2013 Travel Guide to Florida by MarkintoshDesign

AMAZING REGIONS

TOP-NOTCH BEACHES & Scenic Drives

CAPTURE FAMILY MEMORIES

Theme Parks, Campgrounds & Entertainment

STATE GEMS

Waiting to be explored D I S P L AY U N T I L J U N E 3 0 , 2 0 1 3

Plus

HISTORY, ARCHITECTURE, GARDENS, ARTS & CULTURE, FESTIVALS

$6.95

and much more to be discovered

EDITOR’S MESSAGE

reativity absolutely thrives on Florida sunshine. Now in our third year of publication, one would think we have covered all the bases in this wonderful state. Perhaps, its legacy—and success—rests solidly in the fact that it is always reinventing itself. Our writers have come up with an extensive list of the most popular highlights, as well as out-of-the-ordinary experiences, the Sunshine State has to offer you.

RECENT INITIATIVES The party continues. Florida is marking five centuries of visitors arriving in the state with its Viva Florida 500 celebration, which commemorates Florida’s rich heritage and diverse cultural history. In a state surrounded by water on three sides and boasting more than 12,000 miles of rivers, streams and canals, Florida’s maritime traditions play a significant role in history, including the 500th anniversary of Juan Ponce de León’s landing on the east coast in 1513. In St. Augustine, living-history programs, demonstrations and recreated portrayals tell Florida’s colonial story. Want to tour Miami but prefer not to drive? Head down to the nearest DECOSTATION and hop on a DECOBIKE, the official City of Miami Beach bike-sharing and rental program (decobike.com). The program features a network of 100 solar-powered bike rental and sharing stations located throughout Miami with a fleet of 1,000 custom bikes accessible from dozens of locations 24 hours a day. Theme parks are always a big draw and a number of new attractions are sprouting up in and around the Orlando area. For instance, LEGOLAND has opened an on-site water park, which features the build-a-raft river where families can create a unique LEGO vessel to voyage around the 1,000-foot lazy river.

UNIQUE EXPERIENCES In addition to theme parks, Florida also offers a huge selection of out-of-the-ordinary experiences. For instance, I’m planning a trip down to the Keys, which set me off on a quest for what’s there. Say you’re a diver. Why not volunteer to dive right in and plant a coral reef? Witnessing the degradation of many beautiful reefs, Ken Nedimyer, founder of the Coral Restoration Foundation, teamed up with his daughters on a 4H project to see whether humans could help grow new coral in the Florida Keys. Today, he and his associates train people in progressively more successful techniques to get coral to grow in places where it’s been wiped out. Take that a step further and book a stay at the Jules’ Underwater Lodge in Key Largo. This hotel can only be reached by scuba diving, yet it offers air conditioning, big-screen televisions and all the modern amenities, while you enjoy the view from portholes within your compartment. If underwater excursions don’t appeal to you, how about an over-water tour on board the African Queen, the iconic original vessel from John Huston’s classic 1951 film of the same name starring Humphrey Bogart and Katharine Hepburn. Registered as a National Historic Site, the 100-year-old boat is plying Key Largo’s waters and canals again. Or head over to Robbie’s of Islamorada. A dollar gets you in and $2.75 buys a bucket of fishy snacks to toss into the mass of swirling tarpon that hungrily hang out beside the dock. You’ll definitely get your $3.75 worth when you entice tarpon, reportedly the size of an NBA guard, to leap out of the water at baitfish you just pitched. If you’re feeling a bit more daring, lie flat on the dock, dangle a shiny baitfish inches off the water and see what happens. Seeking more interaction? Consider Theater of the Sea at Mile Marker 84.5 in the Keys and sign up for their dolphin and sea lion art program. You pick the paint colors and hold a canvas while your mammalian art partner does the hard work. How? By holding the paintbrush in its mouth. These are but a few examples of the wonderful experiences awaiting us in Florida. So read on and plan your best vacation ever.

Donna S. Vieira Editor

2013 TRAVEL GUIDE TO FLORIDA

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2 0 13 T R AV E L G U I D E T O

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The 2013 Travel Guide to Florida is published by Globelite Travel Marketing Inc., a leading lifestyle media company and publisher of The Travel Guides to Canada, The Travel Guide to California, and Dreamscapes Travel and Lifestyle Magazine. Joseph P. Turkel, President and Group Publisher Valerie Saunders, Vice President Judi Scharf, Vice President PUBLISHER ASSOCIATE PUBLISHER EDITOR EXECUTIVE EDITOR COPY EDITOR ART DIRECTOR CIRCULATION MANAGER DIRECTOR OF FINANCE PRESIDENT & GROUP PUBLISHER ACCOUNT MANAGERS

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2013 TRAVEL GUIDE TO FLORIDA

AL AB

CONECUH

BAKER

DALE

E A R LY

ESCAMBIA

Graceville

ESCAMBIA OKALOOSA

HOLMES

331

S A N TA R O S A

MILLER

HOUSTON

COOK

BROOKS

CAMDEN

CLINCH

THOMAS

CHARLETON

441

GRADY

arys

221

GADSDEN

Pensacola B AY

APAL

CALHOUN

Panama City

NORTHWEST

ACH ICOL

A R.

231 98

JEFFERSON

Tallahassee

White Springs

WAKULLA

Perry

D U VA L

Jacksonville

Jacksonville Beach

COLUMBIA

129 98

LIBERTY

17 301

H A M I LT O N

SUWANNEE

Fernandina Beach

NASSAU

iJasper

Madison

MADISON

NORTHEAST

BAKER

27 41

TAY L O R

UNION

319

ST JOSEPH BAY

GULF

L A FAY E T T E

FRANKLIN

High Springs

Cross City

Palatka

Gainesville

Fanning Springs

Suw annee R.

St. Augustine

ALACHUA

GILCHRIST

NORTH CENTRAL

S T. J O H N S

Alachua

Apalachicola

C L AY

Starke

BRADFORD

Apalachee Bay

A T L A N T I C O C E A N

ECHOLS

1 LEON

Cumberland Island NS

St M

WASHINGTON

i Warrington

BRANTLEY

WARE

G LY N N

319

L. Seminole Marianna

LOWNDES

WA LT O N

LANIER

D E C AT U R SEMINOLE

JACKSON

Milton

WAY N E

AT K I N S O N

COLQUITT

MITCHELL

G E N E VA COVINGTON

BALDWIN

PIERCE

221

BERRIEN

R. nt Fli

Satilla R.

PUTNAM

DIXIE

Palm Coast

FLAGLER

Flagler Beach Williston

27A LEVY

MARION

Ormond Beach

L. George

Ocala

Daytona Beach

41 92

Inglis

Waccasassa Bay

New Smyrna Beach

De Land VOLUSIA

Citrus Springs

Deltona

LAKE

Leesburg

SUMTER

Sanford

Winter Park

301

Brooksville

SEMINOLE

Titusville

Orlando

HERNANDO

ORANGE

New Port Richey

CENTRAL WEST

Largo St. Petersburg

275

Tampa

St J 192 ohn sR

B R E VA R D

Sebastian

HILLSBOROUGH

Apollo Beach 41

TAMPA BAY

301

Vero Beach

Avon Park OKEECHOBEE

M A N AT E E

441

HARDEE

Sarasota

INDIAN RIVER

Frostproof 17

Wauchula

Bradenton

95 S T. L U C I E

Fort Pierce

Port St. Lucie

Sarasota Springs

Jensen Beach Stuart

Okeechobee HIGHLANDS

S A R A S O TA

G U L F O F M E X I C O

CENTRAL EAST

Melbourne

OSCEOLA

Haines City Winter Haven Bartow POLK

Plant City

PINELLAS

Cocoa Beach

Land O Lakes

Clearwater

Cocoa

Kissimmee

Polk City

PA S C O

Tarpon Springs

CENTRAL

441 Winter Garden

CITRUS

MARTIN

DE SOTO

Venice

GLADES

Indiantown Lake Okeechobee

Port Charlotte

Englewood

Jupiter

CHARLOTTE

Gasparilla Island Charlotte Harbor

West Palm Beach Belle Glade

HENDRY

PA L M B E A C H

Lake Worth Delray Beach Boca Raton

LEE

Immokalee

Sanibel

SOUTH WEST

North Palm Beach

Fort Myers Cape Coral

441

Pompano Beach Ft Lauderdale

Golden Gate

Naples

75 COLLIER

Marco Island 41

BROWARD

Hollywood

Big Cypress National Preserve

Miami Beach Miami Kendall

Hialeah MONROE

DADE

Homestead Everglades National Park

1 Key Largo

FLORIDA BAY Big Pine Key

Marathon

Key West

MAP OF FLORIDA 8

2013 TRAVEL GUIDE TO FLORIDA

SOUTH EAST

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TABLE OF CONTENTS

44 GENERAL INTRODUCTION AND INFORMATION 14 18 22 26 30

WELCOME TO FLORIDA: Wacky, Weird and Wonderful HISTORY: Explore Historic Treasures TRAVELERS’ TIPS: A Quick Overview for Visitors TRIVIA: Cool and Quirky Tidbits STATE GEMS: Local Favorites

FLORIDA VACATION THEMES 36 40

44 46 50 52 56 60 65 68 70 72 78 82

84 12

2013 TRAVEL GUIDE TO FLORIDA

84 86 90 95

ARCHITECTURE AND GARDENS: An Eclectic Array of Venues Await ARTS AND CULTURE: Splendid Collections and Artistry PHOTO OPPORTUNITIES: Capturing the Best of Florida THEME PARKS: Creating Family Memories BEACHES: Pleasure by the Sea FAMILY ENTERTAINMENT: Inspiring Adventures for All ROAD TRIPS: Scenic Drives and Irresistible Places CAMPGROUNDS: Campers’ Delight PETS: For Fido—and Friends MONEY-SAVING TIPS: Save Big and Enjoy More WILDLIFE VIEWING: A Birder’s Paradise ECOTOURISM: Florida au Naturel GOLF: Signature Links for All Levels WEDDINGS AND HONEYMOONS: Living the Dream SPAS: Where Soothing Treatments Flourish SPORTS: A Sportsman’s Playground VACATION HOMES: A Quick Guide to Florida’s Real Estate Markets GAMBLING: A Sure Bet for Entertainment

FLORIDA REGIONS, COUNTIES, CITIES AND ATTRACTIONS 100 107 108 110 112 116 120 122 132 134 140 142 152 160 162 168 174

SOUTHEAST FLORIDA: A Diverse Landscape Miami: Rays, Glitz & Glamor Fort Lauderdale: Breezy Beaches, Relaxed Sophistication Sunny Isles Beach: The Isle of Plenty Delray Beach: A Traveler’s Haven Cultural Council of Palm Beach County: A Celebration of Art, Culture and History Hollywood: Charming, Friendly & Eclectic SOUTHWEST FLORIDA: A Preservation Playground The Beaches of Fort Myers & Sanibel: Florida’s Natural Gulf Coast Beauties CENTRAL EAST FLORIDA: The Ultimate Journey Martin County: A Bounty of Treasures CENTRAL FLORIDA: Miles of Non-Stop Delight CENTRAL WEST FLORIDA: Limitless Choices St. Petersburg/Clearwater: America’s Award-Winning Beaches NORTHEAST FLORIDA: Land of Beautiful Discoveries NORTH CENTRAL FLORIDA: The Quiet Grace of Yesteryear NORTHWEST FLORIDA: A Special Place in Time

122

FLORIDA RESOURCE DIRECTORY 181 181 182 183 183 184 184 184 185 188 188 189 190 190 190 191 191 192

Florida Time Zones Annual Florida Festivals Average Monthly Temperatures and Precipitation Tourism Information Sources in Florida Florida’s Public Holidays Florida Associations and Travel Groups Cruise Lines Sailing from Florida Ports Florida Cruise Ports Florida State Parks, Forests & Regional Recreation Spaces National Parks, Memorials, Monuments and Preserves Major Hotel Chains Mileage Chart Between Key Florida Cities Car Rental Companies RV Rental Companies Bus Tour Operators Major International Airports Airline Service to Florida from Canada and the USA Florida Lighthouses

COVER: Panama City Beach (Panama City Beach CVB)

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174 2013 TRAVEL GUIDE TO FLORIDA

WELCOME TO FLORIDA!

WACKY, WEIRD AND WONDERFUL

Aerial view of Miami South Beach

lorida has a reputation around the world as a wonderful yet often weird place to visit. Who can deny that the state is often going viral with some very odd stories, ranging from a “zombie” attack in Miami to an Orlando woman who keeps getting bumped off voter rolls because she is supposedly dead? Of course, most of the folks here, like the wildlife (pythons that eat alligators excepting), are not only very much alive but are relatively harmless, and the majority of the items stemming from the state are of the “it can only happen here” variety. In fact, many—a giant sinkhole in Jonesville; a pro footvolley (a new sport combining soccer and volleyball) showcase on Delray Beach; Fawlty Towers Resort, a clothing-optional hotel in Cocoa Beach—have to be seen, along with staples such as Disney World, to be believed.

Butterfly World, Fort Lauderdale 14

2013 TRAVEL GUIDE TO FLORIDA

CLOCKWISE FROM BOTTOM LEFT: GREATER FORT LAUDERDALE CVB; RICHARD CAVALLERI /SHUTTERSTOCK; VISIT MIAMI; PANAMA CITY BEACH CVB; BRADENTON AREA CVB.

BY JEN KARETNICK

Perhaps it’s the perpetual heat that gets to some of the residents, but therein lies part of the Florida’s wacky, undeniable charm.

A BOUNTIFUL LAND Florida, which means “flowery land,” is virtually impossible to resist. After all, everybody loves flowers, and Florida’s bounty ranges from its state flower, the orange blossom—one of the citrus crops on which the economy depends, along with grapefruit and tangerines—to exotic bougainvillea and birds of paradise. In fact, Florida is largely agricultural and depends on crops as diverse as sugarcane and tomatoes to survive, leaving plenty available for passersby to purchase. Its biggest exports include sweet corn and green beans, and visitors are often amazed to find farm stands and U-pick farms offering everything from boiled peanuts and blueberries in Gainesville to mangoes in the deep south areas of Redland and Homestead. Throughout the year, festivals, such as the Florida Strawberry Festival in

late winter in Plant City and the mid-summer International Mango Festival at Fairchild Tropical Botanic Garden in Coral Gables, are hugely enjoyable, multi-day attractions. If you prefer fruit that’s been bottled, Florida has plenty of that as well. Wineries abound throughout the state, with many offering grape varietals as well as tropical fruit vintages.

BREAK OUT THE SUNSCREEN

renowned for being the warmest state in the U.S. mainland. Florida sets other enviable records, including being the state with the second-longest coastline on which visitors can set up beach chairs and break out the sunscreen. A long peninsula that takes as long as 15 hours to traverse by car from north to south, the state is bordered on the east by the Atlantic Ocean and on the west by the Straits of Florida and the Gulf of Mexico.

Blessed with a climate that ranges from subtropical in the northern areas to tropical in coastal and southern regions, Florida is known nationally as the “Sunshine State.” Temperatures average a balmy 70 F daily, with highs peaking in July and August usually in the low 90s. And while the lowest temperature ever recorded in the winter of 1899 was –2 F in the capital of Tallahassee, the usual lows, which only last for a couple of days, hover around the 40s or 50s during January or February. All in all, although Florida has its share of bad weather, it’s

Miami Seaquarium antics, Key Biscayne

Couple on Longboat Key

Kayaking off St. Andrews State Park 2013 TRAVEL GUIDE TO FLORIDA

WELCOME TO FLORIDA!

Lion Country Safari, West Palm Beach

SPORTING EVENTS

A couple of Florida’s cities, including Panama City Beach on the northwest coast and Daytona Beach on the east coast, are famous for their Spring Break popularity, which usually lasts for a couple of weeks in March. The rest of the year these cities are familyfriendly and attract boaters and fishermen as well as water sports enthusiasts to some of the most gorgeous beaches, both natural and groomed, in the country. The currents of Key Biscayne are noted for their permissibility in learning the rudiments of paddleboarding, ocean kayaking and other strenuous yet peaceful water sports, as are the coastal areas around Fort Myers, particularly Sanibel and Captiva islands. If you’re shell hunters, the Gulf Coast, from Fort Myers to Sarasota, is the place to head—and if you’re lucky, you’ll even find thousand-year-old sharks’ teeth.

2013 TRAVEL GUIDE TO FLORIDA

When it comes to professional sports, Florida is again in the running for being the best in the country and has a plethora of stadium and bowl games for sport fans to enjoy year-round. That doesn’t include, of course, the famous baseball Spring Training facilities. Nor does it take into account the myriad golf and tennis tournaments and facilities in Orlando, Daytona, Naples and Miami, among other cities. Of special note, the new Marlins Stadium in Miami, which opened for the 2012 baseball season, is truly user-friendly, and Miami Heat fans will be mobbing the American Airlines Arena in 2013 looking for a ring repeat—so get tickets early for games if you can. In addition, car racing fans can’t get enough of the heats in Daytona, Homestead and other speedways throughout the state.

FAMILY ENTERTAINMENT Perhaps what comes first to mind, though, are Central Florida’s theme parks. Resorts and attractions, such as Epcot/Walt Disney World, Universal Orlando, Miami Seaquarium, Busch Gardens and, more recently, LEGOLAND Florida, are an inescapable part of Florida’s identity and destinations in their own right. Water parks, such as Shipwreck Island Waterpark in Panama City, Adventure Island in Tampa/St. Petersburg and Adventure Landing in Jacksonville, are also thrilling experiences for the whole family, and especially refreshing in the summertime when the air can be quite humid. Slightly smaller parks,

such as Lion Country Safari and Rapids Water Park, both in Palm Beach County, offer respite from subdivisions and relatives, as does Butterfly World in Broward County. Perhaps nothing is as adventurous, however, as Florida’s natural water park, which stretches from east to west and north to south. The Everglades, nicknamed the “river of grass” because of its slow-moving tidal system that allows long sawgrass to grow, is a two-million-acre national park with many entrances, all of which offer a variety of options. In this swamp filled with a brackish mixture of salt and fresh water, visitors can fish, kayak, hike, bike or take airboat tours to view protected wildlife, which include American alligators, crocodiles, manatees, bottlenose dolphins, wood storks, snail kites, very rare Key deer and the endangered Florida panther. Birders especially love the Everglades, home to more than 350 bird species, including America’s national symbol, the bald eagle, which often nests here. Or head farther south to Biscayne National Park, where all the aforementioned outdoor activities are available as well as some additional activities, such as snorkeling, diving and glass-bottom boat tours. In fact, most of the 173,000 acres of the park are underwater and only accessible by boat! It’s certainly worth renting one to search the islands for evidence of use by native tribes, to explore shipwrecks and to drift above the coral reef system, where more than 200 species of fish thrive. With more than 12,000 years of human history waiting to be uncovered, Florida never disappoints. FL

LEFT TO RIGHT: PALM BEACH COUNTY CVB; KEN MCCRAY.

EverBank Field, home of the NFL Jacksonville Jaguars

HISTORY

EXPLORE HISTORIC TREASURES

Historic City Hall in Coral Gables

rom sunken Spanish galleons to Thomas Edison’s winter laboratory and NASA’s legendary spacecraft, Florida has a rich and intriguing past. Today, visitors can explore the historic treasures found everywhere in the state, from the Hemingway home in Key West to Pensacola, the “city of five flags.” Here’s a brief look at some of the highlights.

THE EARLIEST DAYS

The botanical gardens (formerly Cypress Gardens) at LEGOLAND

2013 TRAVEL GUIDE TO FLORIDA

Thousands of years before the first European explorers arrived, Florida was populated by Native Americans, whose artifacts can be found at various architectural sites. For example, the Tequesta people lived near the mouth of the Miami River, where a recent excavation uncovered the remains of a village. Now, the state Division of Historical Resources has preserved the site as the Miami Circle Park. Many Florida museums contain Native

American artifacts made from bones, shells and stone dating back thousands of years.

THE COLONIAL ERA In 1513, Spanish explorer Juan Ponce de León discovered Florida, and in 1565, Pedro Menéndez de Avilés founded St. Augustine, now the oldest continually-inhabited city in North America. With a historic district containing more than 30 colonial-era buildings, St. Augustine provides a unique glimpse into Spanish colonial life. One of the highlights is Castillo de San Marcos, the oldest masonry fortification in the continental U.S. Offshore, Spanish galleons from the New World carried gold and silver coins and other forms of wealth on the hazardous journey back to Europe. Salvage expeditions have recovered some of those doubloons, anchors, cannons and other treasures, while other underwater

CLOCKWISE FROM BOTTOM LEFT: VISIT FLORIDA; GREATER MIAMI CVB; VISIT FLORIDA; ST. AUGUSTINE, PONTE VEDRA & THE BEACHES CVB; ST. AUGUSTINE, PONTE VEDRA & THE BEACHES CVB; VISIT FLORIDA.

BY RICHARD WESTLUND

sites along the Florida Keys, Atlantic Ocean and Gulf of Mexico are readily accessible to divers. For example, the Florida Panhandle Shipwreck Trail covers 12 wrecks from Pensacola to Port St. Joe. Unlike St. Augustine, Jacksonville can trace its roots to the French who landed at the mouth of the St. Johns River in 1562 and founded Fort Caroline two years later. However, a Spanish force soon captured the fort, and the French became a distant memory. In 1763, Spain traded Florida to Great Britain in exchange for Havana, Cuba, which then divided the region into East and West Florida. Meanwhile, Pensacola flourished under Spanish, French and British rule, giving it the distinction of flying five flags (including the U.S. and Confederate banners). During the American Revolution, both East and West Florida remained loyal to the British, but after the Treaty of Paris was signed, Spain once again took control, and the peninsula became home for hundreds of escaped slaves and Native Americans displaced from their ancestral homes. For instance, one branch of the Creek tribe moved to Central Florida and became known as the Seminoles. After several bitter conflicts in the early 1800s, General Andrew Jackson led a successful campaign that gradually resulted in U.S. control over the region. Meanwhile, a handful of surviving Seminoles moved farther south to the Everglades, where they gradually rebuilt their society. Today, visitors can learn about the Seminole and Miccosukee tribes, sample native cuisine, take a ride on an airboat or watch alligator wrestling at Billie Swamp Safari and other attractions along U.S. 41 (Tamiami Trail) and I-75 (Alligator Alley). Clewiston’s Ah-Tah-ThiKi Museum (which means “a place to learn”) is a living village of early Seminole culture and well worth a visit.

Ybor City, Tampa

Re-enactment of Menéndez 1565 landing, St. Augustine

Sample 16th-century food, St. Augustine

TERRITORY, STATEHOOD AND CIVIL WAR Throughout the early 1800s, Florida’s population was concentrated in North Florida, where Tallahassee became the territorial capital. One of the city’s highlights from that era is The Grove, a historic mansion finished in the 1830s by Richard Keith Call, an aide and advisor to General Jackson. In 1845, Florida became the

Stephen Foster Folk Culture Center State Park in White Springs

2013 TRAVEL GUIDE TO FLORIDA

HISTORY Drummer

nation’s 27th state under governor William Dunn Moseley. Another famous Floridian was composer Stephen Foster, whose song, Old Folks at Home, became the state anthem. In White Springs, the Stephen Foster Folk Culture Center State Park reflects his memory. When the Civil War broke out in 1861, Florida joined the Confederacy. With a population of just 140,000—half of them African American slaves—it was the smallest state to secede from the Union. During the war, Union troops occupied numerous ports and there were several small fights. Now, “soldiers” in Civil War uniforms annually re-enact the Battle of Olustee near Lake City. The state has also published the Florida Civil War Heritage Trail, a guidebook to Florida battle sites.

AFRICAN AMERICAN CULTURE In the century following the Civil War, Florida’s African Americans made significant contributions to the nation’s culture. An annual festival in Eatonville honors Zora Neale Hurston, a leading 20th-century author whose works influenced writers, such as Toni Morrison and Ralph Ellison.

2013 TRAVEL GUIDE TO FLORIDA

In Miami, the 400-seat Lyric Theater opened in 1913 and soon became a major entertainment center for African Americans in the state’s segregated society. Closed in the 1960s after becoming a church in 1959, it has been part of a massive reconstruction and restoration project and will re-open in 2013. The theater is listed on the National Register of Historic Places.

THE RAILROAD ERA In the late 19th century, railroad magnate Henry Flagler put Florida “on the map” as a warm-weather vacation destination. He extended his Florida East Coast Railway from Jacksonville south to Miami and the Florida Keys, building luxurious resorts such as the Ponce de León Hotel in St. Augustine and The Breakers in Palm Beach. Near Marathon in the Florida Keys, the Pigeon Key Foundation restored a five-acre island that was the site of a Flagler railroad work camp, and is now on the National Register of Historic Places. On the Gulf Coast, railroad owner Henry Plant built the Tampa Bay Hotel, which later

PHOTOS: VISIT FLORIDA.

