Truth be told, I rarely visit the theme parks. I haven’t blogged about Disney once in the 16 months I’ve been blogging and only visited SeaWorld with my dad because his company hosted an employee event at the park.
That’s not to say I don’t like theme parks. Not true! I actually love them, but my wallet says otherwise. I seriously can’t wait to visit the Wizarding World of Harry Potter at Universal this year. I have pre-purchased tickets that are burning a hole in my pocket!
But this post is designed to tell you about the other side of Orlando. The non-theme park side.
First, Orlando is HUGE. It can take you 40 minutes to drive from one end of the city to the other. Disney World is actually located in Kissimmee, about 30 minutes from downtown Orlando (if there is no traffic, that is). If you come to Orlando, definitely take time to visit the theme parks, but if your travel plans allow for it, you may wish to take advantage of some of the other wonderful things Orlando has to offer:
Park Avenue in Winter Park: Park Avenue is an adorable brick-lined street located in Winter Park, an up-scale area of Orlando. Park Avenue is lined with delicious restaurants, coffee shops and boutiques, and opens up to a big grassy lawn where you may watch movies in the park. It’s dog friendly and is a great place to go for a hot date or brunch with family and friends.
- Winter Park Boat Tour and Dinner at Luma
- Dinner at 310 Park South
- Shopping at Williams-Sonoma + Registering at Williams-Sonoma
Shopping on Park Avenue
Baldwin Park: Baldwin Park looks like it should be the neighborhood where Stepford Wives was filmed. It’s an adorable cookie-cutter area of Orlando, with beautiful homes and Sadie’s all-time favorite dog park. Also, check out Farris and Foster’s, a neat chocolate shop where you can make your own chocolate!
Dog Park!
Downtown Orlando and Lake Eola: Lake Eola is the large lake located in downtown Orlando. Joggers, families and couples alike all enjoy circling the lake and taking in the skyline of downtown Orlando. The lake is located within walking distance of several delicious restaurants, including the upscale Spice Steakhouse, trendy Dexter’s and casual, family-friendly BBQ joint, Wildside.
Lake Eola at Night
Morning Walk Around the Lake
Weikwa Springs: Weikwa Springs is the location of a beautiful natural spring where people enjoy BBQs, picnics, kayaking and swimming in crystal-clear waters. Ryan and I absolutely love the hiking trails at Weikwa Springs State Park.
Hiking with Ryan, Sadie and My Sista!
Other fun activities in Orlando include:
- Lakeridge Winery
- High Tea at the Ritz Carlton
- Orlando Magic Game
- Concert/Show at Hard Rock Live, House of Blues, Amway Arena, etc.
- Beer Fest in May
- Holiday Fun: ICE! at the Gaylord Palms or Festival of Trees
(Special thanks to blog reader Emily W. for inspiring this post!)
Question of the Afternoon
What is the one thing you would tell someone they have to do if they visited your hometown?
![\"Quantcast\"/](\"//pixel.quantserve.com/pixel/p-1e3-7hOJ_U8Bg.gif\")
Wow, I never knew there were so many neat things in Orlando… and Lake Eola looks absolutely beautiful. It looks really big, too! How long does it take to walk around (can you even do that?!) Also, a place to make your own chocolate?!!? Talk about heaven!
All of the things you listed makes me want to take a trip to central FL! Maybe I’ll do the marathon next year and hang out for the weekend… do you find it gets crazy packed with tourists around all the race times? If so, goodluck with that this weekend!
Being from Tucson, Arizona, a must is a visit to Sabino Canyon! Beautiful, beautiful place where you are just immersed in nature. Last time I visited we took my little sisters and walked the trail to some little rivers they had there so we could swim. Too fun! Sometimes, you may even spot mountain lions, rattle snakes, road runners and any other desert animal. It’s just beautiful and fun!
For a night out, Congress is a must on Thursday nights and Monday nights for 80’s night! Soooo fun and $1 wells drinks! Can’t beat that.
For someone visiting Seattle, I would start the day at Beth’s Cafe in Greenlake, followed by a 2.8 mile walk around the lake. Then we could visit Phinney Ridge and stop by the Woodland Park Zoo. Then head over to Fremont for some shopping and lunch at Norm’s (pet friendly restaurant). Then head down to the Pike Place Market and the Waterfront downtown for shopping, people watching and a glass of wine. End the day with dinner and drinks in Post Alley.
I think I might plan that day for myself actually!
Orlando Hot Air balloon rides was really fun! They’re down on I-drive I believe. They even give you breakfast and champaige afterwards. 🙂
I live in Milwaukee, which is a ridiculously fun place to visit. For out-of-towners, I always recommend checking out The Safehouse, which is a spy-themed bar / restaurant. It’s decked out with secret passageways, spy memorabilia and you even need to know a password to get in! Fortunately for me, it’s right across the street from where I work, so I go there frequently.
