This original Florida roadside attraction still thrills, especially in the spring and early summer when its rookery fills with hundreds of nesting birds. The gators and crocs are well-presented with lots of information as well as entertainment.
Author: Bonnie Gross
Kayaking Virginia Key: Miami skyline views plus surprising natural splendor
A Virginia Key kayak outing offers an amazing combo – views of the Miami skyline rising out of Biscayne Bay in one direction, mangrove lagoons with shore birds in the other. An extra treat: It’s the best way to see the old Miami Marine Stadium.
Secret Kennedy Bunker on Peanut Island: Hidden treasure closed for now
The Kennedy Bunker, a Cold War fallout shelter build for JFK in 1961, is closed to the public. Palm Beach County has not determined the future of the facility.
Crowley Museum & Nature Center: Charming stop near Myakka with animals, history
While neighboring Myakka River State Park lets you experience the natural beauty of this prairie country, the Crowley introduces you to the people who lived and settled here. Farm animals and historic houses help visitors picture the pioneer lifestyle.
Mounts Botanical Garden: 4 things to love about West Palm Beach spot
Mounts Botanical Garden in West Palm Beach is lovely. It has special features, like a water garden, but also useful info like lots of plant labels.
Take trolley for free entrance to Everglades National Park on winter weekends
The free trolley from Homestead to Everglades National Park & Biscayne National Park runs every winter weekend. Riders enter free, saving the $30 admission.
Florida hiking trails: 5 favorites around the state
Fall is the start of Florida’s hiking season and here are five favorite hikes around the state to inspire you. Florida hiking trails are incredibly varied and can be full of all sorts of wildlife.
Birds hold court at Wakodahatchee Wetlands & Green Cay
Amid a sea of subdivisions, you’ll find a pair of man-made wetlands west of Delray Beach where you will encounter extraordinary wildlife viewing from strategically placed boardwalks. After COVID and construction closings, they are both open as of fall 2020.
Turner River kayak trail: The best in the Everglades
I’ve paddled a lot of trails in the Everglades, but so far, the Turner River is my favorite. It goes from pristine cypress swamp, through mangrove tunnels to sawgrass marsh, and it teems with birds, gators and fish. It’s everything the Everglades offers in one trip.
Road trip tip: Georgia State Park cabins are ideal stops
We have a tip for road trips to or from Florida or for getaways during these times: A stop en route at a cabin in a Georgia State Park. They’re perfect for families, plus you can bring supplies and prepare your meals at a full kitchen, minimizing contact with others.
Telegraph Creek: Unspoiled kayak trail worth discovering
Telegraph Creek, a tributary of the Caloosahatchee River near Fort Myers, is all the things I love about kayaking destinations – out-of-the-way, uncrowded, scenic, full of wildlife. It’s located within a half hour of Fort Myers and is ideal for a shaded two- or three-hour kayak outing.
Top hiking trails near Orlando: Little Big Econ State Forest
Some of the best hiking near Orlando can be found at the Little Big Econ State Forest, where bluffs along a scenic river add interest. The forest is 5,000 acres preserved in a suburban area in the middle of the triangle formed by Orlando, Cocoa and Daytona Beach.