Journalist
Patrick Connolly
Patrick Connolly is a multimedia journalist for the Things to Do team with the Orlando Sentinel and the Central Florida Explorer. A graduate of Ohio University and a Pittsburgh native, he previously interned at the Las Vegas Review-Journal. He enjoys exploring Florida outdoors by paddling, hiking and cycling, and sometimes playing musical instruments in his free time.
All Stories
![Central Florida Explorer Patrick Connolly goes scalloping with Waterfront Adventures in the Gulf of Mexico near Florida's Crystal River. (Patrick Connolly/Orlando Sentinel) Central Florida Explorer Patrick Connolly goes scalloping with Waterfront Adventures in the Gulf of Mexico near Florida's Crystal River. (Patrick Connolly/Orlando Sentinel)](https://www.sun-sentinel.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/08/TOS-L-scalloping-season-florida-crystal-river-05.jpg?w=132)
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Florida scalloping is an underwater scavenger hunt with a delicious payoff
Crystal River's visitors can embark on an underwater hunt with the reward of meaty morsels of shellfish during Florida's scalloping season, while local eateries offer âcatch and cookâ specials to...
![A MICA Guides tour shows the unique icy landscape of the 27-mile-long Matanuska Glacier in Alaska. Deep holes, flowing glacial streams, ice canyons and blue pools of water define this cold and beautiful landscape. (Patrick Connolly/Orlando Sentinel) A MICA Guides tour shows the unique icy landscape of the 27-mile-long Matanuska Glacier in Alaska. Deep holes, flowing glacial streams, ice canyons and blue pools of water define this cold and beautiful landscape. (Patrick Connolly/Orlando Sentinel)](https://www.sun-sentinel.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/TOS-L-postcards-from-alaska-21.jpg?w=132)
Postcards from Alaska: Escape Floridaâs sweltering summer for the last frontier
Central Florida Explorer Patrick Connolly left the Sunshine State to experience Alaska, a land filled with moose, bears, glaciers and mountains.
![Peanut Island is an 80-acre haven for boaters, paddlers and beach enthusiasts who like to soak up sunrays or embark on a snorkeling excursion. Peanut Island is an 80-acre haven for boaters, paddlers and beach enthusiasts who like to soak up sunrays or embark on a snorkeling excursion.](https://www.sun-sentinel.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/TOS-L-explore-florida-peanut-island-033119.jpg?w=132)
An island in the sun: Peanut Island has snorkeling, pristine beaches and overnight options
Peanut Island is an 80-acre haven for boaters, paddlers and beach enthusiasts who like to soak up sunrays or embark on a snorkeling excursion.
![A CatBoat Adventures tour led by Capt. Todd Voss takes guests on a water-based voyage across Lake Dora in Lake County. (Patrick Connolly/Orlando Sentinel) A CatBoat Adventures tour led by Capt. Todd Voss takes guests on a water-based voyage across Lake Dora in Lake County. (Patrick Connolly/Orlando Sentinel)](https://www.sun-sentinel.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/TOS-L-cat-boat-tour-mount-dora-001.jpg?w=132)
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Mount Doraâs CatBoat Adventure tour has guests driving a sporty two-seater boat
The CatBoat Adventures tour took us flying across Lake Dora and through the scenic Dora Canal teeming with Floridian flora and fauna.
![When Nancy Nemhauser painted her home to resemble Vincent van Gogh's "Starry Night" in 2017, it set off a legal battle that captured people's attention worldwide. When Nancy Nemhauser painted her home to resemble Vincent van Gogh's "Starry Night" in 2017, it set off a legal battle that captured people's attention worldwide.](https://www.sun-sentinel.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/TOS-L-mount-dora-van-gogh-house-documentary-01_9bc8b4.jpg?w=132)
âStarry Fightâ documentary tells âlove storyâ behind Florida van Gogh house
When Nancy Nemhauser painted her home to resemble Vincent van Gogh's "Starry Night" in 2017, it set off a legal battle that captured people's attention worldwide.
![The sun begins to rise over Anastasia State Park, which has four miles of pristine beaches, in St. Augustine on March 8, 2024. (Patrick Connolly/Orlando Sentinel) The sun begins to rise over Anastasia State Park, which has four miles of pristine beaches, in St. Augustine on March 8, 2024. (Patrick Connolly/Orlando Sentinel)](https://www.sun-sentinel.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/TOS-L-state-park-spotlight-anastasia-island-06.jpg?w=132)
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Florida State Park Spotlight: For beach lovers, Anastasia Island is a pristine paradise
When searching for an idyllic sandy spot to spend sunny summer days at the Florida seashore, look no further than Anastasia State Park, which has four miles of unspoiled beaches...
![Amid summer heat in the Sunshine State, here are suggestions for places to snorkel in Central Florida â from Wekiwa Springs to Rainbow Springs. Amid summer heat in the Sunshine State, here are suggestions for places to snorkel in Central Florida â from Wekiwa Springs to Rainbow Springs.](https://www.sun-sentinel.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/IMG_reshing-water-lots-to-do_4_1015069213_1015034699.jpg?w=117)
Swim like a fish: 10 canât-miss snorkeling spots in Central Florida
Amid summer heat in the Sunshine State, here are suggestions for places to snorkel in Central Florida â from Wekiwa Springs to Rainbow Springs.
![Every Florida lighthouse has a story involving keepers, their families, pets and a lifestyle that could sometimes prove hard and solitary. Take a tour around the Sunshine State to see the tallest, oldest, most haunted and most resilient lighthouses. Every Florida lighthouse has a story involving keepers, their families, pets and a lifestyle that could sometimes prove hard and solitary. Take a tour around the Sunshine State to see the tallest, oldest, most haunted and most resilient lighthouses.](https://www.sun-sentinel.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/Explore-Florida-Lighthouses-19.jpg?w=135)
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Lighthouse superlatives: Exploring Floridaâs oldest, tallest and most haunted lights
Every Florida lighthouse has a story involving keepers, their families, pets and a lifestyle that could sometimes prove hard and solitary. Take a tour around the Sunshine State to see...
![A 1948 caboose sits outside the Winter Garden Heritage Foundation in Winter Garden. (Patrick Connolly/Orlando Sentinel) A 1948 caboose sits outside the Winter Garden Heritage Foundation in Winter Garden. (Patrick Connolly/Orlando Sentinel)](https://www.sun-sentinel.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/TOS-L-winter-garden-history-museums-11.jpg?w=132)
Winter Gardenâs history of citrus, railways, tractors showcased in two museums
Winter Garden visitors can explore the regionâs history at both the Winter Garden Heritage Museum and the Central Florida Railroad Museum.
![A record-setting 2.5 million Floridians will Travel for Memorial Day Weekend â 126,500 more than last year âaccording to AAA. A record-setting 2.5 million Floridians will Travel for Memorial Day Weekend â 126,500 more than last year âaccording to AAA.](https://www.sun-sentinel.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/TOS-L-OrlandoAirportPassengers20181.jpg?w=140)
A record 2.5 million Floridians will travel for Memorial Day weekend, AAA predicts
A record-setting 2.5 million Floridians will Travel for Memorial Day Weekend â 126,500 more than last year âaccording to AAA.