Experience the water, wings and wild things of Central Florida’s Lakes Country with a wealth of adventure experiences for all the family to enjoy, whether you are 9 months old or 90.
Just 15 minutes from Disney but it couldn’t provide a greater contrast, the geographic heart of Florida, the Polk County area is already the secret haven of families who are wising up to the benefits of holidaying in a luxury self-catering house with a pool, where dipping into the theme parks is an option, but not the focus, of the holiday. Instead a taste of Florida’s wild side offers a real holiday to remember for the whole family.
Long before Florida had theme parks, even before humans for that matter, Central Florida’s Lakes Country was mostly an ocean, and the eastern area of our county was its beach. Animals and plants thrived on this sandbar island, growing in unique ecosystems, some of which remain for you to explore with more rare and endangered species of plants and animals on the Lake Wales Ridge than anywhere else in the US. Explore our beautiful parks, rivers, swamps and nature areas in every way possible – by motorboat, airboat, hiking trail, cycle path, through the lens of your binoculars…you name it. Fish or hunt in our bountiful lands and waters and expand your horizons by seeking adventure in some of our extreme sports from speedway to wake-surfing.
Hot news
• Central Florida Visitors & Convention Bureau are building a Visitors Centre, just off junction 55 of I-4 and Highway 27, and close to the increasingly popular vacation home locations around holiday hot-spot Davenport. With a planned opening in March 2007, it will soon be even easier to find out what the real Florida has to offer. The Polk County based Bureau will be a fully manned discovery centre with cinematic profiles of the area, lots of ideas for things to do and see in and around the Floridian heartlands and a central booking service for Vacation Homes and Hotel accommodation, restaurants and attractions throughout the area.
• Celebrating its 70th anniversary this year the revamped Cypress Gardens Adventure Park opens a band new Water Park, bringing a wave pool, high flooms and a lazy river to join the gardens, shows, zoo and over 38 adrenalin charged rides including four family roller-coasters. Another innovative approach at the Park will please thrill-seeking 4 – 7yr olds who repeatedly face the disappointment of tiptoe denying height restrictions - smaller scale versions of many popular, scream-inducing rides that are a world away from the separate toddler rides. Still a great value day out at $38 with a second visit free of charge.
• Fantasy of Flight opens a new Children’s exhibit ‘Fun with Flight’ where a hands-on interactive experience adds a Hang Gliding simulator to the existing fantastic full-motion simulators, plus paper plane construction in the Fly Zone and experiment stations exploring the principal of flight and airflow.
Home to one of the World’s greatest aircraft collections with over 40 beautifully restored rare and vintage aircraft, Fantasy of Flight offers an incredible immersion experience that gives visitors the chance to climb onto a B17 Flying Fortress, getting a unique taster of the sounds and sights of the trenches in World War One and, new for 2007, back lot tours that open up the world of aviation restoration.
• The 2007 Sun ‘n’ Fun Fly-In takes place on April 17th -23rd. The event, an aviation spectacular that includes fly ins, workshops, forums, air-shows and aerobatics, takes place annually at Lakeland Linder Regional Airport and attracts more than 160,000 people and over 4,000 aircraft. For those who can’t wait until then the Wings ‘n’ Things weekend camp out November 3rd/4th is an annual event held at the Sun ‘n’ Fun complex especially for children (with a grown up!) With a chance to build kites, try out the flight simulators, build and launch mini planes and rockets, meet a NASA specialist, pilots, meteorologists and, when the sun goes down enjoy a night time astronomy lesson while camping under the stars, this could be the highlight of your half term break.
Water
Water sports
Water sports are abundant in this area. As home to USA Water Ski, the national water-ski federation and with 554 lakes, the water sports heritage of this area is significant. Water-skiing is demonstrated spectacularly at the oldest theme park in Florida, Cypress Gardens, with the stunning and daring world-famous Pyramid Routine returning to the show programme this year and there are a large number of water sports schools across the area teaching the latest in Wake-boarding, water-skiing, barefoot skiing and even surfing at nearby Orlando’s new Ron Jon Surfpark at Festival Bay due to open in early 2007. The USA Water Ski national museum/Hall of Fame is based in Polk City and is open to the public – you might even see a water-ski competition on their lake.
