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Don’t reserve brunch just for Mother’s Day or Easter; Orlando has enough mid-morning meal options to get you out of bed (even if you slept int) for a delicious meal. Here are our five best brunch options in Orlando:

1. Dexter’s: If you’re in downtown Orlando, go where the locals go - Dexter’s in Thorton Park. The casual restaurant offers up a comfortable brunch menu, including corned beef hash and eggs, a breakfast bahn with scrambled eggs, grilled shrimp and marinated Asian vegetables on a toasted baguette, and a blue corn waffle, among many other items. No reservations required.

2. B-Line Diner: For a Sunday brunch served at a diner with clout, make a beeline for the B-Line Diner at the Peabody Orlando. In addition to champagne or mimosas, the prix fixe brunch features sorbet with seasonal fresh fruit, toast or breakfast pastry, choice beverage and an incredible array of desserts. Your brunch entrée choices: applewood benedict, Belgian waffle, huevos poblanos, omelet or smoked Atlantic salmon and bagel.

3. La Coquina: If you’re looking for a brunch to really linger over, many hotels in the Orlando area offer just that, including La Coquina at the Hyatt Regency Grand Cypress Resort. Table after table of delectable dishes include standard brunch favorites such as fresh fruits and cheeses, a waffle and pancake station, salads and pasta dishes, chicken and seafood dishes - and don’t forget about dessert. Reservations are suggested.

4. Villa de Flora: Brunch at Villa de Flora at the Gaylord Palms is a real treat, whether a fun way to spend a lazy Sunday or a special occasion. Omelets are made to order and the other 100 or so brunch items will surely fill your plate time and time again. Strolling musicians and unlimited sparkling wine. add the perfect accompaniments and you can add to your meal.

5. Blues: The only thing more inspiring than the music you’ll hear is the offerings on the southern-style brunch menu, including Creole chicken jambalaya, cornmeal crusted catfish and more.

Though Jaws may get your heart pumping at Universal Studios, you’re more likely to want a little less action-packed ambience for dinner with your special someone. Here’s our list of Orlando’s five best romantic restaurants:

1. Victoria & Albert’s: The staff at this restaurant at Walt Disney World will customize your menu to your exact tastes, and the service will make you feel as if you’re the only couple in the room.

2. Napa: If you’re looking for a little romance to accompany your dinner, head to Napa at the Peabody Orlando. When you make reservations, ask for a cozy booth in the back of the restaurant, or perhaps a quiet table along the floor-to-ceiling windows. The décor, flickering candlelight, fine wine list and an exquisite food combine for an unforgettable evening.

3. Vito’s Chop House: The intimate ambience, exceptional service and out-of-this-world cuisine lend themselves to romance at Vito’s Chop House on International Drive, a classic steakhouse with Italian influences. Sip on one of the restaurant’s specialty martinis or a glass of wine from its extensive wine list and let the night take hold.

4. Seasons 52: If you’re timing’s right, an evening reservation at Seasons 52 can be filled with romance. Make reservations for a table on the patio and watch the fireworks from area theme parks light up the night while you dine of flavor-filled, calorie-considered dishes.

5. Ceviche: Whisper sweet nothings and nibble on small plates at Ceviche Tapas Bar & Restaurant and in downtown Orlando. Add a glass of the house sangria - red or white - and see were the evening takes you.

When you’ve played host to more than 51 million visitors in 2010 - both domestic and international - you’d better have plenty of restaurants to accommodate the masses, and Orlando certainly does. It’s no wonder, then, that the city and outlying areas boast more than 5,000 restaurants. From super family casual to extravagantly elegant and everything in between, you’ll find it all - and more - in Orlando. Though the prices might not exactly match the ambience, you’ll have the greatest variety of foods available to you - where else - inside Walt Disney World. Though the city of Orlando probably has more organically diverse offerings, Disney World produces flavors from around the world; in particular, Epcot Center’s World Showcase features 11 countries and their cuisines; additionally, this is one of the places inside Disney World that serves alcohol. Citizens of each country staff the respective shops and restaurants for each country, bringing a native flair and touch to the area’s offerings.

With cities (and sometimes countries) within the amusement parks, and an entire metropolitan area of more than 2 million people, Orlando has a diverse smattering of restaurants. Here’s our top five food experiences in Orlando:

1. The Epcot International Food & Wine Festival: Held each fall at Disney World, this culinary experience lets you eat your way around the world. Marketplaces throughout Epcot feature custom dishes from various countries, but the crème de la crème is the Party for the Senses - dozens of restaurants from around the U.S. feature the best of their menus, and all you have to do is walk around and sample, again and again and again. Come hungry - you won’t leave that way.

2. Taste of Downtown: For a local perspective of essentially the same concept, make your way to Taste of Downtown (Orlando) in the fall. Local restaurants converge on downtown Orlando to showcase their specialties, and again, all you need to do is walk around and sample - we highly suggest you repeat this process multiple times.

3. Farmers’ markets: To see where the freshest ingredients come from, visit the farmers’ market each Saturday in Winter Park and browse the freshest fruits, vegetables and flowers. There’s no need to buy, but the smells of kettle corn and crepes wafting through the area will certainly tempt you, as will the artisanal cheeses and decadent desserts.

4. Victoria & Albert’s: Have you ever had a dinner out at a refined restaurant that created the menu to please just your palate? That’s just what you’ll experience at Victoria & Albert’s at Walt Disney World. Upon making your reservations, you’ll answer a questionnaire that reviews your likes and dislikes, as well as allergies. The chef then takes that information and prepares the perfect meal - just for you.

5. Mascot meals: If you’re traveling with your kids, they’ll certainly want to dine with the characters at the area theme parks. Join loads of other families at Chef Mickey’s breakfast or dinner and dine with Mickey and Minnie Mouse and other characters. For a quieter option, try Crystal Palace buffet with Winnie the Pooh and Tigger, too. If Spider Man, Captain America and the Cat in the Hat are more your cup of tea, make breakfast reservations at the Confisco Grill at Universal’s Islands of Adventure. Or, make a splash at a buffet lunch with SeaWorld when you experience Dine with Shamu.

In an area suited for kids - of all ages, really - you can imagine just how many kid-friendly restaurants are in Orlando.

1. Rainforest Café; Naturally, the theme parks have kid-friendly restaurants, especially the Rainforest Café at Walt Disney World. The sights and sounds will have you feeling like you just stepped into a rainforest, and the food is plentiful and young palate-pleasing, for adults, too.

2. T-Rex Dine with the dinosaurs at T-Rex in downtown Disney, an interactive restaurant filled with animatronic dinosaurs and excavation areas. While your kids are off having a roaring good time, you’ll enjoy delicious entrees you can really sink your teeth into.

3. ‘Ohana Kids may not be able to play with their food, but they can play throughout their meals at ‘Ohana, also at Walt Disney World. From the moment families enter the restaurant to sounds of conch shells wailing to the storytelling and coconut races - yes, coconut races - dinner includes fun and games. Don’t forget the hula-hoops and dancing to island music.

4. Disney dining: Of course, if you’re dining at Disney, there’s always the option of dining in-park with characters, from Mickey and Minnie Mouse to Winnie the Pooh and Tigger, too.

5. Café Tu Tu Tango: Outside of theme park world, there’s plenty of dining options, especially on International Drive. Imagine dining in an artist’s loft, surrounded by original works of art hanging on every inch of available space. That’s exactly the vibe you’ll find at Café Tu Tu Tango - a fun, vibrant and exuberant restaurant that’s perfect for the entire family. Meals come tapas-style - small dishes bursting with flavor and perfect for sharing.

As host to more than 51 million visitors in 2010, Orlando has a plethora of hotels and resorts in which to stay - the property in and around Walt Disney World has 29 alone! But our job is to help take the guess work out of decision making, so we can give you a few suggestions.

If you’re traveling with your family, or alone on business, the Peabody Orlando has all the amenities you need. The pools and dining options give you a respite in the touristy Orlando, though the hotel is smack dab in the middle of all the action - just 15 minutes from the Orlando International Airport and five to 15 minutes from all of Orlando’s theme parks.

