Main Sights in Florida, USA
Disney World
Walt Disney World has been Florida’s main family attraction and the world’s most travelled to destination. Disney offers 4 giant parks full of rides, hotel options for travellers, luxury resorts like Grand Floridian and Animal Kingdom Lodge. Those on tighter budgets, Disney’s All_Star Resorts, All-Star Movies, All-Star Music and All-Star Sports Hotels. Everything at Disney is easily accessible from theme parks, to the Magic Kingdom, Epcot Animal Kingdom and MGM Studios. Disney is said to be the happiest place on earth.
Kennedy Space Center
Florida’s Kennedy Space Center is a futuristic experience bar none. The Visitor Complex at the Center is a myriad of exciting exhibits such as IMAX Space Films, Rocket Garden, Robot Scouts, Mad Mission to Mars, Astronaut Encounter & much more! You can tour the Astronaut Hall of Fame, take the NASA Up Close Tour & dine with an astronaut on this ultimate space tour for as little as $150 - $200 depending on time and the amount of activities involved. This can be booked through your hotel or as part of your vacation package. Roundtrip transportation from select Orlando locations is included.
Epcot Center
The EPCOT Center is a thrilling, exhilarating experience of traveling through a simulated space adventure. At the Center the Test Track is high-speed excitement as you run a test car through its paces. Travel in a simulator ride through the human body in Body Wars. On Spaceship Earth, travel through 40,000 years of human communication. Explore the forces that fuel our lives and the universe itself in Universe of Energy. Technology at its best!
Florida’s EPCOT Center however is considered the least child-friendly of Walt Disney World’s four parks due to its heavy emphasis on technology and culture. Admission is about $70 per person for a one-day ticket but can work out to about $65 - $70 a day for up to 3 days in a 14 day period. Additional days (4 through 10) are almost free. These basic tickets allow for one park per day. It is recommended the one-time $45 (regardless of the number of days) Park Hopper Option which will allow visits to another park if you get tired of EPCOT. Parking is $11 per day – per vehicle. Food can be around $10 per head if eating fast food or $20 if using the World Showcase restaurant.
Busch Gardens
Florida’s Busch Gardens is great year round but some visitors find it hard to get to do all the things they want to do during the peak summer months. If your trip is during the summer months when the park will become a beehive of activity, then make a list of the rides and things you want to do on the day and have the directions on hand of the park map by downloading a copy. Planning is crucial. If you visit the park during September which is off season, the chances of getting to do much more is better. Busch Gardens has been a leader in roller coasters but also in thrill rides, shows and entertainment and of course – animals. The park is a zoo first and a theme park second.
Universal Studios
This is the place where you can “ride the movies”. You can learn the secrets of movie-making by going behind the scenes at a number of informative attractions. Florida’s Universal has something for all ages. For kid’s rides like Jimmy Neutron’s Nicktoon Blast, attractions like Shrek and Fievel’s Playland where kids can climb, run, jump and slide at a giant playground with all kinds of activities. Young people can have fun on the rides like Men In Black, Alien Attack, and Back to the Future. All the rides are family friendly which means few restrictions. Additional adventures include ET, The Revenge of the Mummy, which are high speed rides that blast through flames and darkness. You can also experience fear at Fear Factor Live.
Key West Aquarium
This is the Florida Keys showcase aquarium hosting marine life indigenous to this part of Florida. This is probably the most unique aquarium in the world. The Window of Wonder comes alive as expert guides explain the mysteries of the water surrounding the Florida Keys. The Aquarium features daily shark and turtles feeding and the Touch Tank offers guests hands on experience of the sea life. The Aquarium is open 365 days a year. Open from 10am – 6pm. Tours & Feeding are 11am, 1pm, 3pm and 4:30pm. Prices for adults are $12. Children 4 – 12 is $5 and kids less than 4 years old go free.
Sunken Gardens
Sunken Gardens is a botanical paradise in the heart of the bustling city of St. Petersburg, Florida. This 100 year old garden is the city’s oldest museum with some 50,000 of oldest tropical plants in the southern United States. Experience cascading waterfalls with beautiful demonstration gardens which is a backdrop for special events, weddings, private and corporate events, tours and horticultural programs. Admission for adults is $8, $6 for senior citizens (55 ) $4 kids (2 – 11) and free for members.
Ripley’s Believe It Or Not! Museum
Ripley’s Believe It Or Not! Museum offers fun for all ages. You can explore over 800 exhibits at the Ripley’s Museum in historic St. Augustine, Florida. One minute you’ll – the next, you’ll gasp! You’ll be amazed and wonder whether it is real or is it fake. Ripley’s 800 exhibits of weird, bizarre, and unusual items from around the world makes learning about world culture, art, history and science a fun adventure. Ripley’s is open 365 days a year from 9am – 7pm (Sunday – Thursday) and 9am – 8pm (Friday and Saturday). Adults pay around $15. Senior citizens ( 55 ) $12. Children around $8. Group rates vary from $6.50 to $10 for 20 or more.
