Orlando City Guide 2022

Florida Group Publisher Graham Jarrett Editor in Chief Jessica Bryce Young EDITORIAL Managing Editor Matthew Moyer Digital Content Editor Alex Galbraith Contributors Gianna Aceto, Rob Bartlett, Melissa Perez Carrillo, Lynnette Cantos, J.D. Casto, Holly V. Kapherr, Faiyaz Kara, Sarah Kinbar, Seth Kubersky, Jim Leatherman, Matt Keller Lehman, Bao Le-Huu, Anthony Mauss, Leah Sandler, Steve Schneider ADVERTISING Director of Sales Jeff Kruse Multimedia Account Exec Dan Winkler Classified Rep & Multimedia Account Manager Jerrica Schwartz Sales Department Administrator Rachel Gold CREATIVE SERVICES Production Manager Daniel Rodriguez BUSINESS Director of Operations Hollie Mahadeo EVENTS AND MARKETING Events & Promo Manager Miranda Hodge Events & Marketing Coordinator Casey Bogeajis CIRCULATION Circulation Manager Collin Modeste EUCLID MEDIA GROUP Chief Executive Officer Andrew Zelman Chief Operating Officers Chris Keating, Michael Wagner VP of Digital Services Stacy Volhein Director of Digital Strategy Colin Wolf Senior Marketing and Events Director Cassandra Yardeni Digital Operations Coordinator Jaime Monzon Controller Kristy Dotson euclidmediagroup.com NATIONAL ADVERTISING: Voice Media Group 1-888-278-9866, vmgadvertising.com ORLANDO WEEKLY INC. 16 W. PINE ST. ORLANDO, FLORIDA 32801 ORLANDOWEEKLY.COM PHONE 407-377-0400 FAX 407-377-0420 Orlando Weekly is published every week by Euclid Media Group Orlando Distribution: Orlando Weekly is available free of charge, limited to one copy per reader.

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ORLANDO WEEKLY CITY GUIDE 2022 WORDS: Laura Cole, Jennifer De Witt, Matthew Moyer, Jessica Bryce Young PICTURES: Rob Bartlett, Arlene LaBoy, Laura Cole, Jennifer De Witt, Jacquelin Goldberg, Jim Leatherman, Mauricio Murillo Hello, Orlandoan! It’s so nice to have you here. After a long and weird two years, you may be wondering, “What’s there to do in Orlando these days?” For some, the post-pandemic trend is to do all the things, as much as they can, as soon as possible, while others are still cautiously re-emerging. Treat this guide to Orlando’s neighborhoods and resources like your personal trip advisor. There’s no shortage of places to play, eat, shop, and stay in our City Beautiful.

Whether you’re after an outdoor market, a great new brunch spot, a perfect park where you can hang out with your fur friend or a sublime date night, Orlando’s neighborhoods have everything you could want and then some. Get out there and enjoy.

TA BLE OF CONTENTS: 8: Orlando neighborhoods map 15: Downtown 17: Parramore 19: Thornton Park, South Eola & Lake Eola Heights 23: Ivanhoe Village 27: Milk District 29: Mills 50/Colonialtown 31: College Park 33: Audubon Park & Baldwin Park 35: Winter Park 39: Maitland & Eatonville 41: SoDo & Delaney Park 43: Conway/Curry Ford 47: South Orange Blossom Trail 49: I-Drive & Sand Lake 51: UCF & Waterford Lakes 53: Lake Nona 57: Listings: Attractions & Outdoors 61: Listings: Live Music & Clubs 65: Listings: Arts, Theater & Museums 71: Road Trips: Sanford 75: Road Trips: Nature Coast 79: Road Trips: DeLand and Beyond 83: Road Trips: St. Petersburg A note on our display font: Misto was designed by Katerina Korolevtseva, inspired by her home of Slavutych City in Eastern Ukraine. Our thoughts are with Ukraine right now as they suffer under attack.

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Downtown THE DOWNTOWN ARTS DISTRICT HOSTS A GALLERY HOP EVERY THIRD THURSDAY, STARTING AT CITYARTS. (PHOTO BY ARLENE LABOY)

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owntown Orlando — what the city calls the Central Business District, and party animals call home from happy hour to 2 a.m. — is a unique mix of business and pleasure. The Courthouse and City Hall are abuzz with activity during the day. To get a feel for this unique city center, hop on and off the free Lynx bus, LYMMO, which runs until about 10 or 10:30 each night. Use it to check out the neighborhood and hit main points of interest like the Orange County Regional History Center, CityArts, City Hall and the unusual concrete building that houses the Orlando Public Library. End your day trip at the Discover Downtown Visitor Center for insider info you won’t want to miss.

Lunchtime selections are boundless in this neighborhood packed with office buildings. Go global with Tin & Taco, The Great Greek, Nifty’s Korean, Mai Thai, The Harp and Celt and Super Rico Colombian Restaurant; or classic new American with Artisan’s Table, Kres Chophouse, Bread & Wine or Neon Beach.

After-work date? Drinks at the Bösendorfer Lounge don’t come cheap, but they’re guaranteed to impress.

Weekends mean a Sunday stock-up on local fruit and veg at the Orlando Farmers Market, when vendors and artists line the lake with sundry wares. Rent a swan boat for an hour out on Lake Eola, or just relax and peoplewatch at this sinkhole turned symbol of the city.

Even though they’re in the public eye, the city’s swans (the real ones, not the

boats) love snacking. But be sure to use the swan food dispensers, or give them spinach or lettuce. Bread, chips and popcorn can actually make them sick. No one wants a sick swan!

Wind down the workday with cocktails or mocktails at The Courtesy prepared by crafty mixologists, or hit up the quirky carnivalthemed Sideshow over on Wall Street Plaza for a more raucous vibe. Stay out late for a concert at The Vanguard, The Beacham or The Social.

Pack your calendar further with arty nights presented by the Orlando Ballet or Opera Orlando in the acoustical marvel that is Steinmetz Hall, or any one of the hundreds of other events within the walls of the Dr. Phillips Center for the Performing Arts. And always end your night downtown with a pair of Double D tacos from Gringos Locos.

SWANKY DRINKING HOLE MATHERS SOCIAL GATHERING. (PHOTO BY ARLENE LABOY)

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Parramore COMMUNITY HANGOUT THE MONROE WAS NAMED FOR ORL ANDO CIVIL RIGHTS LEADER DR. WILLIAM ‘MONROE’ WELLS. (PHOTO BY ROB BARTLETT)

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arramore packs a punch with historic depth and modern charm. To really understand this neighborhood’s history, visit the Wells’ Built Museum of African American History and Culture. Take a look and maybe make a donation to help support the Black Bottom House of Prayer’s restoration efforts. Dating from 1925, it’s one of the oldest church buildings in Orlando and recently received historic preservation status, but a roof collapse in 2019 means there’s hard work on the horizon.

Meanwhile, the tech-y Creative Village and the students of UCF’s Downtown Campus are bringing a youthful presence and perspective to this part of the city. Looking to geek out over emerging artists? Fine art press Flying Horse Editions hosts visiting artists from around the world to create special work here.

NBA fan? Hoot and holler for the Orlando Magic at the Amway Center. Or scream and yell for Orlando City Soccer Club and the greatest

BL ACK BOTTOM HOUSE OF PRAYER. (PHOTO BY JENNIFER DE WITT)

women’s soccer team in the world, the Orlando Pride, at Exploria Stadium. (Feel free to call it football if you need to, just remember to wear purple.)

Did someone say they wanted “sassy wings”? For delicious Southern fare and soul food, you can’t skip anyone on this list: Nikki’s Place, Rooted Garden, Foodies Cafe, The Monroe, Knali’s Garden and Dexter’s Birdland. Then order one of Moxie’s Cheesecakes to take home with you for dessert.

FLYING HORSE EDITIONS STUDIO. (PHOTO COURTESY UCF) orlandoweekly.com

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Thornton Park South Eola & Lake Eola Heights

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THORNTON PARK’S EUROPEAN-ESQUE FOUNTAIN IS PERFECT FOR A SELFIE. (PHOTO BY JENNIFER DE WITT)

ach of these three interlocking neighborhoods are distinct and special in their own way. They’re tiny, but they punch above their weight. Gorgeous brick-laid residential streets are lined with heavy live oaks (and so bumpy you’ll be lucky to keep your teeth in your head while driving them — still, they’re super charming). All those bungalows painted in candy colors, with deep porches and groomed gardens, will put you squarely in a Zillow-porn mood.

Grab a rental e-bike or scooter and ride on the sidewalk (totally illegal and totally necessary — again, those bricks are hella bumpy) to stop by Eola General in residential Eola Heights for sublime iced coffees, bagels and a general bougie-bodega vibe. In Thornton Park proper, pick up noodles to go from Jinya Ramen Bar or stock up on crusty baguettes from Benjamin French Bakery.

You can speak French to the counterperson and no one will think you’re pretentious.

And down in South Eola, the Greenery Creamery is a fantastic place for people who can never choose just one favorite ice cream flavor, as well as part-time vegans.

Looking for love but don’t want to get on a dating app? We hear you. Hit up the analog

dating wall at The Falcon Bar for a connection IRL that might turn out to be magical.

You and your date could saunter down to Burton’s to throw darts or try one of each of their exceptional tacos, or take them to RusTeak for an all-American bill of fare that includes keto, veggie or meatlover options. (If it goes really well, book a room at the EO Inn.) Visit the Snap! Orlando photography gallery if you’re in need of modern culture or The Veranda for fun outdoor music shows with a small backyard feel. The Abbey has some stellar shows on the calendar this year, so get ready to get your groove on.

