travel 98

Campaigns & Specials 日本旅遊特輯

How to use travelbar 旅行酒吧的使用方法.

超多台日旅遊專家的日本行程

【客製化自己的日本行程】

已產出超過10萬筆日本旅行計劃

原站一鍵預約飯店和餐廳

Who Going With? 從旅伴類型找日本行程

Where Going To? 從日本各區域找行程

KOL’s recommended 日本旅遊專家・網紅的日本行程

Japanese recommended 日本當地人的旅遊行程.

US Highway 98

Top ways to experience nearby attractions

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Detailed Reviews: Reviews ordered by recency and descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as wait time, length of visit, general tips, and location information.

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US Highway 98 - All You Need to Know BEFORE You Go (2024)

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Back-Road Trip: Highway 98 (Tallahassee to Apalachicola)

Plug these detour-worthy destinations into your GPS

By Elizabeth Hutchison Hicklin

March 13, 2015

Photo: Courtesy of Apalachicola Bay Chamber of Commerce

The route: Start in Tallahassee and head south on FL 363 for about fifteen miles before hanging a right onto US 98-W to Apalachicola.

Built in 1933, this rural length of Highway 98 in the Panhandle winds travelers through the heart of old Florida and for the bulk of the scenic 60-mile run hugs the Gulf of Mexico. Dubbed the “Forgotten Coast” by locals—it was left off the tourist maps back in the nineties—this quiet stretch managed to avoid the Sunshine State condo craze. Instead, there’s the Apalachicola National Forest, St. Mark’s National Wildlife Refuge, Tate’s Hell State Forest, and Wakulla Springs State Park. And closer to Apalachicola, in Franklin County, where more than 85% of the land is either state or federally protected, you’ll find pristine marshlands, unspoiled sugar-white beaches, and some of the best oysters in the country.

If you go, plug these detour-worthy destinations into your GPS.

Wakulla Springs State Park:  Just off FL-363, south of Tallahassee, take a right onto Bloxham Cutoff Road and follow signs to the park. Home to one of the largest and deepest freshwater springs in the world, the park offers glass bottom boat tours, and in warmer months, you can swim with the manatees or cannonball off the dive platform into the crystal clear waters. Visit the Wakulla Springs Lodge. Built in 1937, the Mediterranean Revival meets Art Deco building is listed on the National Register of Historic Places.

T-n-T Hideaway : To paddle the Wakulla River seek out this third-generation family-run outfitter. (T-n-T will be on your left just before you cross the river on 98, headed west.) They carry stand-up paddleboards, kayaks, canoes, and offer guided eco-tours.

Carrabelle Beach : Though 98 sticks close to the shoreline there isn’t a wealth of beach access along the route. Dip your toes into the Gulf via this sleepy strip of sand about a mile and a half from downtown Carabelle. Pack a lunch and catch some shade at the retro-1950s beachside picnic pavilion.

St. George Island : Nearing Eastpoint, veer left onto FL-300 to cross Apalachicola Bay onto St. George Island. (The view from the bridge alone is worth the trip.) 28-miles long, just 2 miles across at its widest point, this quiet narrow spit is one of the state’s last inhabited yet unspoiled barrier islands. Cruise to St. George Island State Park on the east end of the island, where you’ll discover 9-miles of wild windswept beach. This time of year, there’s a good chance you’ll have the place to yourself. There are two natural boat ramps for easy access to Apalachicola Bay and the Gulf if you’re looking to paddle or wet a line.

Hungry? Time to start thinking about those famous Apalachicola oysters. Apalachicola Bay produces ninety percent of Florida oysters and is one of the last places in the country where they’re still hauled in using tongers. These oysters are rich, plump, salty, and sweet.

On St. George, slurp down a dozen or two of the briny bivalves at  Eddy Teach’s Raw Bar —served raw, steamed, or grilled. Wash’em down with a (cheap) ice-cold beer. Post meal, make your way to the beachside tiki bar at the Blue Parrot Oceanfront Café and order a classic Rum Runner or the Sand Blaster, an in-house invention of mango, blackberry, lime juice, and rum. Your pups are welcome at both establishments.

Apalachicola : Get back on 98 and continue west to this historic fishing hamlet. “Apalach,” as the locals call it, is old Florida at its finest, with a working waterfront, primeval salt marshes, oaks and Spanish moss, a busy little downtown, and beautifully restored homes.

Downtown: Book a room at the Gibson Inn . You’re going to want to relax here and stay awhile. Then head out on foot to explore the rest of town. Pop in locally owned Downtown Books and Purl for everything from bestselling beach reads to Florida field guides. And you can’t go wrong with either the Owl Cafe  or Caroline’s River Dining , which is open for breakfast, lunch, and dinner.

More oysters? Boss Oyster is a sure bet. The riverside seafood shack has in-house oystermen to guarantee freshness. Watch them pull your bivalves off the boat and straight into the kitchen from your seat on the deck. Or hit Papa Joe’s . No outdoor dining here, but you’ll feel right at home at the neighborhood bar, where there are oysters aplenty.

Cast a line: Apalachicola offers prime sport fishing opportunities too. And nobody knows the local water quite as well as Tommy and Chris Robinson and their team at Robinson Brothers Guide Service .

Remember to leave time to explore the region on your own. Maybe even turn off that GPS for a while. Sometimes wrong turns yield the best discoveries.

• Apalachicola

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Route 98 in Florida – Backroads Florida Road Trip on Scenic Highway 98

Scenic highway 98 florida backroads.

Yes, we know gas is expensive. Most cars average 20 miles to the gallon or better. If you take a 150-mile road trip, 300 miles total, you will spend about $80 in a six-hour road trip in Florida. Pack a picnic lunch and have a fun day for two people (or more) for under $100 in the backroads of Florida and Route 98 in Florida is a fun scenic road trip.

To put this Florida road trip in perspective, an all-day ticket to Disney World for two will cost $218 for basic admission. You don’t want to know the cost of your lunch and the cost to get there!

The backroads of Florida can be as entertaining as Mickey and friends. We guarantee sights you have never seen, history you have only read about, and views worthy of the most experienced photographer.

Even more interesting can be the different cultures we have in the state of Florida. From the Cuban heritage of Miami to the plantations of old north Florida and now the fishing villages of the panhandle. The state of Florida is large – from Pensacola to Key West is over 12.5 hours and more than 800 miles.

Follow along on one of our favorite road trips – Scenic Highway 98. 

Route 98 in Florida from Perry to Apalachicola

We break down our backroads of Florida road trip into two legs.

The First Leg of Your Florida Road Trip

Many Possible Stops Along Second Leg of Florida’s Backroads

This is an excellent place to remember along this back road of Florida if you want relaxation and simple beach pleasures. The island is famous for its long stretch of white sandy beach. A perfect place for a beach chair to just stare at the water and the birds along the shore.

Apalachicola has gone through a revival from economic devastation to roaring back as a quaint historical tourist town. The shops are unique. The restaurants are back to serving their traditional dishes and there is even a reported haunted hotel to stay in! Read more about Apalachicola here .

Things To Do Along Route 98 in the Panhandle

• Try a country cracker diner just a few miles west of Perry called Deal’s Famous Oyster House . Some great hospitality and country food.
• Visit the  town of St. Marks  on the river with the same name. Stop by the  Riverside Cafe  for some fresh seafood on the river. 
• Take one of the many trails from Route 98 such as the Thompson Trailhead near the crossroad named Memorial Road.
• Take Alligator Drive to Alligator Point a community in the Gulf of Mexico.
• Enjoy the fishing village of Carrabelle and the small shops.
• Take Rt. 300 across the bridge to St. George Island. See one of Florida’s best beaches. Our family believes it is one of the top 3 beaches in Florida.
• Discover Apalachicola. This famous Florida town has quaint shops, exceptional waterfront restaurants and historic buildings.

Final Thoughts on Route 98 in Florida

As you leave Apalachicola, about 5 or 6 miles down the road to the west is another backroad of Florida scenic highway called Rt. 30A – 28 miles of Beautiful Beaches that features some of the most beautiful beaches and colorful communities in Florida.

US Route 98 is over 600 miles long. The section we have covered is 160 miles of the entire road. Highway 98 goes from the palm tree studded beaches in southeast Florida to the forest covered road in north Florida.

Cultures, scenes, food and even the time has changed but the beauty of Florida has persevered through the many different landscapes. 

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30-A Visitor’s Guide

Somewhere between 1497 and 1513, historians tell us, Europeans first beheld the great natural beauty of Florida. Juan Ponce de Leon named the region Pascua Florida or flowery Easter. Five-hundred-plus years later, stewards of Florida’s natural beauty are focused on sustainability, preserving what Mother Nature has provided, for all to enjoy. 

