If your ideal Florida travel vacation is spending lots of time at the beach, then Daytona Beach is for you with its sandy white beaches. An estimated eight million tourists flock to the city of Daytona and its gorgeous beaches every year for a time of fun and sun. Did you know that this is one of the few beaches in the world where its hard packed sand makes it possible for motor vehicles to drive on the beach? Yes, just bring your car right to the beach as it is permitted in designated areas from sunrise to sunset. (photo courtesy: uptake.com)

Daytona Beach is not only a year round family friendly resort but also a seasonal vacation place as record breaking crowds show up every year to attend the opening of the Daytona 500 car racing normally held in February every year. This is followed by the famous Bike Week event where several thousand bikers from all over the world visit the Daytona Beach area and this takes place early March. In July, another record breaking group shows up again to Daytona Beach to attend the Coke Zero 400 car race. The Daytona International Speedway opened its doors in 1959 and since then it has been the home of NASCAR (National Association for Stock Car Auto Racing) Sprint Cup Series as well as the famous Daytona 500. (photo courtesy: wikipedia.com)

If you really want the most thrilling car racing experience of your life, then the Richard Petty Driving Experience at the Walt Disney World Speedway is for you. Most of us just dream about getting behind the wheel of a stock car and racing around a track at 150 miles per hour. Well, now your dream can become reality with the Richard Perry Driving Experience. This attraction has been making racing dreams come true for the past 10 years. It puts you in the action for a thrilling, pulse throbbing and adrenaline pumping spin around the asphalt where you will zoom around the track with the pedal to the metal in a robust 600 horse power V-8 engine stock car. Awesome! (photo courtesy: allears.net)

While Daytona Beach is basically known for its beautiful beaches and motorsports, you can also enjoy an array of activities and entertainment like sporting events, cultural events, nightlife and abundant shopping. For example if you like aquatic activities, there are multiple ones to choose from like kayaking, parasailing, a banana boat ride and jet boat thrill rides. Or you can go on a scenic riverboat excursion along the Atlantic Ocean and Intracoastal Waterway. If you like ice skating, there is a state-of-the-art facility at Daytona Beach where you can enjoy recreational ice skating or just watch the pros. Maybe you just want to take a walk along the Daytona Beach Boardwalk and the Daytona Lagoon and there you will find thrill rides, arcades, go-karts, miniature golf, rock climbing, souvenir shops, restaurants, the clock tower, an exhibit called ‘Speeding through Time’, and much more. (photo courtesy: goflorida.com)

There is so much to see and do at Daytona Beach that it is almost impossible to mention all of it here but the information above should give you an idea of the many things you can do on your next Florida travel vacation to Daytona Beach.

On this site I have written about all the wonderful theme parks based in Orlando but if your preferred Florida travel is more in line of a ‘nature’ related vacation, then you should discover Silver Springs in Florida which is known today as Silver Springs Nature Theme Park. Located east of Ocala Florida, Silver Springs is a nature lover’s paradise and has one of the largest artesian springs in the world producing almost 550 million gallons of crystal clear water daily. (photo courtesy: demalia27.com)

Silver Springs has been attracting visitors from all over the world since the mid 19th century because of its natural beauty. Tours of the springs in glass bottom boats go back as far as the late 1870s. Surrounding the springs are many animals that live in this nature environment and you can explore the beauty of Florida in its natural state. Through the years, the theme park has added numerous rides and attractions for children and adults alike. So on your next Florida travel vacation, do visit Silver Springs and here are a few of the things you can explore.

