Stock Island is a workaday island next to Key West with marinas, fishing and shrimp boats. It’s off the beaten path, a place where you can find great restaurants, luxe resorts and some funky charm.
Author: Bonnie Gross
Historic Key West cemetery: A scenic stop that is full of stories
The cemetery in Key West is a lot like the city itself: quirky, crowded, colorful and full of history. The site has a forlorn almost spooky air. Take a walking tour and discover fascinating stories of Key West and its people.
Underwater parks: 5 Florida wet and wonderful getaways
Florida’s underwater parks preserve exceptional bodies of water, from shipwrecks to spring-fed caves. They are among the most unusual parks in the US.
Jupiter: Discover unspoiled nature near urban centers
With expansive state parks and a national wildlife refuge plus several attractive county and city facilities, Jupiter offers many excellent places to kayak, hike, bike and learn about native wildlife. Within a two hour drive of 6 million people in South Florida, it’s a good getaway for lovers of the outdoors .
11 ways to enjoy Palm Beach island history, beauty & recreation
The island of Palm Beach is the exclusive winter home of billionaires. For the rest of us, it’s a fun place to gawk at mansions and their ficus hedges sculpted into works of art. The town is full of history, too, from Henry Flagler to JFK to Donald Trump.
After years of mango cookery, here are my best mango recipes
Mangoes may be the reason I can never leave Florida. Here are my favorite Florida mango recipes, made many times for many years. A new discovery: Mango Key Lime Pie!
Two Florida Keys parks offer old-fashioned swimming holes and recreational features
These new Florida Keys parks take refreshing swimming holes popular with locals and upgrade them with picnic tables, kayak launches, restrooms and parking. Both of these new parks are perfect stops along the scenic Overseas Highway.
5 Florida Keys breweries are local spots full of Keys flavor
With the addition of a new brewery on Stock Island, the Florida Keys are up to five craft breweries. They’re great places to experience Keys style and ambiance. The beer’s good, too!
Topsail Hill Preserve State Park: Towering dunes, perfect beach, rare lakes
Topsail Hill State Park preserves 3 miles of pristine beach, magnificent white sand dunes and sparkling coastal lakes. With lots of camping and cabin sites, it’s a gem in the Panhandle. The park is one targeted for development by the state with the addition of a 350-room hotel.
Circle B Bar Reserve: Lakeland preserve with shady trails reopens a favorite trail
Twenty minutes off I-4 between Orlando and Tampa, this little-known wildlife preserve has been called “a free safari.”
On a budget? Key West on the cheap isn’t easy, but here are tips
It is possible to go to Key West on a budget. Here are some frugal tips on lodging, interesting budget restaurants and free places to go.
Road Trip: Ormond Scenic Loop & Trail worth more than a quick ride
The Ormond Scenic Loop is a 30-mile road trip through live-oak canopies, waterfront postcard scenes, abundant wildlife, two state parks. It’s a great summer activity when paired with some time on the cinnamon-colored beaches you will pass.