As an Orlando vacation devotee, I can recommend all of the theme parks, but did you know the area is brimming with other excellent visitor attractions without a roller coaster in sight. Orlando city has a wide range of sights, places to eat with many of these available along International Drive where it is possible to park the car and take a stroll. Although it wasn't always this full of attractions, it has been pulling in visitors for many years and its popularity does not seem to be diminishing.



It is a great place to visit even if you only have shopping on your mind as Orlando area is full of beautiful shopping malls, restaurants and shops of every type. With so many things to see, the information provided here cannot even brush the surface of what you can see on an Orlando Vacation, but it will give an insight into some of the 'not so well publicized' attractions.

The Central Florida Zoo for instance only opened back in 1975 and was owned by the Sanford Fire Department prior to that but is now the home to over four hundred animals. The zoo has a charity status and is dedicated to the preservation of all exotic animals, including those that are only found in Florida.

You may have heard of the name Tiffany's but did you know that it was way back in 1942 that the Morse Museum in Winter Park that started displaying the collections of Louis Tiffany. For aficionados of Tiffany art, this is the place to visit with the largest display anywhere in the world, including jewelry, paintings, glass, pottery and ornaments.

Whilst it may seem that Orlando has been created for the entertainment of children that could not be further from the truth as there is plenty here for everyone. Orlando vacations offer evening entertainment that's no less interesting with family venues such Pirates Adventure, Medieval Feast to more adult themes such as Disney's Downtown Pleasure Island open until the early hours.

The Orlando Science Center is another of the major attractions and its four-story center is the biggest of its kind in the Southeast; offering 10 exhibit halls that allow visitors everything from the Florida swamplands to the dry plains of Mars. The International Trolley and Train Museum has fourteen trains running simultaneously in mountains, wilderness and urban areas; including three waterfalls that use 12,000 gallons of water per hour.

If you have seen the Titanic-ship of Dreams film then you will enjoy the exhibition along International Drive that tells the story using large sets and depictions from the ship as a background. Away from all the hustle is the wonderful Lake Eola Park in the heart of downtown; it has beautiful sidewalks in over forty acres where it is possible to spend a few peaceful hours.

Not all theme parks in Orlando are based purely on rides as the fantastic Seaworld will attest but if you want rides then you have the Disney resort theme parks and Universal studios too. Whatever you want from a vacation, Orlando can supply and you don't have to work hard at finding it either; next time you are there, try some of the other attractions, you won't be disappointed.

Copyright (c) 2008 Deborah Klinger