Downtown Orlando

[tarheelmjfan]

Is there anything in Downtown Orlando teenagers would enjoy doing/seeing? Neither of them are into sports nor are they outdoorsy. They enjoy pretty much everything else. We'll be there later this month, so weather is a factor. We really enjoy visiting urban areas, as long as it's a safe area & there's something to do. We love the downtown vibe in many cities. That's usually our favorite places to visit. TIA for the info.

 

[Frothy]

Go to City Walk, Pointe Orlando or Downtown Disney. Downtown Orlando is a waste of time.

 

[tarheelmjfan]

Thanks for the suggestion. We've been to CW & DTD many times. We usually stay onsite @ UO. This trip was planned to go to Comedy Warehouse & Adventurers Club before they close, so we're already planning a visit to DTD one night. We haven't been to Pointe Orlando. I'll check that out. We're looking for something new.

 

[tarheelmjfan]

I looked it up & it appears we have been to Pointe Orlando. We've been to WonderWorks & the kids are going again this trip. This will be the 1st time for my DS's girlfriend. It looks like we were already planning on going to PO & didn't know it.

 

[Cloudboy]

Downtown Orlando isn't a very city-like city. So to that end you might be disappointed. There are some decent restaurants, and Church Street, once a club district but subsequently closed down, is coming back to life. It might be worth a wander around, however. I believe the Travel Channel has a special on tomorrow night (the 10th of July) about downtown Orlando.

You might be interested in taking a trip up to Winter Park. That is a lot more of a strolling around artsy type place. More trees, too, so it's shady.

Hopefully Downtown Orlando will start to take off soon. They are building a new events place, and people are starting to get interested in Downtown again.

 

[tarheelmjfan]

Downtown Orlando isn't a very city-like city. So to that end you might be disappointed. There are some decent restaurants, and Church Street, once a club district but subsequently closed down, is coming back to life. It might be worth a wander around, however. I believe the Travel Channel has a special on tomorrow night (the 10th of July) about downtown Orlando.

You might be interested in taking a trip up to Winter Park. That is a lot more of a strolling around artsy type place. More trees, too, so it's shady.

Hopefully Downtown Orlando will start to take off soon. They are building a new events place, and people are starting to get interested in Downtown again.

I'm sorry to hear the downtown area doesn't have a lot to do. It's great that it's in a building phase though. It's a shame that more American cities aren't tourist destinations. We love visiting the cities that are bustling & offer enough options for a long weekend getaway or longer.

I've already set the Tivo to record Samantha Brown's Orlando show. I'll be watching it more than once I'm sure.

On a another subject, do you happen to know if the farmers market @ Lake Eola has anything teenagers would enjoy. We need to find something to do, on arrival day, that allows pets. I'm sure we won't be able to get into our room that early. We're considering Celebration, but most things don't open until noon. We can drive it in an hour, so we can pretty much predict our arrival time, but I really don't want to get a late start. We only have 2 nights this time.

 

[WhateverLolaWants]

Downtown Orlando is not that interesting. The only thing I find worth the time down there is Pita Pit. There are definitely some parts of DT Orlando that are sketchy, but there is a section or so that's decent to walk around.

 

[troobabiee7]

Thanks for all the advice. I had been wondering about Downtown Orlando too, since we planned on spending a day walking around next summer. Now it seems like we'd be better off spending a few hours in winter Park. Thanks again!

 

[cherylp3]

Perhaps the Science center would interest them?

 

[tarheelmjfan]

Thanks for the info on downtown, & the Orlando Science Center suggestion. We actually considered the OSC, but Disney Quest won out with the kids. The admission price was only a few $ more. We now have WonderWorks, DQ, mini-golf, DTD w/ Adventurers Club & Comedy Warehouse. I think that will keep us busy for a 2 day trip. The only thing left up in the air is where to spend Sunday morning with our mini-doberman, until we can check-in. We've had Celebration, Winter Park, & Lake Eola suggested. I'm not sure which will have the most to do for our pet & the teens together.

I'm going to keep watching for downtown development. I'd like to go there for a 2 night getaway, when there's a little more to do.

 

[MattM]

Are your kids into music? There are some great venues downtown that have bands play often. The people who say downtown Orlando is dead arent from downtown nor Orlando, and dont truly know whats going on there, so take that advice for what it is.

 

[tarheelmjfan]

Are your kids into music? There are some great venues downtown that have bands play often. The people who say downtown Orlando is dead arent from downtown nor Orlando, and dont truly know whats going on there, so take that advice for what it is.

It's actually my son & his girlfriend, & yes they are very much into music. They're very serious about it though, especially my son. The latest hits on the radio doesn't work for him. He's into Indie music & legends. They're both amateur actors & enjoy the theater & live comedy also. What is there to do in the downtown area that they would enjoy? Keep in mind that they're only 16 & 17, so that may limit our options.

One last question, is it possible (& safe) to stay in a downtown hotel & walk everywhere we want to go for a 2 night stay? This is one thing we enjoy most about visiting cities with a vibrant downtown. We like to park our vehicle (or not rent one), & not get back into it until it's time to leave. We're willing to take public transit or taxis, if absolutely necessary. I'd rather avoid crazy taxi drivers though.

 

[MattM]

Well then I know there's a place downtown that they would love. Its called "The Social" (I'm 99% sure thats the one, I'll check with my neighbor when I get home tonight, his kids are older than ours and I know they go to a place downtown). They have shows pretty regularly, and few of them are "mainstream." There are others too, but again, let me check with the neighbors/their kids.

http://www.thesocial.org/index.cfm

Sure, there are some nice hotels downtown. There is a Marriott, a brand new Crowne Plaza, a Doubletree Suites, a Courtyard by Marriott, and The Grand Bohemian (Formerly operated by Westin, but still a great hotel). Downtown is significantly more busy during the weekends (which I suppose includes Thursdays now) than it is during week days, if that makes any difference on when you want to go.

Let me know if you need/want any more info and I would be glad to help.

 

[kerrynic78]

I really enjoy downtown Orlando. There are some really great restuarants that my friends and I try to go to at least twice a month. I have never stayed down there since I live right around the corner, but we always have fun when we go downtown and have never felt unsafe or bored!

 

[tweetylori]

According to my son, who is in his early 20's, and living in Orlando, he loves the Downtown Orlando music scene. Apparently the place really comes alive on the weekends at night.
As for theatre, there is an interesting little theatre called The Mad Cow in downtown. We saw an interesting play there one time. I didn't care for the play, but the theatre was neat, and depending on what they have happening when you're there you might want to check it out. madcowtheatre.com.
There are sometimes festivals going on around the lake in downtown also that can be fun.

 

[tweetylori]

"One last question, is it possible (& safe) to stay in a downtown hotel & walk everywhere we want to go for a 2 night stay? This is one thing we enjoy most about visiting cities with a vibrant downtown. We like to park our vehicle (or not rent one), & not get back into it until it's time to leave. We're willing to take public transit or taxis, if absolutely necessary. I'd rather avoid crazy taxi drivers though. "

I know what you mean...this is how I like to visit cities also. The only hotel to watch out for is The Lexington. They say they're in downtown Orlando, but they're far enough that you wouldn't feel comfortable staying there and walking around. I got them off Hotwire one time, and was disappointed at the location.

 

[MattM]

^ This is actually a Crowne Plaza now. And from what I've heard, they will shuttle you down to the area where the bars/restaurants are. I cant verify but it would be worth a call if you were interested.