Hurricane Helene and Hurricane Milton: On-the-Ground Photos from Anna Maria Island, Bradenton, and Sarasota
Our travel blog usually focuses on the great places to visit in Florida. Yet with two back-to-back hurricanes in October 2024–Hurricane Helene and Hurricane Milton–we wanted to share some of the storm damage photos we took locally.
We’ll let each picture below tell its own story. We hope you’ll consider helping those in need, such as those who may have had flooding, lost their home or have been without power for several days. (The worst we experienced was a power outage for more than a day and a second shorter outage a day later….no home damage.) Below are a few ideas on how you can help those in Anna Maria, Bradenton Beach, Sarasota, Siesta Key, Englewood, Manasota Key, St. Pete, and other areas. Then you’ll see our photos.
Of course, you also can consider supporting other hard-hit areas, such as Florida’s Big Bend where Helene hit directly and Western North Carolina, which had massive flooding.
How to Help After Hurricane Helene and Hurricane Milton
–Donate to the Red Cross, Florida Disaster Fund, Feeding Tampa Bay, World Central Kitchen, or another trustworthy organization working directly with hurricane relief.
–Donate to The Humane Society, which is helping animals displaced by the storms. Or, check with local animal shelters about their needs.
–Consider fostering animals that need a temporary home because of hurricane damage.
–Volunteer if you can. The Center of Anna Maria Island did an excellent job coordinating resources and volunteers right after Helene. You can check out their website or social media to find out when their efforts will be able to resume. Volunteer Florida also can connect you to volunteer opportunities.
A Few Quick Facts About Hurricane Helene and Hurricane Milton
—Hurricane Helene hit Perry, Florida, in Florida’s Big Bend (Northwest Florida) as a Category 4 hurricane. However, it also caused major storm surge/flooding in other parts of Florida, including our local Anna Maria Island. It also led to catastrophic flooding in Georgia, North Carolina, and Tennessee. Hurricane Helene caused an estimated $200 billion in damages and killed more than 230 people.
—Hurricane Milton hit Siesta Key, Florida, as a Category 3 hurricane. As of Oct. 13, there are 23 reported deaths. Officials continue to review the full extent of the storms damage. The hurricane was not as severe as originally predicted, but it still caused a lot of destruction along Florida’s Gulf Coast. There also were tornadoes and other reports of damage across the state.
Find more hurricane-related videos and other Florida pics and videos on our Instagram page, @Florida_Culture.
7 Things to Do in Punta Gorda, Florida
Orlando, Miami and Tampa may get a lot of the glory when it comes to Florida travel destinations, but there are plenty of under-the-radar towns where you can still enjoy fun in the sun. Punta Gorda, Florida, located in Charlotte County on Florida’s Southwest coast, is one of those towns. Here are some of the things you’ll want to see and do during your next visit to Punta Gorda.
First, A Little Punta Gorda History
Punta Gorda was established in 1884, and the early founders designated parks at every waterfront block. That’s led to a legacy of public parks that culminate in the 2.5-mile Harborwalk, still used today.
Even in the 1880s, visitors were drawn to Punta Gorda for winter sunshine, water fun, and commercial fishing. The growth of the railroad contributed to the growth of Punta Gorda, as it did for many Florida towns.
Through the early 20th century, Punta Gorda had a couple of milestones, including use of its airfield during World War II to train aircrews.
In Spanish, Punta Gorda means “fat point.” It got that name as it literally sticks out as a “fat point” in Charlotte Harbor, one of the largest natural harbors in the U.S., according to the Punta Gorda Chamber of Commerce. The Peace River, along with the Myakka and Caloosahatchee rivers, feed into the harbor.
Punta Gorda is located south of Sarasota but north of Fort Myers, so it’s an ideal location if you’re along the Southwest coast and looking for an easy, peaceful day trip or weekend getaway.
Things to Do in Punta Gorda: Sunseeker Resort
Technically, Sunseeker Resort has a mailing address of Charlotte Harbor. However, it’s just over the bridge from Punta Gorda, so we’re including it here.
Allegiant Airlines owns the 785-room Sunseeker Resort, located right along the Charlotte Harbor. It opened in late 2023 and cost $720 million to build. It has a food hall with 11 food “experiences” (in addition to seven restaurants), two pools (including a rooftop pool that is adults only), and a lovely walking path right on the water that ends at Bayshore Live Oak Park–so you can extend your stroll a little further to check out the park’s peaceful view.
We haven’t stayed overnight yet, but more than 1,000 online reviewers give the hotel 4.2 stars. We liked the vibrancy of the food court, and the walk along the harbor was beautiful. You can get a day pass to visit ($50) so long as it’s not on a holiday or the weekend. However, as we discovered, they can decline a day pass if they are at capacity–thankfully, we hadn’t paid just yet. The resort is definitely worth a visit if you’re in the area as it’s the biggest hotel of that level in the Punta Gorda area.
Things to Do in Punta Gorda: Peace River Wildlife Center and Octabon Wildlife Sanctuary
The nonprofit Peace River Wildlife Center serves as a home for animals that cannot return to the wild due to injuries. It helps rehab animals and has about 120 permanent residents. Since its beginning in 1982, it has rehabbed 50,000 birds and small mammals. Although Peace River Wildlife Center is free, it welcomes donations.
A visit to the Peace River Wildlife Center, located inside Ponce de Leon Park (see below) comes with a greeting by friendly volunteers. Perhaps we just got lucky or because we were the first visitor that day, a volunteer gave us a personal tour through the center. We learned a lot about the owls, hawks, pelicans, and many other animals that call the center home. We were amused to watch a pelican strut in front of a mirror, believing that he was looking at another bird. The center obviously puts a lot of time and care into helping its residents live happy lives.
Although we didn’t make it to Octagon Wildlife Sanctuary, also located in Punta Gorda, it was recommended to us by a volunteer at the Peace River Wildlife Center. It serves as a home for animals like tigers, lions, bobcats, bears, and others that need special care. It’s open to the public by guided tours online, so make sure to book online versus just showing up.
Tours are $20 for adults and $10 for children. They seem to fill up quickly, so make sure to book in advance.
Things to Do in Punta Gorda: Ponce de Leon Park
Juan Ponce de Leon is considered the founder of “La Florida” (not including the Native people who were already here, of course). So, you’ll find a lot of places around the state named for him. Ponce de Leon Park in Punta Gorda is one of those places; it’s a 16-acre park on Charlotte Harbor.
Visitors come to the park to fish, launch their boats, play on the playground, and to visit the Peace River Wildlife Center. There’s also a small beach area. On the very hot day that we were there, we took a brief walk around and watched storm clouds roll in from afar.
The park also has a couple of symbolic statues of Juan Ponce de Leon that you might enjoy posing with. It added a somewhat cheesy but fun feel to the park, not unlike certain things you see in St. Augustine–where’s there’s also a lot of Juan Ponce de Leon memorabilia.
Ponce de Leon Park is free to visit.
Things to Do in Punta Gorda: Fishermen’s Village
Ironically, Fishermen’s Village in Punta Gorda isn’t the place to go if you’re ready to cast your line into the water and see what you catch. It’s actually an outdoor mall with retail shops and restaurants, a marina, and hotel rooms. Fishermen’s Village is probably one of the better known tourist attractions in Punta Gorda.
Although small, Fishermen’s Village has some unique shops if you’re in the mood for retail therapy, like the Spice & Tea Exchange and Naples Soap Co. (here’s a link to a map of Fishermen’s Village). Onsite restaurants include Harpoon Harry’s, Village Brewhouse, and a few others. The marina makes for a scenic walk right on Charlotte Harbor.
Here’s where you can find more info about staying at The Suites at Fishermen’s Village.
Things to Do in Punta Gorda: Nearby Beaches
Technically, the beaches in Punta Gorda are not actually in Punta Gorda. Yet they’re close enough that you definitely can include them in a visit there. Plus, with the many parks abutting Charlotte Harbor in Punta Gorda, you still may be able to find a mini-beach experience right in town, like the one at Ponce de Leon Park.
Some nearby beaches within a short driving distance include:
—Englewood Beach in Englewood
—Blind Pass Beach in Englewood
—Stump Pass Beach State Park on Manasota Key
—Don Pedro Island State Park in Cape Haze
—Gasparilla Island State Park in Boca Grande (find out more about beautiful Boca Grande in our article here)
Some of these beaches are a little more secluded, which means fewer people. They also tend to be more family-oriented. Keep your eyes open for shark teeth that wash along the shores. The beaches offer white sand and light blue waters along the Gulf of Mexico.
