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Orlando skyscrapers in the morning with a view of Lake Eola. There is a blue outline of the Walt Disney Amphitheater and a clear blue sky. The skyline is reflected in the lake water.
City
Orlando is a top city for economic growth
The City Beautiful ranked No. 3 in an economic growth study conducted by Niche when looking at mid-sized cities in the US.
September 16, 2025 11:29 AM
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Michael Beausoleil
Storefront of Writer’s Block Bookstore with a red-and-white striped awning, book displays in the windows, and a hanging flower basket by the entrance. A black bench sits on the sidewalk in front.
Culture
11 independent bookstores in Orlando
Find your next great read at one of these stores in the Orlando area that’s literally focused on literature.
September 15, 2025
 · 
Michael Beausoleil
A rendering of the proposed Pulse Night Club memorial in Orlando. The design includes pillars illuminated in rainbow colors and a large, glowing tower on the left.
City
Orlando City Council approves Pulse Memorial plans
The $12 million project will incorporate feedback from the victims’ families and aims to be completed by the end of 2027.
September 10, 2025
 · 
Michael Beausoleil
A singer on stage at the Kia Center in Orlando. There is a large crowd around the stage and blue lights illuminate the performer.
Play
35+ upcoming concerts headed to Orlando
Luke Bryan? Check. Tate McRae? Check. It’s not a bad idea to triple-check this list and get your concert tickets before they sell out.
September 8, 2025
 · 
Michael Beausoleil
A cup of coffee with flower latte art in the top of the liquid. The cup is blue, white, and flowery and matches the saucer it sits on. The table is wooden underneath the coffee.
Live
Sip on this: Where to grab coffee in Orlando
Don’t already have a coffee in hand? You will after reading this.
September 3, 2025
 · 
Patrick Sidwell
A red-roofed building that has been converted to a Spirit Halloween. There is a parking lot with three cars.
City
Spirit Halloween opens 12+ stores in the Orlando area
The store finds vacant retail spaces and signs temporary leases to set up shop leading up to Halloween — but locations can change each year.
September 2, 2025
A small, white boat on water with three people on the dock and grassy land behind it.
Events
Plan Ahead: Don’t miss these events happening in Orlando
Bookmark this guide for a curated list of events taking place each month that we’re most looking forward to.
August 27, 2025
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Staff
A massive old oak tree draped with hanging Spanish moss, its thick, winding branches extending widely over a grassy park area with a bench beneath.
Play
Explore 20 parks in Orlando
We’re highlighting the 20 best parks that Orlando has to offer — complete with playgrounds, trails, dog parks, tennis courts, and lakefront views.
August 26, 2025
 · 
Patrick Sidwell
A black vintage-style street clock stands on a sidewalk in front of trees and parked cars. A brown sign nearby reads “Parramore National Register Historic District.” The scene is set on a sunny day with blue sky and scattered clouds.
City
Parramore Park’s four-faced clock returns
The clock was donated to the City of Orlando in 2009 but had been sitting in storage for nearly a decade as the area was being renovated.
August 25, 2025
 · 
Michael Beausoleil
A satellite image looking down on Florida. Orlando is in the middle, with thin blue lines pointing north, east, south, and west from it into the ocean.
Travel and Outdoors
Which cities share Orlando’s latitude and longitude?
Directly north, east, south, and west of O-Town, cities across the world await.
August 21, 2025
 · 
Patrick Sidwell
The main entrance to the Orlando Public Library. The brownish-beige stone building has columns and varied levels in its architecture, with "Orlando Public Library" written on the front of the entrance. There are two palm trees — one on the left, and one on the right. A sole person walks in front of the entrance wearing business attire.
Travel and Outdoors
Where would you put an outdoor library in Orlando?
The concept is taking over South Korea’s capital city. We’re thinking about where we’d copy it in O-Town.
August 21, 2025
 · 
Patrick Sidwell
TAKE YOUR MUSIC FOR A RIDE - Universal Orlando Resort's groundbreaking new roller coaster - Hollywood Rip Ride Rockit - is now open. Never before have guests been able to choose the soundtrack to their ride from 30 songs within five genres of music, experience first-ever maneuvers and create a personalized take-home video using cutting-edge technology.
Culture
Universal Studios Florida will close the Hollywood Rip Ride Rockit
The steel coaster will be removed from the park to make space for a new, yet-to-be-announced attraction.
August 13, 2025
 · 
Michael Beausoleil
A woman sits at an outdoor restaurant table, smiling down at a dog beside her who is looking up at her food. She is wearing a cozy beige sweater and holding a bite of food in one hand. The table is set with plates of food, drinks, and a menu, surrounded by greenery and glass partitions.
Culture
5 dog-friendly restaurants in Orlando
Not only do these Orlando area spots welcome dogs, they have menus dedicated to your four-legged friends.
