What to do in Orlando?

[R W B]

Besides theme parks and the 3 places listed in the other threads here, what else does Orlando have that's a "must do" for out of towners? I'm planning a trip in June that's not including WDW and seeing what else we can do.

 

[Mead_Hall]

Hey R W B, I've lived in Orlando all my life and there are tons of things to do in the area. If you're coming with family there is the "I Drive" or International Drive area. Its about a mile long stretch of shops and attractions. Some of include a Dave and Busters (arcade), Fun Spot (go carts and carnival feel), Wet and Wild (Water park), and the Universal City Walk (shops, concert venues, movie theater, ect.) There is also a Karaoke Bar called Rising Star where you can sing with a full band. Not really for kids though.

If you are with a family and want to see "The Real Florida" you can shoot up I4 which is the main highway cutting through Orlando to any one of a number of springs. Wekiva Springs is one place you can both swim and rent canoes. Rock Springs is a few miles further and doesn't have canoe rentals. In the summer these places fill up quickly. Usually before noon.

If you're not bringing kids and want to do some "partying" check out the downtown area. The main road is "Orange Ave" and has many bars, clubs, and live music venues with local and national acts performing every weekend.

Also, the beaches are about an hour if not less from the Disney area. Thats both coasts! The West coast (Tampa, St Pete, Clearwater, ect) Is usually clear water, wide white sand beaches, while the East (Daytona, Cocoa) can be like that but has more waves for surfing, boogie boarding and the like. You can also drive on the beach in Daytona.

Ohhh yeah! Also, in St Pete on the West Coast is the Salvador Dali Museum. Its an amazing place and worth a visit. Its about an hour and a half drive from the attractions if traffic permits.

I am sure there are things I am leaving out like Gator Land but that should keep you busy for a while. I hope you enjoy your time here and remember to hydrate and bring sun screen!

Take care.

 

[R W B]

Wow, thats a wonderful reply!

Thanks for all of the information. Its just going to be my girlfriend and I traveling, shes 23, I will be 25 (birthday weekend).

We like the partying scene at night but during the day we are open to many different things. I'm trying to get a room at Mystic Dunes (waiting on replys) so we will be in the Disney area. Our last trip out there we drove down I-Drive but didnt stop anywhere except for the outlet mall at the very end.

Also I totally forgot about the beaches being that close. I stayed in St Petersburg for 2 months back in '05 with my uncle and it seemed really nice. I didn't know anyone so I didn't do much but drive around by myself, lol.

You gave me some really good information! One of my biggest things was to find out where the local night clubs were in Orlando. I'm really interested in going to one or 2.

Thanks for all the information though, I really appreciate it!

 

[KKItalia]

~~~~~~~~~

how do you do?

 

[riverscu0m0]

If you're traveling with young kids, or a lego enthusiast LegoLand just opened in FL where Cypress Gardens used to be. I went when it first opened so it wasn't 100% finished but it looked like it was going to be wicked cool!
There's a Dippin Dots on I Drive, as well as a Krispy Kreme. Those are hard to find here so we always make sure to stop when we're there! It's fun to visit all the touristy things like Orange World (they sell orange flavored gum there, it's so good!) Then of course, there's universal and other parks like Wet N' Wild which I can't give much info on since I've never been.

 

[GerryW80]

You could also check the Lakeridge winery. I prefer visiting the uncommon tourist places where you find the "Real attractions" and not just the tourist top attractions so i'd suggest you take out some time to explore few off the beaten path places in Orlando while you at it

 

[Jackwil80]

The Medieval Village located at the Medieval Times Dinner Theatre is one of the historic attractions you should definitely visit in Orlando. You will feel like you have gone back 800 years into time. Orlando's Titanic museum, dedicated to the famous disaster of 1912, is yet another fantastic historical attraction you will find there

 

[Hulacat]

You could also check the Lakeridge winery. I prefer visiting the uncommon tourist places where you find the "Real attractions" and not just the tourist top attractions so i'd suggest you take out some time to explore few off the beaten path places in Orlando while you at it

I love that winery's tours. While you are in Clermont, check out the free guided tours at the downtown Clermont Historic Village. It's adjacent to the lakefront park, has the original 1928 train depot built on site & several other buildings & homes of the "real" central Florida. The tours are from 1-4 on weekends. We loved ot so much we got married there
I also enjoy Uncle Kenny's BBQ located underneath the historic Citrus Tower- they have bbq eggrolls-yummy!
There are a few other places I love- try googling The Morse museum in Winter Park FL- it has the chapel inside that was built by Tiffany himself, plus Winter Park is sooo pretty to take a stroll in. Enjoy!!!

 

[Figgy1]

Kennedy Space Center is about 40 minutes east. A lot of ineresting exibits and a cool G-force experience

 

[disneysince71]

I would suggest staying on property. Every time we leave the traffic is horrible, and we regret it. We do hit Wal mart to pick up a few snacks/drinks. New Years week we attempted to hit the Outlet Mall because me Teenage son needed a jacket... It took us over an hour to travel 3 miles. So from my experience stay on property... Go Resort Hopping or Downtown Disney... So much to do!!