A “true Orlando” rite of passage? Getting your car towed from the 7-Eleven parking lot while you “just run in to Starbucks for a minute.”

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MENNELLO MUSEUM. (PHOTO BY JENNIFER DE WITT)

FACTUR. (PHOTO BY JENNIFER DE WITT) HOLIDAY ‘DINOS IN LIGHTS’ AT ORL ANDO SCIENCE CENTER. (PHOTO BY JENNIFER DE WITT)

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his neighborhood has retained its hip walkable vibe over the decades, and its seasonal events will have you here all throughout the year, from holiday walkabout Jingle Eve to the Orlando International Fringe Theatre Festival, which takes over the diverse pocket of arts and culture destinations that is Loch Haven Park once a year with over-the-top fun. Also in the park, the Orlando Rep and Orlando Science Center are both longtime favorites of families with children; The HIVE is OSC’s maker space with all manner of creative activities for the kids. Orlando Shakes produces plays for the grown-ups — their seasons always contain a healthy amount of Shakespeare.

You can’t miss Indie-Folkfest every spring at Mennello Museum of American Art: It’s one of our favorite annual events pulling together artists, musicians and foodies. Harriett’s Orlando Ballet Centre, a new home base for the Orlando Ballet, is the latest darling to join the family of cultural destinations. (And you can rent this lovely space for meetings or weddings.) And bringing it all full circle, the Festival of Trees at Orlando Museum of Art ties a holiday bow on the year.

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In the heart of the Ivanhood is Washburn Imports, where the try-before-you-buy concept goes one step beyond: Lounge on imported furniture for sale while drinking craft beers and wines. Hop and bop your way down to Gaston Edwards Park, where you can launch a boat, play sand volleyball, or just sit under the trees and watch the traffic of I-4 whiz by. Fancy food hall Hall on the Yard caters to every appetite, while Gnarly Barley keeps it simple with its bottle shop, selection of brews on tap, and hot sandwiches and tacos. Newcomer The Bandbox will take spirit-free mixology to a whole new level, while Better Than Sex dishes up sinful desserts and double entendres. And nightlife just got bolder with shows at Renaissance Theatre Co. Be forewarned, you will have a lot to talk about at work the next day.

YAY! IS TINY, YES, BUT IT’S STUFFED TO THE GILLS WITH FUN. (PHOTO BY ARLENE LABOY)

If you’re on the hunt for your signature scent, La Jetee Perfumery is the place to go. Rock & Roll Heaven is where you find your signature sound. If you can’t find the perfect objet at Yay! Tiny Shop, stitch, build or 3D-print it at maker space Factur. And not to be left out, The Hammered Lamb, Nora’s Sugar Shack and The Hideaway Bar are classic afternoon hangouts.

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Milk District COFFEE ON YOUR LEFT, BEER ON YOUR RIGHT AT THE MULTI-BEVERAGE EASY LUCK/WHIPPOORWILL. (PHOTO BY DANIELA MIKHEAL)

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he T.G. Lee Dairy facility is the centerpiece and namesake of this neighborhood — you can’t miss the milky cow-dotted mural all along its exterior wall. But there’s another iconic head of cattle in the Milk District: The iconic Beefy King, a must-visit time capsule that’s been serving juicy steamed sandwiches since 1968. Once you find a place to park, this small ’hood is extremely pedestrian-friendly.

VIEWS FROM ROBINSON STREET. (PHOTO BY ZAC ALFSON)

Some of the city’s best independent shops and eateries are all lined up, clustered around the intersection of Robinson Street and Bumby Avenue. Grab a kombucha on tap from The Nook, pick up some unique vintage from Etoile Boutique, try out a few special beers at Sideward Brewing; next door is Stasio’s Italian Deli and Market, the only place to go for authentic Italian provisions. You will think you died and went to Little Italy. Another place for award-winning sammies in this neighborhood is Pom Pom’s Teahouse and Sandwicheria. Thanksgiving dinner between two slices of bread all year ’round? Yes, please.

Down on South Street, Easy Luck coffee is perfect for a morning jolt and Whippoorwill Beer House and Package Store — on the other side of the same building — is ideal for chilling out after a long day, and Market on South answers vegan appetites from breakfast to dinner to dessert.

Milk District weekends can be spent in the Community Garden, but get your name on the list now for a plot — it may be a wait. Festival Park is home to a long list of events (including Orlando Weekly’s annual Orlando Beer Festival), with something happening almost every weekend.

At Orlando Skate Park, you can ollie and kickflip and fakie all afternoon, though longtime bowling fave Colonial Lanes is still shuttered — it’s getting a new look from the team behind Mather’s Social Gathering, but we’re still waiting for an opening date.

You must have brunch at Se7en Bites; our favorite is the scones, which are as big as a baby’s head. Speaking of heads, get all your hairs cut at Alchemy if you’re ready for a new look yourself.

Then go hear some deep cuts at a concert at The Plaza Live.

Want to take some tunes home with you? Don’t miss a stop at Retro Records.

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Mills 50 + Colonialtown

ONE OF THE MANY MURALS OF MILLS 50. (PHOTO BY ARLENE LABOY)

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he Mills 50 and Colonialtown vibe is all about flavor. This unique pocket of Orlando is home to a myriad of Asian cultures as represented by their cuisine. There’s Chinese at Chuan Lu Garden and Ming’s Bistro, Laotian at Sticky Rice, Malaysian at Mamak, Japanese at Tori Tori and Kabooki Sushi, Korean at Shin Jung, Vietnamese at Pho 88 and Anh Hong, WOW ROLLING IS SK ATE CENTRAL. (PHOTO BY MAURICIO MURILLO)

Polynesian at Poke Hana, and boba tea at Chewy, ViVi, Quickly or RoyalTea — it’s a trip for your tastebuds. The coffee offerings are just as varied, with Qreate Coffee and its creative workspace (and serious WiFi speed) and Lineage Coffee Roasting’s cool sleek aesthetic leading the pack.

For traditional American fare, The Strand is a star, serving up delectable creative dishes made with local ingredients. (Pro tip: Always order dessert.) Lazy Moon Pizza comes in a box so large that you have to put it in the trunk of your car, so plan accordingly. Pig Floyd’s Urban Barbakoa actually smokes their meat every morning using a mixture of oak and pecan wood. And Black Bean Deli serves a mean Cuban breakfast that

most people don’t know about.

The best place to stock up on art supplies in the entire city is Sam Flax, and it boasts a great sampling of murals from the best local artists along the walls outside.

Looking to get creative with your moves, especially on wheels?

WOW Rolling is the place to connect with other skaters of every level and invest in safety gear or custom-made skates. Feeling in a mood? Spiral Circle Metaphysical Bookstore will help you work things out.

Cocktails at The Guesthouse, thrifting at Out of the Closet, and matcha lattes at Maiko … all of this barely scratches the surface of one of Orlando’s best neighborhoods. When you’re hungry for absolutely anything, Mills 50 and Colonialtown delivers.

A HEALTHY SPLURGE AT BL ACK BEAN. (PHOTO BY ARLENE LABOY) orlandoweekly.com

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College Park THE ‘HAPPY HEARTS’ MURAL ADORNS A WALL NEAR INFUSION TEA. (PHOTO BY JENNIFER DE WITT)

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f you love hearing the sound of a marching band, strolling neighborhood streets full of families, or celebrating at closedstreet block parties, then historic College Park is for you. Its street names make the neighborhood boundaries clear, but even without all the Ivy League name-dropping, the streets lined with one-story bungalows show a pleasant uniformity.

Edgewater Drive is Main Street USA, and the gem of the ’hood is Dubsdread Golf Course. Stop by to hit a bucket of balls or take golf lessons, and make time for a visit to The Tap Room, where brunch is an old-school event, one of the few places in town with cathead biscuits and gravy.

Aside from the golf, familyfriendly and hobby-centric are a couple of ways to describe College Park. You can tinker with guitars or have one made for you at the Guitar Factory.

Mess around with bikes at Orange Cycle. Shop for unique gifts at Good Crowd.

Relax after a long day at Digress Wine Bar. A fun and easy family night out could be a trip to the Doghouse

for dinner where they serve tater tots 11 different ways, followed by a dip into the Soda Fountain right next door for ice-cream cones. (Snap a sharable family photo at the flamingo mural across the street.) Or for more grownup tastes, grab a romantic dinner at Thai Farm Kitchen, specializing in rustic Thai, or El Vic’s, featuring fusion Indian.

If you’re feeling like you need to clean up your act, then head to Infusion Tea for some custom-brewed herbal refreshment or New Moon Market for a juice cleanse your body will thank you for.

Follow up with a trip to Naked Bar Soap Co. to get your outside scrubbed up and ecofriendly as well.

FIND UNIQUE GIFTS AT GOOD CROWD. (PHOTO BY ARLENE LABOY) orlandoweekly.com

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Audubon Park + Baldwin Park

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hy did the peacock cross the road?”

To scare the pea out of you! These gorgeous creatures seem to appear out of nowhere and often step into the aptly named “bird streets” at random. In fact, when driving with your windows down, you may hear an eardrum-piercing peacock love call. Mind your business! Audubon Park is perfect not just for bird-lovers, but also those with green thumbs. The 50 acres of historic Harry P. Leu Gardens makes gardening look easy, and Palmer’s Garden and Goods helps you DIY it right.

KFC WINGS FROM DOMU. (PHOTO BY ARLENE LABOY)

The main drag of Corrine Drive is a bustling shopping area with vintage clothing boutiques such as Owl’s Attic and The Lovely, assorted gift shops (we love the whimsical R. Nichols stationery shop) and big-daddy record store Park Ave CDs, which has existed in various forms for more than 40 years.

Pick up a treasured tome from independent bookshop Joybird Books and spend the afternoon in any one of the neighborhood craft coffee shops like neighborhood pioneer Stardust Video & Coffee or newbie Lobos Coffee Roasters. Grab a dunker at The Salty Donut. P Is for Pie offers sweet and savory pies and quiches like you’ve only dreamt about. For dining at night or meeting up with friends, head to Redlight Redlight for craft brews or Kadence for omakase dinner surprises.

Even as Audubon has become a fancy-foodie destination, longtime local faves Junior’s Diner and Sushi Lola keep on keeping locals satisfied.

And then there’s the mighty East End Market, which caters to eclectic tastes for fresh juices, international cheeses, singleorigin coffees, mochi doughnuts, vegan burgers, organic game meats; cocktails and Florida gifts upstairs at The Neighbors, and creative ramen bowls at Japanese restaurant Domu.

Nearby Baldwin Park grew less organically, but has its own walkable central shopping and dining district, which is unique to this planned community. A great new favorite is Frosty Fox for egg puffies and boba tea, great handheld accompaniments for a stroll around the beautiful Lake Baldwin Trail.

GIANT COOKIES FROM GIDEON’S AT EAST END MARKET. (PHOTO BY ARLENE LABOY)

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Winter Park GREENEDA COURT IS JUST ONE OF PARK AVENUE’S QUAINT SHOPPING ALLEYS. (PHOTO BY ARLENE LABOY)

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ven though Winter park is a city all its own, it’s utterly intertwined with Orlando.

Stroll Park Avenue for the best of what Winter Park has to offer: At one end is Rollins College and at the other is the Winter Park Golf Course and historic Casa Feliz. In between you’ll find creative international cuisine at Prato, Cafe de France, Ava MediterrAegean and Bosphorous; well-known brands like Lilly Pulitzer, Williams-Sonoma, Origins and Warby Parker; and brilliant local boutiques like Tuni, Frank, Writer’s Block and Haven.

Winter Park Station is a picturesque stop for SunRail and Amtrak trains during the week, and a backdrop for the huge Winter Park Farmers Market on weekends. A not-so-secret way to see Winter Park is the Scenic Boat Tour, which traverses tiny canals to give you a unique perspective. To go deeper into the art and culture of this unique city, visit the Hannibal Square Heritage Center, Morse Museum of American Art, and the brand-new, starchitect-designed Winter Park Library and Events Center.

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PRATO’S PIES ARE PURE PERFECTION. (PHOTO BY ARLENE LABOY)

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A bit further out from the Park Ave nexus, find some of the area’s most authentic Mexican street food at Hunger Street Tacos, delicious baked goods that sell out quickly at Buttermilk Bakery, and exquisite cakes at The Glass Knife. Indulge your tastebuds at The Ravenous Pig’s comfy brewery and beer garden (or its more buttoned-up dining room) or at the husband-andwife-run Swine and Sons, where they’ve taken the charcuterie trend in a tasty Southern direction.

The Winter Park Village shopping center is in the midst of a deep reconcepting, but even as it evolves, it remains the place to take in a blockbuster movie in comfort, grab brunch at Another Broken Egg, browse REI for your outdoorsy needs, or strum all the instruments at Guitar Center. Or take a couple’s cooking class at Publix Aprons, where you can eat the fruits of your labor accompanied by perfectly paired wine or beer.

Satisfy a caffeine jones at independent coffee shops like trendy Norwegianled Kos Coffee, artfully curated New General, upscale Barnie’s, down-home Austin’s and the original location of local chainlet Foxtail Coffee Co. Date night? Blue Bamboo Center for the Arts will keep jazz-lovers entertained; slurp up creative noodle bowls and pizzas at critics’ darling Orlando Meats, or grab salads and seafood (or Ding’s Crispy Chicken Sandwich instead; no judgment) and sunset views at Hillstone on Lake Killarney.

PROTECT YOUR PEEPERS WITH SHADES FROM SEE EYEWEAR. (PHOTO BY JENNIFER DE WITT)

MORE CL ASSIC WINTER PARK-ITECTURE. (PHOTO BY ARLENE LABOY)

TASTEFUL CAFFEINATION STATION THE NEW GENERAL. (PHOTO BY ARLENE LABOY) orlandoweekly.com

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THE HISTORIC MAITL AND ART CENTER AT THE ART & HISTORY MUSEUMS OF MAITL AND. (COURTESY PHOTO)

Maitland & Eatonville

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he first town created by freed African Americans in 1887, there’s history in this neighborhood to celebrate. Zora Fest! happens here annually to celebrate Black arts and culture, created to honor author Zora Neale Hurston, who called Eatonville home. Slightly more than a century later, Chef Jenn Ross turned her vegan soul food café, DaJen Eats, into a destination all its own in Eatonville. Just up the way, past the Audubon Center for Birds of Prey, in Maitland proper, the Art and History Museums of Maitland is a must-visit for its historic landmark art center, workshop-style classes, and — odd but charming — a telephone museum.

Take in a foreign film at Enzian Theater (order the truffle Parmesan fries if you need a nosh during the show), and mark your calendar for the annual Florida Film Festival hosted here. Stroll around Lake Lily spotting ducklings, and then wet your whistle at Luke’s Kitchen and Bar, or opt for more intimate

Italian vibes at Antonio’s, where you can take home sauces and sundries to make your kitchen pantry say “mamma mia!”

Nostalgic longtime Orlandoans, take a moment to remember Lil 500 Go-Karts, the old jai-alai fronton, and the Bubble Room. <sniff>

EATONVILLE CHEF JENN ROSS. ( PHOTO BY ROB BARTLETT)

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SoDo & Delaney Park ENJOY VEGETABLE-FORWARD TREATS IN A GORGEOUS ROOM AT HUNGRY PANTS. ( PHOTO BY ARLENE LABOY)

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outh of Downtown lie two distinct areas both full of family charm and artistic flair: industrial-chic SoDo, and leafy Delaney Park.

We’re cheating a little bit since it’s technically downtown, but just southeast of the CBD lies The Wellborn, a hidden gem in genteel pastel pink. It’s a boutique hotel with a lovely courtyard garden, a jewel-box bar and a snappy casual snack menu — a perfect place to put up picky out-of-towners, stage a very small wedding or just have a discreet meet-up.

FOUND SOUND NATION AT TIMUCUA ARTS. ( PHOTO BY JENNIFER DE WITT)

Down in SoDo proper, Hungry Pants will haul you in by your appetite.

This award-winning destination for plant-curious eaters has a seasonal menu and natural wine options curated by Golden Hour Wine. For pizza and pasta, Brick and Fire, with its unparalleled selection of topping combos, is the BMOC in SoDo,

but upstart Buttercrust Pizza is winning hearts with their indulgent Detroit-style pies. Enjoy the closest you can get to beachfront dining at The Waterfront, serving up seafood right on the shore of Lake Jennie Jewell. If you’d rather figure out your own menu, a trip to Freshfields Farm is all you’ll need for locally curated meat and produce — they place in Orlando Weekly’s Best of Orlando™ awards every year, so they’re doing something right.

Stroll the nearby neighborhood of Delaney Park during cooler fall evenings to hear the Boone High School marching band practice or ogle the lovely midcentury modern homes in one of Orlando’s oldest neighborhoods. Take in a concert at Timucua Arts Foundation, which is a neighborhood home that contains a three-story event space with gorgeous acoustics. And see a play at Theater on the Edge to have your mind blown by their hyper-realistic sets and emotive performances that rival greater-sized stages.

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Curry Ford/ Conway/ Hourglass LOCAL MURALIST SLEDS (AK A SCHIANI LEDO) PAINTED THIS MASTERPIECE ON A PRIVATE HOME. (PHOTO BY JENNIFER DE WITT)

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onway and Curry Ford are sister neighborhoods where you will see streets peppered with homes unrestricted by a nosy HOA telling them they can’t express their individual Central Florida style. Expect everything from murals to sculpture gardens to frontyard koi ponds — unique architectural features that still recall the way Orlando was before Walter Elias Disney came to town. (Newer heads want us to call it the Hourglass District, but we like to keep it old-skool.)

Start with breakfast at ZaZa for Cuban comfort food, or hit Bakery Plus if you need a doughnut fix.

Hourglass Social House is packed with vendors selling beer, coffee, tamales, vegan crunchwraps and French-Vietnamese pastries — and it’s a great place to take a morning meeting or long lunch; there’s WiFi and lots of indoor and outdoor seating.

Line up with everyone else for Pizza Bruno’s garlic knots and thin crust pizza. In need of good Irish pies and pasties, and a proper pint? Look no further than Claddagh Cottage.

To be sure you get home on time, duck into Swiss House Clocks for a new wristwatch or vintage clock.

And then to ensure that you’re really slowing down, visit Peaceful Peacock for a yoga session.

Down the road, popular taco purveyor Black Rooster Taqueria has opened a roomy second location, and this one serves brunch. Another new kid on the block is Collab Kitchens, an oh-so-modern, takeout- and delivery-only “virtual food hall” where you can get pizza, poke, bao, Korean lunchboxes and more.

Fun neighborhood fact: ’80s TV star and former Miss Florida Delta Burke grew up in this neighborhood and hung out at Ronnie’s Restaurant. Locals still mourn its closing and reminisce in a dedicated Facebook group dubbed, succinctly, “I Miss Ronnie’s Restaurant in Orlando.”

