Florida Family Getaways - 2008 - (Page 35) family getaways The Pioneer Florida Museum & Village www.pioneerfloridamuseum.org 15602 Pioneer Museum Rd., Dade City, 352-567-0262. The museum is located on 20 acres and features 10 furnished historically significant buildings. Allow 2 hours. $ Ê Conservancy of Southwest Florida Nature Center www.conservancy.org 1450 Merrihue Dr., Naples, 239-262-0304. A 21-acre preserve in the heart of town. Boat rides, trails, Discovery Center and native wildlife. Ê Sun Splash Family Waterpark www.sunsplashwaterpark.com 400 Santa Barbara Blvd., Cape Coral, 239-574-0558. Spend a day zooming, fluming and floating at one of the largest water parks between Tampa and Miami. Salvador Dali Museum www.salvadordalimuseum.org 1000 Third St. S., St. Petersburg, 800-442-3254. Unique museum with the most comprehensive collection of the famous artist’s works. Daily tours, exciting store. Allow 1 hour. $$-$$$ Ê Ë ECHO (Educational Concerns for Hunger Organization) www.echonet.org 17391 Durrance Rd., North Fort Myers, 239-543-3246. Guided tours of ECHO’s Global Farm to explore unique sustainable solutions to world hunger. Allow 1.5 hours. Tamiami Trail Scenic Highway Windows to Gulf Coast Waters www.sarasota-manateempo.org 7632 - 15th St. E., Sarasota, 941-359-5772. The first major highway that opened south Florida from Manatee to Miami. Seventy miles of historic road. Sunken Gardens www.sunkengardens.org 1825 Fourth St. N., St. Petersburg, 727-551-3100. Tropical botanical gardens. Exotic trees, plants and water gardens. Guided tours available. Allow 1.5 hours. $-$$ Ê $-$$ Ê Ë Florida West Coast Symphony www.fwcs.org 709 N. Tamiami Trl., Sarasota, 866-508-0611. Florida West Coast Symphony performs symphonic and chamber music concerts. $$$-$$$$$ Village of the Arts An Artist Community www.manateearts.org 926 - 12th St. W., Bradenton, 941-349-4372. Find affordable art, crafts, sculpture, books and edibles in the Village of the Arts. Tampa Bay History Center www.tampabayhistorycenter.org 225 S. Franklin St., Tampa, 813-228-0097. Take a peek behind the scenes and learn about collecting, preserving and interpreting artifacts. Allow up to 2 hours. Ê Gatorama www.gatorama.com 6180 U.S. Hwy. 27, Palmdale, 863-675-0623. “Biggest gators and crocs guaranteed.” Great historical attraction shows daily. “This place bites.” Allow up to 2 hours. $-$$ Ê The von Liebig Art Center www.naplesart.org 585 Park St., Naples, 239-262-6517. The Naples Art Association at The von Liebig Art Center offers exhibitions, festivals and classes. Tampa Museum of Art www.tampamuseum.com 600 N. Ashley Dr., Tampa, 813-274-8130. Renowned for contemporary art and permanent antiquities collection. Museum store and rental facilities. Allow up to 2 hours. Museums & Historic Sites Arcadia All-Florida Championship Rodeo Association www.arcadiarodeo.com 124 Heard St., Arcadia, 800-749-7633. The oldest rodeo organization in the state of Florida, celebrating 78 years of rodeo tradition. $$-$$$$ Marie Selby Botanical Gardens www.selby.org 811 S. Palm Ave., Sarasota, 941-366-5731. Explore a spectacular display of orchids and tropical plants in a 9.5-acre oasis on Sarasota Bay. Allow 2 hours. $-$$ Ê $-$$ Ê Trail of Florida’s Indian Heritage www.trailoffloridasindianheritage.org 785 Capri Blvd., Treasure Island, 877-621-6805. Promotes awareness, visitation and