Xogaf Information

Florida is popularly known as the Sunshine State. It is home to beautiful flora and fauna. It is famous for its beaches. But other than that one has plenty of things to see and do. Be it your honeymoon, or a holiday with your family this is the place to be. The myriad tourist attractions in Florida are famous hotspots for all vacationers. From beaches to amusement parks one will find everything in here. Sightseeing in Florida is a true visual delight for all the vacationers. 10 Happening Tourist Attractions in Florida are listed below.

Cypress Gardens

It is located in Winter Haven, in Florida which is originally a botanical garden and famous for its water ski shows. It is now a theme park, and is very popular among kids. It is definitely among the top 10 Florida tourist attractions.

Daytona

Daytona Beach in Florida is famous for its motor sports attractions. It is well known for its Daytona 500 race. There are other motor sports exhibits as well which everyone will enjoy. It is a perfect tourist destination in Florida for all vacationers.

Busch Gardens

Busch Gardens is located in Tampa. It is a 335 acre theme park. The theme is Africa. There are many animals exhibited over there. There are very exciting rides which is a great hit with the kids. It has beautiful fountains and water rides.

Walt Disney

It is located just outside Orlando. It is a runaway hit with the children. There are many exciting rides and the cartoon characters are parading in the park, which is very popular with the kids. It includes the famous Magic Kingdom also. It definitely ranks among the top five in the 10 happening tourist attractions in Florida.

Morikami Museum and Japanese Gardens

It is located in Delray Beach. It is a centre for Japanese art and culture. There are two Japanese museums. Many Japanese festivals are held year round. This place also has the Japanese Gardens.

Gatorland

Gatorland is located in Orlando. It is an alligator theme park. It has a wildlife preserve too. The park is 110 acres big. It is a must see for everyone.

Seaquarium

The Seaquarium is situated in the middle of the tourist hub. It is between downtown Miami and Miami Beach. It is an outdoor aquarium. One should spend at least one half day to enjoy this place thoroughly.

Everglades

Among the Florida attractions Everglades National Park is a must see place which is situated on the southern tip of Florida. It has fourteen rare and endangered species. The endangered species include the Florida panther, American Crocodile and the West Indian Manatee. A vast part of the park is only explored only by researchers. Tourists can camp at this place and go for canoeing too.

Monkey Jungle

Monkey Jungle, is a fascinating place as one visits the place one will find that they have to walk through constructed wire pathways. Outside the wires the monkeys would be scampering around. The trip will not be complete if you have not visited one of the favorite tourist attractions in Florida.

Coral Castle

Coral Castle is a unique place in Miami. This place was built by a Latvian born person named Ed Leedskalnin. It’s a long trip from downtown. It is a monument built dedicated to his lover. It is an 1100 ton coral creation.

Enjoy the Florida attractions as you tour the state, and enjoy your holiday to the fullest.

Oklahoma City is a business and vacation destination par excellence. Oklahoma City tourist attractions include destinations and venues dealing with sightseeing, performing arts, sports, cinema, nature, flora and fauna, shopping, dining, and other themes. Museums, malls, restaurants, theaters, convention centers, lakes, canals…they’re all there.

The Bricktown entertainment district – the hotbed of restaurants and entertainment options including water taxi tours through the Bricktown Canal – particularly makes OKC a city you need to check out whether you’re an avid traveler or not. This could be the right destination for your next family vacation or the venue of choice for a trade show or business meeting. Here’s a broad classification of Oklahoma City tourist attractions:

Museums

• Oklahoma City National Memorial

• Oklahoma City Museum of Art (OKCMOA)

• Science Museum Oklahoma

• National Cowboy & Western Heritage Museum

• Oklahoma Railway Museum

• American Banjo Museum (to be opened in Bricktown by mid-2009)

Theaters and Convention Centers

• Civic Center Music Hall

• Stage Center for the Performing Arts

• Cox Convention Center

• Ford Center

• Lyric Theatre

• Jewel Box Theatre

• Kirkpatrick Auditorium

Recreation (parks, lakes, zoos)

• Myriad Botanical Gardens

• Oklahoma City Zoological Park

• White Water Bay water theme park

• Frontier City amusement park themed on the ‘Old West’

