Besides delicious subs, Stasio’s Italian Deli and Market also sells Italian delicacies like pasta, meats, and cheeses. | Photo via @stasiositaliandeli
Itching for an overseas getaway? Skip the passport — here’s how to spend a day like a Italian without leaving the Orlando area.
Eat
Antonio’s | Antonio’s in nearby Maitland has it all — an Italian market and cafe, an upstairs restaurant with fresh seafood and delicious pasta, and (perhaps most importantly) that Italian atmosphere.
Play
Scenic Boat Tour | Pretend you’re on a gondola in Venice while riding through local lakes and canals. If you spot an alligator on the ride, just think of it as a Florida twist on the classic Italian attraction.
Stay
Loews Portofino Bay Hotel | This bayside property is inspired by Portofino, Italy, complete with details like cobblestone streets and Italian cypress trees.
Chris Redd | Friday, July 11-Saturday, July 12 | Times vary | Funny Bone Comedy Club | $30+ | The Chicago native and SNL alum is making his way down to The City Beautiful for four stand-up sets.
Christmas in July Returns To The Florida Mall | Friday, July 11-Thursday, July 31 | 10 a.m. | Florida Mall | Free | The Florida Mall is turning up the holiday cheer all July long with annual Christmas in July.
MooChella Summer Vibes | 6-8 p.m. | Millie Moo’s | $20 | Think luau beach vibes when you come out to enjoy tropical drinks, beachy beats, and more family fun.
Saturday, July 12
Jessie Reyez: “Paid In Memories Tour” | 8 p.m. | Hard Rock Cafe | $50+ | Prepare for the smooth beats of R&B and soul as the Canadian singer and songwriter performs live.
Sunday, July 13
Ben Schwartz & Friends | 8 p.m. | Dr. Phillips Center for the Performing Arts | $47+ | Expect an entirely improvised show by the “Parks and Recreation” actor + guest performers.
Monday, July 14
Matinee Movie Monday | 2-5 p.m. | Island H2O Water Park, Kissimmee | Cost of admission | Catch a screening of “Moana” on Central Florida’s largest outdoor screen while floating in the wave pool.
Today and tomorrow, the City of Orlando will be distributing free premade sandbags ahead of hurricane season. Stop by the city’s Streets and Stormwater building today from 7 a.m. to 2 p.m. + tomorrow from 7 a.m. to 3 p.m. to pick up a maximum of 10 sandbags.
Traffic
Exciting news, SoDO: Construction along South Orange Avenue is done. The project between Grant Street and Gore Street has been completed, adding new traffic separators, lighting, and decorative crosswalks + road resurfacing and sharper curb lines. (Bungalower)
Development
Epic Universe recently filed paperwork for a new project that would bring “vertical construction” to a site between the park’s main entrance and Super Nintendo World. The paperwork classified this construction as a shop, warehouse, or restaurant, but few details were provided. (Fox 35)
Edu
Full Sail University is set to break ground on its first student housing project this fall. The five-story building is set to feature a courtyard with an outdoor pool and lounge space, a 15,000-sqft clubhouse, and 182 housing units. (Orlando Sentinel)
Arts
Yesterday, the city unveiled a new art exhibition in honor of its 150th anniversary, “The Changing Face of Orlando: A Sesquicentennial Celebration.” The exhibition will remain on view through Sunday, Aug. 31 in City Hall, featuring 12 historic photographs of Orlando and modern-day recreations.
Travel
Breeze Airways announced a new route connecting Orlando and Norfolk, VA. Flights to Norfolk from MCO will begin on Friday, Oct. 3, but booking is available now. (Orlando Business Journal)
Plan Ahead
Are we squarely in the midst of summer? Yes. Are tickets now on sale for Ivanhoe Village’s Jingle Eve 2025 street party? Also yes. If you grab your Wine Walk tickets before Friday, Aug. 1, you can get them for a discounted $40. (Bungalower)
Post of the Day
Welcome to the Krusty Krab Le Spatula. Take a gander at this SpongeBob-themed restaurant that will open at the upcoming Nickelodeon Hotels & Resorts Orlando near Disney’s Animal Kingdom.
Upon its slated opening in 2026, the resort will also include a “Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles"-themed restaurant called Mikey’s Pizzeria + a lounge with games, sports, live music, and — of course — the Big Orange Couch.
The fun doesn’t have to end here. After reading the newsletter, head over to our games page. Games refresh with new challenges every day at 6 a.m. from crossword puzzle to Sudoku to themed word search.
In case you missed it, Camping World Stadium’s naming rights have expired — and locals have some unique suggestions for its next name. My personal favorite? “Beefy King Stadium.”
