Category Archives: mcbobleonard

Florida Animal Sanctuaries Are Unlike Animal Parks

Posted on April 4, 2017 by floridatraveler

Animals have always been big business in Florida.  Walt Disney World has Animal Kingdom to compete against Tampa’s Busch Gardens.  Sea animals have their place at Sea World while there are six other dolphin playgrounds. Lion Country Safari started in … Continue reading →

Posted in adventure vacation, attractions, conservation, environment, florida education, florida history, Florida parks, florida vacations, mcbobleonard, Recreational Experiences, travel | Tagged , , , | Leave a comment

10 Great Florida Literary Landmarks To Visit

Posted on March 28, 2017 by floridatraveler

It was not until well into the twentieth century that Florida had the urban population and economy to bolster its own literary marketplace.  For decades most Florida writers were snowbirds, who found places like Saint Augustine and Key West warm … Continue reading →

Posted in adventure vacation, art, attractions, florida education, florida history, florida vacations, Historic Buildings, Historic Hotels & Inns, mcbobleonard, museums | Tagged , , , , , , | 1 Comment

Small Town Weekend Trips: Dade City

Posted on March 21, 2017 by floridatraveler

I spent last weekend on a little trip from my home in Tampa to do some antique shopping in Dade City and eat at the famous Lunch at Limoges luncheon at the 1908 Williams Department store.  You are missing the … Continue reading →

Posted in attractions, dining, Florida Food, florida history, florida vacations, food, Historic Buildings, Historic Hotels & Inns, mcbobleonard, museums, Restaurants | Leave a comment

Products and Industries You Don’t Identify With Florida

Posted on March 14, 2017 by floridatraveler

When you say “Florida products” to most Americans, most will think oranges and grapefruit, perhaps winter vegetables, motor homes and trailers, and lots of beach items like boats and water skis.  Florida’s economy is much more diverse today and some … Continue reading →

Posted in attractions, business, environment, florida history, florida vacations, mcbobleonard, travel | Leave a comment

Things In Florida That Scare Visitors: Fact and Fancy

Posted on March 7, 2017 by floridatraveler

As a person who writes blogs and articles about Florida, I get a lot of emails about whet people like and don’t like about my state.  It may shock some of you that there are people in the USA who … Continue reading →

Posted in adventure vacation, conservation, environment, florida education, florida history, Florida parks, florida vacations, mcbobleonard, Recreational Experiences, travel | Tagged , , | Leave a comment

March Is Flower Blooming Season In Florida

Posted on February 27, 2017 by floridatraveler

March is perhaps the best season to visit Florida’s dozens of beautiful, flowering parks from Jacksonville and Pensacola to Miami and Naples.  There is a great diversity of plants in March in Florida which is famous worldwide for its azalea … Continue reading →

Posted in attractions, conservation, environment, florida history, Florida parks, Historic Buildings, mcbobleonard, Recreational Experiences, travel | Tagged , , , | Leave a comment

It’s Art Festival Time In Florida

Posted on February 13, 2017 by floridatraveler

February and March are big months for huge outdoor art festivals in Florida. Last weekend was one of my favorite events to visit – the 20th annual art festival in downtown Dunedin.  Main Street was filled with artists and craftsmen … Continue reading →

Posted in attractions, florida history, Florida parks, florida vacations, mcbobleonard, Recreational Experiences, travel | Tagged , , , , | Leave a comment

How Can You Tell A Real Floridian From All the Visitors and Newcomers?

Posted on February 5, 2017 by floridatraveler

This is the time of year when Floridians feel they are outnumbered on the highways and stores by visitors and “snowbirds.” I know some people don’t like that term.  Texas calls them “winter Texans” and that’s OK with me.  But … Continue reading →

Posted in disney, environment, florida education, florida history, florida vacations, mcbobleonard, Walt Disney World, wdw | Tagged , , , , | Leave a comment

The Annual Walt Disney World Food Challenge

Posted on January 23, 2017 by floridatraveler

Every year restaurants are added and some vanish at the resorts, four parks, and Disney Springs complex at Walt Disney World.  As an annual member and nearby Florida resident since WDW opened in 1971, I sometimes feel like a Disney … Continue reading →

Posted in dining, disney, disney springs, Florida Food, florida history, florida vacations, food, Historic Hotels & Inns, mcbobleonard, Restaurants, Walt Disney World, wdw | Tagged , , , | Leave a comment

The Best “Old” Resorts and Hotels In Florida

Posted on January 18, 2017 by floridatraveler

In Europe a hotel is not old until it passes its 200th birthday, but here in Florida old means the building was constructed before World War II. As a historian, I enjoy the sometimes laid-back atmosphere and sheer personality of … Continue reading →

Posted in attractions, dining, environment, Florida Food, florida history, Historic Buildings, Historic Hotels & Inns, mcbobleonard, Restaurants, Tiffany | Tagged , , , , , | Leave a comment