5 Unknown Attractions of Orlando, Florida

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When we consider the attractions on offer in Orlando and the surrounding area, one can't help but immediately be drawn to the household names such as Walt Disney World, Universal and SeaWorld. Yet, the area boasts far more than those out of the country realise, and in response to the increasing number of cheap flights to Orlando I decided to write about 5 of the lesser-known attractions in the area.

1. Gatorland
Despite the huge popularity of SeaWorld, Orlando also caters for freshwater fans - and Gatorland is a must-see for those wanting to get up-close and personal with the toothy species. Dating from 1949, today the theme park and reserve is hoe to thousands of alligators and crocodiles and includes a breeding marsh, educational facilities and wrestling shows.

2. The Holy Land Experience
For a theme park with a difference, The Holy Land Experience is a theme park and museum that literally immerses the visitor into biblical times. Walk among ancient streets and witness lifelike re-enactments of key moments within the bible. To some, it may seem like an overblown cash-in on a religion, but to others it is no doubt a unique, enjoyable and educational day.

3. Bok Tower Gardens
For a more natural experience, Bok Tower Gardens is located near Lake Wales and is home to a botanical gardens and a historic tower. The gardens are named after Edward Bok who founded them in 1921 as a bird sanctuary. The site is still home to over a hundred bird species, and assorted wildlife, whilst the Singing Tower is built from marble and contains carillon bells which are rung daily.

4. SAK Comedy Lab
For comedy fans the SAK Comedy Lab is located in central Orlando and is famed for its improvisational comedy and theatre. Seasonal shows occur around the year, but the 'Dual of Fools' - featuring two teams improvising against each other - is its long running attraction. Other past shows include an improve game show, and a humorous Broadway send-up: Fourplay: The Improvised Musical.

5. Medieval Times
One truly American tourist tradition is the medieval re-enactment. Medieval Times (which can be found around the US) is a dinner theatre where diners can eat a 'royal' feast in the presence of sword fights and jousting. After being seated in a corner of a mock-up medieval castle, guests root for a knight as they do battle while you eat.

Florida Tourist Attractions - Hillsborough River State Park, Tampa Bay Area

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If you feel like getting back to nature and are too sunburned to spend more time at the beach, this great 3400-acre state park (813-987-6771; 15402 N US 301; 8am-Sunset) offers inexpensive camping and canoeing. Camping at the 112 sites including use of the pool; each site has a fire ring, picnic table and a water source; there are also hot showers. You'll find picnic facilities, 8 miles of trails and half-acre swimming pool.

Within the park, visit the reconstructed Fort Foster, which was originally built as a bridge defense during the Second Seminole War, as the are was on a supply trail running from Fort Brooke in Tampa to Fort King in present-day Ocala. There were skirmishes here, but no major battles, and over the years the original fort deteriorated and was vandalized. The fort, the east side of US 301, is only open for guided tours at 2pm and 11am Sunday.

The river's current isn't challenging and you can rent canoes at the park for an easy paddle. The best time for abundant wildlife sightings is early morning or around dusk. Keep eyes peeled for bobcats, white-tailed deer, opossums, raccoons, gray foxes, red-tailed hawks, ospreys, armadillos, water birds and alligators.

Canoe Escapes! (813-986-2067; 9335 Fowler Ave; 9am-5pm Mon-Sun), near the Hillsborough River in Thonotosassa, half-mile east of 1-75, is the area's largest outfitter. Canoes come in two sizes, which can accommodate a family of four for 2- and 4- hour jaunts. These easy, self-guided adventures downstream include stops along the way for picnicking (bring a cooler). You'll get river maps and, if necessary, paddling instructions. From downtown Tampa, take Fowler Ave east to US 301, and head north for 9 miles.

Author Name: Kenneth Ng

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Florida: The Lost Attractions

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When you say Florida, what comes to most people's minds?

Orlando and Disney World.

