As well as soft white sandy beaches this Florida, USA, resort has plenty of entertainment for all the family. Everything from history lessons to fun activities.

There are historic gardens and houses for grown-ups, wild gardens with amusinc birds and creepy-crawlies for children, and classic cars for men of all ages. Although everyone in the family can enjoy all of these things.

Historic Spanish Point

One of Florida's most important pre-history sites is the Hill Cottage Midden. Its deposits include animal bone, shell, botanical material, potsherds and artifacts which prove people once lived here. Much research has been carried out and it is believed that pre-historic people disappeared from here prior to AD 1100.

In 1867 Mr. and Mrs. John Webb (from Utica, New York), and their family moved to this elevated point of land in the Bay of Sarasota. It was they who named it Spanish Point after a Spaniard who had told them about the area.

They planted citrus, sugar cane and vegetables, then built a packing house. With their sons and son-in-law (Frank Guptill), they also built a schooner to transport the fruit, which became a thriving business.

In 1910 the Webb's sold the estate to Chicago socialite and widow Bertha Honore Palmer. Mrs. Palmer re-named it Osprey Point, preserved the pioneer buildings and added formal gardens. These include an elegant pergola and sunken garden set about with brilliant bougainvillea and a lush green lawn.

There are various houses about the grounds: White Cottage, Point Cottage and the Guptill House. Also to be seen are the Webb Packing House, the pretty white wooden Mary's Chapel and a Pioneer Cemetery.

Spanish Point is open Monday - Saturday 9.00 a.m. - 5.00 p.m./Sunday 12.00 noon - 5.00 p.m. (Guided tours are also available).

Admissions: Adults $9/Florida residents and seniors $8/Children (6-12) $3.

Tickets are purchased at the Visitor's Center on US-41 south of Sarasota at Osprey.

Jungle Gardens

Take a stroll along paths in the jungle and discover its secrets. You can also meet colorful parrots who will entertain you. A particular favorite with children is the Critters and Things show - filled with fuzzy, furry, creepy-crawly things.

As well as the jungle paths there are some which wind alongside streams and lakes with swans gliding majestically and pink flamingoes - usually standing on one leg.

The gardens are open daily from 9.00 a.m. - 4.30 p.m. with shows at various times throughout the day.

Admission (plus 7% sales tax): Adults $12/Seniors (62+) $11/Children (3-12) $8.00

Jungle Gardens can be found just of US-41 (north of downtown Sarasota and south of the airport). Turn off 41 at Myrtle Gardens and drive to Bayshore Boulevard.

Sarasota Classic Car Museum

Want to see John Lennon's Mercedes Roadster or Paul McCartney's Mini Cooper? This museum is the place to go.

It is one of the oldest car museums in the world and has some fabulous vehicles on display. They have a collection of over 100 automobiles which are constantly being updated through acquisitions and exchanges with other car museums.

Among the cars on view are an Auburn, a stately Bentley, a Cadillac station wagon (one of only five ever made), a DeLorean, a Ferrar and a Ford Edsel.

The exhibition is periodically changed around but whichever cars are on display, they are well worth going to look at.

The museum is open every day (except Christmas) from 9.00 a.m. - 6.00 p.m.

Admission: Adults $8.50/Seniors (65+) $7.65/Juniors (13-17) $5.75/Children: $4.00.

The Sarasota Classic Car Museum is located on US-41 in north Sarasota across from the Ringling Museums.

Whether you want to learn some history at Spanish Point, enjoy Jungle Gardens or browse around classic cars, you'll have fun. Also, of course, there are several 'watery' things to do.

This year is the fourth for the Sarasota Season of Sculpture which makes for a fun stroll.