Not doing the themed parks.

[syrup]

Hi all,

The wife and I went to Orlando with our son, daughter-in-law and the grandchildren last October for three weeks. Did all the usual parks plus Kennedy, Legoland, Busch and had a great time.

The two of us are going back this December (we just love Florida) but don't want to do any of the Themed Parks (I know it's a sin) and are looking at doing some of the different places to the norm.

I made up a short list.

Central Florida Zoo just outside Sanford. Has anybody done this?
Bok Tower Gardens.
Harry P. Leu Gardens.
Tibet-Butler Nature Reserve.
Lake Eola Park.
And Wekiwa Springs State Park.

I understand that most visitors go for the Theme Parks and probably didn't go to any of the above, but is there any of them I should omit, and is there anywhere else recommended.


Thanks

Keith

[florida4sun]

All are very nice and popular places to visit. Cannot rember which ones do it but floating tubing is great fun.

[steph_goodrum]

Kelly Park does tubing.
I'd also recommend Disneys Boardwalk for a relaxing stroll round some of the hotels and perhaps a meal or sit on the "beach" for a while. In December the Christmas decorations are up and the Gingerbread and chocolate decorations in the various hotels are incredible.
Lake Louisa is also a nice peaceful place to visit.
Celebration town centre.
Boardwalk and Celebration are free and Lake Louisa is about $8 for a carload, they have barbecue grills so you can take a cooler box with lunch.
Also Honeymoon Island

[Lyn]

In December the manatees should be in the run at Blue Spring which is a nice place to walk around. There is also Mount Dora.If you like birds etc. there is Black Point Drive on Merrritt Island. A drive right along the 192 ending at Melbourne is a nice day out as well.

[wilfy]

citrus tower at clermont, then onto silver springs in ocala
winter park for pavement restaurants and boat tour around the local rich and famous.
honeymoon island nr dunedin on the gulf coast.
pioneer centre on bass road + nature walk opposite
fred's auction house on the 192 past St cloud on a friday night. It's an amazing site to see the auctioneer in action.

[brownm]

We enjoy a drive out to Clear water and pick up the Sea Queen boat for a 4 hour fishing trip! and if your not into fishing you can sun bath on the top deck, take a cooler box and have your lunch.

a great day out for all.

[brownm]

We just got back from a week in Orlando and drove upto Daytona Beach for the first time in 8 years of villa ownership, it was a straight run up the I4 and approx 1 hour. You can drive on the beach for $5 and park up and take in the views or pay a visit to the famous race track.

[SDJ]

St. Augustine is also a great day out. It is the oldest Spanish Town in US and is very different to anything in the Orlando area.

[syrup]

Thank you all for you input. Plenty to browse through.



Keith

[Susan J]

citrus tower at clermont, then onto silver springs in ocala
winter park for pavement restaurants and boat tour around the local rich and famous.
honeymoon island nr dunedin on the gulf coast.
pioneer centre on bass road + nature walk opposite
fred's auction house on the 192 past St cloud on a friday night. It's an amazing site to see the auctioneer in action.

I have never heard of this! What do they auction?