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Frequently Asked Questions About Florida Prepaid College Plans

November 16th, 2019April 16th, 2023

This post may contain affiliate links, please read our disclosure policy.

Get the answers to all your Frequently Asked Questions About Florida Prepaid College Plans. Learn more about Plans, Pricing information, and get a promo code for saving on your application and much more.

Saving For College with Florida Prepaid College Plans

Florida Prepaid College Plans FAQs

One of the most prominent concerns that we as parents have, is how will we be able to afford college tuition for our children. Let’s face it, the prices of secondary education are not cheap, and they seem to rise considerably every year. So what can we as parents do to prepare for our children’s educational future? That is definitely one of the questions I will answer in these Florida Prepaid College Plan Frequently Asked Questions. As a Florida resident you can participate in a Florida Prepaid College Plan.

The Florida Prepaid College Savings Plan is a program where families can prepay for their children’s secondary education at a guaranteed fixed rate. The plan is guaranteed by the state of Florida and is the largest plan of it’s kind in the United States. So how does Florida Prepaid College Plans work? Keep reading and you will find helpful links to all of the information about Florida Prepaid College Plans and 529 Savings Plans that you need to help you decide if it is an option that might be right for your family.

What is Florida Prepaid College Plans?

Florida Prepaid College Plans allow you to purchase your child’s secondary education while your child is still young. In fact, the younger your child is when you open your Florida Prepaid College Plan account the more affordable your payments will be.

There are several different types of programs that you can choose to enroll your children in and the best part is you cannot lose your investment with a Florida Prepaid College Plan. The cost of all of the plans is less than what college costs are estimated to be in the future, and the payments are invested to make up the difference. No matter what happens in the future the benefit you receive from the plan will always be more than what you paid for it. You will not lose a dime, and you have the peace of mind of knowing that college tuition has been taken care of! Learn What Florida Prepaid College Plans Are.

Is There A Florida Prepaid College Plans Promo Code?

Florida Prepaid College Plans offers promotional codes to help you save on your application fee. The promo code can save you up to $50 on your application fee, which would make it completely free to get started on saving for your child’s college education. The current Florida Prepaid College Plans promo code to help you save on your application fee is TRACY2021. Learn more about Florida Prepaid College Plans promo codes.

What is the Cost of a Florida Prepaid College Plan?

Florida Prepaid College Plans has several prepaid plans to fit within any budget. In fact, the prices are lower now than they have been in 5 years! But, if you were to ask me what the cost of the Florida Prepaid College Savings Plan was, I would tell that it’s priceless. We have plans for both of our children and I can honestly say without this college savings plan, we wouldn’t have been able to afford college. Find out the cost of a Florida Prepaid College Plan.

What Are Florida Prepaid College Plan Prices?

Worrying about how you are going to pay for your children’s college education is one of the many things that keeps parents up at night. That’s why Florida Prepaid College Plans are so great, they offer flexible pricing options so that you can lock in an affordable rate to pay for your children’s college education right now. There are several different types of Florida Prepaid College plans so that each family can pick out the plan that best fits their needs and budget.

Here are five of the Florida State Prepaid College Plans:

1-Year Florida University Plan
This plan is the most flexible offering and allows you, or another family member to purchase one year’s worth of State University at a time, up to four year’s worth, as your budget allows. This plan currently starts out at just $44.28 per month.

2-Year Florida College Plan
This plan is the most affordable way to earn an AA degree from a Florida College and also guarantees admission to one of Florida’s State Universities. This plan starts out at just $52.65 per month.

4-Year Florida College Plan
This plan offers an affordable option for paying for a bachelor’s degree from a Florida college in a field that is in high demand. This plan starts out at just $113.63 per month.

2+2 Florida Plan
The 2+2 Plan offers the best of both world’s because it allows you to save money on lower level courses while your student receives a bachelor’s degree from one of Florida’s State Universities. This plan starts out as low as $141.97 per month.

4-Year Florida University Plan
This is the most popular of the five plans and provides the largest variety of options to receive your bachelor’s degree from one of Florida’s 12 State Universities. This plan starts at $176.97 per month.

Learn more about Florida Prepaid College Plans Pricing.

What Schools Accept Florida Prepaid College Plans?

Now that you have decided to start saving for your child’s college education, you may be wondering where you can use your Florida Prepaid College Plan. While Florida Prepaid College Plans are designed to be used at one of the many schools here in Florida, they can be used nationwide! See the full list of Florida colleges and universities that accept Florida Prepaid College Plans, grab the free printable and discover what schools accept Florida Prepaid College Plan funds.

When is Florida Prepaid Open Enrollment?

It’s time to start planning and preparing for the future, and not just your future but your children’s educational future as well. If you put off starting a savings plan to pay for your kids college or university expenses you could end up spending a LOT more than you should have to. Beyond that no parent wants their children to have to start their adult life after college with a mountain of debt.

Open enrollment for Florida Prepaid College Plans begins on February 1st and Florida Prepaid College Plans start as low as $45 per month.

The pricing of the Florida Prepaid College Plan is directly related to a state law that was passed in 2014 that restricted the amount of increase of the Tuition Differential Fee to six percent for preeminent State Universities, and zero percent for all other State Universities. Before this law was passed, the increase could be as much as 15 % each year.

You can read more about open enrollment in my Florida Prepaid College Plans Open Enrollment Begins February 1st post.

When Does Florida Prepaid Open Enrollment End?

The Florida Prepaid College Plan’s Open Enrollment period normally ends on April 30th. That will be the last day that you can lock in your Florida Prepaid Plan at this year’s price. Remember that the price of your plan depends on the age of your student when you open the plan.

How does the Florida Prepaid College Plan work?

The Florida Prepaid College Plan allows you to pay on a monthly or lump sum basis the price of your child’s college education today. The money that you pay will cover the cost of your child’s tuition, fees, and even housing. Instead of paying out of pocket when your child is ready for college, at what will likely be a much higher expense, you are locking in your rate at today’s prices. By choosing the Florida Prepaid College plan you are getting a guarantee from the state of Florida that your child’s educational fees are covered. You can NOT lose money with this plan.

The plan is good for ten years after your child’s anticipated graduation date, and it can be used in conjunction with scholarships. You can use the money to pay for college in any state, not just Florida, and again you will never lose a single penny that you have paid in to the plan. If you still have questions about the Florida Prepaid College Plan Enrollment dates check out this article on Florida Prepaid Open Enrollment.

How Do You Actually Use Your Florida 529 Prepaid College Plan Funds?

It couldn’t be any easier! In fact, Florida Prepaid handles the bills for you. YES! The easier the better in my opinion! To learn more on exactly how to use your Florida Prepaid funds when it comes time for college, read this article.

Florida Prepaid College Plans Coupon Code

Can You Use Florida Prepaid College Plans Out Of State?

Figuring out how you are going to pay for kid’s college education, can be a very stressful and frightening prospect, but it doesn’t have to be! If you are lucky enough to be a Florida resident then you owe it to yourself and your kids to look into the Florida Prepaid College Plan.

You can start paying for your kid’s college education today for as little as $46 per month, and the money you invest in the plan is guaranteed. What if you have a Florida Prepaid College Plan, but you move or your child is accepted to a school that is not in Florida?

Not to worry! You can still use your Florida Prepaid College Plan at colleges and universities around the country. The plan will pay out what it would cost for a Florida University or College. You can NOT ever lose the money you have paid into the plan, as it is fully guaranteed by the state of Florida. Learn about using your Florida Prepaid College Plan Out of State.

Can Your Florida Prepaid College Plans Funds Be Transferred To Someone Else?

If you are researching opening a Florida Prepaid College Savings Plan you may be wondering if the funds can later be transferred to someone else. Your student may decide to not go to college. Your student may get a scholarship. Your child may decide to go to a 2 Year program instead of the 4 Year program you paid for. So, what happens to those Florida Prepaid funds? Rest assured that all the money you have invested is guaranteed. See how you can transfer your Florida Prepaid Benefits to a sibling or another family member.

