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Entertainment in Florida - Part 3 |
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Entertainment in Florida - Part 3 |
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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. National Museum of Naval Aviation The National Naval Aviation Museum is one of the world’s largest aviation museums which opened in 1962. It is located aboard Naval Air Station Pensacola and boasts more than 150 beautifully restored aircraft, hands-on exhibits and more than 4,000 artifacts. As the name suggests, the museum is devoted to the history of naval aviation including that of the US Navy, the US Marine Corps and the US Coastguard. Thousands of Naval Airmen have trained at the Pensacola Naval Air Station. Practice demonstrations by the Blue Angles can be seen from the museum most Tuesday and Wednesday mornings between March and November. These practices are weather permitting. You can also take a ride in a motion based Top Gun Air Combat simulator, have fun with the ultimate seven story giant screen movie experience in the IMAX Theatre (The Magic of Flight). The museum restaurant is part of the attraction. The famous Plaque Bar in the Philippines was transplanted here in exact detail after the Americans were kicked out of the base on Cubi Bay. It is now called the Cubi Bar Cafe, and features much of the same old junk that was in the original Café. The walls are covered from floor to ceiling with engraved wood plaques. The squadron plaques appear to list every American airman stationed at Cubi. They have nicknames like "Snort" and "Hawk". You will find yourself scanning hundreds of names and the years served as you gobble down a hot dog or burger and a cool refreshing soft drink. Even though the Museum has some wonderful and exciting exhibits, it is the Cubi Bar really captures the spirit of the naval airman who were on duty in foreign lands, ready to fly and die for freedom. The museum is open 9:00 am to 5:00 pm every day except Thanksgiving Day, Christmas Day and New Year's Day. Parking and admission to the museum are free, although donations are welcome. Some exhibits inside the museum, such as the theatre, charge separate admission. Located at 1750 Radford Boulevard, Pensacola, Florida 32508 Brevard Museum of History and Science The Museum was founded in 1969. It is located on 26 acres, 22 of which are devoted to three main nature trails. Each represents a separate and unique ecosystem. A Pine Sand Hill, a Fresh Water Marsh, and a Hardwood Hammock. These trails represent a microcosm of environmental life in Brevard County and are used to educate school children, residents and visitors about the interdependence of man and his environment and the fragility of this easternmost area of Florida. Located at 2201 Michigan Ave Cocoa, Florida 32926 Ocean Center This popular multi-use facility hosts a variety of conventions, tradeshows, concerts, banquets, family entertainment shows and sporting events. Located at 101 N. Atlantic Ave. Daytona Beach, Florida. Harbor Branch Oceanographic Institution Harbor Branch Oceanographic Institution, Inc. is a not-for-profit research institution employing nearly 300 marine researchers, engineers, and ship submersible crews to carry out research in marine biomedical areas, marine science and biology, and marine engineering. Harbor Branch's main 500-acre campus near Fort Pierce, Florida is home to three ships, three submersibles and one of the largest facilities of its kind in the world. Located at 5600 US 1 North, Ft. Pierce, Florida 34946 Brevard Museum of Art and Science The Brevard Museum of Art and Science is located in Old Eau Gallie, one of Brevard County's historic districts and one block from the Indian River. The focal point of an ever-expanding artistic and cultural center, Brevard Museum of Art is committed to the creation, exhibition, collection, preservation and appreciation of the visual arts. Located at 1463 Highland Avenue P. O. Box 360835 Melbourne, Florida. Brevard Zoo Brevard Zoo is a small zoo that does big