PLACES WITHIN 3 HOURS OF

FORT LAUDERDALE

LIDO KEY

Just a brief and scenic drive west of Sarasota and home to one of Florida's most pristine beaches, Lido Key is known for its eco-tourism and sunset cruises.

It's the place to go for deep sea fishing, dolphin watching and sailing.

Fine and full-featured resorts welcome you to Lido Key, as do smaller hotels and time-share properties.

The seafood is as fresh as it can be, and the sunsets are unbeatable.

Also located on Lido Key is St. Armands Circle, a center of chic boutiques, fine dining establishments and snack bars.

A short drive from downtown Sarasota, the barrier island of Siesta Key sits adjacent to the glittering Gulf of Mexico and its Siesta Public Beach has been named the nation’s best -- twice. This 8-mile-long island offers shopping, resorts, dining and nightlife. Known for its white quartz sand, turquoise waters and many beachside amenities, Siesta Key is a must-visit island paradise. Siesta Key offers something for everyone. Siesta Key is a romantic getaway for lovers, a family fun destination, and a playground for outdoor adventures. And don’t forget: Wherever you stay, the beach and bay are always nearby.

Jupiter

In Jupiter, you can experience beautiful beaches, luxury amenities and an easygoing lifestyle.

Take the family on a turtle hatchling walk, hike or bike the many park and beach trails, paddle a kayak along the Loxahatchee River or climb the Jupiter Lighthouse for the view.

Jupiter's Roger Dean Stadium is Spring Training home to both the Florida Marlins and the St. Louis Cardinals.

Nearby Downtown Abacoa features specialty shops, sidewalk dining, weekly events and live concerts.

And Jupiter's beaches have served as retreats for surfers and beachgoers for decades.

Stop by Dubois Park, with more than 1,200 feet of tropical palm-lined beach, plus playgrounds and picnic pavilions. Carlin Park offers an exercise trail and well-equipped picnic areas. Ocean Cay Park features a playground, showers, pavilions and restrooms.

Coastal Living magazine named Jupiter as one of the Top 10 Happiest Seaside Towns in the USA . Come and see why.

Riviera Beach Phil Foster Park

A day of diving at the Phil Foster Park Marine Protected Area is a ‘shore thing.’ Here’s why:

Twice-daily high tides and shallow water permit hours and hours of tank time
Underwater snorkeling trail
Day- and night-dives offer uniquely different wildlife encounters
Guided day- and night dives for viewers and photographers
Many unique offshore dive sites nearby
Daytime guarded beach.
Great fishing at the park’s piers, and nearby

Everglades

The legendary River of Grass is one of the wonders of the world, a vast subtropical wilderness that has been declared a World Heritage Site, International Biosphere Reserve and Wetland of International Importance. There are many ways to experience the Florida Everglades National Park – here are nine entry points.

St. Lucie

Port St. Lucie, located in the heart of Florida's Treasure Coast less than an hour north of Palm Beach, is a growing urban area that has not lost a sense of "the real Florida."

At Port St. Lucie, visitors can hike environmental preserves, paddle lush rivers, ride horses on nearby beaches, take in a spring training baseball game – New York Mets – and play a few rounds of championship golf.

 Gaming enthusiasts also can visit one of the few remaining jai-alai frontons in Florida at the Fort Pierce Jai-Alai and Poker - the "fastest game on Earth."

And, be sure to take advantage of a wide range of shopping and dining opportunities in Port St. Lucie.

Charlotte

Port Charlotte, along Florida's welcoming Gulf Coast, is about halfway between Sarasota and Fort Myers, perfectly positioned to offer every manner of water-borne activities.

Port Charlotte features more than 165 miles of waterways, providing access to Charlotte Harbor, the Gulf of Mexico, and miles of natural shoreline bordering Charlotte Harbor and the Peace and Myakka rivers.

But that's not all. Seven of the 21 golf courses located in Charlotte County are found in Port Charlotte.

Charlotte Sports Park is home to spring training for the Tampa Bay Rays.

Tippecanoe Environmental Park in Port Charlotte offers hiking trails and wildlife viewing through 380 acres of scrub and pine flat-woods.