Tag Archives: attraction

Swim with Sharks at the Georgia Aquarium

Only one place can boast as the world’s largest aquarium and have a months-long waiting list for one of its exhibits- and that’s the Georgia Aquarium. Safe to say it’s one of Atlanta’s most popular destinations, pulling in millions of sightseers from around the world, and drawing even the likes of celebrities to its 550,000 square feet facility. It boasts a whopping eight million gallons of aquatic life, including over 100,000 exotic mammals from 500 different species.

Local visitors and tourists alike are overcome with wonder and excitement when exploring the scenic paths of more than 60 exhibits – with the main attraction being the Ocean Voyager. The Ocean Voyager exhibit houses thousands of fish including whale sharks, zebra sharks, sawfish, bowmouth guitarfish and humphead wrasses. Offering a swim and dive program, novice guests can take a dip with these gentle giants as their voyage with the largest fish in the world comes complete with mask, fins, booties and wet suit to round out your scuba gear. Skilled water enthusiasts can take an even bigger plunge as certified divers can journey underwater.  If being hands-on isn’t your thing, watch all the action through a picturesque window.

Such an adventure is bound to work up an appetite for Café Aquaria – the resident eatery – which serves up traditional classics like burgers and fries, pizza and ice cream, or onsite catering from Wolfgang Puck, where you can gaze into an eye-popping backdrop of fish.  It also hosts special events from weddings to Mother’s Day brunches. What other restaurant allows you to swim or just eat Wolfgang Puck in the company of sharks?

Stone Mountain Is A Nearby Adventure!

stonemtn2

Stone Mountain Park is Georgia’s most popular attraction and features a wide variety of family activities. Located on 3,200 acres of natural beauty, adventure awaits as you discover interactive family friendly attractions and many natural and historical sights. Plus you won’t want to miss dozens of fun annual events such as Spring FUN Break, Summer at the Rock, Yellow Daisy Festival, Indian Festival and Pow-Wow, Stone Mountain Christmas and Snow Mountain. Stone Mountain activities are suitable for all ages

You can play in the spray or stay high and dry on the all-new Geyser Towers®. Or trek through the treetops on SkyHike®, the nation’s largest adventure course. Take a cable car to the top of Stone Mountain and get an up-close look at the Stone Mountain Carving. Relax on the scenic train ride around the mountain. And end your day at the world’s largest laser light show featuring a fantastic fireworks finale!

Visit stonemountainpark.com/ for more information.

Lush gardens inspirational at Ancient Spanish Monastery

Traverse West Dixie Highway in North Miami Beach and just after the bend in the road, there’s a hidden gem where gardens, statues and and gorgeous open-air courtyard of this historic building are enough to get anyone’s creative juices flowing.

It’s the Ancient Spanish Monastery which was dismantled stone by stone in 1925, transported to the United States then re-constructed at its current location in 1952.

The result is a gorgeous, inspiring location filled with statue-filled manicured garden pathways with benches for reflecting, writing, drawing or painting. The open-air courtyard with flowing fountains, stately columns and welcoming archways are perfect for meandering through. The grounds easily transport visitors to old-world Spain, so much so if you sit quietly, the once-inhabiting monks’ presence can almost be felt.

The Ancient Spanish Monastery is located at 16711 West Dixie Hwy., North Miami Beach. (305) 945-1461, www.spanishmonastery.com

Zoo Miami: An adventure in the jungle

Zoo Miami is one of the most unique attractions in Miami and is not your conventional zoo see, there’s no cages here, well, virtually none. Moats separate a majority of the animals from the visitors which makes it a much more natural experience.

Strolling along the pathways, either on foot, on a safari cycle, in the safari tram tour or on the monorail, is an adventure in everything wild. Monkeys climb on tree limbs and branches in King of the Jungle, while the Huon tree kangaroo, koalas and a crocodile monitor lizard hang out in the Australia exhibition.

