What to Do in the Greater Orlando Area
The greater Orlando area covers anything outside of Orlando within a 100-mile radius.
Big Tree
This park is home to a 3,500-year-old tree named “The Senator.” The tree stands 118 feet tall with a girth of 425 inches and its crown spread is 57 feet. The 11-acre park is located on General Hutchinson Parkway between U.S. 17-92 and State Road 427 north of Longwood. Picnic tables and restroom facilities are available in the front of the park and it is open from 8:00 A.M. to sunset daily. (407) 788-0405.
Blue Spring State Park
Blue Springs State Park is a picturesque getaway along the Saint Johns River near Orange City in central Florida. Temperatures in the spring remain a constant 72 degrees, creating a safe haven for the manatee during the cooler months and a cooling swim for humans during the long hot days of summer. Air-conditioned cabins or primitive campsites are available. Simply take Exit 114 off Interstate 4 and follow the signs. Go south on 17-92 to Orange City, about 2.5 miles. Make a right onto West French Avenue. (386) 917-0724, www.floridastateparks.org/bluespring.
Busch Gardens
Located in Tampa, Florida (about a sixty-minute drive from the WDW Resort), this is an entirely different theme park experience that features some of the best thrill rides you'll find anywhere on the East Coast. Busch Gardens also features a world-famous wildlife animal park and a water park. (888) 800-5447, www.buschgardens.com.
Cassadaga
Known as “The Psychic Center of the World,” Cassadaga continues today as the premiere psychic community and is home to some of America's finest psychics. To find this little sleepy-looking town take Exit 114 off of I-4. At the first traffic light turn left, at the second traffic light go straight, and at the third traffic light turn right onto Dr. Martin Luther King Beltway. Go to Cassadaga Road, turn right, and it's approximately 1.5 miles on the left. www.cassadaga.com.
Cypress Gardens
Cypress Gardens opened in 1936 as a botanical garden. It then became popular because of its water-ski shows. When Disney opened in 1971 business declined. Today it is alive and well, offering rides and concerts. It's located between Orlando and Tampa. Simply take Exit 55 (U.S. Hwy 27 south) off I-4, then continue south on U.S. Hwy. 27. Turn right off U.S. Highway 27 at State Road 540/Cypress Gardens Boulevard. The park is four miles on the left. (863) 324-2111, www.cypressgardens.com.
Daytona International Speedway
Home of the Daytona 500! Call or check online for events at this popular speedway. (386) 253-7223, www.daytonainternationalspeedway.com.
Daytona USA
This is the official and ultimate motor sports attraction of NASCAR located in Daytona Beach, Florida. It offers Richard Petty driving experiences, shotgun lap experiences, IMAX theater experiences, motion simulator rides, and more. (386) 947-6800, www.daytonausa.com.
TRAVEL TIP
Want to spend the day at a Florida beach? The closest beaches are located on the east coast: Cocoa Beach, New Smyrna Beach, and Daytona Beach. Cocoa and New Smyrna are only forty-five minutes away once you're on the Beeline (528) off I-4. Have some change with you to pay tolls. To reach Daytona Beach in about an hour and a half, simply head east on I-4. The closest beach on the west coast (gulf side) is Clearwater Beach. Simply head west on I-4 to Tampa and follow the signs. It will take two hours, but the white sand and blue water is worth it.
Fantasy of Flight
Located midway between Tampa and Orlando in Polk City, Florida, Fantasy of Flight is an aviation-themed attraction that takes visitors back to Early Flight, World War I, World War II, and beyond. They also offer planes and hot-air balloon rides. (863) 984-3500, www.fantasyofflight.com.
HOT SPOT
In addition to the lovely beaches and the Kennedy Space Center, some of the awesome family-oriented activities and attractions available within the Space Coast area include: Cocoa Beach Pier (321-544-3490).
