Texas isn't the only place with Big Things. Orlando, Florida, is home to the world's biggest Hard Rock Cafe and the state's biggest refractor telescope in Florida at the Orlando Science Center (geeky, but very cool). Orlando is a place of contradictions:

Things to See and Do

As well as a massively modernized sprawl, not to mention Disneyworld, it is also the gateway to some of the most diverse and beautiful natural resources in the US. It also has it's hidden secrets, always a delight to stumble across.

The most obvious attraction in Orlando is Disneyworld. It doesn't matter if you have kids (or can't borrow someone elses) - if you are at all interested in big rides, fun-fair food and blissfully sunburned happiness, make Disneyworld your first priority.

For something equally commercial, and almost as much fun, head to SeaWorld, which is one of the most interactive theme parks of its kind in the world. You can learn as much as your head can hold, and take a dip with the huge and gentle beluga whale. If this kind of thing is your cup of tea, put Discovery Cove on your to-do list as well. Swimming with dolphins might be something of a cliché, but there's no denying it is a transformational moment. For an aquatic (or semi-aquatic) animal with a little more punch, you can try sitting on an alligator's back at Gatorland. Not one for the faint of heart. Another one for those with a strong sense of adventure is SkyVenture Orlando. They are a skydiving school, but there are no planes involved. Get suited up and jump into a tube that is basically a vertical wind tunnel. Bobbing around in the air is a lot more fun than it sounds – and a lot more scary too!

Off the Beaten Path

Orlando has its share of odd-but-fun attractions too. The futuristic vending machines at The Wine Room in Winter Park will sell you samples of almost 150 wines. If you remember being spellbound by the weird and creepy Ripley's Believe it or Not, you'll be please to know that Orlando is home to the Odditorium, devoted to all things strange, thanks to the indomitable Ripley. DeLeon Springs is a town on highway 17, just outside of Orlando. You're in state park territory here and the landscape is gorgeous. The lunch stop is the most appealing part though – The Grist Mill restaurant seats you at a table that has a built-in griddle. Order your ingredients and choice of batter (for a set price) then cook your own pancakes. They taste amazing and the place is always jam-packed.

Hotels

Thanks to Disneyworld, Orlando is hopping with cheap hotel options. The best hotel deals will depend on the time of year (school vacations are not the slowest time of year, for instance), but the value for money is always ridiculously good. You can always get a lot of people into a room too, as these hotels cater for families. The best accommodation deals are to be found online, especially if you are staying for three nights or more in the middle of the week. Best Western hotels is just one of many, and rooms here can be had for as low as $75 per night. They provide two queen-sized beds in each of these rooms, so at least four of you can share the cost if money is a little tight.

Use the Hotelsio Rate Finder to find top accommodation and cheap hotels in Orlando.

(Photo:Fotolia/gegenbauer)