Starting to Plan our Florida Trip
 

My husband & I are starting to plan a trip to Florida for April 2009. Our trip will be approximately 2 weeks long, and we will be flying R/T from Seattle to Orlando.

Neither of us has ever been to Walt Disney World, although we have been to Disneyland in California.

We are in our mid-40's and have an interest in history, as well as Disney entertainment.

Our initial thinking is to start our trip in Orlando at Walt Disney World - about 4-5 days to see the parks.

Then we are thinking of driving to Cape Canaveral and spending a day at the Space Center. We would like to drive up to St. Augustine for some quiet time away from the madness of the theme parks.

We would need to go back to Orland to catch our flight home, so we thought we would spend a day at Sea World & a Day at Universal Studios to end the trip.

My big question is: What else is there to do along the coast of Florida besides St. Augustine? We are not party animals, so the "Spring Break at Daytona Beach" would not interest us, but maybe a NASCAR race?

I would love some advice from experienced Fodorites.

Thank you!!

Couple of thoughts: one day at the Space Center is enough to see all you want to see. Might suggest Winter Park as a stop over: Tiffany Museum, shopping. If you are interested in psychics/paranormals at all, would ask you to check "Casa Dega". I don't believe, but it was good for a laugh or two. Also, Orlando has more to offer than Disney World. Animal Kingdom "backstage" is interestin

Spend a few days driving highway A1A from St. Augustine to Vero Beach. No races in April at the Speedway but you may enjoy Daytona USA.

http://www.nps.gov/state/fl/

http://www.fws.gov/merrittisland/

http://www.daytonausa.com/

http://www.floridaeco-safaris.com/

http://www.marineland.net/

Then there is always South Florida, the Everglades NP and the Keys.

If you are history buffs, then you definitely need to visit St. Augustine.

There are state parks along the St. John River and springs between St. Augustine and Orlando.

If Orlando Vic picks up on this he can make expert recommendations.

You are getting so much amusement park time that I think a nature day would be a good alternative.

I ditto the suggestion to explore the coast on the A1A and definitely go to St. Augustine--it's a lovely city loaded with history. Two other stops along the A1A that may interest you would be the lighthouse at Ponce Inlet and Fort Matanzas. Both of those sights were unexpected highlights of a trip we had in that area recently. Have fun planning your vacation!

If you haven't made your plane reservations, one thing you might want to consider is an open jaw flight. We have been using them the last few years for our vacations and they really save some travel time. Fly into Orlando and out of Jacksonville. We really enjoyed Amelia Island which is a bit north of St. Augustine. It would be lovely in April.

Last year, we flew into Miami and out of Ft. Myers. You do have to find a car rental agency that does not charge extra for a one way rental.

We have also done other open jaws. Into Albuquerque/out of Phoenix. Into Phoenix/out of Las Vegas.

halfapair-

As rncheryl and stumpworks73 have indicated, there is a lot more to Orlando than the theme parks. I also agree that one day at Kennedy Apace Center is enough. Here are a few lower profile things to do in Central Florida:

Mount Dora <http://tinyurl.com/3n6v6w>

Wekiwa Springs State park
http://www.floridastateparks.org/wek...gs/default.cfm
http://www.canoewekiva.com/

Blue Spring State Park
http://www.floridastateparks.org/bluespring/default.cfm

Winter park Scenic Boat Tour
http://www.scenicboattours.com/

The Charles Hosmer Morse Museum Of American Art
http://www.morsemuseum.org/home.htm

Leu Gardens in Orlando
www.leugardens.org

Boggy Creek Airboat Rides
www.bcairboats.com

In St. Augustine, you have history (America's oldest city), good and reasonable restaurats <http://www.therestauranttimes.net/dining.html>, shopping (two outlet malls), art galleries and museums <http://www.galleriastaugustine.com/g...ctory.html> and excellent beaches (my favorite is Crescent Beach).

There are too many activities and attractions to list, but you can do some preliminary research here:

http://staugustine.com/visit/
http://www.oldcity.com/

sl54321 has already identified one of my favorites: Fort Matanzas <http://www.nps.gov/archive/foma/home/home.htm>. It is somewhat south of the historic district and somewhat hidden from most tourists.

As you formulate some tentative ideas, then we can come back with more specific suggestions in each of these areas.

Thank you, Orlando Vic, for all the links & info!!

Here is our tentative plan so far:

Fly into Orlando - spend 5 nights. See WDW and other Orlando sites.

Drive to Cape Canaveral to spend one day, then drive to St. Augustine - spend 3 nights. See sites and relax.

Drive to Savannah, GA - spend 2 nights.

Drive down to Orlando - spend 3 nights. Do Sea World, Universal Studios & fly home.

Thank you for all your advice! I'll keep you all posted as we firm up our details.

I agree with everything Orlando_Vic suggested. In addition, the Orlando Science Museum is worth a visit www.osc.org though their Titanic and Rockwell exhibits will be over by the time of your visit.

Though it is about 2 hour in the opposite direction, I would suggest going to Ringling Estate www.ringling.org in Bradenton. Don't let the circus name fool you, this is a world class art museum, theatre, and mansion. Plus a circus museum that is surprisingly interesting. Plan on a full day here.

For rental cars, you might try the new www.simplywheelz.com by Hertz for low rates. This is the first automated rental service that Hertz is trying.

Good luck.

Racer 042

Sarasota is only a short distance from Orlando. This is another beautiful community. I love to spend the day at the Ringling Museum and art gallery. wonderful history of the circus- complete with an incredible hand carved/created miniature circus. John and Mabel Ringling also collected art from all over the world. They have docents who are very well trained. There is also their bayside home to tour as well as Mabels rose garden.
Another 'attraction' is Armand Circle. beautiful to window
shop, people watch and some excellent restaurants.
In Orlando, Epcot is one of my favorite 'parks'. We spent
3 days there over Christmas one year. Lots to see..

St. Augustine is a must. I highly recommend the restuarant Opus 39 in St. Augustine. It is food to die for! Try their tasting menu and get the wine tasting menu that goes with the food. Exellent!! Fort Clinch in Fernandina Beach is nice also.