Digital Operations Coordinator Jaime Monzon chavagroup.com
National Advertising: Voice Media Group 1-888-278-9866, vmgadvertising.com
Orlando Weekly Inc. Phone 407-377-0400 Fax 407-377-0420
Orlando Weekly is published every week by Chava Communications Group
Orlando Distribution: Orlando Weekly is available free of charge, limited to one copy per reader.
Copyright notice: The entire contents of Orlando Weekly are copyright 2026 by Chava Group LLC. Reproduction in whole or in part without written permission of the publisher is prohibited. Publisher does not assume any liability for unsolicited manuscripts, materials, or other content.
Subscriptions: Six-month domestic subscriptions may be purchased for $150;
subscriptions for $240.
Casto, Chloe Greenberg, Ana Paula Gutierrez, Jim Leatherman, Matt Keller Lehman, Pedro Macias, Matthew Moyer, Mauricio Murillo, Juanita Olarte, Mia Schaeperkoetter, McKenna Schueler, Eric Tegethoff, Jessica Bryce Young
ON OUR COVER: ironwork gate next to CityArts courtyard, photographed by Mauricio Murillo Downtown Orlando’s beloved arts and culture hub, CityArts, is housed in the historic Rogers-Kiene Building. This courtyard repurposed a humdrum alley next to the building into a place of beauty meant to “surprise and delight,” which it handily accomplishes. The overhaul, completed in December 2024, was designed by Interstruct, Inc. The “Ford-ify the Arts Courtyard” honors philanthropist Ford Kiene.
WINTER PARK & MAITL AND
Orlando Science Center: Putting the wonder in wonderful.
Orlando Science Center offers a fun escape for curious minds of all ages in a welcoming environment that’s bursting with energy and new discoveries.
Whether you’re experimenting with chemicals or tools, watching live shows, or interacting with exhibits, you’re not just learning, you’re experiencing innovative science in action!
Curiosity has no expiration date.
Orlando Science Center focuses on experiential learning. You discover science through hands-on experiences, experiments, and simulations.
Curiosity turns into action. Touch, build, and test ideas instead of just reading about them. You’ll realize that you’re never too old to learn something new.
• Travel the universe without ever leaving your seat with the all-new, super immersive 8K laser projection planetarium shows in the Dome, by Dr. Phillips Charities (coming Summer 2026)!
• Be inspired to become a stronger steward of our environment, thanks to encounters with the animals that share our planet in the Life exhibit.
• Explore engineering by building bridges in Kinetic Zone.
• Discover states of matter through a chemistry experiment in Dr. Dare’s Lab.
• Examine fossils from 65 million years ago to uncover an ancient world in Dino Digs.
• And so much more! There are four floors of wonder and discovery waiting for you.
You will leave knowing that science isn’t abstract. It shapes our lives, and you can be part of the solutions to the big issues challenging our world.
The home for “A-Ha Moments.”
Orlando Science Center is a playground for your brain where touching, experimenting, and questioning are welcomed. Build, test, and tinker.
You’re not a passive guest, but an active participant. Experiences here transform curiosity into confidence. Science comes alive through activities and interactions with our friendly, knowledgeable team.
It’s
a place to DO Science.
If you enjoy trying new things and challenging yourself, Orlando Science Center is for you. It’s more than just a museum. It’s a place to DO science.
Affordable admission prices, a full-service café and a coffee spot encourage a full day of wonder for you, your friends or family.
Take a break from the pressures and distractions of the world outside. Slow down, explore, and connect in a way that’s reflective, interactive, and immersive.
Learn more at www.osc.org.
Audubon Park and Baldwin Park
In what is one of Orlando’s most curious cases of vibe parallels, Audubon Park and Baldwin Park offer a masterclass in loving thy neighbor. The two neighborhoods are in a constant personality-off with each other, which somehow takes place in utter harmony. Taking up the region east of downtown and just south of Winter Park, you have Audubon’s laid-back attitude up against Baldwin’s glitzy lakeside views — all within (maybe slightly strained) walking distance.
Aside from its homey feel, Audubon Park’s claim to fame is its ever-bustling stretch of Corrine Drive. You can shop ’til you drop, drink ’til you can’t think and find a new dish to delight in every day. East End Market may very well be the biggest culinary draw here, with a wealth of flavor on offer from Winter Park Biscuit Co., Rion’s Ocean Room, Gyukatsu Rose, Domu and more.
In Baldwin, large homes and apartment complexes tower over the boutique- and restaurant-lined New Broad Street. The strip is home to culinary endeavors old and new, laid-back and Michelin-starred. That’s all bordering Lake Baldwin and its surrounding walking path, a common ground for the area’s stroller-towing families, racing run clubs, purebred dog walkers and regular outdoorsers.
Audubon and Baldwin may not be twins, but they overlap in many ways: with emphases on small businesses, community gatherings and being a place to call home.
Eat: Coro
3022 Corrine Drive, Orlando cororestaurant.com
East End Market
3201 Corrine Drive, Orlando eastendmkt.com
Stardust Video and Coffee 1842 E. Winter Park Road, Orlando stardustvideoandcoffee. wpcomstaging.com
Sorekara 4979 New Broad St., Orlando sorekarafl.com
Drink:
The Neighbors 3201 Corrine Drive, 2nd floor, Orlando theneighborsorl.com
Tactical Brewing Co. 4882 New Broad St., Orlando tacticalbeer.com
Shop:
The Lovely 2906 Corrine Drive, Orlando thelovelyboutiquemarket.com
The New Romantics 3018 Corrine Drive, Orlando thenewromanticsbooks.com
Paper Goat Post
4875 New Broad St., Orlando papergoatpost.com
Park Ave CDs
2916 Corrine Drive, Orlando parkavecds.com
Go: Harry P. Leu Gardens 1920 N. Forest Ave., Orlando leugardens.org
East End Market / photo by Matt Keller Lehman
THE WAY
COFFEE Should be
Foxtail Coffee is unwavering in its commitment to ethically sourcing beans from across the globe. We stand firm in our values, ensuring our eco-friendly farms are well-compensated, paving the way for the cultivation of outstanding crops. Roasting every bean in-house, we explore diverse brewing methods to redefine coffee experiences, one cup at a time. FoxtailCoffee.com
College Park
College Park has managed to maintain its quaint charm despite Central Florida’s rapid growth in recent years. Even though downtown Orlando is 10 minutes away, College Park has the appeal of a small town. The neighborhood’s bustling center at Edgewater Drive and Princeton Street is where families come to eat, shop and hang out at Albert Park, where a new gazebo opened last year after an iconic oak tree fell in the park back in 2020.
There’s plenty to do on Edgewater: tour the bikes at Orange Cycle (serving College Park since 1972), peruse the record collection at Foundation, thrift at Dechoes Resale, or eat a sandwich at Turci’s Panino. For dinner, try Tamale Co. Modern Mexican Kitchen and Bar, an Hourglass District staple that added its second location to College Park last year.
The neighborhood’s west end near Orange Blossom Trail serves as the entrance to the Packing District, which boasts a food hall, Publix and apartments — so many apartments! But tucked away in an industrial area before you leave the neighborhood are some hidden goodies. Find midcentury modern furniture at Warehaus or grab a snack at the Gnarly Cuban La Ventanita. You won’t regret it.
Eat: Gnarly Cuban La Ventanita 2425 Coolidge Ave., Orlando thegnarlycuban.com
Great Southern Box Co. Food Hall 2105 N. Orange Blossom Trail, Orlando greatsouthernboxco.com
Salvatore’s Prime Sandwiches 1520 Edgewater Drive, Suite J, Orlando 407-237-0074
Tamale Co. Modern Mexican Kitchen and Bar 2401 Edgewater Drive, Orlando tamaleco.com
Turci Pasta 2120 Edgewater Drive, Orlando instagram.com/turcipasta
The intersection of Mills Avenue and Colonial Drive (State Road 50) has started to feel like a mini version of downtown in recent years, largely due to a growing — and delicious — selection of food options. Yet despite the area’s popularity, it seems to have resisted some of the forces of gentrification that are shaping other parts of Orlando. The arrival of immigrants from Vietnam in the 1970s continues to shape Mills 50 and the larger Colonialtown neighborhood.
Mills Market, a converted supermarket at the busy intersection, serves a panoply of Asian cuisines that will delight any foodie. (Beware: Parking is a nightmare.) You can try onigiri at Unigirl, a Saigon Cheesesteak at Banh Mi Boy, or a roasted duck rice box at Kai Kai. All three restaurants have received Michelin nods. The market, which is adding more concepts like the sushi counter pop-up Okonomi, is just the start. The block also offers Zaru Udon and old reliables like Anh Hong Restaurant. Kaya, also with Michelin credentials, has spectacular vibes and Filipino fare around the corner on Thornton Avenue.
While Mills’ nightlife has also become reminiscent of downtown, laid-back options remain, like d.b.a., which has cocktails and Thursday-night oysters, and Death in the Afternoon, a grown-up spot for high-end cocktails. But if you’re up for some hustle-bustle, Wally’s Mills Ave Liquors, Tori Tori and the Moderne are buzzy. And thanks to Will’s Pub, Uncle Lou’s and Ten10’s B-Side Room, Mills 50 is the place to catch bands as well as beverages.
