Florida City Guide

Fort Lauderdale | Macro Island | Orlando | Hutchinson Island |
Miami | Tampa | Ponte Vedra Beach | Delray Beach

Delray Beach
Delray Beach lies between Palm Beach and Fort Lauderdale, just north of Boca Raton, on Florida's Gold Coast. Stroll down famed Atlantic Avenue with its sidewalk cafes, antique stores and boutiques or take to the waves on a catamaran or waverunner. Discover such treasured attractions as the Morikami Museum and Japanese Gardens—200 tranquil acres devoted to the Japanese pineapple farmers—visited by more than 150,000 tourists each year. Check out Old School Square, the multimillion dollar centerpiece of the historic downtown shopping district. Whether you're looking for top-notch galleries, theaters and museums, or the finest restaurants and jazz downtown, you'll find a taste of everything at Delray Beach.

Ft. Lauderdale
Wonders abound in "newer than ever" Fort Lauderdale. Stroll along the beachfront promenade with its trendy sidewalk cafés, bistros, shops and nightclubs. Take a cruise down the Intracoastal Waterway, enjoy an ocean dive excursion and explore a coral-encrusted shipwreck, or just lounge on the beach and soak in the warmth of the sun. Tour the Everglades in an airboat, gliding through the river of grass past alligators and wild birds. Go deep-sea fishing. Try your swing on a championship golf course. Or, shop 'till you drop at the boutiques of Galleria Mall, Las Olas Boulevard, and the world's largest outlet mall, Sawgrass Mills. There's something for everyone in Fort Lauderdale.

Hutchinson Island
Connected by bridge to Florida's eastern coast, Hutchinson Island offers a relaxing diversion, just 45 minutes north of West Palm Beach. Here, guests can enjoy the outdoors year-round. Hunt for shells along the shore. Attend the annual Turtle Watch. Ride the waves on sailboat or waverunner. Fish the deep blue in the "Sailfish Capital of the World." Scuba or snorkel. Take an Eco-Tour cruise. Visit the Florida Oceanographic Society Coastal Science Center and the UDT/SEAL Museum. See the autos of yesteryear. Take to the streets of restored downtown Stuart for a day of shopping and dining. Or just enjoy all the sunshine. There's plenty to do on Hutchinson Island.

Marco Island
It's love at first sight as visitors drink in the natural beauty of Marco Island—Florida's own tropical paradise and one of Southwest Florida's 10,000 islands. Warm gentle breezes sweep over the sparkling Gulf and vibrant orchids, hibiscus and other fragrant flora. Explore the island on an Eco-tour or glide in an airboat through the Everglades, home to over 400 species of birds and other wild life. Take a stroll, collect shells or just bask in the sun. Search for antiques and other treasures in Marco and Olde Naples. Windsurf, water-ski and parasail. Hop aboard a back waters fishing charter or on an Island Trolley Tour. Spend your day on one of the many challenging courses. Gaze at the glorious sunsets. Enjoy delectable dining. Whatever you choose, you'll never want to leave.

Hutchinson Island
Exciting, electrifying, and exhilarating—Miami promises something for everyone. Whether you're looking for a top sporting event, zoo, nightclub or celebrity, you won't be disappointed. See the Miami Dolphins, Miami Heat or Florida Marlins in action. Talk to TV's Flipper and others at the Miami Seaquarium, Miami MetroZoo (one of the world's top 10), Parrot Jungle, and Monkey Jungle. Touch over 150 hands-on exhibits at the Museum of Science and Space Transit Planetarium. Explore the 34-room Italian Renaissance-style house of the Vizcaya Museum and Gardens. Chase after the stars who call Miami home. Become a world-class shopper. Visit Miami's South Beach, and indulge in the Art Deco District's shops, trendy restaurants, cafes and nightclubs. Experience the energy of Miami—America's famous gateway.

Orlando
Orlando, the land of magic, thrills millions—young and old—with its wealth of attractions. Experience the magic of the Walt Disney World® Theme Parks at the Magic Kingdom® Park, EPCOT®, Disney-MGM Studios, and Disney's Animal Kingdom Park. Enjoy the adult night life on Disney's Pleasure Island. Delight in the water creatures at SeaWorld® of Florida. Become a star at Universal Studios Escape®. Swing into action on one of the many championship golf courses. Tour nearby Cypress Gardens in a glass-bottomed boat. Or learn about exploration at the Kennedy Space Center. There's a world to discover in and around Orlando.

Ponte Vedra Beach
One of the golf capitals of the world, home to THE PLAYERS Championship tournament, ATP tour and PGA Tour headquarters, the World Golf Hall of Fame and a wealth of golf and tennis pros, Ponte Vedra is the ideal location for golf enthusiasts and sunbathers and a relaxing place for their families as well. A lush haven nestled between the St. Johns River and the Atlantic Ocean and adorned by lagoons and wildlife, restaurants and specialty boutiques, Ponte Vedra is only 2 1/2 hours from Orlando and an hour north of Daytona Beach. Experience the old-world charm of the pedestrian-only streets of historic St. Augustine. Visit museums and study the Spanish Colonial architecture. Hunt for treasures at the galleries of more than 230 local artists and over 50 antique shops. Explore forts or attend a reenactment. Shop 'till you drop at the outlets. Catch the Jacksonville Jazz Festival or Gator Bowl. Lounge on the beaches and gaze at the sunsets. You can relax in Ponte Vedra.

Tampa
Discover a land of enchantment and culture in Florida's West Coast port city, an exciting new market in a historic destination, just one hour from Orlando. Experience Tampa's Latin heritage in Ybor City, with its Spanish architecture, cobblestone streets and renovated cigar factories—one of three National Historical Districts in Florida. Shop by day and party by night Ybor, "The Nightlife Capital of Florida's West Coast." Enjoy the thrills of Busch Gardens, Adventure Island and Dinosaur World. Study the wildlife at the Florida Aquarium, visit the zoo or navigate the river by canoe. Experience flight and learn about those who did. Relive Victorian resort luxury at the Henry B. Plant Museum. Examine Salvador Dali's largest collection. Cheer on the greyhounds and thoroughbreds, or catch a game of professional football, baseball, hockey or soccer. Stroll the beaches. Lift off in a hot-air balloon. See the festivals of pirates or knights. And that's just the beginning in Tampa.