Hillsborough River State Park has been closed since October after getting slammed by Hurricanes Helene and Milton.
Orlando/Central Florida
Central Florida Getaways
Things to do in Orlando and Central Florida, hiking, bicycling, kayaking and canoe, RV and tent camping, road trips, historic places and Funky Florida.
Unsung heritage corridor: Springs, history, scenic byway in Central Florida
This off-the-beaten track region offers springs, history and Florida scenic drives along the St. Johns, the ‘river of lakes.’ It’s centered around the Old Florida city of DeLand, an hour north of Orlando.
Hontoon Island: Wild island in St. Johns River for hiking, kayaking
Hontoon Island State Park is a big wild park surrounded by the St. Johns River and reachable only by boat. A free ferry operates Friday to Sunday. It’s a great place to hike or have a picnic. Kayaking on these scenic waterways provides good wildlife viewing.
11 enchanting Central Florida state parks with camping
Central Florida is home to a diverse selection of Florida state parks with camping. Something for everybody, even if you don’t own a tent or RV. (2nd in a series)
Local sodas are back at Sebring Soda Festival, April 11-12, 2026
Sebring, a small town along the lovely Lake Wales Ridge in Central Florida, is staking a claim for something new — Florida’s first (and only) craft soda festival, the Sebring Soda Festival. Local small-batch sodas made with real sugar are making a comeback, partly as an outgrowth of the craft beer phenomenon. This Sebring festival is a good opportunity to taste what it’s all about.
Merritt Island National Wildlife Refuge: Birds and beauty
Bird migration to and through the Merritt island National Wildlife Refuge peaks in October.