5 Lesser-Known Attractions for Field Trips Around Orlando
You already know that Orlando is home to the world’s most beloved animated mouse. However, there’s more to experience in this cosmopolitan city for young adults and kids alike. Instead of relying on a comprehensive education within classrooms, consider soaking up lectures at a variety of lesser-known educational locations in the city. From an immersive drama lesson at the Garden Theatre to an informative tour of local farming practices at Southern Hill Farms, getting away from the classroom is the best way to inspire young minds.
To get started, we’ve compiled a list of some unique educational attractions in Orlando. Once you decide where you want to go for your upcoming field trip, rely on Falcon Charter Bus to pick up and drop your group off to any destination in the city. Our 24/7 group transportation services are highly preferred over traditional school buses due to their modern interiors, high-tech amenities and spacious ambiance. Simply contact us at 407-274-9808 for assistance in planning your trip and our reservation team will be happy to pair you with the perfect bus rental.
For a better understanding of nature and its constituents, visit:
Ecological Classroom Outdoors
Take a bus rental to: Any ecological site of your choice.
Contact: (407) 443-1535 or email laura@ecoclassroomoutdoors.com.
Group activities: Identifying aquatic species, guided nature walks, hands-on field discoveries.
Tired of being confined within the walls of a classroom? Venture out and take advantage of Ecological Classroom Outdoors, a program that is designed to help students of all ages utilize their scientific knowledge to improve issues in the environment. Children from elementary school up to high school are able to examine Florida’s ecosystem through interesting activities such as studying the waters of the Everglades, learning about dry sinkholes or dissecting important aquatic predators.
Since there is no fixed location for this program, teachers are allowed to work with the program coordinators to find an appropriate site for students to mingle and learn. Past options have included local county or city parks, ecological sites close to your educational institution, or even areas within the school property itself.
Despite the flexibility with destinations, your charter bus driver can take your student group wherever they need to go. For the journey that follows, the flat screen TVs on the charter bus are perfect to watch educational videos on before the off-site lecture, while the PA system helps the teacher keep track of the student headcount. It’s a win-win situation all around.
Unlock your inner Shakespeare at the:
Garden Theatre
Take a bus rental to: 160 West Plant St, Winter Garden, FL 34787
Contact: groupsales@gardentheatre.org.
Group activities: Acting classes, on-site plays, theatre summer camps.
Science students aren’t the only ones that can study off-campus—drama students can also practice their talents and skills in places that aren’t their school’s dusty auditorium. The Garden Theatre is one such example of a non-profit organization that hosts field trips, concerts, plays, films, private events, acting classes and even immersive summer camps for students interested in hands-on theatre experience. Past summer camp performances have included Legally Blonde the Musical Jr. and New Mystery with Detective Pikachu!
Student groups from 1st through 12th grade are allowed to participate. Field trips can be booked online and are subject to availability, while summer camps ranging from 4 days up to 20 need to be booked in advance since they’re often in high demand. We recommend booking your bus rental the second you receive confirmation of your theatre visit in order to get the best possible deals. You can customize your bus rental however you like, add on a professional AV system to blast theatre soundtracks or utilize free WiFi so that students can research and study onboard.
Express your creativity through farming activities at:
Southern Hill Farms
Take a bus rental to: 16651 Schofield Rd, Clermont, FL 34714
Contact: kahley@southernhillfarms.com.
Group activities: Blueberry and pumpkin harvesting, farm wagon rides, arts and crafts.
Combine your love for eating with your love for the outdoors by visiting Southern Hill Farms! This quaint outdoor location offers elementary students and middle schoolers the opportunity to harvest blueberries during spring and pumpkins during October, as well as thrilling farm wagon rides, arts and crafts, and story time sessions.
Visiting the farm for a field trip requires at least 2 teachers or chaperones and usually lasts for three hours. There is a minimum of ten students required when making a reservation, so keep that in mind when booking your date. The farm also has a delicious bakery called ‘Southern Hill Sweets’ with several desserts, knick knacks, and organic products for your student group to purchase.
If one or more members of your group decides to splurge, they can always store their haul in the overhead bus cabins, where it’ll be safely secured for the ride home. The ride back is made even more pleasurable with the addition of the climate-controlled bus interiors, which allow your group to take refuge from the humid Florida weather.
