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All Articles for : Florida_Keys
Walkable Towns
Nestled among the Chain of Lakes, Winter Park is brimming with history, culture, shopping and recreation. The area boasts more park – not parking – space per capita than any other Florida city.
Tags: walking_tours, Winter_Park, Key_West, Florida_Keys, St_Augustine,
Florida Beach Primer
Take our abbreviated beach trip around Florida and add a few new beaches to your scrapbook. From Pensacola to Amelia Island to the Florida Keys, there is a new beach for you.
Tags: beaches, Pensacola, Perdido_Key, Destin, Fort_Walton_Beach, Beaches_of_South_Walton, Panama_City_Beach, Apalachicola, Cedar_Key, Steinhatchee, Crystal_River, Tampa, St_Petersburg, Clearwater_Beach, Egmont_Key, Sarasota, Bradenton, Anna_Maria_Island, Charlotte_Harbor, Fort_Myers, Sanibel_Island, Captiva_Island, Naples, Marco_Island, Florida_Keys, Key_West, Miami, South_Beach, Fort_Lauderdale, West_Palm_Beach, Fort_Pierce, Vero_Beach, Cocoa_Beach, Daytona_Beach, New_Smyrna_Beach, Flagler_Beach, Palm_Coast, St_Augustine, Jacksonville_Beach, Amelia_Island,
20 Ways to Hang with Dolphins
Participants collaborate with one of its 19 dolphin – many of them descendants of the 1963 Flipper movie cast – to create a colorfully abstract T-shirt that the dolphin decorates with water-based paints.
Tags: dolphins, sealife, Key_West, Florida_Keys, Islamorada, Marathon, Key_Largo, Miami, Fort_Myers_Beach, Fort_Pierce, Tampa, Orlando, aquariums, Destin, Panama_City_Beach,
Been There, Haven't Done That!
You've seen the theme parks, the big cities and the major attractions. Now it's time to go off the beaten path. On your next Florida excursion, plan for some extra travel time to visit these offbeat, quirky roadside attractions.
Tags: dining, museums, history, historical_sites, nature, parks, culture, Apalachicola, Carrabelle, Fort_Walton_Beach, Marianna, Milton, Panama_City_Beach, Pensacola, Santa_Rosa_Beach, water_sports, Cross_Creek, Gainesville, Madison, Suwannee, Tallahassee, White_Springs, Steinhatchee, Amelia_Island, beaches, Flagler_Beach, Jacksonville, Palatka, St_Augustine, Crystal_River, St_Petersburg, Tampa, Tarpon_Springs, Kissimmee, Lake_Placid, Lake_Wales, Lakeland, Winter_Park, Hobe_Sound, Okeechobee, Ponce_Inlet, Sebastian, Stuart, Titusville, kayaking, Vero_Beach, Bradenton, Clewiston, Punta_Gorda, Coral_Gables, Delray_Beach, Fort_Lauderdale, Florida_Keys, Miami, Key_West, Homestead, Palm_Beach, Marathon, BeenThere, Monticello,
Florida Keys Home to Many African American Historic Sites
Established by both black and white Bahamians, the congregation of Trinity Presbyterian Church was truly integrated, with no designated seating.
Tags: Florida_Keys, Marathon, Key_West, African_American, historical_sites, historic_districts,
Florida Beach Camping Guide
Whichever camping rig you bring, you'll find a beach campground to accommodate you, and many will even accommodate your pet. Most campgrounds offer sites that are ADA accessible.
Tags: beaches, camping, Florida_Keys, Key_West, Sebastian, Cape_Canaveral, Flagler_Beach, Fort_Myers_Beach, St_George_Island, Grayton_Beach,
Florida Beach FAQ
Some people ask if it is okay to visit Daytona Beach during spring break (generally during March and April). I say yes.
Tags: beaches, Daytona_Beach, Orlando, Clearwater_Beach, snorkeling, Florida_Keys, disabilities_travel,
Diving in Islamorada
Islamorada is located in the upper Keys, and benefits from its proximity to the 120 mile long reef that runs along the Florida Keys Island chain, the only North American living coral reef.
Tags: diving, water_sports, Islamorada, Florida_Keys,
Five Family Stops in Marathon
You can't end your Keys visit without one lazy day at the beach, soaking up the sun and the crystalline waters. While in Marathon, plop onto Sombrero Beach.
Tags: Marathon, Florida_Keys, family,
Going Green in the Florida Keys
Even fishing has gone green, with many Keys charter captains now advocating "limiting your kill instead of killing your limit."
Tags: Florida_Keys, water_sports, nature,
Key West Calls
Legendary anglers such as Ernest Hemingway and Zane Grey ventured to the southernmost point in the United States for marlin, tuna and wahoo, the fastest fish in the sea.
Tags: Key_West, Florida_Keys, fishing, diving, nature, water_sports,
Long Distance Fishing: Chasing the Big Ones off the Dry Tortugas
The Yankee Captains has been bringing amateur anglers to the Dry Tortugas area since 1977 and has found and charted nearly 3,000 hot spots for catching snapper and grouper.
Tags: fishing, boating, Key_West, Florida_Keys,
Unique Paddle Trips
You and no more than five others will paddle through narrow mangrove tunnels, camp on raised platforms above the swamp swimming with gators and explore areas of the Everglades few ever see.
Tags: nature, Everglades_National_Park, kayaking, canoeing, tours, Florida_Keys, Fort_Lauderdale, Crystal_River, Charlotte_Harbor, manatees, Merritt_Island,
Mixed (Beach) Bag
Every beach has its story. In Hillsboro Beach, just below the Hillsboro Beach Lighthouse, is a statue of the Barefoot Mailman.
Tags: Sanibel_Island, beaches, weddings, Key_West, parks, Florida_Keys,
Immerse Yourself in Keys Culture
Perhaps most spectacular of all is Bahia Honda State Park, a beautiful state park once named America's #1 beach by coastal expert Dr. Beach. The park offers an array of water-related activities as well as hiking.
Tags: Florida_Keys, Key_Largo, diving, fishing, culture, Marathon, Big_Pine_Key, history,
Ultimate Key West Adventure
We hooked into a tandem harness and were dragged into the sky under the bright, colorful canopy of a parasail. The turquoise ocean stretched beneath us, the boat became toy-sized, and we got a glimpse of Key West from an eagle’s view.
Tags: Key_West, Florida_Keys, water_sports, snorkeling, boating, sailing, kayaking, sports,
Little Deer, Big Gators
Enjoying the delicate beauty of Key Deer on the one hand and then witnessing the menacing countenance of alligators really heightened our sense of nature’s variety.
Tags: Everglades_National_Park, Florida_Keys, Big_Pine_Key, nature, wildlife, parks,
Float Your Boat to Florida
If you’re thinking about bringing your boat for either a short visit or a prolonged stay, think ahead. If the boat can’t be kept on a trailer or at a private dock, call ahead to reserve a slip in a marina.
Tags: boating, transportation, Miami, Fort_Lauderdale, Fernandina_Beach, Florida_Keys, Okeechobee,
Florida Beach Survey
A painfully obvious but nevertheless satisfying thought crossed my mind the last time I was there; the refreshing sea breeze you feel has crossed the entire Atlantic before making landfall, making it some of the cleanest, freshest air on earth.
Tags: beaches, parks, St_George_Island, Dunedin, Fort_Myers_Beach, Clearwater_Beach, Anna_Maria_Island, Longboat_Key, Siesta_Key, Sanibel_Island, Marco_Island, Boca_Grande, Florida_Keys, Fort_Lauderdale, Cocoa_Beach, Flagler_Beach, Palm_Coast, St_Augustine, South_Beach, Daytona_Beach,
Shipwrecked
I’m talking Florida shipwrecks, where crystalline waters harbor wrecks teeming with marine life, and the history books have plenty of colorful stories to tell.
Tags: snorkeling, Florida_Keys, Key_West, Key_Largo, Daytona_Beach, Palm_Beach, Pensacola, boating, historical_sites, history, diving,
Life After Golf
By the time your companion finishes getting loofahed, wrapped and spoiled within an inch of his or her life, you can easily fit in 18 holes.
Tags: golf, resorts, spas, family, St_Augustine, Fort_Myers, Orlando, fishing, Panama_City, Florida_Keys, Santa_Rosa_Beach, Key_Biscayne, Amelia_Island, Daytona_Beach,
Best Beaches
This oasis near Santa Rosa Beach along Florida’s Northwest coast mystifies with gnarled driftwood juxtaposed against ethereal sea oats.
Tags: Marathon, Florida_Keys, parks, beaches, Port_St_Joe, Grayton_Beach, St_Petersburg, Dunedin, Panama_City_Beach, Bonita_Springs,
Beach Blanket Bingo
With hula girls, fire-twirling dancers and more tiki faces than you’ll find in Tahiti, this place shimmies with Polynesian surrealism (and the food’s good, too).
Tags: Anna_Maria_Island, resorts, Florida_Keys, Islamorada, theme_parks, Fort_Lauderdale, Panama_City_Beach, Daytona_Beach, beaches, Hollywood,
A Family Affair
Reunions are not just about catching up, they're about making memories. For your next affair, these activities infuse fun into your family time.
Tags: Daytona_Beach, Fort_Lauderdale, Fort_Walton_Beach, Miami, New_Smyrna_Beach, Panama_City_Beach, Titusville, beaches, reunions, family, Kennedy_Space_Center, resorts, bed_and_breakfasts, Destin, fishing, hotels, Florida_Keys,
Fresh Catch
Dive into the grasses, and once you find the scallops - notable for their quintessential seashell shapes and striated brown coloring - start grabbing.
Tags: Steinhatchee, fishing, St_Petersburg, Florida_Keys, resorts,
Gilligan Fantasies
We feel as though we've arrived in the South Seas in the mere 15 minutes it takes the ferry to spirit us away from traffic jams and life's other irks.
Tags: Fort_Myers, Miami, beaches, parks, biking, hiking, resorts, nature, Florida_Keys, romance, Englewood,
Natural Beaches
If you count all bays and inlets - where you'll find the "secret" sandy getaways usually known only to locals - Florida has nearly 8,500 miles of shoreline.
Tags: Amelia_Island, Apalachicola, Cape_San_Blas, Fernandina_Beach, Grayton_Beach, Key_West, Pensacola, Ponce_Inlet, Ponte_Vedra_Beach, beaches, nature, wildlife, sealife, birding, camping, St_Augustine, parks, Florida_Keys, Tampa, New_Smyrna_Beach,
Walk on the Wild Side
The grand sight of a whale splashing in the water is not usually associated with Florida. But northern right whales choose our northeastern coastal waters, almost exclusively, to give birth in winter months. They are among the most endangered species of large mammals in the world.
Tags: Big_Pine_Key, Crystal_River, Marco_Island, Naples, Orlando, Oviedo, Pensacola, Sanibel_Island, Sarasota, Sebastian, Tallahassee, Titusville, Vero_Beach, nature, wildlife, manatees, dolphins, Everglades_National_Park, Florida_Keys,
Florida Vacations With Teens
Best of all, it was as close as you could get to the water and the rolling, booming waves looked awesome right off our balcony, teasing the teens into a frenzy when we arrived.
Tags: Jensen_Beach, Key_West, St_Pete_Beach, Stuart, family, tours, Florida_Keys, surfing, resorts,
Captain's Log: Sailing the Florida Keys
From our aft deck we could watch the take-offs and landings of huge flocks of terns, gulls and herons. We grilled up some chicken we'd been marinating.
Tags: Key_West, Marathon, Miami, boating, parks, cruises, Florida_Keys, sailing,
Billfish Bonanza
When it comes to targeting sailfish, Florida's central east coast ranks as one of the world's premier destinations.
Tags: Boca_Raton, Islamorada, Key_Largo, Miami, Miami_Beach, Stuart, fishing, Panama_City, Florida_Keys,
The Florida Keys by Motorcycle
Heading south, the famous Seven Mile Bridge offers views of endless sky and sea; it also presents the most challenging riding you're likely to encounter.
Tags: Islamorada, Key_Largo, Key_West, Marathon, Miami, Florida_Keys, motorcycling, hotels, resorts, dining,
The Keys for Kids
Head south to Islamorada, where you can swim with playful sea lions and graceful giant rays, or just enjoy the animal shows and educational displays at Theater of the Sea.
Tags: Islamorada, Key_Largo, Key_West, Marathon, Florida_Keys, family, hotels, parks, museums, dining,
Resort-Style Reunions
Pink Shell's Family Reunion Package includes a choice of luxury beachfront accommodations, a welcome reception for family members (including drinks and light hors d'oeuvres) and a dinner for the family.
Tags: Daytona_Beach, Fort_Lauderdale, Fort_Myers_Beach, Sandestin, resorts, reunions, Florida_Keys, family,
Florida Keys Scenic Highway
Key West was home to many literary greats including Tennessee Williams, Truman Capote, Robert Frost and Thornton Wilder.
Tags: Homestead, Key_Largo, Key_West, parks, museums, Florida_Keys, Scenic_Highway, driving_tours,
The Keys to Romance
What could be more romantic than a remote island paradise ringed in white sands and amazingly blue waters?
Tags: Big_Pine_Key, Islamorada, Key_Largo, Key_West, Marathon, Florida_Keys, romance, resorts, dining,
City Profile: Big Pine Key
Nearby Looe Key National Marine Sanctuary protects the most biologically diverse and aesthetically beautiful reef in the entire chain.
Tags: Big_Pine_Key, Florida_Keys,
City Profile: Islamorada
Even former president George Bush can't resist the call of these blue-green waters.
Tags: Islamorada, Florida_Keys,
City Profile: Key Largo
A nine-foot statue entitled "Christ of the Abyss," a gift from an Italian entrepreneur, has become world renowned as a Key Largo icon and landmark for divers.
Tags: Key_Largo, Florida_Keys,
City Profile: Key West
Whatever your choice, you'll find Key West is an island that never stops.
Tags: Key_West, Florida_Keys,
City Profile: Marathon
Marathon boasts tarpon, sailfish, dolphin, and bonefish tournaments throughout the year.
Tags: Marathon, Florida_Keys,
Kayaking the Dry Tortugas
A variety of tropical fish, as well as barracuda, moray eels and one of the largest concentrations of nurse sharks in Florida, can be found within the park's boundaries.
Tags: camping, kayaking, nature, Florida_Keys, sealife,
Florida Keys and Key West Area Beaches
The waters around the islands and flats are prime locations for fishing, snorkeling and wildlife observation.
Tags: Key_Largo, Key_West, beaches, Florida_Keys, disabilities_travel, Islamorada,
Florida Keys/Key West Area
Attractions recall Ernest Hemingway's residence here, visits by Harry Truman, and the island's shipwrecking era, cigar-making days and military importance.
Tags: Big_Pine_Key, Islamorada, Key_Largo, Key_West, Marathon, Florida_Keys, parks, beaches, fishing, museums, aquariums,
Surfing for Fish
To determine if crabs, shrimp and the like are around, look for the food chain a step higher: wading birds, pelicans, cormorants, stingrays and small sharks.
Tags: Bonita_Springs, Carrabelle, Charlotte_Harbor, Cocoa_Beach, Estero, Fernandina_Beach, Fort_Walton_Beach, Gulf_Breeze, Indian_Rocks_Beach, Mexico_Beach, Miami_Beach, Pensacola, Pompano_Beach, Steinhatchee, fishing, Marco_Island, Florida_Keys,
Best Honeymoon Spots
If you've chosen a honeymoon or romance package, you may also find a hot drawn bath laced with rose petals, chilled champagne, chocolate truffles or a book of love stories atop your satin sheets.
Tags: Lake_Wales, Sarasota, Seaside, romance, spas, bed_and_breakfasts, resorts, honeymoons, Florida_Keys, theater, culture, Siesta_Key, Beaches_of_South_Walton,
Kinder-Kind Resorts
Plays, beach walks, water balloon soccer, language-learning and scavenger hunts are among the activities incorporated into kid-appealing theme days such as Natural Wonders, Wet 'N' Wild, Messy Mania and Space Day.
Tags: Captiva_Island, Lake_Buena_Vista, Orlando, Sanibel_Island, Tampa, Tarpon_Springs, family, Florida_Keys, dolphins, hotels, resorts, Homosassa,
Dr. Beach's Florida Picks
"There's even a 105-year old fort on-site that's a landmark of Florida history."
Tags: Beaches_of_South_Walton, Clearwater, Grayton_Beach, Key_West, Marathon, Miami, Panama_City_Beach, beaches, parks, Port_St_Joe, Florida_Keys, camping, nature,
Fishing in the Florida Keys
"Sailfish on!" he yelled, and everyone sprang to action like a mound of assaulted ants.
Tags: Islamorada, Miami, fishing, Florida_Keys,
Deep-sea Fishing
Just about everyone will catch their limit of snapper and grouper, and the pleasant thought of a savory fish sandwich back home makes the long ride back a little easier to handle.
Tags: Cocoa, Fort_Lauderdale, Islamorada, Jacksonville, Key_West, Marathon, Miami, Palm_Beach, Sarasota, Stuart, Tampa, West_Palm_Beach, fishing, Florida_Keys, sealife, St_Augustine, Daytona_Beach, Melbourne,
Exploring Wrecks in Fort Lauderdale and the Keys
It's a bit of an adventure because you can penetrate its cargo hold, full of thick schools of grunts, damselfish and bar jacks.
Tags: Deerfield_Beach, Fort_Lauderdale, Islamorada, Key_Largo, Key_West, Marathon, Pompano_Beach, diving, snorkeling, Florida_Keys,
Diving in the Keys and Southeast Florida
This part of the Florida Keys always seems seductive with its dazzling shades of blue, green and deep indigo.
Tags: Big_Pine_Key, Fort_Lauderdale, Key_Largo, Key_West, Marathon, Miami, diving, sealife, Florida_Keys, snorkeling,
Little-Known Cycling Trails
Largely shaded by the mixed hardwood and pine forests, the trail is of particular interest to birding enthusiasts, who will enjoy spotting more than 40 species that call the forested hills home.
Tags: Beaches_of_South_Walton, Clewiston, Key_Largo, Key_West, Kissimmee, Okeechobee, Seaside, Tallahassee, biking, trails, Grayton_Beach, birding, wildlife, Boca_Grande, Florida_Keys,
Places to Propose
Have a dolphin do it. Discovery Cove in Orlando can have a buoy personalized with your proposal delivered by a dolphin, along with a video recording or photographs of the special moment.
Tags: Captiva_Island, Cocoa, Cocoa_Beach, Orlando, Palm_Beach, Ponte_Vedra_Beach, romance, weddings, Florida_Keys, beaches, Sanibel_Island,
Wildlife Calendar
Nowhere else can you see reclusive alligators, playful manatees and beautifully plumed water birds all in a single day.
Tags: Big_Pine_Key, Crystal_River, Gainesville, Key_Largo, Marco_Island, Melbourne, Merritt_Island, Navarre, Orlando, Sanibel_Island, Sarasota, Sebastian, Titusville, nature, kayaking, hiking, canoeing, wildlife, parks, Everglades_National_Park, dolphins, Florida_Keys, manatees,
Conch, Key Limes and Cafe con Leche
Conch Republic and Floribbean aside, the Florida Keys are still a part of the good old U.S., no matter how exotic it feels.
Tags: Islamorada, Key_Largo, Key_West, Marathon, culture, Florida_Keys, dining,
Florida's Seven Great Natural Wonders
Even without binoculars I sighted crested caracara, deer, gopher tortoises, ospreys, rabbits, red-shouldered hawks and wading birds. A great blue heron lazily lofted itself above spatterdock lilies.
Tags: Gulf_Breeze, Jacksonville, Kissimmee, Pensacola, Vero_Beach, Florida_Keys, nature,