Awesome Florida travel attractions with Jill Podehl: Drive about 10 miles south of the urban excitement of West Palm Beach, and you can experience primeval Florida. At the Arthur R. Marshall Loxahatchee National Wildlife Refuge, you’ll see hundreds of species of animals and plants that exist only in the Florida Everglades ecosystem. Here, on the northern fringe of the Everglades, you can see endangered species such as the snail kite and the wood stork, as well as the king of Florida wildlife, the American alligator. You can walk on elevated boardwalks through tropical landscapes such as marshes, mangroves, and hammocks, the small islands seen throughout the Everglades. There are numerous trails for walking or biking, along with watery “highways” where you can paddle in a canoe, such as the Marsh Trail or the Everglades Canoe Trail. And you can do all of this in a vast expanse of 147,392 acres. If your sightseeing wish list includes a place where the sights are animals and plants and exotic colors and landscapes native to Florida, and the only sounds you’ll hear are the breezes rushing through the trees, this is it. If the opportunity to visit arises, go for it. Home to the famous Kennedy Bunker, you’ll be rewarded with safe swimming at the beaches, water sports such as kayaking and canoeing, camping and picnic spots, fishing off the pier, and pleasant walking trails. Find additional information at Jill Podehl West Palm Beach, Florida.

Vizcaya Museum and Gardens are set upon the former estate of James Deering. Situated on Biscayne Bay in Miami’s Coconut Grove, the villa and larger grounds once took up 180 acres of land. Now, the expanse of the attraction contains 50 acres of stunning gardens and well-kept grounds. Deering was a conservationist of the renowned Deering McCormick-International Harvester fortune. He set up the estate to conserve tropical and mangrove environments, and its main building was completed in 1916. When he passed away, his nieces inherited the estate, and they began to sell parts of the state to pay for the high upkeep costs necessary for the property. Some of the lands were also donated.

When you think of Miami chances are you think of a sandy beach with the sun shining. Miami Beach is the best area in Miami for soaking up some rays on a sandy beach and it is something of a legend in the city. The beach itself technically outside of the Miami municipality as it is located on an island. Aside from the beaches, the area is also known for its Art Deco district and the odd but beautiful buildings within. But to truly enjoy a vacation you also need a nice place to stay.

Do you want to enjoy the blue sky and the warm sun ? Miami is an amazing location to relax. What can you do in Miami? In the warehouse district of Wynwood, the formerly drab exterior warehouse walls have been transformed into colorful pieces of art. The Wynwood Walls, plastered in street art, or what most people think of as graffiti, have brought new life to this area. Brought about by Tony Goldman in 2009, the district has attracted big names in the world of street art from across North America and around the world. Since it was started, more than 80,000 square feet of wall space has been graced with paintings in this unique artform.

Essential Florida travel attractions from Jill Podehl: No trip to Miami is complete without a visit to Little Havana. This vibrant, south-of-downtown neighborhood is packed with art galleries, unique shops, and busy restaurants and bars. Explore the area: Head to Maximo Gomez Park (known as Domino Park by the locals) for a real flavor of Hispanic culture, to watch men playing dominoes outdoors, smoking cigars and arguing about politics. Look out for the huge mural depicting the Summit of the Americas in 1993. The neighborhood Calle Ocho is located in the center of it all, where you can watch the markets and street stands in action while soaking up some Cuban culture. Fan of Latin cinema? Another highlight is the Little Havana Paseo de las Estrellas (Walk of the Stars), which is a Latin American version of the Hollywood Walk of the Stars, commemorating Latin American actors, writers, artists and musicians.

If you’re looking for cool things to do that fuel the interest of nature lovers and fun-loving outdoor enthusiasts in Miami, Florida, look no further than Jungle Island. It’s one of the more unique points of interest that the city has to offer. Jungle Island is essentially a large park, first opening in 1916 under the name Jungle Island Zoological Park. It went through quite a few changes over the years, with the most current appearance the result of a new purchase of the park back in the year 1988. Jungle Island now focuses on providing natural and environmentally friendly exhibits that host exotic and fascinating flora and fauna, showing off the beauties of animal and plant co-existence as they would be in the wild. It also regularly takes part in efforts in conservation, helping to educate the public while providing protection for all sorts of rare animals and the ecosystems that they live in. Discover even more information on Jill Podehl West Palm Beach.

History and architecture buffs will want to explore Vizcaya Museum and Gardens, a romantic Italianate villa overlooking Biscayne Bay in Coconut Grove. It was once the winter home of wealthy industrialist James Deering. In Coral Gables, the Venetian Pool is a one-of-a-kind natural swimming pool set in a coral rock quarry. Miami is a city renowned for its beautiful beaches, thriving nightlife scene, great cuisine, and cultural merging.