FLORIDA: Guide to Living on the Space Coast & Fun in the Sunshine State!

Home , Butterfly World, Turkey Creek Sanctuary, Weeki Wachee Springs

By Pam Winegar

➢ Our nature photography blog is at: https://naturetime.wordpress.com/

➢ Ask to join Pam’s e-mail photo-of-the-day at: [email protected]

Updated January 24, 2018

Contents LOCAL PALM BAY/MELBOURNE BASICS ...... 1 BREVARD COUNTY BASICS ...... 1 WEATHER ...... 5 AREA WEBSITES ...... 6 LIVE WEBCAMS ...... 6 SPACE COAST FUN ...... 7 BEACHES ...... 7 NATURE OVERVIEW ...... 11 LAGOON ACTIVITIES ...... 11 MANATEE WATCHING ...... 12 ALLIGATOR WATCHING ...... 13 BIRDWATCHING ...... 15 BACKYARDS ...... 18 FUN PLACES TO GO AND THINGS TO DO...... 19 FESTIVALS / ANNUAL EVENTS ...... 25 HOLIDAYS ...... 26 FUN AROUND FLORIDA ...... 27 ORLANDO THEME PARKS AND ATTRACTIONS ...... 27 NORTH OF ORLANDO ...... 28 SOUTH OF ORLANDO ...... 29 NORTH OF BREVARD COUNTY ...... 31 SOUTH OF BREVARD COUNTY ...... 32 WESTERN FLORIDA ...... 35 NORTHERN FLORIDA ...... 39

LOCAL PALM BAY/MELBOURNE BASICS

➢ Palm Bay was ranked second in the nation for “Best Air Quality and Least Pollution” by the American Lung Association in 2017 http://www.realtor.com/news/trends/big-cities-with- best-and-worst-air-quality/ ➢ Melbourne was ranked 5th in Florida and 49th overall of the “100 Best Places to Live” by U.S. News and World Report in 2017 http://www.onlyinyourstate.com/florida/best-places-to- live-florida-fl/ ➢ Brevard (Space Coast) was ranked 5th in Florida for purchasing power by SmartAsset in 2017 http://www.floridatoday.com/story/news/2017/07/21/smartasset-says-brevard-residents-get- lot-their-money/491754001/

A map with local places in the Palm Bay area listed below is plotted at: https://www.google.com/maps/d/edit?mid=zIIs38GRNiH0.kTBtM2nLJXSY • Publix (groceries); Hair Cuttery is in the same shopping center • Numerous fast food choices on Malabar Road • Home Depot • Walmart • Lowes • Walgreens • Post Office • Speedy Shipping (UPS & FedEx, including packing for shipment) • Twisty Cone Ice Cream Shop (excellent soft service ice cream and ice cream cakes) • Malabar Feed & Farm (bulk birdseed/pet food) • Palm Bay Hospital • Adjacent to hospital (on right) is Health First complex of doctor’s offices, labs, and Palm Bay Urgent Care Walk-in Clinic (open Monday-Saturday 9 am-7 pm, and Sunday 10 am-5 pm). Across from hospital is Malabar Pediatric Clinic. • Ace Hardware • BP Gas Station • Sun Clean Dry Cleaners • Staples Office Supplies • Yellow Dog Café (local award-winning favorite with terrace overlooking the Indian River)

BREVARD COUNTY BASICS

Shopping/Eating hotspots are at: • Palm Bay Road (numerous places to shop and eat including the Hammock Landing Mall with Target, Michaels, Kohls, Petco, etc. and nearby Bass Pro Shop for recreational needs). • Highway192/New Haven Ave (including Melbourne Square Mall, Best Buy, PetSmart, Bed Bath & Beyond, Barnes and Noble, Lenscrafters, and several furniture stores). • Viera (including the Avenue Shopping Center, WalMart, Target, and numerous stores and restaurants).

1 • Highway 520 (including Merritt Square Mall and numerous businesses all the way east to the beach area with Ron Jon’s and the Dinosaur Store). • The best Bealls Department Store is at 204 Eau Gallie Blvd. in Indian Harbor Beach (walk to the far back of the store for a good selection of Florida and coastal-themed objects). • In Orlando are the Millenia Mall (http://www.mallatmillenia.com/), IKEA store (http://www.ikea.com/us/en/store/orlando), and Orlando International Premium Outlets (http://www.premiumoutlets.com/outlet/orlando-international • Another Outlets Mall is at I-95 South - exit at Vero Beach (http://www.verobeachoutlets.com/).

Specialty food stores include the following: • Countryside Citrus is near the Sebastian Causeway in Wabasso (https://www.countrysidecitrus.com/). Open late October – April. Florida OJ is the BEST! Super sweet Jan/Feb. This family farm also features a U-pick strawberry patch. • Green Turtle Market on Eau Gallie Blvd near Indian Harbor Beach has a gourmet selection of food (http://greenturtlemarket.com/). • Petty’s Meat Market in both Melbourne and Suntree/Viera has a variety of fresh meats, cheeses, and other gourmet food items (http://pettysmeatmarket.com/).

U-Pick farms include: • Sledd’s U-Pick Strawberries in Mims (north of Titusville) – phone ahead for farm updates at (321) 268-8978. Depending on the season, food items for direct sale include strawberries, cabbage, tomatoes, onions, blackberries (May), and a pumpkin patch in October/November. Kids are welcome! Children especially enjoy Sledd’s annual sunflower maze, which is available for tours in early summer (June) and again in Fall (late September/early October). https://www.facebook.com/Sledds-U-Pick-Strawberries-205766459439752/ • Meadors Blueberry Farm in Mims (blueberry season April-early May), phone ahead (407) 383-6639 for updates. http://www.meadorsblueberryfarm.com/ • Ever After Farms in Mims features U-pick blueberries, phone (321) 269-9502. https://www.facebook.com/everafterfarms/ • You can buy fresh mangoes along Merritt Island’s South Tropical Trail in summer in June and July (pay at roadside kiosks by the honor system). Also, Griffis Groves at 825 Newfound Harbor Drive in Merritt Island sells 18 varieties of mangoes in season. He also sells mango juice, mango ice cream, avocadoes, lychee nuts, and honey. (321-698-9533). • Nature Farms sets up a roadside pineapple stand on Saturday mornings from 10 am – 1 pm in late June-July (on US 1 - one mile north of the Sebastian Causeway). (772) 538-6066 https://www.facebook.com/NatureFarmsInc/ • A list of U-pick orange groves during the winter season in Florida is at: http://www.authenticflorida.com/articles/where-to-go/where-to-find-fresh-florida-citrus/

A Brevard restaurant guide is at: http://www.dining-out- guide.com/

2 The best plant nurseries in the area (each with their own specialties, listed from north to south) are: • Rockledge Gardens (http://www.rockledgegardens.com/). Festivals/classes/activities are offered throughout the year. Specializes in butterfly gardening. • Sun Harbor Nursery in Indian Harbor Beach (http://www.sunharbornursery.com/). Specializes in plumeria and beachside plantings. • Maple Street Natives in Melbourne (http://www.maplestreetnatives.com/). Specializes in native plants and butterfly gardening. • Valkaria Gardens (http://www.valkariagardens.com/). Palm Bay nursery with a nice selection of tropical plants. • Rock City in Wabasso on US 1 near the Sebastian Causeway (http://rockcitygardens.com/). Nursery was originally built in 1966, and has a large selection of flowering plants and trees. • Busy Bee Garden Center in Vero Beach is a mile south of the Sebastian Causeway on US 1 (http://www.busybeegardencenter.com/). Excellent selection of flowers; runs seminars on butterfly gardening. They give a discount to subscribers to “Florida Gardening” magazine (http://www.statebystategardening.com/florida).

Annual plant sales include: • Gardenfest in late January/early February at Riverside Park on US 1 in Vero Beach. (http://www.gardenclubofirc.org/Gardenfest.html). • Botanical Fest in early March in downtown Melbourne. Check for updates in spring at: https://www.downtownmelbourne.com/ • Annual Plant Sale by the Brevard Tropical Fruit Club in late April in Melbourne. Check for updates in spring at: https://www.facebook.com/tropicalfruitclub/

An excellent online source of unusual tropical plants is Top Tropicals in Fort Myers (http://toptropicals.com/index.htm). The nursery is also open to local shoppers.

Miscellaneous info: • Local newspaper - Florida Today (http://www.floridatoday.com/). • Regional newspaper - Orlando Sentinel (http://www.orlandosentinel.com). • Good TV station for local news and online coverage is WESH NBC Channel 2 Orlando (http://www.wesh.com/). • Radio station list for Brevard County is at: https://www.iheart.com/live/country/US/city/melbourne-fl-49/ • Dentist - Dr. Andre Berube is highly recommended for Palm Bay (http://aberube.com/). • DMV is at 450 Cogan Drive SE, Palm Bay; phone 321-952-4540. https://www.flhsmv.gov/locations/brevard/

Local traffic reports are at: https://www.flhsmv.gov/fhp/traffic/live_traffic_feed.html

FUN FACT: The Space Coast’s area code (321) reflects the phrase “3-2-1-Liftoff” recited during rocket launches.

