Get our Weekly Top Picks of Things to Do Around the Orlando Area!
Nestled between SODO and Conway lies an area on the verge of becoming the city’s hippest new neighborhood to dine and drink. The stretch of Curry Ford Road from Bumby to Conway is now Orlando’s newest Main Street District, dubbed the Curry Ford West District. Though a number of the establishments in the district have…
We’re lucky to have such a vibrant and talented artist community in Orlando. There are wonderful annual arts events like the Winter Park Art Festival and IMMERSE from the Creative City Project. However, there are many affordable art events around Orlando that happen on a monthly basis. These local art events are the perfect date night…
Located just an hour and a half west of Orlando, Crystal River is best known for the hordes of manatees that flock to the spring-fed waters of Kings Bay each winter. Thanks to stable year-round temperatures between 72-75 degrees, springs serve as a natural refuge for manatees in search of warmer waters. And with more…
Portland, Oregon is rainy, cold, and about as far from Orlando you can get within the continental US. But I assure you, Orlando and Portland share many similarities. Perhaps you are most familiar with the Pacific Northwest city of Portland from the popular AMC show Portlandia. The satirical take on this PNW utopia pokes fun…
You’re likely familiar with Airbnb when it comes to finding an affordable place to stay for a vacation or unique accommodations for a staycation. But did you know the site also offers a host of experiences and tours? There are just over a dozen options in Orlando. A local host guides each experience, ranging from…
There is an awesome and vibrant artist community in Orlando. From beautiful murals to public art, you can see the work of talented local artists everywhere around the city. In fact, many restaurants and bars in Orlando give local artists the opportunity to display their creative works. If you and your date are art lovers,…
Budgeting for college expenses can be tough, especially when you’re also in a relationship and want to enjoy a night on the town together. But date night doesn’t have to be expensive in order to be memorable, and there are plenty of options for Rollins students that don’t require a ton of cash (and some…
Did you know that there is an amazing amount of daily meal deals in Orlando where you can enjoy a delicious dinner at a great price? I love to keep a list of these for those days where cooking just ain’t gonna happen and I want to try something fun. The following deals are primarily…
This week, the Walt Disney World Swan and Dolphin Resort announced the musical lineup and interactive seminar offerings for its ninth annual Swan and Dolphin Food & Wine Classic on October 26-28, 2018. Boasting unlimited tastings at more than 70 stations featuring culinary selections from the hotel’s award-winning restaurants and wine from more than 30…
Park Avenue may get all the attention when it comes to dining in Winter Park, but nearby Orlando Avenue is a tasty alternative with new restaurants opening frequently. One such newcomer is The Hangry Bison, a local hangout in Winter Park Village specializing in beer, bourbon and burgers. This open-air, walkable shopping and dining complex…
Visualize a place where bright blue skies and puffy clouds hang over brilliant turquoise water and pure white sand. When the sun dips slowly below the horizon, the beach’s color palette is unveiled through a remarkable display of greens, blues, purples, pinks and oranges. It’s a destination where traditional beach cottages coexist next to architectural…
SPONSORED – You know how awesome Winter Garden has gotten, right? Dotting Plant Street and the surrounding area encompassing Downtown Winter Garden, this burgeoning dining and shopping district isn’t matched anywhere in Central Florida. Much of the appeal grows from the fact that most of Downtown Winter Garden’s merchants are local, founded and run by…
Disney Springs may function primarily as a tourist destination, but if you know where to look it’s full of exciting and romantic options for date night. At this dining, shopping and entertainment hub, you can snuggle up in the back seat of a vintage amphicar for a sunset boat ride, sip wine in a Master…
For an escape from the norm, Tampa is an ideal destination. A 90-minute drive will transport you to a city where old and new intersect in the best of ways. An array of cultural attractions fill the city, which boasts multiple art and history museums, theaters and performance venues. Creative eateries and bars continue to…
Looking to plan the perfect date but need a little help? Each month, we’re featuring a fully-planned Orlando date night itinerary. Next up in out series is Guac & Graffiti, your plan for a budget-friendly date day spent mural spotting, craft beer sipping and taco noshing in the unique Mills 50 District. Follow our itinerary…
Concerts are a fun and entertaining opportunity to enjoy a night out with your date. However, it can be difficult to enjoy one another’s company (and conversation) when seeing your favorite artists perform at large, often crowded venues. Luckily for you and your special someone, there are plenty of small live music venues in Central…
We’re lucky to have so many amazing Main Street districts here in Orlando, each with their own distinct personality and set of delicious restaurants. And there’s no better time to get acquainted with the diverse cuisine available throughout than during the 2018 Main Streets Restaurant Week. Now in its fourth year, Main Streets Restaurant Week kicks…
Avid brunch-goers are no strangers to Park Avenue in Winter Park; it’s one of Orlando’s go-to spots for brunch or a Sunday funday. Nearly every restaurant along Park Avenue serves a weekend brunch, making the choice of where to dine simultaneously exciting and exhausting. An abundance of brunch choices also makes it all too easy…
Light Up Love at These Must-Visit Florida Lighthouses Florida has 29 lighthouses remaining today with even fewer still operational. You could make a vacation solely out of traveling to the lighthouses around the state! Lighthouses have been and continue to be a beacon of light warning sailors of the rocky shores. Because of these lighthouses,…
Sip on brews paired with BBQ-inspired dishes at Disney Springs on a new self-guided food crawl Disney Springs won us over earlier this summer with their limited-time Discover Bourbon trail, and now the fun is back with their newest self-guided food crawl featuring BBQ-inspired dishes paired with select beers (some of them local craft brews!)….
