Orlando may be Florida’s star attraction but there is much more than theme parks in the Sunshine State writes Karen Creed
I was older than most Disney fans when I fulfilled my lifelong dream of visiting Orlando. 22 years old and I was excited as a giddy child when my time came to walk through the enchanting golden gates. It did not disappoint. Bigger, better and with more rides than I had anticipated, I vowed I would be back again for the theme park entertainment that I craved in my childhood. True to my word I have returned several times, but I tend to spend less time in Orlando on each visit. Without belittling the achievements of Disney World, it is easy to enjoy a holiday in any part of Florida. The state has an incredibly high return rate of visitors and when they come back they often want to try something different, more adventurous. Whether you are planning your first trip or your umpteenth visit to Florida there are attractions well worth discovering outside of Mickey Mouse territory.
My most recent holiday focused on Floida’s Space Coast, just a 45-minute drive east of Orlando. Swapping Toytown for some of the most advanced technology in the world, this region is not just for astronaut-crazed kids. Flanked by 76 miles of Atlantic coastline there are glorious stretches of beach which beg visitors to kick back and relax in the sun. The Space Coast has been a popular tourist destination since the 1950’s when Americans raced to the moon and locals raced to keep up with the growth of tourism, building resorts, restaurants and bars as quick as sandcastles. It wasn’t long before the area had gained a reputation as space-age party town.
Kennedy Space Centre is a must-visit in most Florida travel guides and while it is educational, in essence it has pilfered ideas on presentation from Disney. Driving up the long, straight road towards the NASA headquarters is spectacular in itself. Inside the park the simulator station allows visitors to walk on the moon, or you can pay for the privilege of eating lunch with an astronaut or experience what a shuttle launch would feel like. After a whistle stop tour we skipped the freeze-dried space food and opted instead for delicious Florida flounder on nearby Cocoa Beach.
Cocoa Beach is as appealing as its name suggests, luring hoards of trendy teenagers and cool surfers all year round. Families also comfortably make use of the well known beach with the excellent amenities on offer. Cocoa Beach Pier is a famous landmark, endearingly shabby with quirky bars and restaurants. It also has a brilliant vantage point for NASA launches. Hundreds of America’s astronauts have rocketed into space from here. Cocoa is also famous for surfing; with icon Kelly Slater originating from here. On any given day in Cocoa Beach you are sure to find a hoard of surfers showing off their stunts on the huge waves or preparing for the next big surfing festival or competition.
On any holiday I seek adventure, and Florida boasted endless possibilities. Given the perfect coastline coupled with year round weather, the Space Coast is all about the great outdoors. After attempting surfing with the renowned Ron Jon’s Surf School on Cocoa Beach, I was up for my next challenge. I was somehow convinced into trying a sky dive in Titusville (www.skydivespacecenter.com). The promise of getting the best view of the Indian River and Kennedy Space Centre was enough to lure me to jump from 18,000ft high. While the freefall was an exhilarating minute and twenty seconds, it was only when my parachute shot open, that I could really appreciate the incredible view below. I had six minutes to soak up the view as I glided down to the ground like an ecstatic bird. For those not interested in such heart-pumping adventure, there is paragliding and other more serene activities.
Adventure aside, the nicest surprise was finding out that Space Coast is not just about Starbucks, McDonalds and big brand stores. Of course they are all there but there is also more enticing dining and shopping options in the charming tree lined towns along the coast like Melbourne, Titusville and Cocoa Village. Food is excellent in Florida and cheap, with a family of four dining well for less than $50. Seafood is a speciality but for a real sample of local fare order a fried gator for dinner followed by a key lime pie for dessert. The atmosphere in restaurants is almost always casual. For young families Florida’s reputation for early bird specials is of particular interest as they offer reduced rates for early seating.
Next time I visit Florida my plan is to combine a road trip with a short cruise to the Bahamas, having seen how easy it is to take one from Miami or Port Canaveral. The latter is the second biggest port in the world – bustling with marinas, parks, a fishing pier and inviting waterside restaurants and bars. There are mega-sized cruise ships that leave this port several times a week with Disney and Royal Caribbean being two of the most popular. Once I have the Florida cruise break ticked off my list, I will return to the Sunshine State yet again to experience the party hotspots of Miami, roam through the lush Everglades, before kicking back and watching the sun go down in Key West.
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Thanks for your sharing.so wonderful! wish you have a lovely day and all the best.