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NEWCOMERS GUIDE

Publisher Graham Jarrett Editor Jessica Bryce Young Editorial Staff Writer Monivette Cordeiro Calendar Editor Thaddeus McCollum Music Editor Matthew Moyer Digital Content Editor Colin Wolf Contributors Peg Aloi, Rob Bartlett, Jen Cray, Jason Ferguson, Hannah Glogower, Alma Hill, Scott Horn, Liv Jonse, Holly V. Kapherr, Faiyaz Kara, Seth Kubersky, Bao Le-Huu, Cameron Meier, Richard Reep, Joey Roulette, Leah Sandler, Steve Schneider, Madeleine Scott, Nicolette Shurba, Abby Stassen Editorial Interns Jacob Galvin, Kristin James, Virginia Vasquez

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Advertising Director of Sales Jeff Kruse Major Accounts Specialist Leslie Egan Senior Multimedia Account Executive Dan Winkler Multimedia Account Executives Scott Navarro, Scott Spar Classified and Legal Rep Jerrica Schwartz Advertising Coordinator Danielle Lebron Marketing and Events Events Director Zackary Rowe Events and Promotions Manager Brad Van De Bogert Marketing and Events Coordinator Rachel Hoyle Creative Services Art Director Chris Tobar Rodriguez Production Lead Designer Melissa McHenry Graphic Designer Daniel Rodriguez, Ian Jones Business Operations Manager Hollie Mahadeo Business Assistant Allysha Willison Circulation Circulation Manager Collin Modeste Euclid Media Group Chief Executive Officer Andrew Zelman Chief Operating Officers Chris Keating, Michael Wagner Human Resources Director Lisa Beilstein Digital Operations Coordinator Jaime Monzon VP of Digital Services Stacy Volhein euclidmediagroup.com National Advertising: Voice Media Group 1-888-278-9866, voicemediagroup.com Cover Illustration by Sean Walsh, @secretsocietygoods Orlando Weekly Inc. 16 W. Pine St. Orlando, Florida 32801 orlandoweekly.com Phone 407-377-0400 Fax 407-377-0420 Orlando Weekly is published every week by Euclid Media 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 2017 by Euclid Media 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. Any submission must include a stamped, self-addressed envelope. All editorial, advertising, and business correspondence should be mailed to the address listed above. Subscriptions: Additional copies or back issues may be purchased at the Orlando Weekly offices for $1. Six-month domestic subscriptions may be purchased for $75; one-year subscriptions for $125. Periodical Postage Pending at Orlando, FL POSTMASTER: Send address changes to ORLANDO WEEKLY 16 W. Pine St. Orlando, FL 32801.

9 Dude. Where’s my car? Alternative means of transportation to help you survive Orlando’s sprawling commuter culture

31 Bag it, cop it, wash it Save cash, look unique and reduce your carbon footprint – thrift shopping is the way

47 Nightlife Where to hear live music, kick it with friends, drink and dance

10 It happened to me A handy guide to some resources you may need in Central Florida

33 Be about that #SelfieLyfe at these photogenic Orlando spots

57 Jam out! Big-time festivals in our own backyard

12 Neighborhood map

37 13 Orlando coffee

58 Sports and recreation Teams, parks, boating and more

41 Breakfast + lunch =

61 Look, listen, laugh Places to enjoy the visual and performing arts around town

43 Tofu town

63 They say good buy, we say hello Find student discounts all around Orlando

15 The social network

Ten great places to meet new people in Orlando

17 Get soaked

How to keep cool in Florida the natural way

21 11 tourist attractions in Orlando that don’t suck 27 Hit the open road

Seven day drives for an afternoon away

shops you should try instead of Starbucks

hell yeah Five essential Orlando spots for your brunch bucket list Eating vegan in Orlando

45 Midnight munch Quiet those cravings at some of Orlando’s latenight eating spots

66 Awesome annual Orlando events

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DUDE, WHERE’S MY CAR?

Alternative means of transportation to help you survive Orlando’’'s sprawling commuter culture

SunRail

elcome! If you’ve been in Orlando for more than five minutes, you’ve probably already discovered one of our more fatal flaws – the congested traffic horror show we call I-4. If you’re a newbie, we’re sorry you missed the crowded parking lots under the interstate, but hey, at least you also missed the first two years of the I-4 Ultimate project, slated to make our lives hell until 2021. This transportation nightmare that we will all eventually be grateful for will rebuild 21 miles of I-4, add two tolled express lanes on both sides, reconfigure a handful of interchanges and replace more than 140 bridges. You already know you can avoid all that by yourself with Uber or Lyft, but there are other alternative options for getting from point A to point B in Orlando.

Bike sharing

Getting your butt on one of those nifty orange bicycles is pretty easy – the Juice Bike Share program lets you reserve on its mobile app or online. After you find a bike, you enter a four-digit PIN code on the keypad to unlock the bike. When you’re done,

just lock it up at a Juice hub or leave it on a regular bike rack (though that will cost you $2). If it’s just for a day, you’ll pay $8 per hour, but locals can choose from three plans: For $15 a month, ride 60 minutes per day; for $20 a month, ride 90 minutes per day; and for students, there’s a discounted plan of $59 a year for 60 minutes per day. Watch out for additional fees, though – if you go over your allotted time, it’ll cost you 10 cents per minute.

Car sharing

City of Orlando has a car-sharing partnership with Zipcar. You can reserve a vehicle online or through a mobile app for one hour or up to seven days. You’ll receive a Zipcard to unlock the car and then be on your merry way. Gas and insurance is included, and you’ll get up to 180 miles of travel a day. To become a member, pay $7 a month or $70 a year, plus a $25 application fee. Use what would have been that monthly car payment to go on one of the road trips we’ll show you later in this guide!

Free Lymmo buses

These free Lynx lines going around downtown are your ticket to not

walking in 100-degree weather. The Orange-Downtown line goes from the Lynx Central Station to downtown and back every five to seven minutes, while the Orange-North Quarter line goes in a loop from Livingston Street to Magnolia Avenue, Marks Street and Orange Avenue every 15 minutes. The Grapefruit line travels east to west from the Amway Center to Lake Eola every 10 minutes, and the Lime line travels within Parramore, from the Creative Village to the federal court house every 10 minutes. Beat the morning congestion with this rapid-transit service and enjoy the free WiFi that’s on all Lynx buses.

SunRail

Central Florida’s rail service connects riders through 12 stations in Orange, Seminole and Volusia counties, with stops from Sand Lake Road in Orlando’s tourism district up to DeBary. SunRail’s next expansion will open four additional stops in a 17-mile segment of Osceola County by 2018, with stations in Kissimmee, Poinciana and Meadow Woods. Another expansion to the north will eventually add 12 more miles to the rail service to connect the DeBary station to

DeLand. A three-county round trip for an adult costs $7.50, or you have the option of getting a reloadable SunCard with weekly, monthly or yearly plans. SunRail is a good transportation alternative, but it travels limited hours and doesn’t operate on weekends or holidays, so you might want to have more than one way to get around in your back pocket.

Coming, eventually: Brightline at the Orlando International Airport

You’re going to have to wait a while for this one. The Brightline express train service plans to connect cities on the southeast coast all the way from Orlando through West Palm Beach and Fort Lauderdale to eventually reach Miami. The first phase of the project connecting the South Florida cities is expected to open this summer. But the Phase 2 extension to a station near the Orlando International Airport has been delayed by more than two years. So plan your trips accordingly for 2019, and in the meantime, stick behind the wheel for the four-hour journey down south.

IT HAPPENED

NEWCOMERS GUIDE

TO ME A handy guide to some resources you may need in Central Florida Something’s wrong and I need to call the police. If you’re in the city of Orlando and it’s not an emergency, dial 321-2355300. Outside city limits (but still in Orange County), call 407836-4357. Of course, if it’s an emergency, the old 911 will do no matter where you are.

It might be good if I could talk to an attorney, but I know I can’t afford it. Check in with the Legal Aid Society of the Orange County Bar Association, legalaidocba. org or 407-841-8310.

Hey, I hate my current political representation. What’s the best way for me to vote them out? You can update your vot-

er registration when you update your drivers license, but for a direct route – and a guaranteed early voting site – head over to the Orange County Supervisor of Elections office at 119 W. Kaley St., or contact the office at 407836-2070. Find more information online at ocfelections.com.

I need a new drivers’ license, because I’m pretty sure I lost mine in the move or on that hottie’s nightstand. You have a couple of options, but both require a wait in line. You can find your closest full-service Department of Motor Vehicles office by going to flhsmv.gov/locations/ orange, or you can (and probably should) just call the local county tag agency at 407-836-4145.

I need medical attention, but I don’t have insurance or a job. Theoretically, the emergency room of any local hospital should treat you. But there are several free clinics operated by Shepherd’s Hope (shepherdshope.org) around town serving the ill on a first-come-first-served basis. The downtown medical volunteer center inside the Orange County Medical Clinic

at 101 S. Westmoreland Drive sees patients from 6-9 p.m. every Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday. Patient registration starts at 5 p.m.

My dog ran away! Call Orange County Animal Services at 407836-3111 while you’re making your posters. And if you adopted from OCAS, your pet is microchipped. I have created a ridiculous amount of yard waste. You

can find the regulations and the scheduled weekly pickup times within city limits at cityoforlando. net, or call the solid waste division at 407-246-2314. In Orange County, not Orlando? Check ocfl. net or call 407-836-6601.

I think I got an STD, or maybe I’m pregnant? The GLBT Center

of Central Florida, at 946 N. Mills Ave., offers free HIV testing seven days a week (407-228-8272). For other reproductive concerns (both male and female), Planned Parenthood has two offices in the area. Call 407-246-1788 for information.

I can’t afford to feed my kids.

There are several food banks in town – some religious, some not – but Second Harvest Food Bank of Central Florida is the most prominent. It’s at 411 Mercy Drive, 407295-1066.

I am without a home and I need a place to sleep. Best to start at

the Coalition for the Homeless downtown, 639 W. Central Blvd., 407-426-1250.

There’s a tree leaning against my power line. Call the Orlando

Utilities Commission at 407-4239018.

I’m considering suicide: Help is out there. Pick up your phone and call the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 1-800-273-8255.

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Palomar

Seaboard Industrial

The willows

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bo eigh

College Park

Princeton /Silver Star

Mercy Drive

Spring Lake

West Colonial Lake Dot Rock Lake

Haralson Estates

Callahan

Lake Mann Estates Lake Mann Gardens

Lake Sunset Washington Shores

New Malibu

Lorna Doone

Parramore

Westfield Malibu Groves

Clear Lake

Carver Shores Roosevelt Johnson Park Village Kirkman North

Richmond Heights Eagles Nest

Metro West

Lake Richmond

Holden Heights

Catalina

Richmond Estates

33rd st. Industrial

Rio Grande Park

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WINTER PARK Orwin Manor

Rose Isle

Ivanhoe ivanhoe Village village

Rowena Gardens

Lake Formosa

Baldwin Park

Audubon Park

Colonialtown north

Park lake Highland

North Quarter

Coytown

MILLS 50

South Eola

THE MILK

Lawsona Fern creek

Lake Copeland

SODO

Lake Weldona

Lake Holden

Orlando Executive Airport

District

Delaney Park

Wadeview Park

Lake Underhill

Lake Como

The Dover

Monterey

Dover Shore East Dover Shore west Dover Manor

Bel Air

Lancaster park

Azalea Park

East Central Park

Lake Davis Greenwood

Lake Cherokee

South Divison Division

Hibiscus

Colonialtown South

Thornton park

DOWNTOWN

Lake Eola Heights

Colonialtown Center

Lake Terrace

Conway

Wedgewood Groves

Dover Estates

Mariners Village

Engelwood Park

Dixie Belle

Pineloch Bryn Mawr

Lake Fredrica

NEWCOMERS GUIDE

Ten interesting p laces to meet new people in Orlando By Kristin James and Virginia Vasquez

Orlando Museum of Art

ore and more, Orlando is a hub for college-aged people and 20-somethings to create social change. Both at UCF and in the larger Orlando area, many groups are planning events to create positive impacts and to focus on the areas of culture, health and sustainability, and those groups are a great place to encounter like-minded folk. Of course, shaking your booty, scarfing some ribs, rolling the dice or downing a cocktail are fun ways to make new friends, too.

sustainability in Orlando. People can attend recurring open mic nights, openings for local artists presenting their work, full moon drum circles, and meet-ups for local thinkers and community organizers interested in making Orlando more sustainable. Dandelion is also a vegan restaurant that has delicious dishes that use locally grown ingredients.

Latin Rhythm at UCF

UCF Student Union, 12715 Pegasus Drive, facebook.com/groups/ latinrhythmatucf You can join this college-run group to take salsa and bachata lessons 9-11 p.m. every Tuesday and Thursday even if you’re not a student. The Body//Talk club hosts a yearly spring showcase Monthly party and community at the Venetian Ballroom on East events, multiple locations, Colonial in April, which sees about bodytalkparty.org At this underground party, you can 300 attendees made up of college find Orlando’s young movers and students, Orlando dancers and proshakers – in both senses. People fessional dancers from out of town. gather with the purpose of creating meaningful connections with others Project SPIT whose minds are set on personal facebook.com/projectspitucf and community growth, and enjoy Members of this spoken-word club self-expression through dance and aim to create a safe space where conversation. Body//Talk focuses on people can express themselves. breaking the ice in a low-key way. Project SPIT hosts two organizational meetings each month on Dandelion Communitea Café the UCF campus, several open mic 618 N. Thornton Ave., nights, and literary events where dandelioncommunitea.com they invite local published poets to In the Mills 50 area, Dandelion speak about how to make an imhosts regular community events pact on a larger community as a that foster a sense of family and spoken-word artist.

Nerd Nite

The Geek Easy, 114 S. Semoran Blvd., Winter Park, orlando.nerdnite.com Branded as an “edutainment” staple in Orlando by Orlando Weekly, Nerd Nite’s monthly drink-andthink meetup is the perfect place to meet others who share your specific interests. After 18-20 minute presentations on science, tech, culture and other “nerdy” topics by experts, the floor is open to Q&A as people imbibe in a laid-back atmosphere.

ReThinking the City

1001 N. Orange Ave., facebook.com/ rethinkingthecity This monthly community event in downtown Orlando brings together local and national leaders to speak about how to create positive change in Orlando. Speakers range from students, artists, and engineers to out-of-town activists and urban planners, and topics range from transportation to arts to service. After the presentation, the floor is open for discussion.

Cloak and Blaster

875 Woodbury Road, cloakandblaster.com The self-proclaimed “gaming pub for geeks” has a bar and a full menu – of food and of games. Gather ’round and whip out a good old role-playing game, check out the

monthly Bards at the Bar cosplay karaoke night, or test your nerd knowledge on Thursday Geek Trivia Nights.

Orlando Museum of Art

2416 N. Mills Ave., omart.org OMA features more than just art exhibitions throughout the year – there are fun parties, classes and programs for all ages. Check out the museum on the first Thursday of every month for 1st Thursdays, a see-and-be-seen event showcasing local artists alongside DJs, drinks and hors d’oeuvre.

Food Truck Bazaar

Various locations in Central Florida, thedailycity.com Check the Daily City’s website for the locations and schedule, but wherever the Bazaar is, you’ll find a gathering of more than 20 food trucks most Fridays of the month, and you can bond with new pals over a mutual love of mobile meals. Bring cash and a chair, just in case.

Cocktail classes

The Courtesy Bar, 114 N. Orange Ave., thecourtesybar.com On the first and third Saturdays of each month at 5:45 p.m., learn to shake things up in a cocktail shaker and in your social life. Admission of $55 covers materials for three full-sized DIY cocktails. (Use a ridehailing service, please!)

NEWCOMERS GUIDE

THE SOCIAL NETWORK

NEWCOMERS GUIDE

How to keep cool in Florida the natural way

Clearwater Beach

By Monivette Cordeiro

f you’ve just moved here for college or a cool internship, you may have noticed Orlando is a little landlocked. If this is your first summer here and you were imagining a beachy paradise, we apologize. That ocean breeze just doesn’t hit us in the same way (at all) as in Tampa or Miami, which means it’s harder to get cool when the sweltering temperatures and humidity make it seem like you’ve got a penthouse in hell. And no, that dehydrated feeling does not go away. You could chill out at your favorite air-conditioned location (your house, a bar, the closest Publix), but why do that when there are so many beautiful Florida beaches and crystal-clear springs calling your name? Consider our suggestions and then go off to find that hydrated “AHHHHH” feeling somewhere (relatively) near you.

Beaches Cocoa Beach

Orlando’s closest beach off Florida’s Space Coast is just an hour away and the stuff of surfing legend. Explore its sandy Atlantic beaches, famous pier and the world’s largest surfing shop at the Cocoa Beach Ron Jon Surf Shop.

Clearwater Beach

On the Gulf side of the state, Clearwater Beach is known for its white sands, warm waters and dazzling sunsets. It’s consistently ranked as one of Florida’s better beaches and is just two hours away.

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Devil’s Den Siesta Key

This Gulf Coast barrier island near Sarasota is host to quartz sand, blue-green waters, romantic sunsets and now, an MTV reality series about the lives of rich kids. You’re going to need a few good mimosas for that last one.

New Smyrna Beach

At Playalinda, you just might see a full moon. And by moon we mean a whole lot of naked butts gallivanting around one of Florida’s only nude beaches. Just remember, you can only change into your birthday suit in Lot 13.

Oh NSB, how we love/hate you. You’re one of the best surf towns in the country, but you also experience an unusually high number of shark bites. You’re the fastest way for Orlandoans to get a beach fix, but the fact that you allow cars to drive on the beach can be a bummer. But you know what, you’ll always be No. 1 to us, not just because you’re the shortest distance away but because there’s no better feeling than putting your hot, sandy feet up on the dashboard and stopping for a dip cone at Frozen Gold on the way out of town.

Canaveral National Seashore

Springs

Playalinda Beach

You won’t find crowds here, so this is your goto when you need a break from it all. Go for a hike to see some awesome birds and hunt for cool driftwood, or just zen out and snooze on the sand.

Rock Springs Run at Kelly Park

400 E. Kelly Park Road, Apopka, ocfl.net About 35 minutes from Orlando, this bubbly Apopka spring features a nice lazy river run. Rent a tube and never look back.

Wekiwa Springs State Park

1800 Wekiwa Circle, Apopka, floridastateparks.org Get there early because this popular clear water spring with origins in the Wekiva River fills up fast with tourists and residents. Canoe and kayak rentals are available.

Ichetucknee Springs State Park

12087 S.W. U.S. Highway 27, Fort White, floridastateparks.org This spring is more than two hours away from Orlando, but boy is it worth the drive. Tube down this serene lazy river or go scuba diving in the caves of nearby Blue Hole Spring.

Devil’s Den

5390 N.E. 180th Ave., Williston, devilsden.com Snorkel or scuba dive your way through the blue waters to see 33-million-year-old fossil beds, ancient rock formations and stalactites. It’s an experience you definitely won’t forget.

Rainbow Springs

19158 S.W. 81st Place Road, Dunnellon, floridastateparks.org Come to the place that Floridians have been visiting for almost 10,000 years, according to archaeological evidence. Tube, snorkel, canoe and kayak your way down the Rainbow River before it gets to the Withlacoochee River.

Blue Spring

2100 W. French Ave., Orange City, floridastateparks.org

Siesta Key

Blue Springs, the biggest spring on the St. John’s River, is a designated manatee refuge and home to a population of West Indian manatees during the winter, but in the summer it’s all about hanging in the H2O – swimming, snorkeling, scuba diving, tubing, kayaking and canoeing are all allowed on the Blue Spring Run. If you’ve got a scuba license, you should definitely check out the underwater cave lingering about 100 feet below the surface.

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IN ORLANDO THAT DON’T

SUCK

Epcot

rlando might be home to the most magical place on Earth, but sometimes it’s hard to believe that when you’re backed up for hours and screaming out your window on Interstate 4 near the Disney Springs exit. As a newcomer, eventually you’ll learn the tricks to avoid tourist traps (like never driving on International Drive, period), but it’s also smart to have a mental list of attractions worth the trouble, and Orlando has plenty. Enjoy your newbie status and check some of these off your bucket list.

The Wizarding World of Harry Potter

Universal Orlando Resort, 6000 Universal Blvd., universalorlando.com OK, hear us out. Yes, you will be run over at some point by a rampaging cheerleading team from Texas. Yes, you will be waiting in ungodly-long lines that suck your soul out, Dementor-style. But it’s downright heretical not to go and experience the magic of Hogwarts Castle, roam the streets of Diagon Alley and travel underground to

the Gringotts Wizarding Bank. Pro tip: Guests staying at Universal resorts get early admittance to the parks.

Epcot

200 Epcot Center Drive, Lake Buena Vista, disneyworld.disney.go.com Has Epcot has been named a “tourist trap” before? Yes. Does that make it less worthy of a visit? No, and here’s why: This Disney staple hosts boozy food and drink festivals pretty much year-round. There’s the International Food and Wine Festival, the Flower & Garden Festival and the International Festival of the Arts. Find your favorite adult and take some tipsy trips around the world.