Historic Bok Santuary Gardens, Belltower,and Estate
These gardens located in Lakes Wales, Florida, were created in 1921 by Pulitzer Prize — winning author, Edward W. Bok. The centerpiece is a singing bell tower that stands 205 feet. The estate includes a koi pond, carillon library, 100-year-old trees and vegetation, a twenty-room Mediterranean mansion, a nature trail, café, gift shop, and more. Adult prices are $10 and children five to twelve are $3. (863) 676-1408, www.boksanctuary.org.
Kennedy Space Center
The Kennedy Space Center offers about a day's worth of activities, tours, and fun for all ages. There's also an IMAX theater showing the 3-D movie Space Station, which takes viewers on a visually stunning journey to the space station located 220 miles above Earth.
The Kennedy Space Center is very different from your typical museum, and it offers an experience that's far different from what you'd get at nearby theme parks. You'll find many hands-on exhibits that are designed to be inspirational, educational, and fun at the same time. There's also a Spaceflight Simulator that guests can experience firsthand, and special programs like the Astronaut Training Experience. Another special treat offered here is the Lunch with an Astronaut program. For an additional fee, kids and teens can experience a once-in-a-lifetime chance to have a three-course lunch with a real-life astronaut. Guests have the opportunity to ask questions and have their photo taken with the astronaut. It costs $29.95 (adults) and $19.95 (kids). Reservations are required.
For additional information about Kennedy Space Center, call (321) 499-4444 or visit www.kennedyspacecenter.com. The visitor's center is open daily from 9:00 A.M. until dusk. Admission prices vary, based on the tours, exhibits, live shows, and activities you'd like to experience. The Maximum Access Admission Ticket is priced at $33 (adults) and $23 (kids) and includes the Kennedy Space Center Tour, IMAX films, admission to the Astronaut Hall of Fame, and all attractions and exhibits.
TRAVEL TIP
Looking for some out-of-this-world gifts and souvenirs? Be sure to visit the Space Shop at Kennedy Space Center. It's the largest retail store in the world that's devoted to space-themed merchandise, such as space ice cream. You can also order merchandise by phone at (800) 621-9826.
Silver Springs
No matter what your age, there are plenty of rides and attractions at Silver Springs that will make you laugh, fill you with wonder, and provide a glimpse into what life was like here more than 10,000 years ago. Call or check online to see what live country entertainment will be offered. Many artists such as Willy Nelson, Trisha Yearwood, Kenny Rogers, and more frequent often. It is located just east of Ocala, Florida, and northwest of Orlando on S.R. 40. Take Exit 352 east off I-75 or Exit 268 west off I-95. (352) 236-2121, www.silversprings.com.
The Jesus Film Project
The Jesus film has been shown in every country of the world and translated into over 900 languages. It's a two-hour docudrama about the life of Christ. There are five daily tours. It is located only about fifteen minutes from the Orlando International Airport. (407) 826-2300, www.jesusfilm.org.
Weeki Wachee Springs
Weeki Wachee Springs — the City of Live Mermaids — is more than just mermaids; it's a truly original piece of Florida's rich heritage. Weeki Wachee's heyday began in 1959, when the spring was purchased by the American Broadcasting Company (ABC) and was heavily promoted. In the 1960s, girls came from as far away as Tokyo to try out for the privilege of becoming an underwater performing mermaid. The mermaids perform with Florida's wildlife as a variety of fish, turtles, manatees, and an occasional alligator frequent the spring and the show! Weeki Wachee Springs has mermaid camps, lifeguard camps, scuba diving, boat rides, an underwater theater, and an adjoining water park. It's located in Weeki Wachee, Florida, which is about fort-five minutes north of Tampa. (407) 596-2062, www.weekiwachee.com.
Wekiwa Springs State Park
Wekiwa Springs offers a glimpse of what Florida looked like when the first Indian settlers arrived 12,000 years ago. The springs discharge 43 million gallons of fresh water a day into a lagoon that has a constant year-round temperature of 72 degrees. The park is open daily from 8:00 A.M. to sundown. (407) 884-2008, www.floridastateparks.org.
