When you hear the name Orlando, Fla., what’s the first thing that comes to mind? If it’s theme parks, you’re not alone. After all, it’s famous for its incredible parks, but there’s so much more to this metropolis and surrounding area! Regardless of whether you’re coming here strictly for the PSP Expo on Nov. 1-3, or are planning an extended work-and-play trip, this exclusive PSN Expo Planner will be an invaluable tool. In this article, we’ll cover some cool places to unwind when you’re not in convention mode.
International Drive
Let’s face it: Most show-goers will be staying at hotels on or near International Drive for quick access to the Orange County Convention Center. Fortunately, there are many things to do on this 11.1-mile thoroughfare. Two major complexes deserve our attention first — one is relatively new and one is just a five-minute walk from the convention center.
I-360
This complex is just two years old and boasts eateries offering everything from steaks, seafood and barbecue to Italian, Japanese and Portuguese fare — not to mention hoppin’ bars Tin Roof and Cowgirls Rockbar. Feeling adventurous? Check out other I-360 attractions below.
Coca-Cola Orlando Eye
This 400-foot-tall observation wheel provides panoramic views of Greater Orlando from air-conditioned capsules. Choose the Champagne Experience and a host will serve the bubbly during the ride. Runs day and night, but call for November hours. Adult ride tickets, from $29; Champagne Experience, from $34. Contact: 8401 I-Drive, Orlando; open status hotline, 407-270.8644; officialorlandoeye.com
Arcade City
Adults and kids can play the newest arcade ticket games as well as video games and claw machines. Just load money onto a play card and you’re good to go. Contact: 8371 I-Drive, Orlando; 407-233-3501; amusemententertainmentgroup.com
Madame Tussauds Wax Museum
The lifelike figures here represent sports stars, actors, singers, historical figures and many more. The most recent additions to this location were Justin Bieber and Donald Trump. Adults online price, $25. Contact: 8401 I-Drive, Orlando; 866-630-8315; madametussauds.com
Sea Life Aquarium Orlando
The star here is the Giant Pacific Octopus, but there are more than 5,000 sea creatures to ooh and aah over. The 360-degree Underwater Tunnel and Oceans of the World are impressive, too. Adults from $20; online price, $18. Contact: 8449 I-Drive, Orlando; 866-622-0607; visitsealife.com/orlando
Pointe Orlando
This complex on I-Drive is across from the convention center and is filled with restaurants and nightspots, a comedy club, movie theater, bowling alley and a dozen retail stores. It’s also home to Orlando WonderWorks, which looks like an upside-down building on the outside. This fun house has been called an “indoor amusement park for the mind,” with more than 100 hands-on exhibits. Contact: Pointe Orlando, 9101 I-Drive, Orlando; pointeorlando.com
I-Drive Area Attractions
Moving beyond the multifaceted complexes on I-Drive, here are some standout attractions on that famous corridor that you really should make time to explore.
Skeletons: Museum of Osteology
This unusual attraction is next to I-360. Here you’ll find over 450 real skeletons of animals from around the world, including giraffes, kangaroos, rhinos, manatees and more — plus human skeletons. Interactive activities, too. Adults, $22.29. Contact: 8441 I-Drive, Orlando; 407-203-6999; skeletonmuseum.com
Ripley’s Believe It or Not!
This 10,000-square-foot “Odditorium” lives up to its name. Sixteen galleries are filled with hundreds of interesting, interactive and, yes, odd artifacts and displays, such as a vampire killing kit, shrunken heads and a spinning vortex tunnel. Adults, $19.99; online adult tickets $2 off. Contact: 8201 I-Drive, Orlando; 407-345-0501; ripleys.com
Congo River Adventure Golf
You might call this mini-golf on steroids. The 18 holes take players through a lush land of waterfalls, tropical rainforests and caves. After golfing, you can visit an interactive exhibit and feed the gators. Adults, $13.49. Contact: 5901 I-Drive, Orlando; 407-248-9181; congoriver.com
Titanic: The Artifact Exhibition
Actors in period dress lead tours through the museum’s 17 galleries. View over 100 artifacts retrieved from the wreck of the Titanic. Also, there are full-scale recreations of the grand staircase, a first-class cabin, Verandah Cafe, promenade deck and more. Adults, $21.95; online price, $19.95. Contact: 7324 I-Drive, Orlando; 407-248-1166; premierexhibitions.com
Orlando and Beyond
Kennedy Space Center
Just an hour’s drive from Orlando, this is a great day trip. The venue is organized into Mission Zones showing the evolution of the U.S. space program — and as part of the experience, you also can explore the Astronaut Hall of Fame and tour the launch pad and the launch control center. Adults, $50. Contact: State Rd. 405, Titusville, Fla.; 877-404.3769; kennedyspacecenter.com
Warbird Adventures
Here’s your chance to take to the skies in a two-seater plane that served as a fighter-trainer for Allied pilots in World War II. Flights range from 15 minutes ($290) to 60 minutes ($790). Located at the Kissimmee Gateway Airport, along with the Air Museum that houses 22 aircraft (museum tickets $12, adults). Contact: 233 N. Hoagland Blvd., Kissimmee, Fla.; 407-870-7366; warbirdadventures.com
Daytona International Speedway
A must for racing enthusiasts, it offers three tours: Speedway Tour ($18 adults); All Access Tour ($25 adults); and, on select Tuesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays, the VIP Tour ($52 adults). All include visits to the track, photo ops with the car of this year’s Daytona 500 champion, the on-site Motorsports Hall of Fame of America and more. Contact: 1801 W. Intl. Speedway Blvd., Daytona Beach, Fla.; 386-681-5588; daytonainternationalspeedway.com
Airboat Tours
Here are outfits that have garnered rave reviews: Boggy Creek Airboat Rides explores Central Florida Everglades and wildlife at 45 mph; adult tickets from $27.95. Meanwhile, Orlando Airboat Tours’ fleet has stadium-style seating so passengers can easily see swamp creatures and plants, and it claims to be the only company offering a half-day option; adults from $49.95. Wild Florida offers airboat rides and much more. The boats explore shoreline, swamps and marshes while at the land base there’s an 8-acre gator and wildlife park, and aviary; airboat adult tickets from $26.50.
