For many Orlando is a tourist destination where millions of people come to enjoy our beautiful weather, play in our parks, and get away from the colder climates.  They probably do not associate hot air balloon rides with Orlando and more than likely you don’t either, but you should.

A hot air balloon ride allows you to see Orlando in a completely new way.  You will need to rise early, but it is worth it.  The sensation of gliding, seemingly motionless, over forests, homes, lakes, golf courses and in some cases near the parks is amazing and hard to explain.  The day will greet you with a pink and orange sun as it rises in the horizon.  Time will seem to stop as you quietly take in the views.

Whether you are looking to celebrate an anniversary, a birthday, an engagement, or just treating yourself, a hot air balloon ride is a perfect way to spend a morning.

Orlando is home to a number of companies that offer hot air balloon tours; here are a few of the top rated tours.

Aerostat Adventures-Hot Air Balloon Rides Orlando

566 Buckminster Cir
Orlando, FL 32803

Website

Painted Horizons Hot Air Balloon Tours

 12559 FL-535, Orlando, FL 32836

Website

Orlando Balloon Rides

44294 US Hwy 27
Davenport, FL 33897

Website

 

 

Nearly 40 years after Luke Skywalker, Princess Leia, R2-D2 and Dark Vader first appeared, the Star Wars franchise is more popular than ever.   Generations of Star War fans waited anxiously in December for the opening of Stars Wars: The Force Awakens, which raked in over $247.9 million on its first weekend.

The cultural phenomenon is so alluring for many reasons; sci-fi, action, special effects, music, hope and the excitement of world building. In a world where traffic stories seems to fill our days, audiences embrace the timeless story of good triumphing over evil.

It is no wonder that almost four months after opening, the movie is still being shown in movie theaters across the area, nor should it be a surprise that Disney World’s Star Wars exhibit is one of the most popular attractions in its theme park.

Star Wars fans will be delighted to know that by all accounts Star Wars Land is set to make its debut in late 2017 or early 2018.

If you are a Star Wars fan, you can still head to the theater to watch the movie at:

 Premiere Cinema 14 – Located in Fashion Square, 3201 East Colonial Drive, Orlando, FL 32803

 AMC Universal Cineplex 20 with IMAX – 6000 Universal Boulevard, Orlando, FL 32819

 AMC Disney Springs 24 with Dine-in Theaters – 1500 Buena Vista Drive, Lake Buena Vista, FL 32830

Check local listings for additional showings.

Star War fans will love Disney World’s Star Wars: The Adventure Continues.

Tool around the galaxy at the 3D Star Wars: The Force Awakens simulated space flight.

Explore behind the scenes, check out movie props, enjoy a flight simulator, meet Star Wars characters, snap photos, buy memorabilia and watch short films that give you a sneak peek at future Star Wars adventures.

 

 

The weekend is upon us, time to go out and celebrate, relax, dance, or have a quiet drink!  Because we know you are busy, we have put together a list of the top night spots near your Orlando apartment.

23 Lounge

23 W Church St, Orlando, FL 32801

http://www.23orlando.com/

This upscale lounge is the perfect spot to meet friends for a drink.  The curved, granite topped bar and leather seating is inviting.  They serve signature cocktails and offer friendly and attentive service.

The Attic Orlando

 68 E Pine St, Orlando, FL 32801

http://theatticorlando.com/

Some secrets just shouldn’t be left in the attic and some weekends are just meant for great cocktails and dancing! The Attic is Central Florida’s premiere nightclubs with great drinks and electronic music and lights.  They are open from Thursday to Saturday from 10 pm to 2 am.

 Independent Bar

70 N Orange Ave, Orlando, FL 32801

http://independentbar2.pushthetempo.com/wordpress/?page_id=19

Let’s dance!  The Independent Bar, located just minutes from your apartment, is a multi-leveled night club with two dance floors, state-of-the-art sound and lights and is lots of fun!

