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::Title: Florida Travel Guide
::Author: willi@eichow.tuwien.ac.at
::Filename: north_america/usa/florida/florida
::Date: 1992 July
::Type: Guide
This and other travel information is available by anonymous ftp from
ccu.umanitoba.ca (130.179.16.8) in the directory /pub/rec-travel.
For more information about the rec.travel archives, contact Brian
Lucas <lucas@ccu.umanitoba.ca>.
For comments, questions, or additions to this document, please contact
the author, whose address is given above.
========================================================================
From: willi@eichow.tuwien.ac.at
Organization: Tech. University Vienna, Dept. of Computergraphic
Date: Thu, 30 Jul 1992 15:05:55 GMT
Bill welack@miamiu.bitnet
Cindy charris@umiami.ir.miami.edu
Craig craig@umiami.ir.miami.edu
Donna dbeabak@cfrvm.bitnet
Dooley dooley@oasys.dt.navy.mil
Jan jpenovic@encore.com
Jaroslaw jhaftek3@ua1vm.bitnet
John H.E. john@earlj.b11.ingr.com
John R. jreece@sousa.intel.com
Larry lhughes@b11.ingr.com
Lucy lrowland@uga.bitnet
Michele mmurray@ua1vm.ua.edu
Rose Mary godwin@frmnvax1.bitnet
Tim toptholt@magnus.acs.ohio-state.edu
Tom higginbotham@selu.edu
About climate and insects
-------------------------
It seems to be VERY hot and VERY humid in Florida in summer. There also
appears to be a very severe MOSQUITO problem around there, especially
in the swamp areas.
Some people seem to think that we just wouldn't stand it.
Is it really THAT bad, or are Americans just that used to having
air conditioning everywhere, that they can't imagine to live without it
anymore?
Here are some comments:
Cindy:
> Are you crazy? Nobody in his right mind camps in South Florida in August.
> The mosquitoes will kill you, not to mention the heat!
> ...
> I would suggest you camp only in the northern areas you visit, say north
> of Orlando.
Donna:
> Use mosquito/insect repellant if you go to the Everglades.
John H E:
> Be prepared for HOT weather! Temperatures in the 90s F.
John R:
> It will be far hotter and humid in Florida than what you're used to.
> Some German friends wilt in comparable California temperatures, and we
> don't have anywhere near the humidity of the southeastern US. I would
> budget some money for air-conditioned motel rooms.
> Only wimps want low humidity/temps. :-)
> Floridians just love temps in the mid to upper 90s with
> matching humidity. We love stepping out of the shower only to turn
> around and go back in.
> BTW, at night it cools off all the way down to the 80s.
> The mosquitos are pretty bad (they're known to carry off
> small children :-) )
Jaroslaw:
> Since you intend to camp remember that you can expect very hot
> and humid nights as well as mosqitoes. Tent having a lot of
> windows proceted with net screens is must. Otherwise you'll
> sufocate! If you do not have one you can buy one in US and it is
> not very expensive (about $60 for large - all of you).
> Buy also some bugs reppelent.
Lucy:
> Warning: it will be very, very hot in August.
> Beware of the sun! From about 10:00 a. m. until 4:00
> p. m., you can become very badly burned, especially on
> the beach. Wear a hat, base ball or straw -- I prefer
> a straw hat with a wide brim because the breeze can
> blow through.
Okan:
> hottest recorded temperature 109 deg.(at monticello.june1931)
About Driving
-------------
John R:
> Florida has the highest density of highway police in the US, and the
> speed limits are far lower than what you're used to.
Not only are we used to higher speed limits, we also don't have *any*
highway police, so everybody goes as fast as he wants.
But I like the American system. I feel much more secure.
> Highway limits are 65 miles an hour in a lot of the state. 55 is
> the highway limit in the heavily populated areas like Ft. Lauderdale
> and Miami.
Larry:
> Watch speed limits - but drive as you see others driving...
> Obey the speed limit. This is a must.
John R:
> In Florida it is considered a fundamental human right to drive your
> car on the beach (after buying a permit). The constant presence of
> drivers can make it awkward for tourists to fulfill fantasies regarding
> a passionate moon-lit encounter on a tropical beach.
