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Orlando-off-the-beaten-track
Son lives outside of Orlando and we have visited many times. Any off-the-beaten-track suggestions?
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Have you been to Winter Park? It's not exactly off the beaten track, but there are loads of restaurants and shops, a few nice bars, and, one of my favorite small museums anywhere, The Morse Museum, which house the most comprehensive (according to the website) collection of Louis Comfort Tiffany's works as well as art pottery and other cool stuff. It's a must. I think anyone would like it. And the admission is $5.
http://www.morsemuseum.org I was also pleasantly surprised by the Vietnamese neighborhood in Orlando--I've heard it called Little Vietnam, and I've also heard it's not as cool as it used to be, but be that as it may, if you like Vietnamese food or think you might, check it out. The groceries can be fun to peruse, too. We like the Lake Eola neighborhood of Orlando--also not off the beaten path, but if you haven't been, it's nice for a meal and a stroll. |
I also came on to suggest the Little Vietnam neighborhood. If you have not browsed an Asian supermarket, it is a fascinating experience. Vietnamese food is also delicious and very light, whether simple sandwiches ( banh mi), soup meals (pho), rice or vermicelli bowls, salads, or really interesting things like banh xeo, a kind of omelet or crepe filled with bean sprouts and seafood.
Have you been to Mount Dora? |
It's a bit of a drive from Orlando but check out Micanopy, Fl - the movie Doc Hollywood with Michael J. Fox was filled there back in the '90's - today it looks much the same with a few craft & antique shops, a small cafe, etc.
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If you haven't been to the state parks suggested by Vic, I highly recommend. Pick your activity: hiking, biking, kayking, and match up the park. You won't be disappointed.
A Central Florida friend hosted many international visitors and reported that the airboat rides were a always popular. |
Excellent list, Vic. Thanks for posting.
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If traveling more than an hour is an option -
My favorite place in Florida - http://www.floridastateparks.org/mar...innanrawlings/ Marjorie Kinnan Rawlings' home site at Cross Creek, FL. It was a county park the first time I visited and is now a state historic site. She wrote the Yearling and other books and her home looks like she just stepped away from her typewriter on her screen porch for a few minutes. Now that it's a state historic site there are short tours of the house and farm with guides who share more about her life there, including that fellow authors (Hemingway, Fitzgerald, Mitchell) traveled down to Cross Creek to spend time with her there in a very simple little board farmhouse. What I like best about it though is that it gives a glimpse into what "old Florida" was like when it was settled by scrappy crackers. It's a harsh, tough, unforgiving environment and it's a peek into Florida that's more than orange groves, beaches and Disney. Have you been scalloping before? If not, and you are there during scallop season, head to the gulf - http://www.swimwiththefloridamanatee...lloptours.html That's not a recommendation for that particular company, but a suggestion of something you may have not done before. Another idea - swim with the manatees http://crystalrivermanatees.com/swim-with-manatees/ Again, not an endorsement of a particular company but a fun experience. Respect the manatees and follow the tour company's and federal guidelines Have you been to Greece recently? http://spongedocks.net/ It's fun to investigate and have dinner at the sponge docks at Tarpon Springs All of the above are over an hour from Orlando (about 1.5) but depending on where your son lives outside Orlando, they may be within an hour's drive. In any case, they are worth the drive. Have fun! |
I don't know if you are a spa person, but this is an incredible deal -
http://www.viviansspa.com/ It's located in Old Town, which is a weird, funky, quirky place. I've visited and worked Orlando for over 20 years and somehow missed Old Town - http://www.myoldtownusa.com/index.cfm Back to the spa deal = Spa Serenity Package Includes: • 1 Hour Full Body Massage • 1 Hour European Facial • 20 Minute Foot Treatment • Hand Paraffin Dip Approximately 2 Hours & 40 Minutes of Serenity - only $110! The deal sounds too good to be true but it was really true. We did this a couple of months ago. The owner has a strong background in skin care and knows what he's talking about. The catch, if there is one, is that it's not a fancy spa in a resort setting. The décor is more like that of a nail salon and it's in a somewhat tacky tourist location. But the services were wonderful and professional. Writing this makes me want to go back. The massage and facial rooms are very nice. The lobby and nail area looks like a strip center nail salon. We called several places to get a massage that were typical pricing ($90-120 or more) and they didn't have availability. We were so glad! |
Virginia,
Vic's list is quite impressive with lots of good suggestions. A couple more are 1) Boating/fishing on the St. Johns river. Here is a good starting point. http://hontoon.com/ 2) It's a bit of a drive but if you haven't seen St. Augustine I highly recommend it. One of my favorite places. |
Tarpon Springs does make a great day trip!
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WOW!! Amazing suggestions and we have not been to most of them. Excellent help! Our son lives in Altamonte Springs and this will be another fun visit thanks to you all!
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My brother lived in Altamonte Springs and loved going to Wekiva Springs. It's close to you and seems a world away. We took a canoe trip on a Saturday and it was like being in a Tarzan movie. It was so close to him that he'd go after work to swim or walk.
http://www.floridastateparks.org/WekiwaSprings/ "Located at the headwaters of the Wekiva River, the beautiful vistas within this park offer a glimpse of what Central Florida looked like when Timucuan Indians fished and hunted these lands. Just one hour from most central Florida attractions, Wekiwa Springs offers visitors the opportunity to relax in a natural setting, enjoy a picnic, or take a swim in the cool spring." I looked earlier but evidently post - http://www.tripadvisor.com/Attractio...y_Florida.html If you are interested in horseback riding in a natural setting. |
If it is sweltering hot come to Titusville and take Garden St exit head due east, cross the Max Brewer bridge and go to Playalinda beach. Beautiful. You can see all the Shuttle launch pads and the VAB from the beach. It is Federal land and part of the Cape Canaveral Seashore.
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Playalinda Beach is also a good place to celebrate your birthday. :D
_____________________________________________ Vic's travels: http://my.flightmemory.com/vogilvie |
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