Known as the Crown Jewel of the Southern Riviera (the Southern Riviera is the 200 mile stretch of pristine coast that stretches from Gulf Shores, Alabama to St George Island, Florida)  Scenic 30-A runs through long-leaf pine flatwoods, along the white sand beach  and sea oat-covered dunes, past freshwater  coastal lakes  and saltwater inlets, over sand hills and coastal uplands, along wetlands and marshes, through hardwood hammocks and coastal scrub. Our area is known for the shimmering brilliance of the Gulf of Mexico and her white sand beaches. But it is the beauty of our landscape and its native plants and animals that are second to none…

• Don’t miss the centuries-old live oaks at  Eden State Gardens  in Pt. Washington State Park, and the craggy, many-trunked scrub oaks in  Old Grayton Beach .
• Look for the huge, fragrant white blooms of Southern Magnolia in early summer throughout the woods, at the crest of  Old Seagrove , and next to the obelisk beach walkover in  Seaside .
• Admire the graceful arc of slash pine reflected in Western Lake.
• Discover the tough little sand pine that grows all along the Gulf Coast, but nowhere else in the world! Look closely at the sharp-toothed edge of the stem of a palmetto frond that gives Saw Palmetto, a palm tree that grows its trunk underground, its name.
• Wildflowers bloom year-round along Scenic 30-A. Watch for the lavender blossoms of wild rosemary and Gulf Coast lupine in the spring.
• In the fall, the roadsides turn gold with goldenrod, woody goldenrod, golden asters and camphorweed. Sea oats, the grasses that hold the dunes in place, are a federally protected species
• Enjoy the beauty of the plants, but please, don’t walk on the dunes or pick the seed heads. Please do enjoy and protect the beauty of our beaches, dunes, scrub and woodlands.

Taking the Scenic Route Along 30-A

From where it departs and connects with US 98, Scenic 30-A is comprised of 18.5-miles, plus 9.4 miles of connector roads—83 and 283—from the Gulf of Mexico to US 98, and 395 from the Gulf of Mexico to the Choctawhatchee Bay. “Taking the scenic route” by car, bicycle, or on foot, you’ll journey past four state parks, 27 miles of greenway trails, 11 rare coastal dune lakes, 12  beach communities . And you’ll behold miles of stunningly beautiful beaches. Scenic 30-A is a tourist attraction of major proportions. It is an exciting and eclectic mix of hot Caribbean colors and soft pastels, with architecture to match each beach community’s aesthetic, whether it be Old Florida’s traditional 2-3 story homes, or the cottages of Seaside with white picket fences and pedestrian pathways to New Urbanism, or its miles of greenway trails connecting state parks, preserves and residential areas.

Remarkably, all of Scenic 30-A’s famous beaches are certified as Blue Wave Beaches, akin to the Good Housekeeping Seal of Approval when it comes to cleanliness and safety. Scenic 30-A’s shimmering sugar-fine sands combined with shades of turquoise-blue and emerald-green waters are breathtakingly beautiful, sun up or sundown. Scenic 30-A’s beaches are naturally beautiful—no dredging and filling has replaced the crystalline grains of sand that squeak when you walk on them. Beach nourishment, the formation of sand dunes, and other educational programs to Keep Off the Dunes, are critical to protecting the Gulf Shores and Scenic 30-A’s reputation as the tourist destination known for its world-class beaches.

When Gulf breezes blow, a unique combination of sea oat grasses and coastal scrub vegetation trap the sugar sands, causing dunes to form. One of the most dazzling dunes—rising 25 feet above sea level— is at Topsail Hill Preserve. Traveling west along Scenic 30-A and just off US 98, you’ll come to Topsail, home to the endangered Choctawhatchee Beach Mouse, herons, egrets, white-tailed deer, fox, coyote, raccoon and gopher tortoises. Sea turtles come ashore late spring and summer to nest. Topsail is also home to 14 natural wild plant communities. Trailer Life magazine rated Topsail Hill RV Resort in the top 1% in the US.

Old Florida Architecture Along 30-A

Along Scenic 30-A, you’ll see numerous examples of Old Florida architecture–shingles, shutters, and shakes–overhangs that provide shade, and porches that suggest Southern hospitality. There are 12 distinct beach communities along the route and one just off the route on US98 (from west to east): Dune Allen Beach , Santa Rosa Beach , Blue Mountain Beach , Grayton Beach , WaterColor , Seaside , Seagrove Beach , WaterSound Beach , Seacrest Beach , Rosemary Beach , Inlet Beach and Carillon Beach (just off Scenic 30-A, on US98).

Scenic 30-A has 11 coastal dune lakes , known by kayaking and canoeing enthusiasts for their beauty and tranquility. Dune lakes are formed by the wind and found almost exclusively along the Gulf Coast. Classified as “critically imperiled” because of their extreme rarity, dune lakes are biologically diverse–saltwater combined with freshwater—an important source of freshwater to migrating birds and other beach organisms—and any alteration to their drainage is a threat. Conservationists say the dune lake system’s intrinsic value is “incalculable.”

Elegant, coastal pine forests and the century-old community of Grayton Beach border one of the largest and most scenic of the dune lakes, the 220-acre Western Lake. Army Major Charles T. Gray and his wife Elizabeth built a home there in 1885. It later burned down. In 1913 Grayton Beach became a resort community when the Butler family settled in, adding rental cottages and a General Store that— come Saturday night— became a dance hall. Even as it grows at a furious pace, with upscale shops, beach-y kiosks and restaurants that range from the fun ‘n’ funky new and improved Picolo’s/Red Bar to the Grayton Beer Pub, Grayton Beach has maintained it’s small-town flavor. Grayton Beach State Recreation Park’s 2,228 acres opened in 1968. Sea turtles nest in the summer and shorebirds are numerous. Wildflowers include lupine, gaillardia and golden aster. Tread Softly signs dot the landscape of rolling, sea oat-covered dunes and glistening-white sandy beaches that taper into the blue-green Gulf.

Development is taking placing all along Scenic 30-A, adding a sense of vitality and anticipation.  Zoning with an emphasis on place-making, conservation and responsible development,  Check out the master planned community of WaterColor . With its eye-pleasing palette of periwinkle blue and celadon green ceramic tiles in waterfalls, koi fish ponds, fountains, and numerous recreational opportunities, both WaterColor the community, and the small, 60-room WaterColor Inn, are fine examples of vernacular architecture. WaterColor blends right into the hustle and bustle of Seaside, which most consider the cultural and commercial center of Scenic 30-A.

Noting its numerous prestigious architectural awards, Time magazine described Seaside as the most astounding design achievement of its era. With a postage stamp-sized post office and a Town Center that boasts its own stage on the green, Seaside also has an artists’ colony and a full calendar of cultural events to put it on the map as a Must See. Picturesque as a postcard and the film location for The Truman Show, Seaside is a busy little success story—visitors flock to its shores in droves. The Seaside Institute sponsors significant intellectual and philosophical exchanges here and abroad on what makes a community vital.

Journeying on to Old Seagrove and Seagrove Beach , you’ll sense a slightly slower pace, but Seagrove is booming with residential and commercial development. Turning left at the corner of Scenic 30-A and 395, you’ll come to the Eastern Lake Bike/Hike Trail in Pt. Washington State Forest . Three greenway trails loop through sandhills, cypress ponds, wet prairies and titi swamps. Look for deer, coyote, alligator, and the gopher tortoise, a species of special concern. Pt. Washington State Park is a wonderful example of sandhill ecosystems. Rare species include flatwoods salamander, white-topped pitcher plant, and the world’s largest stand of Curtiss Sandgrass.

Across 98, follow the signs to Eden State Park and Eden Gardens-former Wesley-family mansion, and a splendid example of Panhandle architecture: two stories, equal number of rooms, each story divided by a centray hallway–and perched on piers for greater air circulation and flood protection. Moss-draped oaks, camellias and azaleas in season, this genteel home filled with lovely antiques offer visitors an historic view of the “real” Florida.

Backtracking to Scenic 30-A, turn left on 395 and follow the road around the bend to a small gem of a park, Deer Lake State Park, a 172-acre tract acquired by South Walton County Ecosystem. You’ll find the Chochtawhatchee Beach Mouse, the Red Cockaded Woodpecker, and other rare plant and animal species. The reflection of the Gulf of Mexico in Deer Lake is like nothing you’ll see anywhere else on Scenic 30-A. A spectacular view combines the huge expanse of the emerald-green water of the Gulf of Mexico with a sliver of shimmering sugar sand, and, next to it, the deep blue of Deer Lake. A photo opportunity if ever there was one!

Continuing on down Scenic 30-A, you’ll see WaterSound, an exquisite coastal community under development.   Then it’s on to Camp Creek Lake and the 18-hole Camp Creek Golf Club and full-time community of WaterSound Origins.

