2 weeks in orlando (no Disney) - What to do? Beaches, state parks, other attractions?

[GEM]

Hi all! We are going to be in Orlando for two weeks (June 21st-July 5th) staying in a 3 bedroom villa at Cypress Pointe.

We aren't interested in doing the Disney or Universal parks on this trip. We've done them many times and have no interest in fighting the summer crowds. We are thinking about a day at Sea World, though, since our little guy is fascinated by fish.

We would love to know what other things you enjoy in the Orlando area! We don't mind driving a bit for day trips and things like that.

We would especially be interested in state parks, beaches, unusual "roadside attaction" type places, etc. We've done Gatorland and loved it! What esle should we check out?

Thanks!

[yecats]

Well you may want to do Busch Gardens in Tampa. There is the dolphin swimming adventure next to Sea World (this is expensive). There is the NASA facility on the coast (day tour). There are also plenty of other tours that you could probably pick up pamplets for from the main CP office. I've had friends do snorkeling/snuba tours in natural springs area (some with natural wildlife such as manatees) and hot air balooning in that area. Then theres the beach both Gulf and Atlantic sides. I would visit St. Augustine if your willing to travel as it is one of the oldest Fl. towns which an interesting history to it. Also take in a few of the dinner shows around Orlando or mini golf on Disney property. Best part about a vacation where you don't hit the theme parks is you get to enjoy the pool at your own vacation home and just chill out. Enjoy.

[sweet maxine]

I have two books that I've read through and I've found them both to be very informative about things to do in that area. Our trips are always never long enough to try to get to all of them, so I'm always hoping for another opportunity to try!

The books are--

Orlando, Central & North Florida (Includes St. Augustine, Pensacola,Jacksonville an Explorer's Guide & by Sandra Friend & Kathy Wolf

Around Orlando with Kids--60 Great Things To Do Together a Fodor's book by Jennie Hess

I bought both of these at Barnes & Noble, but I'm sure you could find them elsewhere as well. I think they're both well worth the money. The first book is very thick, and contains lots of information about Florida. On the cover is a picture of the entrance to Gatorland. The second book is very small, and gives nice descriptions of child-friendly things to do in the Orlando area. I think you can find what you're looking for in either of these books. They both call attention to some off-the-beaten-path kind of activities.

Hope that helps!

[RobinMarie]

Discovery Cove is a nice full day experience and can be purchased with 7 days of Seaworld and/or Bush Gardens for very little add-on expense.

A leisurely day at Celebration is always nice.

Lots of folks seem to enjoy Old Town (never been there myself, though drove by it countless times)

http://nature.org/wherewework/northamerica/states/florida/preserves/art5523.html
Why You Should Visit
The Nature Conservancy's Disney Wilderness Preserve is a remarkable place for nature lovers of all ages and interests. The preserve is home to hundreds of wildlife species and is bordered by one of the last remaining undeveloped lakes in central Florida.

A 3-mile hiking trail and off-road buggy tours are available to visitors who want to learn about the preserve’s resident plants and animals and the Conservancy’s efforts to restore and protect them.

Location
Just south of Orlando at the headwaters of the Everglades ecosystem.

Hours
The preserve is open daily 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., October through May. Buggy tours are held on Sundays at 1:30 p.m., October through May. (From June through September the preserve is open Monday – Friday, 9 a.m. – 5 p.m.)

Size
12,000 acres

[Gillian]

It's a bit of a pain to get to, and a little expensive, but our kids (then 3 & almost 1) loved Caladesi Island state park! You have to drive to Honeymoon island park ($5 per car I think) & then take a boat to Caladesi ($8 per adult, kids are less). The water there is very calm (like you bahamas pic) and it was great for the kids. It's not a really exciting place, but we had a great time!

Caladesi (http://www.floridastateparks.org/caladesiisland/default.asp)

Honeymoon island (http://www.floridastateparks.org/honeymoonisland/)

We also liked Pass-a-grille public beach, on the southern end of St Pete beach.

[SplshMtn99]

In December, MIL took us to Blue Springs State Park to see the manatees in the wild. Only $5 for the carload of people. It was a great treat to see the REAL Florida & get away from commercialized Orlando.

