Orlando, FL

Bob Carr Performing Arts Centre
DESCRIPTION: As the main venue for fine performing arts in the region, its 2500-seat auditorium with excellent acoustics and sightlines hosts the Orlando Philharmonic, Orlando Ballet, and Orlando Opera; every big name performing artist on tour who works Orlando performs here
BOX OFFICE: Mon-Fri 10a-5p and 3 hours prior to each event
ADDRESS: 401 West Livingston Street  MAP

PARKING: paid garages nearby
PHONE: 407-849-2577
WEBSITE: http://www.orlandocentroplex.com

Mad Cow Theatre

DESCRIPTION: Engaging actors, writers and directors who know how to please with both zany and thoughtful plays; the theatre has is Orlando’s most respected professional theatre company presenting compelling works for a wide-range of audiences

BOX OFFICE: opens Mon-Fri and before most plays begin at 7:30p
ADDRESS: 105 South Magnolia Avenue  MAP

PARKING: garages nearby in downtown
PHONE: 407-297-8788
WEBSITE: http://www.madcowtheatre.com

Universal CityWalk
DESCRIPTION: A 30-acre dining and entertainment complex featuring a wide range of venues: The Groove - lets you hottest dance to the best in 70’s, 80’s, hits and has three themed VIP lounges, A Rising Star - Karaoke club lets you belt out your favorite songs in front of a live audience, Blue Man Group, Red Coconut Club - an ultra-lounge where you can take in the stars on the balcony, Pat O’Brien - a New Orleans favorite with its the original home of dueling pianos, Hard Rock Live, NBA City, and the 20-screen Universal Cineplex; dining options include Bob Marley - A Tribute to Freedom, Bubba Gump Shrimp, Emeril’s Restaurant, Latin Quarter, Pastamoré, NASCAR Sports Grille and Jimmy Buffet’s Margaritaville
ADMISSION: free to enter the park, but you can get CityWalk Party Pass with all club access costs $10 or add a movie to the Party Pass for a total $12

DAYS & HOURS: daily 11a-2a
ADDRESS: 6800 Universal Blvd  MAP

PARKING: on premises
PHONE: 407-363-8000
WEBSITE: http://themeparks.universalstudios.com/orlando/citywalk

Universal CityWalk NBA City
DESCRIPTION: After you pass the 33-feet tall logoman (Laker legend Jerry West) at the entrance, the National Basketball Association and Hard Rock Café team up to surround 300 diners with high definition NBA and WNBA broadcasts, photos and memorabilia; the building is created with bricks from the old Madison Square Garden and Boston Garden; after steak, seafood and pizza visit the 75-seat club to watch live and classic NBA games; recently voted Orlando’s best theme restaurant, even the desserts are excellent
ADMISSION: free to enter

DAYS & HOURS: daily 11a-2a
ADDRESS: 6068 Universal Blvd  MAP

PARKING: on premises
PHONE: 407-363-5919

WEBSITE: http://www.nbacity.com

Universal CityWalk Hard Rock Cafe
DESCRIPTION: The world's largest Hard Rock Café features over 1,000 pieces of rock memorabilia; nothing special about the Continental cuisine though
ADMISSION: free to enter
DAYS & HOURS: daily 11a-2a
ADDRESS: 6050 Universal Blvd  MAP

PARKING: on premises
PHONE: 407-351-7625
WEBSITE: http://www.hardrockcafe.com

Holy Land Experience
DESCRIPTION: combines together the sights and sounds of the world of the Bible in a unique and interactive way that takes you 7000 miles away and 2000 years back in time to the land of the Bible; the owners deserve kudos for recreating many Holyland sites and customes with a great deal of accurancy; ONE  MAJOR DOWNSIDE - it lacks historically accurate people of color to play the roles of ancient Jews
ADMISSION: $30 Adult; $20 ages 6-12; group discount available
DAYS & HOURS: Mon-Thu 10a-5p, Fri-Sat 10a-6p, Sun 12p-6p
ADDRESS: 4655 Vineland Road  MAP

PARKING: on premises
PHONE: 407-872-2272
WEBSITE: http://www.theholylandexperience.com

