Hot News   

NEW in 2013:This summer LEGOLAND® Floridaunveils its third major expansion since 2011, with the opening of The World of Chima in July 2013. Based on the LEGO® Legends of Chima™ product line, and coinciding with the brand-new Legends of Chima television show on Cartoon Network, the World of Chima will immerse visitors in the fantastical story where tribes of animal warriors compete in epic battles for CHI, a mystical energy source.

Visitors can expect dramatic landscapes and will embark on a journey in search of a mystical energy source through a highly-interactive water ride experience, The Quest for CHI. Guests can also try their hand at an action-packed Speedorz™ Arena, meet the beloved Chima characters and be transported to the Land of Chima with a new 4D movie.LEGOLAND® Florida is the only place in the world that LEGO fans can go to unleash the power of CHI and be fully immersed in The World of Chima, providing an experience like no other.

LEGOLAND® Florida Water Park is also now open for the 2013 fun-in-the-sun season, with a host of brand new figures and impressive models that have doubled the number of LEGO bricks in the water park to an astounding four million.

http://florida.legoland.com/en/about/press/.

Also in 2013: TheTough Mudder Adventure Challenge Series is coming to Central Florida on November 2-3, 2013, and will be located at the Westgate River Ranch Resort, a classic western-style ranch with endless challenging terrain, fields of palmettos and expansive swampland. Tough Mudder events are hardcore 10-12 mile obstacle coursesdesigned by British Special Forces to test your all around strength, stamina, mental grit, and camaraderie.

With the most innovative courses giving you a hefty dose of mud, ice, fire, and electric shocks to test, and 700,000 inspiring participants worldwide to date, Tough Mudder is the premier adventure challenge series in the world. But Tough Mudder is more than an event, it’s a way of thinking: you’ll unlock a true sense of accomplishment, have a great time, and discover a camaraderie with your fellow participants that’s experienced all too rarely these days. For more information visit www.visitcentralflorida.org/events/tough-mudder or http://toughmudder.comand registernow before prices increase.

NEW in 2014: The new Streamsong Resort and Spa continues towards completion. The eagerly anticipated new Lodge at Streamsong is scheduled to open in January 2014, featuring 216 guest rooms and suites, casual and fine dining restaurants, multiple bars, a full-service spa and fitness center, an outdoor lakeside pool and retail shops. The resort’s two spectacular, intertwining 18-hole golf courses, Streamsong Blue and Streamsong Red, have already attracted international acclaim since their official Grand Opening in January 2013… having been designed by renowned golf course architects Tom Doak, Bill Coore and Ben Crenshaw.

The unique property offered exclusive accommodations at opening, including 12 private guest rooms in the fully appointed clubhouse, along with a fine dining restaurant, pro shop and 4,500 square feet of meeting space. Streamsong Resort and Spa, www.StreamsongResort.com, will feature a wide range of services and amenities once the resort completely opens in 2014, including streams and lakes that offer unparalleled Florida bass fishing, a lakefront fishing dock with bass fishing guides and an outfitter, trails for hiking and bird watching, a sporting clay shooting range - and stunning lakeside views from nearly every vantage point.

Annual events – forthcoming dates

Central Florida NatureFest 2013- This annual four-day nature festival takes place October 3 - 6, 2013. The festival will offer a whole host of things to do for those who want to see more of real Florida and the natural environment. Nature experts will lead participants on tours featuring birding, hiking, butterfly watching, rare plant conservation, nature photography, kayaking and more. Segway and Airboat eco-tours will also be offered. View the full list of excursions and register at www.visitcentralflorida.org/nature-fest.

The 1,267 acre Circle B Bar Reserve in Lakeland, supported by additional parks and preserves around the area, will serve as the site for several of the festivals excursions. Circle B Bar Reserve is also home to the Polk Nature Discovery Center, a wonderful starting point to a tour of the reserve; featuring hands-onexhibits, live aquatic plants and animals in aquariumsand the “Learning Tree”, a full sized Oaktree replica (inside) for children to climb on and explore.