> That may be true on Daytona beach, but not on a lot of the other
> beaches. Try Captiva.
American Automobile Association
-------------------------------
Jaroslaw:
> When you arrive I advise you to stop by the AAA
> It is located in Miami at 4770 Biscayne Blvd.,
> Suite 850, 33137; open M-F 8:30-5:15 phone (305)571-0360.
> There you can get guides and maps. If you will be prone to
> pay a membership fee (about $30) you will become a memeber
> instanteniously and be able to get all the guides and maps
> for free (that's a good bargin, since retail price for Florida
> guide book only is $8.75). You may ask for Tourbooks on all
> states you are interested in, as well Campbook (lists all campsites),
> maps and Triptik map (this is composite map which describes the
> tour you are interested in detail). On this basis you'll be able
> to choose turist atractions and cmaping grounds according to
> your interest and pocket.
Stateparks
----------
Jaroslaw:
> As far as campsites are concerned, I prefer State Parks since
> they offer good accomodations for resonable price. They provide
> showers and some sites have eletricity by your tent (remeber
> about different voltage 110V and plugs!). Generally, you'll
> try to get a place before 10 am, otherwise you may not get one.
Nice Beaches
------------
> Some of the beaches up on the west coast of Florida are supposed to
> be really nice and less crowded than the ones on the east coast.
> There are also State Parks.
Donna:
> Between Apalachicola and Pensacola there are many nice beaches.
Michele:
> I think the best beaches are
> located in the panhandle area around Destin.
MIAMI [ P: 346865, E: 15, N: 25-46-26, W: 80-36-28 ]
-----
Donna:
> - Art Deco district of Miami beach has interesting architecture of the
1930's and 40's.
> - Coconut Grove is also interesting to visit.
> - Metrozoo: A nice zoo, admission - $5.
> - Vizcaya: formerly the estate of the industrialist James Deering, built
in Italian Renaissance style. admission $8.
Rose Mary:
> As far as I know (as of 4 years ago), there weren't any campgrounds in
> Miami (Dade County).
Is it true? That would be bad.
MIAMI BEACH [ P: 96298, E: 5, N: 25-47-25, W: 80-07-49 ]
-----------
> South Beach on Miami Beach is interesting. It's got all the
> old Deco hotels. Lots of sidewalk cafes. They do a lot of
> advertising photography down there. A lot of European
> companies send photographers there to do their ads.
Jaroslaw:
> The Miami Beach oceanfront is nice.
TAMPA [ P: 271523, E: 15, N: 27-56-50, W: 82-27-31 ]
-----
Donna:
- Lowry Park Zoo:
> At a leisurely pace a person could spend about 3 hours, there is a petting
> area and periodic shows with the elephants. It is located off Sligh Ave.
> the admission is $5.50 for adults, children under 3 are free, address is
> 7530 North Boulevard.
- Busch Garden:
> There also is Busch Garden's water slide fun park Adventure Island.
- Ybor City:
> The downtown historic area mentioned, is not really downtown but to the
> east of the downtown area. It is called Ybor City. It the area where
> many Cuban, Spanish, and Italian immigrants lived and worked in the cigar
> factories. Ybor Square is an old cigar factory which has been converted
> into shops and restaurants. The Columbia Restaurant is in Ybor City and
> has interesting tiles decorating the outside of the restaurant.
- Harbour Island:
> In the downtown area with shops and restaurants.
- University of Tampa:
> Across the Hillsborough River from the downtown area.
> Formerly the Tampa Bay Hotel, built by Henry Plant the railroad magnate.
> It has a museum showing some of the hotel furnishings and is interesting
> for its Moorish archetecture.
- Museum of Science and Industry (MOSI):
> across from the University of South Florida, has exhibits that
> interest kids as well as adults, throughout
> the year the main exhibit theme changes.
- Lettuce Lake Park:
> Free county park north and east of the University of South Florida.
> It has boardwalks for viewing the wildlife by the river's
> edge and shows typical Florida wetland/swamp habitats. There are
> picnicking and playground facilities.
- Hillsborough River State Park:
> north of Tampa on US 301, canoeing, nature
> trails, historical presentations.
- Scenic Drive:
> Bayshore Blvd. large homes facing the bay built for the
> most part in the early 1900s, look across the bay toward downtown Tampa.
- Beaches:
> The closest beaches (that are any good :-) ) are in Pinellas county,
> across the bay from Tampa.
> Try Clearwater [ P: 85528, E: 29, N: 27-57-56, W: 82-48-01] Beach or
> St. Petersburg Beach.
FORT MYERS [ P: 36638, E: 10, N: 26-38-25, W: 81-52-21 ]
----------
Donna:
> Thomas Edison's Winter Home - guided tours of the grounds, laboratory,
> home and museum. Adm. - $6.
> Henry Ford's Winter Home - restored and furnished to the style of the
> 1920's. Next to Edison's home.
SANIBEL ISLAND [ N: 26-26-24, W: 82-06-50 ]
CAPTIVA ISLAND [ E: 5, N: 26-31-18, W: 82 11 22 ]
--------------
Donna:
> coastal barrier islands just off the mainland from Ft. Myers.
> J. N. "Ding" Darling National Wildlife Refuge - great for viewing the
> native wildlife (birds, reptiles), it has nature trails, a
> visitor's center, and a wildlife drive. Adm. - $3.
MARCO ISLAND [ N: 25-56-27, W: 81-43-07 ]
------------
Dooley:
> Marco Island (1 hr north of the Everglades) is nice. Same
> kind of gulf coast island atmostphere as Sannibel/Captavia.
SARASOTA [ P: 48868, E: 27, N: 27-20-10, W: 82-31-51 ]
--------
Donna:
> Ringling Museums - Art Museum has collection of works by Peter Paul
> Rubens and other paintings fromthe 14th through 18th centuries.
> Ringling Home - Built to resemble a Venetian palace, it is on
> Sarasota Bay.
> Circus Museum - Has displays of circus parade wagons, calliopes,
> costumes and posters.
> Combined admission for all three - $8.50
> John Ringling was one of the brothers who founded the Ringling
> Bros. Circus. At his death his art collection was donated to
> the state of Florida. It's free to wander the grounds.
> Marie Selby Botanical Gardens - known for its collection of tropical
> plants, they have a nice collection of orchids. Adm. - $5.
> St. Armand's Key - near Sarasota, has a resort area shopping and
> restaurants.
> Longboat Key - a barrier island off the coast from Sarasota which has
> nice beaches.
SAINT PETERSBURG [ E: 44, N: 27-46-14, W: 82-40-46 ]
----------------
Donna:
> Fort Desoto Park - built to defend Tampa Bay during Spanish American
> War, but never completed. Park area includes picnic areas and
> beaches. Toll 85 cents over two or three small bridges. The
> Sunshine Skyway Bridge which spans Tampa Bay can be viewed from
> some areas of the park.
> Salvador Dali Museum - houses a comprehensive collective of his works
> ranging from 1914 to 1980. Adm. - $5.
> The Pier - a 5-story inverted pyramid structure on the bayfront with
> shops, restaurants, aquarium and observation level.
DAYTONA BEACH [ P: 54176, E: 10, N: 29-12-38, W: 81-01-23 ]
-------------
Jaroslaw:
> On the east side of the Florida vist Daytona Beach. There is
> a lot of fun for European to ride car along the beach (the sand is
> so compacted there that makes no trouble to ride in a regular car).
KENNEDY SPACE CENTER
CAPE CANAVERAL [ P: 5733, E: 9, N: 28-24-20, W: 80-36-18 ]
TITUSVILLE [ P: 31910, N: 28-36-43, W: 80-48-28 ]
COCOA BEACH [ P: 10926, E: 12, N: 28-19-11, W: 80-36-28 ]
--------------------
Donna:
> Spaceport, USA - Admission - $6.
> Exhibits of USA achievement in space exploration.
Jaroslaw:
> May be thing to see by SF fan.
John R:
> The tour is worthwhile, but it isn't as good as
> it could be. For instance, the tour doesn't go inside the big assembly
> building or the launch control center. And don't make firm plans around
> a shuttle launch. They *never* go on schedule.
