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Most attractions in this Day Trip section can
be reached from the Orlando area within a hour,
not more than two depending on traffic situations.
All attractions are located close to major
highway systems. Busch Gardens offers Free
Shuttle service to and from Orlando with a
Flexticket in combination with Universal Studios®
and SeaWorld.
The Florida Adventure Tour -
407-352-5151
It's a back to nature tour down some of Florida's
most pristine waterways. Busses leave from
Orlando for the 2 hour trip to the beautiful
Crystal and Withlacoochee Rivers. Snorkel,
swim and get up close to a manatee in its natural
habitat, see all kinds ofnative wildlife above
and below the water. After lunch, soar across
the river in a Florida airboat, it will be
a day to remember.
Florida Water Safari
- Ocala National Forest / 407-850-2421
x195
This is a literal day-trip through the waters
of the Ocala National Forest, a 75 mile narrated
boat trip down the Oklawaha and Silver Rivers.
Look for native birds, deer and alligators
in their natural habitats and even a few accidentally
induced species of monkey. The excursions along
this unspoiled waterway are very popular and
are deemed a great experience during good weather.
A picnic lunch and soft drinks are included
in the price.
Katie's Wekiva River
Landing - 190 Katie's Cove / Sanford,
FL / 407-628-1482
A bit different take on the Orlando tourist
experience than one might expect. It is a self-guided
canoe trip down the Wekiva River where the
spring-fed river water is crystal clear and
filled with Florida wildlife. Take the 4 to
5 hour trek, be sure to bring a picnic lunch
and plan to swim in the refreshingly cool 72
degree water. Be on the look-out for alligators,
Florida black bear, turtles, and loads of birds
including egrets, herons and ospreys.
Silver Springs
- 5656 E. Silver Springs Blvd. / Silver Springs
/ 800-234-7458
Off I-75, on the northeastern side of Ocala
is Silver Springs, home of another Sunshine
State attraction that has been drawing in visitors
for decades. Take the Lost River Voyage, ride
a glass-bottom boat on Florida's largest artesian
spring. There are live animal shows, a petting
zoo and antique car display as well as the
World of Bears & Kids Ahoy! Playland for
the children. / Hours: 9 am - 5:30 pm
Astronaut Memorial
Planetarium & Observatory
Located at BCC Cocoa Campus,1519 Clearlake
Rd / Cocoa Beach / 407-634-3732
Florida's largest planetarium features star
shows, a 3-story IWERKS movie theater and laser
shows. The building also houses a fully accessible
observatory, a hands-on demonstration hall
and a museum honoring space explorers from
around the world.
Canaveral National
Seashore / Merritt Island National Wildlife
Refuge
On SR 406 (Garden St./Exit 80, I-95) /
Titusville. / 407-861-0667
Here at Canaveral National Seashore and Merritt
Island National Wildlife Refuge, nature affirms
her spirit and lives in harmony with over 1,045
species of plants and animals, including alligators,
bobcats, wild hogs, bromeliad and mangroves,
plus 310 species of birds including snowy egrets,
white ibises, great blue herons and red-tailed
hawks. Fifteen wildlife species federally listed
as endangered or threatened live here, including
sea turtles, Gopher Tortoises, Ospreys, West
Indian Manatee, southern Bald Eagles and Florida
scrub jays. No buildings or seawalls disturb
this 40-plus mile long wilderness (and clothing
optional) beach, and not to be missed is the
6-mile self-guided Black Point Wildlife Drive.
Daytona International
Speedway
1801 W. International Speedway Blvd. /
Daytona Beach / 904-253-7223
The Daytona International Speedway hosts NASCAR
stock car, sports car, motorcycle and go-kart
racing, as well as vehicle testing throughout
the year. Speedweeks, feature Daytona 500 stock
cars racing, the Rolex 24 At Daytona IMSA sports
car race and the Daytona 200 by Arai for motorcycles.
The Speedway is a high-banked 2.5-mile tri-oval
course and also has a 3.56-mile road course
bisecting the infield. Inside the Speedway
is The World Center of Racing Visitors' Center.
