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A Air Force
Space & Missile Museum
- Cape Canaveral - (321)853-3245 - This a U.S. Air Force museum at Cape
Canaveral. The museum has an outdoor
rocket garden with more than 55 missiles, an exhibit hall and a real launch
control block house with giant blast
doors. Calling before visiting is recommended. Very close to Cocoa Beach
and the Kennedy Space Center.
Albin Polasek Museum & Sculpture
Garden
- Winter Park - (407) 647-6294 - You will find works by Albin Polasek
including his sculptures, art collected by him and a 3 acre sculpture garden.
Amazing Exotics
- (352)821-1234 - This facility is home to many exotic animals which
you can interact with. Hourly and half day tours are available.
Reservations are required.
Aquatic Wonders Boat Tours
- Kissimmee
- (407) 846-2814 - Go on an eagle watch, look for alligators and
more on gigantic Lake Tohopekaliga. 101 Lakeshore Blvd. Kissimmee
FL, 34741
Atlantic Blue
Water Charters Inc.
(off-shore
fishing).
B
Balloon Flights
- Hot air balloon flights. Typically they offer: sunrise
flights, champagne breakfasts, hotel pickups, first flight certificates,
FAA certified pilots, insurance, and photo opportunities. Their
take-off sites vary with wind direction.
Bill's Airboat Adventures
- Orlando - (407) 977-3214 - 1-1/2 hr. rides on the St.
Johns River.
Blue Spring
State Park
- Orange City - (904)775-3663 - At this State Park you will see endangered manatees
(usually November to March) which can be literally at arms length. They
swim in the beautiful springs and they water remains 72 degrees year-round.
The manatees come to the warm spring water from the colder St. Johns
river. Enjoy the natural beauty of so much crystal clear water
welling up out of the earth. There is also an elevated wooden
walkway through old palm/oak forest if you would like to see a part
of natural Florida. 2100 West French Avenue, Orange City, Florida.
Bob Carr
Performing Arts Center
- (407) 849-2020 - Home of the Orlando Opera Company, Southern
Ballet Company and touring Broadway shows.
Brevard Zoo
- Melbourne (>hour from Orlando)- (321)254-WILD or (321)254-9453
- You have to see their train! 8825 N. Wickham Rd.
C
Captain Memo's
Pirate Cruise
- Clearwater - (727)446-2587 - Set your course with the cool reggae island and
steel band music throughout your pirate cruise. Every passenger will enjoy
their choice of soft drinks, beer, wine or champagne, while searching for
dolphins. A full service bar is also available. Reservations are
recommended.
Charles Hosmer Morse Museum
of American Art
- Winter Park, near downtown Orlando- (407) 645-5311- the museum
has recently completed (after 2 years) re-assembling an original
exhibit from the Chicago Exhibition of 1893 which is a neo-byzantine
style Tiffany art glass chapel. Other Tiffany art and art from the
late 19th and early 20th centuries can also be found. From the Orlando/Kissimmee
attractions area take I-4 to Exit 45 and turn right on Fairbanks
Ave. East 2 miles to Park Ave. and make a left and stay on Park
Ave. until you get to 445 Park Ave. N..
Citrus Bowl
- (407) 849-2020 - Site of the famed Citrus Bowl football
game, it also hosts concerts and UCF's Golden Knights football team.
Clearwater Marine
Aquarium
Cypress Gardens - Winter
Haven Florida
Get ready to rediscover
Florida's first theme park! Cypress Gardens Adventure Park is
the grandfather of Central Florida tourism. The park features a blend of
exciting new rides, 5 coasters, historic botanical gardens, Nature’s Way animal
area, daily shows, Jubilee Junction, Splash Island water park and a quaint
shopping and food village, as well as a line-up of more than 50 concerts and
special events throughout the year.
