DISCOVERING DOWNTOWN
MORNING
 Downtown
Orlando provides plenty
of opportunities for
families to experience
fun and culture. Start
the day off touring the
sites of Loch
Haven Park –
the Orlando
Museum of Art (OMA)
houses enough
fascinating exhibits to
occupy your entire
morning.
For more information,
call 407-896-4231 or
visit
www.omart.org.
AFTERNOON
For lunch, you will find
dozens of charming
restaurants and cafes to
choose from in Downtown
Orlando. If you’re
looking for something
with a trendy flavor,
pop by Thornton Park,
the hippest corner of
downtown, lined with
specialty boutiques and
gourmet grocers. Dine in
or get your food to go
for a picnic by
Lake Eola where
you can enjoy Orlando's
wonderful weather and
swan-shaped paddleboats.
Next, stop by the
Orange County
Regional History Center
(www.thehistorycenter.org),
located on two acres in
the middle of Downtown
Orlando in
Heritage Square.
Even the building is
historic – it's located
in a renovated 1927
Orange County
courthouse. You and your
family will enjoy your
journey back 12,000
years to experience
Florida’s way of life
for the first Native
Americans, settlers,
Florida Crackers, and
citrus growers – as well
as learn about the
influence of Walt Disney
World and the aerospace
industry on Central
Florida. You can reach
the Center by circling
around Lake Eola to
Central Blvd. A parking
garage is located on
Central Blvd. across
from the Orange County
Public Library.
If
your visit brings you to
Downtown Orlando on a
Saturday, join the
locals at the weekly
Farmer’s Market,
offering the freshest in
produce, baked goods,
flowers and plants,
among other exotic
offerings. It's located
in Heritage
Square, right in front
of History Center.
Appreciate Orlando’s
most eclectic fine art
gallery by stopping at
The Grand
Bohemian Gallery.
Located inside the posh
Westin Grand
Bohemian Hotel,
this gallery features
artwork from the late 19th
and early 20th
centuries. Many
contemporary and local
artists show their work
here, which includes
paintings, art glass,
sculptures and jewelry.
Guests who visit the
gallery also have the
opportunity to purchase
the original display
pieces. For more
information, call
407-581-4801,(www.grandbohemianhotel.com/westingallery).
EVENING
Your first priority for
the evening is
undoubtedly finding a
great place to eat.
Whatever your craving
or appetite, you can be
sure it will be
satisfied
through Orlando's vast
array of dining options.
Everything from sidewalk
cafes to casual dining
to five-course cuisine
can be found downtown.
Following dinner, check
out a show –
Orlando plays host to
some great theatrical
performances. The
SunTrust
Broadway in Orlando
Series kicks off in
October. The
performances will take
place at the Bob
Carr Performing Arts
Center on
Livingston St., just
south of the TD
Waterhouse Center.
Season tickets are now
available; individual
tickets go on sale in
September. For ticket
information or
purchases, call
800-448-6322 or visit
www.broadwayacrossamerica.com/orlando.
Other award-winning
performing art theaters
include The
Plaza Theater
(407-228-1220),
Orlando Repertory
Theater
(407-677-8831), and the
Orlando Youth
Theater
(407-254-4930).
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LUXURIOUS ORLANDO
MORNING
 Orlando
is the perfect retreat
to drift away from it
all. Check into the
Canyon Ranch
SpaClub at
Gaylord Palms
Resort & Convention
Center (407-586-2051)
for a day of pampering.
With a full menu of
services to choose from,
such as hot stone
massages, grape seed mud
cocoons, and Canyon’s
signature service,
Euphoria, the stress of
everyday life is
guaranteed to melt away.
Call 407-586-2009 for
more information.
The newest destination
spa in the Orlando area
is guaranteed to
rejuvenate your mind and
body. The
Ritz-Carlton Spa
at Grande Lakes
Orlando is an
amazing 40,000
square-foot facility
with 40 treatment rooms.
This elegant and
luxurious spa houses
virtually every
conceivable spa amenity
and treatment. Many of
these have been inspired
by the essence of citrus
and the natural Florida
landscape. The spa also
features specific
therapies inspired by
different cultures, such
as “sanitas per aqua” or
“health through water” (www.grandelakes.com).
