Key Lime Pie is pretty much the iconic food of the Florida Keys and I certainly enjoyed my share of them while exploring the Keys last month. Instead of a cliche roundup of "10 Best Key Lime Pies", let's take a look at all the creative ways that chefs, mixologists, bakers, and confectioners have embraced this unique flavor profile.

Key West has no shortage of great places to get some awesome food and so when our host (The Florida Keys) sent us to the next island over, I wasn't sure why. As it turned out, this was no mistake - Matt's Stock Island Kitchen & Bar located in the Perry Hotel is an absolutely fabulous restaurant and while we just came here for dinner, the property is a great destination for guys planning a fishing trip since the marina is right there. Plus they are building out a distillery and a music venue complete with pool and bar service. What more could you possibly ask for?

I'm privileged to live out west where there's tons of wide open public land, but for the rest of you guys - off road adventures are limited to private parks. For those in South West Florida, Florida Tracks and Trails is the place to go. With miles of trails ranging from compete mud holes to well packed sand, a beach area complete with tiki bar, paintball, and off road racing tracks this place pretty much has it all.

I visit Florida at least a couple times per year and we generally spend time enjoying the sand and water on the edges of the state. Seldom do we get to explore the swamps and murky water where the wild things roam. It's a shame really, Florida is mostly swamp and Forrest land that is filled with wild animals. That land played an essential role in the creating of the state that we know today. From alligators to hogs brought by the Spanish to cows brought by the Crackers there's way more to Florida's rich history and natural beauty than just it's spectacular beaches. We got a chance to explore some of this with Babcock Ranch Eco Tours and their one-of-a-kind "swamp buggy"...

Punta Gorda and Manasota Key area is one of my favorite parts of South West Florida. It's stuck right in the middle between Tampa and Fort Meyers and is the perfect place to take a deep breath and relax. While there are many lodging options here, this time we were hosted by the fun and kitchy WannaB Inn located at the southern end of Manasota Key, just before the entrance to Stump Pass Beach. It's a restored classic American beach resort with 80 rooms spanning seven different areas between Lemon Bay and the Gulf of Mexico. I've never in my life written a review where the lead photo is from my bathroom window, but that's exactly where I shot the photo above. This area is just simply beautiful beyond belief.

In a world dominated by technology, there's something special and primal about heading out on a boat to go fishing or in search of other adventures. That's not to say that I don't enjoy the benefits of modern technology but this connection between man and nature is something special that those choosing to sleep in and stay clean just won't ever understand. I had the opportunity to celebrate this connection between man and nature recently by taking a fishing trip with some of my blogger buddies to Punta Gorda, Florida and I can't wait to do it all over again.

The iconic JW Marriott Marco Island Beach Resort has completed its comprehensive $320 million transformation project, ushering in a new era of luxury in southwest Florida and beyond. Guests who visit this stunning resort situated on three miles of pristine sands and sparkling Gulf waters will enjoy the new Lanai Tower with more than 100,000 square feet of technologically integrated meeting and event space, exciting culinary concepts, 12,000 sq. ft entertainment center, re-imagined historic Lanai Suites and the debut of the “Paradise by Sirene experience, a curated escape exclusively for adults.

There seems to be a trend right now of talking about "Galentines Day" escapes, so how about Malentine's Day instead? Here's some awesome places guys can go and get away from it all while enjoying an awesome experience with their male friends and forget about romance, girlfriends, spouses, or relationships in general.

Discover the attraction of golf in Punta Gorda/Englewood Beach. Located on Southwest Florida’s Gulf Coast halfway between Sarasota and Fort Myers, the Punta Gorda/Englewood Beach area offers year-round play on more than 20 courses ranging in level from executive to championship. The area is ranked the 3rd Best Place in America to Live and Play Golf by Golf Digest. Scenic vistas and spectacular landscapes provide the backdrop for naturally inviting play on courses that include two ranked 4½ stars by Golf Digest and three Audubon-certified courses.

