The Couple’s Adventure - 85 Ideas to See, Hear, Taste, and Try in Florida: Make Memories That Will Last a Lifetime in the Great and Ever-changing State of Florida

By Hainan Kvaala

This in-depth, eclectic travel guide to Florida offers couples everywhere the insider tips, tricks, and recommendations they need to experience the state like a professional. Sites like parks, beaches, hotels, historical locations, Instagram locations, restaurants, and bars are featured throughout the state – from world-renowned attractions to quiet treasures hidden off the beaten path – providing you with a little bit of everything.

This unique guidebook entails detailed entries that include websites, social media accounts, and prices, so you know what to expect. Learn more about Florida than you ever imagined, on a U.S. road trip that was designed with you in mind.

Bookmark your future and finally start planning a Florida trip that's just right for you, effortlessly. We've done the heavy lifting, so you don't have to. Plunge yourself into the state's gorgeous natural offerings, exotic wildlife, cross-cultural and traditional tastes, romantic sounds, and adventurous outings that abound in the tropical state.

Are you ready to get out there and travel to Florida? Surprise your partner with a thoughtful and personalized experience that they will remember for the rest of their life. Check out "The Couple's Adventure" today!

• Language: English
• Publisher: BookBaby
• Release date: Aug 22, 2021
• ISBN: 9781098388256

Book preview

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Copyright © 2020

FED OÜ

THE COUPLE’S

ADVENTURE

85 Ideas to See, Hear, Taste, and Try in Florida

All rights reserved.

No part of this publication may be reproduced, distributed, or transmitted in any form or by any means, including photocopying, recording, or other electronic or mechanical methods, without the prior written permission of the publisher, except in the case of brief quotations embodied in critical reviews and certain other non-commercial uses permitted by copyright law.

HAINAN KVAALA

First Edition 2020

ISBN: 9781098388256

For more information, contact at [e-mail]

www.kvaala.com

Create moments and memories

with your loved one. Coming out of your

comfort zone and experiencing new things

will be more rewarding and life-changing

than just owning new things.

Table of Contents

Chapter one - 29 Ideas to See in Florida

Chapter two - 8 Ideas to Hear in Florida

Chapter three - 25 Ideas to Taste in Florida

Chapter four - 23 Ideas to Try in Florida

Surprise

Chapter five - 41 Ideas to See in North Florida

Chapter six - 6 Ideas to Hear in North Florida

Chapter seven - 51 Ideas to Taste in North Florida

Chapter eight - 61 Ideas to Try in North Florida

Chapter nine - 36 Ideas to See in Central Florida

Chapter ten - 7 Ideas to Hear in Central Florida

Chapter eleven - 57 Ideas to Taste in Central Florida

Chapter twelve - 60 Ideas to Try in Central Florida

Chapter thirteen - 35 Ideas to See in South Florida

Chapter fourteen - 5 Ideas to Hear in South Florida

Chapter fifteen - 85 Ideas to Taste in South Florida

Chapter sixteen - 56 Ideas to Try in South Florida

INTRODUCTION

Looking for a sun-drenched getaway in one of the vacation capitals of the U.S.? Are you ready for adventure after months of staying at home? Would you like to know more about what Florida can offer YOU?

This in-depth, eclectic travel guide to Florida offers couples everywhere the insider tips, tricks, and recommendations they need to experience the Sunshine State like a professional. You’ll find a wide range of fantastic options for any interest - gorgeous natural features worth a bit of a hike, quirky museums, places where you can craft something unique, jazz clubs sequestered in cozy basements, places to grab a bite to eat whether you’re looking for a black-tie dinner or just an outrageously good food truck, and more. We provide you with a little bit of everything, so you can plan the perfect trip for just the two of you.

The book’s listings are divided by category: things to see, hear, taste, and try. If you want to taste something new in Florida today, simply flip to the delicious and fabulous dining options that we’ve collected for you in the area. Looking for something adventurous to do? Check out our list of things to try. You can make your way through the book and check off the ideas one by one with your partner.

We have worked hard to provide detailed entries that include websites so you know what to expect. Learn more about Florida than you ever imagined, on a road trip that was designed with you in mind.

Bookmark your future and finally start planning a Florida trip that’s just right for you, effortlessly. We’ve done the heavy lifting, so you don’t have to. Plunge yourself into the gorgeous natural offerings, exotic wildlife, cross-cultural and traditional tastes, romantic sounds, and adventurous outings that abound in this tropical state right now.

Are you ready to get out there and travel to Florida? Surprise your partner with a thoughtful and personalized experience that they will remember for the rest of their life. Check out The Couple’s Adventure today!

Ideas are sorted by regions – North Florida ideas first, South Florida ideas last.

If you enjoy our suggestions, we’d love it if you took the time to leave us a review!

CHAPTER ONE

29 Ideas to see

Seeing is believing, or so they say. What we believe is that seeing something brand-new with a significant other is something you will never forget. Whether it’s experiencing the aqua-blue waters of the Gulf of Mexico or the majestic manatees in the water around you, open your eyes and make memories together. Here are 29 ideas for what you can see in Florida.

#1: See a sunken ship in its natural habitat

Come check out the oldest remaining, and arguably worst battleship ever made in beautiful Pensacola Bay. The USS Massachusetts has a storied history full of both interesting historical significance as well as some design flaws that led the Navy to use it as target practice. Now, the ship is an underwater archeological marvel that you can visit along with the myriad divers and fish enthusiasts who hang out there. This is a truly unique vacation destination, and it may represent the only chance you will ever have to see a real-life sunken Navy vessel! Come for the novelty, and stay for the beautiful view of the gorgeous waters of the Gulf of Mexico.

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www.navsource.org/archives/01/02a.htm

7MWQ+M4 Perdido Key, FL 32507

#2: Take a walk in the Blue Spring State Park

Running along the St. John’s River, this magnificent outdoor venue is thriving with both flora and fauna. One of the best places around to find the regal sea manatee, there are also tons of eagles, ospreys, kingfishers and more at this exceptional Orange City locale. For you hikers, take a scenic walk along the 4.5-mile Pine Island Trail. And, of course, for all you lovebirds out there looking to really soak in all that the Blue Spring State Park has to offer, take a guided river boat cruise and enjoy all the animal and plant life you can handle!

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www.floridastateparks.org/park/Blue-Spring

www.facebook.com/FLStateParks

2100 W French Ave., Orange City, FL 32763

#3: Watch cannons fire from Castillo de San Marcos

Hailed as the oldest stonework fort in the entire country, the Castillo de San Marcos is one of the most historic stops in all of Florida. Its imposing masonry walls, built by the Spanish to protect against the depredations of English privateers in the 17th century, call back to an era long before the founding of the United States, when Florida was a distant Spanish colony fighting against both native tribes and other European powers alike. You can stop by to see a reenactment of what life was like at the fort a few hundred years ago, and even take part in cannon drills, watching the ancient iron artillery send forth clouds of thunderous black powder. If you don’t want to book a tour, you can simply walk the parapets with your sweetheart and enjoy the gorgeous sunsets glinting off of the stonework. Don’t forget to bring your camera!

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www.nps.gov/casa

www.facebook.com/CastilloNPS

1 S Castillo Dr Saint Augustine, FL 32084

#4: Dive deep into the earth at Florida Caverns State Park

If you’re ready to experience a natural work of art shaped by millennia of slowly dripping water and minerals, a visual array of mystifying stalactites, stalagmites, and flowstones, as well as plenty of otherworldly sights you’ll want to capture with your camera, then make your way over the famed Florida Caverns State Park today. The sweeping majesty of these softly glittering natural formations is the result of mineral deposits accumulating over uncounted years, with the water building fantastic shapes in some places and slowly eroding stone in others. It’s a vista only Mother Earth could produce. Visitors can explore these stunning caves, move between large underground rooms, and even observe the chisel marks made by 1930s Civilian Conservation Corps workers.

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www.floridastateparks.org/parks-and-trails/florida-caverns-state-park

Marianna, FL 32446

#5: Explore Florida’s Museum of Natural History

This enthralling museum is teeming with educational goodness. The Florida Museum of Natural History, located on the beautiful University of Florida campus, will have you marveling at the biological diversity and cultural heritage on display at this premier facility. From sharks to bugs, butterflies to sloths, there are creatures galore to see and learn about at this wonderful institution. Take your travel companion on a journey through earth’s wonders and experience the majesty of the world we live in for a guaranteed hit with any nature, history or wildlife lover.

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www.floridamuseum.ufl.edu

www.facebook.com/FloridaMuseum

3215 Hull Road, Gainesville, FL 32611-2710

#6: Stroll the border between

land and Gulf

The Gulf Islands National Seashore is a place where nature meets history, and you will be hard pressed to find a Florida visitor who can’t enjoy something at this regional treasure. There are sublime white-sand beaches, marshes, historic forts, coastal trails and much, much more. There really is something for everyone. You can customize a day’s activities to whatever you and your partner are looking for. We think this is a great place to lay down a comfy picnic blanket for a day of packing and snacking on the coast. This is about as far west into the state as you can go, but for those willing to venture out to the tip of the Panhandle it is absolutely worth the effort.

