The Florida Keys are America’s version of the Caribbean. Warm tropical breezes, beautiful blue ocean waters, coral reefs filled with colorful sea creatures, and some of the best fishing in the world lure millions of people to this slice of paradise each year! So, what is the best way to see the Florida Keys?
1.Swim with the Fishes – North America’s largest coral reef sits just offshore the Florida Keys. Here’s your chance to get up close and personal with tropical fishes, stingrays, coral, sponges, lobsters, and even the occasional shark. John Pennekamp Coral Reef State Park is the ultimate destination for snorkelers, with trips out to the reef and even sunken Spanish ships to explore inside the park! But, Pennekamp isn’t the only place to snorkel. There are literally hundreds of charters that will take you out to explore the wrecks, reefs, and more! Plus, there are plenty of places throughout the Keys where you can swim with dolphins and porpoises.
2.Step Back in Time – Interested in what life was like before the famed Overseas Highway was built? Take a guided boat tour to Indian Key Historical Park or Lignumvitae State Park to see how the early settlers lived. These parks are only accessible by boat and have retained that rustic, turn of the century feel.
3.Hit the Beach – One of the biggest misconceptions about the Florida Keys is that there are miles and miles of beaches. There aren’t! Instead, you see the Atlantic Ocean hugging one side of the road and the Gulf of Mexico the other. But, there are a few fine beaches here. Our favorite – Sombrero Beach in Marathon. Palm trees swaying in the breeze, soft sand, gentle surf, and a limited amount of coral makes this a hit with both locals and tourists.
4.Take in Some History – Key West is a city steeped in history. Visit Fort Zachary Taylor State Park to explore a fort that placed a pivotal role during the Civil War. Explore Harry Truman’s Little White House. Stop by the Hemmingway House to see where To Have and Have Not was written. Spend the night at the La Concha Hotel where Tennessee Williams wrote parts of A Streetcar Named Desire.
5.Be Adventurous – Take a fishing charter out to the Marathon Hump or go tarpon fishing in the back bay. Climb aboard Conch Air to get a birds-eye view of the 7 Mile Bridge. Hop aboard a seaplane or charter boat tour to explore Fort Jefferson, situated on Garden Key in the heart of The Dry Tortugas.
Interested in learning how to plan the ultimate Florida Keys vacation? Our Florida Keys Pocket Travel Guide will help you do just that. Our guide takes an in-depth look at each Key’s must see attractions, delectable restaurants, beaches, lodging, snorkeling, and fishing.
Do you have a Kindle, IPhone, or IPad? Then, purchase our guide directly from the Kindle Store: www.amazon.com/dp/B005CJ85XI . Or purchase the PDF version from our website: www.greatamericanvacationideas.com/Florida.html
Friday, July 29, 2011
Friday, July 22, 2011
Love Old Westerns? Head to Old Tucson Studios!
Do you enjoy watching Old Westerns like Rio Bravo, Gunfight at the O.K. Corral, El Dorado, Joe Kidd, and Mclintok? How about television shows like Gunsmoke, Bonanza, High Chaparral, or Little House on the Prairie? Well, do we have a vacation idea for you!
Just outside of Tucson, Arizona, tucked away in Saguaro National Park, sits Old Tucson Studios. All of those movies (plus hundreds of others) and television shows were filmed right here. Here, you can walk down the same Western streets the Duke did. You get the chance to belly up to the bar just like Doc Holliday did before the big shoot out with the Clanton gang. You even get the chance to take a stagecoach ride down the dusty streets of a vibrant Old West town!
Old Tucson Studios is a complete Western town. With over 70 buildings, you are sure to recognize a few facades from your favorite Western flicks. There’s a town hall, complete with a courtroom and banker’s office. The saloon features a Western dancing revue with Miss Kitty & the girls. You don’t need to cross the border to get a taste of Old Mexico. There’s an authentic Mission and Hacienda here. Plus, there’s The Reno, a locomotive that has been featured in more than 100 films and television shows / spots.
