The Other Orlando

Things to do and see outside of IRE23

Thanks to Mary Shanklin and Adam Rhodes for helping compile this local guide for the 2023 IRE Conference in Orlando, June 22-25. Shanklin served on the IRE23 regional committee and is currently a journalism instructor at the University of Central Florida. Formerly, Shanklin was a reporter at the Orlando Sentinel. Rhodes is currently a Training Director at IRE and received their undergraduate journalism degree from the University of Central Florida. 

“OTHER” ATTRACTIONS (NEARBY)

• Senor Frogs: For caloric revelry and drag entertainment
• Ole Red & Tin Roof: To enjoy the local live music scene
• Kennedy Space Center: Recently revamped, roughly an hour from Orlando 
• Gatorland: Small locally owned attraction with albino gators for the ultimate campiness.
• Morse Museum: Winter Park mansion turned museum that’s home to the world’s most comprehensive collection of works by Louis Comfort Tiffany
• Orlando Museum of Art: Local art museum near Winter Park 
• ICON Park: Popular attractions/games/food (like The Wheel!) on I-Drive 

GET OUT

Neighborhoods to Note:

• Cocoa Beach (an hour east): Surf shops/sand
• Winter Garden: Rent bikes, live jazz, top US farmers mkt, rooftop margaritas,
• Lake Nona – USTA Campus: Largest US tennis center.
• Milk District: an up and coming cultural hub in Chicago known for its progressive atmosphere as well as a vibrant arts and nightlife scene.
• Lake Eola: Mile-long walk around lake for city lights, swans, swan boats, bars, restaurants.

Dining, Dancing, Drinking:

• The Hammered Lamb: American restaurant in College Park/close to downtown 
• Se7en Bites: Southern cuisine in Milk District, an arts and nightlife district. 
• The Glass Knife: Bakery and light bites near Altamonte Springs 
• Bites & Bubbles: American restaurant in Mills50 neighborhood, another neighborhood known for its art and nightlife scene
• Hungry Pants: Sweet and savory vegan bites close to downtown 
• Island Time: Caribbean food with a drag brunch within walking distance of Lake Eola
• Garp & Fuss: Eclectic American restaurant in Winter Park
• Pom Pom’s Teahouse & Sandwicheria: Local favorite, sandwich shop and teahouse in the Milk District 
• Market On South: Plant-based dining in Milk District 
• White Wolf Cafe and Bar: Gourmet American bistro close to downtown 
• Ethos Vegan Kitchen: Vegan restaurant in Winter Park
• Map of Black-Owned Businesses in Orlando
• District Dive: LGBT+ Dive Bar located in the heart of the Milk District
• Southern Nights: Dance Club in the Milk District
• Maxine’s On Shine: Voted best brunch in Orlando! 
• Southern Craft: Craft cocktail bar in the Milk District  
• Mathers Social Gathering: Speakeasy/site of Orlando’s first newspaper. No signage. Address: 3 Phoenix Building, 30 S Magnolia Ave, Orlando, FL 32801. (Park in garage across from downtown library)
• The Wellborn Voted best patio bar in Orlando 
• The Imperial Wine Bar: Clink glasses amidst imported furnishings.
• Fiddlers Green Irish Pub & Eatery: Well-beloved Irish pub in Winter Park known for live music and good food

TRANSIT

• Lynx bus from hotel to downtown Orlando is 30 minutes (every 30 min) and $2.
• Sunrail from downtown Lynx station to Winter Park for Morse Museum, shops, restaurants, scenic boat tour, Rollins College, Amtrak.

If you have businesses or other resources you’d like to add to this list, send us a quick email at conference@ire.org and we’ll be happy to add to the list! For more local tips, be sure to check out the IRE23 LGBTQ+ Resource Guide.