KISSIMMEE, Fla. – News 6 is hitting the road, this time to the 34744 ZIP code. It’s located in Osceola County, Florida, including parts of Kissimmee and St. Cloud, hugging both Lake Toho and East Lake Toho.
News 6 anchor and Insider Guide Crystal Moyer took advice from locals to create a guide to 34744 and Kissimmee.
Airboat Rides on Lake Toho
There’s no better way to explore Lake Toho than to journey on an airboat ride. There are several companies offering the excursion for visitors and locals like Toho Riverboat Adventures, Marsh Landing Adventures, Spirit of the Swamp Airboat Rides and Wild Willy’s Airboat Tours.
Crystal took a tour with Boggy Creek Airboat Adventures through Lake Toho with Capt. John Ruggeri.
“The point of an airboat is that you can travel in super shallow water through heavy vegetation and you don’t have any fears of obstructing vegetation,” Ruggeri said. “I’ve done this ride over 23,000 times. Every single ride is completely different depending on the time, weather and wildlife in the area at the time.”
The ride was entertaining, but Crystal found there’s also an educational aspect to it. Learning about Florida wildlife and spotting bald eagles, snail kites, gators and snakes.
Airboat rides go from $32 to $50 per person, depending on how long you want the tour. They also offer sunset and night tours for around $60 to $76.
Boggy Creek Airboat Adventures is also an attraction with wildlife encounters, native American village, fossil & gem mining as well as a butterfly garden. Boggy Creek Airboat Adventures is located at 2001 E. Southport Road in Kissimmee.
Macy Island Road
Heading toward Twin Oaks Conservation Area, you’ll drive down Macy Island Road where mature oak trees line each side. The overgrown branches and greenery create a canopy and it’s just a breathtaking ride.
Twin Oaks Conservation Area
Osceola County owns the Twin Oaks Conservation Area and it spans more than 350 acres. It’s got biking and hiking trails. You can take horse-riding tours along the trail or paddle along Lake Toho.
There’s a fishing pier, covered picnic tables and a wildlife observation deck where you may spot some unique animals. This park is free and open to the public. It’s located at 2001 Macy Island Road in Kissimmee.
Ice Factory Skating Rink
After a hike in the Florida heat, it’s nice to cool down at the Ice Factory skating rink.
General Manager Keith Smith said it’s become a community center.
“It’s a great part of the local community for that gives kids a social outlet. They can learn something new and, quite frankly, stay out of the Florida heat,” Smith said..
The Ice Factory has been in Kissimmee for more than 25 years. Keith grew up training there as a figure skater. Now he’s running the place and showing his son the ropes on the ice.
The Ice Factory is open to amateur up to advanced skaters of all ages with a variety of sports like curling and ice hockey. It’s also known for it’s Olympian skating instructors. Ice Factory is located at 2221 Partin Settlement Road in Kissimmee.
Silver Spurs Arena
Kissimmee is also home to the Silver Spurs Arena, hosting a variety of sporting events, concerts and shows.
What you may not know is the venue also hosts the Silver Spurs Riding Club that just celebrated 80 years of the Silver Spurs Rodeo, symbolizing the hardworking ranchers of Florida: a deep history of Osceola County.
The Silver Spurs Arena is at the Osceola Heritage Park on 1875 Silver Spurs Lane in Kissimmee.
Melao Bakery
If you want a unique bite to eat, many flock to Melao Bakery, a Puerto Rican counter-service eatery. They serve breakfast, lunch and dinner along with sweets and the classics like mofongo and pernil.
Melao Bakery is located at 1912 Fortune Road in Kissimmee.
Historic Downtown Kissimmee
Historic Downtown Kissimmee has quaint shops like the Lewis Music Store celebrating 50 years of business. Buchito, a Cuban restaurant where you can grab a Cuban coffee, lunch, bakery items and hand-rolled cigars. Matador Tacos and Tapas Bar is also a favorite of many downtown with a Spain-Mexican fusion of food and drinks.
Do you live or visit Kissimmee? Let us know what your favorite spots are below in the comments.
You can listen to every episode of Florida’s Fourth Estate in the media player below: