Many of us are looking for the biggest and the boldest in our vacations, something that our friends haven't done or that will make for great stories when we get home. One option is Lake Okeechobee in Florida, which is the largest lake in the U.S. after Lake Michigan.

Lake Okeechobee is 750 square miles of beautiful water and sandy beaches. With nine islands and divided into five counties, you could spend three weeks here and never do everything available in the area. In fact, many Florida families (and people from all over the U.S.) spend their summers here.

One of the most attractive things about Lake Okeechobee is the wildlife. If you suffer from a debilitating fear of alligators, for example, this probably isn't the vacation spot for you. It is also home to a wide range of birds, fish, insects, plants and rodents. If you enjoy taking pictures of animals, you'd better bring your favorite camera.

Called the "Big O" by locals, Lake Okeechobee serves several small towns and villages where fishing is the largest attraction for tourists. From speckled perch to catfish, there is always something on the end of the fishing line, and camp grounds offer numerous outdoor fire pits on which to grill your catch.

You should also take time to visit the Ah-Tah-Thi-Ki Museum, which celebrates the Seminole American Indian tribe through ancient artifacts and finds. They have plenty of hands-on events, including a nature walk through the swamp, and kids will enjoy it just as much as their parents.

When you visit Lake Okeechobee, make sure to pack a pair of high-quality hiking shoes, such as the Timberland Sandowns, which come with Gore-Tex membranes for dry, comfortable feet while walking. You'll also want to bring jeans or long pants for hiking through tall grasses.

Make sure that your visit to Lake Okeechobee includes plenty of boat rides across the water, a few hours of lounging by the shore with a good book, and at least a day of antique shopping in Clewiston, one of the most popular lakeside towns. The best times to visit are in fall and spring, when the weather is mild, though many of the villages surrounding Lake Okeechobee have beautiful Christmas decorations in December.