Diving Key Largo

became part of the University of Tampa. Other historic sites in the area include the sponge diving docks in Tarpon Springs and Tampa’s Ybor City, known as the Latin Quarter for more than a century. Visitors can enjoy Cuban coffee and cigars and dance to the rhythms of Latin music. In fact, many Florida cities have a historic downtown neighborhood with buildings from the early 1900s. One example is Stranahan House on the New River in Fort Lauderdale. A few miles to the south, Dania Beach—once known as the “tomato capital of the world”— now has an antique district along U.S. 1. In Fort Myers, inventor Thomas Edison and his friend Henry Ford built Florida homes, known today as the Edison & Ford Winter Estates with a museum, botanical gardens and laboratory.

BOOM AND BUST In the first two decades of the 1900s, Florida’s population began to explode, thanks to the development of new cities and communities along the railroad lines. Entrepreneur Carl Fisher helped turn a sandy island into the City of Miami Beach, and George Merrick’s master plan for a new community called Coral Gables led to a frenzied real estate boom in the mid-1920s. But hurricanes and the Great Depression slowed Florida’s growth to a standstill during the 1930s, despite the founding of Cypress

Gardens near Winter Haven and Marineland south of St. Augustine—the state’s first two theme parks. Author Ernest Hemingway spent more than a decade in Key West, and his residence is now the Ernest Hemingway Home & Museum. During World War II, the U.S. Army, Navy and Coast Guard set up training bases in Florida, while German U-boats sank freighters and other merchant ships off the coast—creating more wrecks for today’s scuba divers.

INTO THE MODERN ERA After World War II, the development of air conditioning and the interstate highway system sparked a population boom that has never stopped. The flow of immigrants increased after Fidel Castro came to power in Cuba in 1959, and helped transform Miami into a major commercial and financial center. The Cuban Museum in Miami pays tribute to that important chapter in South Florida’s history. In 1949, Cape Canaveral was chosen as a test site for the U.S. missile program. A decade later, the Cocoa Beach-Titusville area was the heart of the nation’s space program, including Apollo 11, the 1969 mission that carried astronauts Neil Armstrong and Buzz Aldrin to the moon. Now, the Kennedy Space Center allows visitors to experience the years of the Space Race—a fitting ending to Florida’s timeless historical story. FL

FEATURED LINKS Ah-Tah-Thi-Ki Museum ahtahthiki.com Billie Swamp Safari billieswamp.com Cuban Museum cubanmuseum.org Edison & Ford Winter Estates edisonfordwinterestates.org Ernest Hemingway Home & Museum hemingwayhome.com Florida Panhandle Shipwreck Trail floridapandledivetrail.com Kennedy Space Center kennedyspacecenter.com Miami Circle dhr.dos.state.fl.us/archaeology Olustee Festival olusteefestival.com Pigeon Key Foundation pigeonkey.net St. Augustine Historic District oldcity.com Stephen Foster Folk Culture Center State Park floridastateparks.org/stephenfoster Stranahan House Museum stranahanhouse.org The Florida Civil War Heritage Trail flheritage.com/preservation The Grove flheritage.com/grove Ybor City Chamber ybor.org Zora Neale Hurston Festival zoranealehurstonfestival.com

2013 TRAVEL GUIDE TO FLORIDA

TRAVELERS’ TIPS

A QUICK OVERVIEW FOR VISITORS BY KATHY WOLF

Sunset with crescent moon

ompared to other states, Florida ranks 22nd in terms of total area. It covers an area of 58,560 square miles, boasting more than 11,000 miles of rivers, streams and waterways and 663 miles of beaches. If you’re motoring, it’s a 15-hour drive from sultry Key West in the south to breezy Pensacola in the Panhandle. In between, there are 67 counties, most of which have their own tourism websites. More than half of Florida’s population of 19.3 million lives south of Orlando, however to the north and west, you can expect to see rural countryside dotted with small towns.

WEATHER Florida’s temperate weather makes it a top vacation destination. Spring and summer are prime time in the north, while South Florida is at its best in fall and winter. Mild winters can be punctuated with freezing temperatures, down to 20 F. Summers are hot and humid, with temperatures between 80 F and 95 F and evenings in the 70s. Afternoon thundershowers

2013 TRAVEL GUIDE TO FLORIDA

may occasionally bring lightning strikes. Hurricane season runs June 1–November 30. Tune into weather forecasts and be aware of hurricane evacuation routes.

GETTING AROUND Major international airports are in Miami (MIA), Fort Lauderdale (FLL), West Palm Beach (PBI), Orlando (MCO), Tampa (TPA) and Jacksonville (JAX). Visitors to Northwest Florida can fly into Pensacola (PNS) or Panama City (ECP), and those headed to the Keys save time flying directly to Key West (EYW). The Overseas Highway (U.S. 1) connects the Florida Keys and is a nationally recognized scenic highway. AMTRAK provides rail service. The Silver Service/Palmetto connects Jacksonville and Orlando, ending in either Tampa or Miami with many stops along the way. Greyhound bus service links many Florida cities. In Orlando, LYNX covers the region. The Metrobus services more than 90 routes in and around Miami.

CLOCKWISE FROM BOTTOM LEFT: ROB HAINER /SHUTTERSTOCK; JCPJR/SHUTTERSTOCK; VISIT FLORIDA; INFINITY2/SHUTTERSTOCK.

Tune into weather forecasts

DRIVING Florida is best toured by car. Car rental agencies are plentiful, with major companies serving both major airports and small towns. Visitors ages 16 and up holding licenses from other countries may drive in Florida, however an International Driving Permit (IDP) is recommended for visitors from foreign countries. Before getting behind the wheel, drivers should review the rules of the road from the Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles. Drivers and front-seat passengers

must wear seat belts. All children under 18 are required to wear seat belts, regardless of where they are sitting in the vehicle. A child restraint is mandatory for all children under five years. Headlights are required from dusk to dawn and during inclement weather. Florida has strict drunk driving laws with zero tolerance for drivers under the age of 21. Pedestrians always have the right of way at crosswalks. Florida’s heat brings dangers. Never leave children or pets in a car, even with the windows slightly open, as the interior temperature of a Couple out for a drive

car can rise to 120 F in minutes. Leaving a child unsupervised in a car also brings stiff fines. Hot pavement acts like ice when rain first hits it, so be cautious driving during rain showers. Florida has 657 miles of toll roads, bridges and causeways, more than any other state. Florida’s Turnpike is the longest, at 312 miles, connecting Interstate 75 south of Ocala with Orlando, West Palm Beach and Miami and ending at the gateway to the Florida Keys. Alligator Alley (also known as Everglades Parkway) between Naples and Miami is a toll road. Toll roads also surround Orlando. The SunPass prepaid toll program covers most toll roads and bridges in Florida. Available for $5 at most grocery stores, the SunPass Mini transponder can save drivers up to 25 percent off tolls. Other major highways, such as Interstate 10 from Jacksonville to Pensacola, Interstate 95 from Jacksonville to Miami and Interstate 75 from Georgia to Naples are free. U.S. 441 and U.S. 27 provide rural alternatives to Florida’s Turnpike. Many gas stations charge five to 10 cents more a gallon for using a credit or debit card. Proximity to major highways does not guarantee the best price, as fuel taxes may vary greatly between counties.

HEALTH

Aerial view of Crandon Tennis Center, Key Biscayne

Nothing dampens a holiday more than a cold or sudden illness. Pain and cold medications are readily available at any local store. Prescription drugs can only be filled at pharmacies, some of which are open 24 hours. To avoid an unnecessary doctor visit, make sure to fill prescriptions before traveling and always carry them in their original containers. Travel insurance is recommended. For emergency assistance anywhere, dial 911.

SECURITY It is prudent to always lock car doors, even while driving, and secure belongings out of sight. Never leave a bag or parcel unattended. Keep valuables in the hotel safe along with copies of important documents, such as your passport. Florida is home to dangerous animals, most notably the American alligator, seen sunning along waterways. Never approach or feed an alligator—feeding one carries a fine of $500 and may literally cost you an arm or a leg.

2013 TRAVEL GUIDE TO FLORIDA

TRAVELERS’ TIPS Diners in Panama City Beach—the “Seafood Capital of the South”

purchase with no transaction fee. Florida’s base sales tax on purchases is 6 percent, with counties adding up to another 1.5 percent discretionary tax.

TIPPING Tipping is the norm in America, with those working in dining establishments expected to earn up to 25 percent of their income through tips. Add 15 to 20 percent to the bill as a tip for wait staff and bartenders; airport shuttle drivers, valets and bellhops, $2 per person; maid service, $1–$2 per night; tour guides, $2–$10 per person, depending on length and complexity of the tour; and fishing guides, 10 to 15 percent of the cost of the trip. If you see a tip jar, throw a few coins in—it’s always appreciated. Marketplace at night in Miami

EVERGLADES

HOLIDAYS

ACCOMMODATION AND DINING Accommodation in Florida ranges from quaint lodges to luxurious resorts. For top-notch small properties, visit SuperiorSmallLodging.com. Most properties charge an additional county “tourist development tax” on room or holiday rental rates. Hotels and resorts, particularly in Orlando and South Florida, also add an additional 5 to 20 percent as an “amenities fee.” Ask beforehand, since these fees are not always disclosed in the published or stated price. Florida offers culinary experiences with cultural diversity, from Southern comfort food such as fried chicken and collard greens to mojitos and Jamaican jerk chicken. Dining is casual, with T-shirts and shorts the norm at chain restaurants while business casual and resort wear are appropriate in upscale

2013 TRAVEL GUIDE TO FLORIDA

Even during federal holidays, many attractions are open. Banks and government offices, including the post office, are closed on January 1 (New Year’s Day), third Monday in January (Martin Luther King Day), third Monday in February (Presidents’ Day), last Monday in May (Memorial Day), July 4 (Independence Day), first Monday in September (Labor Day), second Monday in October (Columbus Day), November 11 (Veterans’ Day), fourth Thursday in November (Thanksgiving), and December 25 (Christmas). Many companies close during “the holidays” from December 24–January 1. When a federal holiday falls on a Saturday, it is typically observed on Friday. If it falls on a Sunday, it is observed on a Monday.

BANKING AND TAXES Most banks are open Monday–Friday from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Bank Atlantic and TD Bank locations throughout Florida are open seven days a week. ATMs (automated teller machines) can be found at banks, grocery and convenience stores and at some attractions. A transaction fee is usually assessed. Many stores will allow debit card users to obtain “cash back” above their

No trip to Florida would be complete without a visit to the Everglades National Park, with its majestic and unique landscapes spanning 2,358 square miles. Dedicated on December 6, 1947, by President Harry S. Truman, it can be explored by car, tram, foot, canoe or on an exhilarating airboat tour across sweeping swamps and marshes.

FESTIVALS & EVENTS Florida weather is ideal for outdoor festivals, year-round. At the end of each regional editorial in this guide, you’ll find many popular events and festivals listed. We urge you to participate in some of these festivities in order to experience real local flavor and culture. For more listings, log onto visitflorida.com or artfestival.com/FestivalCalendar.aspx. FL

FEATURED LINKS

Alafia River State Park

Florida Caverns State Park

floridastateparks.org/alafiariver

floridastateparks.org/floridacaverns

Myakka River State Park floridastateparks.org/myakkariver

Anastasia State Park

Florida Grande Motor Coach Resort

North Beach Camp Resort

floridastateparks.org/anastasia

floridagrande.com

northbeachcamp.com

Apalachicola National Forest

Fort Clinch State Park

Ocean Grove RV Resort

fs.usda.gov/apalachicola

floridastateparks.org/fortclinch

oceangroveresort.com

Bahia Honda State Park

Fort De Soto Park

Ochlockonee River State Park

floridastateparks.org/bahiahonda

pinellascounty.org/park/05_Ft_DeSoto.htm

floridastateparks.org/ochlockoneeriver

Belle Parc RV Resorts

Fort Jefferson & Dry Tortugas National Park

Orlando S.E./Lake Whippoorwill KOA

belleparcrvresorts.com

nps.gov/drto

orlandokoa.com

Camp Mack’s River Resort

Fort Wilderness Resort and Campground

Peanut Island Campground

campmack.com

disneyworld.disney.go.com

pbcgov.com/parks/locations/peanutisland.htm

Clearwater-Tarpon Springs Campground

Gulf Islands National Seashore Park

Quail Run RV Resort

clearwatertarponspringscampground.com

nps.gov/guis

quailrunrv.com

Coe’s Landing RV Park

Jetty Park

Quiet Waters Park

leoncountyfl.gov/parks/camping.asp

portcanaveral.com/recreation/beaches.php

broward.org/parks/quietwaterspark

Coral Sands Oceanfront RV Resort

Hillsborough River State Park

Southport RV Park Campground & Marina

coralsandsinn.com/campground.cfm

floridastateparks.org/hillsboroughriver

southportpark.com

Curry Hammock State Park

Kathryn Abbey Hanna Park

St. Andrews State Park

floridastateparks.org/curryhammock

coj.net

floridastateparks.org/standrews

Dr. Julian G. Bruce St. George Island State Park

KOA Madeira Beach

T.Y. (Topeekeegee Yugnee) Park

floridastateparks.org/stgeorgeisland

koa.com/campgrounds/st-petersburg/

broward.org/Parks/topeekeegeeyugneepark

Easterlin Park

Lake Kissimmee State Park

Turtle Beach Park

broward.org/parks/easterlinpark

floridastateparks.org/lakekissimmee

scgov.net/TurtleBeachCampground

Emerald Coast RV Beach Resort

Larry and Penny Thompson Park

Vacation Inn Resort

rvresort.com

miamidade.gov/parks/parks/larry_penny.asp

vacationinnrvpark.com

Flamingo Lake RV Resort

Lion Country Safari's KOA Campground & R.V. Resort

Westgate River Ranch Resort

flamingolake.com

lioncountrysafari.com/koa_overview.html

wgriverranch.com

2013 TRAVEL GUIDE TO FLORIDA

CLOCKWISE FROM TOP LEFT: PANAMA CITY BEACH CVB; LEE COUNTY VISITOR & CONVENTION BUREAU/FORTMYERS-SANIBEL.COM; NICHOLAS A. COLLURA-GEHRT.

Beach soccer, Panama City Beach

PETS

BY JEN KARETNICK

FOR FIDO—AND FRIENDS Aerial of Lee County Dog Beach on Lovers Key

Paw Playground, Fort De Soto Park, St. Petersburg

n the days before frequent flyer miles, folks took road trips, which allowed them to easily include their animals. The long history of welcoming guests who liked to travel with pets not only still exists in Florida, it’s experienced a resurgence, no matter how they arrive—by plane, boat, train and, yes, good old car.

DOGGONE FRIENDLY MALLS There’s proof of pet acceptance everywhere, like the Aventura Mall located between North Miami Beach and Hollywood in Southeast Florida where kiosks even sell the carriages in which small breeds can rest their paws. Keep in mind, however, that while toys and miniatures are usually perfectly acceptable in strollers or being carried along the main thoroughfare, they’re not always allowed in individual stores. And food courts are another story altogether.

2013 TRAVEL GUIDE TO FLORIDA

PETS For a shopping experience with your dog, hit the Coconut Point Mall in Estero in Southwest Florida, where there are marked water fountains for dogs as well as “clean-up” stations.

POOCH PLAYGROUNDS

Pampered guests at The Lodge at New Tampa

PET LODGINGS If you need a spot for Spot (and his doggie relatives) to stay in Southeast Florida while you’re nearby, check him into Camp Canine, where you can send your dog off to play for the day. A “country club and spa” for both dogs and cats, animals have the run of the place—literally. The three locations in Boca Raton, Fort Lauderdale and Hollywood are cage-free, and pets have the luxury of communicating with each other, hanging with the camp counselors, and indulging in plenty of playtime. Grooming and shuttle services—yes, they come to you— can also be arranged. Ditto The Lodge at New Tampa. Not only does this canine hotel in Central West Florida provide special accommodation complete with exercise lanais attached to an air-conditioned suite, you can make arrangements for the pup

2013 TRAVEL GUIDE TO FLORIDA

to go for a swim at the beach-entry pool, have a private ball toss with a staff member, get a HydroSurge massaging bath and, of course, play in the park. Feline guests are welcome too. If you’d rather stay with your pet while in Central Florida, the Wyndham Orlando Resort permits furry members of the family, as does the Sheraton Lake Buena Vista Resort (formerly known as the Sheraton Safari Hotel & Suites), both of which have recently undergone significant renovations. The Hard Rock Hotel in Orlando allows pups on the premises, plus gives you a hand with pet beds, food and leashes. (Other hotels in the Wyndham, Sheraton, and Hard Rock chains, including the

nightlife-driven Seminole Hard Rock Hotel & Casino in Hollywood, may have pet-friendly rooms or floors, depending on their locations and policy; it’s best to call ahead and ascertain just how friendly the property is before booking.) Residence Inn by Marriott, like the one in Sebring in Central Florida, allows Rover and friends; for other Residence Inns, just call and ask. For a more urban stay while in Northeast Florida, check out the chic Aloft Hotel brand, such as the Aloft Jacksonville Tapestry Park. (There’s also one at the Jacksonville Airport and in downtown Tallahassee, with four more outlets opening by the end of 2013 in Panama City

CLOCKWISE FROM BOTTOM LEFT: THE LODGE AT NEW TAMPA; THE LODGE AT NEW TAMPA; VISIT JACKSONVILLE.

If you and your pet prefer the great outdoors, public dog parks and beaches abound. Sanford, in Central Florida, is perhaps one of the most canine-catering communities. It’s known for the Paw Park, the oldest off-leash dog site in Central Florida. With a separate play area for small breeds, self-watering bowls, plenty of live oak shade trees and even showers to cool down your critters on sweltering days, the Paw Park is clearly a puppy paradise. South of Cocoa Beach in Central East Florida, at the end of Eau Gallie Boulevard in Indian Harbour Beach, Canova Beach Dog Park has become a popular dog hangout. Be sure to enter the beach through the south crossover to avoid any fines. For more water recreation and exercise, as well as raised bathing tubs and an agility course, dogs and their owners can visit Northeast Florida’s off-leash Dog Wood Park, a fenced, multiple-acre facility in Jacksonville. Indeed, dozens of parks and beaches not only allow owners and their animals to frolic, but also offer special facilities for them. Some, however, require six-foot leashes.

Pet-friendly Memorial Park, Jacksonville

FEATURED LINKS To scout out dog-friendly spots nearby even when you’re on the go, see Florida Pet Pages (floridapetpages.com). For a full listing of pet-friendly hotels, visit bringfido.com/lodging/state/florida.

SOUTHEAST FLORIDA Aventura Mall aventuramall.com

Balans Café Lincoln Road balans.co.uk/Miami/Lincoln_Road.php

Bare Bones Beach Shop barebonesbeachshop.com

Camp Canine campcanineflorida.com

Coconut Point simon.com

Seminole Hard Rock Hotel & Casino Hollywood seminolehardrockhollywood.com

The Van Dyke Café thevandykecafe.com

W Fort Lauderdale

Beach, Miami, Doral and Orlando). At Aloft, the saying goes: “Pets are more than just fun— they’re family, too!”

DOGTROTTING BOULEVARDS If you want to show off your family member in Southeast Florida, Lincoln Road, the famous walking mall in Miami Beach, is the place to stroll, especially if you’re rooming at the “pupular” palace known as the W South Beach, which provides a special pet bed and dogwalking service. Whether you own a senior rescue mutt from a shelter or a purebred Chinese crested, there’s always someone on Lincoln Road ready to admire it, as well as plenty of outdoor cafes, such as Balans Café and The Van Dyke Café, with bowls of cool water for lapping. You can do the same at the W Hotel Fort Lauderdale, then spend a lovely afternoon in and out of the cafes and art galleries on North Fort Lauderdale Beach Boulevard (where the hotel is located) or East Las Olas Boulevard. Many of the proprietors at the latter are tolerant of “purse-carried” pups, and nearly every single outdoor cafe, such as YOLO (which existed before teenagers everywhere adopted the term), will welcome a well-behaved canine curled up under your table. Wild East Asian Bistro even has “dog-friendly” seating, so you don’t have to worry about winding up near someone who is fearful of pooches. Or stroll down Duval Street in Key West to take in some exotic pet viewing.

Ferrets try to make themselves invisible against the walls of art deco or conch-style boutique hotels while iguanas perch on tanned, buff shoulders and Burmese pythons curl around tattooed biceps. There are even roosters that ride around in bicycle baskets. Be careful about getting too close to someone else’s parrot though. Just because your cockatoo adores people doesn’t mean that African grey is going to be just as forthcoming with chatter and bird kisses.

wfortlauderdalehotel.com

W South Beach wsouthbeach.com

Wild East Asian Bistro wildeastbistro.com

YOLO yolorestaurant.com

CENTRAL EAST FLORIDA Canova Beach Park brevardcounty.com/ParksRecreation/South/Canova

CENTRAL FLORIDA Hard Rock Hotel

PAWFECT HANGOUTS Well, Fido deserves a souvenir, and fortunately, many pet boutiques have sprouted throughout Florida. The Bare Bones Beach Shop in Key West has appropriately tropical fashions (think sunglasses!) for your canines, as well as carriers and carriages for when the little ones get too tired to stroll down Duval Street any longer on their own feet. Pawfection Bakery in Jacksonville knows how to tempt your babies with appealing cakes made from human-grade ingredients, as well as toys. Likewise, Woof Gang Bakery & Grooming of Winter Park, as the name suggests, offers plenty of treats, but also caters to the grooming needs of your pet. Whatever community you visit, try searching for “pet boutiques” at Dogster.com and you’re bound to find something to take home for the furry loved one in your life. FL

hardrockhotelorlando.com

Residence Inn by Marriott Sebring marriott.com

Sheraton Lake Buena Vista Resort sheratonlakebuenavistaresort.com

Woof Gang Bakery & Grooming woofgangbakery.com

Wyndham Orlando Resort wyndham.com

CENTRAL WEST FLORIDA The Lodge at New Tampa thelodgefordogs.com

NORTHEAST FLORIDA Aloft aloftjacksonvilletapestrypark.com

Dog Wood Park jaxdogs.com

Paw Park of Historic Sanford pawparksanford.org

Pawfection Bakery pawfectionbakery.com

2013 TRAVEL GUIDE TO FLORIDA

M O N E Y- S A V I N G T I P S

BY JILL MARTIN

SAVE BIG AND ENJOY MORE

f you’re trying to make your vacation dollars stretch further (and who isn’t?), here are some practical tips and tricks compiled from locals in-the-know. You’ll find advice on everything from where to find discount attraction tickets to lesser-known websites that can save you hundreds in the Sunshine State.

PLAN AHEAD WISELY

Omaka Rocka, Aquatica

2013 TRAVEL GUIDE TO FLORIDA

Florida is a big state so seasons vary greatly from north to south. In January, the average high temperature in Panama City Beach is 62 F, but in Key West, it’s a much warmer 74 F. Know your seasons, and you’ll know when and where to find the best deals. Winter will yield great rates in northern Florida; in the heat of summer, head to southern Florida. Orlando has its own seasons, which coincide with school calendars. Meaning, if you’re like most families and have to travel during spring, summer or winter breaks,

prices will be higher. Travel during off-peak times (especially January–February and September–Thanksgiving) to pay less and find fewer crowds.

THEME PARK SAVINGS If you plan on spending time in any of Florida’s theme parks, such as Walt Disney World, Busch Gardens Tampa Bay, Universal Orlando Resort and LEGOLAND Florida, do some pre-planning and purchase tickets before you arrive at the gate. There are many reputable ticket brokers you can find online: Mousesavers.com, Ticketmomma.com, UndercoverTourist.com and OfficialTicketCenter.com—all well known and respected. In a glance, you can see ticket prices and any other discounts you may qualify for (military, wholesale clubs and automobile clubs). Brokers also have tickets to dinner theater shows, such as Pirate’s Dinner Adventure and Arabian Nights, as well as other area attractions and special events.

CLOCKWISE FROM BOTTOM LEFT: VISIT ORLANDO; VISIT MIAMI; VISIT ORLANDO; VISIT ORLANDO.

Matheson Hammock Park

COLLECT COUPONS Locals have their go-to coupon books but the secret is, you don’t have to be a local to use them. You just have to know where to get your hands on one. A favorite is the Entertainment Book. Simply go to entertainmentbook.com and enter a city or zip/postal code. Buy it, then pack it! One book has literally thousands of dollars in coupons; it will pay for itself in just one day. You’ll also find coupons in the service plazas along the Florida Turnpike. Stop in and take a moment to notice the racks of brochures. Many have coupons inside.

