[AngelaRetired]

As a local and visitor, do you have any attraction(s) you luv to go to?

If yes, tell us about them and why you like going.

Also, any "tips" for folks who have never been.

Thanks,
Angela

[AngelaRetired]

I like Universal because you can "chill and/or have fun" whereas other places "stress" me out.

At Universal IF you go when it is NOT busy, you can find a "spot" to sit and chill.

Hmmm, the only tip, find someone who can get you in FREE. Ticket prices keep going up as I type this!

[GrouperK]

The Florida Aquarium. Haven’t been in a long time but it’s probably my favorite place to go. It’s clean and not overly crowded. I’m not a city person, so getting motivation to drive up there is difficult.

Rev’s Institute in Naples. One of the best car museums I’ve been to. There’s volunteers throughout the place to talk about the cars, its based on ticket reservations so it’s never packed. There are no ropes around the cars so you can get a great up close view (without touching). A portion of the garage is open to view. Every car is in running condition, a handful are shipped all over the country for use in vintage racing. It’s not the biggest car museum, but I could spend at least a half day there.

EPCOT. If I could only have one amusement park, this would be it. Political stuff aside, I go and always enjoy our time here. Lots of food and drinks to try especially during food and wine, flower and garden festival, etc. The aquarium is decent, could use some updating. Our kids always enjoy going too. I highly recommend staying at a resort within walking distance. Boardwalk, yacht club, beach club etc. the buses can fill up quickly after fireworks.

[4everMissouri]

Florida Man.

[Sunshine Rules]

If you're interested in some of the "old Florida" type of attractions, I would suggest:

Silver Springs in Ocala -- be sure to ride in one of the glass bottom boats over the crystal clear waters


Gatorland in Kississimme -- lots and lots of gators. Alternative would be to go to the Myakka River State Park near Sarasota during the winter months and take the Gator Gal boat ride to watch the gators sunning along the banks.


One of the most awesome places I have ever visited is the Coral Castle near Homestead / Miami. It's a Florida version of Stonehenge. How did one man carve over 1100 tons of limestone into statues, chairs, walls, towers, moons, etc without power equipment. How did he lift the stones? No one knows for sure.


Weeki Wachee Springs State Park near Spring Hill -- beautiful springs and park, kayak or canoe on the river, see the mermaid show that's fun and very 60's.


Solomon's Castle -- one of the strangest attractions I think in FL. The "castle" and other buildings look like everything is wrapped in aluminum foil. The inside of the buildings are even more fantastic than the outside.
Located off of State Rd 665 out towards Arcadia in a tiny town called Ona (very tiny).


The John & Mabel Ringling (of circus fame) home, art museum & circus museum in Sarasota. Lots going on for visitors. Even if you're not into art, the circus museum offers up a great experience, as does visiting the Ringling's home, Cà d'Zan.


The winter homes of Henry Ford & Thomas Edison in Fort Myers, FL -- how many know that these 2 men were such good friends that they built winter estates next to each other here in FL? Edison's estate came with his own workshop and it is still preserved as he left it. Some of his original light bulbs are still there, still function.


Over the years we've visited old FL attractions all over the state and although they don't have the glitz of a Sea World or Disney, I would have to say I enjoyed them more for their charm and originality. I only wish Cypress Gardens was still in existence to recommend, it was one of my favorite places to visit, especially over the winter months.

[FL_Expert]

Originally Posted by Sunshine Rules

If you're interested in some of the "old Florida" type of attractions, I would suggest:

Silver Springs in Ocala -- be sure to ride in one of the glass bottom boats over the crystal clear waters


Gatorland in Kississimme -- lots and lots of gators. Alternative would be to go to the Myakka River State Park near Sarasota during the winter months and take the Gator Gal boat ride to watch the gators sunning along the banks.


One of the most awesome places I have ever visited is the Coral Castle near Homestead / Miami. It's a Florida version of Stonehenge. How did one man carve over 1100 tons of limestone into statues, chairs, walls, towers, moons, etc without power equipment. How did he lift the stones? No one knows for sure.


