Orlando Without the Theme Parks

Don’t get me wrong, I absolutely love the magic of Disney! But can you visit Orlando without visiting the theme parks and still have a memorable trip? The answer is YES!

I’ve been to Disney World several times, and always enjoy exploring all the over-the-top food, rides, attractions, and gift shops each of the different theme parks has to offer. But on my most recent long weekend trip to Orlando, the theme parks didn’t make it onto my itinerary. And I still had a fabulous time.

I was solo for most of my trip to Orlando and that allowed me to be fairly spontaneous and partake in a variety of activities perfect for adults looking to relax and indulge.

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Wine Tasting with an Old Friend

First on my itinerary was meeting up with a dear friend, Heather, from High School who has lived in the Orlando area for many years.

There’s no better place to catch up with an old friend than a winery!

Heather and I spent the afternoon at Island Grove Wine Company at Formosa Gardens. We sat out back overlooking the beautiful vineyard as we ate, drank, and reminisced about the good old days.

The menu is extensive for a winery, with a variety of salads, sandwiches, and appetizers. It was not an easy decision, but we ended up sharing the BBQ chicken flatbread and pretzel bites with beer cheese. Yum!

To drink, Heather opted for beer, and I started with a glass of sangria. (Sangria is always a great option!) Later, I ventured into the winery to select my wine samples. After preloading a card with $10 I was able to get 4 samples of Florida wines from the self-serve stations.

These are basically like the best adult vending machines ever! I am a sweet wine drinker and found plenty of varieties I liked (and I may have refilled that $10 card).

A Taste of Disney at Disney Springs

After plenty of girl talk and with our bellies full, it was time for shopping. Disney Springs, formerly known as Downtown Disney, is the perfect place to go when you want a taste of Disney without the steep entry fee and long lines.

One of my favorite shops is the Coca-Cola store. The fourth floor of this massive store is actually a rooftop bar, complete with both adult and kid-approved beverages. You can sample unusual varieties of coke from around the globe, but Heather and I decided to sip on some fun adult beverages instead.

A bit overpriced, but very tasty…and I was on vacation! So cheers!

While Disney Springs offers several Disney-themed gift shops, there are also tons of high-end stores and unique boutiques that are sure to please any shopping connoisseur. Disney Springs also boasts numerous themed restaurants that incorporate the same over-the-top Disney magic when it comes to decor and ambiance.

We weren’t ready for another meal yet, but I couldn’t pass up the opportunity to indulge in a sweet treat at AristoCrêpes. I ordered the salted caramel bubble waffle and twisted Heather’s arm to join me in this sinful afternoon snack.

It. Was. So. Good!

Indulging along The Promenade at Sunset Walk

The next day I was on my own and decided to spend some time wasting away in Margaritaville! The Promenade is on Margaritaville Boulevard, and I found it to be quaint and enchanting in the morning hours.

I started with a leisurely breakfast at the Flower Cafe. After drooling over the fresh pastries I opted for a chai tea latte and a savory breakfast sandwich on a croissant.

This was the perfect start to a relaxing vacation day!

After taking my time at breakfast, I strolled all along The Promenade popping in and out of shops and perusing menus at the numerous themed restaurants. There seems to be a cuisine and a theme for every kind of tourist.  From a British pub to eateries named for Al Capone and Gloria Estefan, you can find deluxe burgers, pizza, sushi, gelato and so much more all along the colorful pedestrian walkway.

Before I knew it I was ready for lunch and a cocktail!

With no time constraints or a packed vacation itinerary, I decided to grab a seat at the bar in El Jefe Tequilas Taco Cantina and ordered a margarita. I sipped my refreshing beverage and read a book without a care in the world. Ahh, vacation!

Then I ordered the shrimp tacos. Delicious!! I read, drank, and ate until I was more than full…and extremely satisfied with my vacation vibe!

I didn’t stick around The Promenade to check out the nighttime scene, but I could tell this place would be hopping with music and people ready to experience Orlando nightlife in just a few hours.

Chocolate and More Wine

I was ready to move on and check out something else in the Orlando area but wasn’t sure what I wanted to do. Google to the rescue!

After some quick internet searching for things to do in Orlando, I made a reservation for a tour of a Chocolate museum that included wine and chocolate tasting. It cost just under $30 and was well worth the price!

I hopped in an Uber and rode across town to the Chocolate Museum and Cafe. First, I joined a group on a tour of the small Chocolate Museum just behind the storefront cafe. A delightful tour guide versed us on the history and origins of my favorite food group, chocolate!