The challenge with "undiscovered areas" is that well, you don't know how awesome it is till you go there. Then, once you do visit, there's almost a feeling that you should keep it secret so that it doesn't become more expensive, more crowded, and less awesome. That's how I felt when I visited Punta Gorda Florida last fall, but don't worry - I'm ready to share with you why it's is a perfect mancation destination for guys.

Asking a chef or cook what their secret recipe is one of those things that I generally try to avoid. After all, there's always more to a great meal than simply a set of directions. That being said, after trying some of the famous Gator Gumbo at Peace River Seafood in Punta Gorda, Florida I just had to ask for the chance to share it with you guys. It's THAT good... and what's even better is that they even have a pet alligator in the pond out back... because of course they do, It's Florida!

Planning a father and son guys getaway vacation can be a challenge.  On one hand, you have to pick a destination that will hold the attention of an active boy. On the other hand, you need to find a spot that also appeals to you. But lounging in a hammock while sipping margaritas on some tropical island isn’t much of a comprise.   

Disney World is a great middle-ground because it offers a variety of activities that you and your son will both enjoy and plenty of opportunities to bond. There are thrilling theme park rides, giant water parks, mouth-watering cuisine, sports, boats, monorails, swimming pools, and the list goes on. While it may sound like a kid’s destination on the surface, trust me, grown men have just as much fun as the kids! With that said, let’s take a look at how to plan a father/son Disney World adventure.

Florida is one of the best states to visit for freshwater fishing trips. It has over 7,500 lakes in addition to numerous reservoirs and rivers, with dozens of different fish species to catch. You're so spoiled for choice that it can be difficult to pick the best spots for freshwater fishing if you're planning a trip. Here's a list of some of my favorite locations.

When thinking about places for the ultimate mancation most of us men think of places that are easy to get to, has guy-friendly activities and especially today is affordable. Daytona, located on the east coast of Florida certainly exceeds those requirements with plenty of fishing, nice sandy beaches, cigar bars, poker rooms, man-friendly spas, great restaurants, bars, the largest Harley dealership in the country, and of course the Daytona International Raceway is located there too!

The Gulf Coast of Florida is one of the most beautiful and amazing places in the country to visit. It's a playground for those who love to celebrate all the great things that the water can bring, without worrying about rough waves. The folks at Visit Bradenton invited me and a few of my best friends on a trip recently to Anna Maria Island and Bradenton, Florida to check it out. Here's some of the awesome fun we had while visiting the area.

Aside from the destination itself, deciding where to stay is probably the most important thing to determine. Typically for me this has ended up being a hotel room or a resort villa but another great solution for a group is a vacation rental such as the one we stayed in on Anna Maria Island, Beachy Villa Vista provided to us by Island Real Estate.

Florida is one of my favorite places to visit and it is filled with hundreds of golf resorts, beautiful beaches, incredible food, and in the past few years a beer scene that has gained national recognition. When planning your Florida golf guys weekend though, it's important to pick the right places, so here's a few of our top picks. 

While summer is often considered the prime road trip season, I love to explore new places all year round. Road trips in particular, are a great way to see the places between the places and experience new local cultures, traditions and more. Here are some of my favorite holiday road trip ideas from around the country.

Blue crabs are a delicacy that is often synonymous with Maryland and the Chesapeake Bay areas of Virginia. In reality though, pretty much everywhere along the East and Gulf Coasts of the United States where you can find coastal marsh land there will be crabs. This includes the Peace River in Punta Gorda Florida where Peace River Seafood is found. As I sat there with the owner shucking oysters, popping tails off shrimp and picking meat from crabs fresh caught that morning, it brought back childhood memories of doing the same. Unfortunately, not everyone is as privileged as I was to have grown up with fresh crabs, so here's a primer on how to eat blue crabs...

While I love resort courses with flowers and fancy features, being able to spend some time surrounded by natural Florida beauty on one of the state's top courses was truly an honor. Riverwood Golf Club golf course has been ranked as one of the "Top Ten Places to Play in the US" by Golf Digest in 2002, ranked #15 for top courses in Florida in 2015 and voted #1 in Florida based on customer reviews on GolfAdvisor.com and we agree that it is a great spot to visit for any guys trip to Punta Gorda and Charlotte Harbor.