Punta Gorda is a surprising small town on the Gulf Coast between Naples and Tampa. It has big waterfront views along Charlotte Harbor, a historic district and a charming downtown. It’s a good base for kayakers, with several options nearby.
Author: Bonnie Gross
Florida birding festivals: Where bird lovers flock
The first festival of the season is in Tampa this weekend and despite two hurricanes, it is ON, including a free nature expo. Florida birding festivals bring together experts, pros and beginners at winter events.
These 12 state parks are less visited but among the best to discover
We’ve picked 12 Florida State Parks that are off-the-beaten path and less well-known. From the Keys to the Panhandle, explore these fascinating spots. Each averages fewer than 150 visitors a day.
Florida cabin rentals in state parks: Like camping, but with comfort
One of the best places to enjoy nature is in a cabin in a Florida state park. But the cabins book up fast, so you have to plan ahead. Our guide explains which parks have cabins, what they offer and what they cost.
Paynes Prairie: Bison and wild horses? Yup, in Florida
This Gainesville area state park is a vast playground for hikers and bikers, but also for bison and wild horses. There are miles of trails, great campsites and wildlife galore, including large numbers of migrating sandhill cranes that arrive in mid-November.
Fort Myers is worth a visit for fun downtown, natural beauty and history
Thomas Edison loved Fort Myers and I see why. Today, its palm-tree-lined roads and river views are just a start. It has a revitalized downtown that’s fun at night and lots of outdoor recreation options.
Myakka River State Park: One the best state parks for wildlife, hiking, kayaking & camping
Myakka River State Park in Sarasota is one of the oldest and best state parks. Folks who love outdoor recreation can do it all here — camping, hiking, kayaking, biking, wildlife viewing.
Along Caloosahatchee River: Kayak trails, rustic scenery & small towns
Between Lake Okeechobee and Fort Myers, a stretch of the Caloosahatchee River offers a taste of Old Florida — small towns, rivers ideal for kayaking and good public campgrounds.
New boardwalk brings an up-close Everglades experience to Alligator Alley
Travelers have an intriguing new rest stop park with an extensive boardwalk and tower that offers a taste of the Everglades on I-75 between the east and west coasts of Florida.
A day exploring the Redland: Agriculture and rustic charm thrive near Miami
The historic agricultural area surrounding the Homestead entrance to Everglades National Park offers so many cool experiences — a park where you can see and sample exotic fruits, a historic village of shops and restaurants, a local tropical-fruit winery. In October there is a big orchid festival too.
Flamingo Lodge, a new hotel, elevates Everglades National Park outpost
The Flamingo Lodge lives up to its magnificent location on Florida Bay in Everglades National Park. Many visitors will now want to explore this end-of-the-road spot.
An island of Old Florida, where Marjorie Kinnan Rawlings wrote ‘The Yearling’
Marjorie Kinnan Rawlings came to Cross Creek and wrote the beloved story of a young boy and his pet fawn, which won the Pulitzer Prize in 1939. Today, visiting the author’s beautifully preserved home is an excellent way to discover the authentic Florida, far from the strip malls and theme parks.