A cultural guide to Orlando
Famed as the world’s theme park capital, Orlando’s on-the-rise neighborhoods, picturesque lakes, and first-class food scene offer a different kind of thrill
Your essential guide to the best things to see and do in Orlando, Florida. Find more travel inspiration for more amazing cities here.
An Orlando vacation is almost a rite of passage for American families. The Central Florida city pulls in nearly 75 million visitors each year, most of whom make a beeline for its dozen-plus theme parks. But O-town’s appeal dates back to long before a swath of swampland was transformed into the U.S.’s most beloved playground for families.
Originally inhabited by the Timucua people, the city’s population boomed in the 1920s, spurred by a then-lucrative citrus industry; developed further in the 1950s, with the arrival of the aerospace industry (including the Kennedy Space Center, less than an hour away); and finally, became a major tourism hub from the 1970s onward, thanks to a certain cartoon mouse. And while their epic fantasy and heartpounding thrills make the many theme parks well worth visiting, especially for families with young kids, there’s much more history and culture to explore in real-life “The City Beautiful.”
Art & architecture
Today, Orlando is less of a small world than it was in its citrus-scented early years. In the Mills 50 District (aka Little Vietnam), what started as an enclave of Vietnam War refugees in the 1970s has grown into a hub for restaurants, nightlife and culture. In addition, Orlando’s Latino community takes center stage during annual events like July’s Orlando Salsa Congress and October’s Fiesta Calle Orange.
For a deeper dive, visit the Orlando Museum of Art, which houses one of the region’s largest collections of Hispanic and Latino artifacts in its Art of the Ancient Americas collection. You can also explore Andalusian architecture during a tour of Casa Feliz.
Expert tips
The essentials
Fly into Orlando International Airport (MCO). The easiest way to get from the airport to Downtown Orlando is by taxi or rideshare. Head to level two outside Terminals A or B. The Link 11 bus connects the airport to Downtown in 40 minutes, from Terminal A, level one. Orlando Amtrak Station connects southern Florida cities to stations across the country.
Getting around
Single fares on a LYNX bus cost just a few dollars, while a day ticket is more cost-effective if you are doing more than two journeys. Download the LYNX PawPass app to buy passes and check schedules. The SunRail operates on one line between northern to southern Orlando. Purchase a SunCard at any station. Walking is a great way of exploring Downtown. The City Walk is a pedestrian-friendly zone filled with shops and restaurants, as is Orange Avenue.
Accessibility
Many museums in Orlando are ADA accessible, including the Orlando Museum of Art and the Orlando Science Center. All LYNX bus services are accessible. If you are going out of bus range, call ahead for taxi or rideshare options.
LGBTQ+
Orlando’s annual Come Out With Pride event takes place in Lake Eola Park in mid-October. One Magical Weekend is an LGBTQ+ celebration at Walt Disney World Resort in early June.
Food & drink
A thriving bar and restaurant scene has taken hold across Downtown, centering on the artsy Milk District and Church Street, where basketball giants Orlando Magic play at the nearby Amway Center. Try Pig Floyd’s Urban BBQ for globally-influenced ’cue, or rum bar Otto’s High Dive for elevated Cuban bites and a next-level cocktail menu (think a liquid guava pastelito, complete with mascarpone).
Nearby, the very hip and walkable neighborhood of Ivanhoe Village boasts a lively Main Street lined with enticing food, drink, and nightlife options, including White Wolf Cafe for brunch, Santiago’s Bodega for Spanish tapas and, new to the scene, The Pinery, an upscale, seafood-forward New American spot overlooking a lake on a former pineapple grove.
Elsewhere around town, indulge in an impeccably prepared dinner at the James Beard-nominated Kabooki Sushi, or keep things casual at Chicken Fire, specializing in Nashville-style sandwiches. If you’re traveling with children, head to Grills Lakeside—the on-site playground lets you enjoy your poke bowl in peace.
Meanwhile, food halls such as East End Market offer something for every taste—including vegan comfort food at Winter Park Biscuit Company and Wafu’s soft-serve ice cream served in Japanese-style waffle cones. Another fun stop is Henry’s Depot in nearby Sanford, a combo food hall/cocktail bar with nearly a dozen eateries.
A cultural guide to Tampa
And then there’s the theme parks. Even if roller coasters aren’t your thing, the biggest names in the game feature adjacent dining, shopping and entertainment complexes with free entry. Disney Springs is home of celebrity-owned restaurants like Chef Art Smith’s Homecomin’ and Jaleo by José Andrés. Likewise, at Universal CityWalk Orlando, you can indulge at The Cowfish Sushi Burger Bar or enjoy the Jamaican-inspired menu and live reggae at Bob Marley-A Tribute to Freedom. And don’t forget the Epcot International Food & Wine Festival, held mid-July through November, showcasing culinary delights from around the world.
Music
The Amway Center, Dr. Phillips Center for the Performing Arts, and House of Blues regularly welcome A-list acts; while indie bands dominate the roster at The Social. For something more low-key, jazz aficionados will appreciate Jazz Tastings, a restaurant and concert venue in nearby Maitland. The Timucua Arts Foundation hosts concerts with a living-room vibe, ranging from Latin to funk to folk. And every April, Orlando hosts the Florida Puerto Rican Parade, which brings music and cultural experiences to celebrate Central Florida’s booming Boricua population.
Situated just north of Orlando, the leafy town of Winter Park is the darling of Central Florida. Bring your four-legged friend to dog-friendly Lake Baldwin Park, take the Scenic Boat Tour and visit the Charles Hosmer Morse Museum of American Art, with its unrivaled collection of Tiffany glassworks.
Stay at the Alfond Inn at Rollins College, a boutique hotel that fits seamlessly into the campus’s Spanish-Mediterranean revival-style architecture.
The SoDo (short for “South of Downtown”) District is also on the rise, with parks, shopping, restaurants, and the chic Delaney Hotel. Treat yourself to a red velvet cupcake at the James Beard-nominated Sister Honey’s Bakery. While you’re in the area, stop by the Pulse Nightclub memorial to pay your respects to the victims of the 2016 tragedy.
Named for the 1925 dairy that still anchors the neighborhood, this hip cultural enclave located five minutes from Downtown charms with its indie restaurants, bars, and boutiques. Seek out unique finds at Etoile, featuring vintage and handmade clothing and decor; pick up some vinyl at Retro Records; or catch a gig at The Plaza Live.
The district is also home to regular events like the Tasty Takeover food truck block party on Tuesdays; and the quarterly Milk Mart, featuring local artists and vendors, plus more food trucks.
Dalia Colón is a Tampa-based multimedia journalist specializing in travel, arts and food. Her work has appeared on NPR, PBS, and The New York Times Magazine. She’s also the author of the forthcoming Florida Vegetarian Cookbook.
Hotel deals in Orlando
