Side Trips

Although many visitors to Orlando never venture outside the city while on vacation, an excursion away from the hubbub of the theme parks can allow you time to recharge your batteries, while still offering plenty of fun and enjoyment. One destination that many families will drive some distance to see is Tampa Bay's Busch Gardens Africa, another major area kiddie attraction an hour west of Orlando on I-4. But don't stop there: The city of Tampa is an exciting destination on its own.

Florida's very own city by the bay, Tampa is the commercial center of Florida's west coast -- a major seaport and a center of banking, high-tech manufacturing, and cigar making (half a billion drugstore stogies a year). Downtown Tampa may roll up its sidewalks after dark, but a short ride will take you to Ybor City, the historic Cuban enclave, now an exciting entertainment and dining venue.

Visitors who opt to head southeast to the Space Coast may find themselves privy to the eye-popping spectacle of rockets blasting off from the Kennedy Space Center at Cape Canaveral. Nearby in Cocoa Beach, they can catch a wave with the surfing crowd.

Finally, you can catch both rays and races at Daytona Beach, though nowadays visitors seem to come more for the latter than the former. The city offers fabulous beaches, great nightlife, and lots of NASCAR excitement. It's also a mecca for motorcycle enthusiasts during its popular Bike Week.