A community defined by agriculture and the railroads, Plant City is named for the railroad developer Henry B. Plant (1899-1899). That was an act of thanks. Plant’s South Florida Railroad came through in the mid-1880s, giving a big lift to local commerce. Some 140 years later, downtown Plant City is still at the junction of …
In 2019 the residents of Lake Worth voted to change the name of their city to Lake Worth Beach. Whatever it calls itself, this is a place I can’t help but love. Lake Worth Beach has a thrilling downtown that has bounced back from some lean years in the late 20th century. Now there’s global …
On the beautiful southwest shore of Lake Apopka, Winter Garden is a spirited city, just 20 minutes from downtown Orlando. For decades this was a small agricultural community, mostly growing oranges and grapefruits. Since the 1980s things have changed in a big way. Now Winter Garden is a flourishing city of 50,000. There’s an award-winning …
Part of the vast Miami metropolitan area, Cooper City is set halfway between the Atlantic coast and the Everglades. Neither is far away, and it’s one of many things I appreciate about this place. Head east and you’ll be at Dania Beach’s shoreline, where the vibe is a little more laid-back than neighboring Fort Lauderdale …
In Polk County, the city of Winter Haven has been home to LEGOLAND Florida since 2011. With three parks, this resort is on the site of Cypress Gardens, an amusement park and botanical garden established in the 1930s. So, I think it’s fair to say that Winter Haven is used to welcoming guests to the …
Close to Fort Lauderdale in Broward County, Lauderdale Lakes is a suburban city with large Caribbean American and African American communities. Close by you can watch the West Indies play at the only dedicated cricket stadium in the United States. For a Caribbean-style street party, the Miami Broward Carnival takes place in the area every …
A port city on Florida’s Treasure Coast, Fort Pierce has the nickname, Sunrise City. This comes from the sublime sunrises that light up the broad expanse of the Indian River Lagoon. Fort Pierce is my idea of the perfect coastal town. You’ve got picture-perfect beaches on the ocean and lagoon, a percolating downtown, live entertainment, …
Embedded in the South Florida metropolitan area, Oakland Park is a suburban city on the edge of Fort Lauderdale. Administratively, Oakland Park is an urban island, almost completely enclosed by Fort Lauderdale’s northern neighborhoods. I’ll include several Fort Lauderdale attractions and activities in my list, many of which are within a ten-minute drive. Head east …
Between the coast and the Everglades, this quiet residential suburb is on the northwestern edge of Fort Lauderdale. Greenery and water are ever-present in North Lauderdale, a city with no fewer than 15 public parks. Locally, there’s a big choice of things to do, with indoor entertainment centers, museums, and parcels of South Florida nature. …
A city with an appropriate name, Greenacres has over ten parks, adding up to more than 1,700 acres of public recreation. There’s even more close by. For instance, Okeeheelee Park on the city’s western flank is a true active destination, with a golf course, equestrian center and an awesome cable wakeboard park. Head east and …