Activities outside the main parks

[*kate*]

Im in full-on planning mode now!

Tying to think of other activities to suit our family (2 x adults 2 x teens and a 6 year old). So far we've come up with:

Airboat ride
Sea screamer
Zipline at Gatorland.

6 yr old daughter is obsessed with crocodiles so anything with crocs is always good!

I'm interested in your recommendations for family activities outside the main parks, and the best places to do these. We are there for three weeks in October and have park tix to last two weeks (obviously I have to overlap the to get the most out of them) as we planned to do lots of other stuff.

Thanks

[Guest]

gun range but i get nervous around people with all those guns.
It can be a great day.

[cartoonp]

Helicopter flight
Crazy golf
Balloon flight
Cape kenaddy

[JAF]

If you have a 6 year old who likes crocs then definitely a trip to Gatorland? More gators than crocs including some rare white gators. There is lots to do for all ages - we thought we would not enjoy the place but we had a great time and will go back. Crocs are not so common in Florida although further south there are some wild salt water crocs to be found.

Picnics at the State parks are another of our family favourites especially Blue Springs which is a manatee refuge and they normally start appearing during October.

[Mrs Valentine]

Boat tours in Winter Park.
The teens may like a Segway Tour around Epcot.
Orange Groves.
Orlando City and parks.
Silver Springs, Ocala.
Beach Day at Cocoa beach. (east coast)

[Guest]

This year we have hired a boat for the day and booked a segway tour in St Pete's. We also go to watch a baseball game (Tampa Bay Rays). Deep sea fishing is another fab day out, if you do the airboat ride put plenty of insect repellent on!

I'm sure you will get loads of ideas from people on here its fab, this year is my 19th visit so we are always looking to do something different! WDW has had far too much of my hard earned cash so this year we are giving it a miss altogether (there isn't anything new for us to see there).

Jayne (Carls OH)

[CazB]

Crazy Golf is always a good one that everyone can enjoy. This year we went to clearwater and took in a Clearwater Threshers baseball game. It was a good cheap day out and kept us entertained. If it is a morning game you go to watch you can head for the beach in the afternoon.

We also headed for Coco Beach this year but didn't head for the main beach, instead we travelled further through and stopped at Melbourne Beach. Doesn't quite have the same ameneties as Coco Beach but its quieter. We grabbed some items from a Publix we passed and had a picnic at the beach.

[Guest]

Not to put a downer on it but check your holiday insurance if you are planning to do a zip wire as it is counted as a dangerous sport on some policies. Not that I imagine anything bad will happen

[dogmanpaul]

swimming with manatees is another great day out. Ive had loads of good report and we plan to do this when we go. You get breakfast, lunch and an airboat ride at the end

[Guest]

Have you thought about a drive in movie? Look up silver moon drive in on line and take a look.