things. Their mission is “Wildlife Conservation through Education and Participation.” To support that mission, they focus on providing top quality care for their animals, offering unique opportunities for guests to experience nature both on and off site, actively participate with Brevard County Public Schools to develop education programs that serve diverse audiences with authentic learning activities and to support critical research and field conservation projects both locally and abroad. Brevard Zoo has accreditation and membership with industry-leading organizations, and often receives grant support from various institutions. Brevard Zoo offers lots of activities like kayaking, riding the train, and feeding the animals. In addition, the Zoo daily offers animal demos that rotate depending on the day including alligator, otter, and vulture feedings. Admission is around $13 for adults and $10 for children. Stroll through the shaded boardwalks of Latin America, Native Florida and Australia, featuring an outback habitat and free flight aviary. The zoo features over 400 animals, representing 120 species, including alligator, crocodile, giant anteater, tapir, marmoset, eagle, river otter, exotic birds and more. Feed the Giraffes / Lorikeets - Feed the giraffes at the giraffe platform in Expedition Africa. Treats are $2. Feed nectar to the lorikeets (parrots) in the Aviary in Australasia. Nectar cups are $1. Feed seed sticks to the cockatiels in the Aviary in Australasia. Seed sticks are $1. Cape to Cairo Express train ride - Ride the rails past the Australian aviary and around Lemur Island; cost $3 for ages 2 and up. A portion of each ride benefits the Zoo's conservation programs. The train ride is approximately 10 minutes. Kayaking - Brevard Zoo offers two guided kayaking tours. Choose a guided kayaking tour of our 22 acre restored wetlands in Wild Florida at the Wetlands Outpost or paddle through Expedition Africa. Cost is $6 per person. No children under the age of 5 can kayak, and children 12 and under must be accompanied by an adult in the kayak with them. All participants must sign a waiver in order to kayak. For children under the age of 16, only a signed waiver will be accepted from a parent, grandparent, or legal guardian.
Animal Demos -
Alligator and Crocodile Feeding -
Alligator and Crocodile feedings are at 3 p.m. every Wednesday,
Friday, and Sunday and can be seen from the bridge to Wild Florida.
Wild Encounter Tours, Destination Africa - This unparalleled adventure takes visitors off the boardwalk on an awe-inspiring educational hour getting up close and personal with some of the Zoo’s most charismatic animal residents like Melvin, a masai giraffe, or Howard, one of our white rhinos. Guests learn the intricacies involved in keeping these beautiful creatures conditioned, healthy, and mentally enriched, and will explore first-hand how the Zoo’s skilled keepers utilize their training to interact with the animals. Reservations required and payment is due at time of reservation.
Tours
offered on Saturdays and Sundays at 1 p.m. Zoo Packages - For a reduced rate on admission into the Zoo, you can purchase an activity package at the main entrance when you arrive. Young Explorer’s Package - includes Zoo admission and tickets to ride the train, and feed the giraffe and lorikeets. Cost is $17 for adults, $16 for seniors, and $14 for children. Zoo members can purchase this package for just $6 per person. Wild Explorer’s Package - Includes Zoo admission, a choice of kayaking Wild Florida or Expedition Africa, and giraffe and lorikeet feedings. Children under 5 are not permitted to kayak and children under 12 must be accompanied by an adult. All participants must sign a waiver in order to kayak. For children under the age of 18, only a signed waiver will be accepted from a parent, grandparent, or legal guardian. Cost is $19 for adults, $18 for seniors, and $16 for children. Located at 8225 North Wickham Road, Melbourne, Florida 32940 Historic Spanish Point Around 4,000 years ago, people lived at what is now Historic Spanish Point. It was here that early