Dreamscapes Travel & Lifestyle

T his is the time of year that Floridians have been waiting for—cooler temper- atures all day long and into the night provide the perfect setting for ample outdoor fun. From park explorations to safari adven- tures to pirate escapades, in Central Florida there are plenty of ways to spend days enjoying its great outdoors. BONNET SPRINGS PARK Just off the I-4, the highway that runs through Central Florida, you'll discover the 69-hectare urban oasis, Bonnet Springs Park. The park is situated on a former railway yard, once the state's largest train repair yard, which has been transformed into a natural space easily walk- able from the town of Lakeland's urban core. One of the first spots to stop during a visit to Bonnet Springs Park is the Hollis Family Welcome Center. Inside, exhibits pay tribute to Central Florida's railroad legacy and citrus heritage, as well as other regional history. The GiveWell Community Foundation Nature Center and Edwards Boathouse do a fantastic job depicting the transformation of the railyard to parkland, and are certainly worth a visit. Back outside spend time in the AgAmerica Heritage Gardens, a linear garden of native plants and grasses filled with natural shade and sweet scents. Little ones will make a bee- line for an old oak grove where a large tree house full of gadgets and views is the big draw. Called "the Kiwanis Cares for Kids Treehouse," the kid-friendly play area overlooks the park. SAFARI WILDERNESS In Lakeland, around Florida's second largest wilderness area (after the Everglades), it's zebras and camels and ostriches, oh my! Take a guided nature tour for epic wildlife viewing at Safari Wilderness Ranch. Hop onto a cus- tomized safari truck—or stay inside your own car—and drive through 105 hectares of wilder- ness, hearing stories about Florida's natural history, including wildlife conservation efforts. Extend your Florida safari with a stay in one of the 10 safari glamping tents found on the grounds. Overnight guests can add to their safari experiences with exclusive sundowner safaris, birdwatching safaris and mountain biking. PIRATE RIVER QUEST Ahoy! Check out LEGOLAND Florida's Pirate River Quest. The new family-friendly, swash- buckling quest seats adventurers in a boat to search for Captain Redbeard's lost treasure. Stories of the rowdy pirate crew will keep everyone entertained while floating on water- ways and spotting monkeys, flamingos and maybe even a kraken along the way. Fun for the entire family, the new LEGOLAND attraction complements all of the other park rides. Extend the "ahoy mateys" fun with an overnight stay at LEGOLAND's Pirate Island Hotel in Winter Haven. The family-fun hotel offers nightly entertainment, in-room treasure hunts, separate sleeping spaces, complimentary breakfast and free Wi-Fi. Travel Planner For more information on Central Florida, visit visitcentralflorida.org Come on out to Central Florida THE WEATHER'S FINE! BY SUSAN B. BARNES PHOTO: VISIT CENTRAL FLORIDA DS DREAMSCAPES WINTER 2023/2024 28

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