Have you always wanted to spend the day swimming with the dolphins? To feel, to touch these magnificent animals is often a dream to many, but when you live or visit Florida, the opportunity is there to experience this firsthand. From now until December 15th, the Miami Seaquarium is offering a 30% discount to Florida residents.

The Seaquarium offers 2 different experiences at Dolphin Harbor, their 12,000 square foot, 700,000 gallon dolphin pool that is home 12 Atlantic Bottlenose dolphins. The first is titled Dolphin Odyssey. It is a 2-hour experience where participants are able to touch and feel the dolphins and learn where our fascination with dolphins stems from. Participants even have the opportunity for some deep-water interaction. The Dolphin Odyssey program costs $134 plus tax per person for Florida residents (regularly $199 plus tax).

The second is something new that is geared toward those that want the dolphin experience, but to a lesser degree or for those that are a bit younger. This program also lasts 2 hours, but instead of swimming with the dolphins, guests wade out into the pool and take part in a shallow water experience. Guests are able to feed and touch the dolphins, and take part in an educational seminar explaining how dolphins are trained among other things. Guests must be at least 5 years old. The Dolphin Encounter program costs $94 plus tax per person for Florida residents (regularly $139 plus tax). For children 5-9, the cost is $68 plus tax for Florida residents (regularly $99 plus tax).

For more information, call (305) 365-2501.

Photo Courtesy of Miami Seaquarium

Post from: The South Florida Traveler

• Could I have some privacy please?
• Norton Museum of Art
• It’s Time to Visit a New Museum
• Revolutionizing Online Reservations
• Restaurant Roundup

Photo Credit [Cindy Morales]

Post from: The South Florida Traveler

As much as I complain about Bank of America month after month, I still manage to give them my business. Why? Initially it was convenience as I used to be able to do my grocery shopping and my banking in the same trip, but that stopped years ago when Publix closed the B of A in my local store, but I’m still there.

I recently learned of a new perk that Bank of America added to their accounts (checking, debit or credit cards) called the Museums on Us program. This program allows card holders to receive free admission to nearly 70 museums nationwide on the first weekend of every month all year long just by presenting your Bank of America card. And for those of you that tend to be a little forgetful, they even send text message reminders.

Here’s a list of museums that honor the B of A card in Florida:

• Morikami Museum in Delray Beach
• South Florida Science Museum in West Palm Beach
• Museum of Discovery and Science in Fort Lauderdale
• Museum of Art in Fort Lauderdale
• Miami Art Museum
• Miami Children’s Museum
• Miami Science Museum

For a list of museums in other states, visit Museums on Us.

Photo Credit [Go Card USA @ flickr]

Post from: The South Florida Traveler

The Bon Festival takes place on Saturday, August 9th from 5:00  9:00 pm. Tickets are $10, $5 for children (7-17) and free for museum members and children 6 and under.

Post from: The South Florida Traveler

Here is a round up of the winners:

Gaming – Palm Beach Princess

Museum – The Flagler Museum

Theater – Kravis Center for the Performing Arts

Comedy Club – Palm Beach Improv

Beauty

Day Spa – Alesandra Day Spa

Hair Salon – Christopher Stephans Salon and Spa

Manicure and Pedicure – Nails by Rachel

Restaurants -

BBQ – Park Avenue BBQ

Brunch – Sundy House

Thai – Thai-Sakura Restaurant

Sushi – Sushi Jo

Fashion

Men’s Clothing – Maus and Hoffman

Vintage – Red Balloon Consignment

Shoes – The Shoe Spa

For a complete list, visit WPBF 25.

Post from: The South Florida Traveler

Photo Credit [Visit Florida]

The Norton Museum of Art, located in West Palm Beach, is home to over 5,000 works of art consisting of European, American, Chinese, Contemporary Art and Photography. It was founded by Ralph Hubbard Norton and his wife Elizabeth Calhoun Norton in 1941. Norton, who before moving to West Palm Beach, was the head of the ACME Steel Company wanted to preserve and share his large collection. The Norton has grown over the years and strives to share the permanent collection with the public while educating and promoting arts education throughout the community.

Currently, they are running some special exhibitions that you should not miss including:

In the Hands of African American Collectors: The Personal Treasures of Bernard and Shirley Kinsey (April 19 – July 20)

This exhibition offers a look into the journey experienced by the Kinseys. It includes slave owner’s documents, brilliant paintings and other important works of art by important African American artists.

Alexander Calder Jewelry (February 19 – June 15)

Photo Credit [flickr]

According to Norton Museum of Art Director, Christina Orr-Cahall, “For Alexander Calder, each piece of jewelry was a work of sculptural art. His inventive jewelry techniques echoed those used for his world-famous sculptures.” His jewelry has the same feel as his mobiles and continues to have a 3-D aspect and each piece is hammered and chiseled precisely.

Rubens to Corot (from March 19th)

This new collection at the Norton was a gift from Mrs. George T. Delacorte and is made up of 65 objects including Old Master, 19th and 20th Century paintings and sculptures from artists such as Rembrandt, Adriaen Hanneman and Joaquin Sorolla. This addition of Old Master works has increased the Norton’s collection making it the largest of Old Master paintings in the state of Florida.

In addition, the Norton has a full service cafe called Cafe 1451 and a beautiful gift store.

If you live in West Palm Beach, the Norton offers free admission on Saturdays. Residents of Palm Beach County receive free admission on the first Saturday of every month with proof of residency.

Post from: The South Florida Traveler

Legos! The ultimate childhood memory. Remember the days when you spent hours creating the most magnificent castle or turned the living room into a city of legos, never to be destroyed. Even now, you can’t resist sneaking through the Lego aisle at the toy store catching a glimpse of latest additions or even wrapping up the newest set for any child you know, so you have a reason to indulge in those childhood memories. Years later you discovered there was an actual Legoland, but it was built in Denmark. Oh please, just let it be a little bit closer. As more Legolands popped up in California, England and Germany, you swore that you would find your way out there. No such luck.

Well, the time has come. Legoland is coming to South Florida. (Well, not quite, but this is as close as it gets.)

Nathan Sawaya has created the first major museum exhibition called The Art of the Brick that focuses exclusively on using the Lego Block as an art medium. This exhibit is breaking records and is attracting fans, both old and young alike. He created over 30 sculptures (from 2002-2007) that will be on display using nearly one million standard Lego pieces. His conceptual vision and outstanding use of space is admirable.

Now, Sawaya has created a second exhibition and his first stop will be at The Art and Culture Center of Hollywood from June 7th through August 10th.

Now, even more exciting – The Art and Culture Center is pleased to announce its first LEGO Creation Challenge. This challenge is open to South Florida residents 6 years and older. Contestants (or groups of contestants) will design and build their very own LEGO creation. Contestants can do this at home and will then bring their creation to the center for display and judging. There will be different categories for judging, but hurry up, as they will only accept the first 50 entries. Good Luck!

Photo Credit [The California Tourist Guide and Resources Directory]

Post from: The South Florida Traveler