Westgate River Ranch offers horseback riding, rodeos and campfire cookouts. Ray Duncan, a rodeo rider, gives a few tips and then you are off for a trail ride alongside a pond, through a scenic wooded area and across fields where cows were grazing.
Adventure in Central Florida: Horseback riding at dude ranch, garden visit among highlights of visit to Polk County
Sparkling lakes and fragrant orange groves provide a natural paradise for unforgettable outdoor experiences while culture and history give visitors lots of opportunities for the perfect vacation. Polk County, located in Central Florida between Orlando and Tampa, is home to 554 lakes, beautiful gardens and historic spots. Add tea rooms, antique shopping, horseback riding, spa time and plenty of fun dining spots and it makes for a great girlfriend getaway or family destination.
Start your visit to Central Florida with a stop at Polk Outpost 27, an interactive visitors center with full concierge service. Friendly staff members will help you map out your adventure in Polk County. The center is located at 101 Adventure Court in Davenport.
While in Polk County, be sure to stop at Davidson’s of Dundee Candy Factory, which has been featured on the Food Network. For more than 43 years, citrus candy has been produced at the candy factory. You can watch the candy being made and hear about the history of the company from Alice, who has been with the candy company for 43 years. All of the candy is great but I recommend the honeybell, which is sweet and tangy. The pink grapefruit is another good choice.
The shop also includes fresh fruit and Florida gifts. For more information or to place an order, go to www.dundeecitrus.com.
A highlight of our five-day visit was at Westgate River Ranch, which offers horseback riding, rodeos and campfire cookouts. It was my second visit, and this time around, horseback riding was on the agenda. It was a first for me and I was a little nervous, but I was immediately put at ease and given “Slow Bo” to ride. As Ray Duncan, a rodeo rider, helped me on the horse, he told me, “If you fall off of Bo, you will have to jump.” Ray gave us a few tips and then we were off for a fun one-hour ride alongside a pond, through a scenic wooded area and across fields where cows were grazing.
With all of the lakes, an airboat ride is a must for visitors to Polk County. Visitors to the dude ranch have the opportunity for an airboat ride on the property. After our horseback ride, we sped through the waterway spotting alligators and birds in a natural setting.
Cabins and a hotel, as well as camping, are also offered at the ranch. For more information the dude ranch, go to www.wgriverranch.com.
For some real adventure during your visit, go by Fantasy of Flight in Polk City where you can take a biplane ride or hot air balloon excursion and get a close up view of more than 40 vintage aircraft. A special exhibition on the Women Airforce Service Pilots (WASPs) includes videos and interviews of these amazing women who served their country during World War II. It’s a very inspiring display and you should take time to watch the videos. There is also an interactive children’s play area. For more information, go to www.fantasyofflight.com.
GARDENS
Central Florida is filled with beautiful gardens and one of the most well known is Bok Tower Gardens in Lake Wales. Bok Towers offers sweeping landscapes and lush gardens. Visitors will find a peaceful tranquil spot to stroll through historic landscaped gardens, hear music from a 60-bell carillon and view the intricate architecture of the tower that is the centerpiece of the property. Something is always blooming at Bok Towers and the colorful, fragrant blooms greet visitors as soon as they enter the gardens.
Creator Edward Bok’s grandmother told him to “make the world more beautiful because you lived in it.” He certainly did this at Bok Tower. The gardens live on long after Bok’s death and provide a place of inspiration and reflection for all who visit.
For more information on Bok Towers, check out the website at www.boktowergardens.org.
Hollis Gardens at Lake Mirror Park in downtown Lakeland is a great look at a city-operated recreation area. The gardens has more than 10,000 flowers and shrubs, including trees and blooms from seeds and cuttings from historic and cultural locations, including Graceland in Memphis. Neo-classical music is playing in the park which is a popular spot for weddings.
While in Lakeland, check out the swans in the lakes and the swan sculptures in front of businesses throughout the downtown. The swan is the unofficial mascot of the town. Years ago, Queen Elizabeth donated several swans to the town which started the tradition.
For a slice of old Florida, stop at Lang Sun Country Groves/Taste of Florida Cafe near Lake Alfred for a slice of grapefruit pie and citrus fresh from the grove. Oranges, grapefruit and honeybells are among the selections you can buy or have shipped to your home. Other natural Florida products are offered in the gift shop, which joins the restaurant. For more information, go to www.langsuncountry.com.