Combining the architectural genius of the Grand Palazzo in Italy and the Zen-like calm of the Far East, the Ritz-Carlton Orlando Grande Lakes is an oasis amid the hustle and bustle of theme park life. Six onsite restaurants, plush accommodations and the Greg Norman-designed 18-hole golf course will have you asking, “Mickey who?”

And we’d be lying if we told you we haven’t had a good time in Walt Disney World; we’re sure your kids will always remember the experience, so it’s up to you which themed hotel fits the sort of stay you’re hoping for.

Nightlife in Orlando isn’t quite the same as most big cities; the conglomeration of theme parks skews the age quotient down quite a bit, but that doesn’t mean singles and childless couples can’t have some fun. If you’re staying at or near Walt Disney World, make your way to Downtown Disney. The night comes alive when the sun sets, and while the famed Pleasure Island is going through renovations and a complete overhaul, you can still have a blast at Raglan Road Irish Pub & Bar, Fuego by Sosa Cigars and Paradiso 37. Who knows - maybe your favorite band will be playing at the House of Blues.

Over at Universal Orlando, CityWalk has bars and restaurants that offer a more adult type of entertainment. Live music dominates this area; make your way to martinis at Red Coconut Club; live music at Jimmy Buffett’s Margaritaville, Bob Marley - a Tribute to Freedom, Pat O’Brien’s for dueling pianos or even Hard Rock Live. Dance the night away at the Groove or salsa it up at Latin Quarter. If karaoke’s your thing, let your inner rock star out at Rising Star.

And if you want to get away from the parks, try downtown Orlando or International Drive, both of which are chock full of nightlife and a little ways out from all the mascot-inspired rides and restaurants.

While you may be most familiar with the Country Bear Jamboree, Orlando actually offers plenty more live music options that don’t involve animatronic bears that blow into jugs and pluck banjos. In fact, the city has a number of nationally known clubs and bars that bring in decent concerts.

National acts regularly stop at Hard Rock Live at Universal’s CityWalk and the House of Blues in Downtown Disney; check their websites for upcoming shows. If you’re in downtown Orlando, the Social is a fantastic, intimate venue that also draws national acts and local bands. Just down the street from the Social, Will’s Pub is quickly making a name for itself, too. But on any given night of the week, you’ll be able to find the live music your crave between these clubs, in a variety of styles and sounds that’ll give you something different to do outside the theme-park entertainment.

Sports make a pretty significant impact on the Orlando landscape; the NBA’s Orlando Magic plays their games at the Amway Center in downtown Orlando. Dwight Howard, the 7-footer with the foot-wide smile, leads the team and has been its All-Star for the last half-dozen years. But if you’re looking for a more active sporting experience, check out the ESPN Wide World of Sports at Walt Disney World, which hosts a wide variety of sporting events, including soccer, fastpitch softball, track and field, baseball and half- and full marathons. The Atlanta Braves even hold their spring training at the facility, so you can catch Major Leaguers around the complex, depending on when you visit.

If you’re into baseball and spring training, plenty of teams travel south for the winter, to the Orlando area: the Cleveland Indians (Winter Haven), Detroit Tigers (Lakeland), Houston Astros (Kissimmee) and New York Yankees (Tampa). Just keep in mind you’ll definitely need a car to get around to these spring training games.

About an hour west of Orlando, Tampa Bay has two sports teams: the Buccanneers of the NFL, and the Lightning of the NHL. In fact, the city has an MLB team as well, the Tampa Bay Rays, but they actually play their games in St. Petersburg. Confusing, we know.

Of course, if you’d rather relax with a pint of beer and watch your favorite team on TV, you won’t have any trouble finding bars in Orlando - just figuring out which one to take your patronage to.

Museums in Orlando actually exist outside of It’s a Small World. In fact, the central Florida city has a surprisingly vibrant arts scene.

Since it opened in 1998, the Mennello Museum of American Folk Art has featured a diverse collection of paintings and sculptures, including an extensive permanent collection of paintings by Earl Cunningham (1893-1977).

Overlooking Lake Virginia on the country club-like campus of Rollins College in Winter Park, the Cornell Fine Arts Museum showcases temporary exhibitions, as well as a permanent collection with works by Henri Matisse, Pablo Picasso, Alex Katz and Albert Bierstadt.

For more than 50 years, the Albin Polasek Museum and Sculpture Gardens, also in Winter Park, has housed more than 200 works by Polasek. Splitting time between the gardens and museum makes for a leisurely Orlando afternoon.

Discover the world’s largest collection of Louis Comfort Tiffany art at the Charles Hosmer Morse Museum on Park Avenue in Winter Park. The museum exhibits include spectacular lamps, just as you would imagine, and the chapel interior that Morse designed for the 1893 World’s Columbian Exposition in Chicago.

For a more hands-on experience, the Orlando Science Center keeps you guessing with hundreds of exhibits, programs and labs. Your kids won’t mind learning at this museum - in fact, they may not even realize they’re learning.

And no art buff should skip out on the Orlando Museum of Art. The community-based, community-supported museum features an eclectic collection spanning the Americas and Africa, with more than 90 years of serving its community under its belt.

If you have two days to spend in Orlando, we recommend choosing between the expensive theme parks, or keeping things low-key and exploring some of the city’s other cultural offerings.

If theme parks and thrill rides are up your alley, focus your time at Disney World, Universal Studios or SeaWorld. You’ll want to give yourself plenty of time to ride all rides and see all the shows. Of course, this in itself could take up a full week if you want to soak in everything that the three mega-parks have to offer, so you’re best served by picking one and spending the majority of your time at just one park; this can also help you save a few dollars and the hassle of shuttling between.

If you’d rather spend one day at a theme park, and another on a more culturally minded day, you can do that, too. Start one of your mornings in the downtown Orlando area at the Orlando Museum of Art; the community-based, community-supported museum includes American, African and contemporary graphic arts, among others.

Head up just 15 minutes to Winter Park to check out the Charles Hosmer Morse Museum, which displays the world’s largest collection of Louis Comfort Tiffany art, including the chapel interior that from the 1893 World’s Columbian Exposition in Chicago.

Round out your day at the Cornell Fine Arts Museum, which overlooks Lake Virginia on the breathtakingly beautiful campus of Rollins. Works by Henri Matisse, Pablo Picasso, Alex Katz and Albert Bierstadt make this museum worth a visit, even if it’s a brief one.

There you have it - theme parks that’ll make you scream, and museums that’ll make you think -a great snapshot of Orlando’s two sides, one that most visitors never think to explore.

When packing your bags for your trip Orlando, don’t overdo it. Stop. Take a breath. Relax. You’re going on vacation, after all.

If you’re visiting in the summer, throw in a few pairs of your favorite shorts and tank tops; the weather in Orlando dictates light colors and fabrics. Otherwise, you’ll find yourself sticking to your clothes and ready to drop dead from the humidity. And don’t forget your walking shoes - you’ll likely spend a lot of time traipsing around the theme parks, so some fresh socks couldn’t hurt, either.

You’ll also want to bring a few resort casual outfits for dinners out; bring a light sweater, too - restaurants tend to keep the air conditioning low, almost counteracting the sweltering heat entirely . Pack a miniature umbrella, too - you don’t wanna be left soggy after an afternoon storm.

In the fall, winter and even into early spring, long pants and capris will get you through the day, and a light sweater or jacket will keep you warm during the cool evenings. As always, it’s always a good idea to check the weather just prior to your trip. But be sure to bring your suntan lotion, too - the bright Florida sun can broil you any time of year.

If you have one day to spend in Orlando, first determine exactly what you want to do. Because of urban sprawl, you won’t be able to hit a theme park, visit an art gallery and dine in Winter Park, all in one day.

If theme parks are your cup of tea - or Tea Cups, for that matter - focus your time on one of the theme parks at Disney, Universal, or SeaWorld. Let’s be honest, three theme parks in one day, especially mega-parks like these, is just not humanly possible. You’ll want to give yourself plenty of time to take it all in. Choose your favorite mascot, then cast your lot with it: Mickey, Jaws or Shamu. We’re partial to Mickey, if only because we don’t have great sea legs.

If the art scene is more your thing, Orland might actually surprise you with its impressive galleries. Start in the downtown Orlando area at the Orlando Museum of Art; for nearly 90 years, the community-based, community-supported museum has featured American and African art, art of the ancient americas, a contemporary American graphics collection and visiting exhibitions.