Scenic 30-A winds it way to Rosemary Beach , another planned community reminiscent of the Southwest—white stucco, bell towers, and upscale restaurants and shops. Scenic 30-A re-connects with Us 98 at Inlet Beach , the latest thriving community on Scenic 30-A,  a short distance from the charming community of Carillon Beach –beautiful homes, great shopping and brightly colored artist cabañas–and Panama City Beach, Fun City for Spring Breaker’s and Families.

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We can’t wait! 🍔🍔🍔🍔🍔 #beachlife

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We take our #sandcastle building serious around here! #project #boystrip 📸@othermamasbs 🌴

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Living in the moment… We’re digging the vibe @30ave #livemusic 🎵

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🙌The best new spot on 30A! ⭐️⭐️⭐️ ⭐️⭐️ beer. atmosphere. service. grub Glad you’re here! @idyllhoundproper @30ave

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Cold Brew is legit! ☕️👊🏻 Welcome to the hood @turbocoffee_30a @greenwaystation30a #discover30a #coffee #foodie

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September you can stay forever 🙌 #discover30a #sunsets #bestbeaches

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Bring on the weekend fun! 🐟🎣🐠⁠ ⁠ The annual CCA South Walton Kids Fishing Tournament takes place on Saturday, August 26th at Grayton Beach, Florida. Sponsored by the Coastal Conversation Association Florida, the fun begins at 12:00 p.m. this Saturday⁠ ⁠ Link in bio for registration information!⁠ ⁠ ⁠ #weekend #beachlife #weekendvibes #activitiesforkids #fishing #discover30A #graytonbeach @graytonbeach⁠ #beachday #saturdayvibes #floridalife

Bring on the weekend fun! 🐟🎣🐠⁠ ⁠ The annual CCA South Walton Kids Fishing Tournament takes place on Saturday, August 26th at Grayton Beach, Florida. Sponsored by the Coastal Conversation Association Florida, the fun begins at 12:00 p.m. this Saturday⁠ ⁠ Link in bio for registration information!⁠ ⁠ ⁠ #weekend #beachlife #weekendvibes #activitiesforkids #fishing #discover30A #graytonbeach @graytonbeach⁠ #beachday #saturdayvibes #floridalife ...

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Bring your furry friends and meet #local Marcia for her incredible healthy 🐶treats! @hotdog.dogtreats Origins Farmer’s Market every Sunday 9-1 #yum 🐶 @watersoundorigins @30afarmersmarket @30A

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OPENING SOON Book Your Escape   Have you heard? Camp Creek Inn is opening on July 12! Get ready to unwind in comfortable accommodations that blend elegance with a welcoming atmosphere and enjoy exclusive access to all of The Club’s luxurious amenities. Practice your game at Camp Creek Golf Course, known for its scenic fairways and well-maintained grounds, explore the sprawling pool complex or soak in the sun at the nearby Beach Club. 
Don`t wait to secure your spot, as availability is limited. Book now and get ready for an unforgettable getaway. #discover30a #watersoundbeachclub #watersoundbeach @watercolorinn @watersoundclub @thebeachgroup_

OPENING SOON Book Your Escape   Have you heard? Camp Creek Inn is opening on July 12! Get ready to unwind in comfortable accommodations that blend elegance with a welcoming atmosphere and enjoy exclusive access to all of The Club’s luxurious amenities. Practice your game at Camp Creek Golf Course, known for its scenic fairways and well-maintained grounds, explore the sprawling pool complex or soak in the sun at the nearby Beach Club. 
Don`t wait to secure your spot, as availability is limited. Book now and get ready for an unforgettable getaway. #discover30a #watersoundbeachclub #watersoundbeach @watercolorinn @watersoundclub @thebeachgroup_ ...

Happy Saturday! Let’s go play in the sand! ☀️🪣🌴 #discover30a #beachlife #saturday #sandcastle #getoutside #swim #paddle #yolo #sup

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U.S. 98 angles south easterly from Wayside Park in Pensascola across Pensacola Bay. Locals also referred to this span as "The Three Mile Bridge". Opened on October 31, 1960, this span was replaced by a new bridge in 2019. The 64 foot long segments of the former span were transported to the Escambia South-East Artificial Reef Site, located 7.6 miles from Pensacola Pass in the Gulf of Mexico. 1 12/07/07

U.S. 98 travels across the width of Florida, from the Alabama state line at Perdido Bay to SR A1A at Palm Beach along the Treasure Coast. Through the Panhandle, U.S. 98 constitutes the main route along the Emerald Coast, joining coastal cities and military installations east from Pensacola to Port St. Joe. U.S. 98 turns south from the Big Bend to the Nature Coast alongside U.S. 19.

U.S. 98 crosses the Florida Peninsula from Brooksville southeast to Lakeland, Bartow, Avon Park and Okeechobee. Circling the east side of Lake Okeechobee with U.S. 441, U.S. 98 enters Palm Beach County. The eastern leg bee lines from Belle Glade to West Palm Beach.

U.S. 98 Florida Guides

East / south.

• Escambia County
• Santa Rosa County
• Okaloosa County
• Walton County
• Gulf County
• Taylor County
• Dixie / Gilchrist Counties
• Levy County
• Citrus County
• Sugarmill Woods to Brooksville
• U.S. 98/SR 50 - Brooksville to Ridge Manor
• Ridge Manor to Dade City
• Pasco County
• Polk County
• U.S. 98/441 - Palm Beach County
• Southern Boulevard - Palm Beach County

West / North

• U.S. 27/98 - Sebring to Frostproof
• Hernando County
• Gilchrist / Dixie Counties

Prior to 1952, U.S. 98 was an intrastate highway, traveling only between Pensacola and Apalachicola. The route was extended southward to Palm Beach in 1955 and west to Mobile, Alabama and Natchez, Mississippi. 2 U.S. 98 is signed as an east-west route both from the Alabama line to Perry, and southeast from SR 76 at Port Mayaca. U.S. 98 between Okeechobee County and Taylor County is posted with north-south cardinal direction banners.

Within Northwest Florida, U.S. 98 joins Pensacola with Baldwin County, Alabama to the west and Gulf Breeze and Navarre to the east. This stretch includes the Pensacola Bay Bridge , where a $427 million project underway through mid-2021 Spring 2022 Fall 2022 constructs two new spans for U.S. 98 between Bayou Texar in Pensacola and Butcherpen Cove at Gulf Breeze. Work on the new eastbound bridge started in 2017. It opened to two-way traffic on September 8, 2019, at which time the 1960 span permanently closed. Demolition work ensued for the old span to make way for construction of the eventual westbound crossing.

The Pensacola Bay Bridge sustained heavy damage due to Hurricane Sally, which made landfall on September 16, 2020 with 105 MPH sustained winds at Gulf Shores, Alabama. 22 of the barges used for the equipment and construction of the new Pensacola Bay Bridges came loose during the storm, some of which collided with the completed span. Significant damage occurred and five of the spans needed replacement, with two others requiring partial replacing. 3 The Pensacola Bay Bridge remained closed while repair work continued. Four lanes of traffic was restored on June 17, 2021.

U.S. 98 straddles the Gulf of Mexico from Fort Walton Beach to Destin and Panama City Beach. Encircling Panama City east from the Hathaway Bridge, U.S. 98 turns south into Tyndall Air Force Base en route to the Forgotten Coast.

U.S. 98 runs directly along portions of the Gulf of Mexico, Apalachicola Bay and Saint George Sound through Gulf and Franklin Counties. Mirroring the coast line, U.S. 98 heads northward from Carrabelle to Wakulla County, passing well south of Tallahassee en route to Perry.

U.S. 98 combines with U.S. 19 and U.S. 27 Alternate south from Perry along a four lane corridor though the Nature Coast. The rural highway connects with Cross City, Old Town and Chiefland, where U.S. 27 Alternate branches east toward Williston. U.S. 19/98 remain paired southward across Levy County to Inglis.

U.S. 98 combines with U.S. 41 through Downtown Brooksville, and with SR 50 east to Ridge Manor in Hernando County. Part of a stair stepped route across the Florida Peninsula, U.S. 98 turns south and merges with U.S. 301 through Dade City in eastern Pasco County, before heading eastward again into Lakeland.

U.S. 98 joins U.S. 17 south from Bartow and SR 60 to Fort Meade. An independent segment leads the highway east from U.S. 17 to West Frostproof, where U.S. 98 combines with U.S. 27 south to Avon Park and Sebring. U.S. 98 turns east again along the north side of Lake Istokpoga along a rural course to Lorida, Basinger and Okeechobee.

U.S. 98 overlaps with U.S. 441 around the east periphery of Lake Okeechobee between the city of Okeechobee and Belle Glade. U.S. 98 previously separated from U.S. 441 at Canal Point, angling southeast along SR 700. The route was realigned due to poor pavement conditions and the narrow right of way along State Road 700.

