Florida travelers choose from 94 Best Western hotels.

Tampa Skyline

Visitors to Tampa, and the surrounding west central Florida area, celebrate the arrival of spring in typical fashion – by getting out and exploring all the wonderful attractions, sights and to-do’s in the area. From the Historic Bok Sanctuary in Bowling Green, just an hour east of Bradenton, and Don Garlits’ Museum of Drag Racing in Ocala, to the Lowry Park Zoo near downtown Tampa – west central Florida is flush with springtime fan fair. Guests of the Best Western hotels in the area looking for time with manatees, head to Crystal River for a visit.

Tampa, set in the heart of west central Florida, is home to sports, culture, history and plenty of fun – be sure to spend a day at Busch Gardens Adventure Island. 30 acres of amusement park joy, Busch Gardens Adventure Island is a short drive from downtown Tampa, and features rides like the Splash Attack, Paradise Lagoon, and Fabian’s Funport Children’s Area. Continue with the aquatic adventures at the Florida Aquarium – wake up early on March 24 for Breakfast with the Penguins (it’s a ticketed event, so act quickly).

Get a taste of college baseball while in Tampa. Check out the University of Tampa Spartans baseball team slug it out against Grand Canyon University in a three game series starting March 9. Hockey fans can take in the fast paced action of a Tampa Bay Lightning game at the Tampa Bay Times Forum – check them out on March 13, as they battle the defending Stanley Cup Champion Boston Bruins.

Sarasota, a charming bayside city, is home to the John and Mable Ringling Museum of Art. Set only half an hour north of nearby Venice, Sarasota is a prime destination for springtime travelers. For a night of jazzy tunes, head to the Unitarian Universalist Church on March 2, for the Jazz at Two concert series, presented by the Sarasota Jazz Club.

Treat your taste buds to a taste of locally grown food at the Siesta Key Farmers Market on April 1. On April 7, be sure to keep your running shoes laced tight and take a jog in the Mote’s 26th Annual Run for the Turtles at Siesta Public Beach. Take advantage of the great weather, and wonderful attractions in Sarasota.

Crystal River, set just inland of Homosassa Bay and north of Tampa, is a fine city, that dubs itself "Manatee Haven." Spring is felt especially well here, as the waters warm perfectly for visitors to enjoy a swim while at Cap’n Mike’s Swim with the Manatees. A truly magical experience, get an up close encounter with these gentle giants at Cap’n Mike’s. For a more land based adventure, explore Fort Island Trail Park. Take full advantage of exceptional springtime weather with a hike or a picnic.

Miami Beach, Florida

Celebrating spring in southeast Florida is easy. With major cities like Miami and Fort Lauderdale as focal points, southeast Florida is booming with activity. The Miami Heat are taking care of business on the hard-wood, and the University of Miami Hurricanes are thumping opponents on the diamond with the long ball. Boca Raton is home to the Gumbo Limbo Nature Center, and Jupiter, north of Fort Lauderdale, is a charming seaside city and home to the Florida History Center and Museum. There’s much to see and do in southeast Florida and the Keys – get out and explore.

Known as “Venice of America,” Fort Lauderdale is home to the Broward Center for the Performing Arts. A tourism hotspot, Fort Lauderdale brings more than 10 million visitors a year. On March 3, don’t miss popular rock band, Dropkick Murphys at the Pompano Beach Amphitheater – special guests include Frank Turner and the Sleepy Souls. If live concerts aren’t your thing, find time for the fast paced, intense action of the Florida Panthers. Watch as the Panthers take on the Nashville Predators in competitive NHL action on March 3 at the BankAtlantic Center. Enjoy the clear waters off the shores of South Beach Park in Fort Lauderdale – take a refreshing dip or try surfing for the first time.

Miami, less than 40 minutes south of Fort Lauderdale, is a major ocean side city in southeast Florida. Home to professional and college sports, a hip and active nightlife, and plenty of local attractions, Miami in the spring is a sight to behold. Settle in at the American Airlines Arena on March 20, and watch as Lebron, D-Wade and company take on the visiting Phoenix Suns. Baseball fans head to Mark Light Field at Alex Rodriguez Park, and watch as the University of Miami Hurricanes slug it out, versus the rest of the Atlantic Coast Conference. Check out a Hurricanes baseball game when they play a three game series against the North Carolina Tarheels starting on April 6.

To check out the nightlife in Miami, head on out from any one of the Best Western hotels, and visit Space Miami – voted “Best U.S. Club” at the IDMA 2011 Awards. Be sure to experience Miami Music Week at The Set Nightclub, March 20-25. The Vizcaya Museum and Gardens is also a very fun, and popular springtime attraction.

Key West, the southernmost city in the continental United States, is another of southeast Florida’s stunning vacation destinations – especially in spring. Guests of the Best Western hotels in Key West love an experience of a lifetime, with a visit to the Dry Tortugas National Park Ferry. On March 3, keep an eye out for the 50th Annual Conch Shell Blowing Contest – a free event for all ages, it’s held in the garden of the Oldest House on Duval Street.

White Sandy Beaches
Fort Myers, FL

Spring has rolled in and booted winter weather out of southwest Florida. Cities like Bonita Springs, Venice and Sarasota are all bustling with tourism activity. Head to Naples – set just inland from the Gulf, and south of Bonita Springs, Naples is home to Naples Trolley Tours. For historical perspectives, take an afternoon tour of the Holocaust Museum of Southwest Florida. On March 17, celebrate St. Patrick’s Day along one of the many beaches in Naples, then enjoy a ranger-led tour of the Koreshan Historic Site. Whether it’s the natural history of southwest Florida, or the interesting and local sights – be sure to explore all the area has to offer.

Fort Myers, home to the Calusa Nature Center and Planetarium, is a premier springtime destination – there’s a whirlwind of activity in area, with a focus on local attractions, sights, and a bustling beach scene. Active March 21-25, the Fort Myers Film Festival always brings the heat. Held at the Sidney & Berne Davis Art Center, the Fort Myers Film Festival is in it’s second year, and seeks to “unite and showcase the finest artistic cinematic works” of independent film makers.

Held earlier in the year, April 24 through March 4, make plans for the Southwest Florida and Lee County Fair. Make your way to the Lee Civic Center Grounds and enjoy all the fun and excitement of the Southwest Florida and Lee County Fair. Music Fans, be sure to make plans for the Sanibel Music Festival, held from March 2 through March 27, every Tuesday and Saturday at the Sanibel Congregational Church.

Sarasota, just south of Bradenton, is a pleasant city, and home to the Asolo Center for the Performing Arts. Springtime visitors to Sarasota have a bounty of fun and exciting activities that are sure to impress. Sarasota Jungle Gardens is always a fun afternoon in the making, and gear-heads love a visit to the Sarasota Classic Antique Cars Museum. Play a round of 18 at the legendary Bobby Jones Golf Club, just east of downtown Sarasota. On April 4, head to the Van Wezel Performing Arts Hall and catch Pops, a tribute to the Boston Pops. And from May 2 through 5, be sure to take in a performance of Great Escapes: La Bamba, at Holley Hall, brought to you by the Sarasota Orchestra.

Just north of Naples is Bonita Springs. A lively and charming city, Bonita Springs is only minutes from Barefoot Beach, and is home to the Everglades Wonder Gardens. Are you into bird watching? Make plans to check out the Corkscrew Swamp Sanctuary, home of the Bald Cypress and under the management of the National Audubon Society. Spring guests to the Best Western hotel Bonita Springs are in an ideal location to experience the sterling southwestern Florida hospitality of the area.

Experience premier, springtime weather conditions while you explore the Art Walk at The Promenade on March 22, at Bonita Bay.

Florida State Capitol

The Florida Panhandle gears up for spring – warmer temperatures bring visitors from across the state and country. From Pensacola in the far west of Florida, to the gulf city of Apalachicola, the Panhandle is ready to entertain. Enjoy a fine glass of red wine at the Chautauqua Winery in DeFuniak Springs, or pay a visit to the Suwannee Valley Zoo in Lake City, just outside the Osceola National Forest. Gear heads and auto collectors alike enjoy spectating at the Spring Fling Car & Truck Show, at Frank Brown Park in Panama City. One of the largest auto shows in northern Florida, the Spring Fling Car & Truck Show is a two-day event – don’t miss out.

Pensacola, set in the west, and only a half hour from Navarre, is home to the National Naval Aviation Museum. Spring visitors to Pensacola are primed for a great northern Florida experience – be sure to make time for a visit to Five Flags Speedway. A half-mile track, a trip to Five Flags Speedway in late March is the perfect time to check out some small circuit racing – the Pepsi Next Blizzard #1 race is on March 23, and the Allen Turner PLM 100 is on March 30. Looking to celebrate St. Patrick’s Day in Pensacola? Head over to Pensacola Beach and partake in the Go Irish on the Island event – music, food, drinks and plenty of people to help ring in the holiday.

Miles east of Pensacola, set in the central area of the Panhandle, is Tallahassee. Known for college football – home to the Florida State University Seminoles – Tallahassee is also the state capital. Springtime visitors to the Tallahassee area are in a premier location for plenty of the fun and hospitality the Florida Panhandle offers. Make plans to check out the Tallahassee Museum, a great destination for family travelers looking for a nice, afternoon activity with the kids. Music fans will enjoy the hip-hop sounds of T-Pain, performing at the Leon County Civic Center on March 31.

Sports fans can watch the FSU Baseball team slug their way through some mid-season competition. Seminole baseball games are played at Dick Howser Stadium. Keep April 20-22 open as the Seminoles battle the University of Miami Hurricanes, in an intra-state rivalry series.

An hour east of Tallahassee is Madison. A charming and quaint city, Madison is home to the Four Freedoms Monument, which was commissioned by President Franklin D. Roosevelt. On April 20 and 21, be sure to attend the 31st Annual Down Home Days Festival – Parade and Rodeo. Held at Four Freedoms Park, Down Home Days is one of the largest two-day events in north Florida – Friday’s the PCA Rodeo, and the Saturday is the parade and festival.

Downtown Orlando Skyline

Orlando and the surrounding Space Coast area are premier travel destinations this spring. Orlando, a sprawling city set over an hour northeast of Tampa, is a hotspot for theme park fans, and is also the home of the NBA’s Orlando Magic. Lake Buena Vista, just to the south of Orlando, is pleasant little city, and home to the Walt Disney World Resort. Along the coast, you’ll find Daytona Beach, which hosts the annual Daytona 500. East of Orlando is Cocoa, a charming and quaint city. In Cocoa, be sure to check out the Astronaut Memorial Planetarium & Observatory. Have a springtime blast in the Space Coast.

Orlando, known as "The City Beautiful," is hub of Florida tourism activity. Guests of the Best Western hotels in Orlando are in prime locations to visit any of the amusement parks in the area – start with a day of aquatic adventure at SeaWorld Orlando. March 24 and 25, SeaWorld Orlando will be hosting the Jack Hanna Weekend. Watch as wildlife expert Hanna and his animal companions, wow the crowds with demonstrations that are both entertaining and educational.

Orlando is also home to Universal Studios Florida. Whether it’s a live performance from the Blue Man Group, or an all-day adventure at the Wizarding World of Harry Potter – there’s never a lack of activity. Be sure to entertain the family with an evening of frights and laughs at Beetlejuice’s Graveyard Revue, with daily shows through March 10.

East of Orlando, along the coast, is Daytona Beach. Home of the Daytona International Speedway, Daytona Beach is a phenomenal springtime destination. Be sure to check out the Richard Petty Driving Experience, where a trained driver will zip you around Dayton International Speedway at top speeds. Although slightly less exhilarating, a visit to Lighthouse Point Park is still a worthwhile afternoon plan. Experience a real taste of Daytona Beach when you explore the Downtown Daytona Farmers Market on March 3, at City Island.

South of Daytona Beach is Titusville. Home to the American Police Hall of Fame & Museum, Titusville is easily accessed from I-95, and guests of the Best Western hotels in Titusville are in a prime, springtime getaway location. Music and nature fans are in for a real treat at the Music in the Forest event, held at the Enchanted Forest Nature Sanctuary on March 3. Crane your neck in awe at the TICO Warbird Airshow on March 9-11, at the Space Coast Regional Airport. On April 14, you and the family will love the 7th Annual Fox Lake Spring Festival of Crafts, held at Fox Lake Park. A free event, the 7th Annual Fox Lake Spring Festival features fantastic local artisans and crafters.

The signs of spring are popping up all over northeastern Florida – from seaside cities like Jacksonville Beach, and St. Augustine, to inland cities like Starke, Baldwin and Gainesville, the northeastern Florida cities welcome springtime visitors. Jacksonville is a large city with plenty to see and do – check out the Cummer Museum of Art and Gardens, during the spring to witness all the wonderfully local foliage. Don’t miss out on a tour of the Castillo de San Marcos National Monument in St. Augustine – there’s a lot to experience during the spring in northeast Florida; get out there and explore.

Gainesville, set as a central hub of activity in northeastern Florida, is a lively city that shines as a sterling example of Florida hospitality. Home to the University of Florida, and easily accessed from I-75, Gainesville is premier springtime destination. Plan a visit to the Gainesville Raceway for some bumper-to-bumper racing action, or check out the Morningside Nature Center.

For a laugh, make plans for an evening of live theater at the Vam York Theater, in Gainesville – visit on March 23 for the production Thoroughly Modern Millie, a musical comedy. Head to the same Vam York Theater on May 18 for the live, dramatic performance, Agnes of God. Gainesville’s diverse, so get out and explore.

Jacksonville is set over an hour northeast of Gainesville. Home to sports, museums and parks, Jacksonville is a diverse and pleasant city, with an array of springtime attractions and events to keep even the weariest of travelers entertained. Have an interesting afternoon at the Alexander Brest Planetarium, or check out the Fort Caroline National Memorial.

College baseball fans are in luck – the Jacksonville University Dolphins are slugging away at the competition. Be sure and visit John Sessions Stadium, home of the JU Dolphins baseball team, and watch as they take on the Akron Zips on March 13 and 14. Don’t miss out on the high-scoring action of the Jacksonville Sharks of the Arena Football League. Watch as they take on the Georgia Force, on March 24 at the Jacksonville Veterans Memorial Arena.

Two hours south of Jacksonville is Ocala. Home to the College of Central Florida, Ocala is a charming little city set just minutes to the west of Ocala National Forest. Explore the Appleton Museum of Art, or take advantage of wonderful spring weather and play a round at Baseline Golf Course. Saturday, April 7, plan an afternoon around the Ma’CEO – a series of Cavallo Equestrian Arts performances held at the Southeastern Livestock Pavilion in Ocala. Combine that love of history and sports with a visit to Don Garlits’ Museum of Drag Racing. Explore the history of Don “Big Daddy” Garlit’s career in the NHRA, and a variety of other exciting racing artifacts and drag racers on display.