Florida: The Lost Attractions

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When you say Florida, what comes to most people's minds?

Orlando and Disney World.

But what happens when you've visited Disney, Universal and Sea World? Is there anything else to do? How about visiting some of the smaller attractions - the ones that get tend to get lost in the shuffle.

Lost? Where Did They Go?

Before "The Mouse" arrived in Florida, there were attractions that we Floridians enjoyed. Smaller, with few or no thrill rides, but high in satisfaction. Some of these attractions withered away after Disney, but many of them adapted and flourished. Let's take a look at a few of these survivors.

Central Florida

As you might guess, many of these smaller attractions are in the Central Florida area, an easy commute from Disney. Some of these attractions include:

Busch Gardens: My personal favorite of all the lost attractions. Easily explored in a full day, it has an African safari theme. From huge roller coasters, to water rides to a trip through an African savannah, there is something for everyone.

Gatorland: I visited Gatorland a million times as a child. Okay, maybe not exactly a million, but it was a popular destination for school field trips B.D. (Before Disney). There are alligators galore and fun shows to watch.

Cypress Gardens: This lost attraction really was lost for awhile -- it had closed its doors, with no intention of re-opening. But miracles do happen, because Cypress Gardens is back and more wonderful than ever! It's more than just a garden by the way -- there are myriad shows and even some thrill rides.

North Florida

There are a ton of small attractions in North Florida, and pretty much all of them reside in St. Augustine. Here are a few of them for your consideration:

Fountain of Youth: More historic than anything, it is the site of the original Fountain of Youth - the one of the legend. When you visit, you can drink from the spring's waters. Does it work? I'll have to leave that to you.

Ripley's Believe it or Not: This was the first of all the Ripley's museums, and perhaps the best. All kinds of oddities abound. It is fun and well worth a visit.

Potter's Wax Museum: Who know who you'll run into at this lost attraction? From historic figures to celebrities, the waxworks are a great way to spend an hour or two.

Where Are Some Others?

Lost attractions can be found all over Florida, from the Panhandle to the Keys; you just have to know where to find them. For more information on these Florida wonders, visit http://www.great-florida-vacations.com/florida-attractions.html