Attractions Astro Skate 866 Goldenrod Road, astroskatingcenter.com Why mess with the formula? Astro Skate provides you with the skates, environs, visuals and soundtrack for peak retro rollerskating satisfaction. Bok Tower Gardens 1151 Tower Blvd., Lake Wales, boktowergardens.org On the outskirts of Orlando, Bok Tower Gardens is bursting with botanical gardens designed by famed landscape architect Frederick Law Olmsted Jr. Take in the natural wonders of Florida as you listen to the song coming from the iconic Singing Tower and its carillon bells. Citrus Tower 141 North Highway 27, Clermont, citrustower.com This attraction from a simpler time — 1956, to be exact — is 22 stories tall, allowing an unobstructed view of Central Florida for miles in every direction. New owners Scott and Heather Homan are modernizing the experience, and have thus far added a fancy coffee bar, a vintage pinball and games arcade, and wifi throughout, making it more than worth the $10 price of admission. Dinosaur World 5145 Harvey Tew Road, Plant City, dinosaurworld.com Life-size dinosaur models reign over this attraction visible from Interstate 4. Walk amongst the dinosaurs, dig for fossils, or visit the museum and Skeleton Garden. Gatorland 14501 S. Orange Blossom Trail, gatorland.com Known as the “Alligator Capital of the World,” this eco-preserve is home to thousands of flesh-eating reptiles — and the trainers brave enough to wrestle them. Get close enough (not too close!) to see them eat and sleep, or zipline safely above their marsh. Say hi to the Social Distancing Skunk Ape while you’re there. Icon Park 8375 International Drive, iconparkorlando.com
Right in the middle of Orlando’s tourist district, Icon Park features the Wheel, a 400-foot observation wheel, marine animals at the Sea Life Aquarium, the popular new Museum of Illusions, your favorite (and not-favorite) celebrities at Madame Tussauds wax museum, and the Orlando Starflyer. Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex State Road 405, east of Titusville, kennedyspacecenter.com Take a tour of the 363-foot Saturn V that took Americans to the moon and see the lunar particles that still dust astronaut Alan Shepard’s space suit. Lake Apopka Wildlife Drive Entrance: 2850 Lust Road, Apopka This 11-mile drive is free and maintained by the St. Johns River Water Management District. Download a map, reading guide and audio guide at sjrwmd.com and get ready to catch sight of jumping fish, strolling alligators and 300 different bird species. Legoland 1 Legoland Way, Winter Haven, legoland.com/florida What’s not to love about a 150-acre attraction dedicated to the tiny plastic building blocks and miniature humans that have been entertaining kids of all ages for decades?
can explore KidsTown to their hearts’ content, which includes a climbing area and pickable “orange grove.” Orlando Speed World Dragway 19164 E. Colonial Drive, raceosw.com/dragway Local drag racing finds a home at Orlando Speed World. Check out racing and stunt events here every week. Putting Edge 5250 International Drive, puttingedge.com This 18-hole putt putt minigolf course has an edge over the rest with its indoors location. That makes for the perfect spot for glow-in the dark effects aplenty and a pumping soundtrack of the best of the 1990s. SeaWorld Orlando 7007 Sea World Drive, seaworld.com/orlando Outdated marine animal shows aren’t the only thing SeaWorld has to offer. There’s Sesame Street land, thrilling roller coasters and exciting water adventures at Aquatica, and even a food festival that make this theme park a must-visit.
Universal Orlando Resort 6000 Universal Blvd., universalorlando.com From the Wizarding World of Harry Potter to Marvel’s Adventure Island, Volcano Bay water park and the Bourne Stuntacular, there’s never a dull moment at Universal Orlando. Walt Disney World Resort disneyworld.disney.go.com The most magical place on Earth is still going strong. The newer Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge land at Disney’s Hollywood studios is proving to be a park favorite up there with perennials like Space Mountain and the Haunted Mansion. Wild Florida Drive-Thru Safari Park 3301 Lake Cypress Road, Kenansville, wildfloridairboats.com Even by Central Florida’s high bar of attraction novelty, this one rates pretty far up there. Get up close (though not too close!) and personal with over 100 native and exotic animals from the comfort of your automobile.
GATORLAND | PHOTO BY NICK FOX
Lukas Nursery Butterfly Encounter 1909 Slavia Road, Oviedo, lukasnursery.com Stand amid a cloud of winged beings at this year-round conservatory, where you can mingle with cheerfully chirping exotic birds and even feed butterflies from your fingertips. Old Town 5770 W. Irlo Bronson Memorial Highway, Kissimmee, myoldtownusa.com This perennial Osceola County attraction offers “classic American fun,” and we don’t doubt it a bit. There’s shopping, restaurants, thrill rides, a carousel and even a haunt! Orlando Science Center 777 E. Princeton St., osc.org Home to Florida’s largest refractor telescope, the Orlando Science Center has a place for everyone. Children
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