ZombieFest 2013 takes place on October 12, 2013 to celebrate World Zombie Day. Live music and dance, food vendors, costume contest, pub crawl, and a zombie walk are just some of the fun planned, along with scare zones and makeup artists to get you ‘zombified’ for the Undead Invasion of Downtown Lakeland. A ‘safe zone’ and kid’s activities will offer visitors family friendly mayhem - but Parental discretion is advised. Visit www.downtownlakelandzombies.com for updates and additional information.

Annual Lake Mirror Classic Auto Festival - Now in its 14th year, the Lake Mirror Classic, taking place from October 18-20 2013, is considered one of the “must do” collector car shows in the southeastern United States. The display of more than 600 show vehicles on the restored 1920’s, art deco-inspired Lake Mirror promenade in downtown Lakeland, Florida provides one of the most scenic venues in the country. The event is known for its beautiful lakefront setting and friendly atmosphere. In addition to attracting over 35,000 spectators, the Lake Mirror Classic draws top car collectors from the southeast and serves as a support event to the prestigious Amelia Island Concours d’Elegance. www.lakemirrorclassic.com

Bok Tower’s Boktoberfest – The 5th annual event will take place on October 19, 2013 to celebrate the start of Florida’s gardening season. Visitors will be given free admission to Bok Tower Gardens and can enjoy a Biergarten, plant sale, live entertainment, German food, craft and seasonal beers, tree climbing and many more unique activities which last year attracted around 8,000 people. For updates visit www.boktoberfest.com

Pioneer Day Festivalis an annual event taking place from October 26-27, 2013 and hosted by the Historic Lake Wales Society to celebrate the community's history and its earliest pioneer settlers. Activities include crafters, demonstrators, re-enactors, an Antique Car Parade, a free architectural carriage tour and Highlander marching tour, with plenty of rides and children activities as well as food and other exhibitors. Special highlights of the celebration are the remembrance of "The Pioneer Years", which is the period from 1853 (when the region was first surveyed) to 1925 (when Lake Wales officially became a city), and the naming of "Pioneer of the Year". www.visitcentralflorida.org/events/pioneer-days-festival

Food Festivals 2014: Winters in Central Florida are full of culinary delights, with the Annual Lakeland Pigfest (www.lakelandpigfest.net) taking place in January 24-25, 2014 in Lakeland.Each year, the area’s largest barbeque competition, a Kansas City Barbeque Society (KCBS) sanctioned event, welcomes close to 200 teams to compete during a weekend of good eating, good friends and good tunes; to benefit Lakeland area charities. If you’re still hungry, stick around forRibs on the Ridge Annual BBQ Festival, which takes place on February 14 and 15, 2014 at Lake Eva Park in Haines City. This growing event has been Florida BBQ Association’s largest competition for the past two years; with approximately 100 teams competing, live music and craft and food vendors.

Sun ‘n Fun International Fly-In and Expo takes place from April 1-6, 2014 at the Lakeland Linder Regional Airport. Sun ‘n Fun is the second largest Fly-In in the U.S.A. and attracts more than 180,000 visitors and over 4,000 aircraft during the week-long spring event. Each afternoon, a daily air show entertains guests with adrenaline-pumping aerobatic performances by some of the world’s best aerobatic pilots, jet team demonstrations, and WWII bombing re-enactments featuring meticulously restored war bird aircraft and amazing pyrotechnics. A night air show on Friday entertains crowds into the evening and is followed by a spectacular fireworks display. www.sun-n-fun.org

Water, Wings and Wild Things can be enjoyed all year long in Central Florida’s Polk County - even if you can’t make it to the nature festival . . .

