Florida is a tourist destination known around the world and many millions of tourists visit every year. There are lots of amazing attractions in Florida as well. We love the beaches of Clearwater and the Florida Everglades as well as the big theme parks and smaller attractions too. The Disney theme parks dominate Orlando but there are many other attractions in the sunshine state. If you are planning to go to Florida in the future here are 5 Florida attractions you just can't miss that aren't Disney. This is an ad. Universal Studios
One of the best theme parks in the world is Universal Studios Orlando. This Florida theme park is based around movies and attracts over 10 million visitors every year. Some of our favourite rides are The Simpsons ride simulator, Men in Black shooting range, The Mummy rollercoaster and for the nostalgia, E.T. a ride where you cycle over the rooftops. Universal Studios also had the Wizarding World Of Harry Potter, where you feel like you have just walked into a JK Rowling book, complete with rollercoasters, wand shops and all. It's sister theme park Islands Of Adventure is next door and is linked by Hogwarts Express, a train based on the Harry Potter novels.
Kennedy Space Centre
Kennedy Space Centre at Cape Canaveral is a must-see in Flordia for all lovers of the space race. You can see actual rockets that have been into space including the Apollo spacecraft, see space shows in the IMAX theatre and get taken into 'space' on the shuttle launch experience. One of our favourite experiences was listening to a real-life astronaut Wendy Lawerence about her journey into space and asking her questions too. She said she saw a sunrise in space every 45 minutes - how fantastic! You can also have lunch with an astronaut if you book ahead, how cool is that! Busch Gardens
Busch Gardens is a theme park just over an hours drive from Disneyworld. It has a number of attractions including high energy thrill rides and rollercoasters like Sherika, a 200-foot rollercoaster, Montu, an inverted rollercoaster and the 335-foot drop ride Falcon's Fury. Another of the main attractions in Busch Gardens is the ability to see animals up close with the Serengeti Plain and the Serengeti Express. You can also observe animal care first hand in the Animal Care Centre. Legoland Florida Legoland Florida is a theme park based on... you guessed it, Lego, and appeals especially to children under the age of 11, although Lego geeks of all ages will enjoy it. With over 50 rides, shows and attractions there is something for most people including rollercoasters for little kids and big ones too. Enjoy the virtual reality Great Lego Race coaster, the Lego 4D theatre and of course models of Lego from all around the world. They even have a water park for more Lego-themed fun. Wild Florida
Wild Florida is Orlando's only airboat and gator park adventure and offers something completely different to everything else featured. They are mainly known for their Everglades airboat adventures where you may get a glimpse of spoonbills, and the main attractions - alligators! The boats are US coast guard certified so you know they are safe and the drivers offer commentary on the nature you see. Definitely worth a visit. How to buy tickets
Getting into these attractions does cost money. If you are buying Florida tickets, I recommend buying them before you go as you can often get the best deals. It's always worth checking opening times and any restrictions on the website beforehand to avoid disappointment too. So here are my 5 best Florida attractions that aren't Disney. If you are looking to explore the area further check out this post by Victoria on why do people want to visit Florida. Let me know if you have been to any. Which of these attractions appeals? *AD
We love Orlando Florida for a holiday destination, the weather is almost always warm, and there is so much to do in Florida, the 'Sunshine State', that we have visited numerous times as a family in the last few years. From the theme parks of Disneyworld Florida and Universal Studios to the water parks of Typhoon Lagoon and Volcano Bay, and the shopping at Millenia Mall and the numerous bargain outlets, Orlando is a destination that appeals to both families and couples that are young and young at heart. If you want to explore further afield then Florida itself has much to offer, such as the beauty of the Everglades, stunning beaches at Daytona Beach or Clearwater Beach and for a beautiful city with Spanish architecture St Augustine, the oldest city in the US is worth a visit. Sometimes though you want a change of scene and want to combine Orlando with a twin centre break further afield, so here are my 5 USA multi centre holidays you can twin with an Orlando break. Let me know if you have been to any! New York
New York, New York, so good they named it twice, is an amazing city that never sleeps. If you like your city breaks then there is nowhere better than New York. From the fantastic high-end shopping on Fifth Avenue to unmissable attractions like the Empire State Building, The Statue Of Liberty, Broadway and Times Square, you will never be bored in New York.