Gatorland

14501 S. Orange Blossom Trail, gatorland.com How can anyone say no to a place that bills itself the “Alligator Capital of the World”? Mostly off the beaten tourist path, this eco-preserve is home to thousands of terrifying reptiles,

and unlike your neighborhood gator, you can actually feed these. Watch alligators and crocodiles wrestle with trainers or zipline above their breeding marsh.

Bok Tower Gardens

1151 Tower Blvd., Lake Wales, boktowergardens.org Find all the natural wonders of Florida in one place, right on the outskirts of Orlando’s suburbs. Tour the botanical gardens designed by famed landscape architect Frederick Law Olmsted Jr. as you listen to the carillon bells coming from the iconic neo-Gothic Singing Tower.

Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex

State Road 405, east of Titusville, kennedyspacecenter.com Get a glimpse of the future at Florida’s gateway to space. Watch a live rocket launch, take a tour of the 363-foot Saturn V that took American astronauts to the moon and back, and even see the lunar dust still clinging to astronaut Alan

NEWCOMERS GUIDE

TOURIST ATTRACTIONS

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Bok Tower Gardens Shepard’s space suit. There’s a lot to see at each of NASA’s 10 field centers, so get there early.

of hours locating your favorite celebrity at Madame Tussauds wax museum.

Harry P. Leu Gardens

The Charles Hosmer Morse Museum of American Art

1920 N. Forest Ave., leugardens.org This botanical paradise is minutes away from downtown Orlando and has the added bonus of being a mostly-locals hangout (no tourists!). Home to the largest formal rose garden in Florida, this treasure-filled green space is also host to a bamboo forest, a butterfly garden, one of the largest and oldest live oak trees in the city and the historic 19th-century Leu House Museum.

Fun Spot America

2850 Florida Plaza Blvd., Kissimmee, fun-spot.com Steps away from the kitschy Old Town shops, Fun Spot America features a plethora of carnivaltype attractions, including a four-story go-kart track, a vomitinducing flight on the world’s tallest SkyCoaster and the new Mine Blower wooden roller coaster, which features an 80-foot drop.

I-Drive 360

8375 International Drive, i-drive360.com One of Orlando’s newer attractions is smack-dab in the middle of International Drive, but it’s worth the trouble. Swing from a capsule in the slow-moving Coca Cola Orlando Eye observation wheel, try some of the unique restaurants, gawk at the octopus in the Sea Life Aquarium or spend a couple

445 N. Park Ave., Winter Park, morsemusem.org With its singular collection of art glass by Louis Comfort Tiffany, the Morse Museum is the perfect place to take those fancy out-of-town relatives you want to impress. For all its elegance, this Winter Park museum is pretty affordable and open to the public six days a week. (Holiday hint: It has a huge and well-stocked gift shop.)

Wekiwa Springs State Park

1800 Wekiwa Circle, Apopka, floridastateparks.org A popular hangout spot for locals and tourists alike, this cool, crystalline spring is the perfect weekend getaway as long as you get there early enough. During the summer, noon is too late – the park is usually already at capacity. Enjoy snorkeling, kayaking or just chilling at the area’s favorite watering hole, Wekiva Island.

Wild Willy’s Airboat Tours

4715 Kissimmee Park Road, St. Cloud, wildwillysairboattours.com If you thought Gatorland was tame, get a load of this airboat adventure on Lake Tohopekaliga in Osceola County. Explore a natural marsh and get close to the sharp-toothed critters that make it their home (not too close!). After ward, get gutsy and munch some quality gator

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THE HIT OPEN ROAD

Florida Cactus, Apopka Photo by Lindsey Thompson

seven Central Florida day drives for an afternoon away from Orlando

Lakeland

Apopka

Southern charm and oak trees covered in Spanish moss still dominate Lakeland, but there’s culture here. Find mind-blowing beauty among the largest collection of Frank Lloyd Wright architecture at Florida Southern College (111 Lake Hollingsworth Drive, Lakeland, flsouthern.edu) and admire the masterful white jewel that is Florida Polytechnic University (4700 Research Way, Lakeland, floridapolytechnic.org). Drink espresso, pour-overs and siphon brews that remind you of Orlando coffee shops at Concord Coffee (1037 S. Florida Ave., Lakeland, concordcoffee co.com) or sip your tea, pinky up, at the fancy Lavender N’ Lace Tea Room (430 N. Lake Shore Way, Lake Alfred, lavendernlacetearoom.com).

Minutes away from Orlando’s bustle, time has stood still in Apopka’s wildlife enclaves, making it one of the best places to find the old Florida that used to be. Float down a lazy river at Rock Springs Run (400 E. Kelly Park Road, Apopka, ocfl.net) or spot 362 bird species at Lake Apopka Wildlife Drive (2803 Lust Road, Apopka, sjrw md.com). Find a cute little cactus for your greenhouse at Florida Cactus (2542 Peterson Road, Apopka). Treat yourself to some sugar at Aunt Gingibread’s Bakery (409 S. Park Ave., Apopka, facebook.com/auntgingi breadsbakery) with one of their homemade tarts or get fried – fish, that is – at The Catfish Place (311 S. Forest Ave., Apopka, mycatfishplace.com).

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Cassadaga Spiritualist Camp Photo by Moriah Russo

Tennessee Truffle, Sanford Photo by Rob Bartlett

Cassadaga Explore your hidden divination skills by going on a trip to the mystical town of Cassadaga, also known as the “Psychic Capital of the World.” Sit in the stone Devil’s Chair at Lake Helen Cemetery and buy crystals, herbs, smudges and charms at the Cassadaga Psychic Shop (460 Cassadaga Road, psychicshopcassadaga.com). After you’ve gotten an aura reading, head to the haunted, lodge-style Cassadaga Hotel (355 Cassadaga Road, cassadagahotel.net) for drinks, elegant decor and mediums on call.

New Smyrna Beach New Smyrna Beach is a favorite day- or weekend-long excursion for Central Floridians. The sleepy seaside town of New Smyrna Beach offers a plethora of choices for foodies, drinkers or beach bums. Find unique pieces from local and visiting artists at Arts on Douglas (123 Douglas St., arts ondouglas.net) in the town’s historic downtown, or harness a little of the magic of New Smyrna’s most famous artist, Bob Ross, at the Bob Ross Art Workshop (757 E. Third Ave., bobrossartwork shop.com). Dig into a platter of fresh crab or a fried grouper sandwich at JB’s Fish Camp (859 Pompano Ave., jbsfishcamp.com) or indulge in scenic dining at the homestyle Italian restaurant The Garlic (556 E. Third Ave., thegarlic.net). Wash

Persimmon Hollow Brewing Co., DeLand Photo by Jessica Bryce Young

it all down with a cold Shark Attack IPA from local microbrewery New Smyrna Brewing Co. (112 Sams Ave., newsmyrnabrewing.com).

Sanford Sanford is lovely all on its own without the tourist term “Orlando North.” Take SunRail and see this city’s magnetic appeal firsthand at the Jeanine Taylor Folk Art gallery (211 E. First St., Sanford, jtfolkart.com) where local folk artists are highlighted, and explore the intersection of good coffee and vinyl at Rabbitfoot Record Store Café (307 E. Second St., Sanford, rabbitfoot.rocks). Fuel up with upscale Southern cuisine at The Tennessee Truffle (125 W. First St., Sanford, 407-942-3977, facebook.com/thetennesseetruffle) and marshmallow s’mores at Wondermade Café (214 E. First St., Sanford, wondermade.com); catch a buzz at one of the several local breweries (we like Wop’s Hops, 419 S. Sanford Ave., wopshopsbrew ing.com). To end the day, sail down the winding St. Johns River on an authentic sternwheeler named Barbara-Lee with the St. Johns Rivership Co. (433 N. Palmetto Ave., Sanford, stjohnsriver shipco.com).

Winter Garden A quick trip west of Orlando takes you to historic downtown Winter Garden, filled with live

oaks, historic buildings and creative minds. Find leopard-spotted pizzas from Michael’s Ali CoalFired, farm-to-table cuisine at Five Thymes Five and expertly rolled sushi at Jodo, all steps away from each other at the Plant Street Market (426 W. Plant St., Winter Garden, plantstmarket.com). After your day of shopping and sipping and strolling, come inside for a film, a concert or a live staging at the Garden Theatre (160 W. Plant St., Winter Garden, gardentheatre.org). Nosh on casual-but-upscale bites at the Tasting Room at the Chef’s Table at the historic Edgewater Hotel (99 W. Plant St., Winter Garden, chefstableattheedge water.com).

DeLand Home to Stetson University, DeLand feels like the real-life version of a tight-knit community like Stars Hollow. Get your caffeine fix at DeLand’s newest coffeehouse, Trilogy Coffee Roasting Co. (136 W. Georgia Ave., DeLand, trilogycoffee.com) and grab a taco at Neighbors Artisan Taqueria (112 W. Georgia Ave., DeLand, neighborsdeland. com). Guzzle down brews made in-house at Persimmon Hollow Brewing Co. (111 W. Georgia Ave., DeLand, persimmonhollowbrewing.com) and capture your Instagram selfie in front of the DeLand Wings (100 block of South Woodland Boulevard, DeLand, facebook.com/delandwings) near Artisan Alley.

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Avalon Photo by Colin Wolf

Save cash, look unique and reduce your carbon footprint – thrift shop ping is the way

By Madeleine Scott

rlando has its fair share of malls, and they’re beautiful – concrete meccas of fluorescent lighting, perfume samples and Auntie Anne’s Pretzels abound. But if you’re tired of watching your bank account shrivel up after one pair of mall jeans, fear not! This city is also chock-full of thrift and secondhand shops primed to help you save extra cash, reducing your carbon footprint and ensuring that your Thursday nights downtown never spiral into a Kate Sanders vs. Miranda Sanchez same-outfit-on-pictureday fiasco. Transitioning your wardrobe from new to new-to-you can be intimidating, however, and understandably so; have you seen the size of that Goodwill on Orange Blossom Trail? Here are some quick tricks to help you get started. Soon, you’ll never need to brave the crowds at the outlets again.

Know what you want, but be sections, but you should definitely open-minded. keep an eye out for their big annual If you’re trying to stick to a budget, it’s always a good idea to draw up a list of what you’re looking for – that pile of impulse-buy $2 joke T-shirts in your basket can add up fast. At the same time, though, remember that you probably won’t find the exact items you’ve been picturing. Keep an eye out for pieces that are similar or convey the same style, and try on as much as possible – you never know what you’ll end up loving.

Sale days!

To make your dollars stretch the furthest, pay attention to storespecific sale calendars. Most thrift stores (Community Thrift Store and Goodwill, among others) price with color-coded tags, and will offer discounts on different colors based on the day of the week. Resale shops like Dechoes (2110 Edgewater Drive and 2525 E. Colonial Drive, dechoesresale.com) and Avalon Exchange (745 Orange Ave., Winter Park, instagram. com/avalonexchangeflorida), on the other hand, always have sale

sale events. At the Dechoes Bag Sale, you can stuff a shopping bag for $15, and at Avalon’s Dollar Sale, racks and racks of items are just a buck apiece.

