United States — Beachcomber Pete Travel Adventures

Cape Canaveral, Florida

Cape Canaveral is one of Florida’s most popular travel destination. Nestled on Florida’s Space Coast along the eastern Atlantic coastline, this lovely city is also located near the cities of Melbourne and Palm Bay. Here are five of the top attractions to see while visiting Cape Canaveral:

Port Canaveral

Majestic cruise ships can be seen arriving and departing from this seaside retreat. The port additionally features a variety of restaurants, bars and nightclubs. Sterling Casino Lines, which is also the world’s largest casino ship, is another main attraction of the port. Many people also come to this location throughout the year to enjoy vibrant festivals and exquisite views of the ocean and will find numerous Condos in Cape Canaveral are available to suit all budgets.

Kennedy Space Center

Located less than 30 minutes from Cape Canaveral’s city center, this notable attraction gives visitors the opportunity to learn more about the NASA space program. The Astronaut Encounter exhibition allows guests to interact with a real-life astronaut. The center’s Astronaut Memorial was built to honor those astronauts who were lost during space exploration missions. Two different IMAX theaters show 3D films with extra special effects.

Jetty Park

Outdoor enthusiasts will no doubt be pleased by this peaceful parkland. The park includes 150 campsites and a 1,200 foot fishing pier. A tackle shop and numerous picnic tables can also be found within the park. Guests who visit this park have the opportunity to experience the splendor of the area’s natural ecosystem.

Manatee Sanctuary Park

More than 10 acres of land make up this popular city park. Its location along the Banana River makes it an ideal place to spend a day basking in the Florida sun. A manatee viewing area showcases one of the state’s most symbolic creatures. The park also features a boardwalk, a fitness trail and an educational kiosk providing more information about manatees. Guests who wish to savor a tasty meal outdoors can use the park’s picnic tables and two grills.

Canaveral City Park

This safe park is an ideal place for families with children. A series of play areas and a climbing web are able to keep young ones entertained while visiting the park. Exciting baseball games often take place inside the park’s little league ball field. Several family restaurants are also in the vicinity.

Filed Under: Cape Canaveral, featured, Florida, Melbourne, Space Coast, United States

Melbourne, Florida

Sweetly situated on Florida’s scenic Space Coast, the town of Melbourne offers peaceful beaches, wondrous seascapes and enchanting historic sites, all within an easy drive of such popular tourist meccas as Disney World and the Kennedy Space Center.

Originally two townships, Melbourne and Eau Gallie, this delightful little bit of old Florida offers a lively marriage of historic and modern charm. Dating back to the 1800s, the city was named for its first postmaster, Comthwaite John Hector, an Englishman who relocated to Florida after many years in Melbourne, Australia. Today, Melbourne offers visitors plentiful recreational, shopping and entertainment opportunities along a sunny, sensational stretch of coastline.

Exciting air-boat rides and peaceful paddling journeys allow ample exploration of the Indian River Lagoon, an enchanting waterway separating mainland Melbourne from its picturesque barrier island. Tour Sebastian Inlet State Park for glimpses of intriguing native wildlife and marine animals. Melbourne incorporates a portion of Florida’s Saltwater Paddling Trail, bringing intrepid explorers through tropical and sub-tropical ecosystems as they journey across the lagoon and into Haulover Canal, a popular playground for manatees and dolphins. The multi-use, traffic-free East Coast Greenway also winds through Melbourne, allowing bicyclists and hikers a safe and scenic path through some of the state’s loveliest coastal areas. Golfing, snorkeling, swimming and biking opportunities abound throughout the region.

Stroll into the Florida of old in historic Downtown Melbourne and Olde Eau Gallie, where streets are lined with funky little specialty shops, lovely historic buildings and intriguing museums. Shop for crafts, antiques or bikinis in the bustling downtown area or just browse art galleries and bookstores before enjoying a hip happy hour or fine seafood dinner. Celebrations of all kinds keep the city’s streets alive with color and excitement, and annual events like the Arts Festival, Independent Filmmakers’ Festival, Aviation Day,IndiaFest and Oktoberfest help keep an exuberant vibe in town year-round.

Great tourist attractions are within a short drive. Head to the nearby Kennedy Space Center for a day of out-of-this world fun and education. Kids love floating beside spacewalking astronauts in the IMAX film Hubble 3D, thrilling to the Shuttle Launch Experience and roaming amid towering rockets. Featuring over 550 animals from around the world, Brevard Zoo invites kids of all ages to visit with giraffes, cheetahs, monkeys and white rhinos before heading into the tree tops for the zoo’s zip line and obstacle course or into the water at the splashy Paws On play area.