Eat: Black Rooster
1323 N. Mills Ave., Orlando blackroostertaqueria.com
Chicken Fire 2425 E. Colonial Drive, Orlando instagram.com/eatchickenfire
Deli Desires 715 N. Fern Creek Ave., Orlando delidesires.com
Mills Market 1110 E. Colonial Drive, Orlando mills-market.com
Sampaguita Ice Cream 1233 E. Colonial Drive, Orlando sampaguitausa.com
Tiger Sugar 717 N. Mills Ave., Orlando tigersugarfl.com
Drink: d.b.a. 809 N. Mills Ave., Orlando instagram.com/d.b.a.orlando
The Guesthouse 1321 N. Mills Ave., Orlando instagram.com/the_ guesthouse
Tori Tori 720 N. Mills Ave., Orlando toritoripub.com
Will’s Pub 1042 N. Mills Ave., Orlando willspub.org
Shop: Gold Dust Home 1309 Lang Ave., Orlando golddusthome.com
iFresh Market 2415 E. Colonial Drive, Orlando ifresh-market.com-place.com
Go:
Barkhaven Dog Bar 724 Brookhaven Drive, Orlando barkhaven.com
Big Tree Park 930 N. Thornton Ave., Orlando orlando.gov/parks-theenvironment
Mills Market / photo by Mauricio Murillo
Curry Ford/ Hourglass District
Unlike the timepiece after which a part of this neighborhood has been named, Curry Ford West and the Hourglass District move at a less hurried and hyped pace than other parts of the city. (Unless you stray on to Curry Ford or Conway Road during rush hours, and then it’s godspeed, brother.) These interlocked neighborhoods offer an enjoyable mix of good eats, strong drinks and unique shopping in an almost unassuming and organic fashion.
Away from the more bustling main drags in and around Curry Ford Road, neighborhoods are quiet and working-class, with narrow residential streets dotted by sturdy bungalows and shade trees. Area mainstays like La Fiesta and Pizza Bruno have been joined by newer faces like Papa Llama and Smokemade Meats, while strong coffee and baked treats are plentiful from Charlie’s Bakery and Creamery, Zaza and Mecato’s Bakery & Cafe.
Bigger chains abound in the area but more interesting local shopping comes courtesy of spots like Clemons Produce (kick against the bigs) and Living Dead Comics. Easygoing nightlife and spirits are offered by public houses like Claddagh Cottage, Hourglass Brewing and the boom-bap-tastic Commission Beer Chamber. And as this is very much a neighborhood, there are plenty of spots to get a little nature and physical exercise, including Barber Park and Hourglass Park.
Look, maybe it’s not the coveted Mills 50, but any neighborhood where you can get a mix CD of local hip-hop artists (and a good beer), local produce and transcendent barbecue mere blocks apart is A-OK with us.
Eat:
JJ’s Scratch Cocina
2950 Curry Ford Road, Orlando jjsscratchcocina.com
Papa Llama
2840 Curry Ford Road, Orlando papallamaorl.com
Pizza Bruno 3990 Curry Ford Road, Orlando pizzabrunofl.com
Smokemade Meats + Eats 1400 S. Crystal Lake Drive, Orlando smokemade.com
Zaza Cuban Comfort Food 3500 Curry Ford Road, Orlando zazacubancomfort.com
Drink: Claddagh Cottage 2421 Curry Ford Road, Orlando claddaghcottagepub.com
Commission Beer Chamber 2230 Curry Ford Road, Orlando facebook.com/ thecommissionbeerchamber
Hourglass Brewing
2500 Curry Ford Road, Orlando hourglassbrewing.com
Shop: Clemons Produce 3325 Curry Ford Road, Orlando facebook.com/ clemonsproduceorlando
Living Dead Comics
3227 Curry Ford Road, Orlando facebook.com/ livingdeadcomics
Go: Barber Park 3701 Gatlin Ave., Orlando orangecountyfl.net
Hourglass Park 1800 Carlton Drive, Orlando orangecountyfl.net
Hourglass Brewing / photo by Matt Keller Lehman
Downtown Orlando
Oh, downtown Orlando, why are city leaders trying to turn you into Winter Park? You’re just built different.
Downtown Orlando faces many obstacles in remaining the city’s commercial and cultural heart. It’s not quite the mandatory destination it once was, facing a perhaps unfair image as an unsafe place to be on weekends, and things are changing pretty fast in the nightlife economy. Loud and proud dive bar Tanqueray’s closed in the last few months, as did Cocktails and Screams, Dapper Duck and HighT. Neighborhood stalwarts like the Beacham and Social and Sly Fox remain as prime destinations for a gig or a beverage, though, and new LGBTQ+ nightclub Anthem is going hard with club nights and all-star drag shows.
Elsewhere, the more upscale Dr. Phillips Center is humming along with a stacked calendar of events, now containing four separate and distinct venues. The Orlando Public Library and Orange County Regional History Center are still bastions of local culture and learning. Speaking of culture, CityArts, with its eight galleries and outdoor patio — pictured above — is a great spot to visit almost any day of the week (and free!). And newer restaurants like Leiah and Talay are worth a visit, especially with a new discounted parking program downtown.
Downtown Orlando, despite all these challenges, endures and even thrives at times. It’s still the staging ground for our Pride Parade, Magic games, Puerto Rican Day Parade, Immerse, EDC and No Kings rallies. Not many other places in Orlando can lay claim to all of that.
Eat:
The Drake Kitchen + Bar
361 N. Rosalind Ave., Orlando thedrakeorl.com
Leiah
409 N. Magnolia Ave., Orlando leiahrestaurant.com
Papi Smash’d Burger 66 E. Pine St., Orlando papismashd.com
Super Rico Colombian Restaurant & Bar 57 W. Central Blvd., Orlando superricocolombia.com
Talay 861 N. Orange Ave., Orlando talayorlando.com
Drink:
Anthem Orlando
100 N. Orange Ave., Orlando anthemorlando.com
Judson’s Live at the Dr. Phillips Center
445 S. Magnolia Ave., Orlando drphillipscenter.org/events/ judsonslive
Wall Street Plaza Wall and Court streets, Orlando wallstreetorlando.com
Shop: Discover Downtown 201 S. Orange Ave., Orlando downtownorlando.com
Trophy Room 50 S. Rosalind Ave., Orlando trophyroomstore.com
Go: CityArts
39 S. Magnolia Ave., Orlando downtownartsdistrict.com/ cityarts
Immerse Feb. 19-21, 2027 immersefest.com
Orange Country Regional History Center
65 E. Central Blvd., Orlando thehistorycenter.org
CityArts / photo by Mauricio Murillo
International Drive
International Drive is the version of Orlando most out-oftowners think they know, a palm tree-studded corridor engineered for maximum fun, minimum convenience and massive sensory overload. It’s easy to write it off as tourist central, but that’s only half the story. I-Drive is also where locals end up, willingly or otherwise, whether it’s because of a convention, a visiting relative or the simple promise of a great Ethiopian meal worth the drive.
The gravitational center remains Icon Park, where The Wheel spins above an ever-changing mix of restaurants, bars and attractions that have gotten surprisingly good at pulling in locals. A few blocks away, Orange County Convention Center keeps the area in constant motion, cycling through trade shows, fandoms and industry conventions. But the real I-Drive experience is in the contrasts. You can spend the afternoon dodging crowds at Ripley’s Believe It or Not! Orlando, rubbing your eyes at the Museum of Illusions or mashing buttons at Arcade Time (open 24 hours!), then pivot to a fancy expense-account dinner or an impromptu cocktail at a luxury resort nearby. It’s chaotic, yes — traffic-clogged and more than a little kitschy — but it’s also one of the few places in Orlando where the entire world seems to pass through on any given night.
For locals willing to brave it, I-Drive isn’t just “where you take visitors.” It’s where you’re reminded of the reasons people visit Orlando in the first place, unexpected as they may be.
Eat:
Cafe Tu Tu Tango
8625 International Drive, Orlando cafetututango.com
JoJo’s Shake Bar Pointe Orlando, 9101 International Drive, Orlando jojosshakebar.com
Nile Ethiopian 7048 International Drive, Orlando nileorlando.com
Twenty Pho Hour 11951 International Drive, Orlando twenty-pho-hour.com
Yard House 8367 International Drive, Orlando yardhouse.com
Drink:
Live! at the Pointe Orlando 9101 International Drive, Orlando liveatthepointeorlando.com
Icebar Orlando 8967 International Drive, Orlando
icebarorlando.com
Mango’s Tropical Cafe 8126 International Drive, Orlando mangos.com
Tom’s Watch Bar — Sky Bar 8050 International Drive, Orlando tomswatchbar.com
Unplugged Social Cafe 8267 International Drive, Orlando instagram.com/ unpluggedsocialcafe
Go: Arcade Time Entertainment 6464 International Drive, Orlando arcadetimeusa.com
Museum of Illusions Icon Park, 8375 International Drive, Orlando moiorlando.com
Arcade Time / photo by Matt Keller Lehman
Ivanhoe Village
If you’re looking for a cozy neighborhood with a lakefront view that is just hip enough to skirt suburbia status, Ivanhoe Village is the place for you. Just north of downtown and west of Colonialtown/Mills 50, Ivanhoe contains a charming strip of boutiques, bars, restaurants and other retail options along both Virginia Drive — just watch out for that run club on Wednesdays, y’all — and Orange Avenue. You’ll even find a womanowned cigar bar (we see you, Nora) and a new neighbor coming this summer in the form of Hyperbolic Brewing, a brewery that’s finally found a home in the old Hammered Lamb space (RIP).
The neighborhood is a walkable dream for indie Millennials and Gen X-ers, if you can afford it. Yes, it appears no corner of the City Beautiful can escape the development of new high-rise apartments (not hating on dense development here) that come with a similarly high price tag. We just hope it doesn’t price out locals in Ivanhoe, who deserve to enjoy the neighborhood much more than the developers who want to make a pretty penny off of what it has to offer.
Eat:
City Food Hall 1412 Alden Road, Orlando cityfoodhall.com/orlando
Gnarly Barley
1407 N. Orange Ave., Orlando thegnarlybarley.com
The Rev
728 Virginia Drive, Orlando therevorlando.com
Russell’s on Lake Ivanhoe 1414 N. Orange Ave., Orlando russellsorlando.com
Ziggie’s Pizza 603 Virginia Drive, Orlando ziggiespizza.com
Drink: Dr. Drips Coffee Lounge 1618 N. Orange Ave., Orlando instagram.com/dr.drip.coffee
GB’s Bottle Shop 531 Virginia Drive, Orlando gbbottleshop.com
Ivanhoe Park Brewing 1300 Alden Road, Orlando ivanhoeparkbrewing.com
Matador 724 Virginia Drive, Orlando instagram.com/matador_ orlando
Nora’s Sugar Shack 636 Virginia Drive, Orlando instagram.com/ norassugarshack
Savoy 1913 N. Orange Ave., Orlando savoyorlando.com
Shop: Aniko, the Balkan Market 1700 N. Orange Ave., Orlando anikomarket.com
Kiwi Camera Service 542 Virginia Drive, Orlando kiwicameraservice.com
Maffrey’s Good Goods 1225 N. Orange Ave., Orlando maffreys.com
Go:
Harriett’s Orlando Ballet Centre 600 N. Lake Formosa Drive, Orlando orlandoballet.org
Renaissance Theatre 415 E. Princeton St., Orlando rentheatre.com
Virginia Drive Live ivanhoevillage.org
Nora’s Sugar Shack / photo by Matt Keller Lehman
Maitland, Eatonville & points north
Just north of Orlando, Maitland and Eatonville share a border but offer intertwined perspectives on Central Florida’s past and future. Eatonville, incorporated in 1887, holds the distinction of being the oldest Black-incorporated municipality in the United States, a place where history isn’t just preserved but lived and celebrated daily. It’s the hometown of Harlem Renaissance author and folklorist Zora Neale Hurston, whose legacy endures through the annual Zora! Festival and the town’s ongoing commitment to Black arts and culture.
Next door, Maitland leans into a quieter but no less compelling identity as an arts-and-culture hub. The Art & History Museums of Maitland campus anchors the city with André Smith’s striking architecture and experimental spirit, while Enzian Theater draws film lovers year-round (but especially during each spring’s Florida Film Festival).
Between the two cities, you’ll find a balance of reflection and recreation. Stroll around Lake Lily Park, spot a rescued raptor at the Audubon Center for Birds of Prey, or seek out some of Orlando’s best comfort meals: meat-and-three at Kim’s Kook’n, a cheesesteak at Kappy’s Subs, the richest lasagna at Antonio’s or a perfectly roasted chicken from Athena.
It’s easy to treat this area as a quick detour north of the city. But slow down, and it reveals itself as something richer — a place where cultural legacy and creative energy coexist.
Eat:
Athena Roasted Chicken
487 S. Orlando Ave., Maitland athenachicken.com
Cow & Cheese
400 S. Orlando Ave., Maitland
facebook.com/ cowandcheese
Kappy’s Subs 501 N. Orlando Ave., Maitland kappyssubsfl.com
Kook’n With Kim 307 W. Kennedy Blvd., Orlando facebook.com/kooknwithkim
Selva Rosa 901 S. Orlando Ave., Maitland instagram.com/theselvarosa
Sourdough Bread House 5761 U.S. Highway 17-92, Casselberry sourdoughbreadhouse.com
Summer Breeze Roti Shop 215 W. State Road 434, Longwood summerbreezerotishop.com
Drink: The Copper Rocket 106 Lake Ave., Maitland thecopperrocket.com
Eden Bar at Enzian Theater 1300 S. Orlando Ave., Maitland
Kos Coffee 449 S. Orlando Ave., Maitland choosekos.com
Luke’s Kitchen and Bar 640 S. Orlando Ave., Maitland eatatlukes.com
Shop: Blackbird Comics & Coffeehouse
500 E. Horatio Ave., Maitland theblackbirdroost.com
Go: Casselberry Arts Center 137 Quail Pond Circle, Casselberry casselberry.org
Art & History Museums of Maitland
231 W. Packwood Ave., Maitland artandhistory.org
Zora! Festival Every January zorafestival.org
Art & History Museums of Maitland / courtesy photo
Milk District
The Milk District, named after the T.G. Lee Dairy factory, is a cultural hub just east of Orlando that offers an indie community vibe, while nurturing the creative spirit. Artsy folks are in good company here, from the colorful murals painted on the parking spaces of Se7en Bites — an act of resistance against the state Department of Transportation’s anti-rainbow paint job outside the former Pulse nightclub — to live shows at Plaza Live to the regular Milk Mart markets organized along the strip of restaurants, bars and retail shops on Robinson that offer an overwhelming array of locally produced arts and crafts.
The district also features a skate park, community garden, an elevated (read: expensive) bowling alley, regular foodie events like the district’s weekly Tasty Tuesdays and Festival Park, a large grassy park (with a small basketball court) that regularly hosts markets and festivals, like Orlando Weekly’s annual Beer Fest, the recent high-profile Panda Fest, Central Florida Veg Fest and more. The sidewalks in the Milk District along Robinson could use a revamp, parking can be tight, but we all have room to improve ourselves in one way or another, huh? Be weird, be a bit much, and you’ll still fit in.
2320 E. Robinson St., Orlando instagram.com/ stasiositaliandeli
Drink:
The Nook 2432 E. Robinson St., Orlando thenookonrobinson.square.site
Sideward Brewing
210 N. Bumby Ave., Suite C, Orlando sidewardbrewing.com
District Dive
2401 E. South St., Orlando instagram.com/district_dive
Drunken Monkey Coffee Bar
444 N. Bumby Ave., Orlando drunkenmonkeyorders.com
Shop: Etoile Boutique 2424 E. Robinson St., Orlando etoileboutique.com
Kyle’s Bike Shop
203 N. Primrose Drive, Orlando kylesbikeshop.net
Go: Festival Park
2911 E. Robinson St., Orlando
Milk Mart
2432 E. Robinson St., Orlando milkmartorlando.com
The Plaza Live
425 N. Bumby Ave., Orlando plazaliveorlando.org
Stasio’s Italian Deli / photo by Mauricio Murillo
Parramore & points west
Parramore, a historically Black neighborhood bordering downtown Orlando, is in a state of flux. It’s home to venues for pretty much every large sports or entertainment event that comes to the city — the Kia Center, Inter&Co Stadium, and Camping World Stadium, all within walking distance of each other. The newest addition to the quickly changing, some might even say gentrifying, area is Creative Village, a canyon of high-rise apartments, restaurants, and workspaces, including Electronic Arts, where a large flatscreen displays the video game company’s latest creations. An unoccupied, self-driving Waymo might even pass by.
Some of Parramore’s past can still be seen, like at the Wells’Built Museum of African American History & Culture near the Kia Center. Black-owned restaurants are nearby, too, including Sister Soul Food and the longstanding Nikki’s Place.
Travel west on Colonial, out of Parramore, and the new-development glitz of downtown fades. Past the glorious Western Way Shopping Center sign, Colonial widens into a six-lane thoroughfare lined with old plazas, car dealerships, and world-spanning food options, from Caribbean to Chinese. West Colonial is also home to Orlando’s first H Mart, although there are other Asian grocery store choices, such as Lotte Plaza Market near John Young Parkway.
Eat: Lotte Plaza Market
3191 W. Colonial Drive, Orlando lotteplaza.com
The Monroe 448 N. Terry Ave., Orlando themonroeorlando.com
Sister Soul Food 436 S. Parramore Ave., Orlando facebook.com/sistersoulfoods
Walala Asian Noodle House 5062 W. Colonial Drive, Orlando instagram.com/ walalanoodlesorl
Drink:
Broken Strings Taproom 1012 W. Church St., Orlando brokenstringsbrewery.com
Ivanhoe Park Lager House 23 N. Orange Blossom Trail, Orlando ivanhoeparkbrewing.com
Shop: H Mart 7501 W. Colonial Drive, Orlando hmart.com
Palmer’s Feed & Seed 912 W. Church St., Orlando palmersfeedandseed.com
Go:
ArtCube Gallery 814 W. Church St., Orlando interstructinc.com/parramorearts
Inter&Co Stadium
655 W. Church St., Orlando interco-stadium.com
Luminary Green Park
437 N. Terry Ave., Orlando
Wells’Built Museum of African American History & Culture
511 W. South St., Orlando wellsbuilt.org
Sister Soul Food / Photo by Mauricio Murillo
Sand Lake/ Dr. Phillips
Let’s be real, this neighborhood doesn’t get called “Restaurant Row” for nothing. Trying to pick a favorite along Sand Lake Road is like a mother trying to pick her favorite child (you may have a favorite, but you wouldn’t dare voice it). That being said, if you have a taste for fine dining or elevated fare, the Dr. Phillips/Sand Lake Road neighborhood offers a range of restaurant and bar options just a skip away from some of Orlando’s most popular theme parks, including Universal Orlando and SeaWorld. Considered a more affluent neighborhood, you’re not going to find the cheapest eats here, unless you opt for a cursed chain, but we love a good date night/“treat yourself” spot, do we not?
This neighborhood isn’t near the Dr. Phillips Center or Inter&Co Stadium, but don’t worry, there are other nearby diversions that may help fill the theatrical hole in your heart, from the Theatre South Playhouse to the new and already award-winning 24-hour Arcade Time or the plethora of mini golf courses, kitschy tourist gift shops, and I-Drive attractions nearby.