Other luxurious spas in
the Orlando area include
Version Original
International Day Spa
(407-363-5103),
Body & Sol Spa
at the Rosen
Centre Hotel
(407-996-1248),
The Spa at Disney's
Saratoga Springs Resort
(407-827-4455),
Wyndham Palace
Resort & Spa
(407-827-2727), and
The Mandara Spa
at Portofino Bay
Hotel
in the Universal Orlando
Resort
(407-503-1244).
AFTERNOON
After your soothing
morning, head over to
The Mall at
Millenia
(407-363-3555) for the
ultimate in upscale
shopping, fit for a king
or queen. This newest
addition of premier
shopping includes stores
such as Tiffany & Co.,
Bloomingdale’s, Louis
Vuitton and Neiman
Marcus. While you’re
there, delight in a
tasty lunch at one of
the numerous restaurants
including
McCormick & Schmick’s
Seafood Restaurant (407-226-6515)
and Brio Tuscan Grille
(407-351-8909).
The
Westin Grand Bohemian
Hotel (www.grandbohemianhotel.com)
offers a Shop and Stay
Package inclusive with
The Mall at
Millenia,
complete with spa,
dining, and shopping
perks that promises to
give guests the VIP
treatment. To find out
more about this hot deal
check out Orlando’s
Commissionable Getaway
Packages.
Call 407-313-9000 for
details.
EVENING
Time to take pleasure in
an elegant and memorable
evening! Head over to
Grande Lakes
Orlando where
you'll have two options
for a luxurious dining
experience. Located at
The
Ritz-Carlton
Orlando,
Norman’s
features cuisines that
blend Latin, Caribbean,
and Asian food styles
with more traditional
American dishes
(407-529-2250). Adjacent
to the Ritz-Carlton
Orlando, inside the
JW Marriott
Orlando, is
Primo,
featuring
Italian-inspired dishes.
All of the vegetables
and herbs used in the
cuisine are grown in
the restaurant's own
on-site organic garden (www.grandelakes.com).
You can also visit
downtown Orlando for
even more choices for
elegant dining including
The Boheme
Restaurant
located in the
Westin Grand Bohemian
Hotel and
Manuel’s on the
28th.
The Boheme
offers an eclectic array
of cuisines that feature
classic dishes with a
modern twist. Main
entrees include a
diverse offering of
beef, seafood, veal,
lamb, and chicken, as
well as a delectable
assortment of seafood
such as skillet roasted
Chilean sea bass and
grilled ahi tuna (www.grandbohemianhotel.com).
Manuel’s on the
28th,
located on the
28th floor of
the Bank of America
building, provides a
stunning view of the
city of Orlando. Its
first-rate menu includes
Chilean sea bass grilled
with lemon and basil,
smoked duck and a
scrumptious dessert menu
featuring sweet and
flaky apple torte,
flourless cabernet
chocolate torte, and
blackberry sorbet
(407-246-6580).
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A DAY OF ADVENTURE ON
INTERNATIONAL DRIVE
MORNING
 The
International
Drive Resort Area
(I-Drive) is a must see
on any family vacation.
A great way to get from
place to place on
I-Drive is to take
advantage of the
I-Ride trolley
(407-248-9590). Running
from 8 am - 10:30 pm
daily, these festive
trolleys offer a
convenient and
inexpensive method of
transportation along a
large stretch of I-Drive
as well as along
Universal Blvd. Start
your morning
experiencing the fun at
Ripley’s Believe
it or Not! Orlando
Odditorium (www.ripleysorlando.com)
where you'll experience
16 galleries of odd and
unusual exhibits from
around the world. After
you’ve been dazzled by
bizarre sights, head for
adventure at
Pirates Cove Adventure
Golf (www.piratescove.net).
Complete with
waterfalls, mountain
caves and pirate
hideouts, Pirates Cove
Adventure Golf offers
top-notch fun for the
entire family.
AFTERNOON
At
lunchtime, head to a
place every child
loves…McDonalds! The
24-hour
McDonalds Play Place
(www.mcfun.com)
is complete with an
ice-cream parlor, pizza
and the largest Play
Place in the world.
After eating, make a
stop at The
Mercado (www.themercado.com)
featuring specialty
shops, an international
food court, and
Titanic - The Exhibition
(www.titanicshipofdreams.com)
attraction, where you
will experience a
one-hour tour with an
interactive presentation
that allows visitors to
share inspirational
stories of the ship's
passengers and crew
members. After taking in
the sights, prepare to
do some serious
shopping! At the north
end of I-Drive you will
find Prime
Outlets (www.primeoutlets.com)
and Festival Bay
Mall at International
Drive (www.belz.com),
a 1.1 million
square-foot shopping
mall that features new
and interesting stores
such as Van's Skatepark,
Bass Pro Shop Outdoor
World, Shepler's Western
Wear and Steve & Barry's
University Sportswear.
Or, take the I-Ride
Trolley to the
Orlando Premium Outlets
(www.premiumoutlets.com)
which features 110
designer stores with
great savings everyday.
Any visit to I-Drive is
not complete without a
stop at Pointe
Orlando (www.pointeorlando.com).
Located directly across
from the Orange County
Convention Center,
Pointe Orlando is an
entertainment center
offering a variety of
shopping, dining and
entertainment options
including seven unique
restaurants, and
Wonder Works (www.wonderworksonline.com),
an interactive
attraction equipped with
simulators, laser tag
and a simulated roller
coaster you design
yourself, then ride!
EVENING
I-Drive has an abundance
of dining opportunities
you and the family will
enjoy, including
Bahama Breeze
(407-248-2499),
Café Tu Tu Tango
(407-248-0839),
Friday's Front Row
Sports Grill
(407-363-1414), and
Corleon’s
Italian Restaurant
(407-354-9889). Or,
feast on delicious
southern cuisine at
Orlando’s newest dinner
attraction,
Dolly Parton’s Dixie
Stampede Dinner & Show
(www.dixiestampede.com).
The show features 32
magnificent horses,
trick riding, fun animal
races, specialty acts,
comedy, singing and
dancing, not to mention
plenty of audience
participation. During
the show, a four-course
feast will be served
featuring: creamy
vegetable soup, hot
homemade biscuits,
tender whole rotisserie
chicken, hickory-smoked
barbecue pork loin,
buttery corn on the cob,
herb-basted potatoes,
hot flaky apple pastry,
and unlimited beverages.
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WINTER PARK in the Fall
MORNING
 To
reach the city of
Winter Park
from the attractions,
take I-4 east and exit
at Fairbanks Avenue,
then head east. You will
be in for a treat as you
explore this beautiful
and unique Central
Florida gem. Begin your
morning by experiencing
breathtaking sculpture
at the Albin
Polasek Museum and
Sculpture Gardens
(www.polasek.org),
listed on the National
Register of Historic
Places. Located on
Fairbanks Ave., the
museum houses 200 works
of the Czech-American
sculptor featured
throughout his home,
galleries, studio, and
chapel. Make sure you
don't miss the
three-acre garden filled
with some of Polasek’s
larger works.
Next, take a relaxing
open-air boat cruise on
the historic
Scenic Boat Tour
(www.scenicboattours.com).
You will find the
embarkation point for
the tour at the east end
of Morse Boulevard,
located off of Park
Avenue. This delightful
journey will take you
through Winter Park’s
chain of lakes and
canals, offering you a
glimpse of fabulous old
homes, beautiful new
mansions and lush
Florida foliage. After
the boat tour, head
north on Park Avenue to
the Charles
Hosmer Morse Museum of
American Art (www.morsemuseum.org).
The Morse Museum is home
to the world’s most
comprehensive collection
of Louis Tiffany glass,
including Tiffany’s 1893
Chapel. The museum also
features paintings,
furniture and other
works primarily from the
late 19th and 20th
centuries.
AFTERNOON
Enjoy lunch at one of a
number of restaurants
and bistros on
Park Avenue.,
then explore all Park
Avenue has to offer,
including the many art
galleries, name-brand
stores and specialty
shops. You'll
find antiques, clothing,
gourmet items for your
kitchen, stationery and
gifts, flowers,
accessories for your pet
and more. And of course,
don't miss the scenic
beauty of Central Park,
located in the center of
Downtown Winter Park.