From there, drive about 15 minutes to Winter Park. After a leisurely lunch on Park Avenue, visit the Charles Hosmer Morse Museum. The museum houses the world’s largest collection of Louis Comfort Tiffany art, including the chapel interior that Morse designed for the 1893 World’s Columbian Exposition in Chicago.

Round out your day at the Cornell Fine Arts Museum, which overlooks Lake Virginia on the campus of Rollins. A combination of original and traveling exhibitions, from early Renaissance to contemporary, make this a museum for everyone. The permanent collection includes works by Henri Matisse, Pablo Picasso, Alex Katz and Albert Bierstadt - a bit more refined than even Steamboat Willie.

If you simply must shop ‘til you drop while in Orlando, you’re spared from having to just buy merchandise from Mickey or Shamu. From shopping malls to tree- and boutique-lined streets and outlet malls, Orlando has the retail exercise you’ll need to keep that credit card in shape.

The Mall at Millenia runs the whole gamut of shopping classes, with department stores such as Bloomingdales, Macy’s and Neiman Marcus; designer outposts of Louis Vuitton and Gucci; casual favorites such as Gap and luxury jewelers such as Tiffany & Co., Cartier and David Yurman.

At the Florida Mall, you’ll surely find something at Orlando’s only Nordstrom and Saks Fifth Avenue or perhaps Clarks England, Adidas or the European trendsetting shop, H&M. Your kids will beg to spend the day at M&M’s World, and to build a new friend at the ever-popular Build-A-Bear Workshop.

Make your way to downtown to Winter Park for boutique- and tree-lined streets; whether you’re window shopping or shopping for real, something in the boutiques and galleries will catch your eye. Spend the day shopping, then pop into a sidewalk café for a bite to eat, if that tickles your fancy.

And with the abundance of tourists, outlet shopping reigns supreme in Orlando. Labels such as Betsey Johnson, Coach, J.Crew, Kenneth Cole, Lacoste, Michael Kors, Last Call by Neiman Marcus, Polo Ralph Lauren and Saks Fifth Avenue Off 5th come together at Orlando Premium Outlets. Just make sure you’ve left enough room in your luggage to haul all your newfound booty back to your home island.

We know all of those theme parks can put quite a big hole in your wallet, but Orlando offers great alternatives - free alternatives nonetheless - to the crowded parks. We’ve come up with a list of our five favorite free things to do in Orlando and think you’ll love them just as much as we do:

1. For a theme-free park experience, check out Dr. Phillips Community Park, which is near all of the attractions, but totally removed from the hectic pandemonium of the theme parks. On the 80 acres of parkland, you and your kids can play on baseball and soccer fields, a basketball court and a playground, or even embark on a hike through the trails. The good news is, Fido can join too-at least in the dog park.

2. The glistening Lake Eola in downtown Orlando is a wonderful, and completely free, way to spend the day. Grab a pal and take a stroll around the lake as you watch the swans swim quietly on their way. Or if you are really feeling gutsy, take your kids and they can horse around to their hearts’ content.

3. Visit the farmers’ market each Saturday in Winter Park to browse the freshest fruits, vegetables and flowers. Of course we aren’t telling you to buy anything, but we will tell you that staying away from the aroma of kettle corn and crêpes is going to be quite the difficult task. We promise we won’t judge you if you cave in-we did.

4. For a bit of history, stay in Winter Park and join a walking tour. The tour guides will navigate you along the streets, sending you back 100 years to when Orlando first became a resort destination.

5. Let your imagination soar at the LEGO Imagination Center in downtown Disney. You’ll see the Seven Dwarfs in mid-spoof and even a Loch Ness Monster rearing its head out of the water.

Fun doesn’t have to cost a thing when you stay in Orlando.

Thrill rides and theme parks fill up the brochures about Orlando, but you can squeeze in some romance without either. Space Mountain may not scream “romantic evening” to you, but plenty of Orlando’s attractions have that quality that will make you and your special someone starry-eyed. Here’s our top five romantic things to do in Orlando:

1. Lake Eola. After a romantic dinner in downtown Orlando, take a quiet stroll around Lake Eola. The sparkling lights from the surrounding buildings dance on the water, while the swans quietly glide along. At the risk of sounding cheesy, we can’t think of anything more romantic than a moonlit stroll along a glistening lake.

2. Winter Park. A quiet, scenic boat tour of the lakes and canals of Winter Park makes any morning more interesting. You’ll be able to snuggle with your sweetie, while taking in the beautiful scenery and interesting history of the area.

3. Charles Hosmer Morse Museum. Post-boat ride, stroll through the world’s largest collection of Louis Comfort Tiffany art at the Charles Hosmer Morse Museum, including the chapel interior that he designed for the 1893 World’s Columbian Exposition in Chicago. But if you haven’t already bought her that rock (or if he hasn’t bought if for you), you may not want to linger on the jewelry exhibits.

4. Leu Gardens. It doesn’t get much more romantic than a movie under the stars amid a breathtakingly beautiful garden of flowers and arching trees - other than that lakeside moonlit stroll. We highly suggest a date night at Leu Gardens, which offers just about everything - minus the lake - for the perfect evening of love.

5. Victoria and Albert’s. To us, food is certainly a thing of lust, so why wouldn’t a romantic dinner be on this list? We suggest that you make reservations at Victoria and Albert’s for a special meal. When you call to make your reservations, the host will go through a pre-screen for food allergies, dislikes and preferences in order to make sure that your menu is customized to your every need. It sure beats having to cook yourself, and you still get a customized meal. We consider this a win.

With its many theme parks, Orlando always brings in tourists like a magnet brings in nails. And because of central Florida’s idyllic (albeit muggy) weather, it really doesn’t make much difference what time of year you visit; it’s always t-shirt and shorts weather in Orlando.
That being said, Orlando does get hot during the summer - it’s Florida, after all - and the humidity peaks in August. If heat makes you wilt, you’re better off heading south for the winter - or spring or fall, for that matter.

If you’re traveling with the kids, and doing so during school breaks, you can expect the theme parks to be busy - really busy. But if you can get away while school’s still in session, you may just find shorter lines and smaller crowds at Disney World, Universal Studios and SeaWorld. Otherwise, you can expect a few certainties in life: death, taxes and long lines at Orlando’s theme parks.

Few vacation spots size up to Orlando; between Walt Disney World, Universal Studios and SeaWorld, millions flock to Florida every year just for these parks. But there’s a whole city outside the theme parks that many never visit, too. Here’s our top five things to see and do in Orlando:

1. Lake Eola. Head to downtown Orlando and walk around Lake Eola - you can even feed the swans that make their home on the lake. And when you get hungry yourself, you can stop for a quick bite to eat at one of the cafés around the lake.

2. If shopping’s more your thing and you’re looking for boutiques or galleries, make your way to Winter Park, a resort destination for more than 100 years. Stroll the tree-lined streets and window shop the boutiques and art galleries, popping into a café for a leisurely lunch or dinner.

3. For an up-close visit with nature, take a drive half an hour north of Orlando and visit Blue Spring State Park. The crystal clear water stays a constant 73 degrees, and in the winter, endangered manatees make their home there. Though swimming and diving with the manatees is prohibited, it’s fun to sneak a peek from the boardwalks. Otherwise, you can dive and swim in the springs the rest of the year.

4. If you’d rather stay on land, stroll the nature trails of Leu Gardens and let your olfactory and visual senses be overwhelmed with blooming flowers, trees, shrubs and more. Most people wouldn’t think of beautiful foliage or landscapes away from the beach when they think of Florida, but that’s where they’d be wrong. Leu Gardens is worth a second look.

5. In addition to world-famous theme parks, Orlando boasts a surprisingly impressive arts scene of its own. Take a day and explore a few museums, including the Mennello Museum of American Folk Art, the Cornell Fine Arts Museum, the Albin Polasek Museum and Sculpture Gardens, the Charles Hosmer Morse Museum, the Orlando Science Center and the Orlando Museum of Art.