Your admission allows you to freely explore the sets, famous store fronts, sheriff offices, and jails. Plus, you get:
•Guided Tours – This is a must at Old Tucson Studios. Tours last up to 1 hour and are given by “historians” who know their Western movies. Some were even extras on some of the famous films made here! Learn the exact street location where some of your favorite films were made. Learn about the behind the scenes movie goers never hear about. Learn how they created the Rio Grande River in the middle of a barren, dry desert!
•Live Action Shows – Gunfights, musical revues, and stunt shows are sure to make you feel part of the Wild, Wild West. Make sure to see the Miss Kitty Musical Revue in the Saloon. You can sit back and be entertained while enjoying a cold beverage in ice cold air-conditioning! Want to know the secrets of making a Western? Catch the stunt show. And, don’t miss the best gunfight this side of the Mexican border. Which side will you be on?
•The C.P. Huntington Train - This isn’t your typical, relaxing train ride. Yes, you get to see the beautiful scenery of the Sonora Desert. However, desperados are on the loose. Will they try to rob your train? Of course, but it’s all in good fun.
•Trail Rides - Looking to ride the dusty trails just like Clint and John did on their way into town? Consider taking the Old Tucson Studios Trail Ride. Now, there will be an extra charge for this one of a kind experience. It’s worth it. Guides take you into the desert, show you where some of your favorite film scenes were shot, all against one of the most amazing panoramic backdrops in the country.
Old Tucson Studios is not open every day of the week. So, make sure to visit www.oldtucsonstudios.com before your visit. Admission discounts are available for Arizona residents, senior citizens, military members, and SASS members.
Just outside of Tucson, Arizona, tucked away in Saguaro National Park, sits Old Tucson Studios. All of those movies (plus hundreds of others) and television shows were filmed right here. Here, you can walk down the same Western streets the Duke did. You get the chance to belly up to the bar just like Doc Holliday did before the big shoot out with the Clanton gang. You even get the chance to take a stagecoach ride down the dusty streets of a vibrant Old West town!
Old Tucson Studios is a complete Western town. With over 70 buildings, you are sure to recognize a few facades from your favorite Western flicks. There’s a town hall, complete with a courtroom and banker’s office. The saloon features a Western dancing revue with Miss Kitty & the girls. You don’t need to cross the border to get a taste of Old Mexico. There’s an authentic Mission and Hacienda here. Plus, there’s The Reno, a locomotive that has been featured in more than 100 films and television shows / spots.
Your admission allows you to freely explore the sets, famous store fronts, sheriff offices, and jails. Plus, you get:
•Guided Tours – This is a must at Old Tucson Studios. Tours last up to 1 hour and are given by “historians” who know their Western movies. Some were even extras on some of the famous films made here! Learn the exact street location where some of your favorite films were made. Learn about the behind the scenes movie goers never hear about. Learn how they created the Rio Grande River in the middle of a barren, dry desert!
•Live Action Shows – Gunfights, musical revues, and stunt shows are sure to make you feel part of the Wild, Wild West. Make sure to see the Miss Kitty Musical Revue in the Saloon. You can sit back and be entertained while enjoying a cold beverage in ice cold air-conditioning! Want to know the secrets of making a Western? Catch the stunt show. And, don’t miss the best gunfight this side of the Mexican border. Which side will you be on?
•The C.P. Huntington Train - This isn’t your typical, relaxing train ride. Yes, you get to see the beautiful scenery of the Sonora Desert. However, desperados are on the loose. Will they try to rob your train? Of course, but it’s all in good fun.
•Trail Rides - Looking to ride the dusty trails just like Clint and John did on their way into town? Consider taking the Old Tucson Studios Trail Ride. Now, there will be an extra charge for this one of a kind experience. It’s worth it. Guides take you into the desert, show you where some of your favorite film scenes were shot, all against one of the most amazing panoramic backdrops in the country.
Old Tucson Studios is not open every day of the week. So, make sure to visit www.oldtucsonstudios.com before your visit. Admission discounts are available for Arizona residents, senior citizens, military members, and SASS members.