OPT FOR ROOMIER ACCOMMODATION You don’t have to sit through a two-hour vacation ownership presentation to take advantage of comfortable, spacious, condominium-style accommodation with multiple bedrooms and full kitchens. You just have to know where to make your reservation. Thousands of timeshare owners post units they are unable to use at RedWeek.com and you can reap the roomy benefits. You can also visit vacation ownership resorts’ websites directly, check availability and book. Even if you can’t stay for the entire week (as timeshare units are normally leased in weekly increments), the savings will still be worth it, especially during the off-season. Favorite websites include flcondoalliance.com; LegacyVacationResorts.com; WestgateResorts.com; and MyResortNetwork.com. You may never stay in a hotel room again.

MEMBERSHIP DISCOUNTS Score even more discounts by joining local clubs and/or organizations, if you’re not already a member. For instance, the American Automobile Association (AAA) offers discounted rates on everything to do with travel, from car rentals to hotel rooms. Wholesale shopping clubs offer travel discounts as well.

KIDS’ CLUB PROGRAMS Many resorts offer programs for kids as part of their amenity package. These programs provide supervised childcare during certain hours of the day—or night—however they are a far cry from being a babysitting service; they provide educational, entertaining and non-stop enjoyment! While your children are singing

karaoke, dancing the conga, creating arts and crafts or learning about marine life, you and your spouse can enjoy some relaxing “we” time. What’s even more appealing is when these programs are complimentary or included with the daily resort fee, as they are at the Panama City Beach Holiday Inn Resort, the Harbor Beach Marriott in Fort Lauderdale or Club Med Sandpiper Resort in Port St. Lucie. Do your research and be sure to ask your resort if they have a program, if they charge a fee, and what the age requirements are for participation.

Pre-plan and purchase tickets to theme parks and attractions online at discounted prices.

AIRFARE ALERTS Everyone has heard, “book at least 21 days in advance for the best price and seat availability,” but there are exceptions. Visit websites such as TripAdvisor.com or AirFarewatchdog.com and register for airfare alerts. You’ll be sent an email when fares on routes you’re interested in drop, and when they do, jump on it. Florida also has a few airports of which you might not be familiar. In 2011, Northwest Florida Beaches International Airport (ECP) was the first international airport to be built in the U.S. in more than a decade. Northwest Florida Regional Airport (VPS) offers easy access to Fort Walton Beach and Destin; and Tampa International (TPA) is only an hour or two from Orlando and flight deals are frequently offered.

BE SOCIAL MEDIA SAVVY Whether you love it or hate it, there are benefits to social networking. On Facebook, it’s common for resorts, hotels and attractions to

offer “Fans Only” discounts. Like them on Facebook and you could get a free night, free meals or a percentage-off discount. Be social media savvy and you will most definitely save. Resorts and attractions love to Twitter their deals—in 140 characters or less.

WATCH FOR FREEBIES If the best things in life are free, especially in Florida, then get outside. Many beaches, parks and festivals don’t charge an entrance fee, or if they do, it’s only a few dollars. In Miami, ride a bike into Matheson Hammock Park along the mangrove-lined bike path (and sidestep the entry fee). You’ll find a beautiful city skyline waiting and the busiest kiteboarding beach in the south. You can also find off-the-beatenpath attractions, such as the Florida Keys Wild Bird Center in Tavernier, south of Key Largo. Admission is free (donations are welcome) and you can stroll the boardwalk to the bay, past resident owls and hawks. FL

2013 TRAVEL GUIDE TO FLORIDA

WILDLIFE VIEWING

Bring your binoculars

Birders

nowbirds aren’t the only ones who take flight for warmer weather once the chill of winter descends upon them. At the same time, hundreds of species of birds find their way to Florida during their annual migration, not to mention those that make the Sunshine State their home year-round. So it’s no surprise that Florida attracts birders from around the world.

A 2,000-MILE TRAIL More than 500 species of birds have been documented in Florida, and with the right planning, you can most likely spot a few to mark off your Life List. The Great Florida Birding and Wildlife Trail (GFBWT), a program of the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission, is a 2,000-mile highway trail of nearly 500 sites designed to promote bird and wildlife-watching opportunities, as well as encourage conservation. Before you get started, download the checklist

2013 TRAVEL GUIDE TO FLORIDA

of Florida’s birds and keep track of the different species you see on your expeditions. The trail is divided into four sections— south, east, west and the Panhandle—and nine “gateway” sites have been designated at exceptional birding locations: • Corkscrew Swamp Sanctuary east of Naples and Arthur R. Loxahatchee National Wildlife Refuge near West Palm Beach in the south; • Fort Clinch State Park in Fernandina Beach, Merritt Island National Wildlife Refuge in Titusville, and Tenoroc Fish Management Area in Lakeland in the east; • Paynes Prairie Preserve State Park near Gainesville and Fort De Soto County Park in St. Petersburg to the west; and • In the Panhandle, Big Lagoon State Park due west of Pensacola and St. Marks National Wildlife Refuge south of Tallahassee. These gateway sites have staffed visitor centers complete with birdwatching tips, loaner optics and copies of free trail guide booklets.

CLOCKWISE FROM BOTTOM LEFT: VISIT FLORIDA; © NAPLES MARCO ISLAND EVERGLADES CVB; VISIT FLORIDA; JO CREBBIN/SHUTTERSTOCK

BY SUSAN B. BARNES

A BIRDER’S PARADISE

Flamingo in Fort Lauderdale

RECOMMENDED EQUIPMENT

SOUTHERN SIGHTINGS Head to southern Florida and birders will find more than 116 sites crisscrossing the state from Sarasota south to Naples along the west coast, through the Everglades, and east to Fort Lauderdale, Miami and the Florida Keys. Of the 40 most sought-after birds in Florida, the scarce masked booby, purple gallinule and white-tailed kite may be spotted here.

EASTERN EXPOSURE The East Florida section of the GFBWT was the first to open in 2000 and is home to the bald eagle, the elusive yellow rail, and the nearly extinct Florida grasshopper sparrow. More than 180 birding sites can be found from Amelia Island, Jacksonville and St. Augustine south through Daytona Beach and Cocoa Beach to Port St. Lucie, and west through Orlando and Lakeland north to Ocala.

WESTERN SPECTACLES One hundred and fifteen sites make up the West Florida section of the GFBWT, which encompasses Madison in northern Florida hugging the west coastline through Tampa and St. Petersburg, south through Bradenton and Anna Maria Island, with a few inland counties thrown into the mix. Here birders will find the magnificent frigatebird, piping plover, snowy plover and swallow-tailed kite.

Roseate spoonbill

UP IN THE PANHANDLE In the Panhandle section of the GFBWT, there are 78 sites at which birdwatchers will want to roost, from Pensacola to Panama City to Tallahassee and points in between. Keep an eye out for Bachman’s sparrow and the quite rare limpkin and roseate spoonbill (often mistaken for flamingos) in this part of the state. Birdwatching tours and events are scheduled throughout Florida, year-round. For more information on these events and an up-to-date listing, visit floridabirdingtrail.com. FL

To make the most out of wildlife-viewing excursions, good binoculars are a must. Binocular choice is quite personal. Ideally, they should be waterproof (not just water repellent) and nitrogen purged; provide long eye relief with an adjustable eyepiece (not the fold-down type); comfortable in your hands; and easy to focus. Choose good quality lenses over higher magnification. Best for all around wildlife observations is the 8 or 8.5 power because the lenses are brighter, provide a somewhat wider field of view than the 10x and typically provide a closer focus to see details. Plan on spending a minimum of $400 for quality binoculars. Rather than a neck strap, consider a harness or pack strap. The harness leaves both hands free, holds the binoculars against the chest (to minimize swinging) and keeps them at a convenient level when you need them. The harness is excellent for hiking, spending long hours standing at a viewpoint and you don’t have to fumble for your binocs when you spot something. Spotting scopes are invaluable for observing more distant wildlife and birds. A tripod with adjustable legs is also recommended and must include an attaching mount. For serious wildlife photography, you will need an SLR with a 400 mm lens and a tripod. For general vacation photography, any good point-and-shoot camera will suffice, however a camera that provides “super zoom” and wide-angle capabilities precludes the need to carry extra lenses. If you’re a fledging when it comes to birding, you may want to take advantage of GFBWT’s complimentary Loaner Optics Program, available at the nine gateway sites and 18 additional sites. Simply stop in and borrow a pair of binoculars free of charge in exchange for a driver’s license or credit card, which is kept as collateral until the binoculars are returned safely. When you are ready to buy, be sure to purchase equipment from a store or website that specializes in birding and wildlife watching.

2013 TRAVEL GUIDE TO FLORIDA

ECOTOURISM

BY SANDRA FRIEND

FLORIDA AU NATUREL

An Everglades outpost in South Florida

ong before theme parks came on the scene, visitors ventured to Florida to marvel at the scenery, the flowers and the unusual creatures found here. Florida’s vast network of public lands and thousands of miles of trails provide ample opportunities for experiencing natural Florida, from wading through the wilds of the Big Cypress Swamp to watching a migration of monarch butterflies along the Gulf Coast. The cradle of the National Wildlife Refuge system—founded in 1903 with Pelican Island National Wildlife Refuge, just off the coast of Sebastian in Central East Florida—and home to 160 state parks, Florida provides both on-your-own explorations of wild places and guided ecotours that educate and entertain.

MUST SEE, MUST DO “There are no other Everglades in the world,” said Marjory Stoneman Douglas, the journalist

2013 TRAVEL GUIDE TO FLORIDA

who gained fame in her lifelong fight to protect them. So opens her book River of Grass. Known worldwide, the Everglades in south Florida are visited by millions who want a glimpse of sawgrass prairies, tropical tree islands and tangled mangrove forests. Named a UNESCO World Heritage Site and an International Biosphere Reserve, the Everglades encompass the tip of the Florida peninsula and are home to Florida’s rarest living things—the Florida panther, the American crocodile, the liguus snail and the ghost orchid. Everglades National Park is the main gateway to this vast wilderness, where a tram tour at Shark Valley, a boat trip from Everglades City, a road trip down the Tamiami Trail, or a long, slow drive down the Main Park Road will engage you in the uniqueness of these landscapes. Accessible on foot, by swamp buggy and by kayak, the Big Cypress Swamp is the

CLOCKWISE FROM BOTTOM LEFT: MATTHEW CONNELLY/SHUTTERSTOCK; FLORIDASTOCK/SHUTTERSTOCK; HOLBOX/SHUTTERSTOCK; CHERYL E. DAVIS/SHUTTERSTOCK .

Boardwalk and nature center at South Florida wetlands

White egret at Sebastian Inlet

Airboat in Big Cypress National Preserve

more tropical side of the Everglades. Beneath a canopy of leafy cypress with colorful bromeliads and orchids, guided swamp walks, offered each Saturday at Clyde Butcher’s Big Cypress Gallery, provide a tactile immersion into this watery wilderness. In Southeast Florida, America’s first underwater park, John Pennekamp Coral Reef State Park, offers the rare opportunity for snorkeling and scuba diving a living reef off Key Largo. The Florida Keys feel like a piece of the Caribbean, where tiny Key deer roam Big Pine Key beyond the bounds of National Key Deer Refuge; tropical forests host unusual indigenous trees at sites like Crane Point Hammock in Marathon; and offshore islands such as Indian Key await exploration.

WINGED MIGRATIONS Central East Florida’s prime location along the

Atlantic Flyway means a birding bonanza in fall, winter and spring. While you’ll find moorhens and white ibis year-round at Merritt Island National Wildlife Refuge, winter means spotting migrators, such as lesser scaup, American avocet and sora while walking along the Cruickshank Trail or slowly rambling down Black Point Wildlife Drive. More than 300 species of birds have been counted here, with the annual Space Coast Birding & Wildlife Festival an excellent introduction to tracking down the region’s wildlife bounty. One of the more thrilling sights for a birder is to watch young whooping cranes in formation behind an ultralight aircraft as they learn to fly south for the winter. Since 2001, Operation Migration has worked to establish a flock of migrating whooping cranes from Wisconsin to Florida to winter at Chassahowitzka National Wildlife Refuge in

Central West Florida. Each year’s youngsters— and the pilots in their crane costumes—can be seen at annual flyover points such as the Dunnellon Airport in January or February. In October, it’s the slightest flutter of wings that draws attention to the skies as clouds of monarch butterflies—and their look-alike cousins, the queen and viceroy—make one final stop in Florida before their migration to Mexico. At St. Marks National Wildlife Refuge, just south of Tallahassee in North Central Florida, volunteers tag these delicate beauties to follow their epic journey across the Gulf. Visit during the Butterfly Festival to see butterflies gathering en masse on seaside shrubs to feed.

TURTLE CRAWLS Sea turtle injuries, unfortunately, are still common, particularly entanglement in fishing lines. In the Florida Keys, the Turtle Hospital in Marathon is Florida’s premier facility for the care of injured sea turtles, but other rehabilitation centers also provide the public a chance to see these deep-sea dwellers, including the Mote Marine Laboratory in Sarasota in Southwest Florida as well as the Loggerhead Marinelife Center in Juno Beach and the Gumbo Limbo Nature Center in Boca Raton, both in Southeast Florida.

2013 TRAVEL GUIDE TO FLORIDA

ECOTOURISM John Pennekamp Coral Reef State Park

During the summer months, sea turtles are drawn to the sandy shores of Florida to create their nests. With greatly reduced populations, the green turtle, leatherback turtle, and Kemp’s Ridley turtle still arrive on Florida’s beaches but are tough to spot. It’s possible, however, to watch loggerhead turtles lay their eggs in the sand. From Sebastian Inlet State Park in Central East Florida, the Friends of Sebastian Inlet offer “Turtle Walks” in June and July at the park and at nearby Archie Carr National Wildlife Refuge, established to preserve sea turtle nesting sites.

Hawksbill sea turtle

2013 TRAVEL GUIDE TO FLORIDA

Along Florida’s coastal communities, it’s not uncommon to see dolphins frolicking in the surf or in the wake of boats and rounding up fish in the shallows. In partnership with Mote Marine Laboratory in Sarasota—where a dolphin and whale hospital provides care for injured marine mammals—the Dolphin Explorer heads into the Ten Thousand Islands daily from Marco Island with all hands on deck helping to survey dolphin behavior, movement and distribution along the Southwest Florida coast as part of a scientific study started in 2006. During much of the year, kayakers encounter manatees along Florida’s largest waterways, especially coastal inlets and lagoons. To escape winter’s chill, manatees—gentle, enormous mammals once mistaken by sailors for mermaids—migrate to warmer water inland, at the outflow pipes of power plants and at several of Florida’s larger springs. At Blue Spring State Park in Central East Florida, manatees crowd by the hundreds each winter in a narrow spring run, with a boardwalk trail above offering excellent views of manatee mothers and babies, family groups and lone manatees grazing on vegetation. Follow their riverine explorations—and learn a lot more about wildlife—on a guided boat trip with St. Johns River Cruises departing from the park. Ideal for young children, the nearby Manatee Observation and Education Center in Fort Pierce offers touch tanks and other interactive activities in addition to its manatee viewing area along the waterfront. Manatee tours to Crystal River National Wildlife Refuge in Central West Florida, such as the snorkeling tours led by Bird’s Underwater, enable visitors to see manatees up

CLOCKWISE FROM BOTTOM LEFT: BRETT HILLIARD/SHUTTERSTOCK; OFF AXIS PRODUCTION/SHUTTERSTOCK; BRIAN LASENBY/SHUTTERSTOCK

MARINE MAMMALS IN THE WILD

FEATURED LINKS close in this collection of springs in the middle of a broad river. A special rehabilitation center for injured manatees is nearby at Homosassa Springs Wildlife State Park, where manatees and other native Florida wildlife can be seen daily.

AMONG THE ANCIENTS Ancient cypress trees attract rare species of birds that require them for roosting and nesting, leading to delightful discoveries in Florida’s oldest forests. At Corkscrew Swamp Sanctuary in Naples, a virgin stand of bald cypress provides shelter for a rookery of the endangered wood stork. Florida’s most beautiful boardwalk trail meanders for more than two miles through this wonderland of ancient swamp forest, home to the rare and delicate ghost orchid, glimpsed some summers in the high canopy. In the midst of busy Central Florida, a cruise with Premier Boat Tours down the Dora Canal sweeps you back in time to a slice of a primordial river canopied by massive cypresses. Otters slip across logs while osprey wheel overhead with their latest catch. The swallow-tailed kite, symbol of the Great Florida Birding Trail, is most commonly seen along the Suwannee River and its tributaries, where these showy raptors roost in the tallest of cypresses. A paddle down the river on the Suwannee River Wilderness Trail is an expedition into the heart of wild North Central Florida, 170 miles of hidden springs, forgotten beaches, and limestone bluffs tapering off to swamp forests along the Gulf of Mexico. Five river camps provide screened tent platforms and restroom facilities. American alligator on the banks of the Suwannee River

The search for the ivory-billed woodpecker focuses on the ghostly cypress swamps of the Choctawhatchee River basin in Northwest Florida. Canoeing along Holmes Creek surrounds you in the ancient grandeur of this untouched forest, with watercraft available at the Holmes Creek Canoe Livery.

ISLANDS OF DIVERSITY An island chain stood above ancient seas before Florida emerged from its oceanic cradle. Today, these high, sandy ridges in the Florida Peninsula host endangered plants and animals found nowhere else in the world. In Central Florida’s Ocala National Forest, crystalline springs teeming with aquatic life punctuate the largest sand pine scrub forest in the world, a high, dry, desert-like habitat. Near Orlando, Lyonia Preserve protects the Florida scrub-jay, a colorful and friendly bird that only inhabits diminutive scrub forests. It is one of the few places to observe them up close. The Nature Conservancy’s Tiger Creek Preserve protects a swath of the Lake Wales Ridge, nearly 5,000 acres devoted to rare plants such as cutthroat grass and rare animals, such as the Florida sand skink, which “swims” beneath the sand.

GATOR GROWL For a close-up look at Florida’s most feared creature—the alligator—in its native habitat, a hike on the La Chua Trail at Paynes Prairie Preserve State Park in North Central Florida features gators en masse at the home of the Florida Gators—Gainesville. Wetlands parks provide excellent alligator-spotting opportunities.

STATEWIDE Florida National Scenic Trail www.floridatrail.org

Great Florida Birding Trail floridabirdingtrail.com

Hawkwatch International hawkwatch.org

SOUTHEAST Big O Airboat Tours bigofishing.com/airboat.html

Billie Swamp Safari billieswamp.com

Crane Point Museum and Native Center cranepoint.net

Curry Hammock State Park floridastateparks.org/curryhammock

Green Cay Nature Center and Wetlands pbcgov.com/parks/locations/greencay.htm

Gumbo Limbo Nature Center gumbolimbo.org

Indian Key Historic State Park floridastateparks.org/indiankey

John Pennekamp Coral Reef State Park floridastateparks.org/pennekamp

Loggerhead Marinelife Center marinelife.org

National Key Deer Refuge fws.gov/nationalkeydeer

Shark Valley Tram Tours sharkvalleytramtours.com

The Turtle Hospital turtlehospital.org

The Wakodahatchee Wetlands pbcgov.com/waterutilities/wakodahatchee/

SOUTHWEST Babcock Wilderness Adventures babcockwilderness.com

Big Cypress National Preserve nps.gov/bicy

Clyde Butcher’s Big Cypress Gallery clydebutchersbigcypressgallery.com

Corkscrew Swamp Sanctuary corkscrew.audubon.org

Everglades National Park nps.gov/everg

J.N. "Ding" Darling National Wildlife Reserve fws.gov/dingdarling

Mote Marine Laboratory mote.org

The Dolphin Explorer dolphin-study.com

2013 TRAVEL GUIDE TO FLORIDA

ECOTOURISM Hikers in Everglades National Park

FEATURED LINKS CENTRAL EAST Archie Carr National Wildlife Reserve fws.gov/archiecarr

Blue Spring State Park floridastateparks.org/bluespring

Friends of Sebastian Inlet State Park, Inc. friendsofsebastianinletstatepark.org

Lyonia Preserve lyoniapreserve.com

Manatee Observation & Education Center manateecenter.com

Merritt Island National Wildlife Reserve fws.gov/merrittisland

Pelican Island National Wildlife Reserve fws.gov/pelicanisland

Sebastian Inlet State Park floridastateparks.org/sebastianinlet

Space Coast Birding & Wildlife Festival spacecoastbirdingandwildlifefestival.org

RANCH ADVENTURES Florida’s ranchers have opened their doors to invite guests to see the connections between working the landscape and preserving native wildlife. One of the earliest to do so, Florida EcoSafaris, is based at Crescent J Ranch west of Melbourne in Central East Florida. Take a swamp buggy ride, explore the vast open spaces on horseback or ride a zip line through the canopy at their Forever Florida preserve. Northeast of Fort Myers in Southwest Florida, the Telegraph Swamp is a vast mosaic

2013 TRAVEL GUIDE TO FLORIDA

of cypress strands and open prairies. Explore these wild spaces, where Florida panthers hide and sandhill cranes roam, on a guided swamp buggy tour at Babcock Wilderness Adventures, centered on a working cattle ranch.

St. Johns River Cruises sjrivercruises.com

CENTRAL Bill’s Airboat Adventures airboating1.com

Florida EcoSafaris at Forever Florida

BACKPACKER’S DELIGHT

floridaecosafaris.com

During the winter months, backpacking season in Florida is at its peak, and there are thousands of miles of trails from which to choose. Stretching from the Big Cypress Swamp in Southwest Florida to Pensacola Beach in the Panhandle, the 1,400-mile Florida National Scenic Trail attracts hikers from around the world to experience its extreme diversity, from the sparkling sands of Pensacola Beach to the vast prairies of Central Florida. A 60-plus-mile segment in the Ocala National Forest in Central Florida is the most popular section, leading past beauty spots such as Juniper Springs and Alexander Springs. Near Pensacola, a 43-mile section follows the Blackwater River and its tributaries through Blackwater River State Forest, with its rolling hills and shady pine forests. Nearly 60 miles of the trail follow the bluffs of the Suwannee River, offering places to camp on sandy shores and rugged climbs in and out of ravines. Hiking in Florida differs from the rest of the United States: trails are best enjoyed from October through April, when insect hordes diminish and temperatures are cooler. Flatter terrain does not mean easier walking, since soil composition differs tremendously, and includes both soft sand and slippery muck. It can freeze during Florida’s winters, so be prepared with suitable clothing and gear when backpacking. FL

Ocala National Forest fs.usda.gov/ocala

Orlando Wetlands Park cityoforlando.net/public_works/wetlands

Premier Boat Tours doracanaltour.com

Tiger Creek Preserve nature.org/ourinitiatives/regions/northamerica/ unitedstates/florida/placesweprotect/ tiger-creek-preserve.xml

CENTRAL WEST Bird's Underwater Inc. birdsunderwater.com

Chassahowitzka National Wildlife Reserve fws.gov/chassahowitzka

Crystal River Manatee Tours floridamanateetours.com

Crystal River National Wildlife Reserve fws.gov/crystalriver

Ellie Schiller Homosassa Springs Wildlife State Park floridastateparks.org/homosassasprings

Operation Migration operationmigration.org

NORTH CENTRAL FLORIDA St. Marks National Wildlife Reserve fws.gov/saintmarks

Suwannee River Wilderness Trail floridastateparks.org/wilderness

NORTHWEST Holmes Creek Canoe Livery holmescreekcanoelivery.com

PHOTO: GEORGE BURBA/SHUTTERSTOCK

In Central Florida near Lakeland, Circle B Bar Ranch has its own “Alligator Alley,” where hikers need to be alert to alligators sunning. Orlando Wetlands Park is a prime location for gators and migratory birds. With comfortable boardwalk strolls for families, both Green Cay Wetlands and Wakodahatchee Wetlands are oases of nature near West Palm Beach in Southeast Florida. Need more distance from these toothsome reptiles? An airboat ride may be just your speed. Not all airboat rides are created equal—some focus on thrills rather than education—so go with a guide who’s knowledgeable about wildlife. Billie Swamp Safari, on the Big Cypress Seminole Reservation in Southeast Florida, showcases native fauna from their airboats, as does Big O Airboat Tours, treating you to an unparalleled panorama along one of America’s largest lakes, Lake Okeechobee. In Central Florida, Bill’s Airboat Adventures offers an up-close look at the St. Johns River with a knowledgeable guide who’ll tailor the tour to your interests.

