"Botanical Garden" might be a bit of a misnomer, but it is a really beautiful public park with quite a bit to explore, and free to enter! Boardwalks through the marsh, nature trails, picnic spots, hummingbird feeders... Great spot to spend a couple hours outdoors, and located pretty dang close to the wedding venue.

This one does have an entry fee, but it might be more of a "botanical garden" than Mead. For Alista's DC-familiar family, it's pretty similar to Brookside Gardens.

Our local zoo! Go visit the otter exhibit where Matthew proposed using a clever otter fun fact. We'd also highly recommend the bird feeding activity, and Alista's buddies, the meerkats. Invite us if you go, because we have passes. :)

*Are there other, maybe better zoos in Orlando? Probably. But this one is our zoo.

Cool boardwalk loop through some very Florida-looking green areas (yes, that is the technical term for this biome). This is in the Melbourne area (East Coast) and it's one Alista can personally vouch for, but if you look there are plenty of other parks like this.

Hot tip: Animal Kingdom Lodge is a Disney hotel that actually has a savannah animal viewing area right on property, and you don't need to pay for a park ticket to come visit! If you're driving in, just use the "My Disney Experience" app on your phone to make a dining reservation or place a to-go order at one of their restaurants (can be as small as just a water bottle). Have your reservation/order ready to show along with ID, and you're golden!

Great botanic garden in the St. Pete area! (West Coast)

Rumor has it that Alista made a color-coded spreadsheet of recommendations for each park and will share it on the condition that you don't make fun of her for being a "Disney adult."

No color-coded spreadsheet for this one, but we do have annual passes so if you're going let us know!

If your idea of a good day is learning about real life treasure galleon shipwrecks and the treasure hunting practices that you can still see people doing to this day, then look up the Treasure Coast! This museum and the one linked below are near to each other and easy to hit in a single outing. And bonus, they're located on the actual beach where you can then go out and see treasure hunters with their metal detectors after any big storms.

Like I mentioned above, this museum is located on the aptly named Treasure Coast, and it is a private museum talking about the monumental finds of one local treasure hunter named Mel Fischer.

Yes, this is the wedding venue too, but we're only taking over the 4th floor and there's so much more to check out!

This is where I'll also mention that if you like space even a little bit, you should check the rocket launch calendar and try to be on the East Coast for it. Super cool unique experience, and you can see (and hear and feel them, like a giant freight train) from pretty much anywhere in the North Brevard County area!

Haven't personally been, but a friend recommended it and I know we have at least one little Titanic buff coming to town.

Formerly called "Downtown Disney," this is their little shopping district that's free to enter and even has free parking. Mostly known for a wide variety of themed or specialty restaurants, they also have a bowling alley, movie theater, and of course plenty of shops from both Disney and name brands.

Pretty much Universal's equivalent of Disney Springs, but smaller and with a few more fast food options instead of as many themed sit-down spots. Here they have mini golf, escape rooms, shopping... You do have to pay for parking, as it shares the garages with the theme park.

This is where we met, and where we currently live. About an hour drive East from Orlando.

On the West Coast, this is apparently rated one of the best beaches in the country. Would you believe we've never actually been?

This is just one location, but it's a regional chain so there are plenty of others!

Alista's regular haunt from when we lived in Cocoa Village. Pretty much all syrups are made in-house and they have really interesting seasonal options. Not into coffee? They also have a rotating selection of house-made popsicles that are equally as tasty and creative, plus plenty of fun lemonade, tea, and hot cocoa options. They also display and sell pieces from local artists if you're looking for a unique souvenir.

They really nailed the themed decor here (moving bookcase door!), and the owner takes a lot of pride in the food and drinks they serve. Meant to be a multipurpose community space, they're simultaneously a cafe, kava bar, restaurant, craft bar, and they host live music, comedy and open mic nights weekly. Plus they have a game lounge in the back.

With both coffee and food options, this place has really interesting flavor combinations and a fun apocalypse theme. Seating inside and outside, house-roasted beans for sale along with other local clothing and art vendors. It's reasonably close to Erna Nixon park, so you can make a half-day of it and combine lunch and a nature walk.

Haven't been to this location specifically, but Medieval Times is always a blast.

Haven't done this yet, but heard great things. If you go, let us know so maybe we can join you!

Located in the Disney Springs shopping district, there's almost always a concert going on here and the venue is a really fun one.

Escape Rooms! They're fun, Alista used to work at the one on Cocoa Beach, and there are a lot in Central Florida so I didn't bother linking just one. Just thought you should know they're here.

Like the escape rooms, I didn't bother linking any because if you throw a rock in Florida you'll hit a mini golf place. If you're in the Cocoa Beach area, check out Lighthouse Cove or Golf N' Gator. If you're near the theme parks, both Disney and Universal have their own on property. If you want golf that isn't so mini, look up "Top Golf" for one of those vertical driving range places or find one of the many many many actual golf courses that Florida is famous for.

It's an arcade for grownups! Buy a wristband and get unlimited plays on all their many rooms of machines. They also serve food and drinks, and if you go on a weekend night be prepared for it to be hoppin'.