<p>My family is going to be in Orlando, Florida, for a few days this month, joining my husband on a business trip. We don’t want to go to the amusement parks, and we don’t play golf. My daughter and I plan to sit around the pool at the hotel, although the weather might not be warm enough to do that for extended times. My two questions:</p>
<ol>
<li><p>Suggestions for what to do in the Orlando area that does not involve Disney, theme parks, or spending $100+ per person in daily admittance fees. I realize this may be an impossible task. I thought renting bikes might be a good idea for one day – any thoughts on that?</p></li>
<li><p>Good restaurants, preferably ones that are not chains. One night we’ll go to Downtown Disney, so suggestions for restaurants there would be appreciated.</p></li>
</ol>
<p>We will have a car, although I don’t want to drive too far.</p>
<p>Just got back from Orlando. We booked a hover boat ride - really cool. Visited the Peabody Hotel to have dinner and watch the ducks march. Visited “Gatorland” ok thats lame and touristy, but fun. Did a orange grove tour. Hung out at the pool, ours was heated (during the day not needed, but much appreciated at night). Down town Disney is neat and worth one trip at least. If you’re into Farmers markets and flea markets, theres a couple that we enjoyed. I took several wonderful walks and just enjoyed the weather.</p>
<p>Although it requires driving, we really like bird watching at the Merritt Island National Wildlife Refuge (north of the Kennedy Space Center). Take the Black Point Wildlife Drive. A bird book and binoculars make it more interesting. I think they might have imposed a fee this year for the drive ($5).</p>
<p>Personally, I think Kennedy Space Center is too much like a theme park itself these days. I did like Gatorland, which is pretty lame, but it doesn’t take up too much of your time.</p>
<p>I don’t want to drive as far as the Kennedy Space Center, but thanks for the suggestion. We’re near the Peabody, so maybe we’ll look in on the ducks.</p>
<p>Sistersunnie: Where are the farmers markets and flea markets – that has potential. And did you walk anywhere special? </p>
<p>We visited an orange grove many years ago – that’s a possibility, too.</p>
<p>Go to Winter Park. It is just north of Orlando and is a charming small town with a wonderful museum that features Tiffany windows, and other attractions.</p>
<p>Salt Island Chop and Fish House is a pretty good place to eat. (at least 2-3 years ago it was) It is located on International Boulevard by the Convention Center towards the North</p>
<p>Even if you don’t choose to ‘Disney,’ you may find yourself wanting to eat in one of their restaurants at Downtown Disney (which is a lot of fun for an evening out). If you have your computer with you, go to:</p>
<p>Peabody marches the ducks at 11am and again at 5pm, fun to watch. AND they have a nice eatery near the fountain. I enjoyed several afternoons there. I cant remember exactly where the markets were, but pick up an orlando guide immediately upon arrival. It has the details and a great map to help you get around. I stayed on International Drive and watched up and down there several days, lots to see and people watch. I also walked at the Orange Groves and at a local State Park. Again I forget, found it through the local tourist guide.</p>
<p>Winter Park is a good suggestion. It’s really a charming little downtown with some lovely homes on the lake behind Rollins College (Rollins is gorgeous, too!). There are some cute boutiques and cafes - a nice change from Orlando proper.</p>
<p>I’ve heard Winter Park is nice, and so is Mount Dora (also about an hour away). My MIL love the antiques in Mount Dora. </p>
<p>I was there in late December and we went citrus picking at World of Citrus (about 40 minutes west of Orlando). It’s an organic farm and had at least 7 types of ripe fruit to pick. The strawberry season is beginning too.</p>
<p>Florida has many natural springs that you can swim in if it is warm enough. If it’s too cold, most of them are in park settings that are nice to visit. There are also many, many lakes. In the older part of town (Orlando), there are cobblestone streets and paths around most lakes. You could bike quite far and see many beautiful houses, gardens and lakes - and it’s all flat!</p>
<p>The University of Central Florida is in Orlando. I’ve never been, but many universities do have some sort of art or natural history museum. Might be interesting to drive through the campus. Husband and I went to a Ripley’s Believe It or Not type museum when we went to Disney for our honeymoon. It was on the way from the airport to the hotel, and we saw it and stopped in. Any of the nature trails in Florida are wonderful. They have the most amazing birds there. I would definitely bring binoculars for your trip. Husband and I saw sandhill cranes every morning on our way to the theme parks on our honeymoon. There may also be a place not too far away where you can see manatees or water ski shows. I know those were popular back in the fifties, but you may still be able to catch them, or some vestige of them.</p>
<p>For Dinner suggestions, I’d vote for one of the restaurants at Disney’s Animal Kingdom Lodge. It doesn’t feel too “disney-fied” and has a very peaceful vibe about it.</p>
<p>Also for a show, the Blue Man Group at Universal might be good for teens. There are plenty of restaurants as well on City Walk.</p>
<p>If Winter Park is too far, our family enjoyed pottering around Celebration one afternoon window shopping etc.</p>
<p>Downtown Orlando: visit Lake Eola. There is a park surrounding the lake, swan boat rides. It is a great place to walk and relax. The fountain at night is amazing, but was struck by lightening and I am not sure repairs are done. There is an amphitheater but concerts are hit or miss, schedule wise. There is a green market on weekends. Very nice Panera Bread near the park on the north end. Near Lake Eola is Thornton Park, a mixed use development with living places and shops and restaurants. Food is great in this area, bookstore, other shops.</p>
<p>What time of year are you going? Spring training for baseball is not too far off, and the games are fun and inexpensive. Great chance to see a superstar up close and a low price. Astros train in Kissimmee, but other teams train in Jupiter and other nearby areas. There are also games held at Disney’s Wide World of Sports as well.</p>