Living or traveling to the Sunshine State is a treat in itself; Orlando, Florida is even better. Orlando, also known as “The City Beautiful”, is located in Central Florida and is a major travel destination due to its many theme parks, endless dining and shopping options, and friendly inhabitants. The beautiful weather is an added bonus. While we have only highlighted a few of Orlando’s main attractions, there are many more worth checking out.  Read on to hear about some of our favorites!

What to Do In Orlando, FL

Walt Disney World

Walt Disney World, home to four theme parks and two water parks, is one of Orlando’s most popular attractions. With several places to stay, a wide variety of dining options, and a wide variety of activities within the park, Walt Disney World truly has it all. Explore Epcot to experiment with food from all over the world, wander through Animal Kingdom to learn about all sorts of exotic creatures, or unwind at one of the many spas. Whichever you decide, you will not be disappointed.

International Drive

Hop on an I Ride Trolley and explore Orlando’s International Drive. International Drive is Orlando’s main shopping, dining, and entertainment hot spot. Strolling up and down the Drive, or riding the Trolley are both great ways to take in all the area has to offer. Multiple malls and outlet centers will satisfy the shoppers in the group, while the

Ripley’s Believe It Or Not Museum and the Chocolate Kingdom satisfy the more adventurous. Regardless of your interests, International Drive has something for everyone.

Escapology Orlando

Escapology, located on International Drive, is a live escape game created for families and groups to enjoy. Teams can consist of up to six individuals who must crack clues and solve puzzles in order to escape the game room, all within 60 minutes. There are seven different game options to choose from, and visitors can pick their game in advance. Escapology states that no special skills are needed for these games, they are fun and exhilarating for anyone who chooses to try!

Where to Eat In Orlando, FL

Best Breakfast In Orlando

Breakfast, brunch, coffee, and pastries – Se7en Bites Bake Shop in The Milk District of Orlando is a modern bakery serving your favorite Southern breakfast classics. With fresh and local ingredients, every option on the menu is a good one, and this bake shop has acquired its fair share of loyal customers because of this. Se7en frequently has breakfast specials along with their standard menu with items ranging from cinnamon apple and sausage waffles and s’mores waffles to bacon biscuits and eggs benedict. Insider’s tip: the restaurant gets extremely crowded, but few can deny that it is well worth the wait!

Best Lunch In Orlando

Food Trucks are all the rage lately, and La Fiebre Del Sabor Criollo is one located in Orlando that will not disappoint. With authentic Creole food and fast and friendly service, this place is hard to beat for a quick and delicious lunch while exploring Orlando. Mofongo, an authentic Puerto Rican dish, is one of their most popular options. They are closed Monday through Wednesday, and have varying hours Thursday through Sunday, so be sure to check their website in advance.

Best Dinner In Orlando

For those looking for a fine-dining experience in Orlando, Norman’s, located at The Ritz-Carlton Grand Lakes is the place to go. This award winning restaurant run by Chef Van Aken is inspired by a mix of Floridian, Latin, Caribbean, and Asian cuisine. The views surrounding the restaurant make this experience even better. Great for meetings, private parties, or a luxurious dinner date, Norman’s is an incredible option in the Orlando area. They do recommend that you make a reservation, so be sure to call ahead of time to ensure your spot.

Best Happy Hour In Orlando

The Pub is a British inspired bar with an incredible variety of draft beers and delicious bar food making it a perfect Happy Hour location. From 3pm-7pm Monday through Friday, The Pub offers $3 drafts, $3.95 appetizers, as well as varying drink specials. With a lively staff and loyal customers, the vibes of the pub are fun and relaxed. They have all you need for an enjoyable Happy Hour to get you through your work week!

Where to Live: Best Apartments In Orlando

Downtown

This brand new apartment minutes from Downtown Orlando is bringing a whole new meaning to luxury living in the sunshine state.  From Aria at Millenia‘s sprawling pool area complete with private cabanas, to the dog grooming spa, to the state-of-the-art fitness center, you’ll find few reasons to leave home.  The apartments themselves feature handsome dark wood finishes, wood-style flooring and large private balconies.

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Lake Bryan Shores

Sabal Palm at Lake Buena Vista is a gorgeous neighborhood in the Lake Bryan Shores area. Sabal Palm is in very close proximity to Walt Disney World, the Orlando Outlets, and The Mall at Millenia, but with all this complex has to offer, you hardly need to leave! Two pools with sundecks and a grilling area, a clubhouse and internet café, and a brand new 24-hour fitness facility are just a few of the amenities Sabal Palm has to offer. One, two, and three bedroom floor plans are available, and these units are newly renovated with large rooms, high-end appliances, and great views of the surrounding area. Whether you stay and enjoy the community or venture out into Orlando, this is a very beautiful and safe neighborhood to live in.

Pine Hills

Pine Hills, located in west Orlando, was one of Orlando’s first suburbs. The area has been through many changes, and it is a very unique and diverse neighborhood. The Rolling Hills Apartments are located in Pine Hills. This community offers two and three bedroom floorplans, all of which are pet-friendly. The neighborhood itself offers a playground and pool, and is within walking distance to public transportation options. Rolling Hills is near all major highways in the Orlando area making it an easy neighborhood to commute from. This community is great for small families that are hoping to reside and work in the Orlando area.

Oak Ridge

Oak Ridge, another neighborhood in the Orlando area, is just south of downtown. With easy access to Orlando’s amusement parks and shopping and dining hot spots, Oak Ridge is a very desirable location. The Lake Ellenor Apartments, located in Oak Ridge, are luxurious apartments equipped with incredible amenities and views of Lake Ellenor. The community has two pools, a “bark park”, a 24-hour fitness center, and several other benefits. Studio, one, two, and three bedroom upgraded floor plans are available, all of which have 20 ft. ceilings with skylights, patios, and high-end appliances. Lake Ellenor Apartments are a great option for those who want to relax in a peaceful neighborhood, while still having access to the hustle and bustle that Orlando has to offer.

All in all, Orlando is a wonderful place to live and visit. There are dining, living, and recreational options for everyone to enjoy. While we touched on some of our favorites, Orlando has so much more to offer. Discovery Cove and Universal Studios are two other major theme parks in Orlando worth visiting, and there are several others to choose from as well. The Mall at Millenia and the Orlando International Premium Outlets are some other options for the shopping lovers. With countless restaurants and bars, plenty of places for families to enjoy, and all sorts of neighborhoods to live in, no wonder Orlando is referred to as The City Beautiful.