Sea World Adventure Park
SeaWorld is a breathtaking place. The one ride everyone wants to try is Kraken – a giant, looping coaster which is visible as soon as you enter the main gates. Kraken bobs and weaves through loops at 65mph. Wild Artic is also another fantastic ride. Simulated rides give you the opportunity to see spectacular creatures in their habitat. But the defining aspect of SeaWorld is the Shamu Adventure where killer whales show off their amazing natural skills. Another show worth seeing is Cylde & Seamore show. Other treats include The Shark Encounter and Blue Horizons. But SeaWorld is more than a theme park; it is a rehab and rescue facility for injured animals hurt in the wild within Florida.
Animal Kingdom
Disney’s Animal Kingdom Theme Park is the world’s largest and is one of 4 within the Florida’s Disney Resort. It is home to 1,700 animals from 250 species, spread across 500 acres of lush, manicured landscape. Animal Kingdom is divided into 7 areas – Oasis, Discovery Island, Camp Minnie-Mickey, Africa, Rafiki’s Planet watch, Asia and Dinoland, USA. Each area is an encounter with fantastic and exotic animals. There are many attractions and entertainment including Broadway-style musical shows and parades that invite you to be part of the excitement. To access ease of movement, it is recommended you use Disney’s FASTPASS service.
Disney MGM Studios
Most visitors to Florida’s MGM Studios love the atmosphere, the exciting shows, rides like Tower of Terror and Rock ’n’ Roller Coaster. MGM is smaller than EPCOT of Animal Kingdom, so getting around is less cumbersome. The indoor activities are also more comfortable given the balmy Florida summer days. One of the favourite attractions is Voyage of the Little Mermaid – so it is important to be early as the lines can be quite long. It is highly recommended that after you have done the rides that you take in the Indiana Jones Epic Stunt Spectacular. What makes MGM exciting is its movie magic – so The Great Movie Ride is a journey through your favourite classic movies.
Islands of Adventure
This is Universal’s newest theme park in Orlando, Florida. You can have an entire day full of action and excitement with thrilling roller coaster rides. At the entrance of the park you find yourself on Marvel Super Hero Island. The wild roller coaster rides with its loops and tight turns is an adrenaline rush but if you are really brave try the Dr. Doom Fearfall. The park is a mirage of cartoon characters and comic figures. Ride the water-rides, experience the Jurassic Park River Adventure which is great for kids and get on board the Duelling Dragon for the ride of your life. On Dr. Seuss Island experience the reality of vibrant colors and fanciful creatures exploring the magical story of “The Cat in the Hat” and other wonderful rides for young visitors.
Everglades National Park
The natural beauty of the Florida’s Everglades National Park makes it an essential destination for families. While it is not recommended to battle the mosquitoes during the summer – this is one of the most family-friendly centres and the one closest to Miami. You will see alligators, birds, and other wildlife. The Bobcat Boardwalk is an easy ¼ mile trail that kids will enjoy. Opening hours (Dec – Mar 8:30am – 5pm) and 9:15am – 5:15pm (Apr – Nov). Prices range from $10 entrance fee per vehicle (good for 7 days).
Cape Canaveral
Florida’s Cape Canaveral sail some 4.5 million cruise passengers from its port annually, making it one of the world’s busiest. But this is also one of Florida’s most nature-adoring beach communities, with two of three area parks noted on the Great Florida Birding Trail.
One of them, Jetty Park, also features a well-equipped 24-hour fishing pier; free, public boat ramps; camping; and a life-guarded beach for swimming and surfing. In season, whales and manatees glide by, and sea turtles nest. You can watch the cruise liners come and go from The Cove, a waterfront leisure area at Port Canaveral, where bars of all ilk (Oyster, Martini and Tiki) rule, and most nights promise live music, comedy or karaoke.
Daytona Beach
Though the races moved to Florida’s Daytona International Speedway in 1959, the beach is where it all began. More than a century later, the sand is just as smooth, compact and driveable (look for access point along Atlantic Avenue). While you’re there, do the Daytona classics – surf the Atlantic, and take the sky ride at the boardwalk – then check out the newer, colorific Ocean Walk Village for souvenir shopping and refreshments. Wherever you go in Daytona Beach, you’ll be reminded that NASCAR headquarters are here, particularly during speed-inspired events, such as the Daytona 500 (early February) and the Coke Zero 400 (July). Other engine-inspired happenings include Bike Week (late February through early March) and Biketoberfest (October).