The 9/11 Memorial and Museum is worth a visit. It's a moving tribute to the people killed in the 9/11 attack but it is sensitively done. For a different type of activity and perfect for kids why not visit the American Museum Of Natural History? This world-class museum was the setting for the film Night At The Museum, and on their website, there is a self-guided tour of the attractions from the film. Definitely worth doing. San Francisco
San Francisco is one of those places on everyone's bucket list, and why not make your stay with Florida a twin centre with San Francisco. With well-known communities such as Nob Hill, Chinatown and Haight Ashbury, and attractions such as The Golden Gate Bridge, and Fisherman's Wharf with eating, shopping and watching the seals, there is an abundance of areas to see and activities to do in San Francisco.
Top of our list was Alcatraz, the former prison set on an island is famous for housing the Birdman of Alcatraz, Robert Stroud, as well as many other prisoners. Take a tour but be sure to book in advance as it can sell out at peak times. For kids, Madame Tussauds is worth a visit, and the one in San Francisco is superbly interactive. You can play the bongos with Bob Marley or ride a bike with E.T., its a family attraction that is certainly fun.
Los Angeles
Los Angeles is a city with many attractions linked to the movie world, after all, it's where Hollywood is, as well as many famous movie studios such as Warner Brothers and Paramount Studios. We have visited both studios mentioned and can highly recommend the tours where you can see recording studios and movie memorabilia. Warner Bros has an excellent exhibition of famous movie cars for example.
Other activities include visiting the stars on the floor of the Hollywood Walk Of Fame, and people watching in the famously eccentric Venice Beach. For theme parks, you have all the fun of Universal Studios and Disneyland so it's an excellent choice if you want to visit with kids. Santa Monica is a great choice to stay if you want to do some shopping, and have access to many great restaurants. Los Angeles is certainly worth considering as a twin centre break with Florida. Las Vegas
Las Vegas is like no other place on earth. Often described as Disneyland for adults, there is a huge range of activities to do in Las Vegas. Of course, Las Vegas is known for its casinos, and whether you are an expert or novice, there are table games or slot machines with steaks from as low as 5 cents. If you are a complete beginner, check out the free lessons run by casinos such as Ceasars Palace or the MGM Grand.
However, Las Vegas has plenty of activities if you do not want to gamble too and a surprising amount of activities for kids in Vegas. We like walking from hotel to hotel to see the amazing attractions each hotel has to offer. The Venetian Hotel even has a version of St Marks Square in Venice built inside with a pretend twilight sky! Small kids can enjoy the circus at the hotel Circus Circus, the flamingo habitat at the Flamingo Hotel, and the Discovery Children's Museum whilst big kids will like the rollercoaster at New York New York and the rides atop the Stratosphere. Of course, Vegas is famous for its shows too from Cirque Du Solei to big artists like Celine Dion, Barry Manilow and Britney Spears, you can see all the music stars in Vegas too.
Iceland
For a complete change of scene, why not twin Orlando with Iceland? Iceland is a great stopover on the way to the US and we adore the natural attractions for which Iceland is known, such as the waterfalls, geysers and geothermal spas like the Blue Lagoon.
When we visited Iceland last we hiked a glacier and it was a brilliant experience. I highly recommend doing this through the company The Guide To Iceland. It was expensive but so worth it. You should also drive or tour the area known as the Golden Circle. This is an area of breathtaking waterfalls and many geysers - the hot spring water that can shoot up in the air. If you have time take a trip to Jokularslon known for its giant icebergs. If you are more a city person Reykjavik is an interesting city and has excellent restaurants serving all types of food including local fish. So here are my 5 twin centre breaks with Orlando. Let me know, do any of destinations appeal? Have you ever visited Orlando or Florida on a twin centre break? *Collaborative post
Today on the blog is a guest post from Kim from OddHogg, a family lifestyle blog about travel and the struggles of living with type 1 diabetes.