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www.nps.gov/guis

www.facebook.com/GulfIslandsNPS

1801 Gulf Breeze Parkway, Gulf Breeze, FL 32563

#7: Swim with the Manatees

Famous for an abundance of manatees, Florida is one of the best places in the world to get into a spring swim with these startlingly approachable aquatic mammals. These gentle giants are remarkable to see: although they’re the size of a minivan, they’re so docile that they’re sometimes known as sea cows. Manatee Springs is attached to the Gulf of Mexico, where manatees reside in the winter months to enjoy the warm waters. The water in the springs hovers around 72 degrees Fahrenheit, with a grassy kelp bottom that makes it fun to walk and swim around the springs. Wade through the undulating fronds while enormous gray shapes glide harmlessly beside you. It’s a genuinely unforgettable experience. The springs have been a state park since 1971. Note: swimming is only allowed in the summer when the manatees are not there in abundance, so plan accordingly!

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www.floridastateparks.org/parks-and-trails/manatee-springs-state-park

11650 NW 115 St. Chiefland, FL 32626

#8: Sea and sky meet at the National Naval Aviation Museum

The National Naval Aviation Museum is the largest museum of its kind in the world. The historic crafts displayed at the museum rest on 37 acres of land, including inside a 350,000 sq. ft. museum building. There are more than 150 restored aircraft that were used by the Navy, Coast Guard and Marine Corps, and each one is really special. The military history of the 20th century came to depend on America’s ability to incorporate aircraft into its naval and coastal forces, and this museum is a great way to see how the story unfolds. This is a great way to enjoy a bit of military education while you and your special travel partner explore the state, but it is also lot of fun as well; there are flight simulators, virtual reality exhibits and lots more to see and do there. See where sea and sky meet, with aircraft that spent their service over the waves.

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www.navalaviationmuseum.org

www.facebook.com/museumoffloridahistory

500 S. Bronough St., Tallahassee, FL 32399

#9: Go snorkeling at Pensacola Beach Park East

If you’ve never been snorkeling in your life, Florida is the absolute perfect place to start! There’s no better way to take in the amazing sights of the reefs than to see them underwater with a snorkeling mask on. No diving is necessary – the mask lets you see all the beauty of the intricate reef ecosystem in perfect clarity while you swim along right at the surface. Please note the Pensacola Beach Park East Snorkeling Reefs are not patrolled by lifeguards, which means you will be swimming at your own risk. Gear can be easily purchased at local bait/tackle and grocery stores, if you don’t have any of your own. If you are not a strong swimmer, it’s recommended that you take lessons in groups first before doing it by yourself.

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www.myescambia.com

www.facebook.com/pages/Pensacola-Beach-Park-East/129453167403650

FL-399, Pensacola Beach, FL 32561

#10: Dance with wolves at Seacrest Wolf Preserve

Wolves may not be something you traditionally associate with Florida, but like many wild animals from other places, these majestic beasts have found a home here in a 400-acre preserve for displaced wolves. Tucked into the northern part of the state, the preserve is manned by a husband-and-wife team that has dedicated their lives to saving and rehabilitating timber and Arctic wolves from the United States and Canada. Visitors are even able to interact with some of the magnificent animals, as well as other creatures that are cared for at the property, such as gray foxes, arctic foxes, and raccoons. There are few places where you can see so many of these handsome animals up close. Each tour is two and a half hours in duration, so plan accordingly!

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www.seacrestwolfpreserve.org/tours-events

www.facebook.com/seacrestwolfpreserve

3449 Bonnett Pond Rd Chipley, FL 32428

#11: Go wild with Amazing Animals Inc

Want to spend a day admiring the long, silky hair of a sloth suspended from a branch, marveling at the gleaming natural mosaic of a turtle shell, or staring into the wide eyes of a lemur? Amazing Animals Inc. is the place to go for a day of amazing animal sights! Established in 2009 as a federally licensed nonprofit to raise funds for offsetting the cost of reptile rehabilitation, Amazing Animals Inc. today shares their passion and love for the animals they cherish so dearly. Starting with just 30 reptiles in central Florida, over the past decade the nonprofit has grown into an educational center that travels to schools, nursing homes, and more to raise money for reptile care and protection. If you want to spend an afternoon with some of Mother Nature’s most impressive creations, check out Amazing Animals Inc. today.

