Orlando Weekly Annual Manual 2013

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TA B L E O F C O N T E N T S Community............................................................................6 Welcome to Orlando..................................................................9 Downtown.........................................................................11 Thornton Park............................................................................13 Mills50/ViMi..................................................................15 Ivanhoe Village...........................................................................17 Milk District.................................................................................19 Winter Park...............................................................................20 College Park...............................................................................23 Audubon Park/Baldwin Park.................................................25 Maitland...........................................................................27 South Orlando...........................................................................29 Sanford..............................................................................31 Sand Lake/Dr. Phillips............................................................33 UCF....................................................................................34 Waterford Lakes/Avalon Park...............................................35

LISTINGS Arts & Culture............................................................................37 Attractions.......................................................................42 Nightlife...........................................................................49 Sports & Recreation.................................................................59 Annual Events...........................................................................63

General Manager Graham Jarrett Editor Erin Sullivan Creative Director Adam McCabe Contributors Ashley Belanger, Billy Manes, Aimee Vitek, Jessica Bryce Young Copy Editors Katherine Ramirez Massey, Katie Westfall Interns Shelby England, Drexler B. James Production Manager Shelby Sloan Graphic Designer Danny McGee Photographer Rob Bartlett Business/Marketing Andreina Icaza Circulation Manager Pierre Rene ADVERTISING Account Manager Jerrica Schwartz Senior Sales Execs Jonathan Risteen, Dan Winkler Retail Sales Execs Jon Bowers, Matt Whiting Classified Sales Exec Candace Valladares

Copyright © 2013 Orlando Weekly Inc., all rights reserved.

Orlando Weekly Inc. is a wholly owned subsidiary.

Reproduction without permission is prohibited.

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Resist your hoarding instinct: One copy per reader, please.

ORLANDO WEEKLY INC. 1505 E. Colonial Drive, Suite 200, Orlando, FL 32803; 407-377-0400 • 407-377-0420 fax 407-377-0415 classified orlandoweekly.com

Regional Publisher Michael Wagner

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COMMUNITY OCT. 1, 1971

APRIL 5, 2007

Walt Disney World opens

Developer Cameron Kuhn buys Church Street Station after Pearlman forecloses; Kuhn loses it to foreclosure one year later

DEC. 15, 1973 Sea World opens

JUNE 27, 2007 Pearlman indicted by a federal grand jury on fraud charges

OCT. 1973 East-West Expressway opens

SEPTEMBER 1997

1974

Orlando anti-rave ordinance passed

Orlando SentinelStar combines Orlando Morning Sentinel and Orlando Evening Star

1999 The city of Orlando approves the sale of old Navy base for $7.6 million to Chicago’s Pritzker family, paving the way for Baldwin Park four years later

DEC. 6, 1978 Florida Technical University renamed University of Central Florida

DEC. 7, 1980 Trial of serial killer Ted Bundy begins at the old Orange County Courthouse

MARCH 31, 1982 “Queen of Mean” Leona Helmsley’s only son, Robert Panzirer, dies of a heart attack at her notorious Harley Hotel in downtown Orlando

MARCH 28, 1999 Universal’s Islands of Adventure opens

FEB. 17, 2003

MAY 24, 2011 Casey Anthony murder trial begins; she is found not guilty on July 5

FEB. 26, 2012 17-year-old Trayvon Martin shot by George Zimmerman, who claims self-defense under Florida’s Stand Your Ground law

MARCH 25, 2012 Old Amway Arena demolished to make way for Creative Village

AUG. 13, 2004 Hurricane Charley decimates Orlando

MARCH 10, 2005 Orlando Mayor Buddy Dyer indicted on charges of paying for absentee votes; is cleared five weeks later, canceling a special election

Epcot Center opens

FEBRUARY 1983 Phase I of Orange County Convention Center opens at a cost of $54 million

JAN. 29, 1989 Orlando Arena opens

JUNE 7, 1990 Universal Orlando opens

OCT. 25, 1991 Old Orlando City Hall demolished by implosion, filmed for Lethal Weapon 3

AUGUST 1997 Orlando declared “rave capital” by

Rolling Stone ●

Lake Eola fountain struck by lightning

Orlando City Council approves sale of Church Street Station to Backstreet Boys founder Lou Pearlman

OCT. 1, 1982

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AUGUST 2009

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ORLANDO POPULATION AS OF 2011:

243,195

ORLANDO SIZE:

102.4 SQUARE MILES

JULY 24, 2006 Orlando passes homeless feeding ordinance, which prohibits feeding homeless people within two miles of City Hall

ORANGE COUNTY POPULATION AS OF 2011: 1.17 MILLION ORANGE COUNTY SIZE:

903.43 SQUARE MILES WALT DISNEY WORLD RESORT SIZE:

SEPT. 29, 2006 Dyer and Orange County Mayor Rich Crotty announce $1.1 billion dollar venues deal for Amway Center, performing arts center and Citrus Bowl renovations

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40 SQUARE MILES

NUMBER OF DISNEY EMPLOYEES:

62,000

MEDIAN HOUSE OR CONDO VALUE FOR ORLANDO: $96,800 PERCENT OF FLORIDA HOUSES IN FORECLOSURE: 3.1 ORLANDO CRIME RATE IN 2011:

8,156 PER 100,000 RESIDENTS

SO, THIS THING HAPPENED …

New to town? Or just not sure where to go to solve a problem? Here’s a handy guide to some resources you may need if you call our fair region home.

I need to call the police: If you’re in the City of Orlando and it’s not an emergency, dial 321-235-5300.

Outside city limits (but still in Orange County) call 407-836-4357. Of course, if it is an emergency, the old 911 should do, no matter where you are.

I need a new driver’s license, because I’m pretty sure I lost mine in the move (but probably at the bar): You have a couple of options,

but both will require a wait in line.

You can find your closest full-service Department of Motor Vehicles office by going to flhsmv.gov, or you can (and probably should) just go to the local county tag agency, listed on the same website (or call 407-836-4145).

by Shepherd’s Hope (shepherdshope. org) around town that serve the ill on a first-come-first-served basis. The downtown medical volunteer health center sees patients from 6-9 p.m. every Tuesday and Wednesday (101 S. Westmoreland Drive).

My dog ran away: Call Orange

County Animal Services at 407836-3111 while you’re making your posters. You are making posters, right?

I have created a ridiculous amount of yard waste: If you live

in the city of Orlando, you can usually leave your yard waste curbside.

You can find the regulations and the scheduled weekly pick-up 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 Center at 946 North

Mills Ave. offers free HIV testing seven days a week (407-228-8872).

For other reproductive concerns (both male and female), Planned Parenthood has two offices in the area (407-246-1788).

I can’t afford to feed my kids:

There are several food banks in town, but Second Harvest Food Bank of Central Florida is one of the most prominent. It’s at 3533 Mercy Drive (407-295-1066).

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 407-423-9018.

I need medical attention, but I don’t have insurance or a job:

I’m considering offing myself:

Theoretically, the emergency room of any local hospital should see you. But there are several free clinics operated

First, please don’t. Pick up a phone and call LifeLine of Central Florida at 407-425-2624. It’s not that bad.

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NEIGHBORHOODS

LAKE EOLA

Welcome to

Orlando

O

utsiders like to visit us, but they sure don’t know us. When they think Orlando, they think of a place that’s Anytown, USA – all chain stores and strip malls and corporate anonymity, run by a shadow government with its HQ buried somewhere deep in the calculated heart of Walt Disney World.

We know that couldn’t be further from the truth. The heart of Orlando is not in the theme parks (though they are an integral part of who we are and what we do). It’s in our neighborhoods. Though they often go overlooked by tourists, neighborhoods with unique identities – places with beautiful parks full of tropical foliage and mystery, locally owned businesses and favorite watering holes – are as much a part of our city as the Mouse, the roller coasters, the water parks and the alligators.

Each year, we put this annual manual together to give you an insider’s guide to what makes Orlando (and its surrounding cities and towns) a unique place – a place we’re proud to call home. In the following pages, you’ll find profiles of many of our major neighborhood hubs. We highlight some of the prime places to eat, drink and shop, followed by listings of all the best in arts & culture, nightlife, sports & recreation, attractions and events. It’s a little bit of everything that makes Orlando whole – from its history to its future. The takeaway? Orlando is frequently a happy accident.

Read about the city through our eyes, then get out there and explore it – whether you’re new to town, a longtime resident looking for new adventures in your own city or a tourist just passing through, we’ve tried to include something for you. Now it’s your turn to make it your own. orlandoweekly.com ● ANNUAL MANUAL 2013

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DOWNTOWN ORLANDO

THE COURTESY

Culture and cocktails – lots of cocktails

T

he mythic echoes of small-town department stores and apothecaries may haunt the vaguely historic architecture of downtown’s Orange Avenue stretch, but there’s just enough of an exhaust stench and thumping urban din to kick the city’s central thoroughfare into what passes for city life by night.

Sure, there are some scraps of retail existence for the daytime denizens of local government and the legal profession – in fact, you can buy a rather expensive tie at Siegel’s Clothing Co. (130 S. Orange Ave., 407-481-2155, siegelsonline.com) if you happen to dribble your midday Wall Street Cantina salsa (19 N. Orange Ave., 407-420-1515, wallstplaza.net) or Gringos Locos guacamole (20

ORANGE AVENUE

E. Washington St., 407-841-5626, eatgringos.com) on the one you wore to work this morning – but mostly what downtown offers is arts, entertainment, food and drink.

On the cultural side, Mad Cow Theatre recently hopped into the old brick complex on Church Street (54 W. Church Street, 407-297-8788, madcowtheatre.com), where it stages some of the best professional theater to be found in town. Before you catch a show, you’ll need sustenance, though – and Kres Chophouse (17 W. Church Street, 407-447-7950, kresrestaurant.com), located in the cool old Kress department store building, is a solid traditional red-meat choice.

But if it’s a bad boy you’re after (or girl), try the balls-to-the-wall thrust of Bullitt Bar (33 E. Pine Street, 407-841-1071, facebook.com/bullittbar), a bar wrapped around the namesake ghost of Steve McQueen, but soundtracked by stripper metal.

Contemplate the custom-glass bar riddled with

bullet holes as you sip your Bushmills and fancy yourself a badass.

The new trend in downtown Orlando these days seems to be that of “mixology” hangouts with retro flair. The Speakeasy at Hanson’s Shoe Repair (3 E. Pine Street, 407-476-9446), re-creates the Depression-era secret-stiff-cocktail culture (no cellphones allegedly allowed in here) and offers you a chance to enjoy a (sorta pricey) Negroni or French 75 out on a lovely balcony. You’ll have to call in advance, though, as you need a password for entry. A similar aesthetic – designed by the same people – is definitely worth taking in over at the Courtesy (114 N. Orange Ave., 407-4502041, thecourtesybar.com), another craft-cocktail hotspot without the exclusivity. The drinks may take a while to mix – everything’s made to order, and sometimes there is the crushing of ice cubes in sacks with a mallet to contend with; also, interesting spices and garnishes – but the experience is worth the time. For less heady bar fare, check out Elixir Bar Room & Hash House (9 W. Washington St., 407-985-3507, elixirorlando.net) just around the corner from the Courtesy. This lovely and cavernous tap room was carved out of the stained wood of the former Scruffy Murphy’s space.

For more active amusement, the resurgence of live music stalwart the Beacham (46 N. Orange Ave., 407-246-1419, thebeacham.com) continues to bring authentic indie and local noise to the big stage (with a smaller stage right next door at the Social). But, if you’re really going to party like a local, you’ll eventually find yourself slapping the Siouxsie floor at Independent Bar (70 N. Orange Ave., 407-839-0457, independentbar.net) as you make just enough of an ass of yourself to carry some regret with your hangover smile. Some things never change. Some things never should.

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THORNTON PARK

LAKE EOLA PARK GRAFFITI JUNKTION

Surprisingly walkable, surprisingly wild

“T

hornton Park is a mixture … old and new, gay and straight, accepting,” Melissa Schumann explains.

Schumann, a resident of the Thornton Park neighborhood for the past eight years, is the president of Thornton Park District Main Street, and she and her husband own custom T-shirt store Mother Falcon (407-423-3060, motherfalcon clothing.com) and the Falcon Bar & Gallery (819 E. Washington St., Suite 2, thefalconbar.com) which hosts monthly art shows and wine walks.

In recent years, the couple played a part in bringing an influx of young, artistic residents to the area, and Thornton Park, located just a few shorts blocks away from the downtown district, offers something of a respite from the hustle-andbustle of North Orange Avenue. It’s also home, says Schumann, to “a colorful commercial district with

a European feel to the restaurants and boutiques.”

Take a stroll through this neighborhood (and it is, unlike a lot of Orlando ’hoods, very walkable) on any weekday and you’ll find the after-work set decked out in business suits grabbing a glassful at Eola Wine Company (430 E. Central Blvd., 407-481-9100, eolawinecompany.com), or sipping on craft suds around the corner on the street-side patio at Sonoma Draught House (100 S. Eola Drive, 407-730-3400, sonomadraughthouse.com).

During the evening, that same professional pack (and other upscale trendsetters) roll into Shari Sushi Lounge (621 E. Central Blvd., 407-420-9420, sharisushilounge.com) for sophisticated dinner gatherings.

Those in the mood for a jukebox-and-beer experience belly up to Burton’s Bar (801 E. Washington St.), or take a picnic-table seat at Graffiti Junktion (900 E. Washington St., 407-426-9503, graffitijunk tion.com) for draft beers, overstuffed burgers and games of trivia. If you’re into mainstay neighborhood staples, make your way to Dexter’s (808 E. Washington St., 407-648-2777, dexwine.com),

EOLA WINE COMPANY

Anthony’s Pizzeria (100 N. Summerlin Ave., 407648-0009, anthonyspizza.com) or WildSide BBQ Bar & Grille (700 E. Washington St., 407-872-8665, wildsidebbq.com) – they’re all literally within steps of each other.