Floridians fished and hunted, made tools from shell, bone and wood, mended their fishing nets, cooked their food and buried their dead. At Historic Spanish Point you will see a burial mound and two middens or shell mounds, which contain the evidence of lives of these early people. The middens were created from shell, bones and other day to day items. There is a unique archaeological exhibition called "A Window to the Past" which is located inside the midden. It represents what archaeologists have discovered about these early inhabitants. Located at 846, Osprey, Florida 34229 Kennedy Space Center The Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex provides an exhilarating and educational experience of the space program. Whether touring the Rocket Garden, or boarding a full-scale replica of the Space Shuttle Explorer, visitors are guaranteed to gain a new perspective on the incredible feats accomplished by the space program. Mckee Botanical Gardens In 1922, the McKee-Sexton Land Company was established in Vero Beach, Florida. This partnership purchased an 80-acre tropical hammock along the Indian River in 1929 and McKee Jungle Gardens was born. With the help of landscape architect William Lyman Phillips, now known as the pioneer of tropical landscape architecture, the basic infrastructure of streams, ponds and trails was designed. Native vegetation was augmented with ornamental plants and seeds from around the world as Arthur G. McKee and Waldo E. Sexton set about assembling one of the most outstanding collections of water lilies and orchids. McKee Botanical Garden, Inc. is a private, not-for-profit cultural organization located at the southern gateway to Vero Beach, Florida, with the mission of "nurturing and enhancing a historic garden in a unique tropical setting for the education, enjoyment and enrichment of all." The garden is listed on the National Register of Historic Places and is a historic Florida landmark. It has been endorsed by The Garden Conservancy as a project of National Significance and received the Florida Trust's "Outstanding Achievement in Landscape Architecture" in 2002. The Garden receives support from individuals, foundations, and corporations and from income generated from admissions, gift shop sales, special events, and rentals. The Garden can be rented for weddings, dinner parties, receptions, ceremonies and other private events. McKee Botanical Garden is known for its 18-acre subtropical jungle hammock, filled with plants appropriate for horticultural growing zone 9B. This dense and diverse collection also features several restored architectural treasures. Located at 350 US Highway 1, Vero Beach, Florida. Miami Seaquarium This the where you can find Lolita, a Killer Whale and also television star "Flipper". There are around 100 species of sea life to be viewed, plus endangered sea turtles and Manatees. Located at 4400 Rickenbacker Causeway Miami, Florida 33149 Bok Tower Gardens Bok Tower Gardens is situated on Florida's highest peninsular point. It has a wonderful 205 foot tower with 57 bells that play to the public every day. The tower itself stands in a fabulous landscape of over 200 acres with magnificent woodland gardens which offer a good variety of tropical plants and gives visitors the opportunity to see some central Florida wildlife.
A good site map can be obtained at the gate and this will help you find a quiet relaxing area for those who are looking for peace and solitude whilst at the same time enjoying the tower bells. The white garden is a popular backdrop for weddings, there is a grove of live oaks and a reflection pool that mirrors the tower itself. Just find a bench, sit quietly and admire the stunning views.
With 20 rooms, the property's Pinewood Estate is considered to be one of the state's finest examples of Mediterranean Revival architecture.
The tower and gardens have nonprofit status as an educational institution. They operate a program for fourth graders as well as an adult Garden Campus with 60 programs offered to the public. Included are day tours, classes, workshops and slide lectures.
