Florida Locations
Things to do in Florida in alphabetical order, click topic to view details
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Big Cypress National Preserve (2013)
Big Cypress is a fresh water swamp, bordering the Everglades. The swamp houses tropical and moderate climate plant eco-systems in which many animals live. On one of the board walks some alligators can be spotted.
Cape Canaveral (2008, 2013, 2024)
– Kennedy Space Center (2008) in Cape Canaveral has been the launching and landing place of the space shuttle.
– Canaveral National Seashore (2013, 2024) is a beach. At the time of visit in 2013, there was not much going on. Probably caused by the gloomy weather. In 2024 we had a totally different experience, the weather was very nice and there was a lot of wildlife to be seen.
– Merritt Island National Wildlife Refuge (2024): Black Point Wildlife Drive was a very pretty drive with an abundance of birds
Crystal River - Kings Bay and state parks (2013, 2024)
Manatees of Crystal River (2013, 2024): In the Kings Bay of Crystal river many manatees live. They spend the winter in the warms springs of Florida. In Crystal River (Three sisters-, Kings- and Hunters Spring) it is allowed to snorkle with manatees. Unfortunately the best location, the Three sisters spring, is now closed during the months that manatees are pressent. All tour-groups assemble at the entrance of the area, which makes it very busy.
Hunter Springs Park (2024): this part of Kings Bay holds the Hunter spring. Manatees can be found here.
Crystal river resorts (2024): some of the resorts attract a lot of birds, like woodstork, pelicans and ibis, due to fish cleaning.
7 Sisters Spring, Chassahowitzka river (2024): is a warm spring that attracts manatees. Swimming and snorkling is not allowed
Homosassa Springs Wildlife State Park (2013): This is a zoo with local animals from Florida and the US. Most animals have been injured and are unable to fend for themselves, so they cannot be put back in the wild.
Rainbow Springs State Park (2013): Rainbow is the 4th biggest spring in Florida. Popular activities are canoeing, snorkling and swimming. 10.000 year old archeological remains have been found.
Everglades National Park (2013, 2024)
Everglades house rare alligators, birds, manatees and cougars. It is a wetland with immense grass lands and swamps. It is the biggest sub-tropical wilderness in the US. 2 trails are our favorites: the Anhinga trail (birds), and the trail starting at the Shark Valley entrance (alligaors with babies)
Historic sites of Florida
Fort Zachary Taylor Historic State Park (2013, 2024): The fort is build in mid 1800, as part of a coastal protection project. The fort was important during the Civil War and the Spanish-American war. The building was finished in 1866. It is located on the shore, in the centre of Key West.
Crystal River Archaeological State Park (2024): the park holds pre-Columbian burial mounds, temple/platform mounds, a plaza area. We did not stay long due to mosquitos.
Castillo de San Marcos (2013): The fort is close to St. Augustine in north Florida. Building started in 1672. Both the building and many cannons can be visited.
Key West (2013, 2024)
Key West is a circus! It is still popular with hippies Parking in the old town is almost impossible, it is better to rent a bike or walk to the city center (Duval Street).
When in Key West you may wonder about the abundance of chickens and roosters on the streets. These are the descendants of roosters brought in by Cubans in the 1860s. The roosters were used for cockfighting. In the late 1970s cockfighting was banned and the roosters either escaped or were released. They are now everywhere walking the streets, gardens and even restaurants!
