There is no doubt that the large theme parks are what draw most visitors to the city of Orlando but those great places of fun and excitement are not the only thing that the city has to offer. Here are just a few ideas for some fun with a change of pace away from the noise and the crowds of the theme parks:
Visit a Museum – The Morse Museum of American Art with its magnificent collection of Tiffany glassworks and the Mennello Museum of American Folk Art are just two of your choices for viewing stunning example of Americana. For the more scientific minded, there is also the Orlando Science Center and the associated Crosby Observatory.
Enjoy the Outdoors – Orlando has a number of great parks including Lake Balwin for roller-blading and Lake Eola for a paddle boat excursion – or you can just people-watch as there is always something interesting happening in Orlando. If you prefer even more nature on your trip, try the Central Florida Zoo and Botanical Gardens.
Catch a Game – While the Magic of the National Basketball Association is the only major league team to call Orlando home, there are plenty of other options. Depending on the time of year, you can view spring training with the Atlanta Braves or Houston Astros, league play with the Titans of the National Lacrosse League and, of course, NCAA Division I football with the University of Central Florida Knights.
Do Some Shopping – Orlando draws some of the richest tourists in the world to its shops and make no mistake about it, there’s something for everyone. Favourite shopping destinations include the Mall at Millennia and the Park Avenue historical district. Both have a wide variety of shops from the finest haute couture to the simplest of knick-knacks.
Dine Under the Stars – The number of great restaurants in Orlando is impossible to list. They range across every cuisine and specialty. For a quick bite, try Hamburger Mary’s on Church Street; for sushi and Japanese, there is Ichiban on University; and the Dandelions Community Cafe for you vegans. Pricier fare can be found at Christini’s (Italian), Le Coq Au Vin (French, as you know) and The Hemisphere (steak and seafood).
Take a Day Trip – Orlando is a unique experience all on its own but it is also located fairly close to two other exciting places – the Kennedy Space Center and the Daytona International Speedway. Each will take you less than an hour to reach and both hold unbelievable memories. At the Kennedy Space Center, you won’t see a rocket actually take off but you will begin to understand the effort it took to put a man on the moon and to continue the current space projects. Daytona is a lot more visceral if you catch a race. In short, there are plenty of sights, sounds, smells and feelings to go around.
Of course, if you do decide to visit a theme park, you can easily find tickets at Love Orlando Tickets
. However, a trip to Orlando doesn’t have to revolve completely around the theme parks. In fact, you don’t even need to be an adrenaline junkie to enjoy the best that the city has to offer – a fact that millions of visitors realise every year.
makes a point of going travelling at least 4 times a year and has so far covered 46 different countries. Taking his family with him gives him an amusing insight into travel in every situation.