INSIDE FLORIDA: Camping and Sightseeing

- Big Pine Key - Florida

Sunshine Key Resort, Big Pine Key, FL--Fabulous lo more...1 point

2

Best Campgrounds In Orlando Florida

Fort Wilderness Resort and Campground Orlando, Flo more...1 point

3

http://www.eliteresorts.com/saltsprings/index.html

Elite Salt Springs Resort, Salt Springs, FL--tucke more...0 points

4

http://www.rvonthego.com/Tropical-Palms-FunResort-8.htm

Tropical Palms RV Resort, Kissimmee, FL--Go to the more...0 points

5

http://www.fortsummit.com/Home.htm

Fort Summit KOA Kampground, Lake Buena Vista, FL-- more...0 points

6

http://www.raintreerv.com/

Rain Tree RV Resort, North Ft. Myers, FL--Great lo more...0 points

7

http://www.fl-motels-review.com/?n=el governor rv campground & motel&id=409313&t=hotel

El Governor Campground, Mexico Beach, FL--right on more...0 points

8

Holiday Home

Holiday Travel Resort, Leesburg, FL--Lots of activ more...0 points

FAVORITE FLORIDA STATE PARKS FOR CAMPING

These parks are great for camping.

This is a list of my favorite FLORIDA STATE PARKS. Please vote for your favorite or add your favorite to the list. Thanks.

1

http://www.floridastateparks.org/bahiahonda/default.cfm

BAHIA HONDA STATE PARK, Located 12 miles south of more...2 points

2

http://www.floridastateparks.org/alafiariver/default.cfm

ALAFIA RIVER STATE PARK, Located 10 miles southeas more...0 points

3

http://www.floridastateparks.org/collier-seminole/default.cfm

COLLIER-SEMINOLE STATE PARK, Located on U.S. 41, 1 more...0 points

4

http://www.floridastateparks.org/gamblerogers/default.cfm

GAMBLE ROGERS STATE PARK, Located in Flagler Beach more...0 points

5

http://www.floridastateparks.org/lakegriffin/default.cfm

LAKE GRIFFIN STATE PARK, Located three miles north more...0 points

6

http://www.floridastateparks.org/stephenfoster/default.cfm

STEPHEN FOSTER STATE PARK, Located in White Spring more...0 points

7

Main Page - Highlands Hammock State Park » Florida State Parks

Highlands Hammock State Park located off US 27 on more...0 points

Highland Hammocks State Park near Sebring, FL

A quick trip through photos around this state park. When you visit, take in as much time as you can experiencing the ancient beauty and history that is here.

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Experience Natural Florida at Blue Spring and DeLeon Springs State Parks

Manatees, wildlife along St. John's River, kayak trips, hiking, AND pancakes!

Blue Spring State Park is a manatee refuge. The warm springs draw the manatee there when the river water drops below 70 degrees about mid-November-March. Watch the manatee lazily float in the clear water with their youngsters. The enormous animals delight people of all ages. Blue Springs is 2,644 acres of natural Florida so there is plenty of wildlife to watch even when the manatee are not present.

Tent and RV campers can set up in the Sandpine scrub campground within easy walking distance of the river and spring run.

After enjoying Blue Spring, run on up the road to DeLeon Springs State Park. You can enjoy a dip in the 72 degree spring and fabulous pancakes you grill yourself at your table at the Old Spanish Sugar Mill Restaurant, open 9-5 on weekdays and 8-5 on weekends, serving until 4:00. Call 386.985.5644.

Manatees, the Gentle Giants

Manatee Encounter

One of the only places it is legal to interact with manatees is Crystal River. Even here, you must remain on the surface, not chase the manatee and only touch with one hand. Sometimes the manatee comes to you and wants to be scratched.

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Books on Manatees

I'm a Manatee: (Book and...

The Florida Manatee: Biol...

Manatees: The Gentle Gian...

Sam the Sea Cow (Reading...

Endangered Manatees (Eart...

More Information on Blue Spring and DeLeon Springs State Parks

Blue Spring State Park: BLUE SPRING STATE PARK, 2100 West French Avenue Orange City, FL 32763
386-775-3663
DeLeon Springs State Park: DELEON SPRINGS STATE PARK, 601 Ponce DeLeon Blvd. PO Box 1338 DeLeon Springs, FL 32130
386-985-4212

FABULOUS INFORMATION FOR PLANNING YOUR FLORIDA TRIP

So many destinations when planning your Florida trip. Here are links to some of the great places to visit while here in Florida. Please add a link to your favorite spot to visit or vote for your favorite right here.

