What’s New in Orlando in 2023
As you know, the city of Orlando is built on tourism. Known as the theme park capital of the world, the most visited destination in America never stops evolving.
2023 is destined to be a huge year for the travel industry in the City Beautiful. Making a trip from here to points like West Palm Beach, Fort Lauderdale and Miami will be easier and faster than ever when high speed train service makes it debut.
The theme parks are adding new attractions including two highly-anticipated roller coasters, the city’s premier performing arts venue has something new in the works and hip, stylish hotels are popping up everywhere, giving you more lodging options for your next visit.
On this episode, we down what’s new in Orlando in 2023, some of the top experiences you might want to add to your list for the next time you visit.
Best Things to Do in Flagler Beach
If you’re looking for a small Atlantic Coast beach town with a funky, laid-back vibe, you really can’t go wrong with the place we’re profiling today.
The seaside community of Flagler Beach was founded nearly a century ago. In the early 1900s, George Moody had a vision to create a resort he dubbed Ocean City Beach.
He built a Casino that quickly became “the” place to go, and eventually a large hotel and a pier.
In the mid 1920s, the town was incorporated and there was a name change to honor Henry Flagler, the father of modern Florida who extended his train service down the coast from St. Augustine to Key West.
Thankfully, track was never laid in Flagler Beach, keeping this town low-key and free from heavy commercialization and beachside high-rises.
But what some locals describe as a once sleepy beach town is about to undergo some major changes. Changes that will give this place a different vibe.
On a vacant lot in the heart of town where the iconic Flagler Beach Hotel once stood will soon be a new modern place where visitors can lay their heads at night. Plans call for a 100-room boutique hotel from Margaritaville’s Compass brand to be constructed by fall 2024.
With a beachfront evolution on the horizon, we pay a visit to one of our favorite Florida coastal towns to show you some of the best things to do if you’re planning a vacation in Flagler Beach.
Best Hidden Gems in Orlando
Like the rest of Central Florida, the communities and neighborhoods that make up the Orlando area have a number of stunning natural wonders, impressive museums, mom and pop places to shop and some of the best eateries you’ll only find right here. In this video, we take you around the Orlando area to show you some of the best hidden gems the city has to offer. Our hope is you’ll add these places to your must-do list the next time you visit.
What’s New in St. Augustine in 2023
St. Augustine is one of our favorite cities anywhere. We make lots of videos on this channel about its history and we love giving you insider tips since it seems like we’re always in town.
The nation’s oldest city is a hot-bed for new business. Mom and pops, small chains, large chains - business owners love to have a presence in St. Augustine. And for good reason. Several million people visit here every year.
If it’s been a while since you’ve paid a visit, you’re planning a trip and wonder if anything has changed since the last time you here, this is the video you have to see. On this episode, we’re taking you around St. Augustine and the beaches to show you what’s new in 2023. Everything from new restaurants and lodging options to a mini museum and a couple of new donut places.
10 Best Things to See & Do at Fort Clinch State Park
Nature and history come together at Fort Clinch State Park. Located in Fernandina Beach, this diverse 1400-acre park features maritime hammocks with massive moss-covered live oak trees. Several miles of pristine beach with hard-packed sand can be ridden with large-tire bicycles during low tide.
At its heart is a massive 19th century brick coastal fortification constructed as part of the US military’s Third System of seacoast defense.
The fort was named to honor Seminole War General Duncan Lamont Clinch. It’s shaped like a pentagon, with five sides and bastions on each corner. Designed to mount 70 pieces of heavy ordinance, it was never fully armed and never saw any direct combat.
One of the jewels of the Florida State Park system, there’s a lot to experience here. On this episode, Chad Gallivanter runs down the 10 best things to see and do at Fort Clinch State Park.
Mentioned
Fees
$6 per vehicle (two to eight people)
$4 single-occupant vehicle.
$2 pedestrians, bicyclists, extra passengers, passengers in vehicle with holder of Annual Individual Entrance Pass.
$2.50 per person for fort admission.
Camping Fee
$26 per night plus tax, plus a nonrefundable $6.70 reservation fee and a $7 nightly utility fee for RV, cabin, bungalow, boat and yurt units. Utility fee includes water, electricity and sewer. (Utility fee does not apply to tent camping.)
Hours
The park is open 8 a.m. to sunset daily
The ranger station is open 10:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m.
