Entertainment in Florida - Part 1

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While you are staying in one of the many Disney villas, Florida villas, Orlando villas, Florida vacation rentals and villas near Disney that are available to rent, we have listed below some entertainment in Florida that you may well enjoy.

Daytona International Speedway

Daytona International Speedway can be found at Daytona Beach. It was opened in 1959 and is home to the biggest race in all of NASCAR, "The Great American Race", the Daytona 500. Today the facility has a seating capacity of almost 168,000 spectators. It hosts races for different kinds of motor vehicles including go-karts, motorcycles (on and off road), sports cars, modified pickup trucks, and stock cars.

The track features various layouts which include a 2.5 miles high speed tri-oval, a 3.56 miles sports car course, and a 2.95 miles motorcycle course, with a new 0.25 miles karting and flat-track motorcycle racing circuit recently opened. The track's 180 acre infield includes the 29-acre Lake Lloyd, which has hosted powerboat racing. The facility is also used for an annual spring car show and swap meet, and a Thanksgiving street rod meet, some of the largest of their kind, and various 3.1 miles races around the track, as there have been three different layouts. In 2008, the city of Daytona Beach ran its first half marathon, utilizing the track as the start and finish line, around the Daytona 500 Experience, and Bethune-Cookman University.

Daytona's tri-oval is 2.5 miles long with 31° banking in the turns and 18° banking at the start / finish line. The front straightaway is 3,800 feet long and the back straightaway (or "superstretch") is 3,000 feet long. The tri-oval shape, was revolutionary at the time as it greatly improved sight lines. The shape was also necessary to fit the track onto the land that Bill France Senior. could afford.

Daytona's warm climate lends itself to hosting the unofficial start of the racing year with Speedweeks and the 24 Hours of Daytona race in the Grand-Am Rolex Sports Car Series. Then the racing begins for the Sprint Cup Series with the Budweiser Shootout and the Gatorade Duel. The ARCA RE/MAX Series Lucas Oil Slick Mist 200 is held the same day as the Budweiser Shootout, a few hours prior to the Shootout. The Camping World Truck Series begins with the Next Era Energy Resources 250. The Nationwide Series begins with the DRIVE4COPD 300 and then it is back to the Sprint Cup in "The Great American Race", the Daytona 500. The Sprint Cup Series also features the Coke Zero 400 in July at Daytona. It also contains an attraction called the Daytona 500 Experience. The winning car from the Daytona 500 is placed inside the attraction building each year.

Located at 1801 West International Speedway Blvd. Daytona Beach, Florida 32114

South Florida Museum, Bishop Planetarium and Parker Manatee Aquarium

The South Florida Museum interprets the region from the Pleistocene to the present with stunning life-size dioramas and dramatic exhibits based on its extensive collections of anthropological artifacts, paleontological specimens and objects of cultural interest. Established in 1947, the motto then, as it is now, is "Something for everyone."

The Bishop Planetarium is a multipurpose, “state of the art” domed theater, boasting one of the most advanced all-digital projection systems in the world. Incorporating unidirectional stadium style seating, high definition DVD, TV, and PowerPoint projection, and a digital 25,000 watt Dolby 5.1 surround sound system, the Bishop is capable of accommodating a wide range of programs. The planetarium is a remarkable astronomy education resource, allowing visitors to explore their universe through traditional live star talks and immersive virtual journeys to the far reaches of the cosmos.   

The Parker Manatee Aquarium, has been designed to house three adult manatees.  It holds nearly 60,000 gallons of water and includes a medication pool.  The pool offers both deep and shallow water, allowing the manatees to maintain natural feeding behaviors.  An exhibit area within the facility helps to educate the public about manatee anatomy, physiology and habitat, and provides above and below water viewing.  Working closely with Lowry Park Zoo’s critical care hospital for manatees, the Parker Manatee Aquarium is a second stage rehabilitation facility.  A second stage facility provides a temporary home for manatees that will be released back into the wild after having received treatment from an acute care hospital. The Aquarium has housed fourteen manatees as part of its rehab program.  Parker Manatee Aquarium is the permanent home to Manatee County's most famous resident and official mascot, ‘Snooty’, the manatee.

Located at 201 10th Street West, Bradenton, Florida 34205

Gatorama

When Gatorama opened in 1957 by Cecil Clemons, it was one of Florida's first Alligator Attractions.  At that time it housed a few hundred alligators.  By the middle of the 1960's, when US 27 became the main route between Tampa and Miami, Gatorama became a very, very popular tourist attraction.  However, when I75 and the Florida Turnpike were built in the 1970's, few people visited the attraction. 

