As in, antique stores, little restaurants, some history. I think we're headed that way shortly & need something easy to do for a few days :)

2 thumbs up for Mount Dora here. (I'd have to mapquest it to see exactly how far from orlando it is.) A friend of ours owns a pottery store there. Most of the businesses are in old houses. It's a gorgeous little town; great fun and nice and quaint.

I think Mount Dora is about it.

I know a friend took her class (kindergarden) on a train trip there. It was inexpensive, but I'm not sure how much. I just know she tries to keep her feild trips really cheap for the parents.

eta: Winter Park is nice too, but it's a "rich" area, and is smack in the middle of lots of businesses/etc. Mount Dora is much nicer, and qualifies for quaint!

My in laws live in Mt Dora. I'm actually not too fond of it. I think it tries to hard to be something it's not. Most of the shops are filled with little crafty knick knacks, not real antiques. Not much for kids to do around there, either, unless you time it with a festival downtown or something. I like to visit them, but their town isn't great. I hope I don't sound horrid - I just don't want you to trek all the way there and find nothing suitable!

We live in Lakeland. Depending on where in Orlanod you are, it's not a far drive at all. Our town is not exactly little (80,000 or so), but the downtown area (where I live!) is quaint. It boomed in the 1920s and most everything is in old homes and stores. Downtown is a children's park, children's museum, water play, trolley rides, art museum, restaurants, shops, etc. Let me know if you want more info!

Winter Park is lovely but more "boutiquey." Rollins College is there and has a beautiful campus-it's where Mr. Rogers went to college :D .

Mt. Dora also has a huge public playground down by the lake that my kids love. You can also go on a horse and carriage ride, but I don't know how much that costs.

check out HIGH SPRINGS, FL it is north of Orlando though, before Gainesville off I-75. It has a cute little organic cafe, antique & thrift stores, bed & breakfasts, slow (no rapids) rafting on the ichnatuckee (sp?) river. Such a charming town. We go every year since my daughter attends a summer camp nearby. Historic High Springs FL est 1895 (http://www.greatoutdoorscafe.com/h_visit.htm)

Originally posted by cheeky monkey
Winter Park is lovely but more "boutiquey." Rollins College is there and has a beautiful campus-it's where Mr. Rogers went to college :D .

My entire family is from the Orlando area. My dad graduated from Rollins way back when...he's always been partial to that area. All I really remember about Winter Park is going there to church on Sundays. It might be a nice little break from all the mouse-themed stuff if you are down visiting for awhile.

Have fun!!:thumbsup:

My town, New Smyrna Beach. About an hour's East of Orlando. http://www.cityofnsb.com/

Deland is really quaint with antique shops and a lot of outside eating. Very small town but a lot of history and very nice shops/street side stuff. There are a lot of historical sites to see for free as well. There are parks nearby for the kids.

I forgot to add that downtown Orlando is really nice. On Saturdays there is an INCREDIBLE local farmers market.

I second the suggestion for High Springs. My teens also went to summer camp up there when they were a little bit younger.

imariquinn - what camp does your dd go to? Mine went to Camp Kulaqua, which is a Seventh day Adventist camp, although they will let campers of other denominations come.

Thank you all for the suggestions:) I'm in SW Florida and we are trying to travel inland for a week or more. The red tide here is killing me. I have asthma and I can't breathe. I need to go and get well. I'm going to look into the places mentioned.

Thanks again! And I'll let you know where we end up landing;)

If you end up in Deland, lmk, I'm a mile from the city limits ;)

regarding the summer camp. my dd has attended Camp Dovewood, an all girls christian camp for 3 years. She is going as a CIT, counselor in training this year for 3 weeks. it is west of High Springs just outside of Branford. It is a wonderful camp, i wish I started her earlier.

here is more information Camp Dovewood (http://www.campdovewood.org)

DeLand - My Aunts Antique Shop there a few times a year.

Mt. Dora

Blue Springs St. Park or Alexandria Springs are lovely spots as well.

Oh, and I like Cassadaga too. There are not a LOT of shops, but it's a neat place to stop.

I loved Casadega :) I like St. Augustine too, you could spend a lot of time there.

College Park and Winter Park are both nice and have lots of fun stuff to do. The Sanford flee market is some thing to check out as well like no other I have ever been to they have a play area for the kids go carts and I think a petting zoo.