FLORIDA · USA
Updated: Sep 3
Brief History/Information
Florida seems to be on most USA destinations, and I’ve had the opportunity to grow up in South Florida. In 1513, the Spanish explorer Juan Ponce de León landed in Florida and named it La Florida. In 1565, Spain founded St. Augustine, which is the oldest continuously inhabited European settlement in the U.S.A. In 1763, Spain gave control to Britain, in 1783, Britain gave control back to Spain, and in 1821, Spain gave control to the United States. Florida became a state in 1845, making it the 27th state in the union. It is a peninsula that is bordered by the Atlantic Ocean and Gulf of Mexico. Nowadays, Florida is commonly divided into different geographic regions
Panhandle Region
Panhandle Region (AKA: Big Bend/North Florida/Crook of the State): Known as Northwest Florida, this region includes Pensacola and Tallahassee. The Panhandle includes the famous Panama City Beach area that have white powder-like sandy beaches. In this region, there can be as much as you want to do or as little as you want to do. Since I have family in the Panhandle, I’ve been going to this area for over 30 years
Main Cities & Areas:
Pensacola | Tallahassee |
Destin | Panama City Beach |
Fort Walton Beach | Apalachicola |
Pensacola
What we did/Places of Interest
Destin
What we did/Places of Interest
Fort Walton Beach
What we did/Places of Interest
Panama City Beach
What we did/Places of Interest
I’ve been coming to this area for over 30 years, visiting family. There’s a lot to do here if you want, or there’s absoutly nothing to do also… if that’s that you want!
Ate at Hungry Howies pizza
Edgewater Resort for dinner
Marina Grill (Cajun) at Hawthorne.
Ate at Goatfeathers restaurant… very good
Went to Seaside, looks like Key West
Defuniak Springs and Winter winery called Chautauqua.
Bayou bills the portions are huge and the food was excellent.
Tallahassee
What we did/Places of Interest
Apalachicola
What we did/Places of Interest
Northeast Region
Northeast Region (AKA: First Coast): Located in Northeast Florida, this area includes Jacksonville and St. Augustine. It is known for its historic coast. This is such a quiet and pristine area that makes you feel like you’re in the old country.
Main Cities & Areas:
Jacksonville | Fernandina Beach |
St. Augustine | Gainesville |
Jacksonville
What we did/Places of Interest
St. Augustine
What we did/Places of Interest
Wow! The oldest city in the country and we love visiting the oldest of everything? This is a win-win! I’ve been here a few times, and it never gets old and always encounter something different. The Fountain of Youth is much more than a spring of water, and I encourage everyone to go visit. The old town is just wonderful and charming. Got to visit some nice old places. There is so much to see and do here for people of all ages, any time of the year.
Fernandina Beach
Oldest bar in Florida: The Palace Saloon (1903)
What we did/Places of Interest
The Palace Saloon in Fernandina Beach/Amelia Island has been operating since 1903 in the historic Prescott building. Great unassuming bar! Just a two hour drive from Georgia’s oldest bar (The Pirates' House).
Gainesville
What we did/Places of Interest
Central Region
Central Region (AKA: Nature Coast/Treasure Coast/Space Coast): Spanning the middle of the state, including Orlando, crystal clear springs (like Crystal River/Kings Bay), rivers, and space shuttle missions. Everyone knows what Orlando has to offer, but on either side of Orlando, are beaches, small towns, great food, and lots to do.
Main Cities & Areas:
Orlando | Daytona Beach |
Tampa | Cape Canaveral & Cocoa Beach |
Orlando
What we did/Places of Interest
Near the Orlando area are some great little ‘Old Florida’ towns that take you back when Florida wasn’t well known or populated.
Mount Dora, Florida: Tremain’s Tavern (1883)
What we did/Places of Interest
Tremain's Tavern is located inside the Lakeside Inn. The tavern is named after Ross and Georgia Tremain. They were among the very first settlers in Mount Dora. This is a very nice and old-fashioned bar and makes you feel like strolling around the property. This is such a quaint town.
Oldest hotel in Florida: Lakeside Inn (1883)
What we did/Places of Interest
The Lakeside Inn, opened its doors in 1883 and was then called the Alexander House. It is right in the heart of the Mount Dora historic district, overlooking Lake Dora. It is the oldest continuously-operated hotel in the State of Florida. This is an amazingly beautiful hotel and you feel like you’re in one of those Hallmark Christmas movies! Lakeside Inn is the last remaining Victorian Era hotel still standing here in Central Florida. After the completion of his presidency in 1929, President Calvin Coolidge and his wife Grace chose Lakeside Inn for a month-long vacation from the New England winter (January 11 – February 12, 1930). Lakeside Inn was also the film set for the 1981 John Schlesinger movie, Honky Tonk Freeway.
