Your Disney hotel is a comfortable home-away-from-home, but it’s hardly Orlando’s finest destination. Central Florida is one of the U.S.’ most varied landscapes, and can be easily accessed from the Orlando International Airport. These outdoor attractions will make those oft-trod and overrun theme parks look like your local mall, so long as you’re not too afraid of gators.

Boggy Creek: Airboating in the Central Florida Everglades

We don’t normally associate Central Florida with the Everglades, but over half of the state is packed with subtropical marshlands. Boggy Creek’s airboating tours allow the Disney crowd to experience Florida’s wilds without straying outside the Kissimmee bounds. Daily tours, according to the Boggy Creek website, showcase “wetlands, cypress trees, and wildlife,” including “alligators, turtles, and birds.” For the truly adventurous, nighttime boating tours offer the best chance to see gators in their natural habitat. Apart from the cool allure of the gators, the airboats themselves prove exciting: they skim the marsh’s surface at 45 miles per hour.

The Wallaby Ranch: User-Friendly Hang Gliding

This Orlando mainstay claims to be “the first and largest aerotow hang gliding flight park in the world,” allowing its visitors all the thrill of unencumbered flight without an extensive training and testing period. Through their aerotow method and by using two-place hang gliders, Wallaby offers a relatively simple tandem flight experience. Even young children can safely participate in two-place hang gliding, bolstered by the ranch’s longtime instructors. The ease and accessibility that the Wallaby Ranch offers make hang gliding the perfect diversion from a park-heavy vacation.

Gators Fishing: Big Bass with a Local Dude

Large-mouth bass fishing is, by all accounts, Orlando’s most thrilling outdoor activity, and there’s no better way to experience it than on a private tour with a dedicated guide. Gators’ catch-and-release action takes place on metropolitan Orlando’s Lake Conway, where patrons can expect to see alligators, eagles, otters, and assorted other wildlife while hooking their bass. Though the tours are a bit pricey, the experience is well worth it; half-day adventurers can expect to interface with about 60 bass, while a full day’s fishing produces around 100. Also, Gators offers fiberglass reproductions of your best catch for your rec room wall.

Ocala National Forest: That Big Green Splotch on the Map

Ocala’s website warns visitors (twice in close succession) to “Be Bear Aware!” This dictum is either enticing or frightening, depending on how much you like bears. For the bear aware, the forest offers a range of campground accommodations, from relatively luxurious cabins to “primitive” setups. For the pleasure of hikers, Ocala also offers a length of the Florida National Scenic Trail, which runs 67 miles through forests, boardwalk-plated swamps, and prairies, as well as the Yearling Trail, named for the classic movie filmed on the forest’s grounds. This massive preserve is a perfect natural respite from overdeveloped Orlando.

Silver Springs: “Nature’s Theme Park”

Situated near Ocala, Silver Springs is Central Florida’s natural alternative to Disney. Though the park houses traditional attractions like a carousel and a petting zoo, it’s designed to preserve the integrity of its landscape. Visitors will want to tour the grounds in glass bottom boats: they’re the best way to see the constant production of the namesake springs, which produce “550 million gallons of sparkling-clear water a day” according to the park’s website. The park also offers extensive wildlife habitats, including one of the world’s largest bear exhibits, the white alligator-housing “Big Gator Lagoon,” and the “Panther Prowl.” Sure beats another day with the Mouse.

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Mount Dora

Downtown Mount Dora is a rarity in Central Florida: a walkable, old-timey village lined with cafes and antique shops. What’s more, it abuts the shoreline of the massive Lake Dora, so it’s a prime spot for sailing, fishing, and paddle-boating. Interested visitors should plan to hit Mount Dora on the weekend, when they can enjoy near-constant street fairs and outdoor entertainment. The village is about 35 miles from metro Orlando, and its many Bed and Breakfast-style inns are great alternatives to the city’s park-adjacent lodging.

Daytona Beach

Everyone’s heard of the famous 500, but Daytona’s Atlantic coastline also offers many non-vehicular pleasures. The beach is 23 miles of white sand, where timely visitors can witness the summer season’s widespread influx of sea turtles. Its boardwalk is a classic seaside amusement area, complete with go-karting and carnival games. Plus, for motorsports devotees, NASCAR’s official attraction “Daytona USA” offers stock car test drives and interactive racing games. Daytona Beach is 55 miles from downtown Orlando, an hour’s drive on the highway.

Kennedy Space Center

Anyone intrigued by space travel should consider a day with the Ultimate Space Experience tour, an all-inclusive jaunt from Orlando to Canaveral and back. Participants will tour Kennedy’s iconic Rocket Garden, the Astronaut Hall of Fame, and NASA’s Visitor Complex, and will have the rare opportunity to ride in a G-force Trainer. The tour requires a little over an hour in the bus to get to Kennedy’s Merritt Island, located on Florida’s Atlantic coastline.