Heading east into urban areas of Palm Beach County, U.S. 98 travels to Wellington, Royal Palm Beach and along Southern Boulevard across West Palm Beach. Southern Boulevard is an expressway from the east split with U.S. 441 at SR 7 to Interstate 95 near Palm Beach International Airport (PBI). The eastern extent constitutes an urban boulevard to Lake Worth and a causeway system to SR A1A in Palm Beach. Construction from April 2017 to early 2022 replaces the Intracoastal Waterway draw bridge and widens the causeway across Lake Worth.

U.S. 98 Auxiliary Routes

• Business - Escambia County
• Business - Panama City
• Alternate - Panama City Beach : decommissioned in 2006, signed now as SR 30 / CR 30.
• Business - Dade City: decommissioned in 2006, now locally maintained and unnumbered.

The Hathaway Bridge crosses St. Andrew Bay between Panama City Beach and Panama City in Bay County. 09/23/09

U.S. 98 State Roads

• State Road 298 SR 298 from the Alabama state line to Escambia County Road 297
• State Road 30 SR 30 from SR 298 / CR 297 to SR 292
• State Road 292 Signed overlap with SR 292 on Pace Boulevard west of Pensacola.
• State Road 10A SR 10A carries both U.S. 90/98 along Cervantes Street in Pensacola.
• State Road 289 SR 289 is the unsigned counterpart of U.S. 98 along Ninth Avenue in Pensacola.
• State Road 30A Back Beach Road through Panama City Beach, and around Panama City.
• State Road 61 SR 61 joins SR 30 between Ochlockonee Bay and Medart.
• State Road 55 SR 55 carries the overlap of U.S. 19/98 from Perry south to Homosassa Springs. Small segments of SR 500 exist alongside SR 55 in Fanning Springs
• State Road 700 SR 700 from Homosassa Springs southeast to Canal Point
• State Road 50A SR 50A joins SR 700 and SR 45 (when overlapped with U.S. 41) through Brooksville.
• State Road 50 SR 50 is the signed counterpart of U.S. 98 from Brooksville east to Ridge Manor.
• State Road 35 SR 35 joins U.S. 98 from Lacoochee southeast to Fort Meade with the exceptions of the Dade City bypass ( SR 533 ), the realignment at downtown Lakeland ( SR 548 ), and a segment of the Bartow bypass ( SR 555 ).
• State Road 25 SR 25 joins U.S. 98 along the U.S. 27 overlap (Frostproof to DeSoto City).
• State Road 70 SR 70 sees a signed overlap with U.S. 98 along NW Park Street in Okeechobee.
• State Road 15 SR 15 doubles with U.S. 441 along the overlap from Okeechobee to State Road 80 at Runyon.
• State Road 80 State Road 80 is the signed overlap for all of U.S. 98 east of SR 15 in Palm Beach County.
• "Pensacola Bay Bridge rubble forms new artificial reef near Pensacola Pass." Pensacola News Journal (FL), October 10, 2019.
• End of US highway 98. - US Ends.com
• "Demolitions begin at Pensacola Bay Bridge as FDOT looks to wrap up inspection." Pensacola News Journal (FL), September 28, 2020.
• 06/23/01 by AARoads.
• 12/21/03 by AARoads.
• 12/18/08 by AARoads.
• 04/19/09 by AARoads.
• 04/24/09 by AARoads.
• 06/27/09 by AARoads.
• 03/26/19 by AARoads.
• 07/02/19 by AARoads and JP Nasiatka.
• 10/23/19 by AARoads and JP Nasiatka.

Connect with: Interstate 4 Interstate 75 Interstate 95 Interstate 110 U.S. 19 U.S. 27 U.S. 29 U.S. 41 U.S. 90 U.S. 129 U.S. 221 U.S. 231 U.S. 301 U.S. 319 U.S. 331 U.S. 441 State Road 50 State Road 60 State Road 80

Page Updated 05-17-2024.

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Scenic Gulf Drive Formerly Old Highway 98

Destin's famed beach road & where to stay.

Home  >  Blog  >  Experience  >  Scenic Gulf Drive Formerly Old Highway 98

Posted on 3/18/2011

When Ocean Reef Resorts was established almost thirty years ago, it was very different here along the Emerald Coast.  At that time, everything along the pristine, jewel toned waters of the Gulf of Mexico here was considered Destin . This included not only the city itself but also the sprawling, spectacular sands in neighboring South Walton County and extended down towards Panama City Beach on what is now known as Scenic 30A. Villages like Harborwalk, Miramar Beach, Baytowne Wharf, Watercolor, Seaside, Watersound, Alys Beach, Seacrest and Rosemary Beach were yet to be built. It was all Destin back then. Emerald Coast Parkway was non-existent except for a short four lane link which heralded your approach to the new Sandestin Resort. Instead there was good Old Highway 98, a two lane road that went from east to west across the center of the peninsula until it crossed into present day Miramar Beach.   At this junction, across from present day Silver Sands, it curved down towards the beach and went along the coast all the way to Destin. This same two lane road is all that is left of Old 98 and due to the gorgeous gulf vistas it is now known officially as Scenic Gulf Drive . Ocean Reef manages a huge variety of beautiful private vacation homes and luxurious condominiums along this stretch. Due to its intrinsic beauty, Scenic Gulf Drive is now a second home to many of our Ocean Reef guests who periodically reside in these privately owned luxury high rise condos, cute cottages or beachfront mansions.

As you travel westward here from Emerald Coast Parkway , you are able to experience what it was like to travel on Highway 98 as a two lane road, before paradise was found and developed. Now, it's almost hard to believe that this two lane road was all that connected Destin east and west until the mid 1980s.

At the far eastern side of Scenic Gulf Drive is the Edgewater Beach Resort . This architectural treasure and monumental landmark resembles a docked luxury liner with sleek curved lines, wrap around balconies and open terraces that face the gulf. Edgewater is up lighted at night for dramatic effect which really highlights the ship-like shape. During the day you notice the plantings that hang down on each balcony giving it an almost "Hanging Gardens of Babylon" type feel.  The impressive design was cloned from an original design which actually sits on the French Riviera. The entire building embraces a tropical, lushly landscaped setting on the beach side with expansive lawns, clustered "islands" of palm trees, a Japanese Koi pond and two swimming pools.

As you continue westward from this point, there is a gentle rise to the top of an old sand dune which marks one of the highest points along the coast. Here you can see views of the beach all the way to Destin which is particularly dazzling when spectacular sunsets fill the entire sky with an abundance of translucent color. Immediately to the right is the awesome Amalfi Coast Condos . This popular resort sits on eight and one half beautifully landscaped acres with two large swimming pools which are accented by a natural lagoon. A long bridge connects across these waters to Scenic Gulf Drive where an old fashioned gazebo provides access to the 120 yards of beach frontage below.

Traveling down the rise of the dune continuing towards Destin you come to a newly landscaped and palm studded boardwalk with beach side parking. This sits across from the Majestic Sun which soars up like a giant sand castle of sorts with a magnificent arch connecting both sides of this upscale condominium tower. Under this spectacular arch is an indoor swimming pool with cathedral ceilings that shoot up three stories tall and an entire wall of glass that looks out onto the gulf beyond. You can literally swim out from this room to a waterfall that cascades down to the pool below. Here the spacious poolside terrace with two hot tubs offers views of the shimmering white beach and the emerald green waters that extend out towards the southern horizon.

Majestic Sun is a part of the Seascape Golf and Beach Resort which comprises over 300 acres of landscaped forest, natural lagoons, an eighteen hole golf course and a professional tennis complex. It features 2,000 linear feet of white quartz crystal beach, (that's over six football fields in length). A fun place for fish sandwiches and cold beverages is located at the end of this beach that is named "The Whale's Tail." The covered and open air dining on the outdoor deck is a great place to take in all of the beach action while watching volleyball games, water sports or the big waves rolling in on a windy day. This resort is also home to two towers, Ariel Dunes I and Ariel Dunes II . These luxury high rise buildings face the beach and are inspired by the kind of design you might see in Las Vegas. Each tower is completed with columned tops that look like miniature, ancient Greek or Roman temples. One faces south and the other southwest to take advantage of the awesome, sun splattered water views.  The Seascape Resort is also home to The Empress , a low occupancy condo building with oversized units. The Seascape seventy-one par golf course was designed by architect Joe Lee and meanders across exotic and unique coastal dune lakes with views of the gulf in the distance. The expansive grounds share additional large swimming pools and a nationally renowned tennis complex with a professional staff of instructors. Proceeding west from here you pass the enclaves of Maravilla and the palm rows marking Frangista Beach with beautiful single family residences of all sizes, designed in various styles. Further along you come to the gorgeous setting at Mediterrenea. This Tuscan styled building has a 3,000 square foot heated pool with a huge patio that overlooks the landscaped grounds, the gulf and a gazebo that connects to the beach below. Beyond this is Pompano Joe's Restaurant and another big boardwalk with an abundance of parking and beach access. This rustic, funky restaurant specializes in fresh fish dishes and is perched on a dune that offers gorgeous water vistas and a beach side bar below. Another restaurant further down Scenic Gulf Drive is Captain Dave's which sits next to the Okaloosa/Walton County line. This popular spot is an original and was the first seafood restaurant to have been built here when nothing else was around. They specialize in a "Choose Two" combo of delicious fresh seafood dishes.