There is also a café and gift shop to buy your souvenirs. Located at Historic Bok Sanctuary 1151 Tower Blvd. Lake Wales, Florida 33853. Central Florida Zoological Park Enter the enchanted, tropical world of the Central Florida Zoo, a relaxing, entertaining and educational experience for the entire family. Discover a world of animals from around the world within this intimate park nestled in the heart of Florida. Stroll along shaded, winding boardwalks and paths as you see towering elephants, search for elusive cheetahs, appreciate the beauty of bright-faced mandrills and listen to the song of the kookaburra. Or dare to meet some of the world’s most venomous reptiles and non-venomous snakes, lizards and frogs in the Herpetarium. Located at Lake Monroe, Florida 32747. Citywalk This soul-stirring, 30-acre complex surrounds you with a dazzling array of restaurants, nightclubs, shopping, state-of-the-art cinemas and live entertainment venues inspired by popular culture's most legendary innovators and originators. Its outdoor stages and common areas are the setting for live concerts, art festivals, cooking demonstrations, celebrity personal appearances, street performers, and a variety of other fun and unique activities. Located at 1000 Universal Studios Plaza Orlando, Florida 32819. Dolphin World A trip to the Sunshine State is only complete after a Swim with the Dolphins. Florida’s friendliest and smartest marine mammals beckon swimmers from around the world to their crystal clear native lagoons and dolphin swim facilities around the state. You can swim with the dolphins in Orlando, Miami, or the Florida Keys, enjoying a variety of captive and wild dolphin encounters. Each of the dolphin swim locations boasts it own specialties and unique opportunities. A constant between dolphin swim locations in Orlando, Miami and the Florida Keys is that the dolphin swim experiences are extremely popular and reservations are sold out months in advance. You definitely need to plan your dolphin swim as soon as you plan the rest of your vacation. Dolphin World’s fifteen years of experience combined with a comprehensive, secure online booking system ensure that you have a hassle-free dolphin swim reservation. If you are looking for last minute spots, they might be able to help you, but you are encouraged to reserve a spot well in advance. If, for any reason, there is not a dolphin swim reservation available for your requested date, they will immediately contact you and offer alternative suggestions. Their goal is to make your Florida vacation as fun and hassle-free as possible! Discovery Cove in Orlando, Florida is the ultimate vacation destination! Discovery Cove limits its daily visitation to 1,000 people, so each guest is guaranteed to have a spectacular experience. Perfect for the entire family, Discovery Cove is packed with activities for every age. The Dolphin Swim experience is one of the best in Florida, but that’s not all. Your all inclusive day package includes breakfast, lunch, beverages and snacks throughout the day. In addition to the dolphin swim with beaming bottlenose dolphins, you get to snorkel in the tropical fish lagoon among thousands of shimmering tropical fish. The tropical river and resort pool are relaxing spots for a swim or a stretch in the sun. Towels, sunscreen, snorkel gear, wetsuits and more are included in your package. You bring excitement, we provide the fun! Your family’s Miami dolphin swim takes place at one of the finest dolphin swim locations in south Florida. You will make friends with many marine mammals, and spend shallow and deep water time with the dolphins. The Miami dolphin swim adventure also includes many marine mammal shows and other exciting attractions of the facility. Best of all, the Miami dolphin is just one component of your Miami Beach vacation. Dolphin World is not only an expert in dolphin swim locations, they can also help you plan days of action-packed activities. Water sports, trips to the zoo, shopping, dining and more. Kicking Back with the Dolphins in Key Largo Area - the relaxed atmosphere of the Florida Keys is a perfect place for a swim with dolphins. During your dolphin swim mini-workshop, you’ll come face to face with smiling cetacean and a wide variety of other creatures. Kayak through a beautiful coral reef of clear, turquoise water in a glass bottomed kayak. Enjoy a show of frolicking sea lions and a tour of the Key Largo area dolphin swim facility!If water sports and high seas adventures are part of your family’s wish list, the Key Largo area offers lots of opportunities for recreation. Let Dolphin World help you plan the rest of your vacation so that it is as fun, exciting and relaxing as possible! Each Florida location offers a variety of dolphin encounter options. Dolphin swims, dolphin encounters and more await visitors. The highlight of each dolphin program is the dolphin swim. During a bottlenose dolphin swim, participants enjoy shallow and deeper water experiences with the dolphins. While swimming with the dolphins, you will experience the thrill of a dorsal fin ride or foot push, flying through the water at high speed. You also learn how to lead dolphins through learned behaviors, and hug, kiss and pet your slippery new friends. Each of Dolphin World’s locations provide hours of enjoyment and a lifetime of memories, each a bit different from the other. In addition, two of the three locations are close to other major vacation spots in Florida, within 1 or 2 hours driving time. For the Dolphin programs in Miami, you would be close to Fort Lauderdale, West Palm Beach, South Beach Miami, and Naples. The Dolphin program in Orlando, you would be close to Tampa Bay, Sarasota / Bradenton, Jacksonville, Daytona Beach, Marineland, and Saint Augustine. |