Over the last 20 years, I have visited Florida quite a few times. From being a child myself, exploring as a carefree 20 year old and now going back with my own kids I have experienced quite a range. I was quite apprehensive about taking my children to Florida for the first time as they were just 2 and a half years old and 5 months old. I wasn’t sure how we would navigate the crowds and the heat, never mind the change in routine and eating out.
It turns out that I needn’t have worried. We had a wonderful trip and both children adapted really well, thanks to a few extra steps to make the whole experience enjoyable for us all.
1. Make Use Of The Disney Baby Care Centres
For most people visiting Florida Disney World is a must visit. Within the 4 main parks, there are Baby Care Centres. These are fully staffed areas in the parks where you will find private nursing areas with rocking chairs, baby changing areas, a feeding area equipped with highchairs, microwaves and a sink and a television area with seating. There is even a small onsite shop where you can purchase nappies, wipes, formula, sun cream and even some over the counter medication just in case you forgot your own.
I found that having this dedicated baby space where you can really take the time out to focus on your baby set my mind at ease. Knowing that we could go and cool down in an air conditioned room and have a quiet feed away from the madness outside was just what we needed, and I’d urge you to make the most of it too. 2. Take A Pram
Even if your toddler is usually a fantastic little walker, if you’re going to visit one of the theme parks then a pram is a must. We easily walked 20,000 steps some days and it’s just unreasonable to expect little legs to keep up with that! With a lot of heat, exercise and excitement having a quiet space to have a rest might even mean you get an unexpected nap, meaning you can sit and enjoy the sunshine in peace.
We also found that when things got a bit overwhelming the pram was where the toddler chose to retreat. It is a familiar space and it is safe. So if the crowds were too big, the noise too much or the characters a little too scary then the safety of the pram can mean avoiding a toddler meltdown.
3. Use A Pram UV Cover
Although many areas in Florida try and ensure there is as much shade available as possible, it’s just not always practical. A UV cover for your pram will keep little ones with particularly sensitive skin to the sun out of harm’s way. They are breathable so your baby or toddler won’t overheat, and they can still see through it to watch what is going on around them.
4. Go Slow
Setting your expectations before you go can really help make sure you go slow while you’re in Florida with babies or toddlers. Too much stimulation leaves them overtired and grumpy, spoiling the mood for everyone. It is unrealistic to expect to do everything on your trip, so pick your priorities and schedule in lots of down time.
5. Use The Child Swap Option
While there are plenty of rides that little ones can enjoy, sometimes you just want to go on a bigger rollercoaster! The child swap option is available on selected rides in both Disney World and Universal Studios and it allows one parent to stay with the children while the other rides, and then they can trade places without having to go back to the end of the queue. So you don’t have to miss out on all the fun! Even better if you can do it over a nap time so the kids don’t even realise it’s happening.
6. Check Out The Accommodation Options
For us - self-catered accommodation in a villa was exactly what we wanted. Away from the hustle and bustle of the main theme parks, we spent our days off swimming in the pool and chilling out as a family. We had a few of our usual home comforts and it allows you to cook at home, which is just what we needed a few nights. Search around for a villa that provides a cot and highchair as standard.
On the other hand, if Disney World is the focus of your trip then there are many benefits to staying in one of the Disney hotels. You get early access to the parks so you can beat the crowds, plus you can head back to your hotel after lunch for a swim and cool down before popping back to the park for fireworks in the evening.
Think about what would suit your family best and then shop around.
7. Don’t Buy A Kids Meal
Portion sizes are HUGE. My eldest would never eat a full kids meal and it was just a huge waste of money. We soon stopped buying him a meal, instead, we asked for an extra plate so he could share what we were having. We never found anywhere that had a problem with this, in fact, that seemed more than happy to help.
8. Hunt For The Hidden Mickeys
Inside the Disney World parks, there are over 1000 hidden Mickeys to find. The could be hidden on window frames, depicted on the spots of an animal or sitting on the side of a lamppost. Looking for these Mickey ears hidden in plain sight is a great way to kill time in Disney World with a toddler while you wait in line for a ride.
