Central Florida Attractions

A WORLD OF ORCHIDS  Thousands of rare and exotic flowering orchids from around the globe on exhibit daily in an indoor tropical garden setting. Relaxing, enjoyable, educational. FREE daily guided tours/Saturday lectures, group rates, retail sales. 2501 Old Lake Wilson Road, Kissimmee, FL 34747 (407)396-1887

ADVENTURE ISLAND  Tampa Bay’s only water park, features water play areas, a championship volleyball complex, outdoor cafes, picnic and sunbathing areas. Guests can conquer speed slides, float along on a rambling river or take advantage of 12 beautiful white sand volleyball courts. Open March through October; call (813)987-5660 for details.

BLACK HILLS PASSION PLAY  In Lake Wales, one of America's longest-running stage productions. Cast of 250 recreates last seven days in life of Christ. In large outdoor amphitheater, this premier attraction is in its 42nd season, February-March-April. Information: Lake Wales Amphitheater, P.O. Box 71, Lake Wales, FL 33859 (813)676-1495

BOK TOWER GARDENS  Visit this magnificent garden and historic carillon tower - now a National Historic Landmark. Daily carillon recitals; visitor center; cafe; gift shop; picnic area. Open daily 8 a.m.-5p.m. U.S. 27 and S.R. 60 at Lake Wales. (813)676-1408

BUCCANEER BAY  Florida’s only natural spring waterpark featuring the Thunderbolt and Pirates Revenge speed flumes, Lazy River tube ride, children’s play area, white sandy beaches, volleyball and picnic areas. Located adjacent to Weeki Wachee Spring, 45 minutes north of Tampa on US 19. (800)678-9335

BUSCH GARDENS, TAMPA BAY  Guests of all ages have a variety of experiences exploring this 300-acre family entertainment park. The most popular attraction on Florida’s west coast. Visitors experience a unique combination of thrilling rides, zoological habitats and live entertainment. Open 9:30 a.m. - 6 p.m. (extended in summer and selected holidays). (813)987-5082

CHURCH STREET STATION  Historic downtown Orlando's complete entertainment complex featuring Rosie O'Grady's, Phineas Phogg's, The Orchid Garden Ballroom, the Cheyenne Saloon and Opera House plus plenty of dining and shopping. Open 11 a.m. - 2 a.m. year round. 129 W. Church St., Orlando, FL 32801 407/422-2434

CYPRESS GARDENS  Botanical theme park featuring world-famous tropical gardens; exciting water ski shows; an outdoor wildlife sculpture series; "Wings of Wonder," the Butterfly Conservatory; educational birds of prey and gardening programs; a Russian acrobatic show and more! Open 365 days a year; one hour southwest of Orlando off U.S. 27 near Winter Haven. (941) 324-2111.

DISNEY WORLD (WALT DISNEY WORLD RESORT) Magic Kingdom Park, Epcot®, Disney-MGM Studios, resort hotels and Fort Wilderness Campground, 5 championship golf courses, Typhoon Lagoon, Pleasure Island, River Country, Discovery Island and Disney Village Marketplace. Open daily. P.O. Box 10,000, Lake Buena Vista, FL 32830 Information: (407)824-4321; Hotel Reservations (407)W-DISNEY.

EUROPA SEAKRUZ  6-hour day or evening cruises featuring full meal, live entertainment, dancing, games and Las Vegas style casino. SeaKruz sails from John’s Pass Village, Madeira Beach; Palm Grove Marina, Ft. Myers Beach; and Truman Annex, Key West. Sales office: 150-153rd Ave., Suite 202, Madeira Beach, FL 33708 Reservations/information (800)688-PLAY.

GATORLAND  "Alligator Capital of the World”. Three exciting shows - Gator Jumparoo, Gator Wrestlin' and the Snakes of Florida. Ride Gatorland Express Railroad. Try gator ribs and gator nuggets at Pearl's Smokehouse. Open daily 8 a.m. till dusk. 14501 S. Orange Blossom Tr. (Hwy. 441) between Orlando and Kissimmee. (407)855-5496 or (800)393-JAWS

GREAT EXPLORATIONS, THE HANDS ON MUSEUM  There's always something new at this fascinating "hands on" museum with a variety of exciting interactive exhibits: a 96-foot pitch black "Touch Tunnel", "Think Tank", "Phenomenal Arts", "Body Shop", "Explore Galore", unique museum store, changing exhibits. 10 a.m. - 5 p.m., Mon. - Sat.; Noon - 5 p.m., Sun. 1120 4th St. S., St. Petersburg, FL 33701 (813)821-8992

