Some attendees may go along for the ride at Florida attractions, but if you want your group to take a more active role, consider the following interactive venues.
- Tampa's Phoenix Glass Studio and Gallery, featuring the sculptures of artist Susan Gott allows you to put your artistic talents to work during "Make Your Own" Hot Glass Workshops.
- New in the western Everglades, 30 minutes from Marco Island and Naples, is Gulf Coast Clays, specializing in trap, skeet, sporting and five-stand clay shooting on a 15-station sporting clay course. Group events are welcome, with lunch service and catering available, while plans are in the works to include coaching/skills workshops.
- Miles of ziplines are strung across the Florida treetops, but TreeUmph in Bradenton, billed as Southwest Florida's only elevated adventure, goes a step further with wobbly bridges, hanging nets, bungee swings, swinging logs, foot bridges, Tarzan ropes and other challenges that will keep your group happily hanging around.
"It gets the brain firing and the blood moving," says Aaron Corr, TreeUmph's co-owner. "People think they know what they're going to experience, but it always exceeds their expectations. They've done something they never thought they'd be able to do."
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The Miami Seaquarium may be one of the state's oldest gated attractions, but that doesn't stop them from constantly updating. Newly launched at the marine mammal park and aquarium is Seal Swim, which includes a 15- to 20-minute swim with seals in the park's exhibit pool. Participants also take part in a training session with these inquisitive animals.
- Groups crack the case at Orlando's CSI: The Experience, which challenges them to analyze forensic evidence and test investigative skills at "crime" scenes and in "autopsy" rooms.
- Celebrating its 100th anniversary in 2014, the Jacksonville Zoo and Gardens just unveiled a state-of-the-art exhibit featuring Asian Tigers and will partner with a local company, Old Florida Fish Camp, to launch boat tours of the Intracoastal Waterway this summer.
