Orlando Off The Beaten Path Tips by doug48 Top 5 Page for this destination

new smyrna beach Beaches Review

new smyrna beach is located about 70 miles northeast of orlando. new smyrna is one of the few beaches you can drive on in florida. in my opinion new smyrna beach is much nicer than the more famous daytona beach to the north. just south of new smyrna on US A1A is the northern entrance to the cape canaveral national seashore which offers about six miles of unspoiled beaches. see my new smyrna pages for more information.

Website: http://www.flausa.com/destinations/location.php/lo

winter park

located about 20 miles northeast of the theme park area of orlando is the charming town of winter park. park ave. in central winter park is lined with upscale shops, restaurants, bars, and outdoor cafes. winter park has several excellent art museums and is home to the famous winter park sidewalk art festival each march. a fun, safe and interesting place to visit when in the orlando area. see my winter park page and tips for an overview of the this beautiful town.

from downtown orlando take I-4 east to fairbanks ave. take fairbanks ave. east about 2 miles to park ave. most of the attractions of winter park are walking distance of park ave.

wekiwa springs state park State Parks, Animals and Nature Review

wekiwa springs state park is located near the town of longwood about 25 miles north of the theme park area on I-4. wekiwa springs is an oasis of natural beauty surrounded by the urban sprawl of metropolitian orlando. the park offers swimming, snorkeling, hiking, and canoeing. see my longwood florida pages for more information.

Website: http://www.floridastateparks.org/wekiwasprings/

lone cabbage fish camp

the lone cabbage fish camp is located on the st. johns river about half way between orlando and cocoa beach. it is a interesting place to have lunch on the way to the beach. years ago, (my first visit was in 1959), the lone cabbage catered to bass fishermen. now it is a restaurant and bar that caters to locals and tourists. you can book airboat rides at the lone cabbage to see alligators and other florida wildlife. on weekends the lone cabbage is a party spot with live country and western music. a fun and different place to visit when in the orlando area.
directions: go east on highway 50 from downtown orlando. exit on to state road 520 east in the direction of cocoa beach. located just over the st. johns river bridge. from I-95 take state road 520 west toward orlando. go about 5 miles it is on the left just before you cross the st. johns river bridge.

little saigon

at the intersection of mills ave & colonial drive in downtown orlando is an area of town that is known as "little saigon". this area has numerious vietnamese and chinese restaurants, shops, and grocery stores. an interesting part of town to visit when in downtown orlando.

the citrus tower

a nice place to visit when in the orlando area is the small town of clermont and the citrus tower. the citrus tower was built in 1956 on a hill near downtown clermont. up until the late 1980's you could see hundreds of orange groves from the citrus tower. today the view is of housing developments and shopping centers. the citrus tower is an interesting relic to visit to experience central florida's pre-disney past. see my clermont pages for more info.

Phone: 352-394-4061

Website: http://www.citrustower.com/

playalinda beach Beaches Review

located in the cape canaveral national seashore just north of the kennedy space center is playalinda beach. this unspoiled beach is one of the most beautiful beaches on the east coast of florida. on the road to the beach there are numerous wildlife viewing areas and a hiking trail. see my titusville florida pages for more information.

Website: http://www.flausa.com/destinations/location.php/lo

cocoa beach Beaches Review

cocoa beach is about sixty miles east of orlando on the atlantic ocean. along with the beach there are numerous attractions for the tourist. see my cocoa beach pages for more information.

Website: http://www.flausa.com/destinations/location.php/lo

blue springs state park State Parks, Animals and Nature Review

blue springs state park is located just west of orange city florida. in the months of november through march manatees winter in the spring's 72 degree water. manatees, also known as sea cows, are large marine mamals that congregate in the springs in the winter from the st. johns river. they are easy to see in the spring's crystal clear water. an interesting site to visit when in the central florida area.

from downtown orlando take I-4 east or hwy 17-92 north to orange city go west on french ave to the spring.

Phone: 386-775-3663

Website: http://www.floridastateparks.org/bluespring/

college park

college park is a nice old residental area just north of downtown orlando. college park gets it's name after it's streets named after colleges and universities. edgewater drive runs through college park and is lined with restaurants, bars, antique and clothing stores. not as upscale as park ave. in winter park, but worth visiting when in the orlando area. about 2 miles north of downtown orlando. take orange ave. north, then west on princeton street to edgewater drive. pictured is K wine bar on edgewater drive.