Planning a road trip down the east coast of Florida?
Visiting the St. Augustine Lighthouse, Cape Canaveral and the Wright Brothers National Memorial are easily three of the most popular things to do along Florida's east coast, though the good news is that there's lots more cool stuff for visitors to do. A few worth mentioning include:
Take a walk down Daytona’s memory lane
If one thing Florida’s east coast is known for is old-fashioned boardwalks and one of the best places you can go to reminisce "days gone by" is Daytona Beach boardwalk and pier. Daytona’s boardwalk boasts one of the oldest beachfronts on Florida's Atlantic side (built in the late 30’s) and it’s complete with shops, Ferris wheel, game arcades, go-karts, amusement park and a cute old-fashioned candy shop called Zeno’s sweet shop, which sells all kinds of taffy sweets and other old-fashioned candies (saying this, if you want to see how candy is made the old-fashioned you can also visit Angell & Phelps candy shop factory for a tour)
Aside from having a good time on the amusement rides and eating delicious sweets, you can also fish from the pier and catch lovely sunset views from the boardwalk.
Windsurfing at Salt Run
If you’re a fan of watersports, one place you won't want to miss stopping by is Salt Run (tidal salt lagoon) in Anastasia State Park for a bit of wind-surfing, kayaking or paddle-boarding. Salt Run is great for wind-sports and it's one of the best spots in Florida for learning watersports inexpensively. By the way, don’t worry about bringing your own gear because you’ll also be able to hire kayaks, pedal boats and other rentals at the park (rates are roughly between $40 and $75 for 4 hours).
Apart from windsurfing and paddle-boarding, you’ll also be able to do other cool stuff at Anastasia Park like picnicking, hiking and bird watching.
People watch along Hollywood Beach’s promenade
Taking walks along the beaches is sure enough one of the top things to do along Florida’s east coast and the famous Hollywood Beach Broadwalk is one of the best places for this. Unlike the other boardwalks, Hollywood’s Broadwalk is nearly three miles long, made of concrete and it’s a whopping 32ft wide. This means, you can do lots of people watching, rollerblading and cycling. The besy time to visit the Broadwalk is during the Seaside Craft Fair (April 16-17).
Another great thing about visiting Hollywood’s Broadwalk is being able to catch festivals at the nearby Hollywood Beach Theater such as the Boardwalk Friday Fest concert series (Aug 17).
Take a relaxing cruise through “Venice of America”
Exploring Fort Lauderdale’s famous waterways is without a doubt, one of the coolest things to do along Florida’s east coast. Fort Lauderdale (a.k.a Venice of America) is known as the playground for the rich and famous, and the city boasts one of the most beautiful waterfronts on the east coast of America…grand estates, stunning mansions and huge yachts are some of the sights to see. There are several ways to explore the gorgeous canals of Fort Lauderdale and they include taking a gondola ride (~$120) or boat tour cruise (~$22). Most boat cruise tours sail from Fort Lauderdale's Las Olas Riverfront in downtown Fort Lauderdale.
However, the water taxi is probably the best and cheapest (only $10 after 5pm) way to explore Fort Lauderdale’s attractions because it offers the opportunity to hop-on-and-off.
By the way, there’s one more reason to stop by Fort Lauderdale and that is for taking day trips to Freeport Grand Bahama (~$50 on the Bahama Express high-speed ferry located at Port Everglades Cruise Port).
Spend the day at Canaveral National Seashore
A trip along Florida’s east coast would not be complete without stopping by Canaveral seashore to take in the pristine scenery and beautiful natural beaches. Canaveral seashore’s beaches are different to other beaches in Florida because they’re naturally beautiful and crowd-free.
Aside from relaxing at the beach, Canaveral is a great spot to surf fish, viewing sea turtles, watching shuttle launches (visit NASA’s website to view the shuttle schedule), and taking day trips to Orlando’s theme parks (around an hour’s drive).
Hangout for the day in Bayside Marketplace
As most Floridians will tell you, Bayside Marketplace is one of the coolest hangouts in Florida and I totally agree! Bayside Marketplace boasts dozens of restaurants and shops and it is a paradise for shopping, eating out and catching live band concerts for free. Miami is seriously touristy but the atmosphere and vibe in Bayside Marketplace is unlike anywhere else in the city. You’ll love spending time there mingling with the locals for sure.
Another reason to visit Miami is being able to take ferry rides to Key West or a snorkeling day trip to Key Largo. You can get to Key West from Miami onboard the Sea Key West Express for around $150 round-trip.
Cast a line in the ocean
Fishing is most certainly one of the top things to do along Florida’s east coast and fishing really doesn't get much better than on the Atlantic side. Two of the best angling spots you can go to cast a line are the Indian River Lagoon (Melbourne Beach) and Sebastian Inlet State Park (near Vero Beach).
Both of these spots boast calm waters and a nice variety of fish that includes tarpon, redfish, trout, snook, and snapper. Where you go really depends on what other activities you also want to do. For instance, Sebastian Inlet state park is best if you want to do surfing, diving and snorkeling, while Indian River Lagoon is great for kayaking and canoeing.