Or, for more dining
options you can drive a
short distance to
Winter Park
Village, where
you will find a wide
variety of restaurants
from Ruth’s
Chris Steakhouse
to Johnny
Rocket’s.
EVENING
A
perfect end to your
perfect day in Winter
Park would be to
experience an
awe-inspiring
performance by the
Bach Festival
Society (www.bachfestivalflorida.org)
featuring the 150-voice
Bach Festival Choir,
Bach Festival Orchestra
and visiting soloists.
Performances are
generally held October
through May and are held
at the beautiful Knowles
Chapel at Rollins
College on Fairbanks
Avenue. For ticket
information call
407-646-2182.
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AFRICAN-AMERICAN
HERITAGE TOUR
MORNING
 Take
the family on a day of
exploring Central
Florida’s
African-American
culture. Concealed
behind modern Orlando’s
brilliant natural and
manmade scenery lies an
equally colorful past,
and a culturally diverse
ancestry. Your first
stop will be the
inspiring town of
Eatonville,
the nation’s oldest
incorporated
African-American
municipality, just a few
minutes east of downtown
Orlando off I-4 exit
#88. For more than 100
years, Eatonville has
served as a pillar of
African-American culture
and ingenuity. While in
Eatonville be sure to
visit the Zora
Neale Hurston National
Museum of Fine Arts
(www.zoranealehurston.cc),
located on Kennedy
Blvd., which features
the work of
African-American
artists. From there,
take a walking tour to
some of Eatonville’s
historical landmarks
such as St. Lawrence
Methodist Church and the
Eatonville Town Hall.
AFTERNOON
Depart Eatonville via
I-4 west to downtown
Orlando. Enjoy lunch at
one of Orlando’s soul
food or Caribbean
restaurants located on
Church Street between
Hughey and Division
Streets. You will find
several restaurants
where you can enjoy the
flavor of
African-American and
Caribbean-American
culture. After lunch,
continue your
exploration of Orlando’s
African-American
heritage. Orlando
developed rapidly into
the 20th century as
residences, houses of
worship and
entertainment facilities
sprouted up to cater to
the needs of the
African-American
community. The most
popular hot spot in 1929
was the South Street
Casino, which drew
famous performers from
all areas of the
country. To accommodate
the guests in segregated
Florida, the casino’s
owner, Dr. William
Monroe Wells, Orlando’s
first African-American
physician, constructed
the Wells’ Built Hotel.
Many of the day’s top
entertainers stayed at
the establishment,
including Ray Charles,
Benny Carter and Duke
Ellington. Today this
has been transformed
into the Wells’
Built Museum of
African-American History
(407-245-7535), located
just a few blocks off
Church Street on South
Street. Here you will
find artifacts and
information on how
Orlando’s first
African-American
communities survived and
thrived. The
Orange County Regional
History Center
(407-836-8500) is now
displaying “How Distant
Seems Our Starting
Place.” This compelling
exhibit dates from 1513
to present day and will
lead you through the
advancements and
contributions African
Americans have made in
the state of Florida
along with the struggles
that were endured along
the way. The history
center is conveniently
located in the middle of
downtown at 65 East
Central Boulevard (www.thehistorycenter.org).
EVENING
Enjoy a culturally
inspired dinner at
Universal CityWalk (www.universalorlando.com).
Bob Marley’s
Tribute to Freedom
(407-224-2690) will give
you a true island
feeling with the
authentic Caribbean food
and live reggae
performances nightly. Or
spice it up with music,
art, food and dance from
21 Latin countries at
Latin Quarter
(407-224-3663).
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SPEND A DAY ON THE SPACE
COAST
MORNING & AFTERNOON
 Wake
the kids early and start
the day by heading east
on I-4 until you reach
SR 528 (KSC Highway).
Driving approximately 45
miles east on SR 528
(follow signs). Begin
your journey at
Kennedy Space Center
Visitor Complex(www.kennedyspacecenter.com).
