VISIT FLORIDA Official Media Newsroom

What's New in Florida - Summer 2009

NEWS RELEASE TOPIC:
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: April 29, 2009

Tallahassee, Fla. (April 29, 2009) – Temperatures are rising in the Sunshine State, which can only mean one thing—summer’s just around the corner! Florida continues to shine brightly as the premier destination for spectacular exhibits, new and renovated facilities, and activities to enjoy. For additional information and offers, go to www.VISITFLORIDA.com.
(Listings are organized by city from North to South)

Exhibits and shows

TALLAHASSEE – On July 3 the Challenger Learning Center’s IMAX Theatre begins showing Dinosaurs Alive! Movie-goers can see the earliest creatures of the Triassic Period to the monsters of the Cretaceous period, in a 'life-sized' IMAX presentation. Join renowned paleontologists as they discover new fossils and uncover evidence that dinosaur descendants are still among us. Realistic and scientifically-accurate computer generated animation brings dinosaurs back to life. Visit www.challengertlh.com for more information.

JACKSONVILLE – The Cummer Museum of Art & Gardens presents “A Survey of Gee's Bend Quilts”, May 12 – August 2. The quilts of the women of the tiny rural town of Gee’s Bend, Ala., are praised by the New York Times as, “some of the most miraculous works of modern art America has produced.” The quilts they originally created as necessities, are showcased at major art museums across the United States. Call (904) 356-6857 or visit www.thecummer.org.

ORLANDO – Mennello Museum of American Art presents “Earl Cunningham’s America,” March 6 – August 2. This art exhibit will feature some of the paintings of Earl Cunningham, one the premier folk artists of the 20th century. “Earl Cunningham’s America” features 50 of Cunningham’s canvases. Visit www.mennellomuseum.org.

ORLANDO – The Orange County Regional History Center will host “Looking East,” an exhibit by world renowned photographer Steve McCurry, and “Culture Quest: Florida Architecture 101: From Chickees to Cottages.” From August 21 – October 4, Looking East will allow visitors to the history center a chance to view the stunning photographs taken by Steve McCurry. This collection includes some iconic images, such as the green-eyed Afghan girl recently featured in a National Geographic Greatest Portraits exhibition. Culture Quest is a three-day immersion experience of "Architecture with a Florida Twist." This exhibit will reveal some of the rich history that Central Florida has to offer; helping people understand the many styles of structures from the region’s very early days to the present, including forts, family dwellings, public structures and more. Buildings, such as the History Center and other points of interest in the area, will be explored; experts in the field will lead various discussions and field trips. Hands-on activities enhance this three-day adventure. This event will take place July 20 – 22. Please visit www.thehistorycenter.org for more information.

ORLANDO – Orlando Science Center presents “The Adventures of Mr. Potato Head,” May 23 – August 9. The exhibit will feature the much-loved Mr. Potato Head, leading adventures in outer space, the jungle, archeological sites and under the sea. For more information, visit www.osc.org.

TAMPA – Capturing the phenomenon of motion drawing can be traced all the way back to Paleolithic cave paintings—and is still popular in some of your kid’s favorite Cartoon Network shows. ANIMATION, an all-new summer exhibition at the Museum of Science and Industry (MOSI), goes on a quest to understand how animation really works. This highly interactive traveling exhibition brings together art, math, science, and technology. Visitors will have an opportunity to explore the process of animation, surrounded by colorful larger-than-life graphics of popular cartoon and animation characters from Cartoon Network. Visit www.mosi.org.

SARASOTA – Eden and paradise are themes that resonate across time and cultures, and are places that are still sought after today. “Picturing Eden,” an exhibit at The John and Mable Ringling Museum of Art, features the concept of the garden as a symbol for both good and evil. The exhibition, which runs May 9 – August 2, highlights the work of 37 photographic artists from six countries as they examine the ideas of paradise as a quiet, thoughtful place, as well as a place of despair. Organized into four sections; Paradise Lost, Paradise Reconstructed, Despairing of Paradise and Paradise Anew, the images explore the development and changing styles of the garden and the belief in paradise. Picturing Eden looks at original lost innocence, the significance of the humanistic environment and its place in the history of art. Visit www.ringling.org.

MIAMI – As visitors to the Miami Children’s Museum (MCM) pass by the Lighthouse and arrive on Birdwell Island, they will discover the world of Clifford, Emily Elizabeth and their friends at the “Adventures with Clifford the Big Red Dog” Traveling Exhibit. Developed by the Minnesota Children’s Museum, this exhibit invites kids to explore art through textures and multi-media materials in this engaging blockbuster exhibit. There is even a nine foot Clifford! The exhibit is included with paid admission to MCM, and will be available from June 27 – October 11. Visit www.miamichildrensmuseum.org.

Attractions and Activities

DAYTONA BEACH – NASCAR returns to Daytona International Speedway in July for the mid-summer spectacular under the lights with the July Sprint Cup Weekend from July 2 – 4. Visitors to the Daytona Beach area can enjoy Grand-Am’s Brumos Porsche 250 Rolex Sports Car Race on July 2, the July Nationwide Series Race on July 3, and the 51st running of the Coke Zero 400 Powered by Coca-Cola on July 4. Visit www.daytonainternationalspeedway.com or call (800) PIT-SHOP.

NAPLES – This summer, Naples Zoo welcomes one of the rarest creatures of the natural world, white tigers. For a limited time, Memorial Day through Labor Day, these four-year-old white tigers will be in the lush Tiger Forest exhibit near the new Black Bear Hammock exhibit. These striking cats will be seen stalking past giant bamboo or splashing in the naturalistic rockwork pool. In concert with the new bear exhibit and just arrived young purebred South African lions, white tigers will be a wild part of the summer fun in Southwest Florida. Visit www.napleszoo.org.

New Properties and Renovations

JACKSONVILLE – A brand new property, Homewood Suites and Hilton Garden Suites, is opening in Downtown Jacksonville in June 2009; these properties will adjoin at Kings Avenue Station. The location is convenient to the waterfront and offers easy transportation throughout Downtown aboard Jacksonville Transit Authority’s Skyway. www.visitjacksonville.com.

JACKSONVILLE – aLoft Jacksonville Airport is opening July 2009. Rooms feature ultra-comfortable beds, spa showers and other luxuries. The hotel features property-wide wireless Internet access, w xyz bar and a 24-hour pantry. aLoft offers convenient access to Jacksonville International Airport and several attractions. Call (904) 714-3800 or log on to www.starwoodhotels.com.

ORLANDO – Slated to open in August 2009, Starwood Hotels & Resorts will open ELEMENT Orlando Convention Center/International Drive. This ELEMENT hotel, inspired by Westin Hotels, will offer an extended stay experience that weaves together intuitive design, unique social venues and eco-friendly touches. The hotel’s 137 rooms can be customized by guests and will feature a Westin Heavenly Bed, complete kitchen and an oversized, spa-inspired shower. Hotel amenities will include an integrated technology center and library. Visit starwoodhotels.com.

VISIT FLORIDA is the official tourism marketing corporation for the state of Florida. VISIT FLORIDA promotes tourism to Florida through sales, advertising, promotions, public relations, new product development and visitor services programs. As a public/private partnership VISIT FLORIDA has more than 3,400 tourism industry Partners and four major strategic alliances with American Express Travel Related services, AirTran Airways, Dollar Rent A Car and The Hertz Corporation. To learn more about VISIT FLORIDA, visit www.VISITFLORIDA.org.