Miami Beach, Florida

It is the season for Miami, Fort Lauderdale and all of South Florida. As much of the US begins to freeze, South Florida’s temperate winter climate beckons visitors and seasonal residents. The NFL Miami Dolphins entertain football fans at Sun Life Stadium in Miami Gardens; anticipation is high for the pending NBA Miami Heat season at American Airlines Arena; Jai Alai season is in full swing - catch a game at “The Palace’ of Jai-Alai in Dania Beach. South Florida is ideal for sports fans. Enjoy an authentic Cuban meal at Café Versailles on Calle Ocho in Miami’s Little Havana or some fine dining at The Palm on Bay Harbor Island – Enjoy a South Florida getaway this season.

Stressed? Miami’s Bayfront Park, downtown on Biscayne Boulevard, hosts Yoga in the Park. Relax with free yoga classes three times a week at the Tina Hills Pavilion at the south end of the park. Bring your own mat and re-energize at an outdoor class on the banks of Biscayne Bay.

Bayfront Park is also a wonderful place to enjoy lunch from a variety of Miami’s food trucks – Try a Latin Burger on Mondays, GastroPod Mobile Gourmet visits Tuesdays and Thursdays, with Dim Ssam A Gogo Food Truck on Wednesdays. With South Florida’s ideal weather lunch in the park is always nice.

Selection Sunday in early December, names picks for the 2012 Discover Orange Bowl match-up. A Miami and Fort Lauderdale tradition, the Orange Bowl and its associated festivities, liven up the South Florida sports scene, culminating in the Discover Orange Bowl on January 4th. Held at Sun Life Stadium west of Interstate 95 in Miami Gardens, the 2012 Orange Bowl kicks off at 8pm.

South Florida challenges runners early in the year with January’s ING Miami Marathon and Half Marathon; February brings the Publix Fort Lauderdale A1A Marathon and Half Marathon; and the 13.1 Miami Beach comes in March. Miami’s 2012 ING Marathon weekend begins January 27th, with the Nissan Health and Fitness Expo presented by the Miami Herald. The Expo is held at the Miami Beach Convention Center with events including the Tropical 5K Saturday before the Marathon - a great fun run for family and friends of marathoners over Miami’s MacArthur Causeway.

Enjoy views of Fort Lauderdale’s beaches and coast as 2012 A1A Marathon and Half Marathon runners take to their course. With a start at the Museum of Discovery and Science, participants head down Las Olas Boulevard to the course along Highway A1A, Florida’s coast highway. Mark February 19th on the calendar to enjoy Fort Lauderdale’s amazing weather, Atlantic Ocean breezes and palm-lined coast for the Publix Fort Lauderdale A1A Marathon and Half Marathon.

A visit to South Florida isn’t complete without a getaway to Key West. The southernmost city it the US, Key West is an ideal spot to relax and kick back. Enjoy fresh local fare at the 7th Annual Florida Keys Seafood Festival January 14th, browse the 47th Old Island Days Art Festival February 25th, or test your talent at the 5th Annual Conch Shell Blowing Contest March 3rd – visit Key West, kick back and enjoy.

Tampa Skyline

Fall and winter in the greater Tampa Bay area means beautiful temperate weather, fun events and good times. Visit Sarasota, south of Tampa, to see one of the world’s largest collection of paintings by Ruebens at the Ringling Museum of Art, or catch Opera at the historic Sarasota Opera House. North in Bradenton and Manatee County, meet Snooty the area mascot and world’s oldest manatee. Guarded by St Petersburg on the Gulf of Mexico, Tampa keeps sports fans entertained, with Tampa Bay Buccaneers Football and Tampa Bay Lightning Hockey. On North to Clearwater and its award winning beaches – everyone has fun in the greater Tampa Bay area.

Raymond James Stadium, home of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers keeps fans on their feet through New Year's and the Outback Bowl. The Buccaneers' last home game is December 17th against the Dallas Cowboys. Outback Bowl festivities begin the day after Christmas with Tampa city officials welcoming the teams. Events continue through the week, culminating with a Big Ten and SEC matchup at the 2012 Outback Bowl on January 2nd.