Bösendorfer Lounge

325 S Orange Ave, Orlando, FL 32801

http://www.grandbohemianhotel.com/dining/restaurant/

The Bosendorfer Lounge is a quiet upscale lounge situated in the beautiful Grand Bohemian Hotel.

The Vintage Lounge

114 S Orange Ave, Orlando, FL 32801

http://thevintagelounge.com/

The high energy Vintage Lounge has been in downtown since 2007.   Enjoy tufted, red leather VIP couches under chandeliers and dance to DJs.

Easter comes early this year; March 27, 2016, so you better get hopping on your Easter weekend plans.

To get you jump started, we have put together a diverse list of things to do this weekend!

Easter Egg Hunts and Such

Do you love peeps?  You know those (kind of) chicken shaped, sugar-covered marshmallows?  Well they gave us the inspiration for the first event on our list!

The Marshmallow Drop in Nearby Oviedo (less than a ½ hour). This Saturday, March 26^th, the city of Oveido will drop thousands of marshmallows from the sky.  Kids trade the marshmallows for candy at 10 am!  Even if you aren’t a kid or are a kid at heart, this is a fun way to start your Easter weekend!

Easter Brunch

Easter and Brunch just go together.  These two brunches are close to your Orlando apartment and will be serving delicious Easter Sunday brunches.

310 Lakeside Restaurant

310 Lakeside Restaurant will be adding some Easter items to their already delicious weekend brunch.  They open at 10 am on Sunday.  Reservations are suggested.

Address: 301 E. Pine Street
Orlando, FL 32801

Website

The Boheme Restaurant

The Boheme Restaurant’s Sunday Jazz Brunch is stepped up a notch for Easter.  Join others at Johann Strauss Ballroom for the Easter Day Grand Buffet from 10 am to 3 pm. $69 per person/$29 for children ages 6 – 12.

Adress: 325 S Orange Ave
Orlando, FL 32801

Website

So, this next item on our list has nothing to do with Easter, but it is close by and FREE!

Easter Sunrise Services near Orlando

Sea World Orlando and Bok Tower Garden (nearby Lake Wales) will be holding Easter Sunrise Service.

Sea World has been holding Sunrise service for years, enjoy the service and stay for brunch.

Tour the gardens at Bok Tower and experience Sunrise service with a choir from 6 am to 8 am. (Service is at 7 am).

The Morse Museum

The Morse Museum will be holding an Open House this weekend, March 25^th – 27th for Free!  Take in the world’s most comprehensive Tiffany collection and other exhibits at this historic, family-friendly museum.

Adress: 445 North Park Avenue
Winter Park, FL 32789

Website

Well you have made it, another work week, St. Patrick’s Day and the presidential elections and now it is time to have some fun.  Here are some great ideas on how to spend the weekend near your Orlando apartment.

Central Florida Zoo & Botanical Gardens – 3755 US-17, Sanford, FL 32771

Experience the sights and sounds of the Zoo at night to explore an nocturnal adventure with a Night Hike at the Central Florida Zoo & Botanical Gardens this weekend.  For more information check out their website.

Backbooth – 37 W Pine Street, Orlando, FL 32801

 

Do you want to try a little something different close to your Orlando apartment?  Then head over to the Backbooth for a night of music. Hip Abduction (classified as Afro-Pop) will be playing this Saturday, March 19^th at 7:00 P.M.

You can buy tickets at the door or online.

Independent Bar – 68 N Orange Avenue, Orlando, FL 32801

The Independent Bar, or I-Bar is located just minutes from your Orlando apartment and is one of the hottest nightspots in Orlando.  There are three bars, two dance floors, an outdoor patio and a unique video wall.

Saturday night is Old School New Wave where you can shake to Duran Duran, Depeche Mode, and The Cure.

NV Art Bar – 27 E Pine St, Orlando, FL 32801

If you have a date this weekend, why not check out NV Art Bar.  This intimate local bar specializes in boutique beers, wines and specialty cocktails. It is the perfect hideaway for a quiet night with sofa seating and modern (funky) art on the walls.

 

 

 

You do not have to be Irish to feel lucky this St. Patrick’s Day, living in your Orlando apartment means that you are close to a full list of shenanigans!

