SPORTS & RECREATION / DAY TRIPS & GETAWAYS
Some of the nation’s most popular vacation destinations are located in Florida and Southeastern Georgia. Residents of the First Coast region are able to plan weekend getaways or longer vacations to a wide array of sites and attractions. Professional sports teams, shoreline or river cruises, Atlantic Ocean beaches, secluded retreats, Palm Beach, and the international mecca of Miami are just a few of the reasons to plan a pleasurable and relaxing road trip. For world-class scuba diving in crystal aquamarine waters and a true Caribbean atmosphere, explore the island paradise of the Florida Keys. Even closer to home, The Golden Isles of Georgia beckon sports enthusiasts and families to a wide array of attractions.
Brunswick and The Golden Isles
Across the border of Georgia within a reasonable commuting distance from Metropolitan Jacksonville lies the charming community of Brunswick & The Golden Isles of Georgia. The paradise atmosphere of St. Simons Island, Sea Island, Little St. Simons Island, and Jekyll Island are located across the fabled Marshes of Glynn, offering more than 200 holes of golf, sun-drenched beaches, wonderful water sports, and mouth-watering cuisine.
Mainland Brunswick is known for the quaint Victorian charm of Old Town, where visitors can enjoy a growing array of restaurants, shops, boutiques, and galleries. Historic tours, leisurely cruises, a popular casino ship, and accommodations from major resorts to intimate bed and breakfasts are just a few of the attractions to this idyllic area in southeastern Georgia. For more information, contact:
Brunswick & The Golden Isles of Georgia Visitor’s Bureau
912-265-0620
www.goldenisles.com
The Florida Keys
From the moment you venture into the world of the Florida Keys, this tropical oasis invites you to kick off your shoes and plunge headfirst into deep relaxation. Some of the nation’s most dazzling sub-sea adventures are waiting, along with whatever dive, snorkel, and water-sport guides you might need. Renowned as the “diving capital of the world,” Key Largo offers such premier marine retreats as the underwater John Pennekamp Coral Reef State Park, the Florida Keys National Marine Sanctuary, the crystal waters at Molasses Reef, and the caves of French Reef.
Amusement centers like Dolphin Cove or the Dolphin Research Center offer an unforgettable one-to-one encounter or even a playful swim with these friendly and intelligent marine mammals. Eco-tours through the waters of Florida Bay combine with “Hollywood” lore like the genuine African Queen steamship or the location of the movies Key Largo and PT 109. Key Largo is the first of the islands in the 110-mile chain of scenic ocean vistas and quaint beach communities that proudly display their history and natural wonders. The Islamorada area is acclaimed as the world’s sportfishing capital, teeming with charter fishing boats. Golf courses, art galleries, museums, exclusive resorts, and unspoiled nature are just a few of the magnets to this island paradise. For more information on the nation’s most southern geographic point, contact:
Florida Keys Visitor Information
Key Largo 305-451-1414
Islamorada 305-664-4503
Marathon 305-743-5417
Lower Keys 800-872-3722
www.fla-keys.com
Key West 305-294-2587
www.visitkeywestonline.com
Greater Fort Lauderdale
Enjoy 23 miles of sun-kissed beaches and over 300 miles of navigable inland waterways in the area that gained national renown as the place to celebrate “spring break.” Water taxis, luxurious resorts, world-class golf, Broadway shows, unique shopping districts and sprawling malls, and a lively nightlife are just a few of the amenities that keep Fort Lauderdale on the list of top vacation destinations for all ages.
Families will discover a wide array of adventures and amenities, from parks and amusements to exceptional attractions. The unique Butterfly World in Coconut Creek offers three acres of lush tropical gardens where thousands of brilliantly colored butterflies soar and flutter. Waterfalls, fish, hummingbirds, an insectarium, and delicate orchids and roses create a paradise of wonder. For more information on the adventure and excitement of Fort Lauderdale, contact:
Greater Fort Lauderdale Visitors Bureau
Fort Lauderdale 954-765-4466
www.sunny.org
Greater Miami
Few locations in the world can rival Miami for cosmopolitan sophistication and tropical splendor. The beach community sizzles with action and excitement while the city shimmers with live entertainment, shopping districts, and culture. Ocean Drive serves as the heart of South Beach, where Art Deco verve and style blends with high-energy dance clubs and a truly international nightlife. Sip frozen drinks or exotic coffees at an outdoor café, dine in award winning restaurants, or take your time exploring this fascinating metropolis.