9. Explore Outside Of The Theme Parks
There is so much more to Florida than just theme parks. Go and see the classic car cruise in downtown Kissimmee, or to the picturesque town of Celebration for a walk and let the kids play in the water fountains.
10. Relax
A trip to Florida is often a once in a lifetime experience and expectations can be so high. We all know that things often don’t go to plan when you’re with young children, and it’s no different when you’re on holiday. If it turns out that your toddler hates Disney characters, or the baby doesn’t like it in the swimming pool you can feel a bit uptight, but it doesn’t have to ruin your holiday. Take a deep breath, relax, and make adjustments so that you can all enjoy the trip. You deserve it!
As a family we love Florida. The constant beautiful weather is one reason we enjoy visiting and with a 21-year-old son, the theme parks in Orlando are another reason too. However, there are a million reasons we have started to love exploring the beautiful 'Sunshine State'. When you think of Florida, you may think of the wonderful beaches, the warm blue waters, the culture of Miami, or the laid-back charm of the Florida Keys, but have you ever thought of visiting St Augustine?
St Augustine is a city on the northeast coast of Florida that is buzzing with vibrancy, history and culture and is a short two-hour drive from Orlando. I've wanted to visit for a long time so recently I got in contact with Florida's Historic Coast, the tourist board of the area, and was delighted when I applied and was accepted for a press trip. So in September, we drove from Orlando to St Augustine, ready to be wowed by some much-needed charm and culture after an Orlando abyss. Day one The Red Train Tour After arriving in St Augustine and checking into our hotel, the Bayfront Marin House, a luxury boutique bed and breakfast, our first stop was a Red Train trolley tour to get orientated to the centre of the historic city. This hop on, hop off tour is well worth doing. As well as getting your bearings it takes you to many of the top attractions in the historic heart of the city.
That night we ate at The Reef. Situated right on the ocean front, the menu of fish was so fresh it was practically swimming away, and we tucked into a number of delicious dishes. Unfortunately, it was a little too dark to take a photo of the view but I can tell you it's definitely the place to go for an ocean front meal.
I had the grilled seafood trio, a delicious dish of prawns, lobster and scallops. The prawns were juicy and big, and the lobster sweet and tender. While Mr W had the pretzel chicken salad. A mix of chicken in a crispy coating with local greens, baby spinach, strawberry vinaigrette, fresh strawberries, heirloom tomatoes and sunflower seeds. Mr W a man of few words when it comes to food, declared his chicken salad 'good'. Only happy when he is complaining that is high praise from him indeed! Only joking but he did enjoy the salad.
I must admit I was really tempted by Florida Orange cake, so I ordered it and was not disappointed. The cake was sweet and moreish - one mouthful and you wanted more, and it was topped with an orange frosting glaze that was out of this world. It's certainly a place we would return too for sure!
Day two
Castillo de San Marcos
After a delicious breakfast at the Bayfront Marin House, we went off to explore the city more. First stop was Castillo de San Marcos. This oldest masonry fort in the continental US, it's an iconic landmark on the waterfront in St Augustine.
It was built in 1665 to defend the area from the pirates and the British, which were basically one and the same at that time in history!
There's plenty of things to do at the castle, we spent some time exploring the rooms that once housed soldiers and prisoners, looked around the large interior courtyard and also the gun deck which offered a great view of the city.
Spanish Military Hospital
We decided to walk over to Aviles Street next and visit the Spanish Military Hospital. Now as an ex-nurse I really found this visit incredibly interesting. A 40 minute guided tour really brought the history to life.
This was a time pre ether, so no anaesthetic. Everything had to be done quickly, to stop blood loss and contamination, and the patients were awake. Can you imagine having your arm amputated like this?!
