SOUTH FLORIDA
PALM BEACHES - GULFSTREAM PARK
Gulfstream park is our local beach offering endless miles of golden sand and a nature trail.
https://discover.pbcgov.org/parks/Locations/Gulfstream.aspx
PALM BEACHES - MORIKAMI MUSEUM AND JAPANESE GARDENS
The Morikami Museum and Japanese Gardens is a center for Japanese arts and culture located west of Delray Beach in Palm Beach County, Florida, United States. The campus includes two museum buildings, the Roji-en Japanese Gardens: Garden of the Drops of Dew, a bonsai garden, library, gift shop, and a Japanese restaurant, called the Cornell Cafe, which has been featured on the Food Network and Vizcaya Television. Rotating exhibits are displayed in both buildings, and demonstrations, including tea ceremonies and classes, are held in the main building. Traditional Japanese festivals are celebrated several times a year.
https://morikami.org/
PALM BEACHES - CITYPLACE WITH THE WISHING TREE
The Wishing Tree, created by the San Francisco based collective Symmetry Labs, is a unique site-specific installation that pushes the boundaries of art and technology. Here, the highly sophisticated man/computer made design intricately meshes with the lushified natural environment and reflects the ‘urban oasis’ curatorial theme within CityPlace. By day The Wishing Tree offers shade and resembles an ancient 26-foot-tall banyan, and by night, the monumental light sculpture reveals a spectacular visual experience. A total of 100,000 individually programmable, full-color-spectrum LEDs create the light embedded in 10,000 leaves. The lighting algorithm is inspired by the fluid behavior of South Florida’s inherent weather systems. Community of all ages and backgrounds will be captivated by the myriad of swirling and undulating patterns formed by the refined palettes. All are invited to gather around The Wishing Tree rooted in the very heart of Downtown West Palm Beach.
https://www.cityplace.com/
PALM BEACHES - BUTTERFLY WORLD
Located in Coconut Creek, Florida, Butterfly World is one of the most unique things to do in Florida because it is the largest butterfly park in the world.
Opening in 1988, this facility houses 20,000 live butterflies across 3 acres. But the best part is that it doesn’t solely feature butterflies: there are also botanical gardens, a working butterfly farm, and a research facility featured here.
Recently the park has expanded to include aviaries for tropical birds and a lorikeet center! The owners here are adamant about supporting the conservation of butterflies.
https://www.butterflyworld.com/
PALM BEACHES - WELLINGTON INTERNATIONAL
Discover Wellington International, the premier equestrian destination in the picturesque town of Wellington, Florida, known globally as the Equestrian Capital of the World. Wellington International is the proud home of the renowned Winter Equestrian Festival (WEF) and the Equestrian Sport Productions (ESP) Annual Series.
Established in 1974, our iconic equestrian venue covers over 111 acres and boasts 14 state-of-the-art competition arenas, along with more than 500 permanent equine stalls. Wellington International has been a designated Rolex property since 2015 and is recognized for hosting WEF, the world's largest and longest-running hunter/jumper horse show, from January through March.
PALM BEACHES - THE BREAKERS
The Breakers Palm Beach is a historic, Renaissance Revival style luxury hotel with 538 rooms.
https://www.thebreakers.com/
PALM BEACHES - CHAIN BRIDGE DISTILLERY
ChainBridge Distillery is a family owned and operated Hungarian pálinka and liquor factory in Florida.
The family has a wine making background from the well-known Tokaj wine region of the northeastern border of Hungary and Slovakia. Along with wine, the family grew up with the Hungarian culture of “Pálinka” Eau De Vie style Fruit Brandy. We are “bridging” the same European Brandy culture and other unique innovative spirits to South Florida and beyond.
