Chad's Blog

Top Places to Swim with Dolphins

In all my travels across Florida, there's nothing more fascinating than encountering a dolphin — it's most likely one you would not soon forget. Here's a list of my favorite places to swim with dolphins in Florida.... 

Do Paddleboard Fishing

I've done all kinds of paddleboarding (racing, spearfishing, snorkeling, lobstering, wake surfing — even doing yoga), but I definitely enjoy the advantages of paddleboard fishing. Here's why....

How to Do Adventures

If you know anything about me, you know I'm all about getting folks to get out and Do florida, and there's no better time than during the cooler months. Want adventure? Here's what I recommend.... 

Do Downtown Sanford

As I travel throughout florida, people often ask me where I'm from. When I say I'm from Seminole County and grew up in Sanford, I am so thrilled to hear that they have visited my hometown....

Location, Location, Location

I'm sure you've heard real estate pros say it but o me, that is exactly the reason why I have never left Seminole County. Small town atmosphere near Orlando, yet close to lakes, beaches, and the great outdoors.... 

Saving our Water One Yard at a Time

I've been approached by so many people lately asking me how they can help Florida with the terrible water crisis in South Florida. The answer isn't a simple one, but a really good place to start is in our own yard....

Doing Florida in Your Own Backyard

If you know anything about me, I am all about getting out and Doing florida -- even if it’s in my own backyard. After all, we live where others vacation, so options for day-trip getaways and staycations often leave us with plenty of time to soak up the florida sun without ever having to leave our property....

Summer is Here

I don’t know about you, but summertime is in full swing and I am so excited! Ah, vacations, BBQs, and long, sunny days. Sure, it can get pretty doggone hot in Florida this time of year, but there are still plenty of things to Do and still keep cool. ...

How to Do Birding

I’ve spent a lot of time outdoors, so I’ve certainly seen my fair share of ospreys, herons, pelicans, and sandhill cranes, but I’ve never really considered myself to be much of a bird watcher. In fact, you probably never considered yourself to be one, either. But, I bet you got pretty excited the first time you saw a bald eagle. ...

Discovering Old Florida

Every time I stumble across a bit of Old Florida, it’s like I’ve been sent back to a time before there were cars, internet, or smartphones — heck, before any phones at all. No matter where you live in Florida, you are never far from these undeveloped gems. My suggestion is you experience it the way our ancestors did....

Do Naples

Florida’s Paradise Coast runs along the Gulf of Mexico in southwest Florida and is considered an idyllic Florida getaway -- even if you’ve lived in Florida for years. There’s such a laid-back lifestyle in an almost secluded area near gorgeous turquoise waters and white sands. Naples is also a fairly easy drive from Tampa, Orlando, Jacksonville, and Miami....

Do Orlando North

No matter where you live in Florida -- or even if you’re just visiting -- there are plenty of things to Do around here without going very far. Heck, I’ve lived in Seminole County, Florida my whole life and I’m still finding new things to Do in this one county alone (there are 67 counties in Florida, in case you're wondering)....

The Underwater Side of Florida

As a Florida adventure junkie, I have always been drawn to scuba diving. As soon as I got that diving certification card, I was absolutely blown away by what so few people get a chance to see. It really is a whole other world down there....

How to Listen to Your Dog

That’s the great thing about dogs -- going anywhere outdoors is an adventure. Even a walk around the block can be the most exciting part of their day. They are so in-tune with nature and everything around them. Just like me, he just needs to get out and Do florida....

Support Your Local Farmers

I was recently at a U-Pick strawberries just a few miles from my house in Seminole County, and it really got me thinking about where my family gets its fresh produce and how much of it comes from Florida. Florida’s agriculture industry is second only to tourism. ...

Home for the Holidays

Where to find the Christmas spirit Florida-style in New Smyrna Beach, Florida. 2017 holiday events include boat parade and home tours...

Speck or Crappie? What Do You Call Them?