Eat:
El Inka Grill
7600 Dr. Phillips Blvd., Orlando elinkagrill.com
La Carraia Florida Gelateria
7600 Dr. Phillips Blvd., Orlando lacarraiaflorida.com
Mister 01 Extraordinary Pizza
7541 W. Sand Lake Road, Orlando mistero1.com
Norman’s Orlando 7924 Via Dellagio Way, Orlando normans.com
Peperoncino 7988 Via Dellagio Way, Orlando getsauce.com
Slap Hand Ripped Noodles 6532 Carrier Drive, Orlando instagram.com/slap.noodles. usa
Susuru 8548 Palm Parkway, Orlando susuruorl.com
The Whiskey 7563 W. Sand Lake Road, Orlando downatthewhiskey.com
Drink: Harmony Tea Shoppe 7548 W. Sand Lake Road, Orlando harmonyteashoppefl.com
Sixty Vines 7760 W. Sand Lake Road, Orlando sixtyvines.com
Voodoo Bayou 7525 W. Sand Lake Road, Orlando voodoobayou.com/ orlando-location
Shop: Corona Cigar Company & Drew Estate Lounge 7792 W. Sand Lake Road, Orlando coronacigar.com/dr-phillipsstore
Go:
Theatre South Playhouse
The Marketplace at Dr. Phillips, 7601 Della Drive, Orlando theatresouthplayhouse.org
The Bond Room at London House 8000 Via Dellagio Way, Orlando londonhouse.life
Susuru / photo by Matt Keller Lehman
Sanford
Coming from Orlando, about 25 miles south, the accessibility of Sanford’s charming historic downtown area — serving as the heart of Celery City — is a pleasant change of pace. With plenty of free (at least for now) street parking and several unpaved lots, the eclectic row of restaurants, bars, breweries and shops offers an enticing trip even for those about a half-hour’s drive away. Offering an older, small-town feel, Sanford nonetheless has a number of diversions for locals and visitors. You can take a bike ride, stroll or even a dinner cruise along Lake Monroe (you’ll want to catch a sunset here, trust us). Grab a drink along the lake or further inland at one of the many cocktail bars and breweries that are littered (we say lovingly) along a very walkable few blocks of the historic downtown. For a family-friendly time, visit the Central Florida Zoo, rent bikes at one of the local bike shops, or catch a show at the Ritz Theater or Theatre West End. There’s a lively live-music scene here, too, plus a minute goth nightclub in the form of Manikin’s Lounge that doesn’t even try to blend in. Best to visit at the tail end of a night out for some goth, alternative, ’80s and disco vibes.
Eat:
The Bayou Kitchen & Lounge
115 E. First St., Sanford thebayouorlando.com
Henry’s Depot
212 W. First St., Sanford henrysdepot.com
Hollerbach’s 201-205 E. First St., Sanford hollerbachs.com
Tuffy’s Music Box & Lounge 200 Myrtle Ave., Sanford tuffysmusicbox.com
West End Trading Co.
202 S. Sanford Ave., Sanford drinkatwestend.com
Shop: Pedal Driven Co.
210 N. Park Ave., Sanford pedaldrivenco.com
Magpie’s Modern General Store
215-217 E. First St., Sanford magpiesmoderngeneral.com
Spellbound Bookstore
105 N. Oak Ave., Sanford spellboundbookstore.net
Go:
Central Florida Zoo & Botanical Gardens
3755 W. Seminole Blvd., Sanford centralfloridazoo.org
Sanford Riverwalk
East Seminole Boulevard at North Mellonville Avenue sanfordfl.gov/visitors/ riverwalk
St. John’s River & Dining Cruise
433 N. Palmetto Ave., Sanford stjohnsrivershipco.com
Sanford Riverwalk
SoDo & points south
Orange Avenue and Michigan Avenue are the main thoroughfares in SoDo, or South of Downtown. Orlando Health and a plaza with a Super Target dominate Orange, and Michigan is a busy road with more restaurants opening every day, it seems. But if you’re looking for a more leisurely experience of the area, take a drive or walk down Delaney Avenue. The two-lane road has sidewalks (!), speed bumps to discourage speeders (!!), and outdoor opportunities (Al Coith Park! Delaney Park! Wadeview Park!) to remind you of the city’s natural beauty. Lakes Cherokee and Davis are also in the neighborhood, where otter sightings are possible, if rare.
A new shop opened by longtime local coffee roaster Ligature awaits at the south end of Delaney and Michigan. John & John’s — A Pizza Shop is next door with refreshingly straightforward, New York-style slices. Head across Michigan for groceries and after-shopping ice cream at Freshfields Farm.
SoDo has artsy options too, like Timucua Arts Foundation, located in an unassuming house near Boone High School, that hosts concerts, talks and more. The gallery/studio/venue Space Station has also moved to the area, in the industrial section of SoDo near the Super Target.
Farther south, as you edge toward the tourist district, you’ll encounter resources like the Florida Mall (gachapon arcade, gelateria) and the city’s main concentration of Indian restaurants and markets.
Eat: À La Cart SoDo District 2207 E. Michigan St., Orlando alacartorlando.com
Delaney’s Tavern 1315 S. Orange Ave., Orlando eatdt.com
John & John’s — A Pizza Shop 435 E. Michigan St., Orlando johnandjohnspizza.com
Tortas El Rey
6127 S. Orange Blossom Trail, Orlando tortaselreyorlando.com
Woodlands 6040 S. Orange Blossom Trail, Orlando woodlandsusa.com
Drink: Johnny’s Fillin’ Station 2631 S. Fern Creek Ave.,
Orlando johnnysfillinstation.com
Ligature Coffee 419 E. Michigan St., Orlando ligaturecoffee.com
Shop:
Echo Base Collectibles 6001 S. Orange Ave., Orlando echobasecollectibles.com
Go:
Lake Davis Park
723 Lake Davis Drive, Orlando orlando.gov/parks-theenvironment
Timucua Arts Foundation
2000 S. Summerlin Ave., Orlando timucua.com
Ligature Coffee / photo by Matt Keller Lehman
Thornton Park
Just a stone’s throw from downtown Orlando is Thornton Park, and it’s a study in contrasts to the more crowded and metropolitan downtown. Thornton Park is generally quiet (except on the weekends or during block parties, yowza!), walkable and characterized by brick-lined streets, leafy trees and greenery, classic Florida architecture and intriguing local businesses, proffering everything from crepes to spirits.
Living in Thornton Park is probably beyond the means of a lot of us these days, but damn, it’s still a nice place to visit. Fortify yourself with quality eats ranging from ramen at Jinya to towering sandwiches from the Classic, get a drink at steadfast dive bar Burton’s or quirky neighbor the Falcon (check out the art on the walls too), take in a show at the Abbey or grab a coffee at Bynx and amble around the bucolic Orlando landmark that is Lake Eola Park.
There’s been a good deal of change in the neighborhood since we last haunted these streets for City Guide: Graffiti Junktion has been replaced by June, main thoroughfare Summerlin has undergone some significant construction (still ongoing, depending on how far up you venture), a series of pop-up themes now hold court inside the old Dexter’s space and even Soco is gone, though replaced by the stellar Osteria Ester. And yet, there’s still the mural of our own Billy Manes outside Burton’s, feline dignitary and unofficial neighborhood mayor LuLu still blithely walks in and out of local businesses, and Anna V. Eskamani can regularly be spotted at local markets chatting casually with constituents on a spring evening. Not a bad place to be.
Eat:
Earthy Picks
420 E. Church St., Orlando earthypicks.com
F&D Cantina
617 E. Central Blvd., Orlando fdcantina.com/thornton-park
Jinya 8 N. Summerlin Ave., Orlando jinyaramenbar.com
Rusteak Thornton Park 101 S. Eola Drive, Orlando rusteakthorntonpark.com
Osteria Ester
629 E. Central Blvd., Orlando osteriaester.com
Drink: Aku Aku Tiki Bar 431 E. Central Blvd., Orlando akuakutiki.com
Burton’s Thornton Park 801 E. Washington St., Orlando 407-412-5140
The Falcon 819 E. Washington St., Orlando thefalconbar.com
Outpost Neighborhood Tavern
227 N. Eola Drive, Orlando outpostorl.com
Shop:
Orlando Farmers Market
Every Sunday, 10 a.m.-3 p.m. Lake Eola Park, Orlando orlandofarmersmarket.com
TPD Night Market
Every Thursday, 6-10 p.m.
431 E. Central Blvd., Orlando instagram.com/ tpdnightmarket
Go: The Abbey 100 S. Eola Drive, Orlando abbeyorlando.com
Lake Eola Park
North Rosalind Avenue and East Washington Street, Orlando orlando.gov
The fountain on Washington Street / photo by Matt Keller Lehman
UCF & points east
Anchored by the vast University of Central Florida campus, the east side of Orlando is a fast-growing, high-energy area where student life, suburban sprawl and pockets of nature meet. University Boulevard and Alafaya Trail serve as the main thoroughfares, lined with a mix of chains, casual eateries, late-night destinations and locally owned spots that cater to both students and longtime residents. Apartment complexes and student housing dominate much of the landscape, but they’re interspersed with quieter neighborhoods that families and young professionals call home.
This is a neighborhood that is constantly in motion. New restaurants, coffee shops and dessert havens seem to open every semester, giving the neighborhood a rotating cast of go-to hangouts. Places like Chibi Ramen, Tamarind Indian Cuisine and Lazy Moon Pizza keep regular crowds, while adjoining areas like Oviedo and Avalon Park offer breweries, boutiques and a more relaxed pace. You’ll see plenty of students biking to class, walking dogs or studying at cafés like Craft & Common or Fable Coffee, especially during the school year. Traffic can get heavy, but most essential stops — groceries, gyms and quick eats — are within a short, if not busy, drive. When the sun goes down, the area keeps its energy, with nightlife faves like the Brass Tap and Bounce House Social Eatery drawing steady student crowds.
Nature is never far, with trails, lakes and green space both on campus and nearby, including Lake Claire, Blanchard Park and Little Big Econ State Forest. While it may not have the buzz of downtown Orlando, UCF’s environs stand out for accessibility, diversity and built-in sense of community.
Winter Park — Orlando’s richer, prettier, more petite older sib — rarely deigns to acknowledge its contradictions. It’s a polished enclave of brick streets, boutique shopping and old-money ease, but also a quietly stubborn patchwork of bohemian holdouts and a historic Black community. That tension occasionally bubbles up into public fights over growth and preservation — but more often settle into an uneasy coexistence (visual case in point: Hannibal Square).
