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Florida Has 3 Of The Best Canal Cities In The Country

Author Jeff Gorra

Florida is filled with beautiful coastal landscapes. But in a recent feature by Traveling Rauf, it was the canal waters in Florida that were highlighted within three particular cities.

“One unique attraction you can’t find everywhere is canal cities in the US with waterways and waterbodies – towns connected by a network of waterways for transportation purposes.,” Traveling Rauf says.

These artificial waterways are typically spacious and deep enough to allow boats. In addition, it is common for canals to be used to ship specific items. This is due to the convenience of traveling by canal. But for regular people, spending time by a canal can be a relaxing excursion and a beautiful way to take in the unique charm of a city.

Here are the three best canal cities in Florida, according to Traveling Rauf. 

#9 St. Augustine

In the northeast part of the state, St. Augustine has numerous canalways where it is common to find waterfront homes. “The St. Augustine Municipal Marina is a true treasure for anyone traveling the surrounding waterways of Northeast Florida,” the city of Augustine explains. Boat tours in this area allow you to search for dolphins, explore the incredible residential areas, or have a relaxing sunset dinner cruise.

#2 Fort Lauderdale

If you travel about 290 miles south, you will find the other east coast Florida city that was recognized for having great canals. In fact, there are even tourism outlets to focus on guiding visitors in the best ways to explore these canals. Noble House Resorts, details how there are gondola, water taxi, and cruises. “Fort Lauderdale’s official nickname isn’t the ‘Venice of America’ for nothing,” they state. “Fort Lauderdale now sports more than 300 miles of navigable canals – 165 miles designated as residential canals,” Grayline Miami explains.

#1 Cape Coral

Claiming the top spot on Traveling Rauf’s top canal cities in the country is southwest Florida’s Cape Coral. “Whether navigating the Tarpon Point Canal, cruising down the Rubicon Canal, or exploring the Mohawk Canals, your boating experience will be unforgettable,” Traveling Rauf explains. Furthermore, what’s unique here is that the canals are 400 miles of fresh and salt water.

Florida Has 2 Of The Most Beautiful Bridges In The Country

According to Infrastructure Report Card, there are 617,000 bridges in the United States. Outlets such as Attractions of America and Mr. Hudson have each come up with lists of the most beautiful bridges. Two of them call Florida home.

A bridge can be a historical landmark in addition to a pathway that connects communities. Certain bridges, like the Golden Gate in San Francisco, draw thousands of tourists each year. People plan trips around visiting this site and taking in its incredible views. Unsurprisingly, the Golden Gate Bridge is either #1 or #2 on each of the aforementioned lists.

The bridge that it shares the top spot with is famous for its ability to walk or bike over. The Brooklyn Bridge connects Brooklyn Heights to Manhattan via six lanes. Many charity-driven bike rides also cross here as it offers unique perspectives into New York City without any tollways.

Florida Bridges

In Florida, American Road and Transportation lists over 12,000 bridges in the Sunshine State (though not all of them are in functional condition). There are two however, that stand above the rest. One is architecturally astounding. The other feels like a gateway into a mysterious paradise.

“American bridges are often designed with looks to match their engineering ingenuity,” Mr. Hudson explains.

What’s fascinating about bridges in America, is they are constructed of different materials and serve different purposes. For example, the final and tenth selection in Attractions of America’s feature is the Benson Bridge, Multnomah Falls, in Oregon. This is a foot traffic bridge that is only 45 feet long. It allows visitors to walk 105 feet above the Lower Multnomah Falls cascade

Let’s take a look at the two most beautiful bridges in Florida.

 

  • Sunshine Skyway Bridge, Tampa

    Connecting St. Petersburg to Terra Ceia, this bridge is 4.1 miles long. This stunning bridge over Tampa Bay is often lit up with colors that highlight the skyline. Furthermore, since 2018, there has been a Skyway 10K race that closes the bridge each year.

    Sunshine Skyway Bridge crossing Tampa Bay in Florida with a beach in the foreground.

    Getty Images

  • Seven Mile Bridge, Florida Keys

    This two-lane bridge is technically part of Route 1. It’s a magical gateway into the Florida Keys. Mr. Hudson points out, “the Seven Mile Bridge usually has space for sightseers to park up and admire the Florida Keys.” In 1982, a heavy renovation made the lanes wider, allowing for a safer and more comfortable drive. The last annual seven-mile bridge run took place this past April.

    Overseas Highway Seven Mile Bridge Traffic at Sunrise, Florida Keys

Jeff Gorra is a Boston-based writer who has been with Beasley Media Group since the beginning of 2023. He writes about restaurants and food, as well as sports and rock music. His experience also includes show hosting and in-depth creative writing in rock and reggae dub music. Jeff’s an avid surfer, New York Giants, and Pearl Jam fan, however, if you make unforgettable pizza, he is sure to find you.

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