'off the beaten track' things to do in Florida?

Question

Hi all!

My husband to be and I are travelling to Orlando for our honeymoon for 2 weeks in May this year. I've been researching some fun things to do that are a bit different, as well as the more obvious touristy things to do, but would love to get any reccomendations that people have. We'll have a car and are willing to go and explore!

Some of the ideas so far;

visit to Mount Dora with Trolley tour, then ghost walk at night
Tubing down the river at Kelly Park
Visit to Winter Park including boat ride on lake
Vintage train journey on the Orange Blossom, near Mount Dora
Visit to ghost town (just trying to decide what one)
Kennedy Space Centre
Universal studios
Harry P.Leu gardens
Overnight to Miami, planning a swim in Coral Gables Venetian pool and catching a Miami Marlins game, then a drive to the upper keys and tram ride in Everglades (maybe)
Sunset party at Clearwater
Amtrak to Tampa (only $11!)

Any other ideas? We would love to get a taste of 'real' america and hear some hidden gems for things to do!

Thank you!

Fiona

Answer 1

Well you have a pretty good. I would say your missing one MAJOR thing. You need to stop at a Orange Grove. Florida is still a major Orange producer.



Florida's Natural has a visitor center grove house where you can see the history and how its packed. There are many other grove houses throughout central florida.



A favorite of mine is in Haines City. At Ridge Island Groves (6000 Polk City Road

Haines City, FL 33844) you can actually go into the processing facility and see how they clean and pack the eating oranges or take the ugly ones and make juice. They have free samples. Make sure you try the orange/vanillia swirl ice cream. For a small fee they will take you out into the grove and you can pick your own. Its really a neat unique Florida experience.

Answer 2

You have a good list. St. Augustine is beautiful and they have evening ghost tours. There's a lot of old historical sites and forts to visit. You could also go on an air boat ride. I would highly recommend Discovery Cove. It's a bit pricey, but it's absolutely beautiful. You can chose a package and swim with the dolphins if you'd like. Once you pay, everything is included. Food, alcohol, etc. If you've ever watched the movie Dolphin Tale, you can actually visit Winter, the dolphin in the movie at the Clearwater aquarium. It's over by Tampa. If you like seafood then I would suggest eating at the Boston Lobster Feast. It's all you can eat lobster, crab, etc. Wonder Works is a museum in Orlando on I-drive (International drive) and it's really cool. There's Ron Jon's surf shop. They just built one in Orlando but the real deal is in Cocoa Beach. It's about a 40 minute drive from Orlando. If you come over by NASA then you could check out Port Canaveral. It's where all the cruise ships come and go. There's several restaurants at the port. One of the nice ones is called Milikens Reef. It's right on the water and the food is delicious.



There's also a lot of dinner shows. My favorite is Medieval Times. The food is good and the show is very entertaining. They have a medieval museum that you can walk through with the price of admission. From personal experience I would steer clear of the Pirate dinner show. The show and food was horrible. There's the Sleuth's murder mystery dinner theatre. You eat dinner while trying to solve who killed someone. (not morbid at all) The food and show was decent here, the thing I enjoyed the most was the free alcohol.



If you're going to Universal then check out all the places at City Walk.You'll be walking through it to get to Universal. It's a bunch of bars, clubs, and restaurants. There's Jimmy Buffet's Margaritaville. It's usually always hopping with good music and entertainment. There's also Pat O'Brien's, which is fun.



There's just so much to do here, you'll never get bored. Enjoy your honeymoon.

Answer 3

Just a few:

Legoland - Florida Winter Haven

Cassadaga - Spiritist town nr Lake Helen Old hotel where many claim ghost comes out at night.

Sanford marina - Many river boat rides

Dosntown Sanford - Romance River boat

Wekiva Springs State Park

Shop at Winter Park Park Avenue

Sanford flea Market - largest in the each

Daytona Beach Speedway and racing museum

All kinds of local fairs - Plant city strawberry festival



Yo can send me an email thru Yahoo for more infor

Apopka Two major festivals

Antuque rows - Sanford and Orlando

Answer 4

air boat ride on the St. John River

Answer 5

You've got potential- Decent voice, good lyrics, good flow Good luck

Answer 6

pig out at the lobster buffets.