florida

The Overseas Highway connects Florida’s mainland to the Key Islands. The highway itself is impressive, spanning more than 100 miles and including 47 bridges. But beyond that, it’s a great way to see some of the best sights Florida has to offer.

Disney World’s Magic Kingdom is supposed to be the Most Magical Place on Earth, but the planning, the parking, and the hassle of reaching so many attractions in six themed areas can make it a lot of work to actually have fun, especially when you’re there during peak season. Luckily, I have been to Magic Kingdom more times than I can count, and I’ve discovered the top ways to make your day the best it can be, without the stress. Here are some best tips to make your trip feel like the happiest experience ever.

The United States is teeming with exotic state fairs and funky festivals. At these celebrations entertainment comes in all shapes and sizes with roller-coasters, Ferris wheels, horseshoe tournaments, and barbecue cook-offs. In these lesser-known American fairs the main attractions are animals—but not just any animals. Far from the run-of-the mill horse shows and bull-riding rodeos, these exotic fairs feature less conventional sources of entertainment, from wiener dogs to worms.

Gary Revell sets up shop selling bait at the Worm Gruntin' Festival. (Photo Courtesy of Worm Grunting Festival Committee)

It’s that time—the afternoon slump. The sun is blazing, the sweat is dripping, and the blisters are forming. And, most regrettably, the magic of the Mouse House has dissipated in a poof of pixie dust. But this all-too-common scenario is entirely avoidable—anyone can maintain the magic of the Disney parks all day long. The following suggestions will help you keep the wonder in your wanderings.

The scaled head of a predator drifts through the water like the tip of an iceberg. He wanders closer toward the boat and blinks his beady, black eyes at the passengers. For a moment he lies motionless, and you could mistake him for a brown, misshapen rock. Yet when the tour guide throws a morsel of food toward the water, the alligator rapidly raises his monstrous body and snatches the food out of the air. Then the giant reptile smoothly sinks back down into the murky water and glides away, his tail shifting back and forth behind him like a snake.