Florida’s beaches and theme parks are a huge draw, but there are so many other things to do in Florida!
Much of Florida’s beauty and magic is found off the beaten path, away from beaches and theme parks.
Here are some ideas of things to do, and ways to experience Florida in a deeper way
There’s a huge variety of campgrounds in the Florida Keys. You can find everything from old, run-down trailer parks to the fanciest, most high-end and expensive private campgrounds you could imagine. Some campground lots in this guide sell for over a million dollars! Can you imagine paying a million dollars for a parking place? This…
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…
Key West is the southernmost key in the Florida Keys archipelago, and the southernmost point of the continental United States. It’s a small island filled with big character, energy and adventure. We hope this guide will help you learn more about Key West, and all that it has to offer. Location First of all,…
Note: There are several videos included below in this guide. Blue Heron Bridge is consistently ranked one of the best snorkeling and shore diving spots in Florida. Locals say it was unknown — a true hidden gem — until it was featured on the cover of Southern Diver Magazine in 1998. Its popularity exploded overnight….
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….
We just got back from camping at Ichetucknee Springs Campground, and had such a great time! We were very happily surprised by our experience. We usually try to avoid private campgrounds because we prefer state parks, national forests, free camping and boondocking whenever possible. But, this campground was different. It’s one of the best we’ve…
Bok Tower and Gardens is one of the best things to do in central Florida. Most visitors absolutely love it, you should definitely consider visiting. Bok Tower and Gardens is a botanical garden, nature preserve and the site of a beautiful, world-famous bell tower, called a carillon. A carillon is a series of musical bells…
Mount Dora is a quaint little town in Central Florida’s Lake County. It’s part of the Orlando-Kissimmee metro area, about an hour away from Orlando and its major theme parks. Mount Dora has approximately 15,000 residents, according to the 2019 Census population estimate. Lake Dora Mount Dora sits on the northeast corner of beautiful Lake…
Buford Springs is one of the best springs in Florida. It’s an incredible SCUBA diving and freediving site; many divers rank it as one of the most beautiful SCUBA sites in Florida. It’s located in Hernando County, inside the Chassahowitzka Wildlife Management Area. Because it’s so beautiful, Buford has been a popular cave diving site…
Where is Boyd Hill Preserve? The Boyd Hill Nature Preserve is located south of Saint Petersburg. It borders the shores of Lake Maggiore. There are two entrances to the park. The North entrance includes a historical Pioneer Settlement Area and will be the site of the Tomalin Campground, which will provide urban camping inside the…
Sawgrass Lake Park in St. Petersburg is a hidden gem. Many agree it’s one of the best things to do in Tampa Bay. It’s a perfect spot to enjoy Florida’s nature without having to spend any money, or drive very far. The park spans 400 acres in the heart of Pinellas County. There’s an extensive…
Is there good surfing in Florida? Florida can have excellent surf, but only during specific conditions. Sadly, Florida’s marine geography is not well suited for good, consistent waves. Florida’s surf conditions are exceptionally location-specific. Because of many different factors, wind, wave and swell conditions don’t affect the coastline consistently. Certain spots on Florida’s east coast…
Ichetucknee Springs State Park is an oasis. It has something for everyone: About The Park Ichetucknee Springs has an ancient and fascinating history, for both geology and human inhabitation. Above all, the best part of Ichetucknee Springs is the gorgeous water and natural environment. It is such a pristine and unique place that it’s been…
Florida is home to three important National Forests, as well as several State Forests. Each of these sites are important for a variety of reasons. Florida’s forests, wildlife and natural environments are under constant assault. Over-development, pollution and encorachment all pose grave, constant threats. Wild, natural forest areas help preserve sensitive ecosystems and provide valuable…
Sanibel Island is one of my favorite places in all of Florida. I love it because it strikes a perfect balance between so many great things. Nature, conservation and respectful human enjoyment. Laid back, but sophisticated Luxurious, but accessible I especially love the bike paths which connect every part of the island. I could see…
Florida anchoring rules have been a toxic, contentious issue for years. In this article we’ll look at the guidelines, rules and relevant issues facing Florida cruisers. Plus, for anyone who’s interested, we’ll take a look at some notable Florida anchoring issues and legal cases from the past. Florida Anchoring Rules: What Do You Need to…