Florida Beaches

Enjoy the World's Best Beaches

North Florida

Florida: An Enclave Of Geological Natural Wonders and Parks

By Leave a Comment

From sunny beaches to colossal theme parks, Florida is a place guaranteed to provide you with a jam-packed adventurous vacation. There’s more than lounging all day on the Florida beaches and dancing all night at the clubs.

Florida offers a variety of remarkable geological beauty that will make the nature-loving side of you jump with joy. So take out your camera (or iPhone) and get ready to explore Florida’s collection of natural wonders.

Wekiwa Springs State Park

Located 40 minutes from Orlando is the Wekiwa Springs State Park. Famous for its jaw dropping scenic beauty, the park is one of the most popular destinations for families on weekends. It provides miles of trail to bike, hike, and walk. You can camp, canoe, or kayak with friends and family. The park also provides facilities for swimming, snorkeling, fishing, horse riding, and a lot more! Be sure to arrive early. You are sure to find the park full of tourists and locals alike year round!

Florida Caverns State Park

If you’re looking for an out of this world experience then Florida Caverns State Park is a must see. This is no ordinary state park. Stunning caves await you as you enter this treasured destination. For instance, the famous limestone cavern is guaranteed to be a surreal experience. Besides cave explorations, the park also provides facilities for horse riding, hiking, camping, and fishing to make your day even more exciting.

Northwest Florida’s Coastal Dune Lakes

If rare sightseeing is your thing then the coastal dune lakes will surpass your expectations. Found only in a limited number of places in the entire world, the dune lakes are one of the most unusual and interesting sights you’ll come across in Florida. The white dunes and crystal clear lakes will provide a rare visual experience.

David Mill Hopper’s State Park

If the rare coastal dune lakes leave you craving for more, then the 120 feet long sinkhole located inside David Mill Hopper’s State Park will satisfy your craving.

It is a recognized natural landmark admired for its unique ecosystem. A walk through the wooden steps, surrounded by lush green trees and water flowing from limestone walls offer a refreshing and exhilarating experience. If you are looking for an easy hiking adventure then you’ll love this place. You’ll also come across a lot of locals, since this place is a popular exercising spot.

John Pennekamp Coral Reef State Park

This underwater state park was one of the first of its kind in the US. The park encompasses miles of crystal clear Atlantic water. Visitors are attracted to the place because of its unique coral reefs and marine life. The park provides a glass-bottom boat tour that offers an exciting view of the reefs. Those who want a closer look can opt for scuba diving and snorkeling activities.

Excited? Get ready! Slip into some comfortable clothes and pack some water just in case you get thirsty. Oh! Don’t forget your camera and sunscreen.

The exciting world of Florida’s geological wonders awaits!

For more info on things to do in the Sunshine State, follow our blog.  Tell us about your favorite places of natural beauty in Florida below in the comments.

Florida Food Festivals and Fiestas

By Leave a Comment

The mesmerizing tropical climate of Florida is ideal for fresh vegetable and fruit produces. Being adjacent to the Atlantic Ocean and the Gulf of Mexico also makes Florida an idyllic spot for catching exotic seafood. So it does not come as a surprise that Florida gets to be the host to some of the most enthralling food festivals and fiestas in the world. Here are some of the best fun food festivals and fiestas in Florida:

Strawberry Festival

The Florida Strawberry Festival has been organized in the Plant City since 1929 in order to appreciate the local crops of strawberry in the region. The 10-day long festival gathers a crowd of half-a-million strawberry lovers. There are musical concerts arranged and parades held. There is also a beauty pageant that crowns a “Strawberry Queen”. So, if you would like to know the numerous different ways in which you can enjoy strawberries, you should look forward to the festival.

Florida Seafood Festival

This is one of the oldest seafood festivals and has been taking place annually for the last 50 years. It is a 2-day event that takes place at the edge of the Apalachicola River in autumn. There are several carnivals, parades, marathons, fishing, blue crab races, concerts that will keep you bedazzled and entertained. So if you are deciding the vacation spots for November, you know where to head to!

South Beach Wine and Food Festival

Undoubtedly, the Miami South Beach Wine and Food Festival is the most treasured and popular food festival in the State of Florida. You will witness that far as your vision extends, celebrity chefs and connoisseurs of food occupy the space. There are tasting tents set up along the shores of Miami. Do you want to taste the best wines that the purveyors offer? You must eagerly await December to be a part of this gastronomic festival that is sponsored by Food Network.

