Tallahassee is Florida's center for government, home to a variety of important Universities and education facilities as well as the regions center for business and agriculture. It is not all about work and business however, Tallahassee ensures there is plenty of fun and enjoyment for anyone who visits.

The 42nd Annual Springtime Tallahassee Festival is calling everyone to “Leap Into Spring”. Mark your calendars for the end of March. The festival is one of Florida's top 10 events featuring a parade, children's park, four entertainment stages along with food, arts and crafts. The parade is a must see with over 70,000 participants in floats, marching band and parade units. A terrific weekend for the entire family to enjoy and celebration spring.

Nothing is more important than our children. The greater Tallahassee community celebrates childhood at Kidsfest at the North Florida Fairgrounds May 1st. Bring the kids out for a day of fun and activities ranging from a water slide and pony rides to live entertainment. All activities are free.

Gainesville, known by many as home to the University of Florida Gators, is always vibrant with events and activities. The Gators schedule is full of men's and women's spring sports. Tennis, golf, softball, baseball and even lacrosse are all in full swing. With a top ranked women's gymnastics team, plan for the championships in April at home in Gainesville.

Local Gainesville recording company No Idea Records and the Harvest of Hope Foundation host a three day music festival in St Augustine mid-March. The Harvest of Hope Fest is simply three days filled with cutting edge music – pure, non-stop entertainment for music lovers. Join the crowds from across the southeastern US for this fantastic event. Proceeds go to charity, with many of the bands performing for no fees as well.

Put March 26-29, 2010 on your schedule for the St Augustine Rhythm and Ribs Festival. St Augustines best festival for over nine years, this year features Dave Mason as the headliner. There is nothing better than combining great music and food. The festival includes kids activities, so no need for a baby sitter.

Motorcycle riders get ready for St Augustine's 11th Annual Riding into History. This premier motorcycle event will be held on May 15th. Well known author Clement Salvadori will be the Grand Marshall for the charity ride. Other events include the Biker's Ball featuring a pub style dinner and auction and the Concours d'elegance with 300-400 on display from across the country.

Through the beginning of April, Jacksonville's Museum of Contemporary Art is featuring the exhibit Life as a Legend: Marilyn Monroe. Reward yourself with a visit to see over 300 works of art focused on one of the most iconic women of the 20th century. Works include pieces from well known artists like Andy Warhol, Richard Avedon and Mel Ramos. For a special treat, the one-woman play Marilyn...Forever Blonde brings the actress to life through March 7th.

Best Western Hotels are conveniently located for any visit to northern Florida and your travels across the state. With quality you can count on and affordable rates, choose Best Western Hotels for your vacation or get away.

Daytona Beach Shoreline

Families, snowbirds, spring breakers or eco-tourists, there are Florida beaches a plenty for everyone. From the sizzle and excitement of South Beach to the slower paced and peaceful beaches of the northeast, pick your fun, pack the bags and head for the beach.

Jacksonsville Beach, a city itself, has miles of white sandy beaches that remain relatively undeveloped and uncrowded.  Kick off the 2010 season at the 20th annual Springing the Blues music festival in April. This is Florida's largest free outdoor concert and celebrates the country's indigenous music in a big way. Named one the world's 50 best music festivals and one of the few that are held ocean front. Geared for families they will be fun for all.

Athletes can participate in several associated events the same long weekend. Cycling the Blues: Tour de Vilano Metric Century is a bicycle ride to beat cancer; Performance Running the Blues 5k Run and 2.5K Walk will be held at the east end of the beach; the 7th annual Surfing the Blues Spring Surf Fest will be held for two days at the pier. Lots of music, fun and activities to keep everyone entertained.

Don't wear yourself out Palm Coast's beaches, there are some exciting evening events scheduled you won't want to miss. Ed Asner will be starring in FDR at the Fitzgerald Performing Arts Center April 8th. A powerful drama that explores the life of one of America's most formative presidents. Music fans can join Aaron Neville and his quintet at the same venue on April 11th. Enjoy Aaron's unique and unmistakable voice as he sings the classic soul and R&B music he is famous for. Later in the month you can catch Simply Sinatra, and interpretive performance of Sinatra music and Let's Hang On, a tribute to the Four Seasons. Relax at the beach and enjoy amazing entertainment any one of these evenings.

Families, check out the Deltona Spring Fest in later April, This is a two day celebration featuring arts, crafts, music and dance, gear for families and benefiting local educational programs. Kids will also enjoy amusement rides,booths and food vendors. Daytona Beach Spring Family Beach Break, from March through May, offers special rates on local attractions, restaurants and shops. Add in Best Western Hotel's affordable rates and this may be the perfect time to take the family on a fun spring break.

April 5th is the target date for a Space Shuttle Discovery launch. This will be the 33rd mission to launch. Fill the day on Saturday at the 7th Annual Jump 4 Joy Children's Day at Sand Point Park. Children are entertained while parents have the opportunity to gather information on children's programs and services.

The Indian River Festival mid-April, a local tradition for 35 years, has a full schedule of events from a beauty pageant to professional bull riding. Local business are showcased along with an open air market full of arts, crafts and food. Live entertainment, car and horse shows, even a crosswinds duck race are on tap. Looks like a one stop event for just about everything entertaining.

Check back at BestWesternFlorida.com in the future for more adventures throughout the magnificent beaches and cities of Florida. Best Western Hotels are convenient to all the places you want to go in Florida. Many properties are Pet Friendly and with affordable accommodations Best Western Hotels will make your travels perfect.