Filed Under: featured, Florida, Melbourne, Space Coast, United States

Universal Studios Orlando

Orlando, Florida is the ultimate destination for theme park fun, catering to kids of all ages (and kids at heart!). For die-hard movie-goers and roller-coaster enthusiasts, you cannot get much closer to the fun than Universal Studios Orlando. From movie-themed rides to live stunt shows, the Universal parks go above and beyond your average theme park entertainment.

Universal Studios Orlando is comprised of two separate theme parks: Universal Orlando, and Universal’s Islands of Adventure, and Wet ‘n Wild water park. Universal Orlando brings you directly to the heart of the movies, with behind-the-scenes sneak peeks, thrilling rides, and special events year-round. The park is a real, working production studio, so you never know what you will find when you come for a visit. Experience Shrek in 4-D, ride through the sky with E.T., or come face-to-face with dinosaurs in Jurassic Park. Finding a show for any age group is easy at Universal Studios Florida. Toddlers and preschoolers will love singing along with Barney & Friends, while Terminator 2: 3-D will entertain older children and adults.

Universal’s Islands of Adventure is a theme park unlike any other. Join your favorite superheroes at Marvel Super Hero Island, play around in Toon Lagoon, or make your way through Seuss Landing, based on the books of Dr. Seuss. Enjoy a special effects display at Poseidon’s Fury. For true aspiring students of Hogwarts, Islands of Adventure is the only place where you will find The Wizarding World of Harry Potter.

Visitors to Central Florida visiting universal Studios will find a great place to cool off right next door, Wet ‘n Wild has a little bit of something for everyone. Thrilling water rides like The Black Hole: The Next Generation and Brain Wash will take adventurous park goers on watery journeys full of excitement. For the youngest water enthusiasts, Blastaway Beach is the perfect place to hang out. Made especially for kids, this park has 15 water slides and a 60-foot sand castle.

Universal Studios Orlando is more than just movie rides and thrilling acrobatic displays. Fun lies around every corner without even having to set foot into the parks. Universal City Walk has restaurants and entertainment ranging from Hard Rock Cafe to Blue Man Group. No matter your age or interest, there is sure to be something for you at Universal Orlando.

Filed Under: Central Florida, featured, Florida, Kissimmee, North America, Orlando, United States, Universal Studios

Kissimmee Chain of Lakes, Florida

Bass fishermen delight in the fish teeming through the Kissimmee Chain of Lakes in Florida’s South Osceola County. The series of 20 lakes begins just south of Orlando, connected by canals and waterways winding through the lush “river of grass” Everglades and eventually leading to Kissimee River. Water recreation, fishing, hiking, birdwatching and hunting abound among the 100,000 acres of the lakes’ surface water.

The largest lakes in the Central Florida chain are the 18,810-acre Lake Tohopekaliga, called Lake Toho, 2hu and West Lake by locals; the nearly-35,000-acre Lake Kissimmee; and East Lake Tohopekaliga with nearly 12,000 acres. Other notable lakes in the system include Lake Cypress, Lake Hatchineha, Lake Marian and Lake Jacksoon.

Nearly 42 miles in circumference, Lake Toho is the largest lake in Osceola County and is connected to East Lake Tohopekaliga by three-mile Canal 31. The shore of Lake Toho is home to Lakefront Park, where a three-mile picturesque walking path showcases the Kissimmee area’s beauty. Jogging, walking and enjoying the abundant alligators, turtles and waterfowl are favorite activities along the trail. Park visitors enjoy a miniature lighthouse, playground, barbecue grills, a fishing pier, a bait shop, basketball and volleyball parks and a pavilion/picnic area. Boaters and anglers can access the lake’s waters, connector canals and the entire chain of lakes using the park’s boat launch ramp.

More wildlife and birds live along the shores of the chain’s Lake Kissimmee. Drive along Joe Overstreet Road for incredible viewing of the lake’s spectacular bald eagles, sandhill cranes and whooping cranes. The lake shores are home to bobcats and white-tailed deer and a bustling state park. The park offers a unique 1876-era “cow camp” for visitors to learn about Florida’s cowboy heritage, 13 miles of hiking trails and six miles of equestrian trails. Full-amenity campsites, a picnic pavilion and more rustic camping areas are also available at Lake Kissimmee State Park.

