Orlando, Florida - Think Outside the Theme Park

Orlando, Florida is the destination for families. With a ton of theme parks and child-friendly venues, its easy to forget that there is an actual city of Orlando that doesn't revolve around everyone's favorite mouse.

Plenty of options include museums, art galleries, and even places that revolve around nature. Here is just a few ideas to help you plan a more balanced vacation.

Get Cultured

Go east of Central Florida to Daytona Beach for a healthy dose of art, history, and science at the Museum of Arts and Sciences. For even more exposure to the arts, you should visit at least one of these wonderful museums/galleries-Orlando Museum of Art(which features a mix of American and African art); Maitland Art Center(a garden filled with murals and sculptures of art that was inspired by the Mayans and Aztecs); and Cornell Fine Arts Museum(an art museum on the Rollins College campus).

Become One With Nature

Orlando is in Florida, which has some of the most beautiful scenery in the United States. There are lakes, parks, and even proximity to beaches of the Atlantic and Gulf of Mexico. There a so many city parks to choose from, these are just a few examples. Go to Lake Eola Park in downtown O-town(as its sometimes called), an just enjoy the views of nature surround by the city skyline. Or take your children to the smaller Princeton Park where they can play at the playground and you can relax by sitting on a bench.

Family Fun Outside of The Land of Mickey Mouse

For families(or anyone else for that matter) who need a escape from the commercialism of theme parks, there are alternatives. Skip the hotel pool and go play at a water park like Wet N Wild Orlando. Other fun alternatives include taking your kids to an entertainment dinner show that features live performances, examples include Capone's Dinner & Show(based on a musical called Gangland Chicago 1931) and the classic Medieval Times Dinner & Tournament(which stars knights and horses). Why not try something a little more fun for you? Like shopping at The Mall of Millenia , which features dozens of the best shops out there, like Juicy Couture and Chanel. There are also tons of spas and golf course scattered throughout the metropolitan area.

For more info or to start planning your Orlando/Central Florida Getaway please visit Orlando Info.