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Winter can be a little underwhelming in the South.
After all, there are only so many days you might embrace the chilly gloom with a movie marathon.
Credit: Jessica Sample
See the wild horses or just spend time on the beach with the family.
On Jekyll Island, natural beauty and luxury accommodations combine to give visitors an unforgettable getaway.
These stalwart trees stand among historic structuressuch as Christ Church, Fredericareflecting the areas heritage.
Credit: Jessica Sample
Ding Darling National Wildlife Refuge just as much.
Take a kayak trip to the islands many disparate aquatic ecosystems from salt marshes to the intracoastal waterway.
And be sure to set aside an afternoon to visit historic Fort Clinch State Park.
Credit: Peter Frank Edwards
This area begs to be explored.
Take full advantage of the miles of biking trails that meander among oaks, palmettos, and magnolias.
Go shelling at low tide on the east end at Sandy Point.
Beautiful Atlantic Ocean sunrise at Jekyll Island, Georgia.Credit: Christian Heeb/Getty Images
Search for sand dollars at Tigertail Beach or go paddle boarding on the calm waters of Tigertail Lagoon.
Water surrounds you in what seems like a million shades of blue in the Florida Keys.
Folks have been flocking to the island ever since.
Credit: Peter Frank Edwards
From the oceanfront DeSoto Beach Hotel to bed and breakfasts, the island has a range of accommodations.
Seashell collectors unite during the annual Sanibel Shell Show taking place on both islands every March.
Key West, Florida
Welcome to the Sunshine States artsy, beachy paradise.
Credit: Peter Frank Edwards
One factor that sets Key West apart is the notion that nothing seems unusual here.
Youre lounging by the pool at your hotel, and a chicken wanders up?
The diner at the next table has a monkey on his shoulder?No one even bats an eye.
Credit:Courtesy of Omni Amelia Island Resort
I believe that makes for one amazingly diverse, resourceful, and incredibly creative population, she says.
Supposedly, this bright fluorescent light gleams on clear, calm nights.
On just about any evening, you’ve got the option to watch sailboats backlit by pink-and-orange skies.
Credit: Christopher Shane
You could take a cruise on one, as there are plenty of charters offering sunset voyages for travelers.
The undeveloped coastline north of the town provides miles of peaceful sand to explore.
This 15-mile-long barrier island offers beach or bay vistassometimes bothfrom scattered condos and rental homes.
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Stop by the Dauphin Island Sea Lab and the Alabama Aquarium, which has more than 100 species.
It houses an intriguing collection of Western artifacts that he has amassed over his lifetime.
But whats the biggest draw?
Sunshine State of Mind. Grab cocktails with a side of salty air at Little Bar Restaurant. Be sure to save room for a bite of the famous (and award-winning) Key lime pie after a meal at Lee Be Fish. Settle in for a gracious stay amid the elegant surroundings of JW Marriott Marco Island Beach Resort.Credit:ROBBIE CAPONETTO
Those Gulf watersand they always will be.
Its iconic black-and-white-striped lighthouse and stretches of undisturbed sands make it the quintessential OBX locale.
It extends for 50 miles inside Cape Hatteras National Seashore and is dotted with small villages.
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Theres a rugged beauty to them thats hard to replicate.
The 10-mile-long snippet of land is just a mile wide and is located 8 miles offshore.
Case in point: Theres no fancy dock to greet you when you arrive.
Credit: Courtesy of Haig Point
Be prepared for a wilderness experience by carrying plenty of water and bug spray.
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South Padre Island Beach.Credit:© Danno Wise
Credit: Robbie Caponetto
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Blushing pink, a full moon rises over the dunes on Horn Island.Credit:Brown Cannon III
