Going to Orlando in November again, but don't want to do parks. Spending some time relaxing, etc. But what ideas/places can you recommend for different things to do? Don't ask what we like to do specifically because its varied and I'd like all kinds of ideas. Thansk in advance.

I would spend a morning or an afternoon in Winter Park on Park Ave. It's a lovely area with many unique shops and many good restaurants to choose from. They also have a great farmer's market on Saturday mornings.

We lived in Winter Park years ago and it was a very enjoyable city. Jayne gave a good description.

How is Church Street Station these days?

There are other posts on the board that address this same question. As you aren't specific, you might do a search to come up with all sorts of recommendations.

You could go to Cape Canaveral - I think it's about an hour drive.

Horseworld stables on Poinciana has nice beginning, intermediate, and advanced trail rides- lovely trails w/moss covered trees. Kissimmee Golf Club. Hot Air Balloon ride. Kennedy Space Center is a great day. Orlando Art Museum currently has the Dale Chihuly glass sculpture exhibit- check what is there in Nov. We rented a house in April w/a private pool and just hung out at the house for several days too. We even had a massage therapist come to the house for massages by the pool (I can give you the name of the place that does that). Shopping. Didn't make it to Winter park but it is ont he list for our next trip. There are nice houses for rent w/private heathed pools and hot tubs at much cheaper rates than a week in a hotel, and it is much more relaxing-- for us it was almost as relaxing as being at the beach. We are going back to do the same thing in December.
I beleive Church Street Station is closed now. But Old Town Kissimmee has car shows on Friday and Sat. night that are pretty cool- classic cars one night and cars from 60s and 70sthe other night- they parade through the streets of Old Town. There are rides there too.

lynn: I will give you a great site that has alot of other stuff to do besides the parks. It is a site run by British owners of houses that they rent out in Orlando, but the site itself has no houses for rent- it is an informational site on Orlando. I have not rented from them, but I enjoy their site because they are nice folks and tend to spend several weeks at a time when they go to their homes in orlando, and they share alot of good info on other stuff to do besides the parks. The site is well-organized so you can go right to the forums on other things to do. www.orlando-guide.info/forums/

Church Street Station is closed? My office was adjacent to it and we used to go have lunch there. The weekend nights were a lot of fun! Is it a temporary closure?

MMS It is a permanent closure. Right now the main bldg, Church Street Exchange, has been refurbished and taken over by Lou Perlman, the record guy who used to produce the Back Street boys etc. His businesses are in there now. The rest of the places are pretty much empty

Thanks emd1 for the great site. Also everyone who offered ideas, although we hav edone all the suggestions mentioned at other times.
We already have a villa rented with pool/spa etc. and intend to enjoy to the full. But it was things to do during the day we were looking for. For instance someone told us about Mount Dora and also a steam paddle boat, that' sthe type of days off I'm looking for? Any more ideas? Cheers

lynn: so glad you have a house rented! Christmas week we are staying at Oak Island Harbor for the first time, right on the lake. If you peruse that site, I think they mention just about everything to do. There is a good events guide online for Orlando- if you don't have the site address already I'll get it to you.

There is a nice boatride in Winter Park that drives by the mansions. Nice relaxing ride.

You can also do an airboat ride if you've never done it. Very Floridian.

Take a drive over to Bok Gardens with a picnic lunch and drive on the ghost street (can't remember the exact name but your car drives by itself uphill)

Orlando Science Center has some interesting exhibits.

Never been to Mount Dora but I hear it is quaint and a lovely day.

Enjoy your trip!

adogear - could you tell me more about the boatride by the mansiond i.e. where exactly. Also, where is BOK gardens and the ghost ride - sounds good.

Thanks everyone

Mount Dora is a great place to spend a day. It is quaint, has some interesting shops and places to eat. The town is situated on a beautiful lake - a very nice setting.

Wekiva Springs is just north of Orlando. You can swim or rent canoes. The canoe trip is really fun and it too is "real Florida".

A little further north of Orlando you can take a river trip on a paddle boat. I think it is a 3 -4 hour trip. The starting out point is Sanford and you travel north on the St. John's River - lunch or dinner is served (and I think maybe some entertainment). It's a beautiful ride up the river.

There are numerous places to ride an air boat. If you haven't done before you should try it. It's an interesting experience.

Hope this helps.
Emjoy your trip.

Lynn,
Bok Gardens is located about 45 minutes from Disney in Lake Wales. Miles-wise it's not that far but the road out there is slow going. Here's their web site:
www.boktower.org

The ghost ride I now remember is called Spook Hill and is located near Bok Tower. Here's a link with directions:
http://historiclakewales.com/spookhill

The scenic boat rides are in Winter Park. Here's their website:
http://www.scenicboattours.com/ You can stroll down Park Avenue when your finished and see some of the quaint little boutique shops.

Hope this helps you out!

Spook Hill is not a ride. It is an optical illusion. You stop your car at a point in the road (look for the sign) and put it into neutral. It will coast either forward or backward, I can't remember which, but you will feel that you're going in the opposite direction. It is just around the bend from Bok Tower.

Bok Tower is wonderful. Lake Wales is a beautiful town as well. In the heart of Florida's old Citrus Belt.

For a different sort of lunch, try the Chalet Suzanne, also perched on the edge of an orange grove. Food's not so good but there's not much else in town except chain food.

Found this website today:
www.unexpectedflorida.com

Hope it's useful to ya.

As fasr as shopping goes, which is my favorite vacation pastime....

Nov 19th-21 is a Big Antique market...called Renningers Extravaganza. Check it out at www.renningers.com under Mt. Dora link. Its just outside of Mount Dora - but is probably an all day affair. There is also a dinner train that runs between Orlando and Mt Dora. Although I might have to choose a day actually in Mt Dora over the market....but I'd also choose a day in Winter Park over a day in Mt Dora. Both quaint towns w/ shopping and restaurants. Mt Dora is more old-timey with antiques and cutesy shops. Winter Park is more upscale with designer shops, a park and a little more urban.

If you are into outlet shopping...hit Belz Mall near International Drive and The premium designer outlet - at the Lake Buena Vista exit.

For upscale shopping hit Millenia Mall...a new, high end mall very close to Belz and Winter Park (which definately deserves half a day of shopping and lunch and perhaps a drive gawking at the mansions.

As far as truly relaxing...
Some of the really nice resorts have amazing pools (like the Grand Cypress for one) - I think some allow day visitors...not sure. But I would definately check it out.

Not mentioned yet is Blue Springs Nat. Park which is an easy ride from Orlando.
North or Northeast, I think. It's the springs where many manatees winter.

We were there in early December just a year ago and enjoyed it very much. A woman who lives in the park took us on a tour by boat (I think they ran several times a day, at least). It was the best natural science tour I have taken in Florida. Manatees abound, and she had much bird knowledge and we happened to see numerous species that day. It is NOT crowded and the boat held about 20 people at the max- so you really could ask questions and get terrific answers. It's very uncrowded and spacious from parking to outlooks.

The park has great observation platforms and places to picnic etc. All around- wonderful idea to go here for at least 1/2 of a day when the weather is nice. Wouldn't want to go in the rain.