Can anyone give advice on this. We have never ventured there. Is it safe? Any advice?
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Can anyone give advice on this. We have never ventured there. Is it safe? Any advice?
Do you mean the real Florida as in natural areas, our Orlando the city?
We have never actually been into Orlando city, but there are meant to be some very nice areas with lakes if you fancy a drive up there.
Now the natural areas I can recommend as there are some not far from our villa so have visited them. Disney's Wilderness Preserve makes for a peaceful morning or afternoon out. No sign of the cheecky mouse here though, just the natural Florida preserved by the Disney corporation.
The website link is www.nature.org/florida
Hope thats a little of help to you[msnsmile2]
We mean Orlando cityQuote:
quote:Originally posted by Karen
Do you mean the real Florida as in natural areas, our Orlando the city?
We have never actually been into Orlando city, but there are meant to be some very nice areas with lakes if you fancy a drive up there.
Now the natural areas I can recommend as there are some not far from our villa so have visited them. Disney's Wilderness Preserve makes for a peaceful morning or afternoon out. No sign of the cheecky mouse here though, just the natural Florida preserved by the Disney corporation.
The website link is www.nature.org/florida
Hope thats a little of help to you[msnsmile2]
This is my stomping ground!!! We clean offices in central Orlando so are up there pretty much every evening delivering supplies and supervising staff. Downtown is quite lively and there is a cafe culture at night with people sitting outside eating, bars etc, quite a young scene which quite surprised me. The middle of Orlando is really very nice, wide open streets, very tall sky s****ers, a few shops, loads of restaurants, squares with fountains etc, not as you would expect at all. Look around the Orange Avenue area. Also Church Street (most of the old Church Street station is shut for refurb but there are some bits which are open.) Is it safe? Well is anywhere? I would say yes it is, The area just around the bus station looks a bit seedy but the rest of Orlando looks fine. The only bit I would watch out for is a section of North OBT which is a bit iffy. Heading towards Winter Park from central Orlando around the Orange Ave, Edgewater and Princeton areas again there are some nice shops and restaurants. This area has a feeling of being very "real" as you say compared with the tourist areas. It comprises the musuem district ( around Florida Hospital) and also the excellent Leu Gardens and is well worth a daytime trip as well as an evening trip.
We must give it a go sometime Julie-you can show us round!
With a side trip to Apopka, eh, OB ( sorry folks, private joke!)
You can spend 2 to 3 hours at the Old Court House in the centre of Orlando. It has been converted into a historical museum showing the history and development of Orlando and Florida. There are four floors and you start at the top and work down. The Court Room is still there in its original condition. I can,t remember the cost but it wasn't very expensive.
I forgot to mention that we had a lovely stroll round Lake Eola where you can hire swan-shaped paddle boats if you are feeling energetic.
Mike
Lake Eola Park also frequently hosts events such as picnics in the park. They had a big July 4th celebration. All free.