Contacts: Boggy Creek, 2001 E. Southport Rd., Kissimmee, Fla.; 407-344-9550; bcairboats.com | Orlando Airboat, 2830A Neptune Rd., Kissimmee, Fla.; 407-624-0973; orlandoairboattours.com | Wild Florida, 3301 Lake Cypress Rd., Kenansville, Fla.; 407-957-3135; wildfloridairboats.com
Animal Adventures
The 100-acre Gatorland features thousands of alligators and crocodiles. There’s a breeding marsh with observation tower, aviary, nature walk, petting zoo, train rides and shows such as Gator Wrestlin’ and Up-Close Encounters. The Screamin’ Gator Zip Line shoots you right over the critters. Slated to open in autumn is Stompin’ Gator Off-Road Adventure. Or check out Safari Wilderness Ranch, which features herds of exotic animals, wetland birds, lemur island and more. The creatures can be viewed up close in this beautiful, 260-acre setting — you choose the mode of transportation. Will it be via safari vehicle, on camelback or horseback, or by kayak?
Contacts: Gatorland, 14501 S. Orange Blossom Trail, Orlando; 407-855-5496; gatorland.com | Safari Wilderness Ranch, 10850 Moore Rd., Lakeland, Fla.; 813-382-2120; safariwilderness.com
Golfing
There are so many excellent courses, it’s hard to know where to play. Here are some sweet picks from Golf Advisor: First up is Arnold Palmer’s Bay Hill Club & Lodge, host of Orlando’s only annual PGA Tour event. Many convention-goers like the nearby Shingle Creek Golf Club, or try a newer top-notch course, Waldorf Astoria Golf Club. For a course with a Greg Norman design and many amenities, there’s Ritz Carlton Golf Club.
Contacts: Arnold Palmer’s, 9000 Bay Hill Blvd., Orlando; 888-422-9445; bayhill.com | Shingle Creek, 9939 Universal Blvd., Orlando; 407-996-9933; shinglecreekgolf.com | Waldorf Astoria, 14224 Bonnet Creek Resort Ln., Orlando; 407-597-5500; waldorfastoriagolfclub.com | Ritz Carlton, Grande Lakes, 4012 Central Florida Parkway, Orlando; 407-393-4900; grandelakes.com
Museums
Explore 12,000 years of Central Florida history, starting with Native American cultures, at the Orange County Regional History Center in downtown Orlando; adults, $8. Over at the Osceola County Welcome Center & History Museum, visitors travel back in time via dioramas of local habitats, plus there are interactive displays and scavenger hunts. The Orlando Science Center offers dinosaur skeletons, planetarium shows, 3-D movies, interactive science exhibits, and more; adults, $27.
Contacts: Regional History Center, 65 E. Central Blvd., Orlando; 407-836-8500; thehistorycenter.org | Osceola County Center, 4155 W. Vine St., Kissimmee, Fla.; 407-396-8644; osceolahistory.org | Science Center, 777 E. Princeton St., Orlando; 407-514-2000; osc.org
Parks/Gardens
For a relaxing respite, there’s iconic Lake Eola in downtown Orlando. Visitors can walk or run around the lake, or rent a paddle boat and float on the water with the resident swans. Check out Kraft Azalea Gardens if you love birds and plants. This 5-acre public garden on the shore of Lake Maitland is home to a great egret rookery; sandhill cranes and wood storks also hang out here. The Harry Leu Gardens are brimming with tropical plants, trees, flowers and more; adult tickets, $10.
Contacts: Lake Eola, 512 E. Washington St., Orlando; 407-246.4484; cityoforlando.net | Kraft Azalea, 1365 Alabama Dr; Winter Park, Fla.; 407-599-3334; cityofwinterpark.org | Leu Gardens, 1920 N. Forest Ave., Orlando; 407-246.2620; leugardens.org
