Key West Honors Local Legend: Jimmy Buffett Memorial Highway Signs Unveiled

Key West Honors Local Legend: Jimmy Buffett Memorial Highway Signs Unveiled

September 8, 2024Posted inEntertainment / Recreation, Florida Music, Florida News
Lucy Buffett (center), Mac McAnally (right) , and others give the "Fins Up!" sign made popular among Parrottheads by Buffett's hit song "Fins". Photo: Yahoo News
Lucy Buffett (center), former bandmate Mac McAnally (right) and others give the “Fins Up!” sign made popular among Parrotheads by Buffett’s hit song “Fins”. Photo: Yahoo News

Key West, FL — In a tribute to one of its most beloved residents, Key West celebrated the official unveiling of the Jimmy Buffett Memorial Highway signs on August 30, 2024, aka “Jimmy Buffett Day. These signs, which will be placed along the scenic stretches of U.S. Route 1 and the iconic Florida State Road A1A, commemorate the life and legacy of the music icon whose laid-back anthems, including “Margaritaville” and “Cheeseburger in Paradise,” captured the essence of the island lifestyle and left an indelible mark on American culture.

The SS United States Could Become Florida’s Newest Reef

The SS United States Could Become Florida’s Newest Reef

September 2, 2024Posted inEntertainment / Recreation, Florida News, Florida Wildlife
The SS United States is to be evicted from her Philadelphia dock of 28 years. She has until September 2024 to find a new home, and it may well be Florida. Credit: Wikicommons
The SS United States is to be evicted from her Philadelphia dock of 28 years. She has until September 2024 to find a new home, and it may well be Florida. Credit: Wikicommons

The SS United States, once the fastest and most luxurious ocean liner to ever sail the seas, now finds itself at the heart of a fierce battle between those who want to preserve its legacy and those who see it as a perfect candidate for a Florida artificial reef. As the clock ticks toward a September court-mandated deadline, the fate of this American maritime icon has never been more uncertain—or more passionately debated.

DeSantis Shelves Controversial State Park Development Plans Amid Backlash

DeSantis Shelves Controversial State Park Development Plans Amid Backlash

August 28, 2024Posted inFlorida News, Florida Wildlife
Florida Governor Ron DeSantis speaks during a press conference on Wednesday. Photo: State of Florida
Florida Governor Ron DeSantis speaks during a press conference on Wednesday. Photo: State of Florida

Florida Governor Ron DeSantis has put a hold on a proposal to introduce extensive developments, including golf courses, pickleball courts, and 350-room hotels, to state parks following widespread public and political opposition. The governor announced the decision at a press conference on Wednesday, marking his first public remarks since the proposals from his administration were leaked last week.

Florida Roadside Attractions: The Space Shuttle External Tank

Florida Roadside Attractions: The Space Shuttle External Tank

August 17, 2024Posted inAnother Roadside Attraction, Entertainment / Recreation, Travel
The Space Shuttle Test Article, parked near a dock in Green Cove Springs, Florida
Photo: Charles Boyer / FMN

Roughly thirty minutes west of Saint Augustine and I-95 in Florida, a Space Shuttle relic sits abandoned in Green Cove Springs near a dock on the Saint Johns River. While not technically a “Florida roadside attraction”, many view it as a pretty neat thing to see…after all, it is NASA history.

Disney Argues Disney+ Subscription Means “No Lawsuits, Just Magic!” in Lawsuit Over Allergy Tragedy

Disney Argues Disney+ Subscription Means “No Lawsuits, Just Magic!” in Lawsuit Over Allergy Tragedy

August 16, 2024Posted inEntertainment / Recreation, Florida News, Travel
Photo of Disney Springs Shopping area
Photo: Disney Parks

ORLANDO, FL — Imagine subscribing to Disney+ to catch up on The Mandalorian, and suddenly finding out that you’re also signing away your right to sue Disney—even if something terrible happens at one of their parks. That’s exactly what Walt Disney Parks and Resorts U.S., Inc. is arguing in response to a lawsuit that claims their negligence led to a tragic death at Disney Springs.

Florida Roadside Attractions: World War II Watch Tower In Ormond-By-The-Sea

Florida Roadside Attractions: World War II Watch Tower In Ormond-By-The-Sea

August 14, 2024Posted inAnother Roadside Attraction, Entertainment / Recreation, Travel
Roadside Attractions: A summer thunderstorm approaches the beach and the WWII Watch Tower on August 13. 2024 Photo: Charles Boyer / Florida Media Now
A summer thunderstorm approaches the beach and the WWII Watch Tower on August 13. 2024
Photo: Charles Boyer / Florida Media Now

For the adventurer, Florida is full of lesser known beaches, parks, and roadside attractions. Only a few minutes off of I-95, a lonely tower sits on the beach in a residential part of Ormond-By-The-Sea as a lingering artifact of the Second World War. The Watch Tower, as it is called, is the last of its kind in Florida, and one of the few left from the over 15,200 similar structures on American coastlines.

Fire In The Sky! How to Watch Spectacular Meteor Showers In Central Florida

August 13, 2024Posted inEntertainment / Recreation, Florida News
The Perseids Meteor Shower. NASA/Preston Dyches
The Perseids Meteor Shower.
NASA/Preston Dyches

One of the most vivid meteor showers of the year is just peaking, and there’s plenty of time left to see it. The Perseids are one of the most popular meteor showers, known for their bright meteors and high visibility. They peak annually around mid-August and are a favorite for stargazers, especially in regions with clear skies and minimal light pollution. So what is the best place to see them?

The 2024 Florida Python Challenge Has Begun!

The 2024 Florida Python Challenge Has Begun!

August 12, 2024Posted inEntertainment / Recreation, Florida News, Florida Wildlife
Celebrity Chef Gordon Ramsay participated in the 2017 Challenge for his cooking series, "The F Word", capturing three pythons. Photo: Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission
Celebrity Chef Gordon Ramsay participated in the 2017 Challenge for his cooking series, “The F Word”, capturing three pythons. Photo: Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission

The Florida Python Challenge is an annual event aimed at removing invasive Burmese pythons from the Everglades ecosystem. The event, sponsored by the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission, began in 2013, making it an ongoing effort for over 11 years.

Take A Walk On The Wild Side!

August 2, 2024Posted inEntertainment / Recreation, Florida Wildlife
Drive through Safari Photo: Wild Florida
Drive through Safari Photo: Wild Florida

We at FMN are always looking for something unique and fun to do, and this place fits the bill. Do you want to experience the excitement of a safari but don’t want to travel to Africa? Wild Florida may be the answer you’ve been looking for. Located in east central Florida’s Osceola County near Orlando, the Wild Florida park offers Drive Thru Safaris, Airboat Adventures, walking tours, a gator park, and much more.

Visiting Orlando’s Theme Parks? Take a Side Trip To Natural Wonders Of Florida’s Springs

Visiting Orlando’s Theme Parks? Take a Side Trip To Natural Wonders Of Florida’s Springs

August 1, 2024Posted inEntertainment / Recreation, Florida Wildlife, Travel
Three Sisters Spring
Photo: Three Sisters Spring website

When one thinks of Florida, images of sun-soaked beaches and theme parks often come to mind. However, nestled within the state’s lush landscapes are a series of natural wonders that offer a refreshing escape from the bustling city life. Florida’s springs, with their crystal-clear waters and serene environments, provide a perfect retreat for nature lovers and adventure seekers alike. Located just a short drive from Orlando, these springs promise a rejuvenating experience. Here’s a guide to some of the most captivating springs you can visit, each with its own unique charm.