| As an Orlando vacation devotee, I can recommend all of the theme parks, but did you know the area is brimming with other excellent visitor attractions without a roller coaster in sight. Orlando also has markets, shows, art galleries, exhibitions, beautiful lakes and parks, all easily available for the visitor who wants something a little different. Florida in general has a long history of attracting tourists and this is the busiest city with more and more people visiting each year in a place that will satisfy even the most demanding of individuals.
Orlando really is one of the most visitor friendly cities in the world with fantastic shopping facilities like Church Street Station, a multi-level shopping and amusement center, with shops, eating places, clubs and bars. An Orlando vacation has far more to offer than this short article can possibly hope to highlight so only a few of the more unusual attractions and places to see are brought to your attention.
The Central Florida Zoo for instance only opened back in 1975 and was owned by the Sanford Fire Department prior to that but is now the home to over four hundred animals. The zoo has a charity status and is dedicated to the preservation of all exotic animals, including those that are only found in Florida.
For anyone that appreciates the work of Louis Comfort Tiffany then a large collection of his works is exhibited the Museum of American Art, where it has been housed since the early 1940's. Tiffany glass, clayware and ornaments are all on display here including a specially designed chapel interior shown at the Columbian Exposition back in 1893.
Whilst it may seem that Orlando has been created for the entertainment of children that could not be further from the truth as there is plenty here for everyone. For the young at heart, Orlando vacations aim to please with extensive evening venues including music and dance at Disney's incredible Pleasure Island and Universals version, City walk, to name just a couple of places.
If you are more technology and science minded then a trip to the Orlando Science Center will be a must as is a huge complex incorporating 10 halls with exhibitions everything from the Florida Everglades to the plains of Mars. An alternative to this would be the International Trolley and Train Museum which can be found along International Drive and has one of the country's largest operating indoor G gauge layouts in a space of over four thousand square feet.
The Titanic – Ship of Dreams Exhibition can also be found along International Drive; this is a moving, often eerie depiction of the great Ocean Liner with a tour guide depicting a character from the ship with many original items on display. Lake Eola Park on the other hand has a pleasant 43 acres to stroll around and relax or perhaps a little boating on the lake.
No trip to Orlando would be complete without a trip to the Walt Disney World Resort which comprises of four main theme parks plus water parks; or Universal Studios resort complex which is equally as popular. The good weather in Orlando means vacations are normally enjoyable throughout the year; it can be very busy during some of the major holidays. |