Friday, July 15, 2011
On the Way to the Grand Canyon – Meteor Crater
If you are headed down I-40 on the way to the Grand Canyon, you’ll most likely see a few billboards for Meteor Crater. It’s an attraction (pretty much the only one) between Flagstaff, Arizona and Winslow, Arizona. So, should you get off the Interstate and see it? Well……
More than 50,000 years ago, a meteor hurling through space decided this would be the perfect place to crash. Smack dab in the middle of nowhere! Meteor Crater is huge. It’s over 550 feet deep and more than 4,000 feet across. It’s so big that 20 professional football games could be played end to end on the crater floor.
Scientists claim this is the world’s best preserved meteor crash site in the entire world. In fact, NASA even trained the Apollo astronauts’ right here to prepare them for conditions on the moon. Meteor Crater has even found its way onto the Department of Interior’s Natural Landmark list.
But, you won’t be able to see the crater from the Interstate. You will have to pay to see this unique, one of a kind feature. There are no free public viewing areas. Admission includes:
•Collisions & Impacts Movie – A 10 minute movie tells in vivid detail what scientists think happened here 50,000 years ago. Make this your 1st stop to make your visit more meaningful. You’ll know what you are looking at!
•Guided Tour: This is the best way to see the crater. Tours last an hour and take you on a restricted trail along the crater rim. There are no guard rails here, so be careful! Guides will stop along the way to point out unique features, give you the history of the area, tell you about the Apollo astronauts work here, and even let you know which Hollywood movies were filmed here. Make sure to wear sturdy shoes (the trail is rocky) and bring sunscreen. There is no shade here! Tours are given hourly between 9:15AM and 2:15PM.
•Discovery Center: This museum has all sorts of artifacts and displays related to meteors, asteroids, and anything space related. You can learn about other meteor impacts around the world and see a 1,400 lb meteorite fragment. They even have an Apollo test capsule on display.
•Observation Platforms: If you aren’t up for the guided tour, there are plenty of viewing platforms located on the property. Short paved trails will take you to the observation points, complete with telescopes. They have even created a panoramic air-conditioned view for you to enjoy.
This is a one of a kind, out of this world experience. There are just a handful of places across the globe where you can see a meteor impact. So, it just may be worth your time and money to get off I-40 and spend a few hours to see what happens when Space collides with Earth.
For more information, visit www.meteorcrater.com
More than 50,000 years ago, a meteor hurling through space decided this would be the perfect place to crash. Smack dab in the middle of nowhere! Meteor Crater is huge. It’s over 550 feet deep and more than 4,000 feet across. It’s so big that 20 professional football games could be played end to end on the crater floor.
Scientists claim this is the world’s best preserved meteor crash site in the entire world. In fact, NASA even trained the Apollo astronauts’ right here to prepare them for conditions on the moon. Meteor Crater has even found its way onto the Department of Interior’s Natural Landmark list.
But, you won’t be able to see the crater from the Interstate. You will have to pay to see this unique, one of a kind feature. There are no free public viewing areas. Admission includes:
•Collisions & Impacts Movie – A 10 minute movie tells in vivid detail what scientists think happened here 50,000 years ago. Make this your 1st stop to make your visit more meaningful. You’ll know what you are looking at!
•Guided Tour: This is the best way to see the crater. Tours last an hour and take you on a restricted trail along the crater rim. There are no guard rails here, so be careful! Guides will stop along the way to point out unique features, give you the history of the area, tell you about the Apollo astronauts work here, and even let you know which Hollywood movies were filmed here. Make sure to wear sturdy shoes (the trail is rocky) and bring sunscreen. There is no shade here! Tours are given hourly between 9:15AM and 2:15PM.
•Discovery Center: This museum has all sorts of artifacts and displays related to meteors, asteroids, and anything space related. You can learn about other meteor impacts around the world and see a 1,400 lb meteorite fragment. They even have an Apollo test capsule on display.
•Observation Platforms: If you aren’t up for the guided tour, there are plenty of viewing platforms located on the property. Short paved trails will take you to the observation points, complete with telescopes. They have even created a panoramic air-conditioned view for you to enjoy.
