Urban Living: Orlando’s Downtown Explosion
A dynamic and diverse downtown metropolis

To read Orlando Mayor Buddy Dyers’ letter, click here.

Downtown Orlando is the center of a dynamic metropolitan area with a vibrant and diverse community where arts and culture flourish.The area is alive with award-winning dining, exciting nightlife, boutique shopping, year-round outdoor activities, arts and culture, professional sports and abundant parks.

Orlando defines its downtown areas as Main Street districts. Here is a closer look at each one:

Play Downtown

From Main Streets to martinis, Downtown Orlando serves up the best in arts and entertainment. With many options to choose from including cultural events, high-energy sports, museums, a multitude of nightlife options including walking around one of our Main Streets, Downtown Orlando offers something for residents and visitors alike.

Downtown’s Amway Center sets the standard for the best in live sports and entertainment and is home to the Orlando Magic, Orlando Solar Bears and the Orlando Predators. There are several new developments in the area. The Dr. Phillips Center for the Performing Arts showcases the region’s premiere performance groups as well as Broadway shows.
The newly reconstructed World Camping Stadium, which features seating for 65,000 during sporting events, is home to several bowl games. In 2017, Downtown Orlando welcomes a new venue, the Orlando City Stadium, home to Major League Soccer.

Live Downtown

Downtown Orlando offers new luxury apartment homes close to the action of professional sports teams, cultural events, nightlife, shopping and dining in the pedestrian-friendly downtown area.Brand new 420 EastApartments offers urban living at its best with luxury apartments for rent in downtown Orlando.

Thornton Park, the City’s most stylish district is just the place to unwind as you stroll its brick-lined streets. Just east of Lake Eola in Downtown’s green heart, the residential neighborhood has oak-shaded bungalows, many built in the original Florida “cracker” style with wraparound front porches

Lake Eola, Downtown

Lake Eola Park provides a pedestrian friendly environment where visitors are able to view its majestic fountain, feed fivedifferent varieties of swans,rent swan-shaped paddle boats, see a concert at the Walt Disney Amphitheater or take in a spectacular view of Orlando’s skyline. The park also includes a nearly one-mile trail around lake and a Farmer’s Market on Sundays.

Events

With more than 1,000 events annually, Downtown Orlando has much to offer from live music to sports and Broadway plays.

Getting Around

Downtown Orlando is a walkable, livable city, where it is easy and convenient to get around. The City of Orlando is committed to ensuring there are diverse options for residents and visitors to get around and connect to entertainment and nightlife, all the while reducing the impact on the environment. Today, one can enjoy multimodal forms of transportation options including LYMMO, SunRail, bike share and car share.

To learn more about Orlando, please visit
City of Orlando
Downtown Orlando
Orlando Economic Development Council
Orlando Regional Chamber of Commerce
Orange County Public Schools
Orange County Public Schools

City of Orlando Data Sheet (PDF)

Downtown Area Map (PDF)

Orlando Area Map (PDF)

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Where art, history, science, and community meet…

In Orlando, you’ll never run out of things to do. The same ideals of creativity and innovation that rank Orlando’s theme parks among the best in the world overflow to the surrounding community, making this a haven for artists and performers. Here are some of the area’s options:

Dr. P. Phillips Orlando Center for the Performing Arts

The state-of-the-art Dr. Phillips Center for the Performing Arts is a brand new premier destination for world-class arts, culture, and entertainment; a Center where regional and global creativity converge to educate and nurture the region’s artists, arts organizations, audiences, and students.

Harry P. Leu Gardens 

These show gardens in Orlando include large camellia and rose collections, palms and bamboos, and a tropical stream garden.

Orlando Philharmonic Orchestra

Orlando is home to one of the top orchestras in the state.

Orange County Regional History Center

The Orange County Regional History Center is an affiliate of the Smithsonian Institution and explores 12,000 years of the area’s rich history with interactive exhibits, artifacts, archives and special shows.

 Snap! Orlando

A contemporary art organization with two galleries and over 100 exhibited international photographers & multimedia artists

 Loch Haven Park

Known as the cultural corridor of Orlando, Loch Haven Park is located on Mills Avenue and Princeton Street. 

Loch Haven Park is home to:

Orlando Science Center

Home to exciting, hands-on exhibits, amazing giant-screen movies, and engaging live programming, Orlando Science Center is a place where visitors can explore and discover science and technology together.