GOLF

SIGNATURE LINKS FOR ALL LEVELS

THE PLAYERS Championship, Sawgrass TPC Stadium Course, Ponte Vedra Beach

f you’re a golfer, there’s no place quite like Florida. Close to 1,500 courses dot the state with more under construction and several still on the drawing board. Players of every skill level can find a suitable test that will fit their budget and itinerary. First-time golf tourists are often surprised by what they don’t find in Florida. Contrary to popular beliefs, the courses aren’t all flat and straight, the fairways aren’t all packed with players and the tee times aren’t all reserved for members only. True golf lovers will quickly recognize that no other region comes close to matching the variety and history of Florida. And the weather isn’t bad either. Take a look.

SOUTHEAST

Golfer swings on hole 8, at Doral Golf Resort

2013 TRAVEL GUIDE TO FLORIDA

When Bill Clinton brought his clubs to Miami, he enjoyed playing the Biltmore Golf Course on the grounds of the historic Biltmore Hotel

in Coral Gables. Donald Ross designed the course in 1925 and, besides Clinton, the list of luminaries that have played the Biltmore is dazzling and eclectic: Babe Ruth, Gene Sarazen, Bobby Jones, Tiger Woods, Bing Crosby and assorted Al Capone-era gangsters. The “Blue Monster” course at Doral Golf Resort and Spa in Miami has played host to PGA Tour events since 1962. Over the years, Doral has drawn plenty of celebrity players of its own, among them Jackie Gleason, Joe Namath, Joe DiMaggio, Mickey Mantle and Richard Nixon. In 2012, Donald Trump bought the resort and promised sweeping improvements. The PGA National Resort & Spa course in Palm Beach Gardens has a history of distinguished events: the 1983 Ryder Cup, the 1987 PGA Championship, many PGA Seniors’ Championships and now the annual Honda Classic in February. The signature feature of PGA National’s championship course is the

CLOCKWISE FROM BOTTOM LEFT PHOTOGOLFER /SHUTTERSTOCK; ST. AUGUSTINE, PONTE VEDRA & THE BEACHES VCB; VISIT FLORIDA

BY CHERYL BLACKERBY

“Bear Trap,” the water-guarded 15th, 16th and 17th holes Jack Nicklaus designed to confound the world’s best golfers. In Pompano Beach, Greg Norman redesigned the city’s Pines Golf Course, turning it into one of the state’s top public layouts. The course reopened late in 2012. Norman said the project is special to him: “I wouldn’t be here today if I didn’t have access to public facilities when I was growing up. This is the heartbeat of golf right here.”

lakes, marshes, fairways and greens stretch along a preserve that is a favorite to local birdwatchers. The course is a Mark McCumber design par-70 that offers something for players of all levels. Australian Greg Norman designed the two courses at the Tiburon Golf Club in Naples and the result was a European links course with a Down Under attitude. Sod-wall bunkers guarding the greens and coquina shell waste areas are signature features.

CENTRAL EAST FLORIDA SOUTHWEST FLORIDA The Dunes Golf & Tennis Club on Sanibel Island is a nature lover’s paradise where 75 acres of

In Daytona Beach, the Ladies Professional Golf Association/LPGA International has two courses, which earned Golf Digest’s four-star rat-

ings. The LPGA Golf Academy is one of the most highly regarded teaching facilities in the country. The PGA Village in Port St. Lucie is home to the PGA Museum of Golf, as well as 54 holes designed by Pete Dye and Tom Fazio. It’s the ideal place to study the game and its history.

CENTRAL FLORIDA There are more than 200 golf courses within an hour’s drive of downtown Orlando and still more under construction. Jack Nicklaus designed the 45-hole championship layout at Grand Cypress Golf Club. Here you can find Scottish links in the steamy heart of Florida. Not far away is Arnold Palmer’s Bay Hill Club & Lodge, home to the PGA Tour’s Arnold Palmer Invitational and Arnie’s teaching academy. Just west of Orlando, the sleepy town of Howey-in-the-Hills (population 1,500) has three meticulously-groomed courses that are economical to play. Don’t miss the elegant Mission Inn Resort & Club’s historic El Campeon—the third oldest course in Florida— where you’ll be hitting some of your tee shots about 85 feet above sea level, a dizzying altitude in flat Florida. If you prefer something larger in scale, the Orlando World Center, the largest Marriott property on the planet, has Hawk’s Landing Golf Club and offers an extensive variety of golfing packages. Robert Cupp Jr. re-designed Hawk’s Landing in 1998, adding large Bermuda grass greens and putting water in play on 15 holes.

CENTRAL WEST FLORIDA

Mission Inn Resort & Club, Howey-in-the-Hills

In Palm Harbor, the Copperhead Course at Innisbrook, a Salamander Golf & Spa Resort, has played host to numerous pro events, U.S. Open qualifiers and NCAA championships. “If I could only play one course the rest of my life,” says Curtis Strange, two-time U.S. Open champion, “it would be Copperhead.” Mangrove Bay Golf Course in St. Petersburg ranks among the top municipal facilities in the United States. Green fees are inexpensive and the course is well maintained. Arnold Palmer designed the two courses at Saddlebrook Resort in Tampa, and the Saddlebrook Golf Academy Learning Center has a national reputation for developing young talent.

2013 TRAVEL GUIDE TO FLORIDA

GOLF

Golfing in Seminole County

2013 TRAVEL GUIDE TO FLORIDA

Golf at sunrise in Daytona Beach

FEATURED LINKS Arnold Palmer's Bay Hill Club & Lodge bayhill.com Copperhead Course at Innisbrook innisbrookgolfresort.com Doral Golf Resort & Spa doralresort.com Grand Cypress Golf Club grandcypress.com/golf_club LPGA International lpgainternational.com Mangrove Bay Golf Course stpete.org/golf/mangrove_bay.asp Marcus Pointe Golf Club golfmarcuspointe.com

When it comes to changing elevation, the Pine Barrens Course at World Woods Golf Club in Brooksville may be the best in Florida. Meandering through pine forests, the course routinely rates among the nation’s top 100 in rankings by golf publications. The undulating fairways and side-hill lies are challenging even to accomplished players.

FROM LEFT: SEMINOLE COUNTY CONVENTION & VISITORS BUREAU; VISIT FLORIDA

NORTHEAST FLORIDA Even people with only a casual interest in golf know about the signature 17th island green hole at the Tournament Players Club at Sawgrass, where many a golf ball has found its watery grave. Located in the Jacksonville suburb of Ponte Vedra Beach, TPC at Sawgrass was a gift to golf from designers Pete and Alice Dye. The Ocean Hammock Golf Club just north of Palm Coast might be Florida’s answer to Pebble Beach. It is a true oceanfront layout where the temperamental Atlantic winds put a premium on club selection and Jack Nicklaus architecture makes bunker play inevitable. At Amelia Island Plantation, the newly renovated Oak Marsh Golf Course has tight fairways framed by salt marsh creeks and moss-draped heritage oaks. If you think this sounds scenic, you’re right. Golf Digest included Oak Marsh in its list of the “Top 75 Resort Courses in the U.S.”

NORTH CENTRAL FLORIDA In North Central Florida, the SouthWood

Golf Club in Tallahassee is one of the state’s under-appreciated jewels. This creation of The St. Joe Company was named one of the “Top 35 New Courses in America” by Golf Magazine. Masters champion Fred Couples turned rolling hills, century-old oak trees and erstwhile grazing pastures into a bucolic test of creative shotmaking. Meadowbrook Golf Club, a public course in downtown Gainesville, has several holes that look like they belong in the Carolina mountains, not Florida. Meadowbrook, which opened in 1985, was the first course Florida architect Steve Smyers designed and it still is an attractive bargain today.

Meadowbrook Golf Club playmeadowbrook.com Mission Inn Resort & Club missioninnresort.com Ocean Hammock Golf Club hammockbeach.com/resort-golf Orlando World Center marriottworldcenter.com/golf.aspx PGA National Resort & Spa pgaresort.com PGA Village pgavillage.com Pines Golf Course, Pompano Beach mypompanobeach.org/parksrec/golf/golf_course.html Saddlebrook Resort

NORTHWEST FLORIDA The Wyndham Bay Point Resort in Panama City Beach has the only Jack Nicklaus-designed course on the Florida Panhandle. The layout is famous for its “illusionary” bunkers that are strategically placed to tempt players to go for the flag when, well, maybe they really shouldn’t be so brave. In Pensacola, the Marcus Pointe Golf Club’s Marcus Pointe Course is one of the few courses in the western part of the state with changes in elevation. Fees are modest, the atmosphere is kept casual, and the club welcomes players of all calibers. The Raven Golf Club at the Sandestin Golf and Beach Resort in Destin is a Robert Trent Jones, Jr.-design that consistently ranks among the nation’s top 100 non-private courses in the US. FL

saddlebrook.com/golf.html Sandestin Golf and Beach Resort sandestin.com/Golfers.aspx SouthWood Golf Club southwoodgolf.com The Dunes Golf & Tennis Club dunesgolfsanibel.com The Villas of Amelia Island Plantation aipfl.com Tiburon Golf Club tiburongolf.com TPC Sawgrass tpc.com/tpc-sawgrass World Woods Golf Club worldwoods.com Wyndham Bay Point Resort wyndhambaypoint.com

2013 TRAVEL GUIDE TO FLORIDA

WEDDINGS AND HONEYMOONS

Bride in Lightner Museum courtyard, St. Augustine

Newlyweds on Anna Maria Island

listening beaches, spectacular sunsets, centuries-old churches and an iconic castle are all exceptional backdrops for any fairy-tale wedding. With its endless array of alluring locations, Florida is an ideal choice for memorable marriage ceremonies and celebrations.

SOUTHERN FLORIDA CHARM Flanked by both the Atlantic Ocean and the Gulf of Mexico, Florida offers hundreds of miles of coastline where couples can share oceanfront “I do’s.” In Islamorada, one of the upper Florida Keys, Pierre’s Restaurant is one of the best places in Florida for a sunset ceremony. With a westward-facing beach dotted by leaning palms and an elegant two-story plantation house, this locale blends casual beach with polished chic like nowhere else in the state. On the southeast coast, Fort Lauderdale offers 23 miles of Atlantic Ocean beaches; however, its proximity to one of Florida’s largest ports makes it an ideal choice for couples departing on a honeymoon cruise. Several cruise lines depart from Port Everglades.

2013 TRAVEL GUIDE TO FLORIDA

Sarasota and its neighboring islands in Southwest Florida have long since been a popular destination for beach weddings. Couples can choose an elegant affair at the Sarasota Ritz-Carlton, which boasts a variety of oceanview reception sites on its 11-acre property. At nearby Longboat Key, couples can opt for a barefoot event on the snowwhite sands of the Longboat Beach Club & Resort. Consider nearby Anna Maria Island where the unassuming, but award-winning Sandbar Restaurant will serve guests frozen cocktails with the area’s best seafood alongside a dazzling sunset.

CENTRAL FLORIDA FANTASIES The true princess-at-heart longs for a fairy-tale wedding, which is exactly what Disney delivers to more than a thousand couples each year. The sky is the limit when it comes to ceremony and reception sites thanks to an endless array of locations across the resort’s sprawling theme parks and palatial hotels. With Cinderella Castle perched in the distance, the Wedding Pavilion is always a favorite for classic nuptials, but couples can instead opt

CLOCKWISE FROM BOTTOM LEFT: ST. AUGUSTINE, PONTE VEDRA & THE BEACHES CVB; DARA CAUDILL; VISIT ORLANDO.

BY KRISTEN MANIERI

LIVING THE DREAM

A horse-drawn coach for the happy couple

for some uncommon locales to tie the knot by choosing one of the countries at Epcot’s World Showcase. Imagine getting married in Italy or in France without the transatlantic flight. Afterward, receptions can include safarithemed affairs at Animal Kingdom or glitzy, star-studded occasions at Hollywood Studios. Then come the pleasant details, such as transportation—think royal carriages and vintage cars—private fireworks, herald trumpeters and visits from Disney characters. Book a mariachi band, a string quartet or rockin’ DJ. If you can dream it, chances are, Disney can make it happen. Just over an hour east of Walt Disney World, Disney Cruise Line departs Port Canaveral and offers another ceremony and reception option. Say “I do” on board the ship or choose a beachside ceremony on Disney’s private island, Castaway Cay. Whether on land or at sea, every bride and groom plans their dream Disney wedding with the help of a Disney wedding specialist, experts in creating unforgettable weddings both big and small.

HISTORICAL NORTHEAST FLORIDA As the oldest city in the U.S., it doesn’t get more historic than St Augustine. Couples choose this charming city for its seaside setting on Florida’s northeast coast as well as for the picturesque architecture sweeping through the tiny town. Several churches, many nearly two centuries old, provide the venue for formal ceremonies, while a bevy of nearby reception sites host the after party. Couples can celebrate with guests aboard a pirate ship, inside historic homes or at one of many area museums, such as the castle-like Lightner Museum, built by Henry Flagler in 1887. Casa Monica, the city’s most luxurious hotel, is a favorite thanks to its opulent ballrooms and artful decor. Play up the historic theme with horse-drawn carriage rides, a private trolley charter, or haunted walking tours for an event guests won’t soon forget. Less than 90 minutes north of St. Augustine, Amelia Island also boasts its fair share of history. This 13-mile-long barrier island on the northeast corner of Florida has a noble and notorious past filled with pirates and princesses. Besides a stunning coastline, the island is

home to Fernandina Beach, a 50-square-block downtown district named one of the country’s Top 10 Distinctive Destinations by the National Trust for Historic Preservation. Majestic 19thcentury homes, several of which have been converted into charming B&Bs, reflect an array of architectural styles such as Queen Anne and Italianate. Bed and breakfasts, such as The Addison and The Amelia Island Williams House, regularly host intimate weddings filled with old-Florida charm. Larger weddings can be hosted at the Omni Amelia Island Plantation or The Ritz-Carlton, Amelia Island.

TOP 5 HONEYMOON DESTINATIONS Florida Keys: Take a lazy road trip through the Keys, mile marker by mile marker, until Key West comes into view, where a kitschy collection of bars and museums make for night and day fun along the infamous Duval Street and beyond.

Orlando: Tackle the theme parks, take in world-class shows and outlet shop ’til you drop in one of the most fun honeymoon destinations in the world, home to several lavish hotels with world-class spas ideal for quiet downtime days. St. Petersburg: Hours spent on white sandy beaches followed by trips to local gems like the Dalí Museum make for an unforgettable getaway to St. Petersburg, the cosmopolitan city perched on a peninsula between Tampa Bay and the Gulf of Mexico. FL

FEATURED LINKS Casa Monica Hotel casamonica.com

Disney's Fairy Tale Weddings & Honeymoons disneyweddings.disney.go.com

Lightner Museum lightnermuseum.org

Longboat Key Club & Resort longboatkeyclub.com

Miami: Home of South Beach with its iconic art deco boutique hotels and miles of sandy shores, Miami calls to honeymooners seeking beach bum days, but also high-end shopping and glitzy nightlife.

Omni Amelia Island Plantation omnihotels.com

Pierre’s Restaurant pierres-restaurant.com

Sandbar Seafood & Spirits sandbar.groupersandwich.com

The Addison on Amelia Island

Naples: Ten miles of award-winning beaches as well as acres of untouched wildlife parks make Naples a favorite for outdoorsy couples. Having the Everglades just a few miles away is an added bonus.

addisononamelia.com

The Ritz-Carlton, Amelia Island ritzcarlton.com/AmeliaIsland

The Amelia Island Williams House williamshouse.com

2013 TRAVEL GUIDE TO FLORIDA

S PAS

WHERE SOOTHING TREATMENTS FLOURISH

BY ROCHELLE LASH

Lower pool at the Trump International Beach Resort, Sunny Isles Beach

TIP Watch for Spa Week deals. Imagine

SOUTHERN FLORIDA

half-price manis and pedis, massages

Miami’s sexy South Beach—North America’s epicenter of cool—attracts the young and gorgeous to fashionable boutique spas such as Bliss South Beach at the W Hotel, which rocks with funky music and a delectable brownie bar. Hot stuff here includes he-waxing, laser hair re-

and facials at the best Florida spas. Spa Week (spaweek.com) takes place annually, April and October, across the state.

lorida’s temperate weather, magnificent shores, sparkling waters and lush forests are a potent combination, powerful enough to make you feel good and look great the natural way. But you can boost wellness, fitness, rejuvenation and relaxation to another level at the Sunshine State’s superb spas. Florida’s spectacular beauty and wellness centers are as mainstream as shopping, sunbathing and dining out, with menus of excellent aesthetics, curative massages, weight loss without deprivation, creative exercises and expert medical counseling. Spas throughout the state channel the riches of Florida’s land and waters. The mineral-rich ingredients of the Atlantic Ocean and the lush essences of Florida’s abundant fruit and flora— orange, hibiscus, eucalyptus, pomegranate, coconut and mango—are essential ingredients for soothing aromatherapy and skin care. As a result, spa life is flourishing in every region of Florida.

2013 TRAVEL GUIDE TO FLORIDA

moval, slimming lessons and bridal tips. Nearby, the super-stylish Standard Hotel, on an island near legendary Lincoln Road, has an outstanding spa inspired by the bathhouses of ancient Europe, the Middle East and Asia. After steeping in steam, herbs or mud, patrons can indulge in therapeutic massages and recuperative mind-body healing, plus unique chi paddleboarding, skin care clinic, acupuncture, and the Juice Program. The landmark grandes dames of Miami Beach have suitably aristocratic wellness and beauty centers, including Elle Spa at the Eden Roc Renaissance and Lapis at Fontainebleau. Florida’s Gold Coast, a shimmering Atlantic oceanfront strip of sand, sun and glamor, is home to one of the world’s highest concentrations of grand resorts, all with luxury spas featuring excellent exercise specialists, masseurs and aestheticians. The sunset-pink Boca Raton Resort & Club is a Waldorf Astoria Resort with a luxurious, pastel interior design. Boca’s Spa Palazzo is an opulent fountain of youth with manicured gardens, Moorish baths and facials that use the essence of caviar. At the iconic Spa at The Breakers in posh Palm Beach, insiders opt for the Moonlight Massage, Golf Pilates and the Guerlain Abeille Royale Facial with bee products. The landmark Westin

CLOCKWISE FROM BOTTOM LEFT: TRUMP INTERNATIONAL BEACH RESORT; NAPLES MARCO ISLAND EVERGLADES CVB; NICHOLAS A. COLLURA-GEHRT/VISIT ST. PETE/CLEARWATER

Resort spas feature indulgent treatments including couples’ massage.

Diplomat Resort & Spa in Hollywood has superb oceanfront and golf environments. The spa is there for all, with signature services such as the Green Tea Body Scrub, the Gentleman’s Retreat and the Mud Body Mask. The innovative Atlantic Resort & Spa in Fort Lauderdale is a sanctuary inspired by ocean therapeutics, incorporating purifying sea salts and restorative plants. Located in the buzzing, burgeoning community of Sunny Isles, Acqualina Spa by ESPA at Acqualina Resort & Spa on the Beach—the height of luxury and languid living—has swept every “top” list in America. A splendid Mediterranean villa encompasses a superlative spa with soothing ocean views, a Roman waterfall, stunning hot and cold baths and customized holistic and Ayurvedic treatments for body scalp and face. The Trump International Beach Resort is an exciting neighbor of Acqualina. Trump’s magnificent Aquanox Spa features exceptional anti-aging facials and specialized pampering for moms-to-be and couples. Aquanox massages use Hawaiian and Asian techniques and sumptuous body potions of coconut oil, aloe and peppermint. Farther south in the idyllic Florida Keys, the Calm Waters Spa at Hawks Cay Resort has created the intoxicating Key Lime Mojito treatment while the Jala Spa at Hyatt Key West Resort & Spa uses eco-conscious Primavera products, all delicately crafted from 125 plants. The secluded, romantic SpaTerre on Little Palm Island in the Florida Keys offers the Wellness Package, complete with a massage, acupuncture, meditation, yoga and a detox seaweed body mask. The legendary Golden Door at the Naples Grande Beach Resort in Southwest Florida is where the southern Gulf Coast meets a Japanese Zen ambiance, heightened by mesmerizing waterfalls and a meditation labyrinth. The Marco Island Marriott Resort & Spa, thoroughly revamped with a holistic mineral pool and blazing outdoor fire-pits, has created aromatic citrus soaking baths.

CENTRAL AND NORTHERN FLORIDA In Central East Florida, the Ocean Waters Spa in Daytona Beach synthesizes ocean salts and

FEATURED LINKS SOUTHEAST FLORIDA Acqualina Spa by ESPA acqualinaresort.com/spa

Aquanox Spa trumpmiami.com

Bliss World South Beach blissworld.com/spa

Boca Raton Resort & Club bocaresort.com

Canyon Ranch Hotel & Spa canyonranchmiamibeach.com

Elle Spa at Eden Roc edenrocmiami.com

Hawks Cay Island Resort hawkscay.com

Jala Spa at Hyatt Key West Resort & Spa Hyatt Regency Clearwater Beach Resort & Spa

keywest.hyatt.com

Lapis Spa

soothing lavender for its aromatherapy glow. In the Gulf Coast city of Clearwater Beach in Central West Florida, the spa at the Sandpearl Resort, now LEED-certified, features an ocean wave massage, sand exfoliation and algae-based lotions. The Sawgrass Marriott Golf Resort & Spa in Ponte Vedra Beach, near Jacksonville in Northeast Florida, blends Florida sugarcane with honey from its own hives for its signature body scrub.

fontainebleau.com

Pritikin Longevity Center pritikin.com

Ritz-Carlton, Fort Lauderdale ritzcarlton.com

Spa at The Breakers thebreakers.com

SpaTerre littlepalmisland.com/florida-resort-spaterre.aspx

Standard Hotel standardhotels.com

The Atlantic Resort & Spa atlantichotelfl.com

The Westin Diplomat Resort & Spa diplomatresort.com/spa

FAMILY-FRIENDLY Family life is paramount at the Gulf Coast communities of Fort Myers, Sanibel Island, Naples and Tampa. Sharing manis and pedis with your preteen is the rage at the Aquagëne Spa at the Pink Shell Beach Resort & Spa on an island near Fort Myers. Across the state, the lavish Spa at The RitzCarlton in Fort Lauderdale gives youngsters the royal treatment while mom and dad can luxuriate with a warm Sapphire Sea Treatment in pearl and kelp mud at Fort Lauderdale’s only AAA five-diamond hotel.

SOUTHWEST FLORIDA Aquagëne Spa aquagenespa.com

Golden Door waldorfastorianaples.com/Golden-Door-Spa

Marco Island Marriott Resort & Spa marcoislandmarriott.com

CENTRAL EAST FLORIDA Ocean Waters Spa oceanwatersspa.com

CENTRAL WEST FLORIDA Hyatt Regency Clearwater Beach Resort & Spa clearwaterbeach.hyatt.com

Spa Jardin

MEDICAL WELLNESS Florida is home to world-class spas that target health habits, weight loss and fitness, all in plush surroundings. At the Canyon Ranch Hotel & Spa in Miami Beach and the Pritikin Longevity Center & Spa at the Doral Golf Resort & Spa in Miami, guests are in the capable hands of nutritionists, exercise physiologists, life coaches and doctors. FL

spajardin.com

The Spa at Sandpearl sandpearl.com/spa

NORTHEAST FLORIDA Sawgrass Spa sawgrassmarriott.com/spa

NORTHWEST FLORIDA WaterColor Inn & Resort watercolorresort.com

2013 TRAVEL GUIDE TO FLORIDA

SPORTS

A SPORTSMAN’S PLAYGROUND

BY JEFF OSTROWSKI

Marlins Park, Miami

hether you’re seeking a seat at the big game or aiming to reel in a prize fish, Florida offers a wealth of opportunities to watch sports, or to break a sweat yourself. For sports fans, Florida has a bit of everything—including auto racing, baseball, basketball, football, hockey and tennis.

RACE-CAR FANATICS In Florida’s auto-racing world, no event looms larger than the Daytona 500. NASCAR’s biggest race is scheduled for February 24, 2013, at Daytona International Speedway, which is home to other events throughout the year. For fans who prefer to know what it feels like to ride shotgun or to sit behind the wheel, the Richard Petty Driving Experience lets you ride in and even drive a stock car on the famous 2.5-mile oval. The Homestead-Miami Speedway also hosts a NASCAR race and other events. Like Daytona, this track also gives fans a chance to drive. Its Mario Andretti Racing Experience

2013 TRAVEL GUIDE TO FLORIDA

sells training sessions that include either a ridealong or solo drives for five or eight racing minutes in an open cockpit, full-size Indy car.