River Cruises

One single spring is home to many species of fish as well as alligators, clams, crawfish, shrimp, snails and you can view all of these and more from a glass bottom boat. Here you can experience underwater life in the 99.8% pure waters of Silver River. The glass bottom boats, with U.S. Coast Guard licensed captains, will take you on a tour of the seven major spring formations. ‘Fort King River Cruise’ will take you on a tour of Silver Spring’s 10,000 year history. You can also experience various exhibits and displays including a working archaeological dig site, a Seminole Indian village, the Fort King Army stockade of the 1830s, and a riverboat dock and train depot from the late 1880s. In addition to this, you can go on a ‘Lost River Voyage’ which will transport you back in time to wild Florida as it was thousands of years ago. The river banks are lined with towering cypress trees which history tells us are more than 500 years old.

Wildlife Exhibits

Have you ever seen a ‘White Alligator’ with pink eyes? If not, you will see two of them here and these are very rare reptiles that are also known as ‘swamp ghosts.’ According to some legend, if you look into the pink eyes of the white alligator you will be blessed with good luck for that year and prosperity will follow. While I don’t know if this is true, seeing one of these creatures is fascinating. You can also visit the ‘Big Gator Lagoon’ with over three dozen of Florida’s largest alligators most of them about 13 feet long. And don’t forget the ‘Ross Allen Island’ exhibit which features native snakes, turtles, spiders and information about Ross Allen who was a world famous naturalist. He owned and operated the Ross Allen Reptile Institute at Silver Springs for almost fifty years. (photo courtesy: flickr.com)

While there you can also visit the ‘Panther Prowl’ exhibit and see the western cougar considered to be a close cousin of the rare and endangered Florida panther or visit ‘World of Bears’ and see a variety of rare and endangered bear species. If you like farm animals like rabbits, donkeys, sheep, goats and turkeys, visit ‘Kritter Korral’ and you will be able to pet and hand feed them.

Rides and Activities

The ‘Lighthouse Ride’ is a unique one that is a combination of a carousel and a gondola. It has an outer tower that slowly rises 80 feet above Silver Springs where you can view the crystal clear river, native Florida wildlife and all landscaped grounds. The ‘Kids Ahoy Playland’ is made to look like a replica of a 1800s riverboat that is permanently anchored in a shallow lagoon. There is also a 40 passenger carousel which is decorated with endangered wildlife, a Ferris wheel, cargo climb with net bridge, miniature motorboats, slides, crawl tubes, fireman’s poles and much more.

A must see is the ‘Wings of the Springs’ show featuring all kinds of birds. Here you will see parrots of the tropical rainforest, really comical ducks and chickens, hawks, eagles, owls, falcons and vultures. Get ready for a surprise ending! The ‘Reptiles of the World Show’ gives an exciting presentation on alligators, crocodiles, and turtles. Very educational show! If you like snakes, the ‘Non-Venomous Snake Show’ is for you. You will also get the opportunity to view, touch and learn a lot about the different species of snakes in the world. (photo courtesy: floridaanimallaw.com)

Botanical Gardens

There are beautiful botanical gardens at Silver Springs. Here you will see more than 140 varieties of native and exotic plants and some are showcased in floral sculptures and beds along the banks of the Silver River. This area has become a popular place for weddings and special events with its winding pathway that allows guests to view its gorgeous landscapes. (photo courtesy: goflorida.com)

There are also plenty of places to shop and eat at Silver Springs. So walk around the area and find your favorite spot when you are ready to relax and dine. Remember that Florida travel is still an affordable vacation for you and your family. You can find information on getting discounted theme park tickets here. Enjoy your next trip to beautiful Florida.

Busch Gardens in Tampa Bay Florida is owned and operated by the Busch Entertainment Corporation a division of Anheuser-Busch. The original theme park which opened its doors in 1959 is one of America’s largest zoological institutions with more than 2,700 animals. Through the years, Busch Gardens became a theme park with thrill rides like high speed roller coasters which are considered to be some of the biggest in the world today. It also includes a wide variety of attractions, shows, and live entertainment for children and adults of all ages. (photo courtesy of supersundaytampabay.com)

There is something for everyone at Busch Gardens including different areas with rides and entertainment for smaller children. It is such a unique theme park that it is also a part of Worlds of Discovery providing you with breathtaking adventures and a taste of African Safari. This 335-acre park resembles various areas of Africa ranging from Morocco, Congo and even Egypt. Guests are transported aboard an off-road adventure through the wilds of Africa and you can have up close encounters with the animals.

