Walt Disney World Resort and the theme parks are what Central Florida is best known for. You could add to that Universal Studios, Seaworld Orlando, The Kennedy Space Center and the professional sports teams in Tampa and Orlando Florida.
Central Florida has a lot of great things which it is known for. First let's cover the elephant in the room which is Walt Disney World and the other theme parks in the Central Florida area beginning with Orlando which is known as the theme park capital of the earth.
If you are out taking a self guided tour of the theme parks you will notice Volcano Bay and Icon Park from Interstate-4. Icon Park is on International Drive and features the 400 foot ferris wheel that you can easily see downtown Orlando and Lake Eola Park from.
Volcano Bay which is part of Universal is just to the north and of course the Volcano is more than obvious. You will want to drive down I-Drive or International Drive and US-192 which is where many more tourist attractions, miniature golf courses, restaurants and theme parks for family fun are found.
The more nuanced or well informed fan of theme parks will know that Legoland Florida Resort replaced Cypress Gardens in Winter Haven FL. There is an attached water park and now, Peppa Pig has a park there. If you have smaller children Peppa Pig is definitely the choice.
Outdoor Parks are kind of a thing in the Sunshine State and of course in Central Florida region. Near Orlando is a smaller town known as Winter Garden FL. This is where you will find the West Orange Trail and the Lake Apopka Trail. If exploring Central Florida is your goal then rent a bicycle and take the ride on this trail. There is another trail in Wekiwa Springs State Park.
You can rent an electric bike (bike rentals available in several locations)if you prefer and there is much to do and see along the over 20 miles of trail. This trail is a national historic landmark which is even associated with Tampa.
Lake Wales which it to the south of Polk County has the Westgate River Ranch Resort (dude ranch) and the nearby Bok Tower Gardens. Natural beauty, bird watching, the wild Florida, horseback riding and botanical gardens await you there. This is a great spot to incorporate with your trip to Winter Haven for the roller coasters at Legoland Florida Resort. Don't leave without seeing Central Park and taking a self guided walking tour of downtown Winter Haven.
The East Coast is a good option. The Kennedy Space Center, Cocoa Beach and Cape Canaveral on the Atlantic Coast are all worth taking day trips to see one, or all three. Try to avoid the temptation of stopping at one of the orange groves or fruit stands you may see on your way there.
Daytona Beach, Daytona Beach International Speedway, the Daytona Beach Pier and water park. All three of these can be one of your day trips. It sounds like a lot because it is. If you stay in downtown Orlando it only takes an hour to get there if traffic allows and it usually does. It will be a lot more fun than touring historic buildings.
Ever heard of Frank Lloyd Wright? He is a famous architect and designed a lot of the building in Lakeland and Florida Southern College. This is right along Interstate-4 and may be worth stopping by on your way to the gulf coast.
South Florida beaches are inferior to west coast beaches. There I said it, and the traffic is much better here. Clearwater Beach and St Pete Beach are all you need but there are many more on barrier islands. Also in Tampa if you are up for a safari wilderness adventure we have Zoo Tampa and Busch Gardens. Although not as grand of a theme park as Walt Disney it is still a great place and you can take ocean boat tours here which are far superior to Lake Toho for an outdoor adventure. See you soon at one of the many sites that Central Florida is best known for.
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