> There you can see them launch one of the shuttles,
> if you hit it just right.
That would be *real* luck.
> Try 1-800-432-2153 for information on
> projected rocket launches at the Cape.
Michele:
> Certainly worth a visit if you enjoy such things.
FORT LAUDERDALE [ P: 153279, E: 7, N: 26-07-19, W: 80-08-37 ]
---------------
Michele:
> Fun to visit.
SAINT AUGUSTINE [ E: 7, N: 29-53-40, W: 81-18-53 ]
---------------
Donna:
> The first permanent European settlemant in what is now the USA.
> Castillo de San Marcos - fortess built by the Spanish to defend the area.
> Adm. - $1.
> Many other attractions related to this historic area.
Jaroslaw:
> You may skip St. Augustine (the oldest city in US). Not much to
> see for an European.
John R:
> It is the oldest European settlement
> in North American. A 16th century fortress and old town still remain.
Lucy:
> Old historic areas--supposed to be one of the nicer
> places in the state.
Michele:
> Is filled with painters and artists.
Dave:
> In St. Augustine don't miss the Ponce De Leon Fountain of Youth tour.
> It's only one hour long and you find out all sorts of interesting
> historical things like what happened to the original Indian tribes in
> Florida. Also, you get to drink from what they really thought was the
> fountain of youth. I haven't aged a day since.
TALLAHASSEE [ P: 81548, E: 160, N: 30-26-17, W: 84-16-51 ]
-----------
Donna:
> Capital of the state of Florida, in the old capitol building are free
> exhibits. Notice the state seal on the corniche of the entrance.
APALACHICOLA [ P: 2565, E: 17, N: 29-43-22, W: 84-59-00 ]
PANACEA [ E: 5, N: 30-02-14, W: 84-23-16 ]
------------
Jaroslaw:
> Drop to the seafood bar in Apalachicola. (try one called something like
> "Boss(?) Oyster" located downtown, close to the waterfront in harbour
> - it the only one with raw oysters all the time.
> You will enjoy the good seafood
> raw or fried oysters, blue crabs, srimps etc., for a moderate
> price. Try blue crabs too, the waitress will help you to handle them.
Larry:
> Many seafood restaurants along the coast in Florida are among the best in
> the whole world (I know - I've tried seafood in about 12 countries...).
> The ones between Appalachicola and Panacea are legendary
> (along "gulf coast" in North Florida - take US 98 -
> beautiful road - many parks, beaches, restaurants).
PANAMA CITY [ P: 33346, E: 33, N: 33-09-31, W: 85-39-37 ]
-----------
Larry:
> Panama City Beach is nice (go to the St.Andrews state park
> for best beaches).
PENSACOLA [ P: 57611, E: 39, N: 30-25-16, W: 87-13-01 ]
---------
Lucy:
> Wonderful white sand beach, historic area, big U.S. Navy base.
Jaroslaw:
> The way from Panama City to Pensacola is the place for comercialized
> entertraitment. You may stop there to see what it is all about.
> Look over the ship
> and air museum that is between there and Mobile. You
> will see a battle ship, which doesn't look very large
> until you get close to the thing.
SANTA ROSA ISLAND [ N: 30-22-56, W: 86-51-23 ]
-----------------
Jaroslaw:
> The best camping place I found between Apalachicola and New Orleans
> was State Park on Santa Rosa Island close to Pensacola. The most
> beautiful beach with an easy access from the camp site; also nice natural
> trail. This is the place where sand is really like snow!
MANATEE [ N: 27-29-46, W: 82-32-23 ]
JUNIPER [ N: 30-32-33, W: 84-45-12 ]
WAKULLA [ N: 30-14-12, W: 84-13-52 ]
-------
Larry:
> There are also nice natural springs worth seeing.
FLORIDA KEYS
KEY WEST [ P: 24382, E: 7, N: 24-33-19, W: 81-46-58 ]
------------
Traffic from Miami to Key West seems to be pretty bad:
> Key West is a four hour drive from Ft. Lauderdale. Sometimes longer
> if there is an accident on the two lane road through a lot of the
> keys.
