Orlando attracts millions of tourist a year because of the world class theme parks Walt Disney World and Universal Studios chose to call it home. However, once you have a permanent residence in the City Beautiful, you may want to venture out and see what the rest of Orlando has to offer outside of the typical Disney and Universal attractions. Here are 16 places you need to try on your next trip to Central Florida!
1) Ride the giant ferris wheel, the Orlando Eye, located at I-drive 360 if you want a bird’s eye view of Central Florida. Afterwards, stay in the area to grab a bite to eat or visit Madam Tussauds or the Sea Life Aquarium
2) Take the kiddos to play with all the interactive attractions at the Crayola Experience and see how crayons are made or even make your very own color.
3) Stop to smell the roses—or rather the camellias—at Harry P. Leu Botanical Gardens. It features the largest collection in North America of camellias blooming from November through March.
4) Explore the home to largest collection of Tiffany glass in the world is located in Orlando’s own Charles Hosmer Morse Museum of American Art.
5) See if you’re up to par on some of the premier golf courses in the world. Check out Bay Hill Club & Lodge, Grand Cypress Resort, Waldorf Astoria Club if you’re looking for the same courses the pros prefer.
6) If mini golf is more your speed, take your pick of the various themed miniature golf places such as Pirate’s Cove, Jungle Adventure, or Congo River Golf.
7) Take in a professional sporting event. For basketball fans, hit up a Magic game at the Amway Center from October to June. If soccer is more your speed, the Orlando City Lions MLS club plays at the Citrus Bowl from April to August.
8) Paddle a swan boat around the City Beautiful’s iconic fountain at Lake Eola.
9) Watch a live gator feeding and hold a baby alligator at one of central Florida’s oldest attractions Gatorland.
10) If you really want to see an alligator in its natural habitat, Kissimmee Swamp Tours will help you with that. Take an air boat ride with them through one of Central Florida’s swamp lands.
11) Rent an inner tube and take a float down Rock Springs in Kelly Park. The year around cool 72 degree water will keep you nice and cool, even in the hottest summer months.
12) Pack a lunch and head out to one of Central Florida’s many hiking trails to get a feel of what native Florida looks like. Shingle Creek Regional Park and Tibet-Butler Reserve are only minutes away from Disney, but feel like a world apart!
13) Fly through the air 65 feet off the ground on a heart pounding adventure Have a heart pounding adventure with Zip Orlando. You can even take a Sunday Sunset Tour or Moon Zip Night Tour if you’re looking for a fun date night activity.
14) Sail through the air while you watch the sunrise on a hot air balloon with Orlando Balloon Rides. You’ll even finish the trip with a champagne toast!
15) Decode secret puzzles, solve mysteries, and try to escape a locked room before time runs out at the Escape Game Orlando.
16) Peer out a giant telescope and learn about stars, Florida’s nature, experience a category five hurricane and more at the Orlando Science Center.
And you can enjoy even more all of these wonderful things when you buy or rent a home with us!
Milena@vivaorlando.com