Central Florida Lakes District Fun Destination
Polk County Offers Visitors "Cheap and Easy" Adventure Packages
Apr 20, 2009
The Central Florida Lakes District is an attractive vacation destination for family and friends who want to try something beyond the old standbys of the beach and Orlando theme parks.
Visitors to Polk County can lift off in a balloon or bi-plane, sky dive, wander in one of the best gardens in the state, take a trail ride, buzz along on an airboat ride or catch a big fish in the "Largemouth Bass Capital of the World." And that's just for starters.
The area is home to such attractions as Fantasy of Flight, Bok Tower Gardens, West Gate River Ranch and a plethora of lakes and natural areas such as the Circle B-Bar Reserve. Plus the Lakes District's historic small towns Lakeland, Lake Wales and Winter Haven have plentiful museums and quaint shopping districts.
Special "Cheap and Easy" Adventure Packages Offered by Polk County
Polk county hotels and attractions are responding to the sluggish economy by offering some excellent packages to lure visitors to the area. They are being call "cheap and easy adventures" and range from one- to six-night stays.
"Although many families are trimming our budgets, they don't want to give up going somewhere for a much needed retreat," said Katy Martin, a spokeswoman with the Central Florida Visitors and Convention Bureau.
Family, pet friendly, romance, girlfriend-getaways, arts and entertainment, golf and outdoor-adventure packages are being offered. The Par Excellence Package, for example, includes two days and one night in Lakeland's historic Terrace Hotel, breakfast for two in the Terrace Grill, and one day of unlimited golf (lunch included) for two at the Club at Eaglebrooke golf course. The package price is $269 plus tax. Further discounts are offered for additional nights and dinner at the Terrace Grill.
The High-Flying Adventures package includes a one-night stay in the Holiday Inn Express & Suites Orlando-South Davenport and a Balloons & Beyond hot-air balloon ride for two followed by a champagne toast. Transportation to and from the flight site is included in the package, which is $400.
The balloon ride lifts offs and lands depending upon which way the wind is blowing, but those who ride will typically enjoy the cypress stands, blue lakes, lush-green farmlands, orange groves and small towns the area is famous for. The colorful sunrise ride is incredibly quiet and peaceful.
Visitors can also opt to build their own trip to the Lakes District, opting to stay in one of its historic or new hotels or in a vacation homes. The area is known for its abundance of vacation homes that offer a value-priced retreat for families visiting Central Florida. About 8,000 fully furnished rental homes and condos are available.
Don't Miss Bok Tower Gardens in Polk County
Bok Tower Gardens shouldn't be missed. Its imposing pink-marble tower, which periodically rings with the sound of a 60-bell carillon, is breathtaking. Visitors will be intrigued to learn how the tower and gardens were created by Dutch immigrant Edward Bok. The Pulitzer Prize-winning Bok served as the editor of the "Ladies Home Journal" for many years and made a fortune in the publishing industry.
Among the best restaurants in the area are Chalet Suzanne Restaurant and Country Inn, Arabella's Restaurant and the Terrace Grill. Chalet Suzanne is famous for its Moon Soup, which actually was on the menu on Apollo 15 and 16 missions. Russian cosmonauts also chose it for meals during the historic link-up of Apollo and Soyuz.
It was all because Astronaut Jim Irwin fell in love with Chalet Suzanne's Romaine soup while eating there, and often had it served at the astronaut-training center at Cape Canaveral when he was there.
Breakfast lovers shouldn't miss the down-home cooking and laid-back atmosphere of the Cypress Café, which offers a hefty country breakfast.
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