24 Hours In Orlando

At and at 'em ... but first coffee

08.00: Resist the urge to don a pair of novelty mouse ears, pull back your plush curtains and gaze across downtown Orlando from your hotel, The Westin Grand Bohemian (001 407 313 9000; grandbohemianhotel.com) in the Bohemian Quarter, the art and business district. Leave your over-sized double bed - $250 (£144) a night - and breakfast the American way at the Daybreak Diner, 3335 Curry Ford Road, on bottomless "gunpowder" coffee and blueberry pancakes.

Walk, shop or swan around

10.00: Take a gentle walk through the pedestrian-friendly centre. Stroll around Lake Eola, Rosalind Avenue, between Central Boulevard and Robinson Street. Or propel yourself around the lake on swan paddleboats, $10 (£6) for 30 minutes. For retail therapy, the super-sized mall at Millenia, 4200 Conroy Road, will not disappoint with 150 stores including designers such as Dior, Cartier and Jimmy Choo.

Here's health ... it's lunchtime

12.00: Eat a wholesome lunch at Chamberlin's market and café, 7600 Dr Phillips Blvd (00 1 407 352 2130; chamberlins.com). Opened in 1935, it offers herbs, teas and vitamin-packed goodies. Alternatively, try out the chic HUE Restaurant, 629 E Central Blvd (00 1 407 849 1800; huerestaurant.com), a homage to the urban loft space and pruveyor of progressive American cuisine.

Blast off to the Space Center

14.00: Take the 45-minute ride out to the Kennedy Space Center, Nasa's launch base. Mix with the stars, meet an astronaut and ride simulators (00 1 321 449 4444; kennedyspacecenter.com). Admission $31 (£18) adults, $21 (£12) children (ages 3-11). Simulator $7 (£4) extra.

Dine like the Kennedys

19.00: Back from space? It's time to dine at Doc's Restaurant (00 1 407 938 0300; docsrestaurant.com). Its executive chef, Neil Connolly, is the former private chef for the Kennedy family.

Will the melody be murdered?

20.30: An unusual stop for post-dinner drinks is Howl at the Moon, 8815 International Drive (00 1 407 354 5999; howlatthemoon.com) which has a duelling piano bar where pianists joust with melodies. For something more sedate, Manuel's on the 28th, 390 N Orange Ave, Bank of America. On the top floor, it offers breathtaking views through floor-to-ceiling windows.

Too late to care

00.00: Carry on your night at The Blue Room on Pine Street with young urbanites or retire to your bed to dream of morning Starbucks.