Paddling South Florida’s canals is not always a wonder of nature, so explore the tropical back yards of the rich and famous! A network of public canals allows the “rest of us” to get an eyeful of elegantly manicured properties of Boca Raton’s exclusive Royal Palm Yacht and Country Club.
Author: Bob Rountree
Rustic Inn: Boisterous Old Florida crab shack
Fort Lauderdale’s Rustic Inn is a classic. Their “world famous garlic crabs” draw hundreds of people every night to this old Florida restaurant, tucked away on Ravenswood Road, just west of Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood International Airport. You’ll find it from the sound of wooden mallets pounding on the table every few minutes.
Best Camping Near Fort Lauderdale
Despite a lack of state parks with campgrounds, there are five well-maintained public campgrounds near Fort Lauderdale and a few private campgrounds worth considering.
Camping near Tampa Bay: Fort Desoto
This public park is spread over 900 acres on five interconnected islands with seven miles of waterfront, including three miles of award-winning beaches .Nearly half of the 233 campsites in the campground are waterfront, allowing you to launch your kayak or canoe from your site.
Kayak fishing: Where few have gone before
With the invention of the rotomolded hull, kayaking has taken off in Florida and across the country over the past decade. Give an angler a new way to float, and he’ll go fishing. Here’s a guide to kayak fishing basics and a checklist of what you need to be successful.
Archie’s in Fort Pierce: No shoes, no shirt, no problem
FORT PIERCE — This iconic beach bar draws an amazing mix of bikers, tourists, locals and retirees to the north end of Hutchinson Island, and the staff here really hustles to deliver the food and drinks with chaotic precision.
Boat Camping Checklist
Boat camping is a great way to scoot away from civilization to some wild and remote places.
Castle Windy Trail at Canaveral National Seashore
The Castle Windy Trail is a shady respite from the never-ending sun of Cape Canaveral National Seashore, introducing you to the primitive coastal environment that was once typical of Florida’s Atlantic shoreline.