Florida’s Space Coast is dotted with plenty of public beaches with playgrounds, perfect for an outing with your family. From Cocoa Beach to Melbourne Beach, there are more than 70 miles of shoreline along the Space Coast of Florida. Made up of seven unique coastal communities and just 45 miles from Orlando, the Space Coast is a great spot to spend a day at the beach.

Along those miles and miles of Space Coast seashores are several public beach areas, many of which have playgrounds and picnic areas. Space Coast beaches are the perfect destination for a family day trip, as kids can both splash along the shore and take cover from the sand and sun with some playground time.

With its exciting alligator exhibits, splash pad, and line-up of educational shows, Gatorland is a hidden gem in Central Florida that’s worth visiting with your family any time of year. For the sixth year in a row, Gatorland is throwing in a little something extra for families who want to experience a bit of Halloween fun, its Gators, Ghosts, and Goblins event.

I've lived in Florida for eight years but only recently heard of 30A, a growing travel hot spot in the Florida panhandle.

Nicknamed "the Hamptons of the South" by visitors, the area is located between Panama City and Destin and sits along a 24-mile stretch of highway known as County Road 30A.

It's been over seven years since my husband and I chose to relocate our family from Maryland to Florida. It's a decision I've never regretted once, but living in the Sunshine State is very different from life in the Northeast.

For the third year in a row, the Ocala Food and Wine Festival is returning to the World Equestrian Center (WEC). The event, which features celebrity chefs, food, wine, and more, will be held from November 3 through 5, 2023, with options available to attend the entirety of the weekend or to visit only on Saturday for the “Taste of Ocala” expo.

And, since the WEC is home to the Equestrian Hotel as well, guests can make a weekend out of being immersed in the beautiful hotel and grounds while sipping and tasting their way through the festival.

It's been seven years since my husband and I chose to relocate our family from Maryland to Florida. It's a decision I've never regretted once, but living in the Sunshine State is very different from life in the Northeast.

Aside from the obvious things like no snow and exponentially more humidity, there's a different political vibe down South and a lot more Southern hospitality. Plus, Disney World is here, which makes me — a journalist who covers theme parks — very happy.

For the third year in a row, the Ocala Food and Wine Festival is returning to the World Equestrian Center (WEC). The event, which features celebrity chefs, food, wine, and more, will be held from November 3 through 5, 2023, with options available to attend the entirety of the weekend or to visit only on Saturday for the “Taste of Ocala” expo. And, since the WEC is home to the Equestrian Hotel as well, guests can make a weekend out of being immersed in the beautiful hotel and grounds while sipping and tasting their way through the festival.

I took horseback riding lessons in elementary school for about two weeks. I stopped going because the horses made me more than a little nervous. Years later, my husband attempted to take me on a romantic horseback ride through the West Virginia mountains. It did not end well. So when I learned that a few hours from my home, in Ocala, Fla., there was a fully horse-themed hotel located on the grounds of a giant equestrian sporting venue, I wondered: Could spending a weekend immersed in the horse girl life at The Equestrian make me less nervous about horses?