Miami Waterfront

Like most of the waterfront, the Bayside Marketplace is open-air. It offers a wide selection of shopping, dining, and entertainment opportunities. In the north section of the Marketplace is the site of Pier 5, featuring unique local and international products. Outdoor performances can be enjoyed throughout.

Bayfront Park features a number of popular monuments honoring events and individuals throughout history. Concerts and dance shows can be found at the outdoor AT&T Amphitheater. Each October, the site hosts the All Saints Day Festival, when the city’s large Haitian community gathers to celebrate a sacred holiday of the Voodoo religion.

A few blocks away is the Gusman Center for the Performing Arts, an ornate 1920′s movie palace that now serves as downtown Miami’s concert hall. Also worth visiting is the Miami-Dade Cultural Center, which contains the city’s main art museum, historical museum, and library. Fans of contemporary art should visit the interior design showrooms and art galleries of The Miami Art and Design District.

An impressive historical landmark is the Miami Freedom Tower. Once a processing station for Cuban refugees, it is now a museum commemorating the plight of the immigrants.

Miami’s downtown skyline, lit in neon at night, is considered one of the nation’s most colorful. The NationsBank Tower, First Union Financial Center, and American Airlines Arena are well known sights.

Miami Freedom Tower

Freedom Tower was built in 1925 and originally housed the offices of the Miami News & Metropolis. Some have said that its architecture was inspired by the Giralda Tower in Seville, Spain. The cupola tower contained a beacon light to shine over Miami Bay, which would have served the practical purpose of acting as a lighthouse as well as symbolically announcing the enlightenment brought by the Miami News & Metropolis. After the paper went out of business thirty years later, the building lay vacant for some time, but when the Castro regime came into power and the flood of political refugees began, the tower was taken over by the U.S. government to provide services to Cuban immigrants. It contained in-processing services, basic medical and dental services, records on relatives already in the U.S., and relief aid. In the mid-70s, when its services for refugees were no longer necessary, Freedom Tower was closed down, and soon fell into disrepair. But in 1997, Jorge Mas Canosa, a Cuban-American, purchased the building for $4.1 million. Using sketches, blue prints and anecdotal evidence, plans were undertaken to restore the tower.

Today, the tower is a monument to the Cuban-American struggle. The first floor is a public museum, detailing boat lifts, and life in Cuba before and after the Castro regime. The tower contains a library of books on the subject of Cubans in America. The old newspaper offices have been converted to offices for the Cuban American National Foundation, and meeting halls exist for conferences and parties.

The tower can be found on 600 Biscayne Boulevard, at NE 7th Street in Miami. Admission to the museum is free, but donations are suggested. Hours vary, so call (305) 577-8544 for information.

Vacation in Miami South Beach

dining.

Stretching for ten miles along Ocean Drive, the beach and sidewalk café culture of South Beach is exuded from every pour. Tourists can indulge in delectable dishes from around the world. Cuisine ranging from Cuban to seafood to Caribbean lines the expansive sidewalk. South Beach is very multicultural, offering entertainment, dining and exhibits that reflect the areas’ unique mix of inhabitants.

South Beach is also very rich in American history. It is still referred to as the Art Deco District because of its 1930’s sense of style and prominence in the art scene.

This artistic area of Miami is also very conscious of the environment and its preservation. Biscayne National Park is a wildlife preserve that takes in 18 miles of keys and an expansive gathering of underwater creatures. Glass bottom boat tours are available for the diving-shy tourist. The visitor’s center is open 9 AM – 5 PM. The glass-bottom boat tours are available from 10 AM – 1 PM on a daily basis and costs $24.25 for adults and $16.45 for children under twelve.

Class and style is also a tremendous part of South Beach and the hotels that sit oceanfront are fabulous examples of that. St. Moritz and The National are world-renowned. The National has a first class restaurant that offers art deco fine dining.

Cultural events are no stranger to South Beach, which is home to the Miami Beach Gay and Lesbian Film Festival and other beach-oriented events. The area has also been featured in several movies, like “Something About Mary” and “Donnie Brasco.”

The City Beautiful, Coral Gables

Coral Gables is an elegant community whose design was inspired by the area’s rich Spanish heritage. Calling itself “The City Beautiful”, it contains lush landscapes, ample green space, and over 40 miles of inland waterways. Roadways such as the Historic Coral Way are attractive settings for many historical landmarks. These include The Merrick House and Gardens, boyhood home of the city’s founder.