As far as I can remember New Zealand had always been on my "bucket list", though it wasn't after watching the first Lord of the Rings movie back in 2001 that I knew for sure I really wanted to visit. In fact, six months before the release of the second installment (The Two Towers) I had a flight booked to “Middle Earth”.
Ever since my first trip back in 2002, I have been to New Zealand four more times…my most recent trip being in August of this year. New Zealand may look small but it boasts sightseeing opportunities by the bucket loads! Besides being a walker's paradise, New Zealand offer many great things for tourists to see such as wildlife parks, museums, historic sites, vineyards, botanic gardens, etc.
If you’re visiting New Zealand for the first time and are wondering about absolute “must-sees”, you may find the following list of top 10 sights to see in New Zealand a useful read! They are as follows:
Wellington Botanic Garden
New Zealand is home to several magnificent botanic gardens though, in my opinion, none of them come close to Wellington Botanic Garden. The botanical garden in Wellington isn't only beautiful but it boasts a spectacular location atop the hills of Wellington.
From the top of Wellington botanic garden you get splendid views over the city and the ride up on the Wellington cable car makes seeing this place totally worth your time. If the tram wasn’t incentive enough, entry to the Wellington Botanic Garden is free of charge!
Wai-O-Tapu Thermal Wonderland, Rotorua
Thermal Wonderland truly lives up to its name and it’s without question, the most spectacular natural attraction in New Zealand’s North Island. Thermal Wonderland boasts massive volcanic craters, a geyser (nicknamed Lady Knox), colorful hot springs and mud pools, all of which are surrounded by truly spectacular scenery.
There are also several walking trails at Wonderland that allows for nice walks and plenty of photo opportunities. Admission to Thermal Wonderland is around $30 (not cheap) but definitely worth every penny to see Lady Knox shoot up! If you’d rather not pay up you can still see the boiling mud pools for free by walking up the road on the Waiotapu Loop Road.
Milford Sound, Fiordland National Park (Southland)
The Milford Sound is another famous natural attraction in New Zealand you cannot miss seeing. The Milford Sound is most certainly one of the top places to visit in New Zealand and seeing it up-close on a kayak or cruise is certainly one of the highlights of a trip to the NZ' west coast.
Mind you though, getting to Milford Sound is also part of the fun and you’ll get to see a ton of beautiful natural sights along the way. Package tours (bus + cruise) from Te Anau and Queenstown are a popular option but if you hire a car you avoid the crowds and save up quite a bit. Be sure, though, to book the Milford Sound cruise or guided kayaking trip in advance if traveling during the New Zealand summer.
Huka Falls Rapids, Taupo
Huka Falls is yet another beautiful and eye-catching natural wonder to add to the list of top 10 sights to see in New Zealand. Huka Falls may not be the biggest falls in the world but it’s totally worth seeing because of the ferocity and mesmerizing turquoise-blue color of its waters.
You can stand over the bridge that crosses the falls or walk up to one of the viewing decks to take photos and feel the raw power of the rapids. For a more unforgettable experience, you can ride a jet boat and get real close to the base of the Huka Falls.
Waitomo Caves, North Island
Waitomo Caves are located a few miles northwest of Te Kuiti (an hour’s drive from Hamilton) and they’re another tourist sight to add on this top 10 list of sights to see in New Zealand.
Waitomo caves consist of several tourist caves opened to the public for glowworm tours and cave rafting activities. The main caves to visit in the area are Glowworm Cave, Ruakuri and Aranui, though the one to go to is Glowworm Cave to experience the boat ride in darkness.
Franz Josef Glacier, Westland National Park
Franz Josef Glacier is, with good reason, one of the most visited tourist attractions in South Island. If you’ve never done glacier walks before you’ll find it a fascinating experience walking up through ice corridors and seeing icefalls up-close.
The Franz Josef Glacier is located about 2 miles away from the township of Franz Josef, which is the base for organized trips onto the glacier. You can choose from half day hikes to full day heli-hikes, or book a helicopter tour to see the glacier from the comfort of a seat. My favorite option is to view the glacier for free by taking the 30 minute unguided walk from the car park area to the tongue of the glacier.
Rangitoto Island, Auckland
Rangitoto Island is one of the most recognizable landmarks in Auckland and it's definitely one of the top 10 sights to see in New Zealand. Rangitoto Island is now an extinct volcanic island but it offers fabulous lava rock scenery and lovely vistas from its summit. The summit walk to the top of Rangitoto is pretty straight forward and takes just 60 minutes.
There are couples of ways to get to Rangitoto Island. One way is taking the ferry from Auckland, and the other (recommended) is to kayak across to Rangitoto Island on a half-day tour from Takapuna.