Sure, you can speed down Space Mountain and swim with Shamu, but Orlando offers plenty of other options for you and your youngins. Here’s a list of five things to do to keep you and the kids busy during your trip to Orlando:

1. For a different park experience, check out Dr. Phillips Community Park, close to all of the theme park attractions, but completely removed from the crowds. On the 80 acres of parkland, you and your kids can play on baseball and soccer fields, a basketball court and a playground, or go for a walk on the hiking trails. Fido can have fun at the dog park, too - a perfect outing for the whole family, sans lines and high prices.

2. Kids of all ages will have a hair-raising time at the Orlando Science Center; the temporary “High Voltage” exhibit explains all about the electron. Hundreds of exhibits, programs and labs make this one of the top hands-on science centers in the U.S., and sneaks in a bit of learning, too.

3. Dinosaurs may be extinct, but the fun isn’t at Dinosaur World, the world’s largest dinosaur attraction, just 45 minutes west of Orlando. Life-size dinosaurs replicas - 150 of them - make their home in the wooded lands. You and your kids will be able to pick out your favorites; we’re partial to the stegosaurus.

4. Though you can’t swim and dive with them, manatees make Blue Spring State Park their home during the winter, and you can get a close look at the endangered species, something you can see in the natural anywhere else. And when the manatees aren’t around, you can go in the always-73-degrees water for a swim yourself.

5. Make your way to downtown Orlando for a walk around beautiful Lake Eola; a lot of people have heard of the Swan Hotel at Disney World, but at Lake Eola, you can feed actual swans.

Sports make a pretty significant impact on the Orlando landscape; the NBA’s Orlando Magic plays their games at the Amway Center in downtown Orlando. Dwight Howard, the 7-footer with the foot-wide smile, leads the team and has been its All-Star for the last half-dozen years. But if you’re looking for a more active sporting experience, check out the ESPN Wide World of Sports at Walt Disney World, which hosts a wide variety of sporting events, including soccer, fastpitch softball, track and field, baseball and half- and full marathons. The Atlanta Braves even hold their spring training at the facility, so you can catch Major Leaguers around the complex, depending on when you visit.

If you’re into baseball and spring training, plenty of teams travel south for the winter, to the Orlando area: the Cleveland Indians (Winter Haven), Detroit Tigers (Lakeland), Houston Astros (Kissimmee) and New York Yankees (Tampa). Just keep in mind you’ll definitely need a car to get around to these spring training games.

About an hour west of Orlando, Tampa Bay has two sports teams: the Buccanneers of the NFL, and the Lightning of the NHL. In fact, the city has an MLB team as well, the Tampa Bay Rays, but they actually play their games in St. Petersburg. Confusing, we know.

Of course, if you’d rather relax with a pint of beer and watch your favorite team on TV, you won’t have any trouble finding bars in Orlando - just figuring out which one to take your patronage to.

Nightlife in Orlando isn’t quite the same as most big cities; the conglomeration of theme parks skews the age quotient down quite a bit, but that doesn’t mean singles and childless couples can’t have some fun. If you’re staying at or near Walt Disney World, make your way to Downtown Disney. The night comes alive when the sun sets, and while the famed Pleasure Island is going through renovations and a complete overhaul, you can still have a blast at Raglan Road Irish Pub & Bar, Fuego by Sosa Cigars and Paradiso 37. Who knows - maybe your favorite band will be playing at the House of Blues.

Over at Universal Orlando, CityWalk has bars and restaurants that offer a more adult type of entertainment. Live music dominates this area; make your way to martinis at Red Coconut Club; live music at Jimmy Buffett’s Margaritaville, Bob Marley - a Tribute to Freedom, Pat O’Brien’s for dueling pianos or even Hard Rock Live. Dance the night away at the Groove or salsa it up at Latin Quarter. If karaoke’s your thing, let your inner rock star out at Rising Star.

And if you want to get away from the parks, try downtown Orlando or International Drive, both of which are chock full of nightlife and a little ways out from all the mascot-inspired rides and restaurants.

While you may be most familiar with the Country Bear Jamboree, Orlando actually offers plenty more live music options that don’t involve animatronic bears that blow into jugs and pluck banjos. In fact, the city has a number of nationally known clubs and bars that bring in decent concerts.

National acts regularly stop at Hard Rock Live at Universal’s CityWalk and the House of Blues in Downtown Disney; check their websites for upcoming shows. If you’re in downtown Orlando, the Social is a fantastic, intimate venue that also draws national acts and local bands. Just down the street from the Social, Will’s Pub is quickly making a name for itself, too. But on any given night of the week, you’ll be able to find the live music your crave between these clubs, in a variety of styles and sounds that’ll give you something different to do outside the theme-park entertainment.

Though Jaws may get your heart pumping at Universal Studios, you’re more likely to want a little less action-packed ambience for dinner with your special someone. Here’s our list of Orlando’s five best romantic restaurants:

1. Victoria & Albert’s: The staff at this restaurant at Walt Disney World will customize your menu to your exact tastes, and the service will make you feel as if you’re the only couple in the room.

2. Napa: If you’re looking for a little romance to accompany your dinner, head to Napa at the Peabody Orlando. When you make reservations, ask for a cozy booth in the back of the restaurant, or perhaps a quiet table along the floor-to-ceiling windows. The décor, flickering candlelight, fine wine list and an exquisite food combine for an unforgettable evening.

3. Vito’s Chop House: The intimate ambience, exceptional service and out-of-this-world cuisine lend themselves to romance at Vito’s Chop House on International Drive, a classic steakhouse with Italian influences. Sip on one of the restaurant’s specialty martinis or a glass of wine from its extensive wine list and let the night take hold.

4. Seasons 52: If you’re timing’s right, an evening reservation at Seasons 52 can be filled with romance. Make reservations for a table on the patio and watch the fireworks from area theme parks light up the night while you dine of flavor-filled, calorie-considered dishes.

5. Ceviche: Whisper sweet nothings and nibble on small plates at Ceviche Tapas Bar & Restaurant and in downtown Orlando. Add a glass of the house sangria - red or white - and see were the evening takes you.

As host to more than 51 million visitors in 2010, Orlando has a plethora of hotels and resorts in which to stay - the property in and around Walt Disney World has 29 alone! But our job is to help take the guess work out of decision making, so we can give you a few suggestions.

If you’re traveling with your family, or alone on business, the Peabody Orlando has all the amenities you need. The pools and dining options give you a respite in the touristy Orlando, though the hotel is smack dab in the middle of all the action - just 15 minutes from the Orlando International Airport and five to 15 minutes from all of Orlando’s theme parks.

Combining the architectural genius of the Grand Palazzo in Italy and the Zen-like calm of the Far East, the Ritz-Carlton Orlando Grande Lakes is an oasis amid the hustle and bustle of theme park life. Six onsite restaurants, plush accommodations and the Greg Norman-designed 18-hole golf course will have you asking, “Mickey who?”

And we’d be lying if we told you we haven’t had a good time in Walt Disney World; we’re sure your kids will always remember the experience, so it’s up to you which themed hotel fits the sort of stay you’re hoping for.

With its many theme parks, Orlando always brings in tourists like a magnet brings in nails. And because of central Florida’s idyllic (albeit muggy) weather, it really doesn’t make much difference what time of year you visit; it’s always t-shirt and shorts weather in Orlando.
That being said, Orlando does get hot during the summer - it’s Florida, after all - and the humidity peaks in August. If heat makes you wilt, you’re better off heading south for the winter - or spring or fall, for that matter.

If you’re traveling with the kids, and doing so during school breaks, you can expect the theme parks to be busy - really busy. But if you can get away while school’s still in session, you may just find shorter lines and smaller crowds at Disney World, Universal Studios and SeaWorld. Otherwise, you can expect a few certainties in life: death, taxes and long lines at Orlando’s theme parks.

When packing your bags for your trip Orlando, don’t overdo it. Stop. Take a breath. Relax. You’re going on vacation, after all.

If you’re visiting in the summer, throw in a few pairs of your favorite shorts and tank tops; the weather in Orlando dictates light colors and fabrics. Otherwise, you’ll find yourself sticking to your clothes and ready to drop dead from the humidity. And don’t forget your walking shoes - you’ll likely spend a lot of time traipsing around the theme parks, so some fresh socks couldn’t hurt, either.

You’ll also want to bring a few resort casual outfits for dinners out; bring a light sweater, too - restaurants tend to keep the air conditioning low, almost counteracting the sweltering heat entirely . Pack a miniature umbrella, too - you don’t wanna be left soggy after an afternoon storm.