1

Busch Gardens

Tampa Bay--Meet the animals up close and personal more...1 point

2

100 Things To Do In Orlando

Whenever you're thinking of where you'd like to ta more...1 point

3

Seashells From Sanibel Island

I lived in Florida for many years and one of the g more...1 point

4

St. Petersburg and Clearwater

St.Pete/Clearwater area is the home to America's A more...0 points

5

Best Beaches For... |

Florida Beaches. With 1,100 miles of beaches, ther more...0 points

6

Kennedy Space Center

East of Orlando, near Titusville. Be awed, be insp more...0 points

7

Tampa's Lowry Park Zoo

Tampa--Who doesn't love the zoo with over 1800 ani more...0 points

8

The Florida Aquarium - Tampa Bay

Tampa--Home to over 20,000 aquatic plants and anim more...0 points

9

Explore Tarpon Springs

Tarpon Springs--Surround yourself in the Victorian more...0 points

10

Florida Vacation, Tourism, Travel & Entertainment Information

Official Florida visitor information from VISIT FL more...0 points

11

Destin Florida

Destin Florida Vacation Guide with helpful informa more...0 points

HELPFUL LINKS TO CAMPING INFO

Woodall's Camping Information: Search for RV Parks, Campgrounds, RV Dealers, Service Centers, Camping Activities, Attractions, and more.
Road Trip Journal: If you are an RV or Motorcycle enthusiast, then this is the site for you. Packed with lots of helpful information and articles.
RV USA Forum: Get into entertaining and informative discussions on this site for RVers for newbies and experienced.

Cedar Key, Relax and Recharge

Step into a different Florida. Get away from the crowds and hustle bustle of the major tourist attractions. If you want to escape, go to Cedar Key, FL, a little fishing town on the largest island of the Cedar Keys. Located three miles out into the Gulf of Mexico, this little gem is a haven for artists and writers. Visitors can pop in and out of the shops and galleries on the streets in the historic district. I especially enjoyed the quaint bookstore with post-it notes attached to the books with a quick review of the book. The variety of artwork including photos of wildlife and water scenes are outstanding as are the paintings, leather work, ceramics, jewelry, and more.

If you love seafood, then you will be in heaven with freshly caught delights from the waters around Cedar Key, prepared in the world class restaurants hugging the shore and eateries around the area.

Nature lovers will delight in visiting the federally protected bird sanctuaries and hiking the nature trails. Fishermen and women will appreciate the modern pier, pictured in the photo above, for catching all kinds of fish in the vast waters of the Gulf.

Links to More Information About Cedar Key

Cedar Key Chamber of Commerce: Information about Cedar Key including maps, businesses, events.
Cedar Key Visitor Guide: Lodging, dining, day trips etc included here.

FAVORITE FLORIDA FLEA MARKETS

No, you can't really buy fleas at the Flea Market, but you can get some fabulous bargains and have a lot of fun. It's like going to a carnival with carny food, entertainment, and best of all, shopping!! Shop for new items, antiques, used stuff like garage sale bargains, fresh fruits and veggies. You name it. It will probably show up at the Flea Market. Now let's get going! Add your favorite market to this list or feel free to include this list on your squidoo site too.

1

Fleaworld of Orlando - America's Largest Fleamarket.

Fleaworld/Funworld, Sanford, FL Shop till you dro more...1 point

2

http://www.renningers.com/dora/dorahome.htm

Renningers Twin Markets, Mt Dora, FL--Every weeken more...0 points

3

http://www.redbarnfleamarket.com/

Red Barn Flea Market, Bradenton, FL Check out all more...0 points

4

http://www.superfleamarket.com/

Super Flea and Farmers Market, Melbourne, FL Amer more...0 points

5

Wagon Wheel Flea Market / St. Petersburg Shopping

Wagon Wheel Flea Market, Pinellas Park, FL HUGE f more...0 points

6

USA Fleamarket in Port Richey, Florida Welcomes You

USA Fleamarket, Port Richey, antiques, collectibl more...0 points

7

howardsfleamarket.com

Howards' Flea Market, Homosassa, FL Every Friday,S more...0 points

8

webster westside flea market - the antiques, collectibles,

Webster Flea Market, Webster, FL MONDAY flea marke more...0 points

9

Market of Marion, Belleview, FL : reviews

Market of Marion, Belleview, FL Clean and neat0 points

TAKE A WINERY TOUR FOR A DIFFERENT TASTE OF FLORIDA

I know. I know. When you think of Florida, you think of oranges. But Florida has sixteen wineries scattered from Alva to DeFuniak Springs. Florida vineyards produce about 180,000-250,000 gallons of wine each year. Winemaking in Florida can be traced back to 1585 when the French Huguenots discovered the native, wild grape, muscadine, near Jacksonville. Research and science have combined to produce award winning wines. Now you can benefit by taking a drive through the Florida countryside to visit these wineries and taste the delightful flavors.