Water

Water sportsare abundant in this area. As home to USA Water Ski, the national water ski federation, and with 554 lakes, the water sports heritage of Polk County is significant. There are a large number of water sport schools across the area teaching the latest in water skiing, wake-boarding, and barefoot skiing. The Water Ski Hall of Fame and Museum is based in Polk City and is open to the public. You might even see a water ski competition on their lake.  www.WaterSkiHallofFame.com

Absolut Aqua Sports offers a truly unique experience. Learn how to ‘fly’ 15 feet above the calm beautiful lake with flyboarding lessons or enjoy their Water Ski lessons, Tube Rides, Ski Clinics and Extreme Water Ski Shows. Absolut Aqua Sports is a not-for-profit business whose sole purpose is to provide a means to enrich the lives of children and adults through water sports. We believe that individuals with special needs deserve the same opportunities for water sports and recreational activities as others so our mission is to give our customers quality products and activities at great prices for your family to enjoy today while providing a venue for you to personally impact the lives of children and adults with physical, mental challenges to experience the freedom of skiing and other self-confidence building activities. www.absolutaquasports.com

Fishing is amongst the best in the USA. Cast a lure into the water and reel in the biggest Largemouth Bass you’ve ever seen. The perimeters of vegetation around our lakes make excellent homes for Largemouth Bass; with anglers catching so many here we are known as the “Largemouth Bass Capital of the World”.  With more than 550 lakes, you can catch Bluegill (Bream), Crappie (Speckled Perch) and Catfish here too, or try out our unique phosphate pits with underwater terrains which bring a new challenge to bass anglers. www.visitcentralflorida.org/find/sports/fishing

Boatingon the lakes is another unmissable adventure, whether on a thrilling elevated airboat ride, a scenic pontoon boat cruise taking in the ancient beauty of the lakes, or checking out the lakes under your own power, in a kayak or boat rental. No matter what your speed, preference or group size you’ll find the perfect vessel to set sail in during your vacation.Go to www.visitcentralflorida.org/find/lake-activites# to uncover plenty of ways to get out on the water and enjoy our sparkling natural lakes.

LEGOLAND® FloridaFlorida’s Newest Theme Park,LEGOLAND® Florida, opened in 2011 and is dedicated to families with children ages 2 to 12. The 150-acre interactive theme park is the largest LEGOLAND® Park in the world and is now even bigger with the opening of The World of Chima in July 2013, and last year’s expansions with LEGO® Star WarsTM Miniland Model Display and the fantastic LEGOLAND® Florida Water Park. This summer the Water Park has added two million LEGO Bricks to create mermaid and shark LEGO sculptures to enhance the LEGO experience of guests being refreshed on the tube slides, body slides, and interactive water-play structures. For more information visit www.LEGOLANDflorida.com or http://florida.legoland.com/en/about/press/.

Wings

Birding - Our area is home to hundreds of bird species, with several you won’t see anywhere else - coupled with exceptional birding and wildlife viewing location. Many locations in the county are part of the Great Florida Birding Trail. Birders come to Central Florida’s Polk County, 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. You can sun on a freshwater beach where the song of a whippoorwill lulls you into a child’s slumber or focus on a rare Florida scrub jay through the lens of your binoculars. www.floridabirdingtrail.com

Fantasy of Flight- This stunning Art Deco facility, the World's Greatest Aviation Attraction, is home to more than 100 rare and vintage aircraft - many of which have been restored to flyable condition. But that is just the beginning... There are a variety of guided tours including visits to working restoration and maintenance areas, and a daily aerial demonstration (weather permitting). Visitors can take a spin on a state-of-the-art hang gliding simulator or test their courage on the thrilling "Wing WalkAir" ropes course and zip line. Those looking for a higher flying adventure can experience the magic of open air flight by taking a biplane or hot air balloon ride. Open seasonally, Thurs. through Sun. Check times at www.FantasyofFlight.com.

Bok Tower Gardens - Voted “Florida’s Best Garden,” this National Historic Landmark was dedicated in 1929 as a gift to the American people from Dutch immigrant and world peace advocate Edward Bok. Nearly 700 acres of conservation lands and gardens surround the 205-foot neo-Gothic and Art Deco “Singing Tower” 60 bell carillon and the beautiful Pinewood Estate, a 20-room, Mediterranean-style 1930s winter retreat, restored to evoke the atmosphere of days gone by. A haven for wildlife, Bok Tower Gardens sits on one of peninsular Florida’s highest points and is home to more than 120 bird species, the threatened gopher tortoise and rare plants found nowhere else in the world. www.BokTowerGardens.org