Things to Do in Punta Gorda: Harborwalk
You can really get to know Punta Gorda by taking a walk along the 2.3-mile Harborwalk. Harborwalk connects a variety of destinations in town, including the Laishley Park Marina, the Military Heritage Museum, Gilchrist Park, and more. It makes for a great stroll or bike ride.
Things to Do in Punta Gorda: Military Heritage Museum
We still have to make it to the Military Heritage Museum in Punta Gorda, but it earns 4.8 stars on Google Reviews and definitely seems like a place worthy of a visit. It has more than 20,000 artifacts from military history as well as 1,000+ historical docuents. There’s a Hall of Heroes to honor vets that includes recipients of Florida’s Medal of Honor and galleries that focus on military history from a variety of wars.
The museum also has hands-on, interactive activities, including flight simulators and virtual reality experiences.
Admission is $15 for adults, $12 for vets, and $9 for those age 14 and under. It’s open on Tuesdays through Saturdays, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. The museum is located near Fishermen’s Village and in fact, if you park at the village, there’s a free shuttle that will take you to the museum.
Here’s What to See and Do on a Day Trip to Anna Maria Island
Have you heard about Anna Maria Island in Southwest Florida and wanted to plan a visit? If you’re not able to stay overnight “on the island,” as locals call it–or even if you are and you want to plan your visit–then read on for our day trip ideas during a visit to Anna Maria Island.
Before we share the details on what to see and do during a day trip to Anna Maria, let’s get some background out of the way.
Anna Maria Island is part of Manatee County, close to Bradenton, Sarasota, and the authentic fishing village of Cortez. It’s also about an hour or slightly more to St. Pete and Tampa.
Anna Maria Island is actually home to three towns: Anna Maria, Holmes Beach, and Bradenton Beach. Each town has its own popular beach enclaves as well as shops and restaurants. Without traffic, it will take you about a half hour to 40 minutes to drive from the tip of Anna Maria (called Bean Point) to the end of Bradenton Beach where it borders Longboat Key.
Unfortunately, Anna Maria Island received a lot of damage from the fall 2024 hurricanes Helene and Milton. In fact, 90% to 95% of unelevated homes got water in them, with many homes and businesses getting several feet of water. Although most businesses have reopened and the island looks as beautiful as ever, we can still see effects from the damage in summer 2025–especially with some older homes that are getting renovated or perhaps removed completely. If there’s a specific place you want to visit, make sure to check websites or social media for any updates.
The barrier island of Anna Maria reflects “Old Florida,” a time before high rises took over the skyscapes of many Florida coastal cities. (Fun fact: One of the original Anna Maria pioneers, Charles Roser, was an inventor of the Fig Newton cookie.) Anna Maria remains a family-friendly and snowbird-friendly destination that maintains a small-town feel. As Anna Maria receives more accolades from national media—include Southern Living —it’s attracted more tourists and traffic. Still, it definitely has its charm, even for those who live local and visit often.
That background out of the way, let’s take a look at some of the best day trip plans for a visit to Anna Maria Island:
A Beach Day on Anna Maria Island
If you’re down for relaxing beach time, then that could take up a full day (or more!) of your day trip plans on Anna Maria Island. Our fave (try to keep it a secret!) is Bean Point, located at the northern tip of Anna Maria Island. (Our article here offers more Bean Point scoop.) It offers spectacular views as it’s right where the island curves around to meet Tampa Bay and the Gulf of Mexico. The water has clear, turquoise and dark blue hues, and you’ll see many people on their boats and fishing. This year (2025), we watched several boaters on Bean Point struggle to reel in tarpon that were about 165 pounds (wow!). On one side of Bean Point, you can stare at the Sunshine Skyway Bridge going from Manatee County into St. Pete and then look further left to see Fort DeSoto Park and Egmont Key, both in St. Pete (Egmont Key is accessible only by boat).
As great as Bean Point is, parking can be tricky, and it’s a little further of a drive. If you can’t make it there, Anna Maria Island has several miles of beach coastline you can access. Manatee Beach and Coquina Beach both offer a lot of parking (although it still gets tricky to find a spot when busy) and cafes, restrooms, and changing areas as well as lifeguards. Bradenton Beach is another beach area we enjoy as it’s not as packed as those larger public beaches.
Don’t miss sunsets on any of the Gulf-facing beaches!
Shopping on Anna Maria Island
If you want a beach break to load up on coastal souvenirs, then make some time for shopping on Anna Maria Island during your day trip. Pine Avenue, located in the town of Anna Maria, offers several blocks of unique shops and restaurants as well as the Anna Maria Historical Society Museum and Jail (see info in our next section). At the end of Pine Avenue is the Anna Maria City Pier, which was a great destination for fishing or to take in the peaceful view before part of its boardwalk was destroyed by Hurricane Milton in October 2024. However, rebuilding of the pier is set to begin soon, with a reopening slated for late 2026.
Keep your eyes open as you walk, bike, or drive around Anna Maria for other shopping destinations that dot the commercial areas. One favorite of ours is Sand Dollar, located on Marina Drive and featuring coastal decor, clothing, soaps, and books. In the same shopping plaza you’ll find Sun and Surf Beach Shop, a beach supply store that also has the cutest parrots in cages right outside. Watch what you say around them as they may imitate you! BTW, it’s not a shopping destination but Waterline Villas and Marina right across the street from Sand Dollar and Sun and Surf is interesting to check out as well.
On Bradenton Beach you’ll find Bridge Street, a smaller enclave of shops and restaurants along with the Bradenton Beach Pier, where you can dine at Anna Maria Oyster Bar.
Depending on when you visit, you may also be able to support local vendors at the City of Anna Maria Farmers Market, held on Tuesdays from October to May. Coquina Beach also has its Coquina Beach Market on Sundays, Wednesdays, and Fridays.
Get Historical on Anna Maria Island
Are you a history buff? Then reserve a chunk of your time to immerse yourself in Anna Maria history with a visit to the Anna Maria Island Museum and Historical Park, located on Pine Avenue. At the museum, you’ll discover Anna Maria’s roots, going back thousands of years and then fast forward to the early 1900s when it was a destination for the wealthy. The museum also features the 1927 Old City Jail, an open-air jail you’ll want to visit and take fun pictures at, but be thankful you’re not actually staying at long-term. The heat and bug bites alone were punishment enough for people who had to stay there. The museum also features Belle Haven Cottage, which once was located on the Anna Maria City Pier and served as a bait shop until it fell in the water in 1926. Somehow, the house remained intact and was brought to land and eventually saved from demolition. Inside the home, you can see dozens of artifacts from life on the island during the 1920s.
Make sure to check the museum’s schedule online before you visit as it sometimes as limited hours.
If you want more history, the AMI Historical Society has prepared brochures with self-guided walking/biking tours for Anna Maria, Holmes Beach, and Bradenton Beach. You can find them at the museum.
Fish on Anna Maria Island
Cast your fishing rod, and you’re almost bound to hit a good fishing spot on Anna Maria Island as you’re never too far from coastline. The City of Anna Maria has had two great piers in the past–the City Pier and the Rod & Reel Pier–both of which were damaged or taken away completely by hurricanes Helene and Milton. As we mentioned before, rebuilding is set to begin for the City Pier and also for the Rod & Reel Pier and its restaurant. In fact the Rod & Reel restaurant is temporarily located at 3246 East Bay Drive in Holmes Beach Find more Rod & Reel updates here.
Down on Bradenton Beach, there are several unnamed, small piers that jut out into the water that are often used for fishing, snapping pics, or just taking in the view. The Bridge Street Pier is bayside and has a cute clock tower.
If you really want to fish, consider a captain-guided fishing tour.
Eating on Anna Maria Island
Let’s face it, you’re going to get hungry during your day trip to Anna Maria Island. Fortunately, there’s no shortage of yummy places to eat. The challenge is that we can’t list them all here. If you’re like most people, you’ll do your research and read reviews to pick where to grab a bite. However, here are a few that we like for the view, the food, or both:
—The Sandbar in Anna Maria and The Beach House in Bradenton Beach. Both are Gulf-facing so they have great views and are used to accommodating tourists. Both are operated by Chiles Hospitality, which specializes in sustainable food practices.