You may be surprised to discover bottles of blueberry, orange, grapefrut, strawberry, raspberry and Key lime wine on the shelves at Florida Orange Groves and Winery in St. Petersburg. Get real adventurous and try wines made from Ruskin Tomatoes and carrots.

Florida Orange Groves and Winery: St. Petersburg--A winery devoted to a special Florida taste of wines made from Florida grown fruits and vegetables. Blueberry, Key lime, Ruskin tomatoes and carrots are just a few of their award winners.
Lakeridge Winery and Vineyards: Clermont--The stucco Spanish style headquarters for Lakeridge Winery reminds the traveler of the Napa Valley in California. Grapevines grace the gentle rolling hills around the winery. This entertaining and informative place to visit offers tours explaining the harvesting of grapes, making of the wines, and tastings of several of their award winning wines. Craft and Music Festivals are scheduled throughout the year.
Florida Grape Growers Association: For information, addresses, products, and more about member Wineries, check this site.

HISTORIC BOK SANCTUARY

Home of the 205 foot Gothic and art deco carillon

Sanctuary is the perfect word to describe this peaceful park near Lake Wales, FL. Dutch immigrant Edward Bok established this landscape garden and soaring singing carillon tower on Florida's highest point as a gift to the American people. The Sanctuary was dedicated in 1929 by President Calvin Coolidge allowing visitors from all over the world a Sanctuary where they can stroll along the remarkable paths or sit and contemplate the beauty of Nature.

The Carillon is a towering structure which is a masterpiece of stone work as well as the home of beautiful music. There are concerts from the 60-bell carillon daily.

The museum on the property contains information about the formation of the gardens, the construction of the carillon tower, and Edward Bok's life. Take in the tour of the 1930's home of 20th century industrialist, C. Austin Buck. The Pinewood Estate is adorned in early 20th century Christmas decorations for the holidays and offers seasonal tours throughout the year.

Admission: $10. Adults; $3. Children 5-12. Free under 5

LINK TO HISTORIC BOK SANCTUARY

Historic Bok Tower: For more information about this historic garden and carillon, click here.

BOK TOWER VIDEO

Bok Tower

This is piece that was inspired by my favorite place in my home state of Florida.

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LAKE PLACID, FL

Town of Murals and Caladiums

Lake Placid, FL, located at the southern end of Highlands County on US Rte. 27, is delightful discovery. Located smack in the middle of citrus, cattle, and caladium farms, the small town has lots to offer visitors to this unique area. The 29 sparkling fresh water lakes are active centers for fishing, skiiing and boating, plus great sites for picnicking and hiking.

The main draw to the area is the extensive collection of murals in the downtown area. Go to the Chamber of Commerce Welcome Center on Oak St. to ask the friendly volunteers to help you. There is a 10 minute video on the murals and the original art collection can be viewed there. It's an easy walk around the town to see most of the murals. Get the $3.00 book with all the murals illustrated and information on the locations, artists, and the paintings.

Drive outside the city to see the fields of caladium plants where the landscape is alive with bands of colorful leaves stretching across the countryside. The Caladium Festival is held every August when the plants are at their peak of glory. The owner at Fancy Leaf Caladiums at Happyness Farms was friendly and helpful with all of our questions about these gorgeous plants who have no pests and require no insecticide treatment or fertilization.

Two interesting residents of this town--Dr. Melvil Dewey who invented the Dewey Decimal System for libraries loved the place so much that he spearheaded a movement to re-name the town to Lake Placid after Lake Placid, NY.

Presently Keith Stokes, aka Toby the Clown, established the Clown School in Lake Placid so that now the city claims to have more clowns per capita than any other town in Florida. Maybe that's why the residents are cheerful and friendly.

Escape to Lake Placid for a relaxing and rewarding day away.

INFORMATION ON LAKE PLACID, FL

Lake Placid Chamber of Commerce: The Chamber of Commerce gives you more information about the town of Lake Placid, FL and the surrounding area.

Reader Feedback

fortune68 wrote...

Beautiful informative lens on Florida. I shall refer to it when I go and visit! 5 stars for all the great info you have put together.

Posted June 21, 2009

heipet wrote...

I have submitted this lens to "All 50 States"!
http://www.squidoo.com/50-states
Don`t forget to vote for it.
heipet - SUMMER Group groupmaster
PS. I have also added two Florida lenses from the SUMMER Group to your plexo above!

Posted June 08, 2009

dustytoes wrote...

I've visited some of theses spots! Nice lens...

Posted May 19, 2009

TopStyleTravel wrote...

Great lens on other places to visit in Florida. Loved the slide show. Great resources for travelers. Five stars and a lensroll.

Posted May 14, 2009