The lake system is the perfect locations for short- and long-distance canoeing. A handful of islands within Lake Kissimmee make a great scenic backdrop to a day of water sports. Paddle-boarding, air-boating, water skiing and swimming are other popular activities at the system of lakes.

For many, bass fishing is the biggest draw to the chain of lakes. Many fishing tournaments take place in the system’s many lakes, including the Southern Open at Big Toho Marina at the end of January.

Whether visitors are looking for a place to catch some bass, hike along scenic trails, gaze at bald eagles or enjoy the company of friends in a peaceful setting, there is plenty to see and experience at Kissimmee Chain of Lakes.

Filed Under: Central Florida, featured, Florida, Kissimmee, Kissimmee Chain of Lakes, North America, United States

Maine, United States

From its jagged coastline to its rolling tree-covered mountains, Maine is one of the nation’s most biodiverse states. Known as Vacationland, Maine is home to quaint fishing villages, colonial towns, historic lighthouses and summer resorts. More than 13 million tourists visit New England’s northernmost state each year.

The rustic, undeveloped countryside provides a wonderful backdrop for hiking, horseback riding and skiing. You can enjoy incredible sailing and fishing along the glacier-carved Atlantic Coast and explore the native flora and fauna on the northern end of the Appalachian Trail. Caribou, eagles, endemic butterflies and other abundant species live in the verdant landscape of the Great North Woods. Migratory birds, whales and the spectacular fall foliage will command your attention. White Mountain overlooks offer panoramic views of the Rangeley Lakes region. You can experience the thrill of a whitewater rafting excursion on one of Maine’s rivers.

In the cities of Augusta, Bangor, Bar Harbor and Portland, guests will discover a wealth of cultural activities. Old Fort Western, an 18th century outpost in the state capital of Augusta, reveals the area’s colonial heritage. The State Museum exhibits provide a fascinating glimpse into Maine’s natural and cultural history.

Bangor is the hometown of Stephen King and was once the lumber capital of the world. Today, visitors will find antique shops, elegant Victorian architecture and historic taverns. Bar Harbor encompasses a large portion of the Acadia National Park, which has the distinction of being the oldest national park east of the Mississippi River. Home to Gilded Age mansions, palatial estates and vintage hotels, Bar Harbor has attracted luminaries throughout its history. The coastal community is the northernmost point on the 2,535-long Atlantic Coast Bicycle Route.

In Portland, you can tour the childhood home of Henry Wadsworth Longfellow and the Old Port district, which offers a glimpse into Maine’s shipbuilding past. The Museum of Art includes works by Winslow Homer, Picasso and Renoir. You can also visit museums dedicated to African Culture and the Shaker community.

In addition to its coastline, Maine is renowned for lobsters, which are colloquially known as bugs. As you enjoy a luscious bowl of “chowdah” and steamers, you can listen to the unique Yankee dialect.

Maine is a treasure trove of year-round, outdoor recreational and sightseeing opportunities. Boasting one of the United States most scenic coastlines and idyllic, pine-covered landscapes, Maine is an iconic destination that has something for everyone in the family.

Filed Under: featured, Maine, North America, United States

Sea World, Florida

Located in the city of Orlando, Florida’s Sea World theme park is a fun place for the whole family. Featuring rides, shows and plenty of aquatic wildlife, Sea World Orlando is a prime vacation destination for adults and children of all ages. Due to its location in one of the most well-developed cities in the entire state of Florida, there are plenty of places to stay and other things to do, as well.

The main draw to Sea World Orlando has to be the animals. The park is home to Beluga whales, penguins, dolphins, flamingos, manatees, seals, sea lions and more. Visitors can get up close and personal with a shark before heading over to check out playful otters swimming in the water, polar bears chilling on the rocks and colorful parrots sitting in the trees. And, of course, Sea World Orlando is famously home to killer whales that are arguably one of the biggest attractions of all.

Then you have the shows, many of which feature the highly trained animals that make the park their home. All shows are family friendly, and range from incredibly funny to thought provoking times where visitors learn about ecology and animal preservation. Sea lions Clyde and Seamore are among the main stars of several shows, much to the delight of audiences. Sesame Street characters also make regular appearances, and special shows are planned during Christmas, Halloween and other holiday seasons. The show put on regularly by Shamu, the park’s most famous killer whale, and his Orca friends is by far the most popular with almost all visitors.

In addition to the animals and shows, visitors may board different rides for an entirely different park experience. Ride everything from the Journey to Atlantis or the Manta, which feature a soaking splash of water, to the Kraken, a thrilling roller coaster that takes its passengers on twists and turns at top speeds. Rides and games for children are also available in Shamu’s Happy Harbor.