FIND TRUE TACO BLISS AT BL ACK ROOSTER. (PHOTO BY ARLENE LABOY) orlandoweekly.com

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South OBT & Florida Mall SOUTH ORANGE BLOSSOM TRAIL IS THE DESTINATION FOR THE BEST INDIAN FOOD IN TOWN. (PHOTO BY ROB BARTLETT)

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h, Orange Blossom Trail. Any time you think Orlando is getting too bougie, a quick drive down the South Trail will remind you of the grittier side of the City Beautiful. We’ll be honest, this area was where our parents loved to go in the ’60s, warned us to stay away from in the ’80s, and now is a balance of both.

You may still spot a pair of white pleather thigh-high boots on occasion, but there’s also a lot happening that doesn’t require such fancy footwear.

Visit KTV Karaoke to sing your heart out in their norebang (private “song rooms”). Want to eat your weight in naan?

There’s a whole row of Indian and Pakistani restaurants in this part of town. Try out Ahmed Indian Restaurant, Chaat House, Daana Pani, Bombay Street Kitchen or Sizler Tandoori Express. To cool things off, dip into boba tea spots like Spring Tea, or hit up Zero Degrees for their “Tiger Sugar Milk.”

Need a pair of stretch pants after all that food? Head over to the Florida Mall, with over 250 stores and restaurants serving a reported 20 million visitors a year. The shops are the expected mall fare — H&M, Coach, Zara — but the food court kicks ass with global flavors. Don’t miss Puerto Rican fave El Meson.

Pro tip: The Genius Bar at the Apple Store here can usually get to you twice as fast as the one at the Millenia Mall.

AT DA ANA PANI, THEY SPECIALIZE IN SWEETS AND CHA AT. (PHOTO BY ROB BARTLETT)

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I-Drive & Sand Lake ‘TOP CHEF’ WINNER RICHARD BL AIS DESIGNED A MENU OF PL AYFUL FLORIBBEAN FARE FOR FOUR FL AMINGOS. (PHOTO BY ROB BARTLETT)

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his is the place we end up going when there’s a con(-vention or -ference) in town, or when out-of-town relatives visit Disney World. Every type of hotel and restaurant is here because, well, we try to be everything to everyone.

But locals make the trek to hit Nile Ethiopian or Hanamizuki for authentic flavors, and special occasions that call for more upscale fare often find us on Restaurant Row to visit Ocean Prime, Eddie V’s, Seasons 52 or The H. Sometimes we even sneak down to the resorts — for a superlative cocktail at the Ritz-Carlton Grande Lakes’ Highball & Harvest, an exquisite nosh at Four Flamingos or even an impromptu staycation at one of the area hotels. We love the Hilton Orlando, where we can float down a lazy river with nothing but time on our hands.

Once we’re rested up (and lightly cocktailed), the International Drive attractions take on an appeal all their own. Find out if there are really shrunken heads at Ripley’s Believe It Or Not!. Be a guest on one of the world’s greatest ocean liners at Titanic: The Artifact Exhibition. Go fast at Andretti Indoor Karting or take it slow at Icon Park with a trip to Sea Life Aquarium‘s 360-degree Ocean Tunnel. Or ride the 450-feet-high Starflyer … if you dare.

MAKE A SPL ASH AT THE TITANIC EXHIBITION. (PHOTO BY JENNIFER DEWITT)

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UCF & Waterford Lakes

REVEL IN REAL-DEAL AUTHENTIC SICHUAN SPECIALTIES AT YUMMY TASTE. ( PHOTO BY ROB BARTLETT)

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he University of Central Florida and Waterford Lakes area is home to thousands of students and commuters. The area has been built up with convenience and accessibility in mind; almost everything is handy to the 408.

Unless you’re a student or an employee, most Orlandoans never set foot on the UCF campus — but if you do find yourself there, visit the UCF Arboretum for its regular plant sales and classes on Florida ecology and biodiversity, or pop into the UCF Art Gallery for student shows and international installations. And if you’re there for more than a day, The Celeste Hotel is a spiffy new Marriott Bonvoy hotel right on campus (with a stellar fine-dining restaurant, BTW).

Speaking of “pop,” Tiger Woods is bringing his PopStroke to this neighborhood in late May. This modern putt-putt destination is where you can test your skills on two 18-hole courses. If you’d rather stay indoors, the Regal Waterford Lakes 4DX and IMAX movie theater is one of the best options. Who doesn’t want to watch a movie that’s two stories high?

Meanwhile, the selection of restaurants in the Waterford Lakes area is constantly changing, and we’re just trying to keep up. Between the shopping plazas bracketing Alafaya Trail, the selection is mind-blowing.

Yummy Taste Sichuan and Top Top Hot Pot are two top spots for evolved Asian tastes, and definitely stop by Domu Chibi for quick ramen bowls, or Bonchon, the Korean chain known for the best fried wings ever.

Vespr Coffee Bar makes a great latte and a great meeting or study location, and Valkyrie Doughnuts (up the road) is perfect for a sweet treat anytime although they sell out fast! If you were too slow, try Crumbl Cookies.

By June, Waterford Lakes expects to open doors on Dave’s Hot Chicken (a small chain backed by Drake) and Las Vegas-based outfit CrunCheese Korean Hot Dog. Snack heaven!

AURORA AT THE CELESTE HOTEL. ( PHOTO BY ROB BARTLETT ) orlandoweekly.com

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Lake Nona THE FUTURE LOOKS BRIGHT IN L AKE NONA, AND THE SMALL PL ATES AT CHROMA SATISFY SOPHISTICATED PAL ATES. (PHOTO

BY ARLENE LABOY)

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rowth is the name of the game in Lake Nona. This new neighborhood is a well-planned community full of sleek high-rise apartment buildings and modern single-family homes. Public art and sculptures like Disco, the 35-foot-tall stainless-steel dog, and Brooklyn artist Tom Fruin’s beautiful Glass House have been incorporated into the walkable areas. Boxi Park is nearby, with food stalls made out of shipping containers, a stage for live concerts, and a packed calendar of family-friendly events.

We can’t fail to highlight the USTA National Campus, which offers lessons and hosts tennis events.

Spend the day with the family at Nona Adventure Park, which has an obstacle course built on the water, wakeboarding and a climbing wall.

Hop on a Beep, the neighborhood’s driverless shuttle, to get from the adventure park over to the restaurants — and close out the day

watching the sun set on Lake Nona while sampling the creative fare at Canvas or Chroma Modern Bar + Kitchen. If you’re feeling dressed up, make a rezzie at Bacán or Haven Kitchen, the newest restaurants in town at the brand-new Wave Hotel, and end the night in style. There are greater things ahead for this ’hood, so keep your ears open and your eyes peeled.

L AKE NONA IS FULL OF PUBLIC ART. ( PHOTO BY JENNIFER DE WITT)

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Attractions & Recreation

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heme parks? Yeah, we’ve got ’em. But Orlando is also home to a host of other attractions that have an appeal all their own, and for the outdoorsy, the weather is perfect almost year-round for hiking, biking and paddling. From bird-watching to drag racing to a park specifically dedicated to gators, here are some of the Orlando diversions most worth checking out.

Astro Skate 866 Goldenrod Road, astroskatingcenter.com Why mess with the formula?

Astro Skate provides you with the skates, environs, visuals and soundtrack for peak retro rollerskating satisfaction.

Bok Tower Gardens 1151 Tower Blvd., Lake Wales, boktowergardens.org On the outskirts of Orlando find Bok Tower Gardens, designed by famed landscape architect Frederick Law Olmsted Jr. Take in the natural wonders of Florida as you listen to the song coming from the iconic Singing Tower and its carillon bells.

Citrus Tower 141 North Highway 27, Clermont, citrustower.com This attraction from a simpler time — 1956, to be exact — is 22 stories tall, allowing an unobstructed view of Central Florida for miles in every direction. New owners Scott and Heather Homan are modernizing the experience, and have thus far added a fancy coffee bar, a vintage pinball and games arcade, and WiFi throughout, making it more than worth the $10 price of admission.

Gatorland 14501 S. Orange Blossom Trail, gatorland.com Known as the “Alligator Capital of the World,” this eco-preserve is home to thousands of flesheating reptiles — and the trainers brave enough to wrestle them.

Get close enough (not too close!) to see them eat and sleep, or zipline safely above their marsh. Say hi to the Social Distancing Skunk Ape while you’re there.

Icon Park 8375 International Drive, iconparkorlando.com Right in the middle of Orlando’s tourist district, Icon Park features the Wheel, a 400foot observation wheel, marine animals at the Sea Life Aquarium, the popular new Museum of Illusions, your favorite (and not-favorite) celebrities at Madame Tussauds wax museum, and the Orlando Starflyer.

Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex State Road 405, east of Titusville, kennedyspacecenter. com Take a tour of the 363-foot Saturn V that took Americans to the moon and see the lunar particles that still dust astronaut Alan Shepard’s space suit.

Lake Apopka Wildlife Drive Entrance: 2850 Lust Road, Apopka This 11-mile drive is free and maintained by the St. Johns River Water Management District. Download a map, reading guide and audio guide at sjrwmd.com and get ready to feast your eyes on jumping fish, strolling alligators and 300 different bird species.

Legoland 1 Legoland Way, Winter Haven, legoland.com/florida What’s not to love about a 150acre attraction dedicated to the tiny plastic building blocks and miniature humans that have been entertaining kids of all ages for decades? Fun for the whole family.

Lukas Nursery Butterfly Encounter

SPY ON STARS AT ORL ANDO SCIENCE CENTER. (PHOTO BY COURTNEY SHAPIRO)

1909 Slavia Road, Oviedo, lukasnursery.com Stand amid a cloud of winged beings at this year-round conservatory, where you can mingle with cheerfully chirping exotic birds and even feed butterflies from your fingertips.

