Orlando Area Museums
Top 8 Orlando Museums
If you didn't know Orlando even had 8 museums, you're in for a huge treat. Orlando isn't just big theme parks
that make your head spin. There's a whole world of culture, history,
and wildlife to explore in Orlando and the surrounding area. You'll
find a museum for every interest on this list of the top 8 Orlando
museums, and each one guarantees an enriching experience.
Situated in the masterfully restored 1927 Orange County Courthouse,
the History Center is consistently ranked the top museum in Orlando. The
5-floor attraction tells the story of how this region made the
transition from a small town amidst citrus groves and cattle ranches to
today's thriving metropolis. It is home to extensive collections of the
Historical Society of Central Florida, Inc. and features exhibits like
Natural Environment, Pioneer Cracker Home, and The Road to Modern
Orlando. This vibrant Center has tons of hands-on history for all ages
to enjoy.
This top quality art museum is a popular destination for tourists
from all over the world. It features treasures in art and architecture
spanning the globe from the 19th century to the present. Upon entry,
you'll be fascinated by Dale Chihuly's glass Cobalt & Citron Tower
standing 20-feet high, drawing your eye toward the glass skylight
above... and that's just the beginning. The Orlando Museum of Art has
the broadest collection of African art and art of the ancient Americas
in the entire Southeast. It's definitely worth the trip for any art-
appreciator.
3. Orlando Science Center
Inspiring curiosity and exploration, the Orlando Science Center
offers fun, engaging exhibits for visitors of all ages. Become a
meteorologist for the day at the Severe Weather Center or take to the
air in the F1-11 and F-16 flight simulators. This innovative museum
features a giant screen domed theater for films and planetarium shows, 4
floors of exhibits, an observatory, and much more. Visit the museum on a
weekend to check out one of the cool events, like Laser Light Shows and
The Science of Wine. Make sure to stop in the Science Store before you
leave!
This art museum is perhaps most famous for housing the most
comprehensive collection of works by Louis Comfort Tiffany, including
Tiffany jewelry, pottery, paintings, art glass, leadedglass windows,
lamps, and the chapel interior he designed for the 1893 World's
Columbian Exposition in Chicago. Additionally, the museums galleries
hold major collections of American art from the 19th and 20th centuries.
Exhibitions, films, and lectures, family programs, and music
performances are regular features, as well. You'll definitely want to
stop in The Museum Shop before you leave to pick up exclusive
merchandise derived from the works of Lois Comfort Tiffany.
An affiliate of the Smithsonian Institution, The Museum of Arts and
Sciences in Daytona is located on a beautiful 90-acre park. This
cultural treasure features 9 permanent exhibits as well as a newly
created environmental center inside a naturally preserved Florida
hammock. Among many displays, you'll see a 12-foot tall skeleton of a
ground sloth, the largest Coca-Cola memorabilia collection outside of
Coca-Cola headquarters, a state-of-the-art planetarium, and vast
collections of art from around the world.
A short distance from Orlando, you'll find the attraction that truly
takes you to new heights. It's NASA's launch headquarters located on a
wildlife refuge 8 times the size of Manhattan. The Kennedy Space Center
hosts millions of visitors each year that come to tour the launch and
landing facilities, experience interactive simulators, see live shows,
and have up-close encounters with massive rockets and NASA astronauts.
The Space Center features an IMAX theater, the Astronaut Hall of Fame,
and several engaging attractions like Exploration Space: Explorers
Wanted. You'll also find lots of space-themed on-site dining options.
7. Holocaust Memorial Resource & Education Center
This museum is not only a memorial to the victims of the Holocaust,
but also an organization with a mission to combat anti-Semitism and
racism in all forms through educational and cultural programs. It is one
of the oldest Holocaust museums in the nation and features a library,
permanent exhibit hall, special exhibitions, and a film series - all of
which are family-friendly. Changing exhibitions include work from
photographers, artists, historians, and more. For an inspiring
experience in healing and hope, this is a museum you can't miss.
8. Harry P. Leu Gardens
This 50-acre park of meandering paths and Florida wildlife offers a
peaceful taste of old Florida in its farming days. Highlights of the
Gardens include the Butterfly Garden, permanent and temporary art
exhibits, The Garden House (the entrance, meeting place, and art
gallery), a gift shop, and the Leu House Museum - the meticulously
restored farmhouse. The Gardens offer guided or self-guided tours,
access to the reference library, and horticulture workshops for children
and adults.
No comments:
Post a Comment