4 WEATHER

• Local forecast: http://www.srh.noaa.gov/mlb/ • Orlando 7-day forecast: http://www.wesh.com/weather/7-day • Melbourne radar: http://radar.weather.gov/radar.php?rid=mlb

The Space Coast has a pleasant climate, with an average yearly high of 81 and low of 63. Remember to use sunscreen and insect repellent as needed. Sea breezes help moderate the temperature. Spring is when the weather starts warming up, low ground fogs are possible in the mornings, and the days are often bright and clear. Sunrises can be especially beautiful.

Summer is thunderstorm season. Summer temperatures are pleasant in the mornings and evenings, but hot and steamy in the afternoons. Clouds build up with the heat of day, leading to lightning storms that track across the Florida peninsula in the afternoon and evening hours. Sunsets after storms can be spectacular! A symphony of frogs croak with the summer rain.

Hurricane season runs from June 1 – November 30, but peaks in August and September. Keep up to date and prepare ahead: http://www.palmbayflorida.org/government/departments/fire-rescue/safety- education/emergency-preparedness • Hurricane forecast: http://www.nhc.noaa.gov/ • Hurricane maps and discussion: http://www.wunderground.com/hurricane/?index_region=at • Brevard County Emergency Blog on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/BrevardEOC • Weather Channel: https://weather.com/storms/hurricane-central

5 In Fall the weather cools down by November and the humidity lessons. People get active outside again. In winter Florida hosts visitors from the colder climates up north, and the weather is generally sunny and dry. Occasional cold fronts blow through, bringing rain and chilly weather. A couple of frosts may hit the area, usually in January or February. During winter and spring you might see smoke plumes in the distance from controlled burns set to prevent wildfires.

AREA WEBSITES

• www.spacecoastfunguide.com • www.visitspacecoast.com • www.fun4spacecoastkids.com • https://www.facebook.com/SecretsOfCocoaBeach • http://spacecoastdaily.com/ • www.wildflorida.com • www.floridabirdingtrail.com • www.floridastateparks.org • www.visitflorida.com • www.authenticflorida.com

LIVE WEBCAMS

• Cape Canaveral Beach: http://www.twopalms.com/ • Cocoa Beach Pier: http://www.spacecoastsbestbeaches.com/florida-beach-cams/cocoa- beach-pier-beach-cam.aspx • Melbourne Beach: http://www.spacecoastsbestbeaches.com/florida-beach- cams/melbourne-beach-cam.aspx • Sebastian Inlet: http://www.sebastianinletcam.com/

6 SPACE COAST FUN BEACHES

Brevard County stretches 72 miles from north to south along the Atlantic coast. You have to cross over a causeway bridge to the barrier islands to access the beach (a map and detailed list of beaches is at: http://www.saltchef.com/catch_fish/FL/Brevard/beaches.html). The closest (and busiest) beach to Melbourne/Palm Bay is Indialantic/Melbourne Beach. Some of the major beaches heading north from there on Highway A1A are Paradise Beach Park (very nice), Canova Beach Park (access for dogs is allowed at the south end), Lori Wilson Park, Cocoa Beach and Pier (busy people-watching beach with a spring break vibe), Jetty Park (family beach popular among tourists; the rock jetty protects the beach from strong waves), and Canaveral National Seashore (remote beach good for beachcombing, north of the Space Center). Heading south from Indialantic on Highway A1A are Spessard Holland Beaches (less busy) and Sebastian Inlet State Park (famous for its long fishing pier and shallow protected cove for family swimming at the north access point, and campground and small fishing museum at the south access point). Especially popular surfing spots in Brevard include Cocoa Beach, Melbourne Beach, and Sebastian Inlet State Park.

A MUST-HAVE book is “Florida’s Living Beaches” by Blair Witherington: http://www.amazon.com/Floridas-Living-Beaches-Curious- Beachcomber/dp/1561643866/ref=sr_1_3?ie=UTF8&qid=1428531718&sr=8-3&keywords=blair+witherington

Sea turtles nest here March 1 – October 31 (peaks in June and July). Our beaches are the best sea turtle nesting area in the Western hemisphere, and second best in the world! Numbers vary year to year, but the 2017 summer nesting season totals at Archie Carr National Wildlife Refuge were 29,650 overall, including 12,181 loggerhead sea turtle nests, 17,431 endangered green sea turtle nests (a new record!), and 38 endangered leatherback sea turtle nests (each animal can weigh up to one ton!). One Kemp’s Ridley nested here for the first time in 2016. Nesting density between Melbourne and Sebastian can reach up to 1,000 nests per mile!

7 Walks to view nesting sea turtles are conducted by: (1) Sea Turtle Preservation Society (http://www.seaturtlespacecoast.org/turtlewalkregistration.html). For reservations call 321-676-1701. (2) Sea Turtle Conservancy/Barrier Island Education Center (https://conserveturtles.org/barrier- island-center-educational-programs/). For reservations call 321-723-3556 starting May 1. (3) Sebastian Inlet State Park Ranger Led Walks – call 772-388-2750.

The Barrier Island Sanctuary at 8385 South Highway A1A in Melbourne Beach has sea turtle and beach educational displays, and runs 1-week summer camps for kids. It was the site of the first Sea Glass and Ocean Gems Symposium in March 2015. “Lights Out” policy is in effect in summer to protect the turtles. Only a red flashlight is permitted while walking on the beach on summer nights because white lights disturb the turtles—they become disoriented and head away from the ocean and toward the road. No camera flashes either! If you encounter a nesting sea turtle, back off and do not disturb her. If startled, she might turn around (called a false crawl) and release her precious eggs into the ocean instead of burying them in the sand. To nest, she digs a hole with her back flippers near the dune line and deposits about 100 rubbery ping pong-sized eggs. The process takes up to a couple of hours until she lays all of her eggs, covers them with sand, and crawls back to the sea. When you walk on the beach during the day, you might see stakes placed by scientists to mark the nest sites. You might also see what looks like tractor tire marks running from the ocean to the dunes – that is the turtle crawl trail that is distinctive for each species (a guide is at: http://myfwc.com/media/201274/CRAWL_Identification_Guidelines.pdf). Real tire tread marks run parallel to the ocean, and are the result of scientists monitoring the beach. If you ever see a sea turtle in trouble, for RESCUE 24/7 call 321-206-0646. More info is on our blog at: https://naturetime.wordpress.com/2012/08/07/brevard-county-florida-best-sea-turtle-nesting-site/

You can find shells along our beaches any time of year. The greatest numbers of shells wash in after storms or wind. The best whole shells wash in with the gentle waves of summer.

8 Sea beans (plant seeds) wash onto our beaches in Fall and Winter. They drop into the water and float here on the Gulf Stream from the Caribbean and South America. We’ve found plastic piggy banks washed in from Cuba. Favorite sea beans you might find include the hamburger bean and sea heart. Sea beans most commonly found include the sea almond (a fibrous woody nut), sea coconut (looks like a brown golf ball), and nickernut/sea pearl (looks like a gray marble). The International Sea Bean and Beachcombing Festival features coastal displays and talks, and is held every other October in Cocoa Beach. More info is at http://www.seabean.com/

Sargassum seaweed (a kind of algae) washes onto our beaches from the Gulf Stream offshore. It forms floating mats in the ocean that serve as critical nurseries for fish and baby sea turtles. Even when the seaweed washes ashore, it sustains life by providing food for birds and crabs. It plays a very important part in a healthy ecosystem.

Beach Geology: • Coquina rock is found along our shores (a big shelf of it lies at the tideline at Canova Beach near the Eau Gallie Causeway). It is a mass of shell fragments that have been cemented together by ocean minerals into rock over time. Coquina ridges offshore are prized fishing spots (fish feast on the crustaceans hiding in the rock crevices). • Between Melbourne Beach and Satellite Beach look for rare fossilized Atlantic ghost crabs (Ocypode quadrata). Over 500 of these “stone” crabs have been documented. The crabs were fossilized in their burrows 8,000 – 120,000 years ago at the high dune line. Dr. Richard Turner of Florida Institute of Technology published an article about these fossils.

Beach Hazards. • Purple flags at our beaches warn of stinging jellyfish in the water. If you see a creature that looks like a blue balloon washed ashore – don’t touch it! It is a Portuguese Man-of-War and has stinging tentacles. Red flags warn that conditions are not safe—stay out of the water!