BASEBALL SEASON Baseball is a big deal in Florida, where the Major League Baseball season starts early. Each March, Florida’s Grapefruit League is home to spring training for 15 clubs, including the Atlanta Braves, Boston Red Sox, Detroit Tigers, New York Yankees, New York Mets and Toronto Blue Jays. The state’s spring-training stadiums have undergone a major upgrade over the years. Fans no longer sit on metal bleachers. Instead, the ballparks have turned into smaller versions of Major League stadiums, complete with luxury suites. For instance, Roger Dean Stadium in Jupiter (spring-training home to the Miami Marlins and St. Louis Cardinals) was designed by the same architecture firm that drew up the wellregarded Camden Yards in Baltimore.

CLOCKWISE FROM BOTTOM LEFT: GREATER MIAMI CVB; VISIT ST. PETERSBURG/CLEARWATER; GREATER FORT LAUDERDALE CONVENTION & VISITORS BUREAU; PALM BEACH COUNTY CVB

Honda Grand Prix of St. Petersburg

The Florida Panthers in Sunrise

For years, Florida’s big-league baseball ended in April, when the players headed north. But now Florida is home to two big-league teams, the Miami Marlins and the Tampa Bay Rays. The Marlins, who won the World Series in 1997 and 2003, play in a striking new stadium in Miami. Because the Marlins Park has a retractable roof, rainouts no longer pose a problem. Among the new park’s quirky features are an outfield sculpture that twirls when a Marlin hits a home run and a bobblehead museum. The Rays, who reached the World Series in 2008, play in Tropicana Field, an indoor stadium in St. Petersburg.

BASKETBALL COURTS Florida has emerged as a basketball powerhouse, too, thanks to LeBron James’ high-profile decision to join the Miami Heat in 2010. The Heat reached the NBA Finals in 2011 but lost, then won the NBA championship in 2012. The state’s other NBA team, the Orlando Magic, has reached the NBA finals twice. College hoops are big news, too. The Florida Gators have won two NCAA championships and Florida State and the University of Miami field strong teams.

Delray Beach International Tennis Championship

FOOTBALL GAMES Florida fans are passionate about all their sports, but football has the strongest hold. The state is home to three NFL teams—the Miami Dolphins, Tampa Bay Buccaneers and Jacksonville Jaguars. Florida fans love their pro teams, however they’re even more excited about their college teams. Florida, Florida State and Miami all have produced NCAA championships and Heisman Trophy winners. The football teams at the University of Central Florida and the University of South Florida also have stepped up their games in recent years.

HOCKEY TEAMS Hockey doesn’t generate the same passion in Florida fans as other sports, but the Sunshine State boasts two NHL teams nonetheless. The Florida Panthers play in Sunrise, near Fort Lauderdale, and the Tampa Bay Lightning skate in Tampa. Both teams have enjoyed occasional success. The Lightning won the Stanley Cup in 2004, and the Panthers reached the NHL finals in 1996.

TENNIS TOURNAMENTS While hockey isn’t exactly synonymous with Florida, tennis is. The Sony Ericsson Open in Key Biscayne offers spectators the chance to see some of the sport’s biggest stars. In 2012, Novak Djokovic won the men’s tournament and Maria Sharapova reached the women’s final. The 2013 event—rechristened the Sony Open—is scheduled for March 18–31. The annual Delray Beach International Tennis Championship also draws a big crowd.

THE HORSEY SET Florida is home to a dozen high-profile

teams and a number of big-time events, but there are plenty of highlights that’ll never make SportsCenter. For horsepower on four legs rather than four wheels, check out the Palm Beach International Equestrian Club, a mecca for the horsey set in Wellington, west of Palm Beach. The 120-acre club hosts the Winter Equestrian Festival, the nation’s largest and richest grand prix jumping event. Olympic equestrian athletes from around the world compete. Wellington also is home to International Polo Club Palm Beach, which attracts players from around the world.

2013 TRAVEL GUIDE TO FLORIDA

SPORTS Diver, Florida Keys National Marine Sanctuary off Key Largo

If you’d rather participate than watch, Florida offers no shortage of opportunities. Florida is most famous for its water sports, and fishing tops the list. Anglers can find plenty to like in Florida, a state that counts more than 2,000 miles of tidal shoreline, 7,000-plus lakes and more than 10,000 miles of rivers. The state is responsible for some 700 world-record catches, according to the Florida Sports Foundation. Saltwater anglers can cast from the beach or from one of the state’s dozens of piers, and they can reach deeper waters by boat. In the Atlantic, there are blue marlin, grouper, amberjack, wahoo, dolphin, snook, redfish, bluefish and Spanish mackerel, among other species. Gulf catches can include sea trout, grouper, pompano, shark, mackerel, snapper, snook and tarpon. For freshwater anglers, the primary prize is the largemouth bass. March and April, when the bass swim into shallow water for spawning, are prime time for catching bass. The largemouth bass is the most common type of bass Fishing off Islamorada in the Florida Keys

2013 TRAVEL GUIDE TO FLORIDA

in the lakes of Central Florida and South Florida. In North Florida, anglers can catch the smaller Suwannee bass in the Suwannee River, the Ochlockonee River and the Santa Fe River. Even if you don’t land a record fish, you can witness the feats of anglers who have. At the International Game Fishing Association Fishing Hall of Fame & Museum in Dania Beach, nearly 200 specimens that broke world records are on display, including a 2,664-pound great white shark. The museum includes interactive and educational displays, an outdoor wetland and a library filled with books and videos about fishing.

UNDERWATER PARADISE If you’d like to get up close to Florida’s marine life, the state’s warm, clear waters are ideal for snorkeling and diving. Among the easily accessible snorkeling destinations are John Pennekamp State Park in Key Largo and John MacArthur State Park in Palm Beach Gardens. The state’s reefs and shipwrecks are a paradise for divers. The waters off the Keys are home to numerous shipwrecks that have

CLOCKWISE FROM BOTTOM LEFT: ANDY NEWMAN/FLORIDA KEYS NEWS BUREAU; BOB CARE/FLORIDA KEYS NEWS BUREAU; VISIT ORLANDO.

ANGLER’S HAVEN

FEATURED LINKS Alafia River State Park floridastateparks.org/alafiariver

Daytona International Speedway daytonainternationalspeedway.com

Florida Gators gatorzone.com

Florida Grapefruit League floridagrapefruitleague.com

Florida Panthers panthers.nhl.com

Florida Sports Foundation flasports.com

Florida Trail Association floridatrail.org

Fort Lauderdale A1A Marathon & Half Marathon a1amarathon.com

Gasparilla Distance Classic tampabayrun.com

Gate River Run gate-riverrun.com

Homestead-Miami Speedway homesteadmiamispeedway.com

International Game Fishing Association igfa.org

International Polo Club Palm Beach Walt Disney World Marathon and Half Marathon

turned into reefs. Closest to Miami is the Spiegel Grove, a 510-foot Navy ship, which was sunk in 2002 after it was retired. The vessel sits in 130 feet of water. Now covered with sponges and corals, it attracts schools of tropical fish. Experienced divers can enter the old vessel, but dive operators steer beginners away from swimming inside the Spiegel Grove.

Jacksonville Jaguars

Among the big events in 2013 are the Walt Disney World Half Marathon (January 12) and Marathon (January 13), the Miami Marathon and Half Marathon (scheduled for January 27), the Fort Lauderdale A1A Marathon & Half Marathon (February 17), Tampa’s Gasparilla Distance Classic 15K (February 23) and Jacksonville’s Gate River Run 15K (March 9).

jaguars.com

HIT THE TRAILS

miami.marlins.mlb.com

HARD-CORE MARATHONS Florida offers some of the best ocean swimming you’ll find anywhere, so be sure to pack your goggles. If you’re interested in more than just a casual swim, consider one of Florida’s open-water swim races. Swim Miami hosts races ranging from one mile to 10 kilometers in April, and the Tampa Bay Open Water Swim stages one-mile and half-mile swims in May. Truly hard-core endurance athletes can sign up for the 12.5mile Swim Around Key West, held each June. In 2012, the winner completed the course in less than five hours. For athletes who like to bike and run after they swim, Florida offers a busy schedule of triathlons. The Miami and Tampa regions host a number of tris, and Clermont, just west of Orlando, has emerged as a hub for athletes who want to go faster. Clermont’s National Training Center includes a 76-yard pool and physiology lab. Runners looking for warm weather and flat courses are attracted to Florida’s winter races.

internationalpoloclub.com

If you prefer trails to pavement, Florida offers hiking and mountain biking— but you might have to search for trails that are firm amid Florida’s sandy soil. Oleta River State Park in North Miami Beach—home to a series of trail races and offroad triathlons—is an oasis of calm in the midst of the bustling city. You can canoe and kayak in a natural preserve and watch dolphins and manatees. If you want to break a sweat, try hiking, mountain biking or trail running on the park’s twisting single-track trails. Alafia River State Park, east of Tampa, is another hot spot for hiking, mountain biking and trail running. This park south of Brandon includes 37 miles of trails on gently rolling terrain. Florida’s serious hikers love the Florida Trail, a 1,400-mile network of hiking paths through the middle of the state. Marked with a distinctive bright-orange blaze, the Florida Trail offers plenty of opportunity to spot alligators and birds. FL

John MacArthur State Park macarthurbeach.org

John Pennekamp Coral Reef State Park pennekamppark.com

Mario Andretti Racing Experience andrettiracing.com

Miami Dolphins miamidolphins.com

Miami Heat nba.com/heat

Miami Marathon and Half Marathon ingmiamimarathon.com

Miami Marlins National Training Center usantc.com

Oleta River State Park floridastateparks.org/oletariver

Orlando Magic nba.com/magic

Palm Beach International Equestrian Club palmbeachpolo.com/equestrian.aspx

Richard Petty Driving Experience drivepetty.com

Roger Dean Stadium rogerdeanstadium.com

Sony Open www.sonyopentennis.com

Spiegel Grove spiegelgrove.com

Swim Around Key West swimaroundkeywest.com

Tampa Bay Buccaneers buccaneers.com

Tampa Bay Lightning lightning.nhl.com

Tampa Bay Open Water Swim swimacrossamerica.org/TampaBay

Tampa Bay Rays tampabay.rays.mlb.com

Walt Disney World Half Marathon and Marathon rundisney.com/disneyworld-marathon

2013 TRAVEL GUIDE TO FLORIDA

VACATION HOMES

A QUICK GUIDE TO FLORIDA’S REAL ESTATE MARKETS

Luxury waterfront condos in Miami

Coastal home for rent in Florida

2013 TRAVEL GUIDE TO FLORIDA

ouldn’t it be great to extend your vacation in Florida? Instead of spending just a few days relaxing on the beach, golfing, boating or shopping, why not spend a few weeks or months in the Sunshine State—or even become a permanent resident? Many visitors enjoy Florida’s lifestyle so much that they wind up purchasing a vacation home in Florida or booking a long-term rental for their next visit. After all, there are plenty of benefits to owning your own place in the sun. It can also be an excellent financial investment—particularly since prices have fallen dramatically in the past five years, according to Florida Realtors, the statewide real estate association. Today, Florida offers something for everyone: elegant luxury penthouses priced in the millions, beachfront condominiums along the Atlantic Ocean and Gulf of Mexico, townhouses and estate homes in golf and country club

communities, over-55 adult communities for retirees and moderately priced homes and condos for families and friends to unwind in the sun. Almost 20 percent of all Florida real estate transactions involve a foreign buyer—the highest rate in the nation, according to Florida Realtors. As a result, Florida has large secondhome communities filled with Canadian, British, Scandinavian, Russian and Latin American buyers. Whatever your native language or culture, you can probably make new friends in Florida!

LOCATION OR LIFESTYLE? When beginning a search for a Florida home, there are two basic approaches to consider: location and lifestyle. You may already know where in Florida you want to live—perhaps near your parents’ home in Sarasota, close to the grandchildren in Tampa or within walking

CLOCKWISE FROM BOTTOM LEFT: CHERYL CASEY/SHUTTERSTOCK; BARTUCHNA@YAHOO.PL/SHUTTERSTOCK; CHERYL CASEY/SHUTTERSTOCK; RITU MANOJ JETHANI/SHUTTERSTOCK.

BY RICHARD WESTLUND

distance of the nightclubs on South Beach. In that case, you should familiarize yourself with the neighborhoods, look at typical houses, condos or townhomes, get a sense of the prices and contact a real estate agent or broker who knows the local market and can help you make the right choice. Another strategy is to focus on your desired lifestyle, such as living in a private golf community, a high-rise on the beach or a scenic, rural location. That allows you to compare homes, prices and amenities in different communities around the state. For example, a four-bedroom estate home might be $750,000 on the Gulf

Coast, but only $500,000 in a Central Florida inland location. If living by the beach isn’t important to you, buying the less expensive home could save you $250,000. Again, a real estate professional can help you with the purchase.

TYPES OF HOMES If you’re considering a move to Florida, be aware that there are some differences in home design and construction compared with houses in cooler climates. For instance, few Florida homes have a basement, because of the underlying hard limestone rock and high ground water level. Newer homes may be more spa-

Aerial view of tropical townhomes in a coastal community near Pensacola

cious and feature modern kitchens, baths, floorings and fixtures. Florida’s leading singlefamily homebuilders include Lennar, Toll Brothers and Minto, who have developed residential communities throughout the state. Condominiums and apartment buildings also vary widely in design and construction, and often develop distinct “personalities.” The size of the building or community can also make a big difference in terms of lifestyle, amenities and costs. A high-rise condo with 600 units is like a miniature city with many services and amenities, and a higher monthly maintenance fee. However, if the purchase price and monthly fees are a big consideration, you may prefer a smaller building that may have a pool, spa or entertainment area—or no amenities at all. Since condos have been a major part of the Florida market since the 1970s, the age and condition of a building can affect its desirability and price. A recently constructed residence may have a more appealing design, new appliances, marble baths and other modern features compared with an older unit that has never been updated. However, the older unit may still appeal to buyers on a tight budget and those who plan to spend more time outdoors on their visits.

CONSIDERING A RENTAL?

Oceanfront apartments in Sunny Isles Beach

If you love the Florida lifestyle, but aren’t ready to buy, consider a seasonal rental. You can enjoy the beach, boating, golf, shopping and all the attractions for several weeks or months without making a permanent financial commitment. It’s also a good way to “sample” different locations and lifestyles to see where you feel most comfortable if you do decide to buy in the future. Almost any type of home, condo or apartment can be used as a seasonal rental at locations around the state. For example, the Condominium Alliance of the Tampa Bay Beaches handles vacation resort condo rentals in the St. Petersburg/Clearwater area. Buying a vacation club membership or a time-share unit is another “in-between” option. With a timeshare—sometimes called “interval ownership”—you can purchase one or two weeks in a professionally managed community located in your favorite destination. Many buyers like the familiarity and peace of mind that comes from returning to the same Florida community year after year. However, most vacation clubs and

2013 TRAVEL GUIDE TO FLORIDA

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Golfer’s Paradise Premier Naples location. Two top-rated courses. Lavish Clubhouse. Free Golf Membership with new home purchase. Single Family & Estate Homes from the low $500s to $800s (877) 844-5014

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Rare opportunity in Bonita Springs – Grand Opening This Spring Minto Communities is creating a private residential oasis unlike any other. An elegant lakefront community with a lavish islandstyle clubhouse and amenity center that is sure to be the talk of the town. Single Family Homes & Luxury Paired Villas from the low $200s to $350s. Join our VIP list to receive priority information and updates at www.mintobonitaisles.com (877) 467-4022

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VACATION HOMES An art deco condominium complex in Key West

around the world. The primary appeal: owning a home near Orlando’s theme parks and just a short drive from the beach. The Panhandle primarily attracts buyers from throughout the Southeastern U.S. With its miles of beaches and small-town communities, the state’s northwestern region appeals to families and friends seeking a weekend getaway within a few hours drive from home.

Florida-style beach houses

interval-ownership programs allow you to “swap” your vacation weeks and spend that time in other locations. Or you may be able to put your unit into a rental pool if you won’t be using the time yourself.

BUYING PATTERNS While U.S. and international visitors purchase homes and condos throughout the state, four regions tend to attract the largest share of second-home purchases: Southeast, Southwest, Central and the Panhandle. Southeast Florida has traditionally attracted buyers from the Northeast U.S., Canada, Europe and Latin America. Miami, Fort Lauderdale, Boca Raton and West Palm Beach

2013 TRAVEL GUIDE TO FLORIDA

have many waterfront condominiums and apartments that appeal to “big-city” residents accustomed to a fast-paced lifestyle. As the largest metro area in the state, Southeast Florida’s real estate appeal includes plenty of cultural, shopping, dining and sports activities. Southwest Florida, from Naples to Sarasota, historically appeals to buyers from the Midwest, Canada, Germany and the United Kingdom. Golf, boating and white sandy beaches are among the major attractions. This is a preferred destination for affluent empty nesters and retirees who want a relaxing lifestyle. From Orlando to Daytona Beach, Central Florida is prime family vacation territory, attracting buyers from throughout the U.S. and

Throughout Florida, home and condominium prices have fallen dramatically in the past five years, but now appear to be stabilizing. Be sure to take a close look at the local market, though, since prices can vary dramatically from neighborhood to neighborhood or building to building. One word of caution: avoid buying a foreclosure or other distressed property, unless you want to spend your next few vacations fixing it up. Better to look for a home or condo in “move-in” condition so you can enjoy the ownership experience. Since financing a second home is an important consideration, take the time to talk with several lenders about mortgage terms and conditions. One source is the Florida Association of Mortgage Professionals, which offers an online directory. It’s also a good idea to talk with an attorney before buying a home, particularly if you’re not a U.S. resident. Getting legal advice in advance can help you protect your investment and minimize potential tax liabilities. Under U.S. immigration law, you may also need to address visa issues. The Florida Bar offers an online “find a lawyer” service. While it may take a little time to navigate the legal and financial issues, purchasing a Florida home can turn a great short-term visit into an appealing long-term lifestyle. FL

FEATURED LINKS Condominium Alliance of the Tampa Bay Beaches flcondoalliance.com

Lennar lennar.com

Minto minto.com

Toll Brothers tollbrothers.com

CLOCKWISE FROM BOTTOM LEFT: CHUCK WAGNER/SHUTTERSTOCK; CHUCK WAGNER/SHUTTERSTOCK; GREATER FORT LAUDERDALE CVB; SHAWN HEMPEL/SHUTTERSTOCK.

THE PRACTICAL SIDE

GAMBLING

A SURE BET FOR ENTERTAINMENT BY RICHARD WESTLUND Gulfstream Racing and Casino Park in Hallandale Beach

or many Florida visitors, gambling is a favorite vacation activity. No matter where you travel, you won’t be far from a casino, racetrack or jai-alai fronton. You can even take a gambling cruise and enjoy casino excitement while at sea. Among the options: • Thoroughbred and harness racing, including many high-profile events; • Greyhound racing, a longtime Florida favorite; • Jai-alai, where individuals or two-man teams compete in the world’s fastest sport; • Poker rooms, where you can play cards to your heart’s content; • Slot machines, available in most of the state’s parimutuel facilities; • Casinos, with exciting Las Vegas-style games, such as roulette, blackjack and baccarat. Today, many Florida gambling venues offer a combination of these gaming activities. You could watch the dogs at a nearby track while placing a bet on a simulcast thoroughbred race in Maryland and dropping a few quarters into a slot machine. Many of the larger facilities also have retail shops and restaurants, with live music, concerts and other special events. Here’s a closer look at some of the state’s leading gambling venues.

Poker player with pocket aces

2013 TRAVEL GUIDE TO FLORIDA

GAMBLING

Gamblers at slot machines

SOUTHEAST Southeast Florida has the widest collection of gambling venues. Since voters in Miami-Dade and Broward counties authorized the introduction of slot machines a few years ago, the region’s racetracks and frontons expanded their facilities and added new games and poker rooms to their offerings. Tribal gambling is also popular in the region, with Vegas-style games, which expand the exciting options for visitors. Magic City Casino is Miami’s first and only casino to feature Las Vegas-style games, including roulette wheels, craps tables and 800 slot machines. There’s also a poker room, live greyhound racing and simulcast wagering. Casino Miami Jai-Alai features 1,000 slots, a poker room, dominoes and live entertainment as well as live jai-alai. To the west off U.S. 41, the

2013 TRAVEL GUIDE TO FLORIDA

Miccosukee Casino offers 24-hour gambling, including 1,900 gaming machines, 32 poker tables and high-stakes bingo. Calder Casino & Race Course in Miami Gardens is active with 1,200 slot machines, thoroughbred horse racing and year-round simulcast action, as well as plenty of dining options, all on one smoke-free floor. Frequented by celebrities, musicians and fans from around the world, Seminole Hard Rock Hotel & Casino in Hollywood is one of the region’s most popular attractions. There are 2,500 Vegas-style slots, 100 tables for blackjack, baccarat and other games, poker action and more on a nearly three-acre casino floor. It’s also home to a Hard Rock Hotel, 17 dining options, shopping, nightclubs and live entertainment at the 5,500-seat Hard Rock Live arena. Nearby, the Seminole Hollywood

Casino boasts more than 1,000 slot machines, 10 poker tables, and high stakes and “lightning” bingo action. To the north, Seminole Casino Coconut Creek recently completed a $150-million expansion and features more than 2,400 Vegas-style and bingo-style slot machines, along with 65 live tables including blackjack and baccarat. To the west, Seminole Casino Big Cypress offers a “no frills” casino experience at Billie Swamp Safari off I-75 (Alligator Alley). Considered one of the most important venues for horseracing in America since 1939, Gulfstream Racing and Casino Park in Hallandale Beach features the world’s top thoroughbred contenders hoping for Triple Crown glory, from January through April. Today, Gulfstream also features 850 slots, electronic table games and high-stakes poker. Dania JaiAlai in Dania Beach offers live jai-alai action, along with a poker room and simulcast wagering on thoroughbreds, harness, dogs and jai-alai. Mardi Gras Casino in Hallandale Beach opened its doors in 1934 as The Hollywood Kennel Club. In 2006, an extensive renovation project added 1,100 slot machines and a Big Easy poker room to this landmark property, which also offers simulcast greyhound, harness and thoroughbred races. Mardi Gras Casino is home to four stakes races—The Hollywood Futurity, Hollywood World Classic, Joe Ryan Jr. Memorial, and The Hollywoodian. The Isle® Casino Racing in Pompano Beach features 1,500 slots, 38 live-action poker tables, six restaurants, live harness racing and live entertainment seven days a week—all in a smoke-free environment. The Isle recently introduced new gaming technology where you can play games such as roulette, craps and Sic-bo with a real wheel and real dice but no dealer. The Isle also offers simulcast wagering and hosts four major poker tournaments throughout the year. In West Palm Beach, the Palm Beach Kennel Club features greyhound racing, simulcast action, a 60-table poker room, many special events, fine and casual dining and more. A new option is the Black Diamond Casino Cruises, a 500-passenger gaming ship, which sails twice daily from the Port of Palm Beach. It has a casino with slots, roulette, blackjack and poker, as well as dining and live entertainment.

CLOCKWISE FROM BOTTOM LEFT: GREATER FORT LAUDERDALE CVB; ANDRESR/SHUTTERSTOCK; PALM BEACH COUNTY CVB..

A greyhound dog track in Fort Lauderdale

Sail out of the Port of Palm Beach on the Black Diamond Casino Cruises

FEATURED LINKS Black Diamond Casino Cruises blackdiamondcasinocruises.com

Calder Casino & Race Course calderracecourse.com

Casino Miami Jai-Alai casinomiamijaialai.com

Dania Jai-Alai www.dania-jai-alai.com

Daytona Beach Kennel Club and Poker Room daytonagreyhound.com

Ebro Greyhound Park & Poker Room goebro.com

Ft. Pierce Jai-Alai & Poker jaialai.net

Gulfstream Park Racing & Casino

SOUTHWEST A long-time regional landmark, Naples Fort Myers Greyhound Racing & Poker in Bonita Springs operates year-round with greyhound racing, simulcast dog and horse racing and a casino-style poker room. To the north, Sarasota Kennel Club in Sarasota offers a similar combination of gaming attractions.

CENTRAL EAST Since 1948, Daytona Beach Kennel Club and Poker has been a mainstay in the area’s entertainment landscape. Located near Daytona International Speedway, the club offers live greyhound racing, as well as simulcast greyhound, thoroughbred, harness and jai-alai wagering with a large poker room. To the south, Melbourne Greyhound Park and Club 52 hosts Las Vegas-style poker action, live greyhound racing and simulcast wagering. Ft. Pierce Jai-Alai & Poker has live and simulcast gaming action along with poker tables and tournaments.