—La Creperie in Holmes Beach. An authentic French crepe place on the island!
–-The Ugly Grouper, which has, appropriately, an ugly grouper statue on its premises
—Hurricane Hanks, with custom drinks and great seafood/fish fare
—Ginny’s and Jane E’s Cafe and Coastal Store, which focuses on breakfast, brunch, and lunch in addition to some cool souvenirs and other items
—Two Scoops Ice Cream–because having ice cream when you visit the beach is almost mandatory
—The Donut Experiment. Did someone say donuts?
Finding a Different Way to Get Around Anna Maria Island
As most people will arrive to Anna Maria Island by car, it may be an interesting day trip activity to try a different way to get around. Did you know that Anna Maria Island has a free trolley that will take you all the way from the top to the bottom of the island?
There’s also a new ferry that travels from downtown Bradenton to the Bridge Street Pier on Bradenton Beach. We haven’t tried it yet but we’re intrigued. It operates on Wednesday through Sunday.
We’ve seen lots of people rent golf carts or bikes to traverse around the island. One place you may want to try is Coconut Rentals, located on 101 S. Bay Blvd in the city of Anna Maria. We checked out their website and found a nice selection of golf carts, giving you an easier way to get around the island. The owners are local first responders, by the way.
Last but not least, you can always take a captain-guided boat ride for the pure pleasure of it or to reach a certain destination, like nearby Egmont Key.
Day Trips From Anna Maria
Finally, if you’re staying in Anna Maria for longer than a day and want to do a day trip elsewhere, here are some quick suggestions:
—Cortez, the authentic fishing village that’s just a couple of miles away (this could probably be an afternoon, not a full day; check hours as we recently saw that there are some closures for renovations)
–Downtown Sarasota
–Sarasota around the Mall at UTC for shopping and to grab a bite to eat
What It’s Like to Visit Buc-ee’s in Daytona Beach, Florida
Buc-ee’s isn’t just a convenience store; it’s practically its own subculture. Originally from Texas, the first Buc-ee’s came to Florida with its St. Augustine location opening in 2021 followed by a Daytona Beach location.
Buc-ee’s is famous for its buck-toothed beaver mascot, brisket, Beaver Nuggets (which taste a lot like Sugar Pops cereal) and so much more. Because of Buc-ee’s massive size, it often attracts visitors who need gas or a drink but who also want the full Buc-ee’s experience. We visited the Daytona Beach location to get the scoop so you know what to do and see when visiting Buc-ee’s in Daytona Beach.
What It’s Like to Visit Buc-ee’s in Daytona Beach
Our visit was on a weekday morning but during a holiday, so we knew it would likely be busy. Buc-ee’s in Daytona Beach is an easy turn off of I-95, the famous north-south interstate that can take you all the way from Miami to the Canadian border in Maine. (For the Daytona Beach location, it’s off of exit 265.)
The first order of business was to get gas, and there were 104 (!!) gas pumps from which to choose. After filling up, we found a spot in the ample parking lot (nearly 400 spots), where surely a circle of life is happening on any given day (not unlike a Walmart parking lot). As many people are driving RVs or road tripping, you could see how they use a Buc-ee’s parking lot to regroup, whether that means taking a brief rest or taking their dog out for a walk. In fact, Buc-ee’s is so often used as a rest stop for dogs, there are some clever signs to remind visitors to pick up pet waste.
Since we’ve visited, the Buc-ee’s in Daytona Bach has added a 235-foot long car wash. It’s only 20 feet shorter than the Buc-ee’s in Kate, Texas, which apparently holds a record as the longest car wash in the world. Prices at the Daytona Buc-ee’s car wash are $13 and $16.
Going Inside Buc-ee’s
Going inside Buc-ee’s is like a collision of a convenience store with a Cracker Barrel, Texas charm, and a massive amount of products with that buck-toothed mascot.
Depending on when you visit, you may be overwhelmed by crowds, something we read about in reviews. The day of our visit was busy but not overwhelming, so there’s was no problem ambling around.
Buc-ee’s is famous for a few specialties, most of which are Texas-themed and made fresh on site:
–Brisket
–Kolaches, a type of Czech pastry brought to Texas in the 1800s
–Fudge
–Glazed nuts (our personal fave)
–Beaver Nuggets
–Beef jerky
The middle of the store has bustling areas where employees are making some of these items (and additional items), so it’s quite the scene to see how they work. You may decide to pick up a biscuit breakfast sandwich, a brisket sandwich, or some fudge (ask for samples!). The area with the freshly prepared foods was definitely the busiest part of the store.
There’s also a part of Buc-ee’s that’s similar to other convenience stores, with drinks, snack chips, candy, and other routine items as well as not-so-routine items (like quail eggs). This part of the store is less hectic than the rest of the store but still may be a necessary part of your trip depending on what you need.
Of course, there are restrooms–large ones–that are clean and ample. We don’t know if they will always be the cleanest restrooms in the world as the company states, but we had a positive experience.
Then, there’s the merchandise. If you’re looking for a T-shirt, socks, toy, football, PJ pants, or just about anything else with the Buc-ee’s logo, you’re in luck. This is the same area where you can find those Beaver Nuggets for sale. You’ll find all of those items for sale here or online (ironically, Buc-ee’s doesn’t have an online store but sells its merchandise on Amazon and on sites like Texassnax.com). In a moment of weakness, we almost bought the Buc-ee’s PJ pants.
There’s another part of the Buc-ee’s store that’s filled with down-home goods–think “Yellowstone” meets Southern Living. Cowboy hats, wine glasses with sayings on them, honey-based soaps, kitchen towels (like the one with a cow on it that says “Kitchen Closed–This Heifer’s Had It”), and soooooo much more. There’s also a lot of similarly themed Florida merchandise.
If you’re a big shopper for goods like these, you’ll likely enjoy it all and want to take your time. If all of that just makes your eyes glaze over, you probably will just want to go back to your car and recover.
A Few Extra Buc-ee’s Tips
—Make time for your visit. If you’re new to the Buc-ee’s world and want to check it out, this isn’t the sort of place you’re going to be able to get in and out in 5 or 10 minutes. Give yourself and your companions a good half hour or hour maybe to visit. Account for crowds as well, which may slow things down. We wish we could tell you a best time to visit Buc-ee’s but as it’s open 24/7, we’re guessing it stays busy pretty consistently. If you’re in a hurry, stick with a regular-sized gas station/convenience store.
—Don’t bring your 18-wheeler. The Buc-ee’s parking lot is not designed for semi-trucks–this is apparently a policy at all Buc-ee’s, not just the one in Daytona Beach. There are signs throughout the lot to let people know.
—Decide on a souvenir you may want to buy. Want some inspiration in advance? We enjoyed this “Southern Living” magazine article on Southern products to buy at Buc-ee’s, including bacon grease, deer feeders, and BBQ.
—After you get gas, move your car to a parking spot if you plan to go inside and shop. With 100+ gas spots, you may assume you’ll have no problem leaving your car there while you go shop. Yet consider how busy a Buc-ee’s can get. You’ll likely leave other customers just waiting so they can get gas. Be considerate and move your car if you plan to do more than just use the restroom.
—Check out this video from TheSmokies.com for other tips on visiting Buc-ee’s–specifically, 10 things to NOT do when visiting the convenience store. Here’s a video from Roadtrip Dave that provides a video tour of the Daytona Beach Buc-ee’s.
Where Can I Find Buc-ee’s in Florida? What Other States Have Buc-ee’s?
Florida currently has Buc-ee’s locations in Daytona Beach and St. Augustine, with a third location slated near Ocala (slated to be its biggest Buc-ee’s ever) and a fourth location planned in St. Lucie County.
In addition to Texas and Florida, you can also find Buc-ee’s in Alabama, Colorado, Georgia, Kentucky, Missouri, South Carolina, and Tennessee.
Here’s What to See and Do in Arcadia, Florida
There should be a sign at the border of Arcadia, Florida, that says, “Welcome to Cowboy Country”—but we’d also add, “Welcome to Antiquing Country, Peace River Country, and Rodeo Country” for good measure. After all, the rural town of Arcadia manages to pack in a lot to see and do despite its small size. The town and its residents are also true survivors, having lived through flood waters that reached as high as 23 feet in some points during Hurricane Ian in 2022.