The fort is open 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. daily
The visitor center is open 9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. daily
Bicycling
The park drive provides 3.3 miles of paved road for those wishing to ride a touring bicycle through the oak-shaded canopy drive that ends at the visitor center for historic Fort Clinch. Please stay in a single-file line as the park drive is narrow and winding. Early morning and late afternoon are best suited for bicycle riding on the park drive as the park receives quite a bit of vehicle traffic between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m.
A 6-mile off-road multi-use trail is located adjacent to the park drive and provides a more adventurous ride through the maritime forest as dune elevation changes provide rolling hills and turns. The trail is considered an intermediate level trail, and caution should be used at all times.
Helmets must be worn when bicycling the multi-use trail. The multi-use trail is one-way for bicyclists and two-way for hikers, so please watch for hikers along the trail. Parking for the multi-use trail is at the visitor center, and the trail can be accessed from multiple points along the park drive.
There are several miles of beach with hard-packed sand that can be ridden with large tire bicycles during low tides. Please walk bikes on boardwalks leading to beaches. Beach cruisers (bicycles) are available for rent at the visitor center for a nominal fee.
Helmets are highly recommended for all cyclists and Florida law requires helmets for cyclists age 16 and under.
Camping
Enjoy the conveniences of modern camping while taking in the rich cultural and natural history of one of Florida's oldest and most diverse state parks. Nestled at Florida's most northeasterly tip, Fort Clinch State Park offers 69 campsites in two separate and unique campgrounds.
The Amelia River campground is located at the north end of the park along the St. Marys River. Shady, Spanish moss-laden oak trees lend an old Florida ambiance to the campground's 42 sites with a breathtaking view of the Amelia River just a short distance from each campsite. The bathroom is air conditioned during the warmer months.
Located along the northeast tip of the park, just steps from the ocean, Atlantic Beach campground offers 21 RV and six tent-only sites that are typical of the Florida beach atmosphere, surrounded by snow white sand dunes and sunny sites. Both campgrounds have a dump station, laundry machines and beautiful new accessible heated bathrooms with showers.
Each campsite has a fire ring, picnic table, potable water and a mixture of 30- and 50-amp electric hook-ups. Specific details about each site can be viewed on our reservations website. The dump station facilities are free of charge to registered campers, and they are also available for day visitors for a fee. Well-behaved and attended pets are welcome at both campgrounds.
Reservations can be made up to 11 months in advance. For reservations, visit the Florida State Parks reservations website or call 800-326-3521 or TDD 888-433-0287.
Paddling
Visitors who want to launch a canoe or kayak from the park can use the East or West Inlet parking areas accessed through the Fort Clinch visitor center parking lot.
Visitors should exercise caution as this activity is discouraged for all but the most experienced sea kayakers. St. Marys Inlet is known for extremely strong and unpredictable currents and is a very active shipping channel. A kayak cart is recommended due to the distance from the parking areas.
Day visitors are not permitted to launch canoes or kayaks from the Amelia River Campground or Atlantic Beach Campground as these areas are reserved for registered campers only. Visitors may utilize two free public boat ramps adjacent to the park - Dee Dee Bartel's public boat ramp is available free of charge; there is minimal walking distance.
Caution should be used - this access provides a bit more shelter, but dangerous currents and an active boat channel are still a concern. The Egans Creek public boat ramp provides direct access to Egans Creek and has less boat traffic and currents.
Information from: Florida State Parks
What’s New In Daytona Beach in 2023
It’s early February in Daytona Beach which means one of the biggest spectator events of the year is just around the corner. The “World Center of Racing” will host the 65th running of the Daytona 500 on February 19th. If you’ve got tickets to the race or if you’re planning a vacation in Daytona Beach sometime this year, you’ve landed on the right video. I want to take you around the greater Daytona area and show you a few things that are new in town that you should add to your must-do list. From the Beach Street waterfront that’s been given a major facelift and some new additions to the area’s nightlife to a state-of-the-art pickle ball facility and a popular local museum and botanical garden which has received a major upgrade. In this episode, I’m running down what’s new in Daytona Beach in 2023.
10 Best Things to See & Do on Jekyll Island, GA
Just across the Florida-Georgia border and a short drive from both Jacksonville and Savannah is Jekyll Island. One of the Golden Isles of Georgia, Jekyll Island is one big state park which you’ll have to pay $8 to access. Once you’re on the island, there’s a whole town to explore along with gorgeous beaches, a turn-of-the-century hotel and plenty of other things to keep you busy.
Plantations with homes made of tabby were established on the island during the British colonial period. A few structures from that era continue to hang on despite the ravages of time.
