Downtown Orlando

From the beautiful Lake Eola to the picturesque streets and upscale neighborhoods, downtown Orlando really does live up to its name...the City Beautiful. Vibrant, safe, and clean. When it comes to fun, downtown Orlando has it all. There are unique restaurants and shops, inviting bars and exciting clubs, not to mention attractions, museums, art galleries, live theater, opera, ballet, and concert and sports venues. The Orlando Arena is home to the Orlando Magic Basketball Team and is used as a venue for major concerts. Smaller concerts and live theater can be found at the Bob Carr Performing Arts Center. Visit downtown and you’ll realize there is even more to Orlando than the theme parks. Downtown Orlando is just a short drive from your InnHouse vacation home.

Orlando History Center: Visitors of all ages have explored Central Florida's fascinating past since the fall 2000 opening of the History Center. Experience the people, places and events that shaped Central Florida . . . Spanish Conquistadors, Seminole Indians, Cracker cowmen and pioneers, citrus growers, Tin Can tourists, aerospace engineers, and Walt Disney . . . For 12,000 years explorers have made history in the subtropical paradise of Central Florida. The History Center invites you to learn about their story in a dynamic, interactive journey through time.

Orlando Science Center: Hands on learning and discovery await in the four levels of interactive exhibits at the Orlando Science Center. Images surround you on the giant-screen of the Dr. Phillips CineDome. Take interstate 4 to Downtown Orlando and exit on to East Princeton.

Orlando Museum of Art: The Orlando Museum of Art is dedicated to collecting, preserving and interpreting notable works of art. In addition to presenting exhibitions of local, regional, national and international significance, the Orlando Museum of Art provides educational programs to appeal to all segments of its diverse audiences. Take interstate 4 to Downtown Orlando and exit on to East Princeton.

Harry P. Leu Gardens: Sightseeing takes a natural turn at Harry P. Leu Gardens. The gardens include 50-acres of tropical plants, formal rose garden, and camellias. Visit the Leu House Museum, a restored late nineteenth century home, which is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. Located at 1920 North Forest Avenue. Take Interstate 4 to Downtown Orlando take East Colonial Drive to Mills Avenue heading North. Head East on Virginia Drive.

Live Theater: If you enjoy the theater or music, check out the Bob Carr Center for the Performing Arts, or several smaller theater ensembles, supper clubs, and comedy hot spots that are located in the downtown area. Live theatre includes the Broadway Series, Theatre Downtown, the Civic Theatres, SAK Comedy Lab, the Orlando-UCF Shakespeare Festival and Florida Children's Repertory Theatre.

Antique Row at Lake Ivanhoe: For those searching for personal treasures of old, Orlando's Antique Row on Orange Avenue in downtown Orlando offers a variety of collectibles. Visitors looking for specialty items can also stop by the nearby Ivanhoe shops, which boast antiques, fine gifts and clothing.

Lake Eola and the Thornton Park Neighborhood: Nestled in the heart of downtown Orlando is the beautiful Lake Eola. Take a stroll around the beautifully landscaped grounds or rent a swan boat for a relaxing trip around the lake. To the south and east of Lake Eola is the urban neighborhood of Thornton Park with it’s unique shops and fashionable restaurants. Lake Eola is home to the Walt Disney Amiptheater and is the starting point for the annual Citrus Bowl Parade.

Downtown Nightlife: After dark downtown Orlando comes alive with cool clubs, interesting bars, and unique restaurants. Most of the bars and clubs are concentrated along Orange Avenue between Church Street and Washington Street. Many other places can be found along both Central Avenue and Pine Street (which both cross Orange Avenue) in the area between Garland and Magnolia Avenue. In addition the area along Church Street from Orange Avenue to Church Street Station is worth checking out.

Downtown Farmers Market: For a relaxing Saturday morning shopping expedition, visitors can stop by the Downtown Farmers Market in Orlando. The Farmers Market is located in Heritage Square, at the intersection of Central Boulevard and Magnolia Avenue in Downtown Orlando.

Special Events: Staged throughout the year, special events add extra spark to the downtown scene. The Orlando International Fringe Festival, the Orlando-UCF Shakespeare Festival, the Citrus Bowl Parade, Fiesta In the Park, Rotary Orlando Street Painting Festival, and Fourth of July Picnic in the Park are but a few.