ORLANDO, Fla.—I grew up in Orlando, and every time I tell someone I’m from there, they crack a joke about Mickey Mouse. Yes, I went to Walt Disney World all the time! But the sprawling city is so much more than the Mouse House and chain restaurants, even more so since I left 15 years ago. Dare I say it’s ... cool now? From world-class restaurants to family-friendly activities, here are seven hidden gems to explore.
Leu Gardens
If you have spent time in Orlando, this gem isn’t that hidden. But those coming to town for theme parks may not make time to venture east—and you should. One of Orlando’s most magical spots, Leu Gardens is tucked away in the city’s swanky Winter Park area, just minutes from the popular Park Avenue shopping and dining area. Open daily from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m., the nearly 50 acres of gardens and historical homes were given to the city in 1961 by Harry P. Leu and his wife, Mary Jane. You can spend plenty of time wandering among the shaded pathways and little streams, but there are a number of fun events here, too, from story time for kids to outdoor movies. Don’t miss the vast rose garden and the sweet little butterfly area. 1920 N. Forest Ave., Orlando. leugardens.org.
A Visit to Lake Nona
One of Orlando’s burgeoning residential neighborhoods also has plenty for visitors to discover. The community is made up of neighborhoods, hotels, a state-of-the-art fitness center, an outdoor entertainment complex and a central Town Center that ties it all together. This is a fun place to stay if you’re in town (more on that below), as it’s 20 to 30 minutes from both the theme parks and the hip neighborhoods like Baldwin Park and Winter Park, but also has its own vibe. There’s some solid food here, too: My go-to is Chroma Modern Bar in the Town Center, a decently priced lunch and dinner restaurant specializing in small plates that also has great cocktails and stellar service. You don’t have to be a guest of the Lake Nona Wave Hotel to eat at its Michelin-recommended Bacan restaurant, a solid choice for a more high-end meal. Wander through the Lake Nona Sculpture Garden on the hotel grounds, too. Nearby is Boxi Park, an outdoor entertainment center made up of shipping containers similar to Tampa’s Sparkman Wharf. And a short drive away is the Nona Adventure Park, a family-friendly water park with wakeboarding, a climbing tower and more.
Lunch at East End Market
This quaint food hall in the Audubon Park Garden District of Orlando has a neighborhood feel, serving since 2013 as an incubator for some of the city’s most exciting food. Vendors here change often, but have included the folks behind Kadence, a Michelin-starred omasake restaurant, and Gideon’s Bakehouse, a locally run bakery that now has a giant shop at Disney Springs. It’s a great spot for lunch or a midday snack. My favorite current place here is the upstairs cocktail bar (great happy hour!) that features a rotating food menu. 3201 Corrine Drive, Orlando. 321-236-3316. eastendmkt.com.
Cocktails and Fireworks at the Four Seasons
The first time I stopped by Capa at the Four Seasons Orlando, I was in town for an event and to work on a story about Disney’s swanky Golden Oak neighborhood. The place had plenty of foodie accolades, and I wanted to check it out, but I wasn’t in a position to indulge in a steak dinner that evening. So I dined at the bar, ordering some small plates (the Datiles, Pan Con Tomate and Croquetas) that were divine. Then the bartender offered a tip: If you take your cocktail out to the restaurant’s balcony around sunset (especially in the summer), you can sip while taking in a majestic view of Walt Disney World, and then catch the fireworks shows that typically start at 9 p.m. Note: You do need to valet park here, but bring your ticket to Capa and ask about having it validated so you don’t have to pay. 10100 Dream Tree Blvd., Lake Buena Vista. 407-313-7777.
Scenic Boat Tour of Winter Park
The swan boats in downtown Orlando’s Lake Eola are iconic, but we grew up taking visitors on the scenic boat tours of Winter Park. The posh Orlando enclave is by no means hidden, but the lovely little boat rides you can take around its waters have remained somewhat of a secret. Guests board an 18-passenger boat on Lake Osceola for an hourlong, guided cruise through three lakes and two human-made canals. It’s a lovely, tranquil ride full of flora and fauna and, the best part, scenic views of some of Orlando’s fanciest waterfront homes. 312 E. Morse Blvd., Winter Park. 407-644-4056.
