Underrated and Unknown Attractions in Central Florida

If you live in Central Florida, you know that there is always something fun to do. And if you are visiting, you are probably here to experience some of those fun things. Most notably are, of course, the Disney Parks near Orlando, that draw millions of visitors every year. But those parks are pretty pricey, especially if you are going with your family. 

However, not to fear! Here are some great attractions and activities that are not expensive and some are even free! Moreover, they are not as well known, so you may not encounter hordes of people when you go.

The VIBE Tour at Universal CityWalk

Universal CityWalk  in Orlando is a fabulous place for dining, shopping, and entertainment. There is one little-known attraction though, The VIBE Tour in the largest Hard Rock Café in the world! 

This free tour is one of the best deals in all of Orlando. The VIBE tour usually includes the John Lennon Room filled with one of the largest collections of Lennon artifacts, many of them being donated directly from Yoko Ono. The Attic is the other major room on the tour. This room features historical rock artifacts that you’re encouraged to pick up and feel. Tours are between 2 P.M. and 9 P.M. unless there is a concert at the café. To go on a tour, all you need to do is show up and ask a host to take a tour.

Dora Canal Cruises

Mount Dora is a darling little town with exquisite shops and restaurants. You should definitely go. The drive from the greater Daytona area is just over an hour and well worth it. A little known attraction there are the Dora Canal Cruises, of which there are quite a few (here is a list ). 

Try the Rusty Anchor Tours that start in downtown Mt. Dora, passing by the seaplanes of Tavares before entering into the small canal. Dora Canal is lined with cypress trees, passes by a small park and through some of the last untouched property in the Golden Triangle area. Cost ranges between $15-$25 depending on the tour.

Titanic Artifact Exhibition

Are you fascinated by the tragic history of the famed Titanic? Just down the road in Orlando is a collection of Titanic artifacts that everyone should see. Included in the museum are amazing recreations of many of the iconic rooms from Titanic, displaying the opulence of the ship. The main focus is the massive collection of artifacts recovered from the shipwreck. The “Little Big Piece,” a 3-ton section of the Ship’s hull, helps bring home how big the ship really was. This is an amazing, award-winning local history museum. Tickets are $22 for adults. If you purchase them online, there is a discount. Go here to find out about location and other details. 

Whether you live along the Fun Coast, are visiting, or are considering a relocation, remember that there is always more to discover!

 Creative Florida Living 

Janet Sells

Halifax Historical Museum – A Local Gem!

History Comes Alive on Beach Street!

Since 1986 the Halifax Historical Museum has been housed in the 105 year old former Merchant's Bank Building located in the heart of the downtown historical district of Daytona Beach. Housed in the former 1910 Merchants Bank building, the two-story interior walls are decorated with hand-painted murals depicting area scenes, and highlighted by Beaux Arts styling of stained glass windows and lighting. The building is a destination in itself!

The museum and its impressive collections are one of the best kept secrets in the North Central Florida area. The museum's permanent exhibits outline the history of the greater Daytona Beach area known as Halifax Country with artifacts dating from 5,000 B.C.E.

Some of these exhibits include history of the local Native Americans - the Timucuans, the Spanish and British colonial eras, early pioneer families, beach/road auto racing, World War I & II, and vintage toys and clothing for children. 

A 20-minute movie is shown continuously throughout the day covering 130,000 years of local history!

The museum also offers a research facility with old city directories and documents as well as an extensive photographic and postcard collection.

A current exhibit, which will run through mid-November of this year, is of Paul Rebmann, Wildlife Photographer, featuring wild animals and local fauna in East Volusia County. 

 

When you visit the museum, you can get a bite to eat at one of the many restaurants along Beach Street, grab a cup of coffee at Sweet Marlay’s or a glass of wine at Wine Me. The museum is right next door to our city’s iconic Cinematique, where you can stop in for a movie in a café setting!  And these are just a few suggestions to make an afternoon or evening out of your Halifax Historical Museum visit!