What Happens to My Florida Prepaid College Plan If My Child Is Awarded A Scholarship?

It is every parent’s dream for their child to be awarded a scholarship for college to help pay for some of the many expenses that college entails, but what happens if you have already paid for a Florida Prepaid College Plan?

Not to worry, because you can use your prepaid college plan along with a scholarship to help pay any expenses that may not be covered. You can also request a refund from the Florida College Savings Plan if no additional funds are needed, or you can use that money to pay for professional or graduate schools nationwide.

You will not ever lose a penny that you have invested in the Florida Prepaid College Savings Plan. If you don’t need any additional funds to pay for school you can request a refund and you will receive funds in the same amount that the Florida Prepaid College Plan would have to pay a public Florida college or university for your type of savings plan. If you would like more information read What Happens to your Florida Prepaid College Plan If Your Child Gets a Scholarship.

What If Your Child Doesn’t Go To College?

Sometimes our plans for the future and our kid’s plans may not be quite the same though. So what happens if your child decides to attend a vocational school instead of a college or university, or what if they don’t want to go to college at all? Do you lose all of the money that you have invested with Florida Prepaid College Plans?

No way! You will not ever lose any of the money that you have paid into the Florida Prepaid College Plan even if your child chooses not to attend college. You can change the beneficiary of your plan to another student, or you can request a refund. For more information check out this article Florida Prepaid College Plans – What If Your Child Doesn’t Go To College.

Looking For Tips On How to Graduate College Debt-Free?

Going to college is an exciting time, but it can be a daunting prospect when you think about how you are going to pay for it. Did you know that Americans now have a staggering 1 trillion dollars of student loan debt!?! Here are a few tips to show you how you can graduate without taking on a ton of debt.

Start saving NOW! Whether you are a parent or a future student the sooner you can start saving the better! If you live in Florida then you should absolutely look into the Florida Prepaid College Plans and see if one of those savings plans might be right for you.

Take Advanced Placement (AP) classes in high school. Advanced Placement classes are commonly offered in undergraduate classes like Sociology, Psychology, History, and Calculus. Passing these classes and the tests at the end of the year can earn you college credits.

Take College classes while you are in high school. Many colleges and universities offer dual enrollment programs for students. Generally these classes allow you to earn credits for high school graduation, and college credits simultaneously.

Apply for financial aid and scholarships. Even if you don’t plan on taking out a loan for college, make sure that you fill out the Free Application For Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). This allows you to be considered for federal grants and scholarships.

If you are interested in learning more about graduating debt free read the article 9 Tips On How To Graduate College Debt Free.

Florida Prepaid College Plans Promo Code

How Do You Prepare For College? Free College Preparation Checklist

Beginning to prepare for college, even while your child is still in middle school can seem a bit overwhelming and maybe even a bit rushed, but really it is not. From your child’s first day in high school the grades, clubs, sports, and hours spent volunteering will all be part of their transcript. It is this transcript that can make the difference of receiving a scholarship or not, or even being accepted to their school of choice.

Here are a few items that you need to make sure you can check off before you start applying to schools.

Keep those grades high. Let’s face it Grade Point Average or G.P.A. is one of the first things that admissions counselors look at.

Start Saving NOW. College is expensive and generally it gets more expensive each year. One of the easiest ways for Florida students to start saving for college is to open a Florida Prepaid College Plan or a 529 Savings Plan. These plans are designed to fit into any budget and they can help you start saving for college today.

Volunteer! Start volunteering to help make your community a better place as soon as your high school career begins. It will be easier to find the time while you are a freshman or sophomore than it will be during your whirlwind senior year. Have you heard of the Bright Futures scholarship program? You have to have a certain amount of volunteer hours to qualify, and colleges look at them too.

Start thinking about what kind of career you want to have. This can play a big role in choosing the right college or university for that program.

If you would like more College preparation checklist tips, plus a free printable version read the article College Preparation Checklist – Tips For High School Students.

How Can Parents Prepare For Back to School?

Heading back to school can be a stressful time for both kids and parents. There are new schedules, new teachers, and maybe even new school’s to get prepared for. So here a re a few things that you can do to make sure that you and your child feel prepared for that first day back.

Organize supplies – Organize your school supplies, make sure that you have all the items on the supply list, and re-stock on anything you might be running low on like pencils, or notebooks.

Walk the school – Most schools will allow student’s and their parents to walk the school before the first day so that students can get familiar with where their classes are. Make sure that you also find out where the restrooms, gym, library, and cafeteria are located.

Prepare for the future. Don’t just plan ahead for this school year, plan for all of the school year’s to come, including college. You can open a Florida Prepaid College Plan or a 529 Savings plan in a matter of minutes and start paying for your child’s college education.

Read more on this Back To School Checklist For Parents article.

How Can You Prepare Financially For The Future?

Remember when you were a kid and the biggest financial decision that you needed to make is which ice cream to buy from the ice cream truck? As we get older the financial decision get bigger and harder, like what house or car to buy, or how to save for those things in the future.

Once you become a parent those decisions get even harder because you are worrying about buying diapers, toys, clothes, and shoes, and the list never ends! Particularly when your kids are young it can be hard to take a minute to think about their financial futures. We have all heard the old saying about not blinking once you have kids because they grow up so fast. Well, it is absolutely true! The next thing you know that toddler will be a ten year old out on the soccer field, and shortly after that a young adult graduating from high school!

So how can you prepare for your child’s future expenses like college? The Florida Prepaid College Plan is a great place to start! They have multiple plans to choose from because the whole idea is making a college education affordable for ALL Florida students. Plans start at just $46 per month and there is certainly a plan to fit your financial needs. If you are interested in learning more please read How To Financially Prepare For the Future.

Can you defer your Florida Prepaid Payments?

Yes. Payments have automatically been deferred for the months of April, May and June 2020 in hopes to provide financial relief during this uncertain time. Learn more about Payment Deferral due to COVID-19.

What Is a Florida 529 Savings Plan?

Let’s face it, having kids is EXPENSIVE. Everything about raising a family is expensive from the diapers, clothes, shoes, school supplies, sports, and dance classes all the way to orthodontia it all costs a lot of money. They are totally worth it of course, but in the midst of all the expenses how are you supposed to save for the future?

They grow up so fast, and the next thing you know it will be time for college, but how do you save for THAT ever increasing expense? When do you start? Is it already too late? Not to worry, it is not too late and you can start saving for your kids college education today!

If you are a Florida resident, in addition to the Florida Prepaid College Plans, we can also open a Florida 529 Savings plan. The Florida 529 Savings Plan allows you to make your own decisions about saving for college and you can enroll anytime you want. You get to decide how much you want to save, when you would like to save it, and how you would like to invest it.

Anyone over the age of 18 who is a U.S. resident with a valid social security number can open a Florida 529 Savings Plan, so that means aunts, uncles, friends, and grandparents can open a plan for their loved ones.

There is no open enrollment period for the Florida 529 Savings Plan so you can start yours anytime you want, and there are no fees associated with opening a plan. If you are a new Florida resident and have a 529 Savings Plan from another state that is okay because once every 12 months the IRS will allow a “rollover” from one plan to another.

You can use your Florida 529 Savings Plan to pay for any Qualified Higher Education Expense so this might include room and board, tuition, fees, computers, or text books.

You can learn more about this college savings plan by reading the article Florida 529 Savings Plan Frequently Asked Questions.

When is National College Savings Month?

National College Savings Month is in September. National College Savings Month is geared towards raising awareness on how saving for college now can help you financially in the future. Learn more about National College Savings Month and Florida Prepaid.

What Is The Florida Prepaid School House at LEGOLAND Florida?

