Orlando Off the Tourist-Beaten Path

You might consider Winter Park the "uptown" of Orlando. It is where the older big houses with big trees are, and a number of rich people. Though Winter Park is mostly frequented by locals, it was a tourist destination before Disneyland (CA) was built, much less Walt Disney World to the south. The center is Park Ave, which features brick streets, nice restaurants, some with sidewalk seating, and boutique shopping (as well as some chain stores) on the Avenue, as well as Central Park, a long canopied park which hosts events from time to time and has two fountains. Try Panullo's Italian on the Ave, or, if you want to spend more, try Park Plaza Gardens, which features a chef who was schooled by Wolfgang Puck.

Just east of Park Ave, at the end of Morse Blvd, there is the Winter Park Boat Tour. Believe it or not, this boat tour has been in operation since 1939. Winter Park is built on a chain of three lakes, including Lake Osceola, Virginia, and Maitland. Find out where the Walgreen's family has a house. See where Mr. Rogers ("Neighborhood") used to live. Also see Rollins College, the first college in Florida. It has been $8 in the past per person, though it could be more now. The tour lasts one hour. The boat is nothing special; its what you see from the boat.

Located on Park Ave, this museum features, among other things, a collection of Tiffany glass.

Located south of Winter Park, and NE of Downtown Orlando, this is a garden area which is a popular spot for couples to get married in Orlando. Off of Mills Ave north of Colonial Drive (Hwy 50).

A garden area on "Iron Mountain" in Lake Wales which was originally built by the publisher of Ladies Home Journal, this is a beautiful garden on the hill, with a tall carillon (bell tower which has concerts) on top of the hill, and a reflecting pool. Nearby is a wildlife sanctuary. And, yes, though this "mountain" is only 300+ feet above sea level at the top, it does have a view from the top. Take I-4 West to US27 South, then, as you approach Lake Wales, follow the signs, or just go toward the tallest building (the carillon) around.

A very large indoor flea market in Sanford, on the far northside of Orlando.

This is near the theme parks (Disney developed this, and used to own it). It is a "new village" type development near the "Maingate East" area. Some touches of Europe are here, yet its all (except for the Celebration hotel) residential and business oriented. Drive down the street with bridges over the water in the middle. If you like it, don't like it too much; condos start at 400K here.

This community is about 1 hour NW of Orlando. Why come here? Antiquing. Apparently, Renninger's is the place to go, but check out other places as well.

OK, its a knockoff of Celebration. But this new community ENE of Downtown Orlando features new homes as well as condos. Worth a drive through. Both of Florida's current US Senators (Mel Martinez, Bill Nelson) currently reside here.

Did I mention driving through Winter Park and checking out the unique homes? Make sure you don't have to be anywhere, in case you get lost. But if you hit 436 by accident, go south to the Airport, then west on 528 Toll (the Beeline/Beachline), and you'll be back in the touristy area.

There are plenty of beaches you can drive to, but this one features no development nearby, except for a few bathrooms and a vending machine perhaps. You can see in the distance a launching pad for Kennedy Space Center. At last check, it cost $5 a car to get there. A nice family beach, but if you go to the end of the road (you can stop before this), from what I hear, there is a clothing-optional beach (though illegal). But you can avoid this by not going to the end of the road. By the way, this is the closest National Park to Orlando.

OK, this does have some tourists there. But if you don't know about it, you'd never think to go there. Perhaps the largest concentration of fine dining in Orlando is here, featuring Christini's Italian, Roy's, Antonio's Cafe (Italian), Chatham's Place, Timpano Italian Chophouse, The Samba Room, Season's 52, Amura Sushi, Ruth's Chris Steakhouse, MoonFish, Bonefish Grill, Mortons of Chicago, The Cedars (Lebanese), and The Melting Pot. These are right around the intersection of Dr. Phillips Blvd and Sand Lake Rd., west of I-4 and I-Drive (International Drive).

At certain times of the year, manatees come here. It can get pretty busy, however, on those days, so plan ahead.

Located in the Apopka/Longwood area, off of Wekiva Springs Road (take I-4 to the 434 exit, go left, then take a right on Wekiva Springs Road) the Wekiva River starts not too far from the springs, but you can do kayaking on Wekiwa Run before it becomes the Wekiva River (it becomes the Wekiva River when Rock Springs Run, which starts at Kelly Park, combines with it; yes, the words are spelled Wekiwa and Wekiva respectfully; no typos here), or you can swim there.

The beginning of Rock Springs Run, the water comes out of a cave, and it is a popular spot to go inner tubing. Park of the creek is made into a recreation/pool area. Located about 5 miles north of Downtown Apopka.

Sadly the Senator, a tree estimated at 3,500 years old, burned on 1/16/2012, and all that is left is the stump. Only Lady Liberty is left, which, at about 2,000 years old, is no spring chicken. To see it, take I-4 East to the Longwood/434 exit on the north side of Orlando, take a right (east), then take a left on 17-92. In a foresty area, take a left on General Hutchinson (Drive?), and the park is on the left. If you leave the foresty area and see some old car dealerships, you've gone too far.

You know Orlando is a "family" place, but you want to get a little action anyway. If you really want it, here's where to find it. Orlando Jai-Alai (game with curved "scoops" and softballs) is in Fern Park on 17-92 (take I-4 east to 436, go right, take a left on 17-92, and Orlando Jai-Alai is on the left). There's also Sanford-Orlando Kennel Club (turn left on 427 off of 436 coming east from I-4, then turn right on Dog Track Rd.; it's on the right) for greyhound racing. Or, if you want "casino" action, drive to Port Canaveral, and go on a SunCruz Casino boat, which goes off shore for gambling. Or you can drive to Tampa and go to the Seminole Hard Rock Casino, which is right off I-4 (a few miles west of I-75).

Why would you want to go to high school while on vacation in Orlando? And you probably couldn't get in there if you wanted to. So why go there? You like baseball? This is the high school that Johnny Damon and A.J. Pierzynski (sp?) went to, players who played big roles on the 2004 Boston Red Sox and the 2005 Chicago White Sox, respectively. You don't care about baseball? How about entertainment? Wayne Brady (from "Who's Line is it Anyway?", "The Wayne Brady Show", "Miss America", and a memorable performance on "The Dave Chapelle Show") went there as well. And, if that's not enough, Joey Fatone from N'Sync and "My Big Fat Greek Wedding" went there as well. So just drive by and look. It's on Turkey Lake Rd. right behind Universal Orlando (go north from Sand Lake Rd. west of I-4).

this was a nice place a few years ago, featuring Lake Crane's Roost, an ampitheater, and a couple of walking bridges, with Altamonte Mall nearby. Now the City of Altamonte Springs has taken it to another level as part of their project to make a real city center for Atlamonte Springs. A number of new looking shops have been built near there, and the park and ampitheater have been upgraded. They just added a number of new sabal palms. The best place to park there is either at the Embassy Suites Altamonte Springs (if you can get there yet) or at the movie theater (the part just across from the park). Take I-4 to the Altamonte Springs/436 exit, then take a right, and a left on Cranes Roost Blvd.

Got culture? If you really want the best, try NYC. But if you want some in Orlando, try Loch Haven Park. In this beautiful park north of the Downtown Orlando area, there is the Orlando Museum of Art, the Orlando Science Center, and the Orlando Repertory Theater. Located off of Princeton Street (take a right off of I-4 East onto Princeton, and the park will be on the left).

This is the lakefront park which is considered the Orlando city center, and has a large fountain in the middle of it. To the west is Downtown Orlando; to the east is the eclectic community of Thornton Park. Also on the lake is the Walt Disney Ampitheater.

These are airboat rides on Lake Jesup, which, from what I heard years ago, is where they took dangerous gators from other lakes after trapping them. Either way, there are a number of gators here. This is in the Oviedo/Sanford area in NE Greater Orlando.

An airboat ride on East Lake Toho, east of Kissimmee and near St. Cloud.

Yet another Winter Park attraction, this is a hidden park on the shores of Lake Maitland, the largest lake in Winter Park. As the name suggests, there are a number of azalea bushes at this park, as well as some palm trees, and a couple of sculpted columns and base near the lake, to add some class. You can see across the lake to the Isle of Sicily, an exclusive enclave (though if you really want to, you can ignore the "Private Drive" sign and drive on there, at your own risk; but the way to get there would be a little ways from the park) which is where Carrot Top (red haired comedian from 1-800-CALL-ATT commercials) lived and may still live. Also a good place to see sunsets. No charge and limited parking, but generally not busy, unless you happen to come on the wrong Saturday morning (like I did) and run into a large rowing tournament. Take I-4 East to Fairbanks, go right on Fairbanks, take a left at S Park Ave, go north then take a right on Stovin, which merges into Palmer, then take a left on Alabama (there are three Alabama's; take the first or third, not the second) and the park is on your left (or right, if you take the 3rd Alabama).

Just north of Downtown off of Orange Ave (Orlando's main drag outside of the touristy areas) and across from Lake Ivanhoe is the Orlando Antique District. Take I-4 East to Princeton St.; go right on Princeton St., then take an almost immediate right on Orange Ave.

Centering around the intersection of East Colonial Drive (Hwy 50) and Mills Ave, just north of Downtown Orlando, is an area which is dominated by Vietnamese businesses, but also includes other Asian businesses. Many restaurants can be found here, though you won't find any "jacket required" eateries here. Anh Hong and Little Saigon are just a couple of the restaurants; Dong Ah grocery from New York is on Mills a little north of East Colonial. Here's a one day itenerary; go to the Orlando Museum of Art at Loch Haven Park in the morning, come here for lunch, then go to the Orlando Antique District in the afternoon.