Orlando is a really fantastic city. There’s no bigger name in theme parks, and there’s plenty to do besides with all of our shopping, restaurants, and other tourist attractions! But there’s another great part about Orlando: our neighbors! If you’re visiting Orlando and taking a nice relaxing week in one of our fabulous rentals, then try visiting some of these towns near Orlando. These daytrips from Orlando can add excitement and enrichment to your vacation that so many Orlando tourists too often miss!

Cape Canaveral

Cape Canaveral— the name sounds like “Carnival,” and the city’s just as fun as one! Just take Highway 528 straight east for about 50-65 minutes, and you’re there! We recommend this area if you’re a big fan of the ocean—if you head to the eastern edge of the city, you’ll see there’s no land in sight for hundreds of miles: perfect for that spectacular sunrise!

While you’re here, there’s plenty to fill up a day! The Brevard Zoo is home to plenty of animals and features its own “Australia Loop.” The planetarium is a great place to go not only to learn about space, but also to enjoy a thrilling lightshow! Perhaps the most fantastic attraction is the Kennedy Space Center. NASA itself hosts this complex of tours, attractions, and memorabilia surrounding America’s proud tradition of space exploration. If you’re planning a trip to Orlando, head to https://www.kennedyspacecenter.com/ and look at the countdown—you may even be able to schedule your visit to coincide with a rocket launch, visible from the center!

Apopka

Maybe you’re more a fan of nature than outer space? While Orlando’s zoo boasts a huge variety of animals, it isn’t quite the same as seeing them in their natural habitat—good thing Orlando’s neighbors have you covered! Apopka stands just 12 miles northwest of Orlando, and beyond it lies Lake Apopka North Shore, home of the Lake Apopka Wildlife Drive. The drive is a great place to view all sorts of birds. Plus, the area boasts several trailheads, making it a great pilgrimage for hikers!

Kissimmee

Head straight south to reach the town of Kissimmee. Generally best known for being near Orlando, there’s a few fun things in Kissimmee worth checking out! Capitalizing on the long history of human settlement in the area, Kissimmee Ghost Tours are a great way to get a good scare over the weekend—they’re open on weekends, making them great alternatives to Orlando theme parks’ busiest days. While there, check out the Museum of Military History and learn how the life of a soldier has changed as war has transformed. Freedom isn’t free, but tickets to learn about the struggle for it are $7 or less, making it a nice low-budget addition to a day trip. The last attraction might be unexpected: a rodeo! The Kissimmee Sports Arena Rodeo hosts what they call “The Greatest Show on Dirt.” Check it out if you’re in the mood for a real spectacle!

Reach all these from an Orlando Home!

These attractions are all just a short drive from Orlando, Florida—why not get a great deal on a week-long rental and see them all? Call 1-866-409-8598 and start setting up your ideal Florida vacation rental!

The city of Orlando has plenty to offer besides Disney and the nearby NASA Station. While these two attractions are certainly bringing in the bulk of tourists for the region, there are plenty of other historical attractions in Orlando. Travel back to a time when Central Florida was largely orange groves and swamps by visiting these historical attractions.

Orange County Regional History Center – 65 E Central Blvd – Orlando, FL

Located in the heart of downtown Orlando, the Orange County Regional History Center is a four-story historic courthouse building and home to four floors of museum exhibits. The museum is a Smithsonian affiliate and prides itself on being the go-to source of history in Central Florida. History can be fun at the Center too; come join fellow history buffs and test your brain during Retro Game Night.

Charles Hosmer Morse Museum of American Art – 445 N Park Ave – Winter Park, FL

The Morse Museum is considered a hidden gem amongst museum lovers in Florida. The museum is home to the largest collection of Louis Comfort Tiffany in the world. There are also comprehensive exhibits for American pottery, late-19th- and early 20th-century American paintings. Beautiful downtown Winter Park is the perfect location for this chic art museum.

Winter Park Scenic/Historical Boat Tour – 312 E Morse Blvd – Winter Park, FL

Don’t forget to take a scenic boat tour while in Winter Park. An 18-passenger pontoon boat gently carries you along Winter Park’s chain of lakes. Tour guides will inform you of all the history behind the lakes and the surrounding region as you meander through the pristine waters. The ride is $14.00 per adult, and $7.00 for children aged 2-11 years old. Groups of ten or more will have to reserve a spot, and they only accept cash or check.

Fort Christmas Historical Park – 1300 N Fort Christmas Rd – Christmas, FL

Fort Christmas is a bit of a drive from downtown Orlando – about 30 minutes – but well worth the trek for history lovers. The park is home to the replica fort of one built in 1837 during the Second Seminole War. There are also eight pioneer homes, a schoolhouse, a sugar cane mill and other historical farming equipment. Group and school tours are available year-round. There’s also something going on at the Park; prospective visitors should visit Fort Christmas’ website to see if there are any festivals or reenactments on the upcoming schedule.

Photo By Leonard J. DeFrancisci, CC BY-SA 3.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=29874969

You’re in luck! Whether you’ve had your getaway to tropical Orlando, Florida planned for months or you’ve just been itching for an impromptu trip before school starts up again, Tropical Escape Vacation Homes has the inside scoop on some awesome upcoming events that are being hosted in Orlando over the course of the next week. Take advantage of these summer-exclusive events when you’re staying in your beautiful Orlando, Florida next week!

August 7th – 13th – Watch the Rio Olympics in Enormous HD

Next week at 5:00pm daily, NBC Sports Grill & Brew will be holding live broadcasts of the 2016 Olympics in Rio on a huge one-hundred foot HD outdoor stadium screen at Universal CityWalk. Enjoy a selection of classic American food from the restaurant’s menu while you watch the Olympics unfold before your eyes, with stilt-walkers performing during the Opening Ceremony.

