THE NEW ADVENTURES OF OLD FLORIDA

ADVENTURES OF FLORIDA w dTHE ADVENTU

NOW’S THE TIME TO START PLANNING THE BEST SPRING BREAK EVER.

BY KARIN FABRY-CUSHENBERY

Above: Alligator in Everglades National Park in South Florida. Left: Natural sponges harvested in Tarpon Springs, Florida. Right: Sponge diving boat in Tarpon Springs, Florida If sunshine and seafood are on your list of musts for spring break, a trip to Key West may be in order. And although you can surely have a local chef do all the work for you, it might be more fun to get in the water and catch your own crustacean.

Florida’s regular lobster season runs from August 6 to March 31 every year, and some of the best locations across the state to catch these tasty critters are from the Florida Keys up to Jupiter. According to the Visit Florida website, boat tours and hotel rooms ll up fast in these popular locales, so start your planning now. You don’t need to be an expert to partake in lobster season, and you don’t need your own lobster season license if you’re diving with a professional, licensed tour group. The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation states that if you’re going it on your own, though, you’ll need a saltwater shing license and a lobster permit, both of which can be purchasewd online.

Lobster hunting is a bit like treasure hunting. Hunters often carry a “tickle stick” to coax lobsters out of their hiding places. Some wear scuba gear, and others just peruse the shallower waters for the creatures. The Key West area o ers a good selection of lobster charter tours for those wanting a professional to take them out and assist with the catch.

Of course, Key West is about more than just catching lobster. As the southernmost point in the continental United States, you can just about guarantee warm temperatures perfect for outdoor activities. A walking

tour of the city is the best way to take in most of the sights, or check out a conch train or trolley tour.

For a little island, Key West has a lot of fun destinations and tourist spots to explore, from museums, such as the Key West Shipwreck Treasures Museum or Ernest Hemingway’s home, to the Harry S. Truman Little White House Museum.

Fort Zachary Taylor State Park, a National Historic Landmark, is popular for recreational opportunities, like swimming, shing and snorkeling, and tours are o ered daily. The fort, which was completed in 1866, helped defend the nation in both the Civil War and the SpanishAmerican War. Nearby, the Key West Lighthouse, circa 1847, is available for exploration and is operated as a historical museum.

Visit Mallory Square for the nightly sunset celebration. The view is second to none, and the street entertainers are worth the watch. There are plenty of photo ops in Key West, and one of the most iconic is the southernmost point marker on the corner of Whitehead and South Streets.

Fresh seafood abounds in the Keys, and the restaurant options are varied. Your best bet might be to ask a shop owner his or her favorite recommendation. Locals know best, right? If you’re looking for quintessential Key West, Sloppy Joe’s Bar is a world-known hang out and was frequented by Ernest Hemingway himself.

FORGET THE TYPICAL SPRING BREAK DESTINATIONS, AND OPT FOR SOMETHING A BIT OUT OF THE ORDINARY THIS YEAR. FROM LOBSTER SEASON IN KEY WEST TO AIRBOATING IN THE EVERGLADES, THESE THREE OPTIONS WILL GIVE YOU THE ESCAPE YOU NEED AND THE EXCITEMENT YOU CRAVE.

Whether you’re interested in an adventure lled trip or a laid-back retreat, Key West can o er the best of both worlds.

TARPON SPRINGS

Thirty miles northwest of Tampa you’ll nd Tarpon Springs. This quiet, “touristy” destination is known as the Sponge Capital of the World, named so because of the throngs of Greek immigrants that settled in the area in the early 1900s who made sponge harvesting, processing and selling a successful industry. Today, the sponge industry in Tarpon Springs continues to be the world’s largest, supplying 70 percent of the world’s natural sponges.

Situated on the Anclote River, Tarpon Springs o ers plenty to do for families and couples looking for a unique weekend away. And the sponge docks are an ideal starting point. The historic Sponge Exchange, where the sponges were once bought and sold, are now lined with quaint shops, restaurants and more. From the docks, you can take a cruise on a sponge boat and learn the history of the trade or take a 30-minute pontoon boat trip to Anclote Key, the nearby barrier island that houses a circa 1887 lighthouse. The island is known for an abundance of seashells, so bring a bag to carry home your nds. Before leaving the docks, stop in at the Spongeorama Sponge Factory and museum to take in some historical sponge displays and peruse the largest collection of sea sponges, loofahs and more. For a more detailed look at the historic downtown area and the docks, take a guided walking tour.

