See the city like a local: An insider’s guide to Orlando

You can follow the herd on the well-trodden path towards all of Orlando’s acclaimed attractions, or you can blend in like a local and visit the lesser-known sites of the City Beautiful. Take a look at our insider’s guide to Orlando and see the city like a local.

Downtown Orlando

With a slew of sprawling theme parks dotting the Central Florida landscape, it can be tough to dedicate a day to exploring Orlando’s downtown… but the effort will be well rewarded. This walkable urban corridor is packed with daytime diversions and a bevy of evening exploits sprinkled throughout the nightlife districts, including Church Street and Thornton Park.

At its centre, the 43-acre Lake Eola Park serves as a gleaming green space where giant permanent art installations circle the water and regal swans paddle around the impressive Lake Eola Fountain. At night, the fountain displays an LED light and water show set to music, which plays around the park. Consider getting a closer look by snagging a swan paddleboat, which are rented daily for $15 per half hour from the dock adjacent to Relax Grill. Hours are extended from Wednesday to Saturday, when the swan boats are permitted on the lake until 10pm.

Downtown is also home to a thriving art scene known as the Downtown Arts District, with a collection of 21 galleries dotting the city centre and tucked inside the CityArts Factory and Church Street Exchange building. The district is best explored during the Third Thursday Gallery Hop, a monthly art party where galleries, restaurants and boutiques spotlight local artists and tempt passers-by with nibbles and drink specials as well as musicians and street artists.

Come hungry because downtown Orlando offers a vibrant collection of restaurants, from Spanish tapas to farm-to-table American to modern French cuisine. A good area to visit is Church Street, a dining and nightlife district that has seen a remarkable revival of late. With the Amway Center – the colossal sports and concert venue – set at the district’s west end, the area is always buzzing with visitors out to enjoy tapas and live flamenco at Ceviche, camp and colourful fun at Hamburger Mary’s, upscale steaks and martinis at Kres, or locally sourced fare at The Rusty Spoon.

As the sun goes down, Church Street becomes a destination for cocktails and dancing thanks to nearly a dozen bars and pubs, including ONE80 Skytop Lounge, where you can sip decadent cocktails while enjoying one of the best rooftop views of the city’s evening skyline.

Nearby Hanson’s Shoe Repair, an Orange Avenue speakeasy, is also worthy of a visit. Offering craft cocktails and rooftop views, guests use a secret password to enter the space. Call 407-476-9446 and leave the time, date and number of people in your party. Then simply await the text that will tell you the day’s secret password.

SAK Comedy Lab, located in the CityArts Factory, features zany live sketch comedy shows most nights of the week. 

Orlando’s Dining Scene

While it may be tempting to stick to the tourist zones for dinner, consider veering off into lesser-known territories loved by locals.

Nearby, Kabooki Sushi is wowing sushi lovers with its incredibly creative offerings that are miles apart from standard sashimi and sushi rolls. Chef and owner Henry Moso takes quite a departure from Japanese cuisine by blending flavours from many Asian cuisines – including some from his homeland, Laos – to create fusion dishes that make dining here a gourmet adventure from appetizer to dessert.

Strand, a retro diner meets bistro eatery in Orlando Mills 50 District, is whipping up made-from-scratch comfort food bolstered by seasonal fare. Txokos Basque Kitchen has brought the cuisine of Spain’s Basque region to East End Market, the local food hub that opened late 2013 in the Audubon Park District. Here you’ll find meaty small plates (pintxos) and entrees (platos) that invite diners to veer away form the usual Spanish staples.

Orlando Museum of Art

It’s been nearly 100 years since the Orlando Museum of Art (known locally as OMA) opened with a mission to be the leading cultural institution in the region. Decades later, it still serves as one the area’s most beloved art spaces thanks to a bevy of creatively curated permanent and travelling exhibitions, as well as unique programming designed to widen the appeal of art in Orlando.

While OMA is open six days a week (closed Mondays) the best time to visit is during the 1st Thursdays event, an art party sporting a monthly theme and showcasing local artists. From 6pm – 9pm on the first Thursday of each month, OMA loosens its collar slightly with the help of live music, cash bars and small bites from area restaurants.

Daytona Beach

Thrill seekers will find a sun-drenched paradise just an hour from Orlando, where a 23-mile stretch of sandy beach serves as a beloved holiday spot for millions. Daytona Beach might be known for its wild and raucous vibe but it’s also an adventure destination thanks to an array of adrenaline inducing diversions.

Best known is the Daytona International Speedway, home to the Richard Petty Driving Experience. Here, ride-along and hands-on driving experiences let race enthusiasts enjoy the rush of winning the Daytona 500 in a speeding NASCAR that peels along the 2.5-mile track.

At the Daytona Beach Boardwalk and Pier, daredevils can surmount the high-speed, ocean view Sand Blaster roller coaster or head out onto the water to parasail 600 – 1,200 feet above the beach.

Finally, ZOOm Air Adventure Park, a treetop course with more than 30 aerial obstacles (including eight zip lines), will both challenge and delight.

Written by Kristen Manieri

Imagery © Visit Orlando

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