Off day from parks where to visit?

[dis2cruise]

Don’t mind driving about 1 hour to visit.
Rather not see oceans/gulf more like quaint type towns
with cute shopping and restaurants wouldn’t mind
bike trails, etc.

thanks!!

 

[nkereina]

My parents spend the winters in downtown Melbourne and they love it. I can't speak to bike trails, but downtown Melbourne is quaint, on a small harbor, and has a stretch of cute shops and restaurants. Its also just over the bridge to the ocean and beach if you change your mind on that. They also like to visit New Smyrna Beach which has a fun strip of restaurants and stores, but is right on the beach. If you're willing to go further, St. Augustine is great too.

ETA: My recommendations are all on the east coast. I agree with PP below that the gulf has some nice spots without doing the beach, but I'm not sure I would describe them as "quaint" and they are >1 hour drive with traffic. We've always find the gulf to be much busier and touristy compared to the laidback, easier to navigate Atlantic side. Pros and cons to both.

 

[Timandalicia]

Off day? Blasphemy. Just kidding, we do off days. You say no gulf but that’s where the cute towns are, so you could experience them with out hitting the water. I’d check some of them out. Just look up college spring break destinations and cross those towns off your list and you’ll find all the cute towns. Lol.

 

[schumigirl]

if you love quaint towns, Mount Dora is beautiful. Very old town America with lovely little stores and there are boat rides available. Little further on is Tavares which I`m not sure has a bike trail or not but there is a walking trail. Again very lovely tranquil place.

Winter Park and Winter Gardens are two other places we love to visit. They both have shops, are both very pretty and I`m sure if you google both you`ll find activities you may enjoy. Winter Park has a lovely little boat ride too that takes you around the lake.

You say you don`t want near oceans but I`d agree with nkereina, New Smyrna Beach and St Augustine are both stunning. NSB will take about an hour or so to get to (from Universal Orlando Resort) St Augustine takes about two hours. Both are amazing.

All of the above are places we love and spend lots of time visiting them all. Lovely shops and restaurants in all and you`ll be spoiled for choice.

 

[Kimpossible1]

Showcase of Citrus located on Rt. 27 in Clermont is a fun day. You can take a tour of the fruit groves and swamp inside an open air re-tooled school bus. They have a petting zoo and a small gift shop. It's a fun day, and you can usually find a coupon on Groupon. It looks far away but's it only about a half an hour from Disney.

 

[hertamaniac]

Micanopy (where they filmed Doc Hollywood); it's very quaint.

 

[bearzabout]

Winter Park to see the Morse Museum and see the Tiffany glass displays.

Lake Wales for a visit to Bok Tower Gardens. Make sure to also tour the house. It is the most beautiful at Christmas. Stay for a carillon concert.

Tampa on Sunday for a visit to the Wat thai market, Ybor village, downtown.

St Pete for a visit to the Dali Museum. Make sure to do a tour so you understand the paintings. Sunken Gardens is nearby. Also consider the Lowry Park zoo.

Blue Springs to see the manatees in winter.

Kennedy Space Center near Titusville. Eat at Dixie Crossroads for their rock shrimp for dinner.

 

[bearzabout]

Harry P Leu Gardens just north of Orlando is nice and close to Winter Park. There is a science museum and art museum nearby. Stop by Sister Honeys on the way for some excellent baked goods.

 

[cdoc29]

BOK tower gardens. About an hour south and well worth the visit. FYI, it's more appreciated by adults and kids might not like it as much

 

[White Cat]

Lots of good suggestions. Winter Park and Mt Dora are nice. New Smyrna Beach has a nice shopping area but it's touristy.
I just have to comment. I've never heard of shopping described as cute, not sure what that means.

 

[hrhdhd]

Lots of good suggestions. Winter Park and Mt Dora are nice. New Smyrna Beach has a nice shopping area but it's touristy.
I just have to comment. I've never heard of shopping described as cute, not sure what that means.

I am not the OP, but "cute" probably means one-off boutiques or other non-chain stores.

 

[dis2cruise]

Thanks everyone for all your suggestions!!

 

[Pooh's World]

Gainesville, University of Florida

 

[JJ2017]

Showcase of Citrus located on Rt. 27 in Clermont is a fun day. You can take a tour of the fruit groves and swamp inside an open air re-tooled school bus. They have a petting zoo and a small gift shop. It's a fun day, and you can usually find a coupon on Groupon. It looks far away but's it only about a half an hour from Disney.

This does look good! Good for a range of kids 10 all the way to 2???

 

[Pooh's World]

Dezerland the Auto Experience (Orlando's newest attraction)