By Ruth Seebeck
Florida has been a destination of choice for centuries. Ponce de Leon came, looking for the Fountain of Youth, in 1513. Since then, six cultures left their mark on the peninsula. Native Indians fought Spanish, French and English explorers. American settlers brought agriculture, industry and slavery. After the Civil War, rail barons like Henry Flagler promoted Florida's climate. By the 1900's Florida was THE winter destination for many wealthy Americans.
As Florida developed, so did tourist attractions. Today, those same places provide a look at Florida's yesteryear. Interestingly, every Florida destination is no more than eighty miles from the Atlantic or the Gulf of Mexico.
St. Augustine - Spain claimed the nation's "Oldest City" 42 years before England landed at Jamestown. It had a rocky history until Flagler picked St. A as his first tourist project. His famed hotels are now Lightner Museum and Flagler College. St. Augustine is an eclectic mix of historic, vintage and modern attractions to delight any traveler. Tour Castilla de San Marcos, the historic district and the famous striped lighthouse. Immerse yourself in the culture of St. Augustine. Book rooms at an historic inn, bed & breakfast or classic motel.
Sarasota - Ringling Bros. Circus picked Sarasota for its winter quarters. The Ringling complex includes a world-class art museum and Ca d'Zan (House of John) mansion. Its Circus museum features a popular miniature circus. Jungle Gardens' vintage zoological park opened in 1940. Other attractions include two classic car museums, Marie Selby Botanic Gardens, and Myakka River State Park. Sarasota is a "gem of the Gulf coast" with pristine white sand beaches along the mainland and nearby barrier islands.
Winter Haven - Winter Haven is an inland paradise, surrounded by more than 30 lakes. No wonder it is the water-skiing capital of the world. It is also the home of Cypress Gardens, Florida's first theme park (1936). CG is famous for spectacular water-skiing shows and beautiful gardens. (Cypress Gardens is closed for renovation. It will reopen in March 2009.) Other popular sites include Bok Sanctuary with its famous carillon, and Fantasy of Flight. Midway between Orlando and Tampa, Winter Haven lives up to its name. It's away from the crowds but convenient to many major attractions.
St. Petersburg - "The Sunshine City" boasts 360 days of sunshine per year. Tour Sunken Gardens, Florida's oldest tourist attraction and a historic landmark. More than 50,000 plants, representing 500 species, thrive here. The Pier is a popular spot. Visit the aquarium and the replica of the HMS Bounty. MGM built the ship for the 1962 movie. It was also used in one of the Pirates of the Caribbean films. Nearby John's Pass Village is a former pirate retreat and fishing village. It is now a tourist stop with quaint shopping & dining. St. Pete also boasts a number of excellent museums. The beaches here are some of the best in the US.
Ft. Myers - Another classic Gulf coast resort is Ft. Myers/Ft. Myers Beach. The area, plus nearby Sanibel and Captiva Islands, is known for some of the best shelling in the world. The slope into Gulf waters is so gentle, the beaches here are among the safest, as well. Thomas Edison and his friend, Henry Ford picked Ft. Myers for their winter homes. Tour their adjacent estates with a single admission. Visit the Cypress Preserve, Manatee World, Babcock Wilderness Adventures and the shell museum. Drive along McGregor Boulevard, lined with 1800 palm trees. The stately trees give Ft. Myers its nickname, "City of Palms".
Key West - This tip of the keys has been America's "Margueritaville" for decades. Even Ponce de Leon started here before sailing north to St. Augustine. Tour Hemingway's 1920's home and Truman's 1949-era Little White House. Visit Pirate Soul and the Key West Shipwreck Treasures museums to learn about the buccaneering heritage of the island. Nature lovers will enjoy the Tropical Forest & Botanical Garden, and the Butterfly & Nature Conservatory. Several US presidents have vacationed on Key West; so should you. It has all the flavor and laid-back charm of a Caribbean island
Miami/South Beach - Like all of Florida, Miami has a rich history to balance her modern side. South Beach is known worldwide for its Art Deco buildings. Take a walking tour or guided tour. The oldest building in the Western Hemisphere was moved, stone by stone, from Spain to Miami by Randolph Hearst in the 1950's. Jungle Island, (formerly Parrot Jungle c. 1936), is an animal show and zoo sure to please everyone. There's also the Seaquarium, Miami Zoo and several museums. Cruise Biscayne Bay past Millionaire Row. Many of the estates date to Miami's heyday in the early 1900's.
Ocala - This central Florida city is synonymous with Silver Springs, a nature park on the Silver River. The artesian springs pump enough fresh water daily to supply New York City. It is one of the largest in the world. Famed glass-bottom boats take visitors through the park, just like they did in the late 1800's. There are other boat tours, plus a jeep ride. The waters are so clear that several movies have been filmed in the waters of Silver Springs. Divers will enjoy Paradise Springs for cave diving. Nature lovers should visit Juniper Prairie Wilderness in Ocala National Forest.
Of course, all of Florida offers exceptional travel opportunities, whether you want sun, sports, history, or entertainment. Just don't forget these gems when you plan your trip to The Sunshine State.
