Orlando, Florida Visitors Will Love These Ten Non-Tourist Fun Places

Although most people know about DisneyWorld, Universal Studios, SeaWorld, other popular theme parks, and Kennedy Space Center, many would be surprised to find Orlando is a wonderful place to live and take time off to relax. Where should you go if you want to spend less while visiting all the sun and fun in Florida and still feel like you had a vacation?

Old Estates Are Key to Beautiful Orlando Gardens

Leu Gardens located at 1920 North Forest Avenue, Orlando and Mead Gardens located at 401 Park Ave. S. in Winter Park, provide local plant life in pleasant surroundings. Trails provide a good walk and costs are minimal to help maintain them in their beautiful condition.

Birding and Sunbathing at Cape Canaveral National Seashore

The only thing to beware about Cape Canaveral National Seashore is that it sometimes is closed for several days when NASA is launching satellites and space shuttles. Some of the launch facilities are visible along the roads leading to the shore. Local are likely to be found camped in their favorite beach chair with their fishing pole thrown out. Shells, birds, and a huge long beach make a pleasant day. Restrooms available. Day fee for use or National Park Pass. Access to Canaveral National Seashore is via Titusville, Florida.

Find Golf Heaven with Well Maintained Public Courses that Offer Plenty of Challenge

Golf Courses at Twin Rivers Golf Course at 2100 Ekana Drive, Oviedo, Mt. Dora Golf Course at 110 South Highland, Mount Dora, Casselbury Golf Club at 300 South Triplet Lake Drive, Casselberry are open to the public and require a cart during play until afternoon. Carts are advisable when the heat and humidity get up.

Old Town Shopping and Dining and More in Sanford

Sandford at one time was the largest city until Walt Disney moved in and created Orlando. As such, it is a quaint town with a pleasant stroll around a park, marina on a large lake, lots of small shops and good restaurants like the highly recommended German food restaurant, Hollerbach's Willow Tree Café.

Hiking the Trails and Byways

A "Hiker's Guide to the Sunshine State" is a good resource for getting you started exploring some of the hikes for the Central Florida area are a good way to see Florida at it's natural best. We tried the Florida Trail from downtown Oviedo and found it a better place to rollerblade or bike ride than walk but we found many native wildflowers along the trail. Two less neighborhood choices were Lake Jesup Tract where we found a pleasant stroll along the lake and many species of birds and the Geneva Wilderness Area where we found a trail that led in two directions, both having their high points of wonderful scenery.

Frisbee and Picnics and Birds and Swimming at State Parks

We've tried two of the state parks suggested in the Florida Wildlife Viewing Guide-the Wekiwa Springs State Park and the Lake Kissimmee State Park. At Wekiwa Springs, we hiked one of two trail and vowed to go back. At Lake Kissimmee we walked right up to a Sandhill Crane by surprise and later saw many babies, fun. Both have picnic facilities.