At its center, Park Avenue delivers the postcard version: sidewalk cafés and a steady hum of commerce that feels almost European in its density and design. Central Park anchors that version, equal parts manicured showpiece and lived-in gathering ground, hosting everything from farmers markets to festivals beneath a canopy that’s part of the city’s point of pride, its 75,000 trees. Pan out a bit further and the disparate elements become more apparent: Hannibal Square’s tony restaurants surrounded by humble bungalows, the century-old traditions of Rollins College contrasted by Full Sail University’s tech-forward futurism, and a cultural constituency woven into the everyday thanks to organizations both established and contemporary: the Morse Museum, the Polasek, Casa Feliz, Crealdé, the Bach Festival Society, Rollins Museum of Art and more.
For all its polish, Winter Park isn’t static. It’s a 140-plus-yearold city still figuring out how to maintain its “old world” charm while addressing mounting pressures of growth, infrastructure and change. For now, it remains one of Central Florida’s most reliable places to spend a day: wandering from Dinky Dock to Central Park bench, New General adaptogenic latte to Ava MediterrAegean cocktail. It may not always make room easily — for parking, for progressivism, for the 32789s versus the 32792s — but if you can find your place in it, Winter Park tends to reward the effort.
Eat: Briarpatch Restaurant 252 N. Park Ave., Winter Park thebriarpatchrestaurant.com
Buttermilk Bakery 1198 Orange Ave., Winter Park buttermilk-bakery.com
Chuan Fu 1035 N. Orlando Ave., Winter Park chuanfurestaurant.com
The Hen & Hog 221 W. Fairbanks Ave., Winter Park instagram.com/the_hen_ and_hog
Mosonori 1100 Orlando Ave., Suite A, Winter Park mosonori.com
Ômo by Jônt 115 E. Lyman Ave., Winter Park omobyjont.com
The Ravenous Pig 565 W. Fairbanks Ave., Winter Park theravenouspig.com
Tabla Indian Restaurant Winter Park 216 North Park Ave., Winter Park winterpark.tablacuisine.com
Drink: Austin’s Coffee 2240 W. Fairbanks Ave., Winter Park austinscoffee.com
Black Phin 152 Harmon Ave., Winter Park instagram.com/blackphin.orl
The Courtesy Bar 1288 N. Orange Ave., Winter Park thecourtesybar.com
The Imperial 136 S. Park Ave., Winter Park imperialwinebar.com
New General 155 E. New England Ave., Winter Park newgeneral.us
Winter Park Station at Central Park
Winter Park
Spatz Sports Bar 1025 W. Fairbanks Ave., Winter Park spatzwinterpark.com
Shop: Gasp
106 E. Canton Ave., Winter Park gaspgifts.com
Orange Tree Antiques Mall
853 S. Orlando Ave., Winter Park orangetreeantiquesmall. com
Rifle Paper Co 558 W. New England Ave., Winter Park riflepaperco.com
Tuni Winter Park
301 S. Park Ave., Winter Park shoptuni.com
Writer’s Block Bookstore
316 N. Park Ave., Winter Park writersblockbookstore. com
Go: Blue Bamboo Center for the Arts
460 E. New England Ave., Winter Park bluebambooartcenter. com
Hannibal Square Heritage Center 642 W. New England Ave., Winter Park hannibalsquareheritage center.org
Charles Hosmer Morse Museum of American Art
445 N. Park Ave., Winter Park morsemuseum.org
Winter on the Avenue Every December winterpark.org/signatureevents
Winter Park Library 1050 W. Morse Blvd., Winter Park cityofwinterpark.org
Winter Park Sidewalk Art Festival Every March wpsaf.org
Black Phin / photo by Matt Keller Lehman
[continued from page 41]
Day trip: DeLand
Just a (slightly less than leisurely) 45-minute amble up I-4 East, DeLand is a day trip well worth taking.
You should start and end your day downtown, whose residents and small businesses have clearly put a lot of effort into revamping and refurbishing, and it was time well spent. The main drag along Woodland Boulevard has a timeless feel, without the bougie pretension of a Winter Park. There are plenty of unique places to shop, eat and knock back a drink or two.
For those needing a trinket to boost that ever-fleeting serotonin, try Groovy Records, Cliff’s Books or any of the antique and clothing shops that line Woodland and thereabouts. To fortify yourself for further travels, grab a bite at the bustling Santorini or Hunters & Gatherers, and top it with some coffee at Boston Coffeehouse or a beer at Persimmon Hollow — responsibly.
DeLand is a college town, so why not check out Stetson College — the Rollins of DeLand, if you will — where there’s plenty of historic architecture to divert you? Outdoorsy side-quests to Blue Springs State Park, Hontoon Island and, for the more cosmically attuned, Cassadaga are encouraged too.
Grab some dinner at popular local spot Cress (founded by a math professor-turned-chef) and if you’re still in the mood to linger, we’ve got you covered. Take in a local show at Athens Theatre or head to iconic nightspot Cafe Da Vinci for, depending on the night, a punk show or a drag show. There’s really no way to lose in this equation. It’s a day well spent.
Eat: Cress
103 W. Indiana Ave., DeLand cressrestaurant.com
Hunters & Gatherers 111 E. Rich Ave., DeLand hgdeland.com
Santorini Greek Cuisine 136 N. Woodland Blvd., DeLand santoriniindeland.com
Drink: Cafe Da Vinci 112 W. Georgia Ave., DeLand cafedavincideland.com
Persimmon Hollow Brewing Co. 111 W. Georgia Ave., DeLand persimmonhollowbrewing. com
Shop: The Anointed Olive 118 N. Woodland Blvd., DeLand theanointedolivellc.com
Cliff’s Books 209 N. Woodland Blvd.,
DeLand cliffsbooks.net
Groovy Records
212 N. Woodland Blvd., DeLand groovyrecordshop.com
Go:
Athens Theatre
124 N. Florida Ave., DeLand athensdeland.com
Fall Festival of the Arts
Every November, downtown DeLand fallfestivaloftheartsdeland. com
Museum of Art – DeLand
100 N. Woodland Blvd., DeLand moartdeland.org
Stetson University
421 N. Woodland Blvd., DeLand stetson.edu
Day trip: Gainesville
Just under a two-hour drive north of Orlando is the heart of Florida’s swampiest of communities. Gainesville at first glance may appear strictly in line with what you’d expect of a tuckedaway college town in the South: booming with educational facilities, trendy eats, dive bars and not much else. But what goes unseen by those only passing through is a city rich in culture and, like much of Florida, quirks.
This oddball city is the epitome of the very Florida dilemma of modernity versus tradition. Decades-old Spanish moss-covered trees line streets that welcome droves of students every few months. Storied family-owned restaurants neighbor just-built clubs and music venues. A constant turnover of new residents is paired with longtime locals who bolster the city’s deep-seated eclectic arts scene and singular energy.
Visitors will find themselves in a quaint downtown, offering homegrown eats, nightspots and hidden-gem cultural arenas like the Hippodrome and ever-versatile and loud Bo Diddley Plaza. Not too far are culinary staples like the tourist-approved Satchel’s Pizza and granola lover-endorsed Karma Cream, while laid-back pours come courtesy of First Magnitude Brewing and elevated sips are found at wine bar Superette.
And lest we forget, it is the swamp. Gainesville is often lauded for its proximity to a cluster of wildly popular Florida springs, but right in the city itself are natural wonders like geological park Devil’s Millhopper, Kanapaha Botanical Gardens and Sweetwater Wetlands, which, yes, is brimming with rather unbothered alligators.
It’s a city of duality. It’s very weird, and it’s very Florida.
Eat: Karma Cream 607 W. University Ave., Gainesville instagram.com/karma_cream
Dragonfly Sushi 201 SE Second Ave., Gainesville dragonflyrestaurants.com
Satchel’s Pizza 1800 NE 23rd Ave., Gainesville satchelspizza.com
Drink: First Magnitude 1220 SE Veitch St., Gainesville fmbrewing.com
Superette 1511 NW Second St., Gainesville instagram.com/superette.gnv
Hippodrome State Theatre 25 SE Second Place, Gainesville thehipp.org
Bo Diddley Plaza 111 E. University Ave., Gainesville gainesvillefl.gov/venues/bodiddley-plaza
Kanapaha Botanical Gardens
Day trip: Mount Dora
Perched on the shores of Lake Dora about an hour’s drive from Orlando, Mount Dora feels like a small-town time capsule with just enough reality to keep it from tipping into kitsch (cough Celebration cough). About 30 miles northwest of Orlando, it has long marketed itself as a quaint alternative to the region’s theme-park churn, and — mostly — it delivers. The downtown core is compact and walkable, lined with gift shops, boutiques and cafés housed in early-20th-century buildings that lean into their creaky charm. Residents prize its “slower way of life” (i.e., you’re gonna see a lot of white hair topped in red baseball caps with white lettering); and the quaint cottages and oak trees draped in Spanish moss might make you suspect the town is actually just a backdrop for a movie set in “a cute Southern village.” There are even hills — very rare in flat-ass Central Florida! — giving Mount Dora a subtly East Coast feel.
Whether you come for a sunset drink on the porch of the historic Lakeside Inn, a seaplane buzz over the lake and around the town, a rummage through the stellar thrift stores or just a brief illusion of stepping into a so-called “simpler time,” Mount Dora makes a persuasive case for lingering. It’s a perfect daylong jaunt for visiting relatives, especially family groups, but you might just be glad to rejoin the real world at the end of the day.