The 2011-2012 season for the Tampa Bay Lightning keeps hockey fans entertained into the first week of April. Catch them on the ice at the St Pete Times Forum in downtown Tampa. With an amazing Lightning Launch party at the Forum, featuring the Steve Miller Band, the season looks promising and most definitely entertaining. In his second year with the Lightning coach, Guy Boucher brings intensity to the team. So, be ready for speed and fast-paced action on the ice at the St Pete Times Forum.

The Sarasota Opera celebrates its 53rd season in 2011-2012. The Opera’s home in downtown Sarasota, is the historic 1926 theater painstakingly restored and now known as the Sarasota Opera House. Enjoy fall performances of Puccini’s Madama Butterfly in November with the 2012 season launching in February with Georges Bizet’s Carmen.

Sarasota’s Mote Marine Laboratory, located across the Ringling Causeway on City Island, keeps its aquarium open year round. In addition to the aquarium, the Mote is a Marine Laboratory and Dolphin and Whale hospital. Bring friends and family to the Mote for Sharktoberfest for a Night of Fish, Fun & Fright in October; in November Penguin Island comes to the Mote with its black foot penguin guests from South Africa; and December brings Santa Jaw and Penguin Elf for photo ops with the kids. Enjoy the world’s underwater creatures at Mote Marine Laboratory.

North of Tampa in Clearwater, Sunsets at Pier 60 are a must for visitors. This is a daily celebration featuring street performers, entertainment, artisans and crafters. Join the party at the end of Clearwater Memorial Causeway on Clearwater Beach. Great beaches, wonderful weather, sports, cultural events – the Greater Tampa Bay area has all the fun you need.

Florida State Capitol

Visit north Florida this season, events from Florida Ballet’s performance of The Nutcracker at Jacksonville’s Florida Theatre; the excitement of the 2012 Gator Bowl at EverBank Field in Jacksonville; or a dynamic performance of Carmina Burana at Gainsville’s Phillips Center for the Performing Arts, it’s the ideal time to visit Florida’s northlands. Local sports enthusiasts enjoy the excitement of Jacksonville University sports at Jacksonville Veteran’s Memorial Arena, while EverBank Field hosts NFL’s Jacksonville Jaguar games through New Year's Day. Seen a Lacrosse game? Catch the NALL Jacksonville Bullies at Jacksonville Veterans Memorial Arena for a game of professional indoor Lacrosse.

Jacksonville’s 2012 New Year begins with the excitement of championship football at the TaxSlayer Gator Bowl. The fun “kicks-off” at 1 pm January 12th at EverBank Field in downtown Jacksonville. The 2012 event is the 67th anniversary game, featuring a match-up between teams from the Southeastern Conference and BIG 10 Conference. Be sure to see the Hometown Gator Bowl Parade New Year's Eve through downtown Jacksonville, get some exercise at the VyStar5K run at Jacksonville Landing and join the fun at the Budweiser Tailgate Party on game day. Start the New Year off right at the Gator Bowl in Jacksonville.

Jacksonville music fans take note – Winter Jam 2012 Tour Spectacular comes to Jacksonville Veterans Memorial Arena mid-January. Join Christian music’s largest annual tour January 13th. Performers from Kari Jobe and Dara Maclean to Peter Furler and Sanctus Real, make Winter Jam one of the top attended concerts in the US.

Gainesville, Florida’s capital city, is always happening. Sport fans never lack for events, with University of Florida O’Connell Center hosting current season's volleyball and men’s and women’s basketball. Called the O’Dome, the center is just west of “the Swamp”, now wrapping up the Gators 2011 regular football season. Enjoy Gator gymnastics and indoor track in spring at the O’Dome.

Gainesville hosts the 43rd annual Tire Kingdom NHRA Gatornationals in March. Gainesville Raceway is the place to be March 8th through the 12th for 2012 Gatornational events. NHRA Gainesville Raceway is north of Gainesville and Gainesville Regional Airport off County Road 225 – Catch the excitement of Hot Rod racing in North Florida.