 Other Ways to Enjoy Flight –Clear, sunny weather makes hang gliding popular in Central Florida and Wallaby Ranch provides Aerotow Tandem Instruction for those who want to learn. www.wallaby.com. For those who prefer to appreciate the wonders of flight without leaving the ground, make plans to watch Fantasy of Flight’sDaily Aircraft Demonstration of rare and vintage planes; and visit The Florida Air Museum (open year-round at the Sun 'n Fun air show site) to see vintage, sport and military aircraft and the Howard Hughes Aviation Collection. www.sun-n-fun.org/Museum.aspx.

Other Ways to Enjoy Flight –Clear, sunny weather makes hang gliding popular in Central Florida and Wallaby Ranch provides Aerotow Tandem Instruction for those who want to learn. www.wallaby.com. For those who prefer to appreciate the wonders of flight without leaving the ground, make plans to watch Fantasy of Flight’sDaily Aircraft Demonstration of rare and vintage planes; and visit The Florida Air Museum (open year-round at the Sun 'n Fun air show site) to see vintage, sport and military aircraft and the Howard Hughes Aviation Collection. www.sun-n-fun.org/Florida-Air-Museum.aspx  

Wild Things

Safari Wilderness Ranch - opened for guided safari tours March 1, 2012. The site was many years in the making with the owners and resident veterinary team raising exotic wildlife from Africa and Asia on the 260-acre Central Florida property for the last five years. Safari Wilderness Ranch is a world away from the hustle and bustle of civilization. For preservation purposes, tours are available in limited number - by reservation only – offering a rare and unique experience in the form of a natural adventure. Some of the unusual species that live at Safari Wilderness Ranch include Watusi cattle, which are still given as a dowry in some African countries, and Scimitar Horned Oryx, which are extinct in the wild and were described by Aristotle as “the prototype for the unicorn.”

Safari Wilderness Ranch is not a zoo or theme park. There are no crowds and no lines. Here visitors can feel the silence, enveloped by an open vista of grazing animals surrounded by cypress domes and bay trees, and enjoy the fresh breath of safari air. Knowledgeable and experienced driver guides tour visitors through large herds of exotic game across the pristine wilderness in customized safari vehicles, fitted with shade canopies and stadium seating, or for a more adventurous mode of transport, view wild game on camel back or by horse-drawn carriage.www.safariwilderness.com   

Gators and More - Central Florida’s Polk County is home to some of the best-preserved nature areas in 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. For more information and tour ideas, visit www.visitcentralflorida.org/destinations/gator-country-airboat-tours

or www.visitcentralflorida.org/destinations/alligator-cove-excursions .

Hiking and Walking - Whatever you are looking for in a hike, Central Florida’s Polk County has it in abundance. With environmentally protected wilderness areas covering thousands of acres throughout the county, and more than 37 state and local parks with hiking and walking trails, there is something to suit all; from a half hour stroll with the kids to miles of trekking into the wilds. For more information and ideas, visit www.visitcentralflorida.org/trip-ideas/outdoors-nature or www.visitcentralflorida.org/trip-ideas/travel-features/back-to-nature.

Explorations V Children’s Museum - Let the children “run wild” in three floors of kid-powered exhibits. They can pilot a space shuttle; broadcast the TV news and much more. At Explorations V Children’s Museum, kids enjoy hands-on, “please touch” experiences fuelled by their imagination, creativity, exploration and discovery, providing them with hours of entertainment.  www.explorationsv.com

Paintballing - Adults too can run wild with some adrenaline pumping paintball and other activities such as scuba diving and batting cages at the sprawling athletic complex offered by Off The Wall Adventures. www.visitcentralflorida.org/destinations/off-the-wall-adventures

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 seems to slowly move backwards... uphill, defying gravity. 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. www.lakewaleschamber.com/images/stories/docs/mystery_of_spook_hill.pdf

And then there’s the Golf….

