Cypress Gardens

Lonely Planet review

Despite a revamp in 2004-05, which added 39 small rides, a water park and new roller coaster, Cypress Gardens seems fairly dull, and expensive, in the realm of theme parks.

It does have historic value as being Florida's first theme park, and the gardens themselves are stunning, with a beautiful assortment of orchids, butterfly gardens, roses and whimsical topiary. However, the recreated antebellum setting seems more geared toward grandparents and local families enjoying a county fair. The sheer amount of gift shops may outnumber the roses in the end.

Among other pro-Southern shows, the park features daily reenactments of the endangered (this is probably for the best) Southern custom of 'belles,' where 15- to 17-year-old girls are chosen by civic leaders (the girls are traditionally selected from 'good' families), briefed on the intricacies of ballroom dance, etiquette and hairspray application, and dressed up in puffy ball gowns. They're then introduced to the community in a formal ceremony that's followed by a cotillion dance. And you can enroll your own little beauty queen in Cypress Gardens' Junior Belle program.

If you do come, make sure to check out the entertaining water-ski shows. Their concert series lineup is actually quite good, and has included acts such as Hootie and the Blowfish, Collective Soul and Vince Gill. The park is a long 25 miles south of Kissimmee (on the traffic-snarled I-4) in the town of Winter Haven; take I-4 west and exit Hwy 27; head south and follow the signs.