The west side of the Indian River Lagoon has an Old Florida flavor — especially the scenic 20-mile drive between Stuart and Fort Pierce. The region has enough places to explore to make a great getaway.
Author: Bonnie Gross
Free things to do in Key West: Fun without breaking your budget
No doubt about it: Key West is expensive. But despite its small size, Key West is packed with things to do and see — and some are even free. Here are a half dozen places to go where you’ll soak up Key West culture without opening your wallet.
Cedar Key Art Festival, April 17-18, 2021: Small town festival; big-time art
Like Cedar Key itself, the Cedar Key Art Festival is a slice of authentic Old Florida. This historic small town is located on an island on Florida’s Gulf Coast. The festival attracts serious artists and art will be the focus of the 2021 festival, which is being held with “adjustments” to make it safer.
Fort Lauderdale Air Show: May 8-9, 2021
A kayak paddle in the nearby waterways is a way to reduce traffic hassles and still experience some of the Fort Lauderdale Air Show May 8-9. Here’s how to do it.
Biscayne National Park: 7 reasons to explore a Miami treasure
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.
Off-the-beaten-path getaways: Seven Old Florida towns make great bases
As you plan your Florida travels, here are seven towns that I’ve found make great bases for exploring. Each puts you in the center of outstanding places to hike, bike, kayak and explore history. Each is surrounded by natural beauty.
Florida lighthouses: Travel tips for lighthouse lovers
Few places offer both so much history and such beauty as Florida’s 30 lighthouses. No traveler will see them all on one trip, but even one lighthouse visit can give you a memorable experience. About 10 Florida lighthouses are open to visitors on a regular basis. We offer ideas for a lighthouse roadtrip and information on endangered lighthouses that are up for grabs.
Discover Lake Wales Ridge State Forest for hiking, exploring, camping
Lake Wales Ridge State Forest is for explorers – folks who like to find places that aren’t in the guidebooks. Here you can hike for miles in the woods, hear only nature and have a chance to spot wildlife, including bear, bald eagles and endangered scrub jays.
Outdoor adventures near Orlando theme parks: See the real Florida when visiting Disney
We know what the big draw is in Orlando, and it’s not nature. But it should be! Even if your main destination is a theme park, here are eight natural experiences and places that would make memorable additions to a visit to Central Florida
Fort Zachary Taylor State Park, Key West hidden gem
Like a lot of visitors, for years I had overlooked Fort Zachary Taylor Historic State Park on my visits to Key West because it is tucked away out of sight. But the historic fort and great beach are worth discovering.
