What once was a schlocky 7-acre tourist trap is now a world-class Dolphin Conservation Center. This, the descendant of the former Marineland of Florida (home of Flippy, the first-ever trained dolphin) and Marine Studios (1938), is 15 minutes south of St. Augustine and is on the National Register of Historic Places. Today, you can swim with dolphins in shallow and deep-water programs, create one-of-a-kind paintings with dolphin artists, enjoy summer camp for children focusing on science and exploration, and experience what it's like to be a dolphin trainer from 1 to 3 full days. The very young and those not inclined to participate may observe dolphins as they swim, play, and interact with guests, while more adventurous souls may take part in kayak tours exploring the estuaries of the Guana Tolomato Matanzas National Estuarine Research Reserve provided by Ripple Effect Ecotours. We also recommend the Touch and Feed Program, perfect for anyone who has ever wanted to touch a dolphin, but was discouraged by the cost of swimming with them. Cost is only $26 per person. (Note: Swimming with dolphins has both its critics and its supporters. You may want to visit the Whale and Dolphin Conservation Society's website at www.wdcs.org.)