Lifestyle

On January 3, 1971, Polk County's Lawton Chiles took his seat in the U.S. Senate. Honestly, his campaign was pretty wild for Florida. Nobody really knew him at first, so he decided to walk—yep, actually walk—1,003 miles from Pensacola all the way down to Key West. "Walkin' Lawton" met people face to face, shook hands, listened to their stories. It took him 91 days and more than one pair of boots. People called it a “public relations stroke of genius,” and it worked. Chiles cr

Tiger Woods reacts as he wins the Masters golf tournament, Sunday, April 14, 2019, in Augusta, Ga. (AP Photo/David J. Phillip, File) Tiger Woods turned 50 on Tuesday, Dec. 30. Hard to believe, right? He’s spent decades making history on the golf course and fighting through plenty away from it. No one else has ever held all four major titles at once. He’s won 82 PGA Tour events—that’s tied for the record. The guy’s body has taken a beating, too. Surgeries on his legs and back,

Get ready—Citrus County’s favorite celebration of manatees is back. The 39th Annual Florida Manatee Festival splashes into Crystal River on January 17–18, 2026, filling downtown and the gorgeous Kings Bay area with two days packed full of fun. The Citrus County Chamber of Commerce puts on the festival, with support from Coast to Coast Heating & Air Conditioning, LLC. Every year, the Manatee Festival gets bigger, more creative, and—let’s be honest—more fun for everyone. You ca

All photos courtesy of New Smyrna Beach Visitors Bureau Welcome 2026 on the coast—New Smyrna Beach really knows how to celebrate. Whether you call it home or you’re just passing through for the holidays, you’ll find a mix of high-energy parties, laid-back gatherings, and those quiet, unforgettable sunrise moments right on the Atlantic. There’s no better place to kick off the new year. New Year’s Eve on the Beach Over at Corkscrew Bar & Grille, things get rolling early. They’r

(Print collections, State Archives of Florida, Image PR24583.) Here’s a bird’s-eye view of the Esther Williams Swimming Pool at Cypress Gardens in Winter Haven, around 1950. The pool’s shaped like Florida, and if you look close, you can spot mossy cypress trees reflecting on Lake Eloise. "Easy to Love" (1953) throws Esther Williams right into the heart of Florida’s Cypress Gardens, where she dazzles as a star performer. Busby Berkeley choreographs those wild, over-the-top wat

Surfing Santas isn’t your average holiday gathering. Every year, thousands of people head to Cocoa Beach, suit up in Santa costumes, and hit the waves. It’s loud, joyful, and a little bit wild—exactly what you’d want from a Florida Christmas tradition. And it all started with one family and a borrowed idea. Back in 2009, George Trosset wanted to do something special for Christmas. He’d seen a Honda commercial showing Santas surfing, and thought, “Why not us?” His wife, Nihla,

For the fifth year in a row, Florida lawmakers are back at it, trying to swap out the state bird. The mockingbird’s held the title for almost a century, but now there’s a real push to give the flamingo its moment. And this year, the campaign actually has some legs. Republican Rep. Jim Mooney and several others are leading the charge. The idea? Make the flamingo Florida’s official state bird. It’s already cleared two House committees and one in the Senate, which is further tha

Barbie Dream Fest is finally happening—and it’s heading straight to Fort Lauderdale. From March 27 to 29, 2026, the Broward County Convention Center transforms into a pink wonderland for fans of all ages. Think massive DreamHouse exhibits you can walk through, a roller rink straight out of the ‘80s (yep, branded skates included), fashion runways, beauty makeovers at the “Totally Hair” bar, and a marketplace packed with exclusive Barbie merch. You’ll find workshops, yoga sessi

Photo courtesy of Credit: Robert Retana Photography / Hallucination Before Christmas Halloween meets the holidays for charity. Forget those cheesy themed raves you see everywhere lately. None of them—no matter how many glow sticks or gimmicks they pile on—come close to Tampa’s legendary “Hallucination Before Christmas.” For almost thirty years, this party has mashed up Halloween and the holidays, all while raising serious money and food for charity. This year’s lineup is sta

On December 9 in 1921, the Beacham Theatre opened its doors on Orange Avenue, right in the heart of downtown Orlando. Braxton Beacham, who served as Orlando’s 18th mayor, built and named the place himself. For over a hundred years, this spot has been more than just a building—it’s been a cornerstone of local entertainment. The Beacham has worn a lot of hats: vaudeville stage, movie house during Hollywood’s heyday, a must-visit spot for electronic dance music, and a concert ha