In the fall, winter and even into early spring, long pants and capris will get you through the day, and a light sweater or jacket will keep you warm during the cool evenings. As always, it’s always a good idea to check the weather just prior to your trip. But be sure to bring your suntan lotion, too - the bright Florida sun can broil you any time of year.

Thrill rides and theme parks fill up the brochures about Orlando, but you can squeeze in some romance without either. Space Mountain may not scream “romantic evening” to you, but plenty of Orlando’s attractions have that quality that will make you and your special someone starry-eyed. Here’s our top five romantic things to do in Orlando:

1. Lake Eola. After a romantic dinner in downtown Orlando, take a quiet stroll around Lake Eola. The sparkling lights from the surrounding buildings dance on the water, while the swans quietly glide along. At the risk of sounding cheesy, we can’t think of anything more romantic than a moonlit stroll along a glistening lake.

2. Winter Park. A quiet, scenic boat tour of the lakes and canals of Winter Park makes any morning more interesting. You’ll be able to snuggle with your sweetie, while taking in the beautiful scenery and interesting history of the area.

3. Charles Hosmer Morse Museum. Post-boat ride, stroll through the world’s largest collection of Louis Comfort Tiffany art at the Charles Hosmer Morse Museum, including the chapel interior that he designed for the 1893 World’s Columbian Exposition in Chicago. But if you haven’t already bought her that rock (or if he hasn’t bought if for you), you may not want to linger on the jewelry exhibits.

4. Leu Gardens. It doesn’t get much more romantic than a movie under the stars amid a breathtakingly beautiful garden of flowers and arching trees - other than that lakeside moonlit stroll. We highly suggest a date night at Leu Gardens, which offers just about everything - minus the lake - for the perfect evening of love.

5. Victoria and Albert’s. To us, food is certainly a thing of lust, so why wouldn’t a romantic dinner be on this list? We suggest that you make reservations at Victoria and Albert’s for a special meal. When you call to make your reservations, the host will go through a pre-screen for food allergies, dislikes and preferences in order to make sure that your menu is customized to your every need. It sure beats having to cook yourself, and you still get a customized meal. We consider this a win.

If you have one day to spend in Orlando, first determine exactly what you want to do. Because of urban sprawl, you won’t be able to hit a theme park, visit an art gallery and dine in Winter Park, all in one day.

If theme parks are your cup of tea - or Tea Cups, for that matter - focus your time on one of the theme parks at Disney, Universal, or SeaWorld. Let’s be honest, three theme parks in one day, especially mega-parks like these, is just not humanly possible. You’ll want to give yourself plenty of time to take it all in. Choose your favorite mascot, then cast your lot with it: Mickey, Jaws or Shamu. We’re partial to Mickey, if only because we don’t have great sea legs.

If the art scene is more your thing, Orland might actually surprise you with its impressive galleries. Start in the downtown Orlando area at the Orlando Museum of Art; for nearly 90 years, the community-based, community-supported museum has featured American and African art, art of the ancient americas, a contemporary American graphics collection and visiting exhibitions.

From there, drive about 15 minutes to Winter Park. After a leisurely lunch on Park Avenue, visit the Charles Hosmer Morse Museum. The museum houses the world’s largest collection of Louis Comfort Tiffany art, including the chapel interior that Morse designed for the 1893 World’s Columbian Exposition in Chicago.

Round out your day at the Cornell Fine Arts Museum, which overlooks Lake Virginia on the campus of Rollins. A combination of original and traveling exhibitions, from early Renaissance to contemporary, make this a museum for everyone. The permanent collection includes works by Henri Matisse, Pablo Picasso, Alex Katz and Albert Bierstadt - a bit more refined than even Steamboat Willie.

Few vacation spots size up to Orlando; between Walt Disney World, Universal Studios and SeaWorld, millions flock to Florida every year just for these parks. But there’s a whole city outside the theme parks that many never visit, too. Here’s our top five things to see and do in Orlando:

1. Lake Eola. Head to downtown Orlando and walk around Lake Eola - you can even feed the swans that make their home on the lake. And when you get hungry yourself, you can stop for a quick bite to eat at one of the cafés around the lake.

2. If shopping’s more your thing and you’re looking for boutiques or galleries, make your way to Winter Park, a resort destination for more than 100 years. Stroll the tree-lined streets and window shop the boutiques and art galleries, popping into a café for a leisurely lunch or dinner.

3. For an up-close visit with nature, take a drive half an hour north of Orlando and visit Blue Spring State Park. The crystal clear water stays a constant 73 degrees, and in the winter, endangered manatees make their home there. Though swimming and diving with the manatees is prohibited, it’s fun to sneak a peek from the boardwalks. Otherwise, you can dive and swim in the springs the rest of the year.

4. If you’d rather stay on land, stroll the nature trails of Leu Gardens and let your olfactory and visual senses be overwhelmed with blooming flowers, trees, shrubs and more. Most people wouldn’t think of beautiful foliage or landscapes away from the beach when they think of Florida, but that’s where they’d be wrong. Leu Gardens is worth a second look.

5. In addition to world-famous theme parks, Orlando boasts a surprisingly impressive arts scene of its own. Take a day and explore a few museums, including the Mennello Museum of American Folk Art, the Cornell Fine Arts Museum, the Albin Polasek Museum and Sculpture Gardens, the Charles Hosmer Morse Museum, the Orlando Science Center and the Orlando Museum of Art.

Sure, you can speed down Space Mountain and swim with Shamu, but Orlando offers plenty of other options for you and your youngins. Here’s a list of five things to do to keep you and the kids busy during your trip to Orlando:

1. For a different park experience, check out Dr. Phillips Community Park, close to all of the theme park attractions, but completely removed from the crowds. On the 80 acres of parkland, you and your kids can play on baseball and soccer fields, a basketball court and a playground, or go for a walk on the hiking trails. Fido can have fun at the dog park, too - a perfect outing for the whole family, sans lines and high prices.

2. Kids of all ages will have a hair-raising time at the Orlando Science Center; the temporary “High Voltage” exhibit explains all about the electron. Hundreds of exhibits, programs and labs make this one of the top hands-on science centers in the U.S., and sneaks in a bit of learning, too.

3. Dinosaurs may be extinct, but the fun isn’t at Dinosaur World, the world’s largest dinosaur attraction, just 45 minutes west of Orlando. Life-size dinosaurs replicas - 150 of them - make their home in the wooded lands. You and your kids will be able to pick out your favorites; we’re partial to the stegosaurus.

4. Though you can’t swim and dive with them, manatees make Blue Spring State Park their home during the winter, and you can get a close look at the endangered species, something you can see in the natural anywhere else. And when the manatees aren’t around, you can go in the always-73-degrees water for a swim yourself.

5. Make your way to downtown Orlando for a walk around beautiful Lake Eola; a lot of people have heard of the Swan Hotel at Disney World, but at Lake Eola, you can feed actual swans.

When you’ve played host to more than 51 million visitors in 2010 - both domestic and international - you’d better have plenty of restaurants to accommodate the masses, and Orlando certainly does. It’s no wonder, then, that the city and outlying areas boast more than 5,000 restaurants. From super family casual to extravagantly elegant and everything in between, you’ll find it all - and more - in Orlando. Though the prices might not exactly match the ambience, you’ll have the greatest variety of foods available to you - where else - inside Walt Disney World. Though the city of Orlando probably has more organically diverse offerings, Disney World produces flavors from around the world; in particular, Epcot Center’s World Showcase features 11 countries and their cuisines; additionally, this is one of the places inside Disney World that serves alcohol. Citizens of each country staff the respective shops and restaurants for each country, bringing a native flair and touch to the area’s offerings.

In an area suited for kids - of all ages, really - you can imagine just how many kid-friendly restaurants are in Orlando.

1. Rainforest Café; Naturally, the theme parks have kid-friendly restaurants, especially the Rainforest Café at Walt Disney World. The sights and sounds will have you feeling like you just stepped into a rainforest, and the food is plentiful and young palate-pleasing, for adults, too.

2. T-Rex Dine with the dinosaurs at T-Rex in downtown Disney, an interactive restaurant filled with animatronic dinosaurs and excavation areas. While your kids are off having a roaring good time, you’ll enjoy delicious entrees you can really sink your teeth into.

