Disney World, The happiest place on Earth, Universal Studios, Tourists….blah blah blah

My old stomping grounds, oh how I miss thee. Orlando is obviously home to one of the most magical places in the world. Yes, we know. Having lived there for over three years though, I found it to be so much more than some random tourist destination. Aside from all the Mickey Mouse and Harry Potter bullshit, this city has more to offer than overpriced beer and attractions.

I want to give you MY inside scoop on all the activities in Orlando that DON’T SUCK!

BRUNCH

A staple in any city I would imagine, but Orlando takes brunch to a whole other level. They give a new and exciting meaning to SUNDAY FUNDAY. We live for this. Almost any place downtown you can find people poppin’ bottles and curing their Saturday night hangovers. (Some haven’t even gone to bed yet!) From 9 am until sundown, Orlando is sure to take your brunch virginity to 3rd base 😉

Any sporting event

Let’s face it. Orlando City Magic…sucks. I’m not gonna sugar coat that shit. Regardless, the games are more than exciting to go to! Personally, have never been to an Orlando City Soccer game either, but my friends love to update me via Snapchat of their tailgating skills so I can only assume it’s awesome!

I think as long as you have good company, a decent team and lots of alcohol, there is no way you’ll have a bad time. My favorite part about attending these kinds of events is the energy you feel. Shitty team or not, Orlando knows how to show support!

Drinking Around the World at Epcot

I know I said blah blah blah about Disney World, but Epcot has grown to be the “adult” part of the park…why? You can hop around to each country and taste a little bit of their culture. From Canada to Mexico, all the way to Norway…you are sure to find a country fit for your eating and drinking needs.

I remember trying to make it around the first time; once I got to Mexico though I was shakin’ too much of my Moraccas to be appropriate around little kids. Let’s just say “pace yourself” and you’ll do just fine!

Countries included are: Canada, UK, France, Morroco, Japan, America, Italy, Germany, China, Norway, and Mexico. My favorite? The one that had champagne (I actually can’t remember because well, alcohol.)

Orlando Eye

Call me a kid but I like flying thousands of feet off the ground, being able to see the whole city from up high. I’ve seen the London Eye and now, the Orlando Eye. It might just be some large, overly expensive cement piece, but to me, the view from the top is worth it. Not only that, it’s located close to the iconic International Drive that has TONS to do. Orlando is full of surprises. A ride around will only set you back about $20…the price of a small Coca Cola at Disney haha.

Wekiva Springs/ Island

Not exactly in the heart of Orlando, but close enough to make an entire day out of it. Wekiva Springs was one of my favorite past times. Gather up all your friends, pack a LARGE cooler, and chill by the water. Fun in the sun without getting sand in your ass. Not only can you swim, go biking or even horseback riding…you can also go CABREWING. It’s a boozy canoe trip down the waterway haha. It’s not a real thing but we made it one. (Technically you aren’t even allowed to drink while canoeing but what do they know)

You can look it up here to see for yourself. The natural spring water is perfect for those intense Florida summer days. Guess what? They even have a bar! SCORE!

Bar Hopping on Wall St. 

You may say, Tatum…why is all of your suggestions about alcohol…umm it’s not annoying commenter who doesn’t know my life. I said Orlando Eye…that wasn’t at least ;). Who am I kidding, it all is, but for good reason? I will never forget coming down to Orlando before I lived there, illegally  drinking my way through the city. I fell in love with the diverse style of nightlife and reminisced on it ever since. As large as Orlando is, the city is pretty intimate, unlike NYC or Atlanta. You can walk the entire strip in one night, tasting bits and pieces of every place.

Specifically though, Wall St. is my favorite to hop around on. Taco Tuesday is the best night of the week. $3 Tacos, Margaritas, Coronas, Dos XX, and Tequila Shots! I mean holy shit, you can’t beat that! The rope off the street and it becomes one big block party as you drink yourself drunk. Wall St. Cantina for the Mexican vibe…The Other Bar for great music and Hooch for their signature Apple Pie Moonshine. You won’t ever be able to  want to leave!

Rising Star at City Walk

Who wouldn’t want to get up on stage while hundreds of people watch you die a slow death trying to sing Spice Girls on stage? (raises hand!) Since City Walk is the free part of Universal Studios, you can try your luck at becoming the next American Idol! How it works is, you grab some friends, sit at a table and if you’re feeling frisky…you can put your name and the song you want to sing in a bucket to be called. If you are a pussy, however, you can just point and laugh at the others on stage. Fun right?

I really wish I had a picture of our crazy Senor Frogs employee nights here. After drinking in the sun all day, riding roller coasters we would find ourselves on stage dancing to Backstreet Boys and yelling out Aretha Franklin songs. Good times, good times. 

Lake Butler / Bird Island

This gives a whole new meaning to Booze Cruise. Every weekend hundreds of people will gas up their boats for a party on Bird Island. Located in the middle of the Lake Butler Chains, BI is the ultimate weekend place where you can jam out with your clam out. Drinking beer out of noodles, linking up boats and making new friends. Seriously what else could you want?

The very prestigious Lake Butler is known to house celebrities like Shaq, Joey Fantone and close to where Tiger Woods wife had her meltdown. Cool right?

Farmers Market at Lake Eola

In between brunching downtown on a Sunday, stumble over to Lake Eola for their incredible Farmer’s Market! Fresh and organic fruits, veggies, street art, vendors etc. Typical of most markets but nonetheless, a great time to soak up some Florida sunshine and take a stroll. Lake Eola isn’t exactly terrible to look at either.

Concert at Guilt Nightclub

Orlando was my shit. I went to concerts probably 2-3 times a week. The city never ever sleeps. Watch out, New York! There is something for everyone on any given night…but the newly renovated Roxy turned into Guilt nightclub. I fell in love with Electronic Dance Music here and have been hooked ever since. Orlando is like the holy mecca of shows, so if you are into that (and even if you aren’t) I suggest hitting up a show here!

Kings Bowling Alley

Bowling, for the grown and sexy. This ain’t no backcountry wanna be bowlin’ alley where ya gotta keep ya own score and drink Coors Light on tap. No no no, this is a place to enjoy some fine cocktails, roll some balls and mingle with a more upscale crowd. It gets rowdy, just like every other place in Orlando, but not in a negative way.

So there you have it, bitches. I loved writing this post because Orlando was such a whirlwind of emotions while living there. Opportunities out the ass! Ha. I would LOVE to hear any fun spots or secret places you have visited while in Orlando so I can try them out! Leave them in the comments below. Until next trip…

xo Bonvoyage Babes