In the midst of one of the residential neighborhoods is the Venetian Pool. Fed by underground artesian wells, it was originally a coral rock quarry that was later turned into an 820,000-gallon public pool surrounded by scenic grottos. Its beauty is rivaled by Fairchild Tropical Garden, the largest subtropical botanical garden in the country.

The Miracle Mile, characterized by red brick paving, is the heart of downtown Coral Gables. It features upscale boutiques, art galleries, and 5-star dining. The historic Miracle Theatre holds popular seasonal productions. Also here are meticulously preserved landmarks such as the Coral Gables City Hall and its ornate interior murals. Nearby are the majestic oaks of George Merrick Park and the entrance to the Country Club Historic District.

The crowning monument to the Mediterranean Revival style is The Biltmore Hotel. It features a 15-story central tower inspired by the Giralda Tower of Seville. Its golf course is home to several PGA Tour events. The magnificent 110-foot Alhambra Water Tower sits at the western end of the smaller Granada Golf Course.

The main campus of the University of Miami is also in Coral Cables. It includes such treasures as the Lowe Art Museum, Lake Osceola, and the John C. Gifford Arboretum. Other sites of interest in the area include the Congregational Church, the David William Hotel, and the Colonnade Building.

Suit Your Taste and Style with Florida’s Choice of Destinations

No doubt Florida is the ideal destination for families with kids. The first place that usually comes to mind is Orlando, right in the center of the state. The Disney theme parks should be experienced by everyone at least once in their lives, and are a hotbed for Florida VRBO properties. Enjoy the themed rides, hit a thrill park, or dine out at a fine restaurant. Make food in the kitchen after a long day at Florida vacation rentals. On the other end of the spectrum are places like Pensacola and Fort Walton Beach, where relaxation is the name of the game. Sanibel Island is another restful destination.

If you love the beach and the family thrives on beach vacations, Florida is the place to go. The state is surrounded by some of the best beaches in the world. Both on the Atlantic Ocean and the Gulf of Mexico, you can choose FL vacation rentals close to the water so you never have to travel far. Coastal resorts, beach towns, barrier islands, and inland waterways are so prevalent that choosing where to go is the hardest part. Just lie on the sand, or hit the water in a peaceful cruise or speed up the adventure in a jet ski or motorboat. Florida vacation rentals heighten the experience with convenience and likely, affordability, especially when you compare the amenities and comfort to hotel and motel rooms.

Experience history in Florida at St. Augustine, which is the oldest city settled by Europeans in the United States, or visit the heart of United States space exploration at Kennedy Space Center. Head down to the Florida Keys for the ultimate domestic tropical experience. The whole family will marvel at the view from the ride along the causeway and the unforgettable activity and culture in Key West is something to see rather than believe. The Tampa area including Clearwater and St. Petersburg offer much to do and some of the best beaches near Florida condo rentals. Barrier island towns are far removed from the nearby cities here and the space of the FL vacation rentals will keep everyone refreshed indoors and out no matter where you stay.

Take Your Next Family Vacation in Florida

Florida is a place where so many vacation experiences can be had. The sooner you pick your spot, the better chance you have of speaking with a Florida vacation rentals owner and landing the best option to accommodate the whole family. A getaway in Florida is a special experience; create the most extraordinary itinerary by booking Florida condo rentals to both relax in and base your endless adventures.

Beach rentals and St. Augustine bed and breakfast facilities range from the historic, such as the Carriage Way Bed & Breakfast located in the city’s historic district, to the contemporary Ocean Gallery, which opened in 1983. Those looking for a “home-away-from-home” might consider renting an oceanfront suite or studio at Beacher’s Lodge, another relatively new facility open since the late 1980s. Of course, there is a wide selection of budget-priced motor inns around St. Augustine as well, all of which offer easy access to the area’s many attractions.

St. Augustine has 43 miles of beach, so there is the right type of beach for everyone. Some beaches permit vehicles and dogs while others allow only pedestrians. Some of the area beaches produce shelling opportunities, while others are covered only in luxurious fine, golden sand. Saint Augustine Beach is located on Anastasia Island where you can enjoy sandy beaches, the St. Johns County Pier, fine shopping and more. RV and cabin camping areas are located nearby.