Canaveral National Seashore

There’s little to Canaveral besides a beautiful beach, but that’s reason enough to travel the 40 miles from Orlando to the Atlantic. Canaveral’s beaches are a series of barrier islands surrounded by the ocean and the Intracoastal Waterway; visitors can take a slight detour from Klondike Beach or Playalinda to catch Florida’s native manatees in the Intracoastal’s Haulover Canal. The seaside park is close enough to the city for a day excursion, but also contains back-country campgrounds for inexpensive overnights.

Clearwater Beach

Clearwater’s white sand Gulf Coast beaches are a dedicated recreation area, providing visitors with such aquatic entertainment as Captain Memo’s Pirate Cruise, an island-themed tour replete with pirates, reggae, and booze. The Sea Screamer, the world’s largest speed boat, also treats its patrons to a unique experience: the boat reaches top speeds on its one-hour tours, and dolphins love to chase it in its wake. Clearwater is approximately 100 miles and a two hour drive from Orlando, but its attractions are worth the extra haul.

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SkyVenture Indoor Skydiving

An entertaining and cost-effective way to pass a rainy afternoon indoors, SkyVenture approximates the sky diving experience safely and painlessly for people of all ages. It claims to be “the closest thing to skydiving you’ll ever do without having to jump out of an airplane,” so similar to the real thing that its wind tunnels serve as practice grounds for professionals. SkyVenture’s participants will most certainly feel the thrill of sky diving without the threat of broken bones.

SeaWorld’s Aquatica

SeaWorld’s newest I-Drive venture is at once a water park and an aquarium, providing its guests with thrill rides through various sea-creature habitats. Attractions notably include a raft ride through a tropical fish exhibit and a speed slide alongside a group of Commerson’s Dolphins (who apparently enjoy racing human riders). Aquatica also enjoys a reciprocal relationship with SeaWorld and Busch Gardens, so visitors will benefit from multi-park pass deals.

Festival Bay Mall

Festival Bay is a theme park-mall hybrid, housing extreme attractions like Ron Jon’s Surf Park and Vans’ Skate Park on its grounds. The Surf Park’s premises include several wave- and surf-pools in addition to its retail center, attracting both longtime surf enthusiasts and curious first-timers. Kids will also love the mall’s “Putting Edge,” a glow-in-the-dark mini golf course. For the pleasure of a slightly older crowd, Festival Bay also hosts a movie theatre, several restaurants, and the impressively large Bass Pro Shops.

Wonder Works

Wonder Works’ appealing premise is as follows: The distinctive, upside-down building was once a laboratory in the Bermuda Triangle, uprooted by a violent tornado and dropped in Orlando with all its experiments intact. Its indoor exhibitions include fighter jet flight simulators, earthquake simulators, virtual sports, and virtual combat. Visiting families can also enjoy laser tag and comedic dinner shows.

Orlando Premium Outlets and Prime Outlets International

No I-Drive visit is complete unless you take home some outlet steals. These two complexes offer a huge array of stores, though they specialize in discounted designer goods. The Prime Outlets host a large Saks Off 5th outlet, while the Premiums have Dior and Armani. Outlet shoppers should consider the extensive I-Ride trolley for transportation; rides are a dollar apiece, and the trolley hits all the major malls.

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Orlando is not just a paradise, it’s a shopper’s paradise.  There’s great bargains to be found all over the city as well as shopping malls galore.  After a morning of shopping, whether it’s for high-end fashion or discount outlet stores, you’ll be ready to work on your tan in a new bathing suit and out to dinner in a designer gown.

The Mall at Millenia offer Neiman Marcus, Bloomingdales and Macy’s to fulfill Olando’s need for high-end fashion retail.  In addition, new to the mall are Chanel, Gucci, Apple Computer, Tommy Bahama, Cartier and many more.  This mall fills the air with “high-end” aromas as well with dining possibilities such as China Bistro, Cheesecake factory, Brio Tuscan Grill and Panera Bread.  Currently in the works surrounding this unique shopping experience is a five million square foot development to include premier office space, hotel as well as other commercial uses.  Located just one mile north of Florida’s I-4.

Prime 1 Outlets on International Drive features over 125 of the most popular brand outlet stores.  You’ll save big time on all the famous brands such as Armani, Ann Taylor, Banana Republic, Calvin Klein, Eddie Bauer, Gucci and many more.  Besides apparel, you’ll find bargains in shoes, children’s clothing, luggage, leather, home décor and jewelry.

Festival Bay Mall on International Drive has a store directory filled with stores such as Bass Pro Shop, Outdoor World, Sheplers Western Wear.  Take a break and see a movie at one of the seven theaters in this mall.  With a selection of over 80 stores and restaurants, there’s something for everyone.  Leave the kids and dad to have fun at the Putting Edge Fun Center where they can play a round or two of glow-in-the-dark miniature golf.