Where to go…
Cypress Gardens celebrates 70 years and brings back the Cypress Gardens water-ski school, teaching 70 under-10’s the basics of water-skiing each week, free on a first come first served basis. Also daily spectacular water-ski shows.
World championship Skiier Lucky Lowe calls himself a ‘Guide to Family Fun’ as opposed to a Water-ski School www.luckylowe.com
>From Sept to April – Briscoe’s Ride Centre with Dave Briscoe, Wake-board expert a champion himself and regarded as one of the top coaches for beginners through to the professionals on the international Wake-boarding circuit – now also offering wake-surfing.
Fishing
Fishing is amongst the best in the USA, cast a lure into the water, then reel in the biggest largemouth Bass you’ve ever seen. The perimeters of vegetation and bush around our lakes make excellent homes for largemouth Bass, with anglers catching so many here we are known as the “Bass Capital of the World”.
With over 550 lakes, rivers and flooded phosphate pits you’ll catch Bluegill (Bream), Crappie (Speckled Perch) and Catfish here too.
Where to go…
Tenoroc Fish Management Area has 15 different lakes offering opportunities for bank fishing, boat angling, fly-fishing and physically challenged anglers. Lake Derby is dedicated to families and you can’t fish there unless you have a child under 16 with you. It’s all to get kids hooked on fishing and as part of the Great Florida Birding trail might spawn a few bird watchers too, especially with an Ibis rookery on one of the lakes. Tenoroc is managed by the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission and located North East of Lakeland just off I-4.
Camp Mack River Resort
Offering RV sites, cabin rentals, boat rentals, fishing guides, airboat rides, bait and tackle store, nature tours. "There is always good fishing at Camp Mack's River Resort." Dream Lakes of Florida Offering guided bass fishing, guided quail hunting (Oct. - April) and trophy alligator hunts.
Bass Fishing Charters Experience a "Trip of a Lifetime." This native Florida guides knows where the big one's live. They offer 4, 6 and 8-hour guided trips. Don’t like to fish? Take one of their beautiful nature cruises. They supply everything.
Boating
Whether a paddleboat dinner cruise from the dock at Cypress Gardens Adventure Park on Lake Eloise, a scenic cruise taking in the ancient beauty of the lakes or the thrill of an elevated airboat ride, checking out the lakes by boat is another unmissable adventure.
Where to go…
Cypress Gardens Water Park have hour long daytime cruises around the shores of Lake Eloise for just $5.95 or an elegant evening dinner cruise on the refurbished Cypress Belle paddleboat at $26.95 per head.
Located off S.R. 60 in the heart of Lake Wales, Westgate River Ranch is a unique resort that blends the best of nature with outstanding ranch activities including river tours, pontoon and airboat rides, fishing, trap and skeet shooting (see below for other activities) Although only an hour from Orlando, Westgate’s River Ranch appears much the same as it did nearly 500 years ago.
Camp Mack River Resort offers boat rentals, a full service marina or the thrill of an airboat zipping through the marshes and lakes
Wings
Birding
Our area is home to hundreds of bird species, with several you won’t see anywhere else. Many locations in the county are part of the Great Florida Birding trail.
Birders come to Central Florida Lakes Country from far and wide to add to their “Life lists”. While cycling past a patch of fiery-orange Catesby’s lilies, watch a bald eagle soar overhead. Sun on a freshwater beach where the song of a whippoorwill lulls you into a child’s slumber, through the lens of your binoculars, focus on a rare whooping crane.
Where to go…
Lake Kissimmee State Park is great for birding walks led by a park biologist. Watch for caracas, bald eagles, wild turkeys, bobwhites and scrub jays at the entrance station: lake and picnic areas feature waders and snail kites.
The Ridge Audubon Society Nature Centre at Babson Park offers field trips and guided walks plus a birds of prey centre, kids trails and activities.
Want to really Fly?
Central Florida is a real hot spot for aviation enthusiasts and a thrill ride with a difference. The annual Sun ‘n’ Fun Fly In at the Lakeland Linder Regional Airport is one of the areas main aviation events with over 160,000 visitors to the week-long spring event. Everything from air-shows, bi-plane rides and balloon flights are available all year round at the fascinating Fantasy of Flight and the Central Florida area is very popular for hang-gliding and sky-diving.