Guided track tours run daily except during
special events. The tours include a video wall
featuring early films of racing, souvenir and
snack shop, a Welcome Center, a Surround Sound
audio presentation, and a tour of the grandstand.
Daytona USA
- 1801 W. International Speedway Blvd. / Daytona
Beach / 904-254-2700
A state-of-the-art interactive motorsports
attraction located at Daytona International
Speedway, Daytona USA offers the hands-on experience
of racing as well as its history in the Daytona
Beach area. Guests can participate in a number
of activities, including a NASCAR pit stop,
designing and testing race cars, then take
a tour of the Speedway. The main lobby features
a Sega Electronic Entertainment Center, a retail
shop and the World Center of Racing Visitors'
Center.
Kennedy Space Center
Visitor Complex
Located on SR 405, Titusville / Cape Canaveral
/ 407-452-2121
The KSC Visitor Complex is your gateway to
space...check out where NASA prepares and launches
the space shuttle. Among other exciting things
to see and do, climb aboard a full-size shuttle
replica, tour the launch area and the Apollo/Saturn
V Center, see IMAX movies, walk among authentic
vintage spacecraft, visit a hands-on intergalactic
gallery, and view an art gallery.
U.S. Astronaut Hall
of Fame
Located just west of Kennedy Space Center on
SR405 / Titusville / 407-269-6100
Dedicated to the story of America's first space
heroes - the pioneers of Project Mercury, Gemini
and Apollo - here you can also explore space
on your own. The Astronaut Adventure lets you
experience the total astronaut training from
landing on the moon, launching a rocket and
experiencing "zero" gravity. Located
next to the Kennedy Space Center, its a "must
see" attraction.
Adventure Island
Exit 54 off I-75 and follow signs to Adventure
Island on 10001 McKinley Drive / Tampa / 813-987-5660
A 36 acre water park situated adjacent to Busch
Gardens Tampa Bay and filled with unique play
attractions for swimmers of all ages. Come
slip, slide and glide in the sun, dine in the
shade and have a good time.
Bush Gardens Tampa Bay
Exit 54 off I-75 and follow Busch Gardens
signs to 3000 East Busch Blvd. / Tampa / 813-987-5082
Outdoor adventure park with rides as well as
a huge number of wildlife, plus two of the
top-five ranked coasters in the country - the
Kumba® - largest in southeast and the Montu®
plus there's also the Gwazi® - the largest
double wooden coaster in the southeast. From
Land of the Dragons® for the wee ones to
the awesome coasters and fantastic rides, Busch
is an adventure land filled with animal habitats,
musical shows and crafts that takes you to
the Edge of Africa® and beyond! Reservations
for Serengeti Safari excursions, a 30 minute
truck tour through Busch Gardens "Serengeti
Plain®" must be made 2 months in advance
(888-800-5447). Combination Flextickets for
unlimited entry to all of these attractions:
Bush Gardens Tampa Bay and the Orlando attractions
of SeaWorld Orlando, Universal Studios®
Florida, Universal Studios® Islands of
AdventureSM and Wet-n-Wild® Orlando and
can be purchased at any one of the aforementioned
sites. Deluxe shuttles run daily to and from
Orlando to Busch Gardens Tampa Bay and back,
call for pick-up, locations, rates and schedules
– 800-511-2450 (FREE transportation with
Flexticket!)
The Florida Aquarium
- On Tampa's downtown waterfront / Tampa /
813-273-4000
Over 5,000 animals from alligators and otters,
to reef fish and deep sea predators, are all
housed in this major state aquarium. There
are exhibits including "Frights of the
Forest", a "Wetlands Lookout"
and an "Explore-A-Shore" interactive
play area. Great fun for the whole family.
Seminole Indian Casino
- 5223 N. Orient Road / Tampa / 813-621-1302
Open 24 hours a day, gaming in Florida includes
high stakes Bingo, Texas-Hold-em and Stud Poker
as well as land-locked gaming machines like
the cruise ships have, but these won't make
you seasick!
Reserve
Early ...while your preferred accommodations
are still available.
 
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