Looks like a fun place!
I’m from Edmonton, Alberta. I noticed that another Edmontonian already posted about our huge mall (West Edmonton Mall) that is a definite tourist attraction. And as already mentioned, we are kind of known as the festival city because of all the different festivals that happen throughout the year. My favourite festivals are the Edmonton Folk Music Festival, the Fringe Festival (it’s a 10 day festival of plays and street performers…so much fun), Heritage Days (so much yummy food from around the world) and the Free Will Shakespeare Festival (each year two different plays are performed in an outdoor ampitheatre in Hawrelak Park).
I would also recommend visiting Whyte Ave. It is a great area with a ton of awesome stores (many are independent retailers rather than major corporations), restaurants and bars. It is also the area where the Fringe Festival takes place. We also have a newly renovated museum that is beautiful and in the heart of our downtown area.
Other recommendations for things to do in Edmonton include taking in a local roller derby game. I play for one of three leagues that exist here and it is seriously the most fun sport ever. Or check out someone great local music at the Starlite Room/Brixx Bar & Grill (downtown) or The Pawn Shop on Whyte Ave.
And the mountains are only a few hours away.
Wow, there sure is a lot to do there!! That’s one busy busy town. 😛
I guess if someone was visiting here, I’d tell them to go see all the rockets. We have the Nasa Space and Rocket Center here which is kind of cool. Other than that, there’s eating and 4 malls. lol OH but we do have a really nice park downtown!
I wishI had known about these place last year when we visited Orlando (to use our timeshare). We didn’t go to thar parks because they were WAY $$$$. We basically went to Downtown Disney, Cocoa Beach and shopped. I would’ve loved to visit Winter Park.
Have you visited Orlando Watersports Complex? If you live in Orlando and have never wakeboarded, you must try it! Talk about a full body workout. I guarantee a good time.
I live right on Lake Michigan, so I would tell them that they have to spend some time in the state park — soaking up the sun, hiking the wooden-plank trails, and walking out to the beautiful red lighthouse. The water may not be the warmest, but it definitely is beautiful!
I live in Utah and so I would recommend comming in winter and going Skiing! So fun! Also, Park City is a great little town for shopping, restaurants, etc. And in the summer the hiking is awesome and a bunch of lakes around the state for water skiing, camping etc.
For my honeymoon we went to Orlando and didn’t see any of the things you mentioned, I think I need to go back.
THey would have to go to Camden Markets, The London Eye, Oxford Street, Soho, ooh Kensington… East London… there is SO MUCH to see over here!- every little bit of London is so different from the other!
the problem with doing other stuff when we go to Orlando is that we’d have to rent a car and to me, it’s not a vacation if I have to drive 😀
One time we did stay off site and did other stuff besides DW, but we were bored outta our minds and hungry. Coulda used this post then!
My hometown, there’s nothing. In NJ, there’s the statue of liberty, which yes, is in NJ, the shore of course, boardwalks, atlantic city. Paramus has lots of malls. But you’re better off going into NYC, which I do like once a year for someone’s birthday.
Kind of off the subject but this post reminded me of an episode of “the office” where someone complains about phyllis’ perfume and she says in a huff “bob vance bought me this perfume in metropolitan orlando, it’s made from real pine!”
On subject in Austin you have to visit the capitol building, rudy’s bbq, Mt Bonnell, Mozarts, lady bird lake, the wildflower center (in the spring), the original flagship whole foods for the “whole foods” experience as I call it, any of the So’s – SoCo or SoLa or SoMa, and take a duck tour.
I LOVE this post! Orlando looks like such a wonderful place. I have only been to the typical theme park attractions, but I think that the next time I visit i’ll have to work in some of these ideas as well.
I am heading to Orlando with my husband in a month from Tuesday and this post came at the perfect time. We are planning what we will do in the area and besides Universal, don’t plan on hitting up Disney. Your tips helped us out tremendously! We’ll definitely go to Winter Park and maybe walk around Lake Eola.
I am from Milwaukee and I would say visitors have to go to the Milwaukee Art Museum to walk around the interior, even if they don’t go to the museum.
I live in New Orleans. If you come here, you HAVE to come prepared to do some major eating! Seriously, it’s like being on a cruise (so I hear, I’ve never been on one), you can’t stuff yourself at any sitting because you have to be prepared to eat again in the next couple of hours.
Beignets, snoballs, spicy boiled seafood, fattening creamy seafood pasta dishes, gumbo, jambalaya, pralines, and KING CAKE! Those are all musts.
There is lots of history to see here. I highly recommend riding the streetcar through Uptown New Orleans (the quaint, ritzy area), and walking around downtown – seeing the regular sites – the St. Louis Cathedral, the French Quarter, etc. If you can come two weeks before Mardi Gras or at the beginning of Saints season, that’s the most fun because all of the locals are out and excited.