CENTRAL Ocala Poker and Jai-Alai in Reddick (midway between Ocala and Gainesville) is a nonsmoking facility, which hosts poker tournaments and live games, as well as simulcast wagering. Orlando Jai-Alai in Fern Park has live jai-alai action and simulcast wagering.

CENTRAL WEST Seminole Hard Rock Hotel & Casino in Tampa is one of the world’s largest casinos with more than 5,000 slot machines and 90 table games,

gulfstreampark.com

which include blackjack, baccarat and poker for non-stop gaming action. It’s also home to Florida’s largest and smoke-free poker room, with 50 live-action tables. The property also features a wide variety of restaurants and bars, as well as a Native American arts and crafts store. Welcoming visitors since 1926, Tampa Bay Downs is the only thoroughbred racetrack on the Gulf Coast. It offers live and simulcast-racing action, poker games and even has a practice golf facility where guests can “tee off ” while watching the races. Tampa Greyhound Track and Lucky’s Card Room has live greyhound racing, simulcast wagering and a large poker room.

Isle® Casino & Racing Pompano Beach pompano-park.isleofcapricasinos.com

Jacksonville Kennel Club jaxkennel.com

Jefferson County Kennel Club jckcgreyhounds.com

Magic City Casino magiccitycasino.com

Mardi Gras Casino Florida playmardigras.com

Melbourne Greyhound Park and Club 52 mgpark.com

Miccosukee Casino www.miccosukeeresort.com/gaming

Naples Fort Myers Greyhound Racing & Poker naplesfortmyersdogs.com/visitcontact.html

Ocala Poker and Jai-Alai

NORTHEAST

ocalapoker.com

With three locations in Jacksonville, Orange Park and St. Johns, Jacksonville Kennel Club makes it convenient for visitors to enjoy poker, greyhound racing and simulcast wagering.

Orlando Jai-Alai

NORTH CENTRAL

Seminole Casino Big Cypress

orlandojaialai.com

Palm Beach Kennel Club pbkennelclub.com

Sarasota Kennel Club sarasotakennelclub.com

Jefferson County Kennel Club in Monticello is one of the state’s longest-running dog tracks. Just minutes from the Georgia state line, the club operates year-round with live greyhound racing and a variety of simulcast events, as well as fine dining in the renowned Turf Club.

seminolebigcypresscasino.com

Seminole Casino Brighton seminolebrightoncasino.com

Seminole Casino Coconut Creek seminolecoconutcreekcasino.com

Seminole Hard Rock Hotel & Casino Hollywood seminolehardrockhollywood.com

Seminole Hard Rock Hotel & Casino Tampa

NORTHWEST

seminolehardrocktampa.com

Since 1955, Ebro Greyhound Park and Poker Room has brought exciting racing action to Northwest Florida. Located northwest of Panama City, Ebro has live racing, a popular poker room and simulcast wagering, along with trackside dining. FL

Seminole Casino Hollywood seminolehollywoodcasino.com

Tampa Bay Downs tampabaydowns.com

Tampa Greyhound Track and Lucky’s Card Room luckyscards.com

2013 TRAVEL GUIDE TO FLORIDA

PHOTO: BRADENTON AREA CVB

2013 TRAVEL GUIDE TO FLORIDA

SOUTHEAST FLORIDA

A DIVERSE Landscape

The Gardens Mall in Palm Beach Gardens

rom the quaint streets of Key West and the nightclubs of South Beach, to the restaurants and shops of downtown Fort Lauderdale and the mansions of Palm Beach, Southeast Florida serves up a stunning variety of culture, entertainment and recreation. The warm, blue waters of the Atlantic form the eastern boundary of Southeast Florida, the swampy Everglades and Lake Okeechobee the western boundary. In between, you’ll find topnotch art museums, world-class restaurants, plenty of shopping and hundreds of golf courses.

WHAT’S NEW The newest addition to the Miami skyline is a ballpark. Major League Baseball’s Miami Marlins play in a striking indoor-outdoor stadium, Marlins Park, which has been winning rave reviews since it opened in April 2012. The Marlins long shared a home with football’s Miami Dolphins, but the new baseball-only venue is air-conditioned (no more sweating) and has a retractable roof (no more rainouts). Continuing the sports theme,

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CLOCKWISE FROM TOP LEFT: PALM BEACH COUNTY CVB; DEZER COLLECTION; VISIT MIAMI.

BY JEFF OSTROWSKI

Florida Atlantic University completed construction of its new football stadium in Boca Raton in late 2011. Farther north, the Lake Worth Casino (there’s no gambling, that’s just the name for the beachfront complex of eateries and shops) finished a major overhaul in late 2012. If you’re an auto buff, check out developer Michael Dezer’s new auto museum in North Miami. The Dezer Collection Museum & Pavilion boasts a stash of 600 cars divided into sections such as Hollywood Cars of the Stars, European Classics and American Classics. The James Bond exhibit includes a Soviet tank, snowmobiles and, of course, Aston Martins. Viewing the vehicles isn’t cheap. Dezer’s collection is divided into two buildings, which cost $25 each to tour. On Fridays, $5 tickets to the entire museum are available to anyone under 18 using a promotion code on its website.

Dezer Collection Auto Museum, North Miami

HERITAGE AND CULTURE The visual arts have become an integral part of the scene here. To see the most post-modern artwork, hit the galleries and warehouses in Miami’s Design District and Wynwood Arts District. If you’d rather look than buy, head to the museums, including the Miami Art Museum, the Bass Museum in Miami Beach, the Museum of Contemporary Art in North Miami, the Morikami Museum and Japanese Gardens in Delray Beach, or the Boca Raton Museum of Art. In Fort Lauderdale, the Museum of Art hosts traveling exhibits and has a noteworthy collection of works from Europe’s CoBrA movement while the Museum of Discovery and Science promises a day of exploration on two floors of fascinating interactive exhibits. The Norton Museum of Art in West Palm Beach owns paintings by some noteworthy Impressionists and the Cultural Council of Palm Beach County features exhibitions by local artists at their gallery located at 601 Lake Avenue. Florida isn’t known as a wine-producing region, but here’s something different: Schnebly Redlands Winery & Brewery in Homestead makes wines from exotic fruits such as mango, lychee, guava, passion fruit and Carambola. Schnebly Redlands is just one of the intriguing spots in the area between Miami and the Keys. Miami Tropical Bonsai boasts a collection of 10,000 miniature bonsai trees collected from

Florida Everglades Airboat Ride

around the world. R.F. Orchids offers a wide selection of orchids that can be shipped nearly anywhere in the world.

INSIDER’S TIP Water Taxi Miami, the newest transportation

MUST SEE, MUST DO

mode in the Miami area, offers hop-on/hop-

South Beach is perhaps the most iconic destination in Southeast Florida. The art deco architecture, wide beach and vibrant nightlife draw pleasure seekers from everywhere. Take a walking tour of the historic district, peoplewatch from the News Café on Ocean Drive or hit the clubs. Across Biscayne Bay lies Miami, an international city that can feel like it’s more part of Latin America than the United States. To get a taste of the Cuban culture that helped

off service between Miami and Miami Beach/South Beach downtown Miami and the new Marlins Stadium. Passengers can buy single, round-trip or all-day passes. Check them out at watertaximiami.com.

2013 TRAVEL GUIDE TO FLORIDA

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SOUTHEAST FLORIDA

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Riverwalk Park, Fort Lauderdale

Schnebly Redlands Winery & Brewery in Homestead

Cape Florida Lighthouse on Key Biscayne

CLOCKWISE FROM BOTTOM LEFT: FLORIDASTOCK /SHUTTERSTOCK; PALM BEACH COUNTY CVB; VISIT MIAMI; VISIT MIAMI.

Boca Raton Museum of Art

transform Miami, head to Calle Ocho and enjoy a café con leche or vaca frita at landmark restaurants Versailles and La Carreta. A more somber venue awaits visitors at the Holocaust Memorial of the Greater Miami Jewish Federation in Miami Beach. A few hours south is Key West, which boasts fishing, snorkeling and diving, not to mention the bars of Duval Street and the home of writer Ernest Hemingway. Visitors can see the rooms where the author of The Old Man and the Sea wrote and drank. Also on display are dozens of cats, descendants of Hemingway’s six-toed white feline, Snowball. Extra points for a visitor who’s ambitious enough to ascend all three of Southeast Florida’s lighthouses. There’s Key West Lighthouse near the Hemingway house, Cape Florida Light on Key Biscayne near Miami and Jupiter Lighthouse at the northern end of the region.

DINING AND NIGHTLIFE Nothing says Florida like Joe’s Stone Crab, the Miami Beach eatery that’s famous for its succulent crustaceans. However Southeast Florida’s dining options encompass much more

than just seafood. Whether you crave fare from Asia or Brazil, Europe or Cuba, you’ll find an abundance of excellent choices. For the best selection in eating and nightlife options, head to one of Southeast Florida’s many vibrant town centers. The region’s downtowns, once neglected, have come back strong in recent years, with areas such as Hollywood’s Broadwalk, Fort Lauderdale’s Las Olas Boulevard and Delray Beach’s Atlantic Avenue. Hollywood’s Broadwalk (no, that’s not a typo) stretches for more than two miles, with the beach on one side and cafes, restaurants and boutique hotels on the other. Las Olas Boulevard is another hotspot for dining and partying. So is Atlantic Avenue, Delray Beach’s main drag, which starts near the lively Boston’s on the Beach bar and heads west with restaurants, bars and cafes along the way. Boca Raton’s Mizner Park is a hub for eating and drinking, and if your budget is as expansive as the blue Florida sky, Palm Beach’s high-end restaurants are reliably excellent.

THE GREAT OUTDOORS Southeast Florida is famous for its water sports. The warm, clear waters of the Atlantic offer

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SOUTHEAST FLORIDA

some of the best ocean swimming anywhere. The fishing, diving and snorkeling also are world-class. Among the easily accessible snorkeling destinations are John Pennekamp State Park in Key Largo and John MacArthur State Park in Palm Beach Gardens. Speaking of state parks, Oleta River State Park in North Miami Beach is an oasis of calm in the midst of the bustling city. You can canoe and kayak in a natural preserve and watch dolphins and manatees. If you want to break a sweat, try hiking, mountain biking or trail running on the park’s twisting single-track trails. If you prefer a leisurely stroll, visit one of the region’s piers—the list includes Dania Beach Pier, Commercial Pier in Fort Lauderdale, Deerfield Beach Pier, Lake Worth Pier and Juno Beach Pier.

BEST PLACES TO SHOP The epicenter of South Florida shopping lies in Sunrise, home of Sawgrass Mills, a huge outlet mall said to be the No. 2 tourist attraction in Florida, after only Walt Disney World. Legend has it that airlines have been forced to send extra planes back to Latin America to accommodate all the purchases made at Sawgrass Mills. It might be an outlet mall, but there’s no shortage of luxe retailers. Burberry, Brooks Brothers, Calvin Klein, Nordstrom, Nieman Marcus and Saks are represented here.

Sawgrass Mills was so successful that it inspired a competitor, Dolphin Mall, to open west of Miami. Dolphin Mall boasts restaurants and some 240 stores. Sawgrass Mills and Dolphin Mall aren’t the only shopping venues in Southeast Florida, of course. Just north of Miami is Aventura Mall, home to six department store anchors, including Nordstrom, Bloomingdale’s and Macy’s, more than 300 specialty stores and restaurants and a 24-screen AMC movie theater. Galleria Mall in Fort Lauderdale is anchored by Dillard’s, Macy’s and Neiman Marcus and offers an array of shops, including Apple, Sephora and Williams-Sonoma. Town Center Mall in Boca Raton is another high-end shopping destination anchored by Nordstrom, Nieman Marcus, Saks Fifth Avenue and Bloomingdale’s. And Gardens Mall in Palm Beach Gardens is home to just about every retailer you can think of, from A (for Apple and Abercrombie & Fitch) to Z (for Zales). If malls aren’t your style, Southeast Florida offers plenty of shopping in more authentic environments. Lincoln Road in Miami Beach is an outdoor strip of galleries and boutiques where the street is closed to traffic. Fort Lauderdale’s Las Olas Boulevard also offers stores and art galleries. Vying for the title of ritziest shopping area in Southeast Florida is Worth Avenue in Palm Beach. Socialites check

FESTIVALS & EVENTS JANUARY Art Deco Weekend, Miami Beach Las Olas Art Fair Part I, Fort Lauderdale Orange Bowl, Miami Gardens South Florida Fair, West Palm Beach

FEBRUARY ArtiGras Fine Arts Festival, Jupiter Delray Beach Garlic Fest Food Network South Beach Wine & Food Festival Miami International Boat Show

MARCH Boca Bacchanal, Boca Raton Honda Classic, Palm Beach Gardens Jupiter Sony Ericsson Open, Key Biscayne Las Olas Art Fair Part II Major League Baseball Spring Training, Winter Music Conference, Miami Beach

APRIL Delray Affair Lauderdale Air Show Palm Beach International Film Festival

MAY Sunfest, West Palm Beach

JULY Hemingway Days, Key West Miami Swim Week

AUGUST Brazilian Film Festival of Miami

AUGUST—SEPTEMBER International Ballet Festival, Miami

SEPTEMBER Miami International Wine Fair

OCTOBER Fort Lauderdale International Boat Show Italian Film Festival, Miami Key West Goombay Festival

NOVEMBER Miami Book Fair International Miami Short Film Festival

Art Basel Miami Beach Boca Raton Holiday Boat Parade Design Miami Winterfest Boat Parade, Ft. Lauderdale

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2013 TRAVEL GUIDE TO FLORIDA

PHOTOS: VISITMIAMI.

DECEMBER

NEED MORE INFO? Delray Beach Community Redevelopment Agency downtowndelraybeach.com Greater Fort Lauderdale Convention & Visitors Bureau sunny.org Greater Miami Convention & Visitors Bureau miamiandbeaches.com Hollywood Office of Tourism gohollywoodfla.com Palm Beach County Convention & Visitors Bureau South Beach, Miami

out the wares at such retailers as Tiffany, Gucci, Cartier and Chanel. For a more relaxed vibe, try Atlantic Avenue in downtown Delray Beach. A variety of specialty shops sell antiques, books, clothing, artwork, jewelry and more. The area is also known for its numerous fine-dining establishments, cafes and bakeries. Another outdoor shopping complex is Mizner Park in Boca Raton, a mix of upscale boutiques and bistros. Bal Harbour Shops, located in a trendy enclave north of Miami, is one of the region’s ritziest shopping areas. The outdoor mall counts Chanel, Hermes, Gucci, Thomas Pink and Jimmy Choo among its tenants.

Islamorada, Key Largo, Marathon Key and Big Pine Key. Dawn and dusk are prime times for birdwatching. If you’re lucky, you’ll spot great blue herons, white cranes and bald eagles. Check FloridaRambler.com’s Mile-Marker Guide to know where to stop and when. For more wildlife viewing, head west on Tamiami Trail, where you’ll spot alligators and turtles. To see more gators, head to Shark Valley, a paved trail off Tamiami Trail that’s perfect for biking and walking.

palmbeachfl.com Sunny Isles Beach Tourism and Marketing Council sunnyislesbeachmiami.com The Monroe County Tourist Development Council fla-keys.com

If bass fishing is your thing, take State Road 80 west from West Palm Beach. Once you leave the urban area, you’ll be surrounded by sugarcane fields all the way to the small town of Belle Glade, which borders Lake Okeechobee.

SCENIC DRIVES For a stunning short drive, head east from downtown Miami. If you choose the Rickenbacker Causeway, you’ll see the ships at the Port of Miami and the downtown skyline, and you’ll quickly be transported to the oldFlorida feel of Key Biscayne. Take the MacArthur Causeway to Miami Beach to see the ships from a different angle, and you’ll be headed straight for the new Florida vibe in South Beach. For another classic drive, cruise along any stretch of State Road A1A from Deerfield Beach north to Palm Beach. You’ll pass some of the world’s priciest oceanfront mansions, and you’ll be treated to views of the Atlantic Ocean and the Intracoastal Waterway. If a short jaunt isn’t enough, drive from Miami to Key West on the single-lane Overseas Highway, which crosses the Seven Mile Bridge. Surrounded as you are by water on both sides, you might imagine you’re floating through

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SOUTHEAST FLORIDA FAMILY ENTERTAINMENT While galleries and museums are wonderful for the mature mind, nothing beats family adventures like a day at the zoo. Zoo Miami, formerly called Metrozoo, boasts more than 2,000 animals available for viewing in a cage-free setting. Another family favorite is Miami Seaquarium on Key Biscayne. Home to dolphins, manatees, crocodiles and a 7,000-pound killer whale, Miami Seaquarium offers exhibits and performances. If you really want to get close to the animals, visit its Dolphin Encounter, where you can pay extra to swim with dolphins. Jungle Island is another fascinating place to view tropical creatures up close. Just off the mainland, on the way to South Beach and conveniently across from the interactive Miami Children’s Museum, where there’s everything from a faux supermarket to a recording studio, Jungle Island is renowned for its wonderful bird and wildlife shows. Boasting some 150 species and more than 20,000 butterflies in its aviaries and gardens, Butterfly World in Coconut Creek advertises itself as the largest butterfly facility on the planet. The place abounds with passionflowers and

other nectar-rich plants. Butterfly World is also home to hummingbirds and The Bug Zoo with scorpions, spiders and, if you’re not feeling too squeamish, giant Asian cockroaches. There’s nothing cuter than baby turtles and the Loggerhead Marinelife Center in Juno Beach has them by the tankful. The Marinelife Center serves as both animal hospital and tourist attraction. Injured and sick turtles wind up here, where they’re nursed back to health by marine biologists. Once the turtles are healthy, workers and volunteers cart them by stretcher to the beach, where they’re returned to the ocean. While the turtles recover, you and the kids can get a close look at them—babies, juveniles and adults are divided among half a dozen or so waist-high tanks. If your kids are more interested in primates, Monkey Jungle offers jungle safaris, orangutans, a western lowland gorilla and an Amazonian rainforest with hundreds of exotic monkeys. In December, kick off the Holiday Season at the Winterfest Boat Parade, a spectacular sight where more than 400 lighted boats promenade along the Intracoastal Waterway through Ft. Lauderdale to Lake Santa Barbara in Pompano Beach. Another is the Boca Raton Holiday Boat Parade. FL

FEATURED LINKS Aventura Mall aventuramall.com

Boca Raton Museum of Art bocamuseum.org

Boca Raton Town Center simon.com

Butterfly World butterflyworld.com

Cultural Council of Palm Beach County palmbeachculture.com

Delray Affair delrayaffair.com

Delray Beach Center for the Arts delraycenterforthearts.org

Delray Beach International Tennis Championships yellowtennisball.com

Dezer Collection Auto Museum dezercollection.com

Dolphin Mall shopdolphinmall.com

Downtown Delray Beach Village by the Sea downtowndelraybeach.com

Flagler Museum flaglermuseum.us

Historic Redlands Tropical Trail redlandtrail.com

Jungle Island jungleisland.com

Las Olas Boulevard lasolasboulevard.com

Lincoln Road lincolnroad.org

Loggerhead Marinelife Center marinelife.org

Miami Children’s Museum miamichildrensmuseum.org

Miami Design District miamidesigndistrict.net

Miami Seaquarium miamiseaquarium.com

Mizner Park miznerpark.com

Monkey Jungle monkeyjungle.com

Morikami Museum and Japanese Gardens morikami.org

Museum of Art, Fort Lauderdale moafl.org

Museum of Discovery and Science mods.org

Norton Museum of Art norton.org

Pelican Cove Resort pcove.com

R.F. Orchids, Inc. rforchids.com

Sawgrass Mills simon.com

Shark Valley Tram Tours sharkvalleytramtours.com

The Ernest Hemingway Home & Museum hemingwayhome.com

Winterfest Boat Parade winterfestparade.com

Worth Avenue worth-avenue.com

Wynwood Arts District wynwoodmiami.com

Zoo Miami miamimetrozoo.com

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MIAMI

RAYS, GLITZ Glamor & BY ELIZABETH CLARKE

Ocean Drive nightlife

ix beaches and business. Combine art, couture and international cultures. Throw in celebrities, music, outdoor wonders, balmy breezes and palm trees to create a city unlike any other. In Miami, adventures of all kinds await, whether its foreign cuisine, blue waves or art festivals.

TOP BEACH Check out Haulover Beach for a little of everything. Its shady picnic area near the dunes provides an inexpensive outdoor dining spot after surfing the waves or enjoying the park’s nine-hole golf course or volleyball courts. Or try your hand at flying kites in the ocean breezes in a special kite-flying area. To experience some international flair, visit the beach’s clothing-optional north end.

PHOTO: VISIT MIAMI

DINING AND NIGHTLIFE As the birthplace of New World Cuisine, Miami offers sensory sensations at every turn. Visit a coffee stand for café con leche. Relax after the beach with a Coco Frio, or chilled coconut. Sample the creations of hometown chef Michelle Bernstein at Michy’s on Biscayne Boulevard with 30 to 35

“luxurious comfort food” dishes all made from scratch. Or indulge in a variety of Latin flavors at Jaguar Ceviche Spoon Bar & Latam Grill in hip Coconut Grove, where ceviches arrive in bite-sized white spoons. For a cheap and authentic bite, order a Cuban sandwich at Miami Beach’s Puerto Sagua. Late-night revelers can choose from clubs in the Design District, South Beach, downtown Miami or Little Havana.

ARTS, CULTURE AND SHOPPING Fashion, dance, art and music—they’re everywhere in Miami. In December, enjoy Art Basel Miami Beach, a distinctive international art show featuring modern works from more than 2,000 artists. Admire restored Miami modern-style architectural treasures while touring Miami Beach. Listen to the New World Symphony in its newly-designed home. Or visit the Adrienne Arsht Center for the Performing Arts for opera, ballet, music or theater. For shopping, enjoy the area’s pedestrian-friendly spots: the Design District for art, design and fashion; Lincoln Road for eclectic shops, galleries and outdoor dining; or Bal Harbour shops for high-end boutiques.

STREET SCENE The party never stops on South Beach, so spend a few hours people-watching here, especially after 11 p.m. Admire the fashionistas, the sandy beaches, the art deco architecture and the mix of restaurants.

INSIDER’S TIP Make the drive to Homestead/Florida City for a truly unique experience at Robert is Here. Founded in 1959, it’s a local fruit stand and farm featuring tasty fresh-fruit milkshakes, tropical fruit, flowers, canned goodies, plus seasonal live music and the animals: goats, emus, geese and donkeys that you might even get to feed. FL

FEATURED LINKS Art Basel miamibeach.artbasel.com

Bal Harbour Shops balharbourshops.com

Jaguar Ceviche Spoon Bar & Latam Grille jaguarspot.com

Lincoln Road lincolnroad.org

Miami Design District miamidesigndistrict.net

Michy’s michysmiami.com

New World Symphony nws.edu

Robert is Here robertishere.com

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FORT LAUDERDALE

BREEZY BEACHES, RELAXED BY ELIZABETH CLARKE

Sophistication Sunrise in Fort Lauderdale

oving past its image as the original home of spring break, Fort Lauderdale today offers an ideal place to enjoy all of Florida’s splendor—whether its to soak up the sun, savor local foods, explore natural wonders, stroll artsy neighborhoods or power-shop one of the largest malls in the United States.

TOP BEACHES

DINING Foodies—and people who simply enjoy good food—love Fort Lauderdale for its collection of luxury hotels and chefs adding their culinary delights to the area’s list of great restaurants. In the mood for elegant Italian with water views? Try da Campo Osteria at il Lugano Suite Hotel or Via Luna at The Ritz-Carlton, Fort Lauderdale. For something more casual, taste the seafood and Caribbean-infused cuisine at Johnny V Restaurant and Lounge or the international menu at The

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Dining alfresco in Fort Lauderdale

Grateful Palate. Waterfront dining options include Bimini Boatyard Bar & Grill on the Intracoastal Waterway, The Blue Moon Fish Co., and the everpopular Bubba Gump Shrimp Co. on A1A.

ARTS, CULTURE AND SHOPPING Enjoy a sunny day at the Las Olas Art Festival— January 5/6 and March 2/3—when hundreds of artists exhibit paintings, sculptures, jewelry, photography, ceramics and more at a free event complete with live music and delectable food. Or visit the Museum of Art Fort Lauderdale, home to a permanent exhibit of more than 6,000 works. Immerse yourself in shopping possibilities at Sawgrass Mills, where more than 350 stores attract the second-most visitors in Florida.