3. ‘Ohana Kids may not be able to play with their food, but they can play throughout their meals at ‘Ohana, also at Walt Disney World. From the moment families enter the restaurant to sounds of conch shells wailing to the storytelling and coconut races - yes, coconut races - dinner includes fun and games. Don’t forget the hula-hoops and dancing to island music.

4. Disney dining: Of course, if you’re dining at Disney, there’s always the option of dining in-park with characters, from Mickey and Minnie Mouse to Winnie the Pooh and Tigger, too.

5. Café Tu Tu Tango: Outside of theme park world, there’s plenty of dining options, especially on International Drive. Imagine dining in an artist’s loft, surrounded by original works of art hanging on every inch of available space. That’s exactly the vibe you’ll find at Café Tu Tu Tango - a fun, vibrant and exuberant restaurant that’s perfect for the entire family. Meals come tapas-style - small dishes bursting with flavor and perfect for sharing.

Don’t reserve brunch just for Mother’s Day or Easter; Orlando has enough mid-morning meal options to get you out of bed (even if you slept int) for a delicious meal. Here are our five best brunch options in Orlando:

1. Dexter’s: If you’re in downtown Orlando, go where the locals go - Dexter’s in Thorton Park. The casual restaurant offers up a comfortable brunch menu, including corned beef hash and eggs, a breakfast bahn with scrambled eggs, grilled shrimp and marinated Asian vegetables on a toasted baguette, and a blue corn waffle, among many other items. No reservations required.

2. B-Line Diner: For a Sunday brunch served at a diner with clout, make a beeline for the B-Line Diner at the Peabody Orlando. In addition to champagne or mimosas, the prix fixe brunch features sorbet with seasonal fresh fruit, toast or breakfast pastry, choice beverage and an incredible array of desserts. Your brunch entrée choices: applewood benedict, Belgian waffle, huevos poblanos, omelet or smoked Atlantic salmon and bagel.

3. La Coquina: If you’re looking for a brunch to really linger over, many hotels in the Orlando area offer just that, including La Coquina at the Hyatt Regency Grand Cypress Resort. Table after table of delectable dishes include standard brunch favorites such as fresh fruits and cheeses, a waffle and pancake station, salads and pasta dishes, chicken and seafood dishes - and don’t forget about dessert. Reservations are suggested.

4. Villa de Flora: Brunch at Villa de Flora at the Gaylord Palms is a real treat, whether a fun way to spend a lazy Sunday or a special occasion. Omelets are made to order and the other 100 or so brunch items will surely fill your plate time and time again. Strolling musicians and unlimited sparkling wine. add the perfect accompaniments and you can add to your meal.

5. Blues: The only thing more inspiring than the music you’ll hear is the offerings on the southern-style brunch menu, including Creole chicken jambalaya, cornmeal crusted catfish and more.

Though Jaws may get your heart pumping at Universal Studios, you’re more likely to want a little less action-packed ambience for dinner with your special someone. Here’s our list of Orlando’s five best romantic restaurants:

1. Victoria & Albert’s: The staff at this restaurant at Walt Disney World will customize your menu to your exact tastes, and the service will make you feel as if you’re the only couple in the room.

2. Napa: If you’re looking for a little romance to accompany your dinner, head to Napa at the Peabody Orlando. When you make reservations, ask for a cozy booth in the back of the restaurant, or perhaps a quiet table along the floor-to-ceiling windows. The décor, flickering candlelight, fine wine list and an exquisite food combine for an unforgettable evening.

3. Vito’s Chop House: The intimate ambience, exceptional service and out-of-this-world cuisine lend themselves to romance at Vito’s Chop House on International Drive, a classic steakhouse with Italian influences. Sip on one of the restaurant’s specialty martinis or a glass of wine from its extensive wine list and let the night take hold.

4. Seasons 52: If you’re timing’s right, an evening reservation at Seasons 52 can be filled with romance. Make reservations for a table on the patio and watch the fireworks from area theme parks light up the night while you dine of flavor-filled, calorie-considered dishes.

5. Ceviche: Whisper sweet nothings and nibble on small plates at Ceviche Tapas Bar & Restaurant and in downtown Orlando. Add a glass of the house sangria - red or white - and see were the evening takes you.

With cities (and sometimes countries) within the amusement parks, and an entire metropolitan area of more than 2 million people, Orlando has a diverse smattering of restaurants. Here’s our top five food experiences in Orlando:

1. The Epcot International Food & Wine Festival: Held each fall at Disney World, this culinary experience lets you eat your way around the world. Marketplaces throughout Epcot feature custom dishes from various countries, but the crème de la crème is the Party for the Senses - dozens of restaurants from around the U.S. feature the best of their menus, and all you have to do is walk around and sample, again and again and again. Come hungry - you won’t leave that way.

2. Taste of Downtown: For a local perspective of essentially the same concept, make your way to Taste of Downtown (Orlando) in the fall. Local restaurants converge on downtown Orlando to showcase their specialties, and again, all you need to do is walk around and sample - we highly suggest you repeat this process multiple times.

3. Farmers’ markets: To see where the freshest ingredients come from, visit the farmers’ market each Saturday in Winter Park and browse the freshest fruits, vegetables and flowers. There’s no need to buy, but the smells of kettle corn and crepes wafting through the area will certainly tempt you, as will the artisanal cheeses and decadent desserts.

4. Victoria & Albert’s: Have you ever had a dinner out at a refined restaurant that created the menu to please just your palate? That’s just what you’ll experience at Victoria & Albert’s at Walt Disney World. Upon making your reservations, you’ll answer a questionnaire that reviews your likes and dislikes, as well as allergies. The chef then takes that information and prepares the perfect meal - just for you.

5. Mascot meals: If you’re traveling with your kids, they’ll certainly want to dine with the characters at the area theme parks. Join loads of other families at Chef Mickey’s breakfast or dinner and dine with Mickey and Minnie Mouse and other characters. For a quieter option, try Crystal Palace buffet with Winnie the Pooh and Tigger, too. If Spider Man, Captain America and the Cat in the Hat are more your cup of tea, make breakfast reservations at the Confisco Grill at Universal’s Islands of Adventure. Or, make a splash at a buffet lunch with SeaWorld when you experience Dine with Shamu.

As host to more than 51 million visitors in 2010, Orlando has a plethora of hotels and resorts in which to stay - the property in and around Walt Disney World has 29 alone! But our job is to help take the guess work out of decision making, so we can give you a few suggestions.

If you’re traveling with your family, or alone on business, the Peabody Orlando has all the amenities you need. The pools and dining options give you a respite in the touristy Orlando, though the hotel is smack dab in the middle of all the action - just 15 minutes from the Orlando International Airport and five to 15 minutes from all of Orlando’s theme parks.

Combining the architectural genius of the Grand Palazzo in Italy and the Zen-like calm of the Far East, the Ritz-Carlton Orlando Grande Lakes is an oasis amid the hustle and bustle of theme park life. Six onsite restaurants, plush accommodations and the Greg Norman-designed 18-hole golf course will have you asking, “Mickey who?”

And we’d be lying if we told you we haven’t had a good time in Walt Disney World; we’re sure your kids will always remember the experience, so it’s up to you which themed hotel fits the sort of stay you’re hoping for.

Nightlife in Orlando isn’t quite the same as most big cities; the conglomeration of theme parks skews the age quotient down quite a bit, but that doesn’t mean singles and childless couples can’t have some fun. If you’re staying at or near Walt Disney World, make your way to Downtown Disney. The night comes alive when the sun sets, and while the famed Pleasure Island is going through renovations and a complete overhaul, you can still have a blast at Raglan Road Irish Pub & Bar, Fuego by Sosa Cigars and Paradiso 37. Who knows - maybe your favorite band will be playing at the House of Blues.

Over at Universal Orlando, CityWalk has bars and restaurants that offer a more adult type of entertainment. Live music dominates this area; make your way to martinis at Red Coconut Club; live music at Jimmy Buffett’s Margaritaville, Bob Marley - a Tribute to Freedom, Pat O’Brien’s for dueling pianos or even Hard Rock Live. Dance the night away at the Groove or salsa it up at Latin Quarter. If karaoke’s your thing, let your inner rock star out at Rising Star.

