For moms and daughters who want to share one-on-one time away from the crazy schedules of home Kissimmee is an easy place to enjoy down time together. From golf and tennis to antiquing, and chilling by the pool the options are many. At the core of any mother/daughter bonding time – shopping, a spa, and a fun night out doing girl stuff.
Eat chocolate; drink wine; share a malt; shop for bargains; practice yoga; enjoy a massage; share secrets, and have fun together – no boys allowed.
Unique shopping opportunities meant to be shared. Kissimmee has a place to fit every shopping personality from souvenir and outlet bargain hunters to trendy fashionistas. From one-of-a-kind boutiques and nostalgic shops to air conditioned mega malls and outlet centers, the options for a unique shopping adventure are endless.
Start anywhere along Main Street in Old Town. The tree-lined streets offers more than 75 specialty shops. From resort wear to sports apparel, jewelry to shoes and old-fashioned collectibles, you'll find some specialty items here that you won't find anywhere else. The atmosphere in Old Town is right out of “Happy Days”- vintage cars on the weekends, sock-hop music and friendly people. At Good Luck Rice Company visitors can have their names written on a tiny single grain of rice and made into a rice necklace – a definite keepsake. Girls of all ages will love the Marilyn Monroe, I Love Lucy, and Beatles collectibles at Wound 'n Around, the perfect puppets at Sunny and Company and the awesome bead collection at Black Market Minerals. Other must-do activities include: having an old-time portrait taken, learning how to pull taffy, and visiting a petrified rock forest.
If antiques and vintage items are your thing, then the historic downtown streets of Kissimmee and St. Cloud will not disappoint. One spot that is not-to-be-missed is Lanier’s Historic Marketplace in Downtown Kissimmee, a clever place showcasing antiques, decorating accessories, tempting jewelry and interesting gifts. They always have friendly conversation waiting and a fresh pot of coffee brewing. For bargains Kissimmee’s open-air shopping complex, The Loop and Loop West, have Belk, JC Penney, Old Navy, Kohl’s Department Store, Pier 1 Imports, Ross, PetCo, Claire’s, Michael’s, Kirkland’s and Bed, Bath & Beyond plus many restaurants with outdoor dining.
Market Street at Celebration is the place for children’s clothing, paint-your-own-pottery and exclusive, collectible pieces plus delightful cafés and restaurants along the downtown lakefront area. Also in the area Lake Buena Vista Factory Stores, Orlando Premium Outlets, The Mall at Millenia, and The Florida Mall so a shopping agenda is easy to create. Bonus points: The Lake Buena Vista Factory Stores provides a free scheduled shopping shuttle to and from 55 participating area hotels and special scheduled free VIP group shuttle service is also available.
Being pampered together is simply the best. Sometimes even better than shopping, a day at the spa can be the ideal way to enjoy mother/daughter time. Sit side by side and experience a luxurious foot soak, stress relieving facial, or hand massage. Massageworks just off Main Street in Historic Downtown Kissimmee has several unique ways for guests to relax and be revived. Located in restored 1900's schoolhouse the updated atmosphere has warm and relaxing Mediterranean-style. This spunky day spa has five private treatment rooms - serene and softly lit with candlelight. If you are undecided the best bet is the “Mini Spa Retreat” a sampling of services which includes a 30-minute introductory facial, a 30-minute aroma relaxation massage followed by a soothing dry sauna. Cost is $105 and an upgrade to one hour each is only $140. They also offer a “Detox Facial” ideal for drawing out impurities during a unique detoxification process. Bonus points: The Studio of Movement onsite doubles as a yoga studio by night. Classes blend stretching, postures, Pranayama, mantra, music, meditation and relaxation. Drop-ins are welcomed and no previous experience in Yoga is required. Just say Namaste!
