The family is here but the Thanksgiving meal is a long way off (or a distant memory). The elders have fully updated you on who has died since you talked last. The young’uns are zombied out on their phones. It’s time to break out some of the City Beautiful’s best offerings.

As much as they might want to head down International Drive or roll out to Kissimmee for that dang mouse, you have to be strong. It will be worth it to avoid the hell of theme parks during the holidays. Take a look at some of these options to avoid the rush and still send them home talking about their vacation. 

Cruise through Winter Park’s canals Scenic boat tours of Winter Park’s waterways launch hourly starting at 10 a.m. every single day. Sit back and learn about this beautiful part of town and its best sights to see. Credit: Winter Park Boat Tours/Facebook
Soar the skies Wallaby Ranch can get guests into the air, even in notoriously flat Florida. Their aerotow system will get you up and moving (and tandem flights are available for the scaredy cats in your clan). Credit: Wallaby Ranch
Shop til you drop Orlando’s Main Street Districts provide a handy map of walkable and fun shopping strolls. Check out the Milk District in particular to avoid the Black Friday rush at the big box stores. Credit: Zac Alfson
Manatee insanity Cooler weather brings many opportunities to scope out Florida’s semi-official mascot. The manatees come to Florida’s springs and Indian River Lagoon seeking consistent water temperatures. But don’t forget: give them plenty of space. It’s hard enough for sea cows out there. Credit: Adobe
Light up the night While you’re out scoping for manatees, why not take a trip to see the gorgeous comb jellies light up Indian River Lagoon? BK Adventure offers bioluminescent rafting tours to see this phenomenon up close. Credit: BK Adventure Tours
Dip a paddle in Lake Ivanhoe The only thing Orlando has more of than theme parks is lakes. Take advantage of the natural bounty of Central Florida with a paddle around the hip neighborhoods on the edge of Lake Ivanhoe. Credit: Epic Paddle Adventures/Facebook
Take a hike Authorities in Florida and Orlando can hardly be bothered to stop the never-ending churn of pristine Florida land into endless single-family homes. Luckily, folks with foresight saw to turn tons of Central Florida into permanently protected parkland. Take a hike while the weather is nice and see if the woods are enough to quiet your most irritating relatives. Credit: Dave Plotkin
Get glassy-eyed in Winter Park The Charles Hosmer Morse Museum of American Art holds the world’s most comprehensive collection of works by Louis Comfort Tiffany. That’s bragging rights, pal. Credit: Morse Museum
Mail your Christmas cards from Florida’s weirdest town There’s a lot of competition for Florida’s oddest place, but it’s hard to beat Christmas, a permanent holiday zone just east of Orlando stuck between impoverished Bithlo and the Space Coast. Can’t beat that postmark, though. Credit: Adobe
Go wild at the Central Florida Zoo No one turns down an invitation to feed a giraffe. Or pet a rhino. Or gawk at a 40-year-old gopher tortoise. Credit: Photo via Central Florida Zoo & Botanical Gardens
Visit Bok Tower Gardens Snag a bit of serenity at this off-the-beaten path landmark. Credit: Bok Tower Gardens
Go to the beach While the temperature is less than ideal from the local point of view, a lack of crowds at Central Florida’s sandy hotspots make it a near-perfect time for a visit. And your Ohio in-laws will strip down to their bikinis. Credit: Adobe
Ride a dang swan boat A cool thing about family coming to town is that you don’t have to pretend that tourist attractions aren’t fun. Take advantage of the cover provided by visitors to paddle out. Credit: City of Orlando/Instagram
Get turned around in a corn maze While the high season for corn mazes has ended, there are still quite a few left to muddle through in Central Florida. Credit: Photo via Long & Scott Farms
Count teeth at Gatorland Gatorland has held on through seismic shifts in Central Florida because seeing a bunch of alligators snap up whole frozen chickens in a feeding frenzy is still awesome. Credit: Photo via Gatorland/Facebook
Be obnoxious on a pedal pub Keep the wheels turning and book a pedal-powered Limo Cycle for a pub crawl through the historic downtown. Credit: Holly Whelden Carpenter
Sample the meatballs at IKEA If things really go south, you might be able to lose a relative permanently in the home furnishings labyrinth. Credit: Photo via IKEA/Facebook
Take an airboat ride As much as we try to build over it, the swamp persists. Take your Wisconsin uncle out to relive the credits of Miami Vice. Credit: Photo via Adobe
Go see the Orlando Magic play They almost certainly won’t win. But with tickets starting at just $10, does it really matter? Credit: Photo via Orlando Magic/Instagram

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