Old Town 5770 W. Irlo Bronson Memorial Highway, Kissimmee, myoldtownusa.com This perennial Osceola County attraction offers “classic American fun,” and we don’t doubt it a bit.

There’s shopping, restaurants, thrill rides, a carousel and even a haunt!

Orlando Science Center 777 E. Princeton St., osc.org Home to Florida’s largest refractor telescope, the Orlando Science Center has a place for everyone.

Children can explore KidsTown to their hearts’ content, which includes a climbing area and pickable “orange grove.”

Orlando Speed World Dragway 19164 E. Colonial Drive, raceosw. com/dragway Local drag racing finds a home at Orlando Speed World. Check out racing and stunt events here every week.

Putting Edge 5250 International Drive, puttingedge.com This 18-hole minigolf course has an edge over the rest with its indoors location, the perfect spot for glowin the dark effects and a pumping soundtrack featuring the best of the 1990s.

Wild Florida Drive-Thru Safari Park 3301 Lake Cypress Road, Kenansville, wildfloridairboats.com Even by Central Florida’s high bar of attraction novelty, this one rates pretty high. Get up close (though not too close!) and personal with over 100 native and exotic animals from the comfort of your car.

PARKS Central Park 251 S. Park Ave., Winter Park cityofwinterpark.org You’re smack-dab in the middle of Winter Park’s downtown shopping district and you want to experience a little greenery and nature, so you cross the street and are immediately surrounded by fountains, landscaped plants and the oak tree canopies of Central Park’s 11 acres. Brilliant.

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Dickson Azalea Park 100 Rosearden Drive, orlando.gov Along with neighboring Langford Park, Dickson Azalea provides a shaded oasis just outside of downtown. WPA-era bridges, pavilions and walkways crawl around and over the stream that trickles through the leafy park.

Greenwood Urban Wetlands 1411 Greenwood St., orlando.gov Surrounded by beautiful cypress trees, with leaves that blend lively shades of orange and yellow during Florida’s short-lived autumn, Greenwood Urban Wetlands’ 19 acres is a sight to be seen any time of the year. And these wetlands adjoin Greenwood Cemetery, a can’t-miss piece of old Orlando.

Lake Eola Park 512 E. Washington St., orlando.gov The center of downtown Orlando life, Lake Eola Park hosts farmers markets, cultural fairs, entertainment, foot races, white swans, black swans and more, along with a .9-mile walkway that orbits the signature fountain in the middle of the lake.

Lake Lily Park 701 Lake Lily Drive, Maitland Popular among dog walkers and birders, this picturesque, pocket-size park is located in the heart of Maitland, surrounded by some of the city’s gorgeous historical buildings.

Harry P. Leu Gardens 1920 N. Forest Ave., leugardens.org These historic gardens nestled in Audubon Park boast a spectacular collection of native and exotic flora, including a rose garden, a butterfly garden and the largest documented camellia collection in Eastern North America.

the grass and enjoy a riverside picnic.

Mead Botanical Garden 1300 S. Denning Drive, Winter Park meadgarden.org A garden oasis with bike paths and a picnic area bursting with natural fauna and wildlife. Take a hike near forested wetlands, and if you’re quiet enough, hear the hawks and wading birds.

BIKE TRAILS Cady Way Trail Entrance is 1/4 mile north of State Route 50 on Herndon Avenue This 7.2-mile paved path, popular with bicyclists and stroller-pushing moms alike, connects Orlando and Winter Park and the Cross Seminole Trail in Seminole County. The trail features water fountains, rest stops and mile markers, as well as a cool 685-foot-long suspension bridge that crosses Semoran Boulevard.

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

Orlando Urban Trail orlando.gov The nearly 3-mile-long trail near downtown Orlando is a hidden pocket of peace and scenic quiet cutting through the heart of town. This trail runs from Lake Highland through Loch Haven Park, all the way to Mead Garden in Winter Park.

BEACHES Daytona Beach 1 hour away Enjoy a crowd-free vacation at Daytona Beach. With 23 miles of white beaches to relax on, there’s plenty of space to take a break from reality.

New Smyrna Beach 1 hour away New Smyrna is known for its surfing and 17 miles of beaches, but if you want to bring any four-legged friends, there’s a dog beach not too far away.

Canaveral National Seashore 1 hour, 30 minutes away This undeveloped shoreline is home to thousands of plants and animals. Keep in mind there’s a $20 vehicle entrance fee.

Cocoa Beach 1 hour away Cocoa Beach is home to four parks which all have a beach access point. The parks have plenty of picnic tables and showers to help you enjoy a beach day.

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Live Music & Clubs

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rlando’s vibrant local music scene is back at full strength after a lengthy pandemic pause and a few hiccups (named Omicron and Delta) along the way.

Orlando’s promoters and venues have a stacked calendar of shows set for the summer and fall, and big-name acts will be playing Orlando through the balance of 2022 and beyond. Local bands are going hard too, bringing the various scenes back up to speed in near-record time. Here are the best places to go for checking out great live music or grabbing a drink and dancing with friends.

The Abbey 100 S. Eola Drive abbeyorlando.com This mid-size room is used as a blank canvas by an enterprising cadre of local and regional promoters to host touring acts from Of Montreal to Converge, as well as literary and theatrical performances.

Ace Cafe 100 W. Livingston St. acecafeusa.com The former Edge space in downtown Orlando hosts shows and dance nights, both within those storied walls and on a lawn space (Backyard at the Ace) which has seen all manner of local and national concerts and DJs. Addition Financial Arena 12777 N. Gemini Blvd. additionfiarena.com The arena on the UCF campus is more than just a student venue: It seats roughly 10,000 and hosts pop, rock and hip-hop, as well as stand-up comics and other events.

Amway Center 400 W. Church St. amwaycenter.com Countless national acts have made the Amway a tour stop — not to mention a red-hot selection of young Latin music superstars and comedians — and this big-league arena is also home to the Orlando Magic and the Solar Bears.

The Beacham 46 N. Orange Ave. beachamorlando.com The downtown concert venue provides a home for concerts in the center of the city — an increasingly rare commodity as downtown changes once again.

The open floor provides multiple pathways to edge your way up to the front, though good luck navigating the tightly packed crowds.

Blue Bamboo Center for the Arts 1905 Kentucky Ave., Winter Park bluebambooartcenter.com Triple-threat performance space/ art gallery/recording studio hosts the full sonic spectrum of jazz, classical and world music. Blue Bamboo gives audiences a more low-key, seated — but still intimate — live music experience.

Celine 22 S. Magnolia Ave. celineorlando.com Downtown Orlando nightspot is a great destination for dancing and hosts a red-hot swath of touring hip-hop, EDM, drum & bass, house and techno heavy hitters.

The Geek Easy 114 S. Semoran Blvd., Winter Park facebook.com/thegeekeasy Ground zero for geek culture nightlife, the Geek Easy bar is a state-of-the-art headquarters for live music, burlesque of all themes, club nights and “cosraves,” karaoke and more.

LIVE ACTION AT THE BEACHAM. (PHOTO BY JIM LEATHERMAN)

Mills 50 hole-in-the-wall next door to the ultimate hole-in-the-wall that is Uncle Lou’s is a hotspot in its own right, hosting concerts, stand-up, DJs and karaoke nights.

Hard Rock Live 6050 Universal Blvd. hardrock.com/live Venture deep into the heart of Universal’s CityWalk entertainment complex for entertainment that straddles big-time (Ministry), nostalgic (Alice Cooper) and comedy all-stars (Chelsea Handler).

The Haven Lounge 6700 Aloma Ave., Winter Park facebook.com/havenlounge The musical menu at this roomy Winter Park club is loud, heavy, metal — and their clientele is perfectly fine with that. A perfect landing spot for new bands and even heavy legends like Incantation and Nita Strauss.

Gilt Concert Venue 740 Bennett Road giltconcertvenue.com The 10-bar, dual-dancefloor nightclub Gilt is buzzing nearly every night of the week with DJs, hip-hop royalty, techno and EDM performers going hard.

Henao Contemporary Center 5601 Edgewater Drive henaocenter.com Now dubbed “A Sound Garden,” Henao’s show area boasts a new sound system, new lighting and greenery harmoniously encroaching on the actual stage. This is a very aesthetically pleasing gig experience.

Grumpy’s Underground Lounge 1018 N. Mills Ave. facebook.com/ grumpysunderground

House of Blues 1490 E. Buena Vista Drive, Disney Springs, houseofblues.com Shows may start on the early side,

but that’s the only overt sign that this concert venue and restaurant is nestled in the middle of familyfriendly Disney Springs. The sightlines and sound system are recommended, the slate of touring acts is formidable.

The Plaza Live 425 N. Bumby Ave. plazaliveorlando.org This Milk District mainstay and home to the Orlando Philharmonic hosts shows by the Phil’s smaller ensembles plus a multi-generational slate of ’80s icons, guitar legends, YouTubers and comics.

The Social 54 N. Orange Ave. beachamorlando.com Mainstay downtown venue is the very definition of “intimate”; most nights this small room is packed to the gills with the devoted, straining to get as close as possible to their favorite touring artist, be it Wavves or Afghan Whigs.

Southern Nights 375 S. Bumby Ave., facebook.com/ southernnightsorlando Longstanding LGBTQ+ dance Shangri-la has been holding it down for years with a strong calendar of drag shows and dance nights, and the crowds keep pouring in. With Stonewall and Parliament House both shuttered, Southern has become even more in demand.

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Tanqueray’s Bar 100 S. Orange Ave. facebook.com/tanqueraysbar Smoky downstairs dive whose generous booking policy provides an entry point for locals to downtown, especially of the more jam-oriented variety. Enjoy spots like this downtown while you can, before some developer gobbles up the whole building.

Timucua Arts Foundation 2000 S. Summerlin Ave., timucua.com A truly unique live music experience nestled in an unassuming South Orlando neighborhood. The big white house (which is in fact a home) offers incredible acoustics courtesy a juiced-up new sound system, a near cathedral-like setting complete with pews for seats, and an adventurous events slate.

Tin Roof 8371 International Drive tinrooforlando.com I-Drive hotspot the Tin Roof added their Green Room live music space in 2019, and it’s become a hotbed for music and performances of all kinds (up to and including a little prowrestling). Music-wise, expect a heady mix of tribute acts and locals on the rise, regardless of genre.

Tuffy’s Music Box 200 Myrtle Ave., Sanford tuffyscider.com Tuffy’s Bottle Shop in Sanford has rapidly become an area contender, boasting bookings like the Drive-By Truckers’ Patterson Hood, North Mississippi Allstars and George Porter Jr. in their new music Music Box space.

They’ve got the size, the booking smarts and the sound system to satisfy Central Florida music fans.

Uncle Lou’s Entertainment Hall 1016 N. Mills Ave., 407-898-0009 There is nowhere else like Uncle Lou’s in the City Beautiful — or, we’d wager, Florida at large. A close-quarters, gritty staging area for DIY music both local and national, where (almost) anything goes. Impromptu karaoke nights are something else too.

Universal CityWalk 6000 Universal Blvd. universalorlando.com The bars and clubs tucked away within the Universal Studios sprawl offer plenty of opportunities for a little more grown folks’ fun within the province of Harry Potter and the Hulk.

The Vanguard Live 578 N. Orange Ave., thevanguard.live The storied former Firestone space is once again pulsing to the beat of live music, mostly of the EDM variety.

And did we mention that Shaq has now headlined the club twice in his DJ Diesel persona?

Wall Street Plaza 25 Wall St., wallstplaza.net Seven clubs congregate on one block of prime downtown real estate at the Wall Street complex, a nightly magnet for anybody ready for some serious drinking and mingling. Weekends are utterly wild. Not for amateurs.

Will’s Pub 1042 N. Mills Ave., willspub.org The Will’s/Lil Indies compound is an essential component of local scenebuilding and provides a stage to touring acts of all stripes. The booking calendar often reads like a genre collage, and that’s a very good thing.

Will’s now includes a robust component of outdoor shows on the Dirty Laundry Patio stage.

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ArtS, theaterS & museums

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ith internationally renowned theme parks based right here, it’s no surprise that Orlando is a city alive with visual and performing arts — it takes a lot of creative work to make all that magic, and our theaters and galleries showcase an abundance of homegrown talent.

GALLERIES & MUSEUMS Albin Polasek Museum and Sculpture Gardens 633 Osceola Ave., Winter Park polasek.org The Czech artist’s former residence is now a museum, surrounded by gorgeous lakeside gardens full of his bronze sculptures.

Art and History Museums of Maitland 231 W. Packwood Ave., Maitland artandhistory.org The cultural complex includes the Maitland Art Center (a National Historic Landmark), the Maitland Historical Museum, the Victorianera Waterhouse Residence and the Telephone Museum.

The Charles Hosmer Morse Museum of American Art 445 N. Park Ave., Winter Park morsemuseum.org This museum features an astounding collection of works by Louis Comfort Tiffany, including a wing dedicated to recreating the essence of Laurelton Hall, Tiffany’s Long Island estate.

CityArts 39 S. Magnolia Ave. downtownartsdistrict.com/ cityarts The Downtown Arts District is centered in the venerable RogersKiene Building. The historic building recalls Orlando’s past; the rotating exhibits within feature local, national and international artists.

Rollins Museum of Art 1000 Holt Ave., Winter Park rollins.edu/rma Tucked away on the campus of Rollins College, this museum houses cutting-edge works of contemporary art.

Faith Arts Village Orlando 221 E. Colonial Drive faithartsvillage.com This ministry housed in an old motel provides individual artists’ studios and hosts a monthly open house and art market.

Hannibal Square Heritage Center 642 W. New England Ave., Winter Park hannibalsquareheritagecenter.org Exhibitions and displays of archival photos and historical documents related to the Black experience in evolving west Winter Park.

The Holocaust Memorial Resource and Education Center of Florida 851 N. Maitland Ave., Maitland holocaustedu.org The tiny gallery within the Jewish Community Center hosts rotating exhibits that challenge the viewer.

The Mennello Museum of American Art 900 E. Princeton St. mennellomuseum.org The space is small, but it packs a punch. It’s a showcase for works by folk artist Earl Cunningham and an eclectic mix of local and traveling exhibitions.

Orange County Regional History Center 65 E. Central Blvd., thehistorycenter.org

STEINMETZ HALL AT THE DR. PHILLIPS CENTER. (PHOTO BY SETH KUBERSKY)

This storehouse of archived wonders fills its exhibition spaces with traveling exhibitions as well as homegrown collections and pieces.

Orlando Museum of Art 2416 N. Mills Ave., omart.org Nestled into Loch Haven Park, OMA displays work by major artists as well as homegrown talent.

Snap! Orlando 420 E. Church St., snaporlando.com Slick photography-centric gallery hosts the best art parties in town.

Well’s Built Museum 511 W. South St., wellsbuilt.org Housed in a 1920s hotel, Well’s Built is a trove of local African American history and artifacts.

Zora Neale Hurston Museum of Fine Arts 344 E. Kennedy Blvd., Eatonville, zoranealehurstonmuseum.com Featuring the work of contemporary artists of African diasporic descent.

THE ATERS & PERFORMING ARTS GROUPS Athens Theatre 124 N. Florida Ave., DeLand athensdeland.com DeLand’s restored historic theater hosts a resident community theater group.

Bach Festival Society of Winter Park 1000 Holt Ave., Winter Park bachfestivalflorida.org BFS presents an annual season of classical music, performed by more than 100 volunteer members as well as visiting artists.

Central Florida Community Arts 250 SW Ivanhoe Blvd., cfcarts.com This very inclusive musical arts organization believes every artist of every age should have a cultural platform to connect and perform.

Dr. Phillips Center for the Performing Arts 445 S. Magnolia Ave., drphillipscenter.org The airy glass-and-steel cultural facility offers multi-use spaces and theaters hosting touring Broadway productions, dance, live music and local theater.

Garden Theatre 160 W. Plant St., Winter Garden, gardentheatre.org The lovingly restored historic theater in quaint downtown Winter Garden hosts theater, film and family shows.

The Improv 9101 International Drive, theimprovorlando.com Touring and local stand-ups perform while patrons enjoy dinner and drinks.

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Opera Orlando operaorlando.org This rigorous but always fun company stages adventurous chamber operas and recitals.

Orlando Ballet orlandoballet.org Orlando’s professional ballet company performs at the Dr. Phillips Center, as well as in the auditorium space of their administrative and school complex, Harriett’s Orlando Ballet Centre.

Orlando Philharmonic Orchestra orlandophil.org Wider fare than just classical music keeps Orlando’s only professional orchestra in action, both at the Dr. Phillips Center and at the O.Phil-owned Plaza Live: pops, film scores, opera and distinguished guest artists.

Orlando Repertory Theatre 1001 E. Princeton St., orlandorep.com Professional family theater productions are the specialty of Orlando Rep.

A BOOK ARTS DISPL AY AT THE ROLLINS MUSEUM OF ART. (COURTESY PHOTO)

Orlando Shakes Lowndes Shakespeare Center, 812 E. Rollins St., orlandoshakes.org The Shakes produces a regular season in addition to PlayFest, which

showcases new works. Lowndes is also host to the Orlando Fringe Festival.

Phantasmagoria phantasmagoriaorlando.com A Victorian steampunk circus troupe offering “macabre and delicious Halloween treats and tricks.”

Renaissance Theatre 415 Princeton St., rentheatre.com Fringey productions from tongue-incheek to over-the-top in this newly revitalized warehouse space.

SAK Comedy Lab 29 S. Orange Ave., sak.com Good, clean fun is the hallmark of the troupe that specializes in improvisational comedy shows.

Theater on the Edge 5542 Hansel Ave. theaterontheedge.org Repertory theater company makes edgy choices of material and dives deep into the human condition.

Theater West End 115 W. First St., Sanford theaterwestend.com Professional theater in Sanford’s historic downtown stages musicals and repertory plays.

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Sanford

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estled along the southern shores of Lake Monroe, Sanford is about 40 minutes due north of Orlando on I-4. The former hub of Central Florida is coming back into its own with annual festivals, such as Sanford Porchfest and Love Your Shorts Film Festival, providing plenty of reasons to visit.

P L AY Ritz Theater at Wayne Densch Performing Arts Center 201 Magnolia Ave., Sanford, ritztheatersanford.com Take in a show at the historic playhouse. The Ritz Theater, which was constructed in 1923 and is on the National Register of Historic Places, showcases films, concerts, theatrical performances and even the occasional magic show.

Central Florida Zoo 3755 W. Seminole Blvd., Sanford, centralfloridazoo.org If you can get past feeling bad about animals in small enclosures, this is a great place to bring the kids — or let loose your own inner kid.

Annual events such as the Asian Lantern Festival provide a great excuse to support animal conservation.