Vilano Beach has a wide variety of vacation beach rentals, lodging, waterfront restaurants, the Vilano Beach Fishing Pier and parasailing. Vilano Beach is refered to as Saint Augustine’s best kept secret!

This 450 year old city has a lot to see so you might consider taking advantage of one of the many guided tours offered by local businesses. Two of the more unique tours are offered by Avalon Carriage Service and Black Raven Adventures. The former company offers a one-hour tour of the ancient city in a horse-drawn carriage, while the latter provides an unforgettable voyage aboard a replica of a 16th Century pirate ship.

Like tourist destinations in the eastern U.S., St. Augustine has its share of “living history” exhibits, including the Colonial Spanish Quarter (http://staugustinegovernment.com/visitors/spanish_quarter.cfm) and Dow Museum of Historic Houses (http://www.augustine.com/vacation/business/Dow_Museum_of_Historic_Houses) , both of which will give you and your family a good idea of what the community was like in its early days.

Next, treat yourselves to a swim with live dolphins at Marineland (http://www.marineland.net/). As you might imagine, this program is extremely popular, so make reservations early! Then, for sheer family fun, check out Fiesta Falls Mini Golf (http://www.lafiestainn.com/golf.html), right by the ocean next to La Fiesta Inn’s beach rentals.

From single vantage points around town, you can experience both the joy of the sun rising over the Atlantic Ocean horizon and the peacefulness of the sun setting beyond the salt marsh along the intracoastal waterway. For information about St. Augustine or to have information mailed to you, please call the St. Augustine Chamber of Commerce at 1-904-829-5681 or visit www.stjohnscountychamber.com . St. Augustine, Florida is a great vacation destination filled with romance, beauty and warmth.

For over fifty years the Jackie Gleason Theater in Miami Beach has been South Florida’s home for the best in Broadway, music and dance. The Gleason Theater offers a diverse, year-round season of cutting edge and traditional programming that includes comedy, concerts, ballet, Broadway and television productions. The theatre is a 2700-seat, state-of-the-art performing arts facility. Find more information on concert and show schedules and ticket prices at: http://www.gleasontheater.com/

North of Miami Beach, The Broward Center for the Performing Arts is Fort Lauderdale’s foremost performance venue. The $52 million complex consists of the 2,700-seat Au-Rene Theater and the intimate 590-seat Amaturo Theater. The Broward Center hosts Broadway musicals, serious drama, modern dance and ballet, classical music and Grammy-winning pop concerts. Ticket prices and schedules can be found at: http://www.browardcenter.org/

The Miami-Dade County Auditorium, opened in 1951, has a history as Greater Miami’s premier performing arts center for grand opera, symphony, theater, concerts, ballets, lectures and other programs. Designed as a multi-purpose facility, this acoustically excellent 2,429 seat theater, offers unparalleled sight lines and can accommodate a broad range of entertainment. Open year-round, DCA is the home of the Florida Grand Opera, Sociedad Pro Arte Grateli, Miami’s oldest Hispanic performing arts company, and the Concert Association of Florida which presents the world’s finest orchestras and classical music soloists. The theater is located at 2901 West Flagler Street in Miami. The telephone number is (305) 547-5414.

The City of North Miami Beach’s, Julius Littman Performing Arts Theater, offers numerous educational, cultural, and leisure opportunities for residents and visitors. Many national, international, and independent performers and producers take advantage of the City’s Performing Arts Theater and Amphitheater, and the city hosts festivals, off-Broadway productions, orchestras, variety shows, ballets, and concerts. It is located at 17051 NE 19 Avenue, Miami, FL. The telephone number is (305) 787-6005.

The Port of Miami got its start when the East Coast Railroad was extended to Miami in 1896. Shortly thereafter, business tycoon Henry Flagler funded construction of the Port of Miami and began collecting dockage fees. In 1915, city officials authorized plans for a public terminal, turning basin and channel deepening project, and the Port of Miami became a primary hub for shipping to South Florida. Passenger service to Baltimore and New York began in the 1930s, followed by inauguration of cruise service to Havana, Cuba in the 1940s, and subsequent control of port operations by the U.S. Navy during WWII.

