Orlando is one of the world’s most visited family destinations, and while its illustrious themed attractions may steal the limelight, with a vibrant and well-kept city center and a climate that averages around 75° Fahrenheit (25° Celsius), there is a surprising amount of things to experience here. Welcoming tens-of-millions of visitors per year, both Disney World and Universal Orlando pack in an entire trip’s worth of fun on their own.
But it would be a mistake to overlook Orlando’s other activities because the rest of ‘The City Beautiful’ is full of similar family-friendly attractions like waterparks, giant aquariums and zoos, exciting shows, airboat tours around the swamps and plenty of golfing opportunities. Discover all of this, and much more through the below roundup.
ATTRACTIONS
Epcot’s Mexican Pavilion now features a “Coco”-themed exhibit, Mirror de los Muertos, with interactive mirror video screens allowing guests to design their own Día de los Muertos skeletons and bring the skeletons to life with their own movements. The creations are saved and linked to guests’ MagicBands.
disneyworld.disney.go.com
Universal Orlando Resort’s new nighttime lagoon show – Cinematic Celebration – officially opened at Universal Studios Florida. Blending panoramic water screens, pyrotechnics, projection mapping and more than 120 dancing fountains, the show transforms the lagoon and surrounding buildings into a vivid celebration of beloved characters from Universal attractions and some of the world’s biggest films. Universal Orlando’s Cinematic Celebration runs select nights this summer.
universalorlando.com
DINING
Visit Orlando’s Magical Dining Month, sponsored by American express, will kick off Aug. 24. Foodies can choose from more than 100 restaurants across the destination, with each offering a three-course, prix fixe dinner menu for just $35 per person. This year, the program will help children affected by intellectual and developmental disabilities, though donations to Best Buddies and The Down Syndrome Association of Central Florida.
magicaldining.com
The Hampton Social will open a new location at Pointe Orlando in 2019. Themed after the New York coastal resort region, this restaurant specializes in seafood, pizza and brunch, with unique dishes like chicken and doughnuts and a signature “rosé all day.”
thehamptonsocial.com
Ivanhoe Park Brewing Co., an independent craft brewery and tasting room, opened its doors in the historic Ivanhoe District in late-June. Beer enthusiasts can enjoy live music events and food truck nights while sipping on their favorite on-tap selection on select nights.
ivanhoeparkbrewing.com
Tactical Brewing Co., a microbrewery owned and established by veterans, is opening in Baldwin Park in late-August. Through opening day, the brewery is hosting monthly events to give the public a chance to try some of the beers to be served at the brewery once it opens.
tacticalbeer.com
SHOPPING
Orlando Vineland Premium Outlets unveiled lux shopping concierge services that will arrange a personalized experience, including a unique shopping itinerary and gift cards for shopping and food.
premiumoutlets.com
SPORTS
Epic Axe Throwing, joining the nationwide trend of places where customers chuck sharpened cutting tools at blocks of wood, will open in downtown Orlando in August. The facility will have 12-foot ax-throwing lanes and a lounge, and host events, leagues and competitions from the World Axe Throwing League.
epicaxethrowing.com
TRANSPORTATION
LATAM Airlines Group began new nonstop flights from Fortaleza, Brazil (FOR) to Orlando International Airport (MCO), advancing connection between Brazil and Orlando.
latam.com