Eat:
1921 142 E. Fourth Ave., Mount Dora 1921mountdora.com
Fifth Avenue Streatery
846 E. Fifth Ave., Mount Dora fifthavenuestreatery.com
The Goblin Market Restaurant & Lounge 330 Dora Drawdy Way, Mount Dora goblinmarketrestaurant.com
Little Something Different
426 N. Donnelly St., Mount Dora littlesomethingdifferent.com
Drink:
Eden Abbey Brewing
405 S. Highland St., Mount Dora edenabbeybrewing.com
Magical Meat Boutique Pub
3725 W. Old U.S. Highway 441, Mount Dora mmbpub.com
Tremain’s Tavern, Lakeside Inn
100 Alexander St., Mount Dora lakeside-inn.com
The Yardery
231 N. Baker St., Mount Dora theyardery.com
Shop:
Barrel of Books and Games
403 N. Donnelly St., Mount Dora barrelofbooksandgames.com
Fifth Avenue Thrift Shoppe
333 E. Fifth Ave., Mount Dora
Gold in Art Jewelers
420 N. Donnelly St., Mount Dora goldinart.com
Renningers Antique Center & Flea Market
20651 Highway U.S. 441, Mount Dora facebook.com/renningers fleamarketandantiquecenter
Go:
Jones Brothers Air & Seaplane Adventures jonesairandsea.com
Modernism Museum 145 E. Fourth Ave., Mount Dora modernismmuseum.org
Mount Dora Arts Festival
Every year in late January or early February
Throughout downtown Mount Dora mountdoraart.com/mountdora-arts-festival
Mount Dora Ice Cream Stroll & Pup Walk Every April mountdora.com
Mount Dora Lighthouse
Cheap dates
Concerned that the only way to impress your date is with an expensive outing on the town? Put those worries to rest. There are plenty of inexpensive options in the Orlando area. Because, really, cheap dates are the most fun.
If you’re looking to spend time outside, try an afternoon kite-flying and picnicking in the Milk District. Kites are available at Ace Hardware in Coytown (2523 E. Colonial Drive) for as low as $7.50. Bonus points if you bring your own kite. Stasio’s Italian Deli & Market (210 N. Bumby Ave., closed on Sundays) has lunch covered with Italian sandwiches big enough to share, including its namesake sub, The Stasio, a medley of Italian meats for under $15. Festival Park (2911 E. Robinson St.) has plenty of open space to lay down a blanket and toss your kite into the air. Depending on wind speeds, you might need to give the kite a running start to get it aloft, but the payoff is worth it.
Of course, summer is approaching and spending too much — that is, any — time directly under the Florida sun is a recipe for a very sweaty afternoon. If you and your date are looking to cool off, Orlando has water options unaffiliated with the area’s major(ly expensive) theme parks. The pool at Orange County’s Fort Gatlin Recreation Complex, located in a quiet SoDo neighborhood, costs just two dollars to enter. (2009 Lake
Margaret Drive; summer hours are 8 a.m.-8 p.m. every day.)
While public pools obviously attract families, especially in the summer, Fort Gatlin is big enough that finding a relatively secluded spot shouldn’t be hard. After you’ve expended all that energy swimming, head to the ice cream window at Freshfields Farm (400 Compton St., open every day, 10 a.m.-6 p.m.). Hot dogs are $1.97, and a fudge bowl costs $4.37 — the most expensive item on the menu.
There are more traditional, and more clothed, options in the area too. How about a morning of coffee and art in Maitland?
Blackbird Comics & Coffeehouse (500 E. Horatio Ave., Maitland) is the place to start. Sit, browse or take your coffee on the road to the Art & History Museums of Maitland (231 W. Packwood Ave., Maitland; open Tuesday through Sunday, 11 a.m.-4 p.m.), where general admission to the art center and two museums is just $6. The architecture at the Maitland Art Center — the area’s only National Historic Landmark, by the way — is a must-see. Take a walk around nearby Lake Lily (701 Lake Lily Drive, Maitland) if the date is going well. And if you’re ready for lunch, sandwich institution Kappy’s Subs (501 N. Orlando Ave., Maitland; closed Sunday) has still-reasonably-priced subs that are sure to fill you up.
Blackbird Comics & Coffeehouse / photo by Mauricio Murillo
Bike gang
With sporadic bike lanes and at times narrow (or under-construction) roads that force cyclists onto even narrower sidewalks just to get around, it’s no wonder Orlando has a reputation for being unfriendly to both cyclists and pedestrians.
But there have been some efforts to change that: the installation of the aforementioned bike lanes, the development of Orlando’s Urban Trail, and the rise of bike-friendly businesses that encourage cycling through customer discounts — e.g., Sideward Brewing’s 15% discount on cyclists’ tabs Tuesdays after 5 p.m. Although the City Beautiful can still be a difficult city to get around on a bike if you rely on it for practical purposes (like riding a bike to work in most parts of the city), you can still get your cycling itch scratched by frequenting local trails. Just keep a lookout for incoming rainstorms, and bring along water and sunscreen.
Some of the neighborhoods closer to downtown — such as the downtown area, Milk District, Audubon/Baldwin Park and Ivanhoe Village — offer greater accessibility for cyclists off a formal bike or hiking trail (when/if there isn’t road construction). This gives you a great chance to stop by a local coffee shop or lunch spot on the way and get a reprieve from any inclement weather or high temps.
For the newly bike-curious or visitors, don’t worry, Orlando offers a number of options for bike rentals. And if you’d rather play it safe and stay off the streets, here are some of the best bike trails, too.
Bike trails
Orlando Urban Trail
Length: 3 miles
Where: Runs from Lake Highland northeast up to Mead Garden in Winter Park.
Cady Way Trail
Length: 7.5 miles
Where: Runs from Lake Druid Park east and then north around Lake Baldwin, connecting with the Cross Seminole Trail in Seminole County near Aloma Avenue (State Road 426) and Howell Branch Road.
Corridor Art Trail
Length: About 2 miles
Where: Runs from the Greenwood Urban Wetlands along Anderson Street, running north at Crystal Lake Drive/ Maguire Boulevard up to East Livingston Street.
Cross Seminole Trail
Length: About 30 miles
Where: Runs from the intersection of Aloma Avenue (State Road 426) and Howell Branch Road and weaves north through Oviedo, Winter Springs, and up to Lake Monroe Park in Sanford.
Lake Apopka Loop Trail
Length: 18.4 miles
Where: The closest access point to Orlando to this loop around Lake Apopka is Magnolia Park (2929 S. Binion Road, Apopka). A new connector also links West Orange Trail directly to the Loop Trail.
Little Econ Greenway
Length: 7.4 miles
Where: Runs from the intersection of Alafaya Trail and Lokanotosa Trail west through Jay Blanchard Park and Goldenrod to North Forsyth Road.
Shingle Creek Trail
Length: About 17 miles (will
be 32 miles upon completion of an ongoing expansion)
Where: There are two segments, in Orange (north) and Osceola (south) counties. The north segment runs 12 miles from Eagle Nest Park to Oak Ridge Road.
West Orange Trail
Length: 22 miles
Where: Runs from Killarney Station in Winter Garden eastward through Winter Garden, Oakland, then northeast up through Apopka to the Apopka Station.
Bike rentals:
West Orange Trail Bikes & Blades
17914 FL-438, Winter Garden orlandobikerental.com
Wheelworks
455 E. Plant St., Winter Garden wgwheelworks.com
Kyle’s Bike Shop
203 N. Primrose Drive, Orlando kylesbikeshop.net
Retro City Cycles
1810 N. Orange Ave., Orlando retrocitycycles.com
Biking around Lake Apopka
SKI WORLD ORLANDO
Touch grass
Nestled in almost every area of Orlando’s expansive asphaltpaved urban landscape are hidden pockets of the natural world — if you know where to look. The city is home to a wide-ranging network of serene lakes and grassy parks all connected by hiking and biking trails fit for any and every outdoorser.
Starting in the heart of downtown, the Orlando Urban Trail offers a 3-mile journey that snakes through the city and surrounding areas. For something a little more rigorous, the sprawling Orlando Wetlands Park boasts nearly 20 miles of winding trails and paths, including loop options ranging from 2 miles long to 5 miles long. Baldwin Park is home to a clean-cut loop around Lake Baldwin, a mellow 2.5 miles adjacent to the neighborhood’s shops and dining. And if you want to go a little more rugged, Tibet-Butler Nature Preserve, Econlockhatchee Sandhills Conservation Area and Split Oak Forest are the way to go. Plus the trail options sitting just on the outskirts of the City Beautiful: Wekiwa Springs Hiking Trail in Apopka, Black Bear Wilderness Area in Sanford and West Orange Trail in Winter Garden.
All that to say there are near-endless options around town to find a trail where you can hike, bike, stroll or just unplug and touch grass.
Wekiwa Springs Hiking Trail
Length: 13.5-mile loop
Location: 1800 Wekiwa Circle, Apopka
Orlando Urban Trail
Length: 3 miles
Location: From Lake Highland through Loch Haven Park, to Mead Garden in Winter Park
Length: Nearly 20 miles of trails total, with 2-mile, 3.7mile and 5-mile loop options
Location: 25155 Wheeler Road, Christmas
West Orange Trail
Length: 22 miles
Location: 501 Crown Point Cross Road, Winter Garden
Orlando Wetlands Park
Global coffee from A to Z
Contrary to what you might have been told, humanity’s common denominator isn’t happiness, friendship or love: It’s caffeine. And luckily for us, Orlando’s got plenty.
While we applaud each and every brewmaster fueling the City Beautiful these days, our coffee houses featuring global flavors are due for a little extra love and attention. Throughout Orlando, caffeine fiends can find spots to savor tastes from all over.
The newly opened Aguila serves Mexican-inspired coffee (and decor) in Ivanhoe Village. Haan Coffee brings Korean sips to East Colonial Drive. Black Phin Coffee Bar delivers creamy Vietnamese bevs to Winter Park. Zayn & Co. offers Palestinian energy boosters in College Park. Kos in Maitland offers a cozy Norwegian cup. All the while Orlandoans can find Yemeni coffee from Haraz, Puerto Rican coffee from Cultivo, Turkish coffee from Mariam and plenty more.