protection of the remaining cultural sites of the original peoples of Florida. $-$$ Ê Mote Aquarium www.mote.org 1600 Ken Thompson Pkwy., City Island, Sarasota, 800-691-MOTE. Sharks, dolphins, manatees, sea turtles, touch pools and interactive theaters feature Mote research. Allow up to 3 hours. $$-$$$ Southwest Attractions Art League Bonita Springs 26100 Old 41 Rd., Bonita Springs, 239-495-8989. Located on the west coast of Florida. Provides classes, exhibitions, lectures and performances for all ages. Ë The Bailey-Matthews Shell Museum www.shellmuseum.org 3075 Sanibel-Captiva Rd., Sanibel Island, 888-679-6450. Most comprehensive museum in the Western Hemisphere devoted solely to shells. Rated a “Gem” attraction by AAA. Allow 1.5 hours . $ Ê Ë Naples Botanical Garden www.naplesgarden.org 4820 Bayshore Dr., Naples, 239-643-7275. Enjoy the Tropical Mosaic Garden, the Butterfly House and explore the 33 acres of Uplands Preserve. Allow 1 hour. $ Ê Ë Clewiston Museum www.clewiston.org/museum 109 Central Ave., Clewiston, 863-983-2870. A historical and heritage museum about Clewiston and the surrounding area. Allow 1 hour. $ Art League of Marco Island www.marcoislandart.com 1010 Winterberry Dr., Marco Island, 239-394-4221. Since 1969 it has provided a venue for the visual arts for all ages. Ê Naples Zoo at Caribbean Gardens www.napleszoo.org 1590 Goodlette-Frank Rd., Naples, 239-262-5409. Fun shows. Monkey cruise. Alligators to zebras in a nationally accredited zoo and a historic garden. Allow up to 5 hours. $$$ Collier County Museum www.colliermuseum.com 3301 Tamiami Trl. E., Naples, 239-252-8476. Journey back through 10,000 years of history, legend and adventure on Southwest Florida’s last frontier. Ê Ë Asolo Repertory Theatre www.asolo.org 5555 N. Tamiami Trl., Sarasota, 800-361-8388. From Nov. - June, the Asolo Rep actors present a unique rotating repertory from classics to new works. $$$-$$$$$ Ê PAL Sailor Circus www.sailorcircus.org 2075 Bahia Vista St., Sarasota, 941-361-6350. Sarasota’s very own youth circus. Truly, the greatest “little” show on earth. Established 1949. Allow 2 hours. $$-$$$ Crowley Museum and Nature Center www.crowleymuseumnaturectr.org 16405 Myakka Rd., Sarasota, 941-322-1000. Experience Florida’s pioneer culture in historic buildings and museum; all in a natural habitat. Allow 1.5 hours. $ Ê Billie Swamp Safari www.seminoletribe.com/safari Big Cypress Seminole Reservation, between Fort Lauderdale and Naples off I-75 at Exit 49, north 19 miles, Clewiston, 800-949-6101. 2,200-acre eco-heritage wildlife park in the Florida Everglades. Airboat and swamp buggy ecotours. Allow 3 hours. $$-$$$$$ Ê Ë See ad on page 20. Reader Response 5 Palma Sola Scenic Highway 1112 Manatee Ave. W., Bradenton, 941-745-3709. This scenic stretch of highway is located on beautiful Palma Sola Bay in Manatee County. Edison & Ford Winter Estates www.efwefla.org 2350 McGregor Blvd., Fort Myers, 239-334-7419. Discover 20 acres of tropical gardens, the homes of Edison and Ford, a museum and historic lab. Allow at least 2 hours. $$-$$$ Ê Randell Research Center at Pineland www.flmnh.ufl.edu/rrc 13810 Waterfront Dr., Pineland, 239-283-2062. Explore mounds and canals at the largest Calusa Indian site in Southwest Florida accessible by car. Allow up to 1.5 hours. $ Ê Ë Bradenton Beach Scenic Highway www.cityofbradentonbeach.com 107 Gulf