Pack a picnic lunch & make a day of it.
You can even swim in the spring. The water is crystal clear & 72 degrees.

http://www.floridastateparks.org/bluespring/default.asp

[kikipug]

Daytona Beach; park your rental car right on the beach, enjoy the sun, sand and surf for a few hours; pack up and head over to DAYTONA USA at Daytona International Speedway; great interactive museum featuring all kinds of neat racing memorabilia and IMAX movie, plus a tour of the track.

Ponce Inlet, just a few miles south of Daytona Beach, has the Ponce Inlet lighthouse, (which is beautiful), and the Marine Science Center- a neat little educational place! Hit "Inlet Harbor" for lunch or dinner- eat outside on the deck- live music day and night, and porpoises that swim right up to greet you on occasion. Beautiful sunsets there.... one of my favorite 'simple pleasure' places on earth! Little guy can feed the fish there, too!

If you have a little $ to spare... sneak away alone for a few hours to check out the Day Spa at the Ritz-Carlton Orlando... Heaven on Earth... (need to book your appt's in advance, though.)

The Villa's are beautiful- I stayed there last year for a few days! Enjoy!

[vernon]

I think SeaWorld would be a great choice,don't forget they usually run a 2nd day free promo as long as you return within 7 days of your visit. With a little one it often slows you down getting about the parks, so the 2nd day free really helps you to cover all the attractions at the park. If you're going in summer the waterparks will be a popular choice.

Here are a couple of other more unusual days out that you might like to try. Taking a trip on an airboat ride into the wetlands is a lot of fun. Boggy Creek airboat rides was the one I went on. In the real HEAT of summer it may be better to try an evening ride as this is the best time to see gators, but we had fun during the day anyway. Other choices are

Disney's Wilderness Preserve. This is about 20 miles from WDW in the Poinciana area http://nature.org/wherewework/northamerica/states/florida/preserves/art5523.html

The Bok sanctuary about an hour south of WDW in Lake Wales http://www.boktower.org/

The sunken gardens at St Petersburg. I'd double this up with a couple of hours at the Salvador Dali art museum, but with a little one that may not fly. http://www.stpetersburg.com/attractions/index.shtml

If you've not been to Busch Gardens at Tampa that may be a good option as well. They have a great kiddies play area, some good animal exibits, a few shows and a number of areas with rides just for toddlers. Again they usually run a 2nd day free program.

[spiceycat]

www.cypressgardens.com
has reopened.

www.silversprings.com
is also state owned these days.

both are around an hour to 90 minutes from Kissimmee.

if you several weeks then order a free guide from
www.floridakiss.com

this the Kissimmee/St cloud visitors and convention center guide.

[spiceycat]

if you have the money (this is expensive) I would go on a ballon ride - well I won't I have a problem with heights - but even so they look fun~!!

[mis099dlm]

First, I'm not a new member, just lost my password and I have a new email address so I can't recover. I used to be RonnieM.

If you have a zoo, museum, or COSI membership, check their reciprocal agreements with institutions in FLA. COSI has agreements with the space museum in Orlando and most other space museums in FLA. Admission is often free or greatly reduced.

I second St. Augustine. The Castillo is unique to the USA. Very cool if you're into that kinda stuff. The town is interesting with open air trolley's you can hop on (with paid ticket) and off throughout the historic section. This makes touring very easy.

Fort Desoto park about 2 hours south near Sarasota is a great beach park. Playground equipment, clean restrooms, and miles and miles of nice beach.

Wekiva Springs park about 45 minutes north of Orlando is a good place to swim and canoe very inexpensively. It's a fresh water spring (clear, cold, but refreshing) so no bacteria concerns. We saw dozens of turtles, birds, and huge gar (fishes). We also saw a fox (maybe coyote, but I'm pretty sure it was a fox) and as we drove around the park. It's an easy canoe, just bring bug spray. We didn't get bit, but the potential is there.

[kikipug]

just bring bug spray

That's our state motto here in FL!!! :sunny: Especially in the summer!!! Remember that wherever your travels take you!

