DK Travel : Orlando

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)

Osceola Center For The Arts

Here, culture mavens will find anything from theater to music events, and exhibitions.
Osceola Center for the Arts

Kissimmee’s home of high culture offers a theater, art gallery, and special events. The Osceola Center for the Arts (OCFTA) has an engagingly diverse schedule, eagerly offering a little bit of everything, from Broadway to Barbershop, storytelling to sculptures.
Osceola County Historical Museum & Pioneer Center

This homespun outdoor museum gives a glimpse of Kissimmee life before Disney. The focal point is a pair of late 1800s “Cracker-style” cypress wood buildings, complete with “possum trot” breezeway – an early form of air-conditioning. One showcases a simple home, while the other is reconfigured as a general store, selling local history books, crafts, and guides for the nature preserve located across the street.
Outback Steakhouse

Tasty seared steaks are the headliners here; choose from rib-eyes, strips, fillets, and porterhouses. The Outback also serves good smoked ribs, shrimp and chicken over fettucine, rib-and-chicken combos, pork chops, and hamburgers.
Pacino’s Italian Ristorante

Sicilian specialties here include hand-cut steaks, veal chops, and great pizza and pasta.
Panera Bread

There are no preservatives in the dough used in the sandwiches and baked goods available to eat in or take away; there’s everything from whole-grain to focaccia and sourdough. Soup is also available.
Paradise Island Café

This is a neighborhood favorite, serving Caribbean and Jamaican staples, including Jerk chicken, and curry shrimp.
Park Avenue

This eight-block stretch of downtown Winter Park retains a times-gone-by quality. A canopy of live oak trees shades the brick-paved street, which is surrounded by low buildings and flanked by relaxing Central Park. Many of the stores on this upscale avenue are independents, but there are some national chains too, such as Williams & Sonoma and Banana Republic. There’s no food court, but the sidewalks are lined with places for lunch or dinner.
Park Avenue

The stretch of Park Avenue between Fairbanks and Swoope avenues is a thriving and delectable slice of urban living. This is the kind of manageable, old-style downtown, which is usually erased in the rush to suburbanize the Sunshine State. There’s bucolic Central Park; buildings are rarely over three stories and contain fashionable shops or eateries at ground level; and all around, the sidewalks are full of people enjoying the day.
Park Inn

This budget option is a modern motel situated well away from the main tourist resorts. But its location is great for anyone interested in shopping as well as more cultural diversions. Rates include continental breakfast.

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Hotel price categories

For a standard, double room per night (with breakfast if included), taxes and extra charges.
- under $90
- $90–180
- $180–250
- over $250
Restaurant price categories

For a three-course meal for one, a glass of house wine, and all unavoidable extra charges including tax.
- under $20
- $20–$30
- $30–$45
- $45–$60
- over $60