Living in Florida all my life, I can tell you that there are two kinds of people in this great state: people who call the Speckled Perch “specks” and people who call them “crappies.”...

Home Away from Home

One of the best things my family and I love about living just north of Orlando is that we don’t really have to deal with tourists and traffic....

How to Get Lost in Nature and Still Find Your Way Home

People always ask me if I ever get lost whenever I venture out into the great outdoors. My honest answer is always, “Yep.” Then again, I get lost at the mall....

I'd Like A Table Outside, Please

If there is one thing I love to do (other than Florida), it's fishing. You know what else I love to do? Eat fish....

Local Art in Florida

Maybe it’s because I'm getting older, but I find myself slowing down a bit and taking a good look at everything around me....

Discover Your City Roots

Being born and raised in Sanford, Florida, I knew everything there was to know about celery. It sounds ridiculous, but hear me out: Sanford was known as "The Celery City" and the "Celery Capital of the World"....

The Amazing Five

As a kid growing up in Florida, I remember drinking Florida Orange Juice and thinking, “This is awesome, I want more!”....

Part Surf, Part Fishing...All Fun

It was season two when Captain Noel Kuhn took me to school on how to surf fish; that episode reignited my love for the sport. With four kids, I’ve found that surf fishing is the perfect way for me to get my fishing fix and spend time with family at the beach - it’s a win/win!...

Summertime Spring Hopping

With summer in full sizzle-mode, finding outdoor activities that don’t include a complete meltdown can be a challenge....

Low Traffic Treasure

In a time when it’s getting harder and harder to find untouched, undeveloped, pristine places in Florida, it’s with a whisper that I offer up one of my treasures....

Five Great Ways to Camp in Florida

Whether you’re a novice or a seasoned camper, Florida is a camper’s paradise. Here are five excellent ways that we love to camp in Florida. ...

Ten Great Ways to Get Outside, Florida!

Here at Crawford Entertainment, we spend all day, each day working on programming that will help you get outside and enjoy our Florida, whether that be trying new adventures with how to Do florida and The Outsiders Club, or digging in the dirt and planting some Florida-friendly plants at Flip My Florida Yard....

Right Under Your Nose

Even though we wish we could, we can’t all just take a long weekend - or an entire week - to explore the world, but that doesn’t mean we can’t explore, have adventures, and make memories right where we are. ...

A Floridian Getaway in New Smyrna Beach

My wife, Kristy, and I are always seeking unique Florida Bed and Breakfast experiences. We recently stumbled upon Anchor Inn, which was named by the owner after a recurring dream she had that referenced a Bible verse....

Kids, Devices & Chocolate Cake - A Dad's Perspective on Getting Kids Outside

Let’s be honest, the great outdoors has been upstaged lately by the comfy and plugged-in environment that is the modern American home. So, for you parents who want your kids playing outside like you did growing up, this can be an uphill battle....

A Floridian Getaway (St. Johns River, Astor)

“Astor’s Floridian Inn, Riverside Bed and Breakfast”. Our first impression was a picturesque little B&B smack on the St. Johns River and soaking in iconic Florida relics. Yeah we felt right at home....

How I Learned to Love the Snook

If you asked my father, who is a seasoned, lifelong fisherman, what his favorite fish is to catch, no doubt his answer would be the snook....

Daddy, Why?

A few days ago I took my son, Chase, fishing on the St. Johns River. Just the two of us....

I Hate Florida: Confessions of an Intern

Recently my intern, Jess Adducci, sat me down and confessed to me that she’s really struggled with her relationship with the state of Florida....

Take Anywhere

As a kid, I can remember going to many different Florida springs with my family. I also remember thinking, “why is the water so cold and where does it come from??”...

 

Okay...Our Bagels Suck

As you may or may not know, this year marks the 500th anniversary of when Juan Ponce De Leon first landed on our east coast and named it La Florida....