Flamingos, giraffes, hippos, snakes, rhinos, lions, tigers, lizards, eels, spiders and more, they all live here in this massive 327 acre park. Kids can enjoy more than just the wildlife with the ever-popular Diego Zoo show, with the famous character from Dora the Explorer.

Zoo Miami is located at 12400 SW 152 St., Miami, FL 786-619-3418, www.zoomiami.org

Jungle Island: Paradise attraction on Watson Island

Just the car ride to Jungle Island is glorious with cruise ships on one side and mansions on the other and sparkling water all the way around. The attraction uses its surroundings to their advantage.

The tropical landscape lends itself to the Parrot Bowl shows where vultures, cockatoos, swallows and more share center stage. Exhibits around the Island feature several species of monkeys, snakes and birds including penguins, flamingos, American alligators, Burmese pythons, skunks, cobras and chameleons.

They live among a variety of gorgeous plants and flowers that provide the grounds’ beautiful landscape. They also make full use of their waterfront location by incorporating an area called “La Playa” (The Beach) where adults can lounge on a beach chair under an umbrella while the kids frolic in a 17-foot water slide. The view’s unbeatable and it’s a great way to cool off.

Zoo Miami: Walk among the cageless wild

Walking among cageless wild animals (no fear, they’re separated from visitors by a very wide moat) is what makes Zoo Miami, formerly known as Miami Metrozoo, such a unique experience. There’s nothing like walking along and seeing lions, tigers, giraffes, monkeys and other wildlife staring right back and roaming free without a cage in sight.

The place is huge, 327 developed acres and more than 2,000 animals representing over 500 species. One mode of transportation that’s popular with visitors are the safari cycles for pedaling around. There’s also the Monorail which has four stops throughout the zoo and Safari Tram Tours.

The zoo is split into several areas, including Asia, Wings of Asia Family Aviary, Africa, The Americas and Australia along with the Children’s Zoo with a petting yard and Butterfly Garden and Dr. Wilde’s World with 7,200 square feet of interactive exhibits.

For real “hands-on” experiences, there are giraffe feedings and camel rides.

Zoo Miami is located at 12400 SW 152 Street, Miami, FL

Miami-Zoo-009-copy

Miami Science Museum & Planetarium: A world of hands-on exploration

Hands-on, interactive permanent as well as traveling exhibitions are what Miami Science Museum is all about. Add in the interpretive presentations, Wildlife Center and Planetarium laser shows and it’s a full day affair!

Visiting this attraction means learning about all things scientific, whether it’s wind, electricity, the human body, dinosaurs, sharks, energy this place gets people moving since most all displays are interactive. Head outside to the Wildlife Center and see their amazing collection of turtles, snakes, birds of prey and other critters. It’s also a rehabilitation center for sick and injured birds so it’s an educational lesson as well.

And in the Planetarium, daytime shows focus on the telescope and on identifying the stars and planets. In the evening, laser shows take over, they’ve been a hit here for years and keep going strong. Watch laser lights move and groove while listening to the sounds of the Beatles, Led Zeppelin and Bob Marley. On the first Friday of the month they open up the rooftop observatory for star viewing.

The Miami Science Museum & Planetarium is located at 3280 S. Miami Avenue, Miami, FL

scienceGravity_Well

The Margaret Mitchell House is Home to Everything Gone with the Wind

Best known for housing the apartment where Margaret Mitchell wrote the classic Gone With the Wind, this turn of the century building is a haven for literary buffs. Where else can you feast your eyes on the very apartment where, ‘Frankly, my dear, I don’t give a damn!’ was conceived, during a guided tour, and check out a full GWTW movie exhibition, too?

Located in the heart of Midtown Atlanta, The Margaret Mitchell House offers a unique glimpse into the author’s Southern roots and everything GWTW. You can take a piece home with you, because it features a unique gift shop, including Gone With the Wind-inspired figurines from the San Francisco Music Box Company. Polonaise holiday ornaments of Scarlett, Rhett, Ashley, and other legendary characters are also available for purchase. The Literary Center offers, among others things, writing workshops for kids and adults. Special events are also held at the home, including weddings and corporate events.

Insider’s Tip: As an added bonus, purchase a Dual Ticket to the Margaret Mitchell House and the Atlanta History Center and save 25% when visiting these two must-see attractions for one low price. Go ahead, get your history on because as Scarlett so aptly said, ‘After all…tomorrow is another day.” Click here for more information.

Sea creatures soar and delight at Seaquarium

Dolphins share the spotlight with a veteran killer whale soaring through the air and delighting audiences at their retro home on Biscayne Bay, the Miami Seaquarium. The golden dome that shades audiences where these creatures perform along with funny sea lions, is visible from the Rickenbacker Causeway that leads to Key Biscayne. It’s been a fixture in Miami’s landscape for more than three decades.

There are eight different animal shows to see here. Walking through the lushly landscaped park, it’s easy to spot pink flamingos and birds, along with ponds and tanks filled with turtles, moray eels, alligators, manatees and the meanest of them all, sharks. Dolphin interaction programs are great for getting up close and personal with these intelligent animals. A day at this attraction is a must on the list of any Miami visitor.

The Miami Seaquarium is located at 4400 Rickenbacker Causeway, Key Biscaynemiami_seaquarium_medium

Family Fun Aboard Boston Harbor Cruises’ Whale Watching Tours

Now that the warmer weather is finally here, it’s time to start planning some fun activities for the summer. What better way to explore the coastal region than with a trip aboard Boston Harbor Cruises’ whale watching tours. Board the three-hour cruise at Long Wharf located between The New England Aquarium and Marriott Hotel.

Once aboard the 400-passenger catamaran,Picture 23 you can take in the view of humpbacks, minkes, finbacks and white-sided dolphins from one of three outside decks. Inside, there is a climate-controlled cabin with free WiFi, and a galley for food and beverage purchases. The tour guide from the Whale Center of New England will narrate the cruise where will point out everything from whale behavior and migration patterns to the local ecology. Whale sightings are guaranteed, but if you don’t see one, Boston Harbor Cruises will give you a free ticket for a future cruise.

Insider’s Tip: Don’t forget binoculars, sunglasses and sunscreen for this outdoor event. April through October is the best viewing season. Reservations are recommended and can be bought easily online.

Real or Wax at The Hollywood Wax Museum

While you can spot celebrities on the street or dining at their favorite digs, nothing really beats a photo op with one of your favorite stars. The Hollywood Wax Museum, situated on the famous Hollywood Boulevard, is the only place where no matter what time of day, you can be face-to-face with Angelina Jolie, Johnny Depp, Elvis Presley and even Judy Garland.  The Hollywood Wax Museum is the longest running wax museum and the only one devoted entirely to famous faces in the United States.

Even though posing and snapping photographs is all the fun, thePicture 7 true beauty behind this museum is how long it takes to bring these stars to life. Careful planning and authentic design go into each creation giving each wax figure a real presence- taking a team of 7 artists three months to make! The museum is constantly changing to allow for new, popular stars to be immortalized for fans in the life-like wax. This museum is perfect for the City of Stars, because it gives museum goers a chance to pose with a celebrity without having to chase them down.

Insider’s Tip: Open 365 days a year, a visit to this museum is probably best accompanied by other spots such as the Guinness World Records Museum or Ripley’s Believe It or Not! Thanks to multiple ticket packages that the museum offers, you can visit all three and get a true taste of Hollywood celebrities, world records and unbelievable sightings.

History Lessons at Historical Museum of Southern Florida

Who says you can’t have a history lesson while vacationing in another city? Well that’s exactly what the Historical Museum of Southern Florida in Downtown Miami provides as one of the largest private, regional historical museums in the countryPicture 11. Housed in a fortress-like structure, the museum is home to an impressive collection of objects, prints and photographs that depict the influence that Native Americans as well as Caribbean residents had in forming and shaping South Florida.

The history of the founding individuals as well as the history of the aviation, maritime and tourism industries in South Florida will leave you with a sense of knowledge of how the southernmost area of the Sunshine State came to fruition.