Located at 6180 U.S. Highway 27 Palmdale, Florida 33944

Teddy Bear Museum of Naples

Nestled among a small group of pines stands “a dream home for teddy bears,” which attracts visitors from all over the world. There are bears of all shapes and sizes, made in a fantastic variety of materials which include fabric, crystal, wood, marble, and bronze in every shape size and color imaginable. It was founded in 1990 and now houses over 5,000 teddy bears by artists and manufacturers from around the globe. Each year around 50,000 visitors go through the doors of the museum. 

Located at 2511 Pine Ridge Road Naples, Florida 34109

Caribbean Gardens (Naples Zoo)

Caribbean Gardens is also called the Naples Zoo.  It has been consistently voted the "Best Place to Take Kids" by Gulfshore Life Magazine. Naples zoo is a nationally accredited zoo and yet is so much more than just a zoo. A natural path that is almost a mile long meanders past rare and beautiful animals living within a 52 acre jungle of exotic plants that were first planted 1919. Within this tropical setting, you can take delight at seeing many of your favorite animals like lions, kangaroos, and monkeys.  Plus you will also discover an array of creatures that are quite a lot rarer, endangered African wild dogs or an Asian deer that barks and eats meat.

Apart from exhibits and gardens, the best of the zoo can be seen by taking in the full day of fun and entertaining presentations and activities that have a solid conservation foundation. Safari Canyon helps you to understand wildlife in varied and exciting ways through living animals, wildlife video, and live camera close-ups. The Primate Expedition Cruise takes you through islands inhabited by monkeys, lemurs, and apes. You can also enjoy the Scales and Tails Show, Meet the Keeper Series, and Alligator Bay Feeding. Children can enjoy touching animals or exploring each of the three play areas.

Whilst at the zoo, you can also relax in a tranquil setting looking over the water to watch the lemurs, monkeys, and apes on their islands.  In the more densely foliated northern gardens, you can walk beneath the expansive canopy of giant ficus trees and their sprawling aerial root systems.

By combining conservation and recreation, Caribbean Gardens can offer all day long fun for people of all ages.  You will discover a number of ways to get involved in helping animals. The zoo is accredited by the prestigious American Zoo and Aquarium Association and is also an institutional member of the American Association of Zoo Keepers, Inc.

There are many attractions to see including - the Fosa which is Madagascar's Legendary Carnivore, Africa's Lions (Disappearing in Plain Sight), Tiger Forest, African Wild Dogs, Primate Expedition Cruise, Leopard Rock, Alligator Bay, Backyard Habitat, Petrof's Primate Pavilion, Safari Canyon Presentations, African Oasis, Panther Glade, Natural Fun Wildlife Habitat, Madagascar Pavilion, Play Areas, Feed the Fish.

The following events take place every day: Planet Predator - living animals from exotic cats to rarely seen hunters with a focus on their carnivorous side.  Serpents - Fangs & Fiction.  Discover the world of reptiles including venomous snakes.  Primate Expedition Cruise - A guided journey past islands of monkeys, lemurs, and apes.  Botanical Tours (Sundays only) - join the Zoo's botanist for a tour through part of the garden.  Meet the Keeper - talk with professional zookeepers and see the animals they care for.  Alligator Bay - Learn the truth behind the myths about these giant reptiles.  Snake Sunbathing - A casual environment with deadly reptiles.

In the evening, you can take part in the Naples Zoo Night Eyes Tour.  This tour last around 2 hours.  As you will be walking in the dark, all people who take this tour must be in good health and be strong walkers. Because of the nature of this experience, participants must be at least 17 years of age. Any 17-year-old must be accompanied by a legal guardian. A release form must be signed prior to departure for this activity.

Located at the Zoo in Naples, 1590 Goodlette-Frank Road Naples Florida 34102

Swamp Buggy Races

Florida Sports Park is the home of the world famous Swamp Buggy races held every January, March and October, and many other racing, sporting, cultural and social events.

Located at Naples, Florida

Everglades Museum

Journey back over 10,000 years of Southwest Florida’s unique past at the Collier County Museum. Learn about mastodons and fierce saber cats, Calusa and Seminole Indians, and the rugged pioneers who settled one of America’s last frontiers. Visitors can enjoy five acres of native gardens, two early Naples cottages, swamp buggies and a logging locomotive. Special programs and exhibitions are presented throughout the year. 

Located at 3301 Tamiami Trail East Naples, Florida 34112

Asolo Theatre Company

The Asolo Theatre Company performs in revolving repertory, producing up to five plays at one time with one resident company.

Located at 5555 N. Tamiami Trail Sarasota, Florida 34243

Circus Sarasota

The Circus Sarasota was founded in 1997 by Pedro Reis and Dolly Jacobs. It is known as the "Circus Capital of the World."  Sarasota is now able to claim its own one ring, five star international circus. The presence of circus as an organization and its artists as individual citizens has contributed significantly to the cultural richness and diversity, which is now synonymous with the Sarasota area.

Located at Sarasota, Florida 34276