August 6, 2025
 · 
Michael Beausoleil
A hand holds out a dish with four small shot glasses and two condiment dishes on top. Inside of the shot glasses is a green liquid topped with a hollow breaded sphere filled with food.
Culture
Restaurant Roundup: New and upcoming restaurants in Orlando
Dining in Orlando is always a fresh experience, with new restaurants popping up all the time — and more on the way.
August 1, 2025
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Jessalin Heins-Nagamoto
Photo 1: A man and two children stand around an interactive science exhibit in a science museum. Photo 2: A sloth hangs from a branch surrounded by greenery. Photo 3: A young woman with safety goggles on stands laughing and watching a flame in a net in front of her. Photo 4: A woman takes a selfie with a life-sized t-rex fossil behind her. Photo 5: Two women and a child touch a clear pipe in a science museum.
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A small circular body of water with jets spurting water into it flows into a larger pool.
Culture
Meet Swimply: the Airbnb of pools
Explore unique, rentable pools across Orlando for a refreshing getaway, whether you’re hosting a gathering or just enjoying some solo relaxation.
July 16, 2025
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Staff
ORLtoday_JA Eisner Family Dreamers Center
Culture
First Look: Lake Nona experiential learning center
The learning center will feature a mini city, where middle school-aged children can learn how a community works.
July 15, 2025
 · 
Brianna Williams
A sub sandwich on a white plate. The sandwich is open and filled with various meats, cheese, tomatoes, basil, and a glaze.
Culture
Spend a day like an Italian in Orlando
Want an Italian vacation without the price tag? Try these activities in Orlando that will transport you to Italy in the blink of an eye.
July 10, 2025
 · 
Kellina Wanteu
A bowl filled with ramen noodles, a boiled egg, roe, nori, and bok choy, with a cup of tea and a cup of roe on the side.
Culture
Where would chefs from “The Bear” work in Orlando?
We came up with where we think chefs from the popular TV show “The Bear” would work if they lived in Orlando.
June 23, 2025
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Staff
A turfed beer garden with picnic tables and a woman sitting reading a book with a german shepard on a leash.
Culture
Experiencing Orlando as an introvert
Let your social battery rest while still having fun around the city.
May 30, 2025
 · 
Haley Bartlett
A sunny day at the Orlando Farmers Market in Lake Eola Park, showing a crowd of people browsing various vendor tents lined along a paved walkway. Tall palm trees and a cityscape of modern buildings are visible in the background.
Play
20 of the top free things to do in Orlando
No cash? No problem. Whether you are spending a day or a lifetime in O-Town, these are some of the best offerings that won’t break the bank.
May 28, 2025
 · 
Bailey Lefever
Large board gaming event with diverse attendees seated at long tables, playing games. Red, yellow, and blue lights create an energetic atmosphere.
Culture
GCX brings gaming back to Universal Orlando Resort
This July, the Gaming Community Expo will return for its 10th year — learn how to level up your experience.
May 20, 2025
 · 
Haley Bartlett
Aerial view of an empty soccer stadium featuring purple seats and the word "Orlando" in yellow. The city's skyline is visible under a cloudy sky.
Sports
FIFA Club World Cup heads to the pitch in Orlando
The international football association has selected two local stadiums to host this year’s matches + we’re not goalkeeping the details.
May 16, 2025
 · 
Haley Bartlett
A close-up of a large glove that reads "Universal" with the sunlight spilling through it.
Culture
10 movies and shows filmed in and around Orlando
Lights, camera, action. Here are a few famous movies and television shows that have filmed around O-Town.
April 29, 2025
 · 
Maria Adnado
A scultpure of birds sits in front of an Orlando lake under a partly cloudy sky.
Culture
We asked ChatGPT to cook up a roast of Orlando
Wait until you see what this AI chatbot whipped up for a good-natured roast of the City Beautiful — covering everything from traffic to the culture and weather.
April 22, 2025
 · 
Amelia Grooms
Main greenhouse at the Botanical Garden of Curitiba, Brazil, featuring a large glass and metal structure with three domes, set against a clear sky and surrounded by landscaped gardens and walkways.
Culture
Travel to Orlando’s 8 sister cities (virtually)
Our guide may even make you want to grab your passport and head for our sister cities in Mexico or France.
April 15, 2025
 · 
Jessalin Heins-Nagamoto
A sunny day at the Orlando Farmers Market in Lake Eola Park, showing a crowd of people browsing various vendor tents lined along a paved walkway. Tall palm trees and a cityscape of modern buildings are visible in the background.
Culture
Orlando’s warm weather “in” and “out” list
We’re taking a page from our favorite teen magazines and sharing our takes on what’s hot and what’s not in Orlando.
April 14, 2025
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Staff
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