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