Known as the “cruise line capital of the world,” Miami and its beaches form an idyllic backdrop for voyages out to sea. Those who want to explore the wilder side of Florida’s natural beauty can take an airboat ride through the unspoiled regions of the Everglades. Many of the treasures of the Miami area are nestled along city streets or quiet lanes. The Venetian Pool in Coral Gables, listed on the National Historic Register, is actually an exquisite lagoon created from a limestone quarry in the 1920s. Imagine the relaxing setting of a sandy beach, coral rock caves, and quaint bridges as you take a refreshing dip in aquamarine waters. For more information on the wealth of attractions in Greater Miami, contact:
Greater Miami Visitor’s Bureau
Miami 305-539-3000
https://www.miamiandbeaches.com/
Greater Orlando
Walt Disney forever changed the face of Orlando, transforming Orange County from a sleep community dotted with orange groves into the world’s hottest tourism destination. Millions of annual visitors from across the nation and around the world pour into Orlando each year to enjoy a kaleidoscope of world-class attractions. Among them are Disney World and Epcot, SeaWorld of Florida, Discovery Cove, Universal Studios, spectacular water parks, lush parks, dazzling celebrations and festivals, posh resorts, restaurants, nightclubs, entertainment centers, and fine shopping centers. Orlando has it all.
Regardless of your age or interest, this bustling metropolitan region can keep you moving from attraction to attraction from sunrise to sunset and long into the midnight hour. Even Disney World offers Paradise Island, a mecca of nightspots that pulsate with the sound of live music. Throughout the city, you’ll find dazzling venues for the performing and visual arts, fine museums and science centers, and professional sports events. For details on the wealth of vacation opportunities in and near Orlando, contact:
Orlando/Orange County Convention & Visitors Bureau
Orlando 800-646-2087
Orlando 407-363-5872
www.visitorlando.com
Greater Tampa Bay
West of Greater Orlando in Central Florida lies Tampa Bay, a popular waterfront area that harmonizes urban sophistication and picturesque natural surroundings. Visitors can ride white-knuckle roller coasters or take a leisurely canoe ride down the scenic Hillsborough River, watch a thrilling ballgame, or soak in the sun on a tranquil beach. Greet graceful manatees below the water’s surface or explore the sights in galleries, museums, theme parks, and entertainment districts.
The term “Tampa Bay” originally referred to the body of water on the West “Gulf” Coast of Florida. Over time, the words came to describe an entire region of distinctive communities anchored by the City of Tampa. Laced by bridges and freeways, the area has grown into Florida’s most populous and affluent metropolitan statistical area. From the colorful and vibrant Latin roots of Tampa’s historic Ybor City to the Greek heritage of Tarpon Springs or St. Petersburg’s museums, visitors can discover a richness of diversity and culture. For details on all that the Tampa Bay region has to offer visitors, contact:
Tampa Bay Visitor’s Bureau
Tampa 813-223-1111
www.visittampabay.com
Kennedy Space Center & Merritt Island
Take an unforgettable journey through space and time at the Kennedy Space Center, which has attracted millions of visitors from around the world for more than 30 years. The center tells the story of the U.S. space program, including the moon launch to the moon, satellites that improve our lives, and probes into the depths of space. Occupying over 140,000 acres, KSC is about one-fifth the size of Rhode Island! Only 6,000 acres are devoted to space center operations, with the remaining land serving as the Merritt Island National Wildlife Reserve. This pristine sanctuary consists of brackish estuaries and marshes, coastal dunes, scrub oaks, pine forests and flatwoods, and palm and oak hammocks.
Several space-related attractions are also located nearby, including Space Camp, the Astronaut Hall of Fame, the Air Force Museum, and the Astronaut Memorial Planetarium and Observatory at Brevard Community College. Steeped in modern history, the KSC story continues to unfold with each space shuttle and international space station mission. Visitors can watch these events unfold on giant screens that soar over five stories high. They can walk through a full-scale replica of a space shuttle, see genuine moon rocks, and glimpse the rockets that once launched men and machine into space. For complete visitor’s information, contact:
Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex
Titusville 321-449-4444
www.kennedyspacecenter.com
Launch Viewing Information
800-KSC-INFO
www.nasa.gov/centers/kennedy
Southwest Florida
Known as the world’s finest region for collecting seashells, serene retreats like Sanibel and Capita Islands combine with welcoming beach communities along Florida’s Gulf of Mexico shoreline. Fishing, golfing, nature study, water sports, and beach combing are just a few of the popular pastimes in this picturesque and relaxing vacation destination. Imagine driving down the boulevard in Ft. Myers that is lined with royal palms that were planted by Thomas Edison. Further south is the affluent beach city of Naples, punctuated by over 50 meticulously manicured fairways — the highest concentration of golf courses per capita in the state. The beach community of Bonita Springs as well as Marco Island, Pine Island, and Gasparilla Island are all included in the Southwest Region. For details on cities, parks, attractions, and island resorts, contact:
Florida Gulf Coast Information
Bonita Springs 239-992-2943
www.swfloridaonline.com
