The Dive Station found northwest of downtown Orlando is a diver/instructor training center and retail sales store. Whether you are new to diving or looking for further certification, this is the place to go in Orlando to learn and become certified. Numerous PADI-certified dive classes are available for recreational, instructional and technical training in confined water and open water settings. The facility includes the Orlando area's only on-site dive pool and offers guided dive tours to a number of areas around the world. Choose from classes for basic or advanced open water dive certification or specialty dive courses, like deep diving, drift diving, wreck diving, night diving or rescue diving.- Diane Dilov-Schultheis

Blue Spring State Park, located north of Orlando in Orange City, offers visitors a more relaxed and natural Florida setting away from the crowded, noisy attractions and theme parks of the area. Spend an afternoon or plan an overnight stay here in a cabin or at a campsite to take in all it has to offer. The park encompasses over 2,600 acres, features the St. Johns Rivers biggest spring plus is the winter home and designated refuge to a large number of manatees. Activities and services of Blue Spring State Park include boat tours, canoe and kayak rentals, hiking/nature trails, camping, picnicking, scuba diving, snorkeling, tubing, wildlife viewing, playground area as well as a visitors center and concessions. The park is open from 08:00 until sundown. Admission is USD6 per vehicle. - Diane Dilov-Schultheis

The Hound Ground Park is located a few miles northeast of downtown Orlando in the beautiful town of Winter Springs. The park offers a place to take your four-legged friends for a good time and plenty of exercise, but two-legged visitors can have fun as well. The park offers a special "small dog" fenced-in area to allow the smallest of canines to feel free to run and play without being overwhelmed by larger dogs, and also offers acres of fields surrounded by fencing, shaded areas to get out of the heat of the summer, nice training spots and water facilities to keep your best friend cool on hot days. Open daily from 09:00 to dusk. -Diane Dilov-Schultheis

321 Kiteboarding is located in Cocoa Beach, southeast of Orlando on the shores of the Atlantic Ocean. Choose from receiving lessons in Cocoa, Titusville or Melbourne areas in the shallow, calm waters of the Indian River or Banana River lagoon. All equipment required is supplied and lessons are offered for kiteboarding, kitesurfing, surfing and sailing for all ages and skill levels, including lessons for beginners, intermediate or advanced riders. Rentals are also available for hourly or daily rates for kayaks, paddleboats and boats. - Diane Dilov-Schultheis

Alligator Cove Airboat Nature Tours is located south of Orlando in Lake Wales. Explore Central Florida's marshlands and swamps onboard a six-passenger airboat. Reserve a seat for an informative and adventurous tour the whole family will enjoy. Captains Darald and Dee lead each tour. The tours take you on a slow excursion around natural Florida surroundings that are filled with remarkable glimpses of the region's abundant wildlife. Tours offered include Breakfast Tours, Gator Gazing, Nature Tour and the Sunset Tour, though you can also create a personalized tour to fit your specific needs. Reservations are highly recommended to ensure tour availability, since seating is limited. -Diane Dilov-Schultheis

Captain Fred's Airboat Nature Tours is located in Lake Hamilton. Spend a few hours on an airboat touring the peaceful Lake Hamilton. This region of the state is home to amazing wildlife both in and around the water, including Florida gators and many bird species. Call ahead for reservations and choose from preset tours of waterways and marshes, or create a customized airboat tour in the natural Florida setting. The airboat tours last around one and a half hours and include a number of interesting stories, plus enlightening details about the area. -Diane Dilov-Schultheis

Ghost Tracker Ghost Tours, located southwest of the city of Orlando in the neighboring town of Kissimmee, offers walking tours through the downtown region. You can get a first-hand experience of some of the famous Kissimmee ghosts. Very informative guides, who know all the details of the many tales, lead you to a number of haunted Kissimmee locations including The Old Courthouse, The Train Station, The Opera House, The Cemetery, The Hanging Tree, The Hospital and more. Ghost Tracker Ghost Tours begin each evening at 20:30 at ToHo Square. The tour is less than one mile long and takes about 90 minutes to complete. -Diane Dilov-Schultheis

The Ice Factory of Central Florida is a short trip southwest from Orlando in the beautiful town of Kissimmee. The motto is The Coolest Place in Town! It features two separate Olympic-class skating rinks offering public ice skating sessions daily on one along with lessons for hockey, speed skating and figure skating for all skill levels. The Ice Factory of Central Florida also features an arcade and paintball area as well as a full size restaurant and bar. Special skating sessions offered include Family Night, DJ Skate, Cheap Skate, Teen Night Dance and summer camps. Parties or groups are welcome. -Diane Dilov-Schultheis

Kissimmee Ghost Tours is situated southwest of Orlando, and provides a hair-raising ninety-minute tour into the spirit realm of Kissimmee. Reservations are required for the nightly walking tours that depart at 20:30 from the downtown Kissimmee's historic Welcome Station. Join an informative guide that provides intimate details and intriguing stories of the city's history including the mysterious and out of the ordinary ghostly happenings that have occurred throughout. Some of the ghostly tales include a headless horseman, a little girl in a playground, the Hanging Tree, the Ghost of the Lake and many more. Kissimmee Ghost Tours also provides private group tours ranging from two people up to 100. -Diane Dilov-Schultheis

Misty Blue Acres Carriage Company is The Official Carriage Company For Celebration, Florida. Find the office south of Orlando in Saint Cloud, or make reservations for a weekend ride in the nearby beautiful and tranquil town of Celebration. Rides are offered Friday and Saturday nights as well as Sunday afternoons. Choose from a one or two horse-drawn carriage ride between two elite teams of Percheron horses for a romantic ride just for two, or make arrangements for a special group or family ride. Misty Blue Acres Carriage Company also provides pony rentals, hayrides and sleigh rides for birthday parties, holidays or other special occasions. -Diane Dilov-Schultheis