What to do in Orlando(not Disney)
Jan 9th, 2002, 06:33 AM
#3
Guest
Posts: n/a
Church street station is pretty much closed, from what I've heard.
Downtown Orlando is nice if you like looking at older houses, and you could kill an hour or two at the big park there (sorry, the name escapes me, but ask anyone--it has a big lake where they rent swan paddleboats). Seaworld is also there, which is very interesting, but it is a park...
There may be other things in Orlando, but I personally don't know of much else except for the parks. Sorry. Wondering why you're going there... but no matter, since you will be there, here are a few ideas:
1. Drive to Tampa/St. Petersburg, which is less than 2 hours away. There's a lot to do in both. Downtown St. Pete is lovely and has shopping, museums, etc.(see other recent posts below on this forum for more info). Tampa has Ybor City, which is interesting, historical, and quaint with restaurants and shops. And St. Petersburg and Clearwater Beaches are lovely. You might drive down Gulf Blvd from Clearwater, through St. Pete Beach to Pass-a-Grille, which is very pretty. T/SP would be a great two day trip--you couldn't do it all in one day. If I had to pick one, I'd go to St. Pete, and do the Dali Museum and the Museum of Fine Arts, walk the pier, snoop in shops, etc.
2. Drive East to Kennedy Space Center, which is only 45 minutes from Orlando. It is very interesting, and you can fill a day there. You can also visit Merritt Island Preserve. Stop at the visitors center where they show a video about the preserve, and pick up maps for hikes or drives. There is a place they can direct you to where there are several manatee who live in that area (it's not a zoo).
3. Drive to Mt. Dora--not sure how far it is, but it's a very pretty area, not a big city, has a lot of antique shops and such.
Hope that helps. Must say I'm still curious why you're going to Orlando if you have no interest in the parks...
Have a great trip.
Downtown Orlando is nice if you like looking at older houses, and you could kill an hour or two at the big park there (sorry, the name escapes me, but ask anyone--it has a big lake where they rent swan paddleboats). Seaworld is also there, which is very interesting, but it is a park...
There may be other things in Orlando, but I personally don't know of much else except for the parks. Sorry. Wondering why you're going there... but no matter, since you will be there, here are a few ideas:
1. Drive to Tampa/St. Petersburg, which is less than 2 hours away. There's a lot to do in both. Downtown St. Pete is lovely and has shopping, museums, etc.(see other recent posts below on this forum for more info). Tampa has Ybor City, which is interesting, historical, and quaint with restaurants and shops. And St. Petersburg and Clearwater Beaches are lovely. You might drive down Gulf Blvd from Clearwater, through St. Pete Beach to Pass-a-Grille, which is very pretty. T/SP would be a great two day trip--you couldn't do it all in one day. If I had to pick one, I'd go to St. Pete, and do the Dali Museum and the Museum of Fine Arts, walk the pier, snoop in shops, etc.
2. Drive East to Kennedy Space Center, which is only 45 minutes from Orlando. It is very interesting, and you can fill a day there. You can also visit Merritt Island Preserve. Stop at the visitors center where they show a video about the preserve, and pick up maps for hikes or drives. There is a place they can direct you to where there are several manatee who live in that area (it's not a zoo).
3. Drive to Mt. Dora--not sure how far it is, but it's a very pretty area, not a big city, has a lot of antique shops and such.
Hope that helps. Must say I'm still curious why you're going to Orlando if you have no interest in the parks...
Have a great trip.
Jan 9th, 2002, 09:10 AM
#5
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Posts: n/a
The Disneymarketplace and boardwalk are really nice.They are outside of the park and is a relaxing boardwalk with interesting shops, resturaunts, and even a disney art gallery. Like you, we have no desire for the parks, either, but this is a nice diversion. They even have a great Planet Hollywood.
Jan 9th, 2002, 12:48 PM
#6
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Hi Lola...I have a few unusual but interesting suggestions...there's a town called Lake Wales (about 30 minutes from Orlando) that has a street named Spook Hill Road...you put your car in neutral and it will travel up the hill...it's truly weird, but true...my kids loved it...there's a phone number you can call about it...(941)676-3445...there's also a town between Daytona Beach and Orlando called Cassadaga where psychics live (they refer to themselves as spiritual advisors)...you're supposed to drive around and visit the house where you pick up the most energy...it's a turn of the century old town that's on the National Register of Historic Places...very quaint...you take I-4 east from Orlando to exit 54 to County Road 4139...Peg is referring to Lake Eola, where there a very nice restaurant called Lee's Lakeside...Her suggestion about Ybor City is a good one, too...there's a historic area that highlights its history as the cigar making capital of the world at one time...there's a restaurant there called the Columbia (authentic Spanish) that has a flamenco show on the weekends...Peg's other ideas are very good, too.