Sanford RiverWalk East Seminole Boulevard, Sanford Whether you’re looking to walk off your food coma after eating some of the best German food in the Central Florida area or just want to enjoy the fresh air, the nearly 5-mile-long multiuse pedestrian trail offers the best views of Lake Monroe.

Black Bear Wilderness 5301 Michigan Ave., Sanford Located along the floodplains of the St. Johns River, this nature preserve is home to swallow-tailed kites, river otters, alligators and, yes, black bears. All are best seen by foot on the 7.1-mile Black Bear Wilderness Loop.

Maya Books and Music 204 E. First St., Sanford If the chance to breathe in the smell of old books and find a new favorite read doesn’t draw you in, the sizable catalog of vinyl records and CDs will. It’s fun to just browse, but you should purchase something and support what remains of mom-and-pop shops while you still can.

Green Springs 994 Enterprise Osteen Road, Deltona OK, yes. Technically, Green Springs is on the opposite side of Lake Monroe from Sanford. But you’ve already come this far, and it’s worth the 20-minute drive to see the brilliant emerald-colored waters of the sulfur spring.

TAKE IN THE TASTES (AND SOUNDS) OF HOLLERBACH’S.

E AT Hollerbach’s Willow Tree Cafe 205 E. First St., Sanford, hollerbachs.com Savory schnitzel, beers by the boot and wieners galore — this haven of all things German is hands-down the best reason to come to Sanford. It’s regularly hopping, but especially Friday and Saturday evenings when the live music is popping and libations are flowing.

The Tennessee Truffle 125 W. First St., Sanford, thetennesseetruffle.com If you’re craving some Southern comfort with flair, look no further than The Tennessee Truffle. It serves up homemade

biscuits, house-cured bacon and some of the best shrimp grits around.

Henry’s Depot 212 W. First St., Sanford, henrysdepot.com Gotta love a food hall, especially one with a nod to history. This one brings together local vegan favorites Dharma Southern Kitchen and Greenery Creamery with killer pizza, sandwiches and craft cocktails, all inside a 140-yearold former railroad depot.

Wondermade 214 E. First St., Sanford, wondermade.com This spot is sure to satisfy your sweet tooth. Pick up a box of

handmade marshmallows in flavors ranging from boozeinfused, such as champagne and bourbon, to Floridainspired, such as Key lime and orange-chocolate. It also sells s’mores, smoresicles, ice cream and hot chocolate.

White’s Red Hill Groves 7218 Ronald Reagan Blvd., Sanford, redhillgroves.com Since 1962, Red Hill Groves has been growing, hand-picking and shipping quality citrus.

Depending on the time of year, be sure to pick up a bag of honeybells, red navels, or honey tangerines. They also sell fresh-squeezed orange juice, local honey, fresh eggs and BBQ.

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MAYA BOOKS & MUSIC. (PHOTO BY JESSICA CARVAJAL)

concoctions, including the Florida Boi, a cardamom and orange–infused latte.

DRINK Suffering Bastard 200 S. Myrtle Ave., Sanford Tucked away inside Tuffy’s Bottle Shop and Lounge, Suffering Bastard serves up the best tiki drinks in the region, where the presentation game is as strong as the drinks. It sells small plates to help offset the boozy concoctions. Be sure to make a reservation!

The Imperial at Washburn Imports 116 E. First St., Sanford, imperialwinebar.com If you’re familiar with the Orlando and Winter Park locations, you’ll feel right at home among the Southeast Asian furniture here. We’ve taken to referring to the Sanford base as the Superior Imperial though because its full liquor bar means it serves up solid cocktails in addition to beer and wine.

Quigley Coffee Co. 3424 W. State Road 46, Sanford, quigleycoffeeco.com Tucked inside Thrift on 46, Quigley is pouring seriously good caffeine

O N T H E W AY Big Tree Park 761 General Hutchison Parkway, Longwood It’s been a decade since some asshole burned down The Senator, a 3,500-year-old Bald Cypress, but Lady Liberty and The Phoenix are still going strong. You can take a quick walk (0.3 miles) along the boardwalk or bring your bike and hop on the 23-mile Cross Seminole Trail. It’s possible to cycle all the way to Sanford if you’re so inclined.

Planet Obstacle 1150 Emma Oaks Trail, Lake Mary, planetobstacle.com Fans of American Ninja Warrior, rejoice. The self-described “largest indoor obstacle course” houses an aerial ropes course, ninja courses (for kids and adults), trampolines, ball pits, bumper cars, a zip-line and a giant rock-climbing wall. The best part? It’s all indoors, meaning hello air conditioning.

GREEN SPRINGS. (PHOTO BY LAURA COLE) orlandoweekly.com

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Nature Coast

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ravel back in time along Florida’s Nature Coast (and a little beyond) to gain a deeper appreciation of the hidden and not-so-hidden wonders awaiting you in Old Florida.

SPRINGS ETERNAL With more than 1,000 sources across the state, Florida is home to the largest concentration of natural freshwater springs in the world.

They’re among the best reasons to love playing outside during our eternal summer — and greatest excuses to float back in time.

At Rainbow Springs State Park, you can travel back to the 1930s and walk past the waterfalls built for what was then a private theme park, complete with submarine boats that allowed visitors to explore the state’s fourth-largest spring from below.

Today, you can swim, rent kayaks, canoes, paddle boards at the park or from a local outfitter and make your way down the crystal-clear waters of Rainbow River alongside

otters, eel grass and bluegills.

At another nearby theme park in 1947, mermaids performed synchronized underwater ballet for the first time at Weeki Wachee Springs.

You can still catch a show at 11 a.m. and 3 p.m. daily. And if mermaids aren’t your thing (is that even possible?), you can ride one of the three water slides in Buccaneer Bay into the natural springs.

Since 1975, the manatee has held the title of the Sunshine State’s official marine mammal.

If you’re looking to catch sight of one these gentle giants, your best bets are Three Sisters Springs, Crystal River and Homosassa Springs, where you can swim among or paddle alongside them year-round, though the best bet is in the winter months, when nearly 1,000 swim upstream to take refuge in the warmer waters.

HELL AS RESTAURANT AND BAKERY. (PHOTO BY LAURA COLE)

THE SPRING HILL PINK DINOSAUR. (PUBLIC DOMAIN PHOTO) orlandoweekly.com

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SHOWCASE OF CITRUS. (PHOTO BY LAURA COLE)

TRE AT YOURSELF After working up an appetite while making a splash, stop by Coney Island Drive-Inn at any of their three locations (including the original in Brooksville) for a footlong so good even Elvis Presley couldn’t help falling in love with them. He traveled while filming nearby in 1961 to sink his teeth into one of their (hound) dogs. You can get a short or long dog just about any way you want it, including the Florida special: a gator dog with swamp relish.

Or try one of their fried clam rolls.

You can find good seafood all along the coast, but one of the best is Charlie’s Fish House Restaurant and Seafood Market, which set anchor in Crystal River in 1948. During stone crab season (October to May), be sure to get an order of claws harvested and prepared right from their waterfront location.

For a sweet treat on a hot day, go for a cone, shake, malt, split or egg cream

at Papa Clyde’s. Since 1985, they’ve been scooping up a wide selection of homemade flavors, including the super-refreshing lemon custard.

If you’re looking for something with a little more flair, Hellas Restaurant and Bakery is well worth the drive.

Since 1970, the Tarpon Springs establishment has been a staple in the Greek community. You can’t go wrong with a locally caught grouper or more traditional lamb dish, but whatever you do, don’t miss out on the saganaki, which they still set aflame tableside.

ROADSIDE SPLENDOR If you’re all about the journey, be sure to get your juice on at Ferris Groves or Showcase of Citrus, and try — or pick! — one of a variety of the citrus that Florida is famous for. For the more kitschy travelers, check out the historic Spring Hill Pink Dinosaur and Dinosaur Gas Station — or the recently purchased and restored Edward Scissorhands House.

RAINBOW SPRINGS STATE PARK. (PHOTO BY LAURA COLE) orlandoweekly.com

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DeLand and Beyond

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nce known as Persimmon Hollow for the wild persimmons that grew there in abundance, DeLand is located about an hour north of Orlando on I-4. From Stetson University to the DeLand Mansion, the town is ripe with history — and provides the perfect jumping-off point for outdoor excursions.

PL AY Deland Artisan Alley Farmers Market Artisan Alley, DeLand Peruse creative wares and tasty delights from more than 80 vendors and farmers every Friday night from 6 to 9 p.m., rain or shine.

Athens Theatre 124 N. Florida Ave., DeLand, athensdeland.com Take in a show at this historic venue. Since being built in 1921, this jewel of Italian Renaissance architecture has been a vaudeville hotspot, movie house, arcade and community space, and now offers films, concerts, lectures and live performances.

Stetson Mansion 1031 Camphor Lane, DeLand, stetsonmansion.com Built for the famed hat maker, the mansion is one of the first homes in the world designed and built with Edison electricity and today is famous for its annual Christmas Spectacular Holiday Home Tour, held November through January.

Blue Spring State Park 2100 W. French Ave., Orange City Go for a swim, stroll or paddle among the emerald springs and lush tropical hammock at this classic Central Florida location that serves as the winter home for West Indian manatees.

Chuck Lennon Park 5000 Greenfield Dairy Road, De Leon Springs Bring your mountain bike and shred on seven trails spanning 4.9 miles. With a small pump track for kids, this ride has something for everyone.

Ponce de León Springs State Park 2860 Ponce De Leon Springs Road, Ponce De Leon If you’re afraid of gators and snakes, take a plunge in the cool waters of the man-made swimming pool built around an aquifer-fed spring named after the Spanish explorer.