By the turn of the last century, the nation’s elite had discovered Jekyll Island. Some of the wealthiest people in the world came here to hunt and play while spending the night in a large clubhouse.
Tycoons of America’s Gilded Age fell in love with the natural beauty of this place and constructed winter retreats in the form of mansion-size cottages, most of which still stand.
The Great Depression led to money troubles for the club and the island was eventually evacuated over security concerns during the war years of the 1940s.
In order to preserve the historic community, the government of Georgia purchased the island and turned it into a state park.
On this episode, I highlight the 10 best things to see and do on Jekyll Island.
10 Things You Should Know Before Visiting Castillo de San Marcos in St. Augustine
It is the oldest structure in the nation’s oldest city. Completed in 1695, the Castillo de San Marcos was authorized by the Queen Regent of Spain a century after the founding of St.Augustine. It followed a brutal attack on the city by English pirates that left 60 people dead and the kidnapping of many more residents for ransom.
The masonry star fort overlooking the Matanzas River is made of a stone called coquina (Spanish for “small shells”). Coquina is a type of limestone native to coastal regions around the world. Quarried from nearby Anastasia Island, the stone comprises tiny seashells that have been compressed over thousands of years.
At the time of completion, the fort featured coquina walls up to 19-feet thick in places and 33 feet high, surrounded by a moat and protected by dozens of cannons mounted at the bastions.
After being decommissioned, the fort was declared a national monument.
Today, this well-preserved piece of history is one of the most popular things to do when visiting St. Augustine. On this episode, I give you some tips if it’s your first time exploring this landmark and run down what you should know before visiting the Castillo de San Marcos.
10 Best Things to Do in Ybor City
Ybor City is one of Tampa’s most famous and one of its most colorful neighborhoods. Minutes from downtown, this charming historic district of about 300 acres got its start in the 1880s. That’s when Spanish immigrant Vincente Martinez-Ybor brought the booming cigar industry to Tampa.
Ybor was the first, the visionary. Not long after the turn of the century, about a couple hundred cigar factories were producing over a million cigars a day. Thousands of Cuban, Italian, Spanish, Eastern European and some Chinese immigrants were drawn to what became known as the “Cigar Capital of the World.”
Ybor and his industry counterparts established other area businesses like a streetcar line, grocery stores and other essential services along with constructing small houses known as “casitas.” Workers could purchase the homes at cost as a way of increasing staff retention and improving worker satisfaction.
The company town boomed for several years until the Great Depression triggered a downturn in the cigar industry. Demand for luxury products like fine cigars dropped, leading to the closure of some of the factories. As mechanized production increased, many workers lost their jobs and left the city.
The neighborhood further declined in the 1950s when I-4 was constructed through Ybor.
The eighties and nineties brought revitalization to one of Florida’s most unique cultural gems. Today, this national historic district is teeming with the Sunshine State’s biggest industry - tourism. On this episode, we show you around this Tampa neighborhood and run down what we think are the best things to do in Ybor City.
8 Things You Should Know Before Visiting the Manatees at Blue Spring State Park
About an hour drive northeast from the theme parks of Orlando is a place of unspoiled beauty, where in cooler months, you’re almost guaranteed to see Florida’s most beloved marine animal.
Off Interstate 4 in the community of Orange City is Blue Spring State Park. The park covers more than 2,600 acres, including the largest spring on the St. Johns River. The park is a designated manatee refuge and the winter home to a population of West Indian Manatees.
From mid-November through mid-March, several hundred manatees flock to the constant 72-degree spring water. Visitors from all over the world descend on the park to get a better look at this awe-inspiring creature.
Today’s video is dedicated to the sea cow. We’re running down the 8 things you should know before visiting the manatees at Blue Spring State Park.
10 Things You Should Know About Camp Margaritaville in Pigeon Forge, Tennessee
Officially opened in 2022, Camp Margaritaville RV Resort and Lodge expands the footprint of Jimmy Buffett’s famous tropical brand in the Smokies.
Located on a hilltop well off the Parkway in Pigeon Forge, this new resort blends the best of both worlds - the amenities of a Margaritaville hotel with everything you need for a successful stay at an RV park.
If you plan on booking a stay here and want to know what to expect, this video is for you. On this episode, we’re running down 10 things you need to know before staying at Camp Margaritaville RV Resort and Lodge in Pigeon Forge, Tennessee.
10 Best Things to Do in Gatlinburg & the Great Smoky Mountains
America’s national parks are all beautiful and special. From the majesty of Yellowstone and its free-roaming bison, to the breathtaking dramatic landscapes of Arches National Park in Utah to the captivating Grand Canyon, one of the world’s natural wonders.
