Florida

NORTHERN REGION

100 Years of Performing Arts – Pensacola – 2025: In 2025, the Saenger Theatre and the Pensacola Opera combined will celebrate 100 years of the performing arts in Pensacola. Pensacola is the only beachfront destination in Northwest Florida with The Big 5 – which includes the Pensacola Opera, the Pensacola Symphony Orchestra, Ballet Pensacola, the historic Saenger Theatre, and the accredited Pensacola Museum of Art, all positioned within Pensacola’s historic downtown core where there’s something for every kind of cultured traveler.

Daytona Aquarium & Rainforest Adventure – Daytona Beach – NOW OPEN: The Daytona Aquarium & Rainforest Adventure in Daytona Beach opened in early 2024 and is the destination’s first aquarium offering an interactive educational experience featuring animals from both land and sea. The 55,000-square foot facility will be located on the northwest corner of International Speedway Blvd. and Nova Road in the heart of Daytona Beach. Plans for the aquarium include close to 40 separate tanks including a 110,000 gallon shark tank and a stingray touch pool. There will also be habitats for alligators and crocodiles, frogs and snakes and an indoor rainforest with bushes, trees, rocks, sloths, armadillos and various types of birds.

Dolly Parton’s Pirates Voyage Dinner and Show – Panama City Beach – Spring 2025:  Country music icon Dolly Parton is bringing swashbuckling fun to Panama City Beach’s Pier Park with a captivating new attraction. Opening in Spring 2025, the immersive dinner show will feature epic pirate battles and spectacular stunts inside a sprawling 60,000-square-foot theatre, with two full-sized pirate ships and an indoor lagoon. Families can enjoy a four-course feast and action-packed entertainment with songs written by Dolly, enchanting mermaids, tropical birds, playful sea lions and more.

Friendship Fountain – Jacksonville – NOW OPEN: St. Johns River Park, located on the Southbank waterfront and home to Friendship Fountain, underwent a $6 million transformation. Plans included a botanical garden, themed play park, splash pad, concessions and fountain upgrades. Central to the park is an upgraded fountain with fully functional dancing jets choreographed to music and lights, boasting “water cinema”.​

St. Johns Botanical Garden & Nature Preserve – Hastings – NOW OPEN: The St. Johns Botanical Garden & Nature Preserve is all about conservation of rare and endangered species of plants from around the world, as well as natural resources and native plants and animals. This beautiful preserve located along Deep Creek in the rural Hastings, Florida opened to the public in October 2023 providing guided tours and programs, as well as classes on plant identification, xeriscaping, landscaping, native plants, water conservation, and so much more.

CENTRAL REGION

Mainstreet DeLand Celebrates 40 Years – DeLand – 2025: Mainstreet DeLand was among the first communities in Florida to receive the Main Street designation in 1985, and the 40th anniversary of that occasion is coming up in 2025! With a long-standing commitment to historic preservation, economic vitality, promotion, and organization, Mainstreet DeLand is the organization responsible for making downtown DeLand what it is today. Throughout the year, many of their events will pay homage to their 40-year history with special surprises throughout the year.

The Vinoy Resort & Golf Club’s Centennial – St. Pete – January 2025: The Vinoy Resort & Golf Club, known for its pink and proper exterior, recently underwent major renovations and will be celebrating its centennial milestone in January 2025. Located in the heart of Downtown St. Pete, The Vinoy stands as a testament to timeless elegance and historic allure, welcoming guests into a world of classic charm and refined ambiance. The Vinoy’s 100 years of sun-drenched hospitality reflects their never-ending quest to deliver thoughtfully curated and inspiring experiences.

Artic Flying Theater – SeaWorld – Orlando – Spring 2025: SeaWorld Orlando, the Coaster Capital of Orlando renowned for its impressive selection of thrilling and unique rides, unveiled plans for its latest groundbreaking attraction planned to open in Spring 2025: the World’s first-of-its-kind Arctic flying theater. This new experience invites families to soar over icy landscapes, dive beneath frozen waters and come face-to-face with some of the planet’s most magnificent creatures. From majestic beluga whales to awe-inspiring orcas and walruses, this adventure puts riders right in the middle of the action. It’s also all indoors, so rain or shine, this attraction guarantees a cool, thrilling escape for the entire family all year round.

Cabot Citrus Farms – Brooksville – NOW OPEN: Welcome to Cabot Citrus Farms, Cabot’s first American property in its diverse collection of world-class golf. Located in the central-west region of Florida, Cabot Citrus Farms is set across 1,200-acres of pristine natural beauty. It features two revitalized 18-hole golf courses, one 9-hole course, an 11-hole par-3 course, a new clubhouse and an unparalleled practice facility. In addition to golf, the property will offer luxury accommodations, real estate, food and beverage offerings, and amenities.