Downtown Orlando Skyline

The Orlando area with Walt Disney World, Epcot Center, Animal Kingdom and more, is an exciting choice for a Florida adventure, however, it is not the only place to go. Florida's gulf coast is often overlooked, but offers amazing destinations. North from the Tampa Bay area down to Naples, you will find beautiful beaches and plenty of activities going on.

The Grapefruit League is in 'full swing' during March, Major League Baseball fans, take your pick of teams and destinations on the gulf coast from Lakeland and the Detroit Tigers to Fort Myers with the Boston Red Sox and Minnesota Twins. Come on out to a ballpark and enjoy a game.

History and art lovers have a rare opportunity at Tampa's Museum of Science and Industry (MOMI) through May. MOSI is hosting DaVinci – The Genius and the Secrets of Mona Lisa, an exhibit directly from the DaVinci Museum in Italy. This is an incredible chance to witness the brilliance of DaVinci, through the most comprehensive exhibit ever created.

The Tampa Bay Blues Festival 2010 is held April 9 to 11. Music fans can hear the like of Bettye Lavette and Jimmie Vaughan in the beautiful setting of Vinoy Park. On the waterfront in downtown Saint Petersburg, join travelers from across the country for one of the world's best blues festivals.

Animal conservationists, plan for Sarasota's 24th Annual Run for the Turtles. Benefiting Mote Marine Laboratory Turtle Conservation and Research Program, the event is held on Siesta Key beach on April 3rd. Kids love to be involved, and there will be a one mile fun run or walk along with a sanctioned 5K run. 2010's low winter temperatures have affected more than 3,000 turtles, come support the 27 turtles current at Mote's rehab facility.

Bradenton needs the support of basketball players and fans for the First Annual Harvest Hoops 3on3 Basketball Tournament. Scheduled for April 17th, it will be held at Lakewood Ranch High School. No guarantees, but this may be the year to win cash prizes while the event is new. With five divisions and a 3 point shootout contest there will be a lot of action and fun.

Venice Florida is the shark tooth capital of the world and proudly celebrates it at the 18th Annual BB&T Sharks tooth Festival the weekend of April 9-11. New for this year the Sharks Tooth 10K Run has been added for runners and athletes. Shark tooth hunting on the beach, vendor and collector displays of shark teeth and fossils, are just the beginning. Bring the family to enjoy live entertainment, special kids events like the shark tooth scramble, delicious food, and an art market featuring works from over 100 artists.

Fishing enthusiasts get ready for the 21st Anniversary Caloosa Catch and Release Tournament the first week in June. Fort Myers Beach will host over 200 anglers, including rookie and ladies divisions. Three days of fun and fishing – what could be better! This event is even filmed by the World Fishing Network, you may see yourself later on TV.

Best Western Hotels along Florida's gulf look forward to your visit. Conveniently located, easy to find and close to where you want to be, book Best Western Hotel accommodations for your adventures. Clean, comfortable and affordable, Best Western Lodging is the perfect place to start and end your day.

Miami Beach, Florida

From the bright lights and vibrant urbanscapes of Miami / Ft Lauderdale and West Palm Beach to the laid back lifestyle of Key West, south Florida keeps any traveler on cloud nine. With amazing weather and beaches, combined with the best shopping, restaurants, nightlife and fun the world offers, you can't go wrong in Florida's Southlands.

Since their inception, south Florida cities have been places to see and be seen. The glamor of generations past exudes from artfully restored buildings, now home to the cutting edge of modern offerings.

Sports fans, plan now to catch an exciting evening of NBA basketball with the Miami HEAT. More than just basketball, it is an entire evening of entertainment in downtown Miami. Act quickly though, the regular season ends mid-April – home games are played at the American Airlines Arena. No worries if you missed basketball, the Florida Marlins regular season begins in April and runs through September. A great family outing, home games are played at the Sun Life Stadium in North Miami.

Tennis lovers, the 2010 Sony Ericsson Open is held March 22 through April 4 on Key Biscayne. Top ranked professional male and female players from across the globe will compete at this elite event. The weather should be perfect and the tennis will provide the excitement.

Florida is host to Major League Baseball's spring training Grapefruit League. The south Florida cities of Sarasota, Port St. Lucie and Jupiter welcome the Orioles, Mets, and Cardinals. Games are scheduled at local facilities through early April. Load up the family and head out to the ballpark, this is an exciting chance to cheer on your favorite teams, enjoy great weather and don't forget the swim suits – the beach is right there too.

Self describe as the Gay Riviera, the greater Miami area, there is a line-up of exciting winter and spring events. April brings the 12th annual Miami Gay and Lesbian Film Festival. With the mission to entertain and educate through culturally diverse film and media, screenings will be held at venues throughout Miami and Ft Lauderdale. Miami Beach Gay Pride, only its second year, will also be held in April. Crowds, expected to exceed last years 24,000, will gather to watch a fun and entertaining parade, followed by a festival in Lummus Park. Look for pre-pride events the entire week of the event.

Ft Lauderdale hosts many exciting spring events, pick a favorite and make the trip. Passionate about theater? Broadway's The Color Purple will be at the Broward Center for the Performing Arts for two weeks in April. Fleet week Ft Lauderdale bridges mid-April to May in Port Everglades. The Air Lauderdale and Beach Fest is planned for the same time on Ft Lauderdale Beach. This large spectator event features two days of military and civilian performances set on the beach. An exciting family event, and a perfect time of year to enjoy the beach.

No matter where you choose to travel in South Florida, Best Western Hotels are ready for your visit. Conveniently located, you can enjoy the amazing beach of your choice. From the heart of the cities to the slower pace of small communities, you will find a Best Western Hotel to meet your needs. Come for a night or days on end, Best Western lodging is affordable and will make your vacation even more enjoyable.