Pirates invade the Sunshine State

The Florida peninsula is a pirate’s paradise. Full of travel treasure, Florida offers many opportunities to see buccaneers up close and personal. Set your course for adventure in paradise with Visitflorida.com and the following sampling of pirate-oriented experiences found in the Sunshine State.

Attractions:

PANAMA CITY BEACH
If you’ve ever wondered what life was like for a pirate in Panama City Beach, The Sea Dragon Sailing Tour is a good way to find out. The vessel is a real 85-foot pirate ship that takes guests of all ages on a two-hour cruise to see the beautiful sites of Panama City Beach. Piratecruise.net.

NORTH CENTRAL FLORIDA
Act as a modern-day pirate as you search for treasures on The Hidden Treasures of North Florida Geocaching Treasure Trail. This modern-day scavenger hunt lets visitors experience off-the-beaten-path sites that may have been hidden from the average visitor. Experience places like the plantation home of a descendent of Napoleon at the Tallahassee Museum or the South’s Most Haunted Town in Monticello. An interactive treasure map can be found by clicking the "Hidden Treasures" button on OriginalFlorida.org.

ST. AUGUSTINE
Set sail aboard the 72-foot top-sail schooner FREEDOM for The Ghosts of the Mantanzas Sailing Tour. As you glide over the water of the Mantanzas, the ship is overtaken by “pirates.” The captain shares stories, ghosts and legends from a pirate’s point of view. Tours run every Wednesday, Friday and Saturday and depart from the city marina. Ghosttoursofstaugustine.com.

ORLANDO
Three new “Disney Dollars” themed to Pirates of the Caribbean will be arriving at Walt Disney World Resort this spring. The bills, which may be used at merchandise locations on the Disney property, will celebrate the third chapter in the "Pirates" film series. Each bill, available in $1 denominations, features a stylized skull and cross bones on the front. Each film's flagship vessel (i.e. The Black Pearl, The Flying Dutchman and the new ship to be unveiled in the third film) will be included on the back of the “Disney Dollars”. Disneyworld.disney.go.com.

ZEPHYRHILLS
For an extra thrill, attend Skydive City’s Annual Pirate Day, held every New Year’s Eve. Guests are invited to dress in their favorite pirate attire, view an explosive fireworks display and even “walk the plank” into a nearby pond. Skydivecity.com.

TAMPA
Beginning June 22, the Museum of Science and Industry (MOSI) will be hosting a special exhibit entitled SHIPWRECK! Pirates & Treasure. Guests of all ages are invited to explore and discover ocean treasures in this exciting hands-on multimedia exhibition. The exhibit includes the premiere of a new interactive pirate display that presents the lore, legends and facts of pirates who sailed the oceans of the world. Also on display are treasures and historical artifacts. Mosi.org.

BRADENTON
The South Florida Museum presents Pirates! Florida’s East Coast Pirates…Scoundrels, Scalawags and Treasure. The exhibit will run May 19-Aug. 19, 2007 and will spotlight the fascinating lives of real-life pirates. Southfloridamuseum.org.

MIAMI
Salty’s Pirate Playground is officially open at the Miami Seaquarium. Children from 2-12 years old are invited to play in this attraction, which boasts a two-level pirate ship located at the center of a shark-filled moat. The pirate ship features water blasters, cargo nets, punch bags, padded areas and a spiral slide. Additional play areas for children of all ages are currently under construction. Miamiseaquarium.com.

Accommodations and Dining:

PANAMA CITY BEACH
The Holiday Inn Sunspree Resort is excited to announce the introduction of Pirate Thursdays. Guests of all ages are invited to take part in pirate-themed activities. Captain Crossbones and his crew take over the activities department with skits, treasure hunts and even a bit of “sword-fight training.” Kids can even join the crew for a pirate lunch. Hipcbeach.com/activities.

Just down the street from the Holiday Inn Sunspree, enjoy delicious dining fit for any pirate. Hook’s Grille & Grog, the Treasure Ship Restaurant and Captain Crabby’s are three of the area’s restaurants specializing in piracy. At 4 p.m. daily, infamous pirates such as Captain Dan and Bonnie Bell take over the restaurants, searching for fellow scalawags. All ages are welcome. Thebeachloversbeach.com.

