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What is there to do in Orlando?

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What is there to do in Orlando? 

Post#1 » by Hawk Eye » Tue Mar 8, 2016 11:03 pm

Me and some buddies of mine are planning on making a trip to Orlando for spring break. It's the first week of April and yes catching some magic games will be a must. We plan on going to any 2 of these three games...

April 3rd: Memphis @ Orlando
April 6th: Detroit @ Orlando
April 8th: Miami @ Orlando

Any who, I was hoping I could get some feedback on some places that are an absolute must to visit during my time in Orlando? Restaurants? Bars? Outdoor activities? Clubs? Parks? Shops? Literally any suggestions will help. Thanks!

EDIT: Please dont mention Disney World. Me and my friends have better things to do than hold hands and ride rides with Mickey mouse.
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What is there to do in Orlando? 

Post#2 » by benzomagic » Tue Mar 8, 2016 11:12 pm

Mangos tropical bar/cafe they have live performances shows food drinks etc .The Orlando eye, aquarium and celebrity clay museum ( amazing ) all in one place ) Cuba libre , blue martini ( night clubs ) wonder works ( crazy stuff look it up too much to explain ) world Guinness record museum. Aquatica water theme park is always fun and refreshing , downtown Orlando gets pretty live lots of good clubs down there. Hope it was helpful have fun !

Edit : also just tried out this new restaurant called cafe minerio it's a Brazilian steak house unlimited meat literally & buffet all at a great price if you go make sure you have allot of space for quality food another one of my favorites is millers ale house recommend a zinger mountain melt can't leave Orlando with out trying one, cheddars is also good
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Re: What is there to do in Orlando? 

Post#3 » by OrlandoDream » Wed Mar 9, 2016 12:34 am

PMOTT3 wrote:Me and some buddies of mine are planning on making a trip to Orlando for spring break. It's the first week of April and yes catching some magic games will be a must. We plan on going to any 2 of these three games...

April 3rd: Memphis @ Orlando
April 6th: Detroit @ Orlando
April 8th: Miami @ Orlando

Any who, I was hoping I could get some feedback on some places that are an absolute must to visit during my time in Orlando? Restaurants? Bars? Outdoor activities? Clubs? Parks? Shops? Literally any suggestions will help. Thanks!

EDIT: Please dont mention Disney World. Me and my friends have better things to do than hold hands and ride rides with Mickey mouse.


1). Go to Detroit and Miami. Best shot at getting your money's worth. Get to see SVG be SVG and witness Dwade get another career high.

2). Assuming you and your buddies are 21+, I say the main and once you live here long enough only place to go is Downtown Orlando. After the Magic game, go to the 180 Grey Goose lounge which is in the rooftop of the Amway Arena. A good place to pregame and start your night. After that, head out to the bars on Downtown Orlando and just pick your spots. I don't really go downtown very often but a couple of my personal picks are prob Ember, Finnhenrys, The Lodge, and Wallstreet on most nights. Haven't been there in a while so not sure what other changes they have made. I'm not really into the club scene anymore, so if we go its going to be to some low-key bar/place to just chill and talk. This is your basis for nightlife in Orlando. The place mostly tailored for young people.

3). Food - hit up International Drive. They have some of the best restaurants($$$) around that will leave you salivating for hours. Some of my picks are Texas de Brazil, Taverna Opa, Bahama Breeze, and other bars like Howel at the Moon and Cuba Libre. ALso, check out Dave and Busters which is like a Chucky Cheese for adults where you get to play video games...while drinking.
Here is their site; http://www.internationaldriveorlando.com/
I drive is where you will find a lot of the parks and shopping centers as well so its a good day to spend your day.

That's most of what I can think of off the top of my head. I'll post more stuff as it comes back to me.
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Re: What is there to do in Orlando? 

Post#4 » by Audi » Wed Mar 9, 2016 2:11 am

PMOTT3 wrote:Me and some buddies of mine are planning on making a trip to Orlando for spring break. It's the first week of April and yes catching some magic games will be a must. We plan on going to any 2 of these three games...