Arcadia, Florida, is about an hour away from Bradenton, Sarasota, and Fort Myers, making it a perfect day trip destination (find some other great day trip ideas here if you live in the Bradenton/Sarasota area). This article shares some of Arcadia’s history and things to do in Arcadia, Florida, including:
–Antiquing
–A self-guided walking tour of downtown Arcadia
–The rodeo
–Restaurants
–Joshua Citrus
–Activities along the Peace River
–Local parks
Arcadia, Florida: A Few Historical Facts
Here are a few interesting historical facts about Arcadia, Florida, that you’ll want to know before your visit.
- The town of Arcadia was incorporated in 1886 and became the county seat for DeSoto County in 1888. It incorporated as a town nine months after the first train came there.
- Arcadia got its start growing citrus and other produce, including watermelon. The DeSoto County Walking Tour website says that during the 19th century cattle wars, “Arcadia was as wild as any frontier town.”
- By the teens and 20s of the 20th century, Arcadia had three railroads as well an amphitheatre. The town had its first rodeo in 1929, the Arcadia All-Florida Grand Championship Rodeo that continues today.
- Arcadia was called “Aviation City” after World War I because there were two Army air fields there for training pilots.
- The town established a Historic District and had nearly 400 homes and businesses placed on the National Register of Historic Places in the 1980s. This era also led to the establishment of a Main Street program to revitalize the downtown and have antique stores, according to the Walking Tour website.
- Arcadia has been hit by its share of hurricanes, including 2004 with Hurricane Charley, 2017 with Hurricane Irma, and 2022 with Hurricane Ian, during which waters reached more than 23 feet. Although Arcadia is miles and miles away from the coast, it’s located on the Peace River, which increases its vulnerability. There also was some minor damage from Hurricane Milton in October 2024.
Although Florida’s citrus business has dwindled considerably due to citrus greening, Arcadia remains an area of farming (including cattle, citrus, watermelons, and more) and as an antiques haven.
7 Things to Do When You Visit Arcadia, Florida
1. Have a blast from the past when you go antiquing in downtown. Arcadia’s downtown is well-known among antique lovers as a go-to destination. If you’ve lived long enough, antique shopping in Arcadia is a blast from the past. If you’re younger, then antique shopping in Arcadia will help you discover what life entailed before the internet and iPhones. In fact, we noticed a sizable chunk of younger people who seemed to appreciate the vintage appeal of Arcadia.
Make sure to visit on the fourth Saturday of each month when there’s a big antiques fair in town attracting 35 to as many as 100 vendors. Stores like Cory’s Antiques and Biggar and Biggar Antique Mall will even have curbside items to peruse. Other vendors set up an outdoors booth for the occasion. If you’re lucky (??), you’ll even get to hear the local street preacher who makes a scene during the monthly event. You can also discover more about Florida’s antiques scene, including in Arcadia, at the website Florida Antique Trail.
Bonus suggestions: They aren’t antiques store but we particularly enjoyed the Blossoms Beauty & Boutique on Oak Street in downtown for its boho/country style along with Honey Belles Boutique, also on Oak Street.
2. Take a walking tour of the downtown. If you like to guide yourself to discover new places, you’re a good match for Downtown Arcadia’s Walking Tour. Using the site found here on the South Florida State College website, your tour will take you to about 20 different historical buildings found in and around downtown Arcadia. The self-guided tour includes the Railroad Depot, Rosin Arcade, and the Opera House. In fact, the Opera House is more than 117 years old and was damaged during Hurricane Ian but has been restored and re-opened, thanks to private donations. Discover how the buildings you’ll see have been used over time. Downtown Arcadia has preserved much of its historical look, so the self-guided walking tour is a real treat for history and architecture buffs. You can also grab a bite to eat at one of the downtown’s charming restaurants (see more information below). Find out more here about supporting downtown Arcadia’s Main Street.
3. Go to the rodeo. For real cowboy living, visit Arcadia in March when the rodeo is in town at Mosaic Arena. Nicknamed the Granddaddy of ‘Em All due to its longevity (nearly 100 years), the Arcadia rodeo athletes compete with the hope of making it to national finals in Las Vegas. Come watch the rodeo for barrel racing, bull riding, and bareback bronc riding. The Arcadia Rodeo will take place March 6 to 9 in 2025.
4. Grab a bite to eat. Arcadia offers down-home country meals with Southern cooking, hidden Mexican gems, and American staples. You can get a great mix of Southern charm and history in the downtown at places like Mary Margaret’s Tea & Biscuit, Oak Street Deli, and Wheeler’s Café. Slim’s Bar-B-Q gets solid ratings for its barbecue. Some highly reviewed Mexican places include El Charro, Azul Tequila, and Taqueria La Favorita. You can find out more about many of these restaurants at the following TripAdvisor site. During a recent Arcadia visit, we enjoyed the vibe at Groovy Smoothie & Juicery.
5. Head on over to Joshua Citrus for an up-close view of life on a citrus grove. Have you ever tried fresh orange juice or an orange/vanilla soft-serve swirl at a Florida citrus grove? If not, don’t miss a visit to Joshua Citrus in Arcadia, which has had roots in Arcadia since the late 1880s. You can buy fresh citrus like Honeybell oranges and grapefruit, try the delicious fresh juice, order citrus products as a gift, and enjoy that yummy soft-serve swirl that we mentioned. Joshua Citrus also sells some Florida-themed gifts and other food items. Double check its schedule in advance, as places like Joshua Citrus often are open only seasonally to the public.
6. Spend some time on Peace River. We still have to make our way to Peace River to see all it has to offer, but we hear terrific things about paddling, fossil hunting, and airboat riding along the peaceful Peace River.
7. Take a stroll at one of Arcadia’s many parks. Whether you want to bring a picnic, take a stroll, use the boat ramp, or go fishing, there’s a park for that in Arcadia.
Weeki Wachee Springs State Park in Florida: What to Do, What to See
If you’re looking for a swimming and nature adventure with springs, wildlife, and mermaids (oh my!), then look no further than Weeki Wachee Springs State Park, located off of U.S. 19 in Weeki Wachee, Florida, about an hour north of Tampa. Our article takes you through some of Weeki Wachee’s 70-plus year history in the Sunshine State and tells you what things to do and see at Weeki Wachee.
First, let’s share some highlights and fun facts from the park’s esteemed history:
–Weeki Wachee began when former U.S. Navy man Newton Perry was searching for a site to start a business and eyed U.S. 19, at that time, a small two-lane road. “More alligators and black bears lived in the area than humans,” according to the park’s website. Perry had a background training Navy Frogmen to swim underwater in World War 2, and he began to experiment with underwater breathing hoses and a way to breathe underwater with a free-flowing air hose that supplied oxygen from an air compressor. He also began to hire local young women to train to swim with the air hoses. They would perform by doing aquatic ballets and had spectators watch them from a newly built 18-seat theater. The theater allowed visitors to watch the show but also to view the sparking, clear water from the springs. Weeki Wachee was born and offered its first show in 1947. The name Weeki Wachee means “little spring” or “winding river” in the Seminole Indian language.
–Word spread about Weeki Wachee, and by the 1950s, it was one of the most popular roadside attractions in the U.S. Park attractions included the mermaid shows, orchid gardens, “jungle cruises,” and a new beach. Movies like “Mr Peabody and the Mermaid” were filmed there.
–Believe it or not, ABC (as in the TV network) purchased Weeki Wachee in 1959 and began to promote the park. It built a 400-seat theater still used today located in the side of the spring and 16 feet below the surface. It also developed themes for underwater shows. Potential mermaids came from around the world to try out and perform in shows like, “Alice in Wonderland” and “Peter Pan.” They gave eight shows a day to sold-out crowds. Find some cool pics of the mermaids and the park at the link here.
–ABC sold the park in 1984 to Florida Leisure Attractions, and it was then sold to Florida Leisure Acquisition Corp. By 2008, it became part of the Florida State Parks System.
–Although not as heralded as it was in the past, Weeki Wachee and its famous mermaids still make appearances throughout pop culture, including in the Kelly Clarkson video for “Stronger,” in a 2023 Netflix documentary called “MerPeople,” and as the backdrop for a Penn and Teller comedy special. During our visit, an appearance of the mermaids during a Jimmy Buffett concert in Tampa was shown before their performance (Buffett even once swam with them).