But only one park can make the claim that it routinely has more visitors than any other.
Covering more than 500-thousand acres in eastern Tennessee and western North Carolina, the Great Smoky Mountains National Park is a one-day drive from 60-percent of the nation’s population. But the popularity of the Smokies goes far beyond their geographical accessibility.
Generations of Americans have made these mountains and the communities which serve as their gateway a vacation destination. The resort town of Gatlinburg, used as home base for many travelers to explore the magic of the mountains and the greater area.
If you’re planning a first-time trip to the Smokies and all the research on what to do has you a bit overwhelmed, you’ve come to the right place. I want to help you with recommendations on the best things to do in Gatlinburg and other spots in the Great Smoky Mountains. Pigeon Forge, Sevierville, Townsend, Wear’s Valley. I'm covering it all from my native East Tennessee.
10 Can’t-Miss Places in Townsend, Tennessee
Under an hour drive southeast of Knoxville and 14 miles from the resort town of Gatlinburg is low-key and often underrated Townsend, Tennessee.
This tiny community of a few hundred folks is nicknamed the “Peaceful Side of the Smokies.” It’s a gateway to the Great Smoky Mountains National Park and the very popular Cades Cove scenic drive.
While not as flashy or as crowded as Gatlinburg and Pigeon Forge, there’s enough to do in Townsend to make it your vacation destination. From outdoor activities like tubing down a cascading river to exploring what this former logging community was like more than a century ago at a heritage museum and a train museum.
In this episode, we’re taking you to 10 Places You Can’t Miss in Townsend, Tennessee.
Best Stops Along I-4 Between Orlando and Daytona Beach
Starting on the west side of Florida in Tampa, running through the heart of downtown Orlando and terminating in the east with Daytona Beach is Interstate 4.
With the final stretch of the highway completed in 1965, it roughly follows the original path of the Sanford-Tampa Rail Line built by Henry Plant in the mid-1880s.
Spanning just over 130-miles, I-4 is known as one of the most heavily-traveled tourism corridors in the nation. The three major Orlando theme parks are just off the route along with other attractions, hotels, restaurants, and plenty more fun things to do.
In this video, we’re traveling a section of the highway to show you what we think are the best stops along I-4 between Orlando and Daytona. Well-known places and some maybe you’ve never heard of.
12 Tips for Visiting St. Augustine Nights of Lights 2022
One of the most popular holiday light displays in America is back for its 29th season. Award-winning St. Augustine Nights of Lights draws visitors from all over the globe who descend on the nation’s oldest city during a more than two month period.
This season’s display runs November 19 through January 31st, 2023, more than ample time for you to make arrangements to see it in-person for yourself. Whether your first time visiting the celebration or a longtime favorite family tradition, we've prepared this guide to help you navigate the popular holiday event.
In this video, we run down 12 tips for visiting St. Augustine during Nights of Lights.
Parking Information
Free Nights of Lights Park & Ride Shuttle
DATES
Saturday, November 19, Light Up! Night
Friday, November 25 and Saturday, November 26 (Thanksgiving Weekend)
The first 3 Saturdays in December (December 3, December 10, December 17)
Monday, December 26 through Friday, December 30. Shuttle service will not be provided on Saturday, December 31.
TIME: 1-11 p.m.
WHERE TO PARK:
St. Johns County Health Department (all November dates and only Saturdays in December), 200 San Sebastian View
Broudy’s Lot (corner of US 1 and W. King), 198 & 212 W. King St.
DROP-OFF/PICK-UP: Visitor Information Center, 10 S. Castillo Dr.
Light-Up! Night Special Shuttle on Anastasia Island
Only on Saturday, November 19, for Light-Up! Night, free park and ride shuttle services will be expanded to include roundtrip service along Anastasia Blvd., from 4-11 p.m., picking up passengers at the following location:
Anastasia Baptist Church, 1650 A1A South
Passengers will be dropped off and picked up near the east end of the Bridge of Lions, at the corner of Gerado St. and Flagler Blvd. in North Davis Shores.
Shuttle service on Anastasia Island on Light-Up! Night is provided by Historic Tours of America and Ripley's Red Train Tours.
Lighthouse Illuminations
For a limited time, come see Lighthouse Illuminations at the St. Augustine Lighthouse & Maritime Museum!
Discover 21 uniquely themed trees and enjoy seasonally decorated grounds at this special after-hours event. Escape the crowds this winter season and experience Nights of Lights from the top of the St. Augustine Lighthouse!