Learn about the artistic contributions of the African American Community at the:
Hannibal Square Heritage Center
Take a bus rental to: 642 West New England Avenue, Winter Park, Florida, 32789
Contact: (407) 539-2680 or email bchandler@crealde.org.
Group activities: tours of the facility, stimulating discussions, visual art workshops.
Comprehending historical events is a significant task for young children, but experiencing it is even more important. The Hannibal Square Heritage Center provides students the opportunity to take a tour of their permanent exhibition, titled ‘The Heritage Collection: Photographs and Oral Histories of West Winter Park’, which includes around 100 archival images honoring the lives of the African American community in the neighborhood. The timeline, also included in the tour, is a helpful resource for students, as they can see the events that have taken place ever since the Emancipation Proclamation.
This tour is shortly followed by an interactive conversation with a local historian and an arts workshop where students can create their own piece of folk-art stemming from their culture, childhood and familial background. This entire experience covers a variety of subjects such as sociology, linguistics, and American history, which is helpful for teachers looking to address a vast range of topics in a short amount of time.
The tours are offered for grades 4 through 8, three days a week, on Tuesday, Thursday, and Friday from 10 am until noon. We recommend traveling to the center in a minibus since its compact size is perfect for quick day trips. It also includes several amenities found on larger charter bus rentals, such as free WiFi, adjustable reclining seats, and spacious overhead storage for your student group to store their backpacks, books, or other personal belongings.
Practice daily preventative measures at the:
Children’s Safety Village of Central Florida
Take a bus rental to: 910 Fairvilla Rd, Orlando, FL 32808
Contact: (407) 521-4673 or email brent@childrensafetyvillage.org.
Group activities: Safety exercises, role-playing activities and hands-on discussions.
Give your students a glimpse into the life of an adult at the Children’s Safety Village of Central Florida. This unique educational site is a ‘miniature city’ that mimics the laws and regulations of an actual metropolis. It contains buildings, sidewalks, traffic lights, railroad crossing indicators and even a fire safety house, designed to teach young students how to navigate life in a big city. It even addresses important safety hazards such as gun safety and 9-1-1 emergency situations through role-playing exercises and interactive projects.
Anyone can participate in this program, which usually consists of 2 classes between the hours of 9:30 am and noon. The fee per student is a fixed cost of $5, and a group of 10 students is allowed 1 free chaperone. Students can bring their own lunches which they can enjoy in the open-space picnic area. If your group ends up bringing large wicker baskets, it’s easier to store them in the overhead bus cabins, so that all food and drinks are kept in one place. In addition, if you’re traveling with younger children, it’s essential to have a restroom onboard for easy access, which is present on a full-sized charter bus rental. Feel free to request a specific bus model for your trip when speaking to a representative from Falcon Charter Bus.
Reserve A Bus Rental for Your Upcoming Orlando Field Trip
Planning for your next field trip shouldn’t be a stressful venture. With the right transportation, there is no limit to the places you can go. Instead of leaving things for the last-minute, speak to a representative at 407-274-9808 and explore your possible bus rental options in the Orlando area. Whether you’re traveling in a small or large group, Falcon Charter Bus can pair you with the right bus rental for your educational journey.
5 Budget-Friendly Group Activities in Miami
Although it’s often associated with celebrities, yachts, and luxury hotels, Miami has a lot more to offer than glitzy parties and designer boutiques. The city’s rich blend of Cuban and American culture has made it a hotspot for live music, delicious food, and vibrant festivals. This means Miami draws in families, tour groups, and conference attendees working with a variety of budgets.
Fortunately, the city also has an abundance of activities that are either free or very inexpensive, so you don’t have to spend a ton of money to have an amazing time. You also don’t have to spend a ton of money to get there. When you’re traveling with a large group, renting a charter bus can prove much cheaper than buying flights for everyone.
If you do decide to opt for a motorcoach, Falcon Charter Bus would love to help. Give us a call at 305-359-3962, and we’ll find an air-conditioned charter bus with plush seats to take you to southern Florida. And once you’ve secured your transportation, check out this list of inexpensive things to do in Miami so your group can have an amazing, budget-friendly trip to The Magic City.
