Getaways to the authentic 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.
The picturesque 8-mile sand road in Vero Beach takes you past historic landmarks, including the first US wildlife refuge and a pioneer homestead overlooking the Indian River Lagoon. You can walk, bicycle on fat-tire bikes or drive it slowly. This is an original section of A1A.
You can kayak to your own little island, and it’s not hard. The Indian River Lagoon has dozens of spoil islands where you can picnic, explore or even camp. You don’t need reservations and some islands are only minutes off shore.
The best campgrounds in South Florida for family adventures can be found in these six public parks.
The first National Wildlife Refuge, Pelican Island, is a good place near Vero Beach to see wildlife, learn a little history and immerse in the beauty of the Indian River Lagoon.
Fort Lauderdale’s iconic Mai-Kai Polynesian restaurant reopened in 2024 after 4 years of loving restoration and reimagining. You don’t have to save it for a special-occasion outing.
The St. Lucie River is not a well-known kayaking destination — and it should be. It’s wild and gorgeous — a jungly forest of old live oaks thick with airplants and Spanish moss. After paddling about two hours, you reach a remote area where you can picnic and take a hike.
After a long wait, Miami’s favorite place for cinnamon rolls has reopened under new ownership at a new location. This institution south of Miami has generations of devoted fans.
The Ann Norton Sculpture Gardens are a gorgeous hidden gem often confused with the Norton Museum. You don’t have to love sculpture or rare palms to delight in this eye candy.
Shut down for the past eight months for storm repairs, the popular north jetty fishing ‘pier’ reopened in time for the July 4 holiday weekend.
This guide will help you see wildlife and experience the essence of Everglades National Park. We offer tips, too, for more in-depth Everglades experiences too.