25 Orlando destinations you need to visit to call yourself a local

Wekiva Island

1014 Miami Springs Drive, Longwood, 407-864-2003
We all like to visit the beach, but you’re not a real Central Floridian until you cannonball into one of the springs or rivers that offer refreshing relaxation during the hot days. Wekiva Island is a staple because of all the amenities it offers: A bar, boardwalk and a firepit to roast marshmallows on summer nights.

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Will’s Pub

1042 N Mills Ave., 407-748-8256
A cultural hub of Orlando, Will's is where any traveling act worth it's salt stops. Whether there's a show that night or not, with tons of quirky events and a great beer menu, Will's is a must-go for anyone looking for a cold brew and good company.

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Central Florida Zoo and Botanical Gardens

3755 NW Hwy 17-92, Sanford, 407-323-4450
The zoo is the only place to see more than 400 animals all in one place anywhere close to the city. Sure, we’ve all seen plenty of wildlife, like gators and deer, but there’s just something about coming face to face with a giraffe that is really freaking cool.

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Stardust Video and Coffee

1842 Winter Park Road, 407-623-3393
Stardust serves up a mean macchiato or cappuccino, but it also has a bar for a reason. One of the best ways to conquer the Orlando heat come summer is an ice-cold Mint Julep, sipped in a laid-back, coffeeshop atmosphere.

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Wall Street Plaza

26 Wall St., 407-849-0471
This "drinks-to-go" area of downtown is a mandatory stop for anyone who wants to experience a real boozy Orlando Saturday. There's pretty much a bar for everyone in here, no matter what kind of brew or cocktail creation you might be craving.

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Tiffany Chapel

445 N Park Ave., Winter Park, 407-645-5311
Louis Comfort Tiffany made a name for himself at the 1893 Chicago World Fair with his outstanding stained glass chapel. And now that the Morse Museum has carefully reconstructed it here, it seems almost rude of Orlandoans not to go experience the wonder of this iconic work of art.

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Tako Cheena

932 N Mills Ave., 321-236-7457
A late-night lifesaver, Tako Cheena is guaranteed to satisfy any Orlandoan’s midnight cravings. While all of their tacos and burritos combined with Pan-Asian fillings are mouthwatering, the Thai chicken peanut taco here is king.

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Solar Bears Game

Amway Center, 400 W Church Street, Suite 200, 407-440-7900
It might seem out of place for such a hot place to have an ice hockey team, but the Solar Bears are no joke. These big, brawling athletes own the rink, and their cool moves are a must see for any sports fan.

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Orlando Science Center

777 E Princeton St., 407-514-2000
You don’t have to spend a fortune going to Disney or Universal to feel like a kid again: this place is catnip to children (of all ages, frankly) with a huge climbing area, a pickable "orange grove,” dinosaur exhibit and an observatory.

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Winter Park Scenic Boat Tour

312 E Morse Blvd., Winter Park, 407-644-4056
Right in Winter Park's backyard is the Scenic Boat Tour, which takes you on a journey to some of Orlando's little-known gems like Mr. Roger's old house. Plus, boat captains typically entertain riders with a barrage of dad jokes, which everyone should be subjected to at least once.

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Rock ‘n Roll Heaven

1814 N Orange Ave., 407-896-1952
The place for music lovers of all genres to buy and sell records, the Orlandoan who doesn’t take advantage of this opportunity to find some sweet classic tunes is a fool. They also sell vintage posters, toys and memorabilia, but don't ask about the Three Stooges marionettes — legend has it Michael Jackson once tried to buy them and was denied by the owners.

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Orlando City Stadium

655 W Church St., 1-855-ORL-CITY
Orlando City might not have been around that long, but if you don’t bleed purple and gold by now, something’s up. To really feel the Orlando spirit, nothing beats cheering on the team with the rest of Lionnation during a big game day.

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Blue Spring State Park

2100 W French Ave., Orange City, 386-775-3663
It should be a crime to live in Florida and not take advantage of the state’s beautiful, crystal clear springs. Plus, you can’t call yourself a real Floridian until you see a manatee in person, and Blue Spring is always packed with these gentle giants during the winter months.

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Orlando Brewing

1301 Atlanta Ave., 407-872-1117
Although it might not look like much from the outside, Orlando Brewing is practically a local landmark. You’ll always find freshly brewed, organic craft beers here, plus live music and a fun outdoor patio usually crawling with dogs makes for a classic Central Florida good time.

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The Beacham

46 N Orange Ave., 407-246-1419
The Beacham is a true piece of Orlando history, dating all the way back to the roaring ‘20s. It’s gained local landmark status and has stood as an integral part of the city’s entertainment industry, from the vaudeville era to the club music scene.

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Little Big Econ State Forest

1350 Snow Hill Road, Geneva, 407-971-3500
Sometimes living in a metropolitan area, you forget about things like nature and exercise. For the daring adventurer, this forest with its endless trails is the perfect place to experience what “wild Florida” really means.

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Lakeridge Winery

19239 U.S. 27 North, Clermont, 1-800-768-9463
This winery is a local favorite, with a friendly staff that’ll have you on a free tour within seconds of walking on the premises. Plus, how often are you actually going to be able to see winemakers actually creating the beverage you’re sipping?

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Lake Eola

512 E Washington St., 407-246-4484
In the heart of downtown, Lake Eola is the beating heart, the very symbol, of Orlando. No matter how tacky you might think it is, every resident should hit the water and rent one of the famous swan-shaped paddle boats: you might just see a new perspective of the city you love.

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Hamburger Mary’s

4110 W Church St., 321-319-0600
If you’ve never gotten your check delivered to your table in a stiletto, you’re missing out on an Orlando dining experience like no other. Drag queens reign supreme here and they’ll be the first to tell you nothing makes a burger taste better than a little singing and dancing.

Photo via Hamburger Mary Orlando/Facebook

Harry P. Leu Gardens

1920 N Forest Ave., 407-246-2620
This 50-acre botanical oasis has been a part of the history of Orlando since the turn of the century. But you don’t have to be a history buff to enjoy the natural wonders these gardens grow: an afternoon stroll through lush tropical foliage never disappoints.

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