Continuing down the road you arrive in the residential vacation community of Crystal Beach . There are lots of quaint looking cottages here along with their large beach front brethren. Most of these rentals are designed reminiscent of old Florida styled homes, many with a Victorian look. These homes usually have picket fences, breezy front porches and lots of architectural detailing. There are also upscale condominiums like The Inn at Crystal Beach where suites look out over the gulf and are right on the beach. Two more restaurants can be found here. The newly opened 790 on the Gulf is at the inn itself and serves everything from seafood to comfort food. Their unusual menu includes tuna steaks, crab cakes, shrimp, meat loaf and fried chicken along with a variety of gumbos. A little further down you have Camille's which has an elegant Italian interior along with outdoor dining on a covered deck. It is owned by local resident Charles Morgan who originated the ever popular Harbor Docks in Destin. Camille's is named after his mother and features savory pizza, BBQ shrimp, fried green tomatoes and even sushi. Ocean Reef Resorts is very pleased to be able to offer so many fine vacation rental properties along this stretch of Old 98, now known as Scenic Gulf Drive . Our private residential selections include everything from sleek high rise luxury towers or gulf front Mediterranean mansions to cozy, Florida styled beach cottages. Some of our guests have been coming here for years, even before the four lane was completed. One thing has never changed. Highway 98 always was and still is a "scenic gulf drive" along this route. No wonder it is so aptly named.

Keep reading: Scenic Gulf Drive Vacation Homes

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The perfect road trip through florida.

By Gary McKechnie  

I’ve just completed a 3,000-mile plus road trip in Florida and as I’m drifting along on the open road, I’ve heard that the feeling I have is similar to what a runner feels when they’re not really aware that they’re running. A “flow experience,” they say. A good road trip in Florida is one of the most wonderful things you can do because it satisfies so many needs. Every moment you are out of the routine you are discovering something new. Whether it’s an old home on the side of the road, a diner you never knew existed, an orange grove that is perfumed by blossoms, a natural attraction, or a well-timed sunset, when you’re on the road you are really alive. There are about 120 blogs and articles tagged with ‘driving tours’ at VISIT FLORIDA's offical Travel Ideas section. I’m sure you have some favorites of your own. On my Q&A page which is usually seen by new visitors, and not locals (which is why I’m sharing it here) I point out a few of my favorites that include:

• Route 399 southeast of downtown Pensacola , which is a 15-mile seaside drive along the Gulf Islands National Seashore.
• I love Highway 98 that hugs the Gulf Coast past Fort Walton Beach and Destin before Highway 30A follows the water all the way to Panama City Beach.
• Interstate 10 is a big road – the one that took the traffic from lovely Highway 90 and left it free and clear as you discover the quiet towns and hills of Western Florida.
• Few places on earth rival the beauty of Florida’s Atlantic Coast , and few roads are as dependable as A1A between St. Augustine and Daytona Beach. Low and level and with lovely views of the Atlantic Ocean.
• North of Eustis Highway 19 kicks off a run through the Ocala National Forest to take you to its natural springs and hiking trails.
• South of Haines City, Road 27 is a great road to take when you’re heading south since it slips past wonderful small towns like Lake Placid and by Sebring and Lake Wales. True Old Florida towns.

Even if gas is expensive, you should invest in the best road trip in Florida that you can take. It’s an investment that will more than repay you.

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Is Moscow Safe? Crime Rates & Safety Report

On Feb. 24, 2022, Russia invaded its neighbor country Ukraine, starting a war between these two countries.

This act of invasion caused many Ukrainians to flee their country and seek shelter in places like Poland, Hungary, Slovakia, etc…

At this time, we recommend no travel to Russia or Ukraine, or any neighboring countries for your own safety.

Russia : Safety by City

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Moscow, the capital of Russia, is a political, scientific, historical, architectural and business center of this huge country.

It’s one of the most visited places in Russia, and for good reason.

The best-known parts of Russia are concentrated precisely in the urban areas and cities like Moscow and Saint Petersburg.

Moscow’s history attracts the most tourists, as they are fascinated by it is a surreal and sometimes brutal but nevertheless thrilling and jaw-dropping national story.

In this city, visited by 17 million tourists annually, the history, told in its numerous museums, some of which are the world’s greatest, interacts with modernity.

For example, in the Garden of Fallen Monuments (Fallen Monument Park), you can see entire clusters of modern art contrasting with the very non-conceptual Communist monuments.

• Warnings & Dangers in Moscow

OVERALL RISK: MEDIUM

Generally speaking, Moscow today is safe as much as other cities in Europe, despite its problematic history with criminal activity in the 90s. However, if you’re planning on traveling to Moscow, keep in mind that you should always keep your guard up and remain aware of your surroundings, just in case.

TRANSPORT & TAXIS RISK: LOW

Generally speaking, transportation in Moscow is safe, but you should bear in mind that kidnappings have been known to happen, mostly in unlicensed taxis, so be careful when hailing one on the streets. Keep in mind that the most dangerous areas where small crime tends to occur are the underground walkways, called “perekhods”. Only use official services like Yandex Taxi, Uber or Gett taxi.

PICKPOCKETS RISK: HIGH

Pickpocketing is very common in Moscow, and surprisingly it is mostly performed by groups of children. Pay attention to your belongings, don’t leave them in plain sight and be especially careful in crowded places like stations or near tourist attractions.

NATURAL DISASTERS RISK: LOW

Moscow isn’t particularly susceptible to natural disasters. Some blizzards and snowstorms are possible during winter which can affect the traffic and delay your flights. During winter, be prepared to face the below-freezing temperatures.

MUGGING RISK: MEDIUM

The situation improved drastically when it comes to kidnappings and muggings. Generally, never accept free drinks or food when you’re in a club or a bar. Drink spiking and then attacking and robbing the victim have been reported on numerous occasions.

TERRORISM RISK: HIGH

After the recent terrorist attack in the subway in St. Petersburg the probability of this situation happening again in Moscow is very high.

SCAMS RISK: HIGH

There are many scams in Moscow, usually performed by children trying to distract you and then steal some money from you. Never talk to strange kids on the street. Also, you should avoid playing street gambling games.

WOMEN TRAVELERS RISK: LOW

Women are generally safe in Moscow, though you should avoid finding yourself alone in clubs or bars, and of course, apply all normal precaution measures like avoiding remote and poorly lit streets and areas.

• So... How Safe Is Moscow Really?

Moscow experienced a rise when it came to crime rates during the 1990s.

Violent crime, as well as petty crime and scams,  had increased, but the biggest part of the violence was within the criminal groups themselves, and it didn’t affect foreigners that much.

However, it decreased since the 90s, so right now, for tourists, Moscow isn’t more dangerous than any other European city, it’s even less so.

The crime rate in Moscow is fairly lower than one in New York, London or Paris, so you should feel safe here.

Also, you can count on the officials to be uncorrupted – don’t ever try to bribe them: you will be charged with bribery.

Bear in mind that if you are a member of the LGBT community, there is no reason to avoid Moscow altogether but you should refrain from any public displays of affection.

As of June 2013, “homosexual propaganda to minors” is prohibited, which means that any discussion of gay rights or homosexuality issues in the presence of minors is punishable by law.

While you walk around Moscow, you might encounter police officials that may demand to see your papers to check if you have been registered within 7 business days of your arrival into Moscow.

You shouldn’t have any problems with this, because if you stay in a hotel then you are automatically registered and will be handed a confirmation paper.

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Most countries do need a visa to enter Russia, and if you’re a U.S. citizen you must possess both a valid U.S. passport and a bona fide visa issued by a Russian Embassy or Consulate. None of the nationals that do need a visa can acquire one upon arrival, so make sure you apply for your visa in advance. If you are not sure about your visa status, visit www.doyouneedvisa.com which will let you know whether or not you need visa based on your nationality and the country you want to visit.

The Russian ruble is the official currency in Moscow. ATMs are widespread throughout the country and credit cards are accepted everywhere.

Moscow has a highly continental influenced climate characterized by warm to hot and dry summers and extremely cold, freezing winters with temperatures as low as -30°C – sometimes even lower, with heavy snowfall.

Sheremetyevo International Airport is the Russian busiest international airport. It is located in Molzhaninovsky District, Northern Administrative Okrug, in Moscow, about 29 km northwest of central Moscow.

