In 2023, TIME named Tampa one of the greatest places in the world. The two Florida hubs to make the 2024 list are the World Equestrian Center in Ocala, and Marie Selby Botanical Garden in Sarasota.
To compile the 2024 list, TIME solicited nominations of places—including hotels, cruises, restaurants, attractions, museums, parks, and more—from its international network of correspondents and contributors, as well as through an application process, with an eye toward those offering new and exciting experiences.
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Marie Selby Botanical Gardens in Sarasota
Marie Selby Botanical Gardens, located in Sarasota, is set to become the world’s first net-positive-energy botanical complex. This achievement is made possible by the installation of a 57,000-square-foot solar array, which exceeds the facility’s energy demands by more than 10%. Visitors are greeted by a new welcome center, an open-air structure adorned with spectacular air plants. The gardens boast a world-renowned collection of epiphytic orchids, bromeliads, gesneriads, and ferns.
The expanded facilities include The Green Orchid, a concept restaurant that uses no onsite combustion and sources produce from rooftop gardens tended by military veterans. Additionally, the botanical gardens’ stormwater management system diverts and cleans millions of gallons of water each year before returning it to Sarasota Bay. Future projects include the restoration of the landmark 1920s Payne Mansion located onsite.
Plan your visit to The Living Museum online.
The World Equestrian Center in Ocala
The World Equestrian Center (WEC), situated in Central Florida’s rolling horse country, is the largest equestrian complex in the United States. The 378-acre, oak-lined campus hosts a biannual hunter/jumper series and Saturday night Grand Prix with a $100,000 purse, attracting athletes from around the globe. In March 2024, WEC will open a new 390-room hotel, The Riding Academy, featuring trophy-style lamps and stirrup-inspired accessories.
Other offerings at WEC include the posh Equestrian Hotel with 248 rooms overlooking the 128,000-square-foot Grand Outdoor Arena, multiple pools, luxury boutiques, and diverse dining options. From a French-style patisserie and gastro pub with live music to a chophouse with a master sommelier curating a 6,000-bottle wine list, WEC caters to a variety of tastes. The center also boasts 29 indoor and outdoor competition arenas that host Olympic athletes at top equestrian events, as well as non-horse-related gatherings like food and wine festivals.
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