Florida
Florida’s Funky Bayside Town Offers Scenic, Coastal Recreation And Art Galleries – Explore
Set on the gentle waters of Boca Ciega Bay, the small town of Gulfport delivers a mix of Old Florida charm and bayside leisure. Once a humble fishing village, Gulfport has managed to stay delightfully unpolished even as the larger Tampa Bay metro area expands around it. Take a slow walk along the waterfront pier between Shore Boulevard and Beach Boulevard for sunset views — if you’re lucky, you might catch a glimpse of dolphins cutting through the shallows. From the Municipal Marina, rent a kayak or paddleboard to explore the mangrove-fringed estuary of Clam Bayou Nature Preserve where herons and osprey stir in the salt air.
The Gulfport Beach Park draws a mellow crowd to its calm shores and is still just steps from art galleries, museums, and restaurants. The compact town layout means you can park once and spend the day exploring on foot. Getting to Gulfport is easy, with Tampa International Airport (TPA) and St. Petersburg-Clearwater International (PIE) both within a 30-minute drive. Once you arrive, the pace slows to match the tide. To extend your visit in the area, consider continuing on to Safety Harbor, known as the “Jewel of Tampa Bay.”
Art, color, and a touch of quirkiness
If Gulfport has a pulse, it beats strongest along Beach Boulevard, where galleries, vintage shops, and sidewalk cafés radiate local color. The town’s long-standing embrace of the offbeat has made it a haven for artists, writers, and makers who prefer brushstrokes over big-box stores. On the first Friday and third Saturday of every month, the Art Walk transforms the streets into an open-air gallery. Musicians play, artists paint live in The Village Courtyard, and the scent of fresh seafood drifts from waterfront restaurants. Between events, galleries showcase everything from blown glass and hand-stitched textiles to vivid paintings of Gulfport’s own oak-lined streets.
For overnight stays, opt for character over corporate. The Peninsula Inn & Spa, housed in a lovingly restored 1905 building, anchors the town’s lodging scene. You’ll also find cozy cottages and boutique inns that mirror Gulfport’s creative, walkable spirit. Dining is as eclectic as the décor. Expect Venezuelan comfort food, dockside seafood, and small wine bars tucked beneath the oaks. The vibe is unhurried and communal. This is a town for browsing, chatting, and lingering over a second cup of coffee. If you’re looking for more artsy Florida communities to explore, check out mural-filled DeLand, known as the “Athens of Florida.”
The story of Gulfport
Long before it became a bohemian hideaway, Gulfport began as Barnett’s Bluff, settled in 1868 by James and Rebecca Barnett. Over time it cycled through a few identities — Disston City, Bonifacio, Veteran City — before officially becoming Gulfport in 1910. Its enduring symbol, the Gulfport Casino, has been the town’s social anchor for more than a century. The current 1930s-era building, listed on the National Register of Historic Places, still hosts dances and community events overlooking the bay.
That independent streak still defines the town. Gulfport’s dining scene skips national chains in favor of small, personality-driven spots. The Pink Winehouse, known for its wines, barbeque, and chill vibes, is a local favorite. Most guesthouses and short-term rentals sit within walking distance of shops, the marina, and the bayfront park, making it easy to experience the town without a car.
Parking is free and plentiful, and the Gulfport Historical Society offers walking tours that uncover the stories behind the cottages, piers, and historic homes. Together, they reveal a town that’s grown with grace: colorful, creative, and confident in its quirks. If you have time during your trip to Gulfport, make the journey to some of these other spectacular beaches around Tampa Bay.
The Florida Lotto jackpot has been climbing steadily for weeks. On Saturday, July 18, 2026, the prize had grown to $2.75 million.
Recently, a trip to the grocery store really paid off: A $2 Florida Lotto ticket made someone a multimillionaire.
Because as they say in the lottery business, “it could happen to you.”
One ticket matched all six numbers in the $6.75 million Florida Lotto drawing on Wednesday, July 1, 2026, a few days before July Fourth.
After four rollovers, including the most recent one on Wednesday, July 15, the Florida Lotto has grown to $2.75 million for Saturday, July 18. That follows the National Lottery Day holiday, which was Friday, July 17. Check back after 11:15 p.m. ET for Saturday’s winning numbers. We’ll see if there’s a winner or another rollover.
