What can I do in Orlando while my husband attends a convention there? I'm 31, don't have kids and am not interested in theme parks. I know I can get a little R&R at the hotel, but does the city or surrounding areas have anything interesting to offer? Antiques? Shopping? Historic areas? Any help would be appreciated. Thanks!

something to do besides theme park stuff...hmmmm, thats a tough one. antiques-there an "antique row" or street just north of downtown...think its orange ave or maybe orlando ave. theres a great antique area in melbourne, about 1 hr south east (new haven ave) ...if you have a car. Also Mt. Dora to the north, but i've never been

historic-downtown area...some areas in winter park.....orlando doesn't let history stand in the way of another strip mall. St. augustine is nice, about 1 1/2 hours north.

shopping-the usual assortment of malls.factory outlet malls on international drive.park ave. in winter park for something a little less commercial

TONS of stuff to do that isn't touristy, but you will have to have the car. Antiques, it is Mt Dora. Small and quaint and about an hours drive from the convention hotels. If you like nature, I suggest Wekiva or Blue Springs state parks. The springs are lovely and 72f all year around (though it has been very cold and dry there lately. Historic? Hit Coco beach and see the Kennedy space center (and the location for "Bewitched"). Blue springs was a Confederate landing in the civil war. Shopping: hit the outlet mall near international drive. A fun thing we used to do was hotel hop on the Disney properties. There are tons of fine resturants and bars there. You can also look for "Hidden Mickeys". International drive is touristy, but cool in many ways. Hit the "Crikerteer's arms" if you like pubs. Real hand pulled English ales...in the Mercado.

It is a great area. A lot of the real Florida to be had if you sniff it out. Good luck!

Kennedy Space Center was the location for "I Dream of Jeannie" - there is even a road named after the series.

Definitely don't miss TERROR ON CHURCH STREET. It's a LIVE horror house. My husband and I have been twice. It's a blast!!

Check out the site below that has other stuff on Church St. as well. There's a historic train station and some other stuff there. http://www.orlandoflorida.net/todo/A...et_station.htm

Wendy