Our trip to Florida was a trip of a life time, enjoying every minute and packing in as much as we could. We loved the Orlando parks, but also wanted to discover the local area a little more. Here are some ideas for a few hours escape.
Take an airboat ride
This was a real highlight of our holiday and a great way to escape the Orlando theme parks. Two hours zooming across the swamps and marshes viewing the beautiful wildlife local to this area. We took our trip with Spirit of the Swamp, choosing them as they have small 6-seater boats, as opposed to the larger boats used by some companies. This generally means a private tour with just your group, you get personal attention and all your questions answered. Our guide was knowledgeable and knew exactly where to find alligators, understanding the temperament of each one of them as she was out on the swamp every day.
We took the earliest trip of the day, as it was the middle of summer, however, the boat has an awning which gives shelter from the sun. The ride was amazing, being much smoother than you would expect. The exhilaration of speeding across the open swamp was fabulous. We saw plenty of crocodiles and birds. Our guide would stop and make sure that we got a great view.
Being on the 2-hour trip we went part way along the beautiful Shingle Creek. The peace and beauty were mesmerising as our guide turned off the engine and we floated beneath the shade of the huge cypress trees. The time passed far too quickly, but we had a very enjoyable couple of hours.
Mount Dora
Mount Dora is a lakeside old Floridian town around an hour from Orlando. It has a number of quaint craft shops, coffee shops and restaurants. On a Friday, Saturday and Sunday the large antique and flea market take place.
A walk through the town takes you to Grantham Point Park, which is home to the lakeside Lighthouse. Here you can stroll by the lake and admire the views, as well as catch sight of the local wildlife, including alligators, fish and birds of prey. Additionally you can explore the boardwalk and nature trails.
In downtown, amongst the charming shops you will find The Salted Fry. It is a casual restaurant serving perfectly cooked fries, as well as sandwiches and homemade sauces. Do not miss this, if you are looking for a quick bite to eat!
It is a perfect town for a wander and to enjoy browsing in the shops as well as enjoying the lakeside. It is a great escape from the Orlando Theme Parks. There are other places to visit in the town and more information can be found here.
Kennedy Space Center
Kennedy Space Center is a day trip from Orlando that should definitely be on your itinerary. We arrived at opening, left at closing and could definitely have spent longer!
Firstly we took the bus which drives past areas such as launch complex 39b and the giant vehicle assembly building. The Apollo/Saturn V centre is the destination of the bus. Here you will be amazed by the history of flights to the moon and the accomplishments of the various Apollo missions and landings. Explore the various exhibitions and visit the lunar theatre for a presentation on the moon landing. There is a café in this building where you can purchase refreshment before taking the bus back to the main exhibition area.
Here you will find numerous other exhibitions including the Hubble space telescope, astronauts’ hall of fame, Space shuttle; a ship like no other, Journey to Mars and the deep space launch complex. Having grown up in the space shuttle era, to me the most awe-inspiring moment was having watched a film on Atlantis the doors opening to see the shuttle hanging before you.
A visit to the Kennedy Space Center, is an absolute must and I would go back again in an instant. It is informative, interactive and interesting. You can explore at your own pace and take in the parts that really interest you. It is just over 1 hour from Orlando and an easy drive if you have hired a car. If you choose to escape the theme parks just once, then this should be your first choice. More information can be found here.
Kissimmee old town, Orlando
Old Town is an outdoor shopping, dining, and entertainment area in Kissimmee. Designed to resemble a classic Florida town from the 1940s and 1950s, it is a popular destination and has a fun and nostalgic atmosphere. We visited on a Saturday night when it also had a classic car show.
At Old Town, browse a variety of shops, find a street entertainer or go on the fairground attractions including the large Ferris wheel, which gives panoramic views of the area. It is a short distance from the theme parks and is a unique destination to stroll around for a couple of hours.
Circle B Bar Reserve
This beautiful reserve makes for a fascinating few hours. Here you can follow nature walks and trails to explore and observe nature in its natural habitat. It is free to visit and about 45 minutes from the theme park area of Orlando. We visited in August which was near the beginning of the hatching season for Alligators. A couple of the paths were closed as alligators are more aggressive during this season.
On our visit we saw a number of smaller Alligators (there are times when the largest ones block the path), many wading birds, turtles and even a couple of small armadillos, which moved far too quickly to take a photo! It is well worth a visit and I cannot recommend it enough, if you are looking for a few hours break away from the theme parks.
The reserve has a discovery centre, which was closed when we visited, but is open Tues – Sun. More information can be found here.
Celebration, Orlando
Celebration was originally founded by the Walt Disney Company in the mid ’90s and was designed after historical small American towns. Today, all the properties are privately owned. It is a charming place to visit with interesting architecture as well as a mix of shops, cafes and restaurants.
We visited late afternoon/early evening and the town was still buzzing. We enjoyed wandering around the small shops and then strolling along the lakefront with its beautiful views. At this time of day the reflections were amazing. For one of the best ice creams, you will taste, visit Kilwins, where you can also purchase chocolates and sweets.
Gideon’s Bakehouse near Winter Park, Orlando
It is likely you have heard of Gideon cookies(and the cakes and cold brews as well). If you have been to Disney Springs then you may have joined the large queue outside, sometimes resulting in over a 1-hour wait. There is a solution! The original store was first opened in East End Market. It is towards Winter Gardens. Pre-orders are available at this store.
Stop at Florida Mall on the way back, if you fancy a shopping trip.
On a particularly warm afternoon, we took a break from the parks, got into our air-conditioned hire car and drove the 40 minutes in search of the original Gideon’s bakehouse. We were not disappointed, the staff were particularly friendly, and there was a good choice of cookies, which of course were delicious. The added bonus was there was no queue!
As we were out and about, we drove onto Kraft Azalea Garden. This was a small park area, with beautiful views across the lake.
We loved our time in Florida and although we loved the theme parks, we were glad that we ventured into the local area to see what it had to offer.
[booking_product_helper shortname=”orlandohotels”]
If you would like anymore information then please contact us.