Dates: November 23rd, 2022 - January 14th, 2023. Tickets are available on select evenings. Visit the St. Augustine Lighthouse & Maritime Museum for more information.
Nights of Pints
2022 Nights of Pints kicks off November 18th! You will be able to purchase your $35 shirt and punch card good for one free pint at each of the three participating breweries, Dog Rose Brewing Co., Ancient City Brewing, and Bootlegger Beach Brewing at Jacksstaug. This year there will be limited quantities.
Venardos Circus
The 300-seat red and white big top goes up again this year at the St. Augustine Amphitheatre where the Venardos Circus will perform 30 shows during a three-week span. This show, which does not have performing animals, is a nod to the traditional circus experience while at the same time mixing things up for a whole new generation. We highly recommend this one.
Villa Zorayda Museum’s 13th Annual “Candlelight Tour”
Tours begin at 5:30pm and 7:15pm on select evenings during St. Augustine’s Nights of Lights. A limited number of guests will be allowed for each tour. Pre-purchase of tickets recommended.
Enjoy the audio guided tour of the museum and learn about the building’s impressive 139 years of history and its beautiful art and antique collection. At the appropriate time, guests will begin taking their places around the upper and lower balconies of the museum in preparation for the big event. Delight in the beauty of Christmas as the museum goes dark and the dramatic lighting of the Christmas tree begins with each floor in the museum gradually coming back to light. .
Please note: This tour involves standing and walking for the duration of the tour (60 minutes). Due to the historic architecture of the building, there is no elevator inside.
Tickets
Candlelight Tour Adult admission is $22.99. Children ages 6-12 are $12.99. All prices subject to 6.5% sales tax. This tour is not recommended for children 5 and under. For more information, visit the Villa Zorayda Museum website.
How to Spend 24 Hours on Amelia Island
Only one place in America is able to say its had eight different flags fly over it. Located in Nassau County in the most northeastern part of Florida, Amelia Island is a record setter, changing possession 8 different times over a two-hundred year period.
As soon as you set foot on this 13-mile long barrier island with its beautiful coastline and pristine waters, there’s no doubt as to why everyone wanted a piece of it.
For Abby and I, it’s one of our favorite places to vacation, especially for a quick getaway, maybe even for an anniversary.
If you’re coming here for the weekend and only have a few hours on the island, we want to show you some of the best things to do, old favorites of ours and even some new experiences.
On today’s episode, we’re showing you how to spend 24 hours on Amelia Island. All of that and so much more straight ahead from Florida.
How to Spend a Saturday in Ormond Beach
In today’s video, we want to share with you some tips on how to spend a Saturday in Ormond Beach. We’ll start the day by dropping in at one of our favorite breakfast spots before heading into a 2-thousand acre state park that abounds with recreational opportunities. Then we’ll show you a great place to take the kids where they can learn about nature and wrap up the day by checking out one of the newest dining options in town.
International Florida Musical Saw Festival at Barberville Pioneer Settlement
For nearly half a century, the Barberville Pioneer Settlement has been a host for folk music and living history festivals. In October 2022, the Settlement added a new festival to its lineup.
Musician Tim Martin organized the inaugural edition of the International Florida Musical Saw Festival. This one-day event featured a musical saw contest with performers from around the world. There were also workshops, jam tents, food and craft vendors, and a "musical petting zoo."
Chad Gallivanter attended the event and captured these highlights.
Legendary Mermaids of Weeki Wachee Springs
Submerged below the water's surface at Weeki Wachee Springs State Park is the Newt Perry Underwater Theatre. This one-of-a-kind historic venue plays host to daily shows featuring live mermaids, a tradition dating back 75 years. '
On this episode, we show you how this legendary roadside attraction came to be and let you know what to expect when you visit.
Weeki Wachee Springs State Park Information
Hours
9 a.m. to 5:30 p.m.
Fees
$13 for adults
$8 for children ages 6 to 12
Ages 5 and under admitted free
Location
6131 Commercial Way
Weeki Wachee, FL 34606
10 Best Things to Do in Melbourne and the Beaches
The waterfront city of Melbourne, Florida got its start shortly after the Civil War, largely remaining undeveloped until new settlers arrived in 1877. Among that group, three freed black men who became instrumental in the town’s early growth.
Known as the Harbor City, Melbourne has something for everyone from beaches, nature and recreation to some unique historic districts where you can find arts, shopping and nightlife.
In this video, we’re showing you the best things to do in Melbourne and the Beaches.
