Orlando and Beyond

Article Transcript

hen given the opportunity to write this column about what to do here in Orlando while you’re in town for our upcoming ISCA convention, I jumped at the chance. I LOVE my city, and love talking about all of the wonderful things to do here. Sure, we come to conventions to draw, to learn and to hang out with friends. But sometimes it’s fun to venture away from the convention and see what there is to do outside the hotel!

First off, let’s just get this out of the way— yes, the best theme parks in the world are here. You’ve probably heard of them. Our convention hotel is close to all of them. Universal Studios is probably 10 minutes away, SeaWorld is probably 15 minutes away, and Disney (where my caricature concessions are) is about 20 minutes away. The convention also happens to take place this year during Epcot’s famous Food and Wine Festival. If you’ve never attended that, you should!

Outside of Orlando, Cape Canaveral is about half an hour away (they have an awesome tour), and Cocoa Beach, my favorite place to be, is just past that. There are airboat tours — where you can see live alligators in the wild — fishing excursions, and so many other things less than an hour away. Central Florida has so much to do and see!

Our convention hotel this year is actually on International Drive, in the heart of the tourist area, so there’s plenty to do that’s even closer than the theme parks. For attractions, there is the Ripley’s Believe It or Not! museum, helicopter tours, The Fun Spot (roller coasters and go kart tracks), the Slingshot ride (that hurls you high into the air — not for me, thanks), and the Orlando 360 Eye (a giant Ferris wheel, like the one in London) and its aquarium.

As for dining and the like, our hotel is in the perfect area. There’s a full Starbucks on-site, Cooper’s Hawk Winery and restaurant, and Red Robin Gourmet Burgers. For convenience, there’s also a great WaWa gas station right next door that serves sandwiches and is very popular. Plus, half a mile away, there’s the famous “Restaurant Row” with over 70 restaurants to choose from in less than half a mile.

I’ve only touched on a tiny part of what there is to do and see here. Come experience it for yourself this November in Orlando!

SURROUNDING AREAS

Disney Springs
Brand new expansion of what used to be Downtown Disney. Restaurants, shopping and entertainment.
www.disneysprings.com

Universal City Walk
Restaurants and themed bars.
www.universalorlando.com/web/en/us/ theme-parks/citywalk/index.html

Skeletons: Museum of Osteology
A man’s childhood fascination with animal skeletons evolved into the huge collection housed in this museum.
www.skeletonmuseum.com

Madame Tussauds
Come see the newest addition to this chain of wax museums, where you can get up close and personal with your favorite stars in wax form.
www.madametussauds.com

Orlando “EYE”
Giant Ferris wheel gives a bird’s-eye view of Orlando.
www.officialorlandoeye.com

Lake Eola Park
At this city park, you can feed the swans or rent paddle boats to check out the fountain in the center of the lake while enjoying the Orlando skyline. At night, the fountain has two choreographed light shows.
www.cityoforlando.net/parks/lake-como- park/two

2017 Epcot International Food & Wine Festival
Runs through November 13 Perfect for the foodie, festival will have cooking demos, concerts, a global market and, best of all...samples!! Festival is included with your Epcot admission.
www.disneyworld.com

ARTSY STUFF

Frank Lloyd Wright Architecture
www.visitcentralflorida.org/top-10/attractions/ frank-lloyd-wright-architecture

Polk Museum of ART
Museum featuring pre-Columbian through contemporary art. Always free.
www.polkmuseumofart.org

Grand Bohemian Gallery
Located across from City Hall, the Grand Bohemian Hotel has an excellent illustration and fine art display, including the works of the likes of Dean Cornwall and Larry Moore. Free.
www.grandbohemiangallery.com

WITHIN AN HOUR DRIVE

Cocoa Beach (1 hr away)
Surfing, bars, restaurants, fishing.
www.cityofcocoabeach.com

Port Canaveral - (1 hr away)
Jetty Park - State Park
$10 a car - Watch cruises go in and out or a SpaceX rocket launch (www.spacex. com), schedule permitting. Some beach access with restaurants nearby.
www.visitportcanaveral.com/beaches/

Kennedy Space Center - (1.25 hr away)
www.kennedyspacecenter.com

Rock Springs / Kelly Park
The escape-to-nature option: 40-minute drive from Orlando. Tubing in crystal clear spring water. One of the many springs in the Florida.
http://www.floridasprings.org/visit/

Gatorland
Founded in 1949, this theme park /wildlife preserve buys and rescues trapped alligators, preventing them from becoming purses or kebabs. Admission includes an aviary, petting zoo, shows and an alligator breeding marsh. For an additional fee, get a behind-the scenes tour of the Alligator Breeding Marsh during feeding time! Reservations to experience their zipline includes admission to the park.
www.gatorland.com

Thank you to Ryan Rhoads and Matt Zitman for contributing additional information.

Extra Info

The Orlando tri-county area consists of 2,538 square miles with more than 2 million residents. Orlando is situated approximately 150 miles from the Florida-Georgia border to the north, 50 miles from the Atlantic Coast to the east, 75 miles from the Gulf Coast to the west, and 370 miles from the Florida Keys at the southern tip of the state.

Orlando Climate Averages for November
Hi: 78.3°F Lo: 59°F
Rain.13” Humidity 76%

Source: Metro Orlando Economic Development Commission

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