—Weeki Wachee Springs has the deepest freshwater cave system in the U.S. It’s so deep that the bottom has yet to be found. “Every day, more than 117 million gallons of clear, fresh 74-degree water bubbles up out of subterranean caverns,” according to the park’s website.
Things to Do at Weeki Wachee Springs State Park
Fast forward to modern times, and just what is there to do at Weeki Wachee Springs State Park? We’re glad you asked. Let’s get some basics out of the way and then we’ll fill you in.
First, the park is open 9 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. daily. Expect to pay $13 for each adult and $8 for kids ages 6 to 12. Those 5 and under are free.
When the park reaches its capacity, it will not allow new people in–and it does indeed get busy on certain weekends and holidays. When we arrived around 9 a.m. for our visit over Labor Day weekend, we found a snaking line of people ahead of us. Everyone had to wait (im)patiently beside a variety of mermaid statues.
Once in the park, you’ve got a few different choices:
—Hang out at Buccaneer Beach. The beach area consists of some sand and grassy areas and a decent-sized area in the springs for swimming. Their “lazy river” is a small, roped off area beside the swimming area. There are also water slides that are sure to be a hit for the young’uns. (Note that the water slides are open seasonally, although swimming remains open.) You may wonder if there are alligators at Weeki Wachee when you swim there. The good news is that there are not. They prefer darker waters, not the clear spring water–which is constantly monitored anyways so if something unexpected did come through, park officials would know.
—Take a river cruise. Although we didn’t have a chance to do the river cruise, we feel confident it’s a beautiful ride. The Wilderness River Cruise runs between 9:30 a.m. and 4 p.m. Seating is first-come, first-served.
—Watch the mermaid show. Part of the allure of Weeki Wachee is enjoying the clear springs, and the other allure is its majestic mermaid history. If you’re serious about wanting to discover more mermaid history, then you must check out one of the mermaid shows at 11 a.m. or 3 p.m. There’s no additional cost for the show beyond your admission to the park. When the park is busy, seating fills up quickly in the theater for the shows. Get in line early if you can. While waiting, there are some TV monitors that will show you video and images from the park’s history. The mermaid show itself is visually stunning, both in terms of how the mermaids and other actors move around effortlessly underwater but also for how the springs appear underwater (including fish!). Even if the 30 minute or so show itself isn’t calling out to you (it’s more geared toward kids), it may be worth a visit so you can say you’ve seen an underwater show.
—Learn more about the park’s wildlife in the Ranger Experience. Park rangers will fill you in on local wildlife, including tortoises, snakes, and alligators. It’s a cool, low-key show for the animal lovers in your group, taking place at 10 a.m., noon and 2:15 p.m. daily.
—Go kayaking or stand-up paddleboarding. Enjoy the springs and Weeki Wachee River (which flows 12 miles into the Gulf of Mexico) by renting a kayak or stand-up paddleboard. Rentals are available from Weeki Fresh Water Adventures, or the company can help you launch your own equipment if you have it. The kayaking and paddleboarding experiences in the river are said to be easy even for beginners. One tip: Use non-disposable food and water containers for your river adventure; throwaway, single-use items aren’t allowed. Find out more about that rule here.
—Grab a bite to eat. You can bring a picnic to Buccaneer Bay or grab something to eat at the Mermaid Galley, Captain’s Quarters, Pirate’s Grubb, Snack Shack, or Tiki Bar.
The park also has a gift shop, restrooms, a shower station (good for getting sand off before driving home), and a playground. Plus, there are a couple of mermaid statues where you can pose and snap a few pics.
A Few Final Tips for Your Visit to Weeki Wachee
–Arrive early for cooler temperatures and fewer crowds. The beach area gets crowded as well, which is another reason to arrive early.
–Use the park map to help you. It’s available in this brochure, but we prefer the map we received onsite. See a picture of it earlier in this story.
–Kids’ floatation devices (including life jackets) are allowed in the park; other floatation devices are not allowed but can be rented at the park. Get the skinny on park rules here.
–Have everyone in your party with you when you purchase admission to the park.
–It’s OK to bring food and drinks to the park, but keep them in outside areas (such as the beach).
–Know that admission fees are non-refundable, including for bad weather.
–If you like the somewhat kitschy, historical feel of Weeki Wachee Springs State Park, consider visiting Silver Springs State Park, which was once operated by the same company as Weeki Wachee. Silver Springs, located in Ocala, also has a long history in Florida and even became famous in Hollywood movies and TV shows. Find out more about Silver Springs State Park in our article here.
–Sorry, wanna-be mermaids….costumes aren’t allowed in the park!
St. Pete Saturday Market: Vendors, Location, and What to See and Do
There are lots of great reasons to visit downtown St. Pete, Florida. If you’re looking for a good excuse to visit on a Saturday morning, there’s the Saturday Morning Market. Packed with more than140 vendors, you’ll have no shortage of food, artisans, and fun.
There are many other farmers/open-air markets in the Tampa Bay area, but we’re pretty sure the Saturday Morning Market is the biggest among them. It draws about 10,000 visitors each week, according to Visit St. Pete/Clearwater. The market website reports that it has more types of ready-to-eat food than any other U.S. market. That includes Belgian, German, Greek, Ethiopian, vegetarian, and many more.
The Saturday Morning Market in St. Pete is open 9 am to 2 pm October through May and 9 am to 1 pm June through September.
The Saturday Morning Market in downtown St. Pete combines ready-made foods from around the world along with Florida-based farm vendors and local artisans selling jewelry and other art. Here’s just a sampling of what to expect:
—Mr. Fun Guy, featuring mushrooms ready to eat and in powder and extract form
—Gulf Coast Sourdough, selling delectable baked goods like bread
—Worden Farms, a Punta Gorda-based organic farm famous for its wide selection and colorful sunflowers
—Big Crush Slush, with hand-crafted citrus and ginger seltzer drinks
—Mitch Armstrong Nursery, which sells a variety of plants including butterfly vines and succulents
We could go on, but you get the idea. Find the full vendor list here, which also serves as a map for the market.
One other cool thing at the Saturday Morning Market–or really, any farmers/open-air market–is the people watching. The St. Pete crowd has a nutty-crunchy, younger feel to it compared with some of the other nearby markets. A visitor buys coffee and an empanada for their breakfast while weaving through the market with their dog (more on the dogs a little further down). Parents with their young kid in a stroller amble while checking out Florida-grown produce. Another visitor enjoys a vegan smoothie as an antidote for the Florida sun while sitting and listening to the market’s live music. (Check the market website for details on weekly entertainment, available most times of the year except the summer.)
Saturday Morning Market’s Location in Downtown St. Pete
One thing to keep in mind with the Saturday Morning Market is that it changes location seasonally. In the summer, it moves to Williams Park (350 2nd Ave. North), which has more shade. There are usually fewer vendors in the summer, although the market remains big year-round. The rest of the year, the market takes place in the parking lot of the Al Lang Stadium (230 First St. S.). There’s on-street parking and some parking garages near both locations. For on-street parking, you may have to use and pay via the Park Mobile app.
5 Tips for a Great Visit to St. Pete’s Saturday Morning Market
For an enjoyable visit to the Saturday Morning Market, here are a few tips:
- Arrive early. This piece of advice serves you well in many situations so you can easily find parking, keep crowds to a minimum, and avoid Florida’s midday sun.
- Know where you’re going. If you plan to come to the market and just wander, kudos! We support you. If you’re more of a planner or you have a limited amount of time, use the market map online to scope out vendors you know you want to visit.
- Bring sun protection, reusable bags and a cooler. A reusable bag is an easy, sustainable way to carry your market goods. The sun protection is, well, obviously needed in the Sunshine State. A small cooler will help if you’re buying perishable items and plan to stay at the market for a while or have a long drive back home. You don’t necessarily need to carry the cooler with you, just have it in the car.
- Think in advance about bringing Fido. The Saturday Market is dog-friendly, which is great. Our beef is that we see many dogs that look hot in the Florida sun, with their tongues wagging way too far. Thankfully, many vendors have water bowls for your canine friends. Yet think in advance if you really want to bring Fido or Fluffy. The sun can make the asphalt temperature reach 100 degrees or above, dangerous for your dog’s paws. If your dog is a heat-sensitive breed, older, has joint issues, or is iffy about crowds or other dogs, they’ll probably be happier at home.
