There's More to Orlando than Disney

Orlando is one of the top tourism destinations in the world. It features Walt Disney World, Universal Studios and Sea World. People come from every continent to take in these famous theme parks, and especially to meet Big Mickey.

A favorite destination for many people is Orlando, Florida, with its many theme parks, it has become 'the' place to visit but there is much more to an Orlando vacation than this. Orlando Town is also your destination for museums, galleries, historical places, edifices, flea markets, churches and much more. Everything a visitor could possibly want is here and the reason why people return year after year. As one of the most tourist centered cities in the world, Orlando a great deal to offer including large shopping malls, restaurants of every type, night clubs, bars and many specialist shops. More than 35-million people each year come to enjoy a vacation in Orlando at the many attractions and events that make it a great place to visit. Although Zoos have taken a bit of criticism in recent years, their value to education and the preservation of species cannot be dismissed and the Central Florida Zoo in Sanford is one of these. It is actually a privately owned charitable group dedicated to the protection of exotic animals plus species that are native to Florida but also offers informative and child-friendly classes and events. Back in 1942, the Morse Museum of American Art in Winter Park started exhibiting the world's most extensive collection of the works of Louis Comfort Tiffany. Tiffany glass, clayware and ornaments are all on display here including a specially designed chapel interior shown at the Columbian Exposition back in 1893. No adult, despite any thoughts to the opposite, could go to Orlando and find nothing of interest as the range of attractions for both the young and old is huge. Entertainment in the evening when you vacation in Orlando is as sophisticated as you wish and as diverse as that found during the day; catering for young people, families and adults. Another popular attraction is the Orlando Science Center and is in fact one of the largest buildings of its type allowing the visitor access to ten huge exhibition halls. If your preference is in railways then the International Trolley and Train Museum on International drive will be a pleasant surprise with 14 trains running continuously and three waterfalls in a space of about 4,000 square feet. For something a little different there's the Titanic Exhibition which tells the story of the ill fated Ocean Liner performed by a character from the ship; the displays contain some original salvaged items and at times the tour is very moving. Away from all the hustle is the wonderful Lake Eola Park in the heart of downtown; it has beautiful sidewalks in over forty acres where it is possible to spend a few peaceful hours. However, there aren't that many visitors who visit Orlando without a trip to one of the four main Disney theme parks or the equally impressive Universal studios; where a person's age really doesn't matter. An Orlando vacation has enough tourist attractions to last a year so the next time you visit, why not try one or two of the others; they may be less well known but can be just as impressive.

But there is another Orlando, a city full of unexpected smaller attractions, that you might want to take in when you want something a little different or just a break from the crowds at Disney World.

Kissimmee Rodeo. http://www.ksarodeo.com