At the southern terminus of Amtrak’s 855-mile Auto Train, Sanford is one of the oldest incorporated cities in Florida, in a beautiful setting on the south shore of Lake Monroe. This sweeping body of water is at the head of navigation on the picturesque St. John’s River, and Sanford’s waterfront harmonizes perfectly with the lake. …
Located in northern Florida’s Marion County, the city of Ocala was incorporated in 1869 and currently ranks as the state’s 54th most populous city, with a population of just more than 63,000 residents. I adore the scenery in this part of the state, known as ‘horse country’ and full of grand live oaks draped with …
Halfway between the Atlantic and the Everglades, Margate is a suburban city in the heart of the Miami metropolitan area. Fort Lauderdale, Pompano Beach and Boca Raton are all an easy drive from Margate, and this puts a world of attractions and activities within reach. Closer to home you’ve got highly-rated golf courses, pockets of …
Home to 12 golf courses, this South Florida calls itself The Golf Capital of the World. Honestly, I don’t think it’s an empty boast. Until a few years ago, the Professional Golfers’ Association of America (PGA) was headquartered here in Palm Beach Gardens. Six of the those courses can be found at the PGA National …
The westernmost Florida city is located on the narrow strip of land between the Gulf of Mexico and Alabama, known as the Florida Panhandle. Pensacola is the county seat of Escambia County and is endowed with miles of scenic shoreline. This part of the state is a honeypot for outdoorsmen, nature lovers, and golfers from …
Set between St. Petersburg and Cape Coral in the Tampa Bay Area, Sarasota is a lively coastal city, full of natural, historical, and cultural attractions. For me, Sarasota means perfect white sandy beaches, dazzling entertainment, diverse shopping, and tons of family-oriented fun. The city is also close to other popular destination cities like Punta Gorda, …
Located along the Atlantic coast in southern Florida’s Miami-Dade County, I found myself in Homestead, an oasis of small-town charm. It amazed me that this tranquil place was just 30 minutes south of Miami, the bustling hub of Florida, housing over six million people. As I explored Homestead, I realized that it offered visitors like …
Located in southwest Florida’s Lee County, Fort Myers has always been a place close to my heart. As a person who keeps coming back to this vibrant city, I can proudly say that it is one of the largest tourist destinations and economic centers in our region. When the last census was conducted, I remember …
Located in the western part of South Florida’s Broward County, the community of Weston was developed in the mid-’90s and borders the Everglades on its western edge. With a median family income that’s more than three times the national average, Weston has a reputation for exclusivity, but it’s surprisingly affordable by Florida standards. It’s also …
Downtown Gainesville looks like a sleepy country town where there’s not much going on. Start exploring, and the opposite soon becomes apparent. Gainesville is the county seat of Alachua in Florida, and the Downtown district is a hdive of exciting things to do. Downtown Gainesville’s historic character and charm are accentuated by an abundance of …