Watson Island’s Jungle Island attraction set to get extreme facelift in contemporary resort expansion

Rendering of new Jungle Island resort and hotel – Courtesy: EoA Group One of Florida’s largest eco-adventure attractions is about to go from 0-100 over the course of the next few years thanks to a slate of resort and attraction additions on the roughly 18.5-acre plot overlooking Biscayne Bay. Jungle Island, as it is known

Florida: the Shark-Bite Capital of America, Volusia County reports highest bite cases in the U.S.

Surfing with sharks… Courtesy: Pixabay – Image by Elias Sch. from Pixabay Florida, home to warm weather, beautiful beaches, watersports, and the returning champion as the shark-bite capital in the U.S., according to the University of Florida’s annual International Shark Attack file report.  According to the report, Florida’s 16 unprovoked shark-bites in 2020 represented 48

Miami’s Historic Hampton House: An iconic segregation-era Motel

Muhammad Ali pictured at Hampton House after Sonny Liston fight 1964 – Courtesy: historichamptonhouse.org As the nation approaches Black History Month and celebrates the lives of the African-American community, beginning with Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Day on Jan 18., Florida Insider is here to detail an iconic gathering place in the African-American community that

Florida’s Lighthouses and Our List of the Ones You Should Visit on your Next Trip

Courtesy: Bill Baggs Cape Florida State Park | Florida State Parks Occupying thousands of miles of coastline, it’s no surprise that the Sunshine State is home to some of the coolest lighthouses in the nation! Florida comes in at number seven in the U.S., with over 25 lighthouses across the state on and offshore.  Lighthouses were

Introducing the new kid on the block: The Florida Boat Show

Indoor Boat Show Courtesy: Shutterstock – Photo by Aija Lehtonen “Made by Floridians, For Floridians” is their motto, and two Miami natives are hoping to inspire a new series of boat shows in the Sunshine State with “The Florida Boat Show.” Thousands of people from all over the world tend to come to Florida during

Clearwater Beach’s Annual Sugar Sand Festival canceled over pandemic concerns

Sand Sculptures at Pier 60 Sugar Sand Festival, Florida at Clearwater Beach, Florida, April 23, 2017. Courtesy: Shutterstock – Photo by Ilya Images Just when you thought the festival and event cancelations were behind us in 2020—think again. Florida is known for its beautiful coastline and white sandy beaches along the Atlantic and Gulf Coasts.

2020: Florida’s year in review—Stories that made this year memorable

Happy New Year 2021 text on the beach. Abstract background photo of coming New Year 2021 and leaving the year of 2020 Courtesy: Shutterstock – Image by Maps Expert As the world begins to turn the page on 2020 and look forward to a new year in 2021, we at Florida Insider decided to compile

Coconut Grove welcomes First High-End Cuban Dining Fare: OCA

“OCA” The Grove’s soon-to-be first and only full-blown Cuban restaurant with full bar in the area. Courtesy: Florida Insider- Photo taken by William Prego It has been a difficult year for restaurant owners nationwide, especially in places like South Florida, where rent is well above the national average. But diamonds are created in the rough,

The end of an era: Greyhound dog Racing in Florida ends this week due to a 2018 Amendment passage

Greyhound racing – Courtesy: Shutterstock – Image By Manfred Ruckszio Out with the old, in with the new. In the November 2018 Florida Primary Election, voters vigorously voted to pass Amendment 13, a vote that would ultimately ban greyhound racing across the state by 2020’s end.  Since the vote, ten tracks in Florida have suspended their

Duck’s Nest, Palm Beach’s second-oldest home earns Robert I. Ballinger Award

Duck’s Nest Palm Beach. Courtesy: Brantley Photography – Preservation Foundation of Palm Beach As with many things this year, the annual Robert I. Ballinger Award ceremony hosted by the Preservation Foundation of Palm Beach was canceled due to the coronavirus pandemic. The nonprofit foundation was slated to host its 32nd annual awards presentation luncheon at