THEME PARKS
Ready your camera for a trip to Orlando because between Disney World and Universal Studios, you're in for a photo-op filled trip. Beloved characters like Mickey, Minnie, Goofy, Spongebob Squarepants, Shrek and Curious George are waiting to meet and greet and strike a pose with you.
Within these massive theme parks are distinct, smaller parks known the world over. Though Walt Disney World is practically a city unto itself at 40 square miles, it’s divided into four main parks: the Magic Kingdom, Epcot, the Animal Kingdom and Hollywood Studios.
The Magic Kingdom is the resort’s original park with its iconic Cinderella Castle. Throughout the park, rides and attractions draw inspiration from American cities, far-off lands, fantastic places and different periods throughout history.
Epcot, with its famous world showcase, has been described as a sort of “permanent World’s Fair,” with attractions that celebrate innovation and human achievement. The Animal Kingdom is a 580-acre zoo built around the natural environment and focused on animal conservation. And Hollywood Studios celebrates show business, from film and TV to music and theater.
Orlando’s other major theme park, Universal Orlando, is smaller and more pedestrian-friendly than Disney. It features six themed areas all centered around a lagoon. One of the most popular is the recently added Wizarding World of Harry Potter, immortalizing even further the world J.K. Rowling created.
DOWNTOWN
What’s less well-known is that downtown Orlando has become a hot spot for trendy restaurants, cool bars and prestigious cultural events. The scene’s gotten so enticing in recent years that Orlando’s movers and shakers have quietly moved themselves out of their suburban homes and into sky-high condos that circle the iconic Lake Eola Park downtown.
Swans gracefully glide on Lake Eola, swimming around the giant fountain and up to the Walt Disney Amphitheatre which was donated to the city in 1989. The loop around the lake is a breezy 0.9 miles, making it easy to plan a daily run, and the weather generally complies as well with lots of sunshine and temperatures hovering in the mid-70s°F in the winter and mid-80s°F in the summer.
RESTAURANTS
In recent years, the culinary scene in Orlando has exploded with a growing collection of restaurants and award-winning chefs. It’s also, incidentally, the city with the most food trucks per capita. You’ll find that the city has a number of restaurants serving cuisines including Thai, Indian, Japanese, African and Scandinavian among many others.
ARTS AND CULTURE
For art lovers, a monthly gallery hop is sponsored by the Downtown Arts District. You’ll also find impressive collections at both the Orlando Museum of Art and the Cornell Fine Arts Museum. For an educational afternoon, stop by the Orlando Science Center for its engaging interactive exhibits. And catch renowned performers from pop, rock and jazz to dance and Broadway at the Dr. Phillips Center for the Performing Arts.