| Most tourists seem to gravitate towards the | | | | Sarasota is another hotbed of historical |
| crowded, expensive theme parks or the teeming | | | | places in Florida. The city has a detailed |
| hot beaches, but if you're looking to get off | | | | cultural history complete with Native |
| the beaten path when traveling to Florida, | | | | American and Spanish influences. Historic |
| history and some of the more cultural | | | | Spanish Point, highlighting 5,000 years of |
| offerings of the Sunshine State should be | | | | Florida history, features prehistoric Indian |
| considered. From northern Florida with the | | | | mounds, living history performances, |
| Southern hospitality of the Panhandle to the | | | | archaeological tours, a butterfly garden, and |
| exciting cultural influences at the bottom | | | | pioneer-era buildings. Cruises in |
| tip of the state, a vacation in Florida | | | | historically inspired vessels sail Sarasota |
| offers endless possibilities of unusual | | | | Bay for an entertaining finale to your |
| places to visit. | | | | vacation in Florida. |
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| Each coast, in fact, from the Atlantic to the | | | | The John and Mable Ringling Museum of Art and |
| Pacific with the Gulf Coast included, exudes | | | | the Ringling Museum of the American Circus |
| history relating not only to America, but | | | | are centered on the home of the museum's |
| globally as well. From the Keys to | | | | namesakes who designed their sprawling |
| Tallahassee, the importance of the dynamic | | | | mansion to mimic European architecture, a |
| story of Florida and the history of the state | | | | fine example of one of the more elaborate |
| is immediately evident and the locals hope to | | | | historical places in Florida. Ca d'Zan, |
| share its countless cultural assets with you. | | | | completed in 1926, saw the biggest and most |
| | | | expensive parties of the early 20th century |
| Where to Go and What to Do During Your | | | | in Sarasota. The art museum, from the |
| Vacation in Florida: | | | | Ringling's collection, displays both old and |
| | | | new American, European, and Asian works of |
| Tropical Treasures in the Keys | | | | art. The circus museum, which was opened to |
| | | | the public in 1948 and has since become a |
| Key West, slightly off the coast of Florida | | | | popular stop during a vacation to Florida, |
| and connected by a bridge, is a continuously | | | | has a large collection of handbills, posters, |
| sunny destination that has entranced everyone | | | | costumes, and props from the early days of |
| from President Harry Truman and Tennessee | | | | the circus. Also on the grounds is a |
| Williams to Ernest Hemingway and the U. S. | | | | miniature circus constructed by Howard |
| Navy. The famed author Hemingway, after a | | | | Tibbals, who was integral to designing the |
| vacation to Florida, subsequently decided to | | | | tiny circus set that is now a part of Florida |
| live in Key West, and his home has now been | | | | history. |
| turned into a museum with the descendants of | | | | |
| his polydactyl cat still roaming the grounds. | | | | Military Origins in Pensacola |
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| With the close proximity of the ocean, the | | | | Home of the Blue Angels, Pensacola, a must |
| locals and tourists alike enjoy activities | | | | see on a vacation to Florida, is proud to be |
| that incorporate the blue water of the sea, | | | | the home of naval aviation. More than 150 |
| including ship salvaging and diving for | | | | restored aircraft from the Navy, Marine |
| ancient sunken treasures. Many U. S. | | | | Corps, and Coast Guard are displayed at the |
| presidents, including Harry Truman and | | | | National Museum of Naval Aviation where |
| Franklin Roosevelt, bolstered local lore and | | | | visitors can experience the flight simulator |
| Florida history by calling Key West home in | | | | or learn more about naval aviation in Florida |
| the winter months at the Southernmost House | | | | history and the rest of world in the Memorial |
| Grand Hotel and Museum. | | | | Theatre. In addition, the museum features an |
| | | | IMAX screen, a tour of the restoration |
| Early Industrialists in Fort Myers | | | | hangar, cockpit trainers, and Blue Angels |
| | | | events on select days. |
| Both Thomas Edison and Henry Ford decided to | | | | |
