The Rest Of Florida

[poohspals]

Not long until we go now and we have completely sorted what we are doing whilst we stay in Orlando (5 days). However, we are spending almost 3 weeks in Florida (down east coast and back up west) and just wondered if anyone could recommend any other attractions for us to see.

[Hoosier]

Go and see Bok tower for a relaxing peaceful day - plenty of wildlife- squirrels, wookpeckers and gardens . We didn't spend much time there but it is worth a visit. Take a picnic. If rain is forecast put on mosquito repellant or wear thin but long clothing!!
It is the highest point in Florida and has a chiming clock tower made I think out of cocina (shell like material)
... and if you have kids I recommend the Petting farm on Ponciana
2 hour walking tour (but you can hire carts to pull the kids round in.

[Mike]

...we've just done the parks, Kennedy on the east, and Sarasota area on the west for a week, so our view is still a bit parochial, but if you fancy a very natural themed day, stop at the Myakka River State Park (http://www.myakkariver.org/) near Sarasota, where there's a really informative, low-speed and quiet airboat ride, guided tours on a buggy, canoing and walks. Gorgeous scenery! And very reasonably priced... about $5 to drive into the park, and the ride was about $8 adults, and $4 kids. We're going back next year!

I'm sure you'll be swamped with loads of exotic ideas and pursuits by others who've travelled further afield!

Mike:cool:

[poet123]

seascreamer at clearwater beach, day trip to sanibel/Captiva islands, Miami seaquarium to swim with dolphins, air boat ride nr everglades city, shopping in Naples, Marco Island.

[poohspals]

Hoosier, where would i find Bok Tower? Many Thanks for the ideas, please keep sending them

[poohspals]

I have found so many things to do in orlando area now beginning to regret not staying there for full holiday so please can anyone brighten up my holiday.

[Mrs_Dazzle]

I'll second Mike's Myakka river - beautiful place.

Also, consider Homossassa Springs, near the Tarpon Springs greek sponge diving centre (there's always there too!).

There are so many beautiful parts to visit in Florida, I could go on and on . . . . . .

But here would be my top 5 (in no particular order):

* Myakka
* Homossassa
* Ft Lauderdale/Palm beach - just to nosey around
* Everglades - miles and miles of it
* The gulf coast - anywhere from St Pete's down to Marco,
lovely to sit on the beaches and daydream, or take a boat trip
watching dolphins or the sunset, try some shelling too!

So much to see, so little time to do it in :D

[poet123]

We are planning to visit St Augustine also as I have heard it is olde Florida!!

[Carole]

I wouldn't bother with Sanibel/Captiva at the moment. Although they're lovely to visit normally, at the moment they're still recovering from Hurricane Charlie and have debris everywhere.

We took the seacat down to Key West for the day, which was fun, and went on a day tour of the everglades and also a trip to Corkscrew sanctuary - a 2 mile boardwalk through everglades.

[poohspals]

really looking forward to the 2 nights booked on Sanibel now thanks Carole!

[Hops]

St. Augustine recommended. It's the oldest city in the U.S. Lots to see and do such as Castillo de San Marcos (Fort St. Marks), restored areas, nightly ghost tours, lots of shops & restaurants, nearby beaches, etc.

http://www.oldcity.com/images/DownTown/firstglance.jpg
St. George Street.

[BnDamo]

Originally posted by poet123
We are planning to visit St Augustine also as I have heard it is olde Florida!!

We did this on our last trip spending 3 days at the New World Golf Resort & Hall of Fame which is just north (6miles) of St Augustine. St Augustine is well worth a visit and it does date back to colonial times and the first settled town in the US.Get the train that travels thru the town and hop on and off where you want. Highly reccommend this for a few days away from the parks.

[batleyboy26]

Just to re-iterate what somebody has already said, DEFINITELY Seascreamer at Clearwater. It goes from the Marina opposite Pier 60. The 5 mins that the 7/8 dolphins were chasing our speedboat and doing spectacular jumps out of the water were absolutely amazing.

[russy]

Ican reccommend 1 attraction not to see, the Orlando Zoo. God it was awful it is the worst zoo i have ever seen. I really felt so sorry for the animals. I expected great things but was woefully disappointed.:sad: