Spring break. You think of sandy beaches, kids out of school and maybe relaxing poolside. But what’s not so relaxing is the commute to all of your spring break destinations. If the idea of traveling hours out of town stops you dead in your tracks, you may want to consider some of the lesser known attractions right here. We live in Orlando, one of the largest tourist destinations in the world. So, why not utilize what we have within an hour’s distance to give your family a memorable, fun break?

There are a number of attractions that everyone can participate in during spring break. From dinner shows to night clubs, everyone of every age can have a great time for the week. One family-friendly spot is SkyVenture Indoor Skydiving, located at the intersection of Universal Blvd and International Drive. “First time flyers, military people, and professional sky divers who train for sport are very common at our facility,” says Kristin Zack-Bowen, one of the specially-trained instructors at SkyVenture.

This attraction brings a whole new meaning to airtime and offers a high adrenaline sport in an enclosed, safe environment. “What’s most unique about SkyVenture is that it’s not a ride,” says Zack-Bowen. “Customers are able to take ownership for what they’ve done, and they are able to get souvenirs for their accomplishments.” SkyVenture offers many packages for tourists and locals alike, and best of all, no experience or jumping out of an airplane is required.

If you’re looking for a little fun in the sun without the salt water, try Wet n’ Wild. The water park offers rides from mild to wild with plenty of lifeguards to watch over your little ones. Located directly on International Drive, Wet n’ Wild was one of the first water parks in the country. The park offers a number of different thrill rides to accommodate every guest of every age. Honored by Aquatics International, as “the first true water park,” according to the Wet n’ Wild Web site, the park offers group passes and local resident discounts which end up bring a great buy for college students and families alike. Take a dip in their gigantic gigantic wave pool or explore one of the numerous paths that take you to one of the many rides and slides, such as The Storm, Disco H2O and more.

Whatever you and your family decide to do, you may want to consider making your reservations early and planning ahead. “If I have any other advice to give someone during spring break it’s that you make reservations as soon as possible,” says Zack-Bowen. “Here at SkyVenture, we are constantly busy and it’s a shame when we have to deny people a good time because we are just full of reservations for the day.”

Looking for a spot that doesn’t require a fancy ticket or time reservations? Fun Spot Action Park may be for you. Commonly known as “Fun Spot,” this is another attraction located in International Drive area. Fun Spot is host to three go-kart tracks, a Ferris wheel, bumper boats, and even a smaller kids area if the go-karts are a little too much for the younger ones. Fun Spot not only caters to spring break groups, but birthdays as well.

Looking for a fun diversion that’s a bit closer to home? Try Congo River Golf & Exploration on SR 50 for an 18-hole trip through Africa, including live gators. When you’re done golfing, try your hand at one of their many arcade games or dig for gold. “It’s a lot of fun for the kids and, believe it or not, the holes are pretty challenging for adults, too,” says Amy Genao, mother of two and East Orlando resident.

And, if all else fails, just head east towards the sand. As traveling long distances becomes more problematic, hopefully these ideas inspire you to make your family and your friends to a few new memories without breaking the bank.

Article by Amanda Ferencz