Busch Gardens?
Sent from my iPhone using TZ-UK mobile app
So, a week in the Canaries morphed into a fortnight villa holiday in Orlando. We have been several times and have the parks covered. I may be able to prise SWMBO away from Winnie The Pooh so don't intend to spend all our time in them.
I know a lot of you guys are seasoned Florida visitors and am hoping you may be able to suggest some ideas for interesting places/things to visit. We have a car so anything within a days drive of Orlando will be great. We have previously done air-boating in the Everglades, balloon rides and Discovery Cove, but that sort of thing would be of interest thanks.
Busch Gardens?
Sent from my iPhone using TZ-UK mobile app
Have you been to Silver Springs in Ocala? It's where the Johnny Weissmuller Tarzan films were shot, as well as a lot of other water-themed films, scenes and TV series - such as Sea Hunt with Lloyd Bridges. I find it a nice antidote to the parks in Orlando.
You could also get to the coast - Cocoa Beach, Daytona, New Smyrna Beach, etc.
In Winter Park there is the Morse Museum of American Art, with a huge collection of Tiffany glassware.
Surfing in Cocoa Beach. This and the rest of the Space Coast.
The Dolphin Rescue centre in Tampa was both eye opening and extremely good fun.
I used to love the baseball batting cages for an hour or so.
We've enjoyed these two:
Edison & Ford Winter Estates
http://www.edisonfordwinterestates.org
The Ringling
https://www.ringling.org
We normally stay at the Hard Rock at Universal but last time thought we’d try out the Hard Rock at Tampa for a few days to break up the holiday (has a casino at this one) and had a great time. Not only is Busch close by but there’s some amazing places close by - We had a couple of days in Clearwater and it was stunning. Definitely going up there for a week next time. Also strangely the weather is better there - less rain.
Cocoa Beach is great. Near the Pier (near Ron John's Surf Shop) you can hire a board and even get some lessons as well. A little further down at Lori Wilson's Park there are beach guards as well. The Space Coast has several museums about Space.
Busch Gardens: worth a visit.
Sarasota has the Mote Marine Aquarium. Worth a visit as well. https://mote.org
Ft Myers: Edison & Ford Museum is nice, about 30mins to the SW: Sanibel and Captiva Island (as mentioned: Ringling's). Beaches are great. But honestly, it's pretty long drive from Orlando and back! Also in Ft Myers: IMAG History and Science Museum (nice for kids until the age of 12, I think). https://www.tripadvisor.nl/Attractio...s_Florida.html It's been a while since we went to that museum so I cannot tell you how it's now.
M
The Kennedy Space Centre was the highlight during my last trip.
Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
Blue Springs is a great place to spend an afternoon and isn’t too far from Orlando. It’s a designated Manatee refuge and has a boardwalk, spring to swim in and also tubing. It’s not mega touristy, and so you will mainly find locals. There are quite a few National Parks that are worth a visit and there you’re likely to see gators, manatees etc in the wild rather than in enclosures. My lads loved it last time and we’ll be going back in April.
Tampa Bay Rays baseball game?
The game's rubbish IMHO(!) but it's a real spectacle/novelty.
Daytona racetrack/museum.
Last edited by David_D; 10th February 2018 at 15:16. Reason: Added
KSC definitely, baseball game sure.
If you are feeling a little more adventurous for a real thrill that's not a Disney ride take a Harvard up for a flight!
Hoagland Blvd, Kissimmee
http://www.warbirdadventures.com/flights
Interesting museum too.
Cheers,
Neil.
And if you want to recreate "Cable guy", Medieval Times Dinner and jousting!
https://www.medievaltimes.com/
Cheers,
Neil.
^^^ definitely this. As you go in pop into the visitor center / office and ask them to plan your day as things are happening throughout the day. Done a great job for us.
Gatorland is good for something a bit different, spending a few dollars to feed them is great fun!
Reslly good Escape Room on iDrive, The Escape game orlando.
As has been said- Kennedy
Last time we did a manatee swim at crystal river, air boat ride- the eye is also pretty good
Orlando is quite close to the Ocala National Forest, and Alexander Springs.
http://www.floridaadventuring.com/al...r_springs.html
You're also not that far from Daytona Beach, Cocoa Beach, and the Canaveral Seashore. Boating and fishing options abound.
http://www.visitspacecoast.com/thing...ports/boating/
They've just opened an Ace Cafe in Orlando, and its quite popular, but there is plenty else to eat in town. Here is the hotlist.
https://miami.eater.com/maps/best-ne...urants-heatmap
http://www.acecafeusa.com/
And as far as food goes, I'm a bit of a fine wine fan, and have been planning a trip to Bern's for my next visit to Florida. Its something of a wine guy's Mecca. Its in Tampa, and not too far away, (1.5 hrs or so).
http://www.businessinsider.com/photo...-cellar-2014-3
4 rivers smokehouse is worth a visit (as is smokey bones)
agree with kennedy and airboat tour
Its a trek but if you're up for a long day then going down towards miami is good - as is heading over to clearwater and seeing the manatees - depends on your appetite for racking up mileage - but fort lauderdale seems to have a fair few watch shops!
