Photos: Orlando horror fanatics had a terrifyingly good time at Spooky Empire

Although the layout was a maze worthy of the Hellraiser puzzle-box, there was plenty of humid and horrifying fun to be had…

By Matt Keller Lehman, Matthew Moyer

Spooky Empire 2025
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25 indoor activities to beat the summer heat or rain in Orlando

Summer is finally in full swing, in all its soaring-temperatures glory. Despite Central Florida's iffy summer weather, one thing we can count…

By Orlando Weekly Staff

Get curious at Orlando Science Center 777 E. Princeton St., Orlando If you want to experience some naturally occurring thrills while learning about the world around you, Orlando Science Center has it all. With options and exhibits fit for all ages, it's a great spot to bring young ones. Check out their calendar for a list of events happening this summer and beyond.
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Penguins are coming to the rooftops of downtown Orlando

Giant penguins are making their way to Orlando’s aquatic park — and also to its downtown rooftops. To mark the addition of…

By Jessica Battisti

Image: Penguins are coming to the rooftops of downtown Orlando
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The 25 best beaches and springs worth a short drive from Orlando

It's that time of year again to start planning daytime excursions and ways to keep cool in the hottest months of the…

By Orlando Weekly Staff

Wekiwa Springs 28 minutes from Orlando This stunning spring is less than 20 minutes from downtown Orlando, inviting locals to escape the city and enjoy all that nature has to offer. The emerald water is perfect to dive into and cool off with friends and family. There's ample space to have a picnic, making it a top contender for Orlando's best summer hangout. Wekiwa Springs also has its very own food truck for those who didn’t pack enough snacks.
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Epic Universe is open: All the food, rides and epic sights we saw at Universal's newest park

Universal's fourth park Epic Universe officially unleashed its out-of-this-world level of amusement park magic Thursday, and we were there to snap all…

By Chloe Greenberg, Seth Kubersky

Image: Epic Universe is open: All the food, rides and sites we saw at Universal's newest park
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Thornton Park threw a party for their unofficial Mayor, LuLu the Cat

Thornton showed out over the weekend for a birthday bash for local barfly and unofficial Mayor of Thornton Park, LuLu the Cat.…

By Matt Keller Lehman, Matthew Moyer

Thornton Park throws a birthday bash for LuLu the Cat
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Everything you need to know about Epic Universe's 11 new rides

The long-awaited and epically anticipated newest theme park at Universal Orlando finally officially opens this week. As we wait for the portals…

By Chloe Greenberg, Seth Kubersky

Mine-Cart Madness Super Nintendo World Donkey Kong's Mine-Cart Madness is a family-friendly coaster that brings guests on a mission to help protect the Golden Banana and through the Golden Temple. Riders will encounter familiar landscapes and details representing the Donkey Kong Country games. The height requirement is 40 inches. Express pass is not valid.
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25 essential summer bucket list activities to do in Orlando in 2025

Orlando's abuzz with big changes this year, and the upcoming summer months are sure to be electric. We're speedily approaching the perfect…

By Orlando Weekly Staff

Soak up sunlight on the waterways of Wekiva Island 1014 Miami Springs Drive, Longwood Wekiva Island offers some ideal outdoor fun without requiring an entire planned day trip. This Central Florida destination is just under a 30-minute drive from Orlando, and offers plenty of water fun for kids. Rent a kayak or paddleboard, play beach volleyball, or just splash around in the cool, clear waters.
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25 Orlando hotels and resorts now offering pool day passes for locals

Orlando's sprawling network of hotels and resorts may be designed for tourists, but true locals know many of their glistening pools are…

By Orlando Weekly Staff

Signia by Hilton Orlando Bonnet Creek 14100 Bonnet Creek Resort Lane, Orlando Price: Starts at $45 Jump right into Signia by Hilton Orlando Bonnet Creek, a Walt Disney World Resort. This resort is located on a peaceful 482-acre nature preserve. Everything is family-friendly: lazy river, heated pool, two hot tubs and waterslide.
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Top four reasons Epic Universe is my new favorite park in Orlando [Photos]