Above all else: Put in the time.

Thrifting is mostly chance – it’s all about being in the right place at the right time. You’ll maximize that chance, though, by becoming a regular at the shops closest to you. If you can, find out when new stock is dropped off and plan your visits accordingly. Make sure to block out enough room in your day to dig through every section. Of course, if you’d like to expedite the process, you can always follow Dechoes or Avalon Exchange on Instagram – new items are posted as they come in, and if you see something you love, you can call with card in hand and nab it immediately. Either way, it doesn’t really matter how you stumble across the worn-in leather jacket of your dreams or those perfectly snug plaid pants – nothing beats the feeling of a onein-a-million find.

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Be about that #SelfieLyfe at these photogenic Orlando spots.

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By Monivette Cordeiro Lake Eola Park

512 E. Washington St., cityoforlando.net/parks/ lake-eola-park Orlando’s sinkhole-turned-crown-jewel of downtown life has an endless amount of photographic opportunities. Start with the rainbow bandshell, work your way up to taking a selfie while riding a swan boat, and eventually land in the stone hands of the “Muse of Discovery” sculpture.

Coca-Cola Orlando Eye

8401 International Drive, officialorlandoeye.com Use the dancing hot dog Snapchat filter inside the glass capsule as you’re lifted 400 feet above the ground in the observation wheel, or outside in front of the ever-changing, colorful light displays.

UCF Reﬂecting Pond

University of Central Florida, 4000 Central Florida Blvd., ucf.edu Bring your spirit and your bathing suit to UCF’s iconic 225,000-gallon pool during Spirit Splash. Thousands of UCF students jump into the Reflecting Pond as part of the annual homecoming pep rally and, weirdly enough, get rubber ducks as souvenirs. Honestly, if you miss a selfie here, are you even a Knight?

Rollins College

1000 Holt Ave., Winter Park, rollins.edu Here’s the thing about Rollins: The whole damn place is beautiful, so you can take a selfie pretty

much anywhere on campus. The college’s distinctive Spanish Mediterranean architecture makes a perfect background when juxtaposed with the golden, billowy clouds of a Florida sunset over Lake Virginia.

West Art District

1011 W. Central Blvd., westartdistrict.com There are murals upon murals of vibrant artwork in this Parramore establishment. It’s likely that no two selfies will ever be alike in this developing art installation.

“Greetings From Orlando” mural

Uncle Tony’s Donut Shoppe, 703 N. Orange Ave. Created by artist Victor Ving, this mural features highlights from Orlando’s past and present in postcard-like form. Bring your own doughnut for the selfie, though, because Uncle Tony’s sells records, not doughy sweets.

“Milk Wings” mural

Milk District Orlando, 2424 E. Robinson St. These celestial pink wings by artist DelaCruz give visitors a perfectly angelic photo-shoot opportunity.

“Drinsch” mural

Snap! Space, 1013 E. Colonial Drive German artist Mark Gmehling’s four-story-high cartoon of despair captured the utter havoc of 2017 before it was even a thing.

“#Wingstowalls” mural for Red Bull

Corner of North Mills Avenue and Lake Highland Drive Artist Andrew Spear has dozens of murals around town, each an original piece, but one of our favorites is this DJ-spinning, dance-crazed party scene he created for Red Bull. You’re going to need your selfie stick for this one.

“LOVE Hands” mural near Pulse

Wall of Einstein Bros. Bagels, 1901 S. Orange Ave. Created by Baltimore artist Michael Owen, this purple mural features four hands spelling out the word “LOVE” and 49 blossoms representing the victims who died steps away during the massacre at the gay nightclub Pulse.

Tom Fruin’s “Glass House”

Near Canvas Restaurant & Market, 13615 Sachs Ave., Lake Nona, lakenona.com Brooklyn-based Fruin’s kaleidoscopic stained glass installation at Laureate Park is a must-see. A group selfie at this beautiful landmark is well worth the drive.

Orlando Museum of Art

2416 N. Mills Ave., omart.org OMA’s art installations always have interesting shapes, colors and textures that – aside from being highly educational – are nice to stand in front of for photos. The museum went photo-friendly a few years ago, but no flash, please!

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shops you should

try instead of Starbucks By Monivette Cordeiro

h, coffee shops: breeding grounds for WiFi-empowered creativity and the places where Tinder dates mellow and die. You could spend your time in Orlando sipping overpriced grande caramel macchiatos at a corporate chain, or you could explore the City Beautiful’s many indie coffee shops and find a new hangout spot. Take our word for it – there’s a coffee spot for everyone; you just have to find the right one.

Foxtail Coffee Co.

Austin’s Coffee

929 W. Fairbanks Ave., Winter Park, austinscoffee.com With its quirky mix of furniture and art, Austin’s Coffee is the definition of a chill hangout spot. Come for the coffee and stay for the live bands, comedy performances and poetry readings.

Barnie’s Coffee & Tea

118 S. Park Ave., Winter Park, barniescoffee.com Located on Winter Park’s iconic stretch, this comfy coffee house offers not only delicious beverages, but tasty morsels as well. We recommend an iced Turkish latte with some avocado toast for a filling breakfast.

Drunken Monkey Coffee Bar

444 N. Bumby Ave., drunkenmonkeycoffee.com Drunken Monkey isn’t particularly close to any college, but you’ll feel that familiar freewheeling

spirit of experimentalism once you walk through the doors. Don’t forget to try their specialty, the Mojo Jojo, a dark roast blend with condensed milk, cinnamon and hints of spices.

Downtown Credo

706 W. Smith St., downtowncredo.com Downtown Credo’s original College Park location is a comfortable space where you can drink a stellar cup of joe (pay what you wish) and donate to different charitable causes.

Benjamin French Bakery and Café

716 E. Washington St., benjaminfrenchbakery.com France never seemed so close in Thornton Park! Try the Baguette Le Bordeaux, a delicate sandwich featuring Brie cheese, with a steamy cappuccino.

Bikes, Beans & Bordeaux

Photo by Rob Bartlett

3022 Corrine Drive, bikesbeansandbordeaux.com This haven for cycling fanatics in Audubon Park serves delicious coffee and vegan fare. Bonus: They serve breakfast all day.

Foxtail Coffee Co.

1282 N. Orange Ave., Winter Park, foxtailcoffee.com One of the newest additions to Orlando’s coffee scene, Foxtail specializes in rich coffee roasts that will leave you savoring for days. Not only are the pour-overs, cold-brews and espressos excellent, the space is decorated to perfection. We’re excited to drown ourselves in nitro cold-brew at their new downtown location in the Bank of America building, too.

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Krungthep Tea Time Photo by Rob Bartlett

Vespr Coffeebar

626 N. Alafaya Trail, thevespr.com Close to the University of Central Florida campus at Waterford Lakes Town Center, this java shop is a study hot spot. Bring your coffee connoisseur friends and wow them with the iced coffee sangria.

Krungthep Tea Time

1051 W. Fairbanks Ave., Winter Park, krungthepteatime.com Krungthep isn’t just for delectable desserts, savory sandwiches and rainbow-colored teas. Its Thai iced coffee soothes souls on those days when it’s too hot to function.

Achilles Art Cafe

2869 Wilshire Drive, achillesartcafe.com Hidden inside a corner of MetroWest, this coffee shop has everything: a scruffy-yet-lovable owner

named Achilles, hookah, comfy couches and a heavenly crème brulee chai. Don’t miss out on this hidden Orlando gem!

Stardust Video & Coffee

1842 E. Winter Park Road, stardustie.com This eclectic grungy hangout is a little piece of hipster heaven. Come to Stardust to work, eat, drink cocktails, take a selfie in the photo booth, see local art or listen to local bands.

Lineage Coffee Roasting

3201 Corrine Drive, lineageroasting.com Tucked inside Audubon Park’s East End Market, Lineage is dedicated to its craft. Serious palates should try a single-origin pour-over, but the bottled white cold brew is a sweet trip on a summer day.

Drunken Monkey Coffee Bar Photo by Rob Bartlett

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BREAKAST + LUNCH = HELL YEAH Five essential Orlando spots for your brunch bucket list

By Monivette Cordeiro he big presentation is on Monday morning, but instead of practicing your lines and refining your slides, you partied so hard last night in downtown Orlando that you had to eat a whole pizza from Gitto’s to sober up. Now your head is still spinning, but you have to perform in less than 24 hours. The solution? Go to brunch. No, really! The best thing to make you feel human again after an epic hangover is good breakfast food, and Orlando has tons of cool brunch spots. (After you work your way through these five new faves, go to orlandoweekly.com to find plenty more.) Just lay off the bottomless mimosas this time, OK?

Avenue Gastrobar

13 S. Orange Ave., avenuegastrobar.com Like something out of a stoner’s dream, Avenue Gastrobar offers truly creative brunch grub, like sloppy avocado tacos, green eggs and ham, and a waffle burger.

Kasa Restaurant & Bar

183 S. Orange Ave., kasarestaurant.com At $32 for brunch on Sunday, this tapas-style spread is a must. Make

it a point to sample the pad thai calamari, bison burger, and spicy tuna with tostone chips.

Maxine’s on Shine

337 N. Shine Ave., maxinesonshine.com Who knew breakfast could be so sexy? This weekend brunch features eggs Benedict, a brisket hash with jalapeño-cilantro aioli, and the “Warnin’ In Da Mornin,” an extreme Bloody Mary with a beer floater, bacon stick and shrimp skewer.

Santiago’s Bodega

802 Virginia Drive, santiagosbodega.com Reserve your seats now because this beloved brunch buffet gets packed out fast. Nosh on unlimited chorizo paella, patatas bravas, french toast and huge crab legs.

Soco

629 E. Central Blvd., socothorntonpark.com Located in Thornton Park, this brunch mainstay has won its way into Orlando’s heart with their own unique takes on Southern classics like chicken and dumplings, barbecue-glazed pork belly biscuit sandwiches, and macaroni-andcheese croquettes.

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Market on South Photo by Rob Bartlett

eating vegan in Orlando

ollege students and newbies to town, take note: Orlando’s fast-growing identity as a great food city means that staying within the confines of your school’s dining hall or living on Amy’s frozen burritos is practically a crime. This holds especially true for vegan students, because let’s be frank – no meal plan has ever provided vegan options to the extent promised on the campus tour. So when you’ve exhausted that sameold salad bar and inhaled all of the PB&Js your stomach can take, use this as a starter guide for what this city’s plant-based community has to offer. And say it with me: A Complete Cookie is not a meal.