In their first year of operation, ChainBridge Distillery has been awarded by both the American Craft Spirits Association and American Distilling Institute. We won Gold medal, Best in Class, Best in Show Williams Pear Brandy, Bronze medal Florida Basil by the American Craft Spirits Association, and Bronze medal Carrot Spirit by the American Distilling Institute.
https://www.chainbridgedistillery.com/
PALM BEACHES - PALM BEACH ZOO
The Palm Beach Zoo & Conservation Society is a non-profit zoological organization located at Dreher Park in West Palm Beach. The zoo houses hundreds of animals, many of them endangered, within 23-acres of lush tropical habitat.
https://www.palmbeachzoo.org/
FORT LAUDERDALE - FLAMINGO GARDENS
Established in 1927, Flamingo Gardens is one of the oldest botanical gardens and attractions in South Florida. Originally founded by Floyd L. and Jane Wray as an orange grove, the nonprofit botanical gardens is home to 15 “Champion” trees, the largest trees of their species in Florida. Specialized botanical gardens include some of the largest collections of naturalized orchids, cycads, and heliconias & gingers in the contiguous United States and over 3,000 species of rare & exotic, tropical, subtropical, and native plants and trees. Flamingo Gardens’ Everglades Wildlife Sanctuary is a home to permanently injured or non-releasable Florida native wildlife including alligators, bobcats, eagles, otters, panthers, peacock, and of course, flamingos!
https://flamingogardens.org/
FORT LAUDERDALE - DAVIE RODEO
Davie Florida, there is no other place like it…. exciting Rodeo’s, unique western theme downtown, quite riding trails, and a community dedicated to preserving the Western Heritage. Davie is located in the middle of a tri-county area where 8 million people reside and located within 30 minutes of the famous Ft. Lauderdale Beaches, two major airports and seaports, and visited by 1000’s of national and international tourists each year. PRCA Rodeo is only one of the National Sports in the area. There is also the Miami Dolphins, Miami Heat, Florida Marlins, Florida Panthers, and the Miami Hurricanes.
The Davie Arena is a 72,000 square foot facility under roof with a seating capacity of 5,500. The first Rodeo ever held in Davie was in 1946, however in 1986 the Weekley and Parrish families started producing the Rodeo’s. There has been over 280 PRCA sanctioned Rodeo’s consisting of more than 600 performances over that period, and over 30,000 spectators annually witness the Weekley Brothers Davie Pro Rodeo. Weekley Brothers Davie Pro Rodeo strives to keep the spectators entertained with Champion Cowboys and Cowgirls from across the United States and Brazil, patriotic opening ceremonies, nationally known Contract Acts, and Award Winning Stock.
https://davieprorodeo.com/dpr/
FORT LAUDERDALE - WATER TAXI
Water Taxi is more than just a boat ride. Our Captains and Crew are well-versed on the city and the many attractions that can be viewed from the water. Enjoy the fresh air, a clean environment, a refreshing drink, and a fun narration of this wonderful destination.
https://watertaxi.com/
FORT LAUDERDALE - THE GUITAR HOTEL
The Guitar Hotel brings 638 luxury guestrooms and suites to the resort. Designed to resemble back-to-back guitars, complete with guitar faces and brightly lit strings, this engineering masterpiece reaches 450 feet into the sky, outfitted with floor-to-ceiling glass panes. Boasting the sun-filled and sunset-laden South Florida skies, The Guitar Hotel is truly an architectural marvel that redefines the South Florida skyline.
https://www.seminolehardrockhollywood.com/
MIAMI BEACH - SOUTH BEACH
The iconic South Beach.
https://www.miamiandbeaches.com/neighborhoods/south-beach
MIAMI BEACH - SOFI
Occupying the southern tip of Miami Beach, the South of Fifth (SoFi) enclave of South Beach is one of the city’s most affluent neighborhoods. The area stretches southward from 5th Street to the bayfront at beautiful South Pointe Park, wedged between the Atlantic Ocean, Biscayne Bay, and Government Cut.