Rides

There are many exciting rides at Busch Gardens and lots of them are thrilling roller coasters that will have your heart pounding for hours. Included here are Gwazi which is the largest and fastest double wooden roller coaster in the Southeast; Sheikra the nation’s first dive coaster that will take you 200 feet up and then drop you 90 degrees straight down into an underground tunnel; Cheetah Chase that will take you in an adventure in the heart of exotic Timbuktu; Kumba coaster with an initial 135 foot drop and then a plunge from 110 feet into a diving loop; and Montu coaster which will test your courage at every turn. (photo courtesy of themeparks.com)

And, if you like water rides don’t miss Congo River Rapids which will put you on a 12 person raft through swift flowing white waters and spin through a geyser and then drop you through a huge waterfall; Stanley Falls will take you through a splashing trip ending in a 40 foot drop that will get everyone soaked; and Tanganike Tidal Wave which is a 20 passenger boat ride that ends with a sudden plunge of about a 55 foot drop and creates a huge wave. Get ready to get soaked again.

Animal Attractions

Animal attractions at Busch Gardens include Clydesdale Hamlet featuring some of the most powerful horses in the world; Bird Gardens with over 500 tropical birds from all over the world; Edge of Africa which is an intense wildlife experience; Lory Landing which is a domed exotic bird habitat; Rhino Rally that will transport guests to adventure the wilds of Africa; Serengeti Plain which features hundreds of exotic African animals; and Myonbe Reserve where you can view chimpanzees and gorillas in their natural habitat. (photo courtesy of insideflorida.com)

Other Attractions
Other attractions that you can visit at Busch Gardens are Land of the Dragons which includes a three story tall tree house with an enchanted forest, some slides, a gentle waterfall, great rides and friendly dragons; King Tut’s Tomb where you can visit a realistic replication of King Tut’s burial site; Serengeti Railway that will take you all around the Serengeti Plain which is like the real thing in Africa with its large roaming herds of African animals; and Skyride where you can view the spectacular scenery of the park.

Shows

If you like to be entertained, Busch Gardens offers many live shows including Burn the Floor which is a fast paced show with live dancers; Friends for Ever a family friendly show that teaches kids of all ages that together, friends can accomplish anything; Katonga-Tales from the Jungle is a 35 minute musical that will take you on a journey to the heart of Africa; Music Sheiks of Morocco which serve as ambassadors at Busch Gardens since the 1970s and perform on the sidewalk of the park daily; Pirates 4-D a swashbuckling 4-D comedy adventure for the entire family; Critter Castaways is an animal show featuring exotic creatures and includes dogs, cats, birds, kangaroos to mention a few but there are almost 80 animals in all; and Rock a Doo Wop which features the greatest hits of the 50’s and 60’s performed by talented singers and dancers. (photo courtesy of egruve.com)

Busch Gardens is such a large theme park that it is almost impossible to mention everything here but hopefully the information above will help you to discover its beauty on your next Florida travel vacation.

Islands of Adventure, which is part of Universal Studios in Florida, consists of five different themed lands. Here all your favorite children’s stories, legends, myths, comic books, and cartoon heroes come to life in state-of-the-art rides and attractions providing adventure-filled days for all ages. When you arrive at the park, you are escorted to a main port of entry where guests depart to an inland sea to visit the islands. Islands of Adventure opened in 1999 along with CityWalk making Universal Studios in Florida the famous Universal Orlando Resort. (photo credit: newphx.org)

Attractions at Marvel Super Hero Island

The Amazing Adventures of Spiderman – if you love roller coasters this will be the ultimate coaster adventure for you.
Dr. Dooms Fear Fall – here you will be taking fear to new heights as Doctor Doom prepares to submit you to his evil experiments via a device that will extract all fear from your body by rocketing you 200 feet into the air and then sending you back down faster than gravity itself.
Storm Force Accelatron – get ready for a whirling and spinning ride and watch a battle between the world’s super heroes against villains in a battle of good and evil.

