100 Things to Do in Florida Before You Die & Secret Florida
About this Event
About the books:
100 Things to do in Florida Before You Die
Florida is a state full of adventures, and you don't have to look hard to find them. But there's always more. The Sunshine State has sunshine, beaches, and Disney. We also have a clowder of three-toed cats at Ernest Hemingway's home in Key West, a sinkhole to snorkel in in Williston, and a bar where you can sip something cold on the Florida-Alabama border. Brunch with mermaids at a historic hotel in Fort Lauderdale. Hunt for ghosts in Saint Augustine. Kayak through bioluminescent waters in a river on the Space Coast. Visit a house that breathes in Bartow. Shop for something special at a place devoted to documenting the legendary skunk ape in Ochopee. Explore the history of the circus in Sarasota and the people who ran it outside of Gibsonton. Sip a cafecito in Miami's Little Havana and then learn to salsa on South Beach. And ride a school bus turned monster truck in Clermont after visiting a collection of wax presidents. This is the place where the rest of the world vacations. Join Floridian and author Kristen Hare to try a new beach, a new bar, or a new spot to shop for treasures, and don't let the tourists have all the fun.
Secret Florida: A Guide to the Weird, Wonderful, and Obscure reveals that beneath the palm trees and postcard-perfect scenery lies a far more unexpected story. The state's true character is shaped not just by its natural beauty but by its strange history, lingering legends, offbeat festivals and outrageous games, and one-of-a-kind attractions. From a police station housed inside a phone booth and an underwater cemetery off the coast of Key Biscayne to haunted hotels, psychic communities, and Cold War secrets hidden deep within the Everglades, Secret Florida uncovers the stories that exist just beyond the surface. At the same time, it celebrates the state's creativity and curiosity through quirky roadside attractions, underwater mermaid theaters, and communities that have proudly embraced the unconventional. Blending mystery, history, and a touch of the bizarre, local authors JoAnn Hill and Alexia Gonzalez invite readers to look past the expected and discover a Florida unlike any other. Because in Florida, the most unforgettable stories aren't always found in guidebooks; sometimes they're hiding just beneath the surface.
Alexia Gonzalez Born and raised in Miami to parents from Cuba and Spain, Alexia is a bilingual Tampa Bay-based radio host, media personality, and lifestyle storyteller. She began her career interning with lifestyle and travel magazines and writing her own travel guides. Today, she is the midday host on Magic 94.9FM, where she engages listeners daily through pop culture and local storytelling. Alexia is the founder of The Gala Life, a lifestyle platform celebrating elevated living; The Gala Group, a bilingual marketing agency; and St. Pete Gals, a community empowering female creators and entrepreneurs. Secret Florida is her debut book.
JoAnn Hill is a travel guide and food author whose work is driven by a passion for taking readers beyond the typical tourist experience. Outside of writing, you will find her teaching fitness classes, spending time outdoors with an audiobook, practicing Italian, and exploring as much of the world with her husband as she can. JoAnn is the cofounder of Capitol Teachers, an academic tutoring company servicing students in the greater Washington, DC, area and Florida. Secret Florida is her fourth book.
Kristen Hare was only supposed to live in Florida for one year. But soon after moving to the Tampa area from Missouri, she and her family knew they'd found home. Kristen is the author of three editions of 100 Things to do in Tampa Bay Before You Die and Hotels, Motels, and Inns of Florida: Historic and Beloved Places to Stay in the Sunshine State. When she's not fitting in more adventures than one trip should hold, Kristen works as the director of craft and local news at the Poynter Institute. She's also the mom of two teenagers who have joined her on many of her adventures, willing or not, and the wife of an understanding guy who is always ready to try another restaurant.
Where is it happening?
Event Location & Nearby Stays:
USD 6.71
