Romantic Getaways In Florida State Parks For A Unique Valentine's Day Experience

Staff inbox at Orlando Magazine:

Orlando Residents Discover Unique Valentine's Day Experiences in Florida State Parks. For those seeking a romantic getaway beyond the ordinary, Florida's state parks offer a serene and natural setting. Managed by Guest Services as part of the Adventures Unbound collection, these parks provide curated seasonal activities and classic outdoor experiences. In Volusia County, DeLeon Springs State Park presents "A Sweet Escape" throughout February. Couples can enjoy a romantic pancake dinner for two at the historic Old Sugar Mill Pancake House, complete with a chocolate rose. A leisurely cruise on the Spring Garden River follows, offering a chance to take in the scenery. The park's 72-degree spring-fed waters invite a refreshing swim, while paddle and hiking trails provide opportunities for adventure. Nearby, Wekiwa Springs State Park offers scenic settings for Valentine's outings. Visitors can enjoy a riverside picnic, kayak or canoe on Wekiwa and Rock Springs Run, or hike winding trails through lush habitats. For a unique experience, rent two kayaks to explore the headwaters of the Wekiva River. In North Florida, The Lodge at Wakulla Springs, nestled in Edward Ball Wakulla Springs State Park, exudes historic elegance. The lodge often hosts special Valentine's Dinner events amidst one of the deepest

Managed as part of the Adventures Unbound⁘ collection by Guest Services, Florida⁘s state parks offer curated seasonal activities alongside classic ...

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Finding Serenity At A Sprawling Florida Resort

People offer suggestions to Guy Fieri of “Diners, Drive-ins, and Dives” all the time. That happens to us, too, even though we don't have flashy convertibles, goatees, or catch phrases. Sometimes, readers point us toward a cool off-the-radar hotel or eatery; other times, it's like, “Does your sister-in-law own this place?” Yikes. We kept hearing about the fabulous spa getaways at the JW Marriott Marco Island Beach Resort in southwest Florida; one woman went there on a girl's getaway weekend; another pal went with her husband for an escape from the kids, and so on.

Color us skeptical. First of all, this gigantic beachfront hotel has 809 rooms, a dozen restaurants, two golf courses, and four swimming pools. A hidden-away boutique retreat, this is not. (Anyone who reads the Globe's travel section knows we are partial to all things tiny, rustic, and chic.) Secondly, it is crawling with kids.

We know this for a fact; one of us went there with a baby a few years ago. Fun and lively, yes. Peaceful? Heck, no. But with temperatures in Boston hovering around 14 degrees, and Marco Island coming in at a balmy 84 degrees, why not give this sprawling resort a chance? Even if we didn't find inner peace, we'd get some sunshine and a massage.

Getting to 24-square-mile Marco Island, a barrier island on the Gulf of Mexico, is quite easy; it's a 45-minute drive from Southwest Florida International Airport in Fort Myers. The JW (that's what everyone calls it) has a Polynesian-style entrance with a waterfall. The design was intentional; the Mackle brothers, who developed Marco Island in 1962, envisioned the island as a South Pacific-like retreat to rival Hawaii. The Marco Beach Hotel and Villas (now the JW Marriott Marco Island Beach Resort) opened in 1971, and was the largest hotel on Florida's west coast.

Some of that tiki vibe still runs throughout the resort, including Quinn's on the Beach, a restaurant inspired by a tiki bar in Tahiti, and traditional cypress-and-palm chickee huts on the beach. Alternative viewpoints and findings: See here