Looking for things to do in Central Florida this summer? Then pack up the kids and head to Winter Haven for Cypress Gardens and Splash Island Water Park! Cypress Gardens has something for everyone from botanical and topiary gardens, a water ski show, southern belles, and a water park filled with thrills and chills.

Cypress Gardens opened in 1936, making it Florida's first theme park. Having been on a hiatus since November 17, 2008 to undergo renovations, Cypress Gardens is now reopened -- just in time for summer, too!

Formerly known as Cypress Gardens Adventure Park, the park has been renamed Cypress Gardens and Splash Island Water Park to emphasize the new, thrilling water park attraction.

Ticket prices vary depending on which parks you choose to visit. Prices have been reduced by about 40% off 2008 prices, and range from $12.95 to $23.95, depending on whether you visit the Gardens, Splash Island Water Park, or both! Ticket discounts are available for children and seniors.

The founding family of Cypress Gardens, Dick and Julie Pope, saw the lush botanical gardens as the perfect setting for beautiful Southern belles.

Remarkably, the belles who compliment the landscape so flawlessly were actually born out of necessity. In 1940, a vine near the park's entrance died in a frost. Mrs. Pope had a girl put on an "old-fashioned" dress, stand in front of the dead vine, and greet visitors as they were coming into the park to deter them from noticing the vine.

The belles quickly became iconic and a 'must-see' attraction when visiting Cypress Gardens. Still today, visitors take a step into the past as they encounter belles throughout the park with their beautiful hoop dresses.

Little girls who are aspiring belles can don tiny dresses in the Junior Belle Program, which has resumed upon the park's re-opening at an extra charge.

Other famous belles and gentlemen that have visited Cypress Gardens include Betty Davis, Johnny Carson, Carol Burnett, Esther Williams and Elvis.

The roots of the historical botanical gardens of Cypress Gardens and Splash Island Water Park were planted more than 70 years ago. Today, the gardens span more than 30 acres and feature numerous native and exotic plant species. At the center of the gardens stands an enormous banyan tree, planted from a seedling in 1939.

Meandering through the gardens, visitors can view more than 8,000 plant species from over 90 countries. An 80-foot bougainvillea and collections of azaleas, camellias and roses adorn the gardens. The gardens also include numerous tropical and subtropical trees and plants like banana, hibiscus, orchids and palms. For a Zen retreat, visit the oriental gardens with its stone lanterns and rock garden surrounded by serene green landscaping.

Stroll along Topiary Trail and enjoy a stunning array of topiaries. The topiaries are shaped in the likeness of animals including a peacock, swan, rabbit, inchworm and ladybug. The main attraction of the Topiary Trail is a cascading waterfall artfully adorned with brilliant flowers.

When you visit Cypress Gardens and Splash Island Water Park, don't miss out on one of their world-famous water ski shows.

The first water ski show ever performed at Cypress Gardens was in 1941 shortly after the park opened, and it happened quite by accident. After sending a photo of flowers with water skiers in the background to the Orlando Press, owner Julie Pope was caught by surprise the next day when three servicemen showed up wanting to know what time the water ski show started. Without missing a beat, Mrs. Pope told the servicemen that the show started at 3:30 p.m. and bade them to enjoy the gardens until then. Mrs. Pope then picked up her son, Dick Pope, Jr., from school, and with a group of his friends had them perform a water ski show, which started promptly at 3:30 p.m.

Today, visitors experiencing the park's professional water ski shows will be awed by the daring lifts and jumps, tandem jumps, barefoot skiing, the world-famous water ski pyramid, and adagio skiing which combines the poise of acrobalance and the talent of water skiing. Visitors will also have the opportunity to experience the graceful hang gliders, known as the Delta Kite Flyers, flying overhead. The World Famous Water Ski Shows are performed Saturdays and Sundays.

Introduced in 2005, Splash Island Water Park has many attractions that are sure to delight the entire family. Get soaked as you scramble through the four-story Polynesian Adventure play area with rope ladders, water cannons, water wheels, and a 42-foot high tiki head that dumps 300 gallons of water on bathers every few minutes.

Ride the waves in Kowabunga Bay, a 20,000 square foot wave pool, or just chill out in the lazy Paradise River.

If its thrills you seek, brave the 60 foot VooDoo Plunge. Choose from a straight, dipped, or twisty speed slide - all three will have your heart pounding!

Finally, climb the four-story platform of Tonga Tubes, hop on a tube and slide down either an open or closed slide through twists and turns and make a splash in the pool below.

Splash Island Water Park is open daily from May 23rd through Labor Day, and every weekend in September. The park opens at 10:00 a.m., but closing times vary throughout the months so be sure to check the park schedule.

Don't Miss The Concerts Starting In The Fall

A schedule of the park's concerts can be found on their website.

Go Hungry

For outdoor picnic-style dining, choose from hotdogs, burgers, corndogs, pizza, wings, and fries at Volcano Jim's open seasonally at Splash Island Water Park and Cypress Landing in Cypress Gardens open all year. Try a sweet treat at Cherry on Top serving Edy's Ice Cream and Sundaes!

Do Know How To Get There

Cypress Gardens and Splash Island Water Park is located less than 60 minutes from Orlando or Tampa in Winter Haven. The park is off U.S. Highway 27 south of Interstate 4.

From Orlando: from 1-4 West, take exit 55 and head south on U.S. Hwy. 27. Turn right on SR 540/Cypress Gardens Boulevard. The park is on the left.

From Tampa: From 1-4 East, take exit 27, Polk Parkway. Travel for 12 miles, and then take Exit 14 onto SR 540 exit Winter Lake Road. Take SR 540 to Hwy 17 North. Go over the bridge and make the next right onto Cypress Gardens Blvd. Cypress Gardens will be on the right.

Do Take Your Friends, And Go Back Often

Cypress Gardens and Splash Island Water Park offer special group rates and annual passes. Depending on the number in your group. Annual passes range from $39.95 to $69.95. Ticket discounts are available for children and seniors.

For more than 70 years, Cypress Gardens has been wowing visitors with spectacular water ski shows and stunning topiary and botanical gardens. Now with the addition of thrilling and refreshing water park and the grand re-opening of the park in March 2009, Cypress Gardens and Splash Island Water Park is one of the most popular Central Florida attractions.