And if you want to get away from the parks, try downtown Orlando or International Drive, both of which are chock full of nightlife and a little ways out from all the mascot-inspired rides and restaurants.

While you may be most familiar with the Country Bear Jamboree, Orlando actually offers plenty more live music options that don’t involve animatronic bears that blow into jugs and pluck banjos. In fact, the city has a number of nationally known clubs and bars that bring in decent concerts.

National acts regularly stop at Hard Rock Live at Universal’s CityWalk and the House of Blues in Downtown Disney; check their websites for upcoming shows. If you’re in downtown Orlando, the Social is a fantastic, intimate venue that also draws national acts and local bands. Just down the street from the Social, Will’s Pub is quickly making a name for itself, too. But on any given night of the week, you’ll be able to find the live music your crave between these clubs, in a variety of styles and sounds that’ll give you something different to do outside the theme-park entertainment.

Sports make a pretty significant impact on the Orlando landscape; the NBA’s Orlando Magic plays their games at the Amway Center in downtown Orlando. Dwight Howard, the 7-footer with the foot-wide smile, leads the team and has been its All-Star for the last half-dozen years. But if you’re looking for a more active sporting experience, check out the ESPN Wide World of Sports at Walt Disney World, which hosts a wide variety of sporting events, including soccer, fastpitch softball, track and field, baseball and half- and full marathons. The Atlanta Braves even hold their spring training at the facility, so you can catch Major Leaguers around the complex, depending on when you visit.

If you’re into baseball and spring training, plenty of teams travel south for the winter, to the Orlando area: the Cleveland Indians (Winter Haven), Detroit Tigers (Lakeland), Houston Astros (Kissimmee) and New York Yankees (Tampa). Just keep in mind you’ll definitely need a car to get around to these spring training games.

About an hour west of Orlando, Tampa Bay has two sports teams: the Buccanneers of the NFL, and the Lightning of the NHL. In fact, the city has an MLB team as well, the Tampa Bay Rays, but they actually play their games in St. Petersburg. Confusing, we know.

Of course, if you’d rather relax with a pint of beer and watch your favorite team on TV, you won’t have any trouble finding bars in Orlando - just figuring out which one to take your patronage to.

When packing your bags for your trip Orlando, don’t overdo it. Stop. Take a breath. Relax. You’re going on vacation, after all.

If you’re visiting in the summer, throw in a few pairs of your favorite shorts and tank tops; the weather in Orlando dictates light colors and fabrics. Otherwise, you’ll find yourself sticking to your clothes and ready to drop dead from the humidity. And don’t forget your walking shoes - you’ll likely spend a lot of time traipsing around the theme parks, so some fresh socks couldn’t hurt, either.

You’ll also want to bring a few resort casual outfits for dinners out; bring a light sweater, too - restaurants tend to keep the air conditioning low, almost counteracting the sweltering heat entirely . Pack a miniature umbrella, too - you don’t wanna be left soggy after an afternoon storm.

In the fall, winter and even into early spring, long pants and capris will get you through the day, and a light sweater or jacket will keep you warm during the cool evenings. As always, it’s always a good idea to check the weather just prior to your trip. But be sure to bring your suntan lotion, too - the bright Florida sun can broil you any time of year.

If you have two days to spend in Orlando, we recommend choosing between the expensive theme parks, or keeping things low-key and exploring some of the city’s other cultural offerings.

If theme parks and thrill rides are up your alley, focus your time at Disney World, Universal Studios or SeaWorld. You’ll want to give yourself plenty of time to ride all rides and see all the shows. Of course, this in itself could take up a full week if you want to soak in everything that the three mega-parks have to offer, so you’re best served by picking one and spending the majority of your time at just one park; this can also help you save a few dollars and the hassle of shuttling between.

If you’d rather spend one day at a theme park, and another on a more culturally minded day, you can do that, too. Start one of your mornings in the downtown Orlando area at the Orlando Museum of Art; the community-based, community-supported museum includes American, African and contemporary graphic arts, among others.

Head up just 15 minutes to Winter Park to check out the Charles Hosmer Morse Museum, which displays the world’s largest collection of Louis Comfort Tiffany art, including the chapel interior that from the 1893 World’s Columbian Exposition in Chicago.

Round out your day at the Cornell Fine Arts Museum, which overlooks Lake Virginia on the breathtakingly beautiful campus of Rollins. Works by Henri Matisse, Pablo Picasso, Alex Katz and Albert Bierstadt make this museum worth a visit, even if it’s a brief one.

There you have it - theme parks that’ll make you scream, and museums that’ll make you think -a great snapshot of Orlando’s two sides, one that most visitors never think to explore.

Museums in Orlando actually exist outside of It’s a Small World. In fact, the central Florida city has a surprisingly vibrant arts scene.

Since it opened in 1998, the Mennello Museum of American Folk Art has featured a diverse collection of paintings and sculptures, including an extensive permanent collection of paintings by Earl Cunningham (1893-1977).

Overlooking Lake Virginia on the country club-like campus of Rollins College in Winter Park, the Cornell Fine Arts Museum showcases temporary exhibitions, as well as a permanent collection with works by Henri Matisse, Pablo Picasso, Alex Katz and Albert Bierstadt.

For more than 50 years, the Albin Polasek Museum and Sculpture Gardens, also in Winter Park, has housed more than 200 works by Polasek. Splitting time between the gardens and museum makes for a leisurely Orlando afternoon.

Discover the world’s largest collection of Louis Comfort Tiffany art at the Charles Hosmer Morse Museum on Park Avenue in Winter Park. The museum exhibits include spectacular lamps, just as you would imagine, and the chapel interior that Morse designed for the 1893 World’s Columbian Exposition in Chicago.

For a more hands-on experience, the Orlando Science Center keeps you guessing with hundreds of exhibits, programs and labs. Your kids won’t mind learning at this museum - in fact, they may not even realize they’re learning.

And no art buff should skip out on the Orlando Museum of Art. The community-based, community-supported museum features an eclectic collection spanning the Americas and Africa, with more than 90 years of serving its community under its belt.

If you have one day to spend in Orlando, first determine exactly what you want to do. Because of urban sprawl, you won’t be able to hit a theme park, visit an art gallery and dine in Winter Park, all in one day.

If theme parks are your cup of tea - or Tea Cups, for that matter - focus your time on one of the theme parks at Disney, Universal, or SeaWorld. Let’s be honest, three theme parks in one day, especially mega-parks like these, is just not humanly possible. You’ll want to give yourself plenty of time to take it all in. Choose your favorite mascot, then cast your lot with it: Mickey, Jaws or Shamu. We’re partial to Mickey, if only because we don’t have great sea legs.

If the art scene is more your thing, Orland might actually surprise you with its impressive galleries. Start in the downtown Orlando area at the Orlando Museum of Art; for nearly 90 years, the community-based, community-supported museum has featured American and African art, art of the ancient americas, a contemporary American graphics collection and visiting exhibitions.

From there, drive about 15 minutes to Winter Park. After a leisurely lunch on Park Avenue, visit the Charles Hosmer Morse Museum. The museum houses the world’s largest collection of Louis Comfort Tiffany art, including the chapel interior that Morse designed for the 1893 World’s Columbian Exposition in Chicago.

Round out your day at the Cornell Fine Arts Museum, which overlooks Lake Virginia on the campus of Rollins. A combination of original and traveling exhibitions, from early Renaissance to contemporary, make this a museum for everyone. The permanent collection includes works by Henri Matisse, Pablo Picasso, Alex Katz and Albert Bierstadt - a bit more refined than even Steamboat Willie.

With its many theme parks, Orlando always brings in tourists like a magnet brings in nails. And because of central Florida’s idyllic (albeit muggy) weather, it really doesn’t make much difference what time of year you visit; it’s always t-shirt and shorts weather in Orlando.
That being said, Orlando does get hot during the summer - it’s Florida, after all - and the humidity peaks in August. If heat makes you wilt, you’re better off heading south for the winter - or spring or fall, for that matter.

If you’re traveling with the kids, and doing so during school breaks, you can expect the theme parks to be busy - really busy. But if you can get away while school’s still in session, you may just find shorter lines and smaller crowds at Disney World, Universal Studios and SeaWorld. Otherwise, you can expect a few certainties in life: death, taxes and long lines at Orlando’s theme parks.