Stone Crab Festival

Held at the Paradise Coast of Florida, the Stone Crab Festival in October, the stone crab festival is a free event that treats the patrons to the first stone crab catches.  The festival also offers the visitors picturesque cruises at discounted rates. Scrumptious foods, refreshing beverages, and music will make you fall in love with Floridian beaches. After all what more can you expect from the Tin City which is the second largest fishery in Florida?

Fiesta of Five Flags

It is a heritage festival of Florida that takes place at Pensacola Bay Area. The aim of the festival is to celebrate the formation of Pensacola in 1559. The reason why it is called Fiesta of Five Flags is that five flags — American, French, Spanish, British and Confederate, Have flown over the city that was the earliest European settlement in the USA. To someone who loves history, wants to explore the beaches of Florida and enjoy delicious food or play soccer, the Fiesta of Five is not to be missed at all.

Sweet Pete’s – Jacksonville’s Local Candy Store!

By Leave a Comment

As they say, “No matter now full you are, there will always be more room for dessert.” So, if you are also somebody who is known to have a bit of a sweet tooth, Sweet Pete’s in Jacksonville Florida will prove to be your very own wonderland.

Any tourist, young or old, cannot resist going to this virtual candy palace called “Sweet Pete’s Candy Shop”. Sweet Pete’s is a shop that stands out among all the rest sweet factories and restaurants. It boasts of being the sweetest spot on planet earth.

It was not very long ago, in fact, just back in 2010 when Peter Behringer launched Sweet Pete’s in Jacksonville, Florida. He was very interested in continuing his mother’s line of candies in centuries-old creatively decorated locations. After being featured in the 2014s reality series The Profit that aired on CNBC, Sweet Pete’s relocated in an amazingly historic site, named Seminole Club Building. It’s now a 22,000 sq ft facility, which welcomes hundreds of individuals, belonging to every gender and age group. All of them treat their taste buds with the ultimate candy experience.

Exploring this Sweet Paradise

Ever since its launch, this stunning candy heaven has turned into a line of candy stores. It manufactures the best quality chocolates, along with the most high-quality candies in the world.

About the décor — there are vibrant colors that hit you, with a bright multicolored chandelier dripping on your heads. This shop’s natural hardwood flooring consists of the pattern just similar to that of a chessboard. There are life-sized paintings hanging on walls of Sweet Pete’s that will make your mouth water.

About the candy pull — more than a hundred varieties of sweets, chocolates, and candies sit atop the shelves and aisles of Sweet Pete’s. At this amazing sweet site, you can easily reserve a spot at the dessert bar and enjoy customized cupcakes with cookies and brownies that are served with old-fashioned milkshakes.

Once you’re finished, you can request a personal tour of the candy world, and get to know more about this beautiful place. As you glide through its corridors, it would be simply impossible for you to ignore their gourmet specials. Some of these include their Sea Salt Caramel Corn, Peanut Butter Melt-Aways, and Truffles.

If you are in a hurry, you can just grab the ready-to-go candy packages that include those Butter Melt Aways, yum-yum taffy and multiple chocolate covered nuts. Surprisingly, this place also offers masters secret classes and you can also sign up for one of them. Furthermore, for health-conscious individuals, Sweet Pete’s offers gluten-free, dairy-free, all-vegan and even sugar-free delicacies.

Sweet Pete’s is undoubtedly one top-notch sugary destination that simply cannot be missed by anyone who visits Jacksonville, Florida.

For more interesting and fun facts about the Sunshine State, follow our blog “Florida Beaches”.

Discover the Lightner Museum in St. Augustine Florida

By Leave a Comment

When you hear about the Sunshine State, know there is a never-ending list of things you can do on your visit there. Especially for art and history enthusiasts, there exists an ancient city in Florida with the name of St. Augustine.

Originated more than 450 years ago, St. Augustine is home to some very significant historic landmarks.

You will find historic sites, assorted museums, and romantic inns. There is too much to do in St. Augustine in one day, but if you find yourself there, don’t miss visiting the Lightner Museum.  

The Lightner Museum sits in the historic Alcazar Hotel on King Street in the Downtown area of St. Augustine. This site is listed is the United State’s Register of Historic Places. 

This hotel was built in 1888 by Henry Flagler, back in the days when the Spanish Renaissance Revival architecture was thriving.

