Florida Spectacular

Send us your Florida questions! This week, Cathy and Rick have Florida architecture on their mind. Specifically, different historic homes. From the simple cracker cottages of Florida's first EuroAmericans to the grandeur of Ca'dZan, spend some time taking a virtual road trip across Florida, to the state's most iconic homes.  Links we mentioned Ybor City Casitas Heritage Village Pion...

Send us your Florida questions! In anticipation of the Floridiana Festival on Gulfport, Rick and Cathy talk about  Gulfport: What to do, where to eat, and how to enjoy the small city by the sea. Links we mentioned Outside Kayak Clam Bayou Hike Clam Bayou Culture & Live Music Gulfport History Museum  Gulfport Arts Center Art in the Yard ArtJones Walking Tour Blueberry Patch North End Taphouse T...

Send us your Florida questions! This week, The Florida Spectacular welcomes CJ Oliverio, who talks about Florida springs, how to enjoy them, and which ones are his favorites. Cathy and Rick also celebrate the 101st episode and talk about why it's ill-advised to scuba dive with gators.  CJ Oliverio is the CEO and founder of Play Hard Florida Adventures, a team of tour guides who offer adventur...

Send us your Florida questions! This week Rick and Cathy explore a few "truths" about Florida, from the Seminole Tribe's origins to the real story about Ponce de Leon and the Fountain of Youth.  Things we mentioned Seminole Tribe of Florida Fountain of Youth Florida: The forgotten colonies during the American Revolution What does it mean to be a cracker ? Ah-Tah-Thi-Ki Museum. Find...

Send us your Florida questions! This week, Rick and Cathy take a trip to Winter Park, talking about their favorite places, things you should do (and eat!) while you're there, and why, despite all the changes, Winter Park's still a special Florida place. Links we mentioned Eat Bosphorous Turkish Food Austin's Coffee   Stay  Alfond Inn Experience Casa Feliz History The Langford Hotel...

Send us your Florida questions! This week, Florida adventurer, springs advocate, and all-around good guy Ryan Worthington joins Rick and Cathy once again to talk about Florida's springs. The trio talks about challenges facing Florida Springs, how to enjoy the springs without doing any harm, and, of course, a few of their favorite springs. Find Ryan on Instagram , and check out his podcast, Th...

Send us your Florida questions! The Angola settlement along the Manatee River lasted for roughly 50 years. Uzi Baram, a professor at New College of Florida, speaks about the enslaved people who escaped to Spanish Florida in search of freedom. They settled near the Manatee River. Here's some of what we know of their stories.  Want to know more? Visit Reflections of Manatee , Bishop Museum , an...

Send us your Florida questions! Meet Bernadette Reeves, who, as a teenager in Lincolnville, marched for civil rights. Today, she gives tours and talks about the civil rights movement – and how what happened in St. Augustine led to the passage of the Civil Rights Act.  Links & Places we mentioned The Corner Market More about taking a civil rights tour with Ms. B . Lincolnville Museum Google map...

Send us your Florida questions! Rick and Cathy talk about some off-the-beaten-path places in Florida that have not-often-discussed historical significance. Here's their Top 5 places to visit where you can soak in some unusual Florida history. Ma Barker House New Smyrna Beach & The Turnbull Colony Rosewood Micanopy A Concentration Camp at Egmont Key Links we mentioned New Smyrna Museum of...

Send us your Florida questions! Cathy and Rick take a road trip to Winter Garden, which has a definite back-to-nature-meets-bougie vibe that only a Florida city can have (and we mean bougie in the best possible way!) Take a listen, then grab your keys and go explore Winter Garden on your own! Eat Plant Street Market Food Hall (including Crooked Can Brewery!) Thai Blossom Yellow Dog Eats See Winter...

Send us your Florida questions! This week Cathy and Rick take a virtual road trip to Gainesville, talking about their favorite things to do, eat, and see when they're in town. They also delve into the history of Waldo/Archer Road (SR 24) that runs from Yulee to Cedar Key, how to stay in an on-campus hotel at UF, and where you can find an elevator with an honest-to-god elevator operator. Links...

Send us your Florida questions! A special guest this week as Stacey Matrazzo, Executive Director for the Florida Wildflower Foundation joined the show. She is the co-author of Native Plants for Florida Gardens , which she wrote with botanist/restoration ecologist Nancy Bissett. Stacey has a bachelor’s degree in environmental studies and a master’s degree in liberal studies from Rollins College, wh...