It's wild, but yes—no AI, no joke—a pet kangaroo wearing a diaper really did show up on the beach. On November 30, 2025, people spotted this kangaroo on a leash, just hopping along Fort Myers Beach in Florida. The scene turned heads. Locals grabbed their phones, snapped photos and videos, and sent them to the news, because, honestly, who expects to see a kangaroo in diapers at the beach? Of course, this got the attention of the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commissio

An Awe-Inspiring Adventure Snorkeling with the Manatees A father-daughter bucket list experience; promises kept.   With her arms outstretched and eyes closed, Rose stood trembling at the bow of the Titanic. Her bravery solely based on her faith that Jack would never let her fall.   Decades before James Cameron filmed that now-famous scene, I used to stand exactly the same way at the bow of my father’s boat. I didn’t have Leonardo Di Caprio there to catch me if I fell. He wasn

The World’s Largest Rubber Duck is headed to Coachman Waterfront Park in downtown Clearwater. This 61-foot-tall “Mama Duck” will be the star of a 17-day event series from January 10 to 26. Amber Brice, who manages Arts & Cultural Affairs and helped organize the event, gets why people are curious. “Some people just won’t get it. Some will think it’s hilarious, others will roll their eyes and call it stupid. But one thing’s for sure—they’ll all be talking about the duck.” The D

Holiday Boat Parade Edgewater, Florida It’s that time of year again—Christmas is almost here, and in Florida, that means boat parades. For more than 60 years, these floating light shows have turned into a holiday tradition all across the state. If you haven’t seen one yet, check out a boat parade near you and get in on the fun. Saturday, Nov. 29 Jacksonville Lighted Boat Parade River festivities begin at 5 p.m. Parade begins at 6:30 p.m. at the Hyatt Regency Riverfront Hotel

While 2025 has had its share of challenges, living in Florida still has its perks. As we gather around the Thanksgiving table and list our blessings, let's raise a glass and make a toast to life in The Sunshine State. There’s no state income tax , so your paycheck actually feels like yours. The weather is warm and sunny almost all year , with more than 230 days of sunshine. If you hate shoveling snow, you’re in the right spot. Sure, hurricanes, tornadoes and lightening are th

From the greens at Rio Pinar to the front lines overseas, we’re taking a moment to recognize Orlando’s own Peter Morlock as he shares a few stories of his life in service. By T. Michele Walker Peter J. Morlock, Jr. has always been on the move. One minute, he’s flying missions between Spain and Crete. The next, he’s chasing down ships smuggling oil during those tense embargo years. All in the name of serving his country. He started as an air crewman, riding in the back of reco

Florida’s getting an unusual warning this week: watch out for falling iguanas. When temperatures sink below the mid-40s, these lizards go into a kind of cold shock. They freeze up—literally—and sometimes just drop right out of the trees where they sleep. It’s not just one town either. The cold snap is hitting the whole Gulf Coast and Southeast. Fort Lauderdale’s dipping to 50, Tampa to 35, and Orlando to 37. That’s well below what iguanas can handle. Here’s why it’s happening

It's the day after Halloween and your house is full of candy. We asked our readers for their tricks on dealing with all those treats. We hang on to a few favorites, but I take the rest to work and leave it in the break room. I work at a hospital, and honestly, the nurses are always grateful for extra snacks to help them through those long shifts. We sort through the candy, pick out the ones that work well for decorating gingerbread houses, and then freeze those until Christma

Flamingos are nesting in Florida again, and it’s the first time that’s happened in a hundred years. Scientists think they’re not just passing through—they might actually stick around. Back in 2023, Hurricane Idalia blew hundreds of flamingos off their usual path. A lot of them ended up in Florida Bay, and people started spotting them more and more. Now, it looks like these birds are bringing back a wild population everyone thought was gone for good. Why are they back? Experts

A charming Craftsman-style home in Gulfport, Florida, just found a buyer days after being listed for $600,000. This isn’t just any house—it’s the work of Alvah Roebuck, the Sears & Roebuck founder himself. Built in 1925, the place sits among the colorful cottages and creative energy that define Gulfport, a coastal town where artists and free spirits have always felt at home.   Step inside, and you’ll see the old and new living side by side. Original details from a century ago