Another option is the Dolphin Adventure Cruise with Beach Excursion. The two-hour trip includes a hunt for dolphins along the Anclote River and Gulf of Mexico, plus a chance to swim, hunt for shells and explore the beach. If you’re looking for a go-at-your-own-pace beach day, Fred Howard Park is a popular destination that boasts white sandy beaches and beautiful sunsets. The 155-acre park also features several picnic pavilions, two playgrounds, a ball eld, six restrooms, showers and more.

Tarpon Springs has a few great museums and performing arts centers, including the Sa ord House Museum and the Heritage Museum. Check out the website tarponarts.org for upcoming exhibits and productions in the city. The 1883 Sa ord House is fully restored to its original Victorian splendor. The home is part of the National Register of Historic Places and is operated by the city of Tarpon Springs. A visit will show what life was like in the area 100 years ago, plus introduce you to the Sa ord family, one of the founding families of Tarpon Springs.

When visiting Tarpon Springs, it’s necessary to indulge in the authentic Greek cuisine. There are dozens of Greek restaurants in the area, but one we are especially fond of is Hellas Bakery & Restaurant. The Saganaki, or imported amed cheese, is a must. Hellas o ers a great selection of soups, sandwiches and Greek specialties, including Makaronada, a homemade Greek spaghetti topped with kima meat sauce and cheese—one of our favorites. For the kids, there’s traditional Greek favorites, plus chicken tenders, burgers or dogs for the picky eaters in your group.

THE EVERGLADES

We’ve all been to the beach and Disney World, but one of America’s most beautiful and alluring national parks is located right here in Florida, and chances are you’ve never been there. This spring break, add adventure to your list of things to do and make the trek south to the Everglades.

Without a boat, only a small percentage of this unspoiled oasis is available, but given a day or two, you can explore a good amount of the park. Planning is a must.

Left: The Strand building exterior in Key West, Florida. Below: Airboat tours in Everglades National Park, Florida. Bottom: Sponge Diver in Tarpon Springs, Florida

AS THE THIRD LARGEST PARK IN THE LOWER 48 STATES, THE EVERGLADES COVER MORE THAN 2,400 MILES AND 1.5 MILLION ACRES. THE FAMED AIRBOAT TOURS ARE BOTH EXCITING AND POPULAR, ALLOWING GUESTS TO GLIDE OVER THE TOP OF THE MANGROVES.

There are four entrances to Everglades National Park, and each one is in a different part of South Florida. The north entrances are Shark Valley in Miami and Gulf Coast in Everglades City. South entrances include Royal Palm in Homestead and the Flamingo entrance, 40 miles to the south of the Homestead entrance.

As the third largest park in the lower 48 states, the Everglades cover more than 2,400 miles and 1.5 million acres. To start, you may opt for a guided tour, whether by boat or tram. The famed airboat tours are both exciting and popular, allowing guests to glide over the top of the mangroves. The tours are more often than not narrated and include history and tales of the park. You’ll nd such tours at several locations throughout the Everglades. Check out one of the ranger-led programs for more detailed information about the ‘glades.

Biking, birding, shing, hiking, canoeing, kayaking, wildlife viewing and more are all options. Even a portion of the famed Tamiami Trail runs through the Everglades. The Everglades National Park Institute o ers halfday guided interactive tours of various parts of the park, including Royal Palm, NIKE Missile Site and Pa-hay-okee. Proceeds from these tours support Everglades National Park.

When choosing your accommodations, staying in Everglades City will put you in the closest proximity to the national park. But with the vast expanse of the park, you could choose to lodge in any number of Florida cities, including Miami, Homestead, Florida City and Key Largo.

Research is a must when planning your Everglades trip. Check out the visit orida.com site and also the National Park Service at nps.gov. Once you plan your entry into the park, you can work backward from there, choosing day trips and accommodations.

For detailed information on sights and opportunities within these cities and others in Florida, check out visit orida.com.