1. Go to the beach.
One of the most popular things to do in Miami is also one of the least expensive. Miami features an abundance of public beaches that you can visit for free. Although they may get crowded for large groups, especially during the summer or holidays, you can usually find enough space if you go during off times.
Miami’s beaches are beautiful, with bright blue water and soft dunes, and many feature kayaking, paddleboarding, and fishing as well as swimming and sunbathing. Spend a day flying kites and building sand castles with your youth group, or relax with your senior citizens group after exploring the Art Deco District. Most public beaches offer parking areas, but if the spots fill up, your charter bus can drop you off, return to the hotel, and then pick you up at the end of the day.
Check out these popular Miami beaches that welcome groups:
Crandon Park
Known for: Amusement park rides and tennis courts as well as a beach
Address: 6747 Crandon Blvd, Key Biscayne, FL 33149
Haulover Park
Known for: Dog-friendly beaches, proximity to South Beach
Address: 10800 Collins Ave, Miami Beach, FL 33154
Lummus Park
Known for: Location along South Beach, easy access to Art Deco district, playgrounds for children
Address: 1130 Ocean Dr, Miami Beach, FL 33139
South Pointe Beach
Known for: Fishing pier, off-leash dog park, picnic areas
Address: 1 Washington Ave, Miami Beach, FL 33139
2. Stroll through the Art Deco District.
Miami’s Art Deco architecture is as iconic as its beaches, and taking a walk in the Art Deco District is completely free. The city experienced its biggest building boom during the 1930s, and the architects of the time combined tropical influences with Mid-Century Modern ideas to create the Miami Modern style. Characterized by clean lines and bright colors, Miami Modern architecture can be seen on the hotels, houses, restaurants and museums of the Art Deco District.
The district proper covers only about one square mile, but it’s a difficult area to drive in. The roads are narrow, and traffic can get intense. You can ask your charter bus to drop you off at the Art Deco Welcome Center so you can join a guided walking tour or pick up a map for a self-guided tour. If walking or biking isn’t a good option for your group, Falcon Charter Bus has ADA-accessible minibuses that are small enough to fit through the streets and help you see the sights.
Don’t miss these destinations in the Art Deco District:
Art Deco Welcome Center
Why you should go: This is the place to start your tour with a map or a professional tour guide.
Address: 1001 Ocean Dr, Miami Beach, FL 33139
Colony Hotel
Why you should go: One of the first hotels to be designed in the Tropical Art Deco style, this historical hotel was created by Henry Hohauser, one of the most acclaimed Art Deco architects.
Address: 736 Ocean Dr, Miami Beach, FL 33139
The Hotel of South Beach
Why you should go: The Hotel is one of the biggest and most impressive examples of Tropical Art Deco style, with huge porthole windows and stark white architecture.
Address: 801 Collins Ave, Miami Beach, FL 33139
Washington Avenue United States Post Office
Why you should go: Not many post offices have architecture as beautiful as this one. The inside also contains a decades-old mural depicting the meeting of Spanish Conquistadors and Native Americans, which, while not historically accurate, is still fascinating to learn about.
Address: 1300 Washington Ave, Miami Beach, FL 33119
3. Explore Little Havana.
Cuban immigrants have played an essential role in making Miami the city it is today, and Little Havana is the epicenter of the city’s Cuban culture—and, in recent years, of Nicaraguan and Honduran culture as well. Lead your students to the Calle Ocho Walk of Fame, which has pink marble stars that resemble those on the Hollywood Walk of Fame but are dedicated to Latin American celebrities. Then head to the El Pub Restaurant to take a picture with the giant, colorful gallo (rooster) sculpture.
You also won’t want to miss Máximo Gómez Park, aka Domino Park, where older inhabitants of the neighborhood gather to drink Cuban coffee and play extremely competitive dominos. Though you probably won’t want to jump into the games unless you really know how to play, your group is free to linger in the park and watch the masters at work, especially if you speak Spanish so you can chat with the other spectators. And all of these attractions are free! It doesn’t get much more budget-friendly than that.