Sanford, Florida
What we did/Places of Interest
We drove to Sanford for a nice day trip to explore and hike. It was a warm June day. The hike at Black Bear Wilderness Area was actually really great, muddy but great. We saw more alligators than humans on this hike! The adorable little town of Sanford seems like it’s making a comeback, the shops are adorable and there’s a great German restaurant, Hollerbach's German Restaurant with an authentic market.
Ocala
What we did/Places of Interest
Tampa
What we did/Places of Interest
Ybor City/Tampa, Florida: Columbia Restaurant (1903)
What we did/Places of Interest
The restaurant was established in 1903 as the Columbia Saloon, but then quickly turned into the Columbia Restaurant. It made the list because it’s not only old but it’s REALLY GOOD! They have two locations, the original Tampa, and one in Saint Augustine.
Daytona Beach
What we did/Places of Interest
Cape Canaveral & Cocoa Beach
Cocoa Beach, Florida: the oldest bar in Cocoa Beach - Johnathan's Pub (1970)
What we did/Places of Interest
Johnathan's Pub in Cocoa Beach was established in 1970. This is your typical old dive bar, but don’t let that turn you away! Try their fresh squeezed orange juice ‘Screwdriver’… you’ve never had anything so good! The food, drink, and staff are all amazing.
South Region
South Region (AKA: Florida Suncoast/Gold Coast): Encompasses the southern peninsula, including Miami and the Everglades (UNESCO World Heritage Site). Covering areas from Miami up to West Palm Beach. Growing up in South Miami, I know this area the best.
Main Cities & Areas:
Miami | Naples |
Fort Lauderdale | Fort Myers |
West Palm Beach | Hollywood |
Boca Raton |
Miami
Miami-Coral Gables, Florida: the 2nd oldest bar in Miami - The Bar (1946)
What we did/Places of Interest
If you like an old local bar with cheap(er) drinks, then this is your place! Great music and artifacts adorn this place. It’s a bar we will now frequent when visiting Miami! Growing up in Miami, Florida you’d think I would know about this bar…but I didn’t until I came here as a tourist! The Bar was established in 1946, but was known as Hofbrau. It is right off of the Miracle Mile.
Miami Beach, Florida: Joes stone crab (1918)
What we did/Places of Interest
This was a fun find. I had no idea the history or longevity of this amazing restaurant!
Joe Weiss opened a small lunch counter on Miami Beach, in 1913, which was only a fish sandwich place. He had to be shown what a stone crab was, the value, and how to cook them.
Fort Lauderdale
What we did/Places of Interest
West Palm Beach
What we did/Places of Interest
Naples
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Fort Myers
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Hollywood
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Boca Raton
What we did/Places of Interest
Florida Keys
What we did/Places of Interest
Florida Keys: I have had the privilege of going to the Florida Keys many times, as well as living two years in Key West. The Florida Keys are a long chain of tropical islands stretching about 125 miles (200 km) off the southern tip of Florida, curving southwest between the Atlantic Ocean and the Gulf of Mexico. They’re connected by the scenic Overseas Highway, famous for its bridges and ocean views. The reefs surrounding the Keys have caused many shipwrecks, and by the 1800s, a unique industry called “wrecking” developed—locals salvaged cargo from stranded ships. The island of Key West became one of the richest U.S. cities per capita during this time due to wrecking profits. Industrialist Henry Flagler created the Overseas Railroad that connected the Keys to mainland Florida by rail; it was completed in 1912. After a hurricane in 1935 destroyed the Overseas Railroad, many of its bridges were repurposed to create the Overseas Highway (completed in 1938). This made the Keys easily accessible by car. The Keys sit within delicate ecosystems, including mangroves and coral reefs. Much of the area is protected by parks like:
John Pennekamp Coral Reef State Park (first undersea park in the U.S.)
Regions of the Florida Keys:
UPPER KEYS | MIDDLE KEYS | LOWER KEYS |
UPPER KEYS
Key Largo, Florida: Caribbean Club (1963) (oldest bar in Key Largo
Well, this is the oldest bar in Key Largo! I finally came here in 2025! NOTE: This is a CASH ONLY establishment. This is where the famous movie, ‘Key Largo” was filmed (maybe I should watch it).
