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.