Although it’s mostly residential and filled with luxury condos, SoFi offers plenty for travelers, too. Spend the day browsing museums, admiring ocean views from its seaside promenades, and stretching out on the white sands. Retire to one of the area’s many top-notch restaurants and bars, numbering among the city’s finest.
https://www.treksplorer.com/south-of-fifth-sofi-miami-beach/
MIAMI BEACH - INDIAN BEACH PARK
Enjoy Miami Beach - without the crowds. Visit Indian Beach Park at Mid-Beach for a hastle free beach day.
https://beachcatcher.com/beach/indian-beach-park
MIAMI BEACH - THE VERSACE VILLA
The Villa was originally built in 1930 by the architect, author, and philanthropist, Alden Freeman. Mr. Freeman was the heir to the Standard Oil fortune.
In 1992, The Villa was purchased by the famous Italian fashion designer, Gianni Versace. Today the Villa operates as a luxury boutique hotel, restaurant and event venue.
https://vmmiamibeach.com/
MIAMI - KEY BISCAYNE
Discover an island paradise just minutes from Downtown Miami.
Key Biscayne is an oasis of sandy beaches, nature preserves and restaurants with stunning views. Once a coconut plantation owned by the Matheson family, who donated 800 acres of land to create what is now Crandon Park, Key Biscayne’s beauty has been preserved for all to enjoy. It’s also a natural destination for boating and water sports.
https://www.miamiandbeaches.com/neighborhoods/key-biscayne
MIAMI - SEAQUARIUM
Discover South Florida’s best aquarium and favorite visitor attraction. Enjoy amazing marine mammal shows with dolphins and sea lions that delight children of all ages. See world-class sea life exhibits with manatees, sea turtles, penguins, rays and more. Learn about wildlife rescue and marine animal care at the Conservation Outpost. Plus, there is no greater thrill than getting in the water with the friendly, intelligent and graceful dolphins at Dolphin Harbor, the best dolphin experience in Miami! Join us for one of our many special events great family dining options, and of course, unforgettable animal experiences at the best place to swim with dolphins in Miami!
https://miamiseaquarium.com/
MIAMI - VIZCAYA MUSEUM AND GARDENS
Previously known as Villa Vizcaya, the Vizcaya Museum and Gardens is the former estate of businessman James Deering. The 20th century estate features extensive Italian Renaissance gardens, woodland landscapes, and historic buildings. The landscape and architecture were designed by Paul Chalfin, who was inspired by Veneto and Tuscan Italian Renaissance design. Specifically, he used the Mediterranean Revival architecture style with Baroque elements.
https://vizcaya.org/
MIAMI - THE CLOISTERS
Construction of the Monastery of St. Bernard de Clairvaux was begun in the year 1133 AD in Sacramenia, near Segovia in northern Spain. Completed eight years later in 1141, the Monastery was dedicated to the Blessed Mother and was originally named ‘The Monastery of Our Lady, Queen of the Angels.’
In 1925, William Randolph Hearst purchased the Cloisters and the Monastery's outbuildings. The structures were dismantled stone by stone, bound with protective hay, packed in more than 11,000 wooden crates, numbered for identification and shipped to the United States.
In 1964, Colonel Robert Pentland, Jr, who was a multimillionaire banker, philanthropist and benefactor of many Episcopal churches, purchased the Cloisters and presented them to the Bishop of Florida. Today the parish Church of St. Bernard de Clairvaux is an active and growing congregation in the Episcopal Diocese of Southeast Florida. Services are held on Sundays and weekdays in both English and Spanish.
https://www.spanishmonastery.com/
MIAMI - THE BILTMORE HOTEL
The Miami Biltmore Hotel is a luxury hotel in Coral Gables, Florida. The hotel was designed by Schultze and Weaver and was built in 1926 by John McEntee Bowman and George Merrick as part of the Biltmore hotel chain. The tower is inspired by the Giralda, the medieval tower of the cathedral of Seville.
When completed in 1926, the Biltmore became the tallest building in Florida at 315 feet (96 m),[3] holding the record as Florida's tallest building until 1928 when the Dade County Courthouse was built. At one time, the pool was the largest pool in the world and employed swimming instructor (and later Tarzan actor) Johnny Weissmuller.[4] It served as a hospital during World War II and as a VA Hospital and campus of the University of Miami medical school until 1968. Abandoned for many years it became a hotel again in 1987.
