ATTRACTIONS GOLF COURSES with 554 LAKES
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® Florida Home of LEGOLAND [ VACATION GUIDE ] Unique Family-Friendy Unmatched Natural Beauty 34 Challenging Public-Access ATTRACTIONS with 554 LAKES GOLF COURSES VACATION GUIDE FIND YOUR ELEMENT WELCOME IN CENTRAL FLORIDA. TO CENTRAL FLORIDA’S POLK COUNTY! Visit Central Florida We hope this guide can help you and your family Find Your Element www.VisitCentralFlorida.org in Central Florida. From maps, to accommodation listings to 2701 Lake Myrtle Park Rd. insider tips on local favs, you’ll find just Auburndale, FL 33823 about all the information you’ll need 800-828-7655, 863-551-4750 for a memorable vacation. FAX 863-551-4740 TABLE OF CONTENTS Polk County Map ....................................... 4 Sports Marketing Welcome ............................... 6 www.CentralFloridaSports.com Must Sees ............................. 8 Every effort has been made to provide an accurate comprehensive guide to our area. Trip Planner ....................... 10 However, phone numbers, hours and prices are subject to change without notice. The Attractions / Adventures ....12 omission of any business does not imply a negative judgment or quality rating, nor Arts & Culture ................. 20 does the listing of a business imply recommendation or assurance of quality. Great Outdoors ............... 24 The official Vacation Guide for On The Water .................... 26 Visit Central Florida is designed and published by: Fishing .............................. 28 CNP – Clark/Nikdel/Powell Shooting / Hunting ............ 31 62 Fourth St., NW, Winter Haven, FL 33881 863-299-9980 Cycling .............................. 32 Copyright 2013. All rights reserved; Extreme Sports ................. 33 reproduction in whole or in part prohibited Golfing .............................. 34 without written permission of the publisher. Spectator Sports ............... 38 Photo Credit: All photos presented in this guide are either the property Back-to-Nature / Parks ...... 40 of Visit Central Florida has been given exclusive rights for use in this guide. Dining ............................. 46 Shopping ........................ 52 Accommodations ........... 56 ON THE COVER: Annual Events 68 Central Florida is home to ................ LEGOLAND® Florida, the largest Visitor Services .............. 72 LEGOLAND® park in the world and a full two-day interactive family theme park specifically designed for families with STAY CONNECTED: For up-to-date information on special events, children ages 2 to 12. From new restaurants, accommodations and more visit our website at the AQUAZONE Wave Racers, VisitCentralFlorida.org or check out our mobile site today. to LEGO World of Chima, Tag us using #VisitCentralFL on your social media posts. presented by Cartoon Network, to the seasonal LEGOLAND® Facebook.com/VisitCentralFlorida Instagram: use #VisitCentralFL Water Park, it’s the perfect way to kick off your Central Florida Twitter.com/VisitCentralFL Pinterest.com/VisitCentralFL vacation. See more on LEGOLAND® on page 15. Youtube.com/user/VisitCentralFlorida SunnyCentralFlorida.org VisitCentralFlorida.org | 3 MAP OF POLK COUNTY Orlando Clermont Lake Buena Vista Walt Disney World Resorts® Kissimmee . Moore Rd Polk City Davenport Old Polk City Rd. Lake Alfred Haines City Auburndale Lake TAMPA Lakeland Hamilton Winter Haven Airport Rd. Dundee Drane Field Rd. Linder Regional Airport Eagle Lake Lake Wales Bartow Mulberry Highland Park Babson Homeland Park Fort Meade Frostproof Streamsong Resort 4 | VisitCentralFlorida.org Interstate Divided Hwy. Highway Toll Road Must See Attraction Golf Course Polk Outpost 27 Amtrak Railroad Station Linder Regional Airport River Ranch VisitCentralFlorida.org | 5 / Bok Tower Gardens “A visit here leaves visitors feeling refined and blessed.” Reviewed by: Nichollette Review date Apr 16, 2013 Overall ranking Based on 453 reviews 6 | VisitCentralFlorida.org WE CORDIALLY INVITE YOU TO EXPERIENCE THE MAGIC OF CENTRAL FLORIDA – FOR REAL WHILE CENTRAL FLORIDA’S Polk County is just minutes from the gates of the world’s most famous family attractions, we’ve got so much more to offer your vacation than just ride queues and cartoon characters. It is picturesque gardens, a singing Carillon tower, the world’s largest private collection of vintage aircraft, a safari adventure, Florida’s newest and most uniquely beautiful golf course and 554 lakes brimming with fish or prime for water sports. In fact, Central Florida’s Polk County is fast becoming “play and stay” central for families everywhere looking to enjoy theme park thrills, but also relax, rejuvenate and reconnect while surrounded by the beauty of natural Florida. Anchored by LEGOLAND® Florida – America’s newest kid-friendly theme park – Polk County