Daily Express

Awe-lando...

Jake Murtagh explores Florida’s theme park capital and discovers much more

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For a vacay that’s big on thrills, there’s no place more enticing than Orlando, Florida. But venture beyond the theme parks and you’ll discover animal adventures, rousing spectator sports, iconic attraction­s and beautiful beaches…

Nature of the beast

There are estimated to be more than one million alligators living in Florida, and you can get up close and personal with these grinning giant reptiles at Gatorland.

The 70-year-old family-run park houses hundreds of them, and visitors get the chance to feed them during meet-the-gator encounters.

Or take a wild ride on the Gatorland Screamin’ Gator Zip Line, where daredevils can soar at speeds close to 30mph over the Alligator Breeding Marsh.

You can also seek out alligators in their natural environmen­t at Boggy Creek Airboat Adventures in Kissimmee.

Jump aboard a 30-minute airboat ride and whoosh across the headwaters of the Everglades.

Action-packed

Adrenaline junkies who love the great outdoors should check out Revolution Off-Road Adventures (drivers must be over 18). They offer self-drive experience­s across sandy tracks and muddy holes within a 230-acre site.

Those who like to be in control can feel the thrill of an ATV – but be prepared to get very wet! Get behind the wheel of a Muddy Duck – an eight-wheel amphibious vehicle – and drive through lakes and ponds.

Or test your marksmansh­ip with clay pigeon shooting and archery.

Parks and rec

ICON Park is Orlando’s neon-bright entertainm­ent hub with 40 restaurant­s, funky bars, boutique shops and amusement park rides, with The Wheel as its impressive centrepiec­e.

The 400ft attraction is the largest observatio­n wheel on the east coast of America and offers amazing views of the theme parks and central Florida landscape.

Those in search of bigger thrills should strap in to the Orlando StarFlyer – the world’s tallest swing ride at 450ft – which reaches speeds of up to 45mph.

Pointe Orlando (pointeorla­ndo. com) is another shopping, dining and entertainm­ent complex and home to WonderWork­s – the famous upside-down house on Internatio­nal Drive. An amusement park for the mind, it features more than 100 interactiv­e exhibits for all the family. Lie on a bed of nails, take up the astronaut training challenge or be blown away by hurricanef­orce winds!

Top shopping

Shopaholic­s should head to The Mall at Millennia which has more than 100 shops and boutiques, including the iconic US department store Macy’s.

For those who want to splash the cash, there are luxury brands including Gucci, Prada and Armani.

It’s also a great place to eat, with restaurant­s such as the Brio Tuscan Grille, which serves up fresh shrimps and lobster, char-grilled steaks and homemade pasta; PF Chang’s authentic Chinese and Asian cooking, and The Cheesecake

Factory, which offers more than 30 varieties.

Sport for all

The cheerleade­rs, the chants, the giant trays of nachos smothered with dazzling yellow cheese – there’s nothing like the razzmatazz surroundin­g live sport in a major American arena.

Basketball is one of the biggest sports in the US, so pick up a ticket for a night at the 20,000-capacity Amway Center to watch the Orlando Magic NBA side in action.

The area is also home to Major League Soccer side Orlando City, which plays at Exploria Stadium.

Beach trip

Just an hour away from Orlando on the Atlantic coast, Daytona Beach is the ideal place to unplug and chill out (daytonabea­ch.com).

Soak up the Florida sunshine on the 23 miles of sandy beaches which expand to 500ft wide at low tide. Or cruise along the seafront in style in a four-person golf buggy with Beach Carts Daytona. After a day of surfing, fishing, sunbathing or sightseein­g, the Daytona Beach waterfront restaurant­s will satisfy your craving for local flavour and fresh seafood.

Speed thrills

Fancy going full throttle? Petrolhead­s flock to Daytona Internatio­nal Speedway (daytonaint­ernational­speedway.com) to take in the highspeed racing from an incredible 100,000-capacity grandstand overlookin­g the home straight. Brit Sir Malcolm Campbell broke five land speed records on the beach in Daytona – including a 272mph run in 1935. A replica of his famous Bluebird III, along with other racing memorabili­a, is housed at The Daytona – part of the Marriott Autograph Collection – across the road from the track.

Just cruising

If you prefer life in the slow lane, catch a sunset cruise from Sanchez Park to the Tomoka River Basin with Yellow Dawg Fishing (yellowdawg­fishing.com). Bring your own snacks and drinks, then head out for an evening sail across the bluest waters to spot pods of dolphins.

The company also runs longer fishing trips with the chance to catch mahi, sailfish, kingfish and wahoo. On a hook ’n’ cook trip, the captain will fillet all edible fish and bag it for you. Local restaurant­s will also cook your catch for a minimal charge.

Refuel

Set on the Tomoka River, just north of Daytona, RiverGrill­e (rivergrill­e. net) serves up delectable Florida cuisine, with a touch of Cajun sizzle.

Try the freshly caught seafood, or its selection of “handhelds”, including sliders, wings and wraps.

Daytona Beach also has its very own ale trail, featuring craft beers and artisan spirits – each location has its own unique atmosphere and is run by passionate operators. Some serve tapas and meals, others encourage customers to visit neighbouri­ng eateries and bring their favourite dinner – picnic-style – to enjoy with their drinks.

Ormond Garage, a former car workshop-turned-brewery, serving craft ales and upscale food, is a particular favourite.

If you’ve still got time on your hands, head to the Persimmon Hollow Brewing Co in DeLand, and order a flight of beer and shoot some pool.

While you’re in the area pose for pics on the Wings of the West mural trail.

Strap into the Orlando StarFlyer – the tallest swing ride in the world

 ?? ?? BUYER’S MARKET The Mall at Millennia
SLOW BOAT Take a cruise along the river
BUYER’S MARKET The Mall at Millennia SLOW BOAT Take a cruise along the river
 ?? ??
 ?? In a Muddy Duck ?? ADVENTURE Drive through lakes and ponds
In a Muddy Duck ADVENTURE Drive through lakes and ponds
 ?? ?? CENTREPIEC­E The Wheel at ICON Park
CENTREPIEC­E The Wheel at ICON Park
 ?? ?? WIDE-OPEN Miles of sandy beaches
WIDE-OPEN Miles of sandy beaches
 ?? ?? NET RESULT Watch the basketball
NET RESULT Watch the basketball

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