Plant-based medicine such as herbs and spices were used to treat illness and disease, and flour and cotton were used to pack wounds. The floors were washed with hot water and lavender and lavender was widely used to calm patients pre-op. It is a fascinating tour and I highly recommend it. Aviles Street
The Spanish Military Hospital is on Aviles Street. Aviles Street is the oldest street in the US and the early home to the St Augustine’s arts district. There are a number of independently owned shops, restaurants and cafes including the cute La Herencia cafe, a Cuban American cafe.
We stopped for a Cuban sandwich, which was mouthwatering and big enough to share for a snack. Jammed packed full of meat, pickles, and mustard the crunch of the toasted bread added that extra touch. The owner apparently roasts the pork daily for this speciality. Great for a lunch or brunch stop.
Flagler College
Our next stop was Flagler College for a tour. This college is beautiful inside and out due to its ornate structure and architectural heritage. It was formerly the Hotel Ponce de Leon and is listed as a National Historic Landmark. Built by railroad magnate, Henry M. Flagler in 1888, in its day it was one of the most luxurious and exclusive resorts around.
The hotel was the first of its kind constructed entirely of poured concrete using the local coquina stone as aggregate. Coquina is made of the shells of molluscs and other invertebrates. I was totally wowed by the 68-foot domed ceiling inside the foyer.
One of the finest examples of Spanish Renaissance architecture, inside you can see a number of stained glass windows by Louis Comfort Tiffany and this ceiling is in Tiffany blue. How beautiful is that?! Whetstone Chocolate Factory Tour
After some serious sightseeing, the Whetstone Chocolate Factory was our next stop, well I had to get some chocolate eating in somewhere! After donning a rather fetching white gauze hat (it's a working factory and of course they take hygiene very seriously), we watched a video about the factory and then it was time for the tour and tastings.
Whetstone makes a lot of the chocolate in a bigger factory, but it was still cool to see the chocolate made by hand here. Throughout their time they have made chocolate for Nestle’s, Hershey and M&M Mars as well as Disney.
The chocolate we tasted - a mix of white chocolate, milk and dark was truly divine, rich and delicious. Definitely, a place to visit if you adore chocolate that's for sure.
St Augustine Distillery
Of course, we needed to wash all that chocolate down with something, so what better than bourbon? The St Augustine Distillery tour is free and runs every thirty minutes or so. It's worth it to see inside this distillery, hear about their history and of course taste some samples.
The company is locally founded and community-owned, they use local farms to grow crops unique to the region and produce small batch whiskey, rum, vodka and gin. We tasted some cocktails made with the spirits and they were excellent, as well as neat versions. We bought some of the 'Old Fashioned' mixer to make that perfect Old Fashion cocktail, the citrus taste made the perfect accompaniment to whiskey.
Catch 27
Dinner that night was at Catch 27, a cool little restaurant that prides itself on locally sourced seasonal food, prepared from scratch.
I started with Minorcan clam chowder which was incredibly tasty in a rich tomato broth. The croutons added a great crunch to this dish too. The main course was a no-brainer for me. Now since I visited New Orleans a couple of years ago, I've been a big fan of shrimp and grits so when I saw it on the menu I was in heaven and I had to order it. The grits were cooked with white cheddar and bacon and made into a cake, then seared on the outside. It was a fabulous accompaniment to the juicy shrimp and the red pepper relish, sherry and cream sauce. Amazing!
You really have to visit if you are in the area, you won't be disappointed. Ghost and Gravestone Tour
That night we went on the ghost and gravestone tour. A trolleybus took us around St Augustine where we visited Tolomoto Cemetery and heard about the spirit of a five-year-old who jumps from tree to tree. We also visited Potter's Wax museum Chamber of Horrors which was really eerie before our final stop the old jail. Public hangings used to take place outside the prison. The tour guide was informative and fun and the actors they use were brilliant. Not for the faint-hearted, the tour still had the odd laugh and is something different to do in you are in the city.
Day three
Day three was a little less hectic as we crammed so much in before, so after a beautiful breakfast of fresh fruit, fresh juice and bagels and quiche at the Bayfront Marin House, we headed off to St Augustine Lighthouse and Maritime Museum. St Augustine Lighthouse And Maritime Museum
The St Augustine Lighthouse and Maritime Museum is a non-profit museum dedicated "to discover, preserve, present and keep alive the stories of the Nation's Oldest Port as symbolized by our working St. Augustine Lighthouse".