Starke, located between Gainesville and Jacksonville in Bradford County, may have the “Sweetest Strawberries this side of heaven”, and celebrates the fact each April. Nestled among the lakes and wildlife of North Florida, Starke is one of many quaint Florida small towns. Home of Camp Blanding – Starke is proud to serve the Florida National Guard members and families that pass through Camp Blanding. From Starke’s hometown Christmas on the Square beginning December 3rd with the 2011 “An Old Fashioned Christmas” theme parade, to monthly Friday Cruizin auto shows and April's Strawberry Festival, Starke makes a wonderful getaway.

White Sandy Beaches
Fort Meyers, FL

As the weather cools, life on southwest Florida’s gulf coast gets increasingly active. Seasonal visitors flock to the beautiful communities along the Gulf of Mexico including Naples, Fort Myers and Fort Myers Beach, as well as paradise isles like Marco Island and Sanibel. Everglades National Park and Big Cypress National Preserve separate the peace and quite of Florida’s Gulf Coast from the bustling night live and excitement of Miami, South Beach and Fort Lauderdale. A drive west on Alligator Alley rewards visitors to southwestern Florida with the magic of the Gulf Coast communities and a fresh crop of shells for beachcombers to discover each morning.

Former winter home of the rich and famous, Fort Myers preserves the 20 acre Edison and Ford Winter Estates for visitors and events. Located on McGregor Boulevard in Fort Myers, the Thomas Edison and Henry Ford homes and estates are now National Register Historic Sites. Enjoy Holiday Nights at the homes and gardens to enjoy the beautiful Holiday decor - either self-guided or guided tours are available. For 2011, be sure to visit the Edison caretaker’s house for the “Creative Cottage” featuring old Florida traditional decorations and special art exhibits.

With well over 40 golf courses in the Fort Myers area alone and year round golf weather, Florida’s southwest Gulf Coast is a paradise for golf enthusiasts. Great public courses like Fort Meyer Beach's Crown Colony on Winkler Road or Eagle Ridge Golf Club in Fort Myers are among the many options for visiting golfers. Start exploring golf courses in the Fort Myers and Naples area and soon it will be spring.

The Edison Festival of Lights is a three-week celebration of the life and contributions of Thomas Alva Edison to the modern world. Look for festival events January and February 2012. The festivities begin with the Day of Discovery at Florida Gulf Coast University, featuring science and engineering fairs and the new Discovery Village. Alico Arena hosts the fairs with Discovery Village outside featuring exhibits, entertainment and educational presentations. The Edison Festival of Lights continues through January and February with a 5K run, parades and car shows.

Naples 35-miles south of Fort Myers is near popular Marco Island and home to Edison State College. Take your pick of culture or outdoor activities in Naples. The Barbara B Mann Performing Arts Hall, located on the Edison State College Campus, hosts a delightful calendar of performances and shows. Broadway show fans can see productions of Shrek the Musical into December, and for the holidays Cirque Dreams Holidaze. Bring in the New Year with the musical Rock of Ages.

Downtown Orlando Skyline

If Orlando is the theme park capital of the world, Lake Buena Vista is the epicenter of fun. Home of Walt Disney World Resort, including Magic Kingdom Park, Epcot, Disney’s Animal Kingdom and Disney’s Hollywood Studios, Lake Buena Vista is where the fun begins. Winter Haven, 50-miles south of Orlando, now adds a brand-new LegoLand to the excitement of central Florida. The former location of Cypress Gardens, is now Legoland Florida, with 150 acres of family fun and amusements. Legoland has restored and will preserve the Cypress Gardens portion of the park. Head for Highlands County to 1 Legoland Way in Winter Haven, and be one of the first to visit Legoland Florida.

Orlando International Airport, 20 miles to the east of Lake Buena Vista makes travel to the area convenient. The city of Orlando 20-miles to the northeast of Lake Buena Vista, adds culture to the mix with events at the Bob Carr Performing Arts Centre, shopping at the Florida Mall or Mall at Millenia, and even more theme parks including Universal Studios Florida and SeaWorld Orlando.

Orlando, Lake Buena Vista and Florida’s Space Coast brings visitors back again and again to capture all the fun, and New Year's Eve is no exception. Celebrate the New Year around the world at Epcot with DJ’s and dance parties; Ring in the New Year with “Lights! Camera! Happy New Year!“ at Disney Hollywood Studios; or last until midnight at the Magic Kingdom for “Fantasy in the Sky” fireworks.

