. One of the best places to experience manatees is the Crystal River National Wildlife Refuge on Kings Bay. Here, spectacular Three Sisters Springs is surrounded by a boardwalk allowing you to see manatees up close from land. Even more incredible is the experience of swimming with manatees in the water in some of the 70 springs in Kings Bay. Another great place to see manatees is the Ellie Schiller Homosassa Springs Wildlife State Park. It’s Florida’s only state park completely dedicated to native Florida wildlife. During manatee season, many wild manatees find their way here. Three resident manatees also live here and can be seen year-round. Their neighbors in the park

DISCOVER CRYSTAL RIVER FLORIDA

TOP: Swim with manatees in Crystal River.

OPPOSITE BOTTOM: Touring Homosassa Springs State Wildlife Park.

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include two rare and endangered Florida panthers, two black bears and a breeding pair of red wolves.

For a taste of genuine wilderness, the Chassahowitzka River offers great paddling experiences with springs perfect for seeing manatees and swimming. There’s more to see than just manatees though. The east side of Citrus County boasts the 46-mile-long Withlacoochee State Trail—one of the longest cycling trails in Florida. The area also features great golf courses, among them the Tom Fazio-designed Quarry Course at Black Diamond Ranch, which is actually built in an old quarry.

This region has an interesting history as well and there are several spots where it comes to life. The Crystal River Archaeological State Park is an important Native American ceremonial site, which dates back to a time before Columbus. The cities of Inverness and Floral City both feature excellent historical museums and Fort Cooper State Park in Inverness contains the remains of a U.S. Army fort besieged by Seminole fighters during the Second Seminole War in 1836.

DINE AND PLAY The towns here exude the flavor and mystique of Old Florida. Downtown Crystal River is a pedestrian-friendly place with interesting shops, cafes, and fish markets.

FEATURED LINKS Citrus County Visitors Bureau: DiscoverCrystalRiverFL.com Black Diamond Ranch: BlackDiamondRanch.com Crystal River Archaeological State Park: floridastateparks.org/park/ Crystal-River-Archaeological Crystal River National Wildlife Refuge: fws.gov/refuge/crystal_river Ellie Schiller Homosassa Springs Wildlife State Park: floridastateparks.org/park/Homosassa-Springs Fort Cooper State Park: floridastateparks.org/park/Fort-Cooper Homosassa: homosassaflorida.com Inverness Event and Visitors Bureau: visitinvernessfl.com Old Courthouse Heritage Museum: cccourthouse.org Three Sisters Springs: threesistersspringsvisitor.org

Seafood is a staple here. Charlie’s Fish House is a local landmark, which specializes in fresh-catch delicacies. Nearby, the Crab Plant—once a canning plant for blue crab— is still an active fishing operation with crab and fishing boats lining the docks. Inside, a busy fish market and restaurant serve up fresh local catch.

Crystal River also has a fascinating Historic District with the colorful old-time shops of Heritage Village offering items you won’t find anywhere else. Homosassa is one of the oldest communities in this region. It started out as a sugar cane plantation in 1851.

After the Civil War, a riverside town rose in its place and it became a commercial and recreational fishing center.

The Homosassa Guides Association, which dates back to that time, is still famous for its traditional “shore-lunch” fishing excursions. The waterfront features lively restaurants, live music and fresh fish markets like The Freezer, an active fishing operation that serves up fresh seafood often right off the boat.

In the small town of Lecanto, Katch Twenty-Two is a high-end, fresh-cuisine favorite with a former head chef from the prestigious W hotel chain.

What’s good at local restaurants? Grouper, mullet and blue crab are popular staples and if you’re visiting during stone crab season (mid-October to mid-May), you must try these melt-in-your-mouth delights.

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NORTHWEST FLORIDA

QUIET PLEASURES & SOUTHERN CHARM

Welcome to the quiet side of Florida where you’ll find some of the most beautiful beaches in the world, all lapped by clear, emerald-green waters. Delve into Northwest Florida’s colorful history, family attractions, down-home cookin’ and unique little shops, all laced with friendly people with Southern accents.

BY STEVE WINSTON

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THE EMERALD COAST

FRANKLIN COUNTY

PANAMA CITY BEACH

SANTA ROSA COUNTY

Begin your day with a half-day fishing trip, dolphin cruise or sailing adventure and be soothed by the emerald-green waters of the Gulf. Venture over to The Boardwalk on Okaloosa Island where you can lunch on fresh Gulf-to-table seafood with beachfront views of the sugarwhite sand and the Okaloosa Fishing Pier. In the afternoon, stroll downtown Fort Walton Beach’s Heritage Park and Cultural Center, comprised of the Indian Temple Mound, 1912 Camp Walton Schoolhouse and Garnier Post Office Museum.

Authentic Florida thrives in quiet coastal communities like Apalachicola, St. George Island, Carrabelle, Eastpoint and Alligator Point. Enjoy quiet, pet-friendly beaches on St. George Island and Alligator Point. Climb historical lighthouses. Camp, paddle or hike along wooded trails and quiet sloughs. Watch commercial fishing boats unload their daily catch or charter a trip with an oyster fisherman to learn how to catch your own. Explore the area’s charm, boutiques, galleries and museums.

End with fresh local seafood served at more than 30 area restaurants and seafood markets.

At Zen Garden or Finn’s Island Style Grub, start your day with gourmet coffee and a yoga session or a quick surf check.

From there, explore 27 miles of beautiful beaches. Try snorkeling or paddleboarding at St. Andrews State Park, or catch a boat to Shell Island, a sevenmile-long natural barrier island.

Explore diving history at the Man in the Sea Museum, before shopping at Pier Park. Catch the sunset from Schooner’s restaurant, where the nightly event is celebrated with a cannon blast!

Enjoy the sugar-white sandy beaches of Santa Rosa County.

Fish from the Navarre Beach Pier (Gulf of Mexico’s longest) or visit the Gulf Breeze Zoo, Navarre Beach Marine Science Station or Navarre Beach Sea Turtle Conservation Center. Tour Coldwater Gardens near Milton. See why this part of Florida is known as the Canoe Capital of Florida with Adventures Unlimited.

Canoe, kayak and tube along Coldwater Creek past secluded sandbars, through the pristine ecosystem of Blackwater River State Forest, or soar on its zip line canopy tour.

NORTHWEST FLORIDA

YOUR NORTHWEST FLORIDA EXPERTS Apalachicola Bay Chamber of Commerce: apalachicolabay.org Carrabelle Area Chamber of Commerce: carrabelle.org Emerald Coast Convention & Visitors Bureau: emeraldcoastfl.com Franklin County Tourist Development Council: floridasforgottencoast.com Gulf Islands National Seashore: nps.gov/guis Jackson County Tourist Development Council: visitjacksoncountyfla.com Mexico Beach Community Development Council: mexicobeach.com Panama City: destinationpanamacity.com Santa Rosa County Tourist Development Office: getrelaxing.com Santa Rosa Island Authority: visitpensacolabeach.com Seaside Visitors Bureau: seasidefl.com South Walton Tourist Development Council: visitsouthwalton.com Visit Panama City Beach: visitpanamacitybeach.com Visit Pensacola: visitpensacola.com

HURRICANE MICHAEL RESTORATION Many counties in Northwest Florida were severely affected

by Hurricane Michael on October 10, 2018. For some communities, the restoration work will take some time. If you are planning a trip to Northwest Florida, please contact the local tourist board listed on the left for an update on the area you plan to visit.

OPPOSITE: Snorkelling in St. Joseph Bay. TOP FROM LEFT TO RIGHT: HarborWalk Village at the Emerald Grande in Destin; A quiet beach on the Gulf Coast in Franklin County; Cycling in Panama City Beach; Waterfront refreshments in Santa Rosa County.

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FROM LEFT TO RIGHTL: GULF COUNTY TDC; EMERALD COAST CVB; FRANKLIN COUNTY TDC; VISIT PANAMA CITY BEACH; SANTA ROSA COUNTY TOURIST DEVELOPMENT OFFICE

A DAY IN...

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INSIDER’S TIPS If you’re bringing Fido with you, St. George Island and Alligator Point in Franklin County have pet-friendly beaches.

Take the road less travelled in Jackson County, where wildlife, farms, rolling hills, wooded areas, streams and canopy trees line nearly 800 miles of unpaved roads.

In Panama City, Bay Town Trolley offers convenient public transportation and has multiple stops throughout the city (baytowntrolley.org).

Pier Park in Panama City Beach offers unforgettable outdoor shopping and dining experiences. From your favorite retail stores and one-of-a-kind boutiques to great restaurants, sweet shops and amusement rides, there’s something for everyone here!

The Emerald Coast Convention and Visitors Bureau hosts free nighttime educational beach walks from May to October, suitable for ages six and over. Learn about the nesting habits of sea turtles, which species nest along the beaches of Okaloosa Island and Destin, and how you can help protect them while on vacation. Reservations are required (ECTurtleWatch@gmail.com).

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ARTS AND CULTURE In Franklin County, easternmost in the Panhandle, Apalachicola is the best-known city. Once the third-largest port on the Gulf of Mexico, reminders of those halcyon days of steamers and schooners, railroads and lumber mills remain. The city’s historical district has nearly a thousand buildings and sites from a bygone era. Along the waterfront, structures

that once served as commercial fishing factories and warehouses have evolved into seafood houses and galleries, and old shrimp boats now reside for eternity.

Nearby Cape St. George Lighthouse had been lighting the way for mariners since 1852, until it collapsed in 2005. Now it’s been rebuilt with a new museum. It’s no longer a working lighthouse (blame GPS), but you can’t tell the story of this region without relating the history of this structure.

Panama City has four very interesting neighborhoods in which to roam. Downtown is filled with galleries and arts facilities such as the Martin Theatre, the City Marina, the Visual Arts Center and the CityArts Cooperative. Historic St. Andrews still resembles the quaint fishing village it was in the “old days.”

Downtown North serves as the cultural hub of Panama City’s African American community and Millville is named for its once-thriving paper-manufacturing and shipbuilding industries.

Holmes County has a population of only 20,000, however it boasts one noteworthy historical residence. The Keith Cabin is an authentic 19th-century rural homestead on which William Thomas Keith grew cotton and tobacco . . . and expanded his land holdings from 10 acres to 190.

The Beaches of South Walton are home to a vibrant arts community, anchored by the local Cultural Arts Alliance, and enhanced

FROM TOP TO BOTTOM: DESTINATION PANAMA CITY; VISIT PENSACOLA, INC.

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by the opening of the Foster Gallery in 2016.

