Ricardo Ramirez Buxeda, Orlando Sentinel
Red Huber, Orlando SentinelGo by bike, or skate or just walk. For tree cover, give the Seminole Wekiva Trail a go. If you've got the willingness, start at the Altamonte Springs trailhead and bike the 8 miles up for lunch in Lake Mary.- Red Huber, Orlando SentinelGator Spot is part Fun Spot America Orlando and run by Gatorland on International Drive. Visitors of the 15,000-square-foot park will see alligators of varying sizes, including a habitat for a leucistic alligator, a white gator with blue eyes. Admission is $6. Read the story.
- Dewayne Bevil / Orlando SentinelThe new wooden roller coaster Mine Blower will open to the public on Friday, June 23 at the Kissimmee Fun Spot. Read more.
- Orlando Sentinel FileArtistic vendors set up along the historic Canal street from 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Musical artists play from 11 a.m.-1 p.m. in Christmas Park, 101 Live Oak Street. Galleries feature solo and group exhibitions and artist talks in the Douglas Avenue area of the district and at the Hub from 4-7 p.m. Beer walk happened from 1-7 p.m. Admission is free. For more information, please log on to the Canal Street Historic District website at www.canalstreetnsb.com
- Sarah Espedido/Orlando SentinelToy Story Land officially opened June 30 at Walt Disney World's Hollywood Studios. Read more.
- Julie Fletcher, Orlando SentinelPutting Edge at Artegon Marketplace is a black-light putt-putt golf place on International Drive. www.puttingedge.com/orlando
- Richard Tribou, Orlando SentinelThere's three zoos near Orlando with the closest in Sanford, but both Brevard Zoo and Tampa's Lowry Zoo have unique offerings. The Central Florida Zoo and Botanical Gardens offers a splash pad for the hot days, and one of the more recent animal exhibits for river otters. For an extra cost, be sure to take a ride on the miniature train for its 5-minute tour of the park. centralfloridazoo.org/
- Kathleen Christiansen / Orlando Sentinel14 days of more than 200 short plays, musical performances, magic acts and a visual-art exhibition. Headquartered at Loch Haven Park, off Princeton Street between Orange and Mills avenues, north of downtown Orlando. 100% of ticket sales given back to the artists. $10 button plus tickets (Free-$12) required for indoor plays; outdoor performances, art exhibits and weekend kids' activities are free. orlandofringe.org
- Steven D. Barnes, Orlando SentinelDe Leon Springs State Park has crystal clear, cool waters and a really old bald cypress worth a look-see, but be sure to eat at the Old Spanish Sugar Mill restaurant, where you make your own pancakes. www.oldspanishsugarmill.com
- George Skene, Orlando SentinelWeeki Wachee Springs State Park opened in 1947 and features mermaid performances in the Mermaid Theater as well as live animal shows and river cruises plus a small water park with slides that send riders right into the springs. Read more.
- Joe Burbank / Orlando SentinelGuests take the plunge on the new Ray Rush raft slide, which opened May 12, at the SeaWorld Aquatica Orlando water park. Read more.
- Red Huber / Orlando SentinelSeaWorld Orlando's new Mako roller coaster officially opens June 10, promoted by the park to be Orlando's tallest, longest, fastest coaster and one that packs in multiple instances of air time. It's SeaWorld's first new coaster since Manta opened in 2009. Read more.
- Jacob Langston, Orlando Sentinel
- Orlando SentinelAce Cafe will start its engines with a grand opening weekend full of events in downtown Orlando starting May 19. Read more.
- Orlando Sentinel FileIt's like Chuck E Cheese's for adults, but kids are welcome too. There's a lot more ticket games, and nicer prizes and much nicer food. Dave & Buster's is on International Drive. www.daveandbusters.com
- Photo by Bob Brown / Photo by Bob BrownThe New Smyrna Beach Balloon & Sky Fest Airshow retrurns Nov.8-10 in celebration of veterans. The event features hot air balloons, animal encounters, helicopter rides a carnival and more. Tickets are $10 online or $15 at the gate. newsmyrnabeachballoonandskyfest.com
- Orlando Sentinel FileOrlando City plays at home at Orlando City Stadium 3 p.m. May 19 vs. FC Cincinnati, 7 p.m. May 24 vs. LA Galaxy, 7:30 p.m. July 3 vs. Philadelphia Union, 7:30 p.m. July 13 vs. Columbus Crew, 7:30 p.m. July 21 vs. New York Red Bulls, 7:30 p.m. Aug. 3 vs. FC Dallas, 7:30 p.m. Aug. 14 vs. Sporting Kansas City, 8 p.m. Aug. 23 vs. Atlanta United FC, 7:30 p.m. Sept. 7 vs. Los Angeles Football Club, 7:30 p.m. Sept. 14 vs. New England Revolution and 4 p.m. Oct. 6 vs. Chicago Fire.
- Los Angeles TimesThere's a whole spate of beer events in October. Check out the full listing in our roundup. Read more.
- Ricardo Ramirez Buxeda, Orlando SentinelLearn to paddleboard, boat, wakeboard and more at Orlando Watersports Complex. Rates vary, more information here.
- Stephen M. Dowell / Orlando SentinelUCF hosts Memphis on Saturday, Dec. 2 at 12 p.m. for the American Athletic Conference Championship Game at Bright House Networks Stadium on the UCF campus.
- Charles King / Orlando SentinelOrlando Pride play home games at Orlando City Stadium 5 p.m. April 19 vs. Sky Blue FC, 7:30 p.m. May 2 vs. North Carolina Courage, 7 p.m. May 27 vs. Houston Dash, 7 p.m. June 26 vs. Washington Spirit, 5 p.m. July 5 vs. Portland Thorns FC, 5 p.m. July 12 vs. Reign FC, 5 p.m. Aug. 2 vs. Utah Royals FC, 7 p.m. Aug. 7 vs. Sky Blue FC, 7 p.m. Aug. 21 vs. Reign FC, 5 p.m. Aug. 30 vs. Houston Dash, 7 p.m. Sept. 25 vs. Chicago Red Stars and 7:30 p.m. Oct. 10 vs. North Carolina Courage.
- Rafael Palacio, Orlando SentinelTucked in wooded property off Sinclair Road in Kissimmee, Orlando Tree Trek Adventure Park features zip lines, balance beams, Tarzan swings and other obstacles, all suspended above ground. Read more.
- Stephen M. Dowell, Orlando SentinelLocated on International Drive as part of the I-Drive 360 attraction, the Orlando Eye gives you a great view of the tourist corridor and downtown. You can buy tickets online for as low as $18. There are combo tickets available to get discounts to sister attractions Madame Tussauds Orlando and Sea Life Aquarium. officialorlandoeye.com
- Jacob Langston, Orlando SentinelWhirlyDome is essentially playing basketball, Jai-alai and hockey while riding a bumper car and you can only play it at WhirlyDome Orlando on International Drive. Visit the website here for information on pricing and reservations.
- Stephen M. Dowell, Orlando Sentinel
- Joe Burbank / Orlando SentinelSee historical lighthouse exhibits, play games and make your own lighthouse pennant at the Ponce de Leon Inlet Lighthouse. 4931 South Peninsula Drive; $6.95 for adults and $1.95 for ages 2-11; 386-761-1821; ponceinlet.org
- Joshua C. Cruey, Orlando Sentinel
- facebook.com/AIRHEADSUSAHead to Airheads or Rebounderz for an hour or two of bouncing around trampolines as far as the eye can see. Rebounderz charges $14 for the first hour and $10 for additional hours. Airheads has unlimited jumping for $19.99, although both often can be found on Groupon or other deal sites. Rebounderz website | airheadsusa.com
- Orlando SentinelThere's more than alligators at Gatorland, such as the Florida panthers exhibit that opened in 2013. To be sure, there's plenty of the namesake reptiles as well as crocodiles and caimans. Tickets are $26.99 for adults but discounts and promotions are often available. For more money, though, you can try zip lining over the gators on the Screamin' Gator Zipline. gatorland.com
- Medieval TimesMedieval Times Tournament & Dinner Show (pictured) and Pirate's Dinner Adventure are just some dinner theaters in Orlando.
- Joe Burbank , Orlando SentinelA fisherman navigates the rocks of the jetty, in the final moments of daylight, at Lighthouse Point Park in Ponce Inlet, Fla.
- Dewayne Bevil / Orlando SentinelA visitor to Universal's Islands of Adventure takes a photo of an animatronic figure in the queue for the theme park's new attraction, Skull Island: Reign of Kong. Read more.
- Stephen M. Dowell / Orlando SentinelUpcoming Orlando Solar Bears games at Amway Center are 7 p.m. Thursday, April 4, vs. Atlanta Gladiators; and 3 p.m. Sunday, April 7, vs. Jacksonville Icemen.
- JACOB LANGSTON, ORLANDO SENTINELGo to the Ice Den at Maitland's RDV Spotsplex for public skating seven days a week. Cost is $6.99 plus tax, $9.81 on Friday and Saturday nights that feature a DJ. Skate rentals are $3.57 plus tax. There's a Family 4-Pack for $47 ($59 on DJ nights) that comes with four admissions, four rentals, four popcorns and four sodas. Skate rental sizes range from children's size 8 to adult men's size 15. www.mvpsportsclubs.com/florida-orlando-rdv-sportsplex-ice-den
- Tom Burton / Orlando SentinelLifestyle expo that focuses on beauty, fashion, food and fun with celebrity guests and more. 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. Thursday through Saturday, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Sunday. $12 adults, $6 children. Orange County Convention Center, 9400 Universal Blvd. 800-849-0248. www.southernshows.com/wor
- Ricardo Ramirez Buxeda / Orlando SentinelLego Movie World officially opened March 27 at Legoland Florida. Read more.
