Welcome to Orlando, where roller coasters almost outnumber traffic lights, where someone is almost certainly wearing mouse ears as you read this, and where "theme park" is considered a perfectly reasonable answer to "what do you do on weekends?" But Florida's most-visited city is so much more than the parks (although the parks are pretty great).
Tucked between the famous attractions you'll find an unexpectedly cosmopolitan town with a real love of music, food, art, and people - all kinds of people.
Orlando is one of the most diverse metros in the United States, and it's a city that has long made a point of welcoming everyone, regardless of who you are, who you love, or where your passport was issued.
Image credits: Photo by Itai Aarons on Unsplash
Also, the weather!
Late March in Orlando is, quite possibly, the best version of Orlando that exists: upper 70s F/20s C, low humidity, and lots of sunshine without the summer melt. The Goldilocks zone of Florida — and you're invited!
Image credits: Photo by Drew Coffman on Unsplash
DrupalCon Orlando runs March 22–25, 2027, but Central Florida is wide open before and after, so bring the family.
Cocoa Beach is an hour east, Kennedy Space Center is even closer, and Winter Park's brick-lined avenues all make for a perfect day trip. Dozens of nearby crystal-clear springs, theme parks of every flavor, and a food scene that punches well above its weight are all within easy travel distance.
Come a few days early. Stay a few days late.
There’s always something unique and exciting to do in Orlando!
Check out some of our favorite places that aren't theme parks curated by Florida Drupal community members!
Image credits: Photo by Freysteinn G. Jonsson on Unsplash
Recommended restaurants in the area
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Gideon's Bakehouse (Disney Springs) (ultimate)
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Amorette's Patisserie (Disney Springs) (ultimike)
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Enzo's Hideaway (Disney Springs) (ultimike)
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Jaleo® by José Andrés (Disney Springs) (ultimike)
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Cafe Tu Tu Tago (International Drive) (liberatr)
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Mellow Mushroom (International Drive) (liberatr)
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4Rivers Smokehouse (Kissimmee) (liberatr)
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The Glass Knife (Winter Park) (helenasue)
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Woodlands Indian Cuisine (vegetarian, Orlando) ((liberatr)
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🏳️🌈 LGBTQ+ owned restaurants (especially Se7en Bites Bakery) (liberatr)
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Izziban Sushi & BBQ (Orlando) (helenasue)
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Gringos Locos (multiple locations) (helenasue) (home of the official Florida DrupalCamp tacos for the last 10+ years!)
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East End Market (Orlando food hall) (helenasue)
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Crooked Can Brewery (Winter Garden) (helenasue)
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Ziggie's Pizza + The Topher Taproom - pizza n beers (Ivanhoe) (nilubol)
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Black Magic Pizza + Whiskey Lou's - more pizza n beers (Milk district) (nilubol)
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Stasio's - Italian deli + market (Milk district, next to Sideward) (nilubol)
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Smokemade Meats - Michelin rated central TX style barbecue (Curry Ford West district) (nilubol)
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Mills Market - Michelin rated Asian food hall (Mills district) (nilubol)
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Sticky Rice - Lao food (Mills district) (nilubol)
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Tasty Takeover - food truck event every Tuesday by Sportstown bar (Milk district) (nilubol)
Cultural life
Nightlife
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🏳️🌈 Gay-friendly night spots (liberatr)
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Church street (Downtown Orlando) (liberatr)
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The Escape Company (Orlando) (liberatr)
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The Escape Game (Orlando) (helenasue)
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Ripley's Believe it or Not (International Drive) (jinah)
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Museum of Illusions, Orlando Eye
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Main event (International Drive) (jinah)
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Dezerland Park (International Drive) (jinah)
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Arcade Monsters (International Drive) (jinah)
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Sideward Brewing - bonus points for their brekkie burrito on Sunday (Milk district) (nilubol)
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Rockpit Brewing (SoDo) (nilubol)
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Hourglass Brewing (Curry Ford West) (nilubol)
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Redlight Redlight (Audubon Park) (nilubol)
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Zymarium Meadery (Mills district) (nilubol)
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Whiskey Lou's - cash only dive bar, cheapest pours in town (Milk district) (nilubol)
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Will's Pub/Lil Indies/Dirty Laundry - music venue/cocktail bar/trashy tiki (Mills district) (nilubol)
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Sportstown/Bull and Bush - pool hall + games/English pub (Milk district) (nilubol)
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Claddaugh Irish Pub (Curry Ford West district) (nilubol)
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Big Daddy's - karaoke dive bar (Audubon Park district) (nilubol)
Outdoors
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Chase Sanctuary (adult-only animal sanctuary - reservations required) (helenasue)
Kayaking
(ordered by closest to the DrupalCon venue) (nilubol)
- Shingle Creek
- Lake Ivanhoe
- Winter Park chain of lakes
- Wekiva Springs (can get very busy)
- Silver Springs
Diving
(ordered by closest to the DrupalCon venue) (nilubol)
- EPCOT
- Blue Springs (manatees!) - open to divers April 1st
- Paradise Springs
- Rainbow Springs
- Blue Grotto
- Devil's Den
- Blue Heron Bridge
Neighborhoods
Day trip destinations
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Salvador Dali museum (Tampa) (liberatr)
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Legoland Florida (Lakeland) (liberatr)
Miscellaneous
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🏳️🌈 Watermark Out News (latest news by and for the LGBTQ+ community in Central Florida) (jcl324)
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LEGO store (Disney Springs) (liberatr)