The port is an enormous contributor to the local economy, supporting approximately 98,000 jobs and an economic input to Miami-Dade County of over $12 billion.

For more detailed information on the operations of the port, the Miami-Dade government website at http://www.miamidade.gov/portofmiami/ includes cruise schedules, tips for vacationers, and an online historical tour.

Venetian Pool Miami, Florida

Miami, Florida, a popular vacation destination for many travelers, is home to outstanding beaches, name brand shopping and history-rich places of interest. Although there are numerous choices for the Miami tourist, some stops rate must-see status for any Miami itinerary.

When visitors to Miami want to soak up some sun waterside they head to South Beach or the Venetian Pool. South Beach is a white sand hotspot known for its great nightlife and star-studded clientele.

The Venetian Pool is an 820,000 spring-fed pool formed in a rock quarry. This historic site includes a chance to explore coral caves, waterfalls and grottos. The hours of operation and admission prices vary throughout the year so guests are encouraged to check the pools website at www.venetianpool.com for more information.

Miami tourists in search of some name brand shopping or outlet bargains usually migrate to the Sawgrass Mill or the Bayside Market Place. The Sawgrass Mill is home to over two miles of shopping, including outlets for Neiman Marcus and Saks Fifth Avenue. The Mill is open Monday through Saturday from 10 AM to 9:30 PM and on Sundays from 11 AM to 8 PM.

The Bayside Market Place, an open-air center including nine full-service restaurants, name brand stores, local flavor kiosks and daily entertainment features a 180-degree view of the water for shoppers to enjoy as they explore all the shops.

For wildlife loving tourists Miami offers two great attractions, the Miami Metro Zoo and Parrot Jungle Island. The Miami Metro Zoo, a unique 740-acre wildlife park, offers guests a chance to see subtropical animals in a cageless setting. The zoo is open 365 days a year from 9:30 AM to 5:30 PM and admission is $11.50 for adults and $6.75 for children 3-12.

Parrot Jungle Island is a bird sanctuary featuring many types of free-flying birds, a petting zoo and an Everglade exhibit. Parrot Jungle Island is open daily from 10 AM to 6 PM. Admission is $24.95 for adults and $19.95 for children. Parking costs $6.00.

Parrot Jungle Island

One of South Florida’s oldest attractions, Parrot Jungle Island has been open since 1936, when Franz Scherr rented some land south of Miami to display a shipment of 25 macaws. His family doubted the birds would stay in the park, but they quickly grew accustomed to their new home and eagerly performed tricks for visitors. The park moved to its new location in 2003. It is now home to over 3,000 animals and 500 plant species.

Birds like macaws, cockatoos and flamingos call Parrot Jungle home, as do an albino alligator, a 21 foot crocodile, a liger (lion/tiger cross) and a rare pair of twin orangutans called Peanut Butter and Pumpkin Pie. The “stars” of the park are featured at www.parrotjungle.com/jsps/meetanimals.jsp.

Two exhibits in particular are standouts. The Manu Encounter is a replica of Manu, Peru’s famous clay cliffs. About 200 parrots and macaws call it home. The Everglades Habitat simulates the “river of grass” that surrounds Miami and covers southern Florida.

The park offers three twenty minute shows. Winged Wonders is the most famous, featuring trained birds roller skating, playing cards, and doing other tricks in the Parrot Bowl. Reptile Giants features snakes, crocodiles and their cousins in the Serpentarium. In the Jungle Theater, Wild Encounter brings the audience up close to uncaged exotic animals.

The park is open daily from 10 AM to 6 PM. Regular admission is $24.95 for adults, $19.95 for children 3-10 and free for children under three. Seniors, the military and students with ID get $2 off the regular adult price. The website lists occasional discounts at www.parrotjungle.com/jsps/events.jsp. Tickets can be purchased online and printed at home.

Parking is an additional $6 per vehicle in the garage. It is off of 395 East at 1111 Parrot Jungle Trail, between downtown Miami and South Beach.

Miami has excellent public transportation. From trains to buses, people are transported from place to place on time. Timely arrival and departure times are a rarity in other major cities, but Miami makes it a priority.

