64 • THE GRIFFON • Fall 2013
TRAVEL USA
www.thegriffon108.com
Central Florida kicks off fun-filled fall season With the kids back in school, memories of summer will fade quickly as the mercury begins to dip. Ward off the coming chill by planning a trip to Central Florida’s Polk County. Conveniently located between Orlando and Tampa, and an easy drive to Florida’s famous beaches, the area is sunny and warm nearly year-round. Central Florida comes alive with an assortment of outdoor activities, festivals and events as milder autumn temperatures settle in. Polk County hosts the Central Florida NatureFest from Oct. 3-6, 2013; which offers more than two dozen nature tours over the course of four days. View butterflies on a swamp buggy adventure, enjoy guided Seg-
way and airboat nature excursions, tour rare conservation lands or try your hand at wildlife photography. Register for all these tours, and more, at www.visitcentralflorida. org/naturefest. You can enjoy the natural treasures of Polk County even if your visit doesn’t coincide with the annual nature festival.The area is home to 554 sparkling lakes, surrounded by more than 25,000 acres of unspoiled recreational parks and preserves, including Circle B Bar Reserve — which USA TODAY proclaimed as one of “51 Great Places to See Wildlife.”The 1,267 acre former cattle ranch has an added attraction in the Polk Nature Discovery Center, a nature-showcasing starting a
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Special Grif fon Rate for the Ar my Reserve
$55.00 per night
Centrally located between the beaches and the theme parks. Complimentary full hot breakfast buffet daily. Home of the legendary Why Not Lounge and Sterling Room Café. Howard Johnson Plaza Altamonte Springs Orlando North 230 W. State Road • Altamonte Springs, FL 32714 407.862.4455 • 877.994.9668 (24-hour reservation line)
welcome center featuring interactive displays and exhibits such as the Learning Tree, an indoor Oak tree replica, complete with observation deck, ready for climbing by adults and children alike. With so many fresh-water lakes nearby, there are ample opportunities to enjoy recreation on the water, such as water skiing, wakeboarding, kayaking, air-boating and world-class fishing in the Largemouth Bass Capital of the World. Mid October sees the return of two yearly favorites: the Boktoberfest plant sale Oct. 19 at Bok Tower Gardens in Lake Wales; and the Lake Mirror Classic Automobile Festival, Oct. 18-20 in Lakeland. Now in its 14th year, the Lake Mirror Classic is considered one of the “must do” collector car shows in the southeastern United States. The event attracts 35,000 spectators to admire the more than 600 show vehicles displayed around the restored 1920s, art decoinspired Lake Mirror promenade in downtown Lakeland, Florida — one of the most scenic venues in the country, www. lakemirrorclassic.com.The annual Boktoberfest began as a plant sale and has blossomed into one of Florida’s most unique Octoberfest celebrations, including a Biergarten, live entertainment, German food, craft and seasonal beers, tree climbing, face painting, pumpkin painting, prize drawings and more.The free event includes complimentary admission to Bok Tower Gardens, www.boktoberfest.com. Bok Tower Gardens, a National Historic Land-
mark located on one of the highest points in peninsular Florida, features a 205-foot neo-gothic and art deco “Singing Tower” carillon set amidst a historic garden designed by famed landscape architect Frederick Law Olmsted Jr. The 60-bell carillon entertains visitors with daily concerts and the attraction hosts numerous events all year long. www.BokTowerGardens.org. Every Saturday and Sunday in October, Florida’s newest theme park, LEGOLAND® Florida — in Winter Haven — will celebrate Brick-orTreat with safe and family-friendly festivities.This spooky, kooky event features a Haunted Scavenger Hunt in Miniland USA, trick-or-treating along the brick-or-treat trail, LEGO
build activities, the largest LEGO Jack-O-Lantern in the world, Halloween entertainment, an all-kids costume contest and a few surprises along the way. LEGOLAND Florida is an interactive 150-acre theme park geared towards families with children between the ages of two and 12. In July 2013, the world’s largest LEGOLAND park unveiled a major expansion —The World of Chima presented by Cartoon Network, based on the new product line, LEGO® Legends of ChimaTM.
Be one with nature.
Central Florida’s Polk County is no ordinary bivouac. It’s a fun-filled destination where you can kick back and kindle some well-deserved R&R. Explore the new LEGOLAND® Florida, one-of-a-kind attractions and our stunningly beautiful natural wonders. Why not get the recon and plan your escape today?
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Plan your visit at www.boktowergardens.org
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863.676.1408 - Lake Wales, FL
Offer valid with active military ID for up to four. Excludes special events. Not available online. CVB1693_TheGriffon_fall2013 AD.indd 1
50%
OFF
800-828-7655
7/23/13 10:00 AM
ACTIVE MILITARY ADMISSION DISCOUNT