2025 February Featured Destination of the Month: Visit Central Florida

Visit Central Florida represents Polk County, Florida. Conveniently located between Orlando and Tampa, Polk County offers something for everyone including Florida’s Newest Attractions. Rediscover your inner child at LEGOLAND Florida Resort and the adjacent Peppa Pig Theme Park – which opened in 2022, go wild at Safari Wilderness Ranch and tee up at Streamsong Resort. You will find 554 lakes, wonderful nature preserves and rich “Real Florida” experiences. Tour an orange grove and pick fresh citrus straight from the trees, spot alligators as you zip across sparkling lakes in an airboat or cheer on real Florida cowboys in an action-packed rodeo. Become a cowboy yourself at Westgate River Ranch Resort then catch some winks in their luxury Glamping tents, teepees and Conestoga Wagons. Stroll through Bok Tower Gardens, including a 2.7 acre Hammock Hollow Children’s Garden, while listening to the 60-bell carillon in the majestic 205-foot art-deco tower, then study the masterful architecture of Frank Lloyd Wright’s 13-structure “Child of the Sun” collection at Florida Southern College. www.VisitCentralFlorida.org

1. What is your destination most known for?

Central Florida’s Polk County is known for offering endless destinations, attractions, and highlights for travelers to enjoy during their stay in the Sunshine State. First, when our friends from around the world decide to visit us, they will realize that when they come to Central Florida, they will enjoy an authentic Florida experience. Think of us as Florida the way it used to be and a vacation destination that won’t leave you saying, “I need a vacation from my vacation.” Yes, we have theme parks like other parts of Florida – LEGOLAND Florida Resort and the world’s first Peppa Pig Theme Park – but you can enjoy them at a much slower, relaxing, and family-friendly pace. We also offer what can be described as a “Sneaky Awesome” culinary scene, which caters to every taste, memorable family travel, architecture, culture, wildlife, and the arts. And you certainly can’t forget fishing and boating on any of our 554 lakes and golfing on the endless number of pristine courses.

2. During this season, what are some must-see attractions?

Of course, ALL of our attractions are must-see every season. In all seriousness, the big attraction in Central Florida’s Polk County will be the opening of LEGOLAND Florida Resort’s SEA LIFE attraction in the Spring of 2025. The newest attraction will further highlight LEGOLAND Florida’s status as a multi-day destination. SEA LIFE Florida’s main ocean exhibit will offer a one-of-a-kind experience, a “Theme Park Under the Sea” experience. This means you will see your favorite sea animals against the backdrop of beloved attractions. There will be coral-themed structures inspired by castles, Ferris wheels, hotels, carousels, and haunted houses. This vibrant and imaginative display is unlike anything you’ll find at any other aquarium. 

3. What hidden gem should not be missed when visiting your destination?

In addition to our culinary experiences that we previously mentioned as being “Sneaky Awesome,” a must-visit when staying in – or passing through – Central Florida’s Polk County is Bok Tower Gardens in Lake Wales, Fla. Bok Tower is an ideal cross-generation attraction that will inspire families and visitors alike. A national historic landmark, Bok features two hiking trails and 50 acres of gardens, including the Hammock Hollow Children’s Garden, the 20-room El Retiro Estate, and the star attraction, a 205-foot art deco and neo-Gothic Singing Tower carillon – in other words, perhaps the largest musical instrument you’ll ever see. Bok Tower Gardens has fascinated millions of Florida visitors since its opening in 1929.

Visitors can enjoy unparalleled opportunities for artistic, cultural, personal, and spiritual enrichment when they tour the lush landscapes of the Olmsted Gardens and hear the music of the Singing Tower carillon. Bok Tower Gardens is truly a place of historic beauty and serenity. Among the rolling hills of citrus in Lake Wales, it continues to be one of the most remarkable and awe-inspiring attractions in Central Florida.

But also make sure to complete your cultural experience at Bok Tower with one of the most inspiring architectural experiences you can have with the Frank Lloyd Wright Architecture at Florida Southern College – the largest single collection of Frank Lloyd Wright’s work in one place in the world – as well as the Ashley Gibbons Barnett Museum of Art also on the FSC campus in Lakeland.

4. What’s one feature that can’t be missed when visiting your website?

By all means, all travelers visiting Central Florida’s Polk County should visit the See & Do section and the Blog section. The See & Do section will allow you to plan your visit, while the Blog section lets you get all the latest news about Central Florida events, restaurants, attractions, nature, fishing, and more.

5. How did you learn about NATJA and why did you join?

After beginning my position as senior communications supervisor with Visit Central Florida in May of 2023, I joined NATJA but really only knew about it from exploring its website. It wasn’t until I had the pleasure to host a member of the NATJA Advisory Board, Helen Hatzis, on a FAM tour to Polk County that I really learned the organization’s benefits. I then attended the NATJA Convention in Galveston Island, Texas. I realized that this is not just a tremendous professional organization but a tremendous family always willing to lend a helping hand and give advice.

6. Is there anything else you feel travel media should know about your destination?

I guess the only additional item that I would like to stress is that Central Florida’s Polk County is an extremely welcoming part of the Sunshine State where you will experience real Florida and the true “Characters.” And I don’t mean just the theme park characters but also the real-life characters that make our destination a must-visit.

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