With a superb reputation for golf - and historic and championship courses such as Southern Dunes, The Club at Eaglebrookeand Ridgewood Lakes, Central Florida's Polk County boasts courses designed by some of the game’s greatest architects, impeccably manicured greens and top-rated championship layouts – all at values other golf hot spots can’t match. And NEW in 2013: The new Streamsong Resort and Spa, designed by renowned golf course architects Tom Doak, Bill Coore and Ben Crenshaw and named on GOLF Magazine’s list of “Best New Courses 2012”, unveiled its two spectacular, intertwining 18-hole courses in January 2013, www.StreamsongResort.com. With more than 35 courses to choose from in a 50-mile radius, explore all the varied options at www.visitcentralflorida.org/find/sports/golf.

…and the Weddings! 

Central Florida’s Polk County offers many ideal wedding locations, including the beautiful gardens surrounding a national landmark at Bok Tower Gardens, or other venues for Historic, Lakefront and Rustic Romance themed weddings. With our Extreme Adventure Weddings, there’s more than one way to take the plunge. You and your loved are going to commit to a life together and what better way to start your future than by sharing a real “leap of faith” and skydiving together from 14,000 feet at Florida Skydiving Center, or plan a memorable experience through a hot air balloon ceremony over Central Florida’s sparkling lakes and rolling hills, offered by Fantasy of Flight - www.visitcentralflorida.org/weddings/extreme-adventure-weddings.  

There is ample wedding planning assistance available in the area and The Central Florida Visitors and Convention Bureau can minimize the time you spend locating wedding services and professionals. If you plan to spend your honeymoon with us as well, we offer an array of exceptional accommodations including superior small lodgings, intimate bed and breakfasts and single-family homes with private pools. Whether you intend to invite a number of guests or plan an intimate experience for the two of you, we know how important your wedding day is, and we can make it a memorable occasion. You tie the knot, we’ll take care of the loose ends! For more information and assistance visit www.visitcentralflorida.org/weddings.

Unique Accommodations: 

Central Florida’s Polk County offers the hotels, motels and quaint bed and breakfast/county inn accommodation choices you’d expect from a vacation destination - but here you’ll find some additional options for luxury and adventure.

Family self-catering houses

Central Florida is the hub of luxury self catering vacation homes and apartments with more than 6,500 properties located within an easy drive of the adventure experiences in Central Florida or the familiar theme parks in the Orlando area. They're a perfect "home away from home" with the amenities and extra space that families need. Each property is fully furnished, offering a private screened-in swimming pool, washer and dryer unit and a full kitchen.  These properties are also perfect for golf vacations since many of the homes are located right on some of Central Florida’s best golf courses.  Homes range from two (2) to seven (7) bedrooms and accommodate up to 12 guests.  www.VisitCentralFlorida.org/stay

Spa villa and town home resorts

One might think a Central Florida vacation could easily become all about the kids, but Mom and Dad can pamper themselves while making the whole family happy at a spa resort - just minutes from Orlando’s world class attractions, the gulf and Atlantic beaches and Central Florida’s wildlife and natural beauty. Guests can unwind and renew at Bahama Bay Resort & Spa or Regal Palms Resort & Spa, both boasting a full menu of relaxing spa treatments to complement the wide array of activities and recreational amenities each resort has to offer.  Bahama Bay Resort and Spa offers beautifully appointed and fully equipped 2 and 3 bedroom family villas with all the comforts of a contemporary Florida home, plus all the amenities of a full service resort. www.BahamaBay.com  Regal Palms Resort and Spa features fully equipped 3 and 4 bedroom town homes surrounding a lush tropical swimming pavilion, complete with waterslide and lazy river, and 3, 4 and 5 bedroom self catering houses in an adjacent golf community. www.RegalPalms.com  Both resorts are convenient to numerous shopping centers, dining and entertainment venues and championship golf.