This is a one of a kind, out of this world experience. There are just a handful of places across the globe where you can see a meteor impact. So, it just may be worth your time and money to get off I-40 and spend a few hours to see what happens when Space collides with Earth.
For more information, visit www.meteorcrater.com
Friday, July 8, 2011
Florida’s Dog Friendly Beaches – Saint Augustine
People flock to Saint Augustine to visit the nation’s oldest city. Dogs love to visit the area strictly for the beaches! Saint Augustine Beach is one of the most dog friendly beaches in the entire state. Dogs have free reign here (as long as they are on a leash) any time of day, any time of year. You can spend hours here frolicking in the waves with your furry friend and relaxing on the beautiful sugary white sand.
Most Florida beaches are not that dog friendly. Certain restrictions apply as to when dogs can visit and many beaches don’t allow dogs at all. So, Saint Augustine Beach is a real find!
In fact, it’s one of Florida’s hidden gems. There are no towering high rises lining the beach. The sand is sugary white and soft. The beach is long, extending miles upon miles down the Florida coast. When the tide is out, the beach is incredibly wide and flat making it a great walking beach. The surf is not too rough. So, your dog will love jumping the waves and taking a dip in the Atlantic Ocean. An added bonus – dogs are sure to make a few furry friends here.
It won’t cost you an arm and a leg to visit Saint Augustine Beach. There are plenty of free parking lots scattered along A1A. If you want to park on the beach, you can do that too for a few dollars. Sandy beach lots are firmly packed down, so there is little risk of getting stuck.
So, what are you waiting for? You know your dog loves to go to the beach, dig holes, and play in the waves. Saint Augustine Beach is the perfect place to make those memories with your family’s most loyal companion.
Most Florida beaches are not that dog friendly. Certain restrictions apply as to when dogs can visit and many beaches don’t allow dogs at all. So, Saint Augustine Beach is a real find!
In fact, it’s one of Florida’s hidden gems. There are no towering high rises lining the beach. The sand is sugary white and soft. The beach is long, extending miles upon miles down the Florida coast. When the tide is out, the beach is incredibly wide and flat making it a great walking beach. The surf is not too rough. So, your dog will love jumping the waves and taking a dip in the Atlantic Ocean. An added bonus – dogs are sure to make a few furry friends here.
It won’t cost you an arm and a leg to visit Saint Augustine Beach. There are plenty of free parking lots scattered along A1A. If you want to park on the beach, you can do that too for a few dollars. Sandy beach lots are firmly packed down, so there is little risk of getting stuck.
So, what are you waiting for? You know your dog loves to go to the beach, dig holes, and play in the waves. Saint Augustine Beach is the perfect place to make those memories with your family’s most loyal companion.
Friday, July 1, 2011
Step Back in Time with a Visit to Mount Vernon
Every year, millions of tourists flock to Washington D.C. to see the museums, monuments, and government institutions. However, just 16 miles from our nation’s capital, sits one of the country’s most important homes – Mount Vernon. Here is where our country’s first president, George Washington, lived, worked, and played.
Mount Vernon is an idyllic setting. Situated on the Potomac River, this sprawling estate seems to be frozen in time. The Washington’s home has been restored to look just at it did in 1799. Washington’s beloved farm is still in operation. The gardens still contain the English boxwoods that were planted in 1786. And, yes, there is a cherry tree on the grounds.
It’s easy to spend a few hours here exploring. Here our favorite ways to experience this iconic estate.
•Ford Orientation Center – This newest addition to the estate features a 20 minute film, We Fight to be Free. See, in dramatic fashion, how George Washington led his troops across the frigid Delaware River and the momentous decisions that helped him become the nation’s 1st president. We recommend seeing this film before you begin touring the grounds. It will make your visit more meaningful. Little girls will be enthralled with the Mount Vernon in Miniature Exhibit here. It’s an exact replica (doll house sized) of the mansion, complete with working fireplaces!