D
Daytona Beach
Area - Aside from the
features listed in our
Florida
Beaches section, there are some other notable attractions of
the Daytona area. It has many places to stay (for any budget) with
greater than 300 establishments such as hotels, motels, RV parks
and camping areas. See Daytona International Speedway where the
famous Daytona 500 and the Pepsi 400 stock car races are held annually
and the
Daytona USA
motor sports attraction. Nearby is Mark
Martin's (of racing fame)
Klassix Auto Museum
(also described below). there is the Daytona Opry country music
show with Nashville recording artist Charlie Floyd. they also have
the Museum of Arts and Sciences
which includes a planetarium. there are other features of the Daytona
Beach area which you can learn about by calling the Daytona Beach
Area Convention and Visitors Bureau for more info at 1(800)854-1234
or visiting the Daytona Beach Area Convention & Visitor's Bureau's
internet site at
http://www.daytonabeach.com
Daytona Beach
River Cruises Co.
Halifax River cruises.
Derby Lane
- St. Petersburg - Greyhound Dog Racing
Dinosaur World
- Plant City (one hour
from Orlando) - (813) 717-9865 - Over 100 life-size dinosaurs in
a sub-tropical forest setting. Exit 10 of I-4, 5145 Harvey Tew Road,
Plant City, FL 33565
Disney Quest
- Disney's indoor interactive theme park at Downtown
Disney.
Disney Quest Tickets
Dolphin Encounter
Cruise
- Gulf
E
Eaglerider Motorcycle Rental
- Orlando - 1(888)500-0055
or (407) 316-8687. Renting exclusively Harley Davidsons, with nine
models to choose from including: Bad Boy, Dyna Low Rider, Electra
Glide, Fat Boy, Heritage Softail Classic, Road King, Softail Custom,
Sportster and Heritage Springer. 527 W. Miller Street, Orlando,
FL 32805
Enzian orlando
- (407)
629-1088 - A cabaret style movie theatre with wine, beer, soda,
tea, dining optional. Home of the Florida Film Festival.
F
Florida Aquarium,
the
- Tampa (90 minutes from Orlando) - (813)273-4000 - A world-class
aquarium with excellent exhibits. 701 Channelside Dr., Tampa FL.
floridacamping.com
is a great site for state-wide camping info run by the
Florida Association of RV Parks & Campgrounds.
Florida Coastal
Cruises, Inc.
(near Daytona Beach) offers scenic Cruises on the Indian
River (no ocean travel) where you may see manatees, dolphins, other
natural wonders and Ponce de Leon Inlet Lighthouse .
Florida State
Parks
- Aside from some of the parks highlighted elsewhere on
this page, also consider checking out Homosassa Springs, Caladesi
Island State Park, Honeymoon Island State Park, Florida Caverns
State Park and Rainbow Springs State Park.
Forever Florida
- St. Cloud -1(888)957-9794 or (407) 957-9794 - 4700 acre
nature preserve with a "Cracker Coach" which is an
elevated vehicle that you ride 10 ft. off of the ground. They have
a petting zoo, pony rides and horseback tours too.
Freefall Adventures,
Florida
Fun Spot Action Park
- Orlando - (407) 363-3867 - 4
multi-level go cart tracks,
bumper cars, bumper boats, ferris wheel, "Paratrooper". Also has kiddie
rides: Cadet Track, Swings, Panda Ride, Tea Cups and the Kiddie
Train. They also have an arcade with video games, air hockey, skee ball,
and a snack bar.
G
Ghost Tour,
Orlando Hauntings
- (407)247-0452 - The tour is
a two hour walking tour of the downtown Orlando that focuses on paranormal
investigation. The first half of the tour is spent walking you to several
buildings, venturing inside some of the buildings, telling you all of the
stories and history associated with each property and giving you a working
education in parapsychology. During the second half of the tour, they take
you inside an actual haunted building where you get to conduct a paranormal
investigation using some of your own equipment.
H
Haunted Grimm House of Old Town
- Kissimmee - (407) 397-2231 - A 5- to 10-minute stroll
through 20 rooms of shocks and surprises courtesy of special effects and a
handful of live actors.