A Maximum Access Badge
will grant you entry
into the Visitor Complex
as well as the Astronaut
Hall of Fame. First,
take the bus tour of
restricted areas of
Kennedy Space Center,
where you'll walk
beneath a massive
Apollo/Saturn V rocket
and experience a "moon
launch" from mission
control. Then, take
advantage of the
once-in-a-lifetime
opportunity to
Dine with an Astronaut.
This daily mid-day event
gives you the
opportunity to ask
questions and to take
pictures with an
experienced
astronaut. After lunch,
watch some IMAX space
films and browse for
souvenirs at the Space
Shop, the world's
largest store devoted to
space memorabilia. Then,
continue your day at the
Astronaut Hall
of Fame. Learn
the personal side of
human space exploration
history through
astronaut-owned
artifacts, interactive
exhibits and astronaut
training simulators
(321-449-4400).
EVENING
After your visit to
Kennedy Space Center
Visitor Complex and the
Astronaut Hall of Fame,
step into one of the
local restaurants for
some fresh seafood.
Dixie Crossroads
in Titusville is famous
for its delectable,
locally caught rock
shrimp (321-268-5000).
Then, head to the beach
to check out the
selection of T-shirts,
towels, swim suits and
other beach gear at
Ron Jon Surf
Shop, open 24
hours, 365 days a
week (321-799-8888).
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ORLANDO'S NATURE &
SERENITY
MORNING
 Looking
for a break from the
theme parks and
attractions? Orlando has
many places for you to
take refuge and enjoy a
day of relaxation. Start
your morning by taking a
sunrise hot-air balloon
ride. This incredibly
tranquil journey allows
you to see Florida as
you've never seen it
before. The breathtaking
views will leave you in
a peaceful state as you
descend to the ground
where you will be
greeted with a champagne
picnic. Enjoy this
unique experience at
either Blue
Water Balloons
(www.bluewaterballoons.com)
or Orange
Blossom Balloons
(www.orangeblossomballoons.com),
both of which offer a
once-in-a-lifetime
experience.
Your next stop will
bring you closer to
nature as you explore
Florida’s natural
environment at
The Nature Conservancy’s
Disney Wilderness
Reserve. Relax
within this 12,000-acre
preserve located at the
headwaters of the
Everglades just south of
the Disney area. While
here, you will encounter
hundreds of wildlife
species and view one of
the last remaining
undeveloped lakes in
Central Florida. Take a
guided tour through the
pine flatwoods and
wetland habitats, or
venture on you own
through the hiking
trails. The hiking
trails include a
one-half mile
interpretive trial as
well as 2.5- and
4.5-mile hiking trails.
To help further unwind
within this beautiful
environment, enjoy the
quiet peacefulness on
the boardwalk to the
lakefront, at one of the
many picnic areas, or on
the off-road buggy tours
(www.nature.org/florida).
AFTERNOON
If
you dabble in the arts
of wine tasting, are a
wine connoisseur, or
just love a good glass
of wine, you can enjoy
an afternoon at the
Lakeridge Winery
and Vineyard,
located in Clermont,
just west of Orlando.
Here you will take a
guided tour of Florida’s
largest premium winery
and enjoy a wine tasting
in their extensive
tasting room. You can
also purchase the wines
you've tasted. After
your tour and tasting,
visit the gift shop or
relax and immerse
yourself in the
beautiful sights of this
127-acre estate of
gently rolling
countryside (www.lakeridgewinery.com).
Or, you can spend your
afternoon lounging in a
boat and fishing at
Walt Disney
World Fishing
on Bay Lake and Seven
Seas Lagoon, departing
from the Magic Kingdom
Resorts. On this fishing
expedition, large mouth
bass are practically
guaranteed to jump into
your boat because a tour
guide will take you to
all the lake's hot
spots during your
two-hour trip.
This relaxing
catch-and-release
fishing experience will
definitely help you find
the tranquility you
seek. For more
information call
407-939-7529.
