Getaways to the authentic Florida
Forecasters continue to ease their predictions for the 2026 hurricane season in the Atlantic Basin as an El Niño develops in the Pacific Ocean, heating up the Pacific but having a calming affect over the Atlantic, according to hurricane researchers at Colorado State University.
Fort Pierce engages you in its history, home of the famed “Highwaymen” artists and the scene of a gunfight that rocked its downtown.
McKee Botanical Garden in Vero Beach is a gem to discover. Once a top roadside attraction, go for its water lilies, Old Florida buildings and gorgeous vistas. A once-a-year waterlily festival, celebrating peak bloom for the lilies, is June 13.
Massive, record-breaking amounts of Sargassum seaweed are washing up on Florida beaches, pushed ashore by strong spring winds and the Gulf Stream. The seaweed glut is particularly acute in the Keys, South Florida and Treasure Coast.
The Fairchild Tropical Garden Mango Festival is June 13-14, 2026. For fanatics, it’s a delight. We attended in 2024 and brought home four unusual varieties for our own mango taste test.
Sanibel is more famous for its beaches and seashells, but it’s a great place to explore by bike. With more than 25 miles of bicycle trails, Sanibel’s hidden beaches, pioneer cemetery and quiet neighborhoods open up to you.
‘Glamping’ bungalows are now being offered at this outstanding oceanfront park near St. Augustine.
Delnor-Wiggins Pass State Park has superb white sand, clear water and is ranked #6 in the US. Facilities are still recovering from damages from 2024 hurricanes, but the beach is as spectacular as ever.
Downtown West Palm Beach bustles with bakeries, restaurants and bars, framed by historic buildings and modern towers, an old and established city with a fresh and modern vibe.
You need a boat to see most of Biscayne National Park, east of Homestead. About 95 percent of its 172,971 acres are underwater. Fortunately, if you don’t have a boat, there are a variety of experiences available to visitors including snorkeling outings and boat tours to islands.
Beaches may be rare in the Florida Keys, but they do exist. You just have to know where to go.
There are few parks in Florida with as much to offer as Pinellas County’s Fort DeSoto Park: Camping, beaches, kayaking, biking, a dog beach and a history lesson too.
Load your bikes on your carrier and head north to Old Florida. Along this bike trail, you can stop and hike a bit and maybe even see gators, wild horses or even bison in Paynes Prairie. This pretty paved trail also lets you use your gears on a hill or two.
John D. MacArthur Beach State Park has almost two miles of beach, lined with sand dunes covered with native vegetation. A summer treat: There can be good snorkeling from the beach.
Theare are so many things to do in Apalachicola, a charming, walkable small town full of history, good food & shops. It’s 20 minutes from the splendid beach on St. George Island.
