Contact info: 4510 W. Irlo Bronson Highway, Kissimmee; 888-WE-JOUST; www.medievaltimes.com.

• Fantasy of Flight: Home to more than 40 rare and vintage aircraft, many of which have been restored to flyable condition. Interactive exhibits, restoration tours, aerial demonstrations, children's fun with flight center, biplane and hot air balloon rides are offered.

Contact info: 1400 Broadway Blvd. S.E., Polk City; 863-984-3500; www.fantasyofflight.com.

• Solomon's Castle and the Boat in the Moat Restaurant: Howard Solomon's shiny silver castle -- made of old newspaper press plates -- towers above 90 acres of Florida swampland between Arcadia and Zolfo Springs. Solomon, an artist, carpenter and stand-up comic, bought the 55-acre spread in the 1970s and has been working on it ever since. It's a popular tourist attraction and a bed-and-breakfast.

Contact info: 4533 Solomon Road, Ona; 863-494-6077; www.solomonscastle.org.

• Jurassic Park-themed Kid's Suites at the Royal Pacific Resort: These hotel suites make their debut at Loews Royal Pacific Resort at Universal Orlando. With raptor's cage headboards, custom wall murals, artwork from the making of the movies and Jurassic Park-themed furniture, these suites offer privacy for mom and dad, with a separate room for the kids.

Contact info: 6800 Lakewood Plaza Drive, Orlando; 888-273-1311; www.universalorlando.com.

• Holiday Inn/Ocala: Like no other Holiday Inn you've ever seen, this six-story, 133-room boutique hotel and conference center opened last fall and has 133 rooms, a dynamic lobby, Cypress Shadows Cafe & Lounge, Sky Asian Fusion restaurant, a spa, sauna and fitness center.

Contact info: 3600 SW 38th Ave., Ocala; 352-629-9500 or 888-HOLIDAY; www.ocalainn.com.

• Citrus: In the Uptown area of Orlando, it's from the same group that brought Hue to the hip diners around Lake Eola. It's New American, with contemporary twists, and splashes of Latin and Southern influences. Don't miss the decadent blue crab cakes.

Contact info: 821 N. Orange Ave., Orlando; 407-373-0622; www.citrusorlando.com.

• Ethos Vegan Kitchen: A true vegan restaurant newly opened in the Lake Ivanhoe area of Orlando, this full-service restaurant would please anyone who simply likes good food. It offers a full menu of healthful choices, with soups, wraps, pizzas, pastas and entrees -- and no animal products in sight. Go for the pecan-crusted eggplant. Prices are moderate, so your recycled cardboard wallet will remain healthy, too.

Contact info: 1235 N. Orange Ave., Suite 101, Orlando; 407-228-3898; www.ethosvegankitchen.com.

• Aquatica at SeaWorld: Aquatica joins sister parks SeaWorld and Discovery Cove. Featuring 36 water slides, six rivers and lagoons, and more than 80,000 square feet of seemingly endless, sandy beaches, this waterpark impresses in size and scope. Exhilarating encounters with the only Commerson's dolphins found in the southeastern United States, giant anteaters, brilliant birds and an array of exotic fish are all part of the fun.

Contact info: 888-800-5447; AquaticabySeaWorld.com.

• The Simpsons Ride at Universal Orlando Resort: The Simpsons mega-attraction opened in May. Guests are rocketed along with the Simpson family on a hysterical adventure.

Contact info: 407-363-8000; www.universalorlando.com.

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