Southeast Florida

Things to do in Southeast Florida, Miami, Fort Lauderdale, West Palm Beach, Stuart and getaways to outdoor recreation, hiking, biking, trails, canoeing, kayaking, places to camp, places to stay, unique restaurants, road trips, historic places and Funky Florida.

Beaches, Snorkeling, Southeast Florida

Snorkeling in Florida: Where to explore from shore

by Bonnie Gross

Snorkeling in South Florida doesn’t require a boat. Here are some great places where you can snorkel and see fish and other sea creatures right from the beach.

Anhinga chicks at Everglades National Park. (Photo: David Blasco)

Birding, Everglades, Southeast Florida

‘Super colony’ of birds nests in Everglades: You can’t see them, but visit anyway

by Bonnie Gross

2018 is an exceptional one for nesting birds in Everglades National Park. Two super colonies– more than 25,000 birds clustered together– are nesting in the park for the first time since the 1940s. We couldn’t resist a visit. And while you can’t reach the super colonies, there is much to see on a spring visit.

Kayaking past the fishing pier in the lagoon area of Oleta River State Park. (Photo: Bonnie Gross)

Beaches, Bike & Hike, Kayak & Canoe, Lodging, Southeast Florida

Oleta River State Park feels like island getaway in Miami urban sprawl

by Bob Rountree and Bonnie Gross

This Miami state park, 10 minutes from sprawling Aventura Mall, is a remarkable island of green where you can kayak, mountain bike, picnic and enjoy a sandy beach. There are even rustic cabins to rent.

What Alligator Alley is named for: This fellow was cruising along at the viewing tower at the MM 35 rest stop. (Photo: Bonnie Gross)

Everglades, Scenic drives in Florida, Southeast Florida, Southwest Florida

Alligator Alley: ‘Boring’ road can be a gateway to Everglades experiences

by Bonnie Gross

Crossing the state on Alligator Alley? Here are tips on a how to spend 15 minutes, a half hour or a half day exploring the Everglades from I-75. This mile marker guide helps you decide where to stop and what to do along the way.

Where the Florida Trail crosses Alligator Alley, you can start a hike into the Everglades. (Photo: Bonnie Gross)

Bike & Hike, Camping, Everglades, Southeast Florida

Hike into the Everglades right from Alligator Alley

by Bonnie Gross

When crossing Florida on I-75, this hike is an easy way to experience the Everglades. You can hike for miles; even backpack to a campsite. Or stretch your legs for a short taste of the wild.

Kayak & Canoe, Southeast Florida

Fort Lauderdale Air Show: See it from a kayak May 5-6, 2018

by Bonnie Gross

A kayak paddle in the nearby waterways is a way to reduce traffic hassles and still experience some of the Fort Lauderdale Air Show May 6-7. Here’s how to do it.

Priscilla the Parrot Fish is made out of plastic toys, buoys, toothbrushes and other plastic garbage picked up on beaches.the sculpture if one of 10 on exhibit at Mounts Botanical Garden until June 3, 2018. (Photo: Bonnie Gross)

Southeast Florida

Mounts Botanical Garden: Art from sea debris in a lovely garden

by Bonnie Gross

Mounts Botanical Garden in West Palm Beach is a lovely spot, especially worth visiting this winter with the Washed Ashore exhibit of giant sculptures made of plastic trash picked up on beaches. These sculptures, the pinnacle of recycling, do their job: They delight us but they also make us think.

Wood storks, anhingas and herons all nesting together in Wakodahatchee Wetlands in Delray Beach. (Bonnie Gross)

Birding, Southeast Florida

Wakodahatchee Wetlands in Delray Beach: Watch the wood storks nesting

by Bonnie Gross

One of the best places to see wood storks and other wading birds nesting up close in winter is Wakodahatchee Preserve in Delray Beach. In February and March, dozens of storks build nests close to an easy-to-walk .75 mile boardwalk.