In 1986, Miami Biltmore Hotel was designated a National Historic Landmark.
https://www.biltmorehotel.com/hotel/biltmore-miami-history/
MIAMI - THE VENITIAN POOL
The Venetian Pool is unique aquatic facility has been enjoyed by hundreds of thousands of people since 1923. The Venetian Pool is fed by spring water from an underground aquifer and is refilled daily, with over 820,000 gallons of water. The pool features two waterfalls and cave-like grottos for a fun experience for all swimmers.
https://www.coralgables.com/attractions/venetian-pool
MIAMI - GATOR PARK
Gator Park is the premier airboat tour in the Florida Everglades to spy these fierce reptiles. Airboat rides depart every few minutes, so your Everglades experience begins the moment you arrive. They also offer private airboat tours for a more up close and personal look at the alligators.
The Everglades National Park is known for its vast wildlife, many of whom you’ll meet on your airboat tour. From endangered birds you won’t find anywhere else to small creatures that live among these wild alligators, you’ll see Florida as few people do.
The Everglades' marine life includes more than 200,000 alligators, so you’re guaranteed to spy quite a few on your Everglades tour! American crocodiles and fish, including large mouth bass, blue gil and catfish, are also frequent guest stars on the tour.
More than 28 different snakes - a few of which are venomous – also call the Everglades home, alongside the beautiful and elusive endangered Florida panther.
https://gatorpark.com/
FLORIDA KEYS
KEYS - MARATHON - SOMBRERO BEACH
Sombrero Beach is a beautiful park and sandy beach. A lovely sandy beach on the Atlantic Ocean frames a shady park with picnic pavilions, volleyball courts, restrooms and showers.
Sombrero Beach is a turtle nesting beach. From April through October it is not unusual to have Loggerhead Turtles (primarily) coming on to the beach at night to lay their eggs. During active turtle nesting season the City limits human activities in the vicinity of active turtle nest establishments. Turtle nest areas typically represents less than 10% of the available beach area. The remainder of the beach is open for our visitors and residents to enjoy. The City regularly surveys the beach for new turtle nesting. If you are interested in assisting the City in preserving the turtle population as a turtle surveyor, please do not hesitate to contact the City. F.D.E.P. holds classes in February or March every year to be a state certified surveyor. The City then schedules all of the surveyors for their day to walk the beach. Walking the beach first thing in the morning looking for turtle nests is an awesome experience.
https://www.ci.marathon.fl.us/parksrec/page/sombrero-beach
CENTRAL FLORIDA
KEYS - KEY WEST - THE SOUTHERNMOST CITY
We invite you to visit our unique tropical island city. Explore our crystal clear waters with a diving, snorkeling or sailing expedition. Savor a Key West sunset at Mallory Square. Or take a relaxing stroll down Duval Street, grab a cold drink, listen to a local band or pick up a souvenir for the folks back home. Experience a taste of Caribbean culture in Key West without leaving the States. Use our site to plan your Key West vacation, book a Key West hotel, find a top notch fishing guide, research our bars and restaurants, even see the action live with a Key West webcam. So hop in the car, put the top down, and enjoy the sunny, relaxing drive to the end of US 1. We'll be waiting.
ORLANDO - WALT DISNEY WORLD RESORT
The Walt Disney World Resort is the most magical place on Earth!
https://disneyworld.disney.go.com/
ORLANDO - UNIVERSAL STUDIOS
Universal Studios is home of the The Wizarding World of Harry Potter.
https://www.universalorlando.com/web/en/us
SPACE COAST - KENNEDY SPACE CENTER
The Kennedy Space Center is one of ten National Aeronautics and Space Administration field centers. Located in Merritt Island, this is one of the coolest things you can do in Florida.
At the space center, you can meet an astronaut, see the Space Shuttle Atlantis, go through the U.S. astronaut hall of fame, and visit the rocket garden.
