places to go / other florida locations
Adventure Island
"30 acre park features of high-speed thrills and tropical, tranquil surroundings for guests of all ages. Within a soothing Key West atmosphere awaits an unrivaled blend of slides, corkscrews, water falls, a wave pool, children’s water playground and other family attractions."
This park is adjacent to Busch Gardens Tampa Bay.
888-800-5447 / 10001 Malcolm McKinley Dr, Tampa / www.adventureisland.com
Busch Gardens Tampa Bay
Offering an "array of fascinating attractions based on exotic encounters with the African continent. A unique blend of thrilling rides, one of the country's premier zoos featuring more than 2,700 animals, live shows, restaurants, shops and games, Busch Gardens provides unrivaled "real" excitement for guests of every age."
800-221-1339 / 10001 N McKinley Dr, Tampa / www.buschgardens.com
Daytona 500 Experience
Hands-on motorsports activities and simulators, an IMAX Theater where you can see "NASCAE 3D: The IMAX Experience" and "The DAYTONA 500 Movie", and an open-air tram guided speedway tour.
386-947-6800 / 1801 W International Speedway Blvd / www.daytona500experience.com
Daytona International Speedway
NASCAR races and other car races and events. Also, don't miss the Daytona 500 Experience. Order race tickets online or by calling, or purchase them inside the lobby at the Daytona 500 Experience.
Click here for race schedule.
800-PITSHOP (800-748-7467) / Clyde Morris Blvd, Daytona Beach / www.daytonainternationalspeedway.com
Discovery Cove
This is an all-inclusive park.
Experiences include: Dolphin Swim, Coral Reef, Tropical River Swim, Ray Lagoon, Aviary, and Resort Pool.
877-557-7404 / 6000 Discovery Cove Way, Orlando / www.discoverycove.com
Kennedy Space Center
Kennedy Space Center is NASA’s launch headquarters. It is situation on a "huge island wildlife refuge eight times the size of Manhattan". While here, tour NASA’s launch and landing facilities, experience interactive simulators, see IMAX movies, live shows and rockets up close, and get a chance to meet a real member of NASA's Astronaut Corps. There are also IMAX Space films showing.
Click here for upcoming launch dates. Call 321-449-4400 for upcoming launch dates and launch viewing reservations.
321-449-4444 / Orsino, FL (near Orlando) / www.kennedyspacecenter.com
Magnolia Farms
As a working farm in North Central Florida, Magnolia Farms always has something growing, animals to feed and care for, and special events and activities including group tours, festivals, classes on everything from soap making to growing your own shiitake mushrooms, camping, weddings, and company picnics. Please check the events calendar or email info@magnoliafarms.org to schedule your visit.
Magnolia Farms / 386-364-6450 / 12886 87th Rd, Live Oak / www.magnoliafarms.org
Paynes Prairie Preserve State Park
Paynes Prairie is a 21,000-acre preserve offering a "rich array of habitats for wildlife, including alligators, bison, wild horses, and over 270 species of birds".
"Exhibits and an audio-visual program at the visitor center explain the area´s natural and cultural history. A 50-foot-high observation tower near the visitor center provides a panoramic view of the preserve." "Eight trails provide opportunities for hiking, horseback riding, and bicycling. Ranger-led activities are offered on weekends, November through April. Fishing on Lake Wauberg is allowed and a boat ramp provides access for canoes and boats with electric motors. Gasoline powered boats are not allowed. Full-facility campsites are available for overnight visitors. Located on U.S. 441, 10 miles south of Gainesville."
352-466-3397 / 100 Savannah Blvd, Micanopy / www.floridastateparks.org/paynesprairie
SeaWorld Orlando
Open year-round at 9 a.m. with extended hours during summer and holidays. Allow a full day to see all shows and attractions.
800-ADVENTURE or 407-351-3600 / 7007 Sea Harbor Dr, Orlando / www.seaworld.com
Silver Springs
"A 350 acre nature theme park that surrounds the headwaters of the beautiful Silver River, the largest artesian spring formation in the world."
Ride on the glass-bottom boats " in water that’s up to 80 feet deep and 99.8% pure". Or "walk the beautiful grounds and experience the natural habitats of Florida’s largest alligators, endangered bears and panthers, Kritter Korral petting zoo, plus an entertaining variety of wildlife shows from Birds of Prey to snakes and reptiles. There are rides and exhibits for all ages in a natural setting of stunning beauty."
352-236-2121 / 5656 E Silver Springs Blvd, Ocala / www.silversprings.com
The Florida Aquarium
"With over 10,000 aquatic plants and animals from Florida and beyond, The Florida Aquarium features 200,000 square-feet of air-conditioned fun."
813-273-4000 / 701 Channelside Dr, Tampa / www.flaquarium.org
Universal Studios Florida and
Universal's Islands of Adventure
Universal has two theme parks in Florida:
Universal Studios Florida
Movie and TV based theme park. "At this real film and television studio you’ll go behind the scenes, beyond the screen and right into the action of your favorite movies."
Operating hours normally begin at 9am and closing times vary.
Attractions include:
Shrek 4-DTM, Revenge of the Mummy, MEN IN BLACK Alien Attack, Terminator 2®:3D, E.T. Adventure®, Jimmy Neutron's Nicktoon Blast, Animal Actors On Location!, Jaws®, FEAR FACTOR LIVE, TWISTER...Ride It Out®, Earthquake®,
Live Shows, Woody Woodpecker's Kidzone®, and more.
Universal's Islands of Adventure
"Myths, legends, comic books, cartoon heroes and children’s stories come to life on innovative rides and attractions."
6000 Universal Blvd, Orlando / www.universalorlando.com
Walt Disney World
Four theme parks to choose from:
Magic Kingdom Park
"Storybook fantasy comes to life for children of all ages."
Epcot
"Celebrate the fascinating cultures and numerous wonders of the world around you through dazzling shows, interactive experiences and amazing attractions. Marvel at the power of the human imagination to set the spirits soaring."
Disney's Hollywood Studios
"Salute the world of showbiz — from the Hollywood classics of yesteryear to the best in popular entertainment. Take center stage as the star of your own adventure: from rock 'n' roll fantasy to Broadway-style stage spectaculars, from the silver screen to the TV screen to behind the scenes."
Disney's Animal Kingdom Park
"Thrilling attractions, shows, the majesty of nature and the fascinating animals — real and imagined — that enrich our planet."
407-939-6244 / Orlando / disneyworld.com
Wannado City
"America's first indoor role-playing theme park for kids."
"At Wannado City, kids can be whatever they want to be – right now. From paleontologist to news reporter, to everything in between, kids try out tons of grown-up jobs in the first indoor city just their size. They can operate on a patient, cook up a pizza or even solve a crime."
888-WANNADO or 954-838-7100 / Sawgrass Mills Mall, 12801 West Sunrise Blvd, Sunrise (Greater Fort Lauderdale) / www.wannadocity.com
West Nassau Historical Society Depot Museum
Callahan
Glimpses of local history and railroading is on display in the museum portion of the historic Callahan Depot.
The museum is open to the public on the second and fourth Saturdays of each month.
West Nassau Historical Society / 904-879-3406 / 45383 Dixie Avenue, Callahan / www.wnhsfl.org
Wet 'n Wild
Water park with plenty of water thrill rides, lazy river, wave pool, as well as just-for-kids attractions like Bubble Up (a huge, wet inflatable bubble for kids to climb) and the Kids Park. Voted by number one water park by Amusement Business magazine.
Less than two miles from Universal Orlando and SeaWorld.
