Florida's Top 7 Attractions and Places to Visit

Now that the new Seven Wonders of the World have been announced, the Miami Herald has asked the Florida residents to vote on what they think should be the Top Seven Florida Wonders ...The election is over and the results are in.....Funny thing, I did vote and most of them were what I voted for though maybe in a different order.

Number one : is definitely a top hit on any list I would make: Fairchild Tropical Gardens...Not only is this one of the most beautiful spots in South Florida but maybe all of Florida....Located in South Dade, on one of the most beautiful roads to travel on, Old Cutler Road, a touch of serenity awaits your visit to these lush and most magnificent 83 acres filled with plants and trees not found anywhere else...There are lovely lily ponds, an orchid filled conservatory, floral exhibits that boggle the mind, a rain forest, that just screams the tropics, unique succulents and all situated on or near a rolling green meadow and tree filled landscapes. One area is just a favorite wedding spot where I have witnessed quite a few beautiful ceremonies... These last two years the Glass artist Dale Chihuly added some of his most his magnificent glass works to the landscape, delighting all who had the opportunity to see them...Each year, Fairchild has events that take place which brings us back for more....one I never miss is the Mango festival which recently had record breaking attendance...It is Mango heaven.

Number Two: The Everglades...What can be said about the Everglades that hasn't been said before? This natural wonder is the only one of it's kind in the world. The famous River of Grass, is just that, a world of grass as far as the eye can see...These the wetlands ,as they are called , are filled with more then 300 species of birds, 11,000 various kinds of plants and the wildlife can only be described as unusual and totally unique...these residents include, the American Crocodile and Alligator, the Florida Panther and huge snakes that have recently made the glades their home. Look up into the trees and see bird nests sitting precariously on the tops of those tall trees, see Herons and Egrets looking for prey in the miles of windblown tall grass..The Everglades are truly a wonder of nature....You can enter at Shark Valley and enjoy the walk of your life....don't forget to go to the visitors center...there are tours available with guides to point out all the creatures that make The Everglades their home...And, if you have the time, take an airboat ride...it's an experience of a lifetime

Number Three: I've only been to this historic, and for me, romantic spot one time, St. Augustine, for my very short but sweet honeymoon but I remember it dearly ....The main visitors site is the 144 square block historic area, which is the oldest occupied European settlement in America where people have lived in since the time it was founded in 1565 by Spanish explorers when they thought they found the Fountain of Youth. Walk the old Colonial Spanish Quarter where you will find yourself in a living museum with craftsmen demonstrating their talents among the centuries old narrow streets..those charming streets filled with balconied homes and the nine historic buildings which make up this fascinating living scenario. Walk the pedestrian only main streets, St.George and Aviles, where wonderful shops and artists display their wares..It's a totally charming sight especially at night during the fall and winter months. Not to far away is the Castillo de San Marcos, built in 1672 by the Spaniards who founded the spot and is now a National Park...

Number Four: The living Reefs of the Florida Keys....Nothing can match or even imitate the wonders of the Coral reefs that lie just off shore the Keys..More than 9000 pieces of living coral are situated in these waters with brightly colored fish of many species living among them...here you will find Parrot fish, Angelfish, Seahorses, so many, it's impossible to name them all...You can catch a boat or tour operator all along the keys especially around Key Largo and Islamarada where they will whisk you away to John Pennecamp State Park...You can snorkel, scuba dive or watch the action from a glass bottom boat. It's truly a natural wonder...

Number Five: This is another of my favorite places in Miami, Viscaya Museum and Gardens....Located just off the main drag, South Dixie highway ...Viscaya is just the most exquisite and lovely estate open to the public to found in South Florida....Once the home of industrialist James Deering, who imported most of what you see from Italy in his quest for the grandest Italian style mansion in the United States....His quest was a success and it's a sight to see as is this impressive building which stands against the background of the beautiful blue waters of Biscayne bay...Tall trees ring the ground and frame the magnificent formal gardens...The estate is open for tours where the original furnishings, antiques and decor still abound...Nothing can compare with the sight of Viscaya at night when it's all lit up for one of the many events that take place throughout the year...if you are in town and can make it to the Renaissance faire, don't miss that most unusual treat for the eyes and all your senses..dates for all events can be found at the Viscaya website

Number Six: How can you come to South Florida and not visit The Old Town of Key West when down in the Keys...The atmosphere of Key West speaks for itself when you think of the people who live there, they call themselves Conchs and Key west the Conch Republic, ....old historic homes line the streets, garden inns and restaurants abound with bars and shops along old Duval street. Ernest Hemingway and Harry Truman had homes here which you can visit and don't miss the sunsets on Mallory Square...also don't forget to see the spot that is the southern most point in the U.S.A...or the famous Hemingway six toed cats.....there is a lot of controversay going on now with those cats...I hope they are not removed!

Number Seven: last, but not least, is Kennedy Space Center....if this is not a wonder then I wonder what is... located near Cocoa Beach, Cape Canaveral has been one of the most popular attractions since it's inception back in 1950 when the first flight into space lifted to the heavens above. Every manned space flight since than has taken place from what is called "Americas National Launch Pad".. from the Apollo missions to the space shuttles, this is where it all happens...nothing beats the experience of seeing one of the flights in person.... if you are in Florida and can plan your dates to be there when a flight lifts off don't miss it...the rumbles on the ground can be felt for miles...also see the visitors center where you can virtually take off for yourself in the new Shuttle Launch Experience...there is an I-Max theater and one of my favorite sights is the graveyard of the old space crafts....walk among them and be astounded as to how small they are and wonder how they made it out to space and back....Yes, this is truly a man made wonder

So there you have it...Florida's Seven Top Wonders....Each and every one of them a Wonder to behold with your very one eyes and senses...