Every month, the vibrantly colored community of Seaside holds the First Friday Ruskin Place Art Walk, featuring live music, hors d’oeuvres and wine in the largest collection of art galleries on the Northwest Florida Gulf coast. Artists at Gulf Place is an art cooperative including potters, sculptors, painters, metal artists, candlemakers, photographers, folk artists and furniturecrafters, with workshops for kids. South Walton also boasts the Seaside Repertory Theatre, one of Northwest Florida’s premier professional theater companies.

At the Indian Temple Mound Museum in Fort Walton Beach, you can walk through 12,000 years of Native American life and admire one of the finest collections of prehistoric ceramics in the southeastern US. A short drive north of Fort Walton Beach, a more recent period of history comes alive at the Air Force Armament Museum, which takes you from the early biplanes of World War I to the SR-71 Blackbird—the fastest aircraft ever built. If Broadway shows and the Northwest Florida Symphony pique your interest, check the schedule at the Mattie Kelly Arts Center.

The town of Milton is filled with historical homes and storefronts leading to the Blackwater River waterfront, once the epicenter of thriving timber and shipbuilding industries here. At the old post office, you can ogle the antiques while eating lunch. And you can step back into the 19th century at the renovated railroad depot at the West Florida Railroad Museum.

At the western end of the Panhandle, the city of Pensacola boasts two significant distinctions. It was the first settlement founded by immigrants to America (although later deserted for a few years, thereby ceding to St. Augustine the title of first permanent settlement). And this city of only 52,000 is one of the few in the US with five professional performing arts companies. Pensacola’s iconic Saenger Theatre first opened its doors in 1925, and is now restored to her original glory, hosting dance and musical companies, theater and a Classic Movie Series.

OPPOSITE TOP: Art gallery in Panama City.

OPPOSITE BOTTOM: Historic Pensacola Village.

ANNUAL EVENTS JANUARY

JULY

30A Songwriters Festival, Beaches of

Firecracker Day, Vernon

South Walton Apalachicola Oyster Cook-Off

July 4th Fireworks, Panama City Beach Pensacola Beach Air Show

Pensacola Beach Run Half Marathon and 10K/5K Stars & Guitars, Panama City

AUGUST Paddle at the Porch, Destin

FEBRUARY

Sandestin Triathlon

Bay Day Shrimp Boil & Open House,

Wausau Possum Festival and Miss Funday Pageant

Gulf County Emerald Coast Parrot Head Annual Chili Cook-Off, Destin

SEPTEMBER Beach Blast Triathlon, Mexico Beach/Port St. Joe

Mardi Gras, Pensacola

Gulf Coast Summerfest, Pensacola

Sandestin Gumbo Festival, South Walton

Lobster Festival & Tournament, Panama City Beach

St. Andrews Mardi Gras, Panama City

Pensacola Seafood Festival Taste of the Beach, Pensacola

MARCH

Vettes at the Beach, Pensacola Beach

30A Wine Festival at Alys Beach, South Walton Gulf Breeze Celebrates the Arts Festival

OCTOBER

Gulf Coast Renaissance Faire and Pirate Festival,

Boggy Bayou Mullet Festival, Niceville

Pensacola

Destin Fishing Rodeo

St. George Island Chili Cook-Off and Auction

Destin Seafood Festival

UnWineD, Panama City Beach

Harvest Festival, Graceville Northwest Florida Championship Rodeo,

APRIL Apalachicola Antique & Classic Boat & Car Show Interstate Mullet Toss and Gulf Coast’s

Bonifay Oktoberfest, Panama City Pensacola Beach Art & Wine Festival Pensacola Greek Festival

Greatest Beach Party, Perdido Key Pensacola Crawfish Festival

OCTOBER–NOVEMBER

Sandestin Wine Festival

Hammack Farms & Corn Maze, Bonifay

South Walton Beaches Wine & Food Festival Tall Ships America, Pensacola

NOVEMBER

Two Toe Tom Festival, Esto

Blue Angel Homecoming Airshow, Pensacola Creek Indian Celebration Days, Pensacola

MAY

Emerald Coast Cruizin’, Panama City Beach

Digital Graffiti at Alys Beach, South Walton

Florida Seafood Festival, Apalachicola

Forgotten Coast En Plein Air Paint-Out,

Foo Foo Festival, Pensacola

Franklin County/Gulf County

Great Gulf Coast Arts Festival, Pensacola

Marianna Municipal Airport Fly-In

Seeing Red Wine Festival, Seaside

Tupelo Honey Festival, Wewahitchka

Thunderbird Tribal PowWow, Destin

JUNE

DECEMBER

Big Bend Saltwater Classic, Carrabelle

Holiday on the Harbor Lighted Boat Parade,

Bill Bowlegs Pirate Festival and Torchlight Parade, Fort Walton Beach

Destin Lighted Boat Parades, Destin & Pensacola

Emerald Coast Blue Marlin Classic, Sandestin

New Year’s Eve Ball Drop, Panama City Beach

Panhandle Watermelon Festival, Chipley

New Year’s Eve Celebration, Destin Panama City Boat Parade of Lights

JUNE/JULY

NYE Pelican Drop, Pensacola

Summer Concerts in the Park, Marianna

Winterfest, Pensacola

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ATTRACTIONS Franklin County’s attractions highlight its natural beauty, such as the Apalachicola National Forest and the Apalachicola National Estuarine Research Reserve, complete with fish tanks and interactive displays.

A long time ago, a Liberty County resident named E.E. Callaway claimed he had found the Garden of Eden in Liberty County. Maybe, maybe not. But the county does have a part of paradise in its share of the Apalachicola National Forest. It also has the Veterans Memorial Railroad’s three historic trains— one of them with a coal-fired steam engine.

And at the Panhandle Pioneer Settlement, in neighboring Calhoun County, the way it was, is the way it is.

No visit to Northwest Florida should end without a horseback ride on the beach, particularly in dream-like spots such as Cape San Blas. If you prefer your water inland (with oars or on a tour boat), head for the Dead Lakes, a unique ecosystem that’s part-swamp, partriver, part-lake, and all pristine wilderness.

In Panama City Beach, the Man in the Sea

5

MUST-SEE ATTRACTIONS

1

CROOKED RIVER LIGHTHOUSE, CARRABELLE: crookedriverlighthouse.org

2

GULFARIUM MARINE ADVENTURE PARK, FORT WALTON BEACH: gulfarium.com

3

NATIONAL NAVAL AVIATION MUSEUM, PENSACOLA: navalaviationmuseum.org

4

APALACHICOLA NATIONAL FOREST, FRANKLIN COUNTY: fs.usda.gov/apalachicola

5

ZOOWORLD ZOOLOGICAL AND BOTANICAL CONSERVATORY, PANAMA CITY BEACH: zooworldpcb.com

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Museum covers the history of diving and the Navy’s “Man in the Sea Program,” which showcases SEALAB I, the Navy’s first-ever underwater habitat.

Panama City, too, lives on the water.

Ashley Gorman Shell Island Cruises takes you out to snorkel with the dolphins. And the Betsy Ann Riverboat, one of America’s last remaining sternwheel paddlers, will take you for a trip back in time with a crew in period costumes and themed dinners such as Murder Mystery and Live Blues.

The Beaches of South Walton have family fun spots like the Seacrest Wolf Preserve, where you can interact not only with wolves, but also with foxes, raccoons, skunks and Pecos the Coyote. At the E.O. Wilson Biophilia Center, there’s a working beehive, a birdwatching station, a rescued snapping turtle, and several species of snakes and frogs.

The Destin/Fort Walton Beach/Okaloosa Island area, also known as the Heart of the Emerald Coast, offers attractions such as the Gulfarium, where you can frolic in the water with rays and spend time observing dolphins. If your kids love dinosaurs, head for Wild Willy’s Adventure Zone, with mini-golf, a trampoline, laser maze, arcade, incredible 4-D movie theater, and, yes, dinosaurs.

Santa Rosa County’s Gulf Breeze Zoo showcases over 50 acres of animals from around the world, and the Navarre Beach Marine Science Station combines hands-on learning and entertainment.

In Escambia County, historical Pensacola Village is the site of the original Spanish and British forts in a city over which five flags have flown. In the Pensacola Lighthouse, built in 1859, climb the 177 steps for a dramatic panoramic view of the Gulf Coast.

CLOCKWISE FROM BOTTOM LEFT: DESTINATION PANAMA CITY; VISIT PENSACOLA; GULF COUNTY TDC; SANTA ROSA COUNTY TOURIST DEVELOPMENT OFFICE; GULF COUNTY TDC; VISIT PENSACOLA, INC.

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BEACHES AND OUTDOOR GEMS Florida Panhandle beaches are worldrenowned. Frolic on more than 227 miles of white, fine-grained, sugar-sand beaches stretching from Apalachicola in the east to Pensacola in the west. And often, they’re so uncrowded that you may come to think of them as your own private playgrounds!

The Apalachicola National Forest proffers 564,000 acres that are perfect for camping, picnicking, hiking, biking, boating, hunting and fishing. Inside this silent green wonderland lies the Fort Gadsden Historic Site, interpreting the history of Native and African Americans in this region during the early 1800s. Offshore, St. Vincent National Wildlife Refuge is a 12,492-acre barrier island accessible only by boat; the only residents you’ll see are nesting bald eagles and loggerhead sea turtles, and, if you’re lucky, a red wolf.

Situated on the bluffs overlooking the Apalachicola River, Torreya State Park offers excellent hiking and camping facilities. In addition, the Ochlockonee and Chipola Rivers are ideal for kayaking and fishing.

If you’re looking for the most spectacular sunsets you’ve ever seen, head for St. Joe Beach and Beacon Hill. Here, a shoreline leading to the horizon offers million-dollar views of the Gulf sun, blazing with color as it sets behind the silhouette of St. Joseph Peninsula.

From there, it’s a short drive to Panama City Beach where outdoor enthusiasts can hike and birdwatch along scenic trails, camp along the shore, enjoy unparalleled boating, fishing and diving, take kayaking tours, go off-road cycling, try stand-up paddleboarding and more. And, with everything from airboat adventures to glass-bottom boat tours and marine rescue programs, there are many ways to experience and observe the surrounding wildlife. At the newly opened 2,900-acre Panama City Beach Conservation Park, visitors enjoy boardwalks and 24 miles of unpaved trails, which are connected with other trail systems known as Gayle’s Trails through the beach area. On the eastern edge of Panama City Beach, St. Andrews State Park is ranked among the top 10 beaches in the US and is one of the most popular outdoor recreation spots in Florida. Across from the mainland, Shell

Island is a peaceful spot to relax or snorkel and the area surrounding the island is home to one of the largest concentrations of bottlenose dolphins in the country. Shuttle boat service to the island is available during the spring and summer months. Other locations worth checking out include Pine Log & Point Washington State Forests, Camp Helen State Park and the Florida Trail at Econfina Creek.

