With summer break right around the corner, one might ponder ideas for activities. Check out these 10 locations for indoor and outdoor attractions.
FIVE OUTDOOR ACTIVITIES
1. Wekiwa Springs State Park
Whether one’s looking for the opportunity to go canoeing and kayaking or biking and hiking trails, Wekiwa Springs offers all of these outdoor activities. Admission fees for vehicles with two to eight people costs $6, $2 per extra passenger, single passengers in a vehicle costs $4, $2 for pedestrians and bicyclists. With seven designated canoeing and kayaking routes, ranging from 30 minutes to eight hours and hiking and biking trails ranging from .8 to 13.5 miles, Wekiva Springs provides opportunities to explore nature. Rentals include canoes and single person kayaks ($19.21 for the first 2 hours) and 2-3 person kayaks ($24.81 for the first 2 hours); additional hours costs $5.33 per hour. Paddle boards rent for $20 for the first hour, $35 for four hours. Visitors may see alligators or otters along the way.
2. Blue Springs State Park
Dreams of swimming with manatees becomes a reality in the crystal blue water of Blue Springs, open 7 days a week from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Activities include snorkeling, floating in a tube, canoeing, kayaking, paddle boarding and swimming. Daily admission fees for those ages 13 and up costs $10, ages 5-12 costs $3, and under 5 are free. Anderson’s Outdoor Adventures, a on site rental company, offers masks and snorkels ($14 for all day rentals), canoes ($10 for 1 hour and $20 for 2 hours, kayaks ($8 for 1 hour and $16 for 2 hours), paddle boards ($30 for all day rentals), and tubes 48″ ($14 for all day rentals) Snorkeling alongside a sea cow offers an adventure sitting in front a TV does not.
3. Lake Eola Park
In the heart of Downtown Orlando, swan boats allow vistors to paddle around the lake. Paddle boats are available 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. Sunday through Tuesday and 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. Wednesday through Saturday, costing $15 per half hour. Every Sunday from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., Lake Eola hosts a farmers market offering a dog, family and date friendly environment. The Linton E. Allen Memorial Fountain, built in 1957 and refurbished in 2011 runs nightly shows around 8:30 and 9:30 p.m. for about six minutes.
4. Devil’s Den Springs
Devils Den Springs, a spring located in a cave, accessed through snorkeling or diving dates back through fossils 33 million years ago. Open Monday to Thursday from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. and Friday to Sunday from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Diver admission costs $38 and scuba equipment rental costs $40 and includes a mask, snorkel, fins, booties, regulator, BCD, tank, wet suit, weights and LED Light. Monday through Friday snorkeling admission costs $15, weekends and holidays costs $20. Snorkeling rental equipment costs $10 and includes a mask, snorkel and fins.
5. Weeki Wachee Springs
The home of the mermaids, Weeki Wachee Springs offers mermaid shows performing their interpretation of Hans Christian Andersen’s “The Little Mermaid” and “Fish Tales” live in a submerged 400-seat auditorium. Open 365 days a year from 9 a.m. to 5:30 p.m., the daily admission price includes access to Buccaneer Bay Waterpark, the mermaid show, wildlife show and river boat ride. Admission costs $13 for ages 13 and up, $8 for ages 6-12, and 5 and under are free. Annual passes cost $60 for year-long access. Weekday showtimes for “The Little Mermaid” shows at 11 a.m. and 3 p.m., 12 and 3 p.m. on weekends. “Fish Tales” begins at 1:30 weekdays and 10 a.m. and 1:30 p.m. on weekends.
FIVE INDOOR ACTIVITIES
1. Old Spanish Sugar Mill
A unique restaurant located inside De Leon Springs State Park, the Old Spanish Sugar Mill opened in 1961. Known for the “Do-It-Yourself” pancakes ($4.95 per person), the tables have griddles and pitchers of homemade pancake batters that one uses to cook right on the table. Extras include blueberries, bananas, peanut butter, pecans, chocolate chips, apples and apple sauce. Opened year round, serving Monday to Friday from 9 a.m. to 4:00 and Saturday to Sunday from 8 a.m.-4 p.m.
2. Dave and Busters
From classics, like Pac-man and skee ball to newer games, like Flappy Bird and The Price is Right, Dave and Busters is like a grown-up Chuck E. Cheese. Every Wednesday games are half price. Monday to Friday (4:30 p.m. to 7 p.m.) an hour of gaming costs $10. The D&B Rewards program includes $10 of free game play with $10 game play purchase and registering the Power Card earns $10 on every $100 spent on food, beverages and games.
3. Sak Comedy Lab
With live shows scheduled nightly all of summer break, Sak Comedy Lab creates an atmosphere centered around improvised skits. Tickets for shows costs $5 to $17, times range from 7:30 to 11:30 p.m. Those interested in learning improve basics, Level one classes (16 and older) begin May 16 costs ($225 for 8 classes). Level two to four classes ($275 for eight classes) for more advanced instruction. Free one-day classes offer a preview of the classes.
4. iFLY
Indoor skydiving provides free falling conditions all stimulated in a wind tunnel. The location in Orlando, currently only of its kind in the world, contains two wind tunnels. iFLY offers multiple indoor skydiving packages. Single flyer choices include the “Earn your Wings” ($69.95) and includes two flights per person and a personalized flight certificate. The “Spread your Wings” ($109.95) includes four flights per person and a personalized flight certificate. Helmets, flight suits and goggles are provided with both experiences. Other packages for two to 12 people range from $129.95 to $599.95 flights.
5. Coca-Cola Orlando Eye
The Orlando Eye puts viewing the city in a new perspective, 400 feet in the air. Individual admission costs $25 with free parking available, proof Florida of residency discounts the ticket $20. Annual passes ($149.00) include unlimited admission to the Orlando Eye, SEA LIFE Orlando, Madame Tussauds Orlando, LEGOLAND Florida, LEGOLAND Florida Water Park and LEGOLAND Discovery Center Atlanta and free parking. Eye operating hours include Sunday-Thursday 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. and Friday to Saturday 10 a.m. to 12 a.m. It takes about 23 minutes for a full rotation.
Whether one’s enjoying the cold air conditioning of the Science Center or the cool waters of Blue Springs, the 10 places to go to during the three month vacation offer outdoor and indoor activities to keep one occupied.