Page 12 - Dreamscapes Magazine | Winter 2021-2022

Florida’s Sweetest Spot —
CENTRAL FLORIDA
BY SUSAN B. BARNES
gather as everyone plays their way through the new stand-alone park.
STAY AWHILE
In Central Florida, you’ll be on island time at Camp Margaritaville RV Resort and Cabana Cabins. Debuting early next year, Parrotheads (a friendly moniker for Jimmy Buffett fans) will find Cabana Cabins and over 175 RV and Super Premium RV sites at
Between Orlando and Tampa is Polk
land, the Circle B Bar Reserve has a land- County, a swath of land filled with
scape that teems with Floridian touches: wide-open spaces, sparkling lakes,
freshwater marshes, hardwood swamps, fragrant orange groves, exciting attractions
oak hammocks, creeks and lakes. It’s the and unique downtown areas. The region’s
ideal setting to spot abundant wildlife, unmatched beauty blended with abundant
including waterfowl, ospreys, eagles and culture and history makes it an ideal loca-
more. You might also spy sunbathing gators tion for a quiet retreat or family vacation ...
if you hike along Alligator Alley.
Buffett’s latest piece of paradise. Expect a catchy Margaritaville vibe throughout the park with a resort pool, playground, dog park, and yes, a Tiki Bar, plus more.
If you’re a cowpoke rather than a Parrot- head, check out the 688-hectare Westgate River Ranch Resort, the largest dude ranch east of the Mississippi. Stay in a glamping tent, teepee, or new Conestoga wagons. For a more traditional sleepover, there are lodge rooms or cabins.
For longer stays, make reservations at Camp Mack, a Guy Harvey Lodge, Marina and RV Resort or the new Resort at Canopy Oaks, which offers first-class amenities with a mix of RV spaces and luxury rental cottages.
Whichever way you spend your time in Central Florida, you’ll quickly discover how sweet it is. DS
TRAVEL PLANNER
Discover more sweet spots in Central Florida visitcentralflorida.org.
PHOTO: Guests staying at Westgate River Ranch Resort
or, perhaps a mix of both. Plan to visit Cen- tral Florida and see for yourself why this part of the Sunshine State is known as Florida’s sweetest spot.
EXPLORE AWHILE
The largest single-site collection of Frank Lloyd Wright architecture in the world is on the campus of Florida Southern College in Lakeland. Be sure to plan for a docent-led
PLAY AWHILE
Polk County is known as the “Water Ski Cap- ital of the World,” so what better place to celebrate the sport’s 100th anniversary in 2022? Head to Winter Haven, and watch free water ski shows performed on Lake Silver, the third Saturday of every month. To boot, the new USA Water Ski and Wake Sports Foundation Hall of Fame museum recently
tour of the 13 structures, including the Uso- nian House, which was completed in 2013, based on Wright’s 1939 design.
Snowbirds and their friends in flight flock to one of the most impressive bird habitats in Central Florida. Located in Lake-
opened in nearby Davenport.
Come February 24, 2022, children can
join Peppa Pig and her friends at the world’s first Peppa Pig Theme Park. Part of the fun at LEGOLAND Florida Resort in Winter Haven, families will be able to
are in for a horseback riding treat. Considered the largest dude ranch east of the Mississippi River, guests can overnight in new Conestoga wagons pictured in the background. Westgate River Ranch Resort
12 DREAMSCAPES WINTER 2021/2022