GREEN MEADOWS FARM  A "hands-on" two-hour guided tour of over 300 farm animals. Everyone milks a cow; pony rides for children; hayrides for all. Picnic area under "grandfather oaks". Seasonal events. Continuous tours: 9:30 a.m. - 4:00 p.m., open till 5:30 p.m. Five miles south of Hwy. 192 on Poinciana Blvd., Kissimmee, FL 32742. (407)846-0770

HOMOSASSA SPRINGS STATE WILDLIFE PARK  Walk underwater in the natural spring and meet our friendly manatees. Stroll nature trails and see and learn about Florida’s wildlife. Daily educational programs and Children’s Education Center. Open 9 a.m. - 5:30 p.m. Ticket counter closes at 4 p.m. Located on U.S. 19 in Homosassa Springs, FL 34448 (904)628-2311

KENNEDY SPACE CENTER SPACEPORT USA  The official visitor center at Kennedy Space Center, the world’s only launch and landing base of America’s Space Shuttle. Two hour bus tours and three different IMAX movie presentations available. Open everyday except Christmas. SPACEPORT USA, Mail Code: TWRS, Kennedy Space Center, FL 32899 (407)452-2121

KING HENRY'S FEAST  For a taste of Merry Ol’ England, dine in King Henry VIII’s banquet hall! Entertainment features a sword swallower, fire blower, and aerial ballerina. Four-course dinner includes soup, salad, chicken, ribs, vegetables and dessert. Unlimited beer, wine, and Coca-Cola®. 8984 International Dr., Orlando, FL 32819 (407)351-5151 Toll free (800)347-8181

MEDIEVAL LIFE  Experience the life of 1,000 years past when entering the village of Raymondburg. Witness actual artifacts on a 1-hour tour of a 14 cottage Medieval Hamlet. Be Warned! As you enter the spine-tingling dungeon and torture chamber, you may never escape with your life!!! (407)239-8666 or (800)229-8300

MEDIEVAL TIMES DINNER AND TOURNAMENT  Travel back to the days of yore at central Florida’s #1 dinner attraction, near Disney on Highway 192. Guests will feast on a regal banquet inside the 1,000 seat, 11th-century, European-style castle and cheer for daring knights on horseback competing in tournament games, sword fighting and jousting matches. (407)396-1518

MUSEUM OF SCIENCE & INDUSTRY (MOSI)  Fun for “kids” 1 to 101! Over 400 “minds-on” activities-planetarium, space simulators, hurricane chamber, butterfly garden. More than you ever imagined. Coming in Spring 95 - Florida’s first IMAX® DOME Theater and Star Trek®: Federation Science exhibit. 4801 E. Fowler Ave., Tampa, FL 33617 (813)987-6300

RIPLEY’S BELIEVE IT OR NOT! MUSEUM - ORLANDO  Hundreds of unbelievable exhibits and displays will entertain groups of all ages! A wonderful, low-cost option in the heart of the tourist sector. 10 a.m. - 11 p.m. daily; suggested visit: 60-90 min. 8201 International Drive, Orlando, FL 32819 (407)363-4418

SALVADOR DALI MUSEUM  One of Florida’s foremost cultural attractions and home to the world’s most comprehensive collection of works by the late Spanish surrealist Salvador Dali. Recommended by AAA. Great gift shop. Tours daily. Open 9:30 a.m. - 5:30 p.m. daily except Sun. and Mon. Noon - 5:30 p.m. 1000 Third Street South, St. Petersburg, FL 33701 (813)823-3767

SEA WORLD OF FLORIDA  World’s most popular marine life park, features exciting encounters with marine life, including Shamu the killer whale, manatees, penguins, dolphins, sea lions, walruses, otters, sharks, eels, stingrays, birds and fish in more than 20 shows and hands-on exhibits. Opening summer 1995 - new “Wild Arctic” attraction. (407)351-3600

UNIVERSAL STUDIOS FLORIDA  Thrill to 400+ acres of incredible rides, shows and attractions at the #1 movie studio and theme park in the world! Experience Back To The Future…The Ride, the E.T. Adventure®, Kongfrontation®, and JAWS®! Daily 9 a.m. Located at I-4 and FL Turnpike, Orlando, FL 32819 (407)363-8000

U.S. ASTRONAUT HALL OF FAME  Visit nation’s only facility dedicted to telling stories of America’s space heroes. Experience astronaut adventure first hand. Take a trip into the future aboard full-scale orbiter mock-up, be whirled in a centrifuge, and more! Daily, except Christmas from 9 a.m. - 5 p.m. West of Kennedy Space Center. (407)269-6100

WEEKI WACHEE SPRING The “City of Mermaids”, features a live underwater production of Hans Christian Andersen’s “The Little Mermaid”. Other attractions include the Wilderness River Cruise, exotic and birds-of-prey shows and the animal forest petting zoo. Located 45 min. north of Tampa on U.S. 19 (800)678-9335