One word describes Orlando’s transformation in the last three decades: stunning. The city and its suburbs have gone through a Cinderella-like metamorphosis, where plain Jane has become a worldly beauty. Millions of tourists are seduced every year by sophisticated resorts, a wide range of theme parks, must-see attractions, happening nightclubs, and winning restaurants. Here are Orlando’s best of the best.
More on the Top 10 sights in Orlando (see Thrill Rides)-
Have breakfast with Mary Poppins or a sit-down dinner with other Disney favorites at the Grand Floridian Resort.
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Specializing in 1970s music, this club is often packed with a crowd ranging from twentysome-things to those who remember the decade in question.
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Morning
Begin with a big healthy breakfast at JP’s Everyday Gourmet (63 E. Pine St) before visiting the Orange County Regional History Center, a homespun place that reveals the pre-Disney history of the region. For lunch, wander over to Café Annie . This authentic café has Greek and Lebanese food, including mixed platters. This kind of food usually has lots of vegetarian options.
Afternoon
After lunch, jump in the car or grab a cab to Loch Haven Park, where the Orlando Museum of Art (OMA) , the Orlando Science Center , and the Mennello Museum of American Folk Art reside within easy walking distance of each other. The Science Center, with its four floors of interactive fun, is the best bet for kids. Art lovers can easily hit the Mennello and the OMA in the same afternoon but if time is short, the OMA deserves priority. Make a dinner stop in the Vietnamese district where Vinh’s Restaurant (1231 E. Colonial Dr) serves up a top-notch bowl of comforting pho , a traditional, and delicious noodle soup.
Evening
The downtown club scene starts late, so kick off with an early cocktail at The Bösendorfer Lounge . Fans of live music should head to The Social , where shows start around 10pm. Diehard clubbers should try The Club at Firestone , where the DJs play well into the early hours.
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Morning
There are countless breakfast buffets in the area, all offering mounds of food, from fresh fruit to omelets. Find the one closest to you and start the day there. As mornings tend to be cooler and a bit less insect-ridden than afternoons, follow your meal with a self-guided tour of swamp life at Airboat Rentals You Drive . Head as far away as possible from the the road, cut the engine, and enjoy the silence. Most of Florida used to be like this. For lunch, head to Kissimmee’s historic Downtown and pop in to Azteca’s (809 N. Main St), a tiny and original TexMex restaurant. Be careful ordering anything “very hot”; the cook takes this as a personal challenge and will likely spice the dish so your head explodes.
Afternoon
From Downtown, it’s a short drive north to Gator-land. The massive gators prowling the front lakes are the big attraction. But smart guests will take the Swamp Walk, check out the crocodile pens, and survey the alligator breeding marsh from the observation tower. There are four live animal shows but if time is tight, Gator Jump-A-Roo and Gator Wrestling are the essentials.
Evening
For dinner, the slightly camp Pacino’s Italian Ristorante is popular for its home-style Italian favorites and delicious pizza. Afterwards, take another short drive to Old Town where kids can play on the rides while adults watch from a bench enjoying an ice cream.
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Morning
Begin with a hearty breakfast at the Briarpatch Restaurant . You’ll probably have to wait a bit, especially on weekends, so grab a newspaper. Then take time to wander the north end of Park Avenue , where a multitude of charming oneoff boutiques cater to up-scale shopping tastes. At Cole Avenue pop in to the Charles Hosmer Morse Museum of American Art ; its outstanding collection of Tiffany glass is a must-see. Follow this with a relaxing trip on the Winter Park Scenic Boat Tour , which departs from a dock on Morse Street, just a 15-minute walk away. On your return, lunch options are plentiful, but if the weather is good, grab one of the sidewalk tables at the R Bistro (see R Bistro of Winter Park) for some good food and serious people-watching.
Afternoon
After lunch, continue south on Park Avenue to Rollins College, home of the excellent Cornell Fine Arts Museum and spend the rest of the afternoon enjoying this small but excellent collection.
Evening
Then, it’s a ten-minute car ride north to Maitland’s Enzian Theater where you can settle in to enjoy the latest in US and foreign independent films with a bottle of wine and a cheese plate. End the day at the bustling Brio Tuscan Grille just a few minutes south by car, savoring a pink cosmopolitan or a gorgonzola-encrusted steak.
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Fans meet and greet soap stars from ABC TV.
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Crowds of 20-somethings swarm this restaurant/bar (with 65 varieties of tequila) and dance the night away to cover bands.
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The downside to Gilas is that they book mostly cover bands. The upside is a young, good-looking crowd getting smashed on tequila and dirty dancing with near strangers. The band usually sets up on the patio, but it’s more fun and sweaty when it rains and the band crams itself into an inside corner. Sure, the southwestern theme decor gets old fast, but if you need to relive the days of dorm parties, this is the place to go.
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Head here for improvisation and sketch-comedy shows, which can be bawdy, absurd, and even political.
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With flights starting at just $20 there’s no reason not to enjoy a panoramic birds-eye view over the city.
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