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 How many of you can remember the days
when we would spend a warm, summer evening at an amusement park, then
complete the evening with a visit to the local hamburger or ice cream
shop? We would challenge each other to “ride the roller coaster if you
dare”, and try our luck at knocking over the “milk bottles” to win cheap
prizes. The ice cream sodas were a quarter, and you could play Bill
Haley’s “Rock Around the Clock” on the jukebox for a dime.
Fortunately, there are still a few places
today that carry the 50’s and 60’s theme, so we can still enjoy a frosty
ice cream soda and listen to some of our favorite old songs. Of course,
the prices will never be the same, but the songs and the décor can
transport us back in time.
 We recently visited a Central Florida
attraction that brought back some memories of the “good old days”. Old
Town is located on route 192 in Kissimmee, and it’s the perfect place to
revisit some of the fun we had in our younger years. We found carnival
rides, nostalgic gift shops, and an ice cream parlor with booths and
oldies-but goodies on the juke box!
At one end of the long row of stores, there
is the amusement area, where you might try riding the Windstorm Roller
Coaster, 1437 feet of steel track, which twists and turns over 80-degree
turns. Pharaoh’s Fury is a ride where you can swing back and forth up to
60 feet in the air at a rate of 20 feet per second. Or you might try the
Old Town Slingshot, where you’re catapulted 365 feet in the air while
suspended on
 bungee cords. For the not so brave, there is the kiddie
park area, where folks can enjoy the Merry-Go-Round, spin on the Tea
Cups, or ride on the Frog Hopper. And like most amusement parks, they
have a Ferris Wheel, a Go-Cart Track and Bumper Cars. They even have a
ride in which you are pulled up to the top of a 300 foot pole and
released to swing like a pendulum!
 On the lighter side, there are dozens of
small shops that run the length of Old Town, selling all types of
clothing, food, candles, collectibles, jewelry, psychic readings,
leather goods, works of art, and even a place to get a personalized,
temporary tattoo.
Many items from the earlier days are also
available, such as old model cars, signs, and a variety of collectibles.
Dining facilities include a wide range of
choices, such as Damon’s Grill, a sports-themed restaurant, Flipper’s
Pizza, and the Cadillac Diner, which features fried chicken, hot dogs
and hamburgers. You might like teriyaki chicken at the Spring Roll
Chinese Restaurant, a gyro at the Great Pretzel Co. and Deli, a
delectable dessert at the Old Town Ice Cream Co., or coffee at the
Coffee Works. For dancing and singing, you can visit the Blue Max Tavern
or Sun On the Beach for live music and karaoke.
As a special attraction on Friday and
Saturday, real classic cars are put on display at Old Town.
 Every
weekend, drivers from all over polish-up their classic cars and bring
them to Old Town. On Saturdays, it’s not uncommon to see over 325
classic beauties on display. Hot rods, street rods and antiques.
Mustangs, Corvettes, Monte Carlos and more! All makes, and ages, and
colors can be seen cruising the area or parked for display and
inspection.
Old Town is open every day of the year from
10 AM until 11 PM. You can obtain more information about its activities
at www.old-town.com
- then you can make plans to take a trip back in time!
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