Family adventure resorts

Westgate River Ranch Resort, located off S.R.(State Road) 60 outside Lake Wales, is a unique “Dude Ranch” resort that blends the best of nature with outstanding ranch activities such as horseback riding, guided nature hikes, swimming, a petting zoo, airboat and swamp buggy rides, fishing, trap and skeet shooting, hayrides and a camp fire. There's even a spectacular, sanctioned rodeo every Saturday night in a 1,200-seat rodeo stadium, plus a 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’s 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 into the waters of the Kissimmee River. www.WGRiverRanch.com

Celebrate Heritage, Arts, and Culinary Culture in Central Florida:

Central Florida’s art scene is thriving. With more than thirty arts and cultural organizations, an event, exhibition, performance and/or hands-on art class is offered on any given day in almost every municipality in the County! www.visitcentralflorida.org/find/attractions/arts-and-culture.

Arts - The largest visual arts organization is the Polk Museum of Art, which features an extensive permanent collection of contemporary and modern art, as well as an impressive array of Pre-Columbian, Asian, European and American Decorative Arts. Visual arts’ lovers can also find impressive works at smaller galleries like the Lake Wales Arts Center, Arts on the Park in Lakeland, Bartow Art Guild, Ridge Art Association in Winter Haven, Lakeland.

Music - Music lovers have many choices including the Imperial Symphony Orchestra performing at The Lakeland Center, which also hosts Broadway shows, dance performances, acrobats, nationally known comedians and jazz ensembles. www.imperialsymphony.org.

Theatre – For great theatrical performances try the community theatres in Lakeland, Lake Wales, Haines City and Theatre Winter Havenwhich has over 100 performances per year and has been called “one of the best community theaters in America”. There’s always a play being performed somewhere in Polk!

Architecture - Florida Southern College’s stunning campus has been ranked as the nation’s “Most Beautiful Campus” in The Princeton Review'. With the world's largest single-site collection of Frank Lloyd Wright structures, the campus also boasts historic architecture from 1922, as well as contemporary designs by world-renowned architect Robert A.M. Stern, dean of the Yale School of Architecture.

From formal rose gardens to working citrus groves to environmentally sustainable native plant areas, the 100-acre campus on the shores of Lake Hollingsworth can be enjoyed through self-guided or guided tours by architecture buffs and novices alike. www.visitcentralflorida.org/destinations/frank-lloyd-wright-architecture.

Florida Flavors - Visiting the many Central Florida attractions can quickly help you work up an appetite.Among the many things to do in Central Florida, Polk Country also provides travelers an ideal location for those looking to indulge in exceptional dining experiences while in the area. Discover Florida flavours at Polk County’s locally owned restaurants: from alligator tail and Oysters Rockefeller to flame-broiled steak and fresh seafood, Polk County sizzles as a smorgasbord for dining pleasure. For more ideas visit www.visitcentralflorida.org/trip-ideas/travel-features/local-flavors or www.visitcentralflorida.org/find/dining.

To sample more of the regional faire, come along to one of the monthly food festivals Downtown Lakeland Food Truck Rally, Mulberry Farmers Market and Highland City Community Market.

A Central Florida vacation just wouldn’t be complete without visiting some of the top citrus-themed hot spots in the area, which remains the top citrus producing county in Florida. Time your visit carefully, however, because many citrus-themed attractions are open seasonally – from October through April or May – and you don’t want to miss out. For an authentic citrus grove, take a tour in the family-owned Ridge Island Groves where you can actually pick your fruit directly from the groves! Or for a relaxing, educational and fun option, check out the Florida’s Natural Growers Grove House or The Orange Ring, which has been growing, packing and shipping fresh Florida citrus fruits for a century. For more information, visit www.visitcentralflorida.org/trip-ideas/central-florida-citrus.

With so many fabulous places to choose from, adding a culinary tour to the list of things to do in Central Florida will prove an easy feat!

In Florida:

Kelly Rote

Communications Specialist

Visit Central Florida 

2701 Lake Myrtle Park Road

Auburndale, Florida USA 33823

+001 863 551 4707

Kelly@VisitCentralFlorida.org

www.VisitCentralFlorida.org

Al Snow

Communications Specialist

Polk County Tourism & Sports Marketing 

2701 Lake Myrtle Park Road

Auburndale, Florida USA 3823

+001 863 551 4718

Al@centralfloridasports.com

www.VisitCentralFlorida.org