Mount Dora has a lively downtown and a well-preserved historic district on a pretty lake. It’s a walkable small town with good dining and shopping. We love the great kayaking and biking nearby.
Author: Bonnie Gross
Braden River: Kayak from Jiggs Landing to Linger Lodge for Old Florida feel
Kayaking the Braden River, with time at Jiggs Landing and Linger Lodge in Bradenton, is a delightful trip back into Old Florida along the Gulf Coast. Both outposts date to the 1940s and the scenic river that connects them preserves much of its natural beauty.
Thousands of raptors have started migrating over Keys; Hawkwatch keeps count
Every fall, the skies over the Florida Keys fill with thousands of birds from hundreds of species heading south for the winter. A remarkable citizen science project, Hawkwatch, based in Curry Hammock State Park, keeps a tally.
Scenic waterfront bike trail past Palm Beach mansions is one of South Florida’s best
This is the South Florida bike path where I take visitors: It’s paved and traffic-free on exclusive Palm Beach island, with superb views of billionaire lifestyles.
Old Seven Mile Bridge: One of a kind; worth seeing on drive down the Keys
The Old Seven Mile Bridge in Marathon is a must-stop on the Overseas Highway. Its history and scenic beauty make it a great place to walk or bike. The bridge ends at Pigeon Key, which you can tour to learn its fascinating story.
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 destination is a theme park, here are 9 natural experiences and places that are memorable additions to a visit to Central Florida
Nine Key West restaurants for authentic local flavor
Key West has so many restaurants that it’s hard to make a decision where to eat. Here’s an intriguing list of restaurants filled with local color and character. It started with recommendations from a fellow blogger who ate his way through Key West.
Cedar Key Seafood Festival: Oct. 18-19, 2025
Seafood festivals are common in Florida, but Cedar Key Seafood Festival is uncommonly appealing. Not only is Cedar Key historic and charming, it’s also clam capital of America.
For your Florida bucket list: A nighttime bioluminescence kayak trip is a summer thrill
On dark summer nights in the Mosquito Lagoon near Titusville, the water glows from bioluminescent plankton. Kayak tours help visitors see the spectacular light show.
Discover Hobe Sound’s ‘secret’ wild beach and wildlife refuge
Secret beaches are the stuff of vacation dreams. But I found one — more than 5 miles of wild, broad unspoiled sandy shore, lined with thick native vegetation and without a condo or T-shirt shop in sight.