Nearly seven years after my first mention of Epic Universe in this column (back when it was known as “Fantastic Worlds”), I…

By Seth Kubersky

Image: Top four reasons Epic Universe is my new favorite park in Orlando [Photos]
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Mayhem on Mills brought the meat (and the sauce) at latest wrestling event in Thornton Park

Mayhem on Mills — Orlando’s independent wrestling upstarts — suspended all reason and reality Sunday with their latest card. Transforming Thornton Park’s…

By Ida V. Eskamani, Gustavo Ponce

Mayhem on Mills at the Veranda
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Disney's Animal Kingdom welcomes new baby giraffe

Disney's Animal Kingdom debuted its newest member of the savanna Monday: baby giraffe Tucker. The Masai giraffe calf made his first appearance…

By Chloe Greenberg

Image: Disney's Animal Kingdom welcomes new baby giraffe
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'Portlandia’s' Fred Armisen riffed on music for a sold-out show at Orlando’s Abbey

For his first time performing in Florida, Fred Armisen brought his "Stand Up for Musicians, But Everyone Is Welcome" show to the…

By Jim Leatherman, Matthew Moyer

Fred Armisen at The Abbey
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Photos: Universal Orlando’s second Epic Universe hotel is now open

Universal Orlando has welcomed its second hotel to the all-new Epic Universe world. Universal Terra Luna Resort is located adjacent to the…

By Juno Le

Image: Photos: Universal Orlando’s second Epic Universe hotel is now open
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Photos: Legoland to open an indoor roller coaster in 2026

Legoland is getting an indoor roller coaster next year, the block- and brick-filled Winter Haven amusement park announced Tuesday. While the park…

By Chloe Greenberg

Image: Photos: Legoland to open an indoor roller coaster in 2026
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27 cheap or free kid-friendly activities within driving distance from Orlando

Warmer weather and end-of-the-school-year breaks are on the horizon, which means it's time to get familiar with all the family-friendly activities in…

By Orlando Weekly Staff

Wekiva Island 1014 Miami Springs Drive, Longwood Wekiva Island offers some ideal outdoor fun without requiring an entire planned day trip. This Central Florida destination is just under a 30-minute drive from Orlando, and offers plenty of water fun for kids. Rent a kayak or paddleboard, play beach volleyball, or just splash around in the cool, clear waters.
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Photos: Universal offers first look inside Epic Universe ahead of opening this May

Universal Orlando's newest amusement park, Epic Universe, is finally set to open later this month after years in the making. And ahead…

By Chloe Greenberg

Image: Photos: Universal offers first look inside Epic Universe ahead of opening this month
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29 essential road trips from Orlando every local should do at least once

As spring break season nears and Florida's weather warms, it's once again the time of year to get out and explore all…

By Orlando Weekly Staff

Silver Springs State Park 1 hour and 45 minutes from Orlando Take a step into true Florida nature with Silver Springs State Park's iconic glass-bottom boat rides. The immersive rides have been a staple attraction of the park since the 1800s, when the tourism boom first started. They also may just be the perfect opportunity to spot the rogue monkey population that calls the park home today.
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Every fantastical sight we saw at the Immerse arts takeover of downtown Orlando

Creative City Project brought their Immerse arts takeover back to downtown Orlando over the weekend — bigger and bolder than ever. Local…

By Gustavo Ponce, Matthew Moyer

The Blue Man Group at Immerse
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Every superhero and supervillain we saw at a teeming MegaCon in Orlando

Everything was bigger about MegaCon this year: the crowds (even on Sunday, yikes!), the visiting celebs, the assembled vendors and, perhaps most…

By Matthew Moyer, J.D. Casto, Mauricio Murillo

Image: Every superhero and supervillain we saw at a teeming MegaCon in Orlando
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Mayhem on Mills brought Orlando's finest, most surreal wrestling to the Veranda Thornton Park

The mayhem met the moment. Mayhem on Mills, Orlando’s DIY wrestling fed, put on a card of grappling and chaos Sunday evening.…

