Post by ronturner on Dec 2, 2012 19:44:40 GMT 1
Following on from comments in another thread, a little advice on enjoying a non aviation experience in this vicinity.
Of course, all the Disney and other parks are spectacular but totally artificial. Downtown Orlando is quite a nice business district, but totally a wate of time rom a Tourist point of view. (Do not confuse with downtown Disney which is very good.) If you are on international Drive, just be careful after dark. In most areas, of Orlando, just be sensible. It is safe enough.
I recommend you visit Winter Park.( again, not to be confused with Winter Haven or Winter Garden). WPK is a genuine and very much up market super little town, just to the north of Orlando. There are cobbled streets, lots of restaurants and some fabulous boutique, expensive shops which your significant others will enjoy. The Amtrak from Miami to Boston stops here. The station is right in the middle of the town, I mean not next to it, I mean right alongside the Main Street and the whole place comes to a stop as the train sprawls out across most of the roads. There are trains in each direction either side of 1pm and its quite a sight. There is a more modern section of the town, a few blocks away. Equally chic if very different.
We have been coming here for about 14 years and love it to bits. Last night we had a nice meal, al fresco, went to the cinema :love the out doors booking hall, so typical of warm countries and afterwards, around 11pm, sat outside eating frozen yoghurt. The whole town old and new, spectacularly adorned in Christmas lights and decorations. Magic
Further afield, Mount Dora to the North is a charming town and to the North East, Saint Augustine in very pretty and very historic, believe it or not, the oldest city in the USA having been founded by the Spanish before it fell into our hands.
For beaches, head to the west coast, St. Petersburg and places south as far a Sarasota.
Hope somebody finds this useful.
RT
Of course, all the Disney and other parks are spectacular but totally artificial. Downtown Orlando is quite a nice business district, but totally a wate of time rom a Tourist point of view. (Do not confuse with downtown Disney which is very good.) If you are on international Drive, just be careful after dark. In most areas, of Orlando, just be sensible. It is safe enough.
I recommend you visit Winter Park.( again, not to be confused with Winter Haven or Winter Garden). WPK is a genuine and very much up market super little town, just to the north of Orlando. There are cobbled streets, lots of restaurants and some fabulous boutique, expensive shops which your significant others will enjoy. The Amtrak from Miami to Boston stops here. The station is right in the middle of the town, I mean not next to it, I mean right alongside the Main Street and the whole place comes to a stop as the train sprawls out across most of the roads. There are trains in each direction either side of 1pm and its quite a sight. There is a more modern section of the town, a few blocks away. Equally chic if very different.
We have been coming here for about 14 years and love it to bits. Last night we had a nice meal, al fresco, went to the cinema :love the out doors booking hall, so typical of warm countries and afterwards, around 11pm, sat outside eating frozen yoghurt. The whole town old and new, spectacularly adorned in Christmas lights and decorations. Magic
Further afield, Mount Dora to the North is a charming town and to the North East, Saint Augustine in very pretty and very historic, believe it or not, the oldest city in the USA having been founded by the Spanish before it fell into our hands.
For beaches, head to the west coast, St. Petersburg and places south as far a Sarasota.
Hope somebody finds this useful.
RT