[magicmouse2]

We are thinking of doing a simlar thing -2 weeks, no Disney. I can only take my vacation in July or August this year , and I dont think I would enjoy WDW as much then. We normally go to WDW in April/may. I have thought about visiting the everglades and Sarasota Area. I also wanted to visit Key West but I think the drive may be too tiring. I would like to visit Busch gardens though as we havent been there for years. :boat: :sunny:

[buzz2400]

Last year we went to amazing exotics which was a little over an hour north of orlando. My ds and I still talk about the cute little cappuchian monkeys that we played with. The tour was so so but the interaction with the monkeys was a memory for lifetime. We also played with a bigger monkey and a lemur and we got to touch a leopard.
http://www.amazingexotics.com/tours.html#SAFARI

[ducklite]

Try this link for a TON of day trips, many with minimal to no cost, and most winthin a 30-45 minute drive of Cypress Pointe.

http://www.lakegovernment.com/visitors/

Anne

[floridagirrl2]

St Augustine is beautiful and historic and FUN. There's lots to do for people of any age--there is the beach where you can swim, bike, rent windsurfers, etc., you can go for boat rides on the Matanzas River, visit the fort, the Alligator Farm, go on trolley tours& ghost tours (even a haunted pub tour! :earboy2: ), plus there are a zillion restaurants, art galleries, a historic downtown, a lighthouse to climb, an enormous outlet center a few miles away, etc., etc.

To DH and I, St Augustine is like Disney just in the sense that you never run out of things to do!

[GEM]

Thanks so much for all the great information!! :cool1:

There is tons of wonderful stuff listed here and I'm going to check out all the suggestions. I'm especially interested in the chance to get out and see some of the "real" Florida, so the state parks and beaches sound really neat!

If anyone else has any other suggestions, I would love to hear them!

[kikipug]

Whatever you decide to do, it sure looks like Paul will need gallons of sunscreen for his fair, fair skin!!!:cutie:

[GEM]

Oh, yeah. He is one pale skinned, blond haired, blue eyed little dude. We pretty much keep him totally coated at all times. :rotfl:

So far, he's been to Disney World (twice), the Bahamas, and Williamsburg in the heat of summer - all without ever even getting the slightest bit pink!

[kikipug]

Oh, yeah. He is one pale skinned, blond haired, blue eyed little dude.

And a beautiful one, at that! Enjoy him!!!!

[15MinutesFromWDW]

NASA may be a little hard with that cutie-patootie little one. (Even with 8-year-old nephew we had to skip the bus tour half of NASA, because he just couldn't take it.)

If you're into browsing, let me first advise that you stay away from the Florida Mall. There is not one single store there you don't already have in your malls at home, the parking is HORRIBLE, traffic is HORRIBLE, and the mall is always crowded 'n' crabby. The Mall At Millenia is interesting to some people because it's got all the fancy stores (I'm poor, so it just bums me out, lol). Even though it's not very full yet, I highly recommend Festival Bay at the north end of I-Drive. (www.belz.com) It's got some unique stores and restaurants, and is a nice couple of hours of strolling (it also has the only Cinemark theater in town -- NICE!). Downtown Orlando is tiny, but is also nice for an afternoon's stroll.

You might check the Calendar section at www.orlandoinfo.com I don't know if it's your thing, but there are almost always lovely Tiffany glass exhibits at the Morse Museum, and I just read about an interesting-sounding exhibit in St. Petersburg about Princess Diana's life. There's also the Leu Gardens (hurricane restoration began the second the winds died down).

When you head to the beach, I also highly recommend budgeting time to stroll through Cocoa Village (Bankers Bar & Grill is always a fun restaurant, built in an old bank building, complete with vaults!), and Merritt Island. If you get to Merritt Island, don't miss The Wacky Hut & Downtime Patio(www.thewackyhut.com -- call, because the hurricane blew them one street over from the address listed on the site). It's the one of those only-in-Florida kind of places, lol. They've got a store full of cool/artsy/fun gifts and souveniers, a dining patio, outdoor dance floor (carpeted -- upside-down, lol!) and band stage, and a second building (the inside is shaped like a ship -- hard to describe, but neat to see) with an indoor dining room. The owners are about the friendliest people you'll meet, and the food's yummy!

[reddixie]

"I would visit St. Augustine if your willing to travel as it is one of the oldest Fl. towns which an interesting history to it. "


LOVE this response! St. Augustine founded in 1565 it is the oldest occupied city in the United States. I too give a big thumbs up to St. Augustine. I also love Mt. Dora, Blue Springs, Silver Springs, Juniper Springs, Cocoa Beach, Ponce Inlet(St. Augustine's and Ponce Inlet Lighthouses are still working). There is so much to do in Florida whether you like nature or man made. Only thing I haven't done is the Space Station in Central Fl. I also would love to head over to West Palm Beach and Miami. http://www.ci.st-augustine.fl.us/visitors/history.html Here is a link to St. Augustine. HTH

[Bella the Ball 360]

I did not read all the responses so I apologize if this has already been suggested. I say go to Gatorland. It is fun if you have children especially boys. We usually bring in a pound of cheap hot dogs to feed the gators. MY sons loved it.

