Faver-Dykes State Park

Okay, so the water may not be youth-preserving (like Ponce de Leon was hoping when he landed in nearby St. Augustine), but the rivers and creeks that flow around Faver-Dykes State Park are sure fun to splash around in anyways. Paddle down Pellicer Creek to the Matanzas River on a water route that’s designated as a State Canoe Trail -- you can rent canoes at the park concessions if you don’t bring your own. The creek’s calm waters are perfect for stand-up paddle boarding, too. On dry land, see if you can spot the wading shore birds that poke their long bills around the salt marshes, or look up to catch an eagle or hawk flying from its nest in one of the park’s slender pine trees. Hiking, biking, and fishing are also popular activities. Depending on where you post up on the creek, you can snag both freshwater and saltwater fish like red drum, snook, bass, and bream (just make sure those previously-mentioned hawks don’t swoop down and steal your catch before you hook ‘em -- sneaky little raptors). After a visit to Faver-Dykes, you’ll get why everyone raves about “Old Florida.”