Going to Orlando in (get this) July for business. Considered stayinga few extra days to see something in Florida I havent seen.

I dont wanna lay on a beach or shop or go to a park. Is there ANYthing esle to do in this state.
I like back roads, diners, small towns, etc.

Can anyone suggest sights or areas to take my rental car for a couple days within about 4 hours of Orlando?

Anything of interest in the everglades??

Help!

How bout contemplating a trip to the ?

http://www-pao.ksc.nasa.gov/visit/planvisit.htm

Hi Crosbie,

I have a customer I visit in Florida 4 times a year, 2 of which are during summer. Believe it or not people do live and work there all year round.

The Everglades are beautiful as are the Keys if you don't mind the drive. Either the Atlantic or Gulf Coast drives are also very scenic. As for small towns, why not just take a map and head out? I often do this and find some very pleasant little burgs.

If you like Salvador Dali, the Dali Museum in St. Pete is great--they have something like the largest collection of Dali works in the US, which always strikes me as so odd! I also like the Suncoast Seabird Sanctuary in St. Pete. Tampa also boasts some local flavor in Ybor City. You could take in a ballgame at Tropicana--admittedly, a crummy stadium. Lake Wales is a cool small town, and you could check out Bok Tower and Gardens while in that neck of the woods. I was going to suggest some state parks, but it will be beastly hot in July...oh, you could try for tickets to Cirque du Soleil, which I really loved. I'll keep thinking, and I hope you get some good ideas...

Crosbie, wow! Get this! There is absolutely a world in Florida that you don't know about (obviously). I'm a little confused though what to recommend. What would you want to do on the backroads and in the small towns? Are you planning to drive your rental car for a couple of days through the state? As you know, once you get to a small town, whether it's in Florida or in California, there isn't anything to do, but drive on through.

As for your question of whether there is anything of interest in the Everglades -- do you mean like a diner or a small town (which is what you say you're interested in)?

I second the Salvador Dali Museum. If you head out that way, I also recommend going to Tarpon Springs which is a greek fishing village and having a wonderful greek meal. Also, you can stop by Homassasa Springs and see rescued manatees.

Well- I lived on Sanibel and Cape Coral and spent January of each year there for about 20 years. I've seen much of the state but I like to bike, mountain bike and hike but will be doing none of them when it's that hot.
I am not a big fan of Florida except for the great weather and (which I guess I made obvious in my post). Yes I realize that people live there year around but I wouldnt want to travel to North Dakota in Feb for business either.
I'm afraid when I think Florida I think crime, traffic and all-you-can-eat buffets. I never knew about the crime until I lived there and I was a bit shocked (and I'm from Boston) , and well- we all know about the traffic.
But I've enjoyed houseboating at the Keys, Ringling museum, Amelia Island, Miami, kayaking the gulf, camping on the Myyaka, BUT if I was going to pick a place to live in or travel to mid July- it would NOT be Florida.
And those that gave ideas - thank you so much... there really are some great suggestions I think I will try!

Silver Springs might be fun and the town of Mount Dora is another possibilty. At one time I remember going there and it was a pretty town. Both of these should be in the area you are interested in traveling. Also the Greek village of Tarpon Springs is nice. A visit to Bok Tower woulld be interesting. I loved the Sarasota area also. There is another small town near Gainesville that had a neat Bed and Breakfast and a few restored victorian houses. Can't remember the name. I have an old travel book called "Hidden Florida" that you might find intersting if it is still in print.

The mall town near Gainesville taht Sabrina is referring to is Micanopy. Great town with antique stores. This area is north of Ocala which is horse country, with beautiful rolling hills. Hope you enjoy your trip.

Sorry for the typos- I didn't preview my reply. It is suppose to read "small" town.

Thank you for remembering Highbay. The town had a very nice Bed & Breakfast. Wonder if it is still there.

Have you been to St. Augustine? America's oldest city (shhhh! don't tell those people who make the same claim in Santa Fe NM!!!). This is a wonderful place, little cobble-stone streets, lots of restaurants lining the St. Johns River (and the best restaurant, the A1A Ale House), and there's an old fort downtown that is of some historic significance. That's what I'd recommend. They have some unusual museums there to take in during the afternoons.

Also, you will be in Florida during peak sea turtle nesting season, so head to Melbourne Beach. Every year thousands of turtles crawl out of the sea to nest on shore so chances are very good that you would witness this nighttime phenomena. There are some funky beach restaurants in this area so be sure to check chowhound.com for the best ones.

Have fun.

Have fun.

Mount Dora is great destination, small towm with a couple good resturants, low key.
I really like the the Lake George area north of Deland, Fl. Real old Florida. Not yet completely paved over. Fish camps. Trailer homes, and great two lane roads.

crosbie:
Just couldn't pass this up

I share your feelings.....nice to see what the real world is really like.

Anyway, a place that is a favorite of my is "Blue Springs" close to Orlando. Just outside of Orange, Fla. This is where the Manatee go in winter. All gone during your visit, but the spring is interesting. Flows into the St. Johns Rivers (flows south to north).

When I lived in Fla. as a child we used to visit Blue Springs for family outtings. Parks Dept have done a beautiful job of preserving the area.
River, spring, Trees with moss, quite. http://www.floridastateparks.org/blu...parkphotos.htm