Central Florida scenic drives (Tampa, Orlando: where to stay, live in, shops)

[thepinksquid]

Hello! My finace and I live in the Orlando area and absolutely love to drive around exploring Central Florida when we can.

Does anyone have any suggestions for scenic areas around Orlando?

We have been through Winter Park/Windermere (we live near there)/Celebration (I work there), but we're looking for more nice places to see.

We love lakes, heavily forested places, beaches, etc. We love finding little hidden places that are so nice to visit and just explore.

Thanks so much! Any suggestions (even somewhat far away) are great!

[blueoktober]

Have you ever been to the Seashore in Titusville? You should check it out. There's a wildlife preserve and for about 15 miles you will see nothing but Florida outback. Then you reach a pristine shoreline with no buildings in sight. Just dunes and beach. It's a relatively secret place because it's never crowded. Basically you take Highway 50 to 520 east. It takes about an hour.

Have you been to the "old mill" at DeLeon Springs? You cook your own breakfast on a gridle in an old mill while overlooking a lake and a natural spring.
Then there's Cassadaga if you want to go back in time. It's a "spirit camp" town with mediums, palm readers, etc. The whole town is basically a spiritual camp. However it's a pretty old town and is a good getaway from the bustle of Orlando.

[thepinksquid]

Thanks blueoktober!

Yes, we've been out to Titusville and its very nice. We were out there recently to see the shuttle launch, actually.

We haven't been to DeLeon Springs/Cassadega, thanks so much!!! I've heard of the Sugar Mill, but I've yet to go there.

I appreciate the response!!!

[fljojo]

I love scenic drives as well . I am particularly fond of Avalon Road in Winter Garden (CR 545) and the Sugarloaf Mountain area in Clermont. Both have rolling hills and lakes, with dense forests and winding roads. It is definitely someplace to get lost in on purpose .

[newteacher]

If it's not too far, drive out between Inverness and Ocala on Rt. 200.
If you are lucky, you will stumble onto a little resturaunt called "Stumpknockers." We did, and it was delightful.
They are right on a little river bank, and have a very unique atmosphere.

[BeenAroundTheBlock]

We picked up a book at a local bookstore called "2 hour drives from Orlando" when we first moved here. It outlines 2 hour drives, what to see, where to eat, where to stay... It's a great book!

[Prichard]

Tomoka State Park just west of Ormond Beach.
Mt. Dora and Howey-In-The-Hills around the Dora - Harris chain of lakes.

[marypoppins]

Originally Posted by redandfuzzy

Celebration (I work there)

Me too! I work at the hospital. Where do you work?

[thepinksquid]

Originally Posted by marypoppins

Me too! I work at the hospital. Where do you work?

Celebration Place. I work for IT at Disney.

[mom4]

I like the drive from Hwy. 192 onto hwy 27. Head toward Howie-in-the-hills. I never knew that Florida had hills. We like going to St. Augustine and having lunch. They have a lot of cute shops and the "Old Spanish Fort". Deleon Springs for breakfast at the Sugar Mill is a treat. Bring a bathing suit and swim in the springs. If you ever get on the west coast stay in Siesta Keys best sunsets and white powder sand. Then go on down to Sanibel for shell picking on the beach. Tarpon Springs above Tampa has a lot of Greek places to eat and sponge shops.