I marveled at the many famous landmarks constructed out of chocolate while restraining myself from taking a bite out of the Eiffel Tower or the Taj Mahal!

At the end of the tour, we finally got to sink our teeth into numerous different chocolate samples as we each declared our favorites. There were so many delicious options…I was in chocolate heaven!

After the tour, the edible fun continued as I sat at a table in the cafe. I was presented with a plate of 4 artistically crafted truffles and 4 generous samples of wine.

The waiter gave a brief description of each wine and the truffle it had been paired with, and I was left to sip, sample, and savor to my heart’s content.

After my fill of wine and chocolate, I grabbed a chicken avocado panini to-go from the cafe, which I enjoyed later at my AirBnB while lounging poolside.

I call that a pretty fabulous day in Orlando!

A Day at the Beach

Even though Orlando isn’t exactly close to the beach, I’m a firm believer that a trip to Florida necessitates a visit to the beach! And there are plenty of great beaches to choose from, all about one hour from Orlando.

Since I opted not to get a rental car on this trip I needed to find a way to get to the beach. So I pre-booked an excursion to Clearwater Beach through Viator for my last day in Orlando.

For just over $80, the package I selected included roundtrip transportation from Orlando right to the shores of Clearwater Beach and a dolphin boat cruise. This excursion cost less than I would have had to pay for one day of a rental car, plus I didn’t have to pay for gas, figure out parking at the beach, or navigate traffic. That’s what I call a great deal!

I rode to the beach in a comfy bus, along with lots of other eager beach-goers, and got to watch the movie Dolphin Tale on the drop-down screens. If you aren’t familiar with this heartwarming movie, it is based on a true story of a dolphin, named Winter, without a tail that was rescued in Clearwater Beach. (Sadly, Winter just died as I was preparing this article.)

I was dropped off just steps from the beach at Pier 60 and had plenty of time to lounge in the soft sand and soak up some rays.

At the pre-set time I made my way to the boat that was to take me out on the water to see dolphins at play. The first thing I did when I boarded the boat was buy a fruity cocktail at the on-board bar. As the wind blew through my hair I sipped my beverage and waited for the boat to leave the dock.

Unfortunately, the boat had some technical issues and the cruise had to be canceled. I was assured I would get a refund from Viator (which I did!) so I got off the boat and purchased another ticket at the boat in the very next dock and was quickly whisked out onto the waves. This boat had a fun shark theme, but luckily I did not encounter any real sharks on my voyage!

The dolphins were pretty shy that day so I only got quick glimpses of two of the majestic sea creatures. Still, I thoroughly enjoyed the hour-long boat ride and seeing the beauty of Clearwater Beach and the multi-million dollar beach houses from the water.

 

Back on shore, I spent more time lounging on the beach before it was time to head back to Orlando. I could always linger at the beach longer, but it had been a fabulous day, and all good things (and vacations) must come to an end.

Finger-licking Seafood Experience

After my day at the beach, I was ready for one last vacation meal (where calories didn’t factor into the equation). Unfortunately, it was now pouring down rain, and since I didn’t have my own car, my options were limited.

Luckily Juicy and Crab was right next to the resort where the tour bus dropped me off, so I decided to give it a try. Yet another fabulous decision!

I’m always up for good seafood, but this was truly a dining experience. And a very messy, but tasty one at that!

At first glance, this restaurant doesn’t look like anything that special. It is far from a stuffy, elegant seafood restaurant. In fact, the dining area and bar are much more akin to a fast-food seafood joint, but very clean and with helpful staff.

Since I was dining alone I chose to sit at the bar, and this gave me a view of all the food as the orders appeared in the window. I was intrigued with the plates engulfed by puffed up bags filled with spicy seafood and dripping with sauce.

I perused the menu and asked my waiter a few questions, admitting that this was my first time at Juicy and Crab, and I wasn’t quite sure how to order.

I ordered the combo with shrimp and crab legs with a medium spicy sauce. This may have been the best seafood meal I have ever eaten…and it was definitely the messiest. And yes, I wore the bib!

I needed a bath after this meal as the sauce was literally running down my arms to my elbows. I guess it was a good thing I was dining alone and wasn’t worried about impressing anyone!

Juicy and Crab was the perfect way to wrap up a delightful long weekend in Orlando. I’m sure I will be visiting The Sunshine State again soon, but next time I may just pop over and say hi to Mickey and his pals!

What are your favorite things to do in Orlando? Let me know what I should add to my itinerary the next time I visit!

Wherever the road takes you, make it a joyous journey,
Traveling Tanya

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