More interactive than a museum, more inspirational than a science center, and more authentic and educational than a theme park, NASA's Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex offers a full-day experience of thrilling simulators, breathtaking attractions, behind-the-scenes tours, interactive exhibits, larger-than-life 3D space films, rocket launch viewing opportunities, and more. Located on Merritt Island, Florida, it offers an immersive journey into the technological marvels of space exploration that aspiring astronauts and space enthusiasts of all ages can enjoy.
The Central Florida Zoo & Botanical Gardens offers the chance to come face-to-face with the wildest animals from around the world in just a few hours! Journey through the zoo and observe cats on the prowl, watch playful monkeys, hear beautiful birds, and see many endangered species.
Make sure you check out everything the zoo has to offer, including the Wharton-Smith Tropical Splash Ground, Barnyard Buddies Children’s Zoo, an Insect Zoo, a Herpetarium, and much more. It's fun for the entire family!
If you're driving, there's even free parking.
Daytona International Speedway has been Florida’s home for motorsport, but its real claim to fame is the Daytona 500 – NASCAR’s most prestigious race.
The 2.5 mile (4 km) round track has a 180-acre infield at its centre, with the 29-acre Lake Lloyd – which has hosted powerboat racing – inside that.
If you're nuts for NASCAR, make sure to take a guided tour of the track.
Titanic: The Artifact Exhibition Orlando is packed with real artifacts from the doomed ship, plus room recreations to give a clear picture of life on board. All visitors get a lanyard with the name of a passenger on it. Did you die or survive? Find out at the end of your self-guided tour.
SEA LIFE Orlando is an aquarium located in Orlando, Florida. A family-friendly attraction, it houses a large number of fish and other ocean creatures. Visitors can experience Florida's only 360° tunnel, as well as unique dive and feeding shows.
Aquarium talks and feeding times:
Stingray Cove: Feeding daily at 11:00 and 14:00, talk daily at 16:00
Indian Ocean Show: Meet the divers and watch a feeding at 14:30 and 17:30 (no 17:30 dive on Mondays and Fridays)
Shark Ship Wreck Show: Meet the divers daily at 11:30 and 15:30, educational talk daily at 17:00 and 18:00, Octopus enrichment daily at 13:45
Pacific Ocean Show: Meet the divers and see a feeding daily at 12:30 and 16:30
Indian Ocean: Educational talk daily at 12:00 and 13:00, seahorse feeding daily at 15:00
Atlantic Ocean Dive Show: Meet the divers daily at 11:30 and 15:30
Andretti Indoor Karting & Games is part of an entertainment center featuring the latest in electric go-karting, an arcade, laser quest and other activities. It is located in Orlando, Florida.
Gatorland is a wildlife park and animal-rescue center in Florida, US. Dubbed the Alligator Capital of the World, Gatorland is home to thousands of alligators and crocodiles. Featuring various animal encounter experiences, live shows, zip lines over alligator swamps, and more, Gatorland allows visitors to come face to face with some of the most fearsome reptiles on the planet, in a safe, educational environment.
Going for a leisurely spin on The Orlando Eye is a must when you're in Orlando. Whether morning, noon, or night, there are few experiences in Florida to match the thrill of seeing it all from 400 feet off the ground. The Orlando Eye isn't your average Ferris Wheel – try it yourself!
The Crayola Experience is a large interactive activity center in Florida centered around the famous Crayola crayon. There are 26 family-fun activities catered to children, including conventional arts and crafts and high-tech digital play stations.
Old Town Kissimmee gives visitors a sense of vintage Americana, from classic cars and fairground attractions to old-fashioned store fronts. It is located roughly five minutes' drive from Disney World, Orlando.
WonderWorks is a family-friendly theme park located on International Drive in Orlando, Florida. It features 35,000 sq ft of 'edutainment' across six different zones. It's easy to reach with a car. Parking is available at the Pointe Orlando parking garage.