Sights in Central Florida
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Gatorland
With its goofy, gaping alligator jaws as the main entrance, Gatorland is the kind of attraction you'd imagine would be on Clark Griswold's National Lampoon's Vacation itinerary. But that's exactly what makes this mom-and-pop type attraction great! You won't find any fancy roller coasters or drenching log flumes here. Just gators as far as the eye can see - and plenty of 'em.
A warning though: this place probably isn't PETA-approved (People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals), especially the stunts during the Gator Wrestling' Show, but all ends well with a sleeping gator waking up with a tickle.
Ethical issues aside, Gatorland is just plain fun. The Jumparoo Show has 10ft…
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Lake Eola
A gathering point for the downtown community, complete with a waterfront amphitheater, cafés and restaurants, a children's playground and colorful flowers and trees, Lake Eola provides a pretty, shaded backdrop on a hot day. The lake is built on an 80ft sinkhole and, since its birth in 1888, has seen its grounds transformed from a zoo to a horse-race track to its current status as a slice of green in downtown.
A flat, paved sidewalk, about 1-mile long, circles the water and is usually populated by lunchtime walkers, joggers, families and cyclists. Two of the most popular attractions of the lake are the swan paddleboats and gondola cruises. The lake is a popular festival …
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Ripley’s Believe It or Not
The 1933 World’s Fair in Chicago introduced Ripley’s collection of ‘oddities and unusual people’ to the public. While it may today offend 21st-century politically correct sensibilities, this museum embraces Ripley’s vision with no holds barred. A short documentary film chronicles his search for the ‘strange, exotic and incredible’, and TVs throughout the museum screen footage of classic Ripley, including exotic food customs, the man with the ‘strongest eyes in the world’ and a snake slithering through a guy’s nose and out his mouth. Exhibits range from the life-sized Rolls Royce made entirely from matchsticks to a shrunken skull to a model of the 1,069lb man who, …
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The Epcot Center
An acronym for 'Experimental Prototype Community of Tomorrow,' The Epcot Center was Disney's vision of a high-tech city. It's divided into two halves: the sort-of-modern Future World, with corporate-sponsored journeys through not-very-cutting-edge technology, and the not-at-all futuristic World Showcase, which gives you an interesting toe-dip into the culture of 11 different countries.
They were originally intended to be two separate parks, which explains a lot. Epcot isn't the kids' paradise the Magic Kingdom is, but there are plenty of activities for the inquisitive tot. The new Soarin' ride is a winner, and Mission: SPACE is good for getting the adrenaline pumping afte…
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Downtown Media Arts Center
Orlando has one of the coolest movie theaters in the Downtown Media Arts Center. Behind its green, gothic facade is one of the gems in downtown, whether you're a cinemaphile or just looking to catch an indie flick that may or may not ever hit the big screen.
Its 1st floor masquerades as an art gallery, showcasing the unusual works of local artists on a rotating basis. But upstairs, the blank canvas of an intimate 80-seat screening room projects a mixture of shorts, documentaries, foreign films and cult movies to its lucky viewers. Don't miss the interactive 'film slams,' where audiences vote for their favorites.
The café on the 1st floor is highly recommended - with live m…
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Walt Disney World
This is a self-contained city. Apart from the four main parks (Magic Kingdom, Epcot, Disney-MGM Studios and Animal Kingdom), there are three water parks, a shopping district, 22 hotels, countless eateries, a police force, transport systems, medical centres, even kennels for the pooch. Watch out for the mouse.
In its first year, Disney World saw over 10 million visitors, and it remains one of the world's top tourist destinations, now attracting more than 20 million visitors a year. It's also the world's biggest amusement resort, covering an area twice the size of New York's Manhattan. It would have made Walt very, very happy.
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Wells’Built Museum of African American History and Culture
For a concentrated look at Orlando’s rich African American history, head to the Wells’Built Museum of African American History and Culture. Dr Wells, one of Orlando’s first black doctors, came to Orlando in 1917. In 1921 he built a hotel for African Americans barred from Florida’s segregated hotels, and soon after he built South Street Casino, an entertainment venue for black entertainers. Together, they became a central icon of the African American music community. This small museum is housed in the original hotel.
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University of Florida
With more than 51,000 students and a 2000-acre campus, rambling University of Florida is the state’s oldest university. Established in 1853 as the East Florida Seminary in Ocala, UF later relocated to Gainesville and in 1906 the first class of students, numbering a paltry 102, cracked the books. The Holland Law Center stands near the site of American Indian burial mounds, and archaeologists have unearthed artifacts from pre-Columbian settlements here. For a campus map, visit http://campusmapufl.edu.
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Kanapaha Botanical Gardens
The highlight of these oasis-like 62-acre gardens is the water garden, which resembles an impressionist painting with four waterfalls, lily pads and a babbling brook courtesy of reclaimed wastewater from the regional utilities board.
From downtown take University Ave west to 13th St and turn left; continue to Archer Rd and turn right, following Archer 1 mile past I-75; the entrance is up the little dirt road on the right-hand side (look for the sign).
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Thornton Park
Fashionable Thornton Park borders Lake Eola to the north, and is a perfect example of urban vitality. Remodeled cracker bungalows line its narrow brick streets, and giant Spanish oaks weave their gnarly branches into natural green canopies. The Washington St district is a popular thoroughfare for café lounging and window browsing at antiques and funky craft boutiques. It's also popular with the gay crowd for putting down roots.
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Disney-MGM Studios
The Disney-MGM Studios cater to the post-fairytale crowd and is also a working studio. Hands-down most exciting rides are the spooky and unpredictable hotel elevator in the Twilight Zone Tower of Terror, and the Rock 'n' Roller Coaster, where your stretch limo races through the streets of LA after dark. And don't miss the Indiana Jones Epic Stunt Spectacular!, a 35-minute show that looks a lot like the movie.
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Magic Kingdom
The centerpiece of WDW and home of Cinderella's Castle. Pirates of the Caribbean has gotten some snazzed-up special effects with a dash of Johnny Depp, and Haunted Mansion and Space Mountain are still going strong. Mickey's Toontown Fair and Fantasyland are a hit with smaller kids, but anyone over 12 will want to keep walking. Fireworks displays light up the sky nightly and many nights end with a parade.
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Florida Museum of Natural History
The highlight of this excellent natural history museum is the expansive Butterfly Rainforest. Hundreds of butterflies from 55 to 65 species flutter freely in the soaring, screened vivarium. As you stroll among waterfalls and tropical foliage, peek at scientists preparing specimens in the rearing lab of this, the world’s largest butterfly research facility.
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International Train & Trolley Museum
Home to the most extravagant model train set you can imagine, the International Train & Trolley Museum features toy trains dating from the 1920s to the present day, all housed in a garden of waterfalls, trestles and 13ft mountains. Among the more impressive are a custom-made California trolley and an authentic Mason Bogey with two passenger cars.
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WonderWorks
If you're feeling guilty about pulling the kids from school, stimulate them at WonderWorks where earthquake and hurricane simulators, hands-on exhibits and a unique structural design resembling an upside-down building will set their imagination running. Plus there's laser tag and the Outta Control Magic Show, pairing dinner with illusions.
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Devil’s Millhopper State Geological Site
This geological site centers on a 120ft deep, 500ft wide funnel-shaped rainforest that’s entered by descending a 232-step wooden staircase. Water trickles down the slopes from the surrounding springs; some of it flows into a natural drain and ultimately to the Gulf of Mexico. Rangers lead tours every Saturday at 10am.
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Graffiti Wall
Along the east side of SW 34th St just south of SW 2nd Ave, this graffiti-permitted wall is a flash point for the local political and creative zeitgeist. The only section off limits to taggers is the central panel - a moving memorial to the five UF students who were murdered in August 1990 by serial killer Daniel Rolling.
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Morningside Nature Center
Only 3 miles from downtown, this 278-acre nature center boasts seven natural communities, including hydric flatwoods, depression marshes and savannahs of longleaf pines. In addition to a picnic basket and a camera, be sure to bring your walking shoes: the center offers 7 miles of trails.
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Lake Eola
A gathering point for the downtown community, Lake Eola provides a pretty, shaded backdrop on a hot day. A flat, paved sidewalk, about 1-mile long, circles the water, a pleasant playground sits on its eastern shore and you can toot around the lake on a swan paddleboat (per 30mins $10).
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Gatorland
With no fancy roller coasters or drenching water rides, this dusty mom-and-pop park harkens back to Old Florida. It’s small, it’s silly, and it’s kitschy with, you guessed it, plenty of gators. The park sometimes offers free admission to teachers – be sure to ask.
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Green Meadows Petting Farm
Green Meadows is no Animal Kingdom, but it's the kind of place you'd envision Old MacDonald living out his golden years. With more than 300 animals and a cute train ride, kids'll be entertained for a good half day, and there are blessedly few crowds here.
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Rogers Building
On the first floor of the historic Rogers Building, Gallery at Avalon Island (407-803-6670; www.galleryatavalonisland.com) showcases local artists. Upstairs, a small theater screens the annual Orlando Film Festival.
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Orange County Regional History Center
Pre-mouse Orlando is featured at the Orange County Regional History Center in a series of permanent and traveling exhibits showcasing the region.
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Fun Spot Action Park
This park has a Ferris wheel, go-karts and the awesome Zipper, as well as the opportunity to win giant stuffed animals. You can also purchase rides separately.
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Wet ’n’ Wild
Wet ’n’ Wild caters primarily to teenagers who don’t mind blaring music, bad food and stretching their towels out on pavement.
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