Daytrips

Your InnHouse vacation home is the perfect place to plan a daytrip from.

Kennedy Space Center: Visit the nucleus of America's space program at the Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex, a massive 140,000-acre complex featuring full-size spacecraft models, lunar rock exhibits and astronaut memorabilia. Visitors can experience space exploration from the first Mercury launches to today's modern shuttle flights. Climb aboard a life-size replica of the Space Shuttle Explorer, walk through the Rocket Garden where Mercury- and Gemini-era rockets now reside, soar through various space adventures at two back-to-back IMAX theaters and get an up-close look at the Apollo/Saturn V Center, the most powerful rocket ever built. The attraction's newest additions include the Launch Complex 30 Observation Gantry, a 45-foot high, enclosed observation deck with a surrounding open air walkway and the International Space Station Center. The Center provides visitors access to operational areas for the first time in the history of NASA. Guided bus tours give visitors a behind-the-scenes peek at the working-side of the space center. Tour sights include the enormous Vehicle Assembly Building, astronaut training centers, actual launch pads, a simulated moon launch countdown and the old Mission Control Building.

U.S. Astronaut Hall of Fame: The U.S. Astronaut Hall of Fame, in Titusville, offers an array of hands-on exhibits and simulators that thrust visitors into various astronaut adventures. The only facility in the nation dedicated exclusively to honoring the astronauts of America. In the G-Force Trainer, soar through a jet fighter training run, or enter the 3-D world of aerial combat aboard one of the most realistic flight simulators ever created. For an exciting finale, blast off on a multimedia space flight aboard a full-scale space shuttle replica.

Cypress Gardens: To the southwest, in Winter Haven County is the famous Cypress Gardens which is known for its premier botanical gardens, world-famous water ski revues, and old-fashioned Southern hospitality. At this lush garden paradise, guests can meander through a wonderland of free-flying butterflies, meet the world-famous Southern belles, stroll past gigantic topiaries, thrill at the high-octane ski shows or take a leisurely boat cruise through the gardens and nearby lake. Due to its rich water ski heritage dating back to the 1940s, when water skiing came into its own at Cypress Gardens, Polk County is today recognized around the globe as the "Water Ski Capital of the World."

Lakeridge Winery: Perched atop a hill outside nearby Clermont, the Spanish-stuccoed architecture of the Lakeridge Winery speaks more to the famed valleys of Europe than to the once-famed citrus groves of Central Florida. But American wine making actually began in Florida, when in 1562 some French Huguenot settlers started fermenting wild muscadine grapes near present-day Jacksonville. As the only winery in Central Florida, Lakeridge is now helping the industry make a comeback in the Sunshine State. Complimentary tours and wine tasting available.

Bok Tower: Southwest of Orlando in Polk County, sitting on the highest point in peninsular Florida, is the Bok Tower, one of Florida's most famous landmarks. Although its place in the Central Florida landscape is well known, its unique structure and beautiful gardens are less familiar. The tower, constructed of pink and gray Georgia marble and coquina stone from St. Augustine, houses more than 57 bronze bells, which ring out daily recitals across the hills of Central Florida. Visiting musicians and moonlight recitals are scheduled throughout the summer and winter. The surrounding 157 acres of gardens and nature trails feature azaleas, camellias and magnolias, and provide habitat for a colony of wood ducks and 126 other wild bird species.

Frank Lloyd Wright: As strange as it may sound, the world's largest group of Frank Lloyd Wright-designed buildings is on the campus of Florida Southern College in the small town of Lakeland. Built in the 1940s with the help of students, the college only had enough money to build 12 of the original 18 structures designed by Wright. Today, many of the buildings are open to the casual visitor. Walking tour maps guide visitors through the only planetarium Wright ever designed, and to small but splendid chapels.

Busch Gardens: Explore the intrigue of turn-of-the-century Africa at Busch Gardens, a 335-acre family entertainment park packed with thrill rides, live entertainment, animals in natural settings, shops, restaurants and games in nine distinctly themed areas. With more than 3,400 animals roaming throughout the park, Busch Gardens is one of the top zoos in the country. Wander through an African village populated by hyenas, a fishing village housing hippopotamuses, baboons and various species of fish and a safari encampment overrun by lions in the "Edge of Africa". "Sheikra" has guests diving 90 degrees straight down a 200 foot plunge! Challenge "Gwazi" a wooden rollercoaster that is a two-headed beast. On "Montu" guests feet dangle below the car as they drop nearly 13 stories and flip through a corkscrew finale. While "Kumba" has riders traveling at over 60 mph down nearly 4,000 feet of track towering at a height of 135 feet. Younger children will enjoy playing in the Land of Dragons, featuring climb-through mazes, watery play areas, corkscrew slides, net climbs, secret rooms and reptile exhibits.

Nearby, Adventure Island offers acres of twists and turns through 17 unique water play areas, including "Splash Attack," a treehouse maze of 50 interactive water elements overflowing with fun. A championship volleyball complex, game arcade and outdoor cafes round out the park's offerings.

Atlantic Coast Beaches: Pack up a picnic and head off for a daytrip to the beach! Florida's Space Coast, which includes Titusville, Cocoa Beach, Melbourne and Palm Bay, is a little over an hour away from Orlando and offers 72 miles of sun-drenched Atlantic shores with more than 250 square miles of protected wildlife refuges.

West Coast Beaches: A little further away but still within an easy daytrip are the almost 400 miles of shoreline of the west coast of Florida in the eight resort communities of Clearwater Beach, Dunedin, Indian Rocks Beach, Madeira Beach, St. Petersburg, St. Pete Beach, Tarpon Springs and Treasure Island. Families will find the provide a refreshing break from the fast pace of nearby attractions. The soft white sandy beaches of the Gulf of Mexico boast 361 days of sunshine and an average water temperature of 75 degrees, making nearly every day a good one for shelling, sunning, swimming, fishing or sailing.