Orlando is home to 104 named lakes and more than 85 city parks. There are loads of places to bicycle in a park or park-like setting. Cady Way Trail is a popular urban trail that begins its three-and-a-half-mile route at Orlando Fashion Square Mall and heads north to Winter Park's Cady Way Park. Cady Way Trail is most popular on weekends and is wheelchair accessible. Shingle Creek Trail begins at the Lake Fran Trail east of Poppy Park. It runs fives miles, but eventually will be 33 miles in length and connect to trails near Kissimmee. The city's moderate weather is conducive to year-round biking. Plans are in the works for an urban trail in downtown to encourage easy bicycle access to downtown attractions and businesses.
Bring your skateboard and try the ramps and rails at this City of Orlando skate park. Beginners can use the course for learners. Kids of all ages are welcome. Experienced skaters can sample the half pipe, hand rail, bowls, dips and banked hip ranging from 5 to 11 feet deep on the 8,000-square-foot course. Participants must sign waivers. The park is open daily.
Orlando Skate Park
400 Festival Way
Orlando, FL 32803
407-898-9600
actionparkalliance.com/orlandoskatepark/
If you are looking for a taste of Disney without investing days and dollars, visit Downtown Disney, which is free and open to the public. The small city is dedicated to everything related to Disney. Flowerbeds featuring brooms from the Sorcerer's Apprentice call to Fantasia fans. Admire the huge green Lego sea dragon in the lagoon. Pose by life-size Lego creations. Visit the world's largest store of Disney paraphernalia. Eat, shop, see shows or a movie while downtown.
Downtown Disney
Walt Disney World
1500 Buena Vista Drive
Orlando, FL 32836
407-828-3800
disneyworld.disney.go.com/destinations/downtown-disney/
Since 1938 visitors and residents alike have enjoyed the 18-passenger pontoon boat tours on the chain of lakes in Winter Park. The hour-long ride begins on Lake Osceola less than 10 minutes from downtown Orlando. Ride on three lakes and two man-made canals as you glide by central Florida foliage and glimpse such delights as large cranes or alligators in their natural habitat. The guided tours operate daily. Bring cash or check--they do not accept credit cards.
Scenic Boat Tour
312 East Morse Blvd.
Winter Park, FL 32789
407-644-4056
scenicboattours.com/home.htm
Plan to spend the whole morning or afternoon discovering every corner of the gardens. Get ideas for your home garden from the weekend projects garden, which covers an entire three acres. Admire the large formal rose garden. Walk through the largest camellia selection outside of California. Relax by the two-acre tropical stream garden, or identify the plantings in the vegetable and herb garden. Pause in the butterfly garden, which attracts the colorful insects every month of the year. The gardens are open daily.
Harry P. Leu Gardens
1920 N. Forest Ave.
Orlando, FL 32803
407-246-2620
leugardens.org/index.htm