But what happens when you've visited Disney, Universal and Sea World? Is there anything else to do? How about visiting some of the smaller attractions - the ones that get tend to get lost in the shuffle.

Lost? Where Did They Go?

Before "The Mouse" arrived in Florida, there were attractions that we Floridians enjoyed. Smaller, with few or no thrill rides, but high in satisfaction. Some of these attractions withered away after Disney, but many of them adapted and flourished. Let's take a look at a few of these survivors.

Central Florida

As you might guess, many of these smaller attractions are in the Central Florida area, an easy commute from Disney. Some of these attractions include:

Busch Gardens: My personal favorite of all the lost attractions. Easily explored in a full day, it has an African safari theme. From huge roller coasters, to water rides to a trip through an African savannah, there is something for everyone.

Gatorland: I visited Gatorland a million times as a child. Okay, maybe not exactly a million, but it was a popular destination for school field trips B.D. (Before Disney). There are alligators galore and fun shows to watch.

Cypress Gardens: This lost attraction really was lost for awhile -- it had closed its doors, with no intention of re-opening. But miracles do happen, because Cypress Gardens is back and more wonderful than ever! It's more than just a garden by the way -- there are myriad shows and even some thrill rides.

North Florida

There are a ton of small attractions in North Florida, and pretty much all of them reside in St. Augustine. Here are a few of them for your consideration:

Fountain of Youth: More historic than anything, it is the site of the original Fountain of Youth - the one of the legend. When you visit, you can drink from the spring's waters. Does it work? I'll have to leave that to you.

Ripley's Believe it or Not: This was the first of all the Ripley's museums, and perhaps the best. All kinds of oddities abound. It is fun and well worth a visit.

Potter's Wax Museum: Who know who you'll run into at this lost attraction? From historic figures to celebrities, the waxworks are a great way to spend an hour or two.

Where Are Some Others?

Lost attractions can be found all over Florida, from the Panhandle to the Keys; you just have to know where to find them. For more information on these Florida wonders, visit http://www.great-florida-vacations.com/florida-attractions.html

Florida Tourist Attractions - Clearwater Beach, Tampa Bay Area

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Despite being overdeveloped and lined with beach front cookie-cutter hotels, Clearwater Beach draws visitors because of incredible white-sand beaches, a large fishing fleet , and it's proximity to Tampa and St Petersburg. It's also a prime area for kayaking, shelling, bicycling and sunning yourself on the beach - which just about sums up the local 'tourist attractions.' Unless you count beach volleyball on Clearwater Beach, which is pretty darn good, too.

This northernmost barrier island is about 22 miles north of St Pete Beach and 2 miles west of downtown Clearwater (a separate city on the mainland) over the Memorial Causeway (Hwy 60). From here the road south is S Gulfview Blvd and north is Mandalay Ave, Clearwater's main drag. Pier 60 is right at the roundabout where these three roads meet. From St Petersburg, it's about a 1/2 an hour drive or a 1 1/2 hour bus ride. Although crowded, the scale of the island is humane (only 3.5 miles long) and it's easy to get around.

- Pinellas Trail

This 47-mile paved bicycle trail, built on the abandoned CSX railway bed, runs from St Petersburg to Tarpon Springs. To date, it's the longest urban trail in the country. It's also very smooth - smooth enough for inline skates or roller skates as well as bicycles. There are lots of stops along the way, with cafes, pubs, bike shops, skate shops and fast-food places. As it's on the route of the old railway, the corridor cuts through widely carnied terrain: sometimes you're in the middle of downtown, sometimes along waterways, sometimes among orange groves and sometimes you're riding practically through people's backyards.

From the Clearwater Beach International Youth Hotel, which rents bikes, head over the causeway, and ride north on fort Harrison Ave and east on Jones St for about three blocks. You'll pick up the southern end of the Clearwater to Tarpon Springs section of the path. It's 13.2 miles from Jones St to Tarpon Ave.