Gulf Islands National Seashore is one gigantic playground, which includes the barrier islands of Pensacola Beach, Perdido Key and Okaloosa Island.

Among the best beaches in Northwest Florida is the pristine five-mile stretch in the charming little town of Mexico Beach, where the beach consists of fine, white quartz crystals, which give the water its gem-like color. Then there’s the Emerald Coast, voted

“No. 1 Beach in the South” for many years.

Heading inland, Florida Caverns State Park is home to the only guided dry cave tours in the state. Nearby is the Bellamy Bridge, said to be haunted by—who else?— the Ghost of Bellamy Bridge. Visitors in this area enjoy paddling, birdwatching, hiking, horseback riding, and some of the best bass fishing in the state. For an incredible cavediving experience, check out Cave Adventurers to book dive lessons or trips at Merritt’s Mill Pond.

OPPOSITE TOP LEFT: Pensacola Lighthouse. OPPOSITE TOP RIGHT: Fishing on St. Joseph Bay in Gulf County.

OPPOSITE BOTTOM LEFT: Waterfront dining in Panama City. TOP: Glamping at Coldwater Gardens in Milton.

ABOVE LEFT: Relaxing on Pensacola Beach. ABOVE RIGHT: Paddling through the Cypress stumps of the Dead Lakes in Wewahitchka.

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NORTHWEST FLORIDA

and the Destin Harbor are the most romantic strolling spots in town, with great shopping and cool boutiques, galleries, family restaurants and attractions, bars and clubs, pub crawls, live music, and dancing amid those harbor lights and lapping waters.

In Pensacola, nightlife often revolves around performing arts companies like the Pensacola Symphony Orchestra, Pensacola Opera, Pensacola Ballet and the Pensacola Little Theatre, the oldest continuously operating community theater in the southeastern US. The Seville Quarter is a huge venue offering seven rooms of nighttime entertainment, with DJs, pool tables, dance club, restaurants, live music and dueling pianos. And downtown’s Palafox Street is an exciting strip lined with restaurants, bars and clubs.

ROAD TRIPS The town of Mexico Beach boasts some of the best side trips in Northwest Florida. The Dead Lakes State Recreation Area, 23 miles away, offers perhaps the best freshwater fishing in the state, along with unusual scenery due to the stumps and dead tree trunks sticking out of the water. Another “natural” day trip from Mexico Beach is St. Vincent National Wildlife Refuge, accessible only by water. Here, you’ll see an incredible variety of wildlife, among them many species of birds, Sambar deer and the endangered red wolf. A good starting point is Indian Pass, an historic trading post and, supposedly, the site of Spanish buried treasure.

The Washington County town of Chipley has its fair share of interesting historical buildings in the South Third Street Historic District, such as the imposing County Courthouse. And you can take an extraordinary look at early life here at the Washington County Historical Museum.

South Walton has 16 beach neighborhoods that make for a beautiful drive along the coast. You’ll drive along Scenic 30A through a variety of distinct neighborhood styles—so distinct, in fact, that you’ll know when you’re going from one town into another. The area’s upscale aura is evidenced by its many artists and galleries, funky local boutiques, and farm-to-table dining philosophy. This route also offers numerous opportunities to kayak on coastal dune lakes, play golf at a PGA-quality course, and bike along the 18-mile Timpoochee Trail.

For something truly unique, check out the first Underwater Museum of Art (UMA) in the U.S. off Grayton Beach State Park, where a collection of seven underwater sculptures were installed in the summer of 2018 as artificial reefs to provide anchor points for marine life to inhabit.

The Chautauqua Vineyards & Winery is a nice day trip from the Emerald Coast. You can tour the winery and learn the ABCs of grapegrowing, pruning, harvesting, crushing and bottling. You’ll be able to taste some of the wines that have earned Chautauqua over 140 awards, from dry wines and southern favorites to sweet muscadine and blueberry.

INTERNATIONAL GATEWAYS Northwest Florida Beaches International Airport: iflybeaches.com Pensacola International Airport: flypensacola.com

CLOCKWISE FROM BOTTOM LEFT: VISIT PANAMA CITY BEACH; GULF COUNTY TDC; DESTINATION PANAMA CITY; GULF COUNTY TDC.

ENTERTAINMENT If you’re talkin’ Florida Panhandle cookin’, you’re talkin’ fresh seafood. One of the best places to find it is in the town of Eastpoint, across the bay from Apalachicola and St. George Island. Eastpoint is lined with rustic seafood houses, serving freshly harvested Apalachicola Bay oysters just hauled in by the weathered skiffs outside. And the oysters come with an extra dose of friendliness as many of these restaurants are now into the fourth generation of family ownership.

Panama City offers a variety of nightlife options, among them the multi-venue musical jam called “Music Matters.” The Corner Pocket is a non-smoking pool hall with the largest selection of craft beer and the county’s only owner-operated Cicerone establishment. The Place Downtown in the historical district of Panama City features karaoke and trivia nights and hosts performers from the Ukulele Orchestra and the Gulf Jazz Society.

Neighboring Panama City Beach is a flipflops town during the day however, when the sun goes down, its partying side comes out.

Tootsie’s Orchid Lounge is a branch of Nashville’s world-famous honky-tonk, and Club La Vela is actually the largest nightclub in America. You can hear live music at places like Spinnaker Beach Club and Pineapple Willie’s. And keep your throat moist, because in this town, there’s a good chance you’ll be using it for karaoke at night.

In the town of Bonifay, you can find good food and sports at Sam’s Place, and pool tables and camaraderie at La Cue Billiards.

Come fall, Hammack Farms & Corn Maze is the perfect family evening out. There’s a five-acre corn maze, a mini-hay-bale maze for the kids, hayrides, pumpkin patch, petting zoo, a playground, and a downhome-fun atmosphere.

The picturesque seaside town of Destin may bring back memories of that famous ‘50s song, Harbor Lights. HarborWalk Village

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SHOPPING In the tiny Jackson County town of Graceville, you’ll find the Service Drugstore, the oldest continuously operated pharmacy in Florida. There’s a captivating old-time ambience here, with original apothecary cabinetry, hardwood floors and pressed-tin ceiling, not to mention the old-fashioned milkshakes, ice-cream floats and handdipped ice-cream cones whipped up at the 1950s soda fountain.

Reid Avenue in Port St. Joe is a half-milelong stroll back into the Old South. Outdoor gear? Books? Jewelry? Local pottery or artwork? Luxury spa treatment? It’s all here, along with restaurants running the gamut from Italian and Southern to Chinese and Mexican. At the Salt Air Farmers’ Market, on the first and third Saturdays from February through December, you can find clothing, antiques and timeless treasures along with fresh produce.

As you drive through the charming little town of Mexico Beach, you’ll come to Frost Pottery Garden, with imported pottery, great kites for the beach, wind chimes, jewelry and local artwork. The Shell Shack offers gifts plucked from one of Florida’s most beautiful beaches, and Toucan’s gift shop features great gifts for the folks back home.

The Little Village in Panama City has an offbeat collection of outdoor shops. At The Little Mustard Seed, wander through three stories overflowing with custom furniture, handmade soaps and lotions, jewelry, and a thousand items that have been revived, renewed and restored. Historic Downtown Panama City is home to the Elegant Endeavors Antique Emporium and Main

Street Antiques, which have been featured on different shows. Every Saturday, head over to the St. Andrews Farmers’ Market.

While you’re there, step aboard Just the Cook, a super cool food boat, which has been showcased on the Food Network as having one of the top 16 cooks in America.

Across the water in Panama City Beach, Pier Park is an “outdoor shopping and lifestyle center” with a wide variety of items to buy, eat or ogle.

The Market Shops, on the Beaches of South Walton, offer outdoor shopping accompanied by musicians and artists. In Rosemary Beach, a planned town built in the mid-90s on the principle of “New Urbanism” (much like its neighbor Seaside, which preceded it by 15 years), the French Quarter, with its balconies and vividly colored buildings and curling wroughtiron railings, is a delightful place to spend an afternoon shopping and dining.

In Destin, HarborWalk Village has a vibrant atmosphere, with vendors, artists and street performers outside, and stunning views of the Gulf of Mexico and Choctawhatchee Bay. On The Boardwalk on Okaloosa Island, you’ll find five restaurants and some shops. Nearby Fort Walton Beach is filled with boutiques, restaurants and galleries—even a brewery. Hunt for bargains at Silver Sands Premium Outlets in Miramar Beach and Destin Commons, and the Fort Walton Beach Antique/Flea Market District has treasures you never knew you needed until now.

And if you have a yen to bring home something new from Pensacola, head for the shops on Palafox Street.

FEATURED LINKS ARTS AND CULTURE Cape St. George Light, Museum & Gift Shop stgeorgelight.org Cultural Arts Alliance of Walton County culturalartsalliance.com Indian Temple Mound Museum, Fort Walton fwb.org/museums/Indian-temple-mound-museum Martin Theatre, Panama City martintheatre.com Pensacola Saenger Theatre pensacolasaenger.com The Repertory Theatre, Seaside lovetherep.com

ATTRACTIONS Betsy Ann Riverboat, Panama City betsyannriverboat.net Gulf Breeze Zoo, Santa Rosa County gulfbreezezoo.org Historic Pensacola historicpensacola.org Pensacola Lighthouse and Museum pensacolalighthouse.org Veterans Memorial Railroad, Liberty County veteransmemorialrailroad.org

BEACHES AND OUTDOOR GEMS Camp Helen State Park floridastateparks.org/park/Camp-Helen Florida Caverns State Park floridastateparks.org/park/Florida-Caverns St. Joe Beach visitgulf.com Torreya State Park floridastateparks.org/park/Torreya

ENTERTAINMENT Pensacola Little Theatre pensacolalittletheatre.com Seville Quarter, Pensacola sevillequarter.com

ROAD TRIPS South Third Street Historic District, Chipley cityofchipley.com St. Vincent National Wildlife Refuge fws.gov/refuge/st_vincent Underwater Museum of Art umafl.org

SHOPPING Destin Commons destincommons.com Silver Sands Premium Outlets, Miramar Beach premiumoutlets.com/outlet/silver-sands The Little Village, Panama City littlevillagepc.com The Market Shops, South Walton visitsouthwalton.com/listing/the-market-shops OPPOSITE TOP: Salinas Bayside Park Pier. OPPOSITE BOTTOM: Paddleboarder in Panama City Beach. ABOVE LEFT: Outdoor gear at Bluewater Outriggers in Gulf County. ABOVE RIGHT: Shopping in St. Andrews.

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FRANKLIN COUNTY

The unforgettable “forgotten coast”

T

here’s a reason—actually, several reasons—why Franklin County, in the Florida Panhandle, is called Florida’s “Forgotten Coast.”

