Floridians survive the heat and humidity of our brutal summers by turning to the state’s wealth of cool, clear, refreshing springs. These are our picks for the best springs in Florida.
Tag: summer outings
Florida spiny lobster season opens
Freshly harvested spiny lobsters are already appearing in seafood markets and restaurants. And recreation divers can get back in the water. The season ends next March.
De Leon Springs: ‘Pancake park’ is so much more
De Leon Springs, about an hour north of Orlando, is a state park with swimming, kayaking and fantastic history. It’s best known for — of all things — its pancakes. Our advice: spend the day and take in the adjacent Lake Woodruff National Wildlife Refuge.
6 coolest places to visit in Florida for epic summer fun
It’s hot, but that doesn’t mean you have to seal yourself in air conditioning for the summer. You can enjoy the natural and authentic Florida — and stay cool in the process.
Swimming and tubing is summer treat at Blue Spring State Park; day-pass reservations now required
Blue Spring, a popular place for swimming and tubing, now requires day-pass reservations. In winter, it’s where to see manatees in a natural setting.
Barefoot Beach in Bonita Springs: Wild, wonderful and off the beaten track
Barefoot Beach in Bonita Springs occupies one of the last undeveloped barrier islands on Florida’s southwest coast.
Juniper Springs in Ocala Forest: Shady kayak run on pristine spring-fed stream
One of Florida’s favorite kayak runs, Juniper Springs, is popular in summer because it’s largely shaded and the water is 72 degrees. It might be the most pristine spring-fed river in Florida. It’s best for experienced paddlers.
Lake Placid Caladium Festival, July 24-26
This small town festival celebrates a uniquely Lake Placid product: caladiums, a colorful plant grown commercially almost nowhere else. There’ll be music, food, a car show, arts and crafts and tours of caladium fields.
For your Florida bucket list: A nighttime bioluminescence kayak trip is a summer thrill
On dark summer nights in the Mosquito Lagoon near Titusville and Cocoa, the water glows from bioluminescent plankton. Kayak tours help visitors see the spectacular light show.
Caladesi Island is pristine beach and cool kayak destinaton
Caladesi Island State Park is again named one of the best beaches — #3 in America. The island off Dunedin is a perfect kayak destination too.