If there is anyone in your family who thinks that learning in general or science in particular, is tedious and boring, then they haven’t been to the Museum of Discovery and Science in Fort Lauderdale. This is a museum with more than 200 interactive exhibits and special shows that compete with the best of Florida’s tourist attractions.
Promoting lifelong learning in science for children and adults through exhibits and programs is the mission of this museum and they do it in flying colors.
An example of the novelty and inventiveness of this place is a special exhibit that they are currently running. “Grossology, the impolite science of the human body” uses animatronics and other high-tech interactive exhibits to let you discover, in a humorous way, everything about the human body including warts, pimples, farts, belches and the like.
The museum offers a mix of special exhibits, like Grossology that rotate during the months and some permanent exhibits as well. The permanent exhibits will also capture the imagination of young and old alike. For example the Runways to Rockets exhibit hall has a new 4,000 square foot aviation station where visitors will be able to learn how to fly by actually stepping into a simulated cockpit. You will even be able to put on personal wings and step into an air tunnel and feel what flying is all about.
Another stand-out exhibition is the Living in the Everglades section of the museum. Here you will find an 11,000 square foot outdoor trail that highlights the different ecosystems of Florida. The indoor exhibit has interactive kiosks showing the importance of the Everglades, the effect of humans on the Everglades and current efforts to restore this eco-system to a healthy condition.
The discovery center section of the museum was especially designed for children seven years old and younger. Here they can climb a tree, build a wall or hoist a sale and experience the fun of learning how the world is put together.
For older folks, the Gizmo City section explains how things work, and how technology affects our lives. The highlight here is the virtual volleyball game.
One of the big block-buster features of the Museum is an IMAX movie theater with five story-high screens. The screen is said to be the biggest in southern Florida and measures sixty by eighty feet. The sound experience is also spectacular with 42 speakers belting out 15,000 watts of digital surround sound.
You can even bring home some of the fun of this museum by shopping in their Explore Store where you will find games, toys, books and gifts that express the themes of the museum.
The Museum is located in the Arts and Science District, across from Riverwalk's Esplanade Park and the Broward Center for the Performing Arts in downtown Fort Lauderdale. Admission prices are a modest $10 for adults (less for seniors and children) and a good buy is the $15 General admission ticket which gets you into the exhibits and one IMAX film show.
Mark and Susan Whichard are Orlando tourism experts and write frequently about attractions in and around Orlando. Mark and his wife Susan are the proprietors of Quality Villa Rentals Orlando. You can get great deals on Orlando vacation homes and villa rentals at this website http://www.qualityvillarentals.com
Tuesday, February 23, 2010
Monday, February 15, 2010
Take a walk in historic Downtown Orlando
There is a lot to do in Orlando, but instead of only going to the famous theme parks, why don't you try something different on your next Orlando vacation. A walk in the city's downtown historic district area brings you face to face with the history of this important city.
Your walking tour can be concentrated in the eight blocks of buildings which were designated in 1980 by the City of Orlando as an historical district. The district is a cohesive collection of buildings that reflects the commercial and governmental history of Orlando.
The district is composed of buildings constructed from the 1880s until the early 1940s. Surrounded by modern skyscrapers, approximately 60 historic buildings in this district offer a glimpse into the city's past. The historic district designation has helped preserve buildings that might otherwise have been demolished due to the rapid rate of growth and demand for commercial space in this booming city.
Orlando's first historic district demonstrates the economic and political growth of the city for over six decades. Thedistrict contains historic structures such as the depot, the courthouse, banking, office and retail buildings. The variety of building styles and sizes reflects the evolution of architecture and construction in downtown.
The styles represented in the district are Queen Anne, Twentieth Century Commercial Style, the Beaux-Arts, Mediterranean Revival, Art Deco and Art Moderne. Nearly all of the buildings are of masonry construction due to a series of fires in the late 1800s that destroyed many wood structures and prompted the City to pass new building standards.
Here are some of the sites on this 2.5 mile tour.
1. Well'sbuilt Hotel, 511 West South Street
Dr. William Monroe Wells constructed this hotel in 1926. It provided lodging to African Americans during segregation
when rooms were not available to them in other areas. Many famous entertainers and athletes stayed here. Next-door was Dr.
Wells' South Street Casino, where many of the entertainers performed for the African American community. The Well'sbuilt Museum of African American History is located here now. NRHP, OHL
2. Dr. William Monroe Wells House, 519 West South Street
Dr. William Monroe Wells built this Foursquare style house on a lot one block to the east in 1924. He was known as one of Orlando's longest practicing African American doctors and was involved in the commercial and cultural life of the community with the Well’sbuilt Hotel and the South Street Casino.
3. Victorian House & Cottage, 541 West South Street
The Victorian House and Cottage are among the only remaining Folk Victorian structures left in the city. The
level of detail found in the original turned columns, railings and carved fretwork is not found in any other
buildings in Orlando.
4. Hankins Building, 647 West South Street
Dr. I.S. Hankins constructed this Art Deco commercial building in 1947. Hankins was an early African American physician and civic leader. He was an active participant in the Washington Shores development, which provided opportunities for new home ownership for Orlando’s African Americans.