For when you realize you did not get as much work done yesterday as you needed to: Sure, Starbucks offers workspaces and “alternative” milks, but are you really going to keep pretending that that avocado spread tastes like anything? For caffeine, laptop charging, and loads of vegan snacks, spend your Sunday afternoons holed up at Drunken Monkey Coffee Bar (444 N. Bumby Ave., drunkenmonkeycoffee.com). Ask them to keep those vegan Moko Jonos (the dairy-free version of their famous Mojo Jojo) coming, and your paper might just finish itself.

For when your family is in town and they, by some act of God, let you pick the restaurant: Make mom and dad happy with a visit to Toasted (multiple locations including UCF and Winter Park areas, igettoasted.com), which serves grilled cheeses for dairy-heads and vegans alike. If you’d like your

By Madeleine Scott

parents to try something vegan, though – hopefully convincing them that plant-based food is more than just rabbit fodder – take them to the Leguminati food truck (check @leguminati on Instagram for locations). One bite of a Crunchwrap, and cue Dad: “I can’t believe this is vegan!”

For when it’s the middle of the night and your friends really want Taco Bell but you know you can’t take another Cheesy Bean & Rice Burrito (hold the cheese) this week: It’ll be easy to get their minds off visions of Chalupa Supremes with the promise of bigger-than-your-head pizza slices from Lazy Moon (11551 University Blvd. and 1011 E. Colonial Drive, lazymoonpizza.com), which offers Daiya cheese and tempeh alongside non-vegan options. If you’re downtown, though, pick up a loaded dog from Dixie Dharma’s Vegan Hot Dog Cart, usually located at 63 N. Orange Ave. across the street from Independent Bar from 9 p.m. to 3 a.m. (dixiedharma.com).

For when you’re pretty sure you’re going to die if you don’t have something sweet: Lucky UCF students are closest to Valkyrie Doughnuts (12226 Corporate Blvd., facebook.com/ valkyriedoughnuts), but no matter where you live, it’s worth the trek for raised-yeast doughnuts and/ or soft-serve. Beware, it’s not for the faint of heart: Keep your eyes peeled at Valkyrie’s social media (@ valkyriedoughnuts on Instagram) for daily flavors, “$9 Bullshit Drinks” piled high with whipped cream and pastry, and specials – why not try a donut taco? Your metabolism is the most efficient it will ever be!

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MIDNIGHT MUNCH

Gringos Locos Photo by Rob Bartlett

Quiet those cravings at some of Orlando's latenight eating spots By Virginia Vasquez

night of clubbing is guaranteed to give you a big appetite in the wee hours of the night. Luckily, Orlando has some restaurants in different neighborhoods with late night hours to satisfy your post-party needs. Or if you and a date just happen to be looking for someplace to go past 11 p.m., this list has also got you covered.

Gringos Locos

2406 E. Robinson St. and 22 E. Washington St.; gringoslocos.com A short walk from downtown or Milk District bars, Gringos Locos offers up the tacos and burritos you may need after a night of drinking and dancing. You’ll see the line extends out the door of the tiny space on Robinson, and it’s also hopping downtown. Both locations close at 3 a.m.

Graffiti Junktion

Multiple locations, graffitijunktion.com Any location of this laid-back bar can be your hangout until the wee hours if you’ve got a hankering for burgers and beer. Open until 2 a.m.

Tako Cheena

932 N. Mills Ave., mytakocheena.com Serving up a fusion of tacos and empanadas with Asian-inspired fillings, Tako Cheena services the Mills 50 bar crowd with consistently yummy late-night eats. It closes at 1 a.m. most days and 4 a.m. on Friday and Saturday.

Pom Pom’s Teahouse & Sandwicheria

67 N. Bumby Ave., pompomsteahouse.com If you’re in the mood to spend weekend nights awake with some good tea (or an overstuffed sandwich) at arm’s length, head to Pom Pom’s. It’s open until 10 p.m. Monday through Wednesday, 5 a.m. on Thursday, midnight on Friday, and 24 hours on Saturday.

Oblivion Taproom

5101 E. Colonial Drive, obliviontaproom.com Oblivion Taproom has 40 beers on tap, a relaxed ambience and a big menu of American gastropub options. Closes at midnight most days, 2 a.m. on Friday and Saturday.

Hotto Potto

1700 N. Semoran Blvd., hottopotto.com If you need that warm hot pot of goodness late at night, Hotto Potto on Semoran has got you covered. Closes at 2 a.m. most days, 3 a.m. on Friday and Saturday, and midnight on Sunday.

Junior Colombian Burger

Multiple locations, juniorcb.com There’s nothing quite like a Colombian burger with all the savory fillings. Luckily for us, Junior Colombian Burger is open late in case we ever get that craving past midnight. Closes at 3 a.m. most days, 4 a.m. on Friday and Saturday, and 3 a.m. on Sundays.

World of Beer Downtown

431 E. Central Blvd., worldofbeer.com Located on Lake Eola Park, WOB is a staple in the late-night Orlando bar scene. With indoor and outdoor seating, you can soak in the heart of Orlando over unique craft beers and snacks. Closes at 1 a.m. Sunday through Wednesday, and 2 a.m. on Thursday through Saturday.

Izziban Sushi and Korean BBQ

5310 E. Colonial Drive, izzibanrestaurant.com Yummy Korean BBQ, which you’ll crave after your first tasting, is available until 2 a.m. at this spot on East Colonial. (Their Sand Lake location closes earlier.)

Venezuelan Burger

6316 International Drive, facebook. com/orlandovenezuelanburger For a consistent late-night option, the new I-Drive location promises Venezuelan burger heaven, along with those irresistible arepas that are famous for good reason. Closes at 2 a.m. most days, 4 a.m. on Friday and Saturday.

Beth’s Burger Bar

24 E. Washington St., bethsburgerbar.com Beth’s cheery joints let you customize your burger with impressive topping choices, including egg, sauerkraut, and even peanut butter sauce, and prices are throwback-low. They have a nice beer and wine selection, too. The downtown location is open until midnight Sunday-Tuesday, and until 3 a.m. the rest of the week.

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NIGHTLIFE The TheBeacham Beacham

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Hard Rock Live

6050 Universal Blvd., hardrock.com/live Venture deep into the heart of Universal’s CityWalk entertainment complex for entertainment that straddles mainstream (the 1975), nostalgic (Bryan Ferry) and outside-the-lines (Slayer) all at once.

The Haven Lounge

6700 Aloma Ave., Winter Park, thehavenrocks.com The musical menu on offer at this roomy Winter Park club is loud, heavy, metal and that’s pretty much it. A perfect landing spot for distortion that’s a little too big for the likes of Uncle Lou’s. Top-shelf sound and lights, too.

House of Blues

1490 E. Buena Vista Drive, Lake Buena Vista, houseofblues.com Shows may start on the early side, but that’s really the only overt sign that this concert venue is nestled in the Disney Springs adult playground. Expect to see anything from the Roots to the Flaming Lips. The sightlines and sound system are recommended.

The Plaza Live

425 N. Bumby Ave., plazaliveorlando.com This Milk District mainstay has found a new footing in partnership with the Orlando Philharmonic,

hosting shows by the Phil plus a wide-ranging slate of ’80s icons, guitar legends and comics.

Sandwich Bar

2432 E. Robinson St., facebook. com/sandwichbarorlando Usually known for more DJ-oriented dance nights – house legends and upstarts have held court, along with vaporwave and other outsider sounds – this Milk District venue provides a home for the more adventurous and underground end of the local music spectrum.

The Social

54 N. Orange Ave., thesocial.org A chill, intimate downtown space often packed to the gills with the devoted, straining to get as close as possible to their favorite touring artist. Artists such as Point Point, Said the Sky, and Big Wild have made appearances here. The stage is so close to the pit that you can practically reach out and touch the band.

Timucua White House

2000 S. Summerlin Ave., timucua.com A truly unique live music experience. Tucked away in an unassuming South Orlando neighborhood, the White House (for it is indeed a house) offers incredible natural acoustics, a near cathedral-like setting and an adventurous event slate.

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Sideshow at Wall Street Plaza Photo by Rob Bartlett

Uncle Lou’s Entertainment Hall

1016 N. Mills Ave. What Uncle Lou’s lacks in space, it doesn’t lack in grit. Local and national acts – particularly experimental, punk and noise artists – roll through this dim club reminiscent of a house show.

Will’s Pub

1042 N. Mills Ave., willspub.org The indie music scene flourishes here, with tons of performances every week from Orlando bands and mid-level out-of-towners. The venue is also connected to Lil Indies, a tiny bar with a stellar seasonal cocktail menu.

CLUBS Aero

60 N. Orange Ave., aeroorlando.com Rooftop lounge with multiple bars, covered seating, and a spacious area for dancing under the night sky. No cover.

Gilt Nightclub

740 Bennett Road, giltnightclub.com The lushly renovated, 10-bar, dual-dancefloor nightclub Gilt is a significant upgrade from a previous incarnation as the Roxy, so put on your essential attire and dance the night away to the tunes of some of the dirtiest EDM producers. HTG Events hosts “Encore Saturdays,”

where they’ve booked top acts such as Adventure Club and Zeds Dead.

Independent Bar

70 N. Orange Ave., facebook.com/ independentbarorlando Downtown multi-room nightclub with three bars and cheap drink specials. Wednesdays are reserved for throwback Mac and Cheese Nights, which, while they’re as cheesy as you’d expect, make for a fun night out.

Ono Nightclub

1 S. Orange Ave., ononightclub.com This two-level downtown superclub knows the devil is in the details, boasting three bars and seven private cabanas, but the focus is on a dance floor soundtracked by a rotating cast of local and touring DJs.

Parliament House

410 N. Orange Blossom Trail, parliamenthouse.com Resort by day, bumping club by night. Some of the most locally (and nationally) popular drag queens perform in the Footlight Theatre and the main room, while various bars and plenty of room to dance can be found elsewhere.

Peek Downtown

50B E. Central Blvd. Peek has a simple layout and a lack of glitz, but the electronic music dropped by the DJs is enough to

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Gilt Nightclub

promote a groovy environment where dancing shoes are a must.

Venue 578

375 S. Bumby Ave., facebook.com/southernnightsorlando Themed parties like Christmas in July and Power Rangers aren’t all the sprawling nightclub has to offer. Drag queens and burlesque troupes often rule the night, along with drink specials, house music, and clubgoers getting into the groove.

578 N. Orange Ave., venue578.com Two-floor club with three indoor stages, bumping sound systems, and killer lighting. Check out some of the heaviest bass and house acts, like Datsik and Shiba San, in a setting that’s more intimate than a stadium show. “Create,” the newest Thursday-night concert series by Alliance Nightlife, promotes some of the newer popular (and local) artists. Some shows offer free entry before 11 p.m. or tickets as cheap as $10.