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Just like anywhere else, we advise getting travel insurance when traveling to Moscow, because it would cover not only medical problems but also theft and loss of valuables.

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9 Reviews on Moscow

That's just not true.

The person who wrote the text obviously have never been in Moscow and in Russia at all. This is ridiculous. Even about pickpocketing, the risk at most is medium, mugging is zero in historical places but is pretty high in sleeping quarters

Your rating is only two stars for safety though? So I am confused. Are you rating the article to be in poor taste?

I went to Moscow in 2021. I enjoyed the trip. I felt there were “unsafe areas” so I avoided them. So long as you know where you are going and don’t insult the locals, you should be fine.

51% safe?! Is this out of date?

Moscow and Russia in general are MUCH SAFER than Paris or London, yet those latter are more than 15 points ahead?!

Hell, it’s even admitted in the above text: “Moscow isn’t more dangerous than any other European city, IT’S EVEN LESS SO.” Yeah, you bet! And then: “the crime rate in Moscow is fairly lower than one in New York, London or Paris, so you should feel safe here.” So why the low rating? I don’t get it.

Also, the latest terrorist attack in Moscow happened in 2010… so how can you honestly say that the risk is still “high”? Especially for the fact Russia is very much on the edge when it comes to fighting terrorism domestically and over the world.

Sure, it might not be ideal everywhere in Moscow, but it’s WAY SAFER than in Paris, especially at night. You just can’t go out in Paris after the evening anymore, in most areas (I got assaulted for no reason at Châtelet-les-Halles and taking the RER train at dark is becoming more and more risky)… while in Moscow, chances are that you’ll see girls in miniskirts walking home while quietly singing. Or maybe you’ll stumble upon some gorgeous lady asking you for a lighter and then giving you her number for a coffee the next day. So very dangerous!

I sense a serious bias, here. Is it because of that LGBT thing? Could you pick a more extreme case? Yeah, you can totally be gay in Russia, just be so in private. There even are transsexuals, but this is a traditional and respectable country, so you should respect their choice of not publicizing various sexual lifestyles.

Moscow and Saint Petersburg are safe

Moscow and Saint Petersburg are very safe in my opinion! I’ve been to both cities visiting family! There are so many people out on the streets and on public transportation- I felt very safe! You need to change your ratings!!

Any update on Covid-19 to visit Moscow

I visited 118 country and Moscow one of the safest city I have been, st Petersburg as well, I read this article hoping to find any update on covid-19 restrictions upon arrival, so if anyone can update I’m planning to visit Moscow again but I need to know if quarentain is required or mandatory, anyone can share, cheers.

In Russia nobody cares, masks off. I dont know if fiew thousands of infected per day are high for you though. I was never arrested for not wearing mask, but you have to have it on you. Sometimes cops ask to put mask, you just do that and everything ok, some shops can refuse to do service if you dont have mask. I assume they pressured by boss, so just put on mask, they can give you gloves and dont cause any problems.

Written by someone who never visited Russia

A veer biased review. Moscow or St. Petersburg for being such brilliant truly cosmopolitan cities are extremely safe. Pickpocketing in Russia?! By children?! Who wrote this? Clearly by someone who has never been to the great country of Russia.

Have never been there. But wish me well

Bias review, Moscow is much safer than that!

This review is so bias and just wrong! First of all apart from being a political, scientific and etc center, it is an absolutely beautiful city and a very culturally rich city. For tourists there’s a huge range of delicious food, amazing shopping, a lot of cultural activities, and all sorts of entertainment. I’ve travelled there in December 2019, and most of the time I spent walking around and exploring by myself, be it during day time or night, nothing happened to me once. I mostly used subways and sometimes taxi, both safe. Just have a common sense when it comes to safety and you’ll be fine. You need to travel there at least once in a lifetime, it’s a completely different experience and it’s a beautiful one, NOT a communistic terrorist epicenter as some describe it to be.

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Article Contents

• Moscow : Safety by City
• Overall Risk
• Transport & Taxis Risk
• Pickpockets Risk
• Natural Disasters Risk
• Mugging Risk
• Terrorism Risk
• Women Travelers Risk
• Weather Averages (Temperatures)
• User Reviews
• Share Your Experience

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Russia Travel Advisory

Travel advisory september 5, 2023, russia - level 4: do not travel.

Updated to remove COVID-specific information and the kidnapping risk indicator as well as updates to security risks.

Do not travel to Russia due to the unpredictable consequences of the  unprovoked full-scale invasion of Ukraine by Russian military forces , the potential for  harassment and the singling out of U.S. citizens for detention by Russian government security officials , the  arbitrary enforcement of local law ,  limited flights into and out of Russia , the  Embassy’s limited ability to assist U.S. citizens in Russia , and the possibility of  terrorism .  U.S. citizens residing or travelling in Russia should depart immediately.  Exercise increased caution due to  the risk of wrongful detentions.

The U.S. government’s ability to provide routine or emergency services to U.S. citizens in Russia is severely limited, particularly in areas far from the U.S. Embassy in Moscow, due to Russian government limitations on travel for embassy personnel and staffing, and the ongoing suspension of operations, including consular services, at U.S. consulates.

There have been numerous reports of drone attacks, explosions, and fires in areas in Western and Southern Russia, particularly near the Russian border with Ukraine, as well as in Moscow and St. Petersburg. In the event of an emergency, U.S. citizens should follow instructions from local authorities and seek shelter immediately.

In September 2022, the Russian government mobilized citizens to the armed forces in support of its invasion of Ukraine. Russia may refuse to acknowledge dual nationals’ U.S. citizenship, deny their access to U.S. consular assistance, subject them to mobilization, prevent their departure from Russia, and/or conscript them. 

U.S. citizens should note that U.S. credit and debit cards no longer work in Russia, and options to electronically transfer funds from the United States are extremely limited due to sanctions imposed on Russian banks. There are reports of cash shortages within Russia.

Commercial flight options are extremely limited and are often unavailable on short notice. If you wish to depart Russia, you should make independent arrangements as soon as possible. The U.S. Embassy has severe limitations on its ability to assist U.S. citizens to depart the country and transportation options may suddenly become even more limited. Click  here  for Information for U.S. Citizens Seeking to Depart Russia.

U.S. Embassy personnel are generally not permitted to travel on Russian air carriers due to safety concerns.  The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) downgraded the air safety rating for Russia from Category 1 to Category 2 on April 21, 2022, due to Russia’s Federal Agency for Air Transport noncompliance with International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) safety standards.  The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has issued a Notice to Air Missions (NOTAM) prohibiting U.S. aviation operations into, out of, within, or over those areas of the Moscow Flight Information Region (FIR), the Samara FIR (UWWW) and the Rostov-na-Donu (URRV) FIR within 160NM of the boundaries of the Dnipro (UKDV) Flight Information Regions. For more information, U.S. citizens should consult the  Federal Aviation Administration’s Prohibitions, Restrictions, and Notices .

The right of peaceful assembly and freedom of expression are not consistently protected in Russia. U.S. citizens should avoid all political or social protests and not photograph security personnel at these events. Russian authorities have arrested U.S. citizens who have participated in demonstrations and there are numerous reports Russian nationals have been detained for social media activity. 

Country Summary:

U.S. citizens, including former and current U.S. government and military personnel and private citizens engaged in business who are visiting or residing in Russia, have been interrogated without cause and threatened by Russian officials, and may become victims of harassment, mistreatment, and extortion. 

Russian security services may fail to notify the U.S. Embassy of the detention of a U.S. citizen and unreasonably delay U.S. consular assistance. Russian security services are increasing the arbitrary enforcement of local laws to target foreign and international organizations they consider “undesirable.”

Russian security services have arrested U.S. citizens on spurious charges, singled out U.S. citizens in Russia for detention and harassment, denied them fair and transparent treatment, and convicted them in secret trials or without presenting credible evidence. Furthermore, Russian authorities arbitrarily enforce local laws against U.S. citizen religious workers and have opened questionable criminal investigations against U.S. citizens engaged in religious activity. U.S. citizens should avoid travel to Russia to perform work for or volunteer with non-governmental organizations or religious organizations.

There have been multiple security incidents in southwestern Russia related to Russia’s unprovoked and unjustified invasion of Ukraine. The Russian government declared martial law in Russia’s regions bordering Ukraine (Bryansk, Kursk, Belgorod, Voronezh, Rostov, Krasnodar) on October 20, 2022. The martial law regime allows the rapid introduction of restrictive measures such as curfew, seizure of private property, restriction of entry/exit and freedom of movement, internment of foreigners, forced relocation of local residents, and restrictions on public gatherings. U.S. citizens should avoid all travel to these areas.

