OT: Going to Orlando and Tampa

[Phaneuf]

So yeah, I'm going to be going to Orlando and Tampa and need some help. Firstly, what's there to do in Orlando (besides Universal studios, Disneyland etc.), can anyone recommend anything like what restaurants, malls or beaches and stuff like that to go to.

Also i'm going to the lighting game on the 25th vs. the Panthers (and will be representin' the flames colours :P), and I know some of you went to the Times Forum during the Flames cup run. Any recommendations about what to do before and after the game, and just how is it there?

Thanks a lot.

[Bill Bumface]

Orlando: Honestly, besides the parks there is pretty much nothing.

Tampa was a great time though. Make sure you go to Hattrick's: http://www.hattrickstavern.com/

The owner was great to us and fed us round after round of free shots. This place is in walking distance of the Arena, so very easy to check it out before/after.

There is also a plaza area in front of the rink where there were lots of pre-game festivities.

If you're interested in nightlife, Ybor city is a good time from what I barely remember.

[jam26]

Go to Four Green Fields in Tampa, not far from the rink (short cab ride).

www.fourgreenfields.com.

Pretty cool little Irish pub.

[Kybosh]

I ate at a Sizzler in Orlando. It was everything you could ever hope for from a Sizzler. Aside from the parks, Orlando seemed pretty bland.

[phiten]

I went to school and lived half way between Tampa and Orlando for 3 years, and still have a place there. Anyways, here is what you should check out

-Spring Training Baseball if you are there within the next few weeks..
-You have two coasts to pick from when it comes to beaches, Orlando is closer to the Atlantic side so you can get to Cocoa Beach which is home to Ron Jon Surf Shop (World Famous). I personally like the beaches on the Gulf Side better. Clearwater Beach is really nice, you can buy your own little space with chair and shade tent thing.
-If you are into to marine life, the Mote Aquarium in Bradenton/Sarasota is pretty cool. Manatees and some sharks.
-Like a previous post stated Orlando is pretty dry minus the theme parks. However sea world just opened a new park that has like snorkeling through a coral reef, things like that. They have a few outlet malls, one on the west side of Interstate 4 called and the other on the east side near the airport. (they both are not so good)
-Orlando has 2 malls, Mall of the Mellina (sp?) it has a good amount of stores, it's really new and busy. And the Florida Mall is located off the John Young Parkway, its so busy..everytime im there i wanna jump off a bridge.
-I have heard good things about Arabian nights dinner theater.


that pretty much sums it up. let me know if u got any other questions. Hope this helps

[Flapper97]

I just got back from the Orlando about a month ago. I agree with everyone else when they say that outside the parks, there's not much to do. I recommend going shopping at the Premium Outlet Mall (http://www.premiumoutlets.com/) and I thought the Florida Mall (http://www.simon.com/mall/default.aspx?ID=139) was all right. There are also some cool shops at Downtown Disney as well.

[Flapper97]

Oh one other thing. If you're interested, I went to the Kennedy Space Center as well. It's about an hour drive from Orlando and I thought it was pretty cool. You can pretty much spend the entire day there if you want to.