During your Orlando vacation, don't miss these great establishments and attractions:
Orlando Museum of Art
This local heavyweight handles some of the most prestigious traveling exhibits in the nation. The museum, founded in 1924, hosts special exhibits throughout the year, but even if you miss one, it's worth a stop to see its rotating permanent collection of 19th- and 20th-century American art, pre-Columbian art dating from 1200 B.C. to A.D. 1500, and African art. Allow 2 to 3 hours.
Holy Land Experience
Battles to get tax-exempt church status and smaller-than-expected attendance caused this tourist attraction to add a parking fee and boost rates by $13 in its first 2 years. But backers still believe Jesus Christ and John the Baptist can go head to head with (or at least play second harp to) Mickey Mouse and Woody Woodpecker. This $20 million, 15-acre attraction near Universal Orlando is trying to court more believers by offering exhibits focusing on Jerusalem between the years 1450 B.C. and A.D. 66. Instead of thrill rides, visitors get lessons about Noah's Ark, the limestone caves where the Dead Sea Scrolls were discovered, 1st-century Jerusalem, and Jesus' tomb. The trimmings include a display of old Bibles and manuscripts, a Bedouin tent where biblical personalities tell Old and New Testament stories, and a cafe serving Middle Eastern food. New additions include a multimedia production of music and art giving an overview of worship through the ages; a small play area for kids; and the Oasis Outpost, which features a rock wall and archaeological dig, misting station, and a small refreshment spot. The attraction has caused some controversy: Orlando-area rabbis, among others, say they believe it's a ploy to convert Jews to Christianity. Allow 3 to 4 hours.
Water Mania
You'll find a variety of aquatic attractions in this 36-acre water park. You can boogie board or body surf in the wave pools, float lazily along an 850-foot river, enjoy a white-water tube run on Riptide, and spiral down the Twin Tornadoes water slide. If you dare, ride The Screamer, a 72-foot freefall speed slide, or the Abyss, an enclosed tube slide that corkscrews through 380 feet of darkness, exiting into a splash pool. You can climb the all new Rainrock Mountain (at an extra charge). There's a rainforest-themed water playground for kids; a miniature golf course; and a picnic area with arcade games, volleyball, and a beach. Note: This park has fewer thrill rides than Disney's Typhoon Lagoon and Blizzard Beach or Wet 'n Wild (listed a bit later), so it has fewer teens and young adults, making it more attractive to older adults or families with younger kids. Allow 4 to 5 hours. Tubes, towels, and lockers are all available for rent for a small fee and a deposit ($2 for a towel; $5-$6.50 plus $1 deposit for a tube; $4.25-$6.50 plus $5 deposit for a locker). A child-size life vest can be rented at no charge. A cabana with 4 towels, 2 chairs, 2 lounges, 2 tubes, a table, and 1 locker can be rented for $55 with a $10 deposit.
Hyatt Regency Orlando International Airport
* 16 miles from Universal Studios * 8 miles from Walt Disney World * 12 miles from Sea World * Near Kissimmee, Winter Park, Melbourne and Daytona ...
Doubletree' Castle Hotel - Orlando
Doubletree' Castle Hotel - ...
Holiday Inn Select ORLANDO-INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT
Experience the comfort of the newly renovated Holiday Inn Select Orlando Airport hotel, a first-class, full-service hotel, located 1 mile from Orlando International Airport. Perfect for all of your business or vacation needs, we offer complimentary 24-hour Orlando airport transportation. Also located just a few miles from the Florida Citrus Bowl, home of the Capital One Bowl and Champs Sports Bowl. Minutes from Central Florida attractions and downtown Orlando, our Holiday Inn Orlando Airport ...
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