Dr. N., Bradenton Beach, 941-778-1005. Relaxed, tropical charm highlighted by narrow winding streets, sugar-white sand and abundant wildlife. Historic Spanish Point www.historicspanishpoint.org 337 N. Tamiami Trl., Osprey, 941-966-5214. Historic Spanish Point is a 30-acre environmental, archaeological and historic site museum. Allow 2 hours. $-$$ Ê Ë Broadway Palm Dinner Theatre www.broadwaypalm.com 1380 Colonial Blvd., Royal Palm Square, Fort Myers, 800-475-7256. Quality family entertainment featuring a lavish buffet and Broadway productions for all ages. Allow up to 2.25 hours. $$$$-$$$$$ Sarasota Jungle Gardens www.sarasotajunglegardens.com 3701 Bay Shore Rd., Sarasota, 877-861-6547. When was the last time you hand fed a flamingo? Ten lush acres of exotic plants and animals. Allow up to 4 hours. $$ Imaginarium Hands-On Museum & Aquarium www.cityftmyers.com/imaginarium 2000 Cranford Ave., Fort Myers, 239-337-3332. Enjoy exciting interactive exhibits, live demonstrations, animals, 3-D movies, café and store. Allow up to 3 hours. $-$$ Calusa Nature Center & Planetarium www.calusanature.com 3450 Ortiz Ave., Fort Myers, 239-275-3435. Displays, butterfly aviary and boardwalks show Southwest Florida’s natural history. Planetarium star shows. Allow up to 4 hours. $-$$ Ê The Shell Factory & Nature Park www.shellfactory.com 2787 N. Tamiami Trl. (U.S. 41), North Fort Myers, 800-282-5805. Huge gift store, a nature park, bumper boats and cars, mini-golf, video arcade and seafood restaurant. Allow 3 hours. $-$$ Ê Ë Circus Sarasota www.circussarasota.org 8251 - 15th St. E., Sarasota, 941-355-9335. International circus stars will amaze you. See their website for details. Experience the tradition. $$-$$$$$ Sidney & Berne Davis Art Center www.sbdac.com 2301 First St., Fort Myers, 239-337-1933. The Sidney and Berne Davis Art Center provides art, music, events, weddings and more. $$$$-$$$$$ Immokalee Pioneer Museum at Roberts Ranch www.colliermuseum.com 1215 Roberts Ave., Immokalee, 239-658-2466. Experience daily working life on a typical Southwest Florida homestead and citrus grove from the early 1900s. Ê Family Getaways 35 http://www.pioneerfloridamuseum.org http://www.sunsplashwaterpark.com http://www.conservancy.org http://www.salvadordalimuseum.org http://www.sarasota-manateempo.org http://www.echonet.org http://www.sunkengardens.org http://www.manateearts.org http://www.fwcs.org http://www.tampabayhistorycenter.org http://www.naplesart.org http://www.gatorama.com http://www.tampamuseum.com http://www.selby.org http://www.arcadiarodeo.com http://www.trailoffloridasindianheritage.org http://www.mote.org http://www.shellmuseum.org http://www.naplesgarden.org http://www.visitflorida.com/destinations/moreinfo.php/ID=11751/detail=attr http://www.marcoislandart.com http://www.napleszoo.org http://www.colliermuseum.com http://www.asolo.org http://www.sailorcircus.org http://www.crowleymuseumnaturectr.org http://www.seminoletribe.com/safari http://www.efwefla.org http://www.flmnh.ufl.edu/rrc http://www.cityofbradentonbeach.com http://www.historicspanishpoint.org http://www.broadwaypalm.com http://www.sarasotajunglegardens.com http://www.cityftmyers.com/imaginarium http://www.calusanature.com http://www.shellfactory.com http://www.colliermuseum.com http://www.circussarasota.org http://www.sbdac.com
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