The Metrobus is a network of buses that run to and from all sorts of destinations in Miami and surrounding areas. Covering the majority of Miami-Dade County, the Metrobus has buses that operate 24 hours a day. Frequent travelers can purchase a Metropass, but for a one-day excursion, a day pass will due. Be sure to have exact change for the fare, which is $1.50.

The Metromover connects offices, hotels and cultural exhibits within Miami. It runs every 90 seconds on busy days and can help get people from place to place. Best of all, the Metromover is free to ride.

The Metrorail is a train that runs from 5 AM-12 AM daily. The twenty-two stations are within one mile of one another, making hitching a ride on the train relatively easy. Be sure to have exact change for the $1.50 fare. Most travelers only have to wait 6 minutes for a train to arrive at their nearby station.

Besides city-based transport, there are other alternative means of transportation that can help busy travelers make their way around Miami. Many limousine and taxi companies offer towncars, SUVs and vans for those business travelers that like to ride in class but prefer to avoid the attention of a limo. A Family Limousine is one such company. Visit www.afamilylimo.com for more information.

The Museum was founded in August of 1956 by William Godfrey,then a business administration student at the University of Miami, who thought the tracks would be ideal for an active steam engine. The steam engine was created and over the years more equipment was added until the abandoned railways finally became a museum in 1967 with the addition of parking and buildings.

In addition to the railway cars and equipment, the museum also hosts special educational exhibits. Currently, the museum is featuring a special exhibit by U.S. Sugar describing the role of sugar and railroads in Florida’s history.

All of the train rides serve as both entertainment and education.
–“The Edwin Link Children’s Railroad” is offered on weekends is suitable for both children and adults. The ride consists of a 20-minute trip down a 2-gauge line
–The Standard Gauge Coach operates daily and uses air-conditioned trains with diesel equipment. The ride lasts 20 minutes on with trains departing a 2 PM daily.
–The Standard Gauge Cab Ride uses diesel-electric locomotives and is most often available on weekends. Guests ride in the cab of the locomotive for 20 minutes on a standard gauge track where crew- members will detail the history and operation of the locomotive and describe its importance is Florida’s history. Guests must be able to climb steep ladders. Cabs typically depart every thirty minutes; however, it is necessary to call ahead and check availability.

Calle Ocho Festival - Miami, FL

Little Havana is just what it sounds like: a small version of Havana where both tourists and locals can enjoy the lifestyle, language, culture and music of Cuba. Little Havana is the heart of the Cuban exile community and covers a 30-block section of downtown – from SW 41st Avenue to the I-95 Bridge.

Much of Little Havana is covered in Spanish, giving the area more credence than other obviously touristy hot spots. The main street of Little Havana is 8th Street. For history lovers the Woodlawn Park Cemetery on SW 8th Street and SW 32 Avenue is the site of the graves of three former Cuban presidents and the Bay of Pigs Monument.

Maximo Gomez Park is home to hundred of old men who play dominos and espouse theories and hints about one of Cuba’s favorite games.

A trip to Cuba would not be complete without a cigar and Little Havana knows this. At A Traditional Cigar Co. Inc, located at 1942 SW 8th Street, you can watch master Cuban cigar rollers in action and smoke a classically Cuban cigar. The shop is the largest of the ten cigar shops in the area.

One of the best times to visit Little Havana is in early March when the main street hosts the Calle Ocho Festival (Eighth Street Festival). Twenty-three blocks of the area are closed and nearly a million pedestrians attend. The festival is considered the largest Latin American outdoor festival in the United States and is home to copious amounts of food and music. The festival was first organized twenty years ago by the Kiwanis Club but now has expanded to a citywide week long event across all of Miami.

Little Haiti is home to both a vibrant daily lifestyle and with art galleries and shopping and an exciting nightlife with rock and traditional music venues.

The Haitian Art Factory, located at 835 N.E. 79 Street, is must-see attraction for international art lovers. The gallery features both fine and exotic pieces of art specializing in work from well- known Haitian artists such as Fritzner Alphonse, Ernst Louizor, Andre Pierre and Laurenceau. The gallery also features sculptures, woodwork, pottery and furniture.

Churchill’s Hideaway, located at 5501 NE 2nd Avenue, is host to both local and national acts. The venue is one of Miami’s oldest rock clubs.

The Little Haiti Park is undergoing renovations and will soon be a place to relax and hide from the hot Miami sun under nearby trees.

