Orlando - Beyond the Parks

ragerunner5 · #1 Posted **Jun 27, 2018, 5:04 PM**

I know more and more people look to experience 'local' when they are on vacation. While Orlando's theme parks and water parks are the main reason 70 million people vacation in Orlando every year. There is a real city (2.5 Million in the Metro) with some great urban neighborhoods, local restaurant scene and great cultural places. Thought some people might be interested in the 'other side' of Orlando.

So I will kick off with downtown. Along with being the financial and office hub of the region downtown is home to 2 sports facilities, Amway Center (home of the NBA Magic), Orlando City Stadium (home of the Orlando City Pro Soccer Team), the new Dr. Phillips Performing Art Center, the History Museum, Creative Village, the new University of Central Florida downtown campus, Lake Eola (with its famous Swans), lots of local nightclubs and bars and 1,000s of people that call it home. The area is also surrounded by some great urban neighborhoods including, College Park, Thornton Park and Delaney Park (SODO) which I will try and highlight in this thread.

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Orlando · #2 Posted **Jun 28, 2018, 12:16 AM**

Would love to see the video, but it doesn't appear to be working.

Doady · #3 Posted **Jun 28, 2018, 3:32 AM**

Don't put full URL, just video ID.

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ragerunner5 · #4 Posted **Jun 28, 2018, 6:36 PM**

Sorry thanks for the help.

ragerunner5 · #5 Posted **Jun 28, 2018, 6:38 PM**

One really nice downtown area near the 192 corridor is downtown Kissimmee. Downtown Kissimmee is located south of Highway 192 on Lake Tohopekaliga. The downtown has come a long ways over the last few years and has a number of local restaurants and shops that are worth a visit. A few restaurants worth checking out is Big John's Rockin BBQ, Shipwrecked in the Islands and Hatfield's Bar and Grill. The downtown is also home to a new Sunrail transit station that begins operation on July 30 of this year. But the true star of downtown Kissimmee is Kissimmee Lakefront Park. This new urban park on Lake Tohopekaliga has a wonderful promenade, kids water playground and the Big Toho Marina.

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edale · #6 Posted **Jun 28, 2018, 6:45 PM**

I have yet to see a single great urban neighborhood of Orlando. Winter Park has the bones of a nice small town, and sure, there are some high-rises and a few blocks of traditional urban development in downtown Orlando, but the region is overwhelmingly suburban.

I mean, this is part of Winter Park- probably the area that gets the most hype for being a true urban neighborhood: https://www.google.com/maps/@28.6004...7i13312!8i6656

There are some beautiful and nice areas of Central Florida and Metro Orlando, but urban they are not.

mrnyc · #7 Posted **Jul 1, 2018, 4:34 PM**

^ ok i dk, downtown seems like mostly hotels, but is somewhat urbany, like say church st station. and college park has a bit of a hipstery urban suburban perhiperal strip vibe, i think its along edgewater. thats all i could say though lol. except the orlando traffic is most certainly epically an urban disaster.

bobdreamz · #8 Posted **Jul 2, 2018, 4:02 AM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by edale

I have yet to see a single great urban neighborhood of Orlando. Winter Park has the bones of a nice small town, and sure, there are some high-rises and a few blocks of traditional urban development in downtown Orlando, but the region is overwhelmingly suburban.

I mean, this is part of Winter Park- probably the area that gets the most hype for being a true urban neighborhood: https://www.google.com/maps/@28.6004...7i13312!8i6656

There are some beautiful and nice areas of Central Florida and Metro Orlando, but urban they are not.

You would really have to go to Park Avenue in Winter Park for that urban neighborhood vibe.
Aloma avenue still has a suburban feel to it.

ragerunner5 · #9 Posted **Jul 3, 2018, 4:05 PM**

Maybe the best downtown area in the Orlando metro is Winter Park. Winter Park is located just north of downtown Orlando. If you want a local experience that brings the charm of Florida to you Orlando vacation in a laid-back environment this is the place to visit. It is full of local shops and great restaurants, has a Sunrail Transit station and is home to the beautiful Rollins College. Some restaurants to check out include, Boca Kitchen Bar Market, ABO, Briarpatch, Prato, Rome's Flavours and Blu on the Avenue. It is also home to The Charles Hosmer Morse Museum of American Art. Honestly this is a great urban downtown to visit in Orlando.

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Prahaboheme · #10 Posted **Jul 8, 2018, 6:59 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by edale

I have yet to see a single great urban neighborhood of Orlando. Winter Park has the bones of a nice small town, and sure, there are some high-rises and a few blocks of traditional urban development in downtown Orlando, but the region is overwhelmingly suburban.

I mean, this is part of Winter Park- probably the area that gets the most hype for being a true urban neighborhood: https://www.google.com/maps/@28.6004...7i13312!8i6656

There are some beautiful and nice areas of Central Florida and Metro Orlando, but urban they are not.

It’s better not to spread misinformation if you don’t really know the area. There’s plenty to enjoy. Do some research before you go next time.

ragerunner5 · #11 Posted **Jul 12, 2018, 2:23 PM**

Another nice urban neighborhood in Orlando is Thornton Park. Thornton Park is located just east of Lake Eola and downtown Orlando. This areas has a great traditional housing stock and a great main street area. The area has some nice mural art and a strong following for its local restaurant scene. This includes places like, Graffiti Junktion, Anthony's, Benjamin French Bakery, Dexter's and much more. If you are looking for a laid back 'southern' neighborhood in Orlando this one does the trick.

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