Acting as the creative hub of the Thornton Park area (and arguably, the rest of the city), is Urban ReThink (625 E. Central Blvd., 407-7046895, urbanrethink.com). Dropping in on any given day might land you in the middle of a reading series, film screening or writing workshop. Grab a bite at the Spork Café (625 E. Central Blvd., 407476-6250, thesporkcafe.com), located in the Urban ReThink space, which dishes out creative vegan and vegetarian fare.

If there’s one thing you can’t miss in Thornton Park (because it’s literally the largest landmark in the area), it’s Lake Eola Park and its Art Deco fountain, which has become a trademark for the City Beautiful. Not only does the park serve as a gathering place for walkers and runners, every Sunday a collection of local food producers, craft vendors and musicians gather for the Orlando Farmers Market (orlandofarmersmarket.com).

The lake is also home to a surprisingly diverse assortment of wildlife – stroll around the path and you’re sure to encounter swans, herons, turtles, mallards, anhingas and egrets. It’s an oasis right in the heart of the city’s busiest region.

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MILLS 50/VIMI

BART

From soup to beer-nuts

T

here’s so much stuff packed into this dynamite little neighborhood. Since the 1970s, the strip of Colonial Drive between Ferncreek and Mills has been dominated by Vietnamese restaurants and storefronts, and they give Mills 50 (which has also been known as ViMi, short for Virginia-Mills, as well as Little Saigon) an ethnic flair not found elsewhere in the city. Stop

by Pho 88 (730 N. Mills Ave., 407-897-3488, pho88 orlando.com) for some of the best beef noodle soup in town. This area is also ground zero for the best banh mi, those famously beloved Vietnamese subs – you can pick one up at just about any restaurant in the neighborhood, or you can head to Yum-mì (1227 N. Mills Ave., 407-894-1808, yummisandwiches.com), which specializes in them. They serve everything from the traditional pâté variety to the less adventurous (though still tasty) types. Dong A Market has two storefronts here: Dong A Imports (706 N. Mills Ave., 407-894-6062, dongamarket.com), where gifts and

DONG A MARKET

imported goods like ceramic lucky cats and elaborate textiles are sold; and Dong A Market (816 N. Mills Ave., 407-898-3807, dongacorporation.com), which is packed with Asian groceries, produce and goods from China, Japan, Thailand and Vietnam.

Mosey north up Mills from Colonial Drive toward Virginia Drive, and the neighborhood opens up to an eclectic mix of businesses, restaurants and bars. Get yourself fitted with the perfect pair of running shoes at the Track Shack (1104 N.

YUM-MÌ

Mills Ave., 407-898-1313, trackshack.com). The folks who run the store know their business, and they don’t just sell shoes – they also sponsor running events, such as the annual OUC half-marathon, which takes place in Orlando in December. The LGBT community is wellrepresented and served by both the Center (946 N. Mills Ave., 407-228-8272, thecenterorlando. org), which offers counseling, health services, HIV testing and support groups for adults, and the Zebra Coalition (911 N. Mills Ave., 877-909-3272, zebrayouth.org), which offers similar services for teens and young adults.

Then there’s the burgeoning nightlife scene.

You could barhop in Mills 50 all weekend long, if you wanted to. Bounce from Wally’s Mills Avenue Liquors (1001 N. Mills Ave., 407-896-6975, wallysonmills.com) for a stiff pour, then to Will’s Pub (1042 N. Mills Ave., willspub.org) for live music, then to Lil’ Indies (1036 N. Mills Ave.) to talk about the show. You can play retro video games while sipping craft beer at Bart (1205 N. Mills Ave., 407-796-2522, bartcade.com), where arcade games from your childhood (Pac-Man and Galaga) are all free for patrons. End your evening with a leisurely nightcap at the Peacock Room (1321 Mills Ave., 407-228-0048, thepeacockroom.com), which is dark, moody and smoky, like a late-night lounge should be.

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IVANHOE VILLAGE

THE HAMMERED LAMB

An urban planner’s dream (with fetal pigs and pizza)

O

nce an unassuming stretch of old Orlando lakefront loaded almost exclusively with old furniture stores, the recent rehab of Antique Row into something organically (yet cleverly) fashionable has been nothing short of revolutionary – an urban planner’s dream.

There are still numerous fantastic places to buy modular couches that sill dream of Jeannie, like 1618 Something Different (1618 N. Orange Ave, 407-897-6707, somethingdifferentretro.com), but, to some degree, even those formerly static retail

WOLFIE’S PIZZAMIA

THE VENUE

haunts have adapted to the alcoholic flow of time.

The Imperial at Washburn Imports (1800 N. Orange Ave., 407-228-4992, imperialwinebar.com) lights up the dark wood of the global-imports store with fine wines, beers and conviviality by night

(usually with convenient food trucks right outside).

Further up the Row, new watering hole the Hammered Lamb (1235 N. Orange Ave., 407-7043200, facebook.com/thehammeredlamb) sparkles up the evening with casual bites and hefty train shots out on the garden-district-like patio. You can even spruce up your withering image while drinking by heading up the patio stairs to Copperhead Salon (1235 N. Orange Ave., 407-898-6636, copper headsalon.com), because hair and booze are great bedfellows.

Just off the path, but still in character, is the Venue (511 Virginia Drive, 407-412-6895, thevenueorlando.com), local whirling performance-art dervish Baby Blue’s burlesque-y brothel of bounce. The weirdness only increases when you pop into novelty shops like Boom-Art (1821 N. Orange Ave., 407-895-0280) and more frighteningly, the house of skulls and oddities called Curio (1809 N. Orange Ave., 407-620-6181). “We had a waiting list for fetal pigs on Valentine’s Day,” we overheard the owner say. You can literally find anything on Ivanhoe Row. Oh, you’ll need to eat. The Greek Corner (1600 N. Orange Ave., 407-228-0303, thegreekcorner.net) and White Wolf Café (1829 N. Orange Ave., 407895-9911, whitewolfcafe.com) are good bets; White Wolf just opened Wolfie’s Pizzamia right next door, if you want a slice to go with this uniquely Orlando slice of life.

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MILK DISTRICT Bull’s eye

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n a sequestered neighborhood just east of Thornton Park is the Milk District, a part of town known mostly for its Tasty Tuesdays food truck gathering but named for its proximity to T.G. Lee Dairy (315 N. Bumby Ave., tgleedairy.com). On this short-but-sweet strip you’ll find clever theme bars, inventive snacks, vintage clothes and darts aplenty.

At the heart of the Milk District is Sportstown Billiards (2414 E. Robinson St., 407-894-6258, facebook.com/sptstown), with requisite pool, Ping-Pong, shuffleboard and also drinking games like cornhole. Stay there or head to neighboring Bull & Bush (2408 E. Robinson St., 407-896-7546, thebullnbush.com) for a raucous game of darts.

If you’re just looking for a quality beer, though, go straight to the Milk Bar (2424 E. Robinson St., 407-896-4954, themilkbarorlando.com), where those feeling peckish can enjoy food delivered from nearby Spooky’s Black Cat Café (207 N. Primrose Drive, 407-896-2377, themilkdistrictmarketplace. com), which offers a menu full of adventurous flatbreads.

Drift around the corner and head to Pom Pom’s Teahouse & Sandwicheria (67 N. Bumby Ave.,

DRUNKEN MONKEY COFFEE BAR 407-894-0865, pompomsteahouse.com) for enticingly conceptual sandwiches like Mama Ling Ling’s or the Fu Man Chu. While you’re there, peek into Retro Records (59 N. Bumby Ave., 407898-2484) for music and collectibles. For even more treasures, however, Etoile Boutique (2424 E. Robinson St., 407-895-6363, etoileboutique.com) is a necessary stop for vintage clothing and unique jewelry. Perhaps the shiniest gem in this neighborhood is Drunken Monkey Coffee Bar (444 N. Bumby Ave., 407-893-4994, drunkenmonkeycoffee. com), where Mojo Jojo and Anzac converts congregate for free Wi-Fi.

MILK BAR

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WINTER PARK

SLEEPING MOON CAFÉ

Well-heeled but wide-ranging

O

ur neighbor, Winter Park, can’t be called a neighborhood – it’s its own city, made up of neighborhoods just like Orlando.

There’s the well-established, swanky commercial strip of Park Avenue, the up-and-coming Hannibal Square, and various homey pockets long loved by locals. Park Avenue is the place to start, though. Packed with restaurants and boutiques, it’s anchored at its tree-lined north end by the renowned Morse Museum of American Art (445 N. Park Ave., 407-645-5311, morsemuseum.

LE MACARON

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FLOYD’S 99 BARBERSHOP

org), a repository of Tiffany glass and Victorian artifacts. Le Macaron (216 N. Park Ave., 407-2957958, lemacaron-us.com), hidden away in a brick courtyard, is one of the few places to find the crisp-shelled Parisian sweets in the area. Barnie’s Coffeekitchen (118 S. Park Ave., 407-629-0042, barniescoffeekitchen.com) will caffeinate you with single-bean pour-overs and carefully crafted lattes, along with an updated menu (try the shakshuka, eggs baked in tomato-thyme sauce, if you have time to linger). For creative cocktails, the lounge at Luma on Park (290 S. Park Ave., 407-599-4111, lumaonpark.com) is a cozy alternative to the bustling dining room. Just off the avenue, Cocina 214 (151 E. Welbourne Ave., 407-790-7997, cocina214. com) serves high-end authentic Tex-Mex in style.

Although national retailers – Gap, Eileen Fisher, etc. – are well-represented on Park Avenue, the independent boutiques offer better service: The ladies at Thread (356 S. Park Ave., 407-622-7600, threadwinterpark.com) will help you put together an outfit from racks packed with Tory Burch, Tracy Reese, Splendid and Calypso, and keep you posted on upcoming sales with handwritten notes.

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he leafy, cobblestoned streets of Hannibal Square enfold a choice selection of cafés, bistros and shops. A glass of wine at Dexter’s (558 W. New England Ave., 407-629-1150, dexwine.com) is a classic beginning to your stroll; whimsical letterpress stationery can be found at the charming, tiny home of Rifle Paper Co. (558 W. New England Ave., 407-622-7679, riflepaperco. com) along with carefully curated housewares and accessories. Speaking of tiny, the deliciously eclectic menu at Fresh (535 W. New England Ave., 321-295-7837, freshcafe-wp.com) shows chef Gina Bugayong’s unbounded creativity. You may bump elbows with your neighbors in her rustic-modern jewelbox of a cafe, but you won’t mind.

W

here Fairbanks Avenue splits off from North Orange, Floyd’s 99 Barbershop (610 W. Fairbanks Ave., 407-790-7799, floydsbarbershop.com) offers straight-razor shaves and old-school cuts in a rock & roll atmo. Further west on Fairbanks, traffic roars past a true Winter Park treasure – Skycraft Parts & Surplus (2245 W. Fairbanks Ave., 407-628-5634,

skycraftsurplus.com), marked by a flying saucer on a pole, is where you’d go if you were in fact attempting to build a flying saucer. It’s packed with bins full of switches, screws, gears, and incomprehensible bits of plastic and metal and felt that could be the basis of a great machine – or a great art project. Nearby sits Orlando Vintage Clothing Co. (2117 W. Fairbanks Ave., 407-599-7225, orlando vintage.com) a source for impeccable 1950s and ’60s fashion. On the same block, B&B Junction (2103 W. Fairbanks Ave., 407-513-4134, bbjunction. com) serves high-quality organic and local burgers.

N

ear the intersection of Semoran Boulevard (aka 436) and University Boulevard sits Full Sail University, an entertainment media school with roughly 8,000 on-campus students. That many kids on a 24-hour schedule (not to mention all the instructors and staff ) mean there’s no shortage of fast food, but there’s also some homegrown charm to be found. Humble little cafeteria Rincon Cubano (3327 N. Forsyth Road, 407-679-5600) slings some of the best Cuban food in town – their cortadito will change your life, or at least your day. Sleeping Moon Café (4951 N. Semoran Blvd., 321-295-7844, facebook.com/ sleepingmooncafe) is a relatively new addition featuring coffee, sandwiches, local art and open-mic nights; vegans will find good choices here. And you can dunk anything from live blue crabs to sliced beef to baby bok choy in the simmering hot pots at newcomer Hotto Potto (3090 Aloma Ave., 407951-8028, hottopotto.com), before slathering with their array of house-made sauces.

BARNIE’S COFFEEKITCHEN

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COLLEGE PARK

ORANGE CYCLE

Familiarity breeds contentment

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ollege Park is one of those Orlando neighborhoods that almost feels like Pleasantville – for being so close to downtown, it has a remarkably old-fashioned, old-Florida appeal. It’s mostly a residential cluster of cozy bungalows, but Edgewater Drive serves as the main drag, where the kind of small indie businesses that you only expect in small towns – a locksmith, a clock repair shop, a vacuum store – are interspersed with restaurants and boutiques. Since 1975, Orange Cycle (2204 Edgewater Drive, 407-422-5552, orangecycleorlando. com), a 10,000-square-foot bike shop known for knowledgeable, hands-off service, has anchored the community at the corner of Edgewater and Princeton Street. Ollie’s Public House (3400 Edgewater Drive, 407-999-8934, olliespublichouse.com), where you can drink beer on the patio in mildly alarming proximity to the gleaming new Edgewater High School, has replaced the long-lived Jax at one end of the strip; down at the other, Cavanaugh’s Fine Wines (1215 Edgewater Drive, 407-426-7510) has recently added a small wine-and-beer bar to their stock of hard-to-find bottles. In between, life-improving services abound: College Park Yoga (3029 Edgewater Drive, 407999-7871, collegeparkyoga.com) twists limbs and deepens breathing seven days a week. Tamahra’s Secret (1520 Edgewater Drive, 407-999-5008, tsecret.com) soothes and smooths troubled complexions. And Alchemy Salon

(2812 Edgewater Drive, 407-650-8022, alchemyorlando. com) cuts and colors the hippest hair in town – and hosts an awesome block party every summer. You can pay what you wish for the fair-trade coffee at the sunny, positivevibes Downtown Credo (706 W. Smith St., 407-250-4888, downtowncredo.com). Artichoke Red (2808 Edgewater Drive, 407-898-3353, artichokered.com), open seven days a week, stocks the most complete inventory of vegan necessities we’ve seen in Orlando.

