By Bridgette Waldau
Photography by Shawn Veach

Before “The Mouse,” as far back as the 1800s, tourists were coming to Florida. They came to stay in small motels along old Florida highways, enjoy warm weather and experience nature. Popular attractions, such as Silver Springs, Bok Towers, Weeki Wachee Springs, Gatorland and Cypress Gardens, to name only a few, were places tourists found by using paper maps and driving along Florida back roads. Long before GPS and the opening of major highways—I-75, I-95 and the Florida Turnpike—getting to the adventure was part of the adventure.

Read the full article on Issuu >> April-May 2025 Issue