In Orlando, it’s more than just the start of your day — coffee is community.
Aguila
1215 N. Orange Ave., Orlando aguilacoffee.square.site
Black Phin Coffee Bar 1152 Harmon Ave., Winter Park instagram.com/blackphin.orl Cultivo Coffee 1530 S. Primrose Drive, Orlando cultivocoffeeco.com
Haan Coffee 1235 E. Colonial Drive, Orlando haancoffee.com
Haraz Coffee House 1737 N. Alafaya Trail, Orlando, and 1561 Lee Road, Winter Park harazcoffeehouse.com
Kos Coffee
449 S. Orlando Ave., Maitland choosekos.com
M’ama Napoli Italian Bakery and Deli 965 S. Orlando Ave., Winter Park instagram.com/ mamanapoliwinterpark
Mariam Coffee 361 N. Rosalind Ave., Orlando mariamcoffee.com
Matcha Cafe Maiko 639 N. Mills Ave., Orlando matchacafe-maiko.com
The City Beautiful is lucky to have a variety of breweries within its city limits and just outside of them, too, in neighboring cities like Sanford and Casselberry. As a craft beer enjoyer, one of my favorite (and certainly worthwhile) ways of getting to know the city when I moved here several years ago was checking out local breweries and beer bars in Orlando. I’m one of those asocial nuts that will bring a book or knitting materials to a brewery and just chill out for a hot minute on a weekend for some muchneeded escapism.
Through my visits, I was pleasantly surprised to learn how collaborative the craft beer culture is here — how often you’ll see bartenders from one brewery or bar visiting another after a shift, or hear them recommending other breweries in the area to customers based on their preferred beer style. Many of the bartenders I met were exceptionally friendly and welcoming.
But recent years have brought harder times for craft breweries: Gen Z-ers are less likely to drink, and people in general are tightening their pursestrings due to inflationary pressures, wages not keeping up with the cost of living, and corporate greed making it harder to make ends meet (including for brewery staff who also have to find a way to afford to live in the City Beautiful, often relying on tips). Many breweries, including several in Orlando, have made strides to up their game, offering up not just a cold one to cope with Florida’s heat, but other weekly events or occasional happenings to draw people in: trivia nights, drag bingo, live music, run clubs, food options, book clubs and more.
We know it’s tough out there — for consumers, small businesses, and their service staff — so we put together a rundown of some of Orlando’s local breweries and beer bars who offer a little something extra for the community (including non-alcoholic options for people who don’t drink, but are interested in local social activities). This list may not be exhaustive, so please don’t send hate mail if we neglect to include your business or regular digs.
The Nook on Robinson 2432 E. Robinson St., Orlando thenookonrobinson.square.site
The Nook, a beer bar in the Milk District, hosts weekly vinyl nights (Thursdays), monthly movie pop-up screenings (Saturdays), live jazz nights (every first Friday), live electronic hip-hop (every third Friday) and monthly live electronic music (Saturdays).
Hourglass Brewing
2500 Curry Ford Road, Orlando
480 S. Ronald Reagan Blvd., Longwood hourglassbrewing.com
Hourglass Brewing, with locations in Orlando’s Curry Ford/Hourglass district and in Longwood, offers weekly general trivia on Tuesdays (both locations), drag bingo (District, once a month), music trivia on Wednesdays (District) and regularly hosts markets, Silent Book Club meetups (District), ticketed burlesque shows, and Mayhem on Mills wrestling events (Longwood).
Sideward Brewing
210 N. Bumby Ave., Orlando sidewardbrewing.com
Sideward Brewing, located in the Milk District, hosts a run club on Thursdays, offers discounts to bikers on Tuesdays,
has a full (and delicious) food menu, and regularly hosts markets and, occasionally, live music. For the metalheads, check out their annual Sideward Sabbath beer & BBQ live music event.
Ivanhoe Park Brewing Co. 1300 Alden Road, Orlando 23 N. Orange Blossom Trail, Orlando
ivanhoeparkbrewing.com
Ivanhoe Park Brewing, located in Ivanhoe Village, hosts a weekly run club (Wednesdays), offers weekly trivia (Thursdays), and regularly hosts vintage clothing and other markets on the weekends. Their second taproom, the Ivanhoe Park Lager House in the old Deadwords location, also frequently hosts markets, has a full food menu, and is a popular pre-game spot for people heading off to an Orlando Pride or Orlando SC soccer game.
Tactical Brewing Co. 4882 New Broad St., Orlando tacticalbeer.com
Tactical Brewing, located in Baldwin Park, hosts live music
Sideward Brewing / photo by Mauricio Murillo
Breweries with a little something extra
[continued from page 61]
every Sunday, weekly trivia on Wednesdays, a run club on Thursdays, and puts on several larger-scale block parties each year along with neighboring businesses in Baldwin Park along New Broad Street.
GB’s Bottle Shop
531 Virginia Drive, Orlando gbbottleshop.com
GB’s Bottle Shop, a dogfriendly beer bar in Ivanhoe Village, offers weekly trivia (Wednesdays) and will occasionally host themed markets and tattoo pop-ups.
Rockpit Brewing & Distilling 10 W. Illiana St., Orlando rockpitbrewing.com
Rockpit Brewing, located in the SoDo district, offers weekly trivia (Thursdays), music bingo (Wednesdays), bar bites, and live music (no cover) on the weekends.
Ten10 Brewing Co.
1010 Virginia Drive, Orlando ten10brewingcompany.com
Ten10 Brewing hosts a run club (Tuesdays), weekly trivia (Thursdays), weekly sermons
by the Hearth Church (Sundays), monthly movie nights (Saturdays), has a full food menu, and regularly hosts the Orlando Girls Walk Club, live music (in its B-Side room), vinyl nights and barbecue festivals.
Brewlando, one of the Orlando metro’s only woman-owned breweries, has a new weekly bingo night (Thursdays, Orlando location), weekly trivia (Thursdays, Maitland and Sanford), a food menu, and occasionally hosts live music and Silent Book Club meetups.
Zymarium Meadery
1121 N. Mills Ave., Orlando zymarium.com
While not a beer brewery, this sleek, gothic taproom conceals an alchemical brewing operation of all manner of tasty meads, while also hosting movie nights, modular synth meet-ups, gaming sessions and speed-dating.
Brewlando Maitland / courtesy photo
Arts & culture
Despite our state leaders’ expressed disdain, Central Florida defiantly flourishes as a booming hub for the arts. Look beyond the theme parks for entertainment and you’ll find more than a few innovative, and often unconventional, stage productions and art shows. From touring Broadway productions and art exhibits to the creativity of our locals across media and genres, consider seeing some of the productions these local companies and stages have to offer, as well as the visual delights on gallery walls.
Theater & Performing Arts
Annie Russell Theatre
The home of Rollins College theater has hosted decades of original student-directed productions of both classic and modern theater and dance. rollins.edu/annie-russell-theatre
Athens Theatre
A historic DeLand gem complete with Italian Renaissance architecture. Despite its intimate size, the Athens houses both adult and youth theater companies with a variety of programs throughout the year. athensdeland.com
Breakthrough Theatre Co.
An intimate, family-owned community theater with shows for all ages, from murder mysteries to Broadway faves, they recently moved into new digs on Aloma Avenue. breakthroughtheatre.com
Central Florida Community Arts
An organization that encourages people of all ages and all cultural backgrounds to take the stage and be involved
in the performing arts. cfcarts.com
Dr. Phillips Center for the Performing Arts
One of Orlando’s largest performing arts venues, this culture facility has four different rooms that host touring Broadway shows, local theater productions, live music and dance. The venue is also home to the annual UCF Celebrates the Arts. drphillipscenter.org
Emotions Dance
Modern dance troupe creates expressive, socially conscious performances, using movement to explore emotional, environmental and humancentered themes. emotionsdance.org
Imagine Performing Arts Center
Operating inside the Oviedo Mall, Imagine features both original locally grown productions as well as a host of performing arts and dance classes for all ages.
imagineperformingartscenter.org
New Generation Theatrical
An innovative theater company that regularly stages alternative, edgier fare steeped in today’s pop culture. newgentheatrical.org
Opera Orlando
Professional opera company known for producing a diverse range of operas from classic masterpieces to contemporary works focuses on innovative staging, community engagement and making opera accessible. operaorlando.org
Orlando Ballet
Orlando’s professional ballet company produces both main stage productions at the Dr. Phillips Center and at their administrative complex and at their school, Harriett’s Orlando Ballet Centre. orlandoballet.org
[continued on page 69]
Casselberry Arts Center
Arts & culture
[continued from page 67]
Orlando Family Stage
A professional family theater that hosts shows and musicals geared toward youth. This one’s for fans of classic children’s stories and some next-gen productions. orlandofamilystage.com
Orlando Shakes at Lowndes Shakespeare Center
The Shakes rolls out a regular season on top of PlayFest, its two-week-long annual festival that provides a storytelling space for theater professionals and writers. (Not to mention hosting Orlando Fringe.) orlandoshakes.org
Osceola Arts
Osceola’s countywide arts and culture facility in Kissimmee produces live performances of both Broadway classics to new works and stories, as well as visual arts exhibitions. osceolaarts.org
Phantasmagoria
A traveling Victorian steampunk circus troupe bringing the enchanting and macabre to the stage in a blend of whimsical storytelling, aerial work, fire performance, puppetry and more. phantasmagoriaorlando.com
Renaissance Theater Co.
