The idea for Merritt Island, Florida, didn’t come to me all at once. It was sparked by a string of casual conversations with other travel writers and adventurers I’d met while wandering Florida’s ...

U.S. News Insider Tip: For a quieter beach experience, plan to spend the day at Merritt Island National Wildlife Refuge. Not only is there the chance to spot wildlife, including sea turtles during ...

Make the refuge’s visitor center your first stop, where you can pick up maps, peruse exhibits about the area’s habitats and history, and pay the $10 admission fee. There’s a boardwalk trail behind the ...