•Mansion Tour – The only way you can see inside Washington’s home is to take a guided tour. Now, there will probably be a long line to take the tour, but it’s worth the wait. Tour guides are history lovers, engaging, and make the tour interesting for all ages. Here, you get the chance to step out on the famed portico (complete with rocking chairs) and gaze out on the Potomac. Walk through the dining room, living area, and president’s study. Then, climb the famed wooden staircase to see the President’s living quarters. Great care has been taken to reflect just what life was like here for the Washington’s. Many of the furnishings you will see did belong to the Washington’s, including the famed swivel chair used during his presidency. Flash photography is not allowed inside. Children under 16 must be accompanied by an adult.
•Pioneer Farm Site - George Washington was not just a general and the President of the United States. He was also a farmer. Learn about 18th century farming, complete with hands-on demonstrations. See horses tread wheat. Then, step inside the 16 sided barn to see all sorts of farm animals.
•Gardens – Great care has been taken to recreate the Gardens to look just as they would have during the Washington’s time here. The boxwoods you see were planted back when George and Martha lived here. The Upper Garden is filled with blooming flowers and trees. The Lower Garden is filled with fruits and vegetables.
•Washington’s Tomb – George Washington passed away at Mount Vernon in December 1799. He was also laid to rest here. Moving wreath laying ceremonies take place daily (April – October) at 10AM and 2PM.
•Mount Vernon Inn Restaurant – After all that exploring, sit back and relax at this award winning restaurant. For a true taste of colonial life, try their famous Virginia Peanut & Chestnut Soup. Wash it down with a bottle of Mount Vernon “5 Farms” Root Beer or one of the estate’s wine, beer, or whiskey selections.
For more information about touring Mount Vernon, visit www.mountvernon.org
Mount Vernon is an idyllic setting. Situated on the Potomac River, this sprawling estate seems to be frozen in time. The Washington’s home has been restored to look just at it did in 1799. Washington’s beloved farm is still in operation. The gardens still contain the English boxwoods that were planted in 1786. And, yes, there is a cherry tree on the grounds.
It’s easy to spend a few hours here exploring. Here our favorite ways to experience this iconic estate.
•Ford Orientation Center – This newest addition to the estate features a 20 minute film, We Fight to be Free. See, in dramatic fashion, how George Washington led his troops across the frigid Delaware River and the momentous decisions that helped him become the nation’s 1st president. We recommend seeing this film before you begin touring the grounds. It will make your visit more meaningful. Little girls will be enthralled with the Mount Vernon in Miniature Exhibit here. It’s an exact replica (doll house sized) of the mansion, complete with working fireplaces!
•Mansion Tour – The only way you can see inside Washington’s home is to take a guided tour. Now, there will probably be a long line to take the tour, but it’s worth the wait. Tour guides are history lovers, engaging, and make the tour interesting for all ages. Here, you get the chance to step out on the famed portico (complete with rocking chairs) and gaze out on the Potomac. Walk through the dining room, living area, and president’s study. Then, climb the famed wooden staircase to see the President’s living quarters. Great care has been taken to reflect just what life was like here for the Washington’s. Many of the furnishings you will see did belong to the Washington’s, including the famed swivel chair used during his presidency. Flash photography is not allowed inside. Children under 16 must be accompanied by an adult.
•Pioneer Farm Site - George Washington was not just a general and the President of the United States. He was also a farmer. Learn about 18th century farming, complete with hands-on demonstrations. See horses tread wheat. Then, step inside the 16 sided barn to see all sorts of farm animals.
•Gardens – Great care has been taken to recreate the Gardens to look just as they would have during the Washington’s time here. The boxwoods you see were planted back when George and Martha lived here. The Upper Garden is filled with blooming flowers and trees. The Lower Garden is filled with fruits and vegetables.
•Washington’s Tomb – George Washington passed away at Mount Vernon in December 1799. He was also laid to rest here. Moving wreath laying ceremonies take place daily (April – October) at 10AM and 2PM.
•Mount Vernon Inn Restaurant – After all that exploring, sit back and relax at this award winning restaurant. For a true taste of colonial life, try their famous Virginia Peanut & Chestnut Soup. Wash it down with a bottle of Mount Vernon “5 Farms” Root Beer or one of the estate’s wine, beer, or whiskey selections.
For more information about touring Mount Vernon, visit www.mountvernon.org
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