Little Haiti also holds several cultural events throughout the year and some monthly. RitmiKreyol, (Creole Rhythm) is a free monthly cultural night designed to raise money for The Haitian Awareness & Cultural Foundation, Inc. The event features poetry readings, arts and crafts, plays, food, music, dance and performances by local and international Haitian and Creole artists.

Wings of Asia – Offers more than 300 exotic, rare and endangered Asian birds
representing over 70 species in the largest open air Asian aviary in the Western Hemisphere. The story is that Tyrannosaurus rex is a relative of the tiny Mandarin duck! They claim this is the only known zoo exhibit in the world to explain this link in such a comprehensive educational and dramatic way.

Masters of the Night — The true story of bats, the “masters of night.”

Toadstool — An interactive adventure for explorers of all ages. See Costa Rican tarantulas and the Emperor scorpion. These critters are in glass cages, so it’s safe. There are colorful poison dart frogs, the glass lizard, bearded dragon, Madagascar hissing cockroaches, snakes and butterflies.

Admission Hours and Rates

HOURS
- Open every day of the year
- Park Hours: 9:30 AM – 5:30 PM
- Ticket Booth: 9:30 AM – 4:00 PM

Miami Metro Zoo

- Wings Of Asia exhibit: 10:00 AM – 4:30 PM
- Toadstool exhibit: 10:00 AM – 4:30 PM

RATES
- Adults (ages 13 & older): $12.00
- Seniors: $11.00
- Child (ages 3 – 12): $7.00
- Children 2 and under: FREE
For some great photos of the zoo, go to http://umsis.miami.edu/~tmartin/zoo.html.

Miami's Monkey Jungle

Claiming to be “where the humans are caged and the monkeys run wild,” this park is home to over 400 primates (not counting the humans). Monkey Jungle was founded in 1933 when Joseph DuMond released 6 Java monkeys to forage deep in South Florida. Their eighty-some descendents live there today, eating fruit and catching shellfish and crabs in the mangroves. They are self-sufficient, but not too proud to accept charity from visitors in the form of raisins and peanuts.

The Java monkeys have been joined by orangutans, gibbons, spider monkeys, and the rare Golden Lion Tamarin. Native to Brazil, this endangered species has found a home here.

Monkey Jungle pioneered a style of exhibits now common in modern zoos. It was among the first to “cage” the visitors and allow the monkeys to roam free.

The shows feature the various primates at the park. “The King of Our Jungle” stars the peaceful lowland gorilla named King, “Hangin’ with Oranges” introduces visitors to the park’s orangutan troop, and “Chimpin’ with Colin & Colleen” lets the twin chimps display their learning abilities…and sometimes their unrehearsed antics. The Java monkeys show off their diving skills in their swimming pool, where they chase after fruit offered by their trainers.

The park is open every day from 9:30 AM until 5 PM. Although the last tickets go on sale at 4, the final series of shows for the day begins at 3. Admission is $16 for adults, $13 for seniors and active duty military, and $9.95 for children 4-12. Take exit 11 from the Florida Turnpike, or go on US 1 to SW 216th Street and follow the signs to Monkey Jungle.

Between flights, passengers enjoy a wide range of services and conveniences.

Miami International Airport offers duty free shopping in every concourse, but Concourse E includes the main duty free shopping area. A gift shop is also available there as well as in Concourses C and G. To access the duty free shopping areas passengers must present their boarding passes.

Numerous restaurants are also housed inside Miami International Airport including Pizza Hut, Burger King and the Budweiser Brew House. Each concourse features at least one bar and one restaurant and many offer snack and smaller walk-through eating options.

Other great features of the Miami International Airport include a pharmacy, an art gallery, a chapel, shoeshine services and a health club.

The airport also offers many services for passengers such as a Post Office with standard postal services on level 4, Internet access connections throughout the terminal, ATMs, bank services and currency exchange desks.

Located just nine miles from Miami, the airport offers long and short-term parking and SuperShuttle services from nearby hotels and bus and railway stations for its passengers. Once inside the terminal, passengers can take advantage of the luggage carriers, trolleys and porter services that the airport has to offer.

You can get anything you want at the Florida Mall! Fresh from a recent $70 million expansion project, The Florida Mall is the largest shopping center in Orlando, and is large enough to compare favorably with any mega-mall in the country. It is open and spacious, with skylights letting in the Florida sun and tropical plants to delight the eye.