For one thing, it’s been ignored by developers who prefer to build high-rise towers. It’s been forgotten by traffic planners because there is so little traffic; in fact, there’s only one traffic light in the county! The small coastal towns of Apalachicola, Carrabelle, St. George Island, Eastpoint and Alligator Point pride themselves instead on being a familyfriendly paradise where you can experience genuine “local color” and a healing haven for mind, body and soul. You’ll feel it the moment you arrive.

SEE AND DO Being more rural, more pristine and less developed than other Northwest Florida

INSIDER’S TIP Take time to visit Apalachicola’s National Historic District, which features some 900 historical buildings.

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counties, Franklin County is recognized for its nature-based attractions and activities.

Luckily, Mother Nature did not forget Franklin County. She blessed this special stretch of coastline with incomparable beauty as well as hundreds of miles of rivers, lakes and nature trails along which you can hike, bike, canoe, kayak or explore.

And then, there are the county’s uncrowded beaches that frame the Gulf of Mexico and those memorable sunsets. It’s worth noting this region boasts St. George Island State Park Beach, considered among the best in America.

History, too, has endowed this region with special gifts. Among them, two lighthouses—Crooked River and Cape St. George—have been beautifully restored to their 19th-century glory and house fascinating museums, while historical districts in Apalachicola take you back to another time.

DINE AND PLAY Pleasures here are sweet and surprising. The county’s location on Apalachicola Bay ensures there’s plenty of delicious seafood to enjoy. Be sure to treat yourself to the

very distinctive taste of the renowned Apalachicola oysters. After dinner, experience a different kind of taste at the iconic Oyster City Brewery or the brand new Eastpoint Brewery. Or, book a sunset cruise along the Apalachicola waterfront.

Franklin County offers a variety of beachfront hotels and vacation rentals geared to families, and Apalachicola features a selection of charming bed and breakfasts.

Pets are welcome just about everywhere. A string of scenic, relaxing coastal communities—Apalachicola, Carrabelle, Eastpoint, Alligator Point and St. George Island—are ready to welcome you to Florida’s “Forgotten Coast”—a place you’ll never forget.

TOP: A scenic view of the Carrabelle River.

FEATURED LINKS Franklin County Tourist Development Council: FloridasForgottenCoast.com Cape St. George Light, Museum & Gift Shop: StGeorgeLight.org Crooked River Lighthouse: CrookedRiverLighthouse.org

FORREST WESSON/FRANKLIN COUNTY TOURIST DEVELOPMENT COUNCIL

BY STEVE WINSTON

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EXPLORE NORTHWEST FLORIDA

Get back to nature in Northwest Florida

BY STEVE WINSTON

S

tep into the quiet side of Florida, where life is slower, people still say hello and Mother Nature beckons you with a world of one-of-a-kind outdoor experiences.

This multi-county region in the Florida Panhandle stretches from the historical lighthouses and fishing fleets of Franklin County in the east to the world-class, white-

sand beaches of Walton County in the west.

In between, you’ll find charming little towns with no stoplights; historic settlements; Native-American ceremonial sites; and rural roads with country stores selling unique treats along the way.

Discover a treasure trove of unspoiled havens where the beauty of Mother Nature takes your breath away. Outdoor recreation

options range from golf on beautifully manicured greens to hiking trails, such as the Florida National Scenic Trail and the Great Florida Birding & Wildlife Trail, which meander through pristine wilderness and unique ecosystems, populated with birds and wildlife found nowhere else on Earth.

Charter a boat to fish for your dinner. Or glide along streams where you’re the only kayaker or canoeist as you enjoy serene, silent landscapes that haven’t changed in a million years.

Choose your adventure in one of America’s great natural wonderlands.

TOP: Birdwatching in St. Andrews State Park near Panama City Beach. BOTTOM: Cave divers.

FEATURED LINKS Explore Northwest Florida: ExploreNWFlorida.com

A natural playground

BY STEVE WINSTON

J

ackson County, in the Florida Panhandle, is a Florida gem exuding small-town friendliness, country roads and natural beauty. Everywhere you look, there are a multitude of recreational opportunities, compliments of Mother Nature.

The Florida Caverns State Park offers the only guided dry-cave tours in the state. The county is filled with natural springs of crystal-clear blue water . . . so clear, in fact,

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that you can go cave-diving in places like Jackson Blue Springs.

Jackson County also has an Agri-Tourism Trail featuring 31 unique stops for the whole family, such as U-pick farms, corn mazes and campgrounds. Farm-to-table restaurants are increasing rapidly here. However, they are not the only places foodies love.

Southern Craft Creamery in Marianna has garnered accolades in several national

publications for their flavorful ice creams, which include Vanilla & Satsuma Jam, Roasted Banana with Salted Peanuts, and a favorite in the South, Tupelo Honey.

Canoeing and kayaking are so popular here that Jackson County just held its first annual “Rock-A-Dock” event in September 2018. If you canoe or kayak here, chances are you’ll only hear the sound of your paddle dipping into the water. The county is also bursting with hiking, biking and horseback-riding trails. There are even trails where you can do all three!

Jackson County is a place to let go, breathe deep and relax in the serenity of the great outdoors.

FEATURED LINKS Jackson County Tourist Development Council: VisitJacksonCountyFla.com Florida Caverns State Park: floridastateparks.org/parks-and-trails/ florida-caverns-state-park Southern Craft Creamery: SouthernCraftCreamery.com

FROM TOP TO BOTTOM: VISIT PANAMA CITY BEACH JACKSON COUNTY TOURIST DEVELOPMENT COUNCIL

JACKSON COUNTY

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NORTH CENTRAL FLORIDA

LEARNING CENTERS & RURAL GEMS North Central Florida is riddled with natural gifts, including the celebrated Suwannee River, clearwater springs and wilderness, and flora and fauna, which naturalist John Muir walked 1,000 miles to document. Miles of “blue” byways, bracketed by two high-spirited universities, stitch together hometown hamlets where time stands still.

BY JANET GROENE

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A DAY IN...

LAKE CITY/ COLUMBIA COUNTY Rise and shine as you greet the morning at Alligator Lake Park, known for its extensive hiking and biking trails teeming with birdwatching and nature encounters. Afterward, it’s time for a stroll through downtown Lake City, filled with eclectic shops, local art and an historical museum. After lunch at the Marion Street Gastro Pub and Deli, dive into Florida’s cool and refreshing spring waters at the world-famous Ichetucknee Springs. Relax a bit before heading back to downtown Lake City for cocktails and dinner.

GAINESVILLE

TALLAHASSEE

WAKULLA COUNTY

Kick off your day with a refreshing dive into one of the area’s natural freshwater springs.

After working up an appetite, grab lunch at the awardwinning Great Outdoors Restaurant in High Springs. Discover the past at the Florida Museum of Natural History before heading out into nature at Paynes Prairie Preserve State Park or down a 120-foot sinkhole at Devil’s Millhopper Geological State Park. As the sun sets, head into lively downtown Gainesville for dining options like Dragonfly Sushi, The Top, Manuel’s Vintage Room or Emiliano’s Cafe.

Take a guided tour of the 1845 Historic Capitol (now a museum) and Museum of Florida History.

Breeze through Florida State University and Florida A&M University campuses and Cascades Park. Enjoy lunch outdoors before exploring Mission San Luis, the only reconstructed 17th-century Spanish mission in the southeast. Head to the Tallahassee Museum to zip through treetops and over cypress swamps, tour pioneer buildings and observe native wildlife.

Dine at an award-winning restaurant followed by a nightcap at the renowned Bradfordville Blues Club.

Begin your day wildlife watching at the beautiful St. Marks National Wildlife Refuge. Then head over to Wakulla Springs State Park where you can board a Jungle Cruise from Wakulla Springs up the river. Lunchtime is the perfect time to slip into the Edward Ball Dining Room and stop at The Soda Fountain for a root beer float at the world’s longest marble soda fountain. Round out the day with an afternoon kayak trip to explore more of the endless natural resources in the area. End your day at Posey Up the Creek Steam Room & Oyster Bar in Panacea to savor some of the best seafood in Florida.

FROM LEFT TO RIGHT: SCOT HOSTEIN; VISIT FLORIDA; VISIT GAINESVILLE; GLENN HASTINGS, VISIT WAKULLA.

NORTH CENTRAL FLORIDA

YOUR NORTH CENTRAL FLORIDA EXPERTS Alachua County Visitors & Convention Bureau: visitgainesville.com Columbia County Tourist Development Council: springsrus.com Gadsden County Chamber of Commerce: gadsdencc.com Hamilton County Tourist Development Council: hamiltoncountyflorida.com Jefferson County Tourism Development Council: visitjeffersoncountyflorida.com Levy County Visitors Bureau: visitnaturecoast.com Micanopy Area Chamber of Commerce: micanopychamber.com Suwannee County Chamber of Commerce: suwanneechamber.com Taylor County Tourism Development Council: taylorflorida.com Visit Tallahassee: visittallahassee.com Visit Wakulla: visitwakulla.com

OPPOSITE: Drive down Centerville Road in Tallahassee.

TOP FROM LEFT TO RIGHT: Tubing on the Ichetucknee River; The High Springs Plein Air Festival; Exterior view of Florida’s Historic Capitol; Scenic view of St. Marks Lighthouse in St. Marks National Wildlife Refuge in Wakulla County.

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ARTS AND CULTURE

INSIDER’S TIPS In addition to this area’s regional airports, locals fly out of Valdosta, Georgia, where a Delta Connection flies three times daily to Atlanta International Airport.

Cell phone service in this region’s outback is spotty and GPS unreliable. Plan for alternative ways to communicate and navigate.

Gainesville’s UFHealth Shands Hospital at the University of Florida is internationally known for medical tourism. Many local hotels offer discounts and shuttle service to patients and their families.

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At the Harn Museum of Art at the University of Florida in Gainesville see one of the world’s iconic Hammering Man statues by Jonathan Borofsky plus more than 10,000 pieces of African, Asian and contemporary art. Also on display are comprehensive collections of Ancient American, oceanic and natural history art. Five outdoor spaces include the Asian Water Garden and an Asian Rock Garden.

Theater-goers can find live professional productions as well as art cinema and art exhibits at Gainesville’s architecturally impressive Hippodrome. It’s housed in the historical Federal Building, richly designed with Corinthian columns and elaborate trim.

Anchored by an early (1857) Gainesville homestead, Matheson History Museum showcases local history and native plants in its botanical garden. The complex also includes the original tool barn and a quaint 1935 tabernacle that serves as the museum library. The Florida Museum of Natural History on the University of Florida campus is best known for its Butterfly Rainforest.

Don’t miss its extensive collections in fields of archaeology, paleontology and ethnology.

Outdoors, stroll along nature paths.

