To many travelers, Florida is the ultimate vacation destination. Its stunning beaches and thrilling amusement parks attract thousands of vacationers each year. It is a tropical paradise within the borders of the USA. What follows is a list of Florida attractions that are sure to make your vacation a spectacular one.

An attraction appropriate for all ages is Sea World Orlando Adventure Park, which is known for his Blue Horizons production. The show combines the best of Broadway and aquatic life. The cast includes human acrobats, dolphins, and tropical birds. It’s the type of show you can see again and again and never tire of.

Another worthwhile attraction is Busch Gardens Tampa Bay. This amusement park features ShieKra, which is advertised as the lone dive-coaster in the U.S. The coaster takes riders on an African voyage, allowing them to climb 200 feet before they fall 70 miles per hour at a 90-degree angle. There are only two other such coasters in the world. As a result of ShieKra, Bush Gardens Tampa Bay has been called Florida’s “Coaster King.”

Of course, no visit to Orlando is complete without a stop at Disney World, which is now celebrating five decades of theme parks. The Magic Kingdom is hosting a show called Cinderellabration, a musical in which Cinderella is crowned as a princess. Meanwhile, at Disney-MGM Studios, you can witness Lights, Motors Action! Extreme Stunt Show. This thrilling program showcases movie stunts, motorcycle jumps, and illusions involving fire. If you visit Epcot, you can see the robot known as Lucky the Dinosaur and ride Soarin’, an attraction in which you feel as if you’re flying over the state of California.

Yet another attraction worthy of a day of exploration is Cypress Gardens Adventure Park. The park, which is known as Florida’s first tourist attraction, has undergone a $45 million renovation. Attractions there include 38 rides, which include four roller coasters. Cypress Gardens is also home to the world’s tallest rapids ride, water skiing productions, and other forms of entertainment.

Meanwhile, Universal Studios Florida encourages visitors to “ride the movies.” The amusement park features attractions that incorporate elements of some of your favorite films. For instance, there’s Men in Black Alien Attack, E.T. Adventure, Shrek 4-D, Jaws, and Back to the Future. For the younger set, there’s the Curious George play area, Barney’s interactive playground, and Fievel’s Playland.

If you’re interested in space exploration, consider a trip to the Air Force Space & Missile Museum at Cape Canaveral. The site features an outdoor rocket garden which includes more than 50 missiles. While in the area, you can spend some quality time relaxing at nearby Cocoa Beach.

Of course, this is only a partial list of the exciting attractions you’ll find in Florida. Given the number of interesting sites, you might want to schedule more than one vacation in the Sunshine State. It’s the type of place that offers both adventure and relaxation, thrills and comfort. Once you make your initial visit, you may not want to leave.

Florida Getaway

For many people, a Florida getaway offers a little slice of paradise. Known for its romantic waterfront views and its thrilling attractions, it continues to please visitors year after year, vacation after vacation. Florida remains a prime vacation destination for people the world over. One of the state’s most interesting attractions is the Central Florida Zoological Park. Located north of Orlando, the zoo boasts 100 acres of animals. There, you can touch an alligator, watch a falcon fly, or observe how a gorilla’s behavior might closely match your own. Another interesting site is the Charles Hosmer Morse Museum of American Art. The museum is situated at Winter Park, near the downtown area of Orlando. This attraction is known for its Tiffany art, as well as art from the 19th and 20th centuries. A Tiffany art glass chapel, originally on display at the Chicago Exhibition of 1893, is also on view.

Another winning site is the Daytona Beach area. In addition to its magnificent beaches, Daytona offers an astounding 300 places to stay, from hotels to RV parks. You can also visit the internationally recognized Daytona International Speedway, home to the celebrated Daytona 500 car race. Daytona also has its own country music show featuring Nashville’s own Charlie Floyd. Also, Daytona is home to the Museum of Arts and Sciences, where you’ll find an inspiring planetarium. For more information, you can contact the Daytona Beach Area Convention and Visitors Bureau.

If you’ve ever longed to take a hot air balloon ride, Florida is the place to go. The state features sunrise flights which include champagne breakfasts, with the balloons piloted by individuals who have been certified by the FAA. Some balloon rides to try include Blue Water Balloons in Orlando, Orange Blossom Balloons in Kissimmee, Painted Horizons Hot Air Balloon Tours and Skyscapes Balloon Tours in Orlando. If you’re interested in staying at a state park for your Florida getaway, consider Blue Spring State Park in Orange city. There, you can view for yourself endangered manatees, or stroll along an elevated walkway through an old oak forest.

Yet another interesting getaway is Fun Spot Action Park in Orlando. This is the place to go if you love bumper cars, go-carts, and ferris wheels. Children can enjoy a special kiddie train, swings, the teacup ride, video games, and air hockey. If you’re interested in more tranquil pursuits, consider the Harry P. Leu Botanical Gardens in Orlando. The gardens boast the largest camellia collection and rose garden in the South. You can also stroll through a number of gardens via a scenic walkway. If shopping is your favorite activity, don’t forget to visit the Mercado in Orlando. In addition to its fine eateries and stores, it includes an impressive Titanic exhibit.

Whether your Florida getaway includes stints in the northern section, the central section, or the south, you’re likely to find a host of intriguing attractions. Florida represents the ultimate vacation experience, a destination filled with the exotic. Whether your destination is natural or man-made, prepare for the trip of a lifetime.