Scotland

A favorite destination for many people is Orlando, Florida, with its many theme parks, it has become ‘the’ place to visit but there is much more to an Orlando vacation than this. In fact, Orlando has such a diversity of attractions that many travel books have been written just about this one location alone. 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. Besides the major theme parks, a vacation in Orlando can offer so many attractions to spark the imagination that it’s hard to know where to begin.

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. Even though it is privately owned, it is run by a charitable group with the intention of providing classes for children and protecting species that are only found in Florida and other world wide exotic animals.

Back in 1942, the Morse Museum of American Art in Winter Park started exhibiting the world’s most extensive collection of the works of Louis Comfort Tiffany. The collection is the most comprehensive anywhere with Tiffany jewelry, art glass, ornaments, pottery, paintings and leaded glass.

Orlando is certainly a city for all age groups and not solely designed for the amusement of children as family and adult attractions are in equal numbers. For the young at heart, Orlando vacations aim to please with extensive evening venues including music and dance at Disney’s incredible Pleasure Island and Universals version, Citywalk, to name just a couple of places.

Another great place to visit about twenty minutes drive from Orlando Airport is The Orlando Science Center, originating back to 1955; it is a huge complex with over two hundred thousand square feet of exhibition space spanning ten halls. For lovers of anything relating to trains and trolleys, there is the International Trolley and Train Museum which has fourteen model trains running through the building which actually houses a waterfall.

For something a little different there’s the Titanic Exhibition which tells the story of the ill fated Ocean Liner performed by a character from the ship; the displays contain some original salvaged items and at times the tour is very moving. Lake Eola Park on the other hand has a pleasant 43 acres to stroll around and relax or perhaps a little boating on the lake.

However, there aren’t that many visitors who visit Orlando without a trip to one of the four main Disney theme parks or the equally impressive Universal studios; where a person’s age really doesn’t matter. If you are on you first Orlando vacation, try to visit all the major attractions first because it is almost certain you will return again another year.