Often times when a visitor thinks of going to Orlando, or for that matter Central Florida, the first place they think of going is the theme parks. Of course, Orlando wouldn’t be what it is without Disney World, Universal Studios, Sea World, and all the other tourist destinations. But downtown Orlando has become a thriving downtown area with upscale hotels, restaurants, shops, and other attractions not to be overlooked. We recently had the opportunity to spend time in downtown Orlando and it has so much to offer.
Church Street has been the center of downtown Orlando for some time and still has some great restaurants. Church Street will be a short walk from the Amway Center, the place where the Orlando Magic basketball team plays its home games, along with other events. Being the largest location in the area for major attractions, it will be a major hub. But north of Church Street a tight knit zone of restaurants and nightlife has developed. There are many fun places in the vicinity.
Just to the west of this area, a few blocks will be the Citrus Bowl complex. There are many events that take place in this area, and a shuttle runs from the city center to the complex. If you are staying at one of the many hotels in downtown Orlando, you can enjoy the restaurants and nightlife of this area and still take the shuttle service to the Citrus Bowl area. This can be done without having to worry about parking.
Then to the east of this area is Lake Eola Park. You will rarely see nature so close to downtown as it is in the heart of Orlando. There is a sidewalk around the lake that goes almost a mile and provides a great walking trail. The Walt Disney Amphitheater is there, offering concerts and plays. Or you can also take time to relax among the beautiful flower beds. From here you can see a magnificent view of the Orlando skyline.
You can also rent boats to row around Lake Eola. This is really a great place to visit if you just want to get away from the busy city center for a few hours. And all of this is very close to the Orlando International Airport. From the airport you can get to downtown Orlando by local bus for $ 2 or by taxi for about $ 35. In addition, many of the hotels offer free shuttle service. So the next time you’re thinking of staying in Orlando, consider downtown as an option.