| While Disney World, Universal Orlando and SeaWorld | | | | botanical gardens, animal habitats, live shows, rides, |
| Orlando are all essential ingredients for any family's | | | | specialty shops and the world-famous glass bottom |
| Orlando itinerary, you will definitely want to take at | | | | boat rides. |
| least a day trip during your vacation to escape from all | | | | 5. Florida Aquarium: Opened in 1995, the Florida |
| the crowds, hectic pace and total madness of these | | | | Aquarium in Tampa is home to more than 10,000 |
| world-class theme parks. Fortunately, Orlando lies | | | | aquatic animals and plants from all over the world such |
| within an hour or so of a variety of diverse attractions | | | | as alligators, tropical fish, sharks, stingrays and sea |
| where you can spend an afternoon far from the | | | | turtles, as well as interactive exhibits. |
| madding crowd. The following list features 10 of the | | | | 6. Lowry Park Zoo: Approximately 1,600 animals can |
| best Orlando day trips: | | | | be viewed in their natural habitats at Tampa's Lowry |
| 1. Busch Gardens Africa: Sure Busch Gardens in | | | | Park Zoo, which also features a Florida wildlife center, |
| Tampa is another theme park but it draws fewer | | | | aviary, petting zoo, live shows and more. |
| visitors (4.3 million in 2006) than Disney World, Universal | | | | 7. Canaveral National Seashore: One of just 10 National |
| Orlando or SeaWorld Orlando. In addition, Busch | | | | Seashores in the United States, Canaveral National |
| Gardens features some eclectic thrill rides and | | | | Seashore is the longest stretch of undeveloped beach |
| attractions such as SheiKra, Florida's first dive coaster, | | | | along Florida's East Coast. Popular activities here |
| which boasts two 90º drops at 70 miles per hour. | | | | include sunbathing, swimming, surf fishing, surfing and |
| 2. Cypress Gardens Adventure Park: Opened in 1936 | | | | hiking. |
| as Florida's first theme park, Cypress Gardens in | | | | 8. Central Florida Zoological Park: Just a short drive up |
| Winter Haven still features its beautiful botanical | | | | Interstate 4 in Sanford lies the Central Florida |
| gardens and spectacular water-ski shows, but has | | | | Zoological Park, which is home to hundreds of animals, |
| added thrill rides, live concerts and the Splash Island | | | | including alligators, cheetahs, leopards, elephants and |
| Water Park over the past few years. | | | | monkeys. |
| 3. Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex: Just 45 | | | | 9. Daytona USA: Adjacent to the Daytona International |
| minutes East of Orlando, the Kennedy Space Center | | | | Speedway, Daytona USA features racing exhibits, |
| gives you and your family the once-in-a-lifetime | | | | motion simulator rides, the World Center of Racing |
| opportunity to explore the incredible history of | | | | Visitors Center and behind-the-scenes tours of the |
| American space flight and view rockets and exhibits, | | | | speedway. |
| tour launch areas, watch a 3-D space movie at an | | | | 10. Salvador Dali Museum: Nestled in downtown St. |
| IMAX theater and much more. | | | | Petersburg, the Salvador Dali Museum boasts the |
| 4. Silver Springs: Billed as " Florida's Original Theme | | | | most comprehensive collection of permanent works |
| Park," Silver Springs lies near Ocala and boasts colorful | | | | by famous surrealist painter Salvador Dali. |