Natural Side Of Orlando, Florida
Port Canaveral Cruise Excursions
By Lena Hunt
People from all over the world flock to Orlando, Florida for its theme parks and manmade attractions yet the natural side of Orlando is just as amazing. Away from the noise and long lines of the major theme parks hide ancient gardens, rare plants and animals, and trails where you can stop and smell the roses.
Natural Side Of Orlando, Florida
Port Canaveral Cruise Excursions
By Lena Hunt
Southern Florida Cruise Port Specialist
Tampa - Miami - Port Canaveral - Ft. Lauderdale
June 27, 2010
Before you embark on your cruise vacation from Port Canaveral on Florida's Space Coast, dash on over to see the wild side of Orlando. The wildlife side, that is. Orlando is about an hour's drive from the world's second busiest cruise ship port. Amidst Orlando's jungle of theme parks, attractions, and amusement parks a more lush, quiet world exists. Would you believe that downtown Orlando holds fifty acres of trails, gardens, and pathways?
Would you believe that in the center of daily Orlando business lies the South's largest rose garden and also the largest collection of camellia? Enormous ancient trees provide shades for flower-lined pathways and a 19th century farmhouse are just a few wondrous natural sites that are in store for you at the Harry P. Leu Gardens. Although the address of 1920 N. Forest Avenue is not so distinguished-sounding as it is downtown Orlando, you don't have to travel to England to experience such meandering nature.
Many think of Orlando's busy traffic but often ignore the fact that the city has several greenway trails where you can safely walk, jog, bike, or even rollerblade. The miles of trails are user friendly with benches for resting under the shade of a gorgeous tree, waste baskets to keep mother nature happy and healthy, and water fountains to keep you well hydrated in the Florida sun.
Lazy rivers and walking tours provide for educational and eco-friendly activities. See native Florida wildlife an endangered species from a bobbing kayak, an air boat, or on a stroll all at your pace. If you want a more adventurous vacation, then opt for horseback riding and activities that give you close encounters with alligators and other animals that call Orlando, Florida their home.
River boats, a downtown lake for paddle boating, and an enclosed tropical forest theme park with nothing but thousands and thousands of orchids are also special treats for nature lovers. The theme park is called A World of Orchids and is located just outside of Orlando in Kissimee, Florida.
Even on a rainy day, you can still enjoy the beauty of nature as many hotels and resorts have indoor pools with exotic fish and rushing fountains and waterfalls. Atriums provide a year round green house for hotel interiors that have you feeling as if you're in the middle of a rainforest. Swimming pools are often decked with waterfalls that you can swim under and around them. Or you can hike up these waterfalls and climb above them!
Spend a rainy Orlando afternoon at one of the many museums as nature and culture melds into one. A must-see is the Florida Audubon Society's Center for Birds which is located in Maitland. Thousands of endangered and rare birds have been treated in this beautiful natural setting.
Be sure to make some time before or after your cruise from Port Canaveral on The Space Coast of Florida to see what an hour's drive has in store for you. You might just find yourself nestled on a lovely chair wrapped in moss enjoying the most soothing moments you've had in a long time; a few stolen moments from this busy, hectic world.