This center lets visitors get an up-close and hands-on view of humans in space. From exploring NASA’s space shuttle program to discovering more about upcoming space exploration, the Kennedy Space Center is educational and fun.
https://www.kennedyspacecenter.com/
CENTRAL FLORIDA - WESTGATE RIVER RANCH RODEO
Saddle up and come on down to Westgate River Ranch Resort & Rodeo for an evening of family fun at the Saturday Night Rodeo! Be mesmerized by the excitement as rodeo athletes from across the region compete weekly at the 1,200-seat rodeo arena in trick riding, barrel racing, and bull riding. The Florida rodeo is a guest favorite to watch talented contestants and enjoy a patriotic tribute to our armed forces.
CENTRAL FLORIDA - DEVIL'S DEN
Devil Den's is a pre-historic underground spring with a sunlit grotto. Devil's Den was formed by a karst window, in which the roof over a subterranean river has collapsed, exposing the water to the open surface, near Williston, Florida.
http://www.devilsden.com/
CENTRAL FLORIDA - CEDAR KEY
About an hour's drive southwest of Gainesville, the tiny enclave of Cedar Key is a quaint, old-fashioned, Old Florida vacation spot – one that offers lovely beaches, productive fishing opportunities and lush natural preserves.
It's a place that's short on traffic lights and long on relaxation. Cedar Key's houses and stores perch above the Gulf of Mexico on stilts, with the water lapping at their bellies.
https://cedarkey.org/
CENTRAL FLORIDA - ATSENA OTIE KEY
Atsena Otie Key is a barrier island and ghost town one-half mile offshore of Cedar Key, Florida. Atsena Otie was the original site of the town of Cedar Key, and in the present day includes a walking trail, swimming area, and ruins of the Eberhard Faber mill.
Settlers came to Atsena Otie Key in 1842 and called it Cedar Key. More than 200 people lived on the island in 1860, establishing a pencil mill and other businesses. But a ten foot tidal wave washed it all away in hurricane of 1896, and the city began anew one island closer to the mainland.
https://floridahikes.com/atsena-otie-key
FLORIDA WEST COAST
NAPLES
Naples is a city on the Gulf of Mexico in southwest Florida that’s known for high-end shopping and golf courses. The Naples Pier, first erected in 1888, is the city’s symbol, and is a popular fishing and dolphin-spotting destination. It’s flanked by miles of beaches with calm waters and fine white “sugar” sand, including those at Clam Pass Park and Delnor-Wiggins Pass State Park.
https://www.naplesgov.com/
RINGLING CIRCUS MUSEUM
It was thought to be ostentatious for a man of John Ringling’s generation to bring attention to the source of his wealth. As a result, the idea of a Museum celebrating the history of the American Circus was not Ringling’s but A. Everett “Chick” Austin Jr.’s, The Ringlings’ first Director and a member of the International Brotherhood of Magicians.
Established in 1948, the Ringling Museum of the American Circus was the first to document the rich history of this phenomenally popular entertainment. And because in 1927 John Ringling had made Sarasota the Winter Quarters of the Ringling Bros and Barnum & Bailey® Circus, many of the performers moved to the immediate area. As a result of their generosity, the Museum’s collection of wardrobes and circus memorabilia quickly grew.
Today, the Circus Museum is home to the newly restored Wisconsin. Worthy of the man called the “King of the Circus”, the Wisconsin is the railroad car on which John and Mable Ringling traveled across the country looking for feature acts that would keep audiences filling the seats of the big top.
https://www.ringling.org/circus-museum
SUNKEN GARDEN
Located in Saint Petersburg, the Sunken Gardens is one of the most unique things to do in Florida, as there aren’t many gardens like it - they are literally sunken! Below sea level.
The Sunken Gardens are 4-aces of botanical gardens that have existed for more than a century. They are one of the oldest attractions in the U.S., let alone in Florida.
This paradise located in the city is a great living museum that has a vast amount of tropical plants, meandering paths, waterfalls, and more. The gardens also offer tours, special events, and horticultural programs if it interests you!
https://www.stpete.org/visitors/sunken_gardens.php