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This park, which recently turned 50, is chock-full of around 800 lurking alligators, honking for mates, and sometimes performing tricks. The gators don’t sit up and beg, but they do jump for food – raw chicken, to be exact, dangled over their ponds by a brave employee. Two hundred or so crocodiles are here to add diversity, as are snakes and other reptiles. The gator-wrestling show is an impressive must-see.

Ancient Jerusalem comes to life at this attraction, which has reconstructions of Jesus’ tomb, the temple, and the caves where the Dead Sea scrolls were found. Make no mistake: this is a “Christ-centered ministry,” but guests of any religion can get a kick out of cast members acting out biblical scenes and telling stories from both testaments. A café serves up “Goliath burgers” among other fare.

Cunningly designed, this building looks like it’s about to slip into the ground. Inside, kids might squeal – and adults might cringe – over the replicas of human and animal oddities on display. Two-headed cat, anyone? A movie shows people swallowing coat hangers, light bulbs, and more. There are also plenty of quirky displays, such as a rendition of the Mona Lisa made out of toast.

The spirit of Leonardo DiCaprio lingers around this impressive recreation of the doomed Titanic. Guided tours by actors playing crew members and passengers bring the displays to life. Among the 200 or so exhibits are life jackets salvaged from the ship, which add a solemn touch.

Looking for life in the fast lane? The Fun Spot’s four giant go-kart tracks allow you to “vroom” at your own speed, buzzing around corkscrew turns to the finish line. There are also bumper cars and boats, a huge ferris wheel, and an arcade full of simulators to round off the package.

If you’ve always wanted to try skydiving but don’t like the thought of stepping out of a plane, this vertical wind tunnel is for you. More than 100,000 visitors each year immerse themselves in the high adventure of skydiving without ever having to pack a parachute. There are certain weight restrictions and you have to be more than three years old, but other than that no experience is necessary. The price includes a class, gear and equipment, and two one-minute jumps, which is usually more than enough to exhaust a novice skydiver.

Orchids come in a multitude of strange shapes and colors, all of which are on display at this working greenhouse, home to 1,000 of the exotic flowers. Lush paths, serene streams, and the occasional squawk from a parrot offer respite from the busy hubbub of the theme parks.

Gimmicks abound inside this building, which, like Ripley’s, is sinking into the ground, only this time it’s roof first. Inside, there’s an interactive arcade of some mild scientific educational value. Among the more than 85 hands-on activities, the curious can experience an earthquake or virtual hang gliding, and test their reflexes. For simple fun, the huge laser-tag field is a blast.

This unique and educational attraction gives visitors the opportunity to watch a snake handler in action as he extracts poisonous venom from deadly snakes. It also contains the largest reptile exhibit in Florida. (see Gatorland).

Glide through three of Winter Park’s lakes on a pontoon boat for this hour-long tour. Nature-lovers can spot birds such as ospreys and herons. The more materialistic can swoon over huge lake-side mansions, sometimes getting close enough to peek in a window. The architecture of Rollins College, and the secluded feel of the canals, make this tour a popular option for the kitsch-weary.