The Sunshine State is bursting with fun-in-the-sun getaway options for couples. Some of the most popular destinations are situated in South Florida – like Miami Beach and the Florida Keys. But 2.5 hours southeast of Orlando awaits 2,300 square miles of tropical paradise including 47 miles of unspoiled Atlantic Ocean beachfront. We’re talking about the…
Win one of 14 two-night staycations at some of Florida’s best resorts and boutique hotels. Beat the heat this summer with a staycation at one of the many resorts and hotels across Orlando, Tampa and beyond. Now offering spectacular summertime rates, these sprawling properties provide the perfect elements of a getaway for two. We’ve gathered…
Summer is officially here, and that means it’s the perfect time to gather your best friends and grab a glass of rosé – or frosé! This style of wine is as diverse as you and your group of girls. From delicately sweet to mouth-puckering sour, light and airy to full-bodied and fruity, there are plenty…
A wine lover’s guide to the best places to sip a glass of vino north of Orlando Orlando isn’t the only place seeing a revitalization in dining and drinking options. Downtown Sanford, Lake Mary and DeLand are quickly becoming entertainment destinations of their own. In addition to local breweries and watering holes, there are plenty of options…
Instagram is our favorite social media platform, so we’ve launched a series to showcase some of our favorite Orlando Instagrammers. Each month we’ll choose a different local digital storyteller to feature. We love following them and we hope you will too! This month, we’re featuring @livingbydisney. Run by local Disney lover Serena Skretvedt, the account…
Written by Stephanie Patterson and Arlene Laboy Casual coffee shops, fresh seafood joints, waterfront restaurants and spots to satisfy your sweet tooth are just a few gems located along the stretch of Orange Avenue spanning from Winter Park to Downtown Orlando. Explore our culinary map of Orange Avenue restaurants below and read on for all…
Note: This story originally appeared in the May/June 2018 issue of PLAYGROUND Magazine. Read the digital version here. Dreaming of jet setting this summer? The Downtown Sanford Small World Passport is your ticket to Germany, Belgium, The U.K., and beyond—no airfare required. Grab your passport and start globetrotting! Created by Mike Smith, a Sanford local…
Reunion Resort invites you to sample cuisine from two of their acclaimed restaurants with three-course prix fixe menus at Forte and Eleven for just $29 per person. Learn more about this special offer and view menu details below. This dining deal is now available on select nights through August 23, 2018. Reservations recommended: call 407-662-3463 or…
Tempting photos of decadent cakes and handcrafted doughnuts may lure you through The Glass Knife’s doors, but the restaurant’s more savory side is equally delicious, especially during brunch. Served on Saturdays and Sundays from 8am-4pm, brunch proves that the restaurant packs more than just a sugar-filled punch. I wouldn’t frown upon visiting for a meal…
Looking to celebrate Sunday Funday with your girlfriends? There is no shortage of options for a Park Avenue brunch and wine crawl in beautiful Winter Park! You’ll find hearty breakfast staples, mouthwatering meat and cheese boards, fresh seafood options, healthy and flavorful salads, shareable flatbreads and everything in between, all served up with your favorite…
Instagram is our favorite social media platform, so we’ve launched a series to showcase some of our favorite Orlando Instagrammers. Each month we’ll choose a different local digital storyteller to feature. We love following them and we hope you will too! This month, we’re featuring @DrinkSanford, an account feautring the boozy adventures of a fun-loving…