Weeki Wachee Springs State Park near Spring Hill -- beautiful springs and park, kayak or canoe on the river, see the mermaid show that's fun and very 60's.


Solomon's Castle -- one of the strangest attractions I think in FL. The "castle" and other buildings look like everything is wrapped in aluminum foil. The inside of the buildings are even more fantastic than the outside.
Located off of State Rd 665 out towards Arcadia in a tiny town called Ona (very tiny).


The John & Mabel Ringling (of circus fame) home, art museum & circus museum in Sarasota. Lots going on for visitors. Even if you're not into art, the circus museum offers up a great experience, as does visiting the Ringling's home, Cà d'Zan.


The winter homes of Henry Ford & Thomas Edison in Fort Myers, FL -- how many know that these 2 men were such good friends that they built winter estates next to each other here in FL? Edison's estate came with his own workshop and it is still preserved as he left it. Some of his original light bulbs are still there, still function.


Over the years we've visited old FL attractions all over the state and although they don't have the glitz of a Sea World or Disney, I would have to say I enjoyed them more for their charm and originality. I only wish Cypress Gardens was still in existence to recommend, it was one of my favorite places to visit, especially over the winter months.

That’s without a doubt one of the best kept secrets in Florida.

[FL_Expert]

Epcot is my favorite large attraction.

The Ringling museum, Vizcaya, and the Bonnet House are a few of my lessor known favorites.

[Arcenal813]

Adding to the above, I visited Alexander Springs in the Ocala National Forest for the first time this past weekend, and it was GORGEOUS! Mind-blowing to see in person.

That said, Gatorland has always been among my favorites, along with Busch Gardens, and the Calusa Heritage Trail.

[Rabflmom]

There is just too may to name....but of course here are a few......

1. beaches--all of them but especially Sebastian Inlet and Canaveral National Sea Shore

2. Kennedy Space Center and watching rockets from almost anywhere in Florida

3. St Augustine -Old town area and Castillo de San Marcos

4, Ponce Inlet and Lighthouse

5. Daytona International Speedway- not really a Nascar fan but the tour is still fun.

6. Disney and Sea world Parks for Christmas

7. Fort Christmas -any time but also has 2 days of Cracker Christmas

8. The Stick Marsh South of Melbourne

9. Festivals- Grant Sea Food, Strawberry Festival, Art Festivals,

10. Take a Bioluminescence Kayaking Tour on Indian River Cocoa Beach , Merrit Island during the summer= October

And you still have South Florida, The Keys, the west coast, Tallahassee and the beaches of the Panhandle. One thing about Florida our Stay Vacations are better than in most states.

[AngelaRetired]

Originally Posted by GrouperK

The Florida Aquarium. Haven’t been in a long time but it’s probably my favorite place to go. It’s clean and not overly crowded. I’m not a city person, so getting motivation to drive up there is difficult.

Rev’s Institute in Naples. One of the best car museums I’ve been to. There’s volunteers throughout the place to talk about the cars, its based on ticket reservations so it’s never packed. There are no ropes around the cars so you can get a great up close view (without touching). A portion of the garage is open to view. Every car is in running condition, a handful are shipped all over the country for use in vintage racing. It’s not the biggest car museum, but I could spend at least a half day there.

EPCOT. If I could only have one amusement park, this would be it. Political stuff aside, I go and always enjoy our time here. Lots of food and drinks to try especially during food and wine, flower and garden festival, etc. The aquarium is decent, could use some updating. Our kids always enjoy going too. I highly recommend staying at a resort within walking distance. Boardwalk, yacht club, beach club etc. the buses can fill up quickly after fireworks.

Good Morning GrouperK!

What about parking for these awesome places you mentioned?

Some people may not be able to afford staying within walking distance.

Thank you for stopping by to join our discussion!

Thanks,
Angela