Take a look to see what’s hot and new this Spring and Summer in Florida. From Miami to Fort Lauderdale and Orlando, read on to find out about culinary events, baseball season, what’s new for golfing in Florida, food and wine festivals, gay rodeos, the newest attractions at the Miami Seaquarium, Jungle Island and more!
Step into Downtown Coral Gables, Miami. For one of the top food or culinary destinations in Miami for the whole family, be sure to check out downtown Coral Gables, one of Miami’s most historic neighbourhoods. With nearly 70 restaurants located in a pedestrian-friendly area known for its distinctly Mediterranean flair, it’s upscale, refined and meant for those who are concerned with taste, quality and the overall culinary experience rather than just another a trendy atmosphere and bland piece of sea bass. Go to www.shopcoralgables.com for more.
Volunteer Adventure in Everglades National Park, Miami. As part of its commitment to the World Heritage Alliance for Sustainable Tourism, Miami’s Mandarin Oriental is offering a “Miami Everglades” volunteer program to Everglades National Park. The package includes an inspiring day trip where guests can participate in tree planting, recycling projects and exotic plant removal programs while also being able to tour the national park with an expert park ranger. The entire package includes 2 nights accommodation, the volunteer mission, a Hybrid rental car for the day starting at $978 (February to April), $798 (April to May) and $698 (May to September). Go to www.mandarinoriental.com for more.
Way More Than a Cruise Land & Sea Deals, Orlando. Beginning in May, Universal Studios and Royal Caribbean Cruises are offering a new land & sea package: “Way More Than a Cruise.” The vacation package offers a 10 or 11-night holiday that combines the best of land and sea for an exciting family vacation. It combines a 3 or 4-night stay at Universal with a seven-night Eastern or Western Caribbean with Royal Caribbean Cruises at almost 25% savings on your travel expenses. Go to www.waymorethanacruise.com for more.
One of the U.S.’s Largest Gay Rodeos, Fort Lauderdale. Watch cowboys wrangle and ride at the FGRA Sunshine Stampede Rodeo (April 3 – 5, 2009), one of the country’s largest gay rodeos drawing cowboys and cowgirls from across the U.S. and Canada. For the first time there will be a rodeo school. This is a charity rodeo that raises funds for non-profit groups who give back to the community. Go to www.fgra.org/stampede for more.
The 25th Annual Pompano Beach Seafood Festival, Miami (April 24 – 25, 2009) is a festival of food, music and fun held right on Pompano Beach! Festival goers will also enjoy the Boardwalk Bazaar, a mix of arts and crafts, clothing and local businesses. The festival is a not for profit corporation and proceeds will benefit a wide variety of charities and civic organizations. Go to www.pompanobeachseafoodfestival.com for more.
The Las Olas Food and Wine Festival, Miami (May 1 – 2, 2009, 7:30 p.m. – 10:00 p.m.), presented by Premier Beverage Company, will take place on Las Olas Boulevard, the most popular street in downtown Fort Lauderdale. There will be live music in addition to signature culinary creations from more than 65 of South Florida’s most desirable restaurants and over 40 wine tables. Proceeds from the festival will benefit local asthma programs, education, patients and research at the Asthma Clinical Research Center at the University of Miami. Go to www.lasolaswineandfood.com for more.
Astronaut Hall of Fame induction at Kennedy Space Center, Orlando. Witness space history at the Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex on May 2, 2009 as more than 25 Hall of Fame astronauts, including Buzz Aldrin and John Young, gather to induct three of America’s finest Space Shuttle commanders into the U.S. Astronaut Hall of Fame. Go to www.kennedyspacecenter.com for more.
SeaWorld’s New “Manta” Roller Coaster, Orlando. SeaWorld is nearly finished with “Manta,” a new roller coaster attraction that transitions riders from air to sea. Guests will experience underwater animal habitats, soar face-down in a horizontal position to nearly 60 mph, and come within inches of the ocean. Visitors who choose not to ride can instead experience the attraction itself, which provides floor-to-ceiling window views of more than 300 rays, including shark rays, spotted eagle rays and leopard rays. Go to www.SeaWorld.com for more.
New Dolphin Harbor Facility at Miami Seaquarium. Miami Seaquarium opens its new dolphin interaction facility called Dolphin Harbor. The new facility, home to ten Atlantic Bottlenose Dolphins and the park’s dolphin interaction programs, features a 12,000-square-foot, 700,000-gallon dolphin pool surrounded by an 8,000-square-foot facility. Dolphin Harbor offers guests two different dolphin interaction programs — Dolphin Odyssey and Dolphin Encounter – where guests can feed, touch, learn about and even swim with these magnificent animals. Go to www.miamiseaquarium.com for more.
Major League Baseball Returns, Port Charlotte. Major league baseball returns to the area when the Grapefruit League opens Feb. 29 and runs through April 1. The American League Champions, Tampa Bay Rays, will play in the Charlotte Sports Park which just completed $27 million in renovations, including all new seating, a 360-degree concourse and a new 40,000 square-foot clubhouse. Professional minor league baseball will be played at the renovated stadium when the Charlotte Stone Crabs take the field in April. Go to www.stonecrabsbaseball.com for more.
Easter Eggstravaganza at Jungle Island, Miami. From April 10-12th, 2009, Jungle Island is holding their 20th annual traditional Easter Eggstravaganza, including brunch on Sunday. Child admission is $5 with purchase of a general adult ticket for $29.95. Activities include: Easter Bunny visits, Face Painting, Coconut Tree Climb, Bounce Houses, Pie Eating Contest and all Daily egg hunts benefiting the Parent Academy. Plenty of animals including African Penguins, Orangutans, Red Kangaroos and endangered Lemurs. Animal encounters and animal shows; Tale of the Tiger, Winged Wonders, Lifestyles of the Cute and Creepy and our latest Gator X-treme, bringing man face-to-face with alligators in a thrilling encounter both in the water and out. Prizes, contests and lots of marshmallow peeps. Go to www.jungleisland.com for more.
Golf at the newly renovated Fisher Island Club, Fisher Island (near Miami). The Fisher Island Club recently renovated its par-35, nine-hole golf course. The $3.9 million renovation included not only adding difficulty and lush landscaping to the course, but also changing out the Greens. The new course is completely laid out of Sea Isle 2000 Paspalum grass, which thrives on salt water and can even be irrigated using ocean water. Complementing the beautiful course is a two-tiered driving range with a putting green, practice sand bunkers and a teaching area. Go to www.fisherislandclub.com for more.
Golf just got easier in Florida. The new golf.VISITFLORIDA.com website allows users to connect with golf experts and PGA Professionals to find out everything and anything about golfing in Florida. Find deals, golf course information (location, number of holes, par, amenities, course type, rates), tips, tournament coverage and even upload photos, videos and get Hot Florida Golf Deals. Go to golf.VISITFLORIDA.com for more.