Henry B.
Plant Museum
- Tampa - (813)254-1891 - 401 West JFK Blvd. - This museum
is housed in an interesting building with silver colored roofs reminiscent
of Russian style or Hershey's Kisses.
the Holy Land
Experience
- (407)872-2272 - When you
pass through the Jerusalem City Gate at The Holy Land Experience, you will
travel back in time to an ancient land that is 2000 years old and 7000 miles
away! On your journey, you will discover a new world of information and
understanding; be inspired through biblical stories, music, and dance; and
become immersed in a land that still impacts the life you live in many ways.
Holy Land Experience
Tickets
Horse World Riding Stable
- Kissimmee - (407) 847-4343, 3705 S. Poinciana Blvd. 34758
Hubbards Marina
- John's Pass
- Rent wave-runners and see the other great tourist
related activities at John's Pass.
I
J
John's Pass
-
This quaint turn-of-the-century
fishing village is Pinellas County's #1 tourist attraction. Over one
hundred merchants inhabit the Village with unique retail shopping, a variety of
restaurants, the local fishing fleet, cruise lines, boat rentals, parasailing
and jet skiing. The beach is a short stroll away. Conveniently
located near St. Petersburg, Clearwater, Tampa and a just a short drive from
Orlando.
K
KARTWORLD
- Orlando (on International Drive) and Kissimmee (on 192) - (407)
396-4800 - One of the longest go-cart tracks
in America "almost 1 mile long".
L
Lowry Park Zoo
- Tampa (90 minutes from Orlando) - A world-class zoo.
7530 North Blvd. Tampa, FL 33604-4700
M
Magical Midway
- Orlando - (407)370-5353 - Magical Midway features two
elevated go-kart tracks, a fast track, thrill rides and a collection of classic
midway rides. Experience the Space Blast Tower; hold on to your seat as
you lift off at over 3 G’s to a height of 180 feet. Make a splash with our
squirting bumper boats, bump your friends and family in the bumper cars, spin on
the Tornado and much more!
More on Magical Midway
with a Coupon
Malibu Grand
Prix - Orlando - (407)
351-7093 - Malibu's Indy-style race cars have been claimed to be the fastest
go-carts in Orlando, however there is much more to this action park. Batting
cages, miniature golf and a large arcade fill the bill at this lively pit-stop!
Menello Museum of American Folk
Art
Mixon Fruit
Farms
(Bradenton) - Tour citrus groves.
Mote Aquarium
- Sarasota - (941) 388-2451
- At Mote Marine Laboratory, this aquarium houses local marine life
and is geared for tourists, even though it is the site of a world
famous marine biology research lab. 1600 Ken Thompson Pkwy. Sarasota,
24236
Mount Dora Cannonball
(352)-735-4667 the
Mount Dora Cannonball steam excursion train is located at
150 W 3rd Ave. in Mount Dora off of Hwy 441 (about 25 miles from
Orlando).
MurderWatch
Mystery Dinner theatre
(407) -850-9555 - "Escape
the ordinary! Prepare yourself for an evening of mystery and intrigue.
In its 11th year, this award winning show sells out quickly because
it involves YOU in an evening of hilarious, mysterious events offering
you the opportunity to conduct your own personal investigation.
This fun filled evening includes an All You Can Eat Prime Rib Buffet,
and is complemented with fresh fish and chicken entres, a fabulous
salad bar and desserts to "die" for. Special Kids Buffet available.
the FACTS: Inside the Grosvenor Resort's Baskervilles Restaurant,
every Saturday evening at 6pm and 9pm. $34.95 per adult; $10.95
per child. For reservations, call 407-827-6534."
Museum of
African American Art
- Tampa - (813)272-2466
- 1308 N. Marion St.
Museum of Arts
and Sciences, the
- Daytona
Beach - (386) USA-ARTS - Featuring the Rood Family Collection of
Americana, see classic railroad cars, Coca-Cola memorabilia, race
cars, antique quilts, hundreds of teddy bears and more.
