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Orlando, FL was on our list of places to drive to for a weekend getaway thanks to all the amazing restaurants we had heard of. Once travel started opening up, and we were comfortable eating out at restaurants (including inside), we decided to go for it over along weekend. Food, coffee shops, walking through Winter Park and taking things slow (which comes with traveling with a toddler) was our game plan – it ended up being such a wonderful weekend in Orlando!
If you hope to skip crowded amusement parks, experience the heart of the city, and enjoy quaint spots filled with lattes or delicious menus – this slow guide to a weekend in Orlando is for you, and I hope it is helpful for your getaway as well.
Where to stay in Orlando
A major city means the places to stay are endless – but for us (and again, traveling with a toddler), hotel suites are our new go to. We stayed at the Embassy Suites Downtown Orlando, and thought the location was great as we could walk to a few places on our list, and it was only a short drive to the Mills District and Winter Park.
For a more designed inspired stay, I would have booked the Alfond Inn, in Winter Park.
Where to sip on coffee in Orlando
Would this be a city and see travel guide without mention of coffee? From throughout interiors, to wonderful selections on their menu – I greatly enjoyed exploring the coffee scene during out weekend in Orlando.
Craft & Common – A great spot for brunch, lunch, unique coffee drinks and walkable from our hotel, mentioned above.
Deeply Coffee – Another great option if you are staying downtown – their design was one of my favorites (as well as their coffee).
Qreate Coffee & Studio – Located in the 50 Mills District, fully equipde with a photography studio and coffee beans to bring home.
New General – The perfect place to have breakfast, lunch or coffee when visiting the charming suburb of Winter Park.
Foxtail Coffee – A few locations, but the Winter Park one is close by to the Heavy if that is on your itinerary.
For more on Orlando coffee shops (including google map links), check out:
Six Orlando Coffee Shops to visit
Where to eat in Orlando
The reason we visited the central Florida city – the food! Orlando restaurants did not disappoint, and there were a few I would make sure to visit again.
Through recommendations and research, I found that the 50 Mills District has some amazing places to eat. I would go back to Orlando alone to eat at more places in that neighborhood!
King Bao 50 Mills – Small bites, inexpensive and a tastebud DELIGHT – highly recommend here for a quick lunch.
Tako Cheena – Asian fusion meets food truck (culture).
Kabooki Sushi – A fancier night, and great shrimp gyoza, sushi and more.
Bosphorous Turkish Cuisine – Sit outside to enjoy a Turkish wine flight and their signature LAVAS (hollow bread).
A La Cart – A wonderful spot to sit outside, have a beer and select from an assortment of food trucks (great for kids)!
On our list for next time:
Ravenous Pig
Swine & Sons
Buttermilk Bakery
Sticky Rice
Voodoo Donuts
Things to do
Spend an afternoon in Winter Park, FL
A must-stop on our weekend plans was to walk around the quaint area of Winter Park. For more detail on how to spend a laid back afternoon there, I wrote about spending the day there in this blog post.
Highlights include:
Coffee at New General (mentioned above).
Winter Park Farmer’s Market
Simply walking around Park St. to look at shops and find a place for lunch.
Visit a Brewery
Take a walk around downtown (and the lake) before sunset, and head to Persimmon Hollow Brewing or another brewery of your choice for a low-key evening.
Take a swan boat/enjoy the lake
Lake Eola is situated in downtown Orlando, where you can walk along to take in the fountain or ride a swan boat (check groupon for a cheaper rate). Although Orlando doesn’t hug the coastline, I loved the serneity of the lake at sunset and a chance to be on the water (minus the heat, of course).
Orlando was a place I had been before, but never explored the city itself. Walking through downtown, hoping into local cafes and slowly eating our way through wonderful neighborhoods. Hopefully this guide helps as you enjoy a different side than the Orlando norm, as well.
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