Spring into Adventure:

The Ultimate Guide to

By Tarre Beach

It is time for Spring Break again! If you are looking for the perfect staycation or a quick getaway, you have come to the right place. Whether you want to unwind and recharge or party until the sun comes up, we have some ideas for your great escape.

Take Your Dog

The little town of Nobleton in Hernando County, FL, is a place for those who want an athletic getaway where they can bring Rover along. The 7.8-mile Croom Trail North Loop is considered a moderately challenging route and takes an average of 2 hours and 40 minutes to complete. Croom Trail is not too far from Withlacoochee State Forest, where dogs on leashes are also allowed, and 16-19 miles from Bushnell, where you will find a few chain hotels and plenty of vacation rentals. If you want to get rustic, you can camp or RV at one of five area campgrounds.

Adult Playground

Gamble, dance, drink and be merry. In Sunny Hollywood, FL, you can enjoy the sun, sand, and nightlife and maybe even win cash and prizes at one of the casinos. From upscale poker, baccarat, fresh seafood, and live music to virtual blackjack, slots, and wings, you can find your speed of fun here. The Seminole Hard Rock Hotel and Casino is one of the few casinos in the area that legally offers live-action blackjack, and there is a non-smoking floor for players that want to breathe easy. Nearby, Gulfstream Park offers live horse racing every weekend and shopping and dining.

Romance is in the Air

Get ready to fall in love with your partner again on a couple’s staycation in Orlando. Between room service, luxury suites, couples massages, and more, Orlando has plenty of five-star resorts that will make you and your partner feel like royalty. According to Coleman Concierge, a travel and adventure management company, the Four Seasons Resort Orlando is the highest-rated resort for romance. Maybe the high rating is because the Four Seasons offers marble bathrooms, C.O. Bigelow toiletries, high thread count bedding, and plush pillows. The resort also has an adult-only pool to give you peace away from the theme-park vacationing families.

For elegance and a touch of class, the Grand Bohemian is a downtown boutique hotel with an art gallery, chic restaurant, jazz lounge, outdoor pool, and luxury spa. Right across the street from Dr. Phillips Performing Arts Center, you can enjoy live performances and stroll hand-in-hand discovering the city. Around the corner from the hotel is Lake Eola, where you can paddle out on one of the City Beautiful’s famous swan boats with your special someone.

Arrgh, Pirates!

Colonized by Spain in 1565, St. Augustine is the oldest city in America, and pirates play a central role in its long history. St. Augustine Pirate & Treasure Museum features pirate artifacts and interactive exhibits the whole family can enjoy. The Black Raven, a pirate cruise, lets you take an open water adventure with sea-shanty singing pirates. The annual Searle’s Sack of St. Augustine happens March 2 through 4. It is a thrilling historical reenactment of legendary pirate Robert Searle’s attack on St. Augustine and how the townspeople defended their home. To add to the fun, try booking a room at the Pirate Haus Inn, a familyfocused pirate-themed lodge in the heart of historical St. Augustine.

Theme-Park Dream

Living in Central Florida, many of us have annual passes to theme parks. Walt Disney World Resort in Orlando offers up to 20% off rooms (some restrictions apply) at all its area hotels for annual pass holders. While SeaWorld Orlando does not have a standalone resort, it has official hotels and hotel partners where Florida residents or annual pass holders can get deals. You can play all day and grab a shuttle back to your room instead of driving home. Legoland Florida Resort also offers pass-holder incentives, and its newest hotel, Pirate Island Hotel, which opened in June 2020—includes separate kid sleeping areas in every room and playgrounds galore. Not to be outdone, Universal Orlando Resort offers up to 35% off rooms, early park admission, express ride access (with an upgrade package), and complimentary transportation to parks from hotels for annual pass holders.

Fishing Around

March is Florida Largemouth Bass season in Central Florida. Lake Butler, Lake Conway, and Lake Kissimmee are all great places to catch trophy-worthy bass. Take your boat and launch it at any of these lakes, or charter a boat with a local captain who knows all the great spots. The Butler Chain of Lakes is over 5,000 acres of 13 interconnected lakes with plenty of freshwater fishing action. Make sure you have your Florida Fish and Wildlife freshwater fishing license before you plan your fishing staycation. Florida residents pay only $17 for an annual freshwater fishing license. Children under 16 and seniors over 65 do not need a freshwater fishing license to fish recreationally.