The Duplo Barn at Lego Land Florida has been transformed into the Florida Prepaid School House! Make sure to stop in on your next visit to cool off and see the transformation. There is now a performance stage, touchscreens to help teach your little ones about exciting careers, school themed play equipment, and of course Duplo bricks!

Florida Prepaid College Plans and LEGOLAND Florida have teamed up to help make even more families aware that thy can start saving for their children’s college education today! You can enroll in a Florida Prepaid College Plan or a 529 Savings Plan anytime. If you enroll outside of the Open Enrollment period you will get the pricing information for your plan when the next Open Enrollment period begins. The pricing does vary from year to year. If you are not satisfied with your Florida Prepaid College Plan prices once Open Enrollment begins Florida Prepaid customer service specialists will help you choose another plan or payment option to meet your financial needs. If you would like to learn more about the Florida Prepaid School House check out this article Check out the Florida Prepaid Schoolhouse at LEGOLAND Florida.

Florida Prepaid College Plans Information

What Is The Best Gift To Give Kids Living In Florida?

The holiday season is underway and it it is time to start finding those perfect gifts for the ones you love. If there are kid’s in your life it can be hard to pick just the right gift can’t it? Toys break, or the kids lose interest in them quickly, or they just get thrown in the back of the toy closet and donated to charity the next holidays season.

What if you could give the kids in your life a gift that would last a lifetime? You can, by opening a Florida Prepaid College Plan for them! There are several different plans that you can choose from and they are designed to fit the needs of each different family. Plans start at just $46 per month and you would be giving the gift of education, something that can never be taken from them. If you would like to learn more check out this article about The Perfect Gift For Kids Living In Florida.

Education Is The Gift That Lasts A Lifetime

December is here and that means it is time to get to shopping, wrapping, and shipping all of those presents out. Do you spend a lot of time walking the aisles of the toy store trying to find that one perfect gift for the children in your life?

It can be so hard to find the right gift, the cool toy, that gift that is going to win Christmas. Sadly, more often than not most of those toys are a waste of money. They either end up breaking before you get the Christmas decorations put away, or the kids lose interest within a couple of weeks and they just end up taking up space in the toy room or shoved in a closet.

How about instead of buying a toy that won’t last long you make an investment into the future instead? The Florida College Savings Plan allows you to do just that. They have a variety of plans that you can choose from so that they fit into any budget and you can make additional payments for birthdays or holidays in the future. Learn how to Give the Gift of Education.

What Are Some Last Minute Gift Ideas for Kids?

The holidays are here and somehow we always run out of time before finding that perfect gift for everyone. Here are a few last minute gift ideas for kids that they are sure to love.

Apps – You can purchase apps on the app stores like GooglePlay, and guess what? There are tons of apps that are free!

E-books – Yet another purchase you make away from the crowds from the comfort of your couch. Just like apps there are many E-books out there that are free.

Florida Prepaid College Plan Contribution – With a contribution of just $1 you can start a child in your life on the path to receiving a college education. You can make additional contributions anytime.

Get more Last Minute Gift Ideas For Kids.

What Are Some Realistic New Year’s Resolution Ideas?

The holidays are rapidly approaching and that means that yet another year is coming to a close. With each New Year people usually find themselves making resolutions to make the new year, and themselves better. Not all New Year’s resolutions stick though because we often make unreasonable or unrealistic demands of ourselves. Here are a few resolutions that you can make for the New Year that you can definitely stick too.

Read more books. Remember those? The hardback items with a bunch of paper in between them? Just kidding, even if you choose to read on a digital device, take the time to give yourself a mental break and read more.

Take a break from technology sometimes. You don’t always have to check your phone the second that text message come through. Schedule some time, ideally with your family, where you all set down the technology for a little while.

Watch what you eat. This doesn’t have to come in the form of a diet, just be more mindful of the food choices that you make. This will almost certainly impact your health for the better.

Be financially responsible. Pay off some bills, track how you spend, and save for the future. If you have children or grandchildren make sure that your planning for the future includes at least looking into the Florida Prepaid College Plans. There are so many plans available and they allow you to start saving for college today.

Travel more. We always say that we are going to travel and see more, one day, but one day isn’t going to come if you don’t make it a priority. You don’t have to travel the world, look for something you can do as a day trip in a place you have never been before.

If you would like to see more resolution ideas check out this article about New Year’s Resolution Ideas.

Florida Prepaid College Plans Frequently Asked Questions

What Is The Florida Prepaid College Plans Scholarship Giveaway?

Throughout the years the Florida Prepaid College Board has given away numerous scholarships to Florida Residents. Most recently they gave away 10 scholarships that included 2 years paid tuition and LEGOLAND Florida tickets. The overall value of each prize was $8,200! Learn more about the most recent Florida Prepaid College Plans Scholarship Giveaway.

I hope this answered your Florida Prepaid College Plan FAQs, but if you have any additional questions about Florida Prepaid College Plans or 529 Savings Plans, please feel free to comment below! If I don’t have the answer to your Frequently Asked Questions About Florida Prepaid College Plans I will make sure to point you in the right direction. We have been customers for over 12 years and I can honestly say that starting prepaid college plans for our children was the best financial decision we ever made.

You can also give call Florida Prepaid customer service, their staff has always been very helpful.

The Florida Prepaid College Plan Phone Number is: 1-800-552-4723.

Learn more about Florida Prepaid College Plans online and feel free to follow Florida Prepaid College Plans on Facebook, Twitter, and YouTube to stay up to date with information on open enrollment but get tips on college and more.

Be sure to follow Food Wine Sunshine on Facebook, Twitter, Pinterest, and Instagram for more helpful tips, things to do in Florida, and family fun.

New LEGOLAND Florida Attraction – Florida Prepaid Schoolhouse

November 14th, 2019January 25th, 2021

This post may contain affiliate links, please read our disclosure policy.

Cool off and let your toddlers have fun at the new LEGOLAND Florida Attraction, the Florida Prepaid Schoolhouse. This post is sponsored by Florida Prepaid College Plans, through my role as a Believer Blogger. All thoughts are my own.

New LEGOLAND Florida Attraction

Florida Prepaid Schoolhouse

Florida Prepaid and LEGOLAND® Florida have built something new for kids and families to enjoy at LEGOLAND Florida. The DUPLO farm has become the Florida Prepaid Schoolhouse, this is a space for parents and kids to imagine the future while cooling off or escaping our afternoon Florida rains. It is a fun space where kids can slide, climb, build and crawl as they dream about what they want to be when they grow up.

The Florida Prepaid Schoolhouse features a new entertainment stage, school-themed play equipment, DUPLO® brick play areas and a touchscreen where children can practice numbers and letters while exploring exciting future careers. A photo opportunity area outside the schoolhouse, located in DUPLO® Valley, features DUPLO cutout figures representing careers from marine biologist to doctor or teacher.

The partnership between Florida Prepaid and LEGOLAND® Florida Resort reflects the shared mission of helping Florida’s children build their futures.

I am very excited about the partnership between Florida Prepaid and LEGOLAND® Florida because they both encourage us parents build a special future for our children. Not to mention, we love going to LEGOLAND Florida and we have been Florida Prepaid College Plans customers for over 14 years now 🙂

You really don’t have to be a financial planner to save for college, you just need to be a parent or grandparent that is willing to take that first step. Florida Prepaid has so many options to help you start saving for the future, for any budget. And you don’t have to be an engineer to build a LEGO brick masterpiece, you just have to use your imagination, create, and have fun.

Together, Florida Prepaid and LEGOLAND Florida are working together to help us parents create a pathway to the future for our children.

Did you know that you can open a Florida Prepaid College Plan or 529 Savings Plan at any time? For your little or big kid! For the Prepaid Plans they announce new pricing at the start of the annual Open Enrollment period. If you enroll outside of the Open Enrollment period, you will receive the pricing information for your plan when the next Open Enrollment period begins. The prices may change from year to year. But, you are not satisfied with your plan price when Open Enrollment begins Florida Prepaid will help you select another plan or payment option to meet your goals and your budget.

