Orlando, Florida, gets more than 50 million visitors each year. If you’ve ever been to Walt Disney World, you’ve probably felt like you were with all of them at once in the ticket line. Orlando bills itself as the Theme Park Capital of the World, and that’s great for occasional thrills with family and friends. Yet those lines get old real quick, and Florida’s heat can make you feel wilted as a piece of old lettuce.
The good news is that there are plenty of other things to do in the Orlando area beyond the theme parks (and many of these options have great air conditioning!). Here are a few ideas both in and around Orlando to enjoy this summer and beyond:
1. Orlando 360. Want to stay in the heart of touristy Orlando without the same level of crowds? Orlando’s 360, built in 2015, offers the Orlando Eye Ferris wheel with stunning Central Florida views, along with an aquarium, skeleton museum, and a bright, modern arcade. There’s also a growing array of restaurants and bars to visit at Orlando 360. Orlando 360 may get busy sometimes, but it’s nothing like the crowd frenzy at the theme parks.
2. Gatorland. Get your fill of gators (and crocodiles, snakes, and even farm animals) at Gatorland. Although technically a theme park, this “old Florida” attraction is affordable—only $30 for out-of-state and $15 for Florida residents—and manageable in terms of crowds. Check out small-sized gators and the big gators and crocs. Gatorland also does fun shows so you get to see the animals enjoy their feeding times. Photographers, the breeding marsh is a spectacular area for photos of gators and birds; spring is an ideal time to visit for photos of nesting birds. Bring your telephoto lens.
3. Winter Park. For your fill of arts and culture, head north of Orlando to scenic Winter Park, home to Rollins College and the Charles Hosmer Morse Museum of Natural Art. Meander around the downtown, or make your way around the area’s 70 parks with year-long celebrations.
Winter Park was once a destination for wealth Northern visitors.
4. Ripley’s Believe It or Not. Keep the kids and the young at heart entertained with the Ripley’s Believe It or Not museum on International Drive, not far from Orlando 360. This 10,000-square-foot “Odditorium” is located in a building that appears tilted from the road—a perfect setting for the bizarre and fun oddities you’ll find inside. Buy your tickets online to shave a few bucks off the admission price.
5. Think low key. When you visit Orlando, you may feel like you’re in overdrive to see and do everything. Then you get there, and all your kids want to do is stay in bed and order room service. That may not be realistic for your whole trip, but why not plan a day or two of just staying in? If you’re at a hotel or resort with nice pools, you can make a day out of sleeping in and pool time. After a day or two at the big parks, this low-key rhythm will be a welcome change. If you’re still feeling wanderlust, check out the local kitschy souvenir shops or grab lunch or dinner nearby.
Call Secure Aging to Find Out How We Can Help Seniors With Financial Management
At Secure Aging in Bradenton, we transform the weight of the world into a sigh of relief for our senior clients and their concerned family members. The mission of Secure Aging is to protect and preserve our client’s independence and dignity through careful and thoughtful financial and care management. As our clients age, it is their desire to remain independent and age with dignity. Our services protect our clients from talented con artists looking to exploit and deplete the financial resources of our vulnerable seniors. Secure Aging helps families in Manatee County and Sarasota County and in and around the communities of Anna Maria, Bradenton, Bradenton Beach, Ellenton, Holmes Beach, Lakewood Ranch, Longboat Key, Myakka City, Palmetto, Parrish, and Sarasota. Call us at 941-761-9338, or visit us online at www.secureaging.com.
