Traveling to Orlando for a week with teens and planning to do a few days of the parks. We're also planning a beach day - probably Cocoa Beach area. I thought St. Augustine might be a nice side trip for some culture/history - but see it's almost a 2 hour drive. Is there someplace else you might recommend for a break from Orlando that will provide a different perspective of Florida? Don't think we want to visit Cape Canaveral - I'm not that into space. Tsk, tsk, I know.

http://www.floridaecosafaris.com/

For the beaches, I like New Smyrna for a laid back town with great beach access (you can drive on the beach), great restaurants, etc. To get there, just go up I 4 towards Daytona and right on highway 44 all the way to the beach.

For something completely different and truly old Florida, I love Wekiwa Springs State Park in Longwood http://www.canoewekiva.com/ You can rent a canoe and in minutes feel like you are in the middle of the Amazon. We often see otters, alligators, and lots of birds. This is probably 30 minutes from the attractions and the animals are real! Again, up I4 towards Daytona and left on exit 94, 434, right on Wekiwa Springs rd right to the park.(if you have a GPS, you can take the back roads and 429 to get there quicker) There is also a private marina on Miami Springs road which has canoe rentals also. You can have a very relaxing, family oriented, fun day and spend MUCH LESS than a day at the parks.

St. Augustine would well be worth your time, either one (long) day or an overnighter. It provides a very different perspective on the "real Florida". And...you could have your beach day there. St. Augustine beaches are fully equal to Cocoa Beach.

A few links:
http://www.staugustine.com/visit
http://www.visitflorida.com/St_Augustine
http://www.getaway4florida.com

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Vic's travels: http://my.flightmemory.com/vogilvie

Check out taking a pontoon boat on the St. John's river for a look at the real Florida. You can get To Hontoon Island state park as well.

http://www.hontoon.com/

Or canoing or tubing on the Rainbow river:

http://www.floridastateparks.org/rai...gs/default.cfm

Or canoeing Wekiva -
http://www.canoewekiva.com/

Another idea - I don't know where you are coming from, but if you are driving down you may want to detour to Cross Creek and spend a few minutes at the homeplace of Marjorie Kinnan Rawlings
http://www.floridastateparks.org/mar...innanrawlings/

It gives the best sense of what living in Old Florida was like - before beach tourist hit big and the Mice invaded

I was about to suggest watching the movie "Cross Creek" together...and then visiting Marjorie Kinnan Rawlings State Historic Park up near Ocala.

PS...Kennedy Space Center is an amazing place to visit even if you're "not that into Space".

The state parks is my suggetion as well. If you are staying at Cocoa, you can go south to Sebastian Inlet. Kayaking is on the intercoastal side is a possibility with consistently calm water suitable for kayak beginners.

Blue Spring State Park is an hour and a bit north for kayaking or canoeing in a nice setting.

Thank you for all the great suggestions!

Has anyone said Winter Park yet? A lovely town right outside Orlando with the fabulous Morse Museum (filled with Tiffany lamps, mosaic work, jewelry, and stained glass windows) http://www.morsemuseum.org/. Winter Park also several other art museums (the Cornell Fine Arts Museum on the beautiful Rollins College campus and the Albin Polasek Sculpture Garden) and has a very pleasant shopping/dining district (Park Avenue). Add the pontoon boat tour of the chain of lakes in the area and you have a great day trip.

I'll also second both St. Augustine and the Marjorie Kinnan Rawlins State Park at Cross Creek for their historical value. Both well worth a visit. And 2nding Florida Eco-safaris for a nature experience that will show you the "real Florida."

If you head towards New Smyrna, you could also check out Ponce Inlet Light House....there are some nice restaurants in the area as well.

I also enjoy the old spanish sugar mill...you make your own pancakes on a griddle in your table. it's at a state park...can't remember the name, but if you google, you'll find it. You can canoe there.

If you want adventure, hit up sky dive deland.