Choose Orlando’s Universal CityWalk for New Year’s and choose from dancing at The Groove, jazz music at CityJazz, fun at Margaritaville or any of the other clubs or restaurants. Even SeaWorld Orlando celebrates past midnight with music and fireworks at The Waterfront. It’s all about a festive New Year’s Eve in Orlando.

Daytona Beach, at the north of Florida’s Space Coast, rings in the New Year and keeps the fun going. Catch performances by Gordon Lightfoot, the Lennon Sisters or the Air Force Reserve Band in January at Peabody Auditorium in Daytona Beach. February brings Daytona’s most well known event, The Daytona 500.

Join the crowds at Daytona International Speedway, next to Daytona Beach International Airport for the 2012 “Great American Race” – the Daytona 500. The biggest, richest and arguably most prestigious motorsports event in the US. It's a must-see for racing fans. The 54th annual Daytona 500 runs February 26th and includes Danica Patrick making her debut race in the event.

South in Cocoa and Cocoa Beach, the pace slows, but fun continues. The Cocoa Beach area is a gateway to Kennedy Space Center, Port Canaveral Cruises and sites like the Brevard Zoo and Historic Cocoa Village. 2012 brings the inaugural Florida Key Lime Pie Festival in January. The festivities include Florida’s first Miss Key Lime Pie contest, the Florida Key Lime Pie Eating Contest and bartenders competing for the best Key Lime Pie Martini and Key Lime Pie Margarita. Don’t miss the fun January 21st at the International Palms Resort in Cocoa Beach.

North Florida and the Florida Panhandle are ready for cool fall and winter weather. Fall sports are in full swing in Tallahassee at Florida State University. Crowds in excess of 80,000 regularly pack Doak S Campbell Stadium to cheer on the Seminoles on Bobby Bowden Field. The Scott Spelcher Tennis Center is hosting men’s and women’s tennis, while swimming and diving competition is on at the Morcom Aquatic Center. Basketball soon takes over the calendar with crowds filling the bleachers at the Donald L Tucker Center - All this and Florida A&M Rattler Athletics too. Tallahassee and North Florida are paradise for sports fans.

Tallahassee - not the Florida of fun in the surf and sand, is Florida’s capital city. Tallahassee is located in the Red Hills region of the Florida Panhandle, with its own unique topography. Scenic drives through moss- draped oak lined canopy roads or a tour along the mid -1800s plantation belt make great North Florida getaways.

Join the fun at the 2011 North Florida Fair November 3rd through the 13th. The fair kicks off with the Demolition Derby opening night and continues with nearly two weeks of exhibits, livestock shows and entertainment. Bring the family for the Safari Petting Zoo, Wild World of Animals and Magic Show. Make a traditional American getaway to Tallahassee and the North Florida Fair.

Two hours west of Tallahassee, Florida travelers enjoy the pristine white sand beaches and attractions of Panama City and Panama City Beach. With beautiful November days, the Ford Ironman Florida competition comes to Panama City Beach. The 2011 Florida Ironman race is November 5th. The culminating event for extreme athletes, the course takes competitors on a swim in the 70-degree waters of the Gulf of Mexico, a flat route cycle ride along the perimeters of Panama City and a marathon length run along the shoreline of Panama City Beach. November in Panama City is ideal to cheer on your favorite challenger and support these amazing athletes.

Panama City’s Marina Civic Center across City Hall and the Panama City Marina hosts a wonderful calendar of cultural events for residents and visitors of the Florida Panhandle region. The Civic Center schedule includes fall performances of the Panama City POPS orchestra and a Broadway production of Young Frankenstein. With the New Year patrons enjoy the River City Brass Band, The Battle of the Batons featuring the Panama City Pops, and Damn Yankees. Keep Panama City’s Marina Civic Center schedule handy, for outstanding shows anytime you’re in the area.

The Kaleidoscope Theatre, north of Panama City in Lynn Haven offers the Greater Panama City and Panama City Beach area outstanding local theatre performances. Halloween fans enjoy fall performances of I’ll Be Back Before Midnight and starting in January comes the show For Better. A day at Panama City Beach is always nice, and Panama City fills in those cool days and nights with fun and entertaining cultural events.