Getaways to the authentic Florida
Stories about destinations with an Old Florida feel.
Central Florida’s ‘City on the Circle’ is enjoying a rebirth after the renovation boost by Erin and Ben Napier on Season 3 or HGTV’s ‘Home Town Takeover.’ The Sebring episodes were nominated for a Daytime Emmy. The winner will be announced Friday night.
Micanopy is right off I-75 near Gainesville, but it feels far away, like a small town in a Florida long gone. Its popular fall festival is Oct. 31-Nov. 1.
Folks have been fascinated with Stiltsville since the first shack went up in Biscayne Bay a mile from land in the 1930s. Biscayne National Park and a non-profit partner offer regular boat tours that tell the Stiltsville story and take you close to the houses.
The cemetery in Key West is a lot like the city itself: quirky, crowded, colorful and full of history. The site has a forlorn almost spooky air. Take a walking tour and discover fascinating stories of Key West and its people.
Legend suggests these six haunted places in Florida are visited by ghosts. We’re skeptical but one thing we’re sure of: These are beautiful, evocative spots worth discovering at Halloween or any time of year.
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.
This historic restaurant near Marjorie Kinnan Rawlings Historic State Park at Cross Creek is a great place to eat like a cracker. It offers an old Florida ambiance and menu.
This laid-back beach town isn’t famous, but it charms visitors with its funky Florida history, gorgeous beaches and a cute downtown with interesting restaurants and shops.
St. Petersburg is full of Old Florida treasures, from a beautiful brick 1927 comfort station next to the new bayfront pier to the Sunken Gardens, a cherished roadside attraction complete with a flock of flamingoes. St. Pete has grown younger and livelier, but it retains much of its original charm.
Mount Dora has a lively downtown and a well-preserved historic district on a pretty lake. It’s a walkable small town with good dining and shopping. We love the great kayaking and biking nearby.
As you plan your Florida travels, here are nine towns that I’ve found make great bases for exploring. Each puts you in the center of outstanding places to hike, bike, kayak and explore history. Each is surrounded by natural beauty.
You can discover less-visited small towns with Old Florida flavor by exploring Trail Towns. For a summer vacation, this avid cyclist found a few hidden gems.