Lyndsay Fogarty
So you have out of towners visiting for the holidays and you don’t know what to do with them. Well, you’re in luck. Here’s a breakdown of some experiences they won’t find anywhere else.
Art Museums: Create your own art tour through The City Beautiful. Plan strategically and all you will have to pay for is gas to get there. The Cornell Fine Arts Museum at Rollins College offers free admission Tuesday through Sunday, Bank of America and Merrill Lynch cardholders receive free admission at Orlando Museum of Art on the first weekend of each month through the Museums on Us program, and there is free admission at the CityArts Factory from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. on Tuesday through Saturday. You can also browse the art at the Grand Bohemian Gallery daily at no cost.
Dinner Shows: There are so many dinner show options in Orlando that are suitable to any type of adventure you’re seeking. Just off of International Drive, Pirate’s Town features four shows including Pirate’s Dinner Adventure, Treasure Tavern, The 3 Musketeers and The Cirque Magique. You can also cheer on knights in a jousting tournament at Medieval Times or watch a gangster-filled comedy show at Capone’s Dinner & Show in Kissimmee.
Dr. Phillips Center: Incredible performances are planned for this month like Orlando Ballet: The Nutcracker from Dec. 8 to Dec. 11, Broadway’s “An American in Paris” from Dec. 13 to Dec. 18, and a modern-day dance retelling of the birth of Jesus called “Miraculous” on Dec. 19. The Dr. Phillips Center’s downtown Orlando location is perfect for making a whole night of it. Plan for dinner and drinks at The Boheme before the show and an evening of dancing downtown after.
I-Drive 360: You can eat and play the whole day away at this entertainment complex. Take in a 360-degree view of Orlando on the Coca-Cola Orlando Eye, mingle with your favorite celebrities at Madame Tussauds Orlando, make new friends under the sea at SEA LIFE Aquarium, and learn about a variety of animal species at Skeletons: Animals Unveiled. Grab a meal at Yard House or Tapa Toro then the 21 and up crowd can keep the party going at Cowgirls Rockbar or Sugar Factory.
West Orange Trail: Work off those extra holiday calories as a family by taking a bike ride along the West Orange Trail. The 20.8-mile, paved trail extends from the Orange/Lake County line through Winter Garden and into Apopka. Bring your own bike or rent a bike at one of several stations located in Winter Garden.
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