Recent legislation has expanded the ability of Russian authorities to detain, question, and arrest individuals suspected of acting against Russia’s interests, including posts on personal social media accounts, engaging with foreign and international entities, discrediting the Russian state or military, as well as advocating for the rights of LGBTQI+ persons.

Terrorist groups, both transnational and local terrorist organizations, and individuals inspired by extremist ideology continue plotting possible attacks in Russia. Terrorists may attack with little or no warning, targeting tourist locations, transportation hubs and systems, markets/shopping malls, local government facilities, hotels, clubs, restaurants, places of worship, parks, major sporting and cultural events, educational institutions, airports, and other public areas. Travel to the North Caucasus (including Chechnya and Mt. Elbrus) is prohibited for U.S. government employees and strongly discouraged for U.S. citizens.

The international community, including the United States and Ukraine, does not recognize Russia’s purported annexation of Crimea as well as four other Ukrainian oblasts – Donetsk, Luhansk, Kherson, and Zaporizhzhya – that Russia has purported to annex more recently. There is extensive Russian Federation military presence in these areas. Russia staged its further invasion of Ukraine, in part, from occupied Crimea, and Russia is likely to take further military actions in Crimea, and the four other Ukrainian oblasts are the subject of intensive fighting. There are continuing abuses against foreigners and the local population by the occupation authorities in these regions, particularly against those who are seen as challenging Russia’s authority.

The U.S. Embassy in Kyiv continues to provide consular services to U.S. citizens in Crimea as well as four other Ukrainian oblasts partially occupied by Russia – Donetsk, Luhansk, Kherson, and Zaporizhzhya, although the ongoing conflict severely restricts the Embassy’s ability to provide services in these areas.

Read the  country information page  for additional information on travel to Russia.

If you decide to travel to Russia:

• Familiarize yourself with the information on  what the U.S. government can and cannot do to assist you in a crisis overseas .
• Have a contingency plan in place that does not rely on U.S. government assistance. Review the  Traveler’s Checklist .
• Monitor local and international media for breaking events and adjust your contingency plans based on the new information.
• Ensure travel documents are valid and easily accessible.
• Visit our website for  Travel to High-Risk Areas .
• Enroll in the  Smart Traveler Enrollment Program (STEP)  to receive Alerts and make it easier to locate you in an emergency.
• Follow the Department of State on  Facebook  and  Twitter .
• Review the  Country Security Report  for Russia.
• Visit the CDC page for the latest  Travel Health Information  related to your travel.

Travel Advisory Levels

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Southern California hotel workers ratify new contracts, ending strikes for some

A fter months spent on and off the picket lines, employees at about three dozen Southern California hotels, including some of Los Angeles' most high-end properties, voted this weekend to approve new contracts that deliver higher wages for thousands of housekeepers, cooks and other workers.

The deal brings a partial end to a labor dispute that has roiled the local hotel industry since last summer, when workers at about 60 hotels launched a strategy of intermittent strikes to protest wages and work conditions. The contracts approved this weekend cover only 34 of those hotels.

The overwhelming approval of the four-year agreements — 98% of votes were in favor of them — was announced Monday by Unite Here Local 11, the union representing the workers.

The contracts, which cover luxury hotels such as the Beverly Hilton and the Waldorf Astoria, include an almost immediate raise of $5 per hour for workers who don't typically earn tips, including front desk clerks, dishwashers and housekeepers. Those workers will see a total hourly wage boost of $10 over the course of the contract that expires in January 2028.

Under the terms of the agreements, hotels will also increase pension contributions and investments in healthcare, the union said.

Labor leaders trumpeted the deal as an unmitigated win.

“The agreement — we are using the term ‘life-changing,’ because it truly is — is 50 pages of total victory, from affordable health insurance to probably the best pension for service workers in the country,” said Kurt Petersen, co-president of Unite Here Local 11, in an interview. “The real game changer is the wages. We said this about people being able to afford to live where they work, and we’ve taken an enormous stride to enable people to do that.”

The ratified contracts formalize tentative deals, many of which were inked in the closing months of last year and earlier this year.

Major hotel brands praised those earlier agreements.

Michael D’Angelo, Hyatt Hotels Corp.’s head of labor relations overseeing the Americas, said in an emailed statement Monday that he was "pleased to share" that the agreement had been ratified. He said the terms of the agreement for Hyatt properties offer competitive wages and benefits, including a pension, as well as comprehensive healthcare coverage.

“Our purpose is to care for people so they can be their best. Our colleagues are the heart of our business, and their well-being continues to remain a top priority,” D’Angelo said.

When announcing tentative agreements with the union in December for workers at the Beverly Hilton, Waldorf Astoria Beverly Hills and Hilton Anaheim, Hilton spokesperson Karla Visconti said the company welcomed the end of negotiations and looked "forward to continuing to welcome our guests with our signature hospitality.”

Hilton representatives did not immediately respond to a request for comment about details of the contracts revealed by the union Monday and the ratification vote.

With construction underway on another high-end hotel — the Aman Beverly Hills, between the Waldorf Astoria and the Beverly Hilton — union officials said that as part of the agreement, workers there will also be represented by Unite Here Local 11.

Hotel workers have said their pay hasn’t kept pace with soaring housing costs, and as a result, many have been displaced from neighborhoods near their workplaces and forced into long commutes. In sometimes contentious contract negotiations, the union initially demanded a $5 immediate hourly wage increase and a $3 boost each subsequent year of the three-year contract, for a total of $11. At a bargaining session in September, the union slightly lowered that proposal, to $10.50.

The terms of the 4½-year collective bargaining agreement are close to those initial demands, with non-tipped workers receiving a retroactive $2.50 hourly pay boost beginning Sept. 1, 2023; another $2.50 boost beginning April 1; a $1 bump at the start of 2025; another $1 bump Jan. 1, 2026; and additional $1 bumps every six months after that, totaling $10 over the course of the contract.

Housekeepers, called "room attendants," will earn $35 per hour, or $73,000 per year, at most hotels by July 1, 2027. Top cooks will earn $41 per hour, or $85,000 per year, the union said.

Doormen, restaurant servers and other workers who typically receive tips won't see the same hourly wage boosts over the course of the contract but won economic improvements that include double pay for holidays and higher pay for vacation and sick days. Full-service restaurants will charge an automatic 20% gratuity that will be split among staff, union officials said.

The contracts prohibit hotels from using E-Verify, a federal system used to check work eligibility of employees, as a way to protect immigrants working in the country without papers.

“We are pleased that Unite Here has finally ratified the agreements,” said Peter Hillan, a spokesperson for the California Hotel and Lodging Assn., an industry group. “Having our employees under contract so they can return to serving guests is good news for everybody.”

Under the agreement, hotels agreed to remove any disciplinary write-ups workers received in connection to their strike actions and to remedy related charges of unfair labor practices filed by the union with the National Labor Relations Board. Union officials said hundreds of workers had been subject to some sort of discipline. About seven workers who had been fired from hotels will be reinstated, said Petersen, the union's co-president.

Workers gathered in rooms at various hotels beginning Thursday to cast their votes. 

At the Beverly Hilton around lunchtime on Friday, Jordan Rodarte listened intently to union stewards presenting terms of the contract.

Rodarte is among a small group of spa workers at the Waldorf Astoria who recently joined Unite Here Local 11 after finding themselves losing income last year when other workers went on strike.

“We had no guests coming to the spa,” Rodarte said. “Each day, the director was calling us, saying, 'Don’t come into work.'

“That really started a fire in us, because as spa workers, we provide this luxury service, and now we’re running out of work, and we’re not getting paid,” he said. “We looked at it as, ‘We deserve raises too.’”

Rolando Garcia, 48, who has worked as a food runner at the Waldorf Astoria for six years, commutes to Beverly Hills from Orange County. He said he’s glad the deal secures gains for workers, especially with ongoing construction of another luxury hotel next door.

“It’s very difficult to live in Los Angeles with the cost of living going up and up and up,” Garcia said. Hotel companies "are getting tax breaks and everything. It’s not fair that only they get the benefit in the long run.”

But strikes continue at dozens of other hotels — including the Hotel Figueroa, Hotel Maya and Doubletree Downtown Los Angeles — where tentative agreements and formal contracts remain elusive.

Last week, workers at Proper Santa Monica, Hotel June, San Pedro Doubletree and Proper Downtown Los Angeles walked off the job. The strike lasted several days.

Over the course of the contract campaign, Petersen and other union officials have said their demands are crucial protection as Los Angeles gears up to host the World Cup in 2026 and the Summer Olympics in 2028. Petersen said some brands pushed to extend the contract expiration date in an effort to avert labor unrest around the Olympics, but the union declined. 

Arturo Hueso, a housekeeper at the Fairmont Miramar in Santa Monica for about 30 years, said at a Monday-morning news conference to announce the results of the contract ratification vote that the union's push for affordable health insurance is particularly important to him, as he was diagnosed with cancer in 2020. Regarding his medical treatment, Hueso said he "didn't pay a penny."