Original, fringey and oftimmersive productions are the order of the day in this vibrant warehouse space. (Not to mention those drag shows.) rentheatre.com
Ritz Theater at the Wayne Densch Performing Arts Center
A restored historic community theater that hosts plays, films, concerts, special events and educational youth programs. ritztheatersanford.com
Sak Comedy Lab
This troupe is infamous for crafting edgy humor on the fly, specializing in improvisation enjoyable to audiences both young and old in their spiffy
new home on Church Street. sakcomedylab.com
Theater on the Edge
A host of vulnerable and intimate productions full of riveting storytelling and immersive sets. Productions bridge the imagination of cinema with the accessibility of live performance. theaterontheedge.org
Theater West End
A performing arts venue located in historic downtown Sanford that hosts a colorful array of productions of pop-culture favorites and noteworthy plays. theaterwestend.com
Theatre South Playhouse
A professional community theater in the Dr. Phillips area producing shows geared toward youth while crafting a safe space to nurture artists of all ages. theatresouthplayhouse.org
Theatre UCF
From the young talents at UCF’s College of Arts and Humanities, this college program produces a regular season of both classic and contemporary musicals and plays. cah.ucf.edu
Valencia College Theatre
Valencia’s program mounts four major productions every academic year, and, in collaboration with the Florida Playwright Competition, produces original, studentdirected one-act plays. valenciacollege.edu
Winter Park Playhouse
This professional theater seeks to uplift local performers and inspire the community. The 2026-2027 performance series will be their first back in their newly renovated theater. winterparkplayhouse.org
works of Czech sculptor Albin Polasek, this Winter Park museum offers tours of his home, galleries and serene sculpture gardens. polasek.org
Art and History Museums of Maitland
A National Historic Landmark offering a combination of art and history exhibits across multiple museums, including the Maitland Art Center, the Carpentry Shop Museum, the Telephone Museum and the Waterhouse Residence Museum. artandhistory.org
Casselberry Arts Center
A community hub for contemporary art exhibitions and cultural events, fostering local artistic talent, sharing serene park environs with the Casselberry Art House and Sculpture House. casselberry.org
The Charles Hosmer Morse Museum of American Art
The Winter Park home of the world’s most comprehensive collection of works by Louis Comfort Tiffany, including jewelry, pottery, paintings and art glass. morsemuseum.org
CityArts
Historic downtown space with multiple galleries within that hosts rotating exhibits from both local and international artists. downtownartsdistrict.com/ cityarts
Crealdé School of Art
A community-based art organization offering handson visual arts education and featuring galleries with works from emerging and established artists. crealde.org
The Mennello Museum of American Art
Orange County Regional History Center
Housed in a renovated 1927 historic courthouse, this museum features four floors that tell the tale of Central Florida’s history through exhibitions and programming for visitors of all ages. thehistorycenter.org
Orlando Museum of Art
The museum in picturesque Loch Haven hosts touring exhibitions by renowned artists and showcases area talent. omart.org
Orlando Science Center
A hands-on museum that showcases the world of science and technology for curious minds of all ages. osc.org
Rollins Museum of Art
This gallery features programs and exhibitions highlighting a variety of both classic and contemporary art right, on the Rollins College campus. rollins.edu/rma
Wells’Built Museum of African American History and Culture
Parramore home to a trove of historic memorabilia and records of Black history in Central Florida, Orlando’s civil rights movement and the arts. wellsbuilt.org
Women’s History & Cultural Center
Founded by the Girl Scouts of Citrus, this place is home to both permanent and rotating exhibits that highlight women’s history and impacts. womenshistoryandculturalcenter.org
Zora Neale Hurston Museum of Fine Arts
Galleries & Museums
Albin Polasek Museum and Sculpture Gardens
Dedicated to preserving the
A small gem of a museum featuring a select few galleries, including a permanent collection of paintings by Earl Cunningham and an outdoor sculpture garden. mennellomuseum.org
A museum dedicated to Eatonville’s most celebrated writer that displays an array of paintings, photography, film, sculpture and works encompassing the fine arts. zoranealehurstonmuseum. com
Attractions that aren’t theme parks
When we say “Orlando!” you say what? Probably “Where’s my Express Pass?”
Fair! If the City Beautiful does one thing without flaw, it’s entertainment. Our theme parks are larger than life and in demand for good reason, but there’s so much more to our affinity for thrills than what you can find at the parks. All around the city are can’t-miss places where you can step into another world, test your bravery or maybe even learn something new.
Craving the adrenaline rush of a roller coaster? Try getting up-close-and-personal with an alligator at lunch time. Missing being immersed in out-of-this-world theming? Pop into Orlando Museum of Art or Orlando Science Center to really enter a new realm. Want to test your luck in the splash zone? Grab a float and a towel and meet us at Wekiwa Springs.
Attractions for all ages aren’t hard to come by in Orlando, and, most likely, you’ll never have to wait in a line.
Gatorland
14501 S. Orange Blossom Trail, Orlando gatorland.com
Wekiwa Springs State Park 1800 Wekiwa Circle, Apopka floridastateparks.org/parksand-trails/wekiwa-springsstate-park
Orlando Science Center 777 E. Princeton St., Orlando osc.org
Orlando Museum of Art 2416 N. Mills Ave., Orlando omart.org
Orange County Regional History Center
65 E. Central Blvd., Orlando thehistorycenter.org
Harry P. Leu Gardens
1920 N. Forest Ave., Orlando leugardens.org
Central Florida Zoo
3755 W. Seminole Blvd., Sanford centralfloridazoo.org
Bok Tower Gardens 1151 Tower Blvd., Lake Wales boktowergardens.org
Enzian Theater 1300 S. Orlando Ave., Maitland enzian.org
Charles Hosmer Morse Museum of American Art 445 N. Park Ave., Winter Park morsemuseum.org
Gatorland
LIVE SHOWS COMING TO ORLANDO
Jess Hilarious
Friday, May 1
Plaza Live
Cooper Alan
Sunday, May 31
The Plaza Live
You Should Know Podcast
Tuesday, July 14
The Plaza Live
Andres Cepeda
Thursday, May 21
Phillips Center
Vince Gill
Thursday, June 18
Phillips Center
Charley Crockett
Wednesday, September 9
Phillips Center
Jim Breuer
Saturday, May 23
Plaza Live 49 Winchester
Saturday, May 30
Plaza Live
Joe Jackson
Monday, June 29
Phillips Center
Daði Freyr
Friday, October 2
Thursday, July 9
Phillips Center
Plaza Live HYPROV: Improv Under Hypnosis
Saturday, December 5
Plaza Live
Tori Amos
Live music
The greater Orlando area is blessed with a large number of quality concert venues to accommodate bands of all sizes, both touring and native. There’s something for all tastes, be it the Kia Center for fans of big names like Gorillaz and Wu-Tang Clan, legendary local spots like Will’s Pub, newer heatseeking spaces like Conduit, quirky rooms like Uncle Lou’s and Stardust Video or unique and intimate venues like Timucua Arts and Judson’s Live at the Dr. Phillips Center. Here’s a list of the best and the rest.
The Abbey 100 S. Eola Drive, Orlando 407-704-6103 abbeyorlando.com
Ace Cafe Sanford
115 N. Laurel Ave., Sanford 321-363-3440
[continued on page 75]
The Beacham / photo by Matt Keller Lehman
Live
music
[continued from page 73]
The Falcon 819 E. Washington St., Orlando 407-986-0755 facebook.com/thefalconbar
Framework Craft Coffee House
1201 N. Mills Ave., Orlando facebook.com/ frameworkcoffeehouse
Grumpy’s Underground Lounge
1018 N. Mills Ave., Orlando facebook.com/ grumpysunderground
House of Blues Disney Springs, Lake Buena Vista 689-329-2583 houseofblues.com
Judson’s Live 445 S. Magnolia Ave., Orlando 407-358-6603 drphillipscenter.org
Kia Center 400 W. Church St., Orlando 407-440-7900 kiacenter.com
My Sister’s House 10749 E. Colonial Drive, Orlando instagram.com/ mysistershousepresents
Orlando Amphitheater
The Plaza Live 425 N. Bumby Ave., Orlando 407-228-1220 plazaliveorlando.org
Sly Fox Pub 63 N. Orange Ave., Orlando instagram.com/slyfoxpub
The Social 54 N. Orange Ave., Orlando 407-839-1847 foundation-presents.com
Stardust Video & Coffee 1842 E. Winter Park Road, Orlando 407-623-3393 stardustvideoandcoffee. wpcomstaging.com
Tuffy’s Music Box 200 Myrtle Ave., Sanford tuffysmusicbox.com
The Vanguard 578 N. Orange Ave., Orlando thevanguard.live
West End Trading Co. 202 S. Sanford Ave., Sanford 407-322-7475 drinkatwestend.com
Will’s Pub / photo by Jim Leatherman
Annual events
Orlando’s event calendar is stuffed with entertaining events all year-round — well, mostly; in August, we stay indoors — and you might miss out on some fun if you leave your planning up to social media. This curated round-up offers a glimpse of what the year has in store, highlighting can’t-miss moments across the city. Check the web, or our own Calendar section, to confirm dates.
January Cheez-It Citrus Bowl cheezitcitrusbowl.com
Central Florida Scottish Highland Games flascot.com
Zora! Festival zorafestival.org
February Immerse immersefest.com
Lunar New Year Dragon Parade
centralfloridadragonparade. org
Paws in the Park pawsinthepark.org
Sanford Porchfest sanfordporchfest.org
Whippersnap Music and Arts Festival floridasandmusicranch.com
Winter Park Arts Weekend wpinspires.org
March
Central Florida Fair centralfloridafair.com
Florida Strawberry Festival flstrawberryfestival.com
Great Duck Derby meadgarden.org
Leu Gardens Plant Sale leugardens.org
Orlando Beer Festival / courtesy photo
Annual events
[continued from page 77]
MegaCon fanexpohq.com/ megaconorlando
Mighty St. Patrick’s Day Festival raglanroad.com
Mount Dora Spring Festival of Arts and Crafts mountdoraspringfest.com
Pints n’ Paws Craft Beer Festival pintsandpaws.com
