Category Archives: small towns

FLORIDA’S FABULOUS VICTORIAN HOTELS: OPEN OR NOT

Posted on September 4, 2021 by floridatraveler

The history of Florida Is much longer than its attraction as a major winter destination. Prior to the post-Civil War Era, visitors had to enter Florida by coastal steamboat and outside of some mid-size hotels in Saint Augustine, there were … Continue reading →

Posted in bed&breakfast, florida history, florida vacations, Historic Buildings, Historic Hotels & Inns, mcbobleonard, small towns | Leave a comment

PANAMA CITY – NOT THE BEACH BUT THE CITY

Posted on August 8, 2020 by floridatraveler

Its is SUMMER TIME and this is the main tourist season for PANAMA CITY BEACH, the beach center for the so-called “Redneck Riviera.”  I first saw PCB as a student at Florida State University and I was amazed at the … Continue reading →

Posted in attractions, florida education, florida history, florida vacations, Historic Buildings, mcbobleonard, panama city, small towns, travel | Tagged , , , | Leave a comment

The Perfect Trip To Boost Christmas Spirit: Bok Tower and Gardens

Posted on December 14, 2018 by floridatraveler

The Christmas season can be a time of nervous energy and open tension.  It is a time when if you live in Florida, you may get a lot of visitors, both families and friends. It is also a time when … Continue reading →

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

Best Florida Sporting Events of Winter 2019

Posted on December 8, 2018 by floridatraveler

This is the time of time where people are looking at future calendars for vacation plans, trips around Florida, and events they want to attend.  As a sports editor, my father took paid close attention when major “must-see” events were … Continue reading →

Posted in adventure vacation, attractions, disney, florida history, Florida sports, florida vacations, mcbobleonard, small towns, travel | Tagged , , , | Leave a comment

Florida’s Waterside Entertainment Malls Are A Tourist Plus

Posted on November 28, 2018 by floridatraveler

A lot of Florida cities take advantage of both the climate and the location on the water of the ocean or a bay.   The creation of waterside entertainment centers give locals and visitors the option to dine, to shop, to … Continue reading →

Posted in adventure vacation, attractions, dining, Florida Food, florida history, florida vacations, food, mcbobleonard, Restaurants, small towns, Tampa, travel | Tagged , , , | Leave a comment

Florida’s Often Undervalued Gem: Charlotte Harbor

Posted on October 16, 2018 by floridatraveler

Recently I attended a convention in Punta Gorda, the town where my family first moved to Florida in the 1960’s. The waterfront devastated by category 4 Hurricane Charley in August of 2004 has not only been rebuilt, it has been … Continue reading →

Posted in adventure vacation, attractions, conservation, dining, environment, extreme sports, florida history, Florida parks, florida vacations, Historic Buildings, Historic Hotels & Inns, keys, mcbobleonard, Recreational Experiences, Restaurants, small towns, travel | Tagged , , , , , , | Leave a comment

The Hurricane That Killed and Flooded Florida

Posted on September 22, 2018 by floridatraveler

The devastating flooding in the Carolinas due to the huge hurricane reminded me of Florida’s most dramatic flooding crisis.  It may seem strange to some of you since Florida is so flat and its rivers seem to flow slowly. Ninety … Continue reading →

Posted in adventure vacation, attractions, conservation, environment, florida history, Florida parks, Historic Buildings, Hurricanes, mcbobleonard, small towns, travel | Tagged , , , , , | Leave a comment

Underrated and Often Forgotten Great Beaches of Florida

Posted on August 12, 2018 by floridatraveler

Florida has one thousand miles of coastline and miles of terrific beaches, but some beaches are actually underrated and almost forgotten by a majority of tourists and even Floridians.  Why is that? Sometimes, there are few large resorts advertising the … Continue reading →

Posted in adventure vacation, attractions, conservation, environment, florida history, Florida parks, florida vacations, Historic Hotels & Inns, keys, mcbobleonard, museums, Recreational Experiences, small towns, travel | Tagged , , , , | Leave a comment

The Forgotten Coast Is A Unique Florida Vacation Spot

Posted on July 15, 2018 by floridatraveler

When visitors, snowbirds, and residents travel around Florida, they are confronted with Chamber of Commerce produced symbols: Miami is in the Gold Coast; Clearwater is on the Sun Coast; St Augustine is the First Coast; Fort Pierce is the Treasure … Continue reading →

Posted in adventure vacation, attractions, conservation, environment, Florida Food, florida history, Florida parks, florida vacations, food, Historic Hotels & Inns, mcbobleonard, museums, Restaurants, small towns, travel | Tagged , , , , , | Leave a comment

My Favorite Seafood Spots In Southeast Florida

Posted on June 12, 2018 by floridatraveler

My New England heritage might be why I enjoy visiting seafood restaurants across Florida and with the longest coastline of any state other than Alaska there’s a lot of waterfront for restaurants to locate. Here are some great places for … Continue reading →

Posted in adventure vacation, attractions, beer, dining, environment, Florida Food, florida history, Historic Hotels & Inns, keys, Restaurants, small towns | Tagged , , , , , , | Leave a comment