Things to do in Florida
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Discussion

Chris71

Original Poster:

21,549 posts

272 months

Wednesday 8th September 2010
quotequote all
Hi,

Can anyone recommend things to do in Florida - within a couple of hours of Orlando - apart from the usual theme parks etc?

I'm likely to be travelling alone. Could be sightseeing (preferably a bit off the beaten track), a museum (already been to Daytona) or something more active. Was wondering about either a stock car experience (isn't there an oval at Disney World that does that?) or the warbird flights out of Kissimmee.

Any ideas?

Chris

PaulHogan

7,617 posts

308 months

Wednesday 8th September 2010
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Unless you consider it 'one of the usual theme parks' you must go to NASA at Cape Kennedy/Canaveril (?sp) and see the Saturn V rocket, the shuttle pads and the assembly building.

idlewillo

1,224 posts

239 months

Wednesday 8th September 2010
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Don Garlits museum of drag racing in Ocala.

Anthony Micallef

1,128 posts

225 months

Wednesday 8th September 2010
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You could try an Airboat ride http://www.spiritoftheswamp.com/

Or how about having a go at a gun range? http://www.oakridgegunrange.com/


Chris71

Original Poster:

21,549 posts

272 months

Wednesday 8th September 2010
quotequote all
Anthony Micallef said:
Or how about having a go at a gun range? http://www.oakridgegunrange.com/
That actually quite appeals. Apparently it has a 'safe family-orientated atmosphere'. smile

It's been a while since I've shot an automatic...

Fort Jefferson

8,237 posts

252 months

Wednesday 8th September 2010
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Anthony Micallef

1,128 posts

225 months

Wednesday 8th September 2010
quotequote all
Chris71 said:
Anthony Micallef said:
Or how about having a go at a gun range? http://www.oakridgegunrange.com/
That actually quite appeals. Apparently it has a 'safe family-orientated atmosphere'. smile

It's been a while since I've shot an automatic...
Im off to Orlando on the 20th Sept for 2 weeks and hope to pop along here too! Ive not shot a gun before so should be fun!

Edited by Anthony Micallef on Wednesday 8th September 18:35

sussexjob

2,386 posts

261 months

Wednesday 8th September 2010
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Go to Carolinas much better/not tacky

Chris71

Original Poster:

21,549 posts

272 months

Thursday 9th September 2010
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sussexjob said:
Go to Carolinas much better/not tacky
Given it's a business trip to Orlando that could be difficult.

There is a vague possibility I might be flying over to VIR in Virginia then road tripping down, but it's unlikely. Probably flying direct to Orlando and just seems like a shame not to absorb a bit of Americana while making one of my rare visits to that part of the world.

Webber3

1,228 posts

249 months

Thursday 9th September 2010
quotequote all
Anthony Micallef said:
Chris71 said:
Anthony Micallef said:
Or how about having a go at a gun range? http://www.oakridgegunrange.com/
That actually quite appeals. Apparently it has a 'safe family-orientated atmosphere'. smile

It's been a while since I've shot an automatic...
Im off to Orlando on the 20th Sept for 2 weeks and hope to pop along here too! Ive not shot a gun before so should be fun!

Edited by Anthony Micallef on Wednesday 8th September 18:35
I've been to this place http://www.orlandogunshop.com on Orange Blossom Trail. If you've never shot a gun before (shotguns don't count), you have to pay a few dollars extra for a short lesson explaining about safety and how to load the clip etc. It's great fun, don't let the dodgy location put you off biggrin

Edited by Webber3 on Thursday 9th September 11:16

ErnestM

11,621 posts

297 months

Thursday 9th September 2010
quotequote all
Webber3 said:
I've been to this place http://www.orlandogunshop.com on Orange Blossom Trail. If you've never shot a gun before (shotguns don't count), you have to pay a few dollars extra for a short lesson explaining about safety and how to load the clip etc. It's great fun, don't let the dodgy location put you off biggrin
teacher

Clips Vs Magazines : http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AF21sihEgOU&fea...

A lot of the shooting ranges offer a nice environment for some shooting fun. if you don't want to venture into South OBT (which is understandable), there is a nice range near Apopka (North OBT - which is a much nicer area - NW of Orlando) called Shoot Straight.

http://www.shootstraightonline.com/locations.htm

Chris71

Original Poster:

21,549 posts

272 months

Thursday 9th September 2010
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What's OBT?

Wadeski

9,043 posts

243 months

Thursday 9th September 2010
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Cape Canaveral - great if you like space stuff.

ErnestM

11,621 posts

297 months

Thursday 9th September 2010
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Chris71 said:
What's OBT?
Sorry. Localspeak. OBT=Orange Blossom Trail

WWESTY

2,690 posts

268 months

Thursday 9th September 2010
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Here:

http://www.exoticcargallery.com/

Opposite The Mall at Millenia which is just off I4.

A chinese at PF Changs in the Mall would be good too!

Chris71

Original Poster:

21,549 posts

272 months

Thursday 9th September 2010
quotequote all
ErnestM said:
Chris71 said:
What's OBT?
Sorry. Localspeak. OBT=Orange Blossom Trail
Is it best avoided?

ErnestM

11,621 posts

297 months

Thursday 9th September 2010
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Chris71 said:
ErnestM said:
Chris71 said:
What's OBT?
Sorry. Localspeak. OBT=Orange Blossom Trail
Is it best avoided?
Put it to you this way, there used to be signs on South Orange Blossom Trail to remind tourists that "prostitution is illegal in Florida". OBT on the stretch between I-4 and the broder between Orange County and Osceola County (Kissimmee) is best avoided.

Matt Harper

7,045 posts

231 months

Thursday 9th September 2010
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More specifically, the section of the Trail south of I-4 and north of Sand Lake Road. This is OCSO's Sector 4 and my daughter covers it from the Sheriff's Dept comms center. It's not a good place for a tourist to be after dark (or anytime, unless you have to be - but most certainly not, during the night).
I bought my handgun from Oak Ridge and loose-off a few rounds there occasionally. It's nice, friendly, well run - so safe.
Nothing against ShootStraight, but there have been two murder/suicides on their premises, by walk-ins over the last 14 months. Be aware of and appraise the armed persons in your immediate surroundings.

chippy2010

64 posts

194 months

Friday 10th September 2010
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As above definetly recommend airboat rides and going for a shoot also South Beach Miami a few hours drive is an Amazing place Its got the best of everything a petrolhead could wish to see, cars, boats, women, on a recent trip there I see 2 veyrons on the same street, a few phanthom dropheads, lambos, koniesiegg, ferraris,maseratis,vettes, mustangs just to name a few.

Chris71

Original Poster:

21,549 posts

272 months

Friday 10th September 2010
quotequote all
ErnestM said:
Put it to you this way, there used to be signs on South Orange Blossom Trail to remind tourists that "prostitution is illegal in Florida". OBT on the stretch between I-4 and the broder between Orange County and Osceola County (Kissimmee) is best avoided.
I think I drove through there last year on the way back from Kissimmee! Ah well, in a black 300C I probably blended in as a rival gang boss. Will be a little more careful where I venture this time.

After dark we tend to stay pretty close to the Orange County Convention Centre/Pointe Orlando all seems pretty quiet and touristy there. The most dangerous person we encountered last year was the waitress at Hooters.