- Consider making a day of your St. Pete visit. In addition to its nearby famous beaches, there’s a lot to do in downtown St. Pete. We share a few suggestions below.
More Things to Do in or Near Downtown St. Pete
While you’re in town, consider playing tourist with a few other attractions:
––St. Pete Pier: The beautiful redone pier features a splash ground for the kids, a restaurant, a gorgeous view of Tampa Bay, special events, nature spotting and lots more. On the weekend, the pier even has its own small craft market. The St. Pete Pier is about a 10-minute walk from the market’s Al Lang Stadium location, although you’ll walk at least another 10 minutes from the start of the pier to the end of it. Consider using the pier’s free tram if you want to save steps.
—Salvador Dali Museum. This world-famous museum features art work from the famous Spanish artist as well as like-minded artists.
—James Museum. Consider this museum if you enjoy Western art, featuring the West’s open spaces, cowboys, and Native Americans.
—Chihuly Collection at Morean Arts Center, feature Dale Chihuly’s glass art.
—Downtown murals. The Central Arts District has a cool collection of murals to check out, but also keep your eyes open for street art all around the city.
If your visit to the Saturday Morning Market merely whets your appetite for more open-air/farmers markets, then you’re in luck. St. Pete Beach has a Sunday market, the weekend Pinellas Flea and Farmers Market in Clearwater features a large number of Asian food vendors, and there’s an active network of Tampa Bay markets. Plus, we’ve got the scoop right here on markets in the nearby Bradenton/Sarasota area, including the popular Sarasota Farmers Market on Saturdays and Farmers’ Market at Lakewood Ranch on Sundays.
Myakka River State Park: 7 Best Spots for Pictures (Including Where to See Alligators)
December 2024: Myakka River State Park has reopened after getting damaged during Hurricanes Helene and Milton. However, repairs are still underway for the Canopy Walkway and Birdwalk. Some primitive campsites are also still closed. Check with the park for the latest updates.
Myakka River State Park in Sarasota is popular for its vast open land and abundant wildlife–including an estimated 4,000 alligators that call it home.
While there’s lots to do at Myakka River State Park, photography is one activity that lures shutterbugs from around the world. In fact, photographer Clyde Butcher began to take his famous black and white photos at Myakka River State Park just a few years ago. His time in Myakka contrasted and complemented the oodles of pics he’s taken down in the Everglades. (Fun fact: He now has a darkroom, gallery, and studio in nearby Venice.)
As Myakka River State Park is so large–58 square miles with more than 39 miles of hiking trails–you may wonder where are some particularly key spots if you want to get great photos, including those of its famous gators (at a safe distance, of course). Here’s where our guide below comes in handy.
Our list is by no means exhaustive. We’ve been to Myakka River State Park many times, but we haven’t explored its more remote trails nor have we camped there. Feel free to comment and add additional areas at the park that you think are perfect for your pics, whether you use a smartphone or a fancy-schmancy camera (we use both).
The Bridge
Using the main entrance at Myakka Park off of SR72, you’ve got about a four-mile drive toward the concession area and Myakka River. About halfway there is a bridge that overlooks a wide swatch of water where you can literally see dozens of gators at once. On some days, you may visit and see a handful of gators resting in the water or gently gliding. On others, you hit the jackpot and will see many gators in all states of activity. We recently caught one large gator bellowing (a loud, scary sound) before getting a smaller gator in front of it to move. We also saw another gator who literally travelled with an island–a somewhat small patch of land that was on top of its body. (Visit our Instagram page, @Florida_Culture, for videos of these encounters.)
Part of the fun at the bridge area is people watching, especially for those visiting from out of town who are seeing alligators for the first time. Just be smart and don’t head down below the bridge! It’s a sure way to tempt fate and you’re not guaranteed solid ground to escape quickly from these apex predators.
Fisherman’s Loop
There’s a quieter, small turn-off on the left past the bridge area called Fisherman’s Loop that can be terrific for photos, whether it’s looking out onto the open fields, watching the trees, or scouting for gators in the creek. We’d almost say it’s a secret area but we recently have seen more people there–so, not really a secret but best enjoyed early before more people come. As the name implies, Fisherman’s Loop has a small loop-shaped parking lot, a picnic table, some benches, and some walking trails. Every time we’ve gone, we’ve seen gators. We also recently saw a family of wild hogs, including babies, in the woods. Watch the water and you’ll notice a gator hanging out in the water under some large tree branches. You’ll also see them glide by in the water and then stop and rest. You can see all this from a slightly elevated vantage point as you look down at the creek.
Fisherman’s Loop is enjoyable as it’s quiet and more intimate than the bridge area, but again Use your telephoto lens or zoom, and keep a safe distance. Although gators aren’t actively looking to attack–they’re actually quite shy–you don’t want to risk taking extra steps and falling in the water.
Myakka River and Concession Area
After driving the four miles into the park to where it meets Myakka River, you’ve got several choices on what to do next, all of which offer some great potential pictures. Spend time right on the edge of Myakka River, and you’ll likely get some terrific bird shots. The birdwatching folks we’ve seen there can fill you in on what’s hanging out. If it’s in operation, the Myakka River Boat Tour will give you a few right on the water. (As of April 2023, the water levels were low so the boat tour wasn’t operational.) There are often alligators that hang out in the water, near where the boats dock. You can also take a tram for an interior view of the park; call in advance or look online to find out its hours.
From the area beside Myakka River, you can venture off into the woods onto some trails where you’ll find wildflowers and gators sunning themselves in the water and on land that’s on the other side of where you’re walking. Watch out for dragonflies, honeybees, and more.
And perhaps it’s not photo worthy, but a stop at the gift shop never hurts. The restrooms also are located there as are kayak and bike rentals.
The Birdwalk
After getting damaged by Hurricane Ian in September 2022, Myakka River State Park reopened the birdwalk boardwalk in April/May 2023. The birdwalk takes you closer to Myakka River so you can watch the birds and other wildlife.
As you walk along the peaceful boardwalk/birdwalk, you’ll also find a picture from the park of the different types of birds you can find in the park, like ibises, herons, and many more. Here’s more info from the park about the birdwalk.
Plus, there’s a small walking trail adjacent to the boardwalk that will take you toward the river, where you still might get some good pictures. FYI, we’ve found that Friends of Myakka River, either on its website or on social media, has done a great job of updating everyone on the state of the park during its hurricane restoration.
The Canopy Walkway
Myakka River State Park has a famous canopy walkway that gives you a bird’s eye view of the land around it. It’s a popular attraction and definitely worth the five-minute or so walk from the road once you park. You’ll see some cool angles for pics when you’re there. The Canopy itself also was damaged during Hurricane Ian and hasn’t yet reopened. However, the trails around it are open. We hope the Canopy is fixed and reopens soon.
The Open Fields
There’s a time period in the spring, usually in or around May, when Myakka’s open fields are filled with brightly colored flowers. We’ve seen people do photo shoots in the fields of themselves or with their kids or dogs. Whether you’re looking for a selfie spot or just nature shots, seeing the fields of flowers are definitely worth it. Just check in advance to make sure they are in bloom. Even if they’re not, Myakka’s open fields are still interesting. We spotted a group of wild turkeys in the same spot during our past two visits and got a few shots.
Deep Hole
Deep Hole is a permit-only area of Myakka River State Park that allows up to 30 visitors a day. Show up at the park first thing in the morning to get a permit. It’s about a two-mile walk to get to Deep Hole, so plan accordingly with your water, sunscreen, bug spray, and camera equipment. The walk there may remind you of views from Africa, with open savana-like areas. Deep Hole itself is an area filled with alligators, which is why it attracts committed visitors. Be ready with good walking shoes and use a good telephoto lens instead of getting too close. Here’s a video from Sarah’s Outdoor Adventures with more info on Deep Hole and getting the permit.
Some Final Tips for a Great Visit to Myakka River State Park
–-If you have something specific you want to do, call the park in advance to make sure it’s open. As you may have guessed, many activities in the park are weather-dependent or may still be recovering from Hurricane Ian. You may or may not find the info you seek on the main website for the park, which is why we advise calling.