Thrill rides and theme parks fill up the brochures about Orlando, but you can squeeze in some romance without either. Space Mountain may not scream “romantic evening” to you, but plenty of Orlando’s attractions have that quality that will make you and your special someone starry-eyed. Here’s our top five romantic things to do in Orlando:

1. Lake Eola. After a romantic dinner in downtown Orlando, take a quiet stroll around Lake Eola. The sparkling lights from the surrounding buildings dance on the water, while the swans quietly glide along. At the risk of sounding cheesy, we can’t think of anything more romantic than a moonlit stroll along a glistening lake.

2. Winter Park. A quiet, scenic boat tour of the lakes and canals of Winter Park makes any morning more interesting. You’ll be able to snuggle with your sweetie, while taking in the beautiful scenery and interesting history of the area.

3. Charles Hosmer Morse Museum. Post-boat ride, stroll through the world’s largest collection of Louis Comfort Tiffany art at the Charles Hosmer Morse Museum, including the chapel interior that he designed for the 1893 World’s Columbian Exposition in Chicago. But if you haven’t already bought her that rock (or if he hasn’t bought if for you), you may not want to linger on the jewelry exhibits.

4. Leu Gardens. It doesn’t get much more romantic than a movie under the stars amid a breathtakingly beautiful garden of flowers and arching trees - other than that lakeside moonlit stroll. We highly suggest a date night at Leu Gardens, which offers just about everything - minus the lake - for the perfect evening of love.

5. Victoria and Albert’s. To us, food is certainly a thing of lust, so why wouldn’t a romantic dinner be on this list? We suggest that you make reservations at Victoria and Albert’s for a special meal. When you call to make your reservations, the host will go through a pre-screen for food allergies, dislikes and preferences in order to make sure that your menu is customized to your every need. It sure beats having to cook yourself, and you still get a customized meal. We consider this a win.

We know all of those theme parks can put quite a big hole in your wallet, but Orlando offers great alternatives - free alternatives nonetheless - to the crowded parks. We’ve come up with a list of our five favorite free things to do in Orlando and think you’ll love them just as much as we do:

1. For a theme-free park experience, check out Dr. Phillips Community Park, which is near all of the attractions, but totally removed from the hectic pandemonium of the theme parks. On the 80 acres of parkland, you and your kids can play on baseball and soccer fields, a basketball court and a playground, or even embark on a hike through the trails. The good news is, Fido can join too-at least in the dog park.

2. The glistening Lake Eola in downtown Orlando is a wonderful, and completely free, way to spend the day. Grab a pal and take a stroll around the lake as you watch the swans swim quietly on their way. Or if you are really feeling gutsy, take your kids and they can horse around to their hearts’ content.

3. Visit the farmers’ market each Saturday in Winter Park to browse the freshest fruits, vegetables and flowers. Of course we aren’t telling you to buy anything, but we will tell you that staying away from the aroma of kettle corn and crêpes is going to be quite the difficult task. We promise we won’t judge you if you cave in-we did.

4. For a bit of history, stay in Winter Park and join a walking tour. The tour guides will navigate you along the streets, sending you back 100 years to when Orlando first became a resort destination.

5. Let your imagination soar at the LEGO Imagination Center in downtown Disney. You’ll see the Seven Dwarfs in mid-spoof and even a Loch Ness Monster rearing its head out of the water.

Fun doesn’t have to cost a thing when you stay in Orlando.

If you simply must shop ‘til you drop while in Orlando, you’re spared from having to just buy merchandise from Mickey or Shamu. From shopping malls to tree- and boutique-lined streets and outlet malls, Orlando has the retail exercise you’ll need to keep that credit card in shape.

The Mall at Millenia runs the whole gamut of shopping classes, with department stores such as Bloomingdales, Macy’s and Neiman Marcus; designer outposts of Louis Vuitton and Gucci; casual favorites such as Gap and luxury jewelers such as Tiffany & Co., Cartier and David Yurman.

At the Florida Mall, you’ll surely find something at Orlando’s only Nordstrom and Saks Fifth Avenue or perhaps Clarks England, Adidas or the European trendsetting shop, H&M. Your kids will beg to spend the day at M&M’s World, and to build a new friend at the ever-popular Build-A-Bear Workshop.

Make your way to downtown to Winter Park for boutique- and tree-lined streets; whether you’re window shopping or shopping for real, something in the boutiques and galleries will catch your eye. Spend the day shopping, then pop into a sidewalk café for a bite to eat, if that tickles your fancy.

And with the abundance of tourists, outlet shopping reigns supreme in Orlando. Labels such as Betsey Johnson, Coach, J.Crew, Kenneth Cole, Lacoste, Michael Kors, Last Call by Neiman Marcus, Polo Ralph Lauren and Saks Fifth Avenue Off 5th come together at Orlando Premium Outlets. Just make sure you’ve left enough room in your luggage to haul all your newfound booty back to your home island.

Sure, you can speed down Space Mountain and swim with Shamu, but Orlando offers plenty of other options for you and your youngins. Here’s a list of five things to do to keep you and the kids busy during your trip to Orlando:

1. For a different park experience, check out Dr. Phillips Community Park, close to all of the theme park attractions, but completely removed from the crowds. On the 80 acres of parkland, you and your kids can play on baseball and soccer fields, a basketball court and a playground, or go for a walk on the hiking trails. Fido can have fun at the dog park, too - a perfect outing for the whole family, sans lines and high prices.

2. Kids of all ages will have a hair-raising time at the Orlando Science Center; the temporary “High Voltage” exhibit explains all about the electron. Hundreds of exhibits, programs and labs make this one of the top hands-on science centers in the U.S., and sneaks in a bit of learning, too.

3. Dinosaurs may be extinct, but the fun isn’t at Dinosaur World, the world’s largest dinosaur attraction, just 45 minutes west of Orlando. Life-size dinosaurs replicas - 150 of them - make their home in the wooded lands. You and your kids will be able to pick out your favorites; we’re partial to the stegosaurus.

4. Though you can’t swim and dive with them, manatees make Blue Spring State Park their home during the winter, and you can get a close look at the endangered species, something you can see in the natural anywhere else. And when the manatees aren’t around, you can go in the always-73-degrees water for a swim yourself.

5. Make your way to downtown Orlando for a walk around beautiful Lake Eola; a lot of people have heard of the Swan Hotel at Disney World, but at Lake Eola, you can feed actual swans.

Few vacation spots size up to Orlando; between Walt Disney World, Universal Studios and SeaWorld, millions flock to Florida every year just for these parks. But there’s a whole city outside the theme parks that many never visit, too. Here’s our top five things to see and do in Orlando:

1. Lake Eola. Head to downtown Orlando and walk around Lake Eola - you can even feed the swans that make their home on the lake. And when you get hungry yourself, you can stop for a quick bite to eat at one of the cafés around the lake.

2. If shopping’s more your thing and you’re looking for boutiques or galleries, make your way to Winter Park, a resort destination for more than 100 years. Stroll the tree-lined streets and window shop the boutiques and art galleries, popping into a café for a leisurely lunch or dinner.

3. For an up-close visit with nature, take a drive half an hour north of Orlando and visit Blue Spring State Park. The crystal clear water stays a constant 73 degrees, and in the winter, endangered manatees make their home there. Though swimming and diving with the manatees is prohibited, it’s fun to sneak a peek from the boardwalks. Otherwise, you can dive and swim in the springs the rest of the year.

4. If you’d rather stay on land, stroll the nature trails of Leu Gardens and let your olfactory and visual senses be overwhelmed with blooming flowers, trees, shrubs and more. Most people wouldn’t think of beautiful foliage or landscapes away from the beach when they think of Florida, but that’s where they’d be wrong. Leu Gardens is worth a second look.

5. In addition to world-famous theme parks, Orlando boasts a surprisingly impressive arts scene of its own. Take a day and explore a few museums, including the Mennello Museum of American Folk Art, the Cornell Fine Arts Museum, the Albin Polasek Museum and Sculpture Gardens, the Charles Hosmer Morse Museum, the Orlando Science Center and the Orlando Museum of Art.