Dunedin Railway Station
Dunedin’s historic railway station is without question, one of the most beautiful buildings you’ll photograph in New Zealand. This historic railway station is the finest examples of Edwardian architecture in the country and it has truly stood the test of time. The restoration work has been immaculately done and has preserved the beautiful stained-glass windows, mosaic floor tiles and light fixtures.
Best thing about visiting Dunedin railway station is that it’s still functional. The Taieri scenic train departs from the old railway station all through the year and the ride is totally worth it to experience traveling along the spectacular Taieri River Gorge.
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Central America may be one of the smallest regions in the world but what it lacks in size, it makes up for in charm and character! Central America is for the most part pretty laid back and offers ample opportunities for fun activities such as zip lining, surfing, water sports, jungle hikes and archaeological tours.
As far as places to visit, Granada, Volcan Baru (highest peak in Panama), Tikal, Arenal Volcano and Roatan are probably Central America's most popular tourist destinations. Having said this, there are a few more travel destinations in Central America worthy of inclusion. They are as follows:
Puerto Viejo de Talamanca, Costa Rica
Costa Rica is home to many gems but the beach town of Puerto Viejo is, by far, one of the most beautiful spots in Costa Rica. Puerto Viejo is nestled within the beautiful Gandoca-Manzanillo Wildlife Refuge (right by the border with Panama) and it’s only 30 miles away from the bustling city of Limon.
A few other reasons that make Puerto Viejo de Talamanca one of the best 5 travel destinations in Central America are the spectacular beaches, lively atmosphere, blend of indigenous and Afro-Caribbean cultures, inexpensive accommodation and great surfing waves such as the famous “Salsa Brava” waves.
San Blas Islands, Panama
Central America boasts a fair number of stunning cast away islands, though none are more enchanting and charming than the San Blas archipelago (home to the Kuna people).
The San Blas Islands of Panama offer a nice opportunity for relaxing under the sun and enjoy fun water sports such as boat rides, sailing and snorkeling. Getting to the San Blas Islands is also fairly easy since the islands can be reached by plane or road, although you'll need to either rent a 4x4 or hire a shuttle van service from Panama City to reach San Blas.
Another great thing about San Blas Islands is that accomodation options mostly consist of Kuna-run eco lodges and huts with pretty basic amenities like outdoor shower buckets and sleeping hammocks.
Esteli, Northern Nicaragua
The Nicaraguan town of Esteli is a popular place to retire in Central America and a fantastic destination for a family vacation. Esteli is one of the least commercialized towns in Nicaragua and it's one of the best 5 travel destinations in Central America to find an authentic Amerindian atmosphere with all the modern amenities.
Esteli is home to banks, shops, nightclubs, restaurants, museums and even a cigar factory where you can enjoy a guided tour.
Besides taking in the local sites, sampling Esteli's local culinary cuisine and enjoying the nightlife, Esteli also offers the opportunity to wander off in nature not far from the town. Within the town's vicinity you'll find the natural reserves of Miraflor and Tisey Estanzuela where you can enjoy hiking, horseback riding and ranger-led hikes.
Puerto La Libertad, El Salvador
La Libertad is another beautiful Central American coastal town where you can enjoy a fun and inexpensive beach vacation. Puerto La Libertad boasts a nice range of accommodation options like hostels and beach resorts that cater to both families and the younger crowd.
A couple of other reasons to include La Libertad on the list of best 5 travel destinations in Central America are the town's bohemian lifestyle and regular surfing competitions held at nearby Punta Roca and Playa El Tunco. The most popular surf contest is the “El Salvador ISA World Masters Surfing Championship” in the month of October (16-23).
Mosquito Coast (La Moskitia)
The Mosquito region of central America spans eastern Honduras and northern Nicaragua and it's home to one of the most pristine rainforest areas outside of South America’s Amazon Basin (see. 7 Things to Expect on a Trip to the Amazon Rainforest).
Mosquito Coast is home to a huge variety of plants and wildlife and it is a fantastic destination for adventurous ecotourism. Flying is the most convenient way to get to the La Moskitia, though you can also do it with an organized tour and by cargo ship.
Traveling by cargo ship is slow but it's cheap and offers one the most amazing boating experiences you'll have for sure! You can negotiate prices with cargo captains in La Ceiba, though most charge no less than $60 (~1180 lempiras) per person. Mind you, the entire journey to Puerto lempira takes roughly 3 days but it’s totally worth it!
Caye Caulker, Belize
Caye Caulker is another Central American island that you can escape to without having to burn a hole in your pocket. Compared to the Caribbean, Caye Caulker is relatively cheap and boasts some of the best waters in the world for diving and fishing. Best of all, Caye Caulker is relatively untouched by mass tourism (unlike most of the Caribbean).
If you’re a fan of water activities, you’ll definitely enjoy taking full day snorkeling trips, fishing excursions and relaxing under the sun!
By the way, if you’re planning a trip to Caye Caulker, be sure to visit during the annual Lobsterfest (last week of June). Not only you’ll get to sample all kinds of lobster dishes but also enjoy one of the best live events of Belize's calendar year.
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