In case you’re wondering, Wednesday’s winning Florida Lotto numbers were 13-17-31-37-38-45. Double Play numbers were 3-8-18-22-35-38.
Who won $6.75 million Florida Lotto drawing Wednesday, July 1, 2026?
Was it you?
The Wednesday, July 1, 2026, winning Florida Lotto numbers were 4-5-25-33-42-52. Double Play numbers were 7-17-22-44-46-47. According to the Florida Lottery’s site, there was another perfect match in Fort Lauderdale just before the July Fourth holiday.
The quick pick ticket was purchased from Publix, 1415 E. Sunrise Blvd., Fort Lauderdale, Florida, and is worth $6,750,000. On Saturday, July 11, the ticket was reported as claimed with the Fort Lauderdale winner opting for the one-time lump sum of $3.6 million, the state’s lottery posted on its site.
Below is what to know about lottery odds, how long to claim the cash option if you bought a ticket in Florida, and what happens to unclaimed prize money, according to the Florida Lottery.
Winning Florida Lotto numbers for Saturday, July 18, 2026?
Florida Lotto drawings are at 11:15 p.m. ET every Wednesday and Saturday, including holidays. Check back for Saturday, July 18, winning Florida Lotto numbers. We’ll see if there’s a winner or another rollover.
How do you play the Florida Lotto?
According to Florida Lottery game rules, Florida Lotto players pick 6 numbers between 1 and 53 or select a Quick Pick ticket. There are prizes for matching three to six numbers. Players who match two of 6 winning Florida Lotto numbers get a free ticket.
The Florida Lottery site states game add-ons include Double Play for $1, a bonus drawing where players could win up to $250,000 using the same numbers (Double Play drawings are held immediately after Florida Lotto drawings). Another Florida Lotto game add-on is EZmatch for $1 per play. If players match any EZmatch number to their Florida Lotto numbers, they instantly win that prize.
Tickets start at $2. Good luck!
When was the last Florida Lotto won? How long has the jackpot rolled over?
Florida Lotto drawing for the 2026 July Fourth holiday started fresh at $1 million after a ticket from a Fort Lauderdale Publix store won the Wednesday, July 1, 2026, drawing.
The new streak for Florida Lotto reset to $1 million for the Saturday, July 4, 2026, drawing. Below is a recap of lottery drawings for the latest streak.
When is the next Florida Lotto drawing? What are the odds, chances of winning Florida Lotto lottery?
Florida Lotto drawings are held at 11:15 p.m. ET on Wednesdays and Saturdays, including holidays. According to floridalottery.com, players have a 1 in 22,957,480 chance to match all six numbers whether the jackpot is $1 million or $36 million. Prizes range from $2 to the grand prize jackpot, which varies.
The next Florida Lotto drawing will be on Wednesday, July 22.
How long do you have to cash in a Florida Lottery ticket?
Prizes for Florida Lottery must be claimed within 180 days (six months) from the date of the drawing. To claim a single-payment cash option, a winner has within the first 60 days after the applicable draw date to claim it.
Does the Florida Lottery reveal lottery winners? Can you stay anonymous if you win lottery in Florida?
According to Florida Lottery’s website, winners cannot remain anonymous: “Florida law mandates that the Florida Lottery provide records containing information such as the winner’s name, city of residence; game won, date won, and amount won to any third party who requests the information.”
However, the site states, the “names of lottery winners claiming prizes of $250,000 or greater will be temporarily exempt from public disclosure for 90 days from the date the prize is claimed, unless otherwise waived by the winner.”
Does Walmart sell lottery tickets? Where to buy lottery tickets in Florida
In Florida, most gas stations and some grocery stores sell lottery tickets. It’s harder to find a gas station that doesn’t sell Powerball, Mega Millions, Florida Lottery and scratch-off tickets than it is to find one that does.
Publix also sells lottery tickets and is known for selling many winning tickets. A lesser-known location is Walmart. Whether the Walmart location closest to you sells lottery tickets depends on your state and the store. Many Walmart locations in Florida have self-service lottery ticket vending machines or sell lottery tickets at the customer service desk.
You can use the “Where to Play” search tool on the Florida Lottery website to find a grocery store or gas station near you that sells lottery tickets.
(This story will be updated to include new information.)
