Getaways to the authentic Florida
Florida’s wackiness goes back to its first settlers, and Koreshan State Historic Site celebrates one of our earliest eccentrics. Thanks to this cult leader, though, a lovely wooded site on the Estero River was preserved through the years for us to enjoy.
The Dora Canal could be the prettiest one mile you’ll paddle in Florida. The waterway connects Lake Dora and Lake Eustis in Tavares, just west of Mount Dora.
I love to discover and share new places to kayak, and Prairie Creek near Punta Gorda is a scenic, pristine stream full of birds and wildlife. It’s just the sort of place that makes me love to paddle.
The Florida Folk Festival began in 1953 at Stephen Foster State Park on the Suwannee River and is a Memorial Day weekend tradition. The annual event celebrates Florida’s land, people and diverse cultural heritage.
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.
In the wild and watery world of southwest Florida, Collier-Seminole State Park near Naples draws people who love the natural Florida for camping, hiking and paddling.