Stephen Foster Folk Culture Center State Park in White Springs has campsites, cabins, ranger-led events and hiking trails, the same as other state parks, but resident artists make this stop a vibrant center for Florida folk art every day. Programs feature performers, songwriters and expert crafters.

Heading west to Tallahassee via I-10, stop briefly in Greenville. Tour the restored home of jazz legend Ray Charles (1930–2004) by appointment or just grab a quick photo of the impressive bronze statue of the blind musician. Continuing west to Monticello, see the historic Monticello Opera House. In the vaudeville era, touring troupes played the area’s many opera houses. This one still hosts live performances.

The Tallahassee Museum is a 52-acre collection of buildings representing 19thcentury commercial, farm and social life in North Florida. One of the most intriguing is Bellevue, a modest but caringly restored plantation home of a real princess.

Catherine Daingerfield Willis, great grandniece of George Washington, became a royal when she married Prince Achille Murat, a nephew of Napoleon Bonaparte.

When Napoleon was exiled, the couple fled from France to the United States. The prince served as Tallahassee postmaster and Catherine bought a 520-acre cotton plantation. Their burial plot is in the St. John’s Episcopal Church Cemetery in downtown Tallahassee.

Tallahassee’s performance arts include fully staged Florida State Opera productions at Florida State University. A large outdoor venue for seasonal festivals, concerts and events is the Capital City Amphitheater at Cascades Park downtown. Civic venues offer occasional touring shows such as a Broadway series.

CLOCKWISE FROM BOTTOM LEFT: VISIT TALLAHASSEE; VISIT GAINESVILLE; VISIT GAINESVILLE; VISIT TALLAHASSEE

NORTH CENTRAL FLORIDA

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ATTRACTIONS Depot Park, a 32-acre family playground and cultural center on the site of Gainesville’s historic railroad station, is fully accessible to adults and children with physical challenges.

On hot days, get wet in the splash pad. On the water’s edge, you may see pop-up art galleries, food trucks and festivals throughout the year.

Come here any day to find outdoor grills, picnic pavilions and nature trails. Enjoy indoor fun at Depot Park in the Cade Museum of Creativity and Invention, which opened in 2018. Bring the family to engage with displays highlighting innovation.

In Tallahassee, Goodwood Museum & Gardens began as a 2,400-acre corn and cotton plantation in the 1830s. The stately home was owner-occupied into the 1920s and its furnishings reflect its many layers of history. The gardens have been returned to the original, 19th-century plantings of heirloom roses, bulbs and sago palms.

Something is in bloom all year in a setting of towering live oaks.

Despite its modern look, Tallahassee is one of the South’s oldest communities. The Spanish settlement at St. Augustine traded with the Apalachee tribe here 500 years ago.

When the British won Florida from the

Spanish, the tribe fled west and burned their village. Now it has been reconstructed, a living replica of Spanish and Native American life. The Mission San Luis de Apalachee in Tallahassee is a busy village peopled by Spanish “soldiers” at the fort, “friars” at the church and native townspeople who raise crops, weave, make horseshoes, feed chickens and meet at the council house.

A faithful restoration, based on original Spanish records and placed on actual sites, the Mission re-creates the village when the tribe and their Spanish friends fled approaching English armies in 1704.

Although the Tallahassee Automobile and Collectibles Museum has more than 150 vehicles, it’s about much more than cars. The 100,000-square-foot building holds one of the nation’s largest displays of Steinway pianos plus extensive collections of jukeboxes, knives, vintage sports items, dolls, Native American relics, old toys, railroad memorabilia and rare oddities. Plan to spend all day.

The Challenger Learning Center in downtown Tallahassee is a university-led outreach for students from kindergarten age to 12. Adults are welcome. See eye-popping IMAX documentaries and attend planetarium shows.

FEATURED LINKS ARTS AND CULTURE Capital City Amphitheater, Tallahassee capitalcityamphitheater.com Cascades Park, Tallahassee discovercascades.com Florida Museum of Natural History, Gainesville floridamuseum.ufl.edu Harn Museum of Art, Gainesville harn.ufl.edu Stephen Foster Folk Culture Center State Park, White Springs floridastateparks.org/park/Stephen-Foster

ATTRACTIONS Florida Historic Capitol Museum, Tallahassee flhistoriccapitol.gov Cade Museum, Gainesville cademuseum.org Depot Park, Gainesville depotpark.org Goodwood Museum & Gardens, Tallahassee goodwoodmuseum.org Museum of Florida History MuseumofFloridaHistory.com Tallahassee Automobile and Collectibles Museum tacm.com

BEACHES AND OUTDOOR GEMS Alfred B. Maclay Gardens State Park, Tallahassee floridastateparks.org/park/Maclay-Gardens Big Bend Scenic Byway floridabigbendscenicbyway.org Osceola National Forest fs.usda.gov/osceola Paynes Prairie Preserve State Park, Gainesville floridastateparks.org/park/Paynes-Prairie

ENTERTAINMENT The Hippodrome, Gainesville thehipp.org University of Florida Performing Arts performingarts.ufl.edu

ROAD TRIPS Forest Capital Museum State Park, Perry floridastateparks.org/park/Forest-Capital Suwannee River State Park floridastateparks.org/park/Suwannee-River

SHOPPING

OPPOSITE TOP LEFT: Downtown festival and art show in Gainesville. OPPOSITE TOP RIGHT: The Hippodrome in Gainesville.

OPPOSITE BOTTOM LEFT: African Dance Festival, Tallahassee. ABOVE: Family outing at Maclay Gardens in Tallahassee.

Bradley’s Country Store, Felkel bradleyscountrystore.com Celebration Pointe, Gainesville celebrationpointe.com Dakotah Winery, Chiefland dakotahwinery.com Town of Micanopy micanopytown.com

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NORTH CENTRAL FLORIDA ation. Gainesville’s Loblolly Woods is a serene hideaway in the heart of the city. The two-mile-long Hogtown Creek Greenway loop trail rewards all with views of woods, waters and wildlife seemingly untouched by urban sprawl.

The Osceola National Forest’s most popular spot is Ocean Pond, a two-mile-wide swimming hole with a sandy beach. The 200,000-acre forest has hiking, birding, ATV, motorcycle and equestrian trails.

The Tallahassee–St. Marks Historic Railroad State Trail runs 20.5 miles from the capital to St. Marks. It’s part of Florida’s Greenways and Trails System, a National Recreation Trail and a portion of the

5

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developing 120-mile “Capital City to the Sea Loop” corridor on the Big Bend Scenic Byway.

Trailahassee.com is an online resource with information and maps of more than 600 miles of trails in the Tallahassee area.

Tallahassee’s Alfred B. Maclay Gardens State Park is a botanical showplace, renowned for winter blooming camellias.

More of the region’s unique flora and fauna is found at such diverse spots as the sprawling savanna at Paynes Prairie Preserve State Park, a prehistoric sinkhole at Devil’s Millhopper Geological State Park, the wetlands environment at Cedar Key and wooded upland habitats in state and national forests.

MUST-SEE ATTRACTIONS

1

CEDAR KEY: visitcedarkey.com

2

DEVIL’S MILLHOPPER GEOLOGICAL STATE PARK: floridastateparks.org/park/Devils-Millhopper

3

LAKE JACKSON MOUNDS ARCHAEOLOGICAL STATE PARK: floridastateparks.org/park/Lake-Jackson

4

MISSION SAN LUIS: missionsanluis.org

5

EDWARD BALL WAKULLA SPRINGS STATE PARK: floridastateparks.org/park/Wakulla-Springs

CLOCKWISE FROM BOTTOM LEFT: VISIT GAINESVILLE; VISIT WAKULLA; VISIT TALLAHASSEE; GLENN HASTINGS/DESTINATION STYLE

BEACHES AND OUTDOOR GEMS Naturalist John Muir trekked through this region to end his famous Thousand-Mile Walk to the Gulf at Cedar Key, noting many previously unrecorded species of birds and plants. Look for them in the region’s state and national forests, preserves and parks. Stretches of the Great Florida Birding Trail thread through the region, offering sightings of upland and coastal species. Hiking trails abound.

Beachgoers speed past this area, lured to the snow-white sands of the Emerald Coast or eastward to the Atlantic beaches. That’s good news for locals who know a dozen hidden springs, which feed the rivers, are popular swimming holes where hikers and paddlers pause for a swim. Keaton Beach, a fishing village south of Perry, has a sandy beach on the Gulf of Mexico.

Tubing the area’s unique springs provides an intimate look at a tangled wilderness.

Float through tunnels of vegetation too small for canoes. Entry points include Blue Spring State Park in High Springs and Fort White’s Ichetucknee Springs State Park.

The Suwannee River can be paddled for its entire length, from north of Jacksonville to the Gulf of Mexico. Primitive camps are provided for overnight stays. Overnight lodgings, supplies and restaurants are found in White Springs and Dowling Park.

An exceptional network of hiking, biking and equestrian trails is well maintained and mapped, thanks to the Florida Trail Associ-

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ENTERTAINMENT City life throbs too, thanks to major universities in Tallahassee and Gainesville.

International students and faculty bring diverse cultures, ethnic cuisines and youthful energy to cities known for Old South heritage, food and hospitality. As the state capital, Tallahassee also hosts national and international political power brokers. In this region, variety is the spice of life.

In the two major cities, student hangouts account for a large slice of nightlife.

Abundant choices are found in affordable and supercharged restaurants, sports bars, coffee houses, jazz joints, open-mike nights, dance clubs and pubs.

In Gainesville, the mother of all hangouts for every manner of Gator bait from University of Florida students to elderly alumni is The Swamp Restaurant near the Ben Hill Griffin Stadium where the Florida Gators football team draws huge crowds. Since 1994 the eatery has been serving the faithful with food, drinks, reunions and cheering sections indoors and out. The front lawn is paved with commemorative bricks. The place to go pub-crawling is West University

Avenue, either near campus or in Historic Downtown, where a dozen hot spots are mere yards apart.

Bo Diddley Plaza is a community cultural center in Gainesville’s Historic District. By day it’s busy with lunchtime concerts and a weekly farmers’ market.

Free concerts take place every Friday night from May to October.

As the home of Florida State University, Tallahassee has a youthful buzz and football mania. And, as the state capital, “Tally” hosts travelers from all over the world.

Here, nightlife venues range from earshattering clubs favored by students to more sedate places for political deal making. A mustsee is the Bradfordville Blues Club, the only Florida club on the National Blues Trail. Set your GPS and follow the dirt roads until you come to the bonfire and hear the wail of the blues.

Krewe de Gras has a Cajun theme and live music in the capital. Also known for drinks, late nights, high energy and live music are Bullwinkle’s and The Moon. Level 8 Lounge in the elegant Hotel Duval is popular for both after-work and after-dinner drinks, tapas and live music.

