Beyond the Theme Parks: Exploring Central Florida

Whether a resident or tourist, this text explores Central Florida, from attractions within easy driving distance to places to enjoy real-life heritage. It includes photographs, an easy-to-follow map, a cultural arts calendar and lists historic sites and arts organizations with brief descriptions, addresses and phone numbers.

"Take a break from theme-park madness."--Florida Today

"A useful guide for both locals and tourists interested in enjoying something different." -- Daytona Beach News-Journal

"Brotemarkle takes us on a leisurely tour of 15 of central Florida's most interesting towns and cities, offering much more than the standard thumbnail sketches of each place. . . . The book is full of gems, along with a useful appendix which includes listings of Florida's arts and cultural organizations, a listing of historic sites, and a calendar of events. This book is a keeper!" -- Travel Writers International Network

"Brotemarkle shows there is much more to Central Florida than glitzy theme parks. He takes readers on a tour of ‘real’ Florida."--Tampa Tribune

"A valuable resource for anyone planning to get acquainted with the center of the state"--Florida Times Union

"What a great book! Every resident of and visitor to Central Florida should read Beyond the Theme Parks. It’s a splendid introduction to the cultural heritage of our area."—Glenda E. Hood, mayor of Orlando

"History, historic preservation, and our cultural organizations are all facets of the same jewel: the community of central Florida. Ben brings them together in a way that makes sense for those of us who live here and those who visit."--Sara Van Arsdel, executive director, Orange County Historical Society

"Ben Brotemarkle is the ideal arts journalist—inquisitive, attentive to detail, insightful. His work is a much-needed guide to ‘the other Florida.’"--N. Y. Nathiri, executive director of Preserve Eatonville and of the Zora Neale Hurston Festival of the Arts and Humanities

This book invites you to visit the number one vacation destination in the world and see sights that tens of millions of people miss every year!
 Whether you're a central Florida resident or a tourist in the Orlando area, this illustrated guide takes you to attractions within easy driving distance, where you can enjoy and explore a rich real-life heritage more varied and extensive than any theme park:
· cowboy culture and competition (a century in the making),
· the London Symphony Orchestra at their official summer home,
· Zora Neale Hurston's legacy in the oldest incorporated African-American municipality in the United States,
· a hotbed of antiques and collectibles and the most comprehensive collection of Tiffany glass in the world,
· a thriving spiritualist community (since 1894),
· a working Pioneer Florida settlement,
· the home of American space exploration,
· the biggest stock car races and motorcycle rallies in the country,
· art communities and festivals, architectural marvels, and examples of historic preservation throughout the region.

Benjamin D. Brotemarkle, host and producer of "The Arts Connection" on radio station 90.7 WMFE-FM in Orlando, has won journalism awards for his coverage of central Florida history and culture. His features have been heard around the world on Voice of America radio, around the country on National Public Radio, and throughout the state on Florida Public Radio.