can keep you and your family happily occupied for days with a variety of unique attractions, natural wonders, tantalizing cuisine and sensational shopping – while keeping you within easy reach of all the magic Central Florida has to offer. And it’s more affordable too! But don’t take our word for it. Check out the TripAdvisor® comments we’ve included in the guide to get a sense for what real Central Florida visitors are saying about their experiences. They’d probably all agree: it’s a “have-a-blast” family vacation formula – one that might have you raving to your friends* when you get back home. *Naturally, we wouldn’t mind if you came back with your friends for a return visit. You’d probably make a fabulous tour guide anyway, right? VisitCentralFlorida.org | 7 5 TOP MUST SEES! PRIORITIES, PRIORITIES BE A KID AGAIN. AND AGAIN, THIS SHOULD RING AND AGAIN, AND AGAIN. YOUR CARILLON BELL. LEGOLAND® Florida – WINTER HAVEN Bok Tower Gardens – LAKE WALES The vividly humble plastic brick has occupied If on your last trip to Florida you were the hearts and minds of children for generations. expecting paradise but only found “Hal’s Now, more than 58 million LEGO® bricks are fully Putt-Putt Paradise,” Bok will restore your assembled and on dramatic display to produce the faith. Because it is – literally – paradise. most stunning creation yet – LEGOLAND® Florida. Perched on the highest elevation in Florida, Coined “Florida’s funnest theme park,” the key this hidden gem will elevate your spirit to this experience is the interactivity of with its stunningly beautiful gardens, the more than 50 rides, shows Singing Tower carillon, family friendly and attractions, including nature trails and educational events. Miniland Florida, the Start at the visitor center, explore LEGOLAND® Water Park, Bok Tower’s history and then take a multiple “pink-knuckle” guided tour of this sacred slice coasters, a live-action, of creation. waterski stunt show and so much more! 8 | VisitCentralFlorida.org IT goes without saying that there is so much to see and so little time, so if you have limited time in Central Florida you might ask, “Any suggestions IORITIES. on where to start?” To which we might reply, “Glad you asked.” WE ALL FLY HAVE A MOMENT WITH IT’S OFFICIAL. YOUR CAGE IN OUR DREAMS. A MONUMENTAL GENIUS. DOOR IS NOW OPEN. Fantasy of Flight – POLK CITY Frank Lloyd Wright Safari Wilderness The main attraction: you and your ability Architecture – LAKELAND Ranch – LAKELAND to escape the gravity of your limitations. Visit Florida Southern College and If two words ever went together, they Yes, it’s the world’s largest collection of see what our American architectural are “vacation” and “freedom.” You’ll privately owned vintage aircraft in the master did with a few million pounds find a spacious and exotic combination world, but founder Kermit Weeks believes of crushed coquina shells. The of both at this Central Florida wild they’re vehicles to help us rise to a new largest collection of Wright’s work animal experience. Does a zebra have sense of personal accomplishment. Strap in one beautifully situated location sweet or sour breath? How soft is an in for immersion tours, flying demos, (12 strikingly unique buildings in all!). Eland’s nose? Is a camel ride smooth ropes course & zip line and meet colorful Take a guided tour or explore it on or bumpy? (humpy?). No crowds, characters from aviation history. your own. no lines. Just you, your family and this unique animal wonderland waiting to be discovered. / Fantasy of Flight “... I was completely blown away by this attraction” Reviewed by: JPMato Review date Feb 22, 2013 Overall ranking Based on 213 reviews VisitCentralFlorida.org | 9 CENTRAL FLORIDA No vacation befuddlement allowed. Just different kinds of experiences to create a Central Florida vacation that matches your interests and budget. LEGOLAND® Florida Immersion Nature Day Day 1: Explore the world’s newest family Morning: Polk Nature Discovery Center fun theme park! & Circle B Bar Reserve Day 2: Go water wild at LEGOLAND® Water Park Lunch: Andy’s Drive-In, Winter Haven with an all-day soaking (seasonal). (cheeseburgers are the bomb) Afternoon: Rent a pontoon boat at Marine Culture Day Supply, cruise the Chain of Lakes! Morning: Get your blood pumping at Barnett Evening: Room service, foot soaking and Monopoly? Park, then tour Frank Lloyd Wright architecture at Florida Southern College. High & Dry Day* Lunch: The Red Door Wine Market Morning: Water Ski Hall of Fame Afternoon: Polk Museum of Art Lunch: Compass Rose Diner, Fantasy of Flight Evening: Family movie night at Cobb 18! Afternoon: Tour Fantasy of Flight, an interactive experience in world aviation history. History Day Evening: Dinner at Gary’s Oyster Bar & Seafood Morning: Tour the Polk County History Center House Lunch: Havana