Clear kayaking on the Florida Gulf Coast is becoming more and more popular, and now there are several places to do clear kayaks from Naples up to the start of the Panhandle. We’ve done it for bioluminescent kayaking at the Merritt Island National Wildlife Refuge also, and each experience is unique with surprises with each paddle. The transparent kayak helps paddlers see the wildlife that exists below the surface and observe the underwater world in a totally different way. We’ve picked our top five spots for clear kayaking on the Florida Gulf Coast and each is totally different and worthwhile ..read more

I love our hometown, but if I had to pick a new place to live, there are so many things to do in Pensacola, Florida and its islands that we would move there in a heartbeat. That’s not what this is about though. Having gotten to deeply explore the whole Pensacola area I have a great collection of unique things to do in each part of the city. Pensacola is quite spread out and is very different from cities like Orlando or Naples, FL. I think it’s a mix of a few US cities: Savannah, GA; Mobile, AL and Portland, OR. It’s very unique, diverse and full of fun activities. Pensacola also is a city of ..read more

When I was first asked to visit Pensacola, Florida I didn’t know what to expect. Being very close to the FL/AL border and very near some towns that aren’t known for being very welcoming/inclusive to LGBTQ people, I wasn’t sure what to expect. It turns out that Pensacola is a surprisingly welcoming, open and supportive city, and that’s what we’re talking about in this episode. There are tons of things to do in Pensacola, but for now, let’s dig into why it’s such an inclusive destination when it comes to the LGBTQ community. As a destination Pensacola, Florida is one of the few cities in the So ..read more

OMG, the Fountain of Youth in St Augustine is both hilarious and awesome. It’s one of our most popular tourist attractions and I’ll tell you why in a minute. If you’re planning to come visit, or if you’re a local with friends and family coming to town, chances are it’s going to come up to visit the Fountain of Youth. I’ve got the full scoop for you so you can make an informed decision. Keep in mind that I travel a lot and get to experience all kinds of interesting places, including archaeological parks and exhibitions, so my point of view is rather discerning, and personally, I know that I’m ..read more

When people think of Florida, they might not automatically think about kayaking.  As it turns out, there are over 1200 miles of coastline stretching along the Atlantic Ocean and the Gulf of Mexico. Opportunities abound for recreational kayaking in the Sunshine State, from the Atlantic side to the Gulf of Mexico. Many state and national parks in Florida offer easy access to waterways and other destinations such as beaches, rivers, creeks, lakes, springs, and wildlife refuges. Whether you’re looking for a gentle paddle or a glorious multi-day kayaking trip, Florida has you covered. It’s on ..read more

St Augustine is full of historic sites and unique museums downtown, but you’ve got to pop over to Anastasia Island for one of the most iconic sights in town: the St Augustine Lighthouse. Being the second tallest lighthouse in Florida, you can’t miss it. In fact you can see it from downtown, from Vilano Beach and from all around the island. We’ve got all the details on visiting the St Augustine Lighthouse, from climbing the tower to exploring the grounds and museum buildings. And did you know that there are even maritime archaeologists on site at the lighthouse? It’s true! If you’re not inspir ..read more

Living in St Augustine Beach, the most common questions we get are all about where the beach access points and parking are. So how do you get to enjoy the beautiful, sandy beaches of Saint Augustine, FL? Easy! St Johns County and the respective towns do a great job of making sure that the public has access to the beach any time of year. Whether you want to walk across a boardwalk, drive on with your car, or just park and bring your cooler and umbrella, there are lots of options. No beaches in the St Augustine area are private, so as long as you can access the sand through a public entrance, y ..read more

I love all of the nature surrounding us here in St Augustine. The GTM Research Reserve is one of our favorite places to enjoy our local wildlife and have some, surprisingly, unusual experiences. The GTM is our go-to for beaches, for wildlife education, shark tooth hunting and more. Keep reading to see what is so special and make plans to add it to your time in St Augustine. Whether you’re visiting St Augustine and staying at The Local for a week, or if you’re just passing through on a North Florida road trip, plan to at least stop at one of the beautiful beaches here at the GTM, and the visit ..read more

Birdwatching in the Florida Keys is one of my favorite things to do when we’re visiting. I’m the only one in our family that really gets into it, but the wildlife in the Florida Keys is just so awesome, how can I not?! From small colorful birds to humongous wading birds, it’s kind of thrilling to bring your binoculars wherever you’re going, or to bring a big telephoto lens, and spy on EVERY bird you see. We’ve got tips for birdwatching in the Florida Keys from Key Largo all the way out to Dry Tortugas National Park. Even if you’re not planning time dedicated to setting up a birding chair on t ..read more

Road tripping through Florida is amazing for so many reasons, one of which is the endless list of kayaking spots in South Florida. Varying from state parks to overlooked rivers, and even subtropical kayaking through mangroves, any skill level paddler can find any number of options for getting on the water in South Florida, and there are even great options for clear kayaking tours if you’re interested. There are several eco-tourism destinations from Lake Okeechobee to the Florida Keys, providing natural alternatives to the bustling coastal cities. The Great Calusa Blueway and the Marco Island r ..read more