Parents can open a Prepaid College Plan or 529 Savings plan for their children ages newborn through 11th grade. That means it’s not too late to start saving for college! We opened our Florida Prepaid College Plan for our son when he was just under one year old, and we opened our daughter’s Prepaid Plan when she was five years old.

So, now is the perfect time to start saving and start building!

Speaking of building, I actually attended the Florida Prepaid Schoolhouse Ribbon Cutting at LEGOLAND Florida, so be sure to watch my Instagram stories for live video and pictures. And be sure to watch out for a GIVEAWAY on Instagram for 2 LEGOLAND Florida passes.

As a reminder, Florida Prepaid is giving away 2 YEARS of paid tuition to 10 lucky families! That’s an $8,000 value! Plus, each winner will receive two LEGOLAND Florida passes and be entered into a weekly drawing for more LEGOLAND Florida fun. Making each prize pack worth $8,200.

Enter the Florida Prepaid Scholarship Giveaway

I know that the Florida Prepaid Schoolhouse is geared towards toddlers, but if you are bringing your big kids to LEGOLAND as well, trust me, they will have a great time too! Here are 5 reasons why big kids love LEGOLAND Florida too.

Be sure to follow Food Wine Sunshine on Facebook, Twitter, Pinterest, and Instagram for more helpful tips, things to do in Florida, and family fun.

Toasted Butterscotch Maple Mule

November 13th, 2019October 13th, 2022

This post may contain affiliate links, please read our disclosure policy.

If you are looking for a sweet twist on the traditional Moscow Mule, this Toasted Butterscotch Maple Mule is it! A little sweet, a little heat and a whole lot of yum. Cheers!

Toasted Butterscotch Maple Mule

It’s the time of year where I like to spend a little time in the kitchen creating fun holiday cocktails. With all the entertaining, holiday parties and holiday gatherings that are coming up, I think new cocktail recipes are needed. You can be the hostess with the mostess because everyone is going to love this spin on the traditional moscow mule.

I had the maple syrup and butterscotch schnapps out because I was making my Creamy Butterscotch Martini, so I decided why not mix those two up in another cocktail?! I added in some rum for a bit of a punch and Fireball for a bit of heat. Add in the ginger beer and you got yourself a simply sweet moscow mule with a touch of heat from the ginger beer and Fireball. Sweet Heat if you will. I don’t mean spicy heat, just a little POW.

I do recommend using real maple syrup, there is really no substituting the flavor of real maple syrup.

If you are planning on making this Toasted Butterscotch Maple Mule cocktail recipe for a crowd, I would recommend mixing the maple syrup, butterscotch schnapps, rum and Fireball together ahead of time. The recipe below is for 2 cocktails, so just double or triple the recipe as needed for your gathering. Once you have all the ingredients mixed (besides the ginger beer) place it in the refrigerator until you are ready to make your mules.

Be sure to stir your pre-made maple syrup and alcohol mixture before serving, you don’t want all the alcohol to go to one person and the others all get the maple syrup 😉

Once you are ready to serve your cocktails, add ice to your favorite glasses or copper mule mugs, pour in the alcohol mixture and then top with the ginger beer. I don’t recommend adding the ginger beer to the alcohol mixture and letting it set as ginger beer is carbonated and it will lose it’s bubbles. No one likes a flat mule.

Now, here is how to make my Toasted Butterscotch Maple Mule recipe. Be sure to Print this cocktail recipe and Pin It so that you can make it this holiday season and beyond. Maple syrup and butterscotch isn’t just for the holidays!

Print Recipe

Toasted Butterscotch Maple Mule

Cheers to this Toasted Butterscotch Maple Mule! A sweet twist on the traditional Moscow Mule.

Prep Time2

Course: Drinks

Keyword: alcohol, butterscotch, cocktails

Servings:

Calories: 252kcal

Author: Tracy

Ingredients

ice
2 tbsp real maple syrup
2 tbsp butterscotch schnapps
¼ cup spiced rum
2 tbsp Fireball
½ cup ginger beer

US Customary - Metric

Get Recipe Ingredients

Instructions

Place ice in your favorite glasses
Pour in the maple syrup, schnapps, rum and Fireball into a martini shaker or larger glass, mix well and divide between the two glasses with ice
Top with ginger beer
Cheers!

Notes

Half the recipe if you would only like to make one cocktail.

Making it:

1 tbsp maple syrup

1 tbsp butterscotch schnapps

2 tbsp spiced rum

1 tbsp Fireball

1/4 cup of ginger beer

Nutrition

I hope you enjoy these Toasted Butterscotch Mules as much as we do!

What is one of your favorite Moscow mule recipes? Do you have a favorite holiday cocktail?

And while you are at it, check out all the delicious recipes on Food Wine Sunshine and follow on me Facebook, Twitter, Pinterest and Instagram for more FOOD WINE AND SUNSHINE.

Why Buy A Real Christmas Tree

November 12th, 2019November 5th, 2020

This post may contain affiliate links, please read our disclosure policy.

Why buy a real Christmas tree? Yes, they do smell amazing, but there are other reasons too! Read on to see why you should consider having a real Christmas tree this year.

Why Buy A Real Christmas Tree

Should you buy a real or fake Christmas tree? I am sure there are good reasons supporting either side, but we are huge real Christmas tree fans in our house. In fact, each year we buy three. Sometimes four. We like to have one big Christmas tree in the front room, our “Charlie Brown” tree for the TV room, and then the kids like to get two small ones for their rooms. There is just something about the smell of a real Christmas tree that is just magical. If you’re thinking about buying a real Christmas tree this year but still in debate mode, then read on to learn about the some of the benefits of buying a real Christmas tree.

The Benefits of Buying a Real Christmas Tree

It’s A Fun Experience

It’s so much fun to head to your local Christmas tree farm to pick the best real Christmas tree. If you don’t have a Christmas Tree Farm close, many of the local churches and home improvement stores usually have them shipped in from the northern states. Deciding on the needle type, looking at the shapes, and smelling the Christmas trees are all part of the magic that goes with Christmas. Turn it into a family tradition! My family up in Michigan go on a Christmas Tree Hunt every year, each year the pick a Christmas Tree Farm and everyone goes together to find the perfect tree! They start the day at my mom’s with a huge brunch then all follow each other to the tree farm where they look for their trees, enjoy hot cocoa, take lots and lots of pictures and create memories. My husband and I actually head to North Carolina every year to get our trees. The trees are planted on a side of a mountain and the kids just love climbing it to find the ones that will come home with us. The tree farm serves cocoa and cookies and Santa is always there the weekend of Thanksgiving. Again, it’s our tradition and as a parent, I cherish the memories we are creating.

You are Supporting the Environment

Trees suck up the chemicals in our air to remit fresh oxygen for us to breathe. Christmas tree farms help our soil be richer, and provide a place for wildlife to flourish with every new Christmas tree they grow on their farm. Every time you buy a real Christmas tree, you’re supporting the farmers who are a huge part of keeping our air fresh and wildlife happy.

Real Christmas Trees Are Renewable & Recycleable

Most Christmas tree farmers plant up to three seeds for every one real Christmas tree sold. Artificial trees are usually made out of the country, made of plastic and can stay in landfills for many years as they’re primarily made from non-renewable products. Real Christmas trees provide food and shelter for wildlife thus making it a renewal option. I know our neighborhood actually recycles them into mulch for the local playgrounds.

Supporting Employment

With over 15,000 real Christmas tree farms all over the United States, you’re supporting employment for people who work on these farms all year round. Christmas tree farms employ around 100,000 full and part-time workers year-round. This means you can feel good about buying a real Christmas tree this year because you’re supporting another family’s income.

