The oldest city in Highlands County, Avon Park was incorporated in 1886 and lies an hour south of Orlando. In the early 20th century the city came to the fore as an upscale tourist destination. At that time, the Jacaranda Hotel attracted a number of prestigious guests including Hollywood actors and sports stars. I’m happy …
Crossed by the east-west Hallandale Beach Boulevard, Pembroke Park is a humble town in the Miami area. Something I should point out about this town is that almost half of its residents live in mobile homes. Despite having a residential character that feels distant from Miami’s glitz and glamor, Pembroke Park is just minutes from …
On Anastasia Island, this shorefront city was incorporated in 1959. As the name tells you, it’s right next to St. Augustine, officially the oldest city in the United States. While St. Augustine’s many wonderful sights are moments away, I’ll focus mainly on what you can do by the shore. That means, hanging out on the …
Across San Carlos Bay from Fort Myers, Sanibel is an island destination, adored for its sublime beaches, unblemished nature, and all-round upscale vibe. The island has a peculiar shape, a bit like an upturned boomerang. This results in an unusual abundance of shells accumulating on Sanibel’s beaches. Indeed, it’s one of the best places in …
Packed onto the narrow barrier island east of the Intracoastal Waterway, Lauderdale-by-the-Sea is a quaint and lovable beachfront town. If I had to pick one outstanding thing about LBTS it would be the coral reef awaiting offshore. South of Anglin’s Pier you can wade out and snorkel in the reef’s shallow, wildlife-rich waters. There’s also …
In Santa Rosa County by Naval Air Station Whiting Field, Milton is a lovely old city at the lower reaches of the Blackwater River. The historic downtown area backs onto the riverfront, with a long view upstream. Milton is renowned as a center for paddlesports. This reputation comes from beautiful stretches of the Blackwater River …
This small city is by the intersection of two of the Miami area’s most famous roads. Along the north side of West Miami is the Tamiami Trail, which crossed the Everglades in the 1920s. Running down the east side is Red Road, which became the western boundary with Coral Gables in that same decade. Indeed, …
The oldest settlement in Polk County, dates back to the tentative peace of the mid-19th century following the Second Seminole War. Fort Meade is set just west of the Peace River. This spellbinding watercourse is a major attraction, flowing southwards through mysterious cypress swamp and past archeological sites. At Fort Meade you can embark on …
On a string of islands in the Middle Keys, the city of Marathon is a tropical paradise with some of the world’s best diving and snorkeling. The name comes from the tireless labor of the workers who built Henry Flagler’s Florida East Coast Railway at the start of the 20th century. In that vein, some …
In Taylor County, where the panhandle meets the peninsula, Perry is a small town in a remote part of Florida. Since the 19th century this area has relied on its immense crop of longleaf pines for income, both as lumber and a source of turpentine. Since the 1960s the city has been the home of …