9 • Rip currents can happen any time of year (even on nice calm days). *******************************************************************************************************

A RIP CURRENT is like a ROAD OF WATER flowing out to sea. To ESCAPE – CROSS THE ROAD by swimming beside the beach. Then swim back to shore. *******************************************************************************************************

Rip current forecast is at: http://www.weather.gov/mlb/ripcurrents

NWS: Rip Current

Treasure. Adjoining the southern end of Brevard County is Indian River County - the “Treasure Coast”. In 1715 a hurricane sank 11 Spanish treasure ships carrying tons of gold and silver between Sebastian Inlet and Fort Pierce. Only six of the eleven shipwrecks have been located. Encrusted coins from those shipwrecks continue to be found (either washed ashore by storms, discovered by people with metal detectors, or found on the sea floor by divers). The sunken treasure has been valued by experts to be $60 billion! A Treasure Coast metal detecting blog with current finds is at: http://treasurebeachesreport.blogspot.com/. You can learn more about the area’s fascinating shipwreck history and see treasure displays at two local museums: • McClarty Museum is located just south of Sebastian Inlet on Highway A1A. http://www.visitspacecoast.com/listings/McLarty-Treasure- Museum/165/ • Mel Fisher’s Treasures is north of the Sebastian Causeway on US 1 (near Captain Hiram’s Restaurant and Pelican Island Boat Tours). This museum is larger and displays more treasure than McClarty. http://www.melfisher.com/Sebastian/Sebastian_Museum.asp • A famous local diver in Indialantic named Robert Marx has written several books about treasure finds here and elsewhere around the world. His book “In the Wake of Galleons” is at: http://www.amazon.com/Wake-Galleons-Robert-F- Marx/dp/0941332950/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1428530718&sr=8-2&keywords=robert+marx

10 NATURE OVERVIEW

Brevard County has an especially rich abundance of wildlife. This area is the meeting zone between temperate north and subtropical south climates (Titusville is roughly the dividing line). The Indian River Lagoon is one of the most biologically diverse estuaries in the United States! You can see an amazing variety of species here including numerous kinds of fish, shrimp, jellyfish, sea squirts, sea horses, sea turtles, dolphins, manatees, alligators, horseshoe crabs, ghost crabs, blue land crabs, pond turtles, gopher tortoises, and even bioluminescent microorganisms (the dinoflagellate Noctiluca) in summer. The Environmental Learning Center off the Sebastian Causeway in Vero Beach features educational displays about the lagoon. http://www.discoverelc.org/ .

Florida State Parks is the only state system in the nation to win the National Gold Medal for Excellence three times! No other state has even won twice. Get out and enjoy nature in Florida! https://www.floridastateparks.org/

LAGOON ACTIVITIES

Boating, fishing, and kayaking are popular ways to enjoy the Indian River Lagoon. • A Day Away Kayak Tours (http://www.adayawaykayaktours.com/) guides paddlers on the river, with special bioluminescence and moonlight tours in summer. • Several lagoon tours include: (1) DolFun Tours (http://www.dolfuntours.com/); (2) Good Natured River Tours (http://www.goodnaturedrivertours.com/); and (3) Island Boat Line Tours (http://www.islandboatlines.com/). • All Water Adventures in Merritt Island guides numerous boat tours, manatee viewing, paddleboarding (including lessons), and fishing trips. (http://www.funoncocoabeach.com/). • Stand-up paddleboarding is also offered by SoBe Surf in Merritt Island (http://www.sobesurf.com/), and SUP Eco Adventures in Melbourne Beach (http://supecoadventures.com/). • Several deep sea fishing tours are available at: (1) Port Canaveral (The Obsession by Captain Brent, http://canaveralfishingcharters.com/); and (2) Sebastian (Captain Mike’s Fishing Guide Service, http://www.tarpondancer.com/).

For local fishing reports go to http://www.sitd.us/fishing-report/ A tide table is at: http://www.tides4fishing.com/us/florida-east- coast/sebastian-inlet A list of boat ramps is at: http://spacecoast.boatflorida.com/profiles/blogs/brevard-county- boat-ramps Fish congregate near the piers and jetties and also school in troughs where the waves break offshore. Good for fishing - but don’t swim in the troughs because sharks chase fish there!

A website about the Indian River Lagoon is at: http://www.spacecoastoutdoors.net/Fishing_Lagoon_Feature_101.html

An outstanding book about life in Florida’s coastal waters is “Seasons of the Sea” by Jay Humphreys: http://www.amazon.com/Seasons-Sea-Jay-Humphreys/dp/1561642266/ref=sr_1_5?ie=UTF8&qid=1428531652&sr=8- 5&keywords=jay+humphreys

Melbourne Beach’s Ryckman Park contains the historic Ryckman House along with multiple gazebos, tennis courts, a playground, and the famous Melbourne Beach Fishing Pier with views of the Indian River. Located south of Hwy 192 at the intersection of Riverside Drive and Ocean Avenue. It is adjacent to Djon’s Steak and Lobster House and only a couple of blocks west of the Nautical Collections Shell Shop.

Airboat Rides: Popular airboat tours are listed below. Alligator spotting is best on a warm sunny day. • Camp Holly on Highway 192, west of Highway I-95 (http://www.campholly.net/). • Lone Cabbage Airboat Tours on State Route 50, west of Highway I-95 (http://www.twisterairboatrides.com/). • Midway Airboat Rides off State Route 50, west of Highway I-95 (http://www.airboatridesatmidway.com/)

MANATEE WATCHING

Local hotspots to see manatees grouped together during cold snaps in winter are listed below (best viewing months are November – March). It is possible to see manatees any time of year, though, in the Indian River Lagoon. “Sea Cows” graze on sea grass and are related to elephants. When the lagoon temperature drops below 68 degrees, it is critical for them to seek out warmth in canals and the outflow from power plants. Manatee mating season is in late spring/early summer. During that time, you might see manatees in a group, high out of the water. A fun manatee activity workbook for children is at: http://www.leegov.com/parks/Documents/Manatee-Activity-Book.pdf

• Satellite Beach. You can see up to 100 manatees crowded into one small canal in winter during cold spells. From A1A turn onto Shearwater Parkway. At the end turn right onto South Patrick Drive. The canal is by St. Georges Court - look for people parked along the road looking down at the water on the east side. This is close-up viewing! • Sebastian River Buffer Preserve. From Palm Bay travel south on Babcock Street about 10 miles to the C-54 Canal. Before the canal, turn left onto Buffer Preserve Drive. A small visitor center will be on your left. Travel a few miles to the end of the dirt road to the Manatee Overlook. Dozens of manatees can be seen from the observation deck in winter after a cold front. This viewing is from a distance. This area is also a popular fishing spot, and there are walking trails along the levee (dogs are welcome). https://www.floridastateparks.org/park/St-Sebastian-River • Turkey Creek Sanctuary. In Palm Bay, turn off Port Malabar Road onto Bianca Drive (near US 1), and drive to Goode Park Boat Ramp at the end. An observation deck overlooks Turkey Creek, and from there you might see manatees, turtles, fish, and osprey. Boats launch from the ramp, and this area is an excellent place for fishing and kayaking. http://www.palmbayflorida.org/government/departments/parks-and-recreation/recreation/turkey-creek-sanctuary • Haulover Canal, Merritt Island National Wildlife Refuge. The Haulover Canal Watch Deck is another popular viewing area for manatees. If you don’t see manatees at the Watch Deck, then drive to nearby Bair’s Cove Boat Ramp – there are often several manatees hanging out in the marina basin there. Manatees are most often seen here during the warmer months. http://www.merrittislandwildlifeassociation.org/manatee-observation-deck.asp

12 Other Florida manatee hotspots: • Blue Springs State Park (1 hour 40 min drive north of Palm Bay). View manatees from the boardwalk along the scenic spring. Best to arrive early. https://www.floridastateparks.org/park/Blue-Spring

• Homosassa Springs State Wildlife Park/Crystal River (north of Tampa) https://www.floridastateparks.org/park/Homosassa- Springs Manatees visit the springs in winter. The park’s historic underwater fish bowl lets you “dive” without getting wet. Resident Lu the hippo has lived at the park since 1960, and was a TV star before that. Lu was granted Florida resident status by the Governor, to the delight of the children. You can book tours to snorkel with the manatees in the surrounding Crystal River/Three Sisters Spring area: (1) http://www.nativevacations.com/ (2) https://www.birdsunderwater.com/#/ (3) (http://www.snorkelwithmanatees.com/ If you prefer not to snorkel, a trolley departs from the Three Sisters Springs Center every half hour from mid-November – March to view points at Three Sisters Springs and Hunter Springs. http://www.threesistersspringsvisitor.org/

• Tampa-Electric Manatee Viewing Center (open Nov 1 – April 15). Look for up to 300 manatees in the warm water discharge area. Also look for spotted eagle rays and numerous wading birds. Phone (813) 228-4289. http://www.tampaelectric.com/company/mvc/

• The world’s oldest manatee, beloved Snooty, was born in 1948 and lived in Bradenton at the South Florida Museum until he passed away at the age of 69 in July 2017. http://www.southfloridamuseum.org/

• Fort Myers: FPL Plant at Port of Islands Canal hosts up to 600 manatees in winter. Manatee Park is at 10901 Palm Beach Blvd., Fort Myers, 1.3 miles east on SR80 (I-75 exit 141). https://www.leegov.com/parks/facility?fid=0088

ALLIGATOR WATCHING

Alligators are found throughout Brevard County, and are commonly seen in our lakes and canals. Mating season is in late spring/summer, and that is when the male gators start to bellow and wander (yes gators can climb over a fence!). In winter alligators are not as active because they are cold and do not eat. You’ll often see alligators sunning themselves on banks to get warm. Attractions featuring alligators include the following: • Gatorland in Kissimmee is my favorite – it has been run by the same family for decades (founded in 1949). The big gator jaws at the entrance are a famous landmark. Besides being a great place to see alligators, it is also an outstanding place to see an active wild bird nesting rookery in spring. Expect to get close- up views from the boardwalk of nesting great egrets, snowy egrets, cattle egrets, tricolor herons, anhingas, wood storks, and spoonbills. The birds nest over the alligator swamp because it keeps their eggs safe from predators like raccoons. Gatorland also features a

13 gator-feeding show, famous zip-line over the gator swamp, night-shine tours to see the gators’ eyes glowing at night, and a special display of rare white alligators (worth millions of dollars). https://www.gatorland.com/

• Jungle Adventures is located off State Highway 50, and has definitely seen better days. It was devastated by the hurricanes in 2004, and has never recovered. I mention this small attraction because it is a unique place to take photographs of alligators covered in green duckweed. It also features an old-style, eye-popping alligator feeding session (no safety rules here). The boat ride through the swamp is nice too. Otherwise skip the rest of the attraction. The building itself is historic – “Swampy” is the world’s longest alligator building! http://www.jungleadventures.com/index.html You can pair a short stop here with a walk at the nearby Orlando Wetlands (page 16) or airboat tour (page 12).