Jaroslaw:
> It is a long way from Miami due to slow traffic.
Larry:
> Long drive, but very pretty, very nice.
Linda:
> We found that the Keys were just wall to wall cars and we were
> unable to enjoy a lot of lovely scenery.
Some info about the Keys:
Bill:
> There is a campground that is pretty inexpensive in the state park on
> Bahia Honda Key. It's about at the halfway point of the Keys, so you
> could see the Upper Keys, camp in Bahia Honda on your way to Key West.
> Key West is a must see. It's an interesting place. Hemmingway's Home,
> many, many bars, and the people are a throwback to the sixties.
Donna:
> Audubon House - where John James Audubon visited while painting the
wildlife of the Florida Keys. Adm. - $5.
> Ernest Hemingway Home - where he wrote "For Whom the Bell Tolls" and
> "Farewell to Arms", the house has the descendent of his
> cats roaming the grounds. Adm. - $6.
> Conch Tour Trains - gives tour of points of interest in key West -$11.
John R:
> Key West has a lot of charm, despite being a tourist trap. Summer is
> considered off-season.
> Personally, I'd rather go to Sanibel/Captiva than Key West.
> Key West is ok, especially if you love T-Shirt shops. :-)
> There's a camp ground (I think it's a state camp ground) on
> one of the keys. Maybe Long Key [ N: 24-49-10, W: 80-49-19 ].
> It's on the ocean side,
> and you can pitch your tent right near the water.
Jaroslaw:
> Take a trip to Key West and stay there to enjoy sunset at the harbour.
> There is a lot of fun there at evening. Hemingway home is also
> worth to see. Try some campground close to Marathon Key.
> It can be interesting.
Jaroslaw:
> Weather permiting, you may also try some snorkeing trip to see coral
> reef. The trip depart from: Biscayne National Park and
> Key Largo [ E: 11, N: 25-05-24, W: 80-26-36 ].
> Just be sure to make reservation (call (305) 247-2400 and (305)
> 451-1202, respectively.)
EVERGLADES NATIONAL PARK
------------------------
Donna:
> A wilderness area with sawgrass marshes, a good area to view wildlife,
> Adm. - $5 per carload.
Dooley:
> Go on an airboat ride through the swamps. It is really GREAT!
> From Miami, take Alligator Alley across to the west
> coast. There isn't much else to do in this area, you have
> to travel north to get out of the swamp area.
> Most of the incredible birds are not there in the summer.
Jaroslaw:
> The campgrounds are in the Park as well
> as in Homstead on route no.1. Take a trip from Main Visitor Center
> to Flamingo. If you'll be there
> early enough you may rent a canoe and see some mangrove bushes etc.
> But remeber to see all the spots on the way from the Park Entrance to
> Flamingo. The most interesting are: Royal Palm, Pa-hay-okee Overlook,
> and Mahogany Hammock.
ORLANDO [ P: 128291, E: 106, N: 28-32-17, W: 81-22-46 ]
-------
There are the amusement parks, of cource. I think we will not visit all
of them, since that would cost us too much time and too much money.
We have already been to Universal Studios, Hollywood and Disneyland, Anaheim
last year. We have not yet decided if we want to visit Disneyworld, Orlando.
I understand that it is bigger and better, but is there really so much
difference?
Here are some infos I got upon my request. Much more can be found in
the travel-l database:
Donna:
> It costs $4 to park in the Disney parking lots.
> A one-day passport for any of the theme parks is $35.
> There are multi-day passports for more than $100.
> There are many tourist attractions in the Orlando area (includes
> Kissimmee and International Drive).
> Sea World - trained marine animals perform. Adm. - $27.
> Disney World is one of my favorite places. Universal
> is pretty good too.
Jaroslaw:
> Orlando with its Disneyland is expensive, but if you had no chance
> yet to see Disneyland you may try it. See World there is
> quite interesting.
> Otherwise,try make the glassy-bottom boat trip in Silver Springs
> close to Ocala.
Michele:
> Places like Rosie O'Grady's, Pleasure
> Island, and Hard Rock Cafe can be a lot of fun at night.