5 Tips to Help Your Family Stay Green While on Vacation

If you’re looking at homes for sale in Orlando, you may as well turn the open house viewing process into a mini-vacation with the family. After all, proximity to theme parks, sporting events, and other entertainment is a big reason why you’ve chosen to move to The City Beautiful, right? While you’re visiting one of the most entertaining cities in the United States, it’s important to remember to always be conscious of your carbon footprint.

Here are 5 ways your family can stay green in Orlando:

Stay in a Florida Green Lodging certified hotel

While there are a number of hotels to choose from in Orlando’s tourist centers, according to International Drive Orlando there are thirty-six hotels that are certified by the Florida Department of Environmental Protection and meet the qualifications required to be a member of the Florida Green Lodging program. Hotels that meet the requirements of this program adopt a variety of green initiatives that conserve energy, reduce water consumption, protect air quality, and reduce waste.

Ride the I-Ride Trolley

If your family is planning on spending their days exploring the various theme parks, attractions, nightlife, entertainment, restaurants, and closer to the International Drive Resort Area, take the trolley! Not only is it a cheap alternative to driving, it drastically reduces your family’s carbon footprint and guarantees that you won’t needlessly waste any time sitting in traffic. Visit Orlando says that riding the I-Ride trolley is not only fun, but it’s convenient and economical, with stops situated up and down the main thoroughfares and trolleys moving every 20 minutes.

Shop at Sustainable Business

There are a number of local businesses in the Orlando area that not only have a mission to save the environment but operate with eco-friendly, sustainable practices that you can be proud of as a consumer. ClickOrlando.com does a great dive on eight stand-out businesses from community cafes to eco-friendly car washes, cleaners, restaurants, general stores, and bars.

Do Your Research on Theme Parks

Even though theme parks such as Sea World have gotten some negative press when it comes to wildlife, it actually has a rich history of rescue, rehabilitation, and support for a number of environmental. Frommers.com states that its attractions are meant to educate the public about the inhabitants of the world’s vast oceans and the importance of keeping their environments clean. They also grant millions of dollars to hundreds of projects across the world each year through their Sea World Wildlife Fund. Disney’s Animal Kingdom also plays a large role in overseeing the health and well-being of endangered and threatened species in the area, and, along with the Seas of Epcot, is accredited by the Association of Zoos and Aquariums.

Enjoy Free, Outdoor Activities

Of course, you can always enjoy the great outdoors and spend the day on one of the many beaches surrounding Orlando. Within just about an hour’s drive, you can visit beautiful Cocoa Beach, Daytona Beach, Treasure Island, Clearwater Beach, and more!

While it’s always fun to let go and enjoy yourself during a vacation, when you’re visiting a large ecosystem with nature and wildlife like Florida, especially in today’s world, it’s important to remember to leave as little of an impact as possible. By just researching how to stay green on your next vacation, you’ve already made a huge step into reducing your carbon footprint and making your vacation that much better!