14 BIRDWATCHING Florida is a paradise for birdwatchers! Florida is one of the top three states in the nation for birdwatching and the best for close-up viewing! Over 300 bird species make this area their home for at least part of the year.

There are many beautiful birds you might see. Wading birds commonly seen are various kinds of herons and egrets. Wood storks are tall white birds with bare dark heads that are usually seen near water. Anhingas are found near water too. Brown pelicans are commonly seen near the ocean and lagoon year round. At the beach you might see various kinds of gulls and terns, skimmers, ruddy turnstones (the little brown bird turning over shells and seaweed), and sanderlings running back and forth with the surf. Sandhill cranes can be seen walking around our neighborhoods.

Spoonbills are the only pink bird that you might see in the wild in Florida. Flocks of white ibis are often seen walking in groups on lawns (white birds with blue eyes and orange long curved bills). Both eagles and ospreys live in this area. The most obvious way to tell the difference is that eagles have pure white heads and tails, and ospreys don’t. Ospreys line up fish facing forward in their talons as they fly. Eagles start nesting in December, and ospreys nest in early spring. Eagle nests are massive and used year after year. Ospreys nest in trees and also on nesting platforms installed by FPL at the top of telephone poles.

15 When you drive Highway 528 to Orlando, you might see wild turkeys along the road. Notable birds in your yard might include cardinals, doves, boat-tailed grackles, blue jays, red-bellied woodpeckers, and screech owls. Winter brings migrating catbirds, painted buntings, flocks of robins, and massive swirls of tree swallows.

Beachside you might even encounter flocks of wild parrots, including black-hooded and monk parakeets. There are so many great birds – too many to mention here. An identification list of the most common birds is at: www.blog.catandturtle.net/backyard-bird-identification. A detailed list of bird species is at: www.allaboutbirds.org. A detailed list of places to see birds is at http://www.floridabirdingtrail.com/. If you encounter a bird in trouble, if possible take it to the Florida Wildlife Hospital at 4560 US 1 in Melbourne, open 9-5 every day, phone 321-254-8843. (http://www.floridawildlifehospital.org/).

The International Space Coast Birding and Wildlife Festival is held every January in Titusville. Several field trips and seminars are always featured. http://www.spacecoastbirdingandwildlifefestival.org/

Local birding hotspots (from north to south) include: • Orlando Wetlands (off State Route 50) http://www.orlandowetlands.org/ Now open year round. A new visitor center is in the works. Tram tours are available on Fridays and Saturdays. Features walking/biking trails on the dikes around scenic flooded areas. Also features photography workshops and a yearly festival in February. Best to visit in the cooler months. It is a man-made water filtration system that is an excellent place to view birds, alligators, turtles, and other wildlife. Located in the town of Christmas, Florida - the best place to postmark your mail in December for the holidays! http://www.floridatoday.com/story/news/local/2014/12/19/crowds-flock-tiny-town-christmas-good- cheer/20638309/ • Merritt Island National Wildlife Refuge is an excellent place to see birds (near Titusville). Drive the main Black Point loop. Stop at the Visitor Center for current sightings. Other good spots include BioLab Road and the ponds along the drive out to Canaveral National Seashore (look for the NASA launch pads to the south). You can see plenty of alligators at the refuge too. http://www.fws.gov/merrittisland/ • Viera Wetlands. Easy driving loop to see birds, alligators, and river otters (if you get lucky). Great blue herons and anhingas nest on the tops of palms in early spring. Call ahead 321-255- 4488 to make sure the dike road is open to cars (it is closed because of mud when it rains). http://www.brevardcounty.us/NaturalResources/EnvironmentalResources/vierawetlands/

16 • Turkey Creek Sanctuary in Palm Bay has walking and fitness trails, and a boardwalk that runs along the creek. Good place to see songbirds, gopher tortoises (to the right near the start of the fitness trail), and pond turtles and gar in the creek (viewing is best from the Canoe Deck). http://www.palmbayflorida.org/government/departments/parks-and-recreation/recreation/turkey-creek-sanctuary • Sebastian Inlet State Park. The park has two entrances –north and south (at each end of the bridge). The main north access point leads to a parking area for the long fishing pier and protected beach cove. After the pay station, turn right to go to the tidal beach cove on the lagoon side of the inlet – a good place for children to play in the shallow water. Lots of birds congregate here in winter, and sometimes you’ll see 9-armed sea stars. After the pay station, turn left to get to the parking area for the long fishing pier. Walk onto the pier to see what people are catching or to get a great view of the beach. Look for schools of fish, sea turtles, rays, manatees, and dolphins in the water, especially in the crystal clear waters of summer. Bait and gift/snack shops are on-site. Look for gopher tortoise burrows near the restrooms (especially at the far north parking area). The south access point leads to a camping area and boat launch ramp. It is a good place in winter to see wood storks and pelicans hanging out near the fish cleaning stations. Beside the south entrance pay station is a small fishing museum. A small fishing pier leads out from the beach here. https://www.floridastateparks.org/park/Sebastian-Inlet

• Pelican Island National Wildlife Refuge is just a few miles south of Sebastian Inlet State Park (past the McClarty Treasure Museum). A trail leads around a pond to a high overlook of the Indian River and Pelican Island (our first national wildlife refuge founded by President Teddy Roosevelt to protect the birds from the feather plume hunters). This is an especially good place to see blue land crabs during mating season in late summer/early fall. You can also spot the crabs along Jungle Trail Road in the same general area. Butterflies are especially abundant in Fall. http://www.fws.gov/pelicanisland/

17 BACKYARDS

There are lots of wonderful creatures you might see in your backyard here in Brevard County. Numerous bird species can be seen. Put up nest boxes to attract screech owls, woodpeckers, and purple martins. You might see armadillos, opossum, raccoons, rabbits, squirrels, gopher tortoises, deer, perhaps an alligator or river otter in a canal or lake, and maybe even a bobcat passing through! You probably won’t see snakes often, but those most commonly seen are the black racer and beautiful red/yellow corn snake. Brown and green anole lizards are commonly seen around the home. Male anoles inflate their red throat pouches for dramatic mating and threat displays. Numerous frog and toad species live in this area - they croak like crazy after summer storms. Wild pigs are best avoided – they can bulldoze your lawn in one night.

18 You can grow all sorts of wonderful plants in your backyard (see plant nurseries section for where to buy). Fun plants to grow include bananas, citrus trees, orchids, tropical flowers, and so many more! Vegetable gardens can be grown year round. In summer people especially enjoy having night-blooming cactus around their homes. The flowers get as big as dinner plates, and the blooms only open at night!

