Florida travelers choose from 94 Best Western hotels.

Miami Beach, Florida

South Florida - Miami, Miami Beach, and the Florida Keys, just a few summer vacation destinations to enjoy the best Florida has to offer. Sports fans fill Miami’s newly completed Marlins Park for MLB baseball, while soccer fans head north to Lockhart stadium for Fort Lauderdale Striker matches. Fishing tournaments fill the calendar in south Florida’s Keys while boaters enjoy the intercoastal waterways. Events and festivals never seem to end in south Florida with summer bringing the American Black Film Festival and Infinitto’s Brazilian Film Festival of Miami. Down south food and drink abound in Key West at Lobsterfest and BrewFest.

Miami Beach celebrates Black Cinema in June at the American Black Film Festival. The 2012 ABFF takes center stage in Miami and Miami Beach, June 20th through the 23rd. Recognized as the leading African American film festival; films and premiers includie narrative, documentary and shorts. Events kick off with Fox Searchlights film, Beats of the Southern Wild, screened at Colony Theater. Miami Beach Cinematheque and the Colony Theater host the Narrative and Documentary entries in the festival. Miami’s Black Film Festival is an opportunity to see cutting edge urban and African American films, participate in panel discussions and network with industry professionals.

August brings the 16th Brazilian Film Festival of Miami, another outstanding South Florida festival for film buffs. Miami’12, part of the Inffinito Festival Circuit, comes to Miami Beach’s Colony Theater and Cinematheque, August 17th through the 25th. Miami is recognized as the foremost showcase for the latest Brazilian films outside of Brazil.

Baseball fans don’t miss a MLB Miami Marlins game at the new Marlins Park. Conveniently located two miles west of downtown Miami, at the site of the former Little Havana, Miami Orange Bowl stadium. With a state-of-the-art retractable roof, no worries about the weather, just enjoy a Marlins 2012 season game. The season ends October 3rd with the Marlins hosting the Mets.

South Florida soccer fans travel north to Broward County for Fort Lauderdale Strikers action at Lockhart Stadium. Regular 2012 season play for the Strikers runs through September, with home matches the 1st and 9th. Join the fan frenzy at Lockhart Stadium west of Interstate 95 on the north end of Fort Lauderdale.

A summer visit to South Florida is not complete without a getaway to the Florida Keys. Key West, arguably the most famous destination, is the southern most point in the US. Known for great events and festivals, summer 2012 is no exception. August sees the 2012 Key West Lobsterfest come to town August 10th through the 12th. Marking the opening of lobster season, Lobsterfest brings live music, cold drinks and fresh lobster to the streets of Key West. Enjoy the Duval Crawl down Duval Street, concerts and Street Fair and then top it off with an unforgettable Sunday brunch.

Say goodbye to summer at the 2012 Key West BrewFest Labor Day Weekend, August 30 through September 3rd. The signature event, the Key West BrewFest Tasting Festival is Saturday September 1st. BrewFest events include beer school, beer dinners, beer seminars along with tailgate parties, pool parties and after parties – lots of beer and partying in Key West to end your summer!

Tampa Skyline

The Tampa Bay area - ideal for summer vacation, a weekend getaway or just a day off. It is the season to enjoy Florida’s beautiful beaches and the warm waters of the Florida Gulf Coast. No sand or salt water? Busch Gardens Adventure Island is another summer destination with 30 acres of fresh water attractions including waterfalls, the giant wave pool and the Rambling River. Take it inside to celebrate America’s pastime with Tampa Bay Rays baseball at Tropicana Field in St. Petersburg. Or a visit to the Florida Aquarium is always refreshing, educational and fun. It’s vacation season, and the Tampa Bay region of Florida fills any travelers itinerary.

Prison escape fantasy? Make your dream or nightmare come true in Tampa. The 2012 Mud Sweat & Beers Run on June 23rd, is planned as if runners were escaping from prison. The Prison Break Mud Run Tampa, is held at the Breeze Horse Ranch off Veterans Expressway north of Tampa International Airport. The goal is survival, not winning, with participants adventuring through a 3 to 6 mile undeveloped course. With plenty of food and drinks and paint ball snipers aiming for runners, the Tampa mud run is a good time for all.

Summer means time well spent in St. Petersburg at Tropicana Field cheering on the Tampa Bay Rays. Formerly the Florida Suncoast Dome, then the ThunderDome, and now Tropicana Field, the stadium features a Ray Tank accessible to all fans. In partnership with the Florida Aquarium, the Ray Tank is stocked with live cownose rays – when a homerun lands in the tank, donations are made to the players' charity of choice and the Florida Aquarium.

Join family and friends for a Tampa Bay Rays game, there is entertainment for everyone. ZZ Top plays the post-game concert on June 17th, with Earth, Wind & Fire following the June 30th game. Arrive early on Collectible T-Shirt days on July 20th and August 3rd. The 2012 Rays season lasts through September, be sure to catch a game on your visit to the Tampa Area.

Bradenton, just south of Tampa Bay, is a gateway to southern gulf beaches, with proximity to Sarasota and Venice. Traveling with kids? Be sure to stop at the South Florida Museum, home of Bishop Planetarium and Market Manatee Aquarium, to meet Snooty the museum mascot and the oldest known manatee in the world. Through August, the South Florida Museum’s East Gallery is showing Preserving Eden: Clyde Butcher’s Florida Photographs, an amazing collection of black and white photographs of Florida’s landscapes.

Boat enthusiasts mark Sarasota on your calendar for the 2012 Suncoast Super Boat Grand Prix Festival, June 23rd though July 4th. Race day is Sunday, July 1st, with a course looping from New Pass to Big Pass. Events begin with a Car Show and Texas Hold’em Poker Tournament, along with a high heel hike and the “Friendliest Catch” fishing tournament, for physically and mentally challenged anglers. The excitement builds with the Festival Parade of Boats on Friday before the race.

White Sandy Beaches
Fort Myers, FL

Naples, north of Everglades National Park and Big Cypress National Preserve, is a wonderful destination for outdoor enthusiasts and admirers of nature. White sand beaches abound between Naples and Marco Island twenty miles south. Parks like Naples Municipal Beach & Pier and Vanderbilt Beach Park, offer parking and facilities, while more unpopulated beaches are accessible through public access points. Nearby barrier Islands, accessible only by boat, offer the most remote and unspoiled beaches. The Naples area is just the beginning of the magic of Florida’s Gulf Coast. Unspoiled beaches, waterways and islands mixed with the urban cultures of Naples, Fort Myers, Venice and Sarasota.

The gulf coast is home to Florida’s Great Calusa Blueway, a 190 mile kayak trail. Starting south of Fort Myers in Bonita Springs, paddlers along the trail wind around Estero Bay north between Fort Myers and Fort Myers Beach, then paddling around Pine Island, Captiva and Sanibel and up the Caloosahatchee River. There are miles of tributaries to explore while enjoying the wildlife and natural wonders of Florida.

Looking for a festive Fourth of July? The Fort Meyers area is your destination. Arrive a few days early with the family, for the Kid’s 4th of July Fishing Tournament. The 2012 tournament is June 30th at Bonita Bills. On the 4th, pick your morning parade. Bonita Springs, 30 miles south of Fort Myers on Interstate 75, hosts its 2012 parade along Old 41 Road beginning at 9. Sanibel, 20 minutes west of Fort Myers begins their parade at 9:30 am, with and Fort Myers starting at 10am.

The Cape Coral Bridge and Cape Coral Parkway shut down at 4pm on the fourth of July for the annual Red, White and Boom. Hosted by the City of Cape Coral, the fun features two stages with live entertainment, kids entertainment and over 100 booths with food and craft vendors. As the evening culminates with fireworks shows along the gulf, none are better than Fort Myers Beach. Spend the day at your choice of events in the greater Fort Myers area or relax at the beach, but be sure to stake our your spot for the 9:15 pm fireworks show that lights up Fort Myers Beach and the waters of Florida’s Gulf Coast.

After a great summer of training, test your fitness at the 2012 Galloway Captive Tri, September 15th and 16th. The Captiva Tri is a sprint length event beginning with a ¼ mile swim in the Gulf of Mexico, followed by a 10 mile bike course on Captiva and a 5K run along Red Fish Pass and the South Seas golf course. Events feature two kid’s age group triathlons on Saturday, September 15th. Bring the entire family and enjoy the weekend on Florida’s Gulf Coast.

Northeast Florida begins with the beauty of Nassau County’s Amelia Island and its 13 miles of pristine beach – a paradise just 25 miles from Jacksonville International Airport. Jacksonville, the urban hub of the region, launches into summer with Memorial Day weekend’s Jacksonville Jazz Festival. Enjoy America’s favorite pastime at the Baseball Grounds of Jacksonville through summer, with the Jacksonville Suns. Less than 20-miles east, Jacksonville Beach is prime for visitors with over 4 miles of sand and surf along the Atlantic coast. Travel further south to the rich heritage and history of St. Augustine and more beach fun along St. Augustine Beach. It’s the season to travel Florida’s northeast coast.

Jacksonville, known as home to the NFLs Jaguars, changes hats for summer baseball. 2012 is the 50th anniversary of Jacksonville Suns baseball in northeast Florida. Home games are played at the Baseball Grounds of Jacksonville, located downtown west of EverBank Field. The 2012 season includes 70 home games, with the last one August 23rd. Come out and see the rising stars of the Miami Marlins.

The City of Jacksonville Beach hosts the 11th Annual Summer Jazz Series featuring two outstanding concerts. The 2012 performances are June 10th, with headliner Jeff Golub and July 8th with Marc Antoine & Brian Simpson. Held at the Sea Walk Pavilion on Sunday evenings, these concerts are amazing evenings of great music with a backdrop of Jacksonville Beach's surf and sand.

St. Augustine Beach, 30-miles south of Jacksonville Beach, also offers free summer evening music on the beach. The Saint Augustine Beach Civic Association's 2012 Music by the Sea Concert Series runs May through September Wednesday evenings. Enjoy jazz, rock and roll, blues and reggae – check the schedule for your favorite and enjoy an evening on the beach.

June 22nd and 23rd marks the anniversary of the first colony of Greek colonists to arrive in America. St. Photios National Greek Shrine, honors the event with the 29th Annual Greek Landing Day Celebration. The 2012 celebration features a youth rally, Blessing of the Five Loaves and Sunday’s party hosted by St Augustine’s Holy Trinity Greek Orthodox Church.

Paynes Prairie Preserve State Park, south of Gainesville, was Florida State Parks’ first state preserve. With over 20 distinct biological environments for birding, wildlife viewing and natural vegetation, this is an ideal destination for naturalists. Eight trails, including the paved Gainesville-Hawthorne State Trail, provide outdoor enthusiasts great hiking, biking and horseback riding trails in a natural Florida setting.

August can’t come soon enough for football fans in Gainesville. Ben Hill Griffin Stadium becomes ground zero for University of Florida Gator football. Called the Swamp, the stadium is home turf and the Saturday afternoon destination of choice in Gator Country. Be sure to pick up some blue and gold for the September 1st opener against Bowling Green.

Florida State Capitol

Pack your summer swimsuit for the beaches of northwest Florida. Catch a flight into Northwest Florida Beaches International Airport and 20 minutes later you’re on Panama City Beach. This is the season for a getaway to the beach. From Pensacola, Navarre and Fort Walton, through Panama City and Apalachicola, it is time to enjoy the sun, surf and sand. Tallahassee, Florida’s capital also offers summer visitors a diversity of events, including an amazing Fourth of July experience. Of course a visit to Florida’s Gulf Coast means delicious seafood. Enjoy festivals from the Florida Scallop & Music Festival to the Pensacola Seafood Festival.

Fisherman’s Choice 13th Annual Kids Fishing Tournament is a must for families. Load up kids 16 and under for this free tournament. Prizes are awarded for top fish in major fish species. Held June 2nd in Eastpoint, just across East Bay from Apalachicola via the John Gorrie Memorial Bridge, this is an ideal event for aspiring fishermen.

One of Tallahassee’s most popular events, Celebrate America is the city’s traditional Fourth of July Celebration. Held at Tallahassee’s Tom Brown Park, Celebrate America has grown to a fun-filled family event. Festivities include a Naturalization Ceremony, live entertainment on two stages and plenty of kid’s activities. The 2012 festival headline performers are the Fabulous Thunderbirds. The Sky Concert tops off the evening with spectacular fireworks. Celebrate the Fourth of July at Tom Brown Park.

Continue summer fun at July’s 34th Tallahassee Museum Swamp Stomp Music Festival. Another family friendly event, kids enjoy outdoor games, animal encounters and exhibitions. Be sure to stakeout a spot in the shade of the lakeside oaks for an evening of traditional Old Florida ‘saltwater music’, including contemporary acoustic, folk and bluegrass.

Head south of Panama City past Tyndall Air Force Base for an August visit to Port St Joe. Home of the Florida Scallop & Music Festival, 2012 brings the 16th annual festival. Held August 3rd and 4th at George Core Park, festivities feature the Scallop Festival 5K run, a kid’s zone, classic car & boat show and the best of Forgotten Coast seafood. Evening music concerts feature headliner Aaron Tippin, on stage Saturday evening.

Close summer with a visit to the 2012 Pensacola Seafood Festival. Organized by the Fiesta of Five Flags, the 35th annual festival is held in downtown Pensacola at historic Seville Square. A bounty of seafood awaits, from conch, soft shell crab, shrimp and oysters, the Pensacola Seafood Festival is a foodies dream. Visit Pensacola Friday, September 28th through Sunday September 30th, for a taste of Florida gulf's delicious seafood.

Downtown Orlando Skyline

Orlando and central Florida – a perennial vacation destination. Take an hour drive from Orlando to Florida’s Space Coast and your travel itinerary is complete. Looking for an Orlando hotel? Best Western has seven locations in the metro Orlando area and 22 locations across the region. If you are looking for a hotel on Florida’s Space Coast, Best Western locations stretch from Ormond Beach south to Port St. Lucie. Summer brings events from small town celebrations like the Titusville Sea Turtle Festival to the excitement of NASCAR at Daytona International Speedway. Theme parks, festivals, beaches and more, Orlando and central Florida has it all for an amazing summer vacation.

Titusville on Florida’s Space Coast hosts the 2012 Titusville Sea Turtle Festival, June 7th through the 9th. With an eco-friendly reputation, Titusville became home to hundreds of turtle nests after the Gulf oil spill. For the environmentally conscious, Titusville and Titusville Beach offer a secluded beach surrounded by pristine wilderness. Festival events feature turtle watches, beach cleanup and children’s art show. Weekend festivities wrap up with a Pier Party on Titusville Pier 2A.

While you’re on the coast, don’t miss a visit to Canaveral National Seashore. Home of Florida’s longest stretch of beach, the barrier island is a wildlife sanctuary filled with recreation opportunities including hiking, fishing, bird watching and paddling. Merritt Island National Wildlife Refuge is the Space Coast’s other National Park, located just south of Canaveral National Seashore near John F. Kennedy Space Center. The Merritt Island NWR Visitor Information Center is located 4 miles east of Titusville, a worthwhile detour for visitors to the Sea Turtle Festival.

Star Wars fans mark June on your calendar for the 2012 Star Wars Weekends at Disney’s Hollywood Studios. This annual event runs through June 10th, with Star Wars celebrities on hand for autographs, a Jedi Training Academy for kids under 12, and the Hyperspace Hoopla at the end of the day. Join the Star Wars fun at Disney’s Hollywood Studios theme park.

Daytona Beach, in the heart of Florida’s Fun Coast, is well known for auto racing. Home of Daytona International Speedway, along with NASCAR headquarters, Daytona Beach comes alive in July with the festivities and action of NASCAR’s Coke Zero 400. Join the 2012 excitement Thursday, July 5th through Saturday, July 7th. The main event kicks off with an evening pre-race concert by Train, followed by the 160 lap NASCAR Sprint Cup Series Race.

Central Florida hosts the 2012 Global Peace Film Festival, September 18th through the 23rd, with the goal of furthering peace on earth through motion pictures. Films from around the world showcase issues from the human condition to sustainability and the environment. Screenings are held at venues throughout Orlando and Winter Park including the Holocaust Memorial Resource & Education Center in Maitland and Ten Thousand Villages in Winter Park. Enjoy films, join discussions with filmmakers and rub shoulders with industry professionals at the Global Peace Film Festival.