As for pure retail therapy, an outpost of the alwaysdependable Dechoes Resale (2110 Edgewater Drive, 407-648-7480, dechoesresale.com) meets your gently used denim and designer-handbag needs, while Gallery on the Edge (2300 Edgewater Drive, 407-999-5251, facebook.com/galleryontheedge) combines Artistree Co-op (Etsy-esque handmade goods) with Atomic Junkies (midcentury modern furniture). Hungry? There are more than a dozen restaurants packed into the neighborhood, but notables include K Restaurant (1710 Edgewater Drive, 407-872-2332, krestaurant.net), the domain of Kevin Fonzo, one of Orlando’s most creative chefs; and Paxia (2611 Edgewater Drive, 407-420-1155, paxiarestau rant.com), where Mexican food gets a modern twist. Paxia is also a great place to sip tequila on a weeknight or work off a hangover at weekend brunch; if Friday nights don’t hit you too hard, the College Park Farmers Market also serves brunch and has recently shifted to Sundays under the auspices of TheDailyCity.com. (It’s still hosted in the parking lot of Infusion Tea, 1600 Edgewater Drive.)

INFUSION TEA

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AUDUBON PARK/BALDWIN PARK

BLUE BIRD BAKE SHOP

Sometimes opposites really do attract

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t may seem a little odd to pair these two neighborhoods – Audubon Park is arguably the hippest, most organically developed neighborhood in town, while Baldwin Park is (again, arguably) one of the most carefully planned developments in Orlando proper. However, these two very different neighborhoods complement one another nicely. Baldwin Park brought to this area a new Publix supermarket, a CVS and a handful of chain conveniences (Five Guys burgers, a Subway) Audubon Park was lacking. Audubon Park brings to the table a killer craft beer bar, Redlight Redlight (2810 Corrine Drive, 407-893-9832, redlightredlightbeerparlour.com), Orlando’s best

LAKE BALDWIN

place to buy new and used CDs and vinyl (Park Ave CDs, 2916 Corrine Drive, 407-447-7275, park avecds.com), a fantastic neighborhood sandwich shop (Bikes, Beans & Bordeaux, 3022 Corrine Drive, 407-427-1440, bikesbeansandbordeaux. com) and probably the most hipster of hangouts in

STREET PARTY AT BIKES, BEANS AND BORDEAUX

town, Stardust Video and Coffee (1842 Winter Park Road, 407-623-3393, stardustie.com).

Between these two neighborhoods, you have critical mass: two sushi joints (Seito Sushi, 4898 New Broad St., 407-898-8801, in Baldwin, or Sushi Lola’s, 2806 Corrine Drive, 407-898-5652, sushi lolas.com, in Audubon), two Italian restaurants (O! Stromboli, 1803 E. Winter Park Road, 407647-3872, in Audubon, and La Bella Luna, 4886 New Broad St., 407-895-0025, labellalunafl.com, in Baldwin) and plenty of neighborhood bars (Caddyshanks, 4882 New Broad St., 407-574-6570, caddyshanks.com; Big Daddy’s Roadhouse, 3001 Corrine Drive, 407-644-2844). For delectable baked goods, you can’t go wrong with Blue Bird Bake Shop (3122 Corrine Drive, 407-228-3822, bluebird bakeshop.com); Ice Cream Treats and Eats (3114 Corrine Drive, 407-894-0286) serves ice cream for both humans and dogs; and at Delish frozen yogurt (4954 New Broad St., 407-440-4222, delishyogurt. com), you can order your soft-serve with self-serve toppings by the ounce.

Perhaps best of all, there’s plenty of green space and beauty nearby. Blue Jacket Park’s formal footbridge and fountain (2501 General Rees Ave.) are popular spots for majestic-looking graduation photoshoots, and the pocket parks planted with native plants and grasses that sit between Baldwin Park’s townhouses and mini-mansions, create ideal habitats for Florida wildlife. Between these two neighborhoods, you get the best of both worlds.

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MAITLAND Small-town appeal with big-time hospitality

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ome would consider Maitland the meager next-door neighbor to affluent Winter Park. But what this strip of U.S. Highway 17-92 lacks in glitz and glamour, it certainly makes up for in its friendly appeal.

Perhaps the biggest draw for visitors (film buffs and otherwise) to Maitland is independent alternative cinema Enzian Theater (1300 S. Orlando Ave., 407-629-1088, enzian.org), which hosts an eclectic selection of movies – both new releases and cult classics – screened in a comfy dinner theater. Enzian is also home to the annual Florida Film Festival.

Hollie Mahadeo, general manager of the Enzian, says Maitland offers “that small-town appeal where you actually get to know people and hospitality isn’t just the name of an industry – it’s a way that people are treated.”

That’s why in Maitland, it’s easy to find neighborly joints where even out-of-towners are welcomed like friends – it just comes down to what kind of friends you hang with.

Those looking to sip cocktails in an outdoor

EDEN BAR AT ENZIAN THEATER

garden ambiance flock to Enzian’s Eden Bar (1300 S. Orlando Ave., 407-629-1088, enzian.org), while bar-goers up for a round of darts or trivia (and a selection of 140 beers) pull up a stool at Copper Rocket Pub (106 Lake Ave., 407-645-0069, copperrocketpub.com).

On-the-go diners looking to (literally) grab a bite can stop by Kappy’s (501 N. Orlando Ave., 407-647-9099) for rock-solid submarines, or chow down on roasted chicken and other Greek specialties at Athena (487 S. Orlando Ave., 407-539-0669, athenachicken.com). For a more romantic date night, couples dine at Antonio’s Ristorante (611 S. Orlando Ave., 407-645-5523, antoniosonline.com), an upscale Italian cuisine stalwart with both indoor and patio seating overlooking Lake Lily.

Maitland is also home to one of Central

Florida’s cultural gems, the notable Art & History Museums – Maitland (231 W. Packwood Ave., 407539-2181, artandhistory.org), where creative minds view art exhibits and attend monthly Culture & Cocktails parties. And for a more scenic side of Maitland, take a stroll on the paved walking trail around Lake Lily Park, which also plays host to a weekly outdoor farmers’ market, where purveyors sell fresh, locally grown produce.

Maitland is definitely more than just a stopping point between downtown Orlando and Sanford if you’re driving along the busy four-lane 17-92 highway.

“It’s still a bit of a local secret,” says Mahadeo.

“You get the best of both worlds with hidden quiet historic neighborhoods and tons of fun things to do just minutes away in any direction.”

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SOUTH DOWNTOWN

JOHNNY’S FILLIN’ STATION/OTHER SIDE

Where variety keeps things interesting

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n the homey and high school-y burbs where Wadeview Park and Delaney Park converge – close enough to downtown to feel alive; far enough away to have a kid – there are pockets of commerce suited for bluer collars and brighter minds. It doesn’t have to be fancy to be good, you know. You just have to know what to look for. If you’re hungry for a good burger and even better peoplewatching, stop by de facto neighborhood center Johnny’s Fillin’ Station or Johnny’s Other Side next door (2621 S. Ferncreek Ave., 407-894-6900). That’s where you’ll find bikers and gay folks and hot chicks and teenagers all crammed into one space, chatting loudly. Craft beer and wine more your thing? Try the selection at the brandnew Rogue Pub (3076 Curry Ford Road, 407-985-3778, facebook.com/roguepub), which just opened in February.

For casual ethnic fare, hit up Tasty Thai (3806

Curry Ford Road, 407-895-6266) and try the pad thai on for size, or head over to Theo’s Kitchen (2952 Curry Ford Road, 407-849-0810; theoskitchen.com) for some Mediterranean-style spinach pie or hummus in what feels like an ’80s strip-mall diner. Mostly because it is, but it’s so worth it.

More upscale fare can be found on the Orange Avenue side, known as SoDo. OLV Café (25 W. Crystal Lake Street, 407-722-5060; olvcafe.com) has fantastic brunching outside and a great dinner, wine and tapas specials.

It’s also on the right side of fancy, even if it shares a shopping center with affordable-not-affluent retailers Target and T.J.Maxx. More selective shopping can be found at old record store relic East-West Compact Discs and Tapes (4895 S. Orange Ave, 407-859-8991), where the term out-of-print hardly even matters anymore. Also, you can throw a little danceable nightlife into your excursion and have a gay old time at Pulse (1912 S. Orange Ave., 407-649-3888; pulseorlando.net). It’s a wide spectrum in south Orlando, and you might as well see all of it.

THEO’S KITCHEN

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SANFORD

HOLLERBACH’S WILLOW TREE CAFÉ

An unexpected and charismatic main street strip

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ou might miss it if you don’t know where to look: Pass the giant retail buzz of Sanford’s Seminole Towne Center and head toward the corner of U.S. Highway 17-92 and Sanford’s East First Street. Turn right and in a few blocks, you’ll find yourself in historic downtown Sanford, a totally unexpected, charming main street that perfectly represents the image of a picturesque Southern town.

Downtown Sanford is situated along the shore of Lake Monroe, a Central Florida haven for freshwater fishing and sailboat cruising. Visit the lakefront any day, and you’re sure to encounter anglers – serious grandpas and squealing teen girls alike – casting their lines in the water.

Have lunch at Christo’s (107 W. First St., 407-320-0799, theoriginalchristos.com), a momand-pop institution since 1971 that serves up breakfast classics, salads, sandwiches and handtossed pizzas – don’t leave without a slice of the homemade cheesecake of the week.

After lunch, stroll down First toward Maya Books & Music (201 E. First St., 407-321-6504).

It’s the kind of place where you’ll likely have to do some digging, but your efforts will be rewarded with treasures in the form of those used CDs, vinyl records and books you’re just not going to find at the big-box stores. You might also

do a bit of window-shopping as you pass by the shared space of Gallery on First and Jeanine Taylor Folk Art (211 E. First St., 407-323-2774, galleryonfirst.com/jtfolkart.com), both of which feature a wide variety of local and outsider art.

Stick around for dinner – if you don’t, you’ll miss a chance to partake in the best in German fare and entertainment at Hollerbach’s Willow Tree Café (205 E. 1st St., 407-321-2204, willowtreecafe.com), an authentic and rollicking German beer hall. Wolf down a schnitzel, chug a 3-liter boot of beer and yodel along to live German music. It gets hoppin’ on the weekends, so if you want to be guaranteed a good seat in the “music room,” call ahead for nextday reservations.

If Hollerbach’s good clean gemütlichkeit isn’t rowdy enough for you, downtown Sanford’s bar scene might be. For vintage-inspired craft cocktails, grab a seat at furniture store-turned-bar the Imperial at Washburn Imports (116 E. First St., 407-732-6956, facebook.com/theimperialsanford).

Or if you’re up for new experiences, wander over to the weird-as-hell (in a good way!) Little Fish Huge Pond (401 S. Sanford Ave., 407-221-1499, littlefish-hugepond.com), where owner-bartender Moire Wisdom treats everyone like a long-lost pal.

Live music fans get their fill at the Alley (114 S. Park Ave., 407-328-4848, thealleyblues.com), where live blues musicians play nearly seven days a week, while the beer-and-bar-food crew ends the night at the West End Trading Co. (202 S. Sanford Ave., 407-322-7475, drinkatwestend.com).

MAYA BOOKS & MUSIC

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SAND LAKE/DR. PHILLIPS

THE BAR AT ROY’S

All the neighborhood’s a feast

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ven though it’s a tourist-rich area of town, even for locals the Sand Lake/Dr. Phillips area is the place to go for special occasion dining. The strip of Sand Lake Road between I-4 and Apopka Vineland Road isn’t nicknamed “Restaurant Row” for nothing.

It’s home to a number of high-end chain establishments, like popular Hawaiian fusion restaurant Roy’s (7760 W. Sand Lake Road, 407-352-4844, roysrestaurant.com), whose dark, sophisticated lounge is a comfortable meeting spot that serves creative cocktails (hand-shaken Hawaiian martini, anyone?) as well as interesting apps like Wagyu beef sliders and crunchy lobster potstickers. Fondue lovers flock to the Melting Pot (7549 W. Sand Lake Road, 407-903-1100, meltingpot.com), one of the few restaurants in town where you’re encouraged to play with your food – dipping strawberries in chocolate or chunks of bread in cheese (or bread in chocolate and strawberries in cheese) is a great ice-breaker for a first date and a guaranteed good time for girls’ nights out.

One of our favorite spots on this row is Cedar’s (7732 W. Sand Lake Road, 407-351-6000, orlandocedars.com), an upscale Middle Eastern restaurant specializing in Lebanese cuisine. Try the mohamara with pickled walnuts and pomegranate molasses, or one of the house specialties, like baked kebbeh (ground meat with cracked wheat, spices, onions and pine nuts).

If you’re looking for a nightcap after you’ve gorged yourself on fantastic food, you’ve got plenty of options down this way. There’s a World of Beer (7800 Dr. Phillips Blvd., 407-355-3313, wobusa.com), where craft beer is always on the menu, as well as Cricketers Arms (7563 W. Sand Lake Road, 407-7302111, cricketersorlando), where you can take in the true British pub experience.

(Orlando is home to lots of British expats, in case you weren’t aware, and it’s a super-popular vacation spot for Brits, as well.)

While you’re in the area, if you’re looking for a place to relax, you can head over to the I-Drive area ( just a stone’s throw away) and get in a few rounds of mini-golf. Or, if you’re feeling more contemplative, you can stop by the Dr. P. Phillips Community Park (8249 Buenavista Woods Blvd., drphillips. org/node/49), located on the shores of Big Sand Lake, where you can take in 43 acres of green space, playgrounds, hiking, picnicking and dog parking.