Citizens back then used to call it “The Castle of Happy Returns.”

The structure of this hotel features a spacious courtyard, with palm trees, and a fish pond which is built underneath a stone arch bridge.   

During its peak epoch, this hotel used to boast of more than 25,000 visitors per year. Guests at that time used to take pleasure in Turkish baths and archery ranges. They also used to dive in the world’s largest indoor swimming pool.

Celebs, businessmen, and politicians used to show up to have prolonged stays in the Alcazar.

Sadly, the Alcazar Hotel fell victim to the Great Depression. It closed its doors on visitors in the year 1932. The hotel could have faced demolition if it weren’t for Otto C. Lightner, who bought it in 1946.

After the purchase, the hotel was renovated and named after its new owner.

It was soon filled with prized collections, and Lightner decided to open its gates once again in 1948, with the new title of “St. Augustine’s Lightner Museum of Hobbies.” Because of this gesture, some famous historians have called him one of the first historical preservationists.

In 1968, St. Augustine began to make renovations and decided to open a new city hall on the first floor of the Alcazar Hotel. This plan was completed in 1973 and in the following year, Lightner Museum reopened. Ever since its launch, the Lightner has been both a local favorite and a renowned tourist destination in the state of Florida.

The museum highlights historic items from America’s Gilded Age. If you happen to be fortunate enough to visit this place, you will observe a Victorian village on the first floor. Inside it, a Victorian Science and Industry room and a fully equipped music room is also present.

On the second floor, there is everything inspired of glass; even a Louis Comfort Tiffany stained glass window. As for the third floor, there are collections of paintings, antique furniture, and sculptures.  

The present mission of this museum is to sustain its prominent collection for educational and public viewing pleasure.

For more fun-filled and lively updates on the Sunshine State, go follow our blog.  Tell us about your adventures in historic St. Augustine below in the comments.

Bring Your Pooch to These Dog Friendly Florida Beaches

By Leave a Comment

Looking for a place to play outside with your dog?

How about the Florida Beaches?

Those who live in Florida are blessed with some of the most amazing beaches in the world that also happen to be very pet-friendly. The following are just some of the dog beaches in Florida where you and your pet can enjoy the waves and gorgeous, soft white sand.

At these Florida beaches, canines are king so be sure to visit them with your dog all year round!

Alligator Point

While this might not sound like the friendliest of beaches Florida has to offer, it is one of the most pristine and secluded beaches we’ve seen in the Forgotten Coast. How secluded you ask? Well, the nearest grocery store is 30 miles away.

So, yeah…it’s pretty secluded. You are your dog are welcome to this beach all year long. With over 8 miles of secluded beach Alligator Point sure makes an interesting walk.

Panama City Beach Dog Playground

The northwest side of Florida is a popular tourist destination and offers visitors almost 400 feet of beachfront that is complemented by beautiful turquoise waters.

Located at the West of City Pier at the end of Pier Park, this is considered as one of the best pet friendly playgrounds for pets in Florida.

And that’s not all, visitors also get to enjoy a number of outdoor pet friendly restaurants at Pier Park as well. 

Bark Beach

This dog friendly beach sits just adjacent to the North Shore Open Space Park, another pet friendly place to take your canine companion out for stroll.

This is also another destination where there are plenty of pet friendly restaurants available if you get tired of strolling on the beach.

It is important to point out that even though its pet friendly, there is a designated area where people are allowed to stroll freely with the pets without a leash, so in other areas at Miami Beach’s Bark Beach you will need to keep your dog on a leash.

St. George Island

So technically, St. George is a 28-mile long island that has been divided into three sections. While the eastern part of the island has been reserved for a park, there is a middle section that includes a public beach along with shops and restaurants, while the western pa

rt is a gated community that has one of the most expensive homes you will find.

The best part about the beach at St. George Island is that the entire beach is pet-friendly, so you are allowed to let your dog off the leash, as long as they remain within sight and within a distance where they are able to respond to your calls.

Bonita Beach Dog Beach

The pet-friendly beach is situated close to Fort Myers and is considered to be one of the best off-leash beaches in Florid. Here your canine friend can romp freely with other canines of all sizes in the calm and low lying waters of Bonita Beach.

So, there you have it, if you are planning of visiting Florida, or already live there, these are some of the pet friendly beaches that are a must-visit.