Gatorland, Orlando

Growing up in Kissimmee in the 1960s, the choice of tourist attractions was pretty limited. Owen Godwin’s Gatorland was about it. Today, I toured Gatorland with its President Mark McHugh. Mark has an interesting history in the attractions industry, having once been a killer whale trainer at SeaWorld.

Gatorland received national media attention in 2006 when the world-know attraction caught fire destroying the main entrance and gift shop, but sparing the gapping alligator mouth entrance and all of the exhibits and animal habitats.

Construction of the new entry building with ticketing and admissions and gift shop are all well underway and slated for completion. Gatorland is a consummate old-Florida attraction. The front area with large gator ponds, a gator wrestling arena, the gator “jump-a-roo” show, swamp boardwalk, reptile exhibits, and a waterpark.

Walking the paths and trails of Gatorland brought back fond memories of life in Kissimmee in an era when nothing could beat the thrill of a train ride around a pond full of Florida gators.

Ernest Hemingway Home & Museum, Key West

This morning, I visited another old Key West historic attraction, the Ernest Hemingway Home and Museum. The attraction is managed by Mike Morawski. Earlier this week I was hosted by Mike and his wife Marilyn for dinner in Key West. Mike shared with me some insight into operating an attraction in Key West. Mike is a former Chairman of the Board of the Florida Attractions Association, and has a keen instinct in matters of business and politics.

At the Hemingway home, I was hosted by Jacque Sands, who is responsible for the day-to-day operation of the historic site. My guide was Ray who shared with our group the history of the home, the Hemmingway years, his wives, tales, the Key's first swimming pool, and of course, the famous 6-toed cats which are descendants from Hemingway's days in Key West.

Historic Tours of America, Key West

I had an opportunity to meet with Chris Belland, a true visionary in the attractions industry. In Key West, Historic Tours of America operates Conch Tour Train Key West, Old Town Trolley Tours® Key West, Key West Aquarium, Key West Shipwreck HISTOREUM® Museum, and Harry S Truman Little White House.

The company also operates Trusted Tours, an attractions ticket web site.

I had a chance to visit with Piper Smith, another long-time freind of the Florida Attractions Association.

Theater of the Sea, Islamorada

Nestled in the natural beauty of the Florida Keys, about mid-way down the oversea highway lies Theater of the Sea, one of Florida’s original sea life parks. Using what had been a rock quarry for Henry Flagler’s ill-fated railroad, the quarry now features pools of aquatic sea life. I toured with Maureen Lamarra who explained the history of the McKenney family who has operated the park for 3 generations.

The mangrove-lined pools offer guests an intimate glimpse at turtles, sting rays, tropical fish, and the park features dolphin, sea lion, and parrot shows.

With a strong message of preservation and education the park is a treasure to explore.

Coral Castle, Homestead

Another wonderful Florida attraction, and full of unusual, mystery, intrigue, and a love story is Homestead’s Coral Castle. Sylvia Villafana is the Coral castle’s manager and she and her staff provided a morning to remember with a look at the amazing creation of Ed Leedskalnin, a Latvian immigrant, who single-handedly built the Coral Castle without the aid of any modern construction equipment.

The Coral Castle is an architectural wonder, and is a case study in astronomy, physics, earth science, space science, natural forces, and the supernatural.

Fruit and Spice Park, Florida City

My 3rd stop today was a true gem…Fruit and Spice Park in Florida City, about an hour’s drive south of downtown Miami.

I was greeted by April Rosenick, Sales Manager. After our meeting I was given a wonderful tour of the 35-acre park by guide Iva. The park was essentially destroyed by hurricane Andrew, and has since been restored with a master plan featuring hundreds of specimens of plants and trees from around the world.

The park is one of those places that will surprise you in its quality of presentation and mission, and a staff obviously dedicated to fulfilling the Park’s mission.

After my tour, I met Chris Rollins, the Park Manager.

Miami Science Museum

Next stop, the Miami Science Museum. I met Raj Sarangapani, the museum’s CFO. Raj is a Miami native, who recently retuned to South Florida from the Seattle area. After our meeting, I toured the museum.

Currently, the museum is featuring a spectacular exhibit “The Dinosaurs of China.” The exhibit was a joint project of archeologists and scientists from the Miami Science Museum and from education institutions in China. The exhibit featured a look at the discovery of ancient fossils in China.

The museum also features a planetarium, some space and earth science exhibits and an outdoor nature center.

The Miami Science Museum will be moving to the Bicentennial Park with a major expansion in a plan to incorporate a new museum center in Miami.

Historical Museum of Southern Florida, Miami

Today, I visited 3 Florida Attractions.

First, the Historical Museum of Southern Florida. I was greeted by Bob McCammon, President & CEO of the museum, and Kristie , the facility’s Marketing Manager. After our meeting, I toured the museum.

There were a number of children from a local elementary school who were rotating through teaching stations around the museum with talented guides engaging the students
in interactive lessons on the history of southern Florida.

The museum features a display on the Miami Circle. A new museum facility is in the planning stages for Bicentennial Park site in Miami. The expansion will present the story of how and why southern Florida became an international community.

The lobby features drawing by Florida everglades native Rob Storter. His drawings offer a glimpse into life in the ‘Glades during the early part of the 20th century.

The Historical Museum of Southern Florida is a great facility, and an asset to the citizens of Miami-Dade and all of South Florida.

Miami Bound

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Dow Museum of Historic Homes (Old St. Augustine Village), St. Augustine

Our meeting was hosted by the Dow Museum of Historic Homes (formally Old St. Augustine Village). Following the meeting, Lenore Welty, Museum Administrator, provided a tour of the 7 historic homes built on the site. The site covers a city block and features a viriety of historically significant architectural and cultural features. The homes date from 1790 to the 20th Century.




Museum Administrator Lenore Welty with Chairman Steve Geis and I.

Lightner Museum, St. Augustine

Our first stop in St. Augustine was the historic Lightner Museum. The museum’s Executive Director Robert Harper provided a brief tour of the institution’s impressive collection of art, sculpture, Tiffany glass, music boxes, and natural science specimens. Following the tour, Bob treated the Board of Director’s to Lunch at the Alcazar Café.

Lightner Museum Executive Director Robert Harper and I in the newly restore grand hall.

Board Members enjoying lunch before our meeting.

First Board Meeting Tomorrow

Tomorrow, Mike and I will drive from Tallahassee to St. Augustine for my first Board of Director's Meeting.


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Panama City Beach

Today, I drove down to Panama City Beach. It was the first time I’ve been in that part of the state in about 10 years. The last trip was for a Governor's Conference on Tourism held at the Marriott Bay Point. The city has changed a lot.

Hurricane Ivan, in 2004, was the impetuous for much of the change. The hurricane destroyed many of the older gulf-side "mom & pop" motels. In there place, many new high-rise condominiums have been built or are under construction.

In spite of what you may think about the number of condos being built on the Gulf Coast of Florida's panhandle, one thing is perfectly clear...they're being built because people want to vacation there. The beautiful blue-green gulf waters are spectacular. Walking on the white sand beach yesterday, I was several schools of dolphins, horseshoe crabs, sting ray and a turtle.

Nearby, is St. Andrew's State Park, a beautiful park with fishing, camping, nature trails, snorkeling, and a nature center.