Stay in and still get pampered. After a busy day of shopping nothing compares to a gentle relaxing massage that soothes away stresses and body fatigue. Luckily, if you are in Kissimmee, A-Team Massage will provide a custom massage in your vacation location any day of the week – a recipe for pure bliss. Select from their menu of wonderful services including Swedish, aromatherapy, relaxation, deep tissue, and therapeutic massages then relax in the comfort of your vacation base. Spa treatments include soothing hot paraffin wax for hands and feet along with educational manicures and pedicures. Prices for 24-hour advanced scheduling begin at $95.00 for a 60-minute massage and an aroma experience (lavender/eucalyptus for tranquility or peppermint for rejuvenation) is only $20 more.
For a quirky evening consider the haunted side of town. The Haunted Grimm House of Old Town features live actors, special effects, and two floors with more than 20 rooms of scary stuff presented with a sense of humor. In Historic Downtown Kissimmee it is possible to take hair-raising ninety-minute tour into the spirit realm with guides from Kissimmee Ghost Tours as they spin tales of murder, unexplained phenomena, and mystery.
Share a fairy tale together. Horses, knights in shining armor, conflicts, love stories, surreal lighting, and no dinner dishes – sounds like a fairy tale evening for sure. Arabian Nights Dinner Theater in Kissimmee has created a surreal dining experience – like stepping into the pages of Scheherazade. With the use of surreal lighting techniques, magical costumes, engaging music, and beautiful horses, skilled riders create a show which is both dreamlike and enchanting. Daughter’s note: My mom and I celebrated her birthday within the magic of Arabian Nights complex. It was a blast. We arrived early enough to go behind the scenes. The early entry option allows visitors to wander within the arena; meet the actor/riders; and walk back stage; see the holding stalls; talk with the trainers; to where the horses stay. The opportunity was worth the extra cost and effort because during the show we felt connected to several of the riders and their horses making the experience even better. Add to that a surprisingly top quality dinner served with speed and efficiency - our evening was truly perfect and we have a framed photo to prove it. Bonus points: Before the show it is possible to take photos with both the actors and the horses in the arena and back stage – a really cool opportunity.
Who doesn’t want to have dinner in a castle? Medieval Times Theater with its fairy tale atmosphere offers a perfect escape from reality. The movie set castle just off Irlo Bronson Highway successfully transitions from reality into an ethereal event. Mom’s note: I have been there with my daughter to celebrate her birthday in princess-like style. We arrived early enough to browse the medieval village where several crafts folks were demonstrating typical crafts of the 11th Century, and then it was off to the entrance line for a photo take and to enjoy the chaotic atmosphere of the Hall of Arms. Wearing our golden (cardboard) crowns we found our way into the theater. The feast was served; the lights dim, and using stroboscopic and pyrotechnic effects a story of six knights in shining armor was told with tournament jousts and other tests of skill. Swords clashed and everyone in the audience cheered for their favorite knight – good old fashioned fun. Bonus points: During the evening it is possible to purchase the photo taken at the entrance. Maybe a little odd but it makes a nice souvenir.
Kissimmee offers plenty of terrific mother/daughter girlfriend activities to share. Create your getaway in Central Florida – the choices are many from spa time and yoga classes to shopping and dining out. To discover more fun vacation choices, call toll-free 1-800-333-KISS or log on to www.FloridaKiss.com
Planning Details
MassageWorks 405 Church St. Kissimmee, FL 34741. (407) 932-0300 or www.massageworksdayspa.com
A-Team Massage (321) 251-8267 or a-teammassage.com
Arabian Nights 3081 Arabian Nights Blvd. Kissimmee, FL 34747. (407) 239-9223 or www.Arabian-Nights.com
Medieval Times Dinner Theater1W. Irlo Bronson Hwy. Kissimmee, Florida 34746. Toll-free 1- 888-WE-JOUST or 1-888-935-6878 or www.medievaltimes.com/home.aspx
Content created by FamilyTravelFiles and images provided by Kissimmee CVB. Copyright 2008.
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