McFadden’s Restaurant and Saloon Orlando

8291 International Drive Orlando, FL 32819 (407) 930-2550

Wall Street Plaza

26 Wall Street Plaza, Orlando, FL 32801 (407) 849-0471

Lizzy McCormack’s Irish Pub

55 N Orange Ave, Orlando, FL 32801 (407) 426-8007

Harp And Celt Irish Pub And Restaurant

25 S Magnolia Ave, Orlando, FL 32801 (407) 481-2928

Pat O’Brien’s at Universal City Walk

6000 Universal Boulevard, Orlando, FL 32819 (407) 224-2102

The Pub Orlando

9101 International Drive #1003, Orlando, FL 32819 (407) 352-2305

Claddagh Cottage Irish Pub

4308 Curry Ford Road, Orlando, FL 32806 (407) 895-1555

Walt Disney/Epcot

Celebrate St. Patrick’s Day in Disney World and UK in Epcot.  Pick up some Mickey Mouse St. Patrick Day’s Ears or heat to Epcot for some Irish garb and a pint or two.  The Rose and Crown Pub will have green beer and food and long lines.

Get out your finest green and enjoy St. Patrick’s Day in Orlando.

 

If you are looking for fun things to do this weekend near your Orlando apartment, we have compiled a list of the top events in your neighborhood.

Celebrate Orlando’s Downtown Restaurants at the 2016 Downtown Food & Wine Fest this weekend at Lake Eola Park (Robinson Street and Eola Drive) with over 30 restaurants featured, with performances, cooking demonstrations and wine and food sampling.

website

Want to gather some friends and take a walking food tour, this weekend’s lunch and nighttime food tours will be in historic Winter Park.  Find out more on their website.

website

Wills Pub located at 1042 North Mills Avenue will be hosting an Oscar’s Viewing Party this Sunday, February 28, 2016.  View the awards ceremony with friends and enjoy special viewing specials.

In a city where the tourist is King, it is nice when Orlando restaurants and bars open up with its residents in mind.  Here is our top picks.

Urbain 40 is one of Orlando’s top newer restaurants.   Located at 8000 Via Dellagio Way this beautiful restaurant is a chef-owned French brassiere with a swing-era vibe serving brunch (on weekends), lunch, dinner and late night food offerings.

Location: 8000 Via Dellagio Way, Doctor Phillips, FL

Artisan’s Table has been on the top lists for Orlando restaurants since it opened in 2015.  Artisan’s Table is close to the new Dr. Phillips Center for the Performing Arts.  The restaurant serves breakfast, brunch, lunch, dinner and happy hour foods.  Chef Scott Copeland uses high quality, locally sourced foods on their menu.

Location: 22 E Pine St, Orlando, FL

Following the speakeasy trend spreading across the country, the V Group has opened another speakeasy in Orlando on West Pine Street.  The Herman’s Loan Office is a hidden bar serving signature cocktails and live entertainment.

Location: 22 W Pine St, Orlando, FL

Provisions & Buzz Company is located in the former location of Baldwin Park’s Jack’s Steakhouse.  Award winning Chef Spisak has opened an American bistro serving inspired cuisine for brunch and dinner, as well as hand-crafted cocktails.

Location: 4868 New Broad St, Orlando, FL

Capa is located in the Four Seasons hotel, just outside of Disney World and is the hotel’s signature restaurant.  The rooftop steakhouse serves the highest quality steaks served in with Spanish flair.

Location: 10100 Dream Tree Blvd, Orlando, FL

You can’t really talk about Orlando’s restaurants without including a restaurant that serves the best Southern fried chicken and waffles.  The Coop is the latest brainchild of John Rivers and serves up the most inspiring chicken and waffles in the area.  If you haven’t tried the unlikely pairing of fried chicken and waffles, you do not know what you are missing.  It is the perfect marriage of sweet and salt, all crunchy on the outside and soft and delicious on the inside.

Location: 610 W Morse Blvd, Winter Park, FL