April 3rd: Memphis @ Orlando
April 6th: Detroit @ Orlando
April 8th: Miami @ Orlando

Any who, I was hoping I could get some feedback on some places that are an absolute must to visit during my time in Orlando? Restaurants? Bars? Outdoor activities? Clubs? Parks? Shops? Literally any suggestions will help. Thanks!

EDIT: Please dont mention Disney World. Me and my friends have better things to do than hold hands and ride rides with Mickey mouse.


HOW DARE YOU SPEAK ILL OF THE MOUSE, SIR.

Seriously though - the world showcase at Epcot is the best bar in Orlando.
Abra Cadabra, Razzmatazz, Slam-Dunk Sesame, Hocus Pocus, Alacazam, Gonna set the spirit free
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Re: What is there to do in Orlando? 

Post#5 » by OrlDave » Wed Mar 9, 2016 2:30 am

PMOTT3 wrote:Me and some buddies of mine are planning on making a trip to Orlando for spring break. It's the first week of April and yes catching some magic games will be a must. We plan on going to any 2 of these three games...

April 3rd: Memphis @ Orlando
April 6th: Detroit @ Orlando
April 8th: Miami @ Orlando

Any who, I was hoping I could get some feedback on some places that are an absolute must to visit during my time in Orlando? Restaurants? Bars? Outdoor activities? Clubs? Parks? Shops? Literally any suggestions will help. Thanks!

EDIT: Please dont mention Disney World. Me and my friends have better things to do than hold hands and ride rides with Mickey mouse.


I kind of feel like you don't understand what Disney is... but if Disney turns your stomach, Universal Studios has roller coasters and whatnot. There are tons of water parks as well. Both Disney and Universal also have downtown areas with Bars and Clubs. Downtown itself has some bars, you can hit them after the Magic games.

You can go to an Orlando City Soccer game. Ton of fun. They have a game on April 3rd.

A Solar Bear Hockey game, also fun, and reasonable ticket prices and their season runs just to the time you are here.
http://www.orlandosolarbearshockey.com/schedule.php

The other people had some other good suggestions.
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Re: What is there to do in Orlando? 

Post#6 » by Hawk Eye » Wed Mar 9, 2016 2:56 am

Perhaps i didn't word the Disney part in the best way. I've been to the magic kingdom, Disney World, Epcot, and Universal Studios (all when I was a kid). It's not that I don't enjoy roller coasters and thriling rides--it's more of the fact that me and my buddies will be looking to experience more of the downtown atmosphere instead. Bars, restaurants, clubs, that sort of stuff. However, if there are some bars worth checking out at universal then I will definitely consider it. On a side note, what is the closest beach to Orlando?
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Re: What is there to do in Orlando? 

Post#7 » by Hawk Eye » Wed Mar 9, 2016 3:15 am

OrlandoDream wrote:1). Go to Detroit and Miami. Best shot at getting your money's worth. Get to see SVG be SVG and witness Dwade get another career high.


Honestly I would be completely satisfied just seeing a big game from Aaron Gordon. I remember zoning out in class during high school watching hoopmixtapes of him on YouTube thinking "man, this kid is going to be special". Hopefully Skiles smartens up by then and starts actually running plays through him. I think he's going to be a star in 3-4 years.
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Re: What is there to do in Orlando? 

Post#8 » by OrlDave » Wed Mar 9, 2016 3:30 am

PMOTT3 wrote:Perhaps i didn't word the Disney part in the best way. I've been to the magic kingdom, Disney World, Epcot, and Universal Studios (all when I was a kid). It's not that I don't enjoy roller coasters and thriling rides--it's more of the fact that me and my buddies will be looking to experience more of the downtown atmosphere instead. Bars, restaurants, clubs, that sort of stuff. However, if there are some bars worth checking out at universal then I will definitely consider it. On a side note, what is the closest beach to Orlando?


