PLACES WITHIN 3 HOURS OF

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Fort Meade

Fort Meade is the oldest city in Polk County, dating back to 1849 and the residents are proud historians. Today there are over 150 buildings designated as landmarks and the historical society manages a two-story museum.

Here are a few things you might enjoy in Fort Meade: Book a tee time at Streamsong Resort, voted #1 in USA Today’s Top 10 Best Top-Notch Warm Weather Golf Courses in 2015. Grab your hiking shoes and head to Peace River Hammock, a 42-acre conservation land that borders the meandering Peace River. The 1.5-mile round trip trail consists mostly of large oaks, hickories, and cabbage palms which form a peaceful, shady archway for your hike. Dine on the day’s fresh catch roasted whole in a stone oven and served with hazelnut pesto and eggplant caponata at SottoTerra, Streamsong Resort’s flagship restaurant. SottoTerra won Florida Trend’s 2014 Golden Spoon Award for Best New Restaurant. Visit the Historical Society of Fort Meade’s museum to see how life in “real Florida” really was. Stop by Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, or Saturday between the hours of 10:00 a.m. and Noon. Launch your kayak or canoe into the Peace River from the Fort Meade Outdoor Recreation Area. The Peace River Blueway flows for 57 miles through south central Florida.

Sebring

Easily found in the center of peninsula Florida, the city of Sebring serves as the home of the Sebring International Raceway and as host of the 12 Hours of Sebring. But it offers more. Dubbed "The City on the Circle," a reference to the design of the downtown historic district, Sebring offers a wide range of boutique and gallery shopping opportunities, fine and casual dining, and a host of parks and lakes that satisfy all recreational interests.

Clermont

Known as “The Choice of Champions,” Clermont’s distinct rolling hills, lakes, climate and sports facilities have earned it an international reputation as the training ground for triathletes, runners and cyclists.

But South Lake County also attracts casual hikers, bird watchers and vacationers to romantic cabin rentals overlooking sparkling waterways. Horseback riding, camping, canoeing and kayaking are some of the many activities available for those needing a weekend getaway, and nature enthusiasts can enjoy wildlife viewing at its best while learning about Florida’s only endemic bird at The Florida Scrub-Jay Trail.

For a unique view from above, families can take a trip to the top of the Florida Citrus Tower, an observation deck offering a 360-degree view of eight Central Florida counties. At the base lies the Presidents Hall of Fame, featuring a White House replica and an expansive John F. Kennedy, Jr. collection. For the adventurous types, Revolution Off Road offers eco tours of the beautiful Florida terrain by land and water.

A visit to Clermont is never complete without a stop at Florida's largest premium winery, Lakeridge, to sample wines made from locally grown Muscadine grapes.

Orlando

It’s true: Orlando is a magical place. Every day here, no one is too old, or too young, to wear Mickey ears or wave a wand and cackle in delight. For family fun, there are theme parks that tap into your love affairs with comic-book heroes and galaxies far, far away, and leave you screaming at every free fall and splashdown. I-Drive is 11 miles of sensory overload such as the Wheel at ICON Park and WonderWorks. Disney Springs combines shopping, food, attractions, and live entertainment. A short ride from the bright lights are outdoors adventures such as 72-degree springs and airboat rides in the headwaters of the Everglades. Plan your trip to Orlando:

Indoors and outdoors, in the air and underwater, these family activities will stimulate the senses and expand the mind. You can be a participant: swimming, paddling, golfing, hiking, cycling, and fishing. You can be a spectator: championship golf tournaments, and professional basketball and soccer.

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Apopka

Apopka is one of Central Florida’s top destinations for outdoor recreation, offering a beautiful landscape of lakes, springs and natural land areas – ideal for getaway and exploring the best of nature within minutes of Orlando.

Enjoy fishing on Lake Apopka, or hike along the vast north shore. Birders can enjoy many of the area’s 300 documented species. Canoe, camp or hike more than 13 miles of nature trails at scenic Wekiwa Springs State Park and Kelly Park/Rock Springs, or cycle along 22 paved miles of the West Orange Trail.

Get in the game at the 182-acre Northwest Recreation Complex – one of Florida’s premier outdoor sports facilities with 28 fields and a 1,360-seat outdoor amphitheater, with additional lawn space for 5,000 people. In August 2021 the City purchased Camp Wewa. It offers well supervised, organized, active, and fun-filled summer activities for youth and teens. It also can host events, parties, team building retreats, educational trips, and other group programs throughout the year. Apopka is home to the annual Apopka Art and Foliage Festival in April.

The city’s rich history resonates in its small-town charm, locally owned businesses and tree-lined neighborhoods. Major shopping areas, entertainment, tourist destinations and airports are just minutes away with direct access to northwest Central Florida's growing highway system. Get out and visit Apopka on your next trip to the Orlando area.

Celebration

Originally founded by The Walt Disney Company in the mid-‘90s, the master-planned community called Celebration was fashioned after historical American small towns, with civic buildings designed by world-famous architects like Robert A.M. Stern.

Today, Celebration is a charming small town with tree-lined streets, captivating architecture and a welcoming mix of shops and restaurants. In fact, Celebration was named one of America’s 10 prettiest towns. The picturesque downtown is compact and walkable. The community features a diverse and interesting mix of housing, from grand estate-style homes to condos, all of which are situated on pedestrian-friendly streets.

Visitors can learn a lot about Celebration by taking the self-guided walking tour, a horse-drawn carriage ride, a Segway tour or by renting bikes to ride through the scenic trails.

Celebration is also home to many annual events such as Now Snowing during the holidays and Oktoberfest, which celebrates the beginning of fall. Be sure to check out the weekly farmers market every Sunday and the monthly art and wine strolls.

Sarasota

Sarasota, one of Florida’s primary Gulf Coast cities, offers visitors a thrilling visual blend of fine art and fine dining, circus thrills and pristine beaches, and a wide array of shopping opportunities.

The John and Mable Ringling Museum of Art in Sarasota pays homage to the Ringlings, the family behind America’s most famous circus. Check out the old costumes, wagons, and the world’s largest miniature circus. Art lovers can appreciate the largest collections of Rubens canvasses in the world right in Sarasota, plus works by Old Masters.

You can also tour Ca' d'Zan Mansion, a magnificent 56-room Venetian Gothic palace and the Ringlings' old family home.

Fine shopping is available throughout Sarasota, including St. Armand's Circle close to the coast.

New Smyrna

About an hour from the Orlando International Airport, New Smyrna Beach is a paradise for anyone who loves salt water.

No matter how simple or eclectic your taste, the New Smyrna Beach area has something for everyone.The town boasts the most consistent and one of the best surfing beaches on the Eastern Seaboard.

Offshore fishing opportunities include great bottom fishing and fishing for pelagic species. And inshore anglers enjoy a maze of mangrove and salt marsh habitats that teem with redfish, trout and flounder among other species..

When you’re done fishing, check our everything else -- and there's plenty -- that New Smryna Beach has to offer here.

Crystal River

Welcome to the Manatee Capital of the World.

When the water temperature drops in the Gulf of Mexico, manatees move to the warmer waters of the Crystal River, followed closely by nature-loving tourists and other visitors.

Located along Central Florida’s "Nature Coast," Crystal River is one of the few places where you can swim with manatees. The springs flow at a constant 72 degrees, making the waters attractive to all sorts of swimmers in the winter.

While there, consider a stop at the Plantation on Crystal River, a place of stately white buildings and true Southern charm. Here, water, golf and fine dining are the primary calling cards.