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www.amazinganimalsinc.org

www.facebook.com/amazinganimalsinc

4235 Rambler Ave, St Cloud, FL 34772

#12: Relax at Caladesi Island State Park

Yes, it might seem like you are always on a beach when exploring Florida, but really, what could be worse than that? The Caladesi Island State Park is a low-key beach option where you can enjoy the beauty of the sandy shore while kicking back and getting away from the hustle and bustle of tourists. It’s lesser known to people visiting from out of state, and provides some quieter beaching locations for you and your loved one. It’s a great place to enjoy a secluded date, just the two of you.

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www.floridastateparks.org/parks-and-trails/caladesi-island-state-park

www.facebook.com/CafeCaladesi

1 Causeway Blvd Dunedin, FL 34698

#13: Marvel at an art deco masterwork at Bok Tower Gardens

Located in Lake Wales, Florida, the Bok Tower Gardens are regarded as one of the most beautiful carillons in the world, nestled into the top of Iron Mountain. The centerpiece amidst the lush gardens is an astonishing 205-foot neo-Gothic and Art Deco tower that was created by Milton B. Medary with the help of stone sculptor Lee Lawrie. Built with soaring graceful lines and windows with beautiful colors artfully shaped into bold geometric designs, the tower’s door depicts the Book of Genesis with intricate carved details that are otherworldly. It’s a uniquely American construct, echoing the historical glamor of old Europe rebuilt with a 20th century sensibility. If possible, go between 1PM and 3PM to catch the Bok gardens 60-bell carillon, which plays every day.

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www.boktowergardens.org

www.facebook.com/boktowergardens

1151 Tower Blvd, Lake Wales, FL 33853

#14: Get surreal at the Dali Museum

Museums may not sound like fun to everyone, but when it comes to the Dali Museum in Saint Petersburg, Florida, you may want to think again. The famed Spanish artist Salvador Dali was cherished for his unique and unusual public persona as well as his distorted works of art. His bizarre stunts, such as walking an anteater on a leash through Paris, are just as famous as his twisted and surreal paintings, portraying disturbingly realistic hallucinogenic scenes with an astonishing degree of artistic skill and talent. The museum made in his honor allows you to explore his work further and learn about the man behind the madness. It’s a great afternoon activity for you and a significant other to check out, and definitely something different from other run of the mill Florida attractions.

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www.thedali.org

www.facebook.com/thedalimuseum

1 Dali Blvd, St. Petersburg, FL 33701

#15: Experience the excitement at Daytona International Speedway

Regardless of your affinity for NASCAR or not, it’s a right of passage to see a NASCAR race at some point in Florida. The sight of brightly colored racecars speeding endlessly around the track is a uniquely American pastime. In particular, you must visit the Daytona International Speedway, home to the famous Daytona 500 race. What most people don’t know is that the track is home to many other races throughout the year, where you can purchase tickets and tours. Take your seat in the stands at watch as NASCAR drivers rev up to 160mph, sending their vehicles hurtling around the curves at seemingly impossible speeds on a three-lap thrill ride.

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www.daytonainternationalspeedway.com

www.facebook.com/DAYTONA

1801 W International Speedway Blvd, Daytona Beach, FL 32114

#16: Enjoy the wonders of SeaWorld Orlando

Does SeaWorld Orlando need any explaining? As one of the most impressive aquatic animal performances, zoos, and rehabilitation facilities in the world, SeaWorld is one of the best places to see everything from penguins and whales, to seals and dolphins. Admire ocean life from the comfort of an aquarium, including some whose natural environment is far from Florida. More than just a spectacle, the park is also home to rides and attractions, an aquatic waterpark, shows and presentations, and personal animal experiences. You can book a slot ahead of time to get up close and personal with your favorite animal!

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www.seaworld.com/orlando

www.facebook.com/seaworldorlando

7007 SeaWorld Drive Orlando, FL 32821

#17: Hunt shells at Egmont Key State Park

Pristine beaches and an historical lighthouse are just some of the special features of this spectacular wildlife refuge.  The white sandy shores are a great place to relax, collect gleaming colorful shells along secluded beaches, and explore all that Mother Nature has to offer you. Accessible only by private boat, the Egmont Key is a natural location with cultural history, as well as a lighthouse built almost 150 years ago. Take your time touring the historic sites and trails, while you swim in the clear blue waters, fish, and gaze at the wildlife from the marked trails. Located at the mouth of Tampa Bay, southwest of Fort DeSoto Beach, be sure to bring your camera.

