The flower- and fountain-filled courtyards of Worth Avenue in Palm Beach are lovely and free. In winter, engaging weekly tours tell you the inside story of celebrities and history. The tours start this week and continue through April.
Author: Bonnie Gross
12 things to do in St. Augustine for nature & history lovers
With charm, history and the beauty of nearby natural areas, this special destination offers visitors a long list of adventures. St. Augustine’s appeal starts with two key assets: The historic district with its shady brick lanes and and the natural beauty of the region,
Ichetucknee Springs State Park in winter: Best time to kayak
The Ichetucknee is the most pristine spring run in the state. It has eight major springs, crystalline water, lush jungly vegetation plus plentiful birds and wildlife. It’s a shame that most visitors only experience it as a busy tubing river. It’s a fabulous winter kayaking destination in North Florida — worth a drive!
Bike the Florida Keys Overseas Heritage Trail on safe & scenic sections
The bike trail down the Florida Keys — the Florida Keys Overseas Heritage Trail — is not complete, but here are four sections that offer scenic and safe rides.
Fort Zachary Taylor State Park, Key West hidden gem
Like a lot of visitors, for years I had overlooked Fort Zachary Taylor Historic State Park on my visits to Key West because it is tucked away out of sight. But the historic fort and great beach are worth discovering.
Tampa Thai temple: Exceptional Sunday market & brunch
An open-air Thai brunch and market draws throngs every Sunday morning to this beautiful waterfront temple in Tampa. The food is very good and moderately priced. The exotic gold-trimmed temple is worth visiting just because it’s beautiful, set among shady live oak trees decorated with orchids.
Punta Gorda: Seven things to do for a perfect getaway itinerary
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.
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.
Seven places to learn about Native American heritage of Florida
I had lived in Florida a long time before I discovered the rich and often tragic history of native Americans here. In honor of Native American Heritage Month, here are seven parks and museums that tell those stories.
J. B. Starkey Wilderness Park: Vast refuge for tent campers with rustic cabins and no RVs
J. B. Starkey Wilderness Park flies under the radar for most people planning Florida trips. It’s not a state park and it’s not near a population center. But this vast water-management preserve offers tent sites in the woods and rustic cabins you can rent quite cheaply. There are miles of trails, including an excellent paved bike trail.