EVENING
End your day of
relaxation with a
memorable evening of
food and marvelous
entertainment. Retreat
to the Pacific
Islands for dinner at
the Makahiki
Luau, held at
the new Waterfront at
SeaWorld
Orlando. Here,
you'll experience a
bountiful nightly
celebration that
features the customs,
music, costumes and
dance of the Pacific
Islands. Sit back,
relax, and enjoy the
show as you dine on a
family-style
Polynesian-inspired
feast. The delicious
dinner includes
specialties such as mahi
mahi in pina colada
sauce, Hawaiian chicken,
sweet and sour pork,
tropical salad and
fruit, fried rice, and
stirred vegetables. Or
dine at the incredible
Sharks
Underwater Grill,
also located in
SeaWorld Orlando.
Sit just inches away
from more than 50
different species of
sharks while you feast
on a delicious cuisine
that blends Caribbean
and Floridian flavors.
Entrees include fresh
seafood and a selection
of prime beef and
chicken (www.seaworld.com).
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EXTRAORDINARY DINING &
NIGHTLIFE
EVENING
 Seeking
a night away from
the kids? Orlando boasts
a plethora of premier
eating establishments as
well as some exciting
hotspots that will keep
you entertained well
into the night. Located
in the Royal Pacific
Hotel at
Universal Orlando,
Tchoup Chop
(pronounced chop
chop) is the
newest restaurant from
the renowned chef Emeril
Lagasse. Choose from a
variety of
exceptionally-prepared
Asian and Cajun dishes
“turned up a notch” with
Emeril’s bold flavors
and spices
(407-503-2467). Also
located within the
Universal
Orlando Resort
is the Delfino
Riviera at the
Portofino Bay Hotel.
This elegant restaurant
features traditional
cuisines from the
Ligurian region of Italy
(www.universalorlando.com).
Within the Walt Disney
Resort, there are
endless possibilities
when it comes to dining
out. The award-winning
California Grill,
located on the 15th
floor of Disney’s
Contemporary Resort, has
an amazing view of the
Seven Seas Lagoon and
the Magic Kingdom,
not to mention
incredible steaks and
seafood (407-939-3463).
At Downtown
Disney, you'll
find an assortment of
dining options including
Rainforest Café
(407-933-2800),
Fulton’s Crab House
(407-934-2628), and
Wolfgang Puck’s
Grand Café
(407-938-9653). For more
information on dining at
Disney, go to
www.disneytravelagents.com
Minutes away from the
Walt Disney World Resort
is the town of
Celebration
where you can find even
more dining choices
including Café
D’Antonio’s
(407-566-2233), serving
authentic Italian
cuisines, and
Columbia Restaurant
(407-566-1505),
Florida’s oldest
restaurant, serving
Spanish-Cuban dishes.
Another area full of
great dinner options is
Sand Lake Road, or as
locals call it,
Restaurant Row, just
west of I-4.
Samba Room
(407-226-0550)
offers tasty dishes with
influence from a variety
of Latin American
countries; Roy’s
(www.roysrestaurant.com)
brings the flavors from
the Pacific to Orlando
with its unique, self
described “Hawaiian
Fusion” menu selection;
and Timpano
Italian Chophouse
(407-248-0429) offers an
extensive array of
steaks and chops in an
elegant atmosphere.
Seasons 52
is a grill and
wine concept focusing on
health–conscious ,
low-calorie meals, but
you'd never know it by
the great taste.
Virtually every
appetizer and entrée is
prepared over an oak or
mesquite fired grill or
in its massive
stone-hearth pizza oven
(www.darden.com).
Close by,
Chatham’s Place
offers impeccable
service and excellent
food including specialty
dishes such as rack of
lamb or Florida black
grouper with pecan
butter (www.chathamsplace.com).
To
experience some of the
newest dining options in
Orlando, visit
Norman’s,
located in The
Ritz-Carlton Orlando, or
Primo,
located in the JW
Marriott Orlando. Both
properties are found
within the new
Grande Lakes Orlando.
Norman’s
features cuisines that
blend Latin, Caribbean,
and Asian food styles
with more traditional
American
dishes(407-529-2250).
Primo
features
Italian-inspired dishes
made with fresh, organic
vegetables and herbs
grown on site. (www.grandelakes.com).
Still need more options
to choose from? Visit
the Official Orlando Web
site,
www.orlandinfo.com
and click on dining for
a comprehensive list of
area restaurants.
