Funworld October 2010

With more than 100 attractions in Orlando, it’s not surprising the city ranked as the highest visited U.S. destination in 2009 with 46.6 million visitors. Travelers both inside and outside the U.S.—top countries include Canada, the United Kingdom, Brazil, Mexico, and Germany—came with visions of Mickey ice cream bars and Shamu soaring overhead. There’s more to Orlando than roller coasters, superheroes, and swimming dolphins, though—visitors just need to know where to look.

“Greater Orlando is also a city of gardens and galleries, visual and performing arts, history and heritage, and outdoor recreation and cultural treasures,” says Susan Lomax, associate vice president of publicity for the Orlando/Orange County Convention and Visitors Bureau. She adds that Central Florida has the highest number of entertainers and local artists per capita in the U.S. and more than 360 arts and cultural organizations. Here are a few highlights:

Fashion & Culture
Downtown Orlando and the Thornton Park district host trendy restaurants and art galleries, and The Mall at Millenia is home to modern fashion boutiques.

The Orlando CVB says the city is the fourth most popular shopping destination behind New York City, Los Angeles, and Las Vegas.

Winter Park: This Central Florida community dates back to the 1880s, and its streets are lined with grand homes, high-end boutiques, cafés, Rollins College, and the Charles Hosmer Mores Museum of American Art.

Loch Haven Park is home to award winning museums, including the Orlando Art Museum and the Mennello Museum of American Folk Art.

Back to Nature
Out of approximately 100 parks in the city of Orlando, these two stick out with their scenic views and amenities.

Bill Frederick Park and Pool at Turkey Lake
The 170-acre scenic park is a great spot for families, and includes a nature trail, children’s farm and playground, rental cabins with tent camping and an RV park, a disc golf course, a swimming pool, and the Bass Tracker boat rentals for catch-and-release fishing. www.cityoforlando.net/fpr/Html/Parks/

Lake Eola Swan Boats
For visitors ready to give their legs a workout while admiring the view, Lake Eola Swan Boats ($15 for 30 minutes) are perfect. Surrounding the lake at Eola Park, which sits at Robinson and Eola Dr., are plaques commemorating major historical events in the area, an Asian pagoda, amphitheater, and Relax Grill outdoor restaurant. “It’s a nice urban park where people can walk around, jog, and walk their dogs,” says Leonardo Falcon, park manager for the City of Orlando. Lake Eola is also home to the Swans of the World Habitat, one of a few places in the world showcasing all species of swans. www.cityoforlando.net/eola

For Tired Toes: With 19 destination spas in Orlando, the city is ready to pamper travelers in need of rest and relaxation after walking the trade show floor. The Spa by Guerlain at the Waldorf Astoria Orlando is the city’s newest spa location, while the Ritz-Carlton Grande Lakes spa was named one of the country’s top spas by Travel & Leisure magazine.