Florida Is Not Just Disney

Since 2008, my wife and I have journeyed to Dade City, Florida at least twice each year, February and April, to visit the in-laws. During one or both of the trips we have attended a theme park – usually Disney World. This year we eschewed the theme parks and discovered there are other things to do in Florida.

During our April trip we trekked to The Pier in St. Petersburg and the Ringling Mansion and Museum in Sarasota.

The Pier is a promontory that protrudes into the Tampa Bay. At its farthest point sits a building that resembles an inverted five stories tall pyramid. The first floor hosts an olio of shops, the second houses an aquarium, the third contains an art exhibit, the fourth holds a restaurant, and the uppermost level comprises another restaurant and an observation deck.

We spent a couple hours at The Pier; did a little shopping, toured the aquarium and finished with the view from atop. It was a pleasant afternoon but I wouldn’t classify it as a “Must See.”

However, the Ringling Mansion and Museum is definitely a “Must See.” In 1926, the Ringling mansion was completed and according to The Ringling, the house is a splendid Venetian Gothic mansion on the waterfront that cost $1.5 million, a staggering sum for the times.

The place is majestic. It’s five stories and encompasses 36,000 square feet. I’m not an architect or interior designer, but I don’t need to be one to recognize opulence. The furnishings are grand; our guide informed us that most of the furniture the Ringling’s purchased for the house was used; acquired at high end auction houses in New York City.

John Ringling was a self-taught art expert. Once he completed his education he collected a vast quantity of art, including paintings and fine artifacts. He amassed so much artwork that he built a separate art museum to display it. We walked through the museum, but to be honest, I’m not into “fine” art and I thought it was boring. Now, if it had been comic book or movie poster art, it might have piqued my interest.

My favorite stop on the Ringling grounds is the Circus Museum. This place houses a variety of circus memorabilia, the Ringling’s restored private train car and the Howard Bros Circus Model.

The Howard Bros Circus Model was the highlight of the museum. Howard Tibbals created a ¾-inch-to-the-foot scale model, based on the Ringling Brothers and Barnum & Bailey Circus. It spreads out over 3,600 square feet. According to The Ringling, it’s complete with eight main tents, 152 wagons, 1,300 circus performers and workers, more than 800 animals and a 57-car train. The detail is amazing. Even at scale and separated by distance and Plexiglas, I could see the facial expressions of the models.

One of my big takeaways from this visit to Dade City is that there is so much more to do in Florida than Disney World Busch Gardens and Universal Studios theme park attractions. There is a whole state to explore.

Does anyone else think that skipping the theme parks in favor of other activities is worthwhile? What are your favorite places to visit in Florida? Any best kept secrets?