In addition to Florida’s main ethnic hubs, there are smaller pockets of heritage that are equally enticing.
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The Big Cypress Seminole Reservation, located west of Fort Lauderdale, includes the Ah-Tah-Thi-Ki Museum, illustrating the history and culture of "the tribe that never surrendered."
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Cape Coral near Fort Myers has an Old World connection—20 percent of all residents are of German descent—with German restaurants and bakeries, and an annual Oktoberfest.
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The LaVilla neighborhood of Jacksonville, called the "Harlem of the South," is home to the Ritz Theatre and Museum, showcasing art, music, drama, poetry and African-American history.
- The European roots of St. Augustine go back to the 16th century, but Spanish and Minorcan heritage is alive and well in the "Oldest City," which is preparing to celebrate the 500th anniversary of Ponce de Leon’s arrival in 2013 and the city’s 450th birthday in 2015. Look for dishes flavored with datil peppers, introduced by early Minorcan settlers, on local menus.