Florida has been a destination of choice for centuries. Ponce de Leon came, looking for the Fountain of Youth, in 1513. Since then, six cultures left their mark on the peninsula. Native Indians fought Spanish, French and English explorers. American settlers brought agriculture, industry and slavery. After the Civil War, rail barons like Henry Flagler promoted Florida's climate. By the 1900's Florida was THE winter destination for many wealthy Americans.
As Florida developed, so did tourist attractions. Today, those same places provide a look at Florida's yesteryear. Interestingly, every Florida destination is no more than eighty miles from the Atlantic or the Gulf of Mexico.
St. Augustine - Spain claimed the nation's "Oldest City" 42 years before England landed at Jamestown. It had a rocky history until Flagler picked St. A as his first tourist project. His famed hotels are now Lightner Museum and Flagler College. St. Augustine is an eclectic mix of historic, vintage and modern attractions to delight any traveler. Tour Castilla de San Marcos, the historic district and the famous striped lighthouse. Immerse yourself in the culture of St. Augustine. Book rooms at an historic inn, bed & breakfast or classic motel.
Sarasota - Ringling Bros. Circus picked Sarasota for its winter quarters. The Ringling complex includes a world-class art museum and Ca d'Zan (House of John) mansion. Its Circus museum features a popular miniature circus. Jungle Gardens' vintage zoological park opened in 1940. Other attractions include two classic car museums, Marie Selby Botanic Gardens, and Myakka River State Park. Sarasota is a "gem of the Gulf coast" with pristine white sand beaches along the mainland and nearby barrier islands.
Winter Haven - Winter Haven is an inland paradise, surrounded by more than 30 lakes. No wonder it is the water-skiing capital of the world. It is also the home of Cypress Gardens, Florida's first theme park (1936). CG is famous for spectacular water-skiing shows and beautiful gardens. (Cypress Gardens is closed for renovation. It will reopen in March 2009.) Other popular sites include Bok Sanctuary with its famous carillon, and Fantasy of Flight. Midway between Orlando and Tampa, Winter Haven lives up to its name. It's away from the crowds but convenient to many major attractions.
St. Petersburg - "The Sunshine City" boasts 360 days of sunshine per year. Tour Sunken Gardens, Florida's oldest tourist attraction and a historic landmark. More than 50,000 plants, representing 500 species, thrive here. The Pier is a popular spot. Visit the aquarium and the replica of the HMS Bounty. MGM built the ship for the 1962 movie. It was also used in one of the Pirates of the Caribbean films. Nearby John's Pass Village is a former pirate retreat and fishing village. It is now a tourist stop with quaint shopping & dining. St. Pete also boasts a number of excellent museums. The beaches here are some of the best in the US.
Ft. Myers - Another classic Gulf coast resort is Ft. Myers/Ft. Myers Beach. The area, plus nearby Sanibel and Captiva Islands, is known for some of the best shelling in the world. The slope into Gulf waters is so gentle, the beaches here are among the safest, as well. Thomas Edison and his friend, Henry Ford picked Ft. Myers for their winter homes. Tour their adjacent estates with a single admission. Visit the Cypress Preserve, Manatee World, Babcock Wilderness Adventures and the shell museum. Drive along McGregor Boulevard, lined with 1800 palm trees. The stately trees give Ft. Myers its nickname, "City of Palms".
Key West - This tip of the keys has been America's "Margueritaville" for decades. Even Ponce de Leon started here before sailing north to St. Augustine. Tour Hemingway's 1920's home and Truman's 1949-era Little White House. Visit Pirate Soul and the Key West Shipwreck Treasures museums to learn about the buccaneering heritage of the island. Nature lovers will enjoy the Tropical Forest & Botanical Garden, and the Butterfly & Nature Conservatory. Several US presidents have vacationed on Key West; so should you. It has all the flavor and laid-back charm of a Caribbean island
Miami/South Beach - Like all of Florida, Miami has a rich history to balance her modern side. South Beach is known worldwide for its Art Deco buildings. Take a walking tour or guided tour. The oldest building in the Western Hemisphere was moved, stone by stone, from Spain to Miami by Randolph Hearst in the 1950's. Jungle Island, (formerly Parrot Jungle c. 1936), is an animal show and zoo sure to please everyone. There's also the Seaquarium, Miami Zoo and several museums. Cruise Biscayne Bay past Millionaire Row. Many of the estates date to Miami's heyday in the early 1900's.
Ocala - This central Florida city is synonymous with Silver Springs, a nature park on the Silver River. The artesian springs pump enough fresh water daily to supply New York City. It is one of the largest in the world. Famed glass-bottom boats take visitors through the park, just like they did in the late 1800's. There are other boat tours, plus a jeep ride. The waters are so clear that several movies have been filmed in the waters of Silver Springs. Divers will enjoy Paradise Springs for cave diving. Nature lovers should visit Juniper Prairie Wilderness in Ocala National Forest.
Of course, all of Florida offers exceptional travel opportunities, whether you want sun, sports, history, or entertainment. Just don't forget these gems when you plan your trip to The Sunshine State.
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