Fewer Pesticides

Most Christmas tree farms who grow organic trees use a minuscule amount of pesticides, thus reducing the non-organic matter being put into your home and into the atmosphere. A lot of artificial trees are made in other countries and you will find they’re made of non-organic materials that are harmful to your family and our environment. You can feel guilt-free knowing that buying a real Christmas tree supports our environment and the economy.

So head out and buy a real Christmas tree this year! I hope you see the benefits of buying a real Christmas tree and are inspired to get out and plan a trip to your local Christmas tree farm this year. Buying a real Christmas tree is simply more fun for the family, better for the environment, and helps to employ workers all over the United States. Plus, you get to enjoy that fresh Christmas tree scent filling your home all holiday season long.

Do you get a real Christmas tree? What is one of your favorite Christmas traditions?

Looking for more holiday fun?

The Ultimate Disney Monorail Resorts Holiday Tour

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Festive Ways To Celebrate Christmas in Warm Weather

November 11th, 2019November 5th, 2020

This post may contain affiliate links, please read our disclosure policy.

Just because snow isn’t falling, doesn’t mean that you can’t celebrate the holidays! Here are some great ideas on how to bring in the holiday spirit and ways to celebrate Christmas in warm weather.

Festive Ways To Celebrate Christmas in Warm Weather

Living in an area that doesn’t get snow for Christmas makes some people wonder how we celebrate Christmas. We live in Tampa, Florida but I am from Michigan so I have definitely celebrated the holidays in the cold. There are many Christmas traditions that we do, much like all of our family and friends who get snow. The big difference between our Christmas traditions and yours is that we don’t have to deal with the frigid cold white stuff falling from the sky. And we still get sunshine! If you’re wondering about some warm weather Christmas traditions for the upcoming holiday season, I got you covered.

Here are 7 fun Ways To Celebrate Christmas in Warm Weather Climates:

Buy A Christmas Tree

This may seem obvious, but having a Christmas tree is one of the quickest ways to make you feel like Christmas is coming. If you’re looking to get a real Christmas tree but don’t feel like heading to the local home improvement store to get one from the parking lot will get you in the holiday spirit, you can buy a real tree online. Grab a cup of hot cocoa, turn on the Christmas music and find the perfect tree. We actually have a few Christmas tree farms here in Florida if you want to head out to a local tree farm. My family and I go to North Carolina every November and we bring our Christmas trees home with us. Make your own tradition! No snow required. Of course, an artificial tree is perfectly acceptable as well, I am just partial to real Christmas trees 🙂

Go Look at Christmas Lights

We absolutely love decorating the outside of the house in thousands of Christmas lights! We even build an archway that goes down the sidewalk for all to walk under and enjoy. But, if you don’t feel like hanging the lights up this year, drive around town and look at the holiday lights!

Attend a Holiday Event or Festival

Florida has so many holiday fests during the Christmas season. Some of the holiday events include ICE! At Gaylord Palms, annual Key West Holiday Fest, Christmas Celebration at SeaWorld, Pensacola Winterfest, Light Up UCF, Sandi Land West Palm Beach, Christmas Town at Busch Gardens, Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party at the Magic Kingdom, Enchant Christmas and the Festival of Trees here in Tampa. Each of these warm weather Christmas tradition festivals offer a chance to enjoy festive food, decorative lights, and lots and lots of beautiful Christmas trees. There will be many more events in your town too, so be sure to Google it!

Watch 25 Days of Christmas

While everyone can enjoy the 25 Days of Christmas that’s on TV, I know watching all my favorite holiday movies sure gets me in the holiday spirit. Sit down with family and friends as you binge-watch Christmas classics all the while not having to worry about shoveling the snow. I also love watching the Hallmark Channel Christmas movies…seriously, I could watch them all day long. In fact, I do sometimes!

Make Hot Chocolate

Most people in the snowy areas prefer their beverages cold during the Christmas season, but when the temperatures dip below 75 degrees, we like a cup of cocoa too. You can also make Frozen Hot Chocolate, find your favorite iced chocolate recipe on Pinterest, gather up the ingredients, and enjoy making ice chocolate with your family. Not a cocoa fan? Try a festive holiday cocktail, like this Peppermint Twistmas or Christmas Mule, they are sure to get you in the holiday spirit.

Make Christmas Cookies

It’s so much fun to make cookies during the Christmas season. Down here in Florida we can still whip up some decorative gingerbread houses and cookies. Again, no snow required. You can buy your gingerbread kits at the local grocery store or online , but there are also events that you can attend, like at Publix’s Apron Cooking School. We did that last year and the kids loved it! Publix supplied everything you could possibly need to make an extreme gingerbread house, we just had to use our imaginations and create it. I’m not saying ours was beautiful, but it was a beautiful family memory created. There are tons of cookie recipes out there if you don’t already have your favorites. Not sure who to give all your Christmas cookies to? Consider organizing a cookie swap with your neighbors, or just decorate them and had them out to neighbors. Each year we make lots of cookies and package them up and deliver them to friends and neighbors while singing Christmas carols. It’s something that we have been doing for at least 10 years now, the kids handle all the delivering. I love that it’s a Christmas tradition that they look forward to.

Decorate with Seashells

Go to the beach and collect seashells for the perfect Christmas decor. Instead of the traditional Christmas lights and snowflake decorating around your home, you can go for a beach-themed décor tradition. You can make a string of seashells instead of lights, make homemade seashell Christmas tree ornaments and so much more as one way to celebrate Christmas even though the weather is warm.

These are just some of the ways you can celebrate Christmas even though the weather is warmer during the holiday season. It’s always fun to create a new tradition with your family. Having something festive to enjoy during your warm weather Christmas will help spread the joy of the season and help you strengthen your family bond!

What are some of your favorite ways to celebrate Christmas? Have you celebrated a warm weather Christmas before?

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An Introduction To Dessert Wines + Suggested Dessert Pairings

November 10th, 2019March 23rd, 2021

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A dessert wine is a wine that has a high sweetness so that it can pair with a sweet dessert. For the perfect pairing, the food should not be sweeter than the wine it’s served with. Learn more about dessert wines and how to pair them with desserts.

An Introduction To Dessert Wines + Suggested Pairings

For many, choosing a wine to accompany the dessert course or act as dessert itself can be a daunting task. There are many different types of dessert wines, drinks to serve with dessert and wines and liquors that act as a dessert by themselves. It may seem easier to let your guests continue sipping the vintage that accompanied dinner than to match up yet another course with a suitable beverage, particularly if the host is not a wine connoisseur.

However, with a little effort and some basic knowledge, a meal can be made that much better by choosing an appropriate dessert wine. The right vintage adds to the meal immensely and should not be ignored out of fear or lack of knowledge.

As a general rule, dessert wines and fortified wines are sweet. There are some that can be dry, and it is important to read the label when choosing a bottle. Ideally, the wine is sweeter than the dessert course. But, piling sweetness upon sweetness can be overwhelming to the palate and defeat the purpose of offering a dessert vintage to accompany the course, so balance is essential.

Some dessert wines are suitable as a dessert course by themselves with no food accompaniment, while others will reflect best when paired with certain types of dessert. Attention should be paid to additives and flavors of the particular vintage you select. Common tasting notes include honey, almond, peach, and citrus flavors.

There are several different methods used to produce dessert and fortified wines. The best known is the Botrytis, or “noble rot.” The grapes are left on the vine until they begin to rot, developing a fungus called Botrytis. The process decreases the grapes´ water content, leaving the sugars behind in the grape.

Wines produced using this method include the French Sauternes and Quarts de Chaume, Hungarian Tokaji Aszu, German Beerenauslese, and Austrian Trockenneerenauslese. Semillons and Rieslings produced around the world are also noble rot wines. These vintages often pair well with cheeses, creamy desserts, fruit flans, and lightly spiced desserts such as pumpkin pie and spice cake.