August 7th – Visit SeaWorld for the Last Day of the Summer of Mako

SeaWorld just got a new rollercoaster, and its name is Mako! The tallest, longest, and fastest roller coaster in Orlando, Mako stands two hundred feet high and travels seventy-three miles per hour on a track that is nearly one mile in length. The coaster is inspired by the shark species named Mako—one of the fastest sharks in the ocean. As an added bonus to this coaster, this is the last day for special events like the Shark Touch Pool, the Mako Challenge scavenger hunt, and limited-time in-park specials.

August 7th – Enjoy Tropical Reggae from Daddy Yankee and Don Omar

These legendary reggaeton kings face off against one another at the Amway Center, continuing the battle that began in Puerto Rico during December 2015 and made music history in Las Vegas as the MGM Grand’s first reggae concert. Tickets are available online.

August 11th – Wine and Dine in Style at Tapa Toro Tapas Bar or Sample Craft Brews at Artegon Marketplace’s Beer and Wine Stroll

Here, we listed two options as one, since they both take place on the same day, with overlapping times.

Tapa Toro’s event allows foodies to get up close and personal with the restaurant’s top chefs, indulging in a decadent five-course menu and tasting the finest imported Spanish wine at $49 per person before tax and tips.

If that price is a little more than what you’re looking for, you can always take advantage of Artegon Marketplace’s Beer and Wine Stroll, during which you can sample Florida’s best craft brews and wines for free and discounted prices on food.

August 13th – Catch Motion City Soundtrack’s “So Long, Farewell” Tour

Musical phenomenon Motion City Soundtrack will be performing their last tour ever, stopping at the House of Blues in Orlando. With a career spanning almost twenty years, this pop punk band has brought joy to music listeners all over the U.S. You won’t want to miss this opportunity to see them in concert while you still can! Tickets can be purchased online.

Tropical Escape Vacation Homes Has Your Accommodations Covered!

We pride ourselves on providing quality vacation homes for all of your needs. We also make customer service a priority, which helps us stand out from our local competition. Contact the reservation specialists at Tropical Escape Vacation Homes today to learn more about booking your very own home away from home in Orlando!

Top 5 Family Attractions in Orlando

When visiting Orlando, of course you want to take the family to all of the obvious attractions such as Disney World, SeaWorld and Universal Orlando, but there is so much more than that! Here are 5 top attractions that you and your family should visit on your next Orlando vacation.

Orlando Science Center

For sixty years, the Orlando Science Center has been a place that inspires curiosity and exploration. Truly one of the great activities for Orlando families, the Science Center encourages learning in a fun way. For visitors from out of town, Orlando Science Center is a must for your “things to do in Orlando” list. There are four floors of exciting exhibits, amazing giant screen movies, and engaging live programming. The Science Center is the perfect family destination.

Chocolate Kingdom Factory Adventure Tour

The Chocolate Kingdom Factory Adventure Tour is an interactive journey that uncovers how chocolate transforms from the bean into the delicious chocolate bar that we all know and love. They provide a personal chocolate tour guide, who joins forces with a handsome prince and his dragon sidekick to take guests through a Cacao Tree Greenhouse, a one-of-a-kind Chocolate Museum, a Mystical River of Chocolate, and a Micro Batch Bean-to-the-Bar Factory utilizing old world machinery. With an opportunity to create a customized chocolate bar for an additional cost, Chocolate Kingdom is the most unique chocolate experience in North America and will inspire and amaze chocoholics of all ages.

K-1 Speed Indoor Kart Racing

K1 Speed Orlando is one of the best indoor kart racing tracks and is definitely the place for thrills and excitement! It is open to the public every day of the year, which makes it the perfect place to take your family while vacationing in Orlando. There is no better place to experience wheel-to-wheel racing that is safe, convenient, and affordable. In addition to a professionally designed track, there are also spacious lounges, snack bars, and authentic racing memorabilia on display.

Madame Tussauds

Roll out the red carpet, Orlando! Madame Tussauds, the world’s most famous celebrity wax attraction, provides visitors with the ultimate fame experience, and its signature red carpet treatment. Get ready to experience the essence of America with this brand new immersive and interactive wax experience, bursting with family fun and world-class entertainment.

Pirates Cove Adventure Golf

Pirate’s Cove, also known as “the Original Adventure Golf,” offers the best miniature golf experience! The adventures and legends of infamous pirates come to life in an award-winning themed golf course setting. Putt your way through caves, over footbridges, and under cascading waterfalls, all amidst a fun-filled atmosphere of natural wonders, extraordinary landscaping, and enchanting pirate lore.



Now, those are just a few places, so the next time you are planning a trip to Orlando, don’t be afraid to think outside the park. And remember! If you’re looking for a beautiful place to stay, there’s nowhere better than Tropical Escape Vacation Homes. Contact us or book today to start planning your vacation of a lifetime in beautiful Orlando, Florida!

Embrace The Great Escape!

Tropical Escape Vacation Homes is  excited to introduce our new travel blog, The Great Escape. Our team has put together Orlando’s best attraction information, travel hacks and tips, guest shares and more to help make your travels to the Sunshine State the most memorable.

We invite you to join us as we share travel information each week;  bringing insider information from our team of Florida natives.

Whether it is sharing travel tricks, the hottest Florida attractions, or the best hidden secrets we hope to share something for everyone.

Enjoy, and we look forward to seeing you on your next stay!