Chrissa Travels Florida

05/17/2026

Looking for free things to do in Florida this summer?

We just uploaded a new video sharing 20 FREE outdoor adventures in Florida that we’ve personally visited and recommend!

This list includes wildlife drives, scenic hikes, Florida springs, boardwalk trails, National Park Service sites, and a few hidden gems that are perfect if you want to get outside without spending a ton of money.

As of May 2026, these were all free to visit (including parking!), but always double-check hours, parking rules, seasonal closures, and current fees before you go.

Watch the full video here:
https://youtu.be/pkD-DQSOBMw

Which free Florida adventure would you add to the list?

Looking for free things to do in Florida? In this video, we’re sharing 20 FREE outdoor adventures in Florida that we’ve personally visited and recommend.From...

04/25/2026

We just shared a new video from one of the most unique Florida experiences we’ve done yet… a seaplane tour with in Tavares, Florida!

This experience was not sponsored. It was actually a gift from Noah’s parents, and it turned into a memory we will never forget!

We took off from the water and got to see Florida from above, and the team at Jones Brothers Air and Seaplane Adventures did an incredible job!

If you’ve been thinking about doing something like this, we would absolutely recommend it.

Our new video is live now on YouTube: This Florida Seaplane Tour Was Unforgettable!
https://youtu.be/srbRpduaeng

Have you ever done a seaplane tour, or would you want to try one?

4 likes, 17 comments. "This Florida Seaplane Tour Was Unforgettable!"

01/19/2026

Mahogany Hammock Trail is a quick Everglades stops that feels completely different from the wide-open sawgrass views. It’s a 0.5-mile boardwalk loop, but it drops you into a shaded tropical hardwood hammock that feels almost jungle-like compared to the rest of the park.

This is the place to see some of the Everglades’ “big trees.” The trail is known for having some of the largest living mahogany trees in the U.S., along with palms, ferns, and tons of dense greenery. It’s the kind of walk where you slow down and look up, not just out. And because it’s shaded, it can be a really nice break from the sun if you’re doing a full Everglades day.

01/18/2026

Anhinga Trail and Gumbo Limbo Trail are two Everglades “must do” walks, and the best part is that they're both quick, and located at the same stop!

Anhinga Trail is the classic boardwalk experience where the wildlife basically does the work for you. It’s one of the best spots in the park to see alligators up close, plus anhingas, herons, egrets, turtles, and more. Even if you only have an hour in the Everglades, this is the trail I’d pick because it’s so reliable for sightings.

Right nearby, the Gumbo Limbo Trail is a totally different vibe. It’s a short loop that takes you through a shaded hammock filled with gumbo limbo trees and dense greenery. It feels cooler, quieter, and more “old Florida,” and it’s a great contrast after the open water views on Anhinga.

If you’re visiting Everglades National Park, I’d absolutely do both. It’s an easy combo, and you’ll get two completely different Everglades experiences in one stop.

01/18/2026

How is this real… in Florida?!

We just explored Washington Oaks Gardens State Park and it seriously feels like a secret garden!

It has peaceful trails, beautiful gardens and is the kind of place that makes you slow down and just take it all in.

If you’re looking for an easy day trip on Florida’s northeast coast, you’ll want to add this one to your list.

This Florida State Park is a Total Hidden Gem!

How is this real? Washington Oaks Gardens feels like a secret little world tucked along Florida’s northeast coast. In this video, we’re exploring the park’s ...

01/17/2026

Still not over this! Galaxy’s Edge in Hollywood Studios has the BEST little surprises!

01/17/2026

A missile site in the middle of the Everglades isn’t exactly what you expect to find on a national park trip, but that’s what makes the Nike Missile Site (HM-69) such a fascinating stop!

Tucked inside Everglades National Park, this preserved Cold War era site is a reminder that South Florida once played a role in America’s air defense network. You can walk into the massive hangar and see a Nike Hercules missile up close with “U.S. ARMY” printed across the side. It’s huge, and seeing it in person feels surreal surrounded by sawgrass and wildlife.

What I love is that it’s not just the missile. There’s also vintage equipment and signage that gives you a peek into how the system worked, plus those old “restricted area” warnings that make the history feel very real.

If you’re visiting the Everglades and want something totally different from the usual trails and boardwalks, add the Nike Missile Site to your list. It’s quick, and one of the most unique pieces of Florida history you can see inside a national park.

01/16/2026

Ernest F. Coe Visitor Center is 100% worth a stop when you’re entering Everglades National Park from the Homestead side. Not only can you get great insight from the Park Rangers, but it’s also the best place to understand what the Everglades actually is (because it’s so much more than “a swamp”).

Inside, you’ll find educational exhibits and an orientation film that really helps you connect the dots before you start driving deeper into the park. It’s also the place to grab brochures and trail info, ask about current conditions, and get help building a simple game plan for your day, especially if you’re deciding between Royal Palm, heading down toward Flamingo, or just trying to make the most of limited time.

Bonus: there’s a bookstore on-site, restrooms, and it’s a great spot to snag a National Parks passport stamp if you collect them. Cell service can be spotty in the park, so I always love starting here while everything is easy to access and questions are easy to answer.

If you’re visiting the Everglades, don’t just drive past this one. It’s a quick stop that makes the rest of your day so much better!

01/15/2026

Backcountry Boat Tour in the Everglades is such a cool way to experience the park from the water. Instead of just driving the main road and hopping out at overlooks, you get pulled into that quiet maze of channels where the Everglades feels extra wild and peaceful.

One of the highlights for us was seeing the most perfectly shaped red mangrove. Our guide pointed it out as the same one that’s been featured in National Geographic. It looked unreal with those iconic roots and that perfect canopy shape.

If you’re visiting Everglades National Park and want something that feels like a real “in the Everglades” experience, I’d absolutely recommend the Backcountry Boat Tour. It’s a great way to see wildlife and learn a ton along the way from a naturalist guide.

01/14/2026

Since it’s manatee season, I had to share these photos from our Crystal River manatee tour last winter with Get Up And Go Kayaking.

Get Up and Go Kayaking kindly hosted our tour for our YouTube video, and it was genuinely one of the coolest experiences we’ve had in Florida. Their kayaks are clear, so we were able to watch the manatees swim right alongside us, and at one point we even saw them come up underneath our kayaks. Seeing their silhouettes glide below you is something you just don’t get in a regular kayak.

If you’ve ever wanted to see manatees in a way that feels peaceful and up close (while still being respectful of them), I couldn’t recommend this tour more! Crystal River is special on its own, but doing it in a clear kayak took it to another level.

If you’re thinking about going this season, add it to your list. This is one of those Florida bucket list experiences that actually lives up to the hype!