Site seeing ideas near Orlando needed

OK all you Florida residents and everyone else that travels a lot. Somehow I was able to talk the wife into going down to MACNA2010 in Orlando and need some ideas or suggestions on where I could take her in the evenings after the show closes. Or even skip half a day of show to take her somewhere. Neither of us have ever been to FL and she has never seen any ocean or walked on a beach. So that is the type of places I need help finding. Public beaches, historical sites on the coast, ect. Also it has to be on the Titusville/Palm Beach side since that is a closer drive from Orlando. Thanks for any suggestions and helping me out!

 

not sure, after you lived here forever its kinda all the same, i havent been to epcot in a long time so i think that would be great? i know you wanted east coast but tampa zoo is sweet.

 

Thanks. I'm trying to find some not so major tourist traps though and mainly ideas that involve the beaches. She would definitely enjoy a couple evenings on a public beach because she's never had her feet in the sea but if I find something that was interesting that would be great. Are there any old ports or forts etc. in that area? I've been wearing google out and not having much success.

 

You guys could get tattoos. lots of tattoo parlors up in Orlando. Also, any town you go to on the east cost will have public beaches and restaurants on the beach. I'm in Southern FL more, and it might be worth the 3 hour drive down, if you wanted to make a day of it. Tons to do in West Palm Beach and Ft. Lauderdale areas. Malls to see, places to shop, fancy restaurants to dine at, etc. The problem with Fl, and Orlando in particular, is most things are touristy there. So yeah you can have a good time but it'll be in a park or other mainstay. If you wanted to go the more beach route, my advice would be to do the MACNA for a day or two, then get a condo or timeshare type of deal on the ocean for a day or two. We used to do that when I was in college for spring break. You can get some good deals on renting out beach houses and condos, especially in the economy's current state.

The Stuart area is pretty nice as well. I was recently there a few weeks ago.

 

Hey the time share is a great idea! I'll have to look into it. Another worry is hurricanes. I was reading that a busier than normal season is predicted and that conditions now are similar to those in 2005. So...if a major hurricane hits FL during that weekend feel absolutely free to blame me because that is the luck I seem to have and I'm sure the weather will clear as soon as I cross the state line headed back home. LOL

 

Some things my family really enjoyed when we went to Orlando:

Gatorland
Manatee Park (not sure of name but was a very clear river where you could watch the manatee's)
Any of the Disney parks are great

Hard not to have a good time down there. Just watch the weather channel for hurricane update

 

+1 on going down a little bit south for the beaches. I live on the east side of Orlando. 30-40 minutes from Cocoa Beach...Cocoa is okay if you want something close to Orlando (has some nice waves if you plan on surfing, a little touristy though), I would also look into New Smyrna Beach, I think its better than Cocoa (sand is cleaner, water is nice w/o all the tourist things)..There is also Jupiter Beach which is not too much farther south from Cocoa, pretty nice waters and beach is clean....St. Pete is also a really nice beach, couple hour drive though from Orlando....Ft. Lauderdale is definitely where you want to go if you really want some nice Florida beaches: nice, clear, clean waters. Pretty nice place too (shopping, walk around, etc.)....Naples is another option if you are going down south....Lots of options in Florida. Also if you want shopping, Mellenia Mall in Orlando is pretty good (real nice and modern).

 

All great ideas! Thank you!

Keep them coming people.

 

Discovery Cove is also a really neat thing to do in Orlando if you want to experience some sea life, you can swim with dolphins and everything. Might want to check that out as well....Seaworld is another option.

 

Thanks Kelly11! Gatorland...? I got to thinking of Joe Dirt then started gigglin to myself. I hope no one noticed since I'm at work. ;D