Spacious, newly decorated, and spic-and-span, the Florida Mall has a large number of anchor department stores, ranging in price from moderate to upscale. These include Burdines, Macy’s, Dillard’s, JCPenney, Lord & Taylor, Nordstrom, Sears, and Saks Fifth Avenue.

There are many smaller accessory shops, again ranging from the moderate to the expensive. For instance, Coach, purveyor of the finest leather handbags, and Sunglass Hut, which sells moderately priced eyewear, both have stores in the mall. A number of shops offer home furnishings and accessories. Also present are a number of jewelers, clothing shops for the fashion-conscious, and GapKids and the Children=s Place, among other stores catering exclusively to children (and grandmas!). Harry and David Gourmet Foods and Dylan=s Candy Bar are handy for those wanting gifts for the folks back home.

You can book a trip at Carnival Cruise Lines or Dillard Travel, have your picture taken at Glamour Shots, fix your shoes at Heel Sew Quick, and choose between Hair Cuttery and Hair Plus for a haircut or trim.

A number of fast food outlets are available for a quick bite, and plenty of restaurants cater to the sit-down crowd. The Florida Mall also has its own hotel, where the weary tourist can get lodging and refresh him or herself for another day’s shopping.

Open every Friday through Sunday, Fleaworld is visited by more than 50,000 shoppers each weekend, or over 2.5 million per year. Paved parking is available for more than 4000 vehicles, including ample space for buses and campers.

Attached to Fleaworld is a family amusement park, “Funworld,” which offers a 250-game arcade, rides for adults and children, two go cart tracks, and entertainment programs under a big top pavilion. Funworld presents a different attraction every month, including magic shows, acrobatic acts, and circus-style performing animals. Funworld also offers birthday party specials in its three restaurants which include all-day ride passes to Kidsworld, a special set of rides for those 6 and under.

Flea World is open from 9 am – 6 pm every Friday, Saturday and Sunday. Fun World hours are Saturday and Sunday from 10 am – 6 pm. Parking and admission are free. Pets are not allowed unless they are small enough to be carried. Seeing-eye dogs are an exception and are welcome at Fleaworld.

Fleaworld
4311 Orlando Ave.
Sanford, Florida 32773.

Office hours are Thursday – Sunday 8 – 6.
Call (407) 330-1792 ext. 224 or visit their website at http://www.fleaworld.com for driving directions and maps.

For the full scoop on Disney technology, talent and special effects, the Backstage Magic tour takes guests behind the scenes at the Magic Kingdom, Epcot and Disney-M.M. Studios and lunch at Mama Melrose’s Restaurant Italiano (seven hours; $199; guests over 16 only; photo ID required for backstage access). For a view backstage at the Magic Kingdom only, the Keys to the Kingdom tour offers an in-depth glimpse of Disney World’s oldest park (three hours; $58; guests over 16 only; photo ID required; lunch included).

Train afficionados will probably want to hop on the express track to The Magic Behind Our Steam Trains at the Magic Kingdom, a special tour that brings visitors into the Disney locomotive yards before the park opens (three hours; $40; guests over 10 only; park admission required). At the Animal Kingdom, guests can take a peek at the animal conservation and care areas and speak to wildlife experts on the Backstage Safari (three hours; $65; guests over 16 only; photo ID required).

Even guests who cannot swim can get up close and personal with marine life in the Dolphins in Depth program at Epcot, which features dolphin interaction in waist-high water (three hours; $150; guests over 13 only; 13-18 year olds must be accompanied by a participating parent or guardian. Admission includes a photo with the dolphins, T-shirt and refreshments. No personal cameras allowed). One of the only participatory tours open to children is Epcot’s Seas Aqua tour, which allows guests ages 8-up to don a wetsuit and plunge into the Living Seas aquarium (2 ½ hours; $100; guests 8-16 years must be accompanied by a participating parent or guardian; bathing suits required; admission includes gear, refreshments, T-shirt and group photo).

Disney VIP Services also offer personalized tour scheduling and visit planning at $125/hour (five hour minimum).

More information on Disney tours can be found at the Disney World website, http://disneyworld.disney.go.com/wdw/index.