Where to go…
Just off I-4 north of Lakeland Fantasy of Flight lets you enjoy a ride in a 1929 D-25 bi-plane, including a leather helmet, goggles and a white silk scarf! Up to four people can ride in the front cockpit during the 15 - 20 minute flight with lazy eights and a few whoopty-do's thrown in for good measure. A tour of the attraction puts you in the middle of a World War II B-17 mission, as well as three hangers with the world's largest private collection of vintage aircraft. With daily aerial demonstrations, lunch at Compass Rose Diner, hanger tours and bi-plane rides or sunrise hot air balloon tours, Fantasy of Flight is an all-day attraction.
Wallaby Ranch in Davenport is the hotspot for hang gliding. Surprisingly, no mountains are needed to dive off of in order to catch some air. An ultralight plane tows the glider, which is set on wheels, along a grass runway. Once airborne at 2,000 feet, the tow rope or tug is "cut" and student and instructor coast back to the earth in a silent descent.
Florida Skydiving Center in Lake Wales sits at just about the center of Florida's peninsula. The sunshine and good weather that pervades here have made the Center a top jump location among skydivers since 1995.
Florida Air Museum - Sun ‘n’ Fun Fly in and Wings ‘n’ Things are described in more detail in the Hot News section at the beginning of this report.
Wild things
Central Florida’s Lakes Country is home to some of the best-preserved nature areas of Florida. From the elusive bobcat to the symbol of the swamp, the American alligator, wild creatures abound in and near our marshes, woodlands and waterways. Expect the best wildlife viewing close to dawn and dusk. In summertime, morning is best for nature activities since afternoon showers are frequent, though brief.
Horseriding and Rodeo
From an encounter with a real live cowboy at the Kissimmee Cow Camp to a day’s horseback riding in a Floridian wilderness, whether a pony ride or the thrill of a real wild west rodeo at Westgate River Ranch if you love horses then there is plenty for you to enjoy.
Where to Go…
Lake Kissimmee State Park is home to an 1876 Cow Camp. South Central Florida was the heart of Florida frontier cattle country and the life of early Florida cow hunters is interpreted at the park’s living history demonstration. Walk down the dirt path and enter the year 1876 where you will find a cow hunter who is more than willing to talk about his life and times. Sample some of the camp coffee and view the herd of Florida scrub cattle, which were originally brought over by the Spanish in the early 1500's.
Westgate River Ranch has a wealth of outdoor adventures to enjoy and offers horseback riding and pony rides, plus a chance to feed the donkeys. There is also a real and hugely popular wild west rodeo every Saturday night, the arena seats 1,200 and visitors can book a barbeque round the camp fire or join the cowboys in the saloon.
Alligator Hunting
Considered legal game until 1963, gator hunting was a profitable but poorly managed venture. With the animal on the verge of extinction, the State banned hunting and designated the reptile a protected species. In 1988 with the numbers of gators near record levels in some parts of the state, the Commission decided to establish a tightly controlled harvesting programme, in order to keep Alligators at their current population. This includes hunting during the public waters harvest season, which runs from mid August to the end of October or joining a licensed Nuisance Alligator trapper for all year round hunting. With the state record for the largest gator (just under a wopping 15 ft in length) found in Lake Monroe and some of the most populated stretches of the lakes and waterways of St Johns river running right through Polk County, alligator hunting in Central Florida could be the adventure of a lifetime.
Where to go...
Grape hammock Fish Camp offers gator hunts in September and October… experience the hunt of a lifetime!
Jerry Flynn is a licensed Nuisance Alligator Trapper with the Florida Fish and Wildlife Commission and offers alligator hunting year round on open waterways, providing everything you need to hunt monster alligators.
Hiking and Walking
Whatever you are looking for in a hike, Central Florida’s Polk County has in abundance. With ten environmentally protected wildernesses covering thousands of acres dotted throughout the County, and more than 30 state and local parks with hiking trails, there is something to suit all from a half hour stroll with the kids to miles of trekking into the wilds.
Where to Go...