DR. PHILLIPS COMMUNITY PARK

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UCF

WORLD OF BEER

Unchained melodies

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hether you’re a UCF Knight or simply someone taking advantage of the affordable housing on the east side of town, the area close to campus offers some attractive amenities if you venture into and beyond the strip malls that line the streets. For one thing, Jay Blanchard Park (2451 N. Dean Road, 407-254-9030) provides tons of activities for the outdoorsy, including an incredible hike down the Little Econ Trail. But before you indulge in this escape, you must first delve in and discover some long-loved establishments.

Many pizza fans cried out when the plaza where Lazy Moon (11551 University Blvd., 407-658-2396, eatdrinkandbelazy.com) lived was demolished, but fret not; now your much-missed Box Car Willy special is back

in a new location. Travel toward campus to treat yourself to Falafel Café (12140 Collegiate Way, 407-382-6600, falafelcafe.com), where the Lebanese food is homemade, and the service is unforgettably friendly. It’s in that same plaza that you’ll encounter Natura Coffee & Tea (12078 Collegiate Way, 407-482-5000, naturaorlando.com), a hookah lounge, bar and coffee shop meshed into one, where open mic nights are cherished.

Nowadays, the area’s best meeting place might just be World of Beer (3402 Technological Ave., 321-2359741, wobusa.com) with live music, an impressive patio and a list of craft beers as long as your arm. And since you’re feeling boozy, check out the two-for-one margarita specials at Azteca d’Oro (11633 University Blvd., 407-737-8388, aztecamex.com), which also offers a slightly healthier take on Mexican food, plus endless chips and salsa to soak up all that tequila.

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WATERFORD LAKES/AVALON PARK

GROOM, GRUB AND BELLY RUB

Suburban convenience meets small-town appeal

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owntowners who don’t wander further east than Semoran Boulevard (because that’s where all of life’s little necessities, like Costco and the airport, can be found), tend to think of the Waterford Lakes/Avalon Park area of town as a sort of strip-mall wasteland. And sure, the Waterford Lakes town center is a mall, but if you’re the type who’s more at home in a suburban, name-brand environment, there are certainly worse places to live, work and play. The area is full of gated-community enclaves where people take pride in their big houses with lush green lawns and streets so quiet the kids can safely ride their bikes around in the evenings.

And, of course, everything’s conveniently located to the shopping centers.

The main Waterford Lakes shopping mall – a sprawling outdoor mall that often hosts Adidas tent sales, beer fests and (occasionally) quirky community markets – does indeed offer a little bit of everything: There’s a Barnes and Noble, an Ulta, a TJ Maxx and more for the living and the working (aka, shopping). For the playing, catch a movie at the Regal Cinema, then hit up the Friendly Confines (435 N. Alafaya Trail, 407-736-9182, myfriendlyconfines. com), a sports bar that caters to the pub grub and a pitcher set, or check out Miller’s Ale House (641 N. Alafaya Trail, 407-736-0333), where you can sit down for the full tavern experience (steaks, seafood, more than 75 different kinds of beer). Eat too much? Fortunately, there’s an LA Fitness (815 N. Alafaya Trail, 407-380-1526, lafitness.com) in the mall, as well.

Just down the road from Waterford Lakes (OK, it’s a good 10-minute drive) is Avalon Park. If you’re really into the “I want to live in a community with the convenience of a downtown, with a yard and a big house and without the hassle of actually living in a downtown,” this ginormous planned community was made for you. There’s a town center with shops and restaurants. There’s a coffee shop, naturally, which every town center needs – Avalon Perks (12001 Avalon Lake Drive, 407-282-8100, javavineyard.com) – and a pizza place – Milano’s Pizza (3564

WATERFORD LAKES

Avalon Park East Blvd., 407-273-2677, milanosatavalon. com) – as well as sandwich shops, sushi, Thai food and ice cream.

Got dogs? If you live in the ’burbs, there’s a good chance you do – and Avalon Park is ridiculously dogfriendly. There’s a reliable veterinary clinic right in the ’hood: Avalon Vet Clinic (3520 W. Avalon Park Blvd., 407-275-3430, avalonvetclinic.com), a dog park and an independent pet-supply business called Groom, Grub and Belly Rub (3702 E. Avalon Park Blvd., 407-277-7387, groomgrubandbellyrub. com), which offers cage-free grooming and a long list of all-natural pet foods, treats and supplements.

Then there’s the other thing about Avalon Park that most people who refuse to venture that far east realize: It’s full of green space, walking trails, parks and little oases, many of which are walking distance from the little downtown, where you can lose yourself in peaceful reverie without feeling like you’re in the middle of suburban sprawl or a blacktop jungle. Not so bad, after all. orlandoweekly.com ● ANNUAL MANUAL 2013

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ARTS & CULTURE GALLERIES & MUSEUMS Albin Polasek Museum & Sculpture Gardens 633 Osceola Ave., Winter Park 407-647-6294 polasek.org The former residence of the Czech artist serves as a gallery, and the grounds feature gorgeous lakeside gardens populated by his bronze sculptures.

Anita S. Wooten Gallery Valencia College East Campus 701 N. Econlockhatchee Trail 407-582-2341 valenciacollege.edu/ artsandentertainment/gallery

CityArts Factory 29 S. Orange Ave. 407-648-7060 cityartsfactory.com This downtown arts space is the center of Orlando’s Third Thursday art strolls. It hosts shows that change monthly, and it’s home to a number of independent galleries and arts spaces.

Cornell Fine Arts Museum Rollins College 1000 Holt Ave., Winter Park 407-646-2526 rollins.edu/cfam

Gallery Q The Center Orlando 946 N. Mills Ave. 407-228-8272 thecenterorlando.org/art-gallery The brick-and-mortar home of the Orlando Art Collective, Gallery Q displays art by or supporting LGBT artists and issues.

Hannibal Square Heritage Center 642 W. New England Ave., Winter Park 407-539-2680 hannibalsquareheritagecenter.org Established in 2007, the gallery presents exhibitions and displays archival photos

A tiny space within the CityArts Factory, Redefine is the area’s most reliable purveyor of cutting-edge graffiti and street art; a room that small requires a choosy curator.

Atlantic Center for the Arts 1414 Art Center Ave., New Smyrna Beach 386-427-6975 atlanticcenterforthearts.org

Southeast Museum of Photography Daytona State College 1200 W. International Speedway Blvd., Building 1200, Daytona Beach 386-506-4475 smponline.org

The residency program, which draws internationally renowned visual artists, writers, musicians and poets, concludes with exhibits and performances four times per year.

Yes, it’s way out there in Daytona, but photography lovers know it’s worth the hour-long drive to the coast to visit this space. Just about every angle of photography gets explored in the expansive institution with multiple galleries of national and international works.

Casselberry Art House 127 Quail Pond Circle, Casselberry 407-262-7700 ext. 1301 casselberry.org The quaint red-doored cottage offers 2,500 square feet of community space for classes, workshops, lectures, concerts and art shows.

PHOTO BY MARC HARMON

This museum features an astounding collection of the works by Louis Comfort Tiffany, including a recently opened wing dedicated to recreating the essence of Laurelton Hall, Tiffany’s Long Island, N.Y., estate.

The space is tiny, but it packs a lot of punch. It’s a showcase for works by folk artist Earl Cunningham and an eclectic mix of traveling exhibitions.

Redefine Gallery 29 S. Orange Ave. 407-648-7060 redefinegallery.com

The cultural complex embraces André Smith’s famed Research Studio, the Victorian-era Waterhouse Residence and two technological repositories, the Telephone Museum and the Carpentry Shop Museum.

The Charles Hosmer Morse Museum of American Art 445 N. Park Ave., Winter Park 407-645-5311 morsemuseum.org

Mennello Museum of American Art 900 E. Princeton St. 407-246-4278 mennellomuseum.com

Nestled into Loch Haven Park, OMA features its private collection and traveling exhibits, but is best known for its 1st Thursday socials.

Art & History Museums – Maitland 231 W. Packwood Ave., Maitland 407 539-2181 artandhistory.org

Home to the cutting-edge Gallery 500 and Flying Horse Editions, this UCF satellite campus is conveniently located in downtown Orlando. The space hosts unique arts exhibits and events that feature film, photography, painting, illustration and fine-art printmaking.

Smart decisions and passionate board members have led to impressive in-house exhibitions by Florida artists.

Orlando Museum of Art 2416 N. Mills Ave. 407-896-4231 omart.org

Work by emerging American and international artists inspires Valencia students in this white-box gallery.

UCF Center for Emerging Media 500 W. Livingston St. 407-823-2121 www.fiea.ucf.edu

Museum of Florida Art 600 N. Woodland Blvd., DeLand 386-734-4371 museumoffloridaart.org

DRIP

Twelve21 Gallery 1221 N. Orange Ave. 407-982-4357 twelve21gallery.com

and historical documents related to the African-American experience in the evolving west Winter Park neighborhood.

Brainchild of the Laughing Samurai branding agency, Twelve21 curates a consistent mix of cutting-edge contemporary art in the clean, modern setting it deserves.

Crealdé School of Art 600 St. Andrews Blvd., Winter Park 407-671-1886 crealde.org

The Holocaust Memorial Resource and Education Center of Florida 851 N. Maitland Ave., Maitland 407-628-0555 holocaustedu.org

The Terrace Gallery Orlando City Hall 400 S. Orange Ave. 407-246-4279 cityoforlando.net/arts

The school, set in lakeside bungalows with a sculpture garden, is known for creative classes as well as ever-changing gallery shows.

The tiny gallery within the Jewish Community Center hosts rotating exhibits that challenge the viewer and speak to the horrors that took place during World War II.

This gallery showcases some of the city of Orlando’s public art collection, as well as nationally touring and locally curated exhibitions.

The Falcon 819 E. Washington St. 407-423-2788 thefalconbar.com

Jai Gallery 101 S. Garland Ave., Suite 101 407-921-0693 facebook.com/jaigallery

Revolving shows from emerging contemporary artists both local and out-of-town, specializing in lowbrow, street and graffiti art, in an intimate bar setting.

A new gallery in the historic Exchange Building, near downtown’s Church Street, puts the emphasis on fostering a new generation of collectors.

UCF Art Gallery University of Central Florida Visual Arts Building 407-823-3161 gallery.cah.ucf.edu

Tucked away on the campus of Rollins College, this museum hosts thoughtprovoking guest exhibitions. It’s also home to a formidable permanent collection.

Parking can be tough, but its faculty and

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CONTINUED FROM PAGE 37 student shows feature innovative modern works that make it worth any minor hassles.

Urban ReThink 625 E. Central Blvd.

407-704-6895 urbanrethink.com The space that was once Orlando’s only independent bookstore is now a vibrant multi-use space curated by the Urban Think Foundation, filled with readings, experimental music, art, film and creative thinkers.

Wells’ Built Museum of African American History and Culture 511 W. South St. 407-245-7535 pastinc.org Housed in a historic hotel near the erstwhile South Street Casino (the only hotel nearby that would rent rooms to the casino’s chitlin circuit performers), Well’s Built is a trove of African-American artifacts.

Zora Neale Hurston National Museum of Fine Arts 227 E. Kennedy Blvd., Eatonville 407-647-3307 zoranealehurstonmuseum.com This little gallery is devoted to AfricanAmerican history and culture and features the work of artists of African descent.

It’s celebrating 20 years of operation in Eatonville, the oldest African-American incorporated municipality in the United States.

THEATERS & PERFORMING ARTS GROUPS

Bach Festival Society 1000 Holt Ave.,Winter Park 407-646-2182 bachfestivalflorida.org

The Abbey 100 S. Eola Drive 407-704-6103 abbeyorlando.com

Central Florida’s premier choral and orchestral group presents an annual season of Bach’s music, performed by the 160 volunteer members alongside international visiting artists.

A small mixed-use room in an ornate setting (with full bar service!) hosts art shows, cabaret, comedy, community theater and concerts.

Annie Russell Theatre Rollins College 1000 Holt Ave., Winter Park 407-646-2145 rollins.edu/annierussell Red velvet curtains, plush cinema seats and the ghost of the namesake actress accentuate the dramatic at this theater, which presents both student and visiting-artist productions.

Art’s Sake Studios 680 Clay St., Winter Park 407-629-4800 art-sake.com The intimate space offers acting classes by day and hosts local theater companies’ productions.

Athens Theatre 124 N. Florida Ave., DeLand 386-736-1500 athensdeland.com DeLand’s restored historic theater hosts a resident community theater group, youth theater and concerts.

Beth Marshall Presents 407-925-6052 bethmarshallpresents.wordpress.com The longtime Fringe Festival producer has formed her own company, producing an ambitious slate of plays and events.

Bob Carr Performing Arts Centre 401 W. Livingston St. 407-246-4262 orlandovenues.net The space may be dated and the sound system could use some work, but this old standby is home to all manner of popular performances, from concerts to touring Broadway shows.

Breakthrough Theatre of Winter Park 421 W. Fairbanks Ave., Winter Park 407-920-4034 breakthroughtheatre.com Non-equity community theater features dance, theater and musical events.

Casa Feliz Historic Home Museum 656 N. Park Ave., Winter Park 407-628-8196 casafeliz.us

ORLANDO PHILHARMONIC

designed by noted architect James Gamble Rogers in 1932, hosts art, music and talks on historical preservation within its luxurious walls.

DRIP 8747 International Drive 347-855-3747 ilovedrip.org The interactive dance/performance art troupe known for flinging colored liquids and powders about the stage just moved into its own space and offers nightly shows.

Emotions Dance Company 456 Gallberry St., Altamonte Springs 407-788-1659 emotionsdance.org A contemporary dance company that seeks to engage social and environmental issues.

Winter Park’s landmark farmhouse,

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demise of Orlando Opera by staging chamber operas and recitals in collaboration with Orlando Philharmonic and other Florida opera groups.

Garden Theatre 160 W. Plant St., Winter Garden 407-877-4736 gardentheatre.org

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Empty Spaces Theatre Co. 407-328-9005 facebook.com/phantasmagoriaorlando Impresario John DiDonna produces stage plays with Empty Spaces but also oversees “Orlando’s own steampunk circus,” the Phantasmagoria performance troupe.