As well as a trip to the top of the lighthouse by Mr W (I must admit, halfway was high enough for me), you can go on a free guided tour. I liked the fact that there are exhibitions here that are child-friendly and that they work to educate local children. There are lots to see including the Keepers Office, wooden boats being made by hand in traditional ways and exhibitions about the Florida shrimping industry and St Augustines role. The volunteers that work here really know their stuff too. Savory Faire Food and Wine Tour
The Savory Faire Food And Wine Tour is how we spent our afternoon, and what an excellent way to find out about the city and it's foodie scene. Our guide, I think it was Ed, was a right character and had lots of stories of his travels and also of St Augustine's history. Our tour had a Meditteranean feel and looked at how St Augustine has been shaped by different cultures and nationalities.
The food eaten included chicken Milanese, pierogi, hummus, waffles, chocolate, ice-cream, even snails and an olive oil tasting. I must admit, I don't think I've eaten snails before but they were incredibly tasty with the cheese and garlic sauce they were served with.
You definitely will not leave hungry and there is an option to buy a wine pairing with each tasting. Recommended! Harry's
That night we weren't very hungry after our food tour, but popped out to Harry's which is a New Orlean's themed restaurant where I had the Bourbon Street salmon which was good. We were seated outside in the courtyard which had live music and a great atmosphere. Day four
After another amazing breakfast at the Bayfront Marin House bed and breakfast, we were sad to say goodbye to St Augustine. Our last stop before we left was a visit to The Fountain of Youth Archaeological Park.
The Fountain Of Youth Archaeological Park is a 15-acre historical attraction, where visitors can learn about the first Spanish settlers who came to St Augustine in the 1600s and the native Timucuans who were there to greet them. With a working archaeological dig on site, as well as several re-created Spanish and Timucuan buildings and dwellings, the park is bursting with history.
Of course, Mr W had to try the water from the Fountain Of Youth, but I don't think it worked! The water contains over 30 minerals and the spring would have been the perfect replenishment site for explorer Juan Ponce de Leon’s ships upon landing on Florida’s shores 500 years ago. We were lucky to see a recreation of cannon firing when we were there and crossbow firing. If you are a lover of history you can spend half a day here for sure. They even have a planetarium.
Where to stay
We stayed at the Bayfront Marin House, a luxury boutique bed and breakfast with an intercoastal waterfront view. The owner Sandy couldn't do enough for us and was so welcoming. She really is a true Southern host with amazing hospitality.
Our deluxe room had all the usual amenities and we liked the calming decor in cream and brown and the supremely comfortable bed.
The luxury touches in the room were amazing and included a huge jacuzzi bath and a marble shower in the bathroom.
We loved the incredible breakfasts cooked to order with daily specialities such as scrumptious quiche, tasty Eggs Benedict, and light and fluffy banana pancakes. Every night between 5 and 7 we also partook of the 'happy hour' with complimentary sangria, beer and wine and appetisers too. It's a place to stay if you want amazing hospitality and a high standard of accommodation. Highly recommended.
pin for later
So our time in St Augustine was now up. We thought St Augustine was a fabulous place to spend some time whilst in Florida. Full of southern charm, the historic heart has so much to do it's unreal. If you love history, interesting architecture, and great food you will be well and truly spoilt. We packed so much in but you can also take it easy and spend time by the beautiful beaches too. It's also only a short two-hour drive from Orlando, so it's the perfect break from the Disney bubble. We will definitely be back - St Augustine you stole our heart and that can only be a good thing. Check out the video Mr W and I made for our other blog www.flydriveexplore.com
For what to see and so in St Augustine Florida, the Floridas Historic Coast website is excellent and can help you plan that perfect vacation. Tell me, would you like to visit St Augustine? What would you like to do on your trip? * Thanks to Floridas Historic Coast for our press trip