NIGHTLIFE
Time to live it up in
Orlando’s late-night
hotspots! First, check
out Universal
CityWalk. Here
you can groove to reggae
at Bob Marley’s,
celebrate Mardi Gras
every night at
Pat O’Brien’s,
or dance the night away
at the groove.
(www.universalorlando.com)
Or, visit another
popular hotspot:
Downtown Disney's
Pleasure Island.
Here, you'll be
entertained all night by
traveling to the
numerous bars and
nightclubs including
BET Soundstage,
Mannequins,
and Rock-N-Roll
Beach Club.
Pleasure Island is also
home to one of the most
entertaining improv
comedy clubs,
The Comedy Warehouse.
Whatever your
preference, from jazz to
comedy, this island has
a club for you!
Other sites to check out
are Matrix
and Metropolis
located in the
Pointe Orlando
entertainment complex.
Listen to the latest
music while sitting in
the plush lounges at
Metropolis,
or dance on one of the
largest dance floors in
Orlando at
Matrix (www.pointeorlando.com).
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ORLANDO To The EXTREME
MORNING
 Start
your day at the
Wallaby Ranch Hang
Gliding Club
(1-800-WALLABY). From
Orlando, head west on
Interstate 4 towards
Tampa. Continue past
Disney World to exit
#55, then turn north on
US Highway 27 (towards
Clermont). Go 1.5 miles,
and then turn left on
Dean Still Road (SR 54
West). After 1.7 miles
on left, there is a
mailbox labeled "1805".
Turn into the driveway
and get ready for an
exhilarating flight.
Your tandem flight will
send you soaring at
2,000 feet (almost half
a mile up) and will last
about 15-20 minutes.
Once you're back on the
ground, walk or mountain
bike on the trails
covering 200 acres of
oak, cypress, and
tropical wildlife.
AFTERNOON
Next, pull in for a pit
stop at Richard
Petty Driving Experience
(1-800-BE-PETTY),
located on Walt Disney
World property. Climb
into the driver’s seat
of a NASCAR Winston Cup
style stock car for
eight hair-raising laps
around the track. The
Rookie Experience begins
with an intense one-hour
training program
followed by the driving
experience and a
15-minute closing
ceremony. Participants
should arrive 30 minutes
prior to their scheduled
driving time so RPDE
staff can check you in,
take your completed
Liability Waiver and
Medical Form and assign
you a driving suit. Upon
completion, you will
receive your lap-time
sheet, graduation
certificate, and a
memory that will last a
lifetime! For lunch head
over to the
NASCAR Cafe
Orlando
(407-224-RACE) at
Universal City
Walk. As the
only officially
NASCAR-sanctioned
specialty restaurant,
the NASCAR Cafe is a hot
destination for both
fans and racecar drivers
alike. While you dine,
check out rare
memorabilia and a
showcase of cars
including Richard
Petty's 1984 Pontiac,
Jeff Gordon's Monte
Carlo and Dale Earnhardt
Sr.'s Monte Carlo.
Combine all this with a
racing theme menu
featuring All-American
dishes like baby back
ribs and tasty popcorn
shrimp, and the result
is first place.
EVENING
After refueling, drop by
SkyVenture of
Orlando
(407-903-1150) for some
indoor skydiving in a
state-of-the-art
Vertical Wind Tunnel.
This incredible
experience replicates
the pulse pounding
sensation of free
falling. The thrill of
your jumping experience
is about an hour, and
begins with a short
class and video, along
with instruction on
proper body positioning
necessary for a stable
flight. Once you have
suited up you will step
into the wind tunnel
for two simulated
skydives, each lasting
approximately one
minute. Certified
instructors will be
there to provide the
tips necessary to make
your jump a memorable
one.
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A SPORTS LOVER'S DREAM
MORNING
 This
action-packed day is
filled with all types of
activities for
sports-lovers,
athletes, athletes-at-heart
or even for those who
just want to experience
an active vacation.
Begin your morning by
rising with the sun and
heading out to the
course for a round of
golf. Orlando has some
of the most
acclaimed and most
challenging golf courses
and academies in the
country, including the
Arnold Palmer
Golf Academy at
The Bay Hill
Club and Lodge.
