This 46-mile paved Central Florida rail trail is a smooth, safe ride. But what makes it special is the scenery, parks & towns to explore along the way.
Author: Bonnie Gross
Historic Jungle Trail is an unpaved road to explore original Florida
The picturesque 8-mile sand road in Vero Beach takes you past historic landmarks, including the first US wildlife refuge and a pioneer homestead overlooking the Indian River Lagoon. You can walk, bicycle on fat-tire bikes or drive it slowly. This is an original section of A1A.
Honeymoon Island: Spectacular natural beach with charming Old Florida history
Honeymoon Island in Dunedin has a big, natural beach where you can get away from people, but also offers a cafe and bikes and kayaks to rent. Its history involves actual honeymooners drawn here during the Great Depression in a real estate scheme.
30 Florida lighthouses: Top travel tips for lighthouse lovers
Florida lighthouses offer unmatched history and beauty. There are 30 lighthouses and about 10 are open to visitors; others are beauty spots to admire.
Frank Lloyd Wright in Lakeland: 13 unique buildings, and now a planetarium
Florida Southern College in Lakeland has a remarkable collection of buildings designed by America’s most famous architect. Now a planetarium Wright designed has been restored and reopened. Lakeland itself is a hidden gem worth visiting.
Micanopy, setting for Old Florida movie, fills with art and music for fall festival weekend
Micanopy is right off I-75 near Gainesville, but it feels far away, like a small town in a Florida long gone. Its popular fall festival is Oct. 31-Nov. 1.
A1A Ocean Islands Trail takes you on a scenic byway along North Florida coast
This scenic drive takes you through some rare unspoiled islands, past historic sites, on a car ferry and on roads where tree canopies form green tunnels. It makes a great afternoon drive or you could spend days exploring along this route.
Fort Clinch: Worth a drive to explore Amelia Island park with all sorts of fun
This state park is so worth a drive to explore. It would take days to experience it all – a beautiful beach, a well-preserved Civil War fort, hiking, biking, wildlife, great camping.
Kayak the Suwannee River from White Springs for a historic, scenic stretch
If you think all there is to the Suwannee River is an old song with problematic lyrics, you’re missing out on one of Florida’s greatest kayaking, canoeing and camping rivers.
Sunflowers in Florida: ‘Stunning’ fall scene in Immokalee preserve
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. 2-11.
7 favorite secluded beaches in South Florida
It’s easy to find a beach in Florida. It’s harder to find a hidden beach, a beach where you experience a sense of discovery and delicious isolation. Here, however, I share my favorites, discovered over many years.
Glamping in Florida: Luxury meets nature in these 15 parks
Glamping in Florida is now offered in 14 state and one national park, where some fancy tents come with chandeliers. The idea: Be in the wild, but be comfy.