Even More Interesting Places to See in Florida

You've finally made the decision not to spend your entire Florida vacation standing in a line at a theme park and paying $7 for a hamburger. Here are even more great places to go, and things to do when you get there, that are part of the Real Florida. (If you missed the first two articles in this series, please go to:

• Interesting Places to See in Florida, at http://www.jansfreecontent.com/publish/general/Real_Florida_1.shtml
• More Interesting Places to See in Florida, at http://www.jansfreecontent.com/publish/general/Real_Florida_2.shtml

Corkscrew Swamp Sanctuary

You don't have to be a birdwatcher to thoroughly enjoy a day at Corkscrew, located west of Naples, FL. This is a unique bird sanctuary, associated with the Audubon Society, and provides an excellent opportunity to see part of Florida that few people get to experience: the Everglades. Much of the area is very "swampy" and lush with the vegetation of the Everglades. A boardwalk has been constructed above the swamp and gives you safe, dry footing for the entire length of the walking trail.

Wear sturdy walking shoes, have a hat, take binoculars, and be sure to use plenty of Everglades Cologne (bug spray)! You are likely to see alligators, turtles, herons, egrets, kingfishers, and dozens of other birds.

Get more information at: http://www.audubon.org/local/sanctuary/corkscrew/.

Crystal River

Get ready to meet and interact with manatees in their natural habitat! Crystal River boosts a number of year-round "resident" manatees, and snorkeling and scuba excursions are available from several providers---all located in Crystal River or Homosassa Springs. (Crystal River itself is north of Tampa, on the Gulf coast.)

If you have your own boat, there are several public boat ramps. You can get plenty of information about scuba diving at the dive shop at Plantation Inn, or the local dive shop. If you don't scuba dive, and you've never even done any snorkeling, there are several day trips available that will provide all the gear you need and will take you out into Crystal River (and Kings Spring) on a very stable pontoon boat. You'll get instructions for snorkeling and then can enjoy the amazing experience of being in the water and interacting directly with a manatee!

It is an experience you will never forget!

Get more information about Crystal River at: http://www.crystalriverflorida.com/.

Ponce Inlet Lighthouse

The lighthouse at Ponce Inlet (located south of Daytona Beach on the Atlantic Ocean), is one of Florida's premier lighthouses. It is the tallest lighthouse in Florida---and you can climb to the top! The entire complex has been renovated and the Lightkeeper's House and other outbuildings provide a glimpse of life of a lighthouse keeper and his family in the 1800s. There is also a very well-presented display of the lighthouse lens and how it works.

The admission fee is modest---and you'll have plenty left over for lunch or dinner at the Lighthouse Restaurant! The restaurant is tucked away under the lignum trees across the street from the lighthouse, and offers outdoor seating right on the Mosquito Inlet. Boaters can motor right to their dock! Seating is very informal and watch for squirrels that might beg for french fries!

Get more information about the Ponce Inlet Lighthouse at: http://www.ponceinlet.org/.

The purpose of these three articles has been to convince you that there is more to see and do in Florida than to simply fly into Orlando International Airport and get on the shuttle bus to Disney or Universal. Rent a car, buy a state road map, and go find some of the Real Florida! It'll be a vacation that you remember and talk about forever.

Jan K., The Proofer is a freelance proofreader and copyeditor and has personally visited each of these sites---more than once! Visit Jan’s Portal (http://www.jansportal.com) for more information about Jan's free crafts, recipes, tutorials, other resource sites, and free content articles, as well as Jan’s business services. Be sure to visit Mom's Break (http://www.momsbreak.com/) for free printable crafts and projects. © Copyright 2005 to present. All rights reserved.