What we did/Places of Interest
Key Largo (Largo means Long in Spanish). There’s a lot to offer here in the first and very large key. John Pennekamp Coral Reef State Park (MM 102.5), Caribbean Club (oldest bar in KL), Mrs. Mac’s Kitchen (99336 Overseas Hwy, Key Largo).
What we did/Places of Interest
What we did/Places of Interest
When in Islamorada, one must ALWAYS make a stop at the Tiki Bar at Holiday Isle (84001 Overseas Hwy, Islamorada). Many times growing up here, this was our only destination. Yes, it’s changed immensly since I was a young lassie, but it’s still a great stop! Blond Giraffe Key Lime Factory (MM 92), Florida Keys Brewing Company (MM 81.6), Islandmorada Beer Co.
Middle Keys
What we did/Places of Interest
For me, Marathon is usually just a ‘pass through’ key, but there are some cool spots. Turtle Hospital (MM 48.5), Herbie's Bar and Chowder House (oldest bar in Marathon Key), and of course the famous Seven Mile Bridge.
What we did/Places of Interest
What we did/Places of Interest
Lower Keys
Big Pine Key, Florida: No Name Pub (1936)
No Name Pub goes back to 1931 when it was a general store and bait and tackle shop. In 1936, the owners added a small room which became a restaurant and the No Name Pub was born! Their motto still stands, “A nice place if you can find it.”… with GPS, you can now find it!
What we did/Places of Interest
Big Pine Key could be one of my favorite keys! The Florida Keys are extremely laid-back, but Big Pie takes it to another level! No Name Pub (oldest bar in Big Pine), National Key Deer Refuge Nature Center (MM 30), Big Pine Rooster (MM 30).
No Name Key
What we did/Places of Interest
What we did/Places of Interest
The many names of Key West, Cayo Hueso (Original Spanish name meaning "Bone Island"), Cayo Guesso, West Kay (Early English phonetic translation/spelling), Thompson's Island (19th-century name given when the U.S. first claimed the island), Bone Island (English translation of Cayo Hueso), Conch Republic (Modern micronation moniker and patriotic nickname adopted by the city)… What a fabulous place! Is it so great because it’s the last key, lot’s of history, or something else?
I actually had the privilege of living here for my first two years of marriage!
Here are some of our favorite places (not in any particular order): Green Parrot, Carolines, Mangrove Mama's, Kermit’s, Half Shell Raw Bar (4:30-6:30, $9/doz oysters), Schooner Wharf Bar, Key West First Legal Rum Distillery, Papas Pilar, Amigos for Mexican, Capt. Tony's Saloon (oldest bar in KW), Rick's & Durty Harry's, Kevin’s Irish, Garden of Eden — The Bull & Whistle Bar, Bourbon St Pub (huge Green tea shots), Martin's, Flamingo Crossing Ice Cream, Bagitelle, Sunset Cruise with full bar/appetizers, Key West Botanical Garden, Sloppy Joe’s, Chart Room, Mattheessen's Homemade, First Flight Island Restaurant & Brewery, and Hog's Breath Saloon.
The Search for the Best Key Lime Pie
What is Key Lime Pie? It is a classic dessert, originating from the Florida Keys in the 1800s, featuring a tart and creamy custard filling.
My sister came to visit and decided that she will search for the best Key Lime Pie in the Florida Keys, 8 different Key Lime Pies were tasted; pictures and notes were taken (top 3 are pictured in left-right order).
Key Lime Pie Lady: tart, creamy, frozen, not bitter or zesty, crust is thick and crumbly
Blond Giraffe: good texture, more tartness, thicker crust (needs Mrs. Mac’s crust), on first impact not tart-but happens later
Blue Heaven: light lemony and huge meringue, very fresh and slightly warm, wet-dense-buttery-not thick crust, tasty and tart.
Kermit’s: tang hits you a little later, thick not dense crust-crumbles, could be tangier, nice texture, crust beats the others
Mrs. Mac’s Kitchen: creamier, nice crumbly crust, not very tart
Florida Key Lime Pie Co: not that impressive, tastes mass produced
Wahoo Restaurant: meringue topping-doesn’t add or subtract from the pie-makes it pretty, not super tart-needs more tart, dense/moist crust, thick slice
No Name Pub: not cold, good tartness, very fluffy/ whipped, good crumbly crust, white-same color as whipped cream
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