FUN PLACES TO GO AND THINGS TO DO

Bicycling is a year-round activity in Florida. Good websites are http://www.bikeflorida.net/ and http://floridahikes.com/biking

Botanical Gardens: • McKee Gardens in Vero Beach is famous for its waterlilies. It is a very beautiful historic garden. It was one of Florida’s original tourist attractions in the 1930s. At that time it was much bigger and also featured parrots and monkeys. Peak waterlily bloom is during the warmer months. McKee is highly recommended. http://www.mckeegarden.org/

• Bok Tower Gardens is a spectacular garden south of Orlando. It features a huge pink carillon bell tower on top of a hill surrounded by a lush landscape. January/February is peak flower bloom for azaleas and camellias. Huge Victoria waterlilies bloom in the reflecting pool in summer. This large landscape is gorgeous year round. At Christmas, the on-site Pinewood Estate home is decorated for the holidays – don’t miss it! Bok also is known for its Easter sunrise service. Bok is highly recommended. http://boktowergardens.org/

19 • Harry P. Leu Gardens is located north of Orlando. It is a 50-acre botanical garden (including an historic home) that is situated in a suburban neighborhood near downtown. It is famous for its rose garden, with over 215 varieties. http://www.leugardens.org/

Brevard Zoo is a high quality, small zoo that is easy to walk around. Favorite highlights include feeding the giraffes, bird aviary, mini-kayaking loop, treetop trek, petting zoo, and the newest animals on display – meercats and zebras. A special butterfly exhibit is often featured in summer. Boo at the Zoo is popular in October. https://brevardzoo.org/

East Florida State College Planetarium runs shows on the college campus in Cocoa on Friday and Saturday nights. http://www.easternflorida.edu/community-resources/planetarium/

Florida Institute of Technology Observatory in Melbourne opens its 32 inch telescope to visitors on the last Fridays of the months of March-April, and August-September-October (weather permitting). It is one of the largest research telescopes in the Southeast! Public lectures precede the viewing sessions. http://research.fit.edu/ortegatelescope/

Forever Florida near Kissimmee features swamp buggy tours; horseback eco-safaris, and has the world’s only zipline roller coaster. http://foreverflorida.com/

Golfing is a popular sport that can be enjoyed year round in Brevard. A list of places to play is at: http://spacecoastdaily.com/sub-page/Brevard-golf-courses/

Hiking trails can be found in Brevard’s numerous parks and sanctuaries. Good websites are: http://www.spacecoasthiking.com/ and http://floridahikes.com/Melbourne .

Kids: • Andretti Thrill Park in Melbourne provides arcade games and a driving track. http://www.andrettithrillpark.com/ • Bowling is a family favorite: http://fun4spacecoastkids.com/Fun-Around-Town/Bowling/ • Space Coast Iceplex in Rockledge is open year round and provides an arena for figure skating, hockey lessons/games, public skates, and event rooms for parties. http://www.spacecoasticeplex.com/

• Horseback riding lessons are provided at several barns. See list at: http://fun4spacecoastkids.com/Sports- Recreation/Horseback-Riding-Lessons/ . Horseback riding clubs for both kids and adults are available.

The King Center in Cocoa is a venue for concerts and cultural events. Current schedule and ticketing is at: http://www.kingcenter.com/

20 Melbourne Muscle Car Museum on Sarno Road in Melbourne opened in October 2016 to private events. Details are at: https://www.americanmusclecarmuseum.com/

Orchestras. The Space Coast and Brevard Symphony Orchestras entertain the community with special events year round. Check current schedules at http://www.spacecoastsymphony.org/ and http://brevardsymphony.com/ .

Port Canaveral /Cocoa Beach/Space Center Cocoa Beach: • Cocoa Beach Pier: Shopping and eating is featured along the boardwalk, in addition to fun on the beach by Ron Jon’s. Spring break vibe. In Spring 2015, the pier underwent a $4 million renovation. http://www.cocoabeachpier.com/ • Ron Jon’s at Cocoa Beach is famous for its surfing supplies and tourist souvenirs. Adjacent to Ron Jon’s is Ron Jon’s Surf Shop, which runs a surfing school and has a tiny surfing memorabilia display in the back. http://www.ronjonsurfshop.com/ Watch shark feeding time (twice per week) while you eat at the nearby Shark Pit Bar & Grill (times subject to change): http://www.cocoabeachsurf.com/shark_pit_bar_grill.html • A block away from Ron Jon’s is the Dinosaur Store. A fossil museum on the top floor opened in Spring 2017. The “Adventure Zone” within the store hosts birthday parties, family gatherings, and fossil “digs” on-site. http://www.dinosaurstore.com/ • Lighthouse Cove Mini Golf opened in 2016 and is located close by: http://www.lighthousecoveminigolf.com/cocoa-beach/index.cfm • Lori Wilson Park displays a sign in tribute to the TV series “I Dream of Jeannie” that was filmed in the 1960s. The show was about astronauts at the Space Center who lived in Cocoa Beach. It starred Barbara Eden as a genie and Larry Hagman as Major Nelson. http://www.brevardfl.gov/ParksRecreation/Central/ParksInCocoaBeach/LoriWilson

Port Canaveral (http://visitportcanaveral.com/): A new aquarium is currently under development. • Exploration Tower acts as a Welcome Center for the area. The iridescent sail-shaped building features local displays and has a beautiful view of the Port from the top observation deck. The building is especially stunning at night. http://www.explorationtower.com/

21 • Space Coast Experience Segway Tours. Provides a unique way to explore Port Canaveral. Segways move forward by tilting your waist. http://www.spacecoastsegwaytours.com/ If a family member has a disability, a “sand scoot” can be rented from Brevard Medical Equipment at 105 N. Banana Drive in Merritt Island for use on the beach (321-453-3370). • Just a few doors east of Segway Tours is Parker Brothers Concepts. The award-winning brothers build custom vehicles for Hollywood movies and television. You can tour the showroom or schedule a VIP tour to see work in progress. The brothers hosted a TV show called “Dream Machines”. All of the vehicles - no matter how outrageous looking - actually work. Vehicles on display include the Batmobile, Ghostbusters car, the motorcycle from TRON, and the new 2030 Mars Rover Concept Car. http://www.parkerbrothersconcepts.com/ and http://www.floridatoday.com/story/news/local/2014/04/16/tvs-parker-brothers-move-shop-portcanaveral/7763623/ • A fun thing to do is to watch the cruise ships go out to sea. They exit the port past Jetty Park, with people waving and cheering all the way. Popular times to watch are Saturdays and Sundays between 4-6 pm (although they go out most days of the week at the same time). A full schedule of departures and arrivals is at: https://www.portcanaveral.com/Cruise/Cruise-Lines-Schedules. Port Canaveral was named “America’s Best Home Port” in October 2015.

• Jetty Park’s wide sandy beach is a popular place for families and tourists. If you walk onto the fishing pier, look for manatees, dolphins, and sea turtles in the water below. See what the fisherman are catching, wave when a cruise ship goes by, or watch a rocket launch from Cape Canaveral (to the north just across the water). This is a good beach for children because the waves are calmed by the rock jetty. There is a playground nearby. Also available are a snack shop and rental concession for beach chairs, boogie boards, etc. Don’t forget to bring bread to feed the seagulls! https://www.portcanaveral.com/Recreation/Jetty-Park-Beach-Pier • Visit the Locks of Port Canaveral and you will likely see sea turtles, manatees, and lots of birds. http://www.saj.usace.army.mil/Missions/Civil-Works/Navigation/Navigation-Locks/Canaveral-Lock/ • Space Coast River Tours launches nearby off Highway 528 at Kelly Park on the mainland (west of Port Canaveral). These calm water boat tours feature wildlife of the Indian River Lagoon. Special interest tours include rocket launch viewing, 4th of July fireworks, and bioluminescence tours in summer. http://www.spacecoastrivertours.com/ • Jungle Village Golf and Arcade (8801 Astronaut Blvd., Cape Canaveral, 321-783-0595) is a fun stop for kids and the young at heart. Look for the big pink elephant with giant sunglasses. http://www.visitspacecoast.com/listings/Traxx-at-Jungle-Village/262/ • The Sands Space History Center (on the north side of Port Canaveral) features a free small display on the history of the space program (including a display case of space toys). http://afspacemuseum.org/historycenter/

22 Kennedy Space Center is located nearby (10 miles north of Port Canaveral). KSC is a “must do” attraction! Tour choices (subject to change) include the Classic KSC Bus Tour, Launch Control Center Tour, Cape Canaveral Early Space Tour, and others subject to change (there are also space camps for both kids and adults on occasion). Special KSC viewing packages are offered during rocket launches. https://www.kennedyspacecenter.com/

Night launches are the most dramatic - they light up the sky like a sunrise. After the rocket passes out of view, wait another few minutes for the sound from blastoff to reach you. The rumble is loudest when humidity is highest. Launches are easily visible from Palm Bay. Popular viewing sites include Kennedy Space Center, Jetty Park, Exploration Tower Observation Deck, Cocoa Beach Pier, the beaches, and the causeways [Highways 402 (Titusville) and 528 (Port Canaveral)]. Space Coast River Tours also hosts launch viewing from its pontoon boat (http://www.spacecoastrivertours.com/).

Excellent detailed launch viewing tips are at: http://www.launchphotography.com/Delta_4_Atlas_5_Falcon_9_Launch_Viewing.html .

Launch info is at: http://spacecoastlaunches.com/

Cape Canaveral Lighthouse sits on restricted Government property, so tours are strictly regulated. The main available tour departs from Exploration Tower at Port Canaveral. For booking, call Sunward Tours at 321-453-3994, or book online at: http://www.canaverallighthouse.com/. Bus tours are also available periodically through Kennedy Space Center (https://www.kennedyspacecenter.com/). For current updates about the lighthouse, go to: http://canaverallight.org/ Its original Fresnel lens can be seen on display at Ponce Inlet Lighthouse Museum in Daytona Beach.