INSIDER’S TIP Make dinner memorable, with an evening Water Taxi from Fort Lauderdale Beach to a nearby dock-and-dine destination. On the return trip, enjoy stunning views of the yachts and mansions lighting the way along the New River and Intracoastal Waterway. FL

FEATURED LINKS Bimini Boatyard Bar & Grill biminiboatyard.com

Bubba Gump Shrimp Co. bubbagump.com

Lauderdale-by-the-Sea lauderdalebythesea-fl.gov

The Blue Moon Fish Co.

STREET SCENE For upscale boutiques and leisurely browsing, visit Las Olas Boulevard. The downtown Fort Lauderdale neighborhood oozes charm and local ambiance with 65 shops, 30 alfresco dining options and 10 international art galleries.

bluemoonfishco.com

The Grateful Palate thegratefulpalate.net

The Ritz-Carlton ritzcarlton.com/FortLauderdale

Water Taxi watertaxi.com

ALL PHOTOS: GREATER FORT LAUDERDALE CVB.

Catch some rays while checking out the varied personalities of the area’s eight cities on the beach. From quaint shopping districts to a retro boardwalk to the most powerful lighthouse on the eastern seaboard, each spot offers a unique view of the area’s blue waters and golden sands. See that lighthouse and peek at some of the area’s most luxurious homes with a trip to Hillsboro Beach. Enjoy the clear water and near-shore reefs of Lauderdale-by-the-Sea, considered the “shore dive capital” of South Florida. Just steps off the beach, snorkelers and scuba divers easily spot fish and other colorful sea life. Or explore 2.5 miles of pedestrian promenade at Hollywood Beach, with its bike lanes, jogging paths and outdoor cafes featuring everything from organic produce to juice bars, gourmet meals and ice cream treats.

SUNNY ISLES BEACH

THE ISLE OF Plenty

BY DARIEN ARDEN

Trump International Beach Resort in Sunny Isles Beach

ARTS, CULTURE AND SHOPPING Sunny Isles Beach is a small 2.26-square-mile tract of land brimming with galleries, museums, historic architecture and more parks than most major cities. Heritage Park is home to a walking path, playground and entertainment center, and hosts the annual Jazz Fest featuring renowned acts and notable local jazz artists. The historic Newport Fishing Pier, a halfmile-long walkway stretching over the turquoise blue waters of the Atlantic Ocean, has been a destination for vacationers since the mid-1930s. Renovations are scheduled for completion in early 2013, with the restaurant expected to open in the summer of 2013. A short drive from Sunny Isles Beach lands you in the shopping districts of Lincoln Road, Aventura Mall and Bal Harbour Shops, where you can find everything from antique to chic.

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DINING AND NIGHTLIFE You don’t have to travel far when everything from beachfront bars to five-star hotel restaurants and casual delis are packed within a few miles. Bella Beach Club is the newest addition to the Trump International Beach Resort. A dining hot spot on the sand during the day best enjoyed with a signature Bella Sunrise cocktail, it’s also popular for live music, fashion shows and pétanque competitions on the weekends.

ACCOMMODATION The Sunny Isles Beach strip is riddled with luxury hotels, beach resorts and small inns, where you’re guaranteed a perfect getaway destination. For instance, the Acqualina Resort & Spa on the Beach espouses the sophistication of a Mediterranean villa with an oceanfront landscape. Overlooking the Atlantic, the 390-room Trump International Beach Resort is a lavish oasis, complete with its own private and pristine beach and a delightful grotto-style pool complex.

cabana or renting a paddleboard, Jet Ski and snorkeling gear to explore the ocean. Other activities, such as boating, fishing, golfing, tennis, hiking and biking, make this an ideal island destination for honeymooners, vacationers, families and adventure-seekers alike.

INSIDER’S TIP It’s all about convenience. Don’t fret if you’re without transportation because a free community shuttle service runs seven days a week. Also, city parks are Wi-Fi spots, as is most of the beach, so Internet access is possible whether you’re on the go or relaxing. FL

FEATURED LINKS Acqualina Resort & Spa acqualinaresort.com

Aventura Mall aventuramall.com

Bal Harbour Shops balharbourshops.com

Bella Beach at the Trump Towers bellabeachclub.com

City of Sunny Isles Beach sibfl.net

OUTDOOR LIFESTYLE TripAdvisor ranked Sunny Isles Beach the No. 1 U.S. destination in 2008 and it’s easy to see why. Countless activities on this barrier island include relaxing on the beach in your own

Lincoln Road lincolnroad.org

Sunny Isles Beach Jazz Fest sunnyislesbeachjazz.com

Sunny Isles Beach Tourism and Marketing Council sunnyislesbeachmiami.com Trump International Beach Resort trumpmiami.com

PHOTO: TRUMP INTERNATIONAL BEACH RESORT

ituated between the cosmopolitan cities of Fort Lauderdale and Miami, Sunny Isles Beach is one of Florida’s best-kept secrets. Set on a pristine sandy white beach, this diverse community is a melting pot of culture and exclusive shopping and dining venues.

DELRAY BEACH

A TRAVELERâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;S Haven

BY DARIEN ARDEN

Outdoor dining in Delray Beach

elray Beach, Florida, is a relatively small town with a big personality. Founded in the early 1900s, Delray Beach sits snuggly against the coastline, boasting a pristine view of the Atlantic Ocean, and has become a thriving mecca of culture, history and uniqueness.

The hub of Delray Beach is Atlantic Avenue, a strip lined with art galleries, retail shops, eateries, spas and more. The city is a two-time All-American City Award winner and excels in diverse activities. You may find yourself strolling on Saturday mornings through the local GreenMarket for fresh produce and crafts, or searching for art during one of the many open-air art festivals held throughout the year. Pineapple Grove Arts District is a necessity for people-watching, sidewalk art, off-the-map pubs and boutique shopping. Join a Friday Night Art Walk and visit an open house of all the numerous local galleries and art shops. Artists Alley, which is a back-route collaboration of all things art, is a new warehouse arts area featuring painting, pottery, sculpture and more. The Delray Beach Center for the Arts features year-round activities, performances and workshops. This Center is on the National Register of Historic Places and comprises early 20th-century buildings now

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PHOTOS: DELRAY BEACH DOWNTOWN DEVELOPMENT AUTHORITY.

ARTS, CULTURE AND SHOPPING

A view of Delray Beach

acting as a hot spot for numerous downtown attractions. Cultural possibilities are endless when you can browse ever-changing art collections in the Cornell Museum of Art and American Culture; participate in community events and fairs in the Vintage Gymnasium; attend shows at the Crest Theatre; partake in classes, such as printmaking and photography, at The School of Creative Arts; and enjoy year-round events and festivals at The Pavilion.

TOP BEACH The two-mile coastline stretching along the crystal-clear waters of the Atlantic Ocean features a white-sand beach with a non-stop tropical breeze. Rand McNally and USA Today recently named Delray Beach the “Most Fun Small Town in America,” so dive in and join the festivities. The Colony Hotel & Cabana Club, a historic property with a tropical, romantic atmosphere, boasts a beachfront Cabana Club with a heated saltwater pool. The Seagate Hotel & Spa, another premier hotel, features a private Beach Club, a beachside swimming pool and fine dining restaurants. If you’re feeling energetic, rent a paddleboard, kayak or snorkeling gear from the oceanfront rental shop—Delray Beach Watersports—and explore the beach and a local sunken shipwreck.

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DELRAY BEACH

DINING AND NIGHTLIFE

OLD AND NEW There is a strong “new” and “old” vibe to Delray Beach. Trendy stores tucked between 75-year-

Art and jazz performances on the Avenue, Delray Beach

FEATURED LINKS old businesses bring a certain charm and history to the streets. The historic Sundy House has undergone a boutique facelift and offers guests uniquely themed quarters and access to a natural swimming pond and lush Taru Gardens surrounding the property. In operation since 1934, Hand’s is the oldest retailer in Delray Beach and stocks an eclectic inventory of office furniture and art supplies, stationery, greeting cards and novelty items.

Artists Alley

INSIDER’S TIP

Hand’s

Watch for these special events. Savor the Avenue features Florida’s longest dining table and a four-course dinner from local restaurants, and the Delray Affair is the largest arts and crafts festival in the southeastern U.S. Also, a 100-foot Christmas tree in the heart of downtown lures onlookers with holiday scenes, visits with Santa and a carousel. FL

Hyatt Place Delray Beach

artistsalleydelray.com

Arts Garage artsgarage.org

City of Delray Beach mydelraybeach.com

Delray Beach Center for the Arts delraycenterforthearts.org

Delray Beach Community Redevelopment Agency delraycra.org

Delray Beach Watersports delraybeachwatersports.com

Delray Downtowner delraydowntowner.com

Downtown Development Authority of Delray Beach downtowndelraybeach.com handsdelray.com delraybeach.place.hyatt.com

Richwagen’s Bike & Sport delraybeachbicycles.com

Sundy House Inn & Restaurant sundyhouse.com

The Colony Hotel & Cabana Club thecolonypalmbeach.com

The Seagate Hotel & Spa theseagatehotel.com

PHOTO: PALM BEACH COUNTY CVB

Peppered with myriad clubs, art lounges and galleries, and local restaurants boasting farmto-fork dining and stunning ethnic cuisine, the Avenue offers visitors social, non-stop energy with a laid-back attitude. Boston’s on the Beach, a beachfront restaurant and music venue, features live entertainment almost nightly. At 32 East, a dining must, the menu rotates daily and features fresh ingredients with a modern twist, offering guests a big-city bistro ambiance in a comfortable, local setting. The Arts Garage is a fusion of creativity and talent, featuring visual artists, musicians, performers, film presenters and arts educators. The schedule boasts everything from opera singers to blues guitarists, offered in an intimate setting. If you don’t feel like walking, the Delray Downtowner, a free local golf-cart taxi service, is always available to get you where you need to go. The Avenue is also very bike friendly, so rent a bike from Richwagen’s Bike & Sport to explore the strip on two wheels.

CULTURAL COUNCIL OF PALM BEACH COUNTY

BY ELIZABETH CLARKE

A Celebration OF ART, CULTURE AND HISTORY

ilms, festivals, music, culture, history, art shows and more. With so much happening, it is no wonder Palm Beach County is known as Florida’s Cultural Capital®. And it’s all part of the work done by the Cultural Council of Palm Beach County, where even the employees at the multifaceted arts agency immerse themselves in art, culture and history in their new digs—actually a historic movie theater built in 1940—located in downtown Lake Worth. Visit the council’s Streamline Moderne building and stroll through 2,500 square feet of galleries featuring local artists or check out the Uniquely Palm Beach Store stocked with jewelry, accessories, books and other creations made exclusively by local Palm Beach artists. You can also pick up brochures on venues throughout the county at their Cultural Information Center.

FESTIVE EVENTS If you visit in late February, you can step outside the Cultural Council Building to watch more than 400 artists turn asphalt into artwork at the Lake Worth Street Painting Festival. This free event attracts people of all ages to admire the transformation of city streets into rich canvasses of original art and masterpiece reproductions.

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Viewing sea turtles in new tanks

Later in the year, head south to Delray Beach for the 51st year of the Delray Affair, which runs from April 5–7, 2013. Considered the largest arts and craft festival in the Southeast United States, the Delray Affair takes place on the palm-tree-lined streets of downtown Delray Beach. In 2012, it featured artists from 30 states and 12 countries. For an Eastern flair, spend time at the Morikami Museum and Japanese Gardens in Delray Beach. On January 13, welcome in the year of the snake at the New Year Celebration with a customary rice-pounding, a sado tea ceremony, hands-on calligraphy and other activities. Or celebrate spring on March 23–24 at the Hatsume Fair, with taiko drummers, martial art

demonstrations and Asian food vendors. Later in the year, honor those who have died at the Bon Festival on August 17 with traditional Japanese folk dancing, ghost stories and a street fair. At sunset, watch as Morikami Pond becomes a sea of lanterns guiding the departure of ancestors’ souls. If movies light up your life, attend the Palm Beach International Film Festival from April 4– 11 in Boca Raton. If you love music, join the fun at SunFest, the largest music and arts waterfront festival in Florida, which takes place in downtown West Palm Beach from May 1–5. Consider an outdoor adventure at the Jupiter Inlet Lighthouse and Museum and its surrounding “Outstanding Natural Area,” a federal designation protecting the 120 acres from development. This unique spot—at the junction of the Indian and Loxahatchee rivers in northern Palm Beach County—features 25 special status species, 5,000 years of history and a nature trail to an observation tower overlooking a manatee refuge. FL

FEATURED LINK Cultural Council of Palm Beach County PalmBeachCulture.com

FROM TOP: PALM BEACH COUNTY CVB; THE CULTURAL COUNCIL OF PALM BEACH COUNTY.

Morikami Museum and Japanese Gardens, Delray Beach

Surfer on Palm Beach shore. (FLORIDASTOCK/SHUTTERSTOCK)

HOLLYWOOD

Hollywood Beach Broadwalk, a brick-lined, oceanside promenade

CHARMING, FRIENDLY & BY ELIZABETH CLARKE

n Florida, Hollywood doesn’t mean glamor and movie stars. It stands for an eclectic vibe, local shops, international cuisine, a wide beach boardwalk and a friendly downtown. In this Hollywood, which was incorporated in 1925, charming Old Florida blends with modern redevelopment efforts to beautify and transform a spot on the National Register of Historic Places into a hidden gem of food, art, culture and nature, minutes from Fort Lauderdale and Miami.

Family outing, Hollywood Beach

Eclectic STREET SCENE

Rent a bicycle to get a local’s feel for Hollywood. Enjoy breakfast downtown, then head to the beach to play in the sea and sand. Then pedal northwest just half a mile to the Anne Kolb Nature Center at West Lake Park where you can jump into a canoe and step back in time. You’ll feel miles away from civilization, paddling through the mangroves and seeing Florida in its native state.

INSIDER’S TIP Separated by less than a mile and connected by a city trolley ($1 per ride), Hollywood’s Broadwalk and its downtown core complement and energize each other. To the east, the Hollywood Beach Broadwalk features 2.5 miles of car-free, brick-lined, oceanside promenade, with hotels and restaurants on one side and the sandy beach on the other. To the west, the downtown area surrounds the ArtsPark at Young Circle with unique stores, restaurants, art galleries and more.

DINING On the Broadwalk, head to the south end and Josh’s Organic Market for fresh produce and exotic tropical smoothies blended up at its seaside stand. For a meal, check out familyfriendly options, such as the Sugar Reef Tropical Grill, the lounge-y Taco Beach Shack or Ocean Alley Restaurant for its Florida-fresh seafood offerings. Downtown, take your pick from a wide variety of Asian restaurants,

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including Huang’s Mandarin House and the elegant Nakorn Thai and Sushi. Or choose from many other international offerings, such as the Argentango Grill or the Ginger Bay Café with its Caribbean food and live music.

ARTS, CULTURE AND SHOPPING Relax at the 10-acre ArtsPark at Young Circle, a family-friendly park, which regularly features free glass-blowing demonstrations, concerts in the open-air amphitheater, festivals, and other entertainment and educational activities. Or visit the Art and Culture Center of Hollywood with its contemporary gallery exhibitions and live-stage performances. Mom-and-pop shops in the area provide excellent window shopping and unique gift options. For even more variety, the Aventura Mall is only minutes away.

Cruisers receive an extra-special welcome in Hollywood, which both Port Everglades and the Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood International Airport call home. The cruise lines offer a City Pass, which covers luggage storage and transportation to the airport and includes discounts and ideas on how to spend a day or two exploring Hollywood. FL

FEATURED LINKS Anne Kolb Nature Center visithollywoodfl.org/anne_kolb.aspx

Art and Culture Center of Hollywood artandculturecenter.org

ArtsPark at Young Circle visithollywoodfl.org/artspark.aspx

Aventura Mall aventuramall.com

Hollywood Office of Tourism gohollywoodfla.com

PHOTOS: HOLLYWOOD, FL COMMUNITY REDEVELOPMENT AGENCY

THE HOT SPOTS

SOUTHWEST FLORIDA

A PRESERVATION

Playground

BY KATHERINE SGROI

New entrance to the Nature Center at the Conservancy of Southwest Florida

urquoise Gulf waters, sun-kissed beaches, nature preserves and small-city sophistication define Southwest Florida. Diverse cultural amenities, such as museums, art galleries and philharmonic theaters, co-exist with beautiful beaches and water sports. Bordered by the cities of Bradenton and Sarasota to the north and Fort Myers and Naples to the south, Southwest Florida has a distinctive natural landscape coupled with a spirited dedication toward its preservation. Sprinkled with small towns and barrier islands, this scenic stretch of coastline offers abundant vacation options for everyone.

WHATâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;S NEW Preservation of its natural resources and environment is the mission of the Conservancy of Southwest Florida. Founded in 1964 by a group of residents passionate about protecting the unique natural environment in Collier County, the Conservancy has grown to meet the

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CLOCKWISE FROM TOP LEFT: DENNIS GOODMAN; MILES MEDIA | WWW.SARASOTAFL.ORG; THOMAS EDISON & HENRY FORD WINTER ESTATES, INC.

Ringling rose garden in Sarasota

challenges of protecting the water, land, wildlife and future of Lee, Charlotte, Collier, Glades and Hendry counties and is now investing in the future with a $20-million expansion of the Conservancy Nature Center. Scheduled to celebrate its grand re-opening in 2013, the sustainable Nature Center includes several new facilities for scientific testing and learning at the Eva Sugden Gomez Environmental Planning Center, the Dalton Discovery Center, the von Arx Wildlife Hospital, the interactive Ferguson Learning Lab and the Eaton Conservation Hall featuring the Jeannie Meg Smith Theater. Upon entering the Conservancy Nature Center, a dramatic new bridge over the Smith Preserve Way provides a viewing platform into the natural habitat of gopher tortoises. Filter marshes filled with sweeping vegetation clean the water runoff from a nearby commercial development. The Dalton Discovery Center teaches young and old about ecosystems in the area through exhibits containing 125 live animals living in their natural habitats. Educational videos document the research work on the Conservancy, including Florida panthers, gopher tortoises and the importance of protecting the natural resources. A “touch tank” filled with live horseshoe crabs, hermit crabs and other small marine life that live near the shore provides a hands-on experience. Today the Wildlife Clinic shelters injured, sick and orphaned native wildlife, providing medical assistance and rehabilitation. More than 3,200 native animals are now cared for annually and approximately half are returned to their native habitats. The new von Arx Wildlife Hospital has the capacity to double the number of animals that are getting a second chance. The new facilities embrace “green” technologies, such as geothermal, LEED and energy management systems to protect the future of Southwest Florida. Electric boat rides and kayak tours up the Gordon River offer enjoyable excursions. Or explore the walking trails to observe the natural environments. The grand re-opening is scheduled for Earth Day Weekend in April 2013.

Thomas Edison’s guesthouse in Fort Myers

HERITAGE AND CULTURE The cultural landscape of Southwest Florida is well developed and sophisticated. The Philharmonic Center for the Arts in Naples presents an exciting variety of visual and performing arts in a state-of-the-art theater. Broadway shows, musical entertainers and the Miami City Ballet are examples of the exceptional options. The Phil, as it is known by locals, also houses the nationally recognized Naples Philharmonic Orchestra whose inspirational performances of classical, pops, chamber and opera are truly memorable. The Edison & Ford Winter Estates in Fort Myers provide a glimpse into the past of inventors Henry Ford and Thomas Edison. Set on the Caloosahatchee River, the estates are a tropical paradise with 20 acres of botanical gardens containing more than a thousand varieties of plants, flowers and trees. Visit their homes, museum and the Edison Botanic Research Laboratory. A trip to Sarasota is not complete without a visit to the John and Mable Ringling Museum of Art located at the Ringling winter estate— the Ca’ d’Zan Mansion. The complex includes

art galleries, a sculpture garden and a circus museum featuring the world’s largest miniature circus that kids won’t want to miss.

MUST SEE, MUST DO Just a short ride from the picturesque streets of downtown Old Naples is the western edge of the largest subtropical wilderness—the Everglades. Showcasing the area, the Rookery Bay National Estuarine Research Reserve contains nature trails, a butterfly garden and learning centers.

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SOUTHWEST FLORIDA Biking in paradise

Admiring a sunset on the Gulf coast

JANUARY Creative Coast Weekends (through April)

FEBRUARY Sanibel Shell Fair & Show Edison Festival of Light Stadium Show

MARCH Spring Training: Red Sox, Twins, Pirates, Rays and Orioles Fort Myers Beach Shrimp Festival

JULY Tropical Fruit Fair

OCTOBER Oktoberfests J.N. “Ding” Darling Days

NOVEMBER Calusa Blueway Paddling Festival American Sandsculpting Championship and Beach Festival Taste of the Town, Fort Myers Cape Coral Coconut Festival

DECEMBER Holiday Nights at the Edison & Ford Winter Estates

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TOWN AND COUNTRY The cities of Southwest Florida offer urbane amenities, as well as tropical natural environments. The downtown Naples areas of Fifth Avenue South and Third Street South teem with shops, restaurants and art galleries.

The delightful town of Boca Grande is located on Gasparilla Island—a barrier island situated in both Charlotte and Lee counties. Reminiscent of times gone by, this picturesque village exudes charm and history. Stroll along Park Avenue for casual shops, art galleries and nautical artifacts. Celebrated for the world’s best tarpon fishing, Boca Grande is graced with sugary beaches, excellent shelling, familyfriendly activities and quaint inns. Beyond Marco Island, Southwest Florida backcountry leads to Everglades City—the Gateway to the 10,000 islands and Everglades National Park. Once a small fishing village, Everglades City began its growth in 1923 when Barron Collier purchased most of the land. Today, historic buildings stand downtown, reminiscent of the city’s trading-post past. The Museum of the Everglades showcases the history of the area and is a focal point in town. Experience this vast natural wilderness by airboat, kayak or canoe through local tour companies.

DINING AND NIGHTLIFE The cities and small towns of Southwest Florida are dotted with a wide range of dining options from elegant and pricey to island-style and affordable. On Longboat Key, hidden in a tangle of tropical plants and palm trees is Euphemia Haye Restaurant where award-winning cuisine includes fresh fish, excellent steaks and luscious desserts. Upstairs in the Haye Loft, have a drink

PHOTOS: THE BEACHES OF FORT MYERS & SANIBEL

FESTIVALS AND EVENTS

The Visitors Center delights with hands-on experiences and live exhibits such as the gopher tortoise exhibit, a 2,300-gallon aquarium filled with native fish, a nature store, picnic area and art gallery. Check the website for which day of the week the “touch tank” program is open for children to see and touch crabs, starfish or conch. Most Fridays in the summer are free for kids. Outside, a boardwalk with a viewing platform and three nature trails along Henderson Creek enable visitors to view the indigenous plants and natural beauty of the coastal habitat. On the first Friday and Saturday of each month, Village of the Arts in Bradenton holds an Artwalk. Funky art galleries offer the opportunity to meet the local artists and purchase collectibles, jewelry and artwork. Cafes offer tapas, wine and music. Lions and tigers and bears—and many other animals—can be found at the Naples Zoo at Caribbean Gardens. Hand-feed a giraffe, see cheetahs up close, and watch alligators being fed in their natural habitat as you stroll through the tropical plants and garden pathways. Meet a zookeeper and learn about these magnificent animals.

SOUTHWEST FLORIDA

as you enjoy music, appetizers, selected entrees, specialty coffees and desserts. Downtown Naples offers an abundance of restaurants, such as Trulucks, Sea Salt, Chops City Grill and Cafe Lurcat. Many restaurants feature entertainment during dining hours and for late-night dancing. For fresh fish served with an Asian flair in a nautical setting, try USS

THE GREAT OUTDOORS Panoramic views of tropical nature, skillfully crafted fairways and expertly designed resort and public golf courses bring golfers back time and time again to Southwest Florida. To find a course that energizes your game, check out SarasotaGolf.net. Spring in Southwest Florida attracts baseball fans to various venues along the coast to watch their favorite teams warm up for the season. The Florida Spring Training website contains all the information fans need to see the Boston Red Sox, Minnesota Twins, Baltimore Orioles, Pittsburgh Pirates and Tampa Bay Rays play. A defining characteristic of Southwest Florida is its natural habitats, which are decidedly different from other areas of Florida. To preserve and celebrate these distinctive regions, several botanical gardens and conservation areas have evolved. The Naples Botanical Garden has grown into seven cultivated worldclass gardens and natural habitats. Grasses, wildflowers and exotic plants from Florida and the Caribbean are only a sampling of the bounty exhibited. Nearby, nature comes to life in the 1.5-million-acre subtropical wilderness at Everglades National Park. Ride an airboat to get a close-up look at crocodiles, alligators, marine life and birds. Kayak or canoe on a guided tour in the tropical waterways and visit the Visitor Center for art exhibits.

