Guest Feature: Off The Beaten Path

Happy Friday! Don't fret, our Blogging 101 series will be back very soon. However, I hope you've been enjoying the guest posts from our wonderful guest bloggers. Today's post is a wonderful guide a few fun places to check out while you're in Orlando by Ashley who you can find via Instagram at @EntirelyAshely. I had the pleasure of meeting Ashley at the Meet & Make event earlier this year. She was wonderful to sit and craft with and writes a pretty awesome blog post. Be sure to follow her on Instagram and many thanks again to Ashley! - Angel of Studio 404

Gatorland

Orlando has plenty of small, close-encounter animal attractions, but my favorite is Gatorland. A friend of mine’s boyfriend is an alligator wrestler and animal handler there and I can genuinely tell you they care deeply about the animals. They regularly buy and rescue alligators and other reptiles from trappers so they can live the rest of their lives in a safe environment. The handlers even take their show on the road and do educational presentations for schools, camps, etc.

Gatorland has two gator shows and one exotic animals show (watch out, they like to pick people from the crowd for this show!). In addition to the animals and shows, there is also a petting zoo, train, splash pad for the kids, and zip line course. One of the animals they are known for are the albino (white) alligators. There are less than 50 in the world and Gatorland has a few of them. Did you know Florida residents can get in for just $9.99? Considering regular admission is more than double that, we get quite the deal. Gatorland is all outdoors (even the eateries and bathrooms are air conditioner-less), so I’d recommend visiting in the cooler months, even if the alligators are more active during the summer.

Leu Gardens

An oasis in the city, Leu Gardens is an Orlando favorite. You can get in for free on Mondays and $10 any other day. The gardens are expansive and beautiful, the result of the Leus’ bringing back seeds to plant in their garden from their travels. The Leu House Museum is also included with your admission and is a restored 19th century house listed on the National Register of Historic Places. If you’re interested in Central Florida history, the very first owners of the house were the Mizells in the 1850s. Leu Gardens also has a gift shop, botanical library, and welcome center that houses permanent and rotating art exhibits.

One of the best things about Leu Gardens is the events they host. Each month they have a $5 Date Night where an movie is played outdoors on a giant screen in the gardens. You’re encouraged to bring a blanket or chairs and a picnic dinner. There are also seasonal events, such as a Valentine’s Stroll in February, Ghost Stories in October, and a Holiday House in December.

The History Center

Housed in Orange County’s first courthouse, the History Center tells the story of Central Florida’s history from the native people to the era of Disney and beyond. The museum even kept the courthouse’s original Courtroom B in place so visitors can see what the courtrooms looked like in the 1920s. There are always new traveling exhibits to see and events to attend. Upcoming exhibits include The Art of Warner Brothers Cartoons and Reel to Real: Gone with the Wind. The History Center hosts a bevy of free events for the community in addition to their event series’, which include the History Book Club, Lunch & Learn, and Retro Game Night. Admission is $12 and there are a variety of discounts offered. Since the museum is located in Downtown Orlando, you could pair the museum with a visit to the library, brunch/lunch/dinner at a nearby restaurant, or a movie at the Plaza Cinema Cafe.

Photos: Gatorland and Leu Gardens