Send us your Florida questions! Downtown St. Pete has exploded with growth, people, and food – but that's not what we're talking about this week. Instead, Rick and Cathy talk about places in St. Pete not in the downtown area that most tourists never see. Take a listen, and get started planning your next road trip to explore Hidden St. Pete! Things to Do freeFall Theatre Sunken Gardens Pa...

Send us your Florida questions! Think Orlando is mostly Disney, I-Drive, and theme parks? Think again! In this episode, Rick and Cathy explore the heart of Orlando. They have must-see museums, walkable cultural areas, and places to eat. Planning a trip to Orlando? Don't miss this episode! Spend the Day in Orlando Brunch   Tamales in the Hourglass Social District or Daybreak Diner or Zaza&apos...

Send us your Florida questions! The Everglades is a series of connected ecosystems that runs from right by Sea World's front door south to the Florida Keys. Today, Cathy and Rick talk about some unique Everglades experiences, lodging, and roads. They end with a top five "must do" when you visit Everglades National Park or the surrounding Everglades.  Places we mentioned: Rod & G...

Send us your Florida questions! Every year, people make resolutions for the new year. In this episode, Rick and Cathy talk about resolutions for Florida — and how you can help protect the state's natural beauty, waters, and wild places as you travel (and even if you don't!) Links we mentioned: Cathy's quest to remove single-use plastics from her home, RV and office Blue Highways Ala...

Send us your Florida questions! Cathy turned 50 this month, and it made her think about all the things she still wants to do in Florida, so this week she and Rick reviewed some (mostly) South Florida bucket list items. Take a listen, and watch for our Florida panhandle bucket list in 2023! Here's what's on our bucket lists: Rick: Fort Jefferson & Dry Tortugas Cathy: Coral Spawning in...

Send us your Florida questions! Christmas in Florida hits different, but that doesn't mean you can't find a spectacular winter event. Cathy and Rick talk about some only-in-Florida Christmas and holiday experiences. Links we mentioned Snowcat Ridge Margaret Tolbert Iche Nippy Day Nights of Lights About Christmas, Florida (an Orange County park ) Orlando Wetlands Park Fred the Tree Earnes...

Send us your Florida questions! Did you know Florida has dry air caves you can explore, even if you don't have any experience spelunking? This week, Rick and Cathy explore Florida caves – virtually, of course. They also talk about underwater caves, and while they both strongly advise against attempting to explore underwater caves, the show notes contain a link to a great video, Water's J...

Send us your Florida questions! Rick and Cathy talk about iconic Florida restaurants, past and present, and others that are just plain fun . This episode focuses mostly on Central Florida and the Tampa Bay area, but look for a future episode about the best restaurants in South Florida, the panhandle, the Keys, and other parts of the Sunshine State! Links we mentioned Bubble Room Sci-Fi Dine In The...

Send us your Florida questions! This week Cathy Salustri and Rick Kilby talk about their favorite beaches (and why they love them) and what makes Florida beaches unique. Among their favorite beaches mentioned were: Little Talbot Island State Park Egmont Key State Park Fort De Soto Park St. George Island Have a favorite Florida beach? Let 'em know! Also mentioned were: Old Florida Facebook gro...

Send us your Florida questions! We welcome Rick Kilby as The Florida Spectacular's new co-host, and he and Cathy talk about the first two Thanksgivings celebrated in North America, which – spoiler alert – both happened in Florida. Learn the short history of the French Huguenot Floridians who celebrated the first Thanksgiving on North American soil – in 1564. The second Thanksgiving, celebrate...

Send us your Florida questions! This week Cathy sits down with Davida Breier and talks about her novel, "Sinkhole," growing up as a GenX in Florida, and how she came to write this particular delicious book. Davida Breier's Fun Stuff Reader's Guide for Sinkholereaders-guide.pdf Want more Florida? Subscribe to The Florida Spectacular newsletter , and keep up with Cathy's tra...

Send us your Florida questions! Welcome to fall in Florida! Cathy and Jon talk about how real Floridians know fall has arrived, the best reason to travel to the Keys in September, and what the season looks like in different parts of the state. Links we mentioned On This Day: 1933 gas prices in Key West   Hidden Gem: King Seafood, Marathon Holderness Family's Fall Expectations vs. Realty Want...

Send us your Florida questions! This week, Cathy and Jon debunk famous Florida history myths, stepping on all the cherished legends they learned in grade school.  Some myths we discussed Fountain of Youth Gasparilla Myth First Thanksgiving History that isn't fake Discover Florida Tours – ( Sacred Lands ) The Seminole Tribe of Florida's origin Want more Florida? Subscribe to The Florida S...