Footlight Theatre & Cabaret Lounge at the Parliament House 410 N. Orange Blossom Trail 407-425-7571 footlighttheatre.com The legendary gay resort is home to this theater, which thrills audiences with drag delights and original comedies, musicals and guest productions.

Florida Opera Theatre 407-718-4365 floperatheatre.org FOT works to fill the void left by the

Orlando Philharmonic Orchestra 812 E. Rollins St., Suite 300 407-896-6700 orlandophil.org Wider fare than just classical music keeps the only local professional orchestra in action: pops, film scores, opera and distinguished guest artists.

comedy shows, classes and workshops.

Theatre Downtown 2113 N. Orange Ave. 407-841-0083 theatredowntown.net This cozy professional theater produces both classics and new works.

Theatre UCF 4000 Central Florida Blvd.

407-823-2862 theatre.cah.ucf.edu

Fully restored, the historic theater in quaint downtown Winter Garden hosts fine theater and family shows.

Orlando Repertory Theatre 1001 E. Princeton St. 407-896-7365 orlandorep.com

Greater Orlando Actors Theatre 2431 Aloma Ave., Winter Park 407-872-8451 goatgroup.com

Professional family theater productions have become the domain of Orlando Rep, which also presents shows from its Youth Academy.

University of Central Florida’s theater undergrads and grad students tackle an ambitious year-round schedule of plays, musicals and youth theater.

Orlando Shakespeare Theater 812 E. Rollins St. 407-447-1700 orlandoshakes.org

Voci Dance 407-432-1133 vocidance.org

The passionate GOAT troupe has settled nicely into its new home in Winter Park near Crealdé School of Art.

Mad Cow Theatre 54 W. Church St. 407-297-8788 madcowtheatre.com The established and well-regarded Mad Cow Theatre features regular stage productions as well as classes, workshops and socials.

Orlando Ballet 1111 N. Orange Ave. 407-426-1733 orlandoballet.org Orlando’s professional ballet company performs its major productions – The Nutcracker included – at the Bob Carr Performing Arts Centre; 2013 featured a collaborative staging with the Orlando Phil and Bach Festival Society.

One of the top Shakespeare companies in the country, OST produces a regular season in addition to PlayFest, which showcases new works.

Playwrights’ Round Table theprt.com Around since 1997, the Playwrights’ Round Table gives new and experienced playwrights and screenwriters a venue to showcase their new works.

SAK Comedy Lab 29 S. Orange Ave. 407-648-0001 sak.com Good, clean fun is the hallmark of the bestknown Orlando troupe for improvisational

The modern dance company specializes in presenting theatrical experiences incorporating puppets, original music and elaborate set and costume design.

The Winter Park Playhouse 711 N. Orange Ave., Winter Park 407-645-0145 winterparkplayhouse.org Cabarets, musicals and holiday fare – this little community theater offers a busy theatrical calendar all year round.

Yow Dance yowdance.org Choreographer Eric Yow makes it his mission to bring exposure to modern dance by staging performances by his company in a variety of educational settings.

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ATTRACTIONS THEME PARKS

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e can’t do a listing of attractions without listing the granddaddies of all attractions in our area: the theme parks. Though most of them are not located in Orlando proper – Disney is a good 40-minute drive from downtown – the parks are part of our lives, and to make the most of them, it pays to do some research before you visit. If you show up at the gate without an advancepurchase ticket or at least a plan for how to make the most of your money, you’ll probably pay more than you should have.

Most of the parks offer deep discounts on multi-day tickets, and some offer special weekday discounts. Florida residents generally don’t save much on single-day adult tickets, but if you’re a diehard park-goer (or aspire to be, or have relatives who like to visit a lot), you can save some big bucks by purchasing an annual pass.

Good to know: Just like the other parks, SeaWorld’s bread and butter is the experience – spectacles and thrills and things to look at. But the park also exists to educate the public about aquatic animals. There are more than 100 employees at SeaWorld whose job it is to simply talk to people about the park and its animals. They’ll gladly answer your questions about anything and everything SeaWorld. Look for the park employees wearing nametags marked “Education.”

FORMAL GARDENS AND BOTANICAL MASTERPIECES Bok Tower Gardens 1151 Tower Blvd., Lake Wales 863-676-1408 boktowergardens.org A botanical and historical masterpiece designed by Frederick Law Olmsted Jr., crowned with a neo-Gothic/art deco 205foot bell tower. Open daily 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. $12 for adults, $3 for children.

Fort Christmas Historical Park and Museum 1300 Fort Christmas Road, Christmas 407-254-9310 nbbd.com/godo/fortchristmas An interesting little regional history museum that showcases pioneer life in Florida, housed in a replica Seminole War-era log structure. You’ll also find seven restored Florida cracker-style homes, as well as picnic pavilions, playgrounds and basketball courts. Free.

Fantasy of Flight 1400 Broadway Blvd. S.E., Polk City 863-984-3500 fantasyofflight.com

BLUE MAN GROUP

Universal Studios and Islands of Adventure 6000 Universal Blvd., Orlando, 407-363-8000, universalorlando.com

Price of one-day ticket: $79 Florida resident price: $79 (for $89 you can buy a ticket that’ll get you a general admission pass for the year)

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A cool little museum located in adorable, walkable downtown Winter Garden. This museum features the finest collection of Florida railroad memorabilia in the state, housed in the former Tavares & Gulf railroad depot. Free.

Price of one-day ticket: $89 ($52 for Blizzard Beach or Typhoon Lagoon) Florida resident price: $89 (annual pass $452.63) Good to know: There’s a whole other world located underground at Walt Disney World. Cast members – aka, the people dressed as Disney characters – need to preserve the illusion, so naturally they need a place where they can, you know, check in for work, go to the bathroom, take off the giant Goofy head for a minute.

Utilidors – corridors running throughout the park – give employees a way to get around without creeping out your kids.

7007 SeaWorld Drive, Orlando, 407-363-2200, seaworldparks.com

This garden was once the home of pioneering horticulturist Henry Nehrling, who liked to experiment with tropical and subtropical plants – he tested more than 3,000 types of plants here for the USDA. The gardens and Nehrling’s historic home are currently being restored, but private tours are available by appointment.

101 S. Boyd St., Winter Garden 407-656-0559 wghf.org/cfrailroad

(including Magic Kingdom, Epcot, Disney’s Hollywood Studios, Disney’s Animal Kingdom, Disney’s Blizzard Beach and Disney’s Typhoon Lagoon) The various parks are located along Buena Vista Drive and Epcot Center Drive in Lake Buena Vista, 407-939-7211, disneyworld.disney.go.com

SeaWorld Orlando

2267 Hempel Ave., Gotha 407-445-9977 nehrlinggardens.org

Central Florida Railroad Museum

Walt Disney World

Price of one-day ticket: $88 Florida resident price: $88 (prices are reduced on multi-day tickets; annual pass $164.99) Good to know: Want to avoid lines at the entrance? There’s a second entrance to the park that’s generally not as busy as the main one. Enter the park through CityWalk, as usual, then head toward the Blue Man Group theater. You’ll see an entrance to the park along the pathway, underneath the giant rollercoaster.

Nehrling Gardens

LegoLand

Harry P. Leu Gardens

1 Legoland Way, Winter Haven, 877-350-5346, florida.legoland.com

1920 N. Forest Ave. 407-246-2620 leugardens.org

Price of one-day ticket: $79 Florida resident price: $79 (annual pass $99) Good to know: LegoLand Florida was built on the site of another once-popular Central Florida attraction called Cypress Gardens known for its waterskiing shows, gorgeous botanical gardens and women dressed in elaborate Southern belle costumes. The park’s popularity waned after Walt Disney World opened in 1971, and it changed owners a handful of times before it finally closed in 2009. If you wander LegoLand’s grounds, you’ll still see remnants of Cypress Gardens – the botanical gardens have been restored, and a massive Banyan tree, first planted as a seedling in 1939, still stands on the new theme park’s grounds.

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Three miles of paved paths wind through truly gorgeous botanical displays, including the largest formal rose garden in Florida, a bamboo forest and a butterfly garden.

You can also visit the historic on-site house museum. Open daily 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Admission: $10.

Mead Botanical Garden

This one’s a haul from downtown Orlando, but if you’re a plane buff, it’s worth the drive. See how old planes are restored, tour hangars holding more than 40 airplanes – some them are the last of their kind – or climb into the cockpit of a flight simulator.

Admission: $25.95.

Florida Air Museum 4175 Medulla Road, Lakeland 863-644-2431 sun-n-fun.org This museum, adjacent to the Lakeland Regional Airport, isn’t too far from Fantasy of Flight, so you can combine a visit to both and make a day of it. Check out the collection of Howard Hughes memorabilia on permanent display, including leather flying suits, scrapbooks and personal artifacts that once belonged to the world’s most notorious recluse. Admission: $10.

Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex

1500 S. Denning Drive, Winter Park 407-599-2800 meadgarden.org

State Road 405 east of Titusville 321-449-4444 kennedyspacecenter.com

This green oasis features bike paths, boardwalks and picnic areas set amongst native plants and wildlife, restored wetlands and riparian forests. This unique ecological oasis is a hidden gem. Open daily, 8 a.m. to dusk, free.

Geek out over space exploration? Then you’ll love the Space Center. Take guided tours of launch areas, see historic rockets, ride the Shuttle Launch Experience and see the Astronaut Hall of Fame. Admission: $50 gets you a ticket, plus a day of free

EPCOT

admission to the Astronaut Hall of Fame (must be used within seven days of original ticket purchase).

Kissimmee Air Museum and Warbird Adventures 233 N. Hoagland Blvd., Kissimmee 407-870-7366 warbirdadventures.com See classic planes from the early days of flight to the height of the Cold War. Then fly a real World War II-era trainer plane, with an instructor in the rear seat.

Admission: $7 to the museum, $250 for a 15-minute plane ride.

Orange County Regional History Center 65 E. Central Blvd.

407-836-8500 thehistorycenter.org The 1927 county courthouse includes permanent exhibits from natural Florida through Disney’s coming. Traveling exhibits broaden its appeal, and a local history archive awaits scholars. Admission: $9.

Orlando Science Center 777 E. Princeton St. 407-514-2000 osc.org How can you not love a museum that’s home to SimMan, a life-sized simulated sick person whose vital signs you can follow

until he flat lines? The science center also has Florida’s largest refractor telescope and all sorts of hands-on learning experiences that’ll appeal to kids and adults alike.

Admission: $27.

Ripley’s Believe It or Not! 8201 International Drive 407-354-0501 orlando.ripleys.com You’ve probably seen Ripley’s “odditoriums” before; this one is home to a full-sized car made out of matchsticks, a portrait of Beyonce made out of candy and an actual human shrunken head, all housed inside a building that looks like it’s falling into a sinkhole. Admission: $19.99.

Titanic the Experience 7324 International Drive 407-248-1166 titanictheexperience.com The 20,000-square-foot interactive museum offers a guided tour of authentic artifacts by costumed actors portraying the famous passengers and crew of the “unsinkable” ship. Admission: $21.95.

RIDES & ADVENTURES Air Florida Helicopter Charters 8990 International Drive 407-354-1400

airfloridahelicopter.com

Old Town

You’ll be surprised how exhilarating it is to go up in a ‘copter right off I-4. Tours give you a bird’s-eye view of the theme parks, malls, downtown Orlando and more. A variety of tours are available starting at $20.

5770 W. Irlo Bronson Memorial Highway, Kissimmee 407-396-4888 myoldtownusa.com

Fun Spot Action Park 5551 Del Verde Way 407-363-3867 funspotattractions.com Go-karts, bumper boats, carousels, slides, an arcade and more make this park worth taking the kids to check it out – there’s no admission fee here, either. Pay by the ride or buy an armband for unlimited riding fun.

iFly Orlando 6805 Visitors Circle 407-903-1150 orlandoiflyworld.com Skydive without a plane: Fly in the vertical wind tunnel. Training session and use of flight gear included. Reservations are suggested. Admission: $59.95.

International HeliTours 12651 International Drive 407-239-8687 internationalhelitours.com Tours run 9 a.m. to sunset daily, ranging from $30 to $400.

A pay-as-you-ride amusement park set in an Old Florida-style downtown setting.

From bumper cars to roller coasters to ferris wheels, Old Town has rides suitable for all ages. There’s shopping, dining, music and special events, too. Open Monday-Friday, 2-11 p.m.; Saturday-Sunday noon-11 p.m.

Orlando HeliTours 5519 W. Highway 192, Kissimmee 407-397-0226 orlandohelitours.com Tours run from 9 a.m. to sunset daily, staring at $40.50

Speed World Dragway 19442 E. Colonial Drive 407-568-5522 speedworlddragway.com If you’re into drag racing, this is the place to be. Check out street dragsters, motorcycles, old hot rods and even school buses as they go flat-out. Street drags every Wednesday and Friday night. Check the schedule online for events.

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Wet ’n Wild 6200 International Drive 407-351-1800 wetnwild.com The water-park person’s water park: Experience thrill rides with vertical drops, multi-person tubing rides, toboggan slides and more. If you like your water rides on the milder side, float along the lazy river or splash in the wave pool. Admission: $48.99 (half price after 2 p.m. on specified days).

WonderWorks 9067 International Drive 407-351-8800 wonderworksonline.com/orlando Housed in an upside-down building, this attraction has high-tech effects that simulate earthquakes, hurricanes and a hang-gliding experience. Plus indoor zip lines, a 4D extreme motion ride and more.

Open 9 a.m. to midnight. Admission is $24.99.

OUTDOOR ENCOUNTERS Airboat Rides at Boggy Creek 2001 E. Southport Road, Kissimmee 407-344-9550 bcairboats.com Thirty-minute tours start at $26.95, with others available, day and night.