Once your time at the park is complete, venture out into Orlando for even more fun and recreation at Discovery Cove, Universal’s Island of Adventure or even Disney World. You can also choose to make a short trip to Kissimmee and visit award-winning museums and restaurants, or simply explore the communities of St. Cloud, Winter Park or Mount Dora and see what adventure Central Florida has to share with you and your family.

Filed Under: Florida, Kissimmee, Orlando, Sea World, United States

Washington, D.C.

Washington, D.C. is one of the word’s best sightseeing destinations. Few cities deliver as many attractions per square foot. Most of the highlights are within walking distance of each other and almost everything on the must-see list is free.

The White House and the Capitol
The White House remains Washington’s most popular destination, with a tour that includes the Red Room, State Dining Room and East Room, complete with furnishings, art work and portraiture. Requests for a tour must be made 6 months to 21 days in advance. Reservations aren’t needed at the Capitol Visitors. However, booking a tour in advance allows visitors to see much more of the Capitol building, including the interior of the majestic with its rotunda architecture.

The Mall
Stretching between the Capitol and the Lincoln Memorial is the National Mall. Visited by more than 24 million people a year, this 1.9 mile stretch of parkland is packed with some of America’s most famous icons.

The Washington Monument, between 15th and 17th Streets, occupies the center of the Mall, and a trip to the observation deck on top offers a panoramic view in all directions. Immediately to the west of the Monument is the Mall’s newest feature, the moving World War II Memorial. Facing the WWII Memorial across the 2,039 foot long Reflecting Pool is the massive Lincoln Memorial, on whose steps Martin Luther King gave his famous “I have a Dream” speech in 1963.

In the southwestern corner of the Mall is the cherry tree lined Tidal Basin, ringed by the Jefferson Memorial, the Roosevelt Memorial and the Korean War Memorial.

The World’s Most Popular Museums
The eastern half of the Mall contains several of America’s favorite museums. The National Air & Space Museum houses everything from Apollo 11 to the Spirit of St. Louis to the Wright brother’s plane and is the world’s most visited museum. Also on the Mall is the Smithsonian, with it’s extensive collection of all-things American, as well as the Museum of Natural History, the National Museum of Art, the Museum of the American Indian and the Museum of African American Art.

Beyond the Mall
Near the Mall are several other top-tier attractions, including Arlington Cemetery, the National Portrait Gallery, and the Library of Congress. Mass transit is an excellent way to get to the National Cathedral, and families with children will enjoy the National Zoo in Rock Creek Park.

Filed Under: D.C., featured, United States, Washington

Indiana, United States

Located in the Great Lakes region of North America, the Midwestern state of Indiana offers travelers a fun diversion from the monotony of everyday life. Its capital, Indianapolis, also its largest city, lends itself to what has been named the Greatest Spectacle in Racing, more commonly known as the Indy 500, every year during the Memorial Day weekend. If you’re traveling to Indiana during the last full weekend in May, this is one event you don’t want to miss.

To avoid the hustle and bustle of modern life, you can take a stroll through history in downtown Indianapolis’ Monument Circle. This park is decorated with memorials to American war veterans dating back to the American Revolution. It is home to the Soldiers and Sailors Monument, a tower which has become a proud symbol of Indiana. It stands 300 feet tall and is dedicated to veterans of the Civil War.

Among Indiana’s unique attractions is a charming little town called Santa Claus, which has a rather enchanting tale of how that name came to be. The town is home to Santa’s Lodge motel, the Holiday World theme park and the Christmas Lake Village housing community. It has street names like Kringle Road, Sleigh Bell and Three Kings. There is also a whopping 40-ton statute of Santa himself, first unveiled in 1936 and recently given a makeover. Even a miniature golf course has a Drippy Snowman display. With such happy holiday themes prevalent throughout, this little town will definitely lift your spirits!

If you’re traveling around in a recreational vehicle, or RV, the RV Museum and Hall of Fame in Elkhart might be of particular interest. Here you can step back in time and admire various RV models, how they have developed throughout the years and adjusted to current trends and modern travelers. You can even see inside some of the older models to inspect the interior design and get a feel for the accommodations enjoyed by travelers from long ago.