Ice wines are made by allowing the grape to actually freeze on the vine before being harvested. The water evaporates during the freezing process, leaving the sugar behind in the grape. Most ice wines are produced in countries known for their cold-weather such as Canada. They are often very delicate tasting with notes of honeysuckle, orange blossom, honey, and dried stone fruits such as the peach. They do best when served with light ice creams, sponge cakes, and fruit-based desserts. A few of my favorite Northern Michigan wineries produce Ice Wine, such as Verterra, Chateau Chantal, and 45 North.

Vin doux naturel (VDN)s come in red and white wines. They are achieved by stopping the fermentation process before all the sugars have been converted to alcohol. The popular Muscat wines belong to this family. Generally, they are suited to fruit-based desserts such as flans and tarts. The red VDNs are usually derived from Grenache grapes and include the Banyuls and Maury. These are heavier and richer than their white counterparts and pair nicely with chocolate and mocha-flavored desserts.

Fortified wines are usually considered dessert wines as well, although they are also used for aperitifs and as a dessert unto themselves. A fortified wine is one that has had another type of alcohol, such as brandy, added to it at some point before aging. It can be added before fermentation is complete (port) or after it has been completed (sherry).

They tend to be stronger and sweeter than many other dessert wines. Sherry can be dry, and it is important to check the label when purchasing one to make sure it is suitable for the purpose at hand. Because of the variation when fermentation is stopped, there is a wide variety of different ports. They are usually separated by color , which ranges from tawny to ruby. The darker the port is in color, the heavy and sweeter the taste. Tawny ports do well with crème brulees, milk chocolate, apple cobblers, and spicier desserts such as pumpkin pie. Ruby ports stand up well to chocolate mousses, dark chocolate, and heavy cakes like Black Forest cake. A few of my favorite Northern Michigan wineries produce beautiful cherry ports, such as; Leelanau Cellars, Chateau Chantal, and 45 North. In fact, Leelanau Cellars sells a variety of dessert wines.

Madeira is a Portuguese sweet wine that is made by using extreme heat to speed up the fermentation process. It is often very heavy and matches well with the richest of chocolate desserts.

If in doubt, consult the staff at a store specializing in wines. They should be able to point you towards a vintage that will complement the dessert you plan to serve. Many vineyards are experimenting with late harvest wines and producing dessert wines that fall outside the traditional spectrum. Do not be afraid to try new vintages once you are more comfortable with the choices out there. If you can make it, there’s a wine to match it.

Do you like dessert wine? If so, what is one of your favorite dessert wines?

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10 Tips For Staying Healthy This Winter

November 7th, 2019December 21st, 2021

This post may contain affiliate links, please read our disclosure policy.

I have been compensated by Collective Bias, Inc. and its advertiser, Nature Made^®. All opinions are mine alone. #NatureMadeAtWalgreens #NatureMadeGummies #CollectiveBias

10 Tips For Staying Healthy This Winter

Winter is coming and that means a weather change. The cold weather not only brings shorter days but also the winter blues. There are ways you can support your immune system during the winter months. And most of them are very simple! So I want to highlight a few simple things you can do to help yourself stay healthy this winter.

Here are 10 things you can do to help you stay healthy this winter:

Wash Your Hands I know we have all heard this before, basically from kindergarten and up! But there’s a reason for that, washing your hands helps protect your immune system and can wash away germs that can cause the cold and flu. Plus, it helps protect those around you.

Change Your Toothbrush Grab a new toothbrush after you have had a cold, the flu or a sore throat. No point in putting those germs back in your mouth again.

Drink Water You may not feel like drinking a tall glass of cold water in the cold winter months, but that can lead to dehydration. When your body doesn’t have enough water, it increases your chances of getting sick. Water also helps rid our bodies of toxins. So, drink up!

Get Some Light This is more of a suggestion for your overall well-being. Darkness can cause depression, making winter months hard on your overall mood. Consider taking vitamin D supplements and try to get outside for about 10 to 15 minutes.

Relax Holidays have you stressed? Holiday bills have you stressed? Stress can actually help contribute to illness. Our bodies don’t function well if we are stressed, and if our bodies aren’t functioning well, we can get sick. So allow yourself to relax. Sit down and watch a movie. Listen to some music. Chat with a friend or two. Head to a sauna or steam room.

Get More Sleep When it’s dark, your body automatically wants to sleep more. So, let it! Relax before bed, allow yourself to wind down. Let your body recharge.

Take Vitamin Supplements Taking vitamin C during the cold winter season will help support your immune system.^† A good multi vitamin is always a good idea, winter months or not. I am currently taking Nature Made^® Vitamin C 250 mg Gummies, which helps support the immune system.^†I am also taking Multi for Her plus Omega-3s Gummies, because they are formulated to provide key nutrients to help support women’s health.^† I picked them both up at Walgreens, and if you head there between now and 11/30/19 you can get your favorite Nature Made^® supplements on sale. In fact, they are Buy One Get One Free. Nature Made^® is a brand you can trust, I know I do. I have been buying Nature Made^® for my family for years. Nature Made^® has been around for over 45 years and offers a variety of great tasting gummy products at a great price at Walgreens in-store and online. Be sure to grab them while they are BOGO.

Exercise Exercising for just 10 to 15 minutes will help lift your mood. Not to mention it helps burn calories. Too cold to go outside? Here are simple exercises you can do at home, no equipment required.

Stay Social We are all busy during the holidays with parties and gatherings, but keep the good times rolling after the holidays to avoid the blues. Plan game nights with family and friends.

Plan a Vacation Give yourself something to look forward to and focus on, plus if you plan it somewhere warm, like Florida, you can get some time in the sun too.

I hope these tips help you stay healthy this winter, and beyond! What are some of your tips for staying healthy in the cold winter months?

Don’t forget to grab your Nature Made^® gummies while they are on sale at Walgreens. Save money and feel better, that’s a win-win.

Be sure to check out all my healthy lifestyle tips and recipes and follow me on Facebook, Twitter, Pinterest, and Instagram for more fitness motivation tips.
^† These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. These products are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease.

Top 12 Reasons to Visit St. Petersburg Florida

November 6th, 2019June 15th, 2022

This post may contain affiliate links, please read our disclosure policy.

There is so much more to St. Pete than award-winning beaches, but that in itself is a reason to visit. Discover the top reasons to visit St. Petersburg Florida.

Top 12 Reasons to Visit St. Petersburg Florida

This Floridian city is the second largest city in the Tampa Bay area. The coastal city has historically been a popular choice for retirees, but younger people have started moving here as well. People flock to St. Petersburg to check out the downtown art scene, local beaches, and filming locations for some of America’s most popular movies.

Despite not being a flashy tourist destination, there are plenty of great reasons to visit St. Petersburg. From fun beach activities to affordable attractions, Florida’s Sunshine City is worth traveling to!

Places to Stay In St. Petersburg

And if you are looking for a place to stay on St. Pete Beach while you are enjoying all the fun things this beach city has to offer, be sure to check out TradeWinds Island Resorts. TradeWinds Island Resorts – the Island Grand and RumFish Beach Resort – has added 141 guestrooms to its portfolio, along with a new zip line on the beach, and a new Mexican restaurant concept at the Island Grand. The 141 rooms were part of the property formerly known as the Alden Suites, which was acquired by TradeWinds last March and incorporated into the RumFish Beach Resort. The expansion brings the RumFish Beach Resort room count to 353, for a total of 899 guest rooms at TradeWinds Island Resorts.

A 40-acre beachfront playground, TradeWinds Island Grand & RumFish Beach Resort by TradeWinds were created with fun in mind. Soar over the sand via zip line. Kick back in a 10-person Aqua-Bana. Master a stand-up paddleboard. Party with a pirate. Play on the offshore water park and enjoy the three-story High Tide Slide. Feast on the freshest Florida seafood under a 33,500-gallon aquarium. Kids will never be bored with KONK (Kids Only No Kidding) camps, crafts and family activities. Or relax by one of nine pools, indulge in a massage or escape to a beachside hammock. We are committed to ensuring that every guest can “just let go” while visiting one of their resorts.