Tier Nightclub

Vinyl Arts Bar

Southern Nights

20 E. Central Blvd., tiernightclub.com Large-ish nightclub with luxurious areas for VIP bottle service. Not much elbow room on the dance floor, but elbowing your way to a slice and some bubbly on Pizza & Champagne nights seems worth it.

Vain

22 S. Magnolia Ave., vainorlando.com Vain operates under the maxim that bigger is indeed better, sprawling out over a massive three levels, with a packed calendar of dance events and celebrity guest dates including, recently, Waka Flocka Flame.

filling meal. You don’t have to break your college budget to have fun, either – burgers with tots or fries are only $5 on Tuesday from 5 p.m. to closing.

Big Daddy’s

3001 Corrine Drive, bigdaddysorlando.com Karaoke is no joke at Big Daddy’s; these people take their fun very, very seriously. You can be off-tune and breathy, but as long as you’re committed, you’ll get some applause at this singing shack.

75 E. Colonial Drive, facebook.com/vinylartsbar This newish beer and wine spot in the North Quarter brings classy decor and an all-vinyl DJ regimen to the neighborhood; event bookings have expanded to include literary readings and art events beside the requisite DJ nights and guest appearances.

Chillers, Cahoots, Latitudes

BARS

The Courtesy Bar

Bar Louie

4100 N. Alafaya, barlouie.com Steps away from campus, Bar Louie is a great place to chug down some cold ones and eat a

33 W. Church St., churchstreetbars.com Three-story club megaplex with cheap drink specials. Grab a frozen daiquiri from Chillers on the first floor, play arcade games at Cahoots, and party it up all the way to Latitudes on the rooftop. 114 N. Orange Ave., thecourtesybar.com If you’re more about the finer sips in life, visit the Courtesy Bar for artful, handcrafted cocktails in a refined setting. Let these mixologists cater to you.

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Herman’s Loan Office

Fiddlers Green

544 W. Fairbanks Ave., Winter Park, fiddlersgreen.pub Winter Park-area Irish pub close to Rollins College offers up authentic grub and a variety of draft ales, lagers and stouts in a cozy environment.

Frosty’s Christmastime Lounge

50 E. Central Blvd., frostys-orlando.com ’Tis the season eternally at this holiday-themed spot downtown, serving up liquor, beer and a custom menu of “fortified” snowball drinks.

The Hideaway Bar

516 Virginia Drive, thehideawaybar.net The Hideaway on Virginia Drive is the quintessential casual sports bar – it’s not Miller’s Ale House-intense, but there is a rabid Miami Dolphins allegiance that you won’t miss. The Hideaway is also that rare sports bar where artists, hairdressers and theater folk feel right at home.

The Imperial

1321 N. Mills Ave. For a solid happy hour and refreshing ambience, do your drinking at the Guesthouse. They make a mean Moscow mule.

1800 N. Orange Ave., imperialwinebar.com Nestled among Washburn Imports’ stately tables and armoires, the Imperial reigns as one of Orlando’s truly singular watering holes. The bar offers a no-nonsense craft bottle and draft list, coupled with a stout card of white and red wines, and is one of the only spots to check out live music in Ivanhoe Village.

Herman’s Loan Office

Jock Lindsey’s Hangar Bar

The Guesthouse

22 W. Pine St., hermansloanoffice.com This 75-year-old location of a pawnshop and loan shark office is now a cozy, yet sophisticated craft cocktail spot for downtown Orlando. Refine your liquor palate with these expert mixologists.

The Landing Boat Dock, Lake Buena Vista Get away from the screaming children at Disney Springs by dipping into this dive bar fashioned from a 1940s airplane hangar. Quote the best lines from Indiana Jones while you slurp down a Cool-headed Monkey mixed drink.

Joysticks Arcade Lounge

69 E. Pine St., joysticksorlando.com This gamer haven in the heart of downtown goes all-in on the ’80s arcade nostalgia trip – heavy on the neon and day-glo. Come for the vintage arcade games, stay for the cocktails and craft beers.

Knight Library

11448 University Blvd., knightlibrary.com The classic rite-of-passage for UCF students when they turn 21, Knight Library offers wild parties, cheap beer and a guaranteed wild night.

The Knight’s Pub

3910 N. Alafaya Trail, facebook.com/theknightspuborlando Owned by UCF alumni, Knight’s Pub is the kind of traditional college bar where you know you’ll have a good time on game days.

Lucky Lure

1427 N. Orange Ave. Hanging out at the Lucky Lure on a sunny afternoon is so much like being at the beach that it’s a surprise to find the scuffed-up concrete floor doesn’t have sand on it. The huge selec-

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Shark Bar at T-Rex Café Photo by Rob Bartlett

tion of great beer (cans only; they’ll give you a coozie if you ask) is complemented by strong cocktails and your favorite beachy staple: the frozen drink.

Mathers Social Gathering

30 S. Magnolia Ave., mathersorlando.com Mathers is decked out in early 20th-century opulence, from comfortable leather armchairs to polished wooden bookcases. Just know that you’re going to have to pay a steep price for the privilege of drinking anything here. There’s also a dress code, so no shorts, guys.

Olde 64

64 N. Orange Ave., olde64.com Olde 64 is, thankfully, not a fancy bar – the owners embrace the no-frills divey ethos that makes a good watering hole a classic and offer drink specials that’ll get you in the door, and a nonpretentious atmo that’ll make you stick around.

The Public House

12046 Collegiate Way, publichousefl.com Less college seniors, more graduate students, the Public House is more of a chillaxing spot than a full-on party bar. Pick your drink from a selection of 24 draughts and a full liquor bar.

Savoy

1913 N. Orange Ave., savoyorlando.com With cocktails as low as $2, this Ivanhoe Village gay bar tends to be an everyone bar, especially earlier in the evening, and at those prices, it can be hard to tell when the drink specials end and the night returns to status quo.

Shark Bar at T-Rex Café

1676 E. Buena Vista Drive, Lake Buena Vista Walk straight past the packs of families waiting to eat next to a dinosaur and sit underneath the tentacles of a giant octopus above the bar. Get a Raptor Rita mix and lose yourself in the colorful swarm of jellyfish above your head.

Sly Fox

63 N. Orange Ave. A dive-ish bar run by some of the folks behind the old Bar-BQ-Bar, Sly Fox offers cheap drinks, a chill atmosphere and a cool photobooth to document your drunken escapades.

Stagger Inn UCF

12190 Collegiate Way, staggerinnorlando.com Stagger Inn does not play. UCF’s only country bar is always up for a good time, with or without widebrimmed hats.

Wall Street Plaza

26 Wall St., wallstplaza.net If you have no problem stumbling around with hundreds of other drunken people, block parties at Wall Street Plaza are the place you need to be: Weekends are madness. You can do a whole lot of drinking at eight different venues, but each has its own vibe. You’ll probably need to try them all.

Wally’s Mills Avenue Liquors

1001 N. Mills Ave., wallysonmills.com Orlando’s premiere dive bar has strong booze and naked-lady wallpaper, which is all you really need to know. Come here often enough and you might spot local attorney John Morgan buying a round for everyone.

Whiskey Lou’s Lounge

121 N. Bumby Ave. A true Orlando classic and one of the city’s best-known dive bars; the Milk District’s answer to Mills 50’s Wally’s keeps the super-strong drinks flowing fast and furious. Taking a selfie with the statues of Elvis Presley and the Blues Brothers that permanently adorn the stage is mandatory at some point in your Orlando career. Warning: cash-only.

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III Points

Oct. 13-15, 2017

Various locations, Miami

This year’s massive III Points electronic music festival takes over large swaths of Miami and includes blockbuster performers like Gorillaz, the xx and Brian Eno.

The Fest

Oct. 27-29, 2017

Various locations, Gainesville

Gainesville’s scrappy punk fest is now 16 years old and bigger than ever; this year’s lineup includes everyone from Against Me! to Superchunk to Iron Reagan.

Electric Daisy Carnival Nov. 10-11, 2017

Tinker Field, 287 S. Tampa Ave.

The EDM festival to end all EDM festivals promises a total Technicolor immersion of music, lights, costumes, rides, and the best and brightest in new dance music.

Okeechobee Music & Arts Festival March 1-4, 2018

Sunshine Grove, Okeechobee

The 600-acre Sunshine Grove becomes an otherworldly wonderland every year for four days in the spring during the Okeechobee Fest, but the music is just as crucial. The Roots, Bassnectar and the Lumineers were among recent headliners.

Gasparilla Music Festival March 2018

Downtown Tampa

Besides heavy headliners like Ghostface Killah and Erykah Badu, this sprawling music festival that spreads out all over downtown Tampa is a concert with a cause: promoting music education and local creativity.

Gorillaz

WJRR’s Earthday Birthday April 2018

Central Florida Fairgrounds, 4603 W. Colonial Drive

Much-listened-to local FM station WJRR 101.1-FM has been throwing a massive musical celebration of Earth Day for the past 24 years; headliners in 2017 included Sublime with Rome and Sevendust.

Country 500 May 2018

Daytona International Speedway

Combine the site of the famed Daytona 500 with a slew of country music legends of the past, present and future, and you have a recipe for the most over-the-top country fest yet.

Vans Warped Tour Summer 2018 Location TBA

Going strong since 1995, this traveling punk roadshow packs them in year after year with a mix of new pop-punk acts and still-vibrant legends.

The Lumineers

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Big-time festivals in our own backyard

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hether you’re the outdoorsy type, looking for the best boating, biking and hiking – or more of an armchair goalie type in search of the best local sports teams to cheer on – Central Florida has you covered.

Parks

Lake Eola Park

512 E. Washington St., cityoforlando.net/parks/lake-eolapark The center of downtown Orlando life, Lake Eola Park hosts farmers markets, cultural fairs, entertainment, footraces and much more along with a .9-mile walkway that orbits the signature fountain in the middle of the lake.

Langford Park

Sports teams Orlando Magic

NBA basketball Season: October-April Amway Center, 400 W. Church St., orlandomagic.com

Orlando City Soccer Club Major League Soccer Season: March-October Orlando City Stadium, 655 W. Church St., orlandocitysc.com

Orlando Solar Bears

East Coast Hockey League Season: October-April Amway Center, 400 W. Church St., orlandosolarbearshockey.com

Orlando Psycho City Derby Girls Roller Derby League Season: February-November Semoran Skateway, 2670 Cassel Creek Blvd., Casselberry, orlandoderbygirls.com

UCF Knights

NCAA College Football Season: August-January Bright House Networks Stadium, University of Central Florida, ucfathletics.com

1808 E. Central Blvd., cityoforlando. net/parks/langford-park-center Along with neighboring Dickson Azalea Park, Langford Park provides a shaded oasis just outside of downtown. Plenty of bridges, pavilions and walkways sprawl throughout the park.