WHERE TO STAY
A vacation rental home is a great option for accommodations. We stayed at a spacious five-bedroom home in a golf community. For $200 per night, you have plenty of room for a large family or group of friends. The home has a large living room and kitchen and private pool and hot tub in the back yard. We stayed at a home at Providence Golf Club in Davenport offered by Contempo Florida Holidays. They can also help plan special occasions and arrange for personal chefs to prepare meals and in-house massages. For more information on Contempo Homes, go to contempovacationhomes.com.
For more information on visiting Polk County, go to www.visitcentralflorida.org or call 1-800-828-7655.
Angela Gary is an editor with MainStreet Newspapers Inc. She can be reached at AngieEditor@aol.com.
While in Polk County, be sure to stop at Davidson’s of Dundee Candy Factory, which has been featured on the Food Network. For more than 43 years, citrus candy has been produced at the candy factory. You can watch the candy being made and hear about the history of the company from Alice, who has been with the candy company for 43 years. All of the candy is great but I recommend the honeybell, which is sweet and tangy. The pink grapefruit is another good choice.
The shop also includes fresh fruit and Florida gifts. For more information or to place an order, go to www.dundeecitrus.com.
A highlight of our five-day visit was at Westgate River Ranch, which offers horseback riding, rodeos and campfire cookouts. It was my second visit, and this time around, horseback riding was on the agenda. It was a first for me and I was a little nervous, but I was immediately put at ease and given “Slow Bo” to ride. As Ray Duncan, a rodeo rider, helped me on the horse, he told me, “If you fall off of Bo, you will have to jump.” Ray gave us a few tips and then we were off for a fun one-hour ride alongside a pond, through a scenic wooded area and across fields where cows were grazing.
With all of the lakes, an airboat ride is a must for visitors to Polk County. Visitors to the dude ranch have the opportunity for an airboat ride on the property. After our horseback ride, we sped through the waterway spotting alligators and birds in a natural setting.
Cabins and a hotel, as well as camping, are also offered at the ranch. For more information the dude ranch, go to www.wgriverranch.com.
For some real adventure during your visit, go by Fantasy of Flight in Polk City where you can take a biplane ride or hot air balloon excursion and get a close up view of more than 40 vintage aircraft. A special exhibition on the Women Airforce Service Pilots (WASPs) includes videos and interviews of these amazing women who served their country during World War II. It’s a very inspiring display and you should take time to watch the videos. There is also an interactive children’s play area. For more information, go to www.fantasyofflight.com.
GARDENS
Central Florida is filled with beautiful gardens and one of the most well known is Bok Tower Gardens in Lake Wales. Bok Towers offers sweeping landscapes and lush gardens. Visitors will find a peaceful tranquil spot to stroll through historic landscaped gardens, hear music from a 60-bell carillon and view the intricate architecture of the tower that is the centerpiece of the property. Something is always blooming at Bok Towers and the colorful, fragrant blooms greet visitors as soon as they enter the gardens.
Creator Edward Bok’s grandmother told him to “make the world more beautiful because you lived in it.” He certainly did this at Bok Tower. The gardens live on long after Bok’s death and provide a place of inspiration and reflection for all who visit.
For more information on Bok Towers, check out the website at www.boktowergardens.org.
Hollis Gardens at Lake Mirror Park in downtown Lakeland is a great look at a city-operated recreation area. The gardens has more than 10,000 flowers and shrubs, including trees and blooms from seeds and cuttings from historic and cultural locations, including Graceland in Memphis. Neo-classical music is playing in the park which is a popular spot for weddings.
While in Lakeland, check out the swans in the lakes and the swan sculptures in front of businesses throughout the downtown. The swan is the unofficial mascot of the town. Years ago, Queen Elizabeth donated several swans to the town which started the tradition.
For a slice of old Florida, stop at Lang Sun Country Groves/Taste of Florida Cafe near Lake Alfred for a slice of grapefruit pie and citrus fresh from the grove. Oranges, grapefruit and honeybells are among the selections you can buy or have shipped to your home. Other natural Florida products are offered in the gift shop, which joins the restaurant. For more information, go to www.langsuncountry.com.
WHERE TO STAY
A vacation rental home is a great option for accommodations. We stayed at a spacious five-bedroom home in a golf community. For $200 per night, you have plenty of room for a large family or group of friends. The home has a large living room and kitchen and private pool and hot tub in the back yard. We stayed at a home at Providence Golf Club in Davenport offered by Contempo Florida Holidays. They can also help plan special occasions and arrange for personal chefs to prepare meals and in-house massages. For more information on Contempo Homes, go to contempovacationhomes.com.
For more information on visiting Polk County, go to www.visitcentralflorida.org or call 1-800-828-7655.
Angela Gary is an editor with MainStreet Newspapers Inc. She can be reached at AngieEditor@aol.com.
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