10 Best Roadside Attractions Near Orlando
Orlando is famous for its theme parks and family-friendly attractions. But if you're looking for something a little off the beaten path, consider checking out a few of the area's best roadside attractions.
In the 1920s and 30s as Florida's population grew and more people began to travel by car, a number of new roadside attractions sprung up along the state's highways. These oddball places broke up the long journey and allowed visitors to see something interesting.
Cypress Gardens made its debut in the mid 1930s, becoming famous for its water ski shows. By the end of the decade, Marineland had opened south of St. Augustine. This oceanside marine park was one of the first places in the world where visitors could swim with dolphins.
New quirky attractions continued to spring up around the state throughout the 50s and 60s as Florida’s tourism industry kept growing.
But the rise of the modern theme park in the 70s and 80s marked the beginning of the end for many of the smaller attractions. They just weren’t able to keep up with the times and travelers would pass them by on the way to Disney.
Fortunately for those nostalgic for a simpler time, a surprising number of classic roadside attractions are still open and continue to attract visitors from all over the world.
On this episode, we begin a new series highlighting the best roadside attractions near Orlando. The first installment covers everything from vibrant gardens and deep springs to vintage landmarks and even some newer places you can’t miss.