• Lake Hefner

• Lake Overholser

• Oklahoma River

• Bricktown Canal

• Lake Stanley Draper

Indoor/Outdoor Sporting Venues



• Ford Center

• Cox Convention Center

• AT&T Bricktown Ballpark

• Taft Stadium

• State Fair Arena

• Don E. Porter Hall of Fame Stadium

Movie Theaters

• Harkins Bricktown Cinemas 16

• AMC Quail Springs Mall 24

• Moore Warren Theatre

• Crossroads Movies 8

• Cinemark Tinseltown USA

• North Park 7

• AMC Crossroads Mall 16

• Dickinson Penn Square 10

• Winchester Drive-in

Malls

• Penn Square Mall

• Quail Springs Mall

• Crossroads Mall

• Northpark Mall

• Price Edwards & Company

• Golden Goose Family Flea Market

If you’re wondering whether you could ever manage to check out all these Oklahoma City tourist attractions during your vacation, rest assured that OKC hotels arrange shuttle services to all major destinations.

I have always been a political junkie. I mean, I love keeping abreast of both the local and national political scene. It intrigues me how citizens like you and I can rise to positions of power in local, state, and federally elected offices. Currently, we are witnessing a historic national democratic primary, facilitated by two popular candidates. On one hand, you have Illinois state senator Barack Obama who enjoys an almost rock star appeal. On the other hand, you have New York state senator Hillary Clinton who is using all of her power and influence to try to reclaim the White House. Now, I would agree that to the average political junkie like me (republican, democrat, or independent), this primary season is entertaining to say the least. Nevertheless I question, does the attainment of political office in today’s political atmosphere inspire leadership in our elected officials? Some may answer yes, citing former mayor of New York City, Rudolph Guliani’s handling of 9/11 as proof that American politicians are leaders. However, I’m not so easily convinced.

I am not so quick to agree with such arguments because even though American politicians have been using the term leadership in their campaigns since forever, I don’t think that we the American people require our elected officials to be true leaders. And when I say true leaders, I mean those that govern based on sound thinking, courage, vision, compassion, and don’t bow to the pressures of doing or saying whatever is necessary to be elected. For ever American politician that one can cite as having these qualities, there is another that displays the opposite. If this is the case, how can American voters decide on who to vote for in elections and shift the political conversation from simply elected officials to true elected leaders?

This question is hard to answer for the average American voter as political campaigns are loaded with high-priced consultants, pollsters, and spin doctors, all aimed to confuse you but still garner your vote. Every political season, American voters are bombarded with flyers, phone calls, advertisements, and pundits telling us either who we should vote for, or what issues should matter most to us. With this constant diet of propaganda, it is no wonder that so many Americans are disenfranchised with the political process and don’t vote on Election Day. However, the problem with this approach is that when we don’t vote, we are turning over our collective voice to the small percentage (relative to the total American population) that do vote. This means that any given candidate can get elected and claim to be a leader, simply by appealing to his/her party’s base (core voting group), leaving those that did not vote out in the cold if their views don’t coincide with the newly elected politician’s.

So, how do we demonstrate our collective voice and force our elected officials to govern as true leaders so that we get a political system that energizes the American public to participate? Well first off, you have to become an informed citizen. Informed in regards to:

How the political system works (the roles of the three branches of government: legislative, judicial, and executive)

How laws are created and passed

What the local, state, and federal election issues are, and how they can potentially impact you

Which candidates are running for which offices, and their corresponding platforms

In order to achieve all of this, that’s right, you have to research and read. I can’t stress this enough.

Doing your own research more than any other means of processing information, will remove your ignorance and disenfranchisement pertaining to our political process.

After learning about the political process, issues, candidates, and their platforms, you should observe the candidates in debates. Determine what you like and dislike about their responses, alliances, posture, appearance, etc. Listen to the political pundits as well, but not so they can determine for you, who to vote for, but for them to add to your wealth of information regarding the candidates and the issues at play. They may have access to information that you may not.

Also, try and discuss your political views in situations where you feel it is safe to exchange ideas without persecution or judgment so that you can get different perspectives regarding a given candidate or issue as it relates to other citizens that may not necessarily share your views because of a difference in background. But do be clear that this may be difficult for some to do because politics can be a testy subject to discuss if the environment is not supportive of open and diverse points of view.

Finally, vote!!!!!!! Vote for the issues or candidates that best serve you and your constituents’ purposes. Our elected officials can be true leaders if those that are voting make informed choices. Only then can the politicians that are put in office be expected to lead. Think about this as you evaluate those running for office in your hometown, state, and national offices this coming November.