Really interesting blog post. Your post is very interesting. I enjoyed this blog post. This article is wonderful! I have to say that after continually reading terrible as in, same old material, little quality content, etc. article posts on other sites, it’s good to actually read something that has some thought put into it. It’s a pleasure to read well written blog posts, especially after continually seeing rehashed crap that writers and bloggers are throwing out nowadays. It’s always nice when I come across content that actually has value, I’ve been seeing a ton of subpar writing attempts recently. Anyhow, thanks again and I’ll check back often to see what else you have to offer. I’ll check back in the future to see what else you have up your sleeve. Keep up the good work! BTW, I like your site design, but your header image was only loading half way for me. P.S. Your header is messed up a bit in IE. The problem could be on my end but I thought you might want to look into that.
enterprise discount codes uk 2012
Just want to say your article is as surprising.
The clarity on your publish is simply cool and that i can assume you’re a professional on this subject. Fine with your permission allow me to grab your RSS feed to stay up to date with coming near near post. Thanks one million and please keep up the enjoyable work.
Wow that was odd. I just wrote an incredibly long comment but after I clicked submit my comment didn’t show up. Grrrr… well I’m not writing all that over again.
Regardless, just wanted to say wonderful blog!
Thanks so much for writing about the “other side” of Orlando!! I’ve been a resident going on 5 years, and can not afford the theme parks. That’s okay because there truly is so much to do in actual Orlando and surrounding areas.
I’d recommend checking out the Winter Park Farmer’s Market (on Saturdays) and Lake Eola Farmers Market (on Sundays). Both are wonderful and have different vendors.
I would also add Blue Springs to the list of outdoor activities. One of my favorite FL springs!! 🙂
Good day! I simply would like to give an enormous thumbs up for the great information you have got right here on this post.
I will probably be coming again to your blog for more soon.
magnificent publish, very informative. I’m wondering why the opposite experts of this sector do not notice this. You should proceed your writing. I’m confident, you have a huge readers’ base already!
Furthermore, it is also recommended that you ask family and associates for a good plumbing service or company.
Each occupant can have his or her individual room
temperature. An energy efficient heating system should be part of every home.
If you are going for most excellent contents like I do,
only pay a quick visit this website everyday for the reason that it provides
feature contents, thanks
Hey. I noticed your site title, “Orlando: The Non-Theme Park Side | Peanut Butter Fingers” does
not really reflect the content of your internet site. When composing your website title, do
you think it’s most beneficial to write it for Website positioning or for your visitors? This is something I’ve been battling
with because I want good search rankings but at the same time I want the best quality for my visitors.
all the time i used to read smaller posts that as well clear their motive, and that is
also happening with this piece of writing which I am reading at this time.
I am in fact grateful to the holder of this web
page who has shared this enormous paragraph at here.
Greetings from Idaho! I’m bored at work so I decided to browse your blog on my iphone during lunch break. I really like the knowledge you present here and can’t wait to take a look when I get home.
I’m surprised at how fast your blog loaded on my phone .. I’m not even using WIFI, just
3G .. Anyhow, awesome site!
A popular, fairly effective cellulite treatment is to massage the affected areas with a paste of olive oil and coffee
grounds. Even if don’t go for rainbow colors, it’s worth applying a little
nail polish to strengthen nails and help them retain their natural moisture.
However, during the fall and winter months, you will usually
see deeper, more earthy tones, like: forest green, Bordeaux wine, and the ever classic: black.
Hi there! This is the fourth time visiting now and I personally
just wanted to say I truley relish looking through your
blog website. I decided to bookmark it at delicious.
com with the title: Orlando: The Non-Theme Park Side | Peanut Butter Fingers and your Website address: http://www.
pbfingers.com/2011/01/07/orlando-the-non-theme-park-side/.
I hope this is all right with you, I’m making an attempt to give your excellent blog a bit more exposure. Be back soon.
Hey! I’m at work surfing around your blog from my new iphone! Just wanted to say I love reading through your blog and look forward to all your posts! Carry on the superb work!
Unquestionably consider that which you stated. Your
favorite reason seemed to be on the net the simplest factor to take into account of.
I say to you, I definitely get annoyed even as folks think about
concerns that they plainly do not recognise about. You controlled to
hit the nail upon the highest and outlined out the entire thing without having side-effects , other folks can
take a signal. Will probably be back to get
more. Thank you
Hi there! I just wanted to ask if you ever have any issues with hackers?
My last blog (wordpress) was hacked and I ended up losing many months of hard work due to no data backup.
Do you have any methods to protect against hackers?
The other day, while I was at work, my sister stole
my iPad and tested to see if it can survive a 40 foot drop, just so
she can be a youtube sensation. My iPad is now broken and she has 83 views.
I know this is completely off topic but I had to share it with someone!