A Great Area For A Natural Vacation

1. Planning A Natural
Central Florida
Vacation In Polk
County
Presented by the Central Florida
Visitors And Convention Bureau
www.VisitCentralFlorida.Org
Saturday, June 26, 2010

2. A Great Area For A
Natural Vacation
• Polk County has a
gorgeous, organic side for
naturalist travelers to enjoy
while on vacation
• The region’s warm temperatures, beautiful scenery and
exotic wildlife all make a Central Florida vacation an
ideal destination for tourists wishing to experience the
natural side of the Sunshine State
Saturday, June 26, 2010

3. Summer Discovery Days
At Bok Tower Gardens
• Children’s classes running
June 23 through August 4,
2010
• Explore forests, castles,
butterflies and fairies
• Includes outdoor play, art
projects, nature walks and
more
Saturday, June 26, 2010

4. Consider Land Activities
• Visiting some of the
breathtaking and
gorgeous state parks
is just one of the
many exciting
activities to do in
Central Florida
• The region boasts 37 state, county and community
parks for tourists looking to soak in some natural
southern scenery and sightsee some of the area’s
indigenous wildlife
Saturday, June 26, 2010

5. Parks And Reserves
• Circle B-Bar Reserve, with its freshwater marshes and
swamps, provides homes for waterfowl, ospreys,
eagles and alligators
• Colt Creek, the state’s newest park, has over 5600
acres of stunning landscapes for an outdoor family
expedition
• The Nature Conservancy’s Disney Wilderness
Preserve has 12,000 acres of wildlife and on-site staff
scientists and other resources for a hybrid spectacle/
education experience
Saturday, June 26, 2010

6. Bird Watching
• Home to over 250
different species, Polk
County draws bird-
watching aficionados
from all over the
world
• The Great Florida Birding Trail provides an excellent
resource for visitors looking to get up close and
personal with the local feathered fowl
Saturday, June 26, 2010

7. Fishing Opportunities
• Central Florida is known as the “Bass Capital of the World”
• Polk County has over 550 lakes; putting fishing at the top of
the list of things to do in Central Florida
• Lake Weohyakapka holds a national reputation for novice
and avid anglers alike looking to catch a trophy-sized bass
• Besides the masses of largemouth found in the vicinity, a
fisherman on a Central Florida vacation can also reel in
crappie, bluegill and catfish
• Visitors should contact the Florida Fish and Wildlife
offices to ensure understanding and adherence to
proper license and catch limits before arriving
Saturday, June 26, 2010

8. Airboat Nature
Cruises
• Airboat nature cruises
can also be a great way
to enjoy the natural
elements on a Central
Florida vacation
• Scenic tours are
available throughout
Polk County
• Expeditions bring participants up close and personal
with all the wildlife (including alligators) the region
has to offer
Saturday, June 26, 2010

9. Central Florida
Weather
• Weather can play a critical role when planning the
getaway
• Polk County has an annual average temperature of
over 72 degrees
• January is typically the area’s coolest month with a
temperature average of 61 degrees
Saturday, June 26, 2010

10. Time Of Year
• Season is always an
important factor
when planning
• Polk County peak
season runs from
December 1st
through April 30th
• Budget-conscious tourists may wish to inquire about
off-season price adjustments before finalizing their
travel plans
Saturday, June 26, 2010

11. Final Details
• Armed with just a few tips and pointers, seeing the
natural side of Central Florida can be easily achieved
• An entire trip itinerary can be completely filled
without including a single theme-park excursion
• However, Central Florida vacationers wishing to
enjoy some man-made pleasures as well as nature’s
gifts only have about an hour to travel to reach
Orlando’s Disney World and Universal Studios, and
Tampa’s Busch Gardens
Saturday, June 26, 2010