Point Orlando is the place to shop when you’re tired of the indoor mall scene.  After all, with Florida’s beautiful weather, why spend the day inside.  The entire family will enjoy a shopping trip to Point Orlando with over 40 retail shops and store, numerous restaurants and entertainment for those with a short shopping attention span.  The landscaping of fountains, lush greenery and tall palm trees is like strolling through a park.  There’s even live music at some of the bars and restaurants.

West Oaks Mall offers over 120 stores in one of Orlando’s newest malls.  It’s west Orlando’s biggest shopping mall.  If the kids get antsy, take them over to the soft play area or for a Carousel ride.  If dad’s along, send him to one of the many theaters to see that movie he’s been talking about.

Old Town has over 75 specialty shops and lots of restaurants to choose from.  Best yet, they are only two miles from Walt Disney World.  You’ll feel like you’ve stepped back in time to the 1950s at this open-air dining, shopping and entertainment attraction.  Dad will love the Saturday Nite Car Cruise.  It features over 300 pre-1973 American vehicles.  Stop for a bit and take a break from shopping with a lunch of old fashioned hamburgers and root beer at the A&W Restaurant.

Lake Buena Vista Factory Outlet Stores treats it’s shoppers up to a 75% savings on famous brands everyone loves such as Carter’s, Bass, Eddie Bauer, OshKosh, VanHeusen. Tommy Hilfiger and so much more.  You’ll find convenient front of the store parking and a relaxed village type shopping arena.  Take a break at World of Coffee for your favorite latte and a pastry snack.  The children will love the special play area.

Downtown Disney Marketplace gives you all the fun of Disney World for shoppers.  Enjoy Cap’n Jack’s Restaurant, Disney Days of Christmas, Lego Imagination Center, Once Upon a Toy Store, Mickey’s Mart, Goofy’s Candy Company, Team Mickey Athletic club and more surprises and fun.

The Florida Mall is the largest mall in central Florida, located just minutes from downtown Orlando.  Shop ’til you drop at Champ’s Sports, Bare Essentials, Apple Computer and Mayor’s Jewelers.  Then stop for a bite at California Pizza Kitchen.  Pick up a gift for the pooch you left back home at Just Dogs Gourmet.  If you love shoes, you’ll love browsing and buying at over 25 shoe stores and that number doesn’t include the department stores.

Something Blue is the bridal shop if your planning for an upcoming wedding.  Have a little honeymoon before the wedding and enjoy Orlando’s sun and surf.  But, while you are there find that perfect dress of your dreams.  Something Blue has everything you need to attire your bridal party, flower girl dresses, bridesmaid dresses and all the accessories.  Pick your bridal gown from Amy Kuschel, Carmela Sutera, La Sposa, James Clifford, Tara Keely, Justin Alexander and so many more.

Park Promenade Jewelry offers many fine jewelry choices and is known as one of Orlando’s top jewelers and their diamond showcase.  If you’ve been searching for just the right piece, surely you will find it at Park Promenade Jewelry.

Marie France is a trendy fashion boutique that offers quality clothing, jewelry and accessories at a great price.  You’ll want to visit every time you come to Orlando.  Their merchandise is constantly changing to the newest and most unique items.  They don’t care about labels and logos, but the creative quality of a piece that will spell out exactly who you are when you wear the item you’ve chosen.  They are located on Washington Street in the heart of Thornton Park.

This Olde House will have you tinkering away the hours with so many nooks and crannies to explore.  You’ll go home with the perfect antique or gift for that someone special but difficult to buy for.  Best yet, they will ship all of your purchases to the location you specify – no need to carry it all home.  It is, in fact, like shopping in an old house full of goodies that you can’t resist.

Rock & Roll Heaven is the best record store in Orlando.  Find the album that brings back the days of your youth.  Some of their vinyl records are easy to find at any nostalgic music store, but the rare finds are abundant as well.  If you think rock & roll should only be played on vinyl, this is your store.

 Need more money to do more shopping?  Book your discount Orlando hotel at Hotels Cheap and use your savings for a guilt-free your shopping spree.

( photo credit: Joe Shlabotnik)

(cc: photo credit: Flávio Cruvinel Brandão)

Who doesn’t love a free lunch, a free ride, a free anything.  Especially in this day of higher prices, finding ways to entertain your family or even just yourself, for free, on a trip to Orlando can be nothing but good for the budget.  After all, they say money isn’t everything, so lets see what’s free in Orlando and the surrounding areas.