Finally, there is another unique attraction in Kokomo, Indiana that might be worth a stop and a photo. Kokomo is where travelers can marvel at the world’s largest sycamore stump with all of its 57 feet in width and 12 feet in height proudly displayed in Highland Park since 1916. The tree almost reached the ripe old age of 800 before powerful storms tore it down, leaving only the massive stump behind. Before it was preserved as an exhibit, the stump housed a telephone booth roomy enough for 12 people!

There are all kinds of interesting things to do and see in Indiana. Rich with history, adventure and fun, you just never know what you might discover!

Filed Under: featured, Indiana, North America, United States

Walt Disney World, Florida

Walt Disney World, Florida is widely considered by many people to be the best theme park in the world. Located in Lake Buena Vista, Florida, just outside of Orlando, Walt Disney World is the flagship theme park of the many amazing Disney theme parks found around the world. Walt Disney World is a theme park that has something to offer to people of all ages. Parents will enjoy it just as much as their kids do. Take a look at everything this magical theme park has to offer its visitors. There are five main areas for visitors to enjoy at Walt Disney World.

The Magic Kingdom

This is the oldest part of Walt Disney World. It is modeled on Disneyland in California. The Magic Kingdom is the most popular part of Walt Disney World. With more than 17 million people passing through its gates every year, The Magic Kingdom is the most popular theme park in the world. This is the place that is full of Disney characters and rides, and it is the most exciting area for kids visiting Walt Disney World.

Epcot Center

This area is dedicated to international culture and technological innovation. There are 11 different pavilions that each feature cultural attractions from a specific country. Future World is the area of Epcot Center that showcases the technology of the future.

Disney’s Hollywood Studios

This is one of the most popular areas of Walt Disney World. There are lots of rides and attractions based on Disney films. This includes popular attractions of movie studios that Disney has purchased, such as Lucasfilm, which holds the rights to Star Wars, and Pixar, which has produced the most popular animated films of the last few decades.

Disney’s Animal Kingdom

This is one of the more interesting areas of the park and is wildly popular with visitors. It is sort of a crossover between a zoo and a traditional theme park. There are lots of animal-themed rides for visitors to enjoy. There are also many animal enclosures where visitors can take a close look at exotic wildlife attractions.

Downtown Disney

This is the area of the park where adults can get away from the kid-themed entertainment for a while. There is a section of Downtown Disney called Pleasure Island, where there are lots of night clubs, bars and restaurants that cater to a more mature crowd. This is the area of the park where all the nightlife is.

Filed Under: Central Florida, featured, Florida, Kissimmee, North America, Orlando, United States, Walt Disney World

Golf Courses in Kissimme Florida

Many visitors come to Kissimmee, Florida each year because of the wonderful weather the area is famous for. Still others travel to Kissimmee due to its proximity to Florida’s many amusement parks. One of the other main reasons travelers come to Kissimmee though is because of the wide variety of golf courses that can be found in this beautiful area. There are a number of Golf Courses in Kissimmee for every golfer, from the golfer just starting out, to the more seasoned pro. Three great golf courses for travelers to visit in Kissimmee are the Falcon’s Fire Golf Club, Kissimmee Golf Club and the Walt Disney World Golf Complex-Lake Buena Vista Course.

One great golf course to check out while on a trip to Kissimmee is Falcon’s Fire Golf Club. Falcon’s Fire Golf Club is considered one of the best public golf courses in the Orlando, Florida area. The club was designed by Rees Jones and features beautiful and stimulating holes. In addition, this golf course is conveniently located close by to many of the areas hotels and other attractions.

Another great golf course that visitors will want to be sure to visit while in Kissimmee is the Kissimmee Golf Club. This public golf course is located close to Disney World and is a great place for parents to visit and shoot a few holes at in between trips to the park. The Kissimmee Golf Club is famous for its course difficulty and also for the beautiful, classic FL scenery that can be viewed while golfing this courses 18 holes. Additionally this club offers Junior Golf Programs for younger golfers to take advantage of while on their vacation in FL.

A not to be missed golf course in Kissimmee is the Walt Disney World Golf Complex-Lake Buena Vista Course. This course is known throughout the world and has played host to a number of PGA Tour events. The location has also received 4 stars from Golf Digest, making it a truly challenging course even for experienced golfers. This golf course also is special because it is located within the Disney World Resort complex making it a fabulous destination for those staying within the park.

Kissimmee, Florida is truly one of the great golf destinations in the state of FL. There are a number of beautiful courses, both public and private, that offer golfing fun for golfers of all experience levels.

Filed Under: Attractions Kissimmee, Central Florida, featured, Kissimmee, Orlando, United States