Barnett Park

4801 W. Colonial Drive, orangecountyfl.net The crown jewel of Orange County’s parks department can be overlooked because it can’t be seen from Colonial Drive. But it boasts two disc golf courses, a BMX track, a fitness center, a dog park, golf areas, softball fields and more, making it an essential location for any outdoors enthusiasts.

including alligators and bears – aren’t uncommon, to say nothing of the prime birdwatching.

Bill Frederick Park

3401 S. Hiawassee Road, 407-2464486, cityoforlando.net/parks The biggest park in Metrowest covers 183 acres situated around Turkey Lake, one of the most popular fishing lakes in Florida. The park offers canoeing, kayaking, nature trails, volleyball courts and other amenities, and is one of the only city parks where camping is allowed (with a permit, of course).

Biking and hiking Cady Way Trail

Entrance is 1/4 mile north of State Route 50 on Herndon Avenue This 6.5-mile paved path, popular with bicyclists and stroller-pushing moms alike, connects Orlando and Winter Park and the Cross Seminole Trail in Seminole County. The trail features water fountains, rest stops and mile markers, as well as a cool 685-foot-long suspension bridge that crosses Semoran Boulevard.

Econ Trail

1920 N. Forest Ave., 407-246-2620, leugardens.org These gardens, nestled in Audubon Park, boast a spectacular collection of native and exotic flora, including a rose garden, a butterfly garden and the largest documented camellia collection in Eastern North America.

Dean Road just north of State Road 50 This ever-expanding trail in East Orlando begins at Jay Blanchard Park and extends all the way to Alafaya Trail. It runs alongside the Little Econlockhatchee River, which offers pretty views and plenty of good spots to fish, canoe or just sit in the grass and enjoy a riverside picnic.

Orlando Wetlands Park

Wekiwa Springs State Park

Harry P. Leu Gardens

25255 Wheeler Road, Christmas, 407-568-1706, cityoforlando.net/ wetlands With more than 20 miles of roads and trails threading through mostly undeveloped marshes, Orlando Wetlands Park is the place to go if you’re in the mood to get in touch with nature. Wildlife sightings –

1800 Wekiwa Circle, Apopka, 407-884-2008, floridastateparks. org/wekiwasprings You can canoe or kayak here (rentals are available), but this park also has 13 miles of pristine, wooded hiking, biking and horseback-riding trails. This park is very popular, particularly in summer when visitors

like to swim in the clear blue spring, and when the parking lot fills, the park entrance closes. So get there early.

Lower Wekiva River Preserve State Park

8300 W. State Road 46, Sanford, 407-884-2008, floridastateparks.org/ lowerwekiwariver This section of the park has no amenities, but it does have 18 miles of multi-use trails you can hike or bike.

Rock Springs Run State Reserve

30601 County Road 433, Sorrento, 407-884-2008, floridastateparks. org/rockspringsrun The park, located about 10 miles west of I-4 on County Road 433, is really just a giant swatch of underdeveloped land. It features 17 miles of multi-use trails.

West Orange Trail

501 Crown Point Cross Road, Winter Garden This 22-mile trail stretches through Winter Garden, Apopka and Orlando. It’s open to walkers and bikers, and some parts are open to horses, too. Four trailheads with parking are located at various points along the trail.

Canoeing and kayaking Blue Spring State Park

2100 W. French Ave., Orange City, floridastateparks.org/bluespring Covering more that 2,600 acres, Blue Spring State Park is a designated Manatee refuge. (If you see a sea cow, don’t touch!) It is an excellent place for a swim, paddling or a picnic. During manatee season, mid-November through March, the waterways are closed.

Bioluminescent Bay

Mosquito Lagoon, near Titusville Florida’s Indian River and Mosquito Lagoon come alive with bioluminescence from May through

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Lake Eola Park September. The luminescence visible in the water at night is caused by dinoflagellates (tiny things you can’t see), which glow neon-blue whenever the water is disturbed. Guides are recommended for this paddling adventure, but they are not necessary. Paddlers should begin their paddle at dusk for prime viewing.

Econlockhatchee River

Merritt Island National Wildlife Refuge

Apopka-DeBary, dep.state.fl.us/ gwt/guide/paddle.htm Put in at King’s Landing near Apopka, if you want to experience the entirety of this 27-mile respite from congestion, and travel a designated wild and scenic river right in the heart of the Orlando metro area. Stop at Wekiwa Springs State Park on your way for a swim in the clear blue springs.

Near Titusville, fws.gov/ merrittisland This refuge offers somewhat limited paddling opportunities since paddling is not permitted in refuge impoundments, but what is available can be spectacular. You might see manatees, scrub jays or an alligator if you’re lucky.

Chuluota, dep.state.fl.us/gwt/ guide/paddle.htm The Econ can be easy or difficult, depending on the water levels (high in the summer, low in the spring). Paddlers can glimpse a diverse array of wildlife along the 19-mile stretch.

Rock Springs Run – Wekiva River

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Places to enjoy the visual and performing arts around town Earl Cunningham and an eclectic mix of traveling exhibitions. The outdoor sculpture garden is one of the best deals in Orlando: beautiful and free.

Snap Space Photo by Rob Bartlett

GALLERIES AND MUSEUMS Crealdé School of Art

600 St. Andrews Blvd., Winter Park, crealde.org The school, set in lakeside bunga633 Osceola Ave., Winter Park, lows with a sculpture garden, is polasek.org known for creative classes as well as Former artist residence is now a gallery shows. gallery, surrounded by gorgeous lakeside gardens full of bronze The Falcon sculptures. 819 E. Washington St., facebook.com/thefalconbar Art and History Museums – Revolving shows from emerging loMaitland cal artists, specializing in lowbrow, 231 W. Packwood Ave., Maitland, street and graffiti art. artandhistory.org The cultural complex includes the Faith Arts Village Orlando Maitland Art Center, a gorgeous 221 E. Colonial Drive, Mayan-style artists residence that is faithartsvillage.com a National Historic Landmark. An old motel provides individual artists’ studios and hosts a monthly art The Charles Hosmer Morse market.

Albin Polasek Museum and Sculpture Gardens

Museum of American Art

445 N. Park Ave., Winter Park, morsemuseum.org This museum features an astounding collection of stained glass windows, lamps and more by Louis Comfort Tiffany.

Gallery at Avalon Island

Footlight Theatre at the Parliament House

410 N. Orange Blossom Trail, parliamenthouse.com The legendary gay resort is home to this small theater, which thrills Orlando Museum of Art audiences with drag delights and original comedies, musicals and 2416 N. Mills Ave., omart.org Nestled into Loch Haven Park, guest productions. the newly reinvigorated OMA shows work by major artists as Improv Orlando well as homegrown talent. Do not 9101 International Drive, miss the annual Florida Prize in theimprovorlando.com Contemporary Art show. Touring and local stand-up comedians get up here to make with Redefine Art Gallery the funny. 29 S. Orange Ave., redefinegallery.com Mad Cow Theatre A tiny space within CityArts, 54 W. Church St., Redefine is the area’s most reliable madcowtheatre.com purveyor of cutting-edge graffiti The established and well-regarded and street art. Mad Cow Theatre features regular stage productions, classes and Snap Space and Snap Downtown workshops as well as an annual 1013 E. Colonial Drive and 420 E. cabaret festival. Church St., snaporlando.com Slick photography-centric galleries – Orlando Ballet one in Mills 50 in the historic Cameo 445 S. Magnolia Ave., Theatre and one east of downtown orlandoballet.org in the 420 East building – host the Orlando’s professional ballet best art parties in town. company has settled gracefully into its new home at the Dr. Phillips Wells’ Built Museum Center for the Performing Arts. 511 W. South St., wellsbuilt.org Housed in a historic hotel, Wells’ Orlando Philharmonic Orchestra Built is a trove of local African- 425 N. Bumby Ave., orlandophil.org American artifacts. Wider fare than just classical music keeps the only professional THEATERS AND orchestra in action: pops, film scores, opera and distinguished PERFORMING ARTS guest artists.

39 S. Magnolia Ave., avalongallery.org The historic building recalls Orlando’s past; the sophisticated exhibits Dr. Phillips Center for the within feature local, national and in- Performing Arts ternational artists. 445 S. Magnolia Ave., CityArts Factory drphillipscenter.org 29 S. Orange Ave., Henao Contemporary Center Brand-new and beautiful, downcityartsfactory.com 5601 Edgewater Drive, town’s airy glass-and-steel culturThis downtown arts space is home henaocenter.com al facility offers various multi-use to a number of independent galler- Roomy new visual arts facility in spaces and theaters hosting touries and arts spaces. a lesser-known part of town also ing Broadway productions, comics, hosts music, spoken word, dance dance and local theater. Cornell Fine Arts Museum and other art events. 1000 Holt Ave., Winter Park, DRIP rollins.edu/cfam The Mennello Museum of 8747 International Drive, Tucked away on the campus of Rol- American Art ilovedrip.org lins College, this museum recently 900 E. Princeton St., Dance troupe is known for flinging received a major gift of contempo- mennellomuseum.org colored liquids and powders about rary art, the Alfond Collection, from The space is small, but it packs a lot the stage and on each other. Good a pair of alums. of punch with works by folk artist clean (well ...) fun.

Orlando Shakespeare Theater

Lowndes Shakespeare Center, 812 E. Rollins St., orlandoshakes.org One of the top Shakespeare companies in the country, OST produces a regular season of the Bard’s works, as well as challenging classics and the annual PlayFest, which showcases new works.

The Venue

511 Virginia Drive, thevenueorlando.com Theater and performance space is the home of Blue Star and her VarieTease troupe, but also hosts plays, concerts, dance performances and cabarets.

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Find student discounts all around Orlando By Jacob Galvin

The Wizarding World of Harry Potter at Universal Islands of Adventure

ollege shouldn’t be a financially crippling experience (during or just after graduation). Luckily, the plight of the cashstrapped young adult has not gone unheard. There are a plethora of discounts specifically for students around Orlando that should help keep a few extra bucks in your pocket to splurge on avocado toast. You can use an iOS app called Party Tutor to keep track of limited-time promotions and discounts available to UCF students. Take advantage of some of these cool student discounts and get the most bang for your buck.

College-specific discounts

Some colleges have specific perks for their students – for instance, Rollins students are eligible for the PerksCard network, which offers discounts on gym memberships, movie tickets, travel and dining. UCF students can pick up tickets to theme parks, local shows, and tourist attractions at the SGA Ticket Center on campus, as well as discounted Lynx bus passes.

Theme Parks

UCF-discounted tickets for Disney parks can run the range of $70 to $100, while Universal (one day, one park) costs $100. Busch Gardens is a $66 ticket price and SeaWorld is $65.

Adobe

adobe.com/creativecloud/buy/ students.html Adobe Creative Cloud has a slew of products available online which are discounted up to 60 percent for students.