Alright, now that you have your place to stay on St. Pete Beach, let’s check out all the fun things to do while you are in town.

Things To Do In St. Petersburg, Florida

Award Winning Beaches

Pass-a-Grille is part of the larger St. Pete Beach, which TripAdvisor frequently names to its list of best beaches in the country. This public beach is perfect for visitors who want to truly relax – you won’t see many tourists here, and the area isn’t congested with hotels or businesses. Despite the beach being secluded and not very populated, it’s still wheelchair accessible. Visitors can rent a Surf Wheelchair for free, which can be used on sand and in the ocean water!

After you’ve spent some time at the beach, check out Historic 8^th Avenue’s restaurants and shops.

NEW St. Pete Pier

The new St. Pete Pier just opened in July of 2020. This new attraction is on the city’s picturesque waterfront and has something to do for everyone.

One thing to check out while you are at the St. Pete Pier is the Tampa Bay Watch Discovery Center. The Discovery Center is the only marine environmental and educational experience in downtown St. Petersburg, providing guests from around the world an upfront opportunity to learn and live the story of the recovery of the Tampa Bay ecosystem.

With soaring rooflines, floor-to-ceiling glass walls, and outdoor wet classroom, the Discovery Center creates a dynamic visitor experience centered on environmental stewardship as well as the recovery and restoration of Tampa Bay, the largest estuary in the state of Florida. An exhibit-rich gallery of live marine habitats, hands-on interactive displays and video presentations tell the story of Tampa Bay and share the history and recovery of this unique ecosystem, and the integral role played by Tampa Bay Watch since 1993.

The Discovery Center features an exhibit gallery that brings this tale of environmental recovery to life, as well as an indoor classroom, outdoor “wet” classroom, and soon, a brand new Eco-tour boat and floating classroom. The focal point of the exhibit gallery is a centerpiece marine estuary habitat that showcases many of the species found in Tampa Bay. Touch tanks, interactive displays, video presentations, and docent-led tours all combine for an unforgettable experience designed to inspire guests to walk away with a newfound respect for our local environment and how small steps can make big changes in their own environment.

Tickets for the Discovery Center are available online or at the Discovery Center:

Adult (Age 13-61): $5
Child (Age 4-12): $3
Senior (Age 62+): $5
Active Military (with ID): $3
Florida Teachers (with ID): $3
Toddler (Age 3 and under with an adult): FREE

Craft Breweries

If you are a craft beer fan, there are 35+ local craft breweries along the “Gulp Coast.” There is even a Craft Beer Trail passport that you can download so you can keep track of the places you visited. You will find craft beers like mango habanero and key lime.

Saturday Morning Market

Did you know that St. Petersburg has the largest city market in the southeastern United States? Explore the Saturday Morning Market to discover homemade pastries, ethnic cuisine, and organic produce. You’ll also find artisans and vendor booths, both with handmade items to sell. This market has been great for the St. Petersburg community and its businesses – each market brings in an estimated $120,000 for the participating vendors!

Even if you’re not interested in making a purchase at the market, stop by for the live entertainment that starts at 11:00am.

Scenic Waterfront Parks

This public park in St. Petersburg is often used as a wedding and event venue. Located on the waterfront, Vinoy Park offers gorgeous views and light fitness trails. Whether you’re there to relax or exercise, there’s plenty of room to enjoy yourself on the park’s 11 acres.

Vinoy Park hosts concerts and festivals throughout the year, so be sure to find out if you’ll be in town for anything exciting. You just might be in St. Petersburg or the annual Beer and Bacon Festival!

Fishing

Since you are surrounded by water, it’s no wonder that there are plenty of opportunities to go fishing. In fact, there are even some restaurants that will allow you to bring in your fresh catches and they will clean and prepare them for you. Talk about a fresh meal! You can fish inshore, offshore, with a spear, off the pier, on a kayak, with a fishing charter or even on a party boat.

Water Sports

If fishing isn’t your thing, there is still plenty of ways to enjoy the water in St. Pete! You will find companies scattered all along the white sandy beaches that rent jet-skis, paddleboards, sunset cruises, and even parasailing! While you are on the water, be sure to keep your eyes peeled for dolphins and manatees.

Contemporary Art Galleries

Visit the Morean Arts Center and other galleries St. Petersburg. With free exhibits and museums that charge for admission, you can enjoy fine art on any budget. Some of the galleries even offer programs for kids!

The Morean Arts Center is located at 719 Central Avenue in St. Petersburg. There are a few galleries that are affiliated with the Morean, but the exhibits at this address are free.

Gizella Kopsick Arboretum

Surround yourself with over 500 palm trees and cycads at the Gizella Kopsick Arboretum. You’ll find over 150 tree species throughout the arboretum, and they plan to add more species as they find ways to bring them to St. Petersburg. Walk along the park trail to take in the tropical plant life!

The Gizella Kopsick Arboretum is wheelchair accessible, with every facility designed to meet the needs of visitors with disabilities.

Family-Friendly Fun

North Shore Park runs along the Tampa Bay to Vinoy Park, and it’s filled with family-friendly amenities. You and your family can play tennis by the water on one of four tennis courts, play in the ocean water, and enjoy the playground. Go for a run on the recreation path while your kids run free on the grass!

Salvador Dali Art Museum

There’s an art museum in St. Petersburg dedicated to Salvador Dali, and it’s arguably one of the city’s most well-known attractions. While tickets to the museum are quite expensive, you can visit the museum store and cafe for free. Inside the shop, you’ll find Dali-inspired home decor, tableware, and wearables. You may walk into the store expecting to just browse, but you might not be able to resist buying a melting clock for your house!

If you’re able to splurge on any attraction in St. Petersburg, make “the Dali” the treat of your trip. You just may find that you have a new favorite artist!

Gulf Beaches Historical Museum

If it’s too hot outside to go to the beach, opt for the Gulf Beaches Historical Museum instead! The museum building was once Pass-a-Grille’s first church. Now, it’s home to exhibits that highlight South Pinellas County’s beach communities. Learn about how beach communities were formed, the history behind the nearby islands, and view artifacts from residents!

The museum is free, though it’s closed from Monday-Wednesday each week. They often feature exciting rotating exhibits, like the World War II collection.

Not far from St. Pete is Clearwater, if you are looking for a fun sunset celebration, be sure to make the 30 minute drive over to Pier 60.

Sunsets at Pier 60

There’s a sunset celebration every night in Clearwater! Starting two hours before sunset and ending two hours after sunset, head to the pier to see street performers, vendors, and live crafters. On weekends, catch an outdoor film at Sunset Cinema, Clearwater Beach’s free “theater.” The shows start at dusk, so arrive early to reserve your spot on the lawn!

The St. Petersburg community is filled with fun things to do, even if you’re on a budget. Whether you prefer beachfront parks or indoor activities, this coastal Floridian city has reasons for everyone to visit! Whether you are planning to stay one night or ten, be sure to make your reservations at TradeWinds Island Resorts.

Have you been to St. Peterburg Florida before? What is one of your favorite things to do in St. Pete?

Looking for more reasons to visit the Tampa Bay Area?

Best Free Things To Do In Tampa

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Best Holiday Activities at Fort Wilderness Campground

November 6th, 2019October 24th, 2019

This post may contain affiliate links, please read our disclosure policy.

If you love camping, the holidays at Disney’s festive campground are a don’t miss! Read on for my take on the best holiday activities at Fort Wilderness Resort & Campground.

The Best Holiday Activities at Fort Wilderness Resort & Campground

I fully love an elegant holiday affair. Really, I do. Getting all dolled up in holiday party ready finery is just so fun! That being said, I also thoroughly enjoy a more laid back holiday vibe. Give me twinkling lights, a cozy sweater and a cuppa something hot and I’m a happy girl. So, the holiday events at Fort Wilderness Campground at the Walt Disney World Resort here in Florida are right up my alley too! It doesn’t get much more relaxed than a campground after all. And because it’s Disney, you know that this campground’s holiday magic is going to be over the top!

So, in case you’re planning a Disney trip or two this holiday season, I thought I would share a few of the best holiday activities at Fort Wilderness Resort & Campground with you. Bust out your plaid shirts and get ready for all kinds of holiday festivities! Holidays at the Fort Wilderness Campground are something magical. There are so many fun things to do for people of all ages! Plus, Disney always seems to be coming up with new holiday offerings, so keep your ear to the ground as there are bound to be new announcements before the holiday season arrives. We love packing up the RV and heading over to the campground, it’s a short drive from Tampa and you feel like you are in a whole new world. Like my Disney reference there 😉

The Holidays at Fort Wilderness Campground

Campsite Decorations Tour
The campers at Fort Wilderness do not play around. They decorate their campsites like they’re spending the whole holiday season there! In fact, some do! Grab yourself a hot chocolate, throw on a cozy sweater, if it is one of those Decembers that’s actually cool, and marvel at the decorations. This walking tour will put you in the holiday spirit in no time flat! Get ready for so much more than lights. Sure, there are plenty of those, but you can expect all kinds of Christmas decor including inflatables galore! And if walking isn’t your thing, rent a golf cart to ride around in style! You can also bring your own golf cart, each campsite has an outlet for recharging, you can also find charging stations all over the campground.

Golf Cart Parade
Much like their campsites, Fort Wilderness campers take their golf cart decorating very seriously! And also just like the campsite decorating, this parade is an unofficial event that is not arranged by Disney. I have seen those in the know recommend that you try to call the resort closer to the holidays to see if you can get the date and time. It’s worth a little digging! You will be amazed at what they’re able to turn their carts into. The creativity it takes to construct these holiday masterpieces is mind boggling!

Holiday Sleigh Ride
This horse drawn excursion isn’t free like the other activities we’ve talked about, but it’s worth the “splurge!” Frankly, it’s a pretty good deal as an entire sleigh is $84 for a 25 minute ride. And the carriage fits up to 4 adults or 2 adults and 3 small children. It’s as close to a classic outdoor Christmas activity as we are going to get here in Florida. You will feel like you’re in a proper winter wonderland as you ride through the beautiful woodland in your decorated sleigh!

So, are you ready to put the best holiday activities at the Fort Wilderness Resort & Campground on your holiday to-do list or what? It’s the kind of family friendly fun that you will want to return and experience again and again, year after year!

If you are thinking about planning a stay at the Fort Wilderness Resort and Campground over the holidays, I highly recommend making reservations early. And when I say early, I mean like over a year in advance! We made our reservations for this Christmas break last October, you know, the October that was over 365 days ago. But it’s worth it!

While you are at the campground and if you want to see even more Disney holiday decorations, jump on the resort boat and head to the Wilderness Lodge and/or the Contemporary Resort. The boat is free to ride and it makes for a fun way to see some of the other Disney resorts, if you time it right, you may even catch fireworks. Once you are at the Wilderness Lodge, be sure to stop at Geyser Point for a delicious cocktail and then head in to see the magnificent Christmas tree in the lodge.

From the Contemporary Resort you can jump on the monorail, this is also free to ride and gives you the chance to experience the Ultimate Disney Monorail Resort Holiday Tour. Get ready for gingerbread houses and lights galore. Bring on the Disney holiday magic!

If you plan on visiting any of the parks while you are at Disney’s Fort Wilderness Campground, there are tons of holiday activities going on there too. One of our personal favorites is Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party, it is on select nights at the Magic Kingdom throughout the holiday season. I recommend getting your tickets for this Disney holiday event early, it does sell out.

Have you celebrated the holidays at Disney’s Fort Wilderness Campground before? What are your favorite holiday activities at the Fort Wilderness Resort & Campground?

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The Ultimate Disney Monorail Resorts Holiday Tour

November 5th, 2019November 6th, 2019

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Don’t visit Walt Disney World this holiday season without planning a Disney monorail resorts holiday tour. Read on to see which resorts have my favorite holiday decorations!

The Ultimate Disney Monorail Resorts Holiday Tour

If you have ever visited the Walt Disney World Resort here in Florida during the holidays, you know how magical it can be. Like everything Disney does, the holiday decorations are over the top amazing! The theme parks, of course, offer loads of holiday fun, but the Disney Resort hotels are worth visiting too. In fact, their holiday decorations are so festive, I recommend you make a day out of visiting the Disney monorail resorts. You can start at one hotel and, conveniently, take the monorail to the others! Plus, you don’t have to pay those park admission prices. Even if you aren’t at Disney over the holidays, I recommend taking a day to hotel-hop at Disney, the resorts are incredible and all so unique.

On that note, I’m going to share my tips for the ultimate Disney monorail resorts holiday tour. I will tell you where to start your tour, what to see at each resort and which hotel makes for a perfect holiday decorations viewing grand finale! The beautiful holiday pictures are courtesy of Walt Disney World. And away we go….

The Best Disney Resort Hotel Holiday Decorations

Now there are two ways you can approach your Disney monorail resorts holiday tour. You can park where you want to end up or park where you you want to start. Personally, I like to end my tour at the Grand Floridian. So, I make a dinner reservation for later in the evening and park there first. After I get settled, I head to the other two resorts and come back to marvel at the Grand Floridian’s decorations, then enjoy dinner. It can be tough to park at this particular resort during the holiday season if you aren’t a guest. Dining reservations help you circumvent the process.

If you prefer to park where you’re going to begin your tour, however, I suggest you park at the Polynesian resort. From there, you will go on to the Contemporary resort and, finally, end at the Grand Floridian Resort before you head back to get your car. But let’s start with the Polynesian shall we? At this resort hotel, expect plenty of tropical colored Christmas trees! Grab a cocktail at the Tambu Lounge and get ready to feel like you’re seriously on vacation. The beautiful grounds are always worth a visit and it’s a great spot for a holiday family photo opp with a little island flair!

Next, just on the monorail and head to the Contemporary for their take on gingerbread. Last year’s Cinderella gingerbread castle was seriously something to behold! And before you even get inside, the huge Christmas tree that’s located outside will keep you in the proper holiday spirit. I always love to grab a holiday coffee drink in the lobby before I head upstairs to look at the other decorations. You can also head out unto the overlook to see the Magic Kingdom Castle too, if you happen to be there when the fireworks are going off, it’s definitely worth staying to watch. Below is just a glimpse of the Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas fireworks show.

Once you’ve spent enough time at the Contemporary, jump back on the monorail and head back to the Grand Floridian to marvel at their life-size edible gingerbread house and 3 story high Christmas tree. It’s donned with glittering, Victorian themed adornments. And the kid in you will stare at that gingerbread house forever! That is until your dining reservation of course. Make sure you don’t eat too much gingerbread before it’s time for dinner 😉

If you would like to see more Disney holiday resort decorations, you can jump on a resort boat and take it to the Wilderness Lodge and the Fort Wilderness Campground. The Contemporary Resort boat will take you to both locations.

So, are you ready to embark on your own ultimate Disney monorail resorts holiday tour now? If a day that is chocked full of holiday magic doesn’t get you in a festive frame of mind, I don’t know what will!

Have you visited Disney during the holiday season? What are your favorite things to do at Disney during the holidays?

If you are looking for holiday magic in the Disney parks, I strongly recommend attending Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party. Who else knows how to celebrate the holidays better than Mickey Mouse?! This Disney holiday event is held in the Magic Kingdom and is on select nights, it does tend to sell out, so the sooner you look into tickets, the better.

Tips For Visiting Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party

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