Air Boat Rides at MidWay 28501 E. Colonial Drive, Christmas 407-568-6790 airboatridesatmidway.com You are almost guaranteed to see gators – lots of them – on this popular airboat tour.

It’s the one we always take visitors from out of town to experience. Open 9 a.m. daily, night tours available. Tours start at $37.56 for one hour.

Audubon Center for Birds of Prey 1101 Audubon Way, Maitland 407-644-0190 fl.audubon.org This rehab center for these cool birds, located in a 1920s bungalow set on Lake Sybelia, is where you get up close and personal with the awesome raptors. There’s a walking trail and aviaries housing injured birds that can’t be released back into the wild. Admission: $5.

Black Hammock Adventures 2356 Black Hammock Fish Camp Road, Oviedo 407-365-1244

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theblackhammock.com Airboat tours of gator-choked Lake Jesup start at $25.95. There’s a fish restaurant on premises that serves mean fried seafood, and there’s a few caged gators for tourists to gawk at.

Central Florida Zoo & Botanical Gardens 3755 N.W. Highway 17-92, Sanford 407-323-4450 centralfloridazoo.org Home to more than 400 animals, not counting the Insect Zoo. They also have a couple really cool zip lines (check the sports and recreation section for details) and botanical gardens in one package.

Admission: $14.95.

Discovery Cove 6000 Discovery Cove Way 877-557-7404 discoverycove.com If SeaWorld doesn’t get you close enough, try heading across the road where you can actually swim with fish and dolphins. Prices vary, but start at $169. Reservations are required.

Forever Florida 4755 N. Kenansville Road, St. Cloud 407-957-9794 foreverflorida.com Eco-safaris of a 4,700-acre Florida nature preserve by horseback, open-air coach or zipline offer views of a traditional crackerstyle ranch, gators, black bears and other wildlife. Overnight horseback tours available. Safaris start at $32 (open-air coach) to $85 (zipline).

Gatorland 14501 S. Orange Blossom Trail 407-855-5496 gatorland.com Gatorland is a roadside attraction turned eco-preserve. The flesh-eating monsters roam (almost) free, along with many more scary things. Watch them swim, eat, sleep, wrestle and jump. Learn about them.

Embrace them. Well, not literally. You know what we mean. Admission: $24.99.

Jungle Adventures Nature Park 26205 State Road 50, Christmas 407-568-2885 jungleadventures.com Kind of like Gatorland, but smaller and more intimate, this roadside attraction takes in injured and abandoned wildlife for rehab. Enter through the mouth of the “largest gator in Florida,” a 200-footer that used to double as the home of the park’s original owner. Inside, you’ll see rarities

such as a Florida panther and gray wolves.

Admission: $21.95.

Lake Buena Vista 407-939-7600 cirquedusoleil.com

Kissimmee Swamp Tours

It’s a circus, it’s an acrobatic adventure, it’s a magic show and more. Orlando’s Cirque troupe is everything you’ve come to expect from this Canadian band of performers. It’s colorful, it’s lively, it’s occasionally breathtaking – and just like everything else in the Disney family, it’s suitable entertainment for the whole family. Admission: $61.

4500 Joe Overstreet Road, Kenansville 407-436-1059 kissimmeeswamptours.com Day and evening times are flexible. Sixty- to 90-minute tours on Lake Kissimmee start at $47.

Old Fashioned Airboat Rides Christmas (directions provided after reservation is made) 407-568-4307 airboatrides.com Look for gators and otters and spoonbills on this 90-minute ride through the marshes of the St. John’s River in a six-person airboat. Reservations only. Admission: $50

Orlando Airboats 2271 E. Irlo Bronson Highway, Kissimmee 407-572-3561 aorlandoairboats.com Times are flexible. Lake Toho tours start at $49.95 for one hour.

Reptile World 5705 E. Irlo Bronson Memorial Highway, St. Cloud 407-892-6905 reptileworldserpentarium.com Founded in 1972 as a research facility for the production of venom, this working snake farm opened to tourists in 1976. If you like watching deadly snakes get milked, this is really your only option in Central Florida. Admission: $8.75.

Winter Park Scenic Boat Tour 312 E. Morse Blvd., Winter Park 407-644-4056 scenicboattours.com Take a 12-mile pontoon boat tour on three lakes and two canals winding through the city. You’ll skim by Rollins College to see how the other half lives. Tours leave hourly.

Admission: $12 adults.

FAMILY Boing! Jump Center 532 S. Econ Circle, Oviedo 407-542-7844 boingjumpcenter.com The jump center contains 13,000 feet of giant trampolines. Play Boing! dodgeball, bounce on a trampoline half-pipe or hold your birthday party in a trampoline room. If you’re not into the organized activities, just show up for open jump. Admission: $12 for the first hour.

Blue Man Group Aquos Theatre, CityWalk at Universal Orlando 407-258-3626 blueman.com What does Orlando have in common with Boston, New York, Las Vegas and Berlin?

Blue Man Group, that experimental theater/ comedy routine performed by three guys painted blue from head to toe. It’s comical, it’s loud, it’s a spectacle at times, and it’s always good fun. The Orlando show is a family-friendly affair, though super-young kids might find the loud percussion, flashing lights and other elements of surprise a little startling. Admission: $69.

Congo River Mini Golf various locations around Orlando 407-248-9181 congoriver.com You’re in Central Florida – how could you pass up the opportunity to play miniature golf on a course that’s also home to alligators you can feed, an arcade, a faux African safari and more. Answer: You can’t. Fun for everyone. Except the gators. Admission: $11.99.

Dinosaur World 5145 Harvey Tew Road, Plant City 813-717-9865 dinosaurworld.com More than 150 life-size outdoor models of dinosaurs rule over a fossil dig, museum and lots of paleontological-themed activities. Admission: $14.95 adults.

Downtown Disney Walt Disney World Resort 1780 E. Lake Buena Vista Drive, Lake Buena Vista 407-828-3800 disneyworld.disney.go/destinations/ downtown-disney Parents, here’s something you’ll want to know: Downtown Disney is on the Walt Disney World campus, it’s got Disneyrelated decor that changes with the seasons and it’s got fun stuff for kids to look at, including cool stores and restaurants that’ll make them think they’re actually at Disney. Best part: Admission to Downtown Disney is completely free.

Open daily.

Green Meadows Petting Farm 1368 S. Poinciana Blvd., Kissimmee 407-846-0770 greenmeadowsfarm.com Get your shoes dirty with 300 farm animals, petting them and learning how to do a variety of farm tasks. Admission: $23.

Holy Land Experience 4655 Vineland Road 407-872-2272 holylandexperience.com Stories from the Bible reenacted in a hightech mock-up of ancient Jerusalem. You can even witness a simulated crucifixion, which is held daily at the park. Admission: $40 for adults.

Pinocchio’s Marionette Theater Altamonte Mall 451 E. Altamonte Drive, Altamonte Springs 407-834-8757 pinocchios.net A full-time marionette theater offering daily shows great for kids ages 3 through 10, but still good, clean fun for kids of all ages.

Showtimes vary, call or visit the website for more information. Admission: $5.

Cirque du Soleil: La Nouba Downtown Disney, 1478 E. Buena Vista Drive,

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NIGHTLIFE

I

t should surprise exactly no one that this city, where the happiest place on earth exists, knows how to happy hour.

Not only is this town properly schooled in getting sloshed, we’re also privy to the other necessities of nightlife: live music and dancing. Whether you’re looking for a dive or a dance club, an art or an arcade bar, craft beer or classic cocktails, there is a vast world of options for you to explore. You thought the theme parks were legit? Wait ’til you’ve experienced the magnetism of Orlando’s real attractions.

NIGHTS

LIVE MUSIC Amway Center 400 W. Church St. 800-745-3000 amwaycenter.com The biggest national pop stars stop through town at Amway, making this our one-stop shop for arena rock, in addition to sports and other major events occurring on downtown’s biggest stage. Plus, they have a rooftop bar with an incredible view of downtown.

you go that the back bar is open.

The Beacham 46 N. Orange Ave. 407-246-1419 thebeacham.com Downtown was sorely missing a large venue, and the Beacham came along just in time to ease the pain. With balcony seating to escape the frequently sold-out show crowds below, the Beacham saves us from trekking to the themes parks any time we want to see a burgeoning touring act like Purity Rings or seasoned legends like Sharon Jones.

Accidental Music Festival November, various venues accidentalmusicfestival.com

Florida Music Festival April, various venues floridamusicfestival.com

Fans of experimental music would be wise to frequent the Peacock Room, where you can guzzle Key lime martinis while enjoying Kill Yr TV Tuesdays and other unique shows coordinated by some of Orlando’s most invested and inventive music community members.

Nerdapalooza Summer, various venues nerdapalooza.org

The Plaza Live 425 N. Bumby Ave. 407-228-1220 plazaliveorlando.com

Imagine Otronicon as a music festival, and you’ll begin to understand the unique treat Nerdapalooza offers resident geeks, delivering the best acts in hip-hop nerdcore, chiptunes, comedy rock and video game music to town for two days.

For live sound, the Plaza rules all in Orlando, whether you wind up in the big room or the small room. When you see acts booked here, quickly join the rush to reserve front row seats for the best folk, country, hip-hop and classical music you’ll hear performed within our city’s walls.

Orange You Glad Music Festival TBD orangeyougladfest.com

PHOTO BY ROB BARTLETT

A treasured celebration of local music, this festival brings together bands across several genres to provide something for everyone, acting as a cornerstone for our local scene, just as the Orlando musician it strives to memorialize so capably did.

House of Blues 1490 E. Buena Vista Drive, Lake Buena Vista 407-934-2583 hob.com

The Peacock Room 1321 N. Mills Ave. 407-228-0048 thepeacockroom.com

Drawing in huge acts from all over the country, FMF is the longest-running music festival in Orlando and is coupled with industry conferences that offer an opportunity to network and discover new music while pub-crawling downtown.

RalphFest Fall, various venues ralphameduri.com/benefits

Located in Universal Studios, give yourself plenty of time to park and haul ass through CityWalk to see shows at the Hard Rock, which often includes nostalgic tribute shows in its “Classic Albums Live” series, the nation’s best touring comedians and the type of big-name bands that form the venue’s longstanding legacy.

This Downtown Disney venue is where you’ll find your mascara-caked pop-punk acts, as well as the occasional ’80s reunion act. But enough good can’t be said about the venue itself, which is cozy, inviting and offers great vantage points.

A festival curated for music lovers, this festival focuses on inventive, avant-garde music with pleasantly surprising performances, educational activities and a special showcase of international performers.

This awesomely amoebic event takes on different shapes but what remains consistent is the value-to-talent ratio, with the best in emergent indie rock and impressive regional acts held together by community sponsorship that keeps it affordable.

Hard Rock Live 6050 Universal Blvd.

407-351-5483 hardrock.com

ONE80 GREY GOOSE LOUNGE

Austin’s Coffee 929 West Fairbanks Ave., Winter Park 407-975-3364 austinscoffee.com

Copper Rocket Pub 106 Lake Ave., Maitland 407-645-0069 copperrocketpub.com

For fans of open-mic nights, this 24-hour establishment hosts some of the best amateur nights for music and comedy, providing a friendly launch pad for a variety of budding talents, along with serving the best iced coffee in town.

For fans of rock and blues, Copper Rocket is a mainstay, with excellent local shows and the occasional, surprising national band stopping through. And you really can’t beat their trivia nights.

Zombietoberfest September, Audubon Park apgardens.com

Backbooth 37 W. Pine St. 407-999-2570 backbooth.com

One of the best events put on by the AP Garden District, you’re encouraged to dress as a zombie – including full, gloriously gory makeup – then parade down Corrine Drive to enjoy live music, horror films, costume contest and local food trucks and vendors!

Not only do they host one of the city’s best metal nights, this downtown club is religious about its most popular dance night, Midnight Mass, while offering their intimate stage to touring acts for seriously memorable shows as well. Cross your fingers when

Firestone Live 578 N. Orange Ave. 407-872-0066 firestonelive.net Is it a venue or a club? Firestone still seems to be making up its mind, but with some of the best EDM nights in town, it doesn’t matter which way Firestone swings, because there’s no other place like it in Orlando, with its winding layout and funfilled outdoor shows held in the back lot.

The Social 54 N. Orange Ave. 407-246-1419 thesocial.org Local bands strive to perform on this stage, the one shared with most of the Pitchforkworthy bands that come through Orlando.

It’s a smaller room, which means nine times out of 10, you’re shouting the lyrics shoulder-to-shoulder with similarly impassioned fans. Get there early and snag a table in front of the pit.

Stardust Video & Coffee 1842 E. Winter Park Road 407-623-3393 stardustie.com The Stardust main room provides a den that welcomes all the weird ideas its devoted community cooks up in terms of live music performances, original plays, performance art and The Video Dept., a weekly DJ set of indie, goth pop and shoegaze.

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UNCLE LOU’S ENTERTAINMENT HALL

TOP SECRETS There are plenty of loudly advertised shows in town to keep you busy or at least prevent you from getting too bored. But then there are the quietly awesome events that also occur, the blink-and-you’ll-miss-it type stuff that most people only hear about after the fact. One prominent example of this is Park Ave CD’s in-store performances (2916 Corrine Drive, 407-447-7275, parkavecds.com). Make it a habit to drop by the store and check for announcements, and you can see some of the biggest national touring bands for free in an intimate setting that often includes free posters and band signings.

For fans of punk and garage, Uncle Lou’s Entertainment Hall (1016 N. Mills Ave., 407-8980009) is a mainstay, featuring a house-show mentality behind an often-obscured storefront on Mills Ave. These shows are sparsely advertised, unless you know the right booking people online or keep a militant eye out for the typically collage-style posters. It’s a similar situation for shows at Bar-BQ-Bar downtown (64 N. Orange Ave., 407-648-5441), which often puts up last-minute but worthwhile shows you’ll need to be diligent about Facebook to see.