Lianna Norman and Jennifer Sangalang are trending reporters for the USA TODAY NETWORK-Florida, covering pop culture, lotteries, rocket launches, Florida wildlife, breaking news and more. You can get all of Florida’s best content directly in your inbox each weekday by signing up for the free newsletter, Florida TODAY, at https://floridatoday.com/newsletters.
Florida
Area to watch for tropical development in Gulf to bring downpours to drought-stricken Florida | Latest Weather Clips | FOX Weather
Area to watch for tropical development in Gulf to bring downpours to drought-stricken Florida
While this area to watch for tropical development may not actually become tropical, it will definitely bring rain to Florida, which desperately needs it. The system is likely to bring the most significant rain to the Florida panhandle down south to Tampa, but the entire state can expect some moisture through midweek next week.
Gulf system to bring downpours to Florida
FOX 13 Meteorologist Jim Weber is continuing to watch an area in the Gulf that is expected to bring much-needed rain to Florida this weekend. He said the system will likely drift to the north and northwest and will linger before heading to the northeast. He said to get a tropical depression, or a tropical storm there needs to be winds and a closed low and he is not seeing that in the models yet. Weber is also tracking a system off the coast of Africa that has a 10% chance of developing over the next week. He says it will likely enter a hostile environment and dissipate.
TAMPA, Fla. – Forecasters are tracking a broad disturbance in the Gulf of Mexico off the Florida coast that could bring much-needed rain to parched communities this weekend.
Gulf tropical development potential
What we know:
Models continue to indicate there is a potential for an area of low pressure to form over the northeast Gulf off the west coast of Florida over the weekend.
The National Hurricane Center says an area in the Gulf has a 30% chance of tropical development over the next seven days.
Models a shifting away from the forecast of the system moving over the state and off the coast of the Carolinas. Models are now indicating a more likely scenario that it lingers in the Gulf over the weekend and may drift more to the northwest near the Florida Panhandle or Louisiana coast. Early next week conditions look like they will become less conducive and may prohibit much development. Regardless of whether it organizes, the system will bring tropical downpours and increased moisture across Florida and parts of the Southeast.
FOX 13 Meteorologist Jim Weber states we are close to 7.50″ below average on our rainfall in Tampa for the year. A weak area of low pressure or tropical system can be beneficial in helping to make up for the rainfall deficit we have been experiencing. Drought conditions continue over much of the state of Florida. If this system ends up drifting more westward, it would limit the total amount of rainfall and the highest totals would be along the immediate west coast.
Atlantic tropical development potential
A tropical wave southeast of the Cabo Verde Islands remains disorganized.
It is moving west-northwest and, according to the NHC, there is a chance for slow development over the next day or two. By the weekend it is expected to move into less conducive conditions and Saharan dust will begin to affect this wave, limiting its moisture. The time for this system to develop is very limited and will not develop after the weekend.
The NHC is giving it a 10% chance of developing.
Weather factors and storm names
What we don’t know:
Officials cannot yet confirm if the disturbance will overcome environmental hurdles like land interaction, wind shear and dry air. Computer models remain uncertain on how much this system will develop over the waters of the Gulf. If it stays over the warm waters of the Gulf longer, it may give it additional time to organize. Interactions with land and wind shear will likely pose obstacles in further development.
To become a tropical system, it must develop a defined circulation with organized thunderstorms. If it reaches maximum sustained winds of 39 mph, it will become a tropical storm and be named Bertha.
The Source: The information in this story was gathered by FOX 13Meteorologist Jim Weber, the National Hurricane Center tropical weather outlooks, as well as forecast computer models.
-
Florida3 minutes agoFlorida Lotto numbers for Saturday, July 18, $2.75 million jackpot
-
Georgia9 minutes agoVintage WWII aircraft makes emergency landing on Georgia highway
-
Hawaii15 minutes agoBallet Hawaii marks 50 years, next generation prepares to take the stage
-
Idaho21 minutes agoBlack Ridge Fire 2 burns estimated 15,000 acres in Lincoln County
-
Illinois27 minutes ago4 shot in Rockford, suspect in custody; police ask public to avoid area
-
Indiana33 minutes agoMishawaka cuts ribbon on Indiana’s first Miracle League Complex at Normain Park
-
Iowa39 minutes agoMany Iowans are skeptical about building data centers | Letters
-
Kentucky51 minutes agoLa Familia takes down The Ville to win Game 1 of TBT