Museum of Science & Industry (MOSI)
- Tampa (90 minutes east of Orlando) - 1(800)995-MOSI (6674)
or (813)987-6000 - A world-class science museum. 4801 E. Fowler
Ave. Tampa FL, 33617-2017
N
NBA City
at Universal's City Walk
O
Old Town
- Kissimmee - (407) 396-1964 - A park with shops, restaurants,
Haunted Grimm House
(see description above) and rides like: the Giant Ferris Wheel,
rotating swings, Wind-Storm Roller Coaster, tea-cups, merry-go-round,
go carts and more. they state that you should "Hang out & enjoy
the famous Saturday Night Cruise..." with "...up to 800 classic
cars as they cruise the street of Old Town". We've been by there
a few times and if you are a car buff, you'll see some excellent
vehicles. We've also seen live oldies singing entertainment on Friday
and Saturday evenings. If you get there early enough, they have
25 cent Pepsi-Cola's in bottles at the General
Store which sells "souvenirs from the 50's, 60's and 70's" which
for the most part are reproductions. We saw a store specializing
in British goods, a store that specialized in Irish goods, a salt-water
taffy (no, there's no ocean water in it) store making the confection
in front of many gazing eyes (with free samples) amongst many other
shops. Open 365 days a year, 10 a.m. to 11 p.m. Exit 25A, 1 mile
East of I-4 on Highway 192, Kissimmee FL, look for the ferris wheel.
Orlando Convention Center/Visitor's
Bureau - (407) 363-5800
Orlando Jai-Alai and Race Book
- Fern Park - (407) 339-6221 - Jai-Alai is a sport played
between people upon which other people gamble. there's also thoroughbred
horse racing. 6405 S. Hwy 17-92, Fern Park FL.
Orlando Museum of Art
- (407) 896-4231 - they have a broad spectrum of art genres on display.
there is also a museum shop. 2416 N. Mills Ave., Orlando, from the
attractions area take I-4 to Exit 43 (Princeton Ave.) right on Princeton
and bear right until you get to N. Mills Ave., then follow the signs.
Orlando Speed
World & New Smyrna Raceway
- up close racing, exciting and loud! (bring your ear-plugs,
although you'll be the only one wearing them, but who cares, at
least your ears won't be ringing, and if it's good enough for pros
it's good enough for you).
Orange Blossom
Groves
- Clearwater
& Seminole - take tours of real citrus groves.
P
Paintball World
- Orlando - (407) 648-8404
- Where you can shoot paintballs on a 30 acre site. Large parties/groups
welcome. 5 minutes from International Drive. 3445 Vineland Rd.,
Orlando
Q
R
Reptile World
Serpentarium - St. Cloud
- (407) 892-6905 - the names says it all; they feature snakes and
reptiles including venomous snakes from around the world, gila monsters,
alligators and more. Take I-4 to East Hwy 192, 20 miles, when the
road narrows to two lanes start looking because they will be 1/2
mile from there on the left.
Rodeo at Kissimmee
Sports Arena
- (407) 933-0020 - Every
Friday at 8 p.m. you can see bareback riding, saddled bronco riding,
calf roping, bull riding and barrel racing. they have covered bleachers
and a saloon with country music on Fridays, 8 p.m. - 2 a.m.. Take
Highway 192 to Hoagland Blvd. (not far after marker 15) follow signs
to the Kissimmee Sports Arena.
Richard Petty Driving Experience
- at Disney World Speedway and Daytona
International Speedway - 1(800)BE-PETTY - Drive or ride along in
real racing cars.
Ringling Museum
of Art, the John & Mable
- Sarasota - (941)359-5700
or (941) 351-1660 - This museum has a collection spanning 500 years
of European art initiated and donated by the famous circus owner/partner
of Ringling Bros., Barnum & Bailey Circus. there is also a collection
called "the Museum of the Circus" with rare circus artifacts including
carved wagons, costumes posters and more. 5401 Bay Shore Rd., Sarasota,
FL 34243
Rivership Romance
- Sanford
- (800)423-7401 or (407) 321-5091 - Lunch & dinner cruises on the
beautiful St. Johns River, air-conditioned. At the Sanford Marina.
