Travel

[Bellagio]

Looking for things to see and do In Orlando area or within a 1& 1/2 hour drive from there . We are not interested in any theme parks. We are empty nesters, and have been to Disney before. 

We like botanical Gardens, being out in nature, a nice beach suggestion, historic sites, flea markets, old churches, scenic drives, boat tours, shopping, quint towns.  Thanks for your suggestions🌼

[patbz]

Highly recommend NASA, took us two days; can't recommend enough!

[NicksmomESQ]

There is Busch Gardens in Tampa.

[haddon9]

We just went to Kennedy Space Center several weeks ago.  It's an hour drive & very interesting!

[Mombo1]

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@Bellagio wrote:

Looking for things to see and do In Orlando area or within a 1& 1/2 hour drive from there . We are not interested in any theme parks. We are empty nesters, and have been to Disney before. 

We like botanical Gardens, being out in nature, a nice beach suggestion, historic sites, flea markets, old churches, scenic drives, boat tours, shopping, quint towns.  Thanks for your suggestions🌼

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Have you been to St. Augustine?  I used to live in Palm Coast Florida on the east coast years ago...It is a nice community, but has grown in population over the past 10 years.  We loved driving up A1A to St. Augustine to tour the town.  Many historic places to visit....lighthouses...nice quaint restaurants...pretty quiet beaches....great little places to shop.  I would highly recommend checking it out.  Not sure where you are staying, but a trip up the coast from Daytona to Palm Coast to St. Augustine would be worth the trip.  

[Zhills]

Check out Mount Dora.  Interesting little town!

[Mothertrucker]

Wish I would have thought to ask this before I went- I had to go for business and all I remember was the incredibly long flight full of screaming kids so excited to go to Disney, and the humidity..Oh GEEZE, the humidity!

LOL! L.A. to Orlando has to be one of the longest nonstop flights there is, and I am not that fond of flying in the first place! I was not prepared for the humidity, I would leave my hotel with my hair still damp from the shower, and it would still be damp when I got back in the evening! This is why we did a ot of activities in the evenings...

But the people of Orlando were great! gracious, friendly and helpful!

[Vivian]

Stop for lunch in Celebration. It’s an interesting town that’s worth a view. 

[dawg lover]

When we were in Orlando a while back, the closest beach was New Smyrna Beach.  It was about 45 minutes away.

[FrostyBabe1]

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@Bellagio wrote:

Looking for things to see and do In Orlando area or within a 1& 1/2 hour drive from there . We are not interested in any theme parks. We are empty nesters, and have been to Disney before. 

We like botanical Gardens, being out in nature, a nice beach suggestion, historic sites, flea markets, old churches, scenic drives, boat tours, shopping, quint towns.  Thanks for your suggestions🌼

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Forgive me, but why would you go to Orlando if you're not interested in what the main draw in that area is? Central, in-land Florida is hot, hot, hot with a side of humid.

For what you're looking for, I'd suggest you re-think your destination and consider the Sarasota/Bradenton area. There are the Gulf barrier islands, lots of shopping, the Marie Selby Botanical Gardens, opportunities for boating, the Robertson Preserve with both hiking and kayaking/paddle boarding trails, lots of great restaurants, etc.