But, when something out of the ordinary is desired, Orlando really shows its true colors. Those who want to get a different perspective on it all, go on helicopter tours of the general area and even some nearby portions of the state.

Orlando is ideal for getting a good picture of Florida's diverse terrain.

The sights a vacationer can see hovering above Orlando and its general environs are amazing and include some of Florida's most wild terrain and its most developed Metro areas. With its central location, Orlando is ideal for seeing some of the state's best offerings.

Those on an Orlando vacation can expect to find these things on the ground:

* Disney, MGM, Sea World and other theme parks. When it comes to major parks and attractions, Orlando might just be the biggest in the world. With offerings designed for every age and almost every interest, the parks here are most certainly the area's biggest draws.

* Historical sites. Orlando is a neat, old Florida city. Its historic side is often overlooked by those interested in fast-paced roller coaster rides, but there's more to this city than amusement parks. The Orlando downtown historic area includes such sites as Church Street Station and more.

* Dinner theater. Dinner and a show has never been so exciting. The general area includes pirate themed dinners, medieval themes and more. It's a different way to get dinner and take in a show and one that's appropriate for the entire family. Plus, the city is home to just about every kind of eatery imaginable from upscale, 5-star dining to hamburger joints, the hungry can find it all here.

* Game rooms, outdoor sports and more. The Orlando area is home to a number of other attractions, including lakeside activities, world-class game rooms and more. Plus, there are even some great shopping and museum trips worth taking.

* Beaches, Everglades and more. The area is close to the beaches of Daytona and within a reasonably short drive to the Kennedy Space Center and even the world famous Everglades. When Orlando is the home base for a vacation, the possibilities are almost endless.

For those who want to get a bird's eye view of the action, Orlando is a great place to take off for a helicopter tour. The terrain a rider might see ranges from metropolitan to absolutely wild.

Depending on the tour chosen, a passenger might be able to see such things as the parks and the hustle and bustle and then leave it all behind to see what the wild side is really like - the wild side of the glades and the area's many other swamp land areas, that is.

Florida is a truly amazing state with a wide variety of natural attractions coupling with manmade destinations to make the experience one-of-a-kind. When it comes to seeing it all, those who want to do just that don't forget the view from above.

The beaches, wetlands and even the city of Orlando itself are spectacular to behold from the sky.

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