1. Asolo Repertory Theatre at FSU Center for the Performing Arts Mertz Theatre

   Sarasota : 5555 N Tamiami Trail, Sarasota, 34243

   The FSU Center for the Performing Arts is the home of the Asolo Repertory Theatre, the FSU/Asolo Conservatory and the Sarasota Ballet. The center contains two stages, the Mertz and Cook theaters. The Asolo Rep performs primarily in the Mertz Theatre, an elegant 500-seat facility originally built …

2. Behind-the-Scenes Tours at Lowry Park Zoo

   Seminole Heights : 1101 W Sligh Ave., Tampa, 33604

   Learn in-depth about animals and how the zoo works on a guided tour, for guests 18 and up only. Tours can be booked by calling (813) 935-8552 ext. 268. Tours are scheduled seven days a week and run approximately 1 hour and 10 minutes. The zoo is open 9:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. seven days a week; closed …

3. Biscayne National Park

   Editor's pick

   Homestead : 9700 SW 328 St., Homestead, 33033

   Biscayne National Park lies a few miles south of Miami. On weekends, the park's two main keys, Boca Chita and Elliott, fill with pleasure boaters trying to escape the hustle and bustle of one of Florida's largest cities. The bay, while not deep, is exceptionally clear. On a sunny day, you can se …

4. Bok Tower Gardens

   Editor's pick

   Lake Wales : 1151 Tower Blvd., Lake Wales, 33853

   Located east of Tampa, near Lake Wales, Bok Tower Gardens offers spacious landscaped gardens designed by Frederick Law Olmstead Jr. (his father designed Central Park and the grounds of the Biltmore Estate), a 1930s era winter estate and the "Singing Tower." The centerpiece is 60-bell c …

5. Busch Gardens

   Editor's pick

   Tampa : 3605 Bougainvillea Ave., Tampa, 33612

   One of Tampa Bay's top tourist attractions, Busch Gardens is an Africa-themed park with some of the southeast's largest roller coasters, Broadway-style shows, exotic animals, multi-story family play areas, rides and live entertainment.Rollercoaster enthusiasts, you'll love the choices here. The  …

6. Dali Museum

   Editor's pick

   Downtown St. Petersburg : One Dali Blvd. (Bayshore Drive SE and Fifth Avenue SE), St. Petersburg, 33701

   The museum holds the largest collection outside of Spain of art by the Spanish surrealist Salvador Dali. Cleveland industrialist Reynolds Morse and his wife, Eleanor, donated the collection, which represents a 45-year friendship between the Morses and Dali and his wife, Gala. Built at a cost of  …

7. David A. Straz Jr. Center for the Performing Arts

   Editor's pick

   Downtown Tampa : 1010 N MacInnes Place, Tampa, 33602

   Downtown Tampa's dazzling performing arts venue sits on nine acres on the east bank of Hillsborough River. The 330,000-square-foot complex contains five theaters offering one of the nation's best Broadway touring series, grand opera, concerts and a variety of events and performances.The five ind …

8. David L. Mason Children's Art Museum

   Dunedin : 1143 Michigan Blvd., Dunedin, 34698

   Closed for renovations until September 2011.The David L. Mason Children's Art Museum is a hands-on, interactive gallery for children and their families based on the work of artists exhibited in the galleries of the Dunedin Fine Art Center. Its goal is help children understand and appreciate the  …

9. Disney's Hollywood Studios

   Editor's pick

   Lake Buena Vista : Hollywood Boulevard, Lake Buena Vista, 32830

   If Disney World and Epcot are filled with all the bells and whistles of the Imagineers, then Disney's Hollywood Studios shows you how they do it. But don't think you're not going to have fun here. There are plenty of rides and shows to keep you busy.Disney's Hollywood Studios offers behind-the-s …

10. Ferguson Hall at David A. Straz Jr. Center for the Performing Arts

    Downtown Tampa : 1010 N MacInnes Place, Tampa, 33602

    Ferguson Hall is one of the large theaters at the Straz Center. Downtown Tampa's dazzling performing arts venue sits on nine acres on the east bank of Hillsborough River. The 330,000-square-foot complex contains five theaters offering one of the nation's best Broadway touring series, grand opera …

11. Florida Aquarium

    Editor's pick

    Channelside : 701 Channelside Drive, Tampa, 33602

    The aquarium, located near the Port of Tampa, has more than 20,000 aquatic plants and animals in its various exhibits. Unlike other aquariums that might feature dolphins or other large mammals, the aquarium focuses on telling the story of water in Florida. The exhibits follow a "drop"  …

12. Florida EcoSafaris at Forever Florida

    Editor's pick

    St. Cloud : 4755 N Kenansville Road, St. Cloud, 34773

    Florida Forever is a 4,700-acre eco-ranch and wildlife conservation area has a variety of ecosystems, including live oak hammocks, pine flatwoods and cypress swamps.In 2011, the attraction updated its Zipline Safari, which now takes guests up to an astonishing 68 feet, nearly 20 feet above the  …

13. Florida Holocaust Museum

    Editor's pick

    Downtown St. Petersburg : 55 Fifth St. S, St. Petersburg, 33701

    Remember. Educate. Empower. The Florida Holocaust Museum honors the memory of millions of innocent men, women and children who suffered or died in the Holocaust, the systematic murder of European Jews and others by the Nazis before and during World War II. The focus is on the policies, events a …

14. Francis Wilson Playhouse

    Downtown Clearwater : 302 Seminole St., Clearwater, 33755

    Complimentary 20-minute conducted backstage tours available by appointment. For more information, call the box office.

15. FSU Center for Performing Arts Cook Theatre

    Sarasota : 5555 N Tamiami Trail, Sarasota, 34243

    The FSU Center for the Performing Arts is the home of the Asolo Repertory Theatre, the FSU/Asolo Conservatory and the Sarasota Ballet. The center contains two stages, the Mertz and Cook theaters. The Asolo Rep performs primarily in the Mertz Theatre, a 500-seat facility. The teaching and acting  …

16. FSU Center for the Performing Arts

    Editor's pick

    Sarasota : 5555 N Tamiami Trail, Sarasota, 34243

    The Florida State University Center for the Performing Arts is the home of the Asolo Repertory Theatre, the FSU/Asolo Conservatory and the Sarasota Ballet. The Asolo Repertory Theatre and conservatory perform in the FSU Center on two stages, the Mertz and Cook theaters. The Asolo Rep performs p …

17. Heritage Village

    Editor's pick

    Largo : 11909 125th St., Largo, 33774

    Take a step back into Pinellas County's past, before urban sprawl, strip malls and U.S. 19. More than 28 structures and features fill this 21-acre living history museum. Some of Pinellas County's most historic buildings, several dating to the mid- to late-1800s, have been moved to this setting i …

18. Historic Asolo Theater

    Sarasota : 5401 Bay Shore Road, Sarasota, 34243

    The Historic Asolo Theater was the original home of the Asolo Theatre Festival. It was built as a palace playhouse in Asolo, Italy, in 1798 to honor the 15th-century exiled Queen Catherine Cornaro of Cyprus. In the late 1940s it was dismantled and moved to the John and Mable Ringling Museum. Th …

19. Honeymoon Island State Park

    Editor's pick

    Dunedin : 1 Causeway Blvd. (at the West end of Dunedin Causeway), Dunedin, 34698

    At Honeymoon Island State Park, you can swim, skimboard, bird watch, fish, snorkel, picnic or just catch some rays. Bring your pup, too, because there's a dog park on the south beach. Animals are also allowed on the marked trails and in the picnic area. Showers are available and the park´ …

20. Keel & Curley Winery

    Plant City : 5210 Thonotosassa, Plant City, 33565

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