This! We did this (Tampa Bay Rays) and I would recommend. I may have my geography wrong as we stayed in 6x resorts on a trip round Florida but other highlights;
Miami (no need to elaborate)
Clearwater, Naples or Fort Lauderdale for a nice beach resorts with decent restaurants etc
Key West has a nice vibe but appreciate its quite a drive.
Enjoy
Snorkelling with Manatees was the highlight** of our 7 Florida holidays - the Guys at the Best Western dive lodge Crystal River were superb - dinner at Cody's just down the road - a trip to the Homassa Springs wildlife park again just down the road was great.
** plus a shuttle launch
Last edited by theoriginaldigger; 10th February 2018 at 20:53.
Kennedy Space Center is a must see. Plan for at least an entire day. KSC is very close to Daytona.
Gatorland is fantastic. Very entertaining.
It's the off season for Major League Baseball, and spring training games don't begin until late February.
I'd find a place to snorkel with the manatees.
Have fun.
We were there a couple of years ago as a family and probably our best day out was the visit to Everglades and a trip on the airboats. Entry fee includes visit to animal park to see the Gators feeding up close. Also saw a few wild American eagles. Just a nice break from the hulabaloo that is Orlando just an hour away.
Sent from my [device_name] using TZ-UK mobile app
I knew I could rely on you guys!
Thanks for the suggestions so far. We have done Kennedy a couple of times and I doubt I could drag swmbo along again, although maybe a boys day out.
I will let the boss have a look and am sure we will incorporate some of the above.
Airboat ride was great, plenty of critters and birds to spot too....
Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
... and we've not even mentioned Cirque du Soleil! Eyewatering expensive tickets, but something to remember for years! Much cheaper: Blue Man Group at the end of Universal's City Walk, around the pond. Near the Hard Rock Cafe - you can go to the show as well without Universal tickets. You only need BMG tickets and a parking ticket for the Universal Parking.
There are a few nice movie theatres as well; Cinemax at the north end of I-Drive is nice.
Menno
Last time we went, 2014, Cirque du Soleil was mentioned but we didn't seem to have time for it. Good call thanks.
I shan't discount KSC, but I know someone who may.
We used to head over to Anna Maria Island for a day or two at the beach. We now spend a fortnight there every year!
If you enjoy snorkelling the reef of the John Pennekamp State Park in Key Largo is fantastic.
Kennedy Space Centre is a must, and Gatorland is also surprisingly excellent. For a small premium over the standard entry you can actually feed the gators.
I think Cirque du Soleil may have closed in Orlando now. Disney decided that the area isn't Disney enough so I believe it will be replaced by a Disney show.
Always a nice thing to do: eat with a view on the sun going down. East Coast US citizens love that view because most marine views are facing east. I've never been to Sundowners. I did eat at The Whale Harbor Seafood Buffet. And I've heard great things about Ziggie and Mad Dog's a little further south.
But, tbh, not a trip you can do in a day from Orlando to Islamorada vv. I 'guestimate' that a single trip is a 4hr drive.
If you are heading to Cocoa Beach or Cape Canaveral, you ought to stop for breakfast at this traditional American diner. They have branches everywhere but it was something of a novelty as it wasn't a tourist spot and so it felt authentic!
https://locations.wafflehouse.com/fl-cocoa-607
And how could I forget this??
https://www.navysealmuseum.org/
Some amazing exhibits!
https://www.navysealmuseum.org/home-...er-seal-rescue
As said multiple times, do nasa! Get on a upclose tour, worth it!
While I was up that way we went to Daytona and watched nascar! I’m into my motorsport and nothing comes close to the noise! Be prepared to be covered in rubber and stink of fuel afterwards! Plus you get to go in A yellow American school bus!
Some interesting museums there (well they appeal to me anyway). We aren't big snorkelers tbh, but are pretty keen on food!
I quite fancy the Keys, but if we were to do that, we would probably need to consider an overnighter somewhere.
Chesapeake Bay Resort on Islamorada is fine. Located next to the Overseas Highway, a spot in the middle of the restaurants I mentioned above. It's about halfway between Miami and Key West. There are a pool and a beach for kids.
Menno
Sunday Brunch at the Grand Bohemian, (in downtown Orlando), is exceptional.
If we fly on a Saturday from the UK, this is a fantastic way to start the holiday.
http://www.grandbohemianhotel.com/
(Has to be booked ahead).
Last edited by r1ch; 13th February 2018 at 08:46. Reason: added location
Looks like I will need to pack some eating pants (or work harder on my diet)!
Gatorland - if you enjoy seeing wild animals teased with lumps of meat to make them jump. I have no problem with Zoos with large enclosures for conservation and education, but performing animals is a step too far.
Alternatively just get out to the Kissimmee swamps or Everglades and see loads of alligators in their natural environment. You'll also likely see large gators while doing the bus tour at Kennedy Space Centre.
I don't disagree with the sentiment at all.
However, its worth noting, (I've family in the Orlando area with direct experience through their line of business), that Gatorland take "problem" 'gators, (eg that have been encouraged to hang around populated places by people stupidly feeding them), rather than them simply being killed. There was an incident last year in St. Cloud where some school kids threw food to a 'gator and it eventually had to be removed as it would wait at the side of the pavement for them each morning for its "breakfast".
Talking of breakfast :)
[IMG][/IMG]
It's well worth a visit, (seafood is brilliant if thats your thing and bottomless OJ/Prosecco etc.. ), and theres valet parking right at the door.