Mary
Phoenix

Mary from Phoenix asked

5 days in orlando not Disney

My husband and I will have 5 full days to explore central Florida. No theme parks please.

Orlando (Florida)

9 Answers

answered by

Vicky

Kennedy Space Center and Cocoa Beach. Otherwise Sarasota, Siesta Key.

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Kennedy Space Center (attraction)
Cocoa Beach (attraction)
Sarasota (city)
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answered by

Krystie

Harry P. Leu Gardens, Scenic Boat Tour in Winter Park, Kennedy Space Center, Central Florida Zoo & Botanical Gardens, Orange County Regional History Center. These are all places that I have been often and love to go.

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Mary
We have gone to the manatee preserve today. Beautiful. Saw a young manatee with 3 adults. We will be going to the Space Center, OC History Museum and either Bok Towers or Leu Gardens. Which one is better?

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Harry P. Leu Gardens (attraction)
Scenic Boat Tour (travel agency)
Kennedy Space Center (attraction)
Central Florida Zoo & Botanical Gardens (attraction)
Orange County Regional History Center (attraction)

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answered by

David

If you stay near Disney, you can completely avoid the theme parks and still have an awesome vacation at Disney. For instance, you can book a charter boat to fish, you can also take an archery class. We also have taken an airboat excursion. There are museums around Lakeland including a Tiffany and Lalique museum. Bok Towers is also a great destination. And they have a Manatee reserve in the area.

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Mary
Which do you like better. The Bok Tower or Leu Garden?

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answered first by

Peter from Orlando

Some suggestions, Kennedy Space Center, that can easily be a full day. The beach, I prefer Cocoa Beach, but if you want most touristy area go to Daytona Beach. If you have the time Tampa area offers a nice aquarium, The Florida Aquarium, and their old town area is nice. Orlando has some nice museums. Take a trip up to Saint Augustine, good historical sights and lots of nice places to eat.

Comments (3)

Mary
Thanks. We will do the Kennedy space center for sure. We will head to Tampa and Clearwater as well. And Charles Hosmer Morse is on our list. Are the Harry P. Leu gardens your choice for botanical visit? And for manatees we plan on Blue Spring unless you recommend something that might be better.

Mary
Spent a week in St. Augustine a couple years ago. I must say that trip is hard to beat. The history is amazing.

Peter
Leu gardens is nice and Blue Springs in nice, of course it will depend on the weather · (1 like)

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Kennedy Space Center (attraction)
Cocoa Beach (attraction)
Daytona Beach (city)
The Florida Aquarium (aquarium)
Saint Augustine (city)

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answered by

Michelle

wekiva springs, space coast, Tampa is only a 1.45 hr drive from orlando

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answered by

Jennifer

Look into the springs, central Florida has a lot of really beautiful natural springs. Also check out the space center. Even adults like it.

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answered by

Marcos

Kenedy space center and cocoa beach

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answered by

Alexis

Harry P. Leu Gardens

An airboat ride - Lone Cabbage Fish Camp or Boggy Creek Airboat Adventures or Wild Florida Airboats & Gator Park

Yellow Dog Eats for a casual lunch or dinner

Eddie V's Prime Seafood for a fancy meal

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Harry P. Leu Gardens (attraction)
Lone Cabbage Fish Camp (restaurant)
Boggy Creek Airboat Adventures (tourist attraction)
Wild Florida Airboats & Gator Park (attraction)
Yellow Dog Eats (attraction)
Eddie V's Prime Seafood (night club)

places (6)

answered by

Ana from Orlando

Wekiva Springs to cool off and has some shade to take a break from the sun. Audubon Center for Birds of Prey in Maitland is an intimate display of raptors. The staff is fabulous and the raptor ambassadors are gorgeous!