Perhaps the best-kept secret of hushed Orlando shows is the Timucua White House (2000 S. Summerlin Ave., 407-595-2713, timucua.com), though. Here you’ll find modern classical performances, sensational international bands and the best tribute shows in town. Check the website to keep up with their cultural events.

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Tanqueray’s Bar 100 S. Orange Ave. 407-649-8540 One of the few bars downtown you can depend on for live music every night of the week, Tanqueray’s provides all the funk, jazz and blues you can handle, including a talented crop of locals like Kaleigh Baker, Thomas Wynn and the Believers or RJ Harman and Company performing regularly.

Timucua White House 2000 S. Summerlin Ave. 407-595-2713 timucua.com

orlando 6050 universal boulevard +1-407-351-7625 • hardrock.com ©2011 Hard Rock International (USA), Inc. All rights reserved. SeeTheShow™

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The family home of Cirque du Soleil conductor Benoit Glazer is also home to stellar jazz and world artists, and Glazer opens the doors of his self-made venue for free, oncein-a-lifetime shows.

UCF Arena Gemini Boulevard North & West Plaza Drive or Bldg. 50 North Gemini Blvd.

407-823-6006 ucfarena.com Don’t discount this venue just because you’re not a student – UCF Arena books mainstream rock and hip-hop artists, invites

national comics to town and holds many special events that are a huge draw for community members to come down to campus.

Will’s Pub 1042 N. Mills Ave. willspub.org If you are a fan of punk, metal, garage, Americana or all of the above, you need to get down to Will’s Pub. This smoky, grizzled venue is an Orlando tradition and provides stacked lineups, stocks a huge beer selection and is home to the much-loved Southern Fried Sundays.

DRINKING & DANCING Bar-BQ-Bar 64 N. Orange Ave. 407-648-5441 Located at the start of downtown’s heart, BBQ’s porch provides great peoplewatching, and while the quarters are tight inside, if you can land a booth, you’re in for the sort of warm, inebriated night typically reserved for backyard hangouts.

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Myself.” But that’s what you get at Big Daddy’s, which recently serves stiffer drinks with a new liquor license.

CityWalk at Universal 1000 Universal Studios Plaza 407-363-8000 universalorlando.com

BACKBOOTH

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Bart 1205 N. Mills Ave. 407-796-2522 bartcade.com Combine classic arcade games, campy ’80s movies and a cooler full of craft beer, and you’ll get Bart, the Mills 50 bar/art/ arcade. They pack a lot of fun into the small space they have, with mostly-free gaming and a lounge area for those disinterested in the nostalgic allure of Frogger or Missile Command.

Big Daddy’s 3001 Corrine Drive 407-644-2844 It’s either your dream or your nightmare: a karaoke night with an attentive audience who will hang on your every squeaky note as you eke out your rendition of “I Touch

Whether you’ve been dragged there by visiting friends and family, know someone who works out at Universal or are just out on some tourist-inspired whim, CityWalk has its own merry lure for locals in Rising Star karaoke, Bob Marley: A Tribute to Freedom and Margaritaville. Although there’s no cover to get on the strip, you will have to pay to park.

The Courtesy 114 N. Orange Ave. 407-450-2041 thecourtesybar.com Orlando is not trying to be Brooklyn, but the Courtesy Bar’s theming does transport you a little bit. However, their craft cocktails pay homage to local ingredients and include an inspired riff on a classic in the Florida Sour.

Go for happy hour to enjoy the punch of the day!

The Falcon 819 E. Washington St. thefalconbar.com In Thornton Park, this art bar provides a hip alternative setting amidst burger joints and sports bars with original concepts that form the basis of both art shows and DJ nights;

STARDUST VIDEO AND COFFEE

GETTING CRAFTY Although it seems like they move around more than a college student, Redlight Redlight (2810 Corrine Drive, 407-893-9832, redlightredlightbeerparlour.com) has long stood as Orlando’s craft beer authority, with a knowledgeable staff and some of the best themed beer nights around. Last year they relocated to Corrine Drive, positioning them close to brew club Taps From Scratch (1809 E. Winter Park Drive, 407-637-0553, tapsfrom scratch.com), where locals can learn about home-brewing and sample some of the local brewery’s own batches. Orlando actually has accumulated a wealth of craft beer bars, including the cozy Milk Bar (2424 E. Robinson St., 407-896-4954, themilkbarorlando. com), an art bar with close to 100 craft beer options on any given night.

We’d be remiss not to mention the craft cocktail trend that took Orlando by storm last year when new-jacks the Courtesy Bar (114 N. Orange Ave., 407-450-2041) came to town, with a try-them-all menu featuring classic cocktails as well as inspired riffs off the classics. Tip: Get there at happy hour for the punch of the day. It’s Stardust Video and Coffee (1842 E. Winter Park Road, stardustie.com), though – no matter how much the name might mislead you – that has some of the city’s most inventive cocktails, often almost dangerously strong yet tasty.

Not into the frou-frou and just like a strong G&T with no silly names? Quit wasting your time then, and head to Wally’s Mills Avenue Liquors (1001 N. Mills Ave., 407-896-6975,

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wallysonmills.com). Trust us, the ladies behind the bar know how you like it.

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CONTINUED FROM PAGE 55 it’s a fun escape on certain nights and otherwise divinely low-key.

The Hideaway Bar 516 Virginia Drive 407-898-5892 thehideawaybar.net In a loud building done in Miami Dolphins colors, you wouldn’t expect to find a dive bar that feels delightfully small-town, but that’s the Hideaway, where people are serious about pool, sports and strong drinks.

Incidentally, it’s also a great greasy joint in the morning to cure your hangover.

Independent Bar 70 N. Orange Ave. 407-839-0457 independentbar.net If you’re looking for a great dance night, look no further than I-Bar, home to weekly throwback parties like Grits ’n’ Gravy soul night. Admittedly, I-Bar is hipster central, making it a target for teasing, but it also means that you always have a story to tell after a night there.

Lil’ Indies 1036 N. Mills Ave. willspub.org This new spot has quickly become a favorite among locals looking to nestle into the wooden booths, rock free songs on the jukebox and escape from the smog at sister bar Will’s Pub. But it’s also where you’ll find a really energetic weekly ’90s R&B dance night.

RISING STAR KARAOKE BAR

Little Fish Huge Pond 309 E. First St., Sanford 321-230-8535 littlefish-hugepond.com

Redlight Redlight 2810 Corrine Drive 407-893-9832 redlightredlightbeerparlour.com

Wally’s Mills Avenue Liquors 1001 Mills Ave. 407-896-6975 wallysonmills.com

You never know quite what you’ll find going on at this trippy hangout: intimate soul performances, pirate parties, hookah-passing, maybe even cheese-inspired art shows or Mexican holiday movies. End your all-nighter here, and you’ll swear the whole thing was a dream the next morning.

If Orlando were famous for something other than Mickey Mouse, it’d be Redlight Redlight. With an exhausting beer list and impeccable taste, it’s tempting to take up residence on a bar stool and enjoy the much bigger space they now inhabit in Audubon Park.

Wally’s is the only place in town as committed to your drinking habit as you are. It’s open at 7:30 a.m., meaning you can find a good strong drink at pretty much any hour.

Plus, you will not find a better spot to marvel at Orlando’s celebrities in full drunken splendor.

Lizzy McCormack’s 55 N. Orange Ave. 407-426-8007 lizzymccormacks.com

Wall St. Plaza 19 N. Orange Ave. 407-849-0471 wallstplaza.net

World of Beer UCF 3402 Technological Ave. 321-235-9471 wobusa.com

Drunken camaraderie marks this Irish pub with one of the longest happy hours in downtown Orlando and one of the best atmospheres to boot. You don’t want to be anywhere else for St. Patrick’s Day, that’s for sure.

Located at the epicenter of downtown Orlando, and always throbbing with music, booze and vitality, Wall St. Plaza and its eight venues take up an entire city block, but it’s easy to navigate, heavy on the drink specials and stocked with eye candy for all.

Craft beer finally infiltrated the east side of town in the worthy vessel that is World of Beer. With a seemingly endless selection of beers on draft and the occasional live show, WOB offers a steady temptation to keep UCF locals drinking in the neighborhood.

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SPORTS & RECREATION SPECTATOR SPORTS

BIKING AND HIKING

Sporting events for those who just like to watch

Cady Way Trail Entrance is 1/4 mile north of State Road 50 on Herndon Avenue

parking lot fills, the park entrance closes. So

rlando’s seen a noteworthy

This 6.5-mile paved path, popular with

spark in its burgeoning sports

bicyclists and stroller-pushing moms alike,

scene, with the addition of new

connects Orlando and Winter Park and the

teams like Orlando City Soccer and the

Cross Seminole Trail in Seminole County. The

return of the Orlando Solar Bears hockey

trail features water fountains, rest stops and

Lower Wekiva River Preserve State Park 8300 W. State Road 46, Sanford 407-884-2008 floridastateparks.org/ lowerwekiwasprings

team. Here’s a list of teams that call

mile markers, as well as a cool 685-foot-long

the Orlando area home (at least part of

suspension bridge that crosses Semoran

the year – we’re looking at you, Atlanta

Boulevard.

O

particularly in summer when visitors like to

get there early.

This section of the park has no amenities, but it does have 18 miles of multi-use trails you can hike or bike.

Braves). Find your favorite sport, then go

Ace Metric 444 W. New England Ave., Winter Park 407-790-7802 acemetric.blogspot.com This bike shop rallies cycle enthusiasts from all around and carries cool gear for those on the go.

Kyle’s Bike Shop 203 N. Primrose Drive 407-228-7088 kylesbikeshop.net Bicycle sales and service, including repairs

root, root, root for the home team.

and custom wheels. Kyle’s also has a parts

Orlando Magic

junkyard. If something’s broken on your bike,

National Basketball Association Playing October-April Amway Center 400 W. Church St. Tickets: starting at $10 800-745-3000 orlandomagic.com

they might be able to save you some money on the repair by using a part from the junkyard rather than ordering new.

Loco Motion Bikes 1776 Jake St. 407-898-6411 locomotionbikes.com

Orlando Predators Arena Football League Playing March-July Amway Center 400 W. Church St. Tickets: $15-$190 407-648-4444 orlandopredators.com

In addition to sales and demos, this bike shop also offers rentals for $40 per day, a service that’s particularly appealing because of its Baldwin Park location, which is just a leisurely ride away from a paved bike path

Orlando Solar Bears

that winds around Lake Baldwin.

East Coast Hockey League Playing October-March Amway Center 400 W. Church St. Tickets: $15-$60 407-951-8200 orlandosolarbearshockey.com

Mr. Bikes n Boards 950 W. State Road 434, Longwood 407-790-4964 mrbikesnboards.com

Orlando City Soccer Club

store. It leaves the park behind and goes

United Soccer Leagues Playing April-August Florida Citrus Bowl 1610 W. Church St. Tickets: starting at $15 855-675-2489 orlandocitysoccer.com

heavy into skateboard and cycle culture.

This is the former Mesh Skatepark owner’s

Mr.’s repairs old bikes and sells new ones.

ORLANDO MAGIC

Atlanta Braves Major League Baseball Spring Training Playing February-March ESPN Wide World of Sports Complex 700 S. Victory Way, Kissimmee Tickets: $10-$575 407-939-4263 espnwwos.disney.go.com

Florida League

PHOTO BY FERNANDO MEDINA

BICYCLE SHOPS

swim in the clear blue spring, and when the

Collegiate Wood Bat Baseball League Six teams in Central Florida Playing June-August Various fields Tickets: free-$175 321-206-9174 floridaleague.com

UCF Knights NCAA College Football Playing August-December Bright House Networks Stadium University of Central Florida Tickets: season tickets starting at $99 407-823-1000 ucfathletics.com

Orange Cycle 2204 Edgewater Drive 407-422-5552 orangecycleorlando.com This is the area’s largest bike store, and it not only carries cycles, clothing and gear

Econ Trail Dean Road, just north of State Road 50

Rock Springs Run State Reserve 30601 County Road 433, Sorrento 407-884-2008 floridastateparks.org/rockspringsrun

– it’s also a hub for the cycling commu-

the way to Alafaya Trail. It runs alongside the

The park, located about 10 miles west of I-4

or trails.

Little Econlockhatchee River, which offers

on County Road 433, is really just a giant

pretty views and plenty of good spots to

swatch of underdeveloped land. It features

fish, canoe or just sit in the grass and enjoy

17 miles of multi-use trails.

This ever-expanding trail in East Orlando begins at Jay Blanchard Park and extends all

a riverside picnic.

Wekiwa Springs State Park 1800 Wekiwa Circle, Apopka 407-884-2008 floridastateparks.org/wekiwasprings

West Orange Trail 501 Crown Point Cross Road, Winter Garden

nity. This shop holds bicycling events and repair clinics, and its website is full of useful information if you’re looking for bike paths

Retro City Cycles 1806 N. Orange Ave. 407-895-2700 retrocitycycles.com Cool-looking cycles are popular with the trendy set. This shop, celebrating six years

This 22-mile trail – the county’s longest –

in business, reaches out to women, in par-

stretches through Winter Garden, Apopka

ticular, with its “Wine Down” clinics and cool

You can canoe or kayak here (rentals are

and Orlando. It’s open to walkers and bikers,

accessories like bicycle necklaces.

available), but this park also has 13 miles of

and some parts are open to horses, too.

pristine, wooded hiking, biking and horse-

Four trailheads with parking are located at

back-riding trails. This park is very popular,

various points along the trail.

