Best Other Attractions Besides Disney World, SeaWorld and Universal
TIPS: Check out the best other attractions in Orlando when you have had enough of the big players-Disney World, SeaWorld and Universal? Gatorland, Holy Land, Cypress Gardens, the Orlando Science Center, the Kennedy Space Center and Busch Gardens, and the Daytona International Speedway offer hours of entertainment for every age.
Busch Gardens: It may be an hour or so away, but it's well worth it. Sporting some of the biggest, fastest coasters around, Busch Gardens is a high-impact place for a day trip. Among the choices: Shiekra, the largest, fastest coaster in the Southeast U.S., Kumba, a 110 feet plunge into a diving loop making for a "roar" of a ride and Montu, an egyptian themed coaster with an inverse diving loop and a 60-foot vertical loop.
Cypress Gardens: Florida's first theme park was Cypress Gardens. Originally founded in 1936 and reopened in 2004, the park combines classic rides and attractions with a family-friendly southern, old Florida atmosphere. Cypress Gardens also puts on a number of concerts every year featuring some of today's best country music performers.
Gatorland: The famous entrance to Gatorland is deeply entrenched in the minds of Central Floridians. As you walk into the alligator's mouth, you'll enter an amazing world where you can learn all about one of Florida's most intriguing animals, the alligator. See alligator feedings or get up-close and personal at a number of exhibits that let you get too close for comfort with Florida's famous gators.
The Holy Land Experience: Enter into a biblical world of wonder at the Holy Land Experience. See films and presentations that present the history of the biblical world and marvel at the painstakingly recreated architecture that gives Holy Land its signature look. You can also visit the Scriptorium, an vast archive of biblical books and materials.
Kennedy Space Center: The home of America's space program, Kennedy Space Center is a truly amazing place to visit. From exhibits showcasing America's space-travel history to a bus ride past the launch pads that NASA uses today, you can see some very special things at the Space Center. You can also buy powdered astronaut ice cream, a souvenir favorite. If you can catch a shuttle launch, you will see America's BEST free show!
Daytona International Speedway: Taking a day trip to Daytona Beach might be something you want to do on your Orlando visit. But in addition to the beaches in Daytona, there's a little place called the Daytona International Speedway. The Speedway, the historic home of stock car racing, offers daily tours. Also, you can visit Daytona USA, an interactive attraction with a NASCAR theme.
Orlando Science Center: Want to see the rings around Saturn? One of the largest space observatories in the state sits atop the Orlando Science Center. When there's something special in the night sky, this is the place to go to see it. Inside, you can check out a number of amazing exhibits that will enlighten and entertain. Learn about electricity, physics and biology, all in one awesome place.
Ripley's Believe it or Not: Weird wonders abound at Ripley's Believe it or Not. Ripley made his life's work the collection of the strangest, most obscure artifacts he could find, and now many are on display, including shrunken heads and Rolls Royce made completely out of match sticks. Believe it – or not!
Busch Gardens: It may be an hour or so away, but it's well worth it. Sporting some of the biggest, fastest coasters around, Busch Gardens is a high-impact place for a day trip. Among the choices: Shiekra, the largest, fastest coaster in the Southeast U.S., Kumba, a 110 feet plunge into a diving loop making for a "roar" of a ride and Montu, an egyptian themed coaster with an inverse diving loop and a 60-foot vertical loop.
Cypress Gardens: Florida's first theme park was Cypress Gardens. Originally founded in 1936 and reopened in 2004, the park combines classic rides and attractions with a family-friendly southern, old Florida atmosphere. Cypress Gardens also puts on a number of concerts every year featuring some of today's best country music performers.
Gatorland: The famous entrance to Gatorland is deeply entrenched in the minds of Central Floridians. As you walk into the alligator's mouth, you'll enter an amazing world where you can learn all about one of Florida's most intriguing animals, the alligator. See alligator feedings or get up-close and personal at a number of exhibits that let you get too close for comfort with Florida's famous gators.
The Holy Land Experience: Enter into a biblical world of wonder at the Holy Land Experience. See films and presentations that present the history of the biblical world and marvel at the painstakingly recreated architecture that gives Holy Land its signature look. You can also visit the Scriptorium, an vast archive of biblical books and materials.
Kennedy Space Center: The home of America's space program, Kennedy Space Center is a truly amazing place to visit. From exhibits showcasing America's space-travel history to a bus ride past the launch pads that NASA uses today, you can see some very special things at the Space Center. You can also buy powdered astronaut ice cream, a souvenir favorite. If you can catch a shuttle launch, you will see America's BEST free show!
Daytona International Speedway: Taking a day trip to Daytona Beach might be something you want to do on your Orlando visit. But in addition to the beaches in Daytona, there's a little place called the Daytona International Speedway. The Speedway, the historic home of stock car racing, offers daily tours. Also, you can visit Daytona USA, an interactive attraction with a NASCAR theme.
Orlando Science Center: Want to see the rings around Saturn? One of the largest space observatories in the state sits atop the Orlando Science Center. When there's something special in the night sky, this is the place to go to see it. Inside, you can check out a number of amazing exhibits that will enlighten and entertain. Learn about electricity, physics and biology, all in one awesome place.
Ripley's Believe it or Not: Weird wonders abound at Ripley's Believe it or Not. Ripley made his life's work the collection of the strangest, most obscure artifacts he could find, and now many are on display, including shrunken heads and Rolls Royce made completely out of match sticks. Believe it – or not!
