Cities

seven sisters springs underwater caves, chassahowitzka river

Seven Sisters Spring

Seven Sisters Spring is one of the best springs in Florida, and one of the most beautiful. Seven Sisters Spring is part of the Chassahowitzka Springs Group, and is located on the Chassahowitzka River. Seven Sisters Spring is popular for many activities, including swimming, snorkeling, manatee viewing, kayaking, and canoeing. Video of Seven Sisters Spring,…

Woman at Passage Key, Florida

Passage Key (Anna Maria)

Passage Key is an uninhabited island at the mouth of Tampa Bay.  The island is protected as a national wildlife refuge, and is closed to public access. Note: All of Passage Key closed to protect nesting wildlife. Trespassing on Passage Key is illegal. Visitors should remain well away from the beaches to avoid illegal trespassing. …

Nixon Sandbar on Key Biscayne, Florida

Nixon Sandbar

The Nixon Sandbar is a popular sandbar near Miami, on Key Biscayne. The sandbar is an extremely popular hangout for boaters near Miami and surrounding areas.  On busy weekends and holidays many dozens, or even hundreds of boats gather, anchor, raft up and party. The Nixon Sandbar is also known as Nixon Beach, and the Nixon…

surfing in destin florida

Destin

Destin, Florida is a small beach town located in the Florida panhandle. It is an incredibly popular beach destination for tourists, and has been a popular destination for many decades.  Destin was once a quaint fishing village, but has grown into a busy tourist destination. More than 4.5 million people visit Destin annually, according to…

Waterfront homes in Cape Coral, Florida

Cape Coral

Cape Coral is a medium-sized town in Southwest Florida.  Cape Coral is not a party town; it is known as a laid-back, quiet community. There is not a lot of action in the small city, or the tiny downtown area. Because of this, Cape Coral mostly appeals to retirees, boaters, and people who love the…

Beer can island in tampa bay, also known as Pine Key

Beer Can Island (Tampa Bay)

Tampa Bay has two islands with the name “Beer Can Island”. One “Beer Can Island” is located in the middle of Tampa Bay. It was recently renamed to “Pine Key”, and is the subject of this article. Click this link for the other “Beer Can Island”, located at the northern tip of Longboat Key, near…

A historic home in Brooksville, Florida

Brooksville

Brooksville is often called the “Real Florida” and is representative of how the state used to be decades ago.  One refreshing thing about Brooksville is that it actually has hills and elevation changes!  Many of the hills in and around Brooksville are beautiful, rolling green pastures.  Some hills are more dramatic than others, and may…

The beach at Egmont Key near Tampa

The Best Beaches in Tampa

Many people ask about the best beaches in Tampa.  This question can be confusing because there are technically several beaches in Tampa, but they aren’t what most people expect.  Here’s how the Tampa city government website describes one popular beach in Tampa:  “Who needs to go to Clearwater to find a good beach when you…

Manatees in Three Sisters Spring, near the Crystal River National Wildlife Refuge

Three Sisters Spring

Three Sisters Spring is one of the most beautiful natural springs in Florida. It’s also one of the best places to see wild manatees in Florida. Note: The Chassahowitzka River is another excellent location to swim with manatees, and it’s relatively nearby Three Sisters Spring. If you will visit Three Sisters Spring, be sure to…

A surfboard on the beach near the Sebastian Inlet, Florida

Sebastian

Sebastian is a small beach town on Florida’s east coast, along the famous US Highway 1. Unlike many other busy cities on Florida’s east coast, Sebastian still has the charm of a small beach town. Sebastian is located in Indian River County, in a quiet, laid-back section of Florida’s east coast. Sebastian is located in…

The sunrise from Circle B Bar Reserve in Lakeland, Florida

Lakeland

Lakeland is a medium-sized city in Central Florida. It sits just about half way between two of Florida’s biggest cities, Tampa and Orlando. Not surprisingly, Lakeland got its name from the large number of lakes that surround the city. There are 38 major lakes in the surrounding area. The largest and most popular are Lake…

Melbourne Florida Sunset over the Indian River Lagoon

Melbourne

Melbourne, Florida is a small beach town on the east coast of Florida. Melbourne is located in Brevard County and has a population of approximately 80,000 residents. Location The city of Melbourne is located on Florida’s mainland, along the Atlantic coast. Melbourne is approximately 70 miles southeast of Orlando, and 20 miles south of Cocoa…

Florida Bay Seagrass Impact

Boating Impact on Florida Waterways

Boaters can have serious, negative impacts on Florida’s waterways! As the population of south Florida and the Florida Keys grows, boater’s impact on the marine environment will become an increasingly serious problem to manage. Many boaters run aground every year and damage the fragile seagrass in Florida Bay and throughout Florida. Damage is especially intense…

The Fort De Soto Pier and Beach in Pinellas County, Florida

Fort De Soto

Fort Desoto is one of the best beaches in Florida. To make it even more official, Fort De Soto was once named the “Best Beach in the entire United States” in 2005 by “Dr. Beach” Stephen Leatherman. The water is clear, the sand is amazing, and there is a huge amount of parking. Plus, it…

Chassahowitzka River Campground

Chassahowitzka River and Springs

The Chassahowitzka River is located in the city of Homosassa on Florida’s central gulf coast. It’s located in Citrus County. Chassahowitzka River Video Tour History of Chassahowitzka River and Springs Like many springs in Florida, Chassahowitzka Springs has a fascinating history. It has attracted humans for tens of thousands of years. There are several notable…

A Map of the 5 largest cities in Florida

Major Cities in Florida

On a map, Florida can sometimes look like a small state because of its long, narrow shape. But, Florida is deceptively large in both land area and population. Florida covers 65,758 square miles, which makes it the 22nd largest state by land area. According to the most recent 2019 census estimate, 21,477,737 people live in…

The Wat Mongkolratanaram Thai Temple in Tampa, Florida

Thai Temple Tampa

Update: 6/15/2021: The Thai temple and grounds are open daily from 9 am until 6 pm. The Sunday Thai brunch market is held every Sunday from 8 am until 1 pm. The market is currently drive-through service only. After collecting food via car, visitors can park and eat their food at the onsite picnic tables….

An aerial drone photo of luxury waterfront homes in Windermere, Florida, one of the best suburbs of Orlando

Windermere

Windermere, Florida is a small, vibrant city in Orange County, Florida. It’s one of the best and popular suburbs of Orlando, especially for wealthy people. Windermere is known for its luxurious lakefront homes, famous residents and a quiet, charming atmosphere. Approximately 2,500-3,000 residents live in the Town of Windermere. Location Windermere’s location is one of…