Amazon

amazon.com/prime Even receiving packages or catching up on your favorite show has a student discount tied to it. Any college student with a “.edu” email address can get a free six months of Amazon Prime, including streaming service and free two-day shipping for packages. When the six months end, the discounts keep going as you can continue your subscription for half off, at $49 per year.

Apple

Apple offers student discounts on a host of products, from desktop

Macs to laptop Macbooks, iPads and iPhones. Educational pricing is available to college students, students accepted to college and parents buying for college students.

Microsoft Office 365

microsoftstore.com/education You can get the entire Microsoft Office package for free when you use your student email account. You’ll be needing to use Word, Excel and Powerpoint throughout your four years, so this is a steal. However, be aware the offer is only in place for students with Windows PCs or laptops.

Movie theaters Student discounts at Regal and AMC theaters can vary from location to location as well as depend on the movie and show time, but tickets generally cost around $10 with a student ID.

Aloma Cinema Grill

2155 Aloma Ave, Winter Park, alomacinemaandgrill.com While the selection is limited to two or three movies at a time, with a student ID, tickets are only $5.50.

Enzian Theater

1300 S. Orlando Ave, Maitland, enzian.org Student tickets at Orlando’s arthouse cinema, recently named the coolest in the state by Cosmopolitan, are only $9.

Buying in bulk Bulk Nation

2752 E. Colonial Drive, bulknationusa.com On Tuesdays, students get 10 percent off their purchases at Bulk Nation.

Laugh it up SAK Comedy Lab

29 S. Orange Ave, sakcomedylab.com Students can get in and get some laughs for $5 with a student ID on Thursdays at 8 p.m.

Cheap eats Several fast-food chains, including Chipotle and Chick-fil-A, offer free drinks with the purchase of a meal provided you’re packing that student ID, so always be sure to ask.

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Enzian Theater Luya Chinese Restaurant

4498 N. Alafaya Trail, luyahealthychinesefood.com With a student ID, UCF students can order from the lunch specials menu at any time.

BurgerFi

538 S. Park Ave., Winter Park, burgerfi.com Rollins student can get discounted burgers, shakes and fries a short walk from campus when they bring their student ID.

Mellow Mushroom Pizza Bakers

Multiple locations, mellowmushroom.com All students at any location in Orlando receive 20 percent off when they dine in and show their student IDs.

Pollo Tropical

Multiple locations, pollotropical.com Pollo Tropical offers a 10 percent discount on any of their grilled chicken meals to students with ID.

Etoile Boutique

2424 E. Robinson St., etoileboutique.com Get 10 percent off all purchases when you’re rockin’ that student ID.

Express

Multiple locations, express.com Get in the fast lane to saving some cash at Express when you bring your student ID – get 15 percent off your purchases in store or online.

Levi’s

levi.com Levi’s gives a discount to online shoppers who register with UNiDAYS, a savings network for student discounts. Get 25 percent off new jeans when ordering online.

Haircuts Sport Clips

3402 Technological Ave., haircut menuniversityshoppesorlandofl. com A UCF student ID will get you $3 off your cut.

Discounted threads

Stop Barber Shop

Multiple locations, bananarepublic.com Get that fresh new look while keeping some money in the bank at Banana Republic because students get 15 percent off purchases when they have their student ID.

Supercuts

Banana Republic

11917 E. Colonial Drive If you swing by any Tuesday or Wednesday with your UCF or Valencia ID, you’ll get a $10 haircut. 4498 N. Alafaya Trail, supercuts.com UCF and Full Sail ID cards mean 10 percent off at this location.

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Best of Orlando Party

Aug. 23, 2017; The Beacham, 46 N. Orange Ave.; orlandoweekly.com Exclusive, invitation-only annual party in honor of Orlando Weekly’s Best of Orlando winners.

SEPTEMBER Halloween Horror Nights

Sept. 15-Nov. 4, 2017; Universal Studios, 6000 Universal Blvd.; halloweenhorrornights.com More than a month of special haunted houses and scare zones. Bring your heart medication.

Artlando

Sept. 30, 2017; Loch Haven Park, 777 E. Princeton St.; artlando.com A day in the park that features all kinds of art, from choirs to puppets to painting to dance and everything in between.

OCTOBER Come Out With Pride

Oct. 14, 2017; Lake Eola Park, 512 E. Washington St.; comeoutwithpride.com Our favorite downtown parade party celebrates the LGBTQ community.

Big Gay Brunch

Oct. 14, 2017; The Abbey, 100 S. Eola Drive; biggaybrunchorlando.com Before the big gay parade, come eat and drink with Orlando Weekly and check out surprise performances at our big gay brunch.

Orlando Zombie Ball

Oct. 22, 2017; location TBA; orlandozombieball.com We go all-out for our annual Halloween party, featuring a high-stakes costume contest, fantastic photo ops and special thrills and chills.

Central Florida Veg Fest

Oct. 28, 2017; Festival Park, 2911 E. Robinson St.; cfvegfest.org Chow down on some cruelty-free cooking at this event for vegetarians, vegans and open-minded omnivores. Learn about veg living and get an upclose look at some of the

animals spared when you opt for a salad instead of a Baconator.

honor every year featuring live music, arts and educational activities.

Spooky Empire

Buffalo Wild Wings Citrus Bowl

Oct. 27-29, 2017; Wyndham Orlando Resort, 8001 International Drive; spookyempire.com This convention for horror fans descends on I-Drive every year, bringing actors, musicians, makeup specialists, tattoo artists and more for a ghoulishly fun weekend.

NOVEMBER Orlando Beer Festival

Nov. 11, 2017; Festival Park, 2911 E. Robinson St.; orlandobeerfestival.com Orlando’s only large-scale legitimate craft beer festival that attracts brewers and guests from all over Florida.

Florida Blue Florida Classic Nov. 18, 2017; Camping World Stadium, 1 Citrus Bowl Place; floridaclassic. org Annual football game between Bethune-Cookman University and Florida A&M.

DECEMBER Christmas in the Park

December 2017 (date TBA); Central Park, North Park Avenue and West Morse Boulevard, Winter Park; morsemuseum.org The Morse Museum decorates Central Park with stained glass windows and the Bach Festival Choir performs a Christmas concert.

Grandma Party Bazaar

December 2017 (date TBA); Stardust Video & Coffee, 1842 E. Winter Park Road; stardustie.com Handmade crafts from local artisans and live music from local bands make this our favorite stop for holiday shopping.

JANUARY Zora! Festival

Jan. 20-28, 2018; downtown Eatonville, Kennedy Boulevard, Eatonville, zorafestival.org Eatonville’s most famous writer gets a festival in her

Jan. 1, 2018; Camping World Stadium, 1 Citrus Bowl Place; buffalowildwingscitrusbowl. com The Citrus Bowl plays host to one of the BCS games every New Year’s Day.

FEBRUARY Lunar New Year Dragon Parade

February 2018 (date TBA), Fashion Square Mall, 3201 E. Colonial Drive, centralfloridadragonparade. org Formerly taking place in Mills 50, this Lunar New Year celebration got so big that it had to move to the Fashion Square Mall in 2015.

Orlando Chili Cook-Off

Feb. 17, 2018; Festival Park, 2911 E. Robinson St.; orlandochilicookoff.com This event brings the heat with more than 100 different types of chili to sample, the World Chili Eating Championship competition, live music and more.

MARCH Winter Park Sidewalk Art Festival

March 16-18, 2018; Central Park, Winter Park; wpsaf.org Browse through booths from tons of artists and vendors at one of the country’s oldest, largest and most prestigious juried art festivals.

Art31

March 1-31, 2018, multiple locations, art31.org The Art & History Museums – Maitland sponsors this monthlong celebration featuring internationally acclaimed artists every year.

United We Brunch

March 2018 (date TBA), Orchid Garden & Ballroom, 126 W. Church St.; brunch. orlandoweekly.com Sample scrumptious breakfast dishes and drinks from dozens of local restaurants.

APRIL Spring Fiesta in the Park

April 2018 (dates TBA); Lake Eola Park, North Eola Drive and East Washington Street; fiestainthepark.com Wander around Lake Eola and check out food, live music, and arts and crafts from tons of vendors.

Florida Film Festival

April 2018 (dates TBA); Enzian Theater, 1300 S. Orlando Ave., Maitland; 407-629-1088; floridafilmfestival.com Whether you’re a fan of dramas, comedies, documentaries or shorts, the Florida Film Festival has it all.

Florida Music Festival

April 2018 (dates TBA); downtown Orlando, multiple venues; floridamusicfestival.com A downtown music festival geared toward artists looking to break into the major-label industry.

Florida Salsa Festival

April 2018 (dates TBA); downtown Orlando, Pine Street and Eola Drive; floridasalsafest.com This annual block party celebration on the Sunday before Cinco de Mayo features unlimited salsa tasting, salsa music and dance, and a salsa competition for both restaurants and home chefs.

Whiskey Business

April 2018 (date TBA); Cheyenne Saloon, 128 W. Church St.; whiskeybusinessorlando. com At this upscale and sophisticated event, guests can sample their way across continents to discover the best scotch, bourbon and whiskey.

Beer ’Merica

May 2018 (date TBA); Gaston Edwards Park, 1236 N. Orange Ave.; orlandoweeklytickets.com Celebrating American Craft Beer Week, this daylong beer festival on the shore of Lake Ivanhoe spotlights more than 100 varieties of American craft brews, along with live music, games and giveaways.

MegaCon

May 2018 (dates TBA); Orange County Convention Center, 9800 International Drive; megaconorlando.com Central Florida’s largest comic and media convention brings in big names from the worlds of television, film, comics and more for a huge celebration of pop culture.

JUNE Bite30

June 1-30, 2018; multiple locations; bite30.com A monthlong celebration of the best food Central Florida has to offer, with special prix fixe menus at each participating restaurant.

Bite Night

June 15, 2018; Orchid Garden, 126 W. Church St.; bitenightorlando.com Bite Night transforms the historic Orchid Garden Ballroom into a foodie wonderland featuring samples from more than 20 of Orlando’s best-loved chefs and restaurants.

Gay Days

June 2018 (dates TBA); multiple locations; gaydays.com Organized trips to Walt Disney World and Universal Orlando resorts during the day, themed parties every night.

MAY

JULY

Orlando Fringe

Fireworks at the Fountain

May 2018 (dates TBA); Loch Haven Park, 777 E. Princeton St.; orlandofringe.org Thespians from all over the world descend on the theater complex at Loch Haven for two weeks of performances.

July 4, 2018; Lake Eola Park, North Eola Drive and East Robinson Street; cityoforlando.net Nothing says patriotism like the “oohs” and “ahhs” elicited by the choreographed firework and light show at Lake Eola each year.

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NEWCOMERS GUIDE

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