OPPOSITE CENTER: Birding in Wakulla County. OPPOSITE BOTTOM: Bird at Paynes Prairie Preserve. TOP: Fountain at Florida’s Historic Capitol. ABOVE: Artist at Mission San Luis in Tallahassee.

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ROAD TRIPS The belly of this region is so sparsely populated that almost any paved road is a good place for a jog, two-wheel journey or a leisurely drive. The way is rimmed with wildflowers and passes by farm fields and pastures of grazing cattle, horses or goats.

The main east-west route I-10 roughly follows ancient paths used since preColombian times. Old roads that parallel the interstate pass through charming communities where the clock stopped once the interstate opened. Starting at Lake City, perhaps with a loop up to White Springs, take US 90 westward, stopping at Live Oak for fried chicken at the Dixie Grill and a visit to the museum in the old railroad depot.

TOP LEFT: The Santa Fe Spring Arts Festival in Gainesville.

TOP RIGHT: Zip line at Tallahassee Museum. RIGHT BELOW: Cycling along off-road trails in Wakulla County.

OPPOSITE TOP: Boutique in midtown Tallahassee.

Continue west to Suwannee River State Park on the site of a vanished community called Columbus. The park offers cabins, campsites, a boat launch and picnic sites. Hiking trails take you past Civil War-era fortifications, sawmill remains and an old cemetery. The highway then leads you through Madison with its stately courthouse and antebellum homes.

Hotels once patronized by tobacco auctioneers and cotton factories now stand empty but the small downtown grid has antique shops and a few restaurants.

West of Madison off US 90, the Hixtown Swamp Conservation Area is a major wintering spot for wading birds. Public access allows wildlife-viewing, fishing, picnics and hiking. Like Madison and Live Oak, Monticello is the county seat, centered by a grand

courthouse. Drive around the small historical district, enjoy a meal and buy a bag of treats at Tupelo’s Bakery. There’s also a museum in the old jail that’s worth checking out.

US 27, the original highway from Miami to the Midwest, provides an interesting north-south road trip through this region.

Known by different names including Claude Pepper Memorial Highway throughout the region and the Apalachee Parkway in Tallahassee, it links High Springs, with its funky restaurants, B&B inns and old opera house, to Perry, home of Forest Capital Museum State Park. Little towns along the way include Branford, where cave divers find lodgings and outfitters, and Mayo, where you’ll discover authentic country food and captivating antique shops.

INTERNATIONAL GATEWAYS Gainesville Regional Airport: flygainesville.com Jacksonville International Airport: flyjacksonville.com Northwest Florida Beaches International Airport: iflybeaches.com Tallahassee International Airport: talgov.com/airport/airporthome.aspx

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FROM LEFT TO RIGHT: VISIT GAINESVILLE; VISIT TALLAHASSEE; VISIT WAKULLA; GLENN HASTINGS

NORTH CENTRAL FLORIDA

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ANNUAL EVENTS

SHOPPING The cities have popular shopping malls, anchored by familiar national chain stores, but the area’s most offbeat shopping is in communities where former main-street mercantiles have evolved into boutiques selling antiques, handmade items of all kinds, specialty foods and baked goods.

Within a stroll of two or three blocks you can have lunch and shop for one-of-a-kind souvenirs.

Micanopy (Mick-can-OH-pea) is a tiny hideaway on the site of a pre-Colombian settlement that was platted by a New York developer in the early 1800s. Mansions, homes and merchants took root, only to see a fickle public move on to other settlements.

Seemingly frozen in the 1950s, the hamlet has restaurants, bookstores and antiques.

Alachua’s old town center, home of quaint galleries and restaurants, is complemented by the new Alachua Gateway Center just outside the historical district. Shop and dine your way through both. At Dowling Park, crafters at Advent Christian Village retirement community create handmade quilts and baby gifts for sale in the Rustic Shop.

The region has six wineries including the Dakotah Vineyards and Winery in Chiefland. It offers tastings, tours and discounts on case lots.

Butler Plaza in Gainesville features two million square feet of retail space that includes 150 stores and numerous restaurants. In Gainesville, Celebration Pointe is a new 225-acre shopping, dining and entertainment center anchored by a Bass Pro Shop, a 137-room hotel and a multiplex movie theater complex.

Ethnic food stores are abundant in the two college towns. On Southwest 34th Street in Gainesville, large stores specialize in Indian, Middle Eastern, Indonesian, Philippino and Asian foods rarely found elsewhere.

Bradley’s Country Store, reached from Tallahassee via one of the region’s oakcloaked “canopy roads,” retains the old-time charm of the 1927 original. Sausages are still made and smoked on-site. Stop to buy souvenirs and stock up on smoked meats, local honey, coarse-ground grits, mayhaw jelly, cracklings and such.

JANUARY

JUNE

Hoggetown Medieval Faire, Gainesville

Blueberry Festival, Wellborn Florida African Dance Festival, Tallahassee Jefferson County Watermelon Festival, Monticello Wild Blackberry Festival, Jasper

FEBRUARY Fiddler Crab Festival, Steinhatchee Olustee Festival, Olustee Battlefield State Park

JULY MARCH

4th of July fireworks, region wide

Kanapaha Botanical Gardens Spring Festival, Gainesville Suwannee Springfest, Live Oak

AUGUST

MARCH–APRIL

SEPTEMBER

Red Hills International Horse Trials, Tallahassee Southern Shakespeare Festival, Tallahassee Springtime Tallahassee Word of South Festival, Tallahassee

Country in the Pines Music Festival, Perry Florida Jazz and Blues Festival, Tallahassee Florida Tap Invitational, Tallahassee

APRIL Bradford County Strawberry Festival, Starke Cedar Key Arts Festival Down Home Days, Madison Florida State Bluegrass Festival, Perry Hogtown Craft Beer Festival, Gainesville LeMoyne Chain of Parks Arts Festival, Tallahassee Sante Fe Spring Arts Festival, Gainesville Sopchoppy Worm Gruntin’ Festival, Sopchoppy Steinhatchee Seafood Festival

Tallahassee Southern Extreme Ram Rodeo

OCTOBER Alligator Warrior Festival, O’Leno State Park Butterfly Fest, Gainesville Florida Bat Festival, Gainesville Florida Forest Festival, Perry Micanopy Fall Harvest Festival Pioneer Day Festival, Mayo Stone Crab Festival, St. Marks

NOVEMBER Bradleys Country Store Old Fashioned Fun Day, Tallahassee Cane Boil and Fiddle Fest, Gainesville Downtown Festival & Art Show, Gainesville Heritage Festival, Jasper

MAY

DECEMBER

Florida Folk Festival, White Springs Hamilton County Rodeo, Jasper Southern Shakespeare Festival, Tallahassee Suwannee River Jam, Live Oak

Christmas on the Square, Live Oak Festival of Lights, Stephen Foster Folk Culture Center State Park Maclay Gardens Camellia Christmas, Tallahassee Market Days, Tallahassee Southern Pines Blues and BBQ Festival, Perry Spirit of Suwannee Lights, Live Oak

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NORTHEAST FLORIDA

A PRICELESS TREASURE TROVE You’ll never run out of things to do in Northeast Florida. Nicknamed the First Coast and the Historic Coast, the area boasts award-winning beaches, globally famous history, pristine parks and a burgeoning food and beverage scene.

BY VANESSA CACERES

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A DAY IN...

JACKSONVILLE Welcome a new day with a sunrise beach walk, then fuel up your morning with fresh biscuits at Maple Street Biscuit Company and a local coffee at Bold Bean.

Grab your board, or rent one, and learn to surf in Jax Beach, one of the best spots in Florida! For lunch, enjoy the locally caught Mayport shrimp at one of the fish camps. In Riverside, explore the Cummer Museum of Art and Gardens, then enjoy dinner and a craft beer in the famous Five Points district.

ST. AUGUSTINE & PONTE VEDRA Step back in time at the historical Castillo de San Marcos National Monument. Take a sip of legendary water at the Fountain of Youth. Keep little hands busy at the interactive Pirate and Treasure Museum.

See every species of crocodilian at the St. Augustine Alligator Farm. Find your perfect spot on the shore along 42 miles of beach. Challenge your golf game at the Stadium Course at TPC Sawgrass. Enjoy the spicy datil pepper in the Minorcan Clam Chowder at Barnacle Bill’s.

PUTNAM COUNTY Tour Palatka’s 30 plus murals that depict the history of Putnam County. Plan to visit the 1850s Antebellum BronsonMulholland House and adjacent Putnam Historic Museum. Drive or hike through the scenic Ravine Gardens State Park. Be sure to visit the St. Johns River Educational Center located on the beautiful St. Johns Riverfront Park. Dine in one of Putnam County’s restaurants where you can get local fare and catch the vibe of the town. End your day relaxing aboard the Palatka Water Taxi on the beautiful St. Johns River.

NORTHEAST FLORIDA

YOUR NORTHEAST FLORIDA EXPERTS Amelia Island Tourist Development Council: ameliaisland.com City of Green Cove Springs: greencovesprings.com City of Fernandina Beach: fbfl.us Clay County Tourist Development Council: exploreclay.com Flagler County Chamber of Commerce Visitor’s Center: palmcoastandtheflaglerbeaches.com Putnam County Chamber of Commerce: putnamcountychamber.com St. Augustine, Ponte Vedra & The Beaches Visitors and Convention Bureau: floridashistoriccoast.com Visit Jacksonville and the Beaches: visitjacksonville.com OPPOSITE: A beautiful beach on Amelia Island. TOP FROM LEFT TO RIGHT: Performer at the Amelia Island Chamber Music Festival; Bikers on the Riverwalk in Jacksonville; The courtyard at Flagler College in St. Augustine; Interior of the St. Johns River Educational Center in Palatka.

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FROM LEFT TO RIGHT: AMELIA ISLAND CVB; DEREMER STUDIOS LLC; RYAN KETTERMAN FOR VISIT JACKSONVILLE; GLENN HASTINGS/FLORIDASHISTORICCOAST.COM; PUTNAM COUNTY CHAMBER OF COMMERCE

AMELIA ISLAND Start with a sunrise SUP outing along 13 miles of scenic Atlantic shoreline, or settle into a kayak and enjoy a guided tour through the marsh and surrounding waterways. Plan an afternoon at Fort Clinch, followed by a shopping stroll in downtown Fernandina Beach to uncover the history and charm, which keep the destination a top island favorite among Condé Nast Traveler’s readers. Spend your evening savoring culinary delights at one of the nationally acclaimed chefs’ tables.

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INSIDER’S TIPS Jacksonville is the largest city by landmass in the continental United States. If you are visiting for a few days, consider renting a car to experience all of its local, historical neighborhoods, beaches and national parks.

Got a hankering for more than just seafood? Then Clark’s Fish Camp in Jacksonville is the place to visit. Try special items like alligator poppers, shark bites, smoked eel, fried llama, antelope and ostrich. Clark’s displays a large collection of taxidermy around the restaurant and has a live exhibit with turtles and a five-foot ‘gator.

One of the lesser-known but spectacular attractions in St. Augustine is the tour of Flagler College. Built by Henry M. Flagler in 1888, the college is listed as a National Historic Landmark. Students lead tours twice a day for just US$10 a person.

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ARTS AND CULTURE Northeast Florida has no shortage of arts and culture destinations. From a symphony orchestra to well-regarded museums, visitors can find something for everyone.

In St. Augustine, tours of places like Villa Zorayda give a glimpse into the past. The building was originally constructed in 1883 as a winter residence and was made of poured concrete and crushed coquina shell.

Villa Zorayda is built to one-tenth the scale of a section of the Alhambra Palace in Granada, Spain. Tours of the building detail its historical significance in St. Augustine’s history and display many unique items— there’s even a rug called the Sacred Cat that is more than 2,400 years old.

Nearby, Flagler College was built by railroad magnate Henry M. Flagler in the late 1880s originally as Hotel Ponce de Leon. Now a historical landmark, the stunning architecture and sights at the college include a 68foot domed ceiling, a dining room with 79 Tiffany stained-glass windows, and original hotel furniture and art.

For an in-depth look at St. Augustine’s visual arts, take part in the First Friday Art Walk, which includes more than 20 art galleries opening their doors for the evening.

Enjoy refreshments, receptions and live music for free. There’s complimentary parking and a free shuttle at San Sebastian Winery on King Street where you can board the Old Town Trolley or Ripley’s Red Train Tours.

If you want to take in a show, the St. Augustine Amphitheatre seats 4,100 and is considered St. Johns County’s leading multipurpose arts facility. Recent performing acts have included Jack Johnson, Paul Simon, Widespread Panic and ZZ Top. St. Augustine’s Old City Farmers’ Market is also held on the grounds of the amphitheatre.

Another place to enjoy music and shows is the Ponte Vedra Concert Hall in Ponte Vedra Beach. It features performing artists from around the globe as well as special events and community gatherings. The concert hall also has convention and meeting spaces.

Southwest of St. Augustine in Putnam County, Palatka features more than 30 outdoor murals.

In February, head north on US Route 17 to Green Cove Springs for the annual Northeast Florida Scottish Highland Games & Festival.

For a year-round glimpse at the region’s Scottish connection, just visit its historical and military museums.

In downtown Jacksonville, the monthly First Wednesday Art Walk covers 15-plus blocks of arts and culture. Check out more than 40 galleries, museums, cultural venues and restaurants. The tour connects visitors to the dozens of artists and street performers in Hemming Park.

From September to May, the Jacksonville Symphony makes its home in the Robert E. Jacoby Symphony Hall, praised for its great acoustics, at the Times–Union Center for the Performing Arts, and also performs at other venues in Northeast Florida and around the state. The symphony is ranked among the country’s top regional orchestras.

Featuring three stages of live music, local food, drinks and shopping, the annual Jacksonville Jazz Festival is promoted as one of the largest jazz festivals in the US. The festival has been part of the area for more than 30 years and takes over 15 blocks of downtown.

Amelia Island welcomes its annual Chamber Music Festival in February, March and April, with concerts featuring worldrenowned musicians.

FROM LEFT TO RIGHT: VISIT JACKSONVILLE; JOURNEY PHOTOGRAPHY 2015.

NORTHEAST FLORIDA

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ATTRACTIONS With more than 450 years of history, St. Augustine is the oldest continually occupied European settlement in the US. The city takes its history seriously and has 36 buildings of colonial origin still standing in the historical district. To get the real skinny on the city’s history without wearing out your feet, step aboard the Ripley’s Red Train Tours or Old Town Trolleys. Both sell all-day tickets so you can hop on and hop off as you please.

While in St. Augustine, embrace your early explorer on a visit to Castillo de San Marcos, a national park that began construction in 1672. The structure is considered the oldest masonry fort in North America.

Over at Ponce de Leon’s Fountain of Youth Archaeological Park, you can drink water from its “fountain”—but you may come away with fun memories more than ageless qualities. It’s located on the actual site of the first settlement in St. Augustine and was founded 42 years before Jamestown and 55 years before Plymouth Rock. Check out the cosmos in the planetarium, visit the Timucua Indian Village of Seloy or marvel at the sound of the Spanish cannon. For all the dog lovers out there, the Fountain of Youth is a pet-friendly attraction.

St. Augustine has plenty of tours to guide you around town, from art walks and a “pup

crawl” (a walking tour on which you can bring your dog) to nighttime ghost tours and culinary-focused themes. There’s even the new St. Augustine Scavenger Hunters, where you embark on a quest for treasures while discovering the city’s many great sights.

A visit to St. Augustine isn’t complete without stopping by the St. Augustine Lighthouse & Maritime Museum. Its newly launched exhibit, Wrecked, tells the story of a Revolutionary War-era shipwreck off the area’s coast. Recently, the museum broke ground on a 2,500-square-foot Maritime Archaeology & Education Center.

For something truly unique, travel southwest of St. Augustine to Putnam County to ride the Fort Gates Ferry, the oldest operating ferry in Florida.

In Jacksonville, the Jacksonville Zoo and Gardens will take you on a world tour of animals without ever leaving Florida. From its Wild Florida area to Monsoon Asia and Plains of East Africa, and more, you’ll view dozens of animals that are hard to spot elsewhere.

For a different view of Jacksonville, use the Jacksonville Water Taxi in the downtown area. The taxi service also offers tours.

A popular attraction in Fernandina Beach is Fort Clinch State Park, featuring one of the best-preserved 19th-century forts in the country.

ANNUAL EVENTS JANUARY The TaxSlayer Bowl, Jacksonville

FEBRUARY Amelia Island Book Festival Donna Breast Cancer Marathon, Jacksonville Northeast Florida Scottish Highland Games and Festival, Green Cove Springs

FEBRUARY–APRIL Amelia Island Chamber Music Festival

MARCH Amelia Island Concours d’Elegance Gate River Run National 15K Championships, Jacksonville

APRIL Springing the Blues Festival, Jacksonville

APRIL–MAY Isle of Eight Flags Shrimp Festival, Fernandina Beach World of Nations Celebration, Jacksonville

MAY Jacksonville Jazz Festival THE PLAYERS Championship, Ponte Vedra Beach

JUNE Drake’s Raid Re-enactment, St. Augustine

SEPTEMBER Florida Heritage Book Festival Writers Conference, St. Augustine Sip & Savor Jax, Jacksonville St. Augustine Founding Celebrations St. Augustine Spanish Wine Festival

OCTOBER Creekside Festival, Palm Coast Florida-Georgia football game, Jacksonville Spooktacular, Jacksonville Zoo

NOVEMBER Kids Free November, Jacksonville St. Augustine Pirate Gathering Tommy Tant Memorial Surf Classic, Flagler Beach

NOVEMBER–JANUARY Night of Lights, St. Augustine

DECEMBER Amelia Island B&B Holiday Cookie Tour Dickens on Centre, Amelia Island Jacksonville Light Boat Parade OPPOSITE TOP: The Downtown Artwalk in Jacksonville. ABOVE: Amelia River Cruises sightseeing excursion.

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NORTHEAST FLORIDA

5 1

CASTILLO DE SAN MARCOS, ST. AUGUSTINE: nps.gov/casa

2

FORT CLINCH STATE PARK, AMELIA ISLAND: floridastateparks.org/park/Fort-Clinch

3

JACKSONVILLE ZOO AND GARDENS: jacksonvillezoo.org

4

RIVERSIDE & AVONDALE NEIGHBORHOODS, JACKSONVILLE: visitjacksonville.com/areas/riverside-avondale

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MUST-SEE ATTRACTIONS

ST. AUGUSTINE HISTORIC DISTRICT: floridashistoriccoast.com

CLOCKWISE FROM BOTTOM LEFT: RYAN KETTERMAN FOR VISIT JACKSONVILLE; PUTNAM COUNTY CHAMBER OF COMMERCE; RYAN KETTERMAN FOR VISIT JACKSONVILLE; AMELIA ISLAND CVB; AMELIA ISLAND CVB

BEACHES AND OUTDOOR GEMS Outdoor gems are abundant in Northeast Florida. Whether you want to take a dip in the Atlantic Ocean, fish in the St. Johns River or take selfies at a park, there are plenty of options.

Southwest of St. Augustine, Putnam County is known as the “Bass Capital of Florida” and is rated No. 3 of the top 10 bass fisheries in the state. The county is also the trail hub of Northeast Florida and offers ample hiking, biking and paddling trails. Be sure to check out the 59-acre Ravine Gardens State Park created in a natural steephead ravine.

Marineland Dolphin Adventure in St. Augustine has two young resident dolphins born in 2015 and 2016. Marineland teaches visitors about the beauty of dolphins and provides interactive attractions.

When you’re ready to chill with some beach time, you can’t go wrong with a visit to St. Augustine Beach. In 2016 alone, this popular destination was named one of America’s Favorite Beach Towns by Travel & Leisure, one of the Best 30 Beaches in the World for Families by the Travel Channel, and a Top 10 Beach in the US by TripAdvisor.

Another way to indulge in the area’s many water attractions is through a guided kayak tour that allows you to paddle the backwaters of the Guana Tolomato Matanzas National Estuarine Research Reserve in the Ponte Vedra area. It’s been voted one of the best places to kayak in Northeast Florida.

The city of Jacksonville actually has the largest urban park system in the US. So, plenty of natural adventures await you in Northeast Florida, be it in a city or rural area.

Jacksonville boasts 22 miles of spectacular beaches. If you’re visiting Jacksonville area, consider using its new free Beachside Buggies to get around Atlantic, Neptune and Jacksonville beaches and easily explore all of the beachy neighborhoods and attractions.

For more picturesque adventures on the water, Amelia Island offers Amelia River Cruises and Charters or a privately chartered sunset cruise with Windward Sailing. If you’re looking to reel in fish, Amelia Boat Club & Rentals provides rentals for fishing, cruising or sightseeing. And if you seek something a little more adventurous, the island’s Flying Fish Adventures organizes jet-ski tours.

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FEATURED LINKS ARTS AND CULTURE Flagler College, St. Augustine flagler.edu Jacksonville Jazz Festival jacksonvillejazzfest.com Jacksonville Symphony jaxsymphony.org Times-Union Center for the Performing Arts, Jacksonville timesunioncenter.com

ATTRACTIONS ENTERTAINMENT In the mood for family fun? Foodie finds?

