Sisters Weekend - 5 hours waiting at Airport??

Dear Orlando experts, and any other Orlando afficianados who have more experience in this locale than I do,

Here%26#39;s the situation: sisters are flying in to MCO to enjoy a long weekend together, arriving at 11 am. But 1 sister is arriving 5 and a half hours behind the others. We are renting a car at MCO. What can we do for 5 hours near MCO or within a relatively short travel distance so that we are not just wasting our time sitting at the airport? Interests include architecture (seeing old homes? any historic areas close by?), antiques, Kennedy Space Center (is is too far to go - tour and get back in 5 hours?) Go to someplace in downtown Orlando? Any ideas would be appreciated.

Secondly, do you recommend a GPS system with the rental car? We do not have experience with this type of equipment but think it may come in handy as we go exploring Florida. (learning curve?) Your advice is appreciated!

Sisters Weekend - 5 hours waiting at Airport??

The GPS is user friendly. You don%26#39;t even have to have the address, sometimes you can put in the name of something %26amp; get directions or just type in restaurants or shopping %26amp; it will give you a list to choose from.

You are about 45 min to the Cape, not sure if you would have enough time to do the tour but you could still explore the area. Downtown Cocoa Village is interesting and has little shops and cafes. Porcher House is in that area and is historical. Cocoa Village is off the 520 causeway before you go beachside. Take 528 to 520 and it%26#39;s right after you cross US Hwy #1

Also the Florida Mall is just a few miles west of the airport. Maybe someone else can help with the historical and antiquing areas in Orlando.

Sisters Weekend - 5 hours waiting at Airport??

Here%26#39;s a link you might find useful.

http://www.orlandoinfo.com/artsculture/

As for a GPS system, a lot of people love them. They are user friendly, but they can also be quirky sometimes. My friend (who actually works with electronics) got one recently. We used it to find another friend%26#39;s new house. We were all into it, until it took us to an empty field out in the country about 1 1/2 miles from her house! Luckily we had a map and found our way to the right location. It didn%26#39;t convince me to get one anytime soon!

While we%26#39;re on the subject, here%26#39;s a link to an area map.

http://www.orlandoinfo.com/maps/

Have a great trip!

Lily

I would go toDTD, about 40 mins max form the AP and have lunch, shop and get in the Disney mood then pick up sis.

i don%26#39;t think you%26#39;ll have time to go the KSC, but you would have time for a few hours in the beach and then return.

Or, you could have sis take a taxi to your hotel and arrange to meet her in reception at her arrival time.

If you weren%26#39;t american I would have suggested shopping at The Loop, just few miles SW of the airport, or at Mall at Millenia and lunch at CC Factory. But, as you%26#39;re from IL, i%26#39;m thinking those things won%26#39;t have the same appeal as the first two.

Thank you all for the info - I have been doing further research on the webiste suggested, and also found www.cityoforlando.net to be helpful with the historic homes option... Also, great reading previous posts, have learned so much!