Dinner Around Mills 50
One of the best areas for dining in Orlando is the couple of blocks around the intersection of North Mills Avenue and East Colonial Drive. The area, known as the Mills 50 neighborhood, is home to an eclectic mix of restaurants, from long-established multicultural spots to trendy new taco joints and bars. The city’s substantial Vietnamese population is reflected in the “Little Vietnam” that spans East Colonial Drive. Take your pick from several restaurants dishing up pho and other Vietnamese specialties, like Phó 88 for beef noodle soup or Little Saigon for a wide variety of authentic dishes. More contemporary standouts along North Mills Avenue include Tori Tori, a trendy Japanese bar and restaurant; Tako Cheena, a teeny spot serving up fusion fare; and Black Rooster Taqueria, a Michelin-recommended contemporary Mexican spot.
A Stroll Through Dickson Azalea Park
Where to Stay in Orlando
AffordableAloft Lake Nona is located near Lake Nona’s pride and joy: the USTA National Campus, aka the largest tennis sports facility in the world. It’s themed to honor athlete Althea Neale Gibson, the first African American tennis player to win a Grand Slam tournament. With a chic bar and restaurant on the ground floor and a family-friendly pool, it’s a solid affordable option that’s centrally located. 7215 Corner Drive, Orlando. 407-313-3700.
Midrange
If you want to stay in the heart of downtown Orlando, head to the recently renovated Grand Bohemian Hotel Orlando, a chic spot that features a great restaurant called The Boheme (come for the Sunday Jazz Brunch!) and a pool with stellar views of the city. Mingle with visitors and locals alike at the ground-floor Bosendorfer Lounge, a gorgeous art deco bar that features a piano and a mean Old Fashioned. 325 S. Orange Ave., Orlando. 407-313-9000.
The 234-room Lake Nona Wave Hotel is set near Lake Nona’s Town Center. From stunning art in the lobby to impressive technology in the rooms (like Toto toilets and smart windows that dim automatically), this is a fun spot to post up for a couple of nights. The Sculpture Garden in the back features 400 swaying palm trees surrounding large-scale artwork and houses the Palm Club, where you’ll find vintage cocktails, movie nights under the stars and live music. Guests also get access to the Lake Nona Performance Club, just a short walk away. From group exercise classes to a golf training lab to an aquatics center, it’s definitely worth a stop. 6100 Wave Hotel Drive, Orlando. 407-675-2000.
If Winter Park is more your vibe, opt for the Alfond Inn, which is in the heart of the swanky historic district. Just steps from the Albin Polasek Museum & Sculpture Gardens and the main dining/shopping thoroughfare Park Avenue, it’s an ideal destination for exploring this area of Orlando. Fun fact for art lovers: Rollins College, a private college just down the street, lays claim to the The Alfond Collection of Contemporary Art, and most of that collection is currently installed at the Alfond Inn. 300 E. New England Ave,. Winter Park. 407-998-8090.
Luxury
If you’re splurging, you can’t do better than the Four Seasons Orlando, a luxe oasis located mere minutes from Walt Disney World. With a serene adults-only pool surrounded by lush landscaping and a 5-acre waterpark for kids, it’s an ideal spot for families. Other things to check out at one of Orlando’s only five-star hotels: the Michelin-recommended steakhouse Capa, which is celebrating its 10th anniversary this year; the spa on the ground floor offering massages and facials; and the Italian restaurant Ravello, for more casual family dining and a character breakfast. 10100 Dream Tree Blvd., Lake Buena Vista. 407-313-7777.
You don’t need to visit a Walt Disney World theme park in order to stay at one of the many hotels on Disney property. The resorts offer plenty of fun on their own, and if you’re focusing your Orlando trip on other activities, it can be a nice low-key way to get just a taste of the parks. One of my favorites is Disney’s Boardwalk Inn, which has a 1900s Atlantic City theme and is located on a sprawling Coney Island-style boardwalk that features two other hotels, restaurants and shops—and free views of fireworks happening nearby. 2100 Epcot Resorts Blvd., Lake Buena Vista. 407-939-6200.
