Orlando, Florida

Ah, Orlando. It’s the most recognized city in Florida and is home to some of the best entertainment in the state. More people vacation in Florida than almost anywhere else in the country. It’s convenient to all theme parks, beaches, the space coast, and has a wide variety of affordable things to do, as well as a great night scene.

With 220,000 residents, it is necessary for Orlando to be on top of its game when it comes to protecting its citizens. However, the job is quite a bit harder than most people think. With tourism and a massive influx of people moving to the city, Orlando has risen to become the number 11 most dangerous city in the nation. But, don’t let that fool you into believing that Orlando isn’t a great place to live or vacation, because it is.

Culture in Orlando, Florida

The culture scene in Orlando is fabulous. Orlando is home to a growing number of Latino people and the city prospers culturally with radio stations playing Reggae and Salsa. The Orlando Sentinel also publishes a weekly newspaper in Spanish called El Sentinel. Even the Orlando Magic basketball team is recognizing the cultural diversity in Orlando by being the only NBA team to host a Latin Night.

Orlando even has a Vietnamese Quarter in the Colonialtown district of downtown Orlando. Those who know it call it “Little Saigon.” Little Saigon is now an official landmark of the City of Orlando and offers restaurants, grocers, and merchants offering a wide variety of goods from Asia. The large population of Vietnamese stems from the refugees fleeing the country during the fall of Saigon.

Entertainment in Orlando, FL

We all know about Disney World, Universal Studios, and Sea World as entertainment destinations in Orlando. But, there is so much more to offer those who aren’t interested in a traditional, family oriented theme park vacation. The Orlando area is home to a substantial theatre population. Orlando co-hosts a Shakespeare Festival with the University of Central Florida. There is also the Starlight Dinner Theatre, and the popular Bob Carr Performing Arts Center, which brings big name performances from all over the country. In April, 2008, the Bob Carr will be hosting the off-Broadway production of Wicked.

If you’re more into the museum scene, Orlando is home to 5 museums including the Orlando Museum of Art, The Morse Museum of American Art, and the Cornell Fine Arts Museum. Orlando is also the home to the Orlando Science Center; Harry P. Leu Gardens which is a 50 acre inner city sanctuary that serves as a botanical garden, butterfly house, and an orchid house.

If you’re really adventurous, you can take a turn in Downtown Orlando during the evening and take part in a delicious night scene that is sure to blow you away. You can visit Independent Bar, more commonly known as I-Bar to the regulars, and dance away to the best independent music of the 80’s and today. Or, if you’re feeling really adventurous, Tabu Nightclub is the place to visit. Anything goes at Tabu and the secrets stay there.

But, if you’re looking for a peaceful vacation, Orlando is only 45 minutes away from Titusville, home of Kennedy Space Center and Cocoa Beach. You can walk on the beach that inspired the TV sitcom, I Dream of Jeannie or visit Kennedy Space Center and really feel the impact that the space industry had on the state of Florida.

No matter what you want to do, dine, club, see a show, or just kick back at a shopping mall (Orlando has one for everyone), Orlando has it and is the perfect destination for a vacation. If you love it, Orlando would love to have you as a resident!