Three Days in Orlando, Florida

Travel Ideas & Things to Do on Weekend Getaways in Sunshine State

Jul 16, 2008 James W. Coates

Three days in Orlando, Florida barely gives enough time to memorize the names of the Seven Dwarfs but makes for a great weekend getaway.

Having a clear idea of what to see and do, Orlando offers great weekend getaways. From theme parks to fine dining and gorgeous outdoor gardens, Florida has it all.

Orlando Theme Parks

Taking a trip to Orlando and skipping the theme parks is like going to Las Vegas and playing solitaire in your hotel room. Plan a whole day per theme park to get the most out of your time and money.

Families should opt for the Magic Kingdom Park, consisting of seven different lands including Toonland and Fantasyland, both big hits with the kids.

Movie buffs, follow the red carpet down to Disney-MGM Studios. Both children and adults enjoy Disney-MGM Studios where kids sneak a peek backstage their favorite TV Shows and thrill seekers get their scream’s worth at The Tower of Terror, a 13-storey free fall. And then there’s SeaWorld Orlando to contend with. If looking for animals, rides and family fun, SeaWorld fits the bill for everyone.

For science-themed exhibits, beam over to the Orlando Science Center. If you’ve ever dreamt of soaring through the air on an acrobatic thrill in the sky, zip over to Warbird Adventures where flying a vintage North American T-6 becomes a reality.

To get your thrills by watching other people take chances, La Nouba, one of Cirque du Soleil’s permanent shows in Orlando, dazzles.

Natural Gardens in Orlando, Florida

Once drenched in theme park overload, take a day to enjoy the Sunshine State’s natural beauty. Ocala National Forest includes over 60 miles of easy hikes through hardwood forests, swamps and prairies. Rent a bike, pack a lunch and go for a swim – just watch out for alligators, these ones are for real.

Harry P. Leu Gardens (1920 N Forest Avenue – 407-246-2620) blooms year long with roses and camellias bordering shaded paths, sure to restore your energy. After the Tower of Terror, you’ll need time close to the ground, might as well make the surroundings as fabulous as possible. Best part, it’s free if you arrive between 9 a.m. and noon.

On your beach day, head over to I-Drive and soak up some sun at Aquatica Water Park, an 80, 000 square foot beach or plunge 60 feet through a chilling funnel at Wet ’n Wild. For dinner, take the kids to the world’s largest McDonald’s Play Place and let them tire themselves out while you enjoy a burger.

Other Things To Do in Orlando

Those looking for something extraordinary on their vacation can let their minds melt at Ripley’s Believe it or Not or WonderWorks featuring an upside down building. Golf lovers choose from several different greens including Tiki Island Golf or Gater Golf while spa lovers can spend an afternoon at Body & Sol Spa at the Rosen Centre.

At night, try a belly dance at Taverna Opa while the bashful simply fill up on authentic Greek cuisine. Exercise your inner detective at Sleuths Mystery Dinner Theatre and solve a murder while enjoying a fantastic meal or enjoy refined dining at Capital Grille in Pointe Orlando.

While it depends entirely on how you intend to spend your three days, you could go home Happy, Sleepy and less Bashful from your trip, but rest assured, with so much fun to pack into each day, you’ll never leave Orlando feeling Grumpy.

The copyright of the article Three Days in Orlando, Florida in SE U.S. Travel is owned by James W. Coates. Permission to republish Three Days in Orlando, Florida in print or online must be granted by the author in writing.