What to do in Central Florida
Central Florida. The heart of the Sunshine State. Home to multiple theme parks, a wide variety of local attractions, must-do events and enough nature to make you forget all about the hustle and bustle of the touristy areas if you so choose.
You don't have to drive far to find something to do in the heart of Florida.
Events to take note of:
Winter
Capital One Bowl- Watch standouts from the SEC and Big 10 on New Year's Day
Champs Sports Bowl- ACC vs. Big 10 action @ the Citrus Bowl
Spring
Central Florida Fair- Held at the Central Florida Fairgrounds every spring
Epcot's International Flower & Garden Festival- Enjoy millions of blooming flowers throughout Epcot
MLB Spring Training- Check out the Braves at Disney, the Tigers in Lakeland, or the Astros in Kissimmee.
Sun 'n Fun Fly-In- Air shows and aircraft exhibits in Lakeland
Summer
Silver Spurs Rodeo- A weekend of great rodeo action in Kissimmee.
Fall
Epcot's International Food & Wine Festival- Taste food from around the world while enjoying the atmosphere of Epcot
Festival of the Master's- See the work of over 150 award winning artists at Downtown Disney's West Side.
Things to Do:
Airboat Rides at Midway- Located in Christmas. If visiting during the holidays, bring your Christmas cards and have them postmarked at the Christmas post office.
Aquatica- Seaworld's waterpark. Who knows more about water and fun?
Arabian Nights- Dinner show featuring over 60 horses.
Bass Pro Shops- We just can't get enough of this store!
Black Hammock Adventures- Airboat rides on gator filled Lake Jesup in Oveido.
Blue Springs- Absolutely beautiful.
Bob's Balloon Rides- Hot air balloon rides over central Florida.
Boggy Creek Airboat Rides- Cruise through miles of wetlands.
Camping World- Get your camping and RV supplies.
Central Florida Zoo- Away from the theme park areas. Great way to spend an afternoon.
De Leon Springs- Can you find the Fountain of Youth?
Discovery Cove- Swim with the dolphins or snorkel with rays and fish. Pricey, but an excellent time for the family.
Disney Quest- Plenty of interactive attractions at Downtown Disney's West Side.
Disney's Wide World of Sports- There is something going on just about every day. Stop by and see various sports at an unbelievable venue. You can catch Atlanta Braves Spring Training games and Tampa Bay Buccaneers Training Camp here.
Downtown Disney- A must for those wanting a break from the parks. Plenty to do and see.
Fantasy of Flight- More than 40 vintage aircraft on display.
Florida Horse Park- Pure equestrian excitement in Ocala.
Florida Mall- One of the largest malls in the area. Grab an Orange Julius and go watch visitors on the Flowrider at the Adrenalina store.
Forever Florida & Florida Eco Safaris- Get away from it all and enjoy Florida's wild side.
Fun Spot Action Park- 4 Go Kart tracks, 6 big rides, 7 rides for little kids, and a huge arcade with over 60 games. 2 locations.
Gander Mountain- If you like Bass Pro Shops and are in the Lake Mary or Ocala areas.
Gatorland- Alligators, crocodiles, a bunch of other native Florida wildlife, the Express Railroad, Gator Gully Splash Park, and a whole lot more. Stop by for a few hours a great entertainment.
Green Meadows Petting Farm- Go on a two hour tour to view over 300 animals and you get to milk a cow!
Hard Rock Cafe- See your favorite musical performances right next to Universal Studios.
Hawaiian Rumble Adventure Golf- A pair of miniature golf courses near the attractions.
Historic Bok Sanctuary- Located in Lakes Wales, Bok Sanctuary will allow you to escape the craziness of the tourist area as you stroll through the property.
Holy Land Experience- The bible comes alive at this Orlando theme park.
Horse World Riding Stables- For beginners to advanced riders. 100's of acres of wooded trails.
House of Blues- Catch live music acts and enjoy great food. Then cruise around the rest of Downtown Disney.
IKEA- More than just a furniture store!
Juniper Springs- Get away from it all here.
Legoland- Coming to Central Florida Fall 2011.
Lukas Butterfly Encounter- Check it out if you are in to butterflies.
Magic Sunrise Ballooning- More hot air ballooning over central Florida.
Mall at Millenia- High end stores and plenty of excellent places to eat. They have a Cheescake Factory.
Medieval Times Dinner & Tournament- Step back in time during this 11th century dinner show.
Mt. Dora Village Merchants Association- Quiet streets with plenty of stores to browse through.
Old Town in Kissimmee- Need a break from the theme parks? stop by Old Town on a Friday or Saturday night for weekly cars shows. Music every night on the weekends. 75 shops, 8 restaurants, and 18 rides for your enjoyment.
Orlando Magic- Catch some of the NBA's best players right here in Orlando.
Orlando Science Center- One of the best museums in Florida.
Orlando Predators- Watch some great Arena Football action.
Peace River Refuge and Ranch- Exotic animal sanctuary and educational facility.
Pirates Dinner Adventure- Keep an eye out for the unexpected during this dinner show.
Reptile World Serpentarium- Check out one of the venom shows where a handler and an assistant milk the venom from one of the many resident snakes (the venom is then processed to treat snakebite victims worldwide).
Richard Petty Driving Experience- Take some laps around the track in view of the Magic Kingdom.
Ripley's Believe it or Not- Plenty to check out here.
Rock Springs- Nice run and a fun pool area.
Safari Wilderness Ranch- You'll be conducted through our expansive wilderness ranch in comfort and safety where you'll get spectacular close-up encounters with Eland, Red Lechwe, Waterbuck, Grant’s Zebra, Greater Kudu, Watusi cattle, Pere David’s deer, Axis deer, Fallow deer, Water Buffalo, Blackbuck Antelope and more unique and endangered species in large herds! Take part in real hands-on interactions with many species that feed from the vehicle.
Sea World- Great new kid's attractions have been added to this Orlando theme park classic.
Silver Springs- Home of the world famous glass bottom boats.
Titanic the Experience- Hey you won't even get wet.
Universal CityWalk- Plenty of shops and restaurants plus a movie theater at the entrance to Universal Orlando.
Universal Studios & Islands of Adventure- Two great theme parks and more.
Vans Skate Park- Huge indoor park at Festival Bay Mall.
Walt Disney World- 4 theme parks, 2 water parks, more than a dozen resorts. Oh yeah and Mickey Mouse. What else could you ask for? Free tickets might be nice!
Warbird Flights & Kissimmee Air Museum- Once you check out the exhibits, take a ride in a real WWII plane.
Wekiwa Springs State Park- Great place and an easy day trip away.
Westgate River Ranch- Kind of pricey, but there are a bunch of outdoor activities.
Wet 'n Wild- Great place to get wet and get close to people from places you never knew existed.
Wild Waters Water Park- nine acre water park next to Silver Springs.
Wonderworks- You can't miss the building.
Now a little something for Mom and Dad to do while cruising around Central Florida:
Henscratch Farms Vineyard and Winery- Located in Lake Placid.
Lakeridge Winery- Located in Clermont. Events throughout the year.
More for you to do:
Florida State Parks- Check out; Dade Battlefield Historic State Park, Lake Griffin State Park, Lake Kissimmee State Park, Lake Louisa State Park, Payne's Creek Historic State Park, Rock Springs Run State Reserve, Silver River State Park, and Wekiwa Springs State Park.
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