By Ida V. Eskamani, Gustavo Ponce

Mayhem on Mills at the Veranda
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Orlando mainstay Hammered Lamb said goodbye with a big, emotional all-day party

By early evening on Saturday, Jan. 25, the scene at Ivanhoe Village staple and LGBTQ+ haven the Hammered Lamb had a distinctly…

By Matthew Moyer, J.D. Casto

The final brunch at Hammered Lamb
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Orlando's 27 best scenic hiking trails, bike paths and nature preserves

Orlando is in the middle of a cold snap, with lower-than-usual temps meaning going outdoors is uncharacteristically bracing. It's a great time…

By Orlando Weekly Staff

Oakland Nature Preserve 747 Machete Trail, Oakland This trail cuts across a boardwalk along the Lake Apopka shoreline before twining into a shady oak hammock. Hikers have a good chance of spotting animals in the adjacent wildlife preserve. Largely considered a hidden gem, this 150-acre preserve and its network of trails is nestled between Clermont and Winter Garden.
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15 movies you probably didn't know were filmed in Orlando

Orlando is no stranger to the entertainment industry, and with scenic backdrops and a slight resemblance to several even larger cities, it's…

By Orlando Weekly Staff

Sisters (2015) Among other locations in New York state and New York City, this 2015 comedy starring Amy Poehler and Tina Fey also had scenes shot in Orlando, at the Orlando International Airport and along International Drive.
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Orlando respected their elders at Stardust Video's outré Grandma Party holiday bazaar

Grandma arrived at Audubon Park's Stardust Video and Coffee in high and festive fashion in the form of an oddball holiday market.…

By Michael Lothrop, Matthew Moyer

Grandma Party at Stardust Video and Coffee
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Photos: Legoland lights up for the holidays with a giant Lego Christmas tree, holiday treats and more

This time of year, Legoland Florida is loaded with festive bricks, Lego characters, holiday shows and parties and indulgent treats. The Hallmark…

By Chelsea Zukowski

Image: Photos: Legoland lights up for the holidays with a giant Lego Christmas tree, holiday treats and more
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24 of the best ways to see Christmas lights in Orlando this year

The holidays are back in full swing in Orlando, and while we won't be getting any snow, there are still plenty of…

By Chloe Greenberg

Creative City Project's Dazzling Nights Leu Gardens, 1920 N. Forest Ave., Orlando Nov. 29-Jan. 5 This family-friendly event transforms Leu Gardens into a stunning winter wonderland featuring twinkly lights, shining forests, magical displays, music and festive sculptures.
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The 25 best things to do in Orlando with out-of-towners that aren't theme parks

Holidays in Florida can mean a lot of things: uncomfortably warm weather, even more traffic than usual, and the annual hosting of…

By Orlando Weekly Staff

Wander through the Orlando Museum of Art 2416 N. Mills Ave., Orlando Soak in some art, learn a bit about your community's creativity and immerse yourself in all things inspirational at Orlando Museum of Art. Founded in 1924, the museum is home to a rotating series of temporary exhibitions and traveling shows complemented by mainstay works. Guests can also take advantage of the year-round workshops held on site, like art appreciation classes, lectures, films, guided tours, kids' events and more.
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Where to find ice skating, snow, Santa, Christmas trees and more holiday festivities in Orlando

That time is here once again: Start shopping for gifts, preparing to host family, and cramming in all the holiday happenings you…

By Orlando Weekly Staff

Lake Nona’s “Oh, What Fun!” holiday festival 6955 Tavistock Lakes Boulevard, Orlando Fridays, Saturdays, Sundays Dec. 6-22 Lake Nona's "Oh, What Fun!" holiday event features nightly "snowfalls," live entertainment, holiday photo-ops and Santa meet-and-greets.
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Mount Dora's 105-year-old 'Kirby House' hits the market for $725K

The historic Kirby House, built more than 100 years ago, is now on the market in the heart of Mount Dora. Located…

By Chloe Greenberg

Image: Mount Dora's over 100-year-old 'Kirby House' hits the market for $725K
58 slides