—Remember that you’re not at a theme park and those aren’t animatronic gators. The alligators at Myakka are very real. When you go to Myakka, you’re visiting their home so act accordingly. Keep a safe distance and leave them alone. We’re not trying to nag but there has been an increase in gator attacks in the past year or so as more people move to Florida and may not know how to give them the respect and distance they deserve. As the park brochure says, “Do not approach, tease, frighten, touch or feed”…and that applies to all wildlife there.
—Keep pets on a six-foot, handheld leash–or leave them at home. Your favorite Fido is allowed in limited areas of the park, with good reason due to all of the wildlife there.
—Have a little bit of money handy (or your card). If you’re traveling there alone by car, it’s a $4 entry fee; $6 if you’re with a car full of people. You can also pay your admission fee in advance online. The tram and the boat rides each cost $22 each for adults and $12 for kids.
–-Visit at different times of the year. Due to changing weather, you could get a completely different experience. That can make for some great variations in the photos you take.
—Plan to use the main gate off of SR72. There’s a north gate that’s only open 8 am to 5 pm on the weekend and during state holidays.
For more info on the wonders of Myakka River State Parks, here are some links to our previous stories:
—Myakka River State Park Boat Rides and Tram Tours: What to Expect
—Myakka River Start Park’s Canopy Walkway: What to See, What to Do
—Here’s What You Can Do at Myakka River State Park (and Yes, There Are Plenty of Alligators)
Let us know in the comment section if you have other photo-worth places in the park you like to visit.
Wildflower at Myakka River State Park in Sarasota.
7 Cute Small Towns in Florida to Visit
Looking for a cute small town to visit in Florida? You’ve got your pick! Even though high-rise development is famous for creeping along the coasts of Florida and residential communities are moving further inland, there are still many areas of the Sunshine State that retain small-town charm. Whether you want to visit these areas for a day trip, a weekend stay, or for move-in potential (#RemoteWork), you’ve got your choices.
Our list of seven cute small towns in Florida is by no means a complete list. These are some of our faves, and we may expand the list in the future. Plus, there are many other charming small towns right here in Florida that we’d still like to visit. Let us know if you know of other cute small towns in Florida you’d like us to feature.
Make sure to check websites or social media in advance of your visit to confirm that anywhere specific you want to visit is open. Holidays, weather, and hurricanes all can affect hours or days open.
Without further ado, let’s dive in.
7 Charming Small Towns in Florida
St. Augustine
Location: Northeast Florida, about 45 minutes south of Jacksonville, 2 hours north of Orlando, and 3 hours away from Tampa
America’s oldest city aka St. Augustine, established in 1513, offers a ton of history along with nearby beachy fun. The downtown commercial area features St. George Street, a busy pedestrian-friendly street with stores and restaurants. Nearby is Castillo de San Marcos, a Spanish fort constructed in 1695. Take advantage of Old Town Trolley Tours to get an enjoyable, complete lowdown on St. Augustine’s history. Take pictures at the Bridge of Lions (complete with lion statues) that crosses over the Matanzas River. Matanzas means “massacre” in Spanish, so that gives you some sense of the violent history in St. Augustine (explorers and pirates and ghosts, oh my!). In fact, the city is said to be haunted, and there are both walking and trolley ghost tours at night. When you’ve had enough history, you’re just minutes away from beautiful St. Augustine Beach, the St. Augustine Lighthouse (it’s haunted, too) and Vilano Beach. The St. Augustine Alligator Farm Zoological Park is a pretty cool destination as well. Tip: For an early morning treat, get to the St. Augustine Pier to watch the sunrise.
More reading: Here Are Six Things to Do When You Visit St. Augustine
Venice
Location: About 30 minutes south of Sarasota and 90 minutes from Tampa
Sarasota on Florida’s Gulf Coast is more well-known than Venice, but Sarasota continues to grow like wildfire. So, if we’re talking about small towns, we’ll focus this time on Venice, which has somewhat of an Italian flair just like the city of the same name in Italy. Venice is a retiree mecca, with its cute downtown, a vibrant weekly farmers market, sunny weather, and popular beaches. In fact, Venice is known as the “Shark Tooth Capital of the World” because of the millions of shark teeth that have been found on its beaches through the years, including Venice Beach (great pier) and Caspersen Beach. Within downtown, you’ve got a couple of popular breakfast spots, including Croissant & Co., which had a waiting line outside one recent weekend. You’ll also find several Italian restaurants and Abondanza, an Italian deli/store. Tip: Sea Pleasures & Treasures in the downtown area sells your typical beach souvenirs but also has an interesting display of shark teeth and alligator heads.
More reading: Shark Tooth Hunting in Venice, Florida: Answers to All Your FAQs
7 Ways to Search for Shark Teeth in Venice
9 Things to Do in Venice, Florida
Anna Maria Island
Location: A little over an hour south of Tampa, about 2 1/2 hours from Naples
Travel + Leisure named Anna Maria one of the best small towns in Florida, but we locals have known that for a long time. What was once an Old Florida secret has now become a must-see destination on Florida’s Gulf Coast. Located near Bradenton Beach and near Sarasota, Anna Maria Island has gorgeous beaches and a family feel.
Unfortunately, Anna Maria was hit badly by the fall 2024 hurricanes Helene and Milton. The area is rebuilding, and many/most businesses have reopened. A portion of the Anna Maria City Pier boardwalk was destroyed, and Rod ‘N’ Reel (a pier/restaurant that had been around since 1947) was fully destroyed. The piers will surely be rebuilt, but it’s good to know in advance what happened.
Even with the recent upheaval, visitors to Anna Maria enjoy “the good life” with regular bikes and walks and shopping at areas like Pine Avenue. Tip: As word has gotten out about Anna Maria, traffic has increased. Leave early in the day for less traffic and to make it easier to find parking, especially if you’re going to places like Bean Point at the tip of the island. If you don’t have any luck, make it over to nearby Holmes Beach, Bradenton Beach, or Coquina Beach (those areas also are still recovering from the fall 2024 hurricanes, although businesses have reopened).
More reading: 9 Free Things to Do on Anna Maria Island
Micanopy
Location: About 20 minutes from Gainesville and 90 minutes from Jacksonville
Micanopy (pronounced mic-ah-no-pee) is a small town near Gainesville (home to the University of Florida) that’s filled with a few antique shops, some cute restaurants, a historical society, and the Herlong Mansion, a bed and breakfast. It’s truly a small Southern town with a lot of history. Yet if you want to expand your experience, visit Paynes Prairie Preserve State Park, which also has a Micanopy address. The expansive preserve has gators and wild horses and bison, several trails, a visitor center, and a cool observation tower where you just may catch a view of the buffaloes roaming. Travel + Leisure also named Micanopy one of the best Florida small towns. Tip: You may be able to spot gators at Paynes Prairie, but keep in mind that some trails get flooded and may be closed during the rainy season in the summer.
More reading: Things to See and Do in Micanopy, Florida
What to Know Before You Visit Paynes Prairie Preserve State Park
Cortez
Location: About a half hour from Sarasota and an hour south of Tampa
Florida is known for its fresh seafood and fish, but there aren’t that many authentic fishing villages still around. Cortez is a real fishing village, located just minutes away from Anna Maria Island. Cortez is not your destination if you’re looking for shopping or sunning yourself on the beach, although you can get all of that just minutes away on Anna Maria Island or at Bradenton Beach. Instead, go to Cortez for history and some really good seafood. Star Fish Company and Tide Tables are two standouts in Cortez for your shrimp and grits or grouper sandwich, and you may spot commercial fishing boats as well as fishing charters and recreational boaters while you eat. The commercial fishermen are busy catching mullet, grouper, and stone crab, according to this interesting article about Cortez. Make the Florida Maritime Museum part of your visit for the lowdown on the town’s history. Tip: Celebrate Cortez all you want during its annual Cortez Commercial Fishing Festival, typically held in February and attracting 20,000 people daily.
Cortez received a lot of damage during the fall 2024 hurricanes, but its famous restaurants have reopened.
More reading: Commercial Fishing Still a Way of Life in Cortez
Tarpon Springs
Location: About 45 minutes north of Tampa and about two hours from Ocala
Opa! Tarpon Springs celebrates its Greek and sponge diving heritage. This seaside town has a long history of sponge divers who dive for–you guessed it–sea sponges, used in cosmetics and for bathing. That, along with the long history of Greek natives who came to call Tarpon Springs home, give Tarpon Springs a special flare. On a sunny day, with Greek music piping out of some stores, you may even convince yourself you’re in Greece. Save room for a Greek meal or a dessert like baklava. Saint Nicholas Greek Orthodox Cathedral is a gathering place for the local community and is interesting to see.
