| Are you thinking about your next vacation? | | | | Ponce Inlet Lighthouse |
| Planning on visiting Florida? Do you live in Florida | | | | These locations are all fairly accessible from a |
| and wonder where you can go to see something | | | | mid-state location (such as being based in Orlando, |
| you've never seen? Before you make | | | | most are an easy one-day trip, a few are |
| reservations at a theme park, please consider the | | | | two-day trips if you are starting from anywhere |
| wide variety of vacation destination alternatives | | | | in Central Florida). All destinations are either |
| there are in Florida. Rather than spending five | | | | marked on a good state road map, or you can |
| frantic days trying to "do Disney" take a step | | | | get maps and driving instructions from the |
| back, take a deep breath, take a trip off the | | | | websites that are provided in the articles. |
| main roads, and see the Real Florida. | | | | And don't forget the Florida Keys! If your |
| Among the unlimited possibilities there are for | | | | vacation plans include a visit "down island" then |
| things to see, do, and experience in Florida, I've | | | | please do yourself the favor of renting a car and |
| selected several that are personal favorites and | | | | making the drive down U.S. 1. Rent a convertible |
| incorporated them into a three-part series of | | | | and drop the top once you cross over from the |
| "Interesting Places to See in Florida." You can | | | | mainland to Key Largo---and really experience the |
| access these articles at: | | | | Keys! |
| Interesting Places to See in Florida, at | | | | There's a great place to get a sandwich, The |
| More Interesting Places to See in Florida, at | | | | 7-Mile Grill, located in Marathon on the Gulf side of |
| Even More Interesting Places to See in Florida, at | | | | U.S. 1 just before you cross the 7-Mile Bridge (and |
| Each article provides travel and destination ideas | | | | yes, the 7-mile bridge is 7 miles long!). Walk off |
| and tips. Most have links to a relevant website | | | | that good meal by taking the tour of Pigeon Key. |
| that will provide further information. | | | | The entry way is just before you start south |
| The first article will take you to: | | | | across the 7-Mile Bridge. |
| Places off the interstate | | | | The 7-Mile Grill, at |
| Florida's State Parks | | | | Pigeon Key, at |
| Mt. Dora | | | | Unless you are going during the off season |
| Solomon's Castle | | | | (typically mid-May to mid-September), please do |
| Cedar Keyand an invitation to just "Go Exploring!" | | | | get all your reservations in the Keys ahead of |
| The second article offers: | | | | time...and plan on it being an expensive stay. Get |
| St. Augustine/Jacksonville | | | | all the information you need about the Keys at |
| High Springs/Ginnie Springs | | | | Once you learn for yourself that there's more to |
| Sebring/Highland Hammocks | | | | Florida than Mickey Mouse and a movie studio, |
| The third article provides information on: | | | | you'll want to return every year---just to see the |
| Corkscrew Swamp Sanctuary | | | | next thing on the list! |
| Crystal River | | | | |