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Silver Springs 352-625-2520 www.fs.fed.us/r8/florida/ocala

CANOEING AND KAYAKING

T h is

Florida Circumnavigational Saltwater Paddling Trail dep.state.fl.us/gwt/paddling/ saltwater.htm T h is

1 ,5 1 5 - m ile

c o a s tlin e

lo n g

o f F lo r id a

p a d d lin g w o u ld

p r o b a b ly

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th e

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it ’s

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o n ly

s e v e n

o b s ta c le s

m ile s

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lo n g , th e

lik e ly

to

ru n s ,

e n c o u n te r

h e r e w ill h a v e y o u n a v ig a tin g J u n ip e r S p r in g s R u n

ro u te

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th e

y o u

m o n th s

to

ta k e

is

in th e m a s s iv e O c a la N a tio n a l F o r e s t y o u ’ll g e t.

fo r a b o u t fo u r h o u r s . T h is o n e is d e fin ite ly n o t fo r b e g in n e r s .

c o m p le te . L u c k y fo r y o u , it is d iv id e d in to 2 6 s e g T h e n e a r e s t c h u n k to O r la n d o is th e S p a c e C o a s t

Lake County’s Blueways paddlelake.com

s e g m e n t, w h ic h is 8 1 m ile s lo n g .

S im ila r to

m e n ts , s o y o u c a n ta k e a ll th e tim e y o u n e e d .

c a l m a rk e rs

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Blue Spring State Park 2100 W. French Ave., Orange City floridastateparks.org/bluespring

w a te r w a y s . T h e a r e a in c lu d e s th e m ile - lo n g D o r a

C o v e r in g m o r e th a t 2 ,6 0 0 a c r e s , B lu e S p r in g S ta te

in th e w o r ld ” fo r its to w e r in g c y p r e s s tr e e s d r a p e d

P a r k is a

w ith S p a n is h m o s s .

d e s ig n a te d

M a n a te e

C a n a l, c o n n e c tin g la k e s D o r a a n d E u s tis , w h ic h w a s o n c e d u b b e d “ th e m o s t b e a u tifu l m ile o f w a te r

R e fu g e . It is a n

e x c e lle n t p la c e fo r a s w im , p a d d lin g o r a p ic n ic .

D u r in g m a n a te e s e a s o n , m id - N o v e m b e r th r o u g h M a r c h , th e w a te r w a y s a r e c lo s e d – y o u c a n lo o k a t th e d o z e n s o f m a n a te e s th a t w in te r h e r e , b u t y o u w o n ’t b e a llo w e d in th e w a te r.

Merritt Island National Wildlife Refuge Near Titusville fws.gov/merrittisland T h is

Econlockhatchee River Chuluota dep.state.fl.us/gwt/guide/paddle.htm A n

a b s o lu te

je w e l h id d e n

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im p o u n d m e n ts , b u t w h a t is

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in to

p a d d le r s c a n b e s p e c ta c u la r. Y o u m ig h t s e e m a n e d g e

o f th e O r la n d o s p r a w l, th e E c o n c a n b e e a s y o r

a te e s , s c r u b ja y s o r a n a llig a to r. W e a ls o s u g g e s t T u r n b u ll C r e e k a n d E d d y C r e e k fo r p a d d le r s .

d iffic u lt, d e p e n d in g o n th e w a te r le v e ls ( h ig h in th e s u m m e r, lo w in th e s p r in g ) . P a d d le r s w ill b e a b le to c a tc h a g lim p s e o f a d iv e r s e a r r a y o f w ild life fr o m s a n d h ill c r a n e s to b a ld e a g le s to b e a r s a lo n g th e 1 9 - m ile s tr e tc h .

Peace River Fort Meade dep.state.fl.us/gwt/guide/paddle.htm Though not technically in Central Florida – the town nearest the launch is Fort Meade

Juniper Springs Run Ocala National Forest 17417 E. State Road 40,

– this tea-colored stream is worth the extra drive for the prehistoric sense it imparts.

Paddle its 57 miles and you’ll feel like Juan

SOLAR BEARS

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dinoflagellates (tiny things you can’t see),

Ponce de Leon when he found Florida, pro-

which glow neon-blue whenever the water

vided other paddlers don’t ruin the illusion.

is disturbed. Guides are recommended for this paddling adventure, but they are not

Rock Springs Run-Wekiva River Apopka-DeBary dep.state.fl.us/gwt/guide/paddle.htm

necessary. Paddlers should begin their pad-

Do a tandem jump from 18,000 feet – one

dle at dusk.

of the highest dives in the world – over the

Put in at King’s Landing near Apopka, if

HANG GLIDING

you want to experience the entirety of this

27-mile respite from congestion, travel a

Wallaby Ranch 1805 Deen Still Road, Davenport 800-925-5229 wallaby.com

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.

Skydive Space Center 476 N. Williams Drive, Titusville 800-823-0016 skydivespacecenter.com

No mountains, no problem. An airplane will tow you and an instructor into a glide for

1,000 Islands Cocoa Beach clubkayak.com/greenwave/trip

$175; if you’re a more serious hang glider,

Space Coast. You can also enroll in “accelerated freefall training” to hone your mid-air acrobatics.

WAKEBOARDING

Orlando Watersports Complex 8615 Florida Rock Road 407-251-3100 orlandowatersports.com

you can book up to seven days to hone your

No need for a boat here – a motorized

skills and network with other gliders, includ-

suspended cable system pulls you on your

There are so many routes you could take

ing owner Malcolm Jones, who invented the

board (or skis) through the water and, if

paddling the 1,000 Islands and probably

tandem flying concept.

you dare, onto ramps and other obstacles.

still not see everything. This site is found on the Banana River in Cocoa Beach. Paddlers

SKYDIVING

often find themselves a bit geographically

challenged when they are visiting here, so

Skydive DeLand 1600 Flightline Blvd., DeLand 386-738-3539 skydivedeland.com

bring a compass with you.

Bioluminescent Bay Mosquito Lagoon Near Titusville

DeLand is the skydiving training capital of the world, and this full-service facility

Check the website for the variety of lessons and camps available.

YOGA STUDIOS

UCF KNIGHTS

College Park Yoga 3029 Edgewater Drive 407-999-7871 collegeparkyoga.com This studio teaches ashtanga, vinyasa and power yoga classes, but also offers a yogafor-wimps beginner class. For those on a tight budget, “community yoga” is offered

Bikram Yoga Orlando 3218-B E. Colonial Drive 407-896-2530 bikramorlando.com

If you can’t afford to travel to Puerto Rico’s

caters to both the quivering newbie and the

Invigorating 90-minute Hot Yoga classes are

famous bioluminescent bay, Florida’s Indian

grizzled veteran. There’s also a bar where

this studio’s forte. The first class is $10 and

River and Mosquito Lagoon come alive

both can pound beers after landing.

the second class (within 7 days of first) is

with bioluminescence from May through

free. A plus: Saturday morning babysitting

September. The luminescence is caused by

($4 per child, 2 hours max).

every Saturday at 9 a.m. for $5. All other single classes are $15.

Full Circle Yoga 972B Orange Ave., Winter Park 407-644-3288 fullcircleyoga.com

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This haven offers flow, hatha and mixed-

This busy studio offers classes from 6 a.m.

level classes as well as zen meditation.

to 8 p.m. seven days a week, and drop-

Restoration and relaxation is the goal here.

in classes are $14 each. Full Circle has

Single classes are $15.

spacious studios and variations on traditional yoga styles, including hot yoga, flow yoga, ashtanga, pre- and post-natal yoga, and a mom-and-baby class for expecting and new mothers.

The Yoga Shala 927 N. Pennsylvania Ave., Winter Park 407-506-4626 theyogashala.org Focus on ashtanga yoga, with practices in

Harmony Yoga Studio 110 N. Orlando Ave, Suite 2, Maitland 407-234-6454 yoga.harmonywellnesscenter.com

vinyasa, asana, deep breathing and dishti tenchiques. Classes start at $15 for a drop-in, no membership fee.

This studio offers something for everyone:

ZIP LINES

Gentle yoga for beginners, prenatal yoga

for expecting mothers, yoga for fitness and

ZOOm Air Central Florida Zoo & Botanical Gardens 3755 N.W. Highway 17-92, Sanford 407-330-0767 zoomair.us/index.html

a sampling of specialty classes, including laughter yoga and mysore yoga. Beginner rates start at 20 days of unlimited classes for $20.

Channel your inner Tarzan on a combina-

Orlando Power Yoga 2415 E. South St. 407-719-0101 orlandopoweryoga.com

tion of zip lines and obstacle courses in the canopy of the forest overlooking the Central Florida Zoo. There are two courses for adults and two for kids; prices range from $12-$50.

The Baron Baptiste-style of power yoga takes the spotlight at this yoga sanctuary.

Don’t be surprised if the air conditioning’s not on: To raise students’ internal heat, this studio stays ablaze at 85-90 degrees. Single

Zipline Safari Forever Florida 4755 N. Kenansville Road, St. Cloud 866-854-3837 foreverflorida.com

class rates are $14, and Saturdays see the discount day yoga for only $10.

Take two and a half hours to glide 55 feet above the forested wetlands and pine flat-

Shine on Yoga 619 N. Thornton Ave. 407-601-4394 shineonyoga.com

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woods bordering St. Cloud. If you want a shot at seeing the nocturnal Florida panther, try a “moonlight safari.”

EVENTS SAVE THE DATE A year’s worth of events you don’t want to miss Florida Film Festival

COME OUT WITH PRIDE BY STEEL STILETTOS; SPOOKY EMPIRE BY SID GRAVES/CEMETERY PRINTS

April 5-14 Enzian Theater 1300 S. Orlando Ave., Maitland 407-629-1088 floridafilmfestival.com Central Florida is lucky to claim this beloved festival, which features screenings of more than 150 independent and foreign films, celebrity appearances, guest speakers and a well-attended food-tasting and cocktail party.

Orlando Restaurant Week May 1-31 Various restaurants orlandorestaurantweek.com

country and attracts more than 150,000 people to take part in gourmet food-tasting events, a vendor expo, visits to Disney and pool parties – lots and lots of pool parties.

Halloween Horror Nights September-October Universal Studios at Universal Orlando 1000 Universal Studios Plaza halloweenhorrornights.com This month-long fright fest will give you the heebie-jeebies, complete with streetside scare actors, scare zones, elaborate haunted houses and staged shows.

Spooky Empire’s Ultimate Horror Weekend Oct. 25-27 DoubleTree by Hilton 5780 Major Blvd.

888-690-4695 spookyempire.com

Yours truly sponsors this annual event, in which participating area restaurants offer prix fixe meals ($10-15 for a lunch, or $25-35 for a dinner) for an entire month.

Some of Orlando’s best restaurants offer three-course meals for about what you’d normally pay for an entrée.

One of the largest horror conventions in the nation, Spooky Empire’s extravaganza features appearances by horror-movie icons, independent film screenings, live bands, hundreds of vendors and a zombie walk.

Orlando International Fringe Theatre Festival

Oct. 1-6 Lake Eola Park 321-800-3944 comeoutwithpride.com

May 15-28 Loch Haven Park 900 E. Princeton St. 407-648-0077 orlandofringe.org Theatrical and performing-arts groups present original, offbeat and sometimes absurd plays in this unjuried theater showcase, which returns 100 percent of ticket-sale proceeds back to the artists.

Gay Days May 28-June 3 various venues 407-896-8431 gaydays.com Walt Disney World’s Gay Days celebration is one of the largest LGBT gatherings in the

Come Out With Pride

This celebration of equality features a colorful parade in downtown Orlando, ending with a festival and concerts at Lake Eola Park.

Winter Park Harvest Festival Nov. 23 Central Park, Winter Park 407-628-1230 winterparkharvestfestival.com This outdoor festival promotes locally sourced food, sustainable agriculture and family farming with a producers-only farmers market, cooking and gardening demos, and a family fun day in the park.

COME OUT WITH PRIDE Florida Classic Nov. 23 Florida Citrus Bowl 1610 W. Church St. floridaclassic.org Cross-state rivals, the Florida A&M Rattlers take on the Bethune-Cookman Wildcats in this annual college football tradition.

Not only do football fans flock to Orlando each year for the game, but also to watch the highly anticipated battle of the bands showdown.

Christmas in the Park Dec. 5 Central Park, Winter Park 407-645-5311 morsemuseum.org

this festival, all of trendy Park Avenue is closed to vehicles and is packed with people browsing the art, people-watching and sipping cocktails on the outdoor patios of one of the multitude of bars and restaurants that line the street.

Visit Orlando Weekly’s online calendar at calendar. orlandoweekly.com for the complete compendium of fairs, festivals, galas, plays, celebrations and more.

The Morse Museum brings some of its leaded-glass Tiffany windows into Central Park, where they are lit up as the backdrop for the Bach Festival Choir, which performs a free outdoor holiday concert.

Zora! Festival Jan. 25-Feb. 2, 2014 various venues 407-647-3307 zorafestival.org Author Zora Neale Hurston once called the Central Florida town of Eatonville home.

That connection is celebrated with a week’s worth of seminars, guided tours, cultural events and a massive outdoor arts festival, which overtakes Eatonville’s main drag, Kennedy Boulevard.

Winter Park Sidewalk Art Festival March 21-23, 2014 Central Park, Winter Park 407-644-7207 wpsaf.org

WINTER PARK HARVEST FESTIVAL

This popular juried outdoor art festival showcases works by more than 200 national and international artists. During

SPOOKY EMPIRE’S ULTIMATE HORROR WEEKEND

orlandoweekly.com ● ANNUAL MANUAL 2013

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ANNUAL MANUAL 2013

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orlandoweekly.com

VISIT THE GARDEN DISTRICT. INNOVATIVE, VIBRANT AND ENGAGED. 2013 CALENDAR OF EVENTS Third Annual Kidsfest, April 27

Park(ing) Day, September 20

Oh, Come On! Arrested Development Trivia Night, May 7

The Gothic Cotillion: A dark, posh event, October 4

British Invasion, May 18 British Isles Adventure Race, May 18

Fifth Annual Zombietoberfest, October 5

Parks and Rec Trivia Night, June 25

Guy Fawkes Day, November 5

Fifth Annual Bastille Day Celebration, July 13

Small Business Saturday, November 30

Farm to Table Progressive Happy Hour, September 13

B3 Presents: The Holiday Lights Bike Tour, December 14

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THERE ARE MORE AWARD WINNING BUSINESSES LOCATED IN THE GARDEN DISTRICT THAN ANY OTHER PART OF ORLANDO.