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Discover Florida

Florida is your backyard, and there's so much to explore. The Discover Florida program gives current FSC students access to discounted tickets, organized trips, and local adventures throughout the state. From beaches and theme parks to local festivals and nature reserves, there's always something fun and affordable waiting just down the road.

Important Notes

  • Discover Florida is for current FSC students only
  • One registration is allowed per student ID per trip
  • Trips generally become available for sign-up 3 weeks before the trip date at 12:00 PM (noon)
  • All event dates, times, locations, and prices are subject to change
  • Reminders are posted on Instagram @FSCCSI

Local Events & Attractions

20 Miles or Less

  • Bonnet Springs Park (Lakeland): 650-acre park with a canopy walk, butterfly house, Florida Children's Museum, and watercraft rentals
  • Circle B Bar Reserve (Lakeland): Free nature reserve with 12 miles of hiking trails, wildlife, and world-class bird watching
  • First Fridays (Downtown Lakeland): First Friday of every month, Free
  • Florida Air Museum at Sun 'n Fun (Lakeland): Florida's official aviation museum featuring vintage aircraft and hands-on exhibits
  • Food Truck Rally (Downtown Lakeland): Second Thursday of every month
  • FSC Waterfront Kayaking (On Campus)
  • Hollis Wellness Center Equipment Rental (On Campus):
  • Lakeland Downtown Farmers Curb Market (Downtown Lakeland): Every Saturday, 8:00 AM – 2:00 PM
  • Legoland Florida (Winter Haven): Theme park and water park, about 20 miles from campus
  • Mayfaire by the Lake (Downtown Lakeland): Mother's Day Weekend art festival (AGB Museum of Art)
  • Pigfest (Lakeland): Premier two-day barbecue competition and festival 
  • Polk Theatre (Downtown Lakeland): Historic art deco “atmospheric” theater featuring live performances, concerts, and screenings
  • Safari Wilderness Ranch (Lakeland): 260-acre wildlife safari by vehicle, kayak, or camelback
  • Silver Moon Drive-In Theatre (Lakeland): One of Florida's last drive-in theaters, showing double features nightly
  • Sun 'n Fun Aerospace Expo (Lakeland): Annual aviation event and airshow, one of the largest in the country

40 Miles or Less

  • Adventure Island (Tampa): Tampa's premier waterpark featuring thrilling slides, a wave pool, and a lazy river, right next door to Busch Gardens
  • Alafia River State Park (Lithia): One of Florida's best-kept secrets for mountain biking, hiking, and kayaking through scenic scrubland and along the Alafia River
  • Busch Gardens (Tampa): A world-class theme park combining heart-pounding roller coasters with immersive wildlife experiences and live entertainment
  • The Florida Aquarium (Tampa): Get up close with sharks, sea turtles, otters, and thousands of aquatic species in one of Florida's top marine attractions
  • I-Drive 360 (Orlando): An entertainment complex on International Drive featuring the Orlando Eye observation wheel, dining, mini golf, and attractions for every interest
  • Museum of Science and Industry (Tampa): MOSI is one of the largest science centers in the Southeast, with interactive exhibits, a planetarium, and an IMAX theater

50 Miles or Less

  • Walt Disney World Resort (Orlando):
    • Magic Kingdom
    • EPCOT
    • Disney's Hollywood Studios
    • Disney's Animal Kingdom
    • Disney's Blizzard Beach Water Park (seasonal)
    • Disney's Typhoon Lagoon Water Park (seasonal)
    • Disney Springs (free admission dining, shopping, and entertainment)
  • Universal Orlando Resort (Orlando):
    • Universal Studios Florida
    • Universal's Islands of Adventure
    • Universal Epic Universe (newest park, opened 2025)
    • Universal's Volcano Bay (water park)
    • Universal CityWalk (free admission – dining and entertainment)
  • SeaWorld Orlando (Orlando):
    • SeaWorld Orlando
    • Aquatica Orlando (water park)
    • Discovery Cove (reservations required)
  • Other Orlando Attractions
    • Funspot America (Kissimmee): One of the world's largest game centers featuring arcade games, mini golf, bowling, and rides
    • I-Drive 360 (Orlando): Entertainment complex on International Drive
    • Manatee Viewing Center (Apollo Beach)
    • Old Town (Kissimmee): Classic shopping, dining, rides, and weekly car shows in a nostalgic Main Street setting

70 Miles or Less

  • Clearwater Beach (Clearwater)
  • The Dalí Museum (St. Petersburg)
  • Fort De Soto Park (St. Petersburg)
  • Madeira Beach (Madeira)

Questions? Contact

Ryan Prince

Ryan Prince

Assistant Director of Student Involvement