5. Mount Pleasant Baptist Church, 701 West South Street
This African American church was organized in 1919 and met in various locations until land was finally purchased. Church
members made the rusticated concrete blocks that were used for construction of the walls. The Gothic style church opened in 1921.
6. Ebenezer Methodist Church, 596 West Church Street
As early as 1892, this congregation had a wooden church on this site. It was the first African American Methodist
church in Orlando. Starting in 1922, the members built this Gothic style brick church.
7. Slemons Department Store, 129 West Church Street
This dry goods store was constructed in 1924 for William Slemons. He first came to Orlando in 1886. Slemons and his sons owned a number of stores in downtown Orlando from the 1880's well into the middle of the twentieth century.
Each building has its own story and the buildings listed above are only a small portion of the tour. You can download the whole tour on a pdf, complete with map at http://www.cityoforlando.net/planning/cityplanning/Walk_Tour04.pdf or you can visit these sites for more information about the history of Orlando and the latest information about its downtown area: www.cityoforlando.net/historic www.downtownorlando.com
Mark and Susan Whichard are Orlando tourism experts and write frequently about attractions in and around Orlando. Mark and his wife Susan are the proprietors of Quality Villa Rentals Orlando. You can get great deals on Orlando vacation homes and villa rentals at this website http://www.qualityvillarentals.com
Your walking tour can be concentrated in the eight blocks of buildings which were designated in 1980 by the City of Orlando as an historical district. The district is a cohesive collection of buildings that reflects the commercial and governmental history of Orlando.
The district is composed of buildings constructed from the 1880s until the early 1940s. Surrounded by modern skyscrapers, approximately 60 historic buildings in this district offer a glimpse into the city's past. The historic district designation has helped preserve buildings that might otherwise have been demolished due to the rapid rate of growth and demand for commercial space in this booming city.
Orlando's first historic district demonstrates the economic and political growth of the city for over six decades. Thedistrict contains historic structures such as the depot, the courthouse, banking, office and retail buildings. The variety of building styles and sizes reflects the evolution of architecture and construction in downtown.
The styles represented in the district are Queen Anne, Twentieth Century Commercial Style, the Beaux-Arts, Mediterranean Revival, Art Deco and Art Moderne. Nearly all of the buildings are of masonry construction due to a series of fires in the late 1800s that destroyed many wood structures and prompted the City to pass new building standards.
Here are some of the sites on this 2.5 mile tour.
1. Well'sbuilt Hotel, 511 West South Street
Dr. William Monroe Wells constructed this hotel in 1926. It provided lodging to African Americans during segregation
when rooms were not available to them in other areas. Many famous entertainers and athletes stayed here. Next-door was Dr.
Wells' South Street Casino, where many of the entertainers performed for the African American community. The Well'sbuilt Museum of African American History is located here now. NRHP, OHL
2. Dr. William Monroe Wells House, 519 West South Street
Dr. William Monroe Wells built this Foursquare style house on a lot one block to the east in 1924. He was known as one of Orlando's longest practicing African American doctors and was involved in the commercial and cultural life of the community with the Well’sbuilt Hotel and the South Street Casino.
3. Victorian House & Cottage, 541 West South Street
The Victorian House and Cottage are among the only remaining Folk Victorian structures left in the city. The
level of detail found in the original turned columns, railings and carved fretwork is not found in any other
buildings in Orlando.
4. Hankins Building, 647 West South Street
Dr. I.S. Hankins constructed this Art Deco commercial building in 1947. Hankins was an early African American physician and civic leader. He was an active participant in the Washington Shores development, which provided opportunities for new home ownership for Orlando’s African Americans.
5. Mount Pleasant Baptist Church, 701 West South Street
This African American church was organized in 1919 and met in various locations until land was finally purchased. Church
members made the rusticated concrete blocks that were used for construction of the walls. The Gothic style church opened in 1921.
6. Ebenezer Methodist Church, 596 West Church Street
As early as 1892, this congregation had a wooden church on this site. It was the first African American Methodist
church in Orlando. Starting in 1922, the members built this Gothic style brick church.
7. Slemons Department Store, 129 West Church Street
This dry goods store was constructed in 1924 for William Slemons. He first came to Orlando in 1886. Slemons and his sons owned a number of stores in downtown Orlando from the 1880's well into the middle of the twentieth century.
Each building has its own story and the buildings listed above are only a small portion of the tour. You can download the whole tour on a pdf, complete with map at http://www.cityoforlando.net/planning/cityplanning/Walk_Tour04.pdf or you can visit these sites for more information about the history of Orlando and the latest information about its downtown area: www.cityoforlando.net/historic www.downtownorlando.com
Mark and Susan Whichard are Orlando tourism experts and write frequently about attractions in and around Orlando. Mark and his wife Susan are the proprietors of Quality Villa Rentals Orlando. You can get great deals on Orlando vacation homes and villa rentals at this website http://www.qualityvillarentals.com
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