The Other Orlando, Florida
The Other Orlando, FL
Think you know Orlando? Think again. Go beyond the signature theme parks and you'll discover diverse dining, natural adventures, art, culture, and fascinating local neighbourhoods you never expected...
This is a feature from Issue 12 of Charitable Traveller. Click to read more from this issue.
Everyone thinks they know Orlando, the theme park capital of the world. But do they really? The most visited destination in the United States and the very heart of the Sunshine State, Orlando is renowned for its warm welcome and its buzzing visitor attractions, its multi-acre resorts and family fun. But there is another side to Orlando too and it’s worth getting to know.
Yes, Orlando is home to seven of the world’s top theme parks — as well as water parks, outdoor thrill rides and a dynamic entertainment scene. These are the magnets. But beyond the high-action, purpose-built parks, there are simpler, pleasures which you can build a completely different type of holiday around.
There are diverse and quirky local neighbourhoods with their own personality; a top-notch arts and culture scene; fabulous culinary experiences – including high-end Michelin-star dining, and there are spectacular natural attractions and soft adventure opportunities that can connect you with the great outdoors. Look beyond the obvious and you’ll find Orlando has something for travellers of all ages, all tastes, and all holiday passions.
Going Local
Obviously, those who live in Orlando don’t spend all day every day in the theme parks, so checking out what the locals do is a great way to find the area’s hidden gems.
Each town and neighbourhood has its own distinctive vibe. From upbeat and energetic, to relaxed and casual, these local spots are where you can find the ‘real’ Orlando. Check out the Winter Park area, originally developed over 130 years ago as a retreat for wealthy northerners. Just a short drive north of downtown Orlando, it’s a picturesque, upscale neighbourhood of tree-lined blocks and parkland. At its heart is Central Park, an 11-acre green space surrounding the Chain of Lakes, a stunning network of six lakes linked together by Venetian-style canals.
The neighbourhood’s Park Avenue has more than 140 boutiques and speciality shops, as well as premium restaurants, and the Charles Hosmer Morse Museum of American Art, famed for its Tiffany glass collection. Alternatively, head to the Mills 50 neighbourhood just northeast of downtown and home to Florida’s largest Vietnamese American community. Here you’ll find authentic Asian restaurants, shops and markets. The choice is wide and includes fusion specialists reinventing tacos and empanadas with Asian flavours, and Enson Market, full of novel aromatic produce. This is also one of Orlando’s oldest neighbourhoods, and here your camera will work overtime on the brightly coloured murals which pay homage to local life.
The Milk District is a must-visit, named for its location near the T.G. Lee Dairy factory, and now renowned for its alternative culture, great food and vibrant music and arts scene. The picturesque Thornton Park District is a hip, colourful community with an al fresco cafe culture. At Lake Eola Park you can rent swan-shaped paddle boats, and snap pictures of the live swans.
Don’t forget to experience a show at the Walt Disney Amphitheatre or enjoy the SeeArt Sculpture Collection all located outdoors because you can rely on the weather here! Sit outside with a glass of wine, or enjoy a leisurely dinner before catching a show.
College Park is a vibrant urban neighbourhood with a small-town feel; while the historic area of Eatonville, incorporated in 1887, was one of the first self-governing, all-Black municipalities in the US and is the oldest still in existence today.
In trendy Audubon Park you’ll find vintage shops, cafes, bakeries, music and craft beer aplenty. Many neighbourhoods have grown up around Orlando’s lakes. Offbeat Ivanhoe Village is a great place to try out paddleboarding, as well as checking out the new food hall, numerous galleries, funky shops and antique stores. And Lake Nona is innovating with Boxi Park, central Florida’s first outdoor food hall and entertainment venue built from shipping containers. Formerly a citrus-orchard workers’ town, Winter Garden is a quaint community known for its old-Florida style, historic charm and a cool bike trail leading to Plant Street Food Market. Last but not least, the Hourglass District is reimagining its historic core and has spawned a vast collection of craft breweries and local eateries.
You'll find authentic Asian restaurants, shops, markets, and fusion specialists reinventing tacos and empanadas with Asian flavours
Culinary Surprises
Surely no guidebook better reflects the international obsession with food culture and gastronomy than the revered Michelin Guide. Awarding stars and rating fine dining since 1926, the Michelin star has become a beacon of exceptional culinary experiences, and now the Michelin inspectors have turned their attention to Orlando. For the first time this year, the Michelin team set out to discover and celebrate the culinary gems of Florida and published the results in the Michelin Florida Guide.
Four restaurants in the city now proudly display a Michelin star rating including a Spanish-style steakhouse and tapas bar called Capa; a contemporary and intimate Japanese 10-seat restaurant called Soseki, serving creative omakase (a style of fine dining where the diner is in the chef’s hands) featuring local produce; Kadence, a popular sushi and sake bar; and Knife & Spoon at The Ritz Carlton, led by celebrity chef John Tesar and his right-hand man, Gerald Sombright.
The Michelin milestone came as Orlando was also ranked among the best cities for foodies in a study by finance website Wallethub. The dining scene scored highly for diversity, accessibility and quality to take the No. 2 position for foodies, out of 182 US cities assessed. The same site also named Orlando one of the best cities for vegans and vegetarians.
