Fireflies in Florida? It’s a thing! Blue Spring State Park offers special viewing in spring ‘firefly season.’
Recent Articles
Fort Matanzas: St. Augustine’s charming free fort
St. Augustine’s Fort Matanzas is a small stone Spanish fort on a pristine island. You take a short and scenic ferry ride and a ranger-led tour — and it’s all free.
Epic drive through the Keys: Our Overseas Highway guide, milepost by milepost
Our Florida Keys Overseas Highway Mile-Marker Guide is your travel companion across these islands with notes on things to do, historic points of interest, tiki bars, restaurants and places to launch a kayak or take a hike.
8 exceptional National Wildlife Refuges in Florida
National Wildlife Refuges are sometimes called “America’s best kept secret.” Florida has 29 refuges, the third most of any state. We think these eight are particularly worth discovering.
Ponce Inlet: A delightful outdoor oasis near Daytona Beach
Ponce Inlet is a calm ocean-front town at the tip of a barrier island. It has free parking, the tallest lighthouse in Florida (which you can tour) plus parks, a beach and places to eat fresh seafood.
11 remarkable state parks in the Florida Keys
Here are 11 stops you can make on a Florida Keys trip if you’re looking to discover someplace new. We offer visitor info and insider tips.
Vero Beach: Just enough to do to have a blast and still relax
This laid-back beach town isn’t famous, but it charms visitors with its funky Florida history, gorgeous beaches and a cute downtown with interesting restaurants and shops.
‘Springs break:’ 3 springs, 3 days; kayaking Florida’s sparkling jewels
Florida has a remarkable collection of freshwater springs, but they are no longer secrets. We visited three favorites and saw how popularity is affecting them.
After damage from 3 hurricanes, Sanibel/Captiva near normal as Mucky Duck reopens
Sanibel has bounced back from a series of hurricanes in 2022-24. The latest reopening: the beachfront bar and restaurant, the Mucky Duck on Captiva.
Sebring showcases downtown HGTV makeover
Central Florida’s ‘City on the Circle’ is enjoying a rebirth with a renovation boost by Erin and Ben Napier of HGTV’s ‘Home Town Takeover.’
Southwest Florida Getaways
10 things to do in Naples to experience its natural beauty
Naples has among the most beautiful beaches in the US, but there’s more to see and do there, including shady boardwalks, gardens & kayak trails.
Best Beaches
Spring Break is here!
This week and next week will see the biggest crowds at Florida’s major Spring Break destinations.
Best Camping
Colt Creek State Park: Haven for trail walkers, off-road cyclists and wildlife. Great camping, too!
Colt Creek State Park is a former cattle ranch tucked into a corner of the massive Green Swamp Wilderness Preserve near Lakeland with camping, hiking, fishing, bicycle trails and an equestrian campground.
Scenic Drives
Epic drive through the Keys: Our Overseas Highway guide, milepost by milepost
Our Florida Keys Overseas Highway Mile-Marker Guide is your travel companion across these islands with notes on things to do, historic points of interest, tiki bars, restaurants and places to launch a kayak or take a hike.
Florida Gardens
Ravine Gardens State Park in Palatka: Azaleas are at peak bloom
Ravine Gardens State Park in spring is a spectacular sight as azaleas and other flowers bloom. The park has a fascinating history & beautiful trails.
Central Florida
Kayak to your own tiny paradise: Exploring spoil islands in the Indian River Lagoon
You can kayak to your own little island, and it’s not hard. The Indian River Lagoon has dozens of spoil islands where you can picnic, explore or even camp. You don’t need reservations and some islands are only minutes off shore.
Northeast Florida
Fort Matanzas: St. Augustine’s charming free fort
St. Augustine’s Fort Matanzas is a small stone Spanish fort on a pristine island. You take a short and scenic ferry ride and a ranger-led tour — and it’s all free.
Northwest Florida
Springs and wildlife make the Chaz a special kayak trail
Kayaking the Chaz on the central Gulf Coast takes you over turquoise springs, down twisty creeks, and you might just see a manatee, otter or bald eagle. This is one of Florida’s premier kayaking rivers.
