Things to do / Travel Guide
Central Florida is entertainment-driven, especially with the presence of so many major theme parks in Orlando. The Central Florida region also offers some attractive nightlife venues, too.
Arts and Entertainment around Orlando, Florida
The Orlando area is internationally famous for its giant theme parks. The most famous, and the one that turned the area into a major tourist mecca, is Walt Disney World. This theme park is almost a city unto itself, containing many specialized theme parks, including the Magic Kingdom (with traditional Disney characters and themes), Epcot Center (an educational and cultural theme park), and MGM/Disney (a movie-related theme park).
The other major theme parks in the Orlando area are Universal Studios, Sea World and Wet N' Wild. Universal is a theme park consisting of the original movie-themed park and the newer Islands of Adventure, which focuses on comic book heroes. Sea World is a park based around sea creatures, showcasing their famous killer whale and dolphin performances. Wet N' Wild is one of the nation's original water parks, featuring multiple large water slide rides and many pools.
The theme parks themselves feature separate areas that offer a variety of nightlife activities, including live music, dancing, drinking, dining, and some live entertainment. Universal Studios has CityWalk, while Disney World has Downtown Disney and Pleasure Island. Each of these nightlife attractions is free and open to the public.
With regard to visiting the theme parks, be aware that when you go will likely make a practical difference. If you visit in the off-season, for example, while you will more likely encounter shorter lines and have to pay less, some of the rides may be closed and the park's hours may be shorter.
Another entertaining venue, which draws both tourists and locals, is Church Street Station, in downtown Orlando. This complex has an enjoyable mix of music, dancing, dining, shopping, and even midway games. Here you will find Rosie O'Grady's Good Time Emporium, a saloon that features a fun Dixieland Revue show, complete with live music and Can-Can dancers. Also at Church Street Station are a very modern and popular disco-oriented dance club and a large venue for country music.
Other locations in Orlando that offer a variety of nightlife options are Orange Avenue and International Drive. At each of these areas, you will find a mix of bars, clubs, and movie theaters.
A special form of nighttime entertainment in Orlando is the large presence of “dinner theater.” This moniker refers to the special themed performances that you can watch while dining. Some of these shows are based on themes of medieval times, the old West, and solving a crime, and many of them are also suitable for children. Dinner shows are heavily advertised local tourist magazines and often issue discount coupons.
Arts and Entertainment around Tampa, Florida
The popular nightlife section of the Tampa Bay area is historic Ybor City in Tampa. Here, along 7th Avenue East, there are many clubs, bars, and eateries. There is also plenty of live music and dancing available. Most of the action here occurs on weekend nights, but there is activity midweek as well, with the crowd frequenting such establishments usually in their teens to 30s. A family-friendly entertainment venue in this area is Centro Ybor on 7th Avenue East and 16th Street. This complex offers live music and dining.
Tampa is also home to the Tampa Bay Performing Arts Center, which is one of the largest performing arts centers in the entire “South.” This huge four-theater complex is the venue for music concerts, opera, plays, comedies, and other special events throughout the calendar year.
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