Ruth Eckerd
Hall
(Clearwater) - This performance hall pulls in the biggest
names in entertainment.
S
Sanford/Orlando
Kennel Club
- Longwood
- (407) 831-1600 - Live greyhound racing 6 nights a week. Also simulcast
wagering on thoroughbred horse and harness racing.
Sarasota Florida's
Cultural Coast
-
a website covering the cultural things to do
in Sarasota.
Showcase of
Citrus, the
- 15 minutes from Disney (in Clermont) is where they have the Wildcat
Super Truck (it's VERY BIG) where you get a tour of an active citrus
grove and ranch with which includes dry land, wooded areas and marshes
with a chance to see alligators and other wildlife. You can also
buy (and pick within season) citrus and buy many various Florida
gifts. 5010 Hwy 27 Clermont, FL, 34711(800) 224-8787
St. Petersburg
- just 90 minutes to two hours drive from Orlando, is
"the Pier",
a five story building, which looks like an inverted partial pyramid,
with shops inside it at the end of a well constructed pier. Downtown
St. Petersburg also offers other museums, which are:
the Museum of
Fine Arts, the St. Petersburg Museum of History, Great Expectations
(a hands-on interactive museum),
Holocaust Memorial
Museum & Educational Center,
and the
Florida International Museum
(which is affiliated with the Smithsonian Institution)
goes all-out on single themed exhibits; their current exhibit through
October 22, 2000 is called "Presidents and First Ladies on TIME,
on loan from the National Portrait Gallery of the Smithsonian, it's
a collection of 35 original pieces of cover art from TIME Magazine.
Also see their permanent exhibit, the Kennedy Collection, the collection
of hundreds of personal items once owned by the Kennedy family.
there are also dozens of bistros and sidewalk cafes, art galleries
and more. Don't miss driving over the
Sunshine Skyway
Bridge (there is a small
toll of $1 southbound), and get a breath-taking view from this stunningly
picturesque cable stayed bridge (opened in 1991) to the south of
downtown, on I-275. Also, the beaches
in this area are some of the best in the U.S.A.
You also won't want to miss
the Suncoast
Seabird Sanctuary,
where they take
in injured birds from the area and nurse them back to health. their
aviary is neat; it's on Redington Shores Beach, and it's
free, but donations are accepted.
John's Pass Village is over at
Madeira beach
(and described on our beaches page). You can get more info on the
area by visiting
St. Petersburg/Clearwater Area Convention
& Visitors Bureau's site.
Take I-4 to I-275 south to St. Petersburg.
Sammy Duvall's
Watersports Centre
(at Disney's Contemporary Resort)
Sarasota
Jungle Gardens - (941)355-5305
- with gardens and variety of creatures. they also have bird and
reptile shows, and a shell museum. A gift shop and cafe are on the
premises. 3701 Bay Shore Road, Sarasota Florida, 34234
Scenic Boat
Tour
- Winter Park - (407)
644-4056 - A one hour boat tour through Winter Park lakes which
are interconnected by canals. From the main attractions area take
I-4 to Exit 45, right on Fairbanks Ave. to 3rd light, left onto
Orlando Ave. to 1st light, Morse Blvd. East to the end. Go right
to the waterfront.
Sea Screamer
- Clearwater - Claims to be the "world's largest speed
boat" and it looks pretty cool too!
Selby Botanical
Gardens, Marie
- Sarasota - (941)366-5731
- 811 S. Palm Ave.
Seminole Indian
Casino
(Tampa)
Show Queen Cruises
- Gulf
Skydive Space Centera
- Titusville (near Kennedy Space Center) - (800)267-0016
or 312-267-0016 - Tandem skydiving with certified instructors from
13,500 ft. Free fall for 50 seconds at 120 m.p.h.. Videos and still
photos available. See Kennedy Space Center from above! Take 408
to I-95 North to Exit 80, then go East for 1.3 miles, then left
on N. Williams Ave. to Arthur Dunn Air Park, 476 N. Williams Ave.
Titusville.
Shell World Seashell Museum
& Gift Shop
- Kissimmee - 888-9-SHELLS or 407-396-9000 -
FREE
-
More store than museum, but yes, there is an actual museum in a
separate room, tiny as it is, with ocean sounds playing, in the
back of this 12,000 ft. shop with a large variety of interesting
looking shells (if shells can be interesting). there's a V.W. bug
completely covered in shells out front. Many of the free coupon
guides available in hotel lobbies have a coupon for Shell World
to get a free seashell neclace or key ring or sand dollar. 4727
W. Hwy. 192, near Marker 13
Starlite Cruises
(Gulf)
***Newly
added***
Starship Dining
Yacht
- 813-223-7999 or 877-744-7999 - Brunch, lunch and dinner
cruises.
T
Tampa Downs
- thouroughbred horse racing.
Treasure Chest
Quest Game Show
- Kissimmee - In a orlando remodeled
as a TV studio set guests are the studio audience, and many become
contestants for the "on-air" game shows. Prizes range from kid's
awards to portable televisions to $1000 in cash. they say it has
"All the buzzers, lights and sound effects of actual TV style game
shows." and "...No one can resist the desire to hit the button to
lock out their opponents. Everyone loves to test their knowledge.
Fun competition for all." Admission: $10 per adult; $5 per child.
Every Tuesday and Friday evening at 8pm. For reservations, call
407-396-6000 x 5059
Tropicana
Field
- St. Petersburg - Home
of the Major League Baseball team the Tampa Bay Rays.
U
UCF orlando
- University of Central Florida's orlando complex featuring
popular stage plays.
V
W
Warbird Adventures
-
Kissimmee - (407) 870-7366 - Fly in real vintage aircraft. 233 N.
Hoagland Blvd. Kissimmee FL.
Weeki Wachee Springs Water Park
TM -
Approximately 45 minutes drive
north of Tampa. See mermaid shows, a Wilderness River Cruise, a
mermaid museum, swim in Weeki Wachee springs, giant water slides,
snorkel and scuba diving, canoe trips and more!
Wekiva (a.k.a.
Wekiwa) Springs State Park
- Orange & Seminole Counties - (407) 884-2008 - A
7000 acre park with natural springs pumping out 42 million gallons
of 72 degree water per day. Believe it or not, this is one of Floridas
top attractions. You can camp, hike, bike and swim. Many local people
swim here. the water in the lake surrounding the springs seemed
a little too inhabited by organisms for my taste (and the "no-see-ums",
a spring/summer, biting, flying nuisance insect, weren't so nice
either) so we went for a walk nearby into a surprisingly wonderful
primeval forest on an elevated wooden walkway. I've been to other
Florida parks, but I've never seen such an ancient looking spot.
Maybe the micro-climate of the nearby springs has helped preserve
an island of foliage from an ancient period. the parks flora changes
considerably as you go from one part to another, so you can get
a sense of the diversity of plants in central Florida. You will
find in this park a time-machine to a pre-historic Florida, amongst
many other things. there is a small admission fee to the park. From
Orlando, take I-4 east to the Longwood exit (in good moving traffic
the exit is about 15-20 minutes from downtown Orlando.) Turn left
at the bottom of the ramp onto SR 434, follow the signs to Wekiva
Springs Road and make a right, then go approx. 4 miles to the park
which will be on the right hand side.
X
Y
Ybor City
(in the heart of Tampa)
- this former cigar-making center is now the popular
epicenter of the Tampa reGon's nightlife. Very many locals jam
the roads on their way to this place from Wednesday to Saturday
for its clubs and restaurants.
Z
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