If you’re leaving on a train from Orlando, it’s likely you’ll be riding on The Floridian — a relatively new, temporary route between Chicago and Miami. | Photo via Amtrak
Train travel is booming. In the last fiscal year, The National Railroad Passenger Corporation (Amtrak) served 32.8 million customers, and in 2024, Orlando Station served 123,598.
The more sustainable, often scenic, and middle seat-less cousin to flying, train travel could play a part in your next vacation — here’s how to do it locally.
Meet the Floridian
If you’re leaving from Orlando Station, you may end up riding on the Floridian (a relatively new route):
WiFi | Floridian trains come equipped with free WiFi, so you can keep reading ORLtoday. Pro tip: Outlets are more accessible in first or business class + sleeper cars.
Food + Drink | This train offers cafe service (snacks and drinks for purchase) and traditional dining (chef-prepared meals for first class travelers).
Accommodations | The Floridian features coach seats + various private roomettes and bedrooms.
Latin Weekend | 5-11 p.m. | Boxi Park Lake Nona | Free | Kick off a weekend full of fun with salsa dancing led by Salsa Heat and a tropical flower workshop on Thursday.
Friday, Aug. 1
Crescent Cinema: “Moana 2" | 7:30 p.m. | Canvas Restaurant & Market | Free | Enjoy a special screening of “Moana 2" under the stars — get there early for a meet and greet with special characters.
Saturday, Aug. 2
Monster Jam | Saturday, Aug. 2-Sunday, Aug. 3 | Times vary | Kia Center | $42+ | Watch the world’s best drivers and their 12,000-pound trucks tear up the dirt in intense competitions.
Orange County is seeking local input on its new Small Business Enterprise program. To help collect feedback, a series of virtual info sessions will take place through the end of the month — public feedback is open through this Friday, Aug. 1. (Bungalower)
Shop
Friday, Aug. 1 marks the start of Florida’s new back-to-school tax holiday, which will last the entirety of the month. During the holiday, shoppers can avoid sales tax on clothes, shoes, and backpacks that cost $100 or less; school supplies that cost $50 or less; learning aids that cost $30 or less; and personal computers that cost $1,500 or less. (Orlando Weekly)
Transit
Riding your EV to Winter Park’s SunRail station? Now, you’ll be able to use seven new rapid electric vehicle chargers at the “mobility hub” on West Morse Boulevard. Soon, the hub will also feature two chargers for electric scooters and e-bikes. (Bungalower)
Plan Ahead
Early bird tickets to Maker Faire Orlando are now on sale. The annual community-organized event will take place Nov. 8-9 and feature do-it-yourself science, art, rockets, robots, crafts, technology, music, and hands-on activities.
The Word
Publixaurus. That’s the species of Plato, Publix’s dinosaur mascot, who was first introduced in 1991. Plato is most often seen at new store openings, but according to Click Orlando’s poll, less than 20% of shoppers have seen him in the flesh scales.
State
Starting Monday, Aug. 4, Floridians can apply for the My Safe Florida Home grant program. Through the program, homeowners in the state can receive up to $10,000 to help make storm-related upgrades and qualify for property-insurance discounts. Learn more + apply. (NBC 6)
Try This
Visit Orlando Science Center for unique, educational, and (most importantly) air-conditioned summer activities. Get tickets to discover exhibits and hands-on fun for all ages, from dinosaurs to live animals.*
Job
Are you the one we’re looking for? We’re on the hunt for a sales-driven leader to help us land significant brand partnerships at a national scale as a Sales Executive. From a competitive benefits package to 401k matching, we’re a pretty amazing company to work for. Join our team and apply today.
Category
Health
Check out this cool local initiative
The Smoothie Room is the first local business to take part in the initiative. | Photo via Orlando Health
If you’re on the hunt for restaurants with assistive utensils or quieter hours in Orlando, you’re not alone.
That’s why Orlando Health started the Neuro-Friendly Restaurant Initiative, a way to make dining at local restaurants more accessible for Orlandoans with “invisible injuries” like strokes, traumatic brain injury, brain tumors, or a progressive disorder like Parkinson’s disease.
How does it work?
Restaurants that sign up to participate will be educated on serving individuals who have invisible injuries. Then, the restaurant will offer the following:
Pictorial menu books
Low-traffic hours
Meal options that meet each of these three categories: heart healthy, blood-sugar friendly, and brain wellness
Some participating restaurants will also offer assistive utensils (e.g., utensils with textured handles or curved designs) + drink thickeners
Participating restaurants
In February 2025, The Smoothie Room became Orlando’s first restaurant to participate in the initiative. We’ll keep this list updated as more restaurants join in.
The Smoothie Room, SoDo District | Quiet hours: Monday-Friday, 2-4 p.m.
Games
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.
39%. That’s how many respondents correctly guessed that Orlando was originally known as “Jernigan.” Here’s how the rest shook out:
24% | Olanda
22% | Smithtown
15% | Rafferty
The Wrap
The Wrap
Currently, the Orlando Science Center is one of just a few theaters in the country that still uses giant film reels — but only for a little while longer.
Before the CineDome gets renovated + its giant film retires, stop by to watch films that premiered when the theater first opened and the chance to take home strips of real film as a keepsake.