The Florida Aquarium – Tampa – 2025: The Florida Aquarium is currently undergoing a $45 million expansion—the largest in its history. In 2025, guests can enjoy the opening of the second phase of the project, which includes a new tide pool touch experience. The space features an expansive touch experience that triples the size of the current exhibit, a new tide pool water feature, and aquatic lounge where guests can enjoy the sights and sounds of this new experience.

SOUTHERN REGION

Bounce Sporting Club – Delray Beach – NOW OPEN: Bounce Sporting Club, New York, and Chicago’s leading luxury sports lounge opened its first Florida location in the heart of downtown Delray Beach at Delray Beach Market. This addition expands on the company’s commitment to providing first-in-market experiences, with unique food offerings, entertainment, and a premiere event space. Bounce Sporting Club Delray is poised to forever change the definition of a “sports bar” with the delivery of an unmatched entertainment experience. The luxury sports lounge takes up residence on the north side of Delray Beach Market located at 33 SE Third Avenue half a block south of Atlantic Avenue.

The Breakers – Palm Beach – NOW OPEN: The Breakers Palm Beach, one of America’s most iconic resorts, has embarked on a full-scale renovation of its renowned tennis and racquet facilities nestled within 140-acres of oceanfront property. This comprehensive $12M project, spanning over 104K sq. ft., will introduce 16 state-the-art, open-air courts – inclusive of tennis, pickleball and padel – each with its own exclusive comfort and refreshment cabana. This investment underscores the company’s commitment to elevating its unparalleled collection of amenities for hotel guests and club members.

Florida Keys Eco-Experience Trail – Florida Keys – NOW OPEN:  The Monroe County Tourist Development Council is launching a Florida Keys Eco-Experience Trail pass in December, featuring nearly 50 free geo-tagged, bookable experiences such as visiting Keys eco-attractions, taking a backcountry kayak tour or exploring the island chain’s wildlife refuges and state parks. Activities promote engagement with the Keys’ sustainability initiatives. Trail participants can discover unique nature tours, wildlife centers and refuges, coral restoration opportunities and fishing, diving and snorkeling in the Florida Keys National Marine Sanctuary. The mobile-exclusive digital Florida Keys Eco-Experience pass features offers, added values and Keys-branded prizes. Visit fla-keys.com/experience.

Key West Wildlife Center – Key West – Early 2025: The Key West Wildlife Center is unveiling a new elevated lime-green avian clinic and a welcome center, both targeted for completion in early 2025, within the 7-acre Sonny McCoy Indigenous Park at 1801 White St. near Atlantic Boulevard. The clinic is to offer therapy baths and digital X-rays to better serve native and injured wildlife. The new $2.4
million facility is to feature a dedicated treatment area with additional interior space for patient care, more exterior space for rehabilitation and protected space for education and outreach.

Marathon Wild Bird Center – Marathon – NOW OPEN: In Marathon, the 63.5-acre Crane Point Museum & Nature Trails has unveiled its all-new home for the Marathon Wild Bird Center with educational bird enclosures, a shaded outdoor seating area, and a hospital and rehabilitation facility for treatment of sick and injured rescued wild birds. The facility can shelter more than 40 nonreleasable birds and continues to treat about 750 birds annually. Since 1995 the hospital has rehabilitated more than 25,000 wild birds of different species and released them back into their natural habitat. Crane Point, listed on the National Register of Historic Places, is located at 5550 Overseas Highway (mile marker 50.5). Visit cranepoint.net or call 305-743-9100 or 305-743-3900.

Moody Tongue – West Palm Beach – NOW OPEN: Moody Tongue, the world’s first brewery to receive MICHELIN Stars, has its first Florida location, Moody Tongue Sushi West Palm Beach in January, the newest addition to its impressive culinary portfolio, at the Hilton West Palm Beach. Opening under the direction of acclaimed Brewmaster Jared Rouben and Executive Sushi Chef Hiromi Iwakiri, the restaurant features a 15-course omakase experience celebrating Moody Tongue’s passion for exploring hyper-seasonal ingredients with innovative beer pairings. Found within the newly renovated Hilton West Palm Beach, the intimate space highlights a traditional 14-seat omakase counter and luxe banquette seating.  The space encapsulates the tones, textures and richness of the Moody Tongue brand. The contemplative room features a nod to the sea, vibrance of the menu and colors found along the coastline.

RosaNegra – Miami – NOW OPEN: Miami’s gastronomic scene is in for a treat with the arrival of RosaNegra, masterminded by real estate visionary Robert Rivani, President of Black Lion. Opened in Summer 2024, this marks RosaNegra’s sixth location worldwide and its flagship in the United States. Celebrating Latin American cuisine and culture, this extraordinary restaurant combines gourmet dining with top-tier entertainment and personalized service. Set in a sprawling 13,634-square-foot space at SLS Brickell on South Miami Avenue, RosaNegra promises to be an epicurean haven at the heart of the city.