Closest beach is going to be east coast, Cocoa Beach. Takes right at an hour... less if you speed :p
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Re: What is there to do in Orlando? 

Post#9 » by Blue_and_Whte » Wed Mar 9, 2016 3:52 am

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Re: RE: Re: What is there to do in Orlando? 

Post#10 » by Blue_and_Whte » Wed Mar 9, 2016 3:53 am

OrlDave wrote:
PMOTT3 wrote:Perhaps i didn't word the Disney part in the best way. I've been to the magic kingdom, Disney World, Epcot, and Universal Studios (all when I was a kid). It's not that I don't enjoy roller coasters and thriling rides--it's more of the fact that me and my buddies will be looking to experience more of the downtown atmosphere instead. Bars, restaurants, clubs, that sort of stuff. However, if there are some bars worth checking out at universal then I will definitely consider it. On a side note, what is the closest beach to Orlando?


Closest beach is going to be east coast, Cocoa Beach. Takes right at an hour... less if you speed :p

West coast is better though
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Re: RE: Re: What is there to do in Orlando? 

Post#11 » by OrlDave » Wed Mar 9, 2016 3:58 am

Blue_and_Whte wrote:
OrlDave wrote:
PMOTT3 wrote:Perhaps i didn't word the Disney part in the best way. I've been to the magic kingdom, Disney World, Epcot, and Universal Studios (all when I was a kid). It's not that I don't enjoy roller coasters and thriling rides--it's more of the fact that me and my buddies will be looking to experience more of the downtown atmosphere instead. Bars, restaurants, clubs, that sort of stuff. However, if there are some bars worth checking out at universal then I will definitely consider it. On a side note, what is the closest beach to Orlando?


Closest beach is going to be east coast, Cocoa Beach. Takes right at an hour... less if you speed :p

West coast is better though


Depends on what you want. East coast has surf, so surfing and body surfing is a thing. West coast without the waves has clearer water and beaches, so it's much prettier. Takes a bit longer though, like 2 hours.
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Re: What is there to do in Orlando? 

Post#12 » by benzomagic » Wed Mar 9, 2016 9:10 am

M


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Re: What is there to do in Orlando? 

Post#13 » by Flannerz » Wed Mar 9, 2016 1:25 pm

I went to Orlando about 5/6 years ago for two weeks. I did the Kennedy Space Centre, Daytona Beach, 5/6 theme parks (didn't go Gator World), played a few rounds of golf and saw the Magic win. I need to go back!
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Re: What is there to do in Orlando? 

Post#14 » by BadMofoPimp » Wed Mar 9, 2016 1:34 pm

I would get some escorts, go rent a boat then go out pimping on the water in the afternoon. Or, even go on a charter and do some ocean fishing. All around Orlando, there are places to drink beer and visit strip clubs. Other than that, you got them amusement parks. Universal is probably the most fun.
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Re: What is there to do in Orlando? 

Post#15 » by TreasureCoast » Wed Mar 9, 2016 2:19 pm

Go on the Orlando eye and take in that beautiful view of some trees.
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Re: What is there to do in Orlando? 

Post#16 » by Hawk Eye » Wed Mar 9, 2016 5:34 pm

Thanks for all the feedback so far!
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Re: What is there to do in Orlando? 

Post#17 » by UCFJayBird » Wed Mar 9, 2016 6:48 pm

PMOTT3 wrote:Me and some buddies of mine are planning on making a trip to Orlando for spring break. It's the first week of April and yes catching some magic games will be a must. We plan on going to any 2 of these three games...

April 3rd: Memphis @ Orlando
April 6th: Detroit @ Orlando
April 8th: Miami @ Orlando

Any who, I was hoping I could get some feedback on some places that are an absolute must to visit during my time in Orlando? Restaurants? Bars? Outdoor activities? Clubs? Parks? Shops? Literally any suggestions will help. Thanks!

EDIT: Please dont mention Disney World. Me and my friends have better things to do than hold hands and ride rides with Mickey mouse.


