ORLANDO MAP and other Orlando, FL Things to Do Tips

You can watch the sun rise over the Atlantic, hike Florida's version of desert, called scrub, open pinelands, explore a cypress swamp, and fish on a natural lake -- all within an hour from Orlando.

Here are some of the places I especially enjoy.

Econlockhatchee River
Hidden River Campground (1-407-568-5346) in Orlando offers canoe and kayak rental and a shuttle for $40 per person Camping is available in the Little Big Econ State Forest for $5 per night.

Disney Wilderness Preserve
This Disney experience 15 miles south of Orlando. Managed by the Nature Conservancy, has miles of trails through pine flatlands and a boardwalk to a serene lake. Open 9 a.m.-5 p.m. $3. 1-407-935-0002, nature.org/florida.

Blue Spring State Park
In winter, manatees gather in the warm spring-fed waters in Orange City, 32 miles from Orlando. In addition to wonderful manatee-watching, swimming, scuba diving and canoeing are also available. Open 8 a.m.-sundown, $5 per vehicle. 1-386-775-6888, www.floridastateparks.org/bluespring/default.asp.

Merritt Island National Wildlife Refuge
Titusville, 45 miles east of Orlando, is the gateway to Merritt Island National Wildlife Refuge. Black Point Wildlife Drive - self-guided tour Admission is free. 1-321-861-0667, merrittisland.fws.gov/.

Cape Canaveral National Seashore
Just east of Merritt Island, Cape Canaveral National Seashore. 24 miles along the Atlantic. See shuttle launch pads, sanderlings, terns, brown pelicans. $5 per vehicle fee. 1-321-867-4077, www.nps.gov/cana/.

Wekiwa Springs State Park
This park, 20 miles north of Orlando, has a spring-fed creek that is fun to canoe, mountain biking trails . Open 8 a.m. to sundown daily. $3.25 per vehicle. 1-407-884-2008, www.abfla.com/parks/WekiwaSprings/wekiwa.html.

Lake Lizzie Nature Preserve
Near Lake Lizzie, about 30 miles south of Orlando. By foot or horseback. Open sunrise to sunset daily. Free. 1-407-343-3400 or 1-407-892-2397, www.floridabirdingtrail.com/.

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Address: Orlando

Orange Avenue is the heartbeat of Otown and its main street. On one end is City Hall, the old Church Street Station, now the site of Paris Hiltons night club and on the other is the county court building. On either side only a few blocks away are such venues as Lake Eola, City Library and TD Waterhosue home of the Orlando Magic.

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Lake Eola is Orlando’s signature park, with its spectacular fountain. Along its shore, at a tiny kiosk called the Lake Eola Cafe, you can rent paddle boats decked out as graceful white swans and take them for a spin on this picture postcard lake.

Or do what I do, bring your bike;-)

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The Orange County Library System serves the residents of the Orange County with headquarters in downtown Orlando, "The City Beautiful". 14 Branches.

Wi-Fi access to the Internet at all 15 locations.

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Downtown Baptist Church of Orlando

100 East Pine Street

Style: Greek Classical Revival

The First Baptist Church split into two churches in the 1990s. The congregation that stayed downtown renamed itself the Downtown Baptist Church of Orlando while the First Baptist Church of Orlando moved out to what would become John Young Parkway southwest of the city.(that church is now one of the biggest in USA).

Notice the striking similarity between the Baptist Church and the Presbyterian Church. They are nearly the same size, have steeples with nearly identical heights, and guess what - they sit on adjoining blocks and almost look like one big campus.

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Central Florida is one of the top tourist destinations in the entire world. From Walt Disney World to Daytona Beach, Central Florida has plenty of things to do and see.

With year round beautiful weather, it is also a a popular destination for families and individuals looking to escape the bitter cold of the north.

here is where to get maps and info.

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City Hall is a beautifull fixture in downtown Orlando. There are rocking chairs in front so you can relax and watch the huge fountain and life go by. There is also a museum inside and the parking garage next to it yields the best panorama of Orlando Ive found.

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Winner of a 1998 PCI Design Award for the Best Justice Facility in America, this courthouse complex includes a courthouse tower, a public defender's office, a state's attorney office, a 750-car parking structure and a central energy plant.

Attached panels provide the limestone look and the image of grandeur and solidarity with strongly articulated details and reveals. It also allowed the architects to create an expression of depth on the courthouse tower with punched, set-back windows on the first two floors and at the top of the building.

The details of this building are stunning and grand to see.

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Businessman Harry P. Leu donated his 49-acre estate to the city in the 1960s and created the gardens.

There are $6 guided tours of his house, built in 1888

Admission is free Mondays from 9am to noon.

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Phone: 407/246-2620
Address: 1920 N. Forest Ave
Directions: Between Nebraska St. and Corrine Dr

I-4 Exit 85/Princeton St. east, then right on Mills Ave. and left on Virginia Dr.
Website: www.leugardens.org

Orlando now has a new BUS TERMINAL with a slightly futuristic look.

The best bus for tourists is the #50 WDW express, makes four stops and gets to Disney in about 30min for $1. Its mostly filled with Brits on holiday every time Ive ridden it.

The $3 all day pass is a steal if you want to see alot of Orlando on the cheap. The busses are all new and quite safe I might add.

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