Stop at these landmarks:
Calle Ocho Walk of Fame
Address: SW 8th St, Miami, FL 33135
Gallo Statue at El Pub Restaurant
Address: 1548 SW 8th St, Miami, FL 33135
Máximo Gómez Park
Address: 801 SW 15th Ave, Miami, FL 33135
Bus tip: All of these destinations lie within walking distance of one another in Little Havana. Parking in the neighborhood can be tricky—although you can find street parking and several paid lots, they fill up quickly. If you’re in a minibus, you should be able to park, but if you’re in a full-size charter bus, your bus may need to drop you off and return to the hotel.
4. Go to a free museum.
Miami has a mix of museums that are always free and museums that are free on certain days. That means that with a little bit of careful planning, your art class or tour group can explore several museums while spending very little or no money. For example, if you’re in town on the first Friday of the month, you can go to the Frost Museum of Science to see a free planetarium show.
Love art? The MDC Museum of Art and Design, the Institute of Contemporary Art, the Pérez Art Museum Miami, and the Wolfsonian are all either free or have free days. All four of them can accommodate groups, but they have limited parking, so you may want to ask your charter bus driver to drop you off and return to pick you up at the end of your tour.
If you’d like to explore Miami’s Jewish culture, the Jewish Museum of Florida offers free admission on Saturdays. You can also spend a solemn afternoon at the Holocaust Memorial, which depicts a hand outstretched toward the sky as suffering people try to climb upward beneath it. It’s a disturbing image, but a critically important one.
Explore these museums during your group trip to Miami:
Frost Planetarium at Frost Museum of Science
When it’s free: First Friday of each month
Address: 1101 Biscayne Blvd, Miami, FL 33132
MDC Museum of Art and Design
When it’s free: Last Sunday of each month
Address: 600 Biscayne Blvd, Miami, FL 33132
Institute of Contemporary Art, Miami
When it’s free: Always
Address: 61 NE 41st St, Miami, FL 33137
Pérez Art Museum Miami
When it’s free: First Thursday of each month
Address: 1103 Biscayne Blvd, Miami, FL 33132
The Wolfsonian
When it’s free: Friday nights from 6-9 p.m.
Address: 1001 Washington Ave, Miami Beach, FL 33139
Jewish Museum of Florida
When it’s free: Saturdays
Address: 301 Washington Ave, Miami Beach, FL 33139
Holocaust Memorial
When it’s free: Always
Address: 1933-1945 Meridian Ave, Miami Beach, FL 33139
5. Take part in a cultural festival.
Miami offers free art and cultural festivals throughout the year, and attending one is an exciting, budget-friendly way to help your group experience the city. At Coral Gables Gallery Night Live, held on the first Friday of each month, you can explore the art galleries in downtown Coral Gables, a charming town just 15 minutes south of downtown Miami. Ask for free WiFi on your charter bus so you can look up local artists and galleries before you get there.
If you want to experience a gallery walk that’s more like a block party, check out the Wynwood Art Walk every second Saturday. Not only do all of the galleries in the Wynwood neighborhood open their doors, but many local stores stay open late and area restaurants set up stands to serve food. This is also a great opportunity to see the Wynwood Walls, a legendary site for street art.
Little Havana gets in on the action too with Viernes Culturales (Cultural Fridays), a festival held every third Friday in Domino Park. In addition to the always-present dominoes games, you’ll find Cuban cigars, coffee, and mojitos for sale, Latin American art on display, live music, and dancing. Parking for this event can be extremely limited (read: nonexistent), so it’s a good idea to ask your charter bus to drop you off before the event begins.
Discover these festivals with your group:
Coral Gables Gallery Night Live
Best for: arts aficionados, people who prefer slightly smaller crowds
Address: San Lorenzo Ave, Coral Gables, FL 33146
Wynwood Art Walk
Best for: those who love street art and exciting block parties
Address: 2520 NW 2nd Ave, Miami, FL 33127
Viernes Culturales
Best for: groups craving a taste of Cuban, Honduran and Nicaraguan culture
Address: 801 SW 15th Ave, Miami, FL 33135
Experience Miami with Your Group on a Budget
Having an amazing time in Miami with your group doesn’t have to cost a fortune. Whether you want to take your tour group to the beach, explore Little Havana with your class, or treat your sports team to the Wynwood Art Walk after a tournament, you can do it for no or very little money. And Falcon Charter Bus will be right there to help you navigate Miami’s heat and traffic in air-conditioned comfort. Call us at 305-359-3962 to start planning your budget-friendly journey to Miami today.