Babson Park Audubon Centre
Lake Kissimmee State Park
Saddle Creek Park
Speedway
Home to the USA International Speedway track near Lakeland, weekend races offer top level speedway events.
For those who want to enjoy the thrill of driving a racing car for themselves a day spent with Drivetech gives you the chance to really enjoy the real thing - no passenger, no leader, racing against the rest of your group in the adventure of a lifetime.
Where to Go…
USA International Speedway
Drivetech Racing School
Spook Hill
At this famed phenomenon in the heart of Lake Wales, drivers are amazed to find when they park at the bottom of the hill and put their car in neutral, it starts to move slowly backwards...uphill! There are several legends about Spook Hill - An Indian Chief protecting his people, an irate alligator, a pirate captain, but no one can explain it. Centrally located, well marked with directional signs and FREE.
Cypress Gardens Adventure Park
For the whole family, the ‘Granddaddy’ of them all, Cypress Gardens was Florida’s first theme park and still features beautiful, historical botanical gardens, strolling southern belles, a butterfly arboretum and plantation house. Plus, since its re-opening after hurricane damage in 2004, new adventures with more than 35 thrill rides, a zoo with native Florida animals, a dazzling line up of daily western shows, iceskating revues, all star concerts and spectacular seasonal events, boat rides, water-ski shows and a brand new water park.
Historic Bok Sanctuary
Set in Lake Wales on the highest point in peninsular Florida, this National Historic Landmark offers a secluded oasis of pines, oaks and azaleas shades 8 acres of beautifully landscaped gardens, pools and walkways around the stunning 205-foot coquina and carved marble Bok Tower, which houses a 60 bell carillon. Also visit the historic, listed Pinewood Estate, a beautiful mansion house restored to evoke the atmosphere of days gone by. The Sanctuary hosts regular concerts and events.
Explorations V Children’s Museum
Let the children run wild in three floors of kid-powered exhibits. Pilot a space shuttle, broadcast the news and much, much more. Explorations V provides a please touch odyssey fuelled by imagination, creativity, exploration and discovery and gives approximately 2hrs of entertainment!
Accommodation
Family self-catering houses
Central Florida is the hub of luxury self catering vacation homes and apartments with over 8,000 properties located within an easy drive of the adventure experiences in central Florida or the familiar theme parks in the Orlando area. With private pools and everything you need for the family from high chairs to babysitters, vacation rentals are a great solution for families who want a bit of space. Homes range from 2 – 7 bedrooms and accommodate up to 12 guests.
Family adventure resorts
Westgate River Ranch
Located off S.R. 60 in the heart of Lake Wales, Westgate River ranch is a unique “Dude Ranch” resort that blends the best of nature with outstanding ranch activities such as horseback riding, guided nature hikes, swimming, petting zoo, river tours, pontoon and airboat rides, fishing trap and skeet shooting, hayrides and camp fire. There's even a sanctioned rodeo every Saturday night in our 1,200-seat rodeo stadium, full service marina and a lighted, 5,000-foot private runway. Surrounded by 100,000 acres of protected wildlife preserve, Westgate River Ranch is a 1,700-acre ponderosa of winding trails, pristine waters and more! Though only an hour drive from Orlando the Ranch appears much the same as it did 500 years ago when Florida was first discovered. Grand sweeping oaks offer shade and beauty in a place that relaxes without effort whether you are exploring the wooded trail on horseback or casting a line in the water of the Kissimmee River.
Luxury Hotels
Chalet Suzanne in Lake Wales provides an exquisite alternative to the majority of Floridian hotels, with award-winning cuisine and accommodation. The Hinshaw family has been making guests welcome for over 70 years at this enchanting 30 room luxury hotel, nestled on a 100 acre estate, a gracious oasis amidst the excitement of Central Florida attractions. Each Chalet guestroom is different, with the comforts of private entrance, private bath, air conditioning, telephone and television. The sparkling pool, lake and airstrip are only a few steps from each room’s courtyard or patio. The essence of the Chalet's reputation is its cuisine, food that Gourmet Magazine calls "glorious" ... served in a unique setting of five quaint rooms on many levels, overlooking the lake. Seek out the Soup Cannery, where their delicious soups, which have even been to the Moon, are processed for gift giving all over the globe.
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