4 things to add to your forida bucket list

4Things To Add To Your Florida Bucket List

Florida always rises to the top when putting together a list of travel favorites due to its ecological variety and year-round perfect weather. Now, I tend to stay away from Orlando and Miami when trekking through the Sunshine State these days because I’ve discovered many more spots that offer some richer experiences and unexpected attractions. I still think everyone should see spots like Orlando, Miami, Tampa and Jacksonville. I also want to encourage people to find some of the hidden treasures of Florida. You might never know that you can swim in calm, crystal waters with manatees or dine in Florida’s oldest neighborhood if you don’t take a look at the four gems I’m highlighting in my Florida bucket list.

1.

The Waterfront Area of Coconut Grove

The oldest continually inhabited neighborhood in the Miami area, Coconut Grove is a green, lush wonderland packed with great restaurants, shops, parks and views. I especially love the waterfront area here in Miami’s original neighborhood. Situated on Biscayne Bay, Coconut Grove’s harbor area offers a very upscale vibe with a lot of energy around its food scene. You’ll find what are easily considered to be Florida’s best restaurants here. I also love that there’s usually some concert or live event going on that can be heard when you’re dining on a patio or deck. The reality is that Miami proper offers very few waterfront restaurants. By contrast, Coconut Grove has a vast collection of restaurants on the water’s edge that offer views of the marina and bay. The best spots for dining, open-air shopping, and entertainment in Coconut Grove are mostly concentrated in Regatta Harbour. From here, you can dip into Regatta Park to enjoy walking paths and bike paths. The open spaces by the harbor host some of Florida’s best festivals throughout the year. The list includes the Goombay Festival, the King Mango Strut and the Great Taste of the Grove Food & Wine Festival.

2.

The Hollywood Boardwalk The broad, easily accessible promenades and boardwalks found in Florida make me love this state as a beach destination. Reminiscent of European or Caribbean coastal cities, this is a feature that is almost absent from other East Coast beaches. I don’t think there’s a better promenade in Florida than the Hollywood Boardwalk. This paved pedestrian route covers 2.5 palm-lined miles. The boardwalk is always filled with a steady stream of walkers, joggers, skaters and cyclists. You’re getting the best of both worlds with a beach on one side with a long row of shops and restaurants on the other. The benefit is that you can enjoy food and drinks without ever technically “leaving the beach.” Terra Travelers || 17

St. Andrews State Park and Shell Island

Sand at St. Andrews State Park is called “sugar sand” for a reason. You’ll understand when you scoop up handfuls of this fine, soft sand. Situated on the Gulf of Mexico, this coastal area spans 1,100 acres. First, the calm gulf waters make this a perfect place for swimming and kayaking. Also, snorkelers love to pile in here to enjoy the colorful, vibrant marine life that can be easily spotted darting around in the gulf waters. If you’re up for a stroll, cover the 1.5 miles of coastline and pine forest carved out as part of Florida’s Heron Pond Trail. St. Andrews State Park is also the launching point for what I consider to be one of the best excursions you can enjoy while in Florida. Accessible only by ferry, Shell Island is a dazzling, pristine slice of paradise where people come to snorkel, swim, kayak and spot wildlife along a glistening coast dotted with pontoons. This is a family-friendly, “good mood” kind of place where bottlenose dolphins often show up to delight the crowds!

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3.

Three Sisters Springs

Iam not sure there’s a more magical place in Florida than Three Sisters Springs. Located on the Crystal River, Three Sisters Springs is surrounded by protected matinee habitats. The clear, sparkling and therapeutic water here is open for swimming, snorkeling and kayaking. If you come in the winter, you’ll witness hundreds of manatees moving about in the more than 30 springs belonging to the Crystal River. You can navigate the channels on your own by kayak by launching at Kings Bay and passing under the Kings Bay bridge on your way to Three Sisters Springs. Also, there are many guided kayaking tours available to bring you to the best spots for spotting manatees. Most visitors kayak up to the springs before jumping into the water with their lifejackets to bathe in the warm, still waters among glistening, majestic manatees. Winter is the ideal time to come to the Crystal River to swim with manatees.