Orlando Ballet

Orlando Shakespeare Theater

Orlando Repertory Theater

Orlando Museum of Art

Mennello Museum of American Art

Orlando Garden Club

Winter Park

Albin Polasek Museum & Sculpture Gardens

The Polasek is on the National Register of Historic Places features over 200 works by Florida Artist Hall of Fame sculptor Albin Polasek, N.A.

 Bach Festival Society of Winter Park

Featuring the Bach Festival Choir and Orchestra – at Rollins College since 1935 the third-oldest continuously operating Bach Festival in the United States.

 The Morse Museum

The museum is internationally known for the most comprehensive collection of works by Louis Comfort Tiffany.

Maitland 

Enzian Theater

Central Florida’s only full-time, non-for-profit alternative cinema & home to the Florida Film Festival & Eden Bar.

Florida Film Festival

The Florida Film Festival in Orlando is an Oscar®-qualifying festival, premiering the best in current, independent and international cinema.

Osceola Center for the Arts

The Center hosts five art exhibits in their gallery and produces a two-day art festival in downtown Kissimmee.

To learn more about the Arts:
Dr. Phillips Center
Orlando Science Center
Enzian Theater

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To read Orange County Mayor Teresa Jacobs’ letter, click here.

Created in 1988 as one of the first county charter governments in Florida, Orange County has a “strong mayor” form of government, led by an elected, non-partisan Mayor who oversees the annual $3.6billion budget and is served by six district-elected commissioners. Today, Orange County is home to more than 1.2 million residents and welcomes more than 62 million visitors from around the world annually.

Orange County Government has 80 divisions and 7,782 employees and covers 1,003.26 square miles, of which 903 square miles are land and 99 square miles are water. The county is home to the University of Central Florida, (UCF), the second largest university in the nation, and is the number one, world-wide destination for relocation, tourism and travel, generating more than $225 million in tourist development taxes.

About Orange County’s dynamic economy

Orange County’s dynamic economy is anchored by strong tourism and hospitality sectors, a robust Modeling, Simulation and Training (MS&T) cluster, a thriving biotechnology and life science research hub, cutting-edge film and digital media training facilities, and exciting arts and cultural venues.

The region’s MS&T sector, strong life science and tech industries have already made a profound impact on the creation of high-wage and high-value jobs in Central Florida.

Lake Nona Medical City and its life science sector also play an significant role in the development of the economy creating nearly 30,000 jobs with $2.8 billion in annual wages, generating $460 million in annual tax revenue and spurring $7.6 billion in annual economic activity for the region.

Building upon the successes of the world-class theme parks and professional sports teams like the Orlando Magic and the Orlando City Soccer Club and the new women’s national soccer team – Orlando Pride, Major League Soccer’s (MLS) newest expansion team, Orange County continues to transform the future with Central Florida’s new commuter rail system, SunRail; the new SimLEARN National Simulation Center; the opening of the Dr. Phillips Center for the Performing Arts; and soon, a soccer-centric stadium that will house the league’s 21st club.

Since 2010, Orange County has experienced a steady and dramatic decline in the unemployment rate from 11.3 percent to 4.2 percent – representing 90,335 new jobs created. Citing the region’s median average salary and a 5.8 percent unemployment rate, Orange County’s City of Orlando is ranked No. 1 on Forbes for job growth as one of the fastest growing cities in the nation.

Home to the eleventh largest public school district in the nation as well as the presence of UCF, Rollins College and other colleges and universities, Orange County offers extraordinary educational opportunities that provide unparalleled undergraduate, graduate and doctoral program options.

World famous attractions, the nation’s second largest convention center and year-round sunshine help make Central Florida a top relocation, business and vacation destination of families and professionals from all over the world.

To learn more about Orange County,
General Information
Orange County Public Schools
The Orlando Economic Partnership
Orlando Regional Chamber of Commerce

Orange County Map (PDF)

Orange County Data Sheet (PDF)

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Seminole’s past and present thrive side-by-side

Step back in time by taking a canoe down the scenic St. John’s River. Observe alligators sunning themselves on the shore and sentries of snowy great egrets gracing the cypress swamps and your trip will be similar to those that first settled in Mosquito County in 1825, later established as Seminole County in 1913.