More reading: Here Are 5 Things to Do in Tarpon Springs
Boca Grande
Location: About an hour and 20 minutes south of Sarasota; about two hours north of Naples
Boca Grande, located on Gasparilla Island and north of Fort Myers, is less well known than places like Fort Myers or Sarasota, but we think they like to keep it that way. This exclusive waterside enclave has welcomed well-known residents and visitors, from University of Alabama head football coach Nick Saban to the Bushes (as in, the presidential family). Boca Grande is home to a walkable, quaint downtown area with some cute shops and restaurants as well as beach areas and a lighthouse. (Actually, there are two lighthouses in the general vicinity). The Gasparilla Inn is an upscale place to stay and features The Pink Elephant Restaurant and a few other places to eat. Boca Grande incurred some damage during the fall 2024 hurricanes Helene and Milton.
More reading: 7 Things to Do in Boca Grande, Florida
7 Things to Do and See in Bradenton Beach, Florida
December 2024 update: Bradenton Beach was badly damaged by Hurricanes Helene and Milton. While many local businesses have reopened, the area continues its recovery. It’s a good idea to check social media sites for any places you plan to visit to double check hours and other relevant information.
If you’re planning a vacation to Bradenton Beach in Southwest Florida, then you’ll want to find out all there is to see and do in this beautiful beach town right on the Gulf of Mexico.
To give you some context, Bradenton Beach is located just minutes away from Sarasota, Lakewood Ranch, and Bradenton. Of course, those could be some long minutes if you’re caught in snowbird traffic (“snowbird” is the nickname for the retirees, often from the Midwest New York, or Canada, who live in Florida for part of the year).
Bradenton Beach is located on Anna Maria Island, which is home to the town of Anna Maria, Holmes Beach, and Bradenton Beach. Anna Maria is well known and often celebrated for its “old Florida” feel and family atmosphere. We agree that it’s terrific, but don’t forget about the rest of “the island,” as locals call it.
Just south of Bradenton Beach, once you cross over Longboat Pass Bridge, is the tony beachside town of Longboat Key.
All of these beautiful coastal areas were hit badly by Hurricanes Helene and Milton and continue to recover.
When you cross the Cortez Road bridge into Bradenton Beach, you’ll definitely get a small beach town feel, as the Gulf of Mexico view is visible ahead of you and you see pedestrians making their way to lunch or dinner The Beach House, a well-known restaurant right on the Gulf.
Tourists (who wear swimsuits even if winter temperatures are in the 60s–“Yikes!” exclaim Florida natives) stroll along to make their way back to their Bradenton Beach hotel or rental and stop for ice cream along the way. If you make your way down Bridge Street, you can find a treasure trove of shopping (more on Bridge Street in our tips below).
The Bradenton Beach area is so scenic that a few movies have been filmed nearby, including “Out of Time” with Denzel Washington. We’ve seen local restaurants that once had signs that said, “Denzel Washington ate here.”
Here’s our guide for what’s fun to see and do when you visit Bradenton Beach.
7 To-Do Tips for a Visit to Bradenton Beach, Florida
—Hang out at the beach. Well, this is an obvious tip, right? The good news is that there’s some nuance to it. “Bradenton Beach” isn’t just one stretch of beach in town. Although much of the beach area is called “Bradenton Beach,” there’s a smaller stretch called Cortez Beach that we like for fishing, picture taking, and hanging out the beach without too many people (usually). Then there’s Coquina Beach, a popular stretch of beach that includes a ton of parking, a playground, picnic areas, and a restaurant. Coquina Beach also features some shady spots. Arrive early if you want to make Coquina Beach your destination and you plan to use one of the grills or if you want a good parking spot.
Whatever beach area you pick or can find parking at, you’re likely in for a treat. The Gulf waters are usually clear or turquoise, and you’ll find white or light-colored sand. Although the waters can get fierce during a bad storm or any other turbulence in the Gulf, most of the time it’s smooth sailing and swimming. As you may know, the Gulf is known for its calm waters versus the Atlantic side’s waves.
—Watch a sunset. If you’ve come to the west coast of Florida, then you probably know that you’re in for a sunset treat. On your phone, check your weather app to verify what time you can watch the sunset or visit this site. In the summer, it can be as late as 8 or 8:30 pm. In the winter, it’s closer to 5:30 or 5:45. Anywhere on the beach is a good place to be to watch the sun quickly make its way down the horizon. You’ll likely be there with many new friends (aka tourists from Indiana and Michigan) who have the same idea as you, but it’s OK. Everyone seems to be in a good mood.
—Visit the Bridge Street Pier and Bridge Street shops. Surprisingly, Bradenton Beach has a bayside pier and some shops that not even known by all locals. The Bridge Street Pier is an ample-sized, long pier that makes a great destination to watch the sun rise, fish, or watch traffic crossing the Cortez Road Bridge. You can find the pier by looking for clock tower at the beginning of it.
Then there are the shops, bars, and restaurants on Bridge Street. Although Bridge Street isn’t long, it’s a nice eclectic mix. You’ve got mini golf (The Fish Hole Miniature Golf), a bar that loves the Green Bay Packers (The Bridge Tender Inn and Dockside Bar), a spa (Sea-renity Beach Spa), and several more finds. Take a walk along Bridge Street and you may surprise yourself with some new favorite shopping.
–-Eat! Like any good beach town, Bradenton Beach has several restaurants you can enjoy. The Beach House is well known and prides itself on sourcing much of its food locally. It’s also typically big and crowded. Daiquiri Deck is a local, well-known chain that has some cool Gulf views, as does Bridge Street Bistro. Anna Maria Oyster Bar is located right on the Bridge Street Pier. There are plenty of other local choices. Of course, don’t forget about ice cream during your beach vacation on Bradenton Beach. Island Scoops is one popular choice.
–-Enjoy water sports. Whether you want to fish right off the shore or do a charter trip, you’ve got your choice. There’s also boating, dolphin boat tours (although you’ll sometimes see dolphins right from shore), parasailing, and scuba diving. Bradenton Beach isn’t well known for snorkeling–the waters are clear but not usually filled with colorful things to see as beaches in the Caribbean. However, anyone in your group who enjoys throwing on a snorkel mask may see a few interesting shells or fish. Best to ask the folks at any local dive shops about their snorkeling recommendations.
–Visit some other nearby cool places. You could make a whole vacation of just hanging out at Bradenton Beach if you’re a real beach bum. Yet while you’re in the area, you may as well check out some other popular and cool places to see. Here are a few suggestions:
—Robinson Preserve, a peaceful oasis of parkland about 15 or 20 minutes away by car.
—The Ringling art museum in Sarasota
—St. Armand’s Circle in Sarasota, a popular shopping and restaurant destination
—Cortez, a historical fishing village located just on the other side of the Cortez Street Bridge. There’s a small museum and a few restaurants.
—MOTE Marine and Save Our Seabirds, two animal-geared places adjacent to each other
—Take a calming stroll at Leffis Key Preserve. One lesser known area of Bradenton Beach is called Leffis Key Preserve, located on the bay side of town. Leffis Key Preserve has a few walking trails and some pretty nifty views of the bay. There’s even a 26-foot “hill”–a big deal in flat Florida! As of December 2024, Leffis Key Preserve was closed due to storm damage.
Some final tips for your visit to Bradenton Beach:
—Think early. Over the 10+ years we’ve lived in Bradenton, we’ve watched Bradenton Beach go from feeling distinctly more crowded in the winter and spring because of tourists and snowbirds to staying busy year-round. Your best strategy is to arrive to the beach early. Otherwise, you’re likely going to be stuck in traffic going over the bridge and while driving around Bradenton Beach’s limited number of streets. Which brings us to our next tip….
—Walk or use the trolley when you can. If you’re staying in a Bradenton Beach hotel/rental or anywhere on Anna Maria Island, there’s a free trolley that goes from north Anna Maria Island (specifically, the Anna Maria Pier) all the way down to Coquina Beach. Take advantage of it to minimize driving, or walk when you can.
–Grab a map. This may sound old school, but the maps that you’ll find in free newspaper-sized kiosks include large views of the island (bigger than your phone) along with local ads for businesses you might want to use. Those maps are helpful.