E AT Chicas Cuban Café 215 S. Woodland Blvd., DeLand, chicascubancafe.com Take a trip to Little Havana through the Cuban flavors being offered in the Historic Artisan Downtown Hotel.

Locals rave about the Chicas chicken plate and the shrimp and churrasco plate, but you can’t go wrong with anything on the menu — certainly not an authentic Cuban coffee with a side of flan.

Bake Chop 110 Artisan Alley, DeLand, bakechop.com This place is known for its pasture-raised, hormone and antibiotic-free hamburgers, and you certainly can’t go

OLD SPANISH SUGAR MILL. (PHOTO BY LAURA COLE)

wrong with a classic. But its mushroom Philly — made with sautéed portobello, shiitake and button mushrooms — has our vote for the best handheld in DeLand.

Midnight Sun Ice Cream Sandwich Co. Artisan Alley, DeLand, midnightsunicecream.com If you dream of the perfect ice cream sandwich, Midnight Sun is everything you’ve ever drooled about and more. The company pairs small-batch artisan ice cream with freshbaked cookies that are made to order every Friday night at the Deland Artisan Alley Farmers Market.

Dockside Deli at Hontoon Landing 2317 River Ridge Road, DeLand, deliathontoon.com While Instagram and Yelp are

driving restaurants to serve fancier (and fattier) foods, sometimes, you just want a delicious breakfast or sandwich with no frills. This is the place.

The food is simple but solid, and you can either enjoy the view of the St. Johns River from the patio or take it with you as you float along.

Old Spanish Sugar Mill 601 Ponce De Leon Blvd., De Leon Springs, oldspanishsugarmill.com Here, pancakes are the star of the show. Each table has its own electric griddle in the center, where you can make your own flapjacks with their homemade unbleached white flour or buckwheat batter (why choose?). It also sells toppings to add in, sides and other offerings if pancakes aren’t your thing.

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BLUE SPRING STATE PARK. ( PHOTO BY LAURA COLE)

Danny’s Ice Cream 4824 U.S. Highway 17, De Leon Springs You may not immediately think of tacos when looking at the name, but from its handmade tortillas to its fresh salsa, this mom-andpop shop serves some of the best authentic Mexican food around.

That’s not to say you should skip the desserts. Be sure to try one of the fresh-fruit popsicles or the Fruity Pebbles ice cream.

DRINK Persimmon Hollow Brewing Co. 111 W. Georgia Ave., DeLand Be sure to visit the OG taproom of this Central Florida staple, which encourages drinking sensibly while getting weird. For some local flavors, try the Blood Orange Wheat, 3 Wise Guys (made with nearby Trilogy coffee), or their flagship beer, the east-coast style IPA with citrus notes aptly named Beach Hippie.

ATHENS THEATRE. (COURTESY PHOTO)

Trilogy Coffee 136 W. Georgia Ave., DeLand

You know you’ve arrived in the right place when you walk in to find the baristas at your favorite local shop sipping here on their day off. You’ll understand why when you try any of their ethically sourced and perfectly roasted beans.

FURTHER AFIELD Cassadaga Get in touch with the spiritual realm in the so-called Psychic Capital of the World. Here, you can get a psychic reading, have your tarot cards read, shop for books on the metaphysical or crystals, and stroll among sprites, pixies, and gnomes along the Fairy Trail.

Bongoland ruins 950 Old Sugar Mill Road, Port Orange Go on a prehistoric adventure back in time while strolling through the Dunlawton Sugar Mill Gardens.

You’ll find strange concrete ground sloths, T. rexes and triceratops lurking among the trees, remnants of a short-lived theme park from the 1950s.

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St. Petersburg

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little over two hours west of Orlando — past Tampa and the end of I-4 — is downtown St. Pete, known as “Sunshine City” for its Guinness World Record–holding 768 days of consecutive sunshine. That record provides plenty of reasons to play outside, but if you’re looking to escape the heat, the city has plenty of enticing indoor offerings as well.

PL AY The Dalí Museum 1 Dalí Blvd., St. Petersburg, thedali.org Let time melt away as you take a deep dive into the avantgarde. The glass-bending geodesic building is home to the largest collection of works by the Spanish surrealist artist Salvador Dalí.

Fairgrounds St. Pete 800 28th St. S., St. Petersburg, fairgrounds.art Escape reality with a trip through “weird, wacky and wonderful Florida.” Blending art, play, technology and Florida lore, this immersive experience à la Meow Wolf allows you to choose your own adventure as you try to locate a missing couple.

Sunken Gardens 1825 Fourth St. N., St. Petersburg Plant enthusiasts take note.

Nearly 100 years ago, a plumber so loved gardening that he drained the lake on his property to create more room — and fertile grounds — for his beloveds. Today, the living museum is home to some of the oldest tropical plants in Central Florida.

MAKE FEATHERY NEW FRIENDS IN ST. PETE.

Fort De Soto Park 3500 Pinellas Bayway S., Tierra Verde Sure, sure. You could visit St. Pete Beach. Or you could hop on the Pinellas Bayway south and swap the hotels, motels and strip malls for pure sand, sun and scrub instead.

THE DALI MUSEUM. ( PHOTO COURTESY CITY OF ST. PETERSBURG)

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SUNKEN GARDENS OR BANDIT COFFEE? WHY CHOOSE? (PHOTO ON LEFT, PUBLIC DOMAIN; RIGHT, BY LAURA COLE)

St. Petersburg Shuffleboard Club 559 Mirror Lake Drive N., St. Petersburg, stpeteshuffle.com Cruise lines and retiree transplants of yore knew what was up. Sometimes, you just want to shove stuff around with a stick for the chance to beat your friends and loved ones. And you still can (on Friday nights only) at the world’s oldest and largest shuffleboard club.

E AT Red Mesa Mercado 1100 First Ave. N., St. Petersburg, redmesamercado.com Is there such a thing as too many tacos? The answer is no. Always no.

And Red Mesa Mercado serves up some of the best around, along with plantain bowls, birria, tamales, chiles rellenos and Frito pies.

Mazzaro’s Italian Market 2909 22nd Ave. N., St. Petersburg, mazzarosmarket.com From homemade pasta, bread and desserts to an old-fashioned butcher shop and local seafood market, Mazzaro’s has everything you need to make your own dish at home while drooling over the possibilities. Or pick up a made-to-order deli sandwich.

Bright Ice Scoop Shop 3701 Fifth Ave. N., St. Petersburg, brighticeisnice.com

Every great city deserves great ice cream, and this is among the newest to the St. Pete scene. They serve up small-batch ice cream in delightful flavors, including caramelized bananas with peanut butter and honey, Key lime pie and espresso with Kahlúa.

Flatbread and Butter 497 Seventh Ave. N., St. Petersburg, flatbreadandbutter.com Looking for breakfast for lunch? No problem. This coffee bar and café offers lemon ricotta waffles and smoothie bowls until 4 p.m. during the week, and toasts and breakfast flatbreads until 2:30 p.m. during the weekend. Or you can grab one of their pizzas or sandwiches until closing.

The Bier Boutique 465 Seventh Ave. N., St. Petersburg, thebierboutiquestpete.com A great respite from your typical burgers, their patties are made from bison and bacon — or meatless, if you prefer. Not feeling a burger? Try their grilled cheese, fried bologna sandwich or fish fry — the latter only on Fridays.

No Vacancy 937 Central Ave., St. Petersburg, novacancydtsp.com Sit and sip under the neon lights of this Miami Vice-meets-tiki-bar inspired restaurant. The food and drinks have fun names, from cocktails such as Tropic Like It’s Hot and Menta Text You to dishes such as Shrimpin’ Ain’t Easy and Florida Man Tacos.

DRINK

ON THE WAY

Bandit Coffee Co. 2662 Central Ave., St. Petersburg, banditstpete.com This local coffee roaster sells some seriously good beans. Pick up a bag (or several) to bring home a taste of St. Pete, or order a cuppa from their barista. They also offer savory and sweet dishes, including seasonal toasts such as labneh-mushroom and fried green tomato with pimento cheese.

Green Bench Brewing Company 1133 Baum Ave. N., St. Petersburg, greenbenchbrewing.com St. Pete is home to many tasty breweries, but this is our pick for best beer and location. Their large outdoor patio allows for you to be more social or intimate, depending on your level of intro-/extrovertedness.

Black Crow Coffee Co. 722 Second St. N., also 2101 First Ave. S., St. Petersburg, blackcrowcoffeeco. com For those looking for a nonpretentious but high-quality coffee option, Black Crow is for you. The local roaster has two locations in St. Pete — and both serve up a warm, cozy vibe alongside baked goods and artisanal pours and pulls.

Parkesdale Farm 3702 W. Baker St., Plant City, parkesdale.com The Florida Strawberry Festival lasts only 11 days a year, but you can get the best damn strawberry milkshake you’ll ever have any time of the year at Parkesdale. They also have a farmer’s market, nursery and a strawberry throne for your royal berry-ness.

Dinosaur World 5145 Harvey Tew Road, Plant City, dinosaurworld.com/florida This budget-friendly Jurassic Park provides the chance to stretch your legs while walking through beautiful giant oak trees and learning about these prehistoric reptiles. True, the dinosaurs aren’t exactly realistic; they’re a little hokey — and a lot kitschy.

But therein lies the appeal.

Born and Bread 1113 Florida Ave. S., Lakeland, bornandbreadbakehouse.com If you’re driving to St. Pete on a Wednesday or Saturday, be sure to stop by Born and Bread and pick up some of the flakiest, butteriest croissants and baked goods you’ll find.

But get there early: They close by 2 p.m., and items go fast.

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