With freshwater lakes and rivers on three sides, the county has 2,000 pristine spring-fed lakes and rivers as well as seven cities and four townships. The oldest city, Sanford, was founded in 1870.

ALTAMONTE SPRINGS

altamonte.org
Altamonte Springs is known for its centerpiece and civic park, Cranes Roost, a 37-acre lake and amphitheater bordered by both the Altamonte Mall, with its 180 shops and AMC theater, as well as Uptown Altamonte, a 25 acre mixed-use development. The $3 million renovation of the park was completed in time for the city’s recent signature 4th of July celebration, Red, Hot & Boom!

CASSELBERRY

casselberry.org
Casselberry has evolved from an agricultural town to one of Seminole County’s premier communities with 15 parks, 30 local lakes and a diverse mix of retail establishments, restaurants, offices, commercial space and housing at all price levels.

LAKE MARY

lakemaryfl.com
Named by Family Circle Magazine as one of the Best Towns for Families (2014), Lake Mary has ample housing developments to complement the business growth with upscale communities such as Heathrow, Timacuan and the Markham Woods area. Commercial development includes the Heathrow International Business Center, home to the national headquarters for AAA. Verizon and Deloitte recently moved into the area.

LONGWOOD

longwoodfl.org
A residential community of 14,000, 30 historical structures have been preserved and restored in Longwood’s historic district. Longwood is home to Big Tree Park and Wekiwa Springs State Park, a 7,000-acre Florida State Park. Antique shops dot Longwood’s quaint downtown while new restaurants and breweries are popping up throughout.

OVIEDO

cityofoviedo.net
Oviedo was ranked as a Best Place to Raise Kids by Bloomberg BusinessWeek (2013). Filled with great restaurants, shopping and beautiful natural areas, this city has a special population – free-roaming chickens live in downtown Oviedo, adding an element of playfulness to the atmosphere.

SANFORD

sanfordfl.gov
Located along the stunning St. John’s River, Sanford is a vibrant city that boasts a listing in the National Register of Historic Places. Residents can visit the nearby Central Florida Zoo, enjoy a show at the Wayne Densch Performing Arts Center and experience the city’s growing microbrew industry. Sanford hosts Star Spangled Sanford 4th of July fireworks on the St. John’s River, The St. John’s River Festival of the Arts, and the monthly Alive After 5 street festival.

WINTER SPRINGS

winterspringsfl.org
Ranked by CNN Money Magazine as one of the best places to live in the United States (2011), Winter Springs has exciting cultural community events, as well as trendy shops and restaurants. A residential community of 34,000, many residents call Winter Springs’s fashionable Tuskawilla community home.

To learn more about
Seminole County
Seminole County Public Schools

Seminole County Map (PDF)

Seminole County Data Sheet (PDF)

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Osceola County officials are working on a blueprint for the county’s future – and at the forefront is the new Florida Advanced Manufacturing Research Center.

The two-story, 109,000-square-foot building has the potential to transform Florida’s economy by creating the advanced manufacturing infrastructure that will develop key markets and technologies and a highly educated, world class science-based workforce.

“There’s no doubt we are building a new Osceola County,” Osceola Commission Chairwoman Viviana Janer, told an audience earlier this year during the annual State of the County address.

Osceola is growing, with a population of more than 325,000 – an increase of 80 percent from the year 2000. And by 2040 it’s projected to grow to more than 681,000.

All its economic pieces are fitting together to build a better county.Osceola is working not only to attract new businesses – but new types of businesses, those that create good-paying jobs for citizens. At the same time it is making sure that residents have the education to fill the slots created.

The region’s largest county in area, Osceola still offers a distinct way of life. As a testament to that lifestyle, there are more than 200 cattle ranches in the southern part of the county.

Founded on May 12, 1887 from portions of Orange and Brevard counties, Osceola became Florida’s 40th county. Named after the famed Seminole leader, this area was a transportation hub in the late nineteenth century for riverboats and the railroad. It supported a bustling cattle, sugar, and lumber-based economy.

Agriculture and tourism are still vital to the economy. The county is home to the largest cow-calf operation in the continental United States.

Just as significant, is the tourism industry along its northwest border, where Walt Disney World overlaps into Osceola County.

The county has two cities, St. Cloud and Kissimmