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Hemingway Days 2008
The literary legacy of Ernest Hemingway, who lived in Key West throughout the 1930s, will be celebrated Tuesday through Sunday, July 15-20, with Hemingway Days’ roster of events for fans of good writing.
Tags: Key_West, Florida_Keys, culture,
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,
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,
Florida Boat Tours and Cruises
Cruise to the barrier islands, accessible only by boat, to watch dolphins in the wild or collect seashells on Cayo Costa’s seashore.
Tags: cruises, boating, tours, St_Augustine, Destin, Clearwater, Madeira_Beach, St_Petersburg, Naples, Captiva_Island, Miami, Key_West, Clearwater_Beach,
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,
Florida's Grand Dames
The 1920s ushered in the golden years. Stocks were high, dresses were short and Florida grew some of its most regal hotels.
Tags: hotels, resorts, history, historical_sites, Mount_Dora, St_Augustine, Clearwater, Palm_Beach, Apalachicola, Charlotte_Harbor, Sebring, Key_West, Lakeland, Jacksonville, Tampa, Coral_Gables, Delray_Beach, Boca_Raton, Clewiston, St_Pete_Beach,
Beach Party
Conveniently perched on the Florida-Alabama state line, it hosts the Annual Interstate Mullet Toss, a wacky April tournament where participants heave a dead mullet from Florida into Alabama.
Tags: Venice, beaches, events, festival, Pensacola, Cocoa_Beach, surfing, Fernandina_Beach, Key_West, Big_Pine_Key, Destin, fishing, Miami, Miami_Beach, South_Beach, Fort_Myers_Beach, Delray_Beach, Clearwater_Beach, Dunedin, Siesta_Key, Nokomis, Stuart, St_Augustine, Jacksonville, music, Panama_City_Beach, camping, St_Petersburg,
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,
Go Dog, Go!
St. Pete Beach’s Don CeSar, the region’s signature 1928 pink palace, allows dogs, and even performs doggie massages.
Tags: Tampa, Winter_Park, Miami_Beach, Key_West, beaches, parks, resorts, hotels, bed_and_breakfasts, Beaches_of_South_Walton, Dunedin, St_Pete_Beach, St_George_Island, Pensacola, dining,
Victorian Fairytale
The romance of the Victorian era lives on at Florida's bed & breakfasts, whether beachside, bayfront or in the middle of the state.
Tags: Apalachicola, Gainesville, Key_West, Lake_Wales, bed_and_breakfasts, museums, St_Petersburg, St_Augustine, dining,
Wild About Marathon
At the Grassy Key Dolphin Research Center, kids have a lot to get excited about, because who can resist a dolphin's smile, let alone a kiss from one of the lovable mammals? Or a chance to play – even paint – with one?
Tags: Key_West, Marathon, dolphins, family, museums, historical_sites, snorkeling, wildlife, nature,
Live Out Your Island Fantasies on Little Palm
During your stay, island life can be whatever you make it.
Tags: Key_West, resorts, spas, vacation_rentals,
Coastal Guardians
Visitors come for the beach, for the pier, for charter boats, a casino cruise, for the waterfront restaurants and to walk the town's canopied lanes, escapist as ever.
Tags: Apalachicola, Cape_Canaveral, Jupiter, Key_Largo, Key_West, Marathon, Miami, Ponce_Inlet, history, historical_sites, lighthouses, beaches,
Birds of a Feather
The unique refuge was established in 1931 to provide a wintering habitat for migratory waterfowl and is one of the oldest in the National Wildlife Refuge System.
Tags: Fernandina_Beach, Key_West, Merritt_Island, Micanopy, Orlando, Sanibel_Island, Sarasota, Tallahassee, Titusville, wildlife, trails, birding, St_Petersburg, parks, nature, Homosassa,
Insider Tips to Florida's Beaches
And lest we forget, it's beautiful! It continually makes several of America's Top 10 lists of best beaches based on sand, water quality and facilities.
Tags: Amelia_Island, Beaches_of_South_Walton, Grayton_Beach, Key_West, Naples, Palm_Beach, Sarasota, Sebastian, South_Beach, Venice, Vero_Beach, beaches, shelling, water_sports, snorkeling, romance, historical_sites, family, wildlife, surfing, sunsets, New_Smyrna_Beach, Daytona_Beach, St_Pete_Beach, birding, Ponte_Vedra_Beach, equestrian, Sanibel_Island, Hollywood,
Executive Escapes
Later that evening, Gatsby-esque murals and saltwater aquariums, along with our three waiters - Birk, Ben and Don - greeted Meghan and I at The Maritana Grille.
Tags: Amelia_Island, Boca_Raton, Coral_Gables, Islamorada, Key_West, Longboat_Key, Marathon, Miami, Miami_Beach, Mount_Dora, Palm_Beach, Steinhatchee, West_Palm_Beach, spas, resorts, beaches, luxury, dining,
Parrot Heads
This is a place of bikini tops and Bloody Marys for breakfast. Where the talk is about fishing, the weather and what port of call is next.
Tags: Amelia_Island, Fort_Lauderdale, Gulf_Breeze, Key_West, Marco_Island, Miami, Miami_Beach, Naples, Nokomis, Panama_City_Beach, Pensacola, Ponce_Inlet, Sarasota, South_Beach, St_Pete_Beach, Tampa, Venice, nightlife, beaches, resorts, hotels, dining,
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,
Beaches 101
Seekers of relaxation and tranquility go to Dunedin's state-protected Honeymoon Island and Caladesi Island for a serene visit with nature.
Tags: Amelia_Island, Anna_Maria_Island, Beaches_of_South_Walton, Cape_San_Blas, Captiva_Island, Cedar_Key, Clearwater, Clearwater_Beach, Cocoa, Cocoa_Beach, Daytona_Beach, Dunedin, Flagler_Beach, Fort_Lauderdale, Fort_Myers, Fort_Walton_Beach, Fort_Myers_Beach, Fort_Myers_Beach, Grayton_Beach, Key_Largo, Key_West, Marco_Island, Miami, Naples, Navarre, New_Smyrna_Beach, Palm_Beach, Panama_City_Beach, Pensacola, Sanibel_Island, Sebastian, St_Pete_Beach, Venice, beaches, parks, camping,
Under the Boardwalk
"Downtown" Hollywood is undergoing a modern makeover, but at Hollywood Beach, the Broadwalk wears its history proudly. There's a timeless appeal to the visitors' strolling, shopping, playing and dining before the open sand and the Atlantic Ocean. It's a haven for people and people-watchers of all ages.
Tags: Clearwater, Daytona_Beach, Fort_Myers, Fort_Myers_Beach, Hollywood, Key_West, Madeira_Beach, St_Pete_Beach, Venice, beaches, family, boating, fishing, dining,
Florida's Retro Theme Parks
Many of the rides are highly embellished versions of rides you might see at the state fair - scrambler, Ferris wheel, Tilt-O-Whirl, bumper cars.
Tags: Homestead, Islamorada, Key_West, Orlando, Pensacola, Tampa, St_Augustine, museums, nature, theme_parks, water_parks, gardens, St_Petersburg, wildlife, zoos, aquariums, sealife,
Music to Our Ears
All around the state, musical organizations recognize the need to build audiences.
Tags: Amelia_Island, Clearwater, Cocoa_Beach, Fort_Lauderdale, Fort_Myers, Gainesville, Jacksonville, Key_West, Lake_Wales, Lakeland, Miami, Miami_Beach, Mount_Dora, Naples, Ocala, Orlando, Palm_Beach, Pensacola, Sarasota, Tallahassee, Tampa, music, St_Petersburg, Melbourne,
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,
Fishing Key West
As the water cools in the winter months, locals target barracuda on light line, and a variety of sharks, which also come inshore in search of an easy meal.
Tags: Key_West, fishing, dining,
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,
Flightseeing Adventures
Mangrove islands dot the mariner's milieu along with patches of cappuccino and cognac-colored sea grass that seem to turn the bluish-green waters into rivers and lakes.
Tags: Key_West, flight, tours,
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,
Cultural Celebrations
Where else can you hear Scottish bagpipes and an oompah band belting out polka tunes, while snacking on spicy Thai treats or a German sausage?
Tags: Bartow, Coconut_Grove, Eatonville, Jacksonville, Key_West, Miami, Sarasota, Tallahassee, Tampa, culture, events, history, festival, music,
Dry Feet, Warm Memories
Plan an early morning or late afternoon visit to National Key Deer Refuge if you want to spy the endearingly tiny white-tailed deer that seek shelter there.
Tags: Big_Pine_Key, Islamorada, Key_Largo, Key_West, Marathon, parks, museums, resorts, wildlife,
A-Foot in Key West
Even the Southernmost Point in the U.S.A. and the island's beaches are within a half-hour's walk from Mallory Square.
Tags: Key_West, walking_tours, hotels, bed_and_breakfasts, historical_sites,
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,
Miami and Key West
Visitors shop all day, lunch on food from almost anywhere in the world, visit art and historical museums, or just stroll through the streets of Miami's historic district.
Tags: Key_West, Miami, museums, shopping, 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,
Florida's Lighthouse Trail
Through its lifetime, this lighthouse was hit several times by Union forces across the bay at Fort Pickens, sustained lightening strikes, and even the Charleston Earthquake of 1886 and a tornado, but the structure held firm and is now operated by the U.S. Coast Guard.
Tags: Daytona_Beach, Egmont_Key, Key_West, Pensacola, Tampa, lighthouses, driving_tours, Key_Biscayne, St_Augustine,
City Profile: Key West
Whatever your choice, you'll find Key West is an island that never stops.
Tags: Key_West, Florida_Keys,
Cuban Heritage
Here you'll find exotic fruit stands, Cuban bakeries and casual sidewalk cafes where you can sample Cuban cuisine.
Tags: Key_West, Miami, Miami_Beach, Tampa, Ybor_City, history, historic_districts, museums, driving_tours,
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,
Unique, Must-See Florida Parks
The Fakahatchee Strand Preserve State Park is the home of the elusive ghost orchid, made famous in the best-selling book "The Orchid Thief" and in the award-winning movie "Adaptation."
Tags: Key_West, Marianna, Suwannee, nature,
Must-Sees for Cuban History and Culture
Ybor City grew up around the cigar industry as a Latin district of Cubans and other nationalities. Cigars and Cuban food still figure importantly into this colorful historic area.
Tags: Daytona_Beach, Key_West, Miami, Tampa, Ybor_City, history, culture, St_Augustine, historical_sites, festival,
Ethnic Diversity
The sponging industry continues to draw swarthy seamen and their families, making the neighborhood around the sponge docks a living museum.
Tags: Clearwater, Delray_Beach, Eatonville, Key_West, Miami, Orlando, Palm_Beach, Pensacola, Tampa, Tarpon_Springs, Ybor_City, St_Augustine, culture, history,
Florida Seafood from A to Z
Florida lobster: known as the spiny lobster, it has no claws like the Maine variety.
Tags: Apalachicola, Cedar_Key, Key_West, Steinhatchee, dining,
Dive the Speigel Grove
The "Big Blue River" within the sea can swing close to shore and bring a variety of open ocean residents, including manta rays and hammerhead sharks.
Tags: Key_Largo, Key_West, diving, snorkeling, sealife,
Must-Sees for African-American History and Culture
Here Martin Luther King stayed while supporting local civil rights movements. It was also home to the man who taught Ray Charles, a student at the local school for the deaf and blind, to read music in Braille.
Tags: Amelia_Island, Daytona_Beach, Eatonville, Fort_Lauderdale, Jacksonville, Key_West, Miami, Orlando, Pensacola, Tallahassee, historical_sites, history, historic_districts, art, culture,
Supernatural Florida
Why have things that go bump in the night started showing up in St. Augustine and in other old Florida cities such as tiny Key West?
Tags: Key_West, St_Augustine, tours,
Up-and-Coming Courses
Florida's big-name golf destinations may garner most of the national attention, but locals have long known that some of the state's best golf is found in up-and-coming locales like Northwest, Central Florida and the Daytona Beach area.
Tags: Daytona_Beach, Key_West, Miami, Naples, Orlando, Palm_Beach, Sandestin, Tampa, golf, resorts, Ormond_Beach,
Islands of Romance
Undulating white dunes and golden sea oats, just the two of you, and miles of sand, blue-green sea and sky.
Tags: Amelia_Island, Fernandina_Beach, Key_West, Sanibel_Island, St_George_Island, romance,
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,
Seven Florida Water Habits to Improve Your Life
Either way, the intensely intricate and diverse ecology and thousands of isolated islands make for some of the most remarkable kayaking in Florida.
Tags: Cocoa_Beach, Fort_Lauderdale, Key_West, Ocala, Punta_Gorda, boating, cruises, kayaking, Everglades_National_Park, sailing, Destin, St_Petersburg,
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,
Tampa Area
In downtown Tampa, the focus in recent years has returned to the harbor and the Hillsborough River that runs through town.
Tags: Key_West, Tampa, Ybor_City,
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,
Island Time at Casa Marina
We stepped outside our sliding glass doors to a pretty, palm tree-lined beach and sunk our toes into white, silky sand. Two piers stretched into the multi-hued Atlantic, its color changing from rich cobalt blue to bright seafoam green.
Tags: Key_West, resorts,
Luxury Getaways for the Holidays
Fantasy Fest, the Southernmost City's Halloween celebration, involves a swirl of week-long antics that are part-Mardi Gras and part-spring break, with some tropical weather thrown in for good measure.
Tags: Key_West, Tampa, hotels, resorts, Busch_Gardens, St_Augustine,
Florida Spa Sampler
Succumb to the luscious Coconut Rub and Milk Ritual Wrap or the Exotic Flower Bath.
Tags: Bonita_Springs, Fort_Myers, Islamorada, Key_West, Kissimmee, Miami, Miami_Beach, Naples, Orlando, Palm_Beach, Ponte_Vedra_Beach, St_Pete_Beach, spas, resorts, luxury, Sanibel_Island,
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,