Museum hours are Tuesday - Friday: 10:30 am - 4:30 pm and Saturday: 10 am - 4:00 pm - 252 S Beach St, Daytona Beach

Admission is $5 Adults, $1 Children 12 & under! Thursdays - Admission is by donation.

Saturdays - Adults $5 - Children 12 & under are free!

Parking in the Palmetto Avenue Parking lot.The museum is wheelchair accessible.

 

Creative Florida Living 

Janet Sells! 

Southeast Museum of Photography

Things to do in the summer

The Southeast Museum of Photography (SMP) was opened in 1992. It is quite extraordinary in that it is one of only 13 facilities in the entire US dedicated exclusively to photography. SMP has an outstanding scope, reach, and depth of collection and activities in the field of photography and is the largest museum of photography in the southeastern US. Therefore, it is one of those true gems of our Greater Daytona Beach Area. 

 

SMP has hosted significant exhibitions of world-class photojournalism, fashion, and advertising images, and contemporary photographic art with thematic exhibitions by most major photographic artists. Since 1992, the Museum has presented nearly 300 exhibitions, symposia, lectures, and other programs and published more than 40 monographs or catalogues. Amazing!

Annually, the museum holds about 20 exhibitions, most of which are launched with an opening reception and artist talk, which is free to attend.

In addition, SMP offers Spring and Fall Film Series – you can enjoy movies (for free) several times a week to a certain theme. There are also workshops, lectures, and seminars.

Though the next film series begins in August, you can still visit the museum (for free), enjoy the current exhibitions, peruse the gift shop (which has outstanding books and posters), and get out of the heat. A great way to spend part of your day! 

June and July hours are Tuesday-Sunday 12-4pm. The museum is on the campus of Daytona State College at 1200 W International Speedway Boulevard in Daytona Beach.

Address: 1200 W International Speedway Blvd, Daytona Beach, FL 32114

Check out their website for info on current events and sign up for their newsletter. SMP Website

 

 Creative Florida Living

Janet's Real Estate Site 

 

Mary Bethune House

Things to Do in the Summer
 In the spirit of finding fun, (mostly free) indoor events to escape the Florida heat!

Mary McLeod Bethune was born July 10th, 1875 in Mayesville, South Carolina. Born Mary Jane McLeod, she was the 15th of 17 children and the first in her family born free. Bethune’s childhood home was a small cabin built by her father and brothers on their cotton farm.

After the opening of the Trinity Presbyterian Mission School near Mayesville, little Mary Jane became the first in her family to receive a formal education. She excelled in her studies and quickly realized the value of her education. This early opportunity afforded Bethune a lifetime of successes. Bethune went on to become a noted educator and civil rights leader. This was not only a feat because of her color but also because she was a woman. 

 

Fondly referred to as the “Retreat,” this historic home was built in 1904.  During her years as president of the thriving Bethune-Cookman College, the home was where Mrs. Bethune raised her son and grandson, hosted various dignitaries and guests, and spent her last years after retirement. 

In 1953, two years before her passing, Mrs. Bethune willed the home to the Mary McLeod Bethune Foundation to serve as the organization’s headquarters and a place to “awaken people and have them realize there is something in the world they can do.”

Today the home is preserved as a museum on the campus of Bethune-Cookman University in Daytona Beach. It was designated a United States National Historic Landmark in 1974, for its association with the life of Mary McLeod Bethune.

Filled with fascinating memorabilia and artifacts from Mrs. Bethune’s illustrious career, aswell as photos of famous visitors and U.S. presidents, the facility, which is situated on the scenic grounds of Bethune-Cookman University is operated as a museum. A brick structure added to the house serves as an archive of Mary McLeod Bethune papers. Highly informative guided tours are available Monday-Friday between 10am-3pm. 

The house is located at 640 Dr. Mary McLeod Bethune Boulevard in Daytona Beach. Call (386) 481-2121 to make an appointment for a Saturday tour. Or email the Foundation.

Visit the Facebook page for more information

Creative Florida Living 

Janet's Real Estate Site