2018-12-09 00:40:25
SMALL Wonders Florida has hundreds of small towns awaiting discovery. Start by exploring one — or all — of these five tiny towns, each fewer than two hours from vacation hot spots. By Cathy Salustri SANFORD Try some of the state’s best German food, ride a steamboat and support local artists in this hidden gem near Orlando. The St. Johns Rivership Company takes you up the river’s historic trade route. On a stroll downtown, pop into the Gallery on First for work from local artists and craftspeople — some of them Disney alums. Next door at Hollerbach’s Willow Tree Café, don some lederhosen, sample some Weisswurst (or the vegetarian spätzle toss) and lift das boot for the ultimate Bavarian-Floridian experience. Third Saturday ArtWalks showcase artists and, each May, the art scene shines with the St. Johns River Festival of the Arts. WAKULLA SPRINGS Near Florida’s capital, Tallahassee, the bounty in Wakulla Springs includes local oysters (and gritty ambiance at Ouzts’), Old Joe (a beloved taxidermied alligator), and a boat ride where you’ll learn the connection between the Wakulla River, Tarzan, and Creature From the Black Lagoon. In April, stop by one of Florida’s more unusual events, the Worm Gruntin’ Festival in nearby Sopchoppy. GULFPORT Near St. Petersburg’s thriving beer and art scenes, discover the vintage seaside town that time almost forgot. Gulfport’s Tuesday Fresh Market offers goods from statewide vendors. Its burgeoning food scene runs the gamut, from craft beer and locally inspired bar fare at open-air O’Maddy’s to Italian-inspired al fresco dining at Pia’s Trattoria. Third Saturdays bring walking history tours. In October, the historical society holds haunted history tours. Toward the end of summer, downtown Gulfport comes alive with Gecko Season, a month-long party that includes a festival, costume ball, pub crawl and art show. PERDIDO KEY At the Florida-Alabama border near Pensacola, Perdido Key is the low-key home to the iconic Flora-Bama dive bar, famous for Bushwhackers, Royal Red shrimp, church services and, every April, the Interstate Mullet Toss. At the Perdido Bay Tribe Museum you can learn about art created by the Creek Indians. TOWARD THE END OF SUMMER, DOWNTOWN GULFPORT COMES ALIVE WITH GECKO SEASON, A MONTH-LONG PARTY THAT INCLUDES A FESTIVAL, COSTUME BALL, PUB CRAWL AND ART SHOW. ISLAMORADA Northeast of Key West and south of Miami, Islamorada offers an artsy, low-key Keys experience and an art-filled creative district. Nearby Keys History and Discovery Museum Center explores Islamorada’s railroad and hurricane history. Here, a limestone Hurricane Monument honors those killed in the 1935 Labor Day Storm. The Rain Barrel Artisans’ Village — look for the giant lobster — pulls back the curtain on the island village’s arts scene. In January, the Baygrass Bluegrass Festival highlights music, beer, Everglades restoration and sustainable living. ARTS OUTDOORS In Florida, fine arts and culture are anything but stuffy when you can admire them outdoors. By Kendra Gemma 1 See theater the way the ancients did: outside. In winter, Florida Shakespeare Theater performs for free in South Florida parks. Romeo and Juliet takes the stage in 2019. Tallahassee’s Cascades Park hosts Southern Shakespeare Company in May. In spring 2019, American Stage performs Mamma Mia! in downtown St. Petersburg. 2 Live music outdoors reigns here. At Pinecrest Gardens in South Florida, hear a variety of genres between September and April. In January, the 30A Songwriters Festival in South Walton features hundreds of artists over four days. Each spring, Palm Coast Picnic & Pops features the Jacksonville Symphony. 3 View outdoor sculptures at Winter Park’s Albin Polasek Museum & Sculpture Gardens. At the Key West Historic Memorial Sculpture Garden, see bronze busts of those who have had the greatest local impact. The Ann Norton Sculpture Gardens in West Palm Beach showcases nine massive modern art pieces.
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