Hueso and other workers who spoke said they will keep showing up to protests to support workers at hotels who have not yet secured contracts. "We will not give up," he said.

This story originally appeared in Los Angeles Times .

More Than 98 Percent of Costa Rica’s Energy is Renewable—Here’s How

This central American country has an ambitious plan to reach climate neutrality by 2050.

Each year, thousands of people flock to Costa Rica’s northern highlands to enjoy the country’s largest landlocked waterbody: Lake Arenal. Situated beneath the majestic Arena Volcano and surrounded by lush, forested hillsides and pasture lands, its 33-square miles of blue waters are frequented by kayakers, paddleboarders, and wind surfers. And while the lake has been a natural treasure for many millions of years, it wasn’t always quite as large. During the 1970s, the Costa Rican Institute of Electricity constructed Presa Sangregado Dam at the lake’s western end, tripling Lake Arenal's size while also creating a renewable energy source powerful enough to generate 12 percent of the country’s electrical power.  

 In Costa Rica, sustainability is a way of life. The country has long been a pioneer in protecting its plentiful natural resources, including its biodiverse cloud forests and rainforests, golden and black sand beaches, and active volcanoes’ vibrant ecosystems. Today, it's on a mission to become the first carbon neutral country on the planet. With renewable energy sources already making up nearly 93 percent of Costa Rica’s electricity, the country is well on the way to reaching that goal. 

How Are They Doing It?   

At just 19,730 square-miles, Costa Rica is roughly the size of West Virginia. Despite its relatively small footprint, the country’s high concentration of rivers, dams, and volcanoes provide a plethora of renewable energy resources.   

After the end of Costa Rica’s civil war in the late 1940s, the country abolished its army, opting to invest its budget instead on environmental conservation, education, and health. Around the same time, its government created the Costa Rican Electricity Institute to tap into its renewable natural resources, diversifying between green energy technologies like geothermal energy—deriving power from heat beneath the earth’s surface—as well as wind power, solar power and the use of biomass, a renewable organic material that comes from plants and animals.   

However, Costa Rica’s ample waterways and high volume of annual rainfall has made hydropower the country’s obvious choice when it comes to renewable energy. In fact, electricity harnessed from moving water makes up more than half of the country’s overall energy output. 

In 2019, Costa Rica launched its National Decarbonization Plan which aims to make the country carbon neutral by 2050, meaning the country won’t produce more carbon emissions than it can offset. The ambitious plan includes a combination of mid- and long-term targets poised at reforming transportation, energy, waste, and land use. For example: despite the country’s electricity system being almost entirely generated from renewable energy, public transportation still accounts for approximately 40 percent of Costa Rica’s climate-changing emissions. Costa Rica’s goal is to transfer 70 percent of public buses and taxis to clear air alternatives, like electricity, by 2035, and make them entirely emission-free by 2050.

 The National Decarbonization Plan also includes initiatives to develop integrated, low greenhouse gas emission systems to collect, separate, reuse and dispose of waste by 2025. The country has already banned the sale and free distribution of single-use plastic straws and bags, with exceptions for reusable and biodegradable bags. Although these latter bags can be plastic, they must be certified for low environmental impact and cannot be single-use.   

 By the 1980s, Costa Rica had lost somewhere between a half and a third of its trees to loggers and agriculture. However, thanks to a successful reforestation program—which includes a Payment for Environmental Services Program , providing financial incentives to farmers or landowners who engage in activities like agroforestry and planting tree farms—and forests now cover nearly 60 percent of the country. The country’s Decarbonization plan calls for maintaining this percentage and even increasing it by 2050.   

Costa Rica's Other Sustainable Development Initiatives  

Ecotourism is an essential aspect of Costa Rica’s sustainability initiatives. In fact, according to the country’s tourism board, nearly two-thirds of the three million people that visit Costa Rica every year do so because of its natural offerings. Whether it’s by hiking among the lush greenery of the Monteverde Cloud Forest Reserve , seeking out howler monkeys and two-toed sloths, or riding horseback on the slopes of Arenal Volcano , overlooking the lake of the same name, ecotourists play a big role in preserving the country’s natural resources as well. By experiencing the beauty of a red macaw in the wild or seeing a tree frog up close, visitors are more apt to want to engage in their own conversation efforts. This might mean something as simple as keeping to marked trails and giving wildlife a wide berth or supporting a local non-profit with the rescue and rehabilitation of sea turtles.   

Costa Rica is home to about six percent of the planet’s land-based and marine life biodiversity. It also boasts nearly a half-a-million acres of protected land, including 29 national parks, 19 wildlife refuges, 8 biological reserves. These include places like Tortuguero National Park , a remote stretch of tropical rainforest, swamps and beaches, and Santa Rosa National Park , which protects some of the last remaining tropical dry forest in the world—one that’s brimming with wildlife such as tapirs, jaguars, and white-nosed coatimundis.  

The country’s dedication to sustainability extends to community-led initiatives, such as locally run ecolodges and fair-trade coffee farms, as well as industry. In 2018, Costa Rica joined the Wellbeing Economy Alliance , a collaboration of organizations, alliances, movements, and individuals worldwide, all working toward an economy that puts human and ecological well-being first. This includes attracting multinational companies that prioritize sustainability, like US-based medical device company Boston Scientific , and global tech innovator IBM .   

A Green Initiative Pioneer  

When it comes to sustainability, Costa Rica is a global model for everything from investment to ecotourism. Still, it’s the country’s commitment to renewable energy that’s leading the charge.

Explore Costa Rica's Sustainability Initiatives Learn More

The Editorial Staff of Smithsonian magazine had no role in this content's preparation.

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Is it possible to visit Russia as a tourist right now? (Q&A)

Who can enter Russia as a tourist?

At present, people from 80 countries can enter Russia. There are two main conditions: first, one must be a citizen of that country or have a permanent residence permit; and second - one needs to enter Russia by plane. The primary document that regulates entry during the coronavirus pandemic is Order no. 635-r (March 16, 2020), which is regularly updated. 

Some of the countries on the list include the United States, Britain, Greece, Germany, Tunisia, Israel, Japan, Armenia, Qatar, Portugal, Mexico, Croatia, Belgium, China, France, Denmark, New Zealand, Iran, Peru, Norway and Argentina. Click here for the full list. 

In the meantime, any country with which Russia currently has a travel agreement can serve as the port of departure (however, the transit country must be on the above list).

What type of visa is required?

Those who already have a valid Russian visa - and citizens of the above countries - can enter Russia using that visa. Those who do require a visa can submit their documents at the Russian consulate in their home country.

What is still not possible at this point is obtaining a unified electronic visa (a type of visa that is valid for up to 16 days, takes only four days to process and does not require submitting any documents relating to the purpose of visit). Therefore, in order to receive a regular tourist visa (valid up to six months) it is necessary to have a confirmed accommodation booking or an agreement with a travel agency.

Is a COVID test required?

Yes, PCR tests must be performed no earlier than 48 hours before arriving in Russia. The results must be printed in Russian or English (this is required even if you received a Sputnik-V vaccine shot). If you’re flying with children, they, too, must obtain a test, irrespective of age. And a form for arrivals must be filled in before entering the country.

Who is not affected by the rules? 

These restrictions don’t apply to foreigners with a valid Russian residence permit or those with close relatives. They can enter Russia from any country using any means of transportation, including by land.

They also do not apply to partially recognized republics of Abkhazia and South Ossetia, as well as citizens of Belarus (or those with Belarusian permanent residence permits), Kazakhstan and citizens of the Donetsk and Lugansk national republics. Entering by land is also possible when traveling from Mongolia or China. 

Furthermore, if Eurasian Economic Union citizens cross over by land, they don’t have to submit a coronavirus test or fill out the arrivals form. 

Is vaccination required? 

No. The QR codes required for visiting public gatherings before spring (including cafes, bars, hotels, etc.) are no longer required in the majority of regions. The same goes for various other COVID restrictions: regions have the final say, but almost all have been lifted.

What about masks?

Masks are also no longer a requirement. However, some regions still require people to wear masks in some places, including stores, pharmacies, shopping malls, movie theaters and so on. In Moscow, the rule on masks has been completely lifted, while, for example, in Kaliningrad, some places still enforce them. 

Are there any quarantine regulations in place?

No, you will not be required to quarantine on arrival to Russia. However, if you get sick in Russia, you will have to be quarantined for a period of seven days at your own expense. Those who have come in contact with infected people do not require quarantining (provided they did not contract the coronavirus). 

Important! In many countries, there are still restrictions on LEAVING for the purpose of tourism, so having a Russian visa does not guarantee you will get permission to leave your country. This must be clarified before making any trips.

The information listed here is valid as of June 1, 2022. 

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