Orlando Premium Outlets
DESCRIPTION: Get impressive savings at Ann Taylor, Barneys New York Outlet, Burberry, Coach, Diesel, Fendi, Gap Outlet, Giorgio Armani, Kenneth Cole, Lacoste, Nike, Polo Ralph Lauren, Salvatore Ferragamo, Tommy Hilfiger and more

ADMISSION: free

DAYS & HOURS: Mon-Sat 10a-11p, Sun 10a-9p

ADDRESS: 8200 Vineland Ave  MAP
PHONE: 407-477-0100

PARKING: free on premises

WEBSITE: http://www.premiumoutlets.com

International Drive

DESCRIPTION: "I-Drive", as locals call it, is home or near Wet 'n Wild, Universal Studios Orlando, Islands of Adventure, Discovery Cove, SeaWorld, and Aquatica by SeaWorld theme parks, 100 hotels & resorts, 485 designer and outlet stores, 150 good-to-excellent restaurants, 3 entertainment complexes, 3 cineplexes, the 2nd largest convention center in the region and a fun I-RIDE Trolley

ADMISSION: free

DAYS & HOURS: daily, dawn to early morning for some nightclubs

ADDRESS: West Oak ridge Road to Word Center Drive  MAP

PARKING: free at most establishments

TRANSIT: I-RIDE Trolley has convenient stops along the length of the drive

PHONE: n.a.

WEBSITE: http://www.internationaldriveorlando.com

Walt Disney World, FL

Downtown Disney Orlando
DESCRIPTION: With all the kid-oriented activities in Walt Disney World, adults and older teenagers appreciate this retreat for shopping, dining, and nightlife; AMC 24 Cineplex ensures that you will see the latest movies; DisneyQuest Indoor Interactive Theme Park presents many rousing and adventurous interactive exhibits such as Pirates of the Caribbean, Virtual Jungle Cruise, CyberSpace Mountain, Buzz Lightyear's Astroblasters and Animation Academy; House of Blues Orlando lets its presnece be known with a large water tower visible from miles away; La Nouba by Cirque du Soleil and midnight fireworks rounds out the nightlife; signature shopping experiences include World Of Disney, Virgin Megastore, Once Upon A Toy, Bibbidi Bobbidi Boutique, LEGO Imagination Center and Goofy's Candy Company; dining options include Bongos Cuban Café, Wolfgang Puck Café, Planet Hollywood, Fulton's Crab House, Portobello Yacht Club and the inventive T-Rex Café

ADMISSION: free to enter  park, but seperate venues have  their own fees

DAYS & HOURS: 9a-Midnight
ADDRESS: 1486 East Buena Vista Drive  MAP

PARKING: Disney's Magical Express Service is a complimentary shuttle from Orlando International Airport to/from your Disney Resort hotel; note that you can enter adifferent part of the park from I-4 Freeway Exits 64. 65, or 67; parking fees apply

PHONE: 407-828-3800
WEBSITE: http://www.DowntownDisney.com

Cirque du Soleil - La Nouba
DESCRIPTION: An attraction within an attraction, La Nouba is a mesmerizing live theatrical experience from the deviously creative gang at Cirque du Soleil; "La Nouba" means to "Live it Up" and this family-orented show does so to the fullest with physically demanding and creative acrobatics; equally attractive is the mystifying scenery, lighting and live music typical of Cirque du Soleil; expensive, but generally worth the price
ADMISSION: Adults $67-$117, Ages 3-9 $54-$94
DAYS & HOURS: Tue-Sat shows at 6p & 9p
ADDRESS: Downtown Disney  MAP

PARKING: Disney's Magical Express Service is a complimentary shuttle from Orlando International Airport to/from your Disney Resort hotel; note that you can enter adifferent part of the park from I-4 Freeway Exits 64. 65, or 67; parking fees apply
PHONE: 407-828-3800
WEBSITE: http://www.DowntownDisney.com

Cocoa, FL

Cocoa Village
DESCRIPTION: Historic buildings along the Indian River have been adatively restored into fine restaurants, parlors, clothing boutiques, a playhouse and antique shops; there's even an old time carousel - fully restored of course; the area is a natural fit for many art & crafts fairs year round; a good place to visit to or from Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex

ADMISSION: free

DAYS & HOURS: daily dawn-until
ADDRESS: Brevard Avenue  MAP

PARKING: on street

PHONE: n.a.
WEBSITE: http://www.cocoavillage.com