A World of Orchids is a show in itself if you love flowers.  The 22,500 square foot conservatory displays orchids and other exotic flowers.  You’ll find natural exhibits of flowers from Indonesia, Australia, Southeast Asia and Central and South America.   Although it’s closed on Sundays, it’s FREE.

Big Tree Park is home to the “Senator.” the oldest tree in Florida.  The bald cyprus tree is estimated to be 3,500 years old and is 118 feet tall.  There are plenty of picnic tables, so bring along a deli lunch and help out your vacation budget even further.  Big Tree Park is open daily from 8 am to sunset and admission is FREE.

Albin Polasek Museum and Sculpture Gardens was the home of an internationally acclaimed Czech born sculptor.  The course of the year brings alternating sculptures, photography and art within the museum.  You’ll view his award winning sculpted piece entitled “Man Carving His Own Destiny.”  Then enjoy walking the paths of the exquisite gardens.  They are open Thursday through Sunday, September to June.  Admission is, of course, FREE.

Bach Festival Society of Winter Park holds special occasion concerts.  Two of them are Christmas in the Park and July 4th Celebration in the Park.  Music could be provided by the youth choir, orchestra, regular choir or the young at heart chorale (seniors who love singing the standards).  Bring a picnic dinner and a blanket for a romantic or family evening of music and fun for FREE.

Popcorn Flicks is held every second Thursday of the month for movies such as Ghost Busters and Miracle on 34th Street.  This is one of Winter Park’s many entertainment venues.  Pop several bags of popcorn and bring it along with an ice chest of soft drinks and a blanket or lawn chairs for an evening of classic movie watching.  It almost reminds you of the old drive-in movie theaters of earlier days.  The whole family will have a blast and it’s FREE.

Friends of the Bandshell have been playing free concerts since 1937.  They play country and classic music and everything in between.  An outdoor performing arts center, it has hosted entertainment such as Percy Sledge, Michael English and the U.S. Air Force Academy Band with Fortunate Son on the future docket.  With 4,000 seats there’s room for everyone to enjoy an evening of live music for FREE.

University of Central Florida Arboretum offers a day full of fun for the family.  With over 600 plant species for your review, you might think it would make for a stuffy day with kids whining within 20 minutes from the start.  Not so.  There are at least eight natural ecosystems including a swamp habitat.  Bike or walk around the nine acre lake, eat your picnic lunch and then have fun playing a game of disc golf to finish off the day compliments of UCF and it’s all FREE.

Knightly Spirits offers up one of their 700 beers every other Thursday night from 6pm to 9pm for free tasting.  And there are four locations throughout Orlando, so one should be close by.  They also carry other liquor, wines and liqueurs.  Among their many ales are 13 Abbey Dubbels, 6 Amber Ales and 10 American Strong Ales.  Lagers include 7 Weizen Bocks, 15 Pale Lagers and 9 Pilseners.  Be adventuresome and take a sip or two of some of their 15 fruit beers.

Florida Trail Association, Central Florida Chapter, has over 600 members who regulary maintain and hike central Florida’s walking trails.  Become a member if you live in Florida and join them.  Otherwise all trails are free to hike on your own.  You might consider Little Econ State Forest trails.  The American Hiking Society named it one of the top “Family Friendly Hikes” in the U.S.  It spans a bit over 7 miles along the Econlockhatchee River.  If you’d like to try something a bit shorter but just as scenic, try the 1.9 mile trail at Wekiwa Springs State Park.  They also offer a 7.2 mile trail through cypress and hardwood forests.  This will give a choice for the “real” hikers and the “short timers” in your group.  It’s all FREE.

Lynx Busses will take you anywhere in downtown Orlando for free.  Why spend money on expensive cabs or rental cars.  Whether you are a resident or an out-of-towner, it’s fun and handy to take Lynx around town for shopping, visiting museums or restaurants.  Locals save a bundle taking Lynx to work and back every day.

Lake Eola Park is full of walking trails for enjoying the surrounding beauty without having to commit to a rigorous hike.  This 43 acre park is right smack dab in the middle of Orlando, kind of like a Florida Central Park.  There is a playground for the kids.  Bring plenty of extra bread to feed the swans.  For a small fee you can rent a swan-shaped paddle boat or electric gondola and enjoy the lake.  If you are so inclined, the park makes a beautiful backdrop for a wedding.  If you forge to bring a picnic, you can pick up a bite to eat at Eric’s at Eola.

Orlando’s Free Fun

You can visit Orlando on a budget.  If you’ve spent most of your money at Disney, but still have days left in your vacation, your family will never suspect when you fill their itinerary with these free fun filled activities, especially if you plan ahead.  How fun is it for kids to feed swans or go on a hiking adventure?  Then, settle in for a free classic movie while sitting under the sparkling starry sky of Orlando.

Another money-saving tip:  book discounted hotel rooms in Orlando at Hotels Cheap.