[annabelle]

Anna Maria Island! Just south of Tampa... talk about old Florida... no highrises, concrete boxes, neon signs... just a nice tropical, laid back feel with plenty of restaurants, family owned hotels and boutique shops... and plenty of gorgeous beaches! We're going there after a week at Disney to decompress. There's a "dolphin cruise" you can go on that's $20/person for a 90 minute boat ride. For $30/person, the ride lasts 3 hours and they'll take you to an island that has ruins from an old fort... plus a great sandbar off the coast. My kids can't wait to see the dolphins!

[Immelman]

the keys. most beautiful place in the world.

[madisonsmom]

I would reccommend De Leon Springs State Park, they have a neat restaurant there that is inside the park where you sit at a table with a griddle, order your food and then you get to cook it. Especially fun if you have older children. Then you can stay and swim during the day and have a picnic for lunch if desired. I would also recm'd Wekiva Springs for Canoeing and Swimming.

If you goto the West Coast, Weeki Wachee is fun...the world of mermaids!

[kikipug]

the keys. most beautiful place in the world.

I agree, however, that's not a car trip I'd want to take with a little one!!!!

[madisonsmom]

I also meant to put in my prior post that if you go towards the Ft. Lauderdale area there is "Lion Country Safari" which is a TON of fun, you get to drive your car, or you can rent one of their jeeps and drive through the safari yourself where there are giraffes, lions, rhino's, ostrich, emus, etc, etc, and then there is a zoo area that you can walk through as well. Definitely worth the drive, not sure of the cost as it has been years since we have been there, but I am sure they have a website if you do a search for it.

Also, the Orlando Science Center is incredible, lots of hands on stuff and worth going to, especially a good rainy day activity.

[Susie]

Anna Maria Island! Just south of Tampa... talk about old Florida... no highrises, concrete boxes, neon signs... just a nice tropical, laid back feel with plenty of restaurants, family owned hotels and boutique shops... and plenty of gorgeous beaches! We're going there after a week at Disney to decompress. There's a "dolphin cruise" you can go on that's $20/person for a 90 minute boat ride. For $30/person, the ride lasts 3 hours and they'll take you to an island that has ruins from an old fort... plus a great sandbar off the coast. My kids can't wait to see the dolphins!

We are going there in October to round off our Florida holiday. We reckoned that after 2 weeks in Orlando we need 1 week to just chill out. Last October we did the same 2 weeks in Orlando and 1 week at the beach but we went to Clearwater which was fine. One of DH's work mates had told us about Ana Maria Island so we drove there and spent a fantastic day there - the closest to paradise we've ever been so this year we're having a week there and can't wait. So if anyone can reccommend shops, restaurants etc it would be much appreciated. :cheer2:

[26555]

Great thread and I'm glad no one is calling you crazy for not doing theme parks while in Orlando for two weeks (given this is the Disney crazy boards). I think its a great idea to check out stuff you may have missed on other trips. (like time to relax) You might also book a couple of PS lunches or dinners at some Disney resorts in case resort touring seemed fun. For doing the beach, you might want to go ahead and book 1 night someplace even though you have CP accomidations. 1 night gets you two beach days and you'll have a place to go if it rains or you need a break from the sun. Cocoa beach was sort of old FL in places and the Ron Jon surf shop was fun to tour. Stop at the welcome center and ask about where locals go for seafood or for breakfast.

[26555]

If you have a zoo, museum, or COSI membership, check their reciprocal agreements with institutions in FLA. COSI has agreements with the space museum in Orlando and most other space museums in FLA. Admission is often free or greatly reduced.


I agree with this. Join http://www.amod.org/ in your home state and get into OSC (www.osc.org) free. (Young kids and even my 6 year old enjoy playing with those pretend oranges.) If you end up in Tampa, you can also check out the MOSI. Tampa also has a nice aquarium and zoo that may be free if you have joined a zoo in your area.

http://www.lowryparkzoo.com/

http://www.flaquarium.org/

www.mosi.org

[Ted and Holly]

I think June is a little late, but if you are going to visit a Gulf Beach, be sure to check the Red Tide Report (http://www.floridamarine.org/features/view_article.asp?id=9670#Map) before you go.

Ted