Lake Placid has quite a few stories to tell, and they are told in murals. On the walls of 50 buildings. All over town. A good time to see them is during the annual Lake Placid Caladium Festival, July 24-26.
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Spiny lobster mini season July 29-30; Regular season starts August 6.
Snorkelers and scuba divers flock to the Keys for lobster mini-season before commercial fisherman set out their traps. Tips on catching (permits required), cooking and eating Florida lobster.
CCC in Florida: How young men built the state parks; museum tells the story
As you travel Florida and explore its award-winning state parks, take special note of buildings, trails and amenities we enjoy because of work by the men of the Civilian Conservation Corps. You can learn more at Highland Hammocks State Park, which has an excellent museum about the CCC in Florida.
Hacienda Hotel reborn and it’s a beauty in New Port Richey
The Hacienda Hotel again reigns as the glamorous star of downtown New Port Richey. It’s a stunning restoration of a historic gem, a gracious hotel with modest prices.
Lake Placid Caladium Festival, July 24-26
This small town festival celebrates a uniquely Lake Placid product: caladiums, a colorful plant grown commercially almost nowhere else. There’ll be music, food, a car show, arts and crafts and tours bus of caladium fields.
Bahia Honda State Park has it all: Top campsites and cabins plus great snorkeling
With the best beach in the Florida Keys, Bahia Honda is everyone’s favorite. We also love the park for its historic bridge, great beachfront camping and cabins.
Morikami Museum and Japanese Gardens: Obon events are Aug. 15-16
Make your stroll on paths through Morikami Museum and Japanese Gardens in Delray Beach more delightful with these tips; join the annual Obon festival events Aug. 15-16.
De Leon Springs: ‘Pancake park’ is so much more
De Leon Springs, about an hour north of Orlando, is a state park with swimming, kayaking and fantastic history. It’s best known for — of all things — its pancakes. Our advice: spend the day and take in the adjacent Lake Woodruff National Wildlife Refuge.
6 coolest places to visit in Florida for epic summer fun
It’s hot, but that doesn’t mean you have to seal yourself in air conditioning for the summer. You can enjoy the natural and authentic Florida — and stay cool in the process.
Swimming and tubing is summer treat at Blue Spring State Park; day-pass reservations now required
Blue Spring, a popular place for swimming and tubing, now requires day-pass reservations. In winter, it’s where to see manatees in a natural setting.
Florida Keys and Key West
Key West chickens: Noisy, colorful, just like Key West
Key West has a lot of off-beat charms, but one of my favorites has always been the chickens that you hear crowing and see strutting everywhere. But don’t feed them! It’s now against the law. Learn about the fascinating feral fowl that are part of Key West’s funky charm.
Springs
De Leon Springs: ‘Pancake park’ is so much more
De Leon Springs, about an hour north of Orlando, is a state park with swimming, kayaking and fantastic history. It’s best known for — of all things — its pancakes. Our advice: spend the day and take in the adjacent Lake Woodruff National Wildlife Refuge.
Best Beaches
Canaveral National Seashore: Unspoiled beauty, solace for miles and miles
Canaveral National Seashore is longest undeveloped beach in Florida, 24 miles of pristine coastal sanctuary for people, birds and armadillos. Canaveral National Seashore is quiet and peaceful and you can always find your place in the sand.
Go Snorkeling!
Fort Zachary Taylor State Park, Key West hidden gem
Like a lot of visitors, for years I had overlooked Fort Zachary Taylor Historic State Park on my visits to Key West because it is tucked away out of sight. But the historic fort and great beach are worth discovering.
Florida’s Panhandle
Topsail Hill Preserve State Park: Towering dunes, perfect beach, rare lakes
Topsail Hill State Park preserves 3 miles of pristine beach, magnificent white sand dunes and sparkling coastal lakes. With lots of camping and cabin sites, it’s a gem in the Panhandle. The park is one targeted for development by the state with the addition of a 350-room hotel.