| call Fort Myers home in the winter months | | | | Located nearby is historic Fort Pickens, |
| after taking a vacation to Florida. Edison's | | | | which was constructed in 1834 and used well |
| home, called "Seminole Lodge," has been | | | | into the 1940s. The Fort, significant in |
| accurately renovated to reflect the time | | | | Florida history, had been influential during |
| period in which it was built and resided in, | | | | the Civil War, and in the mid-1880s, the |
| and includes one of the first modern swimming | | | | famous Apache warrior, Geronimo, was |
| pools in Florida history and his laboratory | | | | incarcerated at the Fort, where he became a |
| much as he would have had it, remaining a | | | | sideshow for the tourists on vacation in |
| fine example of one of the best historical | | | | Florida. A Visitor Center showcases |
| places in Florida. | | | | memorabilia, art, and books enhancing the |
| | | | history of the Fort. |
| Located adjacent to Edison's graciously | | | | |
| designed house is "The Mangoes," Henry Ford's | | | | The Panhandle's Gorgeous Gulf |
| recently refurbished winter home. After a | | | | |
| vacation to Florida, Ford decided that Fort | | | | Surprisingly, Apalachicola, the secluded, |
| Myers would be better than the Michigan cold. | | | | charming town on the Gulf Coast that is mired |
| A garage full of restored antique Ford | | | | in Florida history, offers many options of |
| automobiles rounds out the serene atmosphere. | | | | things to see and do. The Camp Gordon |
| Both historical homes have lush gardens along | | | | Johnston Museum provides a glimpse into the |
| the Caloosahatchee River. | | | | life of World War II soldiers and their |
| | | | intensive training. Opened in 1942, the camp, |
| The Contrasts of Palm Beach | | | | a permanent reminder of the military's impact |
| | | | on Florida history, trained America's |
| From industrial influences to charming | | | | amphibious soldiers before they left for war, |
| gardens, Palm Beach is a sun-lit city of | | | | and remnants of the training grounds and camp |
| contrasts. Henry Flagler linked the cities of | | | | still survive. Exhibits include photographs, |
| Florida after realizing that a sophisticated | | | | articles, and knickknacks from the camp's |
| system of transportation could help | | | | heyday. |
| revitalize the state and bring more tourists | | | | |
| to vacation in Florida. Starting in the late | | | | In the town's center, the historic old |
| 1880s, Flagler began purchasing railroads, | | | | district features over 900 buildings, |
| combining the routes, and installing more | | | | constructed as far back as the early 1800s, |
| tracks up and down the coastlines and | | | | that are listed on the National Register. |
| eventually well in between. The Henry Flagler | | | | Walking tours allow visitors to explore each |
| Museum, located in his grand winter home | | | | location in depth and include an old cotton |
| called "Whitehall," heralds his | | | | warehouse, three parks, and rows of live oak |
| accomplishments and his idea of bringing the | | | | trees and magnolias. A Visitors Center |
| first vacationers to the state for profit, a | | | | provides maps, ideas, and directions for |
| first in Florida history. | | | | experiencing Apalachicola's historic downtown |
| | | | while on your vacation in Florida. |
| Located outside of the city limits in Delray | | | | |
| Beach, the sweeping and serene Morikami | | | | History from Coast to Coast |
| Museum and Japanese Gardens brings Japan to | | | | |
| the coast of Florida. Exhibits include | | | | When on a vacation in Florida, the Sunshine |
| galleries highlighting ancient and modern | | | | State offers much more than just beautiful |
| Japanese art and culture, tea ceremonies, | | | | beaches and warm weather. From coast to |
| festival celebrations, tasting events, and | | | | coast, Florida and the history of its people |
| special displays in the gardens. While on | | | | and culture still influence its society and |
| your vacation in Florida, the Morikami is a | | | | lifestyle. You shouldn't be worried about the |
| must see. | | | | endless choices on where to go or what to do |
| | | | - if you're looking for history of any kind, |
| Family Fun in Sunny Sarasota | | | | Florida has it! |
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