O-Town: A Biased List of The Best Places and Things To Do

               Orlando, Florida is obviously known by most of the world for being home to Disney World. Big Whoop (even though I love Disney world so much and have secretly wanted to be a Disney princess there for the last few years because you get paid $9/Hr to be a princess, sign autographs, hug children, be beautiful,  take pictures and have someone to do your makeup and hair every day you work. Kinda like Kim Kardashian, only instead of hugging children you make a huge ass of yourself on TV. Literally.)

When people who don’t live in the Sunshine State think or hear “Florida” I’m sure the first group of nouns and adjectives they imagine are as follows:

-Hot                             - Theme Parks                        

- Peninsula                   - Tourists

-Gators                        - Really Flippin’ Hot              

- Hotter than Hell        

-Beaches

-Swelteringly Hot

-Everglades National Park

- Partying in Miami

-Hurricanes

- 401K's and Elderly Folks (They have the best stories and they're so nice!)

              
You get the picture. Florida is only truly enjoyed by the people who don’t mind the heat, are looking to retire and escape the winter, grew up here and really never considered leaving, or by families and people that Florida has a hate-love relationship with: The Tourists. There’s a really great and diverse population of people in Orlando, and with that diverse group of people, amazing places to shop, eat, and visit.

1.   
  Dandelion Café

            The dandelion café is absolutely amazing! Its located close to downtown Orlando and as far as lunch goes, I would suggest getting the tea of the day (get it sweetened if you like sweeter teas versus more plain and earthy tastes!), and a bean burrito with a side of hummus and carrot sticks. And to complete your experience, get a vegan cupcake! Now, hear me out, vegan desserts are better than regular desserts, and you can tell the people that make the Publix cookies in the bakery that I said so. The desserts are sometimes kind of big, so I’d bring a friend with you to help finish it.This café is always full of friendly staff and I’m pretty sure it used to be a house due to the set up and the look of the interior. It’s a pretty and bright little place with a lot of flowers out front. Some nights, they have live music and everyone sits outside and hangs out, and it truly is awesome. I’ve never spent more than $15 dollars for lunch there, so its also reasonably priced. I came across the Dandelion café one day with my dad and we decided to try it and it was well worth it.

 

2. 

    Palmanos Café

(I’m a big fan of cafes, alright!?) Palmanos is one of my favorite places to get a latte, besides Starbucks of course. Palmanos is located on Park Ave. in Winter Park, Florida, and has reasonably priced delicious food and manageable portion sizes. I always get the “Sofia” which is a pressed turkey Panini with red onions and cheese, and I drink a Jones soda with it. This used to be the place my dad and I ate every Sunday after church because our church was right around the corner. The staff and owner are great, always friendly and they value their customers and take pride in the food they serve. The inside of Palmanos is small but tasteful and well lit. I love the décor, it feels like what a coffee shop should feel like. The location is great because once you’re finished eating, you can stroll up and down Park Ave. Palmanos is the real way to enjoy your Sunday funday. There are a lot menu options to choose from and Palmanos has free Wi-Fi. I really do love coming here and am itching to go back soon and get my favorite sandwich!

3. 

The Millennia Mall

I was hesitant to include the millennia mall because I could go on and on about this place. This mall is upscale, clean, and beautiful and just oh so shiny. Everything sparkles. The world is a better place when I shop in the Millennia mall. The design, the architecture, the shops, the restaurants… I was in love when my parents first took me there at least 10 years ago. Mind you, the inside of this mall isn’t even close to being outdated. It’s timeless. I’m a better, more stylish, lavish, and wealthy person at this mall. My favorite stores that are included in this mall are Anthropologie, Urban Outfitters, Neiman Marcus, Bloomingdales, Kate Spade, Chanel, Victoria’s Secret and of course, Tiffany’s. There’s a very special story between me and The Tiffany’s in the Millennia mall. I had painted a tiffany box painting and on my 17^th birthday my parents snuck the painting of out my room while I had been out at the beach with my friends. My dad brought me to the mall “just to walk around” and knew that as soon as I saw the Tiffany’s store, I’d want to go in and look at all the sparkling, shiny jewelry in their incandescent glass cases (Particularly, the engagement ring I’m hoping I receive from my future husband). When I walked in, and short cute brunette woman asked if my name was Robby.

        Of course, I’m a little creeped out that this woman knew my name, but she said to follow her, and when I did there was my painting that had been sitting in the Tiffany’s store all day long because my mom had brought my painting there early in the morning and spent the day in the mall, waiting for the evening so my dad could bring me in and surprise me. Next to my painting were three little tiffany bags, which had a necklace, earrings and a bracelet that were a part of the silver “Return to Tiffany” collection. I cried. Best birthday ever. The Millennia mall is a magical place that gives me a substantial desire to acquire a high paying job so I can afford Christian Louboutin shoes and Louis Vuitton purses. So what if I’m a little materialistic?

4.      Ethos

A little vegan restaurant at the end of Park Ave. that I love! They also have amazing food and amazing vegan desserts. I first went there with my best friend Katie, and it was fantastic, we had a great time and good food. It’s not super expensive and has a simple but functional design on the inside. It’s worth a shot even if you’re hesitant about trying vegan food! (Just don’t ask me what’s in vegan mac and cheese that makes it so good without real cheese)

 

5.    Hamburger Mary’s

I’m gonna tell you up front, this place is the physical embodiment of a flamer. And it’s amazing. On Saturday nights, there’s a hilarious drag queen show that is just so funny and entertaining. I absolutely love it. I’ve seen a lot of bachelorette parties there and they always have a great time. The food is beyond anything you’ve ever had before ever. Comfort food is an understatement; this restaurant will make you call it quits on your diet faster than you can say “I’ll have one of everything, please!”

 

Ive lived in Orlando my whole life and I can tell you living here? Life’s always a party and you find the best places to eat, shop, and visit. And these are just a few of my favorites, the list is practically endless. Of course, a great Floridian never reveals all of their secrets!

Love Always, B