History? Northeast Florida has something for everyone. For instance, you can dine at Florida’s oldest diner, Angel’s Diner, in Putnam County. In St. Augustine, foodies will rejoice at The Floridian Restaurant where they can enjoy farm-to-table meals with a Southern vibe. The restaurant’s carefully crafted dishes are sure to please meat and non-meat eaters alike.

The big talk in town right now is the St. Augustine Distillery. The distillery opened in 2014 in a former ice plant and uses Florida-grown ingredients to make spirits like vodka, rum and gin. Take advantage of its free tours and complimentary samples.

San Sebastian Winery, not far from St. Augustine Distillery, also conducts free tours and tastings.

If you’re all about the food—and let’s face it, who isn’t?—then sign up for the tour at St. Augustine’s Whetstone Chocolates. Of course, you’ll get more free mouthwatering samples. At Kernel Popper’s Gourmet Popcorn on St. George Street, try samples of caramel sea salt, Dr. Pepper or dill pickle popcorn, among its cornucopia of flavors, before settling on your favorite.

Golfers and nostalgia lovers will want to dine at The Murray Brothers Caddy Shack Restaurant. It’s a favorite in the World Golf Village with plenty of memorabilia from the classic movie, starring Bill Murray.

Duffers might also want to check out an original Donald Ross-designed golf course in Palatka, due west of Marineland.

In Ponte Vedra Beach, Barbara Jean’s Restaurant and Bar has a great view of the Intracoastal Waterway and outdoor seating.

Go for seafood specials like fried shrimp or catfish, or try Southern comfort food such as meatloaf or chicken fried steak.

Jacksonville’s nightlife is filled with bars, pubs and live music venues. Bar hop, dance the night away or buy that happy-hour cocktail—it’s all ready for the taking in vibrant neighborhoods like Riverside, downtown, Avondale and San Marco.

At Jacksonville Landing in the downtown area, attend a show or a festival, view fireworks or simply people-watch. The Landing also hosts special events such as free live music on Friday and Saturday nights.

Jacksonville is a leader in Florida’s booming craft beer scene. One way to experience all it has to offer is on the Jax Ale Trail, a self-guided tour of the city’s awardwinning craft breweries. Grab a Jax Ale Trail Craft Beer Passport, and get a stamp at each of the local stops, which include Bold City, Green Room, Pinglehead and Zeta Brewing.

Jacksonville also has a full-scale organic distillery called Manifest Distilling.

In downtown Fernandina Beach, The Patio Place provides a comfortable backdrop to indulge in sweet or savory crepes and sit outside after a long day on the beach.

OPPOSITE TOP: Fort Clinch on Amelia Island. OPPOSITE CENTER LEFT: Cycling in Putnam County. OPPOSITE CENTER RIGHT: Paddleboarder at Jacksonville Beach. OPPOSITE BOTTOM LEFT: Dining at Bistro AIX in the heart of Jacksonville’s historical San Marco district. TOP: Golfing on Amelia Island.

Old Town Trolley, St. Augustine trolleytours.com Ponce de Leon’s Fountain of Youth Archaeological Park, St. Augustine fountainofyouthflorida.com Red Train Tours, St. Augustine ripleys.com/redtrains St. Augustine Lighthouse & Maritime Museum staugustinelighthouse.com St. Johns River Taxi & Tours StJohnsRiverTaxi.com

BEACHES AND OUTDOOR GEMS Amelia River Cruises and Charters ameliarivercruises.com Marineland Dolphin Adventure, St. Augustine marineland.net

ENTERTAINMENT Jacksonville Landing jacksonvillelanding.com San Sebastian Winery, St. Augustine sansebastianwinery.com St. Augustine Distillery staugustinedistillery.com

ROAD TRIPS Log Cabin Farm, Vineyard & Winery, Putnam County logcabinfarmwinery.com Mandarin Museum & Historical Society, Jacksonville mandarinmuseum.net/harriet-beecher-stowe

SHOPPING Riverside Arts Market, Jacksonville riversideartsmarket.com St. Augustine Outlets staugoutlets.com St. Augustine Premium Outlets premiumoutlets.com/outlet/st-augustine St. Johns Town Center, Jacksonville simon.com/mall/st-johns-town-center

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NORTHEAST FLORIDA BELOW: Biking through Egans Creek Greenway Park on Amelia Island. RIGHT: Driving along beautiful Magnolia Street in St. Augustine. BOTTOM: Shopping on Aviles Street in St. Augustine.

INTERNATIONAL GATEWAYS Jacksonville International Airport: flyjax.com Jacksonville Port Authority: jaxport.com/cruise

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SHOPPING The newly remodeled St. Augustine Outlets right off I-95 carries more than 75 brandname retailers, offering discounts up to 65 percent. Nearby, St. Augustine Premium Outlets advertises exceptional discounts ranging from 25 to 65 percent at more than 85 stores, including Banana Republic, Brooks Brothers, Calvin Klein, Coach, J.Crew, Nike, Ralph Lauren and Reebok.

Ready for some unique finds? Then head on down to the pedestrian-only St. George Street in St. Augustine’s Historic District.

Find a bohemian piece of jewelry at Earthbound Trading Co. Nearby, stop by the Spice & Tea Exchange, an 18th-century-like trading post with displays of teas and spices that will stimulate your taste buds. At Bath Junkie, you can personalize bath and body products with customized scents. Find a gift for the artsy folks in your life at any of St. Augustine’s 20 galleries located in the historic district.

The Old City Farmers’ Market, held at the St. Augustine Amphitheatre on Saturdays,

welcomes vendors from local farms, bakers, seafood merchants and artisans.

The St. Johns Town Center in Jacksonville is the place to hit for the latest upscale merchandise from shops such as Tiffany & Co., Louis Vuitton, Apple and Nordstrom.

The town center also includes bargain stores such as DSW Shoes.

Minutes away from downtown, Jacksonville Farmers’ Market is the oldest still-operating outdoor farmers’ market in Florida. Since 1938, vendors have offered fresh produce, herbs and local favorites, such as Mayport shrimp. Browse for crafts and handmade goods daily from dawn to dusk. For more market exploration, check out Jaxsons Night Market, a craft market held on the second Thursday of each month at Hemming Park.

There’s also Riverside Arts Market, hailed as Florida’s largest open-air market. Held on Saturdays, find local arts and crafts, food galore, a free yoga class, children’s activities and live entertainment. The view isn’t too shabby, either—it’s right beside the St. Johns River.

CLOCKWISE FROM TOP LEFT: DEREMER STUDIOS LLC PHOTORAPHY; FLORIDASHISTORICCOAST.COM; FLORIDASHISTORICCOAST.COM

ROAD TRIPS Get a beachy view at a laid-back pace along A1A between Flagler Beach and Fernandina Beach. This route runs parallel to the much busier I-95, and you get to cruise along the scenic route while stopping off as needed for meals, souvenirs or to snap an ocean shot.

Take in a country view for more than 60 miles along US-17 between Orange Park and Crescent City. Along the way, view the picturesque St. Johns River, enjoy rolling hills (hard to come by in Florida), and stop at places like the Log Cabin Winery in Putnam County.

On the Ormond Scenic Loop & Trail in the Flagler Beach area, take the double loop along scenic roads where you’ll pass by the Atlantic Ocean and Old Dixie Highway. Other highlights include driving past the winter home of John D. Rockefeller, the historical Ormond Beach fire station and sunset views near Granada Boulevard Bridge.

Head off on SR-13 just south of Jacksonville, and leisurely make your way to the small town of Spuds. This route gives you a near constant view of the St. Johns River, and you’ll feel like you’ve stepped back in time as you drive past older homes and trees covered with Spanish moss. Two highlights along the route: the homes of writer Harriet Beecher Stowe and composer Frederick Delius.

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ST. AUGUSTINE & PONTE VEDRA

Rediscover Florida’s Historic Coast.

BY VANESSA CACERES

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grown datil pepper, found in many local restaurants’ prepared dishes. It’s hot stuff!

Step aboard the carriage-drawn Tasting Tours to experience the area’s savory options. Then visit the San Sebastian Winery, Whetstone Chocolate Factory and the St. Augustine Distillery.

ook no further than Northeast Florida’s Historic Coast for family fun, adventure and a historical bonanza. After all, the St. Augustine and the Ponte Vedra Beach area has been welcoming visitors for hundreds of years. There’s something for everyone, including 42 miles of Atlantic beaches, historical charm and renowned golf courses.

TOP: The St. Augustine skyline from the Bridge of Lions.

CENTER: A surfer on St. Augustine Beach.

SEE AND DO

INSIDER’S TIP Budget-conscious travelers should visit Monday through Thursday when hotel rates are lower. And there’s plenty to see for US$10 or less, such as the Lightner Museum, Flagler College, the Oldest Wooden Schoolhouse and other historic sites.

resort (now Flagler College). Built in the 1880s, Villa Zorayda is a replica of the Alhambra Palace in Granada, Spain.

No trip to Florida’s Historic Coast is complete without a visit to its pristine beaches. The St. Augustine Lighthouse and Maritime Museum offers breathtaking views from the top, which you can experience day or night on moonlight tours.

The World Golf Hall of Fame’s newest exhibit “Tales from the Collection” features stories told by Hall of Fame members along with personal memorabilia from baseball bats and samurai swords to works of art.

DINE AND PLAY Arrive hungry to savor diverse cuisine.

Restaurants include influences from Spain, France, Italy and Greece, reflecting the area’s history. Add spice to your life with the locally

FEATURED LINKS St. Augustine, Ponte Vedra & The Beaches: FloridasHistoricCoast.com Castillo de San Marcos: nps.gov/casa Colonial Quarter: colonialquarter.com Flagler College Legacy Tour: legacy.flagler.edu Fountain of Youth Archaeological Park: fountainofyouthflorida.com San Sebastian Winery: sansebastianwinery.com St. Augustine Distillery: staugustinedistillery.com St. Augustine Pirate & Treasure Museum: thepiratemuseum.com The Tasting Tours: thetastingtours.com Villa Zorayda: villazorayda.com Whetstone Chocolate Factory: whetstonechocolates.com World Golf Hall of Fame: worldgolfhalloffame.org

2019 TRAVEL GUIDE TO FLORIDA

ALL IMAGES: STACEY SATHER/FLORIDASHISTORICCOAST.COM

Castillo de San Marcos in St. Augustine’s Historic District should be at the top of your to-do list. Explore the Castillo, meet 18thcentury re-enactors and hear a cannon fire.

Keep exploring at the Colonial Quarter, Fountain of Youth Archeological Park and the St. Augustine Pirate & Treasure Museum.

The Guilded Age is also reflected in St. Augustine’s history. The Flagler College Legacy Tour takes you through railroad magnate Henry Flagler’s former luxury

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