23 An outstanding book on the local history of Patrick Air Force Base (covering its beginning in World War II, including a description of enemy submarines offshore) is “Banana River” by Barbara Marriott at: https://www.amazon.com/Banana-River-Stories-Diaries-World/dp/1418419575

A cute 1950's spoof on the "launch" of the Cape Canaveral Lighthouse is at: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mLaMyg3rC0c

Swimming is possible for much of the year in Florida. There are numerous public places to go for swimming lessons, activities, and competition. An article with details is at: http://www.floridatoday.com/story/entertainment/2014/07/15/just-keep-swimming-swim-brevard/12690629/ An excellent choice in southern Brevard is the Palm Bay Aquatic Center at: http://www.palmbayflorida.org/government/departments/parks-and-recreation/recreation/aquatic-center

Marathons and running are popular year-round in Florida. Major events include the following: • Disney sponsors spectacular themed runs year round including the Princess Half Marathon (in February) and the Star Wars Half Marathon (in April) https://www.rundisney.com/disneyworld- marathon/ • USA Beach Running Championships sponsors a sunrise half marathon on Cocoa Beach in early May http://www.runonthebeach.com/ • The Turtle Krawl 5K Run/Walk is held every September to raise funds for the Sea Turtle Preservation Society http://turtlekrawl.com/ • The Cocoa Beach Half Marathon is held every October. Finisher Jeannie Bottle Medals reflect Cocoa Beach’s fame as the location for the space-themed TV show “I Dream of Jeannie”. http://cocoabeachhalfmarathon.com/ . Read more about Jeannie at: https://naturetime.wordpress.com/?s=jeannie • The Space Coast Marathon and Half Marathon is held every November. It is the world’s only space-themed run. http://www.spacecoastmarathon.com/

24 FESTIVALS / ANNUAL EVENTS

Brevard is home to many popular festivals and seasonal fun. Events are listed at http://brevardcountyevents.com/search/ A few of the many festivals are: • International Space Coast Birding and Wildlife Festival in Titusville in January http://www.spacecoastbirdingandwildlifefestival.org/ • Grant Seafood Festival in February/March http://www.grantseafoodfestival.com/ • Regional – Daytona 500 and Bike Week (motorcycles) in February. http://www.daytonainternationalspeedway.com/?homepage=true and http://www.officialbikeweek.com/ • Melbourne Air Show in March http://airandspaceshow.com/ • Tico Warbird Air Museum/Vintage Warbird Air Show in Titusville in March https://www.valiantaircommand.com/airshow • Ron Jon Easter Surfing Festival in Cocoa Beach in March/April http://www.eastersurffest.com/ • Thunder on the Beach Super Boat Grand Prix in Cocoa Beach in May http://thunderoncocoabeach.com/ • Melbourne Spring and Fall Art Festivals http://www.melbournearts.org/ • International Sea Bean and Beachcomber Festival in Cocoa Beach every other October http://www.seabean.com/ • Space Coast Art Festival at Port Canaveral in November. http://spacecoastartfestival.com/

25 HOLIDAYS

Theme Parks are decked out in lights November – early January. Special fireworks and light shows are featured. • Disney World’s Cinderella’s Castle is spectacular during the holidays. Mickey’s Light Parade is a favorite. https://disneyworld.disney.go.com/ • Gaylord Palms ICE Show runs from Thanksgiving until the New Year. The ice is carved annually by artisans flown in from China. http://www.marriott.com/hotels/travel/mcogp-gaylord-palms- resort-and-convention-center/ • Numerous holiday boat parades are found throughout the county and state – see at least one! http://www.floridabywater.com/component/content/article?id=1647:boat-parades

• Wickham Park Lights Drive-Through is always popular. http://www.spacecoastlightfest.com/ • Bok Tower Gardens – Pinewood Estate is decorated for the holidays. The decorations and gardens are particularly beautiful in December. http://boktowergardens.org/

• St. Augustine is famous for its millions of twinkling white lights during its “Night of Lights”. It was selected by National Geographic in 2011 and 2012 as one of the ten best holiday lighting displays in the world! The display is based on the Spanish tradition of displaying a white candle in the window during the Christmas holidays. Look up “Night of Lights” at: http://www.floridashistoriccoast.com/floridas-historic-coast

26 FUN AROUND FLORIDA

ORLANDO THEME PARKS AND ATTRACTIONS

There are endless things to do in the Orlando area. A hotspot is International Drive. Discounts exist for Florida residents. • Disney World first opened in 1971 and transformed the face of Orlando. https://disneyworld.disney.go.com/ Plan your visit by checking the crowd calendar at: http://touringplans.com/walt-disney-world/crowd-calendar o Magic Kingdom. Disney’s original park and still a favorite. Cinderalla’s castle is decorated spectacularly with lights during the holidays. o Hollywood Studios Star Tours Launch Bay opened in Dec 2015 and features 3-D effects and Star Wars characters (50 different stories so you’ll never get the same ride twice). Star Wars weekends are held annually in May. Opening in 2019 will be the new Star Wars Land, developed in conjunction with Lucasfilm. The plan is to immerse the guest in the Star Wars universe, including a live cantina and driving the Millennium Falcon. o Animal Kingdom. Come see the animals on the mini-Serengeti (Kilimanjaro Sunset Safaris are available). Flamingos nest in summer by the lodge. Rivers of Light show in the evening is spectacular. The new World of Avatar – Pandora opened in May 2017. o Epcot. Known best for the spring Flower and Garden Festival (30 million blooms!) and the Fall Food Festival.

o Disney Springs. Popular shopping/eating area. o ESPN Wide World of Sports • Universal Studios. Features high-thrill rides in a movie-themed environment. Most popular sections are the Wizarding World of Harry Potter and Islands of Adventure. Special night-time Backlot Studio Tours are offered on summer weekends and during busy seasons throughout the year. These one-hour evening tours feature Hollywood lighting effects on sets like “How the Grinch Stole Christmas”, Jurassic Park, and Frankenstein. The finale is a 3-D 120-mph projection ride through the streets of LA. Blue Man Group performs at the resort. Skull Island – Reign of Kong opened in Summer 2016. Volcano Bay water theme park opened in Summer 2017 (no lines – you get timed entry on the water slides). http://www.universalstudios.com/ • SeaWorld. Features marine life in a theme park environment. http://seaworldparks.com/en/seaworld- orlando/ A new 200-foot-tall rollercoaster named Mako opened in June 2016. The shark-themed thrill ride is the longest, tallest, and fastest in Orlando. The Kraken rollercoaster opened as a new virtual reality experience in June 2017. Future exhibits will reflect a new partnership with Sesame Street. • SeaWorld’s Discovery Cove. Features swimming with the dolphins, an underwater walking tour of the Grand Reef, and feeding tropical birds. https://discoverycove.com/

27 • Orlando Eye in the Sky opened in May 2015. Thirty stabilized gondolas rotate around a 400- foot-tall Ferris wheel. Each observation gondola is air-conditioned and holds 15 people. It was built by Swiss engineers to withstand the Florida weather and hurricanes (it is closed when summer thunderstorms are nearby). On a clear day, views extend all the way to the beach. At night, visitors can see theme park lights and fireworks shows in the area. A rocket launch view would be amazing! At the base of the Orlando Eye are Madame Tussauds’ Wax Museum (it takes 3-4 months to create each wax figure) and Merlin’s Sea life Aquarium (featuring over 5,000 creatures with a 360 degree walk-through tunnel with a clear Plexiglas floor). https://www.officialorlandoeye.com/

Citrus Park in Clermont has the “World’s Largest 4 x 4 Adventure”. A 2500 acre citrus and cattle farm can be toured for one hour in three open air mammoth trucks. Wildlife on display includes alligators, snakes, birds, and more. Fresh oranges are for sale along with local wines. Family-owned venue with friendly owners. http://showcaseofcitrus.com/

NORTH OF ORLANDO

Morse Tiffany Glass Museum in Winter Park has the most comprehensive Tiffany collection in the world! The glassware is really beautiful, and a visit is highly recommended. The museum sits in the middle of a shopping/eating district. http://www.morsemuseum.org/

28 Silver Springs State Park in Ocala is the site of one of Florida’s earliest tourist attractions. It was first used as the location for a Hollywood film in 1916. Multiple Tarzan movies were filmed at the spring during the 1930s-1950s. Silver Springs transformed into a state park in October 2013. It features glass bottom boat rides, canoe/kayak rentals, and walking trails. Descendants of wild rhesus monkeys released in the 1930s still live in the park. https://www.floridastateparks.org/park/silver-springs

Tubing is a popular way to enjoy Central Florida’s bubbling springs. A list of the best tubing runs is at: http://www.orlandosentinel.com/travel/springs/orl-trav-springs-intro-story.html Most popular is Juniper Springs (90 minutes north of Orlando and 22 miles east of Silver Springs). It is one of best canoe runs in Florida – a 4-hour, 7-mile one way trip (rent a canoe and take the bus back).

