Discover Gay Florida :: Orlando

Orlando is known for their theme parks and of course, Gay Disney. As fun as those are, the rest of this fine city shouldn't be underestimated. Downtown Orlando has a ton to offer urban explorers, night owls and outdoor adventurers.

There are tons of gay bars in Orlando, which makes it a great place for singletons to go and make new "friends." There are way too many to list here, but to list a few there is the legendary-and 36 year old-Parliament House Resort, Revolution, Mr. Sisters, Pulse, Sun on the Beach and many, many more. You won't be at a loss for evening entertainment, that's for sure.

Orlando is broken into several charming areas, each with their own individual vibe, and each with really adorable shops. The Lake Ivanhoe district is known for its antique shops; the gorgeous 43-acre Lake Eola Park is great for a long stroll and is surrounded by great shops; Loch Haven Park houses the Orlando Museum of Art, the Mennello Museum of American Folk Art, and the Orlando Science Center and College Park was once the home of Beat writer Jack Kerouac and Thornton Park is known for being a spot for the gay crowd and artsy people.

If you prefer the deals you get at outlet shopping, then Orlando has you covered with their outlet malls. Here are two to check out:

Lake Buena Vista Factory Stores
15657 S Apopka Vineland Road (SR 535), Orlando 32821

Stores like G By Guess, Levis Outlet Store and Tommy Hilfiger and many more will get those shopping juices flowing!

Orlando Premium Outlets
8200 Vineland Avenue, Orlando, FL 32821

Enjoy deals at these upscale shops: Barney's New York Outlet, Armani Exchange, Diesel, Calvin Klein, J. Crew, True Religion, Prada, Joe's Jeans, Banana Republic Outlet Store, etc.

Garden and flower lovers and aficionados of the outdoors won't want to miss the following places:

Leu Gardens
1920 North Forest Avenue, Orlando 32803

Leu Gardens features walkways for a self-guided tour through fifty acres of southern-styled gardens including: America's third largest Camellia collection, three acres of idea gardens, the largest formal rose garden in Florida, a National Historic House dating from the 1880s, two acre Tropical Stream Garden Vegetable and Herb Garden Butterfly Garden Palm, bamboo and cycad gardens.

Wekiwa Springs State Park
1800 Wekiwa Circle, Apopka 32712

Just outside of Orlando in Apopka is a gem of a park which boasts a natural spring.

The spring bubbles up at the base of an amphitheater forming a crystal clear pool of water that is a 72 degrees year-round. The Wekiva River in the area is also a great place to canoe and there are several spots in the park to take a stroll and to picnic.

There are several great museums in the area to check out. Here are a few.

Orlando Museum of Art
2416 North Mills Avenue, Orlando, FL 32803

The Orlando Museum of Art is one of the top major art museums in Florida. Newsweek called it one of the best museums in the South.

Mennello Museum of Folk Art
900 East Princeton Street, Orlando, FL 32803

The Mennello Museum of American Art offers a diverse collection of paintings and sculptures, including an outstanding permanent collection of paintings by Earl Cunningham (1893-1977).

Orlando Science Center
777 East Princeton Street, Orlando, FL 32803-1291

The Orlando Science Center is 50 years old and has four floors of exciting exhibits, amazing giant screen movies and engaging live programming.

Orange County Convention Center
9800 International Drive, Orlando, FL 32819

There is always something going on at the Orange County Convention Center! It has gone through several expansions since its opening in1983 and is now 2.1 million square feet! It is the nation's third largest convention center now and plays host to huge events like the Orlando Home & Garden Show and The Magic City Gift Show. You'll want to check their schedule of events to see what's going on before you plan your trip.

Hamburger Mary's Orlando
110 W. Church Street, Orlando, FL 32801

Fun drag shows, juicy burgers and fantastic cocktails makes Hamburger Mary's the perfect place to party plus have a great meal.

Rainbow Cafe at The Parliament House Resort
410 N. Orange Blossom Trail, Orlando, FL 32805

The Rainbow Cafe has a diner vibe and specializes in comfort food. Daily dinner specials include Homemade Meatloaf, Yankee Pot Roast and Spaghetti & Meatballs.

Pom Pom's Teahouse and Sandwicheria
67 N. Bumby Avenue, Orlando, FL 32803

Pom Pom's offers unique gourmet sandwiches and salads plus a large variety of tea and sweets all in a laidback atmosphere.

Dexter's Thornton Park
808 E. Washington St , Orlando, FL 32801

This hip restaurant specializes in casual dining. It has a cool wine bar and features local musicians. It's known for having a great brunch. There are two other locations of Dexter in the area.

Orlando is way hipper than many would think. It's a great getaway for anyone who wants to enjoy some culture, experience a unique dining scene and check out some amazing nightlife!