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www.floridastateparks.org/parks-and-trails/egmont-key-state-park

www.facebook.com/pages/Egmont-Key-State-Park/104063009630702

St. Petersburg, FL 33715

#18: Visit the opulent mansion of a Ringling Brother

Formerly the home of John Ringling, of the Ringling Brothers Circus, and his wife Mable, the Ca’ d’Zan Mansion is one of the most eccentric mansions in all of the United States. With an astonishing price tag of $1.5 million when construction began in 1924, after John died, the mansion was bequeathed to the state of Florida. It’s a stellar building of pale beige stone, elegantly highlighted by dazzling brickwork, swooping, airy terracotta roofs, and gothic-inspired carved windows. Due to the costs of maintaining it, the mansion was used in 1996 for the Hollywood remake of Great Expectations due to the rundown condition. Revived by the state in 2002 and opened to the general public, you and your partner can take a tour of the residence and get a glimpse into the opulent private lives of the Ringlings.

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www.ringling.org/ca-dzan

www.facebook.com/pages/Ca-dZan/120304718016068

Sarasota, FL 34243

#19: When the going gets tough, the tough go to the SEAL Museum

The National Navy SEAL Museum offers an up-close and personal look at one of the most fearsome fighting forces on the planet, one of the key parts of the United States Special Forces. The expansive facility honors soldiers past and present, and it works to illustrate the rich history of the SEALs with interactive exhibits, memorials, and more. The weaponry on display is impressive, the merchandise is cool, and the experience will be memorable for both military history enthusiasts and casual onlookers alike. Pay this place a visit for a one-of-a-kind look at the quiet professionals who have played an incredible role in the nation’s history.

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www.navysealmuseum.org

www.facebook.com/NavySEALMuseum

3300 N. Hwy. A1A, North Hutchinson Island, Fort Pierce, FL 34949

#20: Experience nature at Lowry Park Zoo

Who doesn’t want to pet some animals and watch them in their natural habitats on a date? The majesty of these beasts can only be appreciated in person and up close. The Lowry Park Zoo in Tampa Bay is home to more than 1,700 different animals, which makes it a full-day activity for you and your significant other to enjoy. The zoo gives you the option to interact with the animals one on one, which is not something you can count on at every zoo. Feed a towering giraffe (from a suitably high balcony, of course), pet the enormous pebbled shell of a giant tortoise, or take a picture with one of the many furry critters that’s waiting to greet you.

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zootampa.org

www.facebook.com/ZooTampa

1101 W Sligh Ave, Tampa, FL 33604

#21: Visit the actual Space Shuttle Atlantis

The famed shuttle is a spectacular exhibit at the Kennedy Space Center, with its signature rocket boosters and external orange tank welcoming visitors from all around the world. The shuttle is displayed exactly as it would have been in space: rotated precisely 43.21 degrees and with its payload doors wide open. This is a piece of American history that truly encapsulates the nation’s space program and exploration efforts. Be sure to soak in every second of the spacecraft, which has orbited the planet more than 4,800 times during its distinguished career. There are simply not a lot of other pieces of Americana that carry the gravity of the Space Shuttle Atlantis.

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www.kennedyspacecenter.com

www.facebook.com/KennedySpaceCenterVisitorComplex

Space Commerce Way, Merritt Island, FL 32953

#22: See the swamp at Big Cypress National Preserve

Big Cypress National Preserve is the first national preserve ever designated in the United States, and it spans a whopping 729,000 acres of freshwater and swamp ecosystem. If you are interested in nature, history, marine life, ecology, or just love to explore new places then this is the place for you. Be sure to budget a full day to explore this massive park and be sure to bring extra snacks and water. (Remember, we’ve given you lots of places with great snacks to pack in the Taste section above!) Take in the full majesty and splendor of South Florida’s unique ecosystems in this iconic national preserve.

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www.nps.gov/bicy

www.facebook.com/BigCypressNPS

33100 Tamiami Trail East, Ochopee, FL 34141

#23: Admire clouds of butterflies at Butterfly World

Located in Coconut Creek, Florida, Butterfly World is located in Tradewinds Park – known for being the largest butterfly park in the entire world. The first park of its kind in the Western Hemisphere when it was opened in 1988, the park is home to 20,000 live butterflies today. All of the butterflies fly free inside the massive greenhouse, inside which you and your mate can give yourselves a guided tour. It’s incomparably magical to stand amidst a dazzling array of colorful wings swirling around you. Some compare butterflies to ‘flying flowers’ – and this is certainly an incredible visual experience that you’ll find nowhere else. Enjoy spots like Macaw Landing, the tropical rain forest, or the English rose garden. Allow yourselves plenty of time to enjoy the spectacle.

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www.butterflyworld.com

www.facebook.com/ButterflyWorldFlorida

3600 W Sample Rd, Coconut Creek, FL 33073

#24: Explore the reefs at Dry Tortugas

If you and your honey like hiking, sightseeing, or just trying out new environments, then pay