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This well-conceived monument to America’s space program impresses visitors with exhibits both mammoth, such as the Saturn V Rocket, and minuscule, such as antiquated space suits. Bus tours are a good way to take in the installations.

Just 60 miles (96 km) east of I-4 via the Bee Line Express-way, Cocoa Beach is the seashore closest to Orlando. The beach is picturesque, although the surrounding town is less so (apart from the lovely Cocoa Village near US Hwy 1). Surfing is taken seriously here, due in part to the presence of the Ron Jon Surf Shop, a vast surfing mecca that sells surf wear, beach gear, boards, and every imaginable beach accessory.

During the annual “Spring Break,” this legendary beach (just 90 minutes from Orlando along I-4) is the destination for thousands of vacationing college students, who drink and party until they drop. But sun and fun isn’t all that’s offered. Beach Street is lined with shops, restaurants, and clubs; and of course, there’s the Daytona Speedway, home to the Daytona 500 and other NASCAR races (see Speedweeks).

Just south of Daytona Beach, New Smyrna is a smaller, calmer town that lacks Daytona’s party scene. The white sand beach is picture perfect – but as at Daytona, cars share the space with sunworshipers. For food, the place to go is JB’s Fish Camp, a raucous and friendly shack beside Mosquito Lagoon, which serves some of the state’s tastiest fish, seafood, and key lime pie.

Buried deep in the woods near exit 54 off I-4, tiny Cassadaga was founded more than 100 years ago as a community of clairvoyants, mediums, and healers. Resident spiritualists promote the science, philosophy, and religion of Spiritualism; offer contacts with the deceased in the Spirit World; and provide a variety of healing services for the body, mind, and spirit. Staff at the Cassadaga Camp Bookstore can put visitors in touch with on-call mediums in the area and even provide a phone to make appointments.

These two-hour, pontoon-boat cruises specialize in safely allowing visitors a closer look at endangered manatees (see Shows & Other Attractions). Sightings of these gentle creatures are most frequent from late October to late March, but year round, expect to see alligators, bald eagles, snakes, deer, and more.

This 140,000-acre (56,000-ha) wildlife sanctuary (the secondlargest in Florida) has more federally-endangered species than any other refuge in the United States. A six-mile (10-km) driving tour with shaded boardwalks weaves through lush pine and oak hammocks. (see Canaveral National Seashore & Merritt Island National Wildlife Refuge)

Operating out of historic Sanford, this 1946-built triple-decked boat offers daily “eco-dining” cruises along the scenic St. John’s River. It’s a truly civilized way to catch a glimpse of the Florida that tourists rarely see.

Beneath this zoo’s dense canopy of foliage, visitors can observe the residents (from howler monkeys to bald eagles, llamas, and zebu) at close quarters. Some areas fall short – the pacing big cats obviously need bigger cages – but on the whole, this makes for a rewarding trip.

Just 25 miles (40 km) from Orlando, charming Mount Dora seems plucked from the 1950s. The cozy downtown is unmarred by strip malls or chain stores. Instead, the local industry is antiques, with dozens of small shops on and around Donnelly Street as well as Renninger’s Antique & Flea Markets on the edge of town. Train buffs can enjoy a ride on the restored Cannonball, a 1913 steam engine, and Lake Dora offers plenty of boating opportunities.