SOUTH OF ORLANDO

Legoland in Winter Haven features LEGO displays, a water park, and a newly opened LEGO hotel. Check dates and times for park opening, because the schedule is tailored to small children. Legoland sits on the site of one of Florida’s original tourist attractions - Cypress Gardens. The historic gardens are preserved and maintained by Legoland. http://florida.legoland.com/

Bok Tower Gardens (as mentioned previously) is a spectacular garden in Lake Wales. It features a huge pink carillon bell tower on top of a hill surrounded by a lush landscape. January/February is peak flower bloom for azaleas and camellias. Huge Victoria waterlilies bloom in the reflecting pool in summer. This large landscape is beautiful year round. At Christmas, the on-site Pinewood Estate home is decorated for the holidays – don’t miss it! Bok also is known for its Easter sunrise service. Bok is highly recommended. http://boktowergardens.org/

Highlands Hammock State Park is a little known jewel of a park south of Orlando and west of Lake Wales. It is one of Florida’s oldest state parks and features scenic walking trails through the swamp. The “Big Oak” tree is over 1,000 years old! Boardwalks lead over swamps filled with bald cypress trees. Don’t miss the Cypress Swamp Catwalk – this narrow boardwalk was built in 1933. Tram tours run for a short time in spring to view the fireflies. https://www.floridastateparks.org/park/Highlands-Hammock

29 Kissimmee Prairie State Park in Okeechobee County is Florida’s largest dry prairie. This isolated 54,000 acre park is home to many endangered animals and plants. The prairie has more species of plants per acre than anywhere else in the United States and its 79-species butterfly list is the longest in Florida! Grassland vistas stretch to the horizon, and the night sky is spectacular for stargazing (astronomy parties are popular). Take a short walk down the trail at the intersection of Peavine (the main dirt road leading from the entrance) and Military Trails to see big alligators in the slough (use caution!). https://www.floridastateparks.org/park/Kissimmee-Prairie

30 NORTH OF BREVARD COUNTY

Jacksonville: • Amelia Island. Scenic place to visit and relax. Features horseback riding on the beach. http://www.ameliaisland.com/ • Big Talbot Island is famous for its driftwood (known as Boneyard Beach). https://www.floridastateparks.org/park/Big- Talbot-Island • Navy ships are visible from the cable span bridge into the city (home to Mayport Naval Station).

St. Augustine (America’s oldest city!) http://www.floridashistoriccoast.com/ • Fort Castillo de San Marcos (Spanish Fort first built in 1672). See the old cannons and view from the top. http://www.nps.gov/casa/index.htm • Historic Walking District • Pirate Museum http://thepiratemuseum.com/ • Mission of Nombre de Dios. Historic church near Fort. http://missionandshrine.org/ • Lightner Museum. Nice variety of items on display. http://www.lightnermuseum.org/ • St. Augustine Lighthouse. Climb to the top, enjoy the view, and tour the museum. Special archeology tours are given on Mondays and Fridays about “Lost Ships”. http://www.staugustinelighthouse.org/ • St. Augustine Alligator Farm. Impressive number alligators on display. Wild bird nesting rookery in spring. http://www.alligatorfarm.com/ • Ponte Vedra Beaches. Beautiful wide uncrowded beaches. http://www.oldcity.com/beaches.php • Marineland. One of Florida’s earliest tourist attractions (opened in 1938). Dolphin Nellie was born here in 1953 and lived to the age of 61. She lived longer than any documented dolphin, and was awarded an honorary Ph.D. by Jacksonville University in 2013. This small facility fell on hard times in the 1980s, but is now doing better since it was bought by the Georgia Aquarium. You can swim, feed, or help train the dolphins here at a reasonable cost. Cute old-time Florida. http://www.marineland.net/ • Washington Oak Gardens State Park/Peach Sand Beach (across the street). Scenic place for a stroll. http://www.washingtonoaks.org/ and http://www.floridarambler.com/florida-best- beaches/washington-oaks-gardens-beach-flagler-county/

31 Daytona Beach • Ponce Inlet Lighthouse and Lens Exhibit building. Florida’s tallest lighthouse. Excellent view of Ponce Inlet. Fresnel lens exhibit is the best I’ve ever seen! http://ponceinlet.org/

• Marine Science Center. Nice marine exhibits. Center rehabilitates sea turtles and birds. Very close to Ponce Lighthouse. http://www.marinesciencecenter.com/ • Daytona Beach has largest concentration of seagulls in the United States. In winter it hosts up to 30,000 birds! • New Cici and Hyatt Brown Museum of Art opened in Spring 2015. It has received excellent reviews and features Florida art and history (including paintings of the natural Florida landscape). http://www.moas.org/ciciandhyattbrownmuseum.html Smyrna Dunes Park . A 2-mile boardwalk and observation tower looks out over Ponce Inlet. Excellent for birds (best at low tide in winter/spring). Dog friendly. http://www.volusia.org/services/public- works/coastal-division/coastal-parks/smyrna-dunes-park.stml

SOUTH OF BREVARD COUNTY

Vero Beach: • McKee Gardens (as mentioned previously) is famous for its waterlilies. It is a very beautiful historic garden. It was one of Florida’s original tourist attractions in the 1930s. At that time it was much bigger and also featured parrots and monkeys. Peak waterlily bloom is during the warmer months. http://www.mckeegarden.org/ • Vero Beach Museum of Art. Features collections of glass, paintings, photography, and sculpture, along with rotating special exhibits. http://www.verobeachmuseum.org/ Fort Pierce: • National UDT-Navy Seal Museum. This small museum has an excellent display on Navy seals and equipment. A Hollywood film crew visited the museum in 2011 in preparation for the movie “Captain Phillips” starring Tom Hanks. https://www.navysealmuseum.org/ • Heathcote Gardens. Small botanical garden with an especially nice bonsai display. https://www.heathcotebotanicalgardens.org/ • A.E. Backus Gallery and Museum. Features historic highwaymen art by A.E. Backus, in addition to special exhibits. Recently doubled in size. Check hours for opening times. http://www.backusmuseum.com/

32 Jupiter: • Jupiter Inlet Lighthouse. Docent-led tours to the base and top of the lighthouse can be arranged in the small museum and gift shop nearby. http://www.jupiterlighthouse.org/

• Blowing Rocks Preserve. The longest and most dramatic stretch of rocky coast in Florida. Waves “blow” through the rocks at high tide (during storms the water can spray up to 50 feet!). http://www.nature.org/ourinitiatives/regions/northamerica/unitedstates/florida/placesweprotect/blowing-rocks- preserve.xml • Loggerhead Marinelife Center/Sea Turtle Hospital is a short distance south in Juno Beach. View the exhibits, watch veterinary care, and see rehabilitation tanks full of turtles. https://www.marinelife.org/ West Palm Beach: • Mounts Botanical Garden is a tropical paradise meant to inspire ideas for your own backyard. https://www.mounts.org/

Delray Beach: • Morikami Museum and Japanese Gardens contains six authentic Japanese gardens inspired by famous gardens in Japan. Stroll along a one mile path and enjoy the Garden of the Drops of Dew, rock garden, romantic garden, bamboo grove, bonsai exhibit, koi pond, turtle island, and more. The museum features an extensive collection of Japanese art. Enjoy a Pan-Asian lunch at the Cornell Café. https://morikami.org/

Coconut Creek: • Butterfly World is the largest butterfly park in the world! See over 3,000 free-flying butterflies in a huge tropical conservatory. A butterfly rearing lab is also on-site, in addition to a bug zoo/museum, hummingbird aviary (country’s largest), and a large collection of passion flower vines. Highly recommended. 2 hour drive south of Palm Bay. http://www.butterflyworld.com/

33 Fort Lauderdale/Davie: • Flamingo Gardens. 60 acres of tropical gardens and wildlife sanctuary. An albino peacock wanders the gardens. http://www.flamingogardens.org/

Miami: • Fairchild Botanical Gardens. Huge tropical garden filled with plants collected around the world by famous plant explorer David Fairchild. First opened in 1938. Special exhibits are often on display. Tram available. Highly recommended. http://www.fairchildgarden.org/

• Vizcaya Museum and Gardens. Elaborate historic home with an extensive art collection and formal gardens on Biscayne Bay. http://www.vizcaya.org/ • Miami-Dade Zoological Park and Gardens. Surprisingly large zoo with a diverse collection of animals. A three-mile walking path leads past over 100 exhibits. It is the only tropical zoo in the United States. http://www.zoomiami.org/ • Fruit and Spice Park. The only tropical botanical garden in the United States. 37 acres includes 150 varieties of mangoes, 75 kinds of bananas, and 70 types of bamboo, among others. Features fresh tropical fruit tasting. http://redlandfruitandspice.com/ • Everglades National Park is the largest track of wilderness east of the Rockies. It is home to some of the most rare and endangered species in the United States. Be sure to stop by the Royal Palm Visitor Center, climb the Shark Valley Observation Tower, and walk Anhinga Trail. http://www.nps.gov/ever/index.htm

Florida Keys: Keep the weather in mind when planning a trip. http://www.fla-keys.com/ • John Pennekamp State Park features glass bottom boat tours over the coral reef. Go on a calm day. http://pennekamppark.com/ • Bahia Honda State Park is a favorite for snorkeling and beachcombing. http://bahiahondapark.com/ • Dolphin Research Center is located on Grassy Key and features interaction with the dolphins. The center specializes in research and education. The first “Flipper” shows were filmed here. http://www.dolphins.org/ • Key West has numerous things to see and do. Plan your stay at: http://keywest.com/ • Dry Tortugas National Park is located 70 miles west of Key West. You can travel there by ferry or seaplane. It is famous for Fort Jefferson, amazing snorkeling, and incredible birdlife. http://www.nps.gov/drto/index.htm and http://www.drytortugas.com/

