Getaways to the authentic Florida
Articles about special places to stay overnight, unique Florida lodging, quaint lodging, cabins, bed and breakfast, cabins, lodging with character, mom & pop motels.
Wakulla Springs State Park has a historic lodge, spectacular spring/swimming hole, scenic boat rides and many spots to hike, bike and kayak nearby. The Big Bend region of Florida is often overlooked by visitors, who are missing out on a rustic, rural area.
Lake Louisa State Park is a half hour from the theme parks, but is a natural world with 20 miles of hiking trails and great cabins. Located east of the vast Green Swamp, you’ll find wildlife, hills, cypress swamps and forests. We found a hidden gem kayaking river nearby.
Gold Head Branch State Park has long been on my radar, a small dot on the map with a curious name in the middle of nowhere — yet close enough to Gainesville to be a camping option on game weekends. (We found dozens of campsite and cabin openings for every game this year.)
This Miami state park is a remarkable island of green where you can kayak, mountain bike, picnic and enjoy a sandy beach. It’s the largest urban park in Florida.
Princess Place Preserve in Flagler County is a big, scenic park with miles of hiking, excellent tent camping, affordable cabins and a historic buiding with an intriguing story. It’s an off-the-beaten-path discovery for your Florida adventure
One of the best places to enjoy nature is in a cabin in a Florida state park. But the cabins book up fast, so you have to plan ahead. Our guide explains which parks have cabins, what they offer and what they cost.
The Flamingo Lodge lives up to its magnificent location on Florida Bay in Everglades National Park. Many visitors will now want to explore this end-of-the-road spot.
Kayaking the Braden River, with time at Jiggs Landing and Linger Lodge in Bradenton, is a delightful trip back into Old Florida along the Gulf Coast. Both outposts date to the 1940s and the scenic river that connects them preserves much of its natural beauty.
It is possible to go to Key West on a budget. Here are some frugal tips on lodging, interesting budget restaurants and free places to go.
This offbeat historic hotel is the classic place to stay in Vero, a laid-back beach town that charms visitors with its funky Florida history, gorgeous beaches and cute downtown.
Remarkably unchanged, this is a jewel in a remote town surrounded by untamed Everglades. A stay here is not for everybody, but it’s an exceptional place for a drink in the bar and a visit to the historic lobby.
Shangri-la Springs is a historic hotel surrounded by eight acres of gardens with fountains, ponds, towering trees and the original spring the town is named for. You are welcome to visit the grounds or have breakfast or lunch at its restaurant, which serves produce from its organic garden. It’s an Old Florida hidden gem!