Miss the change of seasons? Here’s fall in South Florida: Fields of wild sunflowers bloom every autumn, and a preserve near Immokalee is the best place to view them . You must have a ticket — they’re free — for the flower-viewing event Oct. 8-12.
Author: Bonnie Gross
Alligator Alley: ‘Boring’ road can be a gateway to Everglades experiences
Crossing the state on Alligator Alley? Here are tips on a how to spend 15 minutes, a half hour or a half day exploring the Everglades from I-75. This mile marker guide helps you decide where to stop and what to do along the way.
Lovers Key State Park bounces bounces with beach, trails and visitor center ready for visitors
Lovers Key State Park is a treasure in Fort Myers Beach. You can kayak a mangrove-lined trail and stroll an unspoiled 2.5 mile beach. The park has recovered from Hurricane Milton and its devastating storm surge a year ago.
Stump Pass Beach State Park reopens 11 months after Hurricane Milton
Discover a less well-known string of islands — Gasparilla Island, Don Pedro Island and Manasota Key. Each holds a spectacular state park with top beaches.
6 haunted places in Florida to explore for chills & thrills
Legend suggests these six haunted places in Florida are visited by ghosts. We’re skeptical but one thing we’re sure of: These are beautiful, evocative spots worth discovering at Halloween or any time of year.
Melbourne: A charming town with historic neighborhoods, breweries, kayaking at a terrific zoo
What might be our favorite Florida zoo just made the US Today list of the 10 best zoos in the US. The Brevard Zoo is not huge, but it is highly interactive, including offering kayaking on waterways through the zoo. It’s in Melbourne, a great weekend getaway destination.
Alexander Springs in Ocala National Forest: Cool swimming, easy scenic paddling plus lots of wildlife
The clear waters flowing out of Alexander Springs are the start of a great paddling trail inside Ocala National Forest. It’s an easy stream to paddle with lots of wildlife, especially birds and fish.
Suwannee, one of Florida’s most beautiful rivers, offers comfy screened camping on platforms
Not only is the Suwannee a stunning wild river worth exploring for its beauty, it also offers five unusual river camps accessible only by boat. The camps have screened, covered camping platforms with electricity and a central bathhouse with hot water. The free river camps provide comfy conditions for multi-day trips.
Old Florida scenic drive: Fort Pierce to Jensen Beach to Stuart
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.
John D. MacArthur Beach Park: Perfect blend of kayaking, snorkeling, beach
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.