BEST PLACES TO SHOP Chic designer shops, charming small-town centers, discount outlets and flea markets in Venice and Fort Myers provide shopping opportunities in Southwest Florida. Miromar Outlets in Estero has 140 top designer and brand-name stores set in a tropical outdoor mall where covered walkways, discount prices and a good selection of restaurants complete the picture. Shady palm-lined streets welcome you to Fifth Avenue South in Naples. Sophisticated and unique stores intermingle with world-class restaurants, art galleries and businesses to create an exciting shopping experience where jewelry, home accessories, art and fashion take center stage. The Waterside Shops just north of downtown Naples glisten in the tropical sun. With bubbling fountains and the sounds of flowing water, this Shopping on Fifth Avenue South in Naples 126

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CLOCKWISE FROM BOTTOM LEFT: NAPLES MARCO ISLAND EVERGLADES CVB; DREAMSTIME.COM; VISIT FLORIDA.

At USS Nemo, the miso-broiled sea bass is exceptional.

Nemo on Tamiami Trail. Its signature dish of miso-broiled sea bass is exceptional and you can also enjoy sake, tempura and prime tuna. The Blue Martini at Mercado in North Naples features live entertainment nightly. A selection of 42 martinis, fine wines, spirits and tapas will excite your senses. Enjoy the casual outdoor patio, the stage room or the VIP section. The Columbia Restaurant located on St. Armands Circle in Sarasota has an indoor dining room and expansive covered patio. The Spanish cuisine includes seafood dishes, such as its Paella “A la Valenciana,” as well as sangria and crusty Cuban bread. Its legendary “1905 Salad” is a wonderful meal containing the freshest ingredients. Tapas, chorizo sausage, shrimp, steaks and fish round out the innovative menu. In downtown Sarasota, Pastry Art Bakery Cafe has the aroma of craft-roasted coffees and espresso and a creative menu of soups, salads and sandwiches. You can satisfy your sweet tooth with pastries and sweets baked fresh daily. The cozy dining room at The Cottage on Siesta Key offers tapas, fresh seafood and steaks in a casual setting. Live music entertains diners on the lush back patio.

Columbia Restaurant in Sarasota

INSIDER’S TIP Enhance your experience at the Naples Botanical Garden by downloading its mobile app for detailed information about each garden and future events.

upscale shopping venue comprises top-end stores, such as Saks, Louis Vuitton, Coach and Ralph Lauren, as well as several restaurants. St. Armands Circle is Sarasota’s shopping and dining crown jewel. Strolling along the walkways, shoppers find one-of-a-kind boutique shops and inviting sidewalk cafes.

SCENIC DRIVE Birds soar overhead and dolphins frolic in San Carlos Bay as families picnic, swim and fish on small islands off the Sanibel Causeway. As you drive onto Sanibel Island, azure waters, lush vegetation, cyclists, shell-strewn beaches and tropical environs greet you; you’ll soon note

that buildings here are no taller than the palm trees. Coast along Sanibel-Captiva Road and cross a tiny bridge at Turner Beach onto the casual, bucolic island of Captiva where bougainvillea, cactus and sand dunes dot the landscape. Small cottages and beach homes with tropical names populate the winding road to the downtown village of Captiva where restaurants and a small number of shops offer

unique treats. Kick back, swim, fish and go shelling on the soft, sandy beaches. Familyfriendly resorts and condos are plentiful for those who wish to linger a while longer.

FAMILY ATTRACTIONS A string of barrier islands with beautiful beaches, caressed by warm Gulf of Mexico waters, stretches along the coastline. These islands

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offer exciting experiences for everyone—swimming, water sports, fishing, boating trips and relaxation. The No. 1 beach in the United States, according to Dr. Beach, is Siesta Beach on Siesta Key. This small island off the coast of Sarasota has bright, white sand that is always cool to the toes due to the nearly pure quartz content. More than 100 species of marine life, including dolphins, manatees, sharks and sea turtles, can be observed at the Mote Aquarium in Sarasota. Learn about where they live and watch sharks feed in the shark tank. Known for world-class shelling, the tropical islands of Sanibel and Captiva, located near Fort Myers, also offer cycling, shopping, water sports, boating and fishing. On Sanibel, the J.N. “Ding” Darling National Wildlife Refuge provides enjoyment for all. The refuge features reptiles, birds, mammals, bike and walking paths, and winding canoe trails.

PHOTO: VISIT FLORIDA.

Kids on Siesta Key

Couple golfing

SOUTHWEST FLORIDA

FESTIVALS AND EVENTS From seafood festivals (February in Everglades City) and swamp buggy races (January, March and October in Naples) to a profusion of festivals that celebrate art from juried artists, glass and metal sculpture, photography, jewelry, as well as local arts and crafts, diverse annual events are held in towns and cities up and down the coast. Sarasota’s St. Armands Circle hosts the Annual Art Festival in January. In February and March, Sarasota welcomes visitors to its downtown Festival of the Arts and Art and Craft Festival. The Naples National Art Festival, held in February, showcases the talents of more than 250 artists from across the country in a competitive, juried event. Additionally, during most months of the year, Naples presents art and

crafts at fairs on Fifth Avenue South and at Cambier Park. A celebration of films and filmmaking takes place in April in Sarasota and in November in Naples when film lovers can view independent films from around the world and meet filmmakers in an educational and creative setting. FL

FEATURED LINKS Collier County Museums colliermuseums.com Conservancy of Southwest Florida conservancy.org Edison & Ford Winter Estates edisonfordwinterestates.org Golisano Children's Museum cmon.org Florida Spring Training floridagrapefruitleague.com J.N. “Ding” Darling National Wildlife Refuge fws.gov/dingdarling Miramar Lakes Beach & Golf Club miramarlakes.com John and Mable Ringling Museum of Art ringling.org Miromar Outlets miromaroutlets.com thephil.org Royal Shell Vacations royalshell.com St. Armands Circle starmandscircleassoc.com Sun-N-Fun Lagoon napleswaterpark.com Waterside Shops watersideshops.com

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PHOTO: THE BEACHES OF FORT MYERS & SANIBEL.

Philharmonic Center for the Arts

THE BEACHES OF FORT MYERS & SANIBEL

FLORIDA’S NATURAL GULF COAST BY SUSAN B. BARNES

Beauties

Sanibel Lighthouse

birds and much more. For a different perspective, dive below the water’s surface at the USS Mohawk CGC Veterans Memorial Reef. Another fun day can be spent browsing the art galleries on Matlacha and Pine Island.

eeking an island getaway? Look no further than The Beaches of Fort Myers & Sanibel located on the Gulf of Mexico on the southwest coast of Florida. As you drive along the area’s 590-mile shoreline and explore more than one hundred barrier islands, you’re sure to find a spot that’s perfect for you. Each location offers its unique personality and activities, such as shelling, boating and kayaking. And every day ends with an incredible, breathtaking, toast-worthy sunset.

FORT MYERS HIGHLIGHTS Back on land, take time to explore downtown Fort Myers on a historic walking tour, browse through antique stores and grab a bite to eat at one of the many cafes. Check out Miromar Outlets and Tanger Outlets to find the deals you’re looking for. Then, just south of downtown Fort Myers, visit the Edison & Ford Winter Estates—a discovery outing that’s perfect for all ages. FL

TREASURE ISLANDS Among the coastal islands, one of the most popular is Sanibel Island, known worldwide for its amazing shelling. More than 400 varieties of shells are marooned on the island’s beaches! However the beach itself is beautiful as well and has been named one of the Top 10 Secluded Beaches in the U.S. by Shermans Travel editors. Nature lovers should visit the J.N. “Ding” Darling National Wildlife Refuge on Sanibel Island to view myriad exotic species of birds and plants. True seclusion is found on Captiva Island, where the main attraction is, well, nothing at all! The island’s natural beauty is reason enough to visit, and the best sunset views are captured at the locals’ favorite hangout—Mucky Duck on the north end of the island. Family favorite is Estero Island and Fort Myers Beach, long recognized as one of the

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“world’s safest beaches” due to its gently sloping shoreline. Seafood lovers will enjoy it, too— local restaurants serve the freshest catch, as Estero Bay is home to an extensive shrimping and fishing fleet. Just south of Fort Myers Beach is Lovers Key State Park, named one of CoastalLiving.com’s Top 10 Romantic Retreats, with a boardwalk that straddles tidal lagoons and nature and kayaking trails. Speaking of kayaking, you’ll definitely want to paddle the Great Calusa Blueway Paddling Trail—a 190-mile marked canoe and kayak trail through the area’s coastal waters and inland tributaries. Be on the lookout for manatees, dolphins, hundreds of species of

FEATURED LINKS The Beaches of Fort Myers & Sanibel fortmyers-sanibel.com

Edison & Ford Winter Estates edisonfordwinterestates.org

Fort Myers Beach leeparks.org

Great Calusa Blueway calusablueway.com

J.N. “Ding” Darling National Wildlife Refuge fws.gov/dingdarling

Miromar Outlets miromaroutlets.com

Tanger Outlets tangeroutlet.com/fortmyers

The Mucky Duck muckyduck.com

PHOTOS: THE LEE COUNTY VISITOR & CONVENTION BUREAU

Kayaking the Estero River

CENTRAL EAST FLORIDA

THE ULTIMATE Journey BY KEVIN FRITZ

Merritt Island Wildlife Refuge

he birthplace of modern racing, two of the country’s most renowned beaches, and home to the American space program is just the beginning of an exhilarating journey that awaits you in Central East Florida. An area that stretches approximately 175 miles from the jam-packed adventures in world-famous Daytona Beach to the quiet, sport fishing town of Stuart to the south, this slice of Florida is where many Sunshine State memories have been captured for years. Offering both family fun and romantic getaways, you can find everything you’re looking for on Florida’s eastern central coast.

WHAT’S NEW The permanent home of Space Shuttle Atlantis will open at John F. Kennedy Space Center in July 2013 on the Space Coast. The $100-million, six-story-tall exhibit will encompass some 65,000 square feet. Space Shuttle Atlantis’ legacy includes 32 missions, traveling 120,650,907 miles.

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CLOCKWISE FROM TOP LEFT: SPACE COAST OFFICE OF TOURISM; SPACE COAST OFFICE OF TOURISM; SPACE COAST OFFICE OF TOURISM; RICK MCKEE/LOWRY MCKEE PHOTOGRAPHY

Historic Downtown Titusville

Atlantis will be on display at an angle with its 60-foot-long payload bay doors open as if it were flying high above Earth. Guests can walk around the entire exterior of the shuttle to take in its majesty. Test your skills at grabbing satellites with the exhibit’s interactive activities and simulators. The exhibit includes displays on the numerous servicing missions space shuttles conducted on the Hubble Space Telescope, and explanations on how the International Space Station was assembled in orbit by Atlantis and the rest of the fleet. Even though the shuttle program has been retired, observing a rocket launch first-hand is still an option at the Space Center. Commercial and U.S. government rockets lift off into the wild blue yonder throughout the year so check the KSC website before finalizing your plans.

HERITAGE AND CULTURE If you’ve never seen a sea cow, the Manatee Observation and Education Center in Fort Pierce gives you that chance at Moore’s Creek. Note that the best time for viewing these 10foot-long, graceful mammals is during the winter months as they seek warmer waters. Named one of the top 100 small art towns in America, New Smyrna Beach hosts an array of art festivals and is home to the Atlantic Center for the Arts, where exhibitions and events are held throughout the year. Stroll down Flagler Avenue as part of Art Walks that take place throughout the year, or make your own trek in and out of its famed galleries such as Galleria Di Vetro and its one-of-kind glasswork. Mel Fisher’s Treasure Museum in Sebastian is a favorite with the kids—and adults—as displays of salvaged coins and weapons from a Spanish fleet that wrecked off the coast in 1715 tell the story of a time long gone by. Is it an attraction or a museum? The Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex is one of the most extraordinary, thrilling family getaways in Florida. Be greeted by real astronauts who walk the grounds and answer questions as you marvel at the size and magnitude of the rockets on display in the “Rocket Garden.” You can crawl through a

Cruising along the Space Coast

model of the International Space Station, and many guests happily strain their necks in wonder of the five-story screens in two IMAX theaters delighting viewers with actual footage shot by NASA astronauts during missions. Inland, the Athens Theatre in DeLand is said to be a “jewel of Italian Renaissance architecture.” Designed in 1921, the theater offers film festivals, classic movies, independent art films, concerts, dramas, musicals and other live performances.

MUST SEE, MUST DO Undisturbed Hutchinson Island invites you to walk, drive, bike, or ride horseback on its 21 miles of pristine coastline located just east of Port St. Lucie. Here you can soak in the island life, relaxing at beachside restaurants and tiki bars, such as Latitude, and experiencing oldFlorida-style hotels. This barrier island is only a couple miles from the mainland, but feels like it’s worlds apart. Although “The Birthplace of Speed” is a moniker for Ormond Beach just north of Daytona Beach, the latter city has become the racecar mecca, highlighted by the Daytona

Drinks and dinner on the patio

International Speedway, which hosts NASCAR’s exalted Daytona 500. But it’s Daytona USA at the Speedway that offers yearround activities for racing fans of all ages. Work with a pit crew, drive a simulated racecar, or if you are really up for a thrill, ride in a racecar driven by a professional instructor at speeds exceeding 160 mph. Possibly the most famous sun ’n’ fun location of its kind in the world, the Ron Jon Surf Shop first opened in Cocoa Beach in 1963. Today, the four-level, two-acre surfer’s paradise is flush with sportswear and beach gear. And don’t worry about running late—it’s open 24 hours a day.

TOWN AND COUNTRY Vero Beach has a reputation as a playground for the rich and famous, but in reality anyone can enjoy this well-to-do community. Because it is located in a climatic transition zone, aged oak trees and pine forests blend with majestic palms and floral blooms. Be sure to sample or purchase some fresh, sumptuous juice on your visit. The area is recognized as the “Citrus Capital of the World,” and tenders some of the

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DINING AND NIGHTLIFE

INSIDER’S TIP

The Cove on Port Canaveral’s waterfront is not just for those waiting on a cruise ship to disembark. Fresh seafood abounds as do a multitude of bars, most of which offer live music. At Rusty’s Seafood & Oyster Bar, indulge in oysters, peel-and-eat shrimp, mussels, or sample the bacon-wrapped sea scallops. Dine on the outside patio overlooking the water or find a stool at the full-service bar and watch as the

Discover the Daytona Beach area by trolley. It’s great family entertainment and free one-day passes are available at area hotels. The City Line Trolley travels from Ormond Beach to Daytona Beach Shores, with excursions covering historic Beach Street and the Halifax Harbor Marina.

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bartenders shuck your fresh oysters. Daytona Beach is home to whatever your palate craves, but is known for its casual seafood restaurants, live music, high-energy clubs and more. Check out the Oyster Pub located right on the beach—it’s the city’s largest oyster and sports bar. The famed Ocean Deck Restaurant & Beach Club features deck seating, beach parties and pig roasts in the summer. Specialties include the Bread Bowl Clam Chowder and the Rasta Fish Dip. Capt. Hiram’s has been serving up the freshest seafood at its restaurant on the Indian River in Sebastian for more than 20 years. Try the Lump Crab Cake Sandwich, an original authentic Maryland recipe served with Abaco aioli. Part of a quintessential beach resort, it also features the Bahamian-style SandBar with live music seven nights a week. Shutters at Disney’s Vero Beach Resort offers American food in a casual, family setting. The restaurant’s vibe is old-Florida tropical with its ceiling-high windows, wood beams, oversized shutters, and glass-enclosed porch. You’ll love the Surfside Seafood Dinner Buffet.

GREAT OUTDOORS One of the premier saltwater fishing spots on Florida’s east coast, Sebastian Inlet is popular for catching snook, redfish, bluefish and Spanish mackerel. Three miles of beaches are buffered by waterfront pavilions, picnic areas and full-facility campsites.

FROM LEFT TO RIGHT: VISIT FLORIDA; VISIT FLORIDA; SPACE COAST OFFICE OF TOURISM.

Father and son at New Smyrna Beach

most premium, hand-picked Indian River citrus you will find anywhere. Historic DeLand transforms you to a place where southern hospitality is still the norm. Founded in 1876, the city is home to Stetson University, and gift shops and restaurants intermingle in the downtown district with a sense of rich heritage and culture. The Cocoa Beach area is likely the destination offering the most bang for a diverse vacation in Central East Florida. The surfing capital of the east coast and home to many surfing champions, this beach town was first made popular by the television show I Dream of Jeannie. You can even take a drive down I Dream of Jeannie Lane. Watch a rocket launch from the beach, learn to surf from some of the best in world or take a quiet kayak journey into the Banana River Lagoon. Cocoa Beach is only seven miles from Port Canaveral, 12 miles from Kennedy Space Center, and less than 20 miles to the Brevard Zoo.

Kayaking near Sebastian Inlet

Off the shores of Sebastian in the Indian River Lagoon, Pelican Island, the first federaldesignated wildlife refuge in the United States, is accessible by a public viewing area to watch tropical birds in their natural habitat. You can also navigate around the island by renting a boat, kayak, canoe or personal watercraft from local companies offering guided tours. Thirtyplus species of birds use Pelican Island as a rookery, roost or feeding ground. Described as an overlay to NASA’s John F. Kennedy Space Center, the Merritt Island National Wildlife Refuge is 140,000 acres of coastal dunes, saltwater estuaries, marshes, scrub, pine flatwoods and hardwood hammocks, creating an ecosystem for more than 1,500 kinds of plants and animals. It is home to more federally endangered species than any other refuge in the United States. Take the Black Point Wildlife Drive or walk the Scrub Ridge Trail. Since 1938, Indian Hills Golf Course has been challenging golf enthusiasts in Fort Pierce. Indian Hills also offers quality instruction by PGA professionals, which include private instructions, group lessons and junior golf instruction. Or check out nearby Port St. Lucie

PGA Village, featuring three championship golf courses and a museum. In March, the crack of the bat beckons you to the annual rite of Spring Training. Take in a game at Port St. Lucie’s Digital Domain Park, which plays host to Major League Baseball’s New York Mets or at Space Coast Stadium in Viera, home of the Washington Nationals.

BEST PLACES TO SHOP Scores of small independent shops in Vero Beach showcase items that cannot be found elsewhere. Known for its upscale boutiques in which to find that perfect gift or treasure, men’s and women’s apparel shops are also popular stops to add some fun to your wardrobe. For the charm of historic Florida, shopping along Flagler Avenue and Canal Street in New Smyrna Beach is a place to stroll and explore unique wares for sale. If surf and skate shops are more up your alley, the Cocoa Beach area features at least a dozen such shops that dot the Space Coast town and adjoining Indialantic and Merritt Island. There is also no shortage of clothing boutiques and kitchy gift shops.

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CENTRAL EAST FLORIDA Fishing, Daytona Beach

SCENIC DRIVE The Ormond Scenic Loop & Trail is a 30-mile double loop that offers gorgeous views of natural scenery along the coast. The road provides access to the Atlantic Ocean as well as state, city and county parks offering trails, boating, fishing, hiking, swimming and bicycling. You may even see an offshore whale or dolphin!

FAMILY ACTIVITIES

FESTIVALS AND EVENTS Seafood is king from Ormond Beach to Stuart in East Central Florida, offering mouth-watering, fresh-from-the-sea dishes for the whole family. Looking for something out of the ordinary? Every January in Fellsmere, an historic small town south of Melbourne, the Frog Leg Festival attracts thousands of people to sample its unique foods, including gator tail. All proceeds benefit children’s recreational programs. There’s plenty to do outside of eating including live entertainment and a midway.

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For almost 40 years, the Grant Seafood Festival has attracted as many as 50,000 people a year to this two-day event in February just south of Melbourne on the Treasure Coast. Delicious seafood is freshly prepared on the spot by local community volunteers at what has become one of the largest and longest-running festivals of its kind in the Southeast United States. Two of the largest events in Central East Florida are both held in Daytona Beach. In March, Bike Week attracts thousands annually as does the Daytona 500 in February. Dating back to 1937, Bike Week is now a 10-day festival with hundreds of events for motorcycle enthusiasts. A smaller, yet no less energetic version of the event called Biketoberfest is held in October. The Daytona 500, dubbed “The Great American Race,” has been burning up the track at the Daytona International Speedway for more than 50 years. Other notable festivals of interest include: • Space Coast Birding and Wildlife Festival in Titusville (January) • Downtown Stuart Art Festival on St. Lucie River (February) • Easter Surf Festival at the Cocoa Beach Pier and Shepard Park (March) • Jensen Beach Pineapple Festival (November) FL

FEATURED LINKS Capt. Hiram’s hirams.com

Disney's Vero Beach Resort disneybeachresorts.com

Elliott Museum elliottmuseum.org

Hontoon Island State Park floridastateparks.org/hontoonisland

Hutchinson Island visitflorida.com/hutchinson_island

Kennedy Space Center kennedyspacecenter.com

Manatee Observation & Education Center manateecenter.com

Mel Fisher’s Treasures melfisher.com

Merritt Island National Wildlife Refuge fws.gov/merrittisland

Ormond Scenic Loop & Trail ormondscenicloopandtrail.com

Pelican Island National Wildlife Refuge fws.gov/pelicanisland

Sebastian Inlet State Park floridastateparks.org/sebastianinlet

The Cove portcanaveral.com/recreation/dining.php

The Old Spanish Sugar Mill planetdeland.com/sugarmill

Treasure Coast treasurecoast.com

Vero Beach Outlets verobeachoutlets.com

PHOTO: DAYTONA BEACH AREA CONVENTION AND VISITORS BUREAU.

At DeLeon Springs State Park, north of DeLand, griddle your own pancakes at your table at the Old Spanish Sugar Mill. Each table has a griddle and wait staff brings you pitchers of homemade pancake batter and all the fixings for a delicious, fun meal. After filling up on pancakes, take an eco/history boat tour of the Spring Garden Run. Keep an eye out for alligators, otters, bald eagles and wading birds. West of DeLand, board a boat to Hontoon Island State Park on the St. Johns River. The island is accessible only by private boat or park ferry. Your family can observe evidence of Native American habitation while hiking through the park. Picnic areas include tables, grills and a playground. In Melbourne, the Brevard Zoo opened five years ago to the enjoyment of all ages. It offers unique perspectives, such as a behind-thescenes tour, treetop excursions, giraffe feeding and guided kayaking tours through “Expedition Africa.”

MARTIN COUNTY

A BOUNTY OF

Treasures

BY ELIZABETH CLARKE Blowing Rocks Preserve on Jupiter Island

TOP BEACHES For a quiet morning stroll, try Bathtub Beach at the southern end of Hutchinson Island. A small reef about 100 feet offshore provides easy access to snorkeling and diving and ensures kid-friendly calm waters, thus its name. Farther south on Jupiter Island, winter storms and extreme tides can churn up quite a show at Blowing Rocks Preserve. When seawater gets forced through holes in the 100,000-year-old Anastasia limestone rocks on the shoreline, it can shoot 50 feet in the air. For peoplewatching, try Jensen Beach. This family-friendly beach offers picnic pavilions and volleyball courts.

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BOATING AND WATER SPORTS Boating, fishing, diving, paddleboarding, windsurfing and almost any other water sport can be enjoyed in Martin County, with its 21 miles of beach coastline and 114 miles of inland waterways. That includes water on both ends and allows for a unique experience: watch the sunrise on the Atlantic Ocean, then follow the river and waterways west to see the sunset on Lake Okeechobee, the largest lake in the state.

unique shops of downtown Stuart and Jensen Beach to find some more recent local treasures.

SPECIAL NEIGHBORHOOD For a scenic drive, head east from Hobe Sound over the bridge to Jupiter Island. Here, you’ll find a quiet beach and a tiny town filled with oceanfront mansions and wealthy residents. It’s one of the richest towns in the United States. Keep an eye out for resident Tiger Woods.

DINING AND NIGHTLIFE

INSIDER’S TIP

Seafood is a must when you’re this close to the freshest fish around. In downtown Stuart, consider the cozy Black Marlin. For old-Florida waterfront, arrive by car or boat at The Deck at the Harbor Inn & Marina on the north fork of the St. Lucie River or Conchy Joe’s Seafood in Jensen Beach. They’re both great spots for sunset cocktails and casual food.

Don’t worry about digging for change for parking meters in Martin County. The area’s stress-free, laid-back attitude includes a free-parking mentality. From the beaches to downtown, you’ll never pay for parking here. FL