My wife and two daughters (preteens) are going to Orlando in late February. We'll only be there for 3 1/2 days. Instead of the very pricey theme parks, we thought of spending our time exploring other things. The Kennendy Center is one possibility and we really enjoy the ocean. Any ideas?

In St. Petersburg, there's the Salvador Dali Museum, which I believe holds the single largest collection of Dali paitings in the world; and the Suncoast Seabird Sanctuary, a non-profit that rehabilitates and releases, when possible, injured birds--you can tour the facility and see birds they have kept because they couldn't be released. These bothe charge admission.
In Lake Wales, there's Bok Tower and Gardens, which is a nice place for a picnic and a walk; but Lake Wales is perhaps 45 min. from Orlando.
I wish I could come up with more ideas, and closer to Orlando! (We enjoyed the Kenedy Space Center a lot, btw.; there's also a wildlife refuge out there, because the land surrounding the launch area couldn't be developed for safety reasons.)Hope you get more suggestions...

Cocoa Beach is less than an hour away and it's a good family beach area. There's a very large RonJon's Surf Shop there that is popular with kids of all ages. I think the Church Street area has reopened. You can just walk around and browse through shops and maybe stop for a bite to eat. Another idea is to rent one of those things you peddle on the water at Lake Eola. They resemble swans. I think this activity would be available in late February.

Thank you for the ideas. I'm sure we'll get more. How far is the Kennedy Center from Orlando?

It's about an hours drive east of Orlando, probably about 50-60 miles altogether.

I had a great day out there recently and would recommend it as a side trip from Orlando. There's plenty of really interesting stuff, even for people like me who aren't real space fanatics or anything.

Just so you know, Kennedy Space Center has become more expensive in recent years. Seeing as how it has shorter hours than the theme parks, the price is just about on par with them.

My favorite low-price attraction in Orlando is the Morse Museum in Winter Park. It has the largest collection of Tiffany glass in the country.

The water in the Gulf will be warmer than the ocean. Clearwater Beach is about two hours west of Orlando in case you want to go that way, instead.

Kennedy Space Center HAS become more expensive - though not the $50 per day the theme parks charge, of course.

I think the Maximum Admission Ticket at KSC was $34 ($24 for children up to age 11) which includes access to the Astronaut Hall of Fame, a few miles down the road. If you don't want to go to the Astronaut Hall of Fame, the corresponding ticket is $28 ($18 for chldren).

Personally, I thought the Hall of Fame was disappointing, but perhaps your children may find it more interesting/fun.

You could combine your day at KSC with a trip to Cocoa Beach if you have enough time, they're not far apart.

KSC is not as expensive as the Orlando theme parks (though catching up) and I forget what age children become adults for entry price purposes at the theme parks which may affect you.

contact the Orlando CVB for tourist info.