The culinary scene in Orlando had already garnered much national praise with AAA Five Diamond listings and five-star recognition in the Forbes Travel Guide, as well as bringing home nominations and winners at the coveted James Beard Award, which recognises exceptional culinary talent. But it’s gourmet journey is now complete – the prestigious Michelin star places Orlando firmly on the international epicurean’s map. Celebrity chefs are already here with restaurants by Gordan Ramsay, Richard Blais, Masaharu Morimoto, Art Smith, José Andrés, Todd English and Donna Scala, but the choices are not just at the high-end.
Orlando’s neighbourhoods offer more than 40 international cuisines as well as Southern-inspired eateries reflecting local tastes and traditions. In recent years, informal food halls and trendy food trucks have helped evolve the food scene, and there now really is something to suit all tastes.
The range of dining locations is impressive too, from waterside balconies and rooftop settings where you can see the Magic Kingdom fireworks each night to those food halls, markets and food truck locations with a casual, off-beat vibe. You can even eat beside wildlife if that’s your thing – alongside sharks at SeaWorld or overlooking the zebras and giraffes at Sanaa in Disney’s Animal Kingdom Lodge.
Creative Talents
If you thought the only art in Orlando came out of the Disney animation studios, think again. Orlando is home to countless arts organisations, from galleries and museums to live theatre, music and dance to film. The best of Broadway always comes here; there are thought-provoking permanent collections and multiple art venues host travelling exhibitions of both traditional and contemporary arts. Orlando has its own philharmonic orchestra and ballet company plus repertory theatres, a thriving comedy club scene, choirs, and both classical and contemporary theatre companies. Among the top must-sees is The Charles Hosmer Morse Museum of American Art, which not only houses the world’s most comprehensive collection of Tiffany glass, but a large assortment of American pottery and extensive collections of late-19th-and early-20th-century American paintings, graphics and other decorative pieces.
In Orlando, you’ll find collections of American and African art, jewellery, blown glass and international, national and Floridian renowned artists. The largest art gallery is the Baterbys Art Gallery, with a diverse permanent collection plus special exhibitions featuring artists such as Picasso and Dalí.
Roam downtown and you can check out the public art trail of sculptures before perusing the calendar of performance art staged at the world-class Dr. Phillips Center for the Performing Arts. This is home to Broadway Productions and the Orlando Ballet. It has three theatre including the new, world-class Steinmetz Hall.
Downtown is also the place to be every evening at sunset when the Loews Portofino Bay Hotel at Universal Orlando hosts Musica della Notte. This free concert features traditional opera and ‘popera’, a mash-up of pop music performed in operatic style. Nearby, The Improv Comedy Theater & Restaurant has launched the careers of many TV and film stars over the past 40 years.
Time a visit carefully and there’s more. Spring brings the Orlando Fringe to the city – the longest running Fringe theatre festival in the US; while the Annual Winter Park Autumn Art Festival sees Central Park converted into a free art show. IMMERSE is an annual performing and interactive arts experience that fills 10 downtown blocks with epic live performances and immersive art installations.
More than 360 species of birds have been identified around Lake Apopka alone, including bald eagles, great blue herons, snowy egrets and anhingas.
The Great Outdoors
In the past few years of lockdowns and restricted lifestyles, many people have found solace in nature. As more and more of us prioritise time in the great outdoors you might be surprised to discover just how many natural attractions and outdoor adventure opportunities Orlando has to offer. Florida takes its name from the Spanish word for flowers, so abundant were they when the region was first discovered, and combined with its warm sunny climate, Orlando’s natural beauty makes it ripe for outdoor activities. While the city’s signature theme parks turn entertainment in the built environment into something of an art form, the natural backdrop beyond opens the way to eco-touring, bird-watching, trail hiking, fishing, kayaking and a whole lot more.
Orlando is big on parks and has many lakes, natural springs, nature preserves, butterfly gardens and acres of pristine wilderness. More than 360 species of birds have been identified around Lake Apopka alone, including bald eagles, great blue herons, snowy egrets and anhingas. In the Winter Garden area, the Tibet-Butler Preserve has 438 acres of wilderness including the Butler Chain of Lakes, connected by 23 canals and home to a thriving population of birds who love the surrounding wetlands.
There are numerous ways to explore it all too, from soaring through the air on a zip wire or skimming over the water on an airboat, to hiking or biking, hot air ballooning, tandem hang-gliding or treetop canopy trails. Airboat rides are a classic Florida experience, giving up-close views of the beautiful headwaters of the Everglades, alongside native wildlife like bald eagles and alligators. There are also pedal kayaks and stand-up paddleboarding opportunities cutting through crystal clear waters rich in marine life. Maybe you’ll spot otters or a manatee. Even within the theme parks, you can get up close and personal with nature. At Wild Florida, for example, there is a drive-through safari park set over 85 acres; or head off-road in 4WDs in Gatorland, for an adventure into steamy swampland on giant monster trucks. Wherever you choose to go, Orlando will surprise you. Cast off your pre-conceptions and discover its authentic, untamed side.
REady to explore the Other Orlando, FL for yourself?
Book your next Orlando adventure with Charitable Travel, and trust our team of travel experts to plan your perfect break. Plus, you can donate 5% of your holiday price to the charity of your choice every time you book with us!
This is a feature from Issue 12 of Charitable Traveller.
by net effect