ST. AUGUSTINE
After a long day at sea or sightseeing, landlovers can rest their heads in The Pirate Haus Inn and Hostel. The affordable, pirate-themed inn features two dorm rooms, one all-girl and one co-ed complete with bunk beds and five tropically painted private rooms. Even better, each day at the Pirate Haus Inn begins with an all-you-can-eat pancake breakfast. Piratehaus.com.

ORLANDO
Pirate’s Dinner Adventure, the “World’s Most Interactive Dinner Show,” is comprised of tiered seating for 800 guests and is known for its first-class entertainment. The attraction treats guests to an energetic, adventurous and interactive dining experience. Diners set sail on the high seas aboard a pirate ship for swashbuckling thrills, combined with the perfect blend of comedy, romance, action and adventure. Pirate’s Dinner Adventure is offering a Florida Resident Discount for the entire month of May. Piratesdinneradventure.com.

CAPE HAZE (near Fort Myers)
Friday evenings at the Palm Island Resort are anything but ordinary. At the Farewell to the Sun Celebration, kids are welcome to listen to stories told by the pirate Red Beard and join in sing-alongs as parents relax and enjoy the sunset. The weekly festival celebrates the stories and songs of Florida’s infamous pirates. Activities also include arts and crafts and treasure hunts. Palmisland.com/activitiesredbeard.php.

Festivals and Events:

FORT WALTON BEACH (near Destin)
Billy Bowlegs Pirate Festival, voted a Top 20 Event by Southeast Tourism Society for 2007, will be held at Fort Walton Beach Landing June 1-4, 2007. The 52nd annual festival features food vendors, arts and crafts, fireworks, music and entertainment. The Torchlight Parade, featuring floats from local businesses along with Captain Billy and Queen and the Krewe of Bowlegs, will conclude the festival. Destin-fwb.com.

ORLANDO
Experience Elmo and the Bookaneers at SeaWorld Orlando from April 2 through Labor Day Weekend. The gang, including Elmo, Bert and Ernie, Rosita, Telly Monster, Cookie Monster and Abby Cadabby combine singing, dancing and learning to read during an all-new 20-minute pirate adventure for the whole family. Seaworldorlando.com.

TAMPA
As part of Tampa’s heritage for more than 100 years, the Gasparilla Festival spotlights the life of fearless pirate Jose Gaspar. Various events surround the festival, including arts and crafts shows, the Gasparilla Children’s Parade, the Gasparilla Distance Classic and the Gasparilla Pirate Fest. In late January the Tampa community sets off the celebration with a bang, leading up to the infamous pirate invasion in early February. Visittampabay.com.

MADEIRA BEACH (Near St. Petersburg)
Get set for the John Levique Pirate Days at John’s Pass Village June 8-10. Celebrate the discovery of John's Pass by John Levique during three pirate-themed days full of entertainment. Among the activities at this free event: a pirate’s ball and adult costume contest, an open air market, village-wide treasure hunt, flotilla invasion and water battle and children’s activities. Johnspass.com.

FORT MYERS BEACH
The Second Annual Pirate Festival will be held Oct. 6-7, 2007. Guests are invited for a weekend of food and treasure hunting along Fort Myers Beach. Events also include a walking pub crawl and cardboard boat race, as well as a Jack Sparrow look-a-like contest. Fmbpiratefest.com.

KEY WEST
Fort Zachary Taylor Historic State Park will be hosting the Pirates in Paradise Festival Nov. 29-Dec. 2, 2007. The four-day event, now in its eighth year, portrays the Golden Age of Piracy and draws close to 100 piratical re-enactors and thousands of visitors. The festival will begin at the end of hurricane season and feature a ceremonial burning of the hurricane flags. Other events include a reenactment of the trial of Anne Bonny and Mary Read and attacks upon Fort Zachary Taylor by pirates from ships and onshore. Piratesinparadise.com.