- Ricardo Ramirez Buxeda/Orlando SentinelUpcoming Orlando Magic home games at Amway Center: 7 p.m. Friday, April 5, vs. Atlanta Hawks.
- Ricardo Ramirez Buxeda, Orlando SentinelAn interactive aquarium featuring the 360-degree Ocean Tunnel, rockpool experience and more than 5,000 sea creatures. Online tickets for $20 (ages 13+) and $15 (ages 3-12). This is part of the I-Drive 360 attraction and combo tickets are available to do the aquarium with the Orlando Eye and Madame Tussauds Orlando. visitsealife.com/orlando
- Paul Brinkmann, Orlando SentinelThe World of Chocolate Museum & Café on International Drive features sculptures made entirely of chocolate, along with a tasting room. Click here for more.
- Joe Burbank/Orlando SentinelA wax figure of actor Vin Diesel with his car stnads in the gift shop at the Fast & Furious Supercharged attraction, which opened April 23 at Universal Studios Florida. Read more.
- Barbara V. Perez / Orlando SentinelOn the first Saturday of each month visit the Barberville Pioneer Settlement for entertainment and fun for the entire family. Includes informal folk music jams, free music lessons, a chili cook-off and a yard sale. 9 a.m to 4 p.m. Free. 1776 Lightfoot Lane. 386-749-2959. www.pioneersettlement.org
- Joe Burbank / Orlando SentinelSesame Street at SeaWorld Orlando is now open to the public. Read more.
- Joe Burbank / Orlando SentinelDiscover dazzling gardens, high-energy entertainment, family fun and more at this spectacular springtime event. The Epcot International Flower & Garden Festival will be brimming with special experiences for every age and interest. At Walt Disney World's EPCOT with admission. disneyworld.com/flower
- Gary W. Green, Orlando SentinelArt, technology and music combine at Universal Orlando's Blue Man Group show. For Florida residents, tickets start at $54 for adults and $29 for children.
- Ed Sackett, Orlando SentinelThere's lots of roller skating rinks around Central Florida. Prices vary, but there are deals to be had. Here's four skating rink options in the Orlando area. -- Atro Skate off Goldenrod in Orlando (orlando.astroskatingcenter.com) -- Skate Reflections in Kissimmee (skatereflections.com) -- Semoran Skateway in Casselberry (semoranskateway.com) -- Let's Skate in Winter Garden (letsskateorlando.com).
- Red Huber, Orlando SentinelWax facsimilies of Hollywood and sports stars, historical figures and more. Good for a family selfie. Online tickets are $20 (ages 13+) and $15 (ages 3-12). This is part of the I-Drive 360 attraction and combo tickets are available to do the wax museum with the Orlando Eye and Sea Life Aquarium. madametussauds.com/Orlando/
- Scott Olson, Getty ImagesAnyone can fly at iFly -- well anyone ages 3-103, according to the website. The I-Drive indoor skydiving attraction takes about an hour and gives you two skydive flights for about $70, or double that for $110. Watching everyone else go, though is almost as fun. www.iflyworld.com/orlando/
- Joe Burbank, Orlando SentinelGet the family together in one of the bowling lanes like Splitsville Luxury Lanes at Disney Springs, Kings Bowl on I-Drive or Firkin & Kegler Family Entertainment Center in Waterford Lakes.
- Joe Burbank, Orlando SentinelLocated under The Orlando Eye Ferris wheel at the I-Drive 360 attraction, this exhibit features more than 400 skeletons. Adults tickets for those 13 and older are $19.99 while children ages 3-12 are $12.99, but discounts are available if you book online. skeletonmuseum.com
By Richard Tribou | rtribou@orlandosentinel.com | Orlando Sentinel
PUBLISHED: | UPDATED:
Getting your Trinity Audio player ready...
Sailing prowess will be on display this weekend in Brevard County for the J/24 Midwinter Championship Regatta.
About 30 sailboats will be competing in the amateur sailing event that will feature 10 races from Friday-Sunday north of the Eau Gallie Causeway on the Indian River Lagoon in Melbourne just west of Dragon Point on the end of Merritt Island.
Races will begin after 11:45 Friday and 11 a.m. Saturday and Sunday. Four races from the J/24 Class boats will be run on both Friday and Saturday with two on Sunday with each race expected to take about an hour.
Winds for the weekend are predicted to be between 10-13 mph with mostly sunny forecast and little chance of precipitation.
Spectators can view the racing from the northern shore of the eastern causeway. For more details, visit www.j24midwinters2017.com.
rtribou@orlandosentinel.com, 407-420-5134
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