Sick of winter already? You could book your summer trip early. Or, you could head out to the sunshine, like, now.
Yep that’s right. The USA’s Sunshine State is open for business. Florida’s Gulf Coast is a huge playground for adventurers, art-lovers and animal obsessives alike and it’s ready to welcome tourists with open arms.
If you aren’t satisfied with lying on a beach or by a pool, no fear. Here’s a run down of the best adventures out there.
Village of the Arts, Bradenton
This lively neighbourhood is packed with galleries, studios, bars and restaurants housed in colourfully restored historic cottages dating from the 1920s and 1930s. See artists at work, browse quirky boutiques and antique stories, and stop for a beer at Motorworks Brewing.
Robinson Preserve, Bradenton
A vast, protected inland marshland area spanning 682 acres, with a range of hiking and biking trails and a 40ft observation tower, which provides views across the Gulf. It’s great for kayakers, with 2.5 miles of waterways through the mangroves.
Ellie Schiller Homosassa Springs Wildlife State Park
Here you can observe rescued native Florida wildlife such as alligators, flamingos, black bears, whooping cranes and the oldest hippopotamus in captivity. The Fishbowl observatory provides an underwater view of columns of hundreds of fish as well as manatees.
Monkey Island, Homosassa
This tiny man-made island is home to several spider monkeys. It was once a collection of rocks but a developer had the outcrop enlarged to ensure boats wouldn’t hit it. The island then housed a group of monkeys he earmarked for a wildlife attraction but they grew uncontrollable.
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