Florida is one of the most popular vacation destinations in the world. It is one of the most beautiful and diverse states in America. Most know that Florida is home to world-class theme parks, but it’s also the boating and fishing capital of the world. With 7,700 lakes, 11,000 plus miles of rivers and 2,276 miles of coastline, and over 700 freshwater springs, this is no surprise.
Discovered by Ponce de Leon, Florida, was found in 1513. It is the nation’s oldest city. You don’t have to travel to Europe to enjoy history – Florida has medieval forts. Castillo de San Marcos is one of the earliest stone fortresses in the continental United States that served as a defensive and protection link between Spain and the New World. St. Augustine’s oldest structure. It is over 315 years old and is a National Monument.
If theme parks or water are not for you, there are plenty of other options. From historical mansions, state parks, quaint towns, epic golfing, and thriving cities, Florida has something for everyone. There is an endless amount of ways to explore Florida.
The Sunshine State sits between the Atlantic Ocean and The Gulf of Mexico. There’s no shortage of beachfront! As such, millions flock here for the beaches alone.
Florida is home to approximately 1,250 golf courses. If you are not a golfer, there are many state parks to explore. Likewise, there are all kinds of wildlife to encounter.
The average temperature ranges from 65 to 80 degrees, but the temperature varies from north to south, making it the ideal location to vacation year-round.
Tucked away along the brackish bayous and sweeping salt flats of Northern Pinellas County lies Tarpon Springs, a coastal community that offers one of the most distinct, immersive cultural experiences in North America. When travelers map out an itinerary through the Sunshine State, they often prioritize the high-octane theme parks of Central Florida or the…
When most people picture Florida, their minds immediately drift to the neon lights of Miami, the crowded theme parks of Orlando, or the high-rise condos lining the beaches of Fort Lauderdale. But beyond the concrete interstate loops and sprawling coastal resorts lies a completely different world. This is the world of rural Florida: a landscape…
Crystal River is one of Florida’s most distinctive coastal destinations. Located on the Nature Coast about 90 minutes north of Tampa, it combines freshwater springs, the Gulf of Mexico, wildlife, historic sites, fishing, boating, kayaking, scalloping, seafood, and a surprisingly charming downtown. What makes Crystal River particularly special is Kings Bay, a spring-fed estuary that…
Fort Island Gulf Beach, otherwise known as Fort Island Beach, sits on Florida’s Nature Coast. It is globally celebrated for its complex system of crystalline freshwater springs, expansive subterranean aquifers, and densely forested river systems. This beach is often missed because it is shadowed by the nearby Crystal River. Destinations like the Crystal River National…
Crystal River Archaeological State Park, spanning a modest 61 acres, preserves a monumental complex that served as an anchor for indigenous culture, trade, and spirituality for nearly two millennia. Designated a National Historic Landmark in 1990, this network of shell mounds, expansive plazas, and ancestral burial grounds stands as one of the longest continuously occupied…
Three Sisters Springs in Crystal River offers one of the clearest windows into Florida’s coastal springs and its wintering manatees. If you want a compact, accessible place to see manatees in warm, crystal-clear water and walk a scenic boardwalk through protected habitat, Three Sisters Springs delivers that experience. This post may contain affiliate links. Please read…
Hidden in the heart of Old Homosassa, Florida, Yulee Sugar Mill Ruins Historic State Park preserves the remains of one of Florida’s most important 19th-century sugar plantations. Although the park is small and can be visited relatively quickly, the ruins tell a much larger story involving plantation agriculture, enslaved labor, Florida politics, industrial innovation, the…
Howard’s Flea Market in Homosassa is Citrus County’s largest and most established shopping destination, offering over 800 covered booths and spanning more than 55 acres. It has been serving the community and visitors since 1972, making it a reliable spot for finding a wide range of items from antiques and collectibles to fresh produce and…
If you want a clear sense of what Seminole Spring is and why it matters, start with this: Seminole Spring is a natural freshwater spring system in Lake County, Florida, made up of multiple vents and ravines that produce clear, life-supporting water and offer easy access for recreation and observation. Privately owned and inaccessible by navigable water,…
Mud Springs, Florida, is an easy way to experience a quiet spring within Welaka State Forest. Hidden out of sight, known by few and yet absolutely stunning. It’s a small spring and relatively untouched, but it’s a favorite of mine. I love all of Florida’s springs; each is completely different. My favorites are always the…