Getaways to the authentic Florida
Even people who live in Florida get it wrong. They think Florida is all shopping malls and theme parks; its beaches are all commercial and crowded; it’s flat, boring and lacks history. People say: Too bad I live in Florida, I love the outdoors and there’s no place to hike. All wrong.
Here’s an interesting stop far off the beaten path: The Jacaranda Hotel opened in 1926 and has been providing comfy rooms and good food ever since. It’s located in the historic district of Avon Park, a little town in the middle of the state’s cattle and orange-grove country.
Howley’s Diner has been there for 60 years. It’s not just retro, this West Palm Beach diner is the real deal — from its terrazzo floors to its tin ceiling.
Fakahatchee Strand Preserve State Park, near Everglades City, is the biggest state park in Florida. It’s a vast, wild place with miles of trails where you walk through lush cypress swamp full of orchids and have opportunities to see wildlife, including the Florida panther.