What area will you be staying in? Assuming you'll have a rental car since you're referencing going to the beach. Breaking it down by area.

Downtown

Nightlife - Tons of bars and clubs, whatever suits your fancy you'll be able to find. Wall St is a good area to start. Personal favorites are The Lodge and Basement, both bars. Basement has a club above it called Attic (owned by the same people) and also a smaller bar that connects to Attic called Treehouse (very small but some good drinks). Just east of downtown is also an area known as Thorton Park. Someone else already mentioned the bar in the Arena.

Not much else to do downtown to be honest. There are a few restaurants but nothing to write home about.

If you decide to check out an Orlando City game on the 3rd, it's on Sunday and at night so there will probably be a pretty good tailgate taking place during the day.

International Drive

Super touristy area. A lot of traffic, make reservations if you plan on going to dinner around here.

Nightlife - Howl at the Moon is a dueling piano bar. Cooper's Hawk is nice if you're into wine (more of a restaurant than a bar though). Yard House is a pretty nice bar (have "Yardstick" beers), next door is Tin Roof where they have live music each night. Really fun place. It's also next to "The Eye". Personally I'd wager it's not worth it. It's like $20 to ride a giant ferris wheel. Might be worth it if you grab a groupon or something. There are honestly a ton of other bars and clubs to visit in that area.

Food - Avoid the chain restaurants like Bahama Breeze, TGI Fridays, Ale House, etc. A few places i'd recommend though: Cafe TuTu Tango, Hash House A Go Go (especially for breakfast), Texas de Brazil if you've never been (though technically I did say to stay away from chains, haha).

Millenia/Restaurant Row/Dr Phillips
Between I-Drive and Downtown.

Blue Martini is a little bit more of a "mature" crowd, there's also a place called Rocco's Tacos that's pretty great. Especially if you're into tacos and tequila. Plenty of restaurants on the row to check out.

Things to do: Millenia Mall? Not much really. This area is mostly eating, drinking, and shopping.

Mills 50/Winter Park/College Park
Just north of downtown. Some really great food and some decent local bars.

Food - Pig Floyd's, Hawkers, 4 Rivers, The Coop, The Porch, Cask & Larder, The Ravenous Pig, Briarpatch (breakfast), Tako Cheena, RusTeak, Oblivion Taproom (a bit farther down 50/Colonial, but if you want good burgers/wings/beers this is the place to go for dinner), Santiago's Bodega is great for a Sunday brunch but if it's just guys than perhaps not.

Drinks - Hammered Lamb, The Porch, Wine Room, Fiddler's Green (great Irish pub), Brass Tap, Better Than Sex (haven't been but heard the desserts here are fantastic, plus wine I believe), Thirsty Topher, Imperial Wine & Bar is kind of cool, your tables are furniture that they actually sell during the day, Matador



Honestly if you're looking for "things to do" that don't involve drinking and food you're going to wind up at one of the theme parks, lol. Downtown Disney and Citywalk (Universal) all have some decent restaurants and bar scenes as well.
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Re: What is there to do in Orlando? 

Post#18 » by UCFJayBird » Wed Mar 9, 2016 6:56 pm

Oh, and forgot to say that in regards to which beach to go to, like others have said the west coast is prettier but the east coast has more of a surfing/party atmosphere. Personally I prefer New Symrna over Cocoa, it's about the same travel time (maybe 10 minutes longer) but I find it better overall.
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Re: What is there to do in Orlando? 

Post#19 » by Nemesis21 » Wed Mar 9, 2016 8:52 pm

BadMofoPimp wrote:I would get some escorts, go rent a boat then go out pimping on the water in the afternoon. Or, even go on a charter and do some ocean fishing. All around Orlando, there are places to drink beer and visit strip clubs. Other than that, you got them amusement parks. Universal is probably the most fun.



:rofl:
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Re: What is there to do in Orlando? 

Post#20 » by seeingstars » Wed Mar 9, 2016 9:11 pm

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