ContestsEvents

The Mega Millions Winner Bought The 1.58 Billion Dollar Winning Ticket at a Publix Here in Florida

Mega Millions

An electronic sign advertises the Mega Millions and Power Ball jackpot amounts outside a convenience store on August 07, 2023 in Silver Spring, Maryland. The Mega Millions jackpot is projected to reach an estimated $1.55 billion for its next drawing on Tuesday, the lottery’s largest prize ever. (Photo by Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images)

You knew eventually someone would win. My only real wish was that it wasn't someone in California again. Something better  happened. According to WFLA, someone bought the winning ticket at a Publix located at 630 Atlantic Boulevard in Neptune Beach, Florida. The Mega Millions winner is here in Florida.

The winning Mega Million numbers from last night were 13, 19, 20, 32, and 33, and the Mega Ball was 14. 

Neptune Beach is just north of Jacksonville. A1A runs through there. The Publix that sold the winning ticket is very near the beach, one of those stores you stop at the pick up essentials before boating or the beach. Or in this case, a lottery ticket worth enough to buy a country.

A second big Mega Millions winner was also in Florida. A 2 million dollar winning ticket was sold at the Kwik Stop, 830 Columbus Parkway in Hollywood, Florida.

5 Florida Towns Ranked In The Most Picturesque Small Towns In The United States

There's still time to squeeze in one last getaway before school starts in Southwest Florida. It's amazing how fast summer has gone. Since flying out of town requires a lot more planning, let's focus on some amazing destinations you can drive to from SWFL. Today we'll focus on some picturesque small towns here in Florida you can visit, relax, and take pictures. After all, taking great selfies is part of the trip. So we'll talk of places that have some great backdrops for your photos.

A new study by the travel experts at the travel website North Carolina Travel Guides ranked the most picturesque small towns in America by comparing 500 small towns across the following categories: popularity for photography with the general public, popularity with photographers, and search trends. Here's the overall top 5.

Top 5:
1. Fredericksburg, Texas
2. Cedarburg, Wisconsin
3. Orange Beach, Alabama
4. Portsmouth, New Hampshire
5. Madison, Georgia
"Fredericksburg, Texas, a picturesque town that was founded in the year 1846, is known for its German heritage. The historic district of Fredericksburg has numerous beautiful historic buildings from the 19th century, with many having a German architectural style. Besides that, Fredericksburg has a lot of charming wineries and places with stunning nature, such as Enchanted Rock, which is a beautiful granite mountain from where one can enjoy great views of the surrounding natural landscapes. Other notable places to visit in Fredericksburg include the Vereins Kirche Museum and the Pioneer Museum."
Florida has several small towns on this list. We'll focus on them.

14: Seaside, Florida

Seaside, located on the Gulf of Mexico, is a picturesque small town with turquoise waters, white-sand beaches, and a beautiful coastline. From quaint cobblestone streets to  pastel houses, the town has something to offer for everyone's liking. One of the most beautiful spots in the town is the historic Seaside Post Office.

28: St. Augustine, Florida

This one is no secret. Founded in 1565, St. Augustine, FL, is a picturesque small town that served as the capital of Spanish Florida for more than 200 years. The town is packed with historic sights, such as the Cathedral Basilica of St. Augustine, Aviles Street, Castillo de San Marcos, Llambias House, and the Bridge of Lions. In addition to that, there are a lot of fun things to do in the town such as going on a scenic cruise, doing a train tour, and visiting one of the town's unique museums, such as the Pirate and Treasure Museum. There's also a haunted tour if that's your style. 

37: Apalachicola, Florida

Apalachicola, FL, is a picturesque fishing town with a maritime atmosphere. From pristine beaches to historic houses to beautiful viewpoints, the town has many gorgeous spots. Some interesting sights in the town are the Raney House Museum and the Apalachicola Maritime Museum. Lots of history in this place. 

63: Palm Beach, Florida

Palm Beach, Florida, settled in 1872 and located on a barrier island, is a picturesque town that is home to grand mansions, historic landmarks, and the beautiful palm tree-lined Worth Avenue. It's also the closest on this list to Southwest Florida with a drive down Alligator Alley. The Gilded Age architecture of Palm Beach is incredible to see, and a great example of this is the Whitehall mansion. There’s a lot to do in Palm Beach including enjoying food at a chic waterfront restaurant, shopping at local boutique shops, playing golf with a view of the Atlantic Ocean, and attending the Palm Beach Food & Wine Festival.

108th: Cape Canaveral, Florida

With its gorgeous beaches, Cape Canaveral, Florida, is one of the most picturesque small towns in America. The town is located on the Atlantic Coast and is known for the Kennedy Space Center. Its beauty and opportunities to learn about space make Cape Canaveral a perfect destination for a getaway. Time your trip right, and you can witness a rocket launch. 

The full list of 120 small towns from around the country can be found here.

Joe Winner spends his days combing through memes and off beat stories to bring you the side of Florida not always seen.