Attractions at Toon Lagoon Island

Popeye and Bluto’s Bilge-Rat Barges – watch as Popeye rescues Olive from Bluto in this water ride and you can help too.
Dudley Do-Right’s Ripsaw Falls – an action packed side-splitting flume ride that will get you soaked when you plummet down Ripsaw Falls. (photo credit: wikipedia.org)

Attractions at Jurassic Park

Jurassic Park River Adventure – take a river raft ride and see dinosaurs in their natural habitats. Watch out when they brake loose and your only escape is an 85-foot plunge in total darkness.
Pteranodon Flyers – here you can soar through the air and view the Camp Jurassic play area. It is a great journey you will never forget.

Attractions at The Lost Continent Island

Dueling Dragons – ride the Fire Dragon or Ice Dragon coasters and soar 125 feet in the air while they are dueling across the sky. You will experience a heart pounding adventure as you explore ancient myths and legends.
The Eight Voyage of Sindbad – this is a stunt show in an open air amphitheater of heroic proportions.
Poseidon’s Fury – tour the remains of the ancient temple of Poseidon in this explosive under sea adventure and find yourself trapped beneath the sea as huge fireballs, lasers and explosions erupt around you.

Attractions at Seuss Landing Island

The Cat in the Hat – here you can ride the pages of famous children’s books as Dr. Seuss’s whimsical children’s tales come to life.
The High in the Sky Seuss Trolley Train Ride – this ride will take you on a journey high above the colorful rides and attractions below.

For young children

Young children can have lots of fun at Islands of Adventure with special attractions throughout the park. Some of the rides here include, If I ran the Zoo, Caro-Seuss-el, One Fish, Two Fish, Red Fish, Blue Fish, Camp Jurassic, Jurassic Park Discovery Center, Me Ship, The Olive, and King’s Row and Comic Strip Lane. All these children’s attractions are sure to make your family vacation an unforgettable one. (photo credit: wikipedia.org)

CityWalk

At CityWalk, you will find one of the famous Margaritaville restaurants owned by singer Jimmy Buffet from a song he wrote in 1977 called Margaritaville and named after the margarita drink. The song truly reflects a relaxing, laid-back lifestyle in a tropical climate. The beauty of this restaurant is that every corner of it is a reflection of Jimmy Buffet’s classic songs. For example, the main dining room was inspired by one of Jimmy’s favorite South Florida waterfront concerts and the Volcano, Land Shark and 12 Volt bars are all named after some of Jimmy Buffet songs. The menu features a unique combination of Caribbean and Key West foods and known as ‘Floribbean Cuisine’. (photo credit: wikipedia.org)

Other restaurants at CityWalk include Hard Rock Café, Nascar Sports Grille, NBA City, Emeril’s Restaurant Orlando, Latin Quarter, Pat O’Brien’s, Bubba Gump Shrimp company and restaurant, Bob Marleys’s and Pastamore. Along with restaurants at CityWalk, the resort also has three hotels on site, Loews Royal Pacific, Hard Rock, and Loews Portofino Bay hotel making it quite easy for families to book their Florida travel vacation at one location and enjoy all the great features that Universal Studios has to offer. And if you prefer just a bite to eat, you can go to Cinnabon, Starbucks Coffee, TCBY, Top of the Walk Food Court, Whopper Bar, Moe’s Southwest Grill, or Panda Express.

And, scheduled to open sometime in 2010, ‘The Wizarding World of Harry Potter theme park is coming to Islands of Adventure creating even more excitement for the whole family.