34 WESTERN FLORIDA

Western Florida from Tampa southward is more crowded and the highways are busier than here in in Brevard County. The western coast of Florida fronts the Gulf, and the ocean is generally calm and good for wading. The eastern coast of Florida fronts the Atlantic Ocean, and the waves are good for surfing. • Homosassa Springs State Park/Crystal River (north of Tampa) As mentioned previously, manatees visit the spring in winter. The park’s historic underwater fish bowl lets you “dive” without getting wet. Resident Lu the hippo has lived at the park since 1960, and was a TV star before that. https://www.floridastateparks.org/park/Homosassa-Springs You can book tours to snorkel with the manatees in the surrounding Crystal River/Three Sisters Spring area: (1) http://www.nativevacations.com/ ; (2) https://www.birdsunderwater.com/#/ ; (3) (http://www.snorkelwithmanatees.com/ If you prefer not to snorkel, a trolley departs from the Three Sisters Springs Center every half hour from mid-November – March to view points at Three Sisters Springs and Hunter Springs. http://www.threesistersspringsvisitor.org/

• Weeki Wachee Springs State Park is one of Florida’s oldest tourist attractions. Visitors have been coming to see the mermaid shows in the underwater theater since 1947. For a mermaid to pass the final exam and earn her tail, she has to hold her breath for 2 ½ minutes and dive 120 feet into the spring! https://www.floridastateparks.org/park/Weeki-Wachee and http://weekiwachee.com/ o Tampa: http://www.visittampabay.com/index.aspx o Tarpon Springs: Greek Community with Sponge Diving History. http://www.spongedocks.net/ o Honeymoon Island State Park: Beautiful sugar sand beach. https://www.floridastateparks.org/park/honeymoon-island o Caledesi Island: Accessible by ferry; national award winning beach. https://www.floridastateparks.org/park/Caladesi-Island o Clearwater Marine Aquarium: Featuring Winter from the movie “A Dolphin Tale”. http://www.seewinter.com/ o Salvador Dali Museum: Stunning building and displays! http://thedali.org/

o Fort DeSoto State Park: http://www.pinellascounty.org/park/05_ft_desoto.htm o Lowry Park Zoo: http://www.lowryparkzoo.com/

35 o Florida Aquarium: http://www.flaquarium.org/?forceFull=true o Annual Kite Festival: Held every January at Treasure Island (near St. Petersburg). Kite enthusiasts from around the country come to give demonstrations and compete. http://www.onlyinyourstate.com/florida/this-incredible-kite-festival-in-florida-is-a-must-see/ • Tampa Electric Manatee Viewing Center (open Nov 1 – April 15). Look for up to 300 manatees in the warm water discharge area. Also look for spotted eagle rays. See numerous wading birds. Phone (813) 228-4289. http://www.tampaelectric.com/company/mvc/ • Sarasota/Bradenton o Anna Maria Island: http://annamariaisland.com/ o South Florida Museum: http://www.southfloridamuseum.org/ Lots of natural history exhibits. The museum was home to Snooty, the world’s oldest manatee, born in 1948, and passed away at the age of 69 in July 2017. o Tropiflora Nursery: Great source of tropical plants. http://toptropicals.com/index.htm o Ringling Circus and Art Museum: http://www.ringling.org/ o Sarasota Jungle Gardens: http://www.sarasotajunglegardens.com/ o Sarasota Classic Car Museum: http://www.sarasotacarmuseum.org/ o Marie Selby Garden: Gorgeous tropical garden; highly recommended. http://selby.org/

o Mote Marine Laboratory/Aquarium: https://mote.org/ o South Lido Beach: http://www.seesarasotalive.com/sarasota-beaches/south-lido-beach • Myakka (an hour east of Sarasota) o Myakka River State Park: Scenic area including a Canopy Walk at the treetop level. https://www.floridastateparks.org/park/myakka-river o Peace River: Good place to collect fossils during the winter dry season by walk-in or kayak/canoe. Tours can be arranged by: http://www.backintimefossils.com/ and http://fossilhuntingtours.com/ . • Venice, Casperson, and Manasota Beaches: Venice and surrounding beaches are famous for fossilized shark’s teeth and the annual Shark’s Tooth Festival in Venice every April. http://www.sharkstoothfest.com/ Call any Venice Dive Shop and they will recommend boat captains who specialize in taking you out to find fossils. Besides Venice, you can find sharks’ teeth on Casey and Manasota Keys.

36 • Port Charlotte Region o Boca Grande Lighthouse and Museum: http://www.barrierislandparkssociety.org/port-boca- grande-lighthouse-museum o Gasparilla Island (beach day trip): https://www.floridastateparks.org/park/gasparilla-island o Stump Pass Beach State Park (45 minutes south of Gasparilla) https://www.floridastateparks.org/park/Stump-Pass and http://floridahikes.com/stump-pass- beach-state-park • Cape Coral o Cape Coral Burrowing Owls – best place to reliably see burrowing owls in Florida. Birds are most active at dawn and dusk. A map is at: http://www.billmajoros.com/photoalbum/categories/new/florida2010/owlmap.pdf A wildlife website with seasonal tours is at: http://www.ccfriendsofwildlife.org/nature- tours/ If visiting, ask where to see the wild monk parakeets in the area.

• Fort Myers o Edison-Ford Winter Estates (historic home and tropical garden) http://www.edisonfordwinterestates.org/ o Fort Myers Beach/Little Estero Lagoon (by Point Estero Resort) is good for shells & birds. http://floridabirdingtrail.com/trail/trail-sections/south-section/little-estero-island-cwa/ o The American Sand Sculpting Contest is the largest in the USA. It is held at Fort Myers Beach every November: http://fmbsandsculpting.com/ o Fort Myers FPL Plant at Port of Islands Canal hosts up to 600 manatees in winter [Manatee Park is at 10901 Palm Beach Blvd., Fort Myers, 1.3 miles east on SR80 (I-75 exit 141]. https://www.leegov.com/parks/facility?fid=0088 o Lovers Key (good for shelling) https://www.floridastateparks.org/park/lovers-key

• Audubon Corkscrew Swamp Sanctuary is a scenic wildlife sanctuary featuring a wide boardwalk through the swamp. http://corkscrew.audubon.org/ It contains one of the last remaining stands of bald cypress trees in North America, and it is a critical nesting area for threatened wood storks.

37 • Sanibel o J.N. Ding Darling National Wildlife Refuge (closed Fridays). http://www.fws.gov/refuge/jn_ding_darling/ o Bailey-Matthews Shell Museum. http://www.shellmuseum.org/ o Sanibel Lighthouse. http://www.sanibeltrails.com/sanibel-lighthouse.aspx o Shelling at Blind Pass Beach. Some people are so committed to shelling that they do it before dawn with a flashlight. Your best luck would be to go on a boat shelling tour to one of the islands offshore. http://sanibel-captiva.org/sanibel-island-shelling/ • Naples o Naples Botanical Garden. Surprisingly large and beautiful garden. Check calendar for events before you visit. http://www.naplesgarden.org/

o Marco Island. North of hotel zone, stroll in isolation on Tigertail Beach. Great for wildlife and birds. http://www.colliergov.net/index.aspx?page=468#tigertail Go on a Marco Island Boat Tour to “Shell Key” in the Thousand Islands. Layers and layers of shells are piled up there, including rare Junonias.. Call 239-695.0000; http://www.marcoisland- boattours.com/

• Big Cypress National Preserve is located between Naples and Miami on US 41. Stop at the Big Cypress Art Gallery featuring Clyde Butcher’s stunning natural photography of the area, and enjoy the Swamp Walk behind the gallery. Call 239-695-2428; http://clydebutcher.com/big- cypress/swamp-walks/

• Lake Okeechobee – Fisheating Creek is a swallowtail kite hotspot during migration. Call 863-675-5999 for updates on the best time to see the birds. Nesting occurs along the creek April-May, and communal roosts develop June-July in the vicinity of Cowbone Marsh. The birds leave for migration to South America in August. http://www.fisheatingcreekoutpost.com/showpage.asp?page=links

38 NORTHERN FLORIDA

The northern Florida panhandle is famous and known worldwide for its sugar sand beaches. Favorite hotspots are listed below. http://emeraldcoastfl.com/ • Lighthouses – Pensacola, St. Joseph Point, Cape San Blas, Cape St. George, St. Marks http://www.pensacolalighthouse.org/lighthouses/ • Gulf Islands National Seashore http://www.nps.gov/guis/index.htm • Santa Rosa Beach https://www.visitsouthwalton.com/ • Wakulla Springs State Park is home to one of the deepest and clearest freshwater springs in the world. Many Tarzan movies were filmed at the spring, along with the 1954 “Creature from the Black Lagoon” movie. Be sure to go on the boat tour. https://www.floridastateparks.org/park/Wakulla-Springs

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