Home to the Bay
Hill Invitational,
this famous golf course
offers world-class golf
instruction created by
Arnold Palmer himself (www.apga.com).
Or, visit theGrand
Cypress Academy of Golf
and the Grand
Cypress Golf Club
at the Grand
Cypress Resort
where there are a
variety of programs and
instruction for players
of all skill levels. If
you're ready to venture
off and play, try one of
the Jack Nicklaus
signature-designed
courses! (www.grandcypress.com)
ChampionsGate
Golf Resort,
another one of Orlando’s
premiere golf
destinations, has two
18-hole courses designed
by Greg Norman and
houses the David
Leadbetter Golf Academy.
It's also home to the
annual Father/Son
Challenge (www.championsgategolf.com).
Several other golf
courses will challenge
your skills or help you
improve upon them.
Celebration Golf
Club, located
just south of Walt
Disney World Resort, is
home to the Robert Trent
Jones Sr. and Jr.
designed, 18-hole
championship course.
Also found here is a
driving range, putting
green, chipping hole,
and a three-hole junior
course (www.celebrationgolf.com).
Other recommended golf
courses are
Mystic Dunes Golf Club,
also located in
Celebration (www.mysticdunesgolf.com)
and Walt Disney
World Golf,
located at the
Walt Disney World Resort.
Within the Disney
grounds you will find 99
holes within five
championship courses:
Eagle Pines, Osprey
Ridge, Palm, Magnolia,
and Lake Buena Vista as
well as a nine-hole
walking course, Disney’s
Oak Trail (www.disneytravelagents.com).
AFTERNOON
Your day is only
beginning! For lunch,
head over to
ESPN Club,
located at
Disney’s BoardWalk Inn.
This restaurant will
surround you with at
least 100 televisions,
all tuned to different
sporting events. See
ESPN hosts live ,on air,
bringing you sports
celebrity interviews,
game analysis, and
sports trivia. You can
also enjoy a typical
sports-lover’s meal:
burgers, sandwiches, and
fries. Or, choose from
many other items on the
menu including steaks,
fresh fish, and salads.
(www.disneytravelagents.com).
Another option is to
head over to
Universal CityWalk
to enjoy a delicious
meal at NBA City.
This basketball-inspired
restaurant features
top-quality American
dishes including oak
grilled steaks, fresh
pastas, brick-oven
pizza, salads, and
sandwiches. While
dining, catch an
exciting game on one of
the big screens then
shop for authentic NBA
gear or play a little
one-on-one! (www.universalorlando.com).
After lunch, work off
that food by visiting
Disney’s Wide
World of Sports.
Test your physical
abilities by confronting
The Multi-Sport
Experience. Here you
will go through a
variety of interactive
activities including
Football Training Camp,
where you test your
speed and agility as you
navigate through a timed
obstacle course, and MPH
Zone, where you find out
how fast your fast pitch
really is. Other
activities in this
experience include
soccer, street
basketball, and a play
area for young children.
Or, you can cool off by
enjoying some
exhilarating water
sports at Buena Vista
Water Sports/Dave’s Ski
School. From Disney’s
Wide World of Sports,
take I-4 East to Exit 68
(State Road 535) and
turn right. Spend the
rest of your afternoon
taking water-ski or
wakeboard lessons,
jet-skiing on a Sea-Doo,
going on a tube ride or
taking a ride on a
competition ski boat.
For more information
visit
www.bvwatersports.com
or call 407-239-6939.
EVENING
End your day by catching
a sporting event at the
TD Waterhouse Centre,
located in downtown
Orlando. From the
attractions area, take
I-4 East to Exit 83B
(Amelia St.) and turn
left. Here you can watch
the awesome athleticism
of the Orlando
Magic as they
play during their
regular season, October
through April. For
ticket information and
schedules, visit
www.orlandomagic.com
or call
407-89-MAGIC.
Or, you can watch some
exciting arena football
at the TD Waterhouse
Centre. The Orlando
Predators play from
February through June.
For more information
visit
www.orlandopredators.net
or call 407-44-PREDS. |
