[imagardener]

Every Fla state park I have been to has been great. We stay overnite in our camper van. I especially liked Blue Springs SP in the heat of the summer, going swimming in 74 degree water when it's in the 90's and HUMID!

I also agree with an earlier post about Ichetucknee SP, loved it (a little more than Rainbow but that's nice too).

If you're on Sanibel stop into the Periwinkle RV Park even if you don't camp. They have a parrot rescue and every morning have show and tell (free--donations accepted). The birds are really cool and they live in in the park along with a lot of other neat wildlife.
Then you can go shell collecting on the island, I don't remember paying for parking but there is a fee to cross the bridge to get to the island.

The panhandle beaches are great (Destin). I hope to get to St. Joe someday, heard great things about it. It's so out of the way I'm sure it's unspoiled with traffic and crowds.

The Kanapaha Gardens in Gainesville are special if you like bamboo, waterlilies and butterflies.

[Katie1]

I remember as a kid in 1950/1960 we went to a alligator farm. Also a horse show. Does FL still have them want would they cost today?

[kshe95girl]

Salt Springs Park, self named
Ocala National Forest, too many wonderful places in there to go into detail, I would suggest a google search
Cross Creek, the namesake of Marjorie Rawlings book, beautiful lake there, and a wonderful restaurant, The Yearling
Silver Springs, and the Silver River-Ocala
Withlacoochie River, beautiful to take a float trip on
Rainbow Springs-Dunnellon

[mg83]

Really? Ocala National Forest? I dunno... that's a stretch in my opinion. Lots of dark and seedy things seem to go on there.

But I'd agree about the springs in NCFla. I love Manatee Springs, and Itchnetucknee (can anyone spell this correctly without a Google search?)

[kshe95girl]

Originally Posted by mg83

Really? Ocala National Forest? I dunno... that's a stretch in my opinion. Lots of dark and seedy things seem to go on there.

Have you ever been? I live out in the Forest, its gorgeous, lots of places to swim, hike, bike, ride horses, boat, etc..... as for the things you speak of, they are very rare. the forest folk leave the tourists alone, what you are thinking of is the locals they find in those gator holes.

[Jammie]

Katie, Fl. does still have an alligator farm and it's somewhere either in or near Highlands Co. We were there once. If you get there before lunch time, you can watch them feed the gators. EWWWW!! No manners whatsoever. They're pretty barbaric. There was a small fee to get in. Also in Highlands Co. is Hammock State Park.

Sunken Gardens is very nice and the cost is 12 per person, I believe. It's small, but it's beautiful and peaceful.

Cypress Gardens was much larger and is absolutely beautiful. I believe the fee is in the area of 35. Does that sound about right? They often have night time concerts there, too.

The Florida Botanical Gardens in Largo is nice, too. I wish we'd have been there during the hours they have a guided tour. It would've been interesting to hear the stories of the old mansions and other things there. There is no fee to get in there.

SeaWorld is a well known place, but I have to mention it cause it's got to be my favorite touristy place in Fl.

[2bohemians]

What about the Ringling Home & Gardens or The Marie Selby Botanical Gardens in Sarasota ?? It's been many years, since we've been there, but we enjoyed both.

[2bohemians]

Originally Posted by 2bohemians

We believe that our stretch of Scenic Highway 30A is still a hidden gem to many. Of course, there are many more folks that know about it today ... but still more people that don't.

We have 13.5 mile bike path that winds through all of the different beach communities that make up our Scenic Highway. You will discover long-leaf pine flatwoods, white dune landscapes contrasting with the emerald blue-green waters of the Gulf, pass by rare coastal dune lakes (only found here & in remote portions of Africa and Australia), you will go by wetlands and marshes, and through hammocks and coastal scrub oaks.

In addition to the bike path, there are endless nature & water related recreational activities. All of these wonderful places can be found along our little stretch of beaches: Deer Lake State Park, Point Washington State Forest, Eastern Lake Hike & Bike Trail, Topsail Hill Preserve State Park, Grayton Beach State Park.

All of our beaches are certified as Blue Wave Beaches. With the white sand and emerald blue green water, you will feel like you are in the Caribbean. It's not your stereotypical palm tree florida. Nothing wrong with palm trees, they just aren't native to our area.

Check out Eden Gardens with centuries old live oaks just 5 minutes North of us on the Choctawhatchee Bay.

Wish we could continue this conversation / post but the sun is out and it's going to be 74 degrees today, so we are going to get outside and enjoy the day!

Communities located along the Scenic Highway 30A: Inlet Beach, Rosemary Beach, Seacrest, Camp Creek, Alys Beach, Watersound, Seagrove, Seaside, Watercolor, Grayton Beach, Blue Mountain Beach, Santa Rosa Beach, Dune Allen and Topsail.

[2bohemians]

Go see a movie or performance at The Tampa Theatre. It's beautiful ... here is a link to some photos on their website ... Tampa Theatre

[ChrisA70]

Salvador Dali museum in St pete. i love his art.....