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Flights to Orlando
Orlando, Florida should really be called Disney World because it is the home of the one and only. In the 1960s Walt Disney began buying up land in the surrounding area of Orlando, and years later it is now the 5th most-popular US destination for overseas travelers. Orlando is a bustling city of amusement parks and tourists. Although Disney World and a host of other theme parks are actually not located in the city of Orlando, this is the stomping ground most tourists begin and end their days after expensive souvenir shopping and eating overpriced lunches at the surrounding parks.
The biggest city in central Florida, Orlando is dominated by Lake Eola in its northeastern downtown quadrant. The most famous downtown icon is Church Street Station, a collection of restaurants, bars and shops located between I-4 and the railroad tracks. Orlando is 4 miles (6km) from Universal Studios; 10 miles (16km) from Sea World; and 20 miles (32km) from Walt Disney World, all located southwest of downtown along International Drive (I-Drive) in an area appropriately known as the Tourist Quarter. The city has also established itself as part of Florida's high-tech corridor, boasting not only the space technology industries focused on the Florida Space Coast (also keen on 'booms'), but a healthy dose of bits and bytes makers as well.
But it is hard to not fall into the tourist traps of Orlando; after all you are going there to spend your money on the amusement parks and overpriced shopping, not to get off the beaten path. If you are looking for some other attractions besides the parks look no further. Orlando caters to everyone's needs and wants and so much more. You can find a number of waterparks in Orlando, the weather is generally nice out and an ideal climate for the clothes to come off and cool down in the water.
The last place you would think to visit a museum might be Orlando, but the Orlando Museum of Art is a fine place to find some quiet and appreciate 19th and 20th century American and pre-American art. Of course for the avid golfers, what would any vacation getaway be without billions of golf courses? I think Orlando alone has almost 1,000. Ok, not really but they have a ton of courses for all levels and instructional schools for those of us that are golf-challenged.
Eight Seconds would be the first stop on my list cowboys and cowgirls. There will be no alligator raslin' here, but bar goers can challenge each other to a friendly contest on mechanical bulls.
Of course, what would the world's largest theme park be without shopping? There is so much shopping to do in Orlando and the surrounding parks that any normal human being would never get to it all and if they did they would die of exhaustion. From souvenir shops to outlet malls, there are tons of things to buy, cheap and expensive.
But wait, can you believe it? Probably the greatest museum of all times, well if it isn't it so should be, Ripley's Believe it or Not has a collection of artifacts, documents and stories of the bizarre and unreal that will leave you guessing what you just saw and why. If you haven't seen the television show based on these collections of random artifacts, tune in before your trip and see if this stop is for you or not. To relax a little after all the sight-seeing and theme parks, take a break in the Disney Spa or any of the surrounding spa facilities to relax a little and get ready for more excitement. Or you could even take a day trip to one of the many surrounding lakes near Orlando. Rent a boat or just hang by the beach it's all in a day's fun.
- Walt Disney World
What really happens at the happiest place on earth? Well, the unknowing park goer may never know, but the behind the scenes magic makes this place unbeatable. Over 20 million visitors embark upon Walt Disney's dreamland turned reality. After the opening of the Disneyland in California in 1955, Disney knew that there was money to be made and began scheming of his next idea an finally became Walt Disney World.Unfortunately Disney died before the park was opened, a mere 5 years after his death, but Father Disney would be very happy at the magic and money Disney World produces today. Disney World has more than 20,000 employees and covers twice the size of New York's Manhattan. This place is no small potatoes kids. Disney World is huge, there are the magical kingdoms, rides, food, souvenirs and shows of all types. You can even get married at Disney World and have Minnie as the bridesmaid and Mickey the best man. I do think that might be a little much.
- Universal Studios Florida
Universal Studios is like the one located in California. It is an amusement park consisting of working movie studios and rides that have been inspired from the sets. Some of the rides include Terminator 2, Back to the Future, Ghostbusters and a number of other thrilling Hollywood movie-inspired rides. - SeaWorld Orlando
SeaWorld is an amusement park of the animal kingdom. Some might see it as grotesque putting wild animals in pools and making them do tricks, but it sure does make a lot of money. There is some light at the end of the tunnel. The park does take money from admission sales and funds a marine animal rescue team that travels the world to save endangered manatees. Other than that the park has some educational sights and attractions for younger children, but primarily attracts people to the Whale & Dolphin Stadium where marine animals perform tricks for the watching crowd. - Kennedy Space Center
Now this site is sure to take off for those interested in the outer reaches of our galaxy. The Kennedy Space Center is just a step and a half away from Cape Canaveral, the location where NASA began its competition against the Soviet Union for space flight in 1958. Since then there has been a museum opened and a number of real-life space artifacts gathered that the general public can view. - Merritt Island National Wildlife Refuge
NASA only uses 5% of its land area for making things go boom. It turned over its unused land to the US Fish and Wildlife Service in 1963, who in turn established the Merritt Island National Wildlife Refuge, where migrating birds stop on their way to and from South America. Manatees, alligators and turtles also inhabit the refuge. The best time to visit is from October to May. Black Point Wildlife Drive, a 6-mile (10km) loop, is a good road for self-guided tours. A two-hour bus tour leaves from the Kennedy Space Center, taking visitors around the coast. - Blue Spring State Park
For hundreds of years the Blue Spring area was home to the Timucuan Indians, until settlers killed them off in the mid-1800s. Today, Blue Spring State Park is practicing karmic retribution by doing everything it can to protect a beleaguered resident of a different kind: the endangered manatee.This park is the best place in the state to see manatees in their natural habitat, especially between November and March, when the St John's River to the north gets cold enough to drive the manatees to Blue Spring's warmer waters. There are campsites and cabins within the park, but book ahead as things get crowded and you can't see a manatee through somebody else's tent.
Blue Springs State Park is about 40 miles (65km) north of Orlando off I-4, near a town called Cassadaga. You'll need private transportation to get there.
- Ocala National Forest
The Ocala National Forest is a gigantic, old established Florida park with several natural springs and lakes, and fantastic hiking, canoeing, fishing and swimming. You can camp anywhere in the park. Three major spring areas make up the park: Juniper Springs (at the park's center), Salt Springs (at the northern end) and Alexander Springs (to the southeast).Juniper Springs are incredibly clear and beautiful and offer great canoeing. Salt Springs and Alexander Springs have trails through cypress forests. The Lake Eaton Sinkhole is 80ft (24m) deep and 450ft (135m) in diameter, and a staircase leads down into the hole. Nearby Lake Eaton is a good spot for swimming and sunning.
The Ocala National Forest is 10 miles (16km) east of Ocala, which is about 60 miles (96km) northwest of Orlando and is the best base for exploring the forest. Highway 19 runs north-south through the park and Highway 40 east-west. You'll need private transportation to get there.
All these attractions are just a small step away from Orlando, Florida and your next vacation here.
