Area Attractions

INTERNATIONAL DRIVE: If you would like to go somewhere away from the theme parks, why not spend some time walking around International Drive? Start at Universal Studios City Walk which is full of shops and places to eat. Take the I-RIDE Trolley south to International Drive and be prepared to shop until you drop at Orlando’s massive range of Outlets. There is nothing ordinary about shopping in Orlando where everything has been super-sized. Whatever you are looking for you will find in the shopping malls and outlet complexes. For the kids, visit Fun Spot Action Park, Wonderworks, ICON Park, and the mini-golf locations. There is also a great escape room called The Escape Game. We loved this escape room because they have a variety of rooms at different skill levels so even groups with younger kids can have a great time. 

You will not lack for food options along the way. There is everything from the World’s Largest McDonald’s Play Place to a Brazilian grill and Japanese steakhouse. Our favorite restaurant in this area is Hash House A Go Go. It is farm fresh food with a twist and it has huge portions so be sure to go hungry. 

FLYING: Hot air balloon rides, helicopter tours and biplane experiences are all possible in the Kissimmee area. To find the right option for you, I’d suggest visiting experiencekissimmee.com. They have a whole page about airborne adventures including skydiving if you are looking for a serious thrill. On the other hand, if you’ve never experienced the unreal silence of floating in a hot air balloon then that is where I’d start but be prepared to be flexible because hot air balloons are very weather dependent. 

AIRBOAT TOURS: For a really good view of original Florida, a ride on an Airboat is a not-to-be-missed adventure. Boggy Creek Airboats is just South of the Orlando International Airport and is probably the best known of many operators in the area. There you can take a 30-minute airboat ride. With earmuffs to deaden the sound of the jet engine on the back of the boat, you can skim across the surface of the lake, twisting and turning at high speed, with the wind on your face.

SILVER SPRINGS: This adventure is two hours away but is worth the drive if it is your cup of tea. Silver Springs is a 350-acre state park that surrounds the headwaters of the beautiful Silver River, the largest artisan spring formation in the world. Located 90 miles north of Orlando, just east of Ocala, Florida. Here you can view the underground springs from the famous glass-bottom boats, where you will see fish, shellfish, turtles, and alligators in water that is up to 80 feet deep and 99.8% pure! Walk the beautiful grounds and experience the natural habitats of alligators, endangered bears, panthers and more. You can also discover what life was like at the turn of the century in the Cracker Village, a replica of a 19th century pioneer settlement. 

WINTER PARK: WinterPark is a town about a half an hour from Emerald Island. It has an old Florida style and charm. You will find many shops and restaurants, museums, theaters, and boat tours. The boat tours are offered by Scenic Boat Tours and leave every hour from 10am to 4pm. This is a calm tour on a pontoon boat that seats 18 and lasts 30 minutes. You will see three of the seven lakes of the Winter Park chain and travel down two narrow man made canals. This company has been doing boat tours since 1938!

THE VILLAGES: For a relaxing day try visiting the villages. Travel north on the US 27 and 4 miles north of Leesburg you will notice a bridge over the road with a sign for The Villages. Turn left here to take you into the area of Spanish Springs @ The Villages. To live at The Villages, you must be over 55 years old. It is a very close-knit community and people from all over America and the rest of the world live there. Strangers moving into the villages soon make new friends, as they have various activities throughout the day and into the evening. There is a weekly paper that publishes the weekly events from keeping fit classes to art classes, swimming and it is also a golfing community. They also have their radio station. The people who live there drive around in golf carts rather than cars with their names printed on the front of the carts. You must be careful crossing the roads as they travel at great speed! There are numerous restaurants, coffee shops, and pubs. Most evenings the restaurants have a live band playing from 7 pm onwards, music ranging from country and western, jazz, to modern. There is a theatre, where plays and musicals are performed with guest appearances. An eight-screen cinema dominates the square. Every evening of the year from 5 – 9 pm there is music and dancing in the square. You just take a chair and join in the fun. There is line dancing, rock and roll, twist, ballroom, and any dance you care to do. There are little huts around the square that sell drinks and hot dogs. As you walk down the quaint streets there are many retail stores selling chocolate and ice cream, candles, furniture, clothes, gifts, and souvenirs. You are sure to enjoy the friendly atmosphere of The Villages. Tip: Arrive at about 3  pm, have a look around the shops, have a meal at a restaurant before enjoying the live music and dancing in the square.

BOK TOWER GARDENS: About one hour from the house, you can find this amazing contemplative garden and bird sanctuary. It is located north of Lake Wales and consists of a 250 acre garden, 205 foot talk Singing Tower and the Pine Ridge Trail. The Visitor Center features permanent exhibits on Edward Bok and the Singing Tower carillon as well as the design, flora, and fauna found in the gardens and the surrounding Lake Wales Ridge, one of Florida’s most threatened ecosystems. A variety of art exhibits are on display throughout the year featuring some of the best landscape artists in the state. Visitors may also view an orientation video about the gardens. In addition, Bok Tower Gardens has one of the best cafes for visitors.

MOUNT DORA: Take a 30-minute drive and relax in the small-town atmosphere of Mount Dora. During the day you can trek to the nearby Mount Dora Golf Club or shop in the downtown district. Known for its festivals and antique shopping, the vibrant downtown in the past few years has evolved to include art galleries and unique boutiques. With its downtown streets lined with New England architecture, this hilly destination overlooks the breathtaking view of Lake Dora. During the evening, couples can enjoy romantic cruises along the Dora Canal, which was penned in the 1930s by a leading sportswriter as “the most beautiful mile of water in the world.” Local restaurants often feature live entertainment on the weekend. Besides some fine dining opportunities, downtown Mount Dora features vintage train rides and horse-drawn carriage rides. Along the lake are several parks and walking trails as well as the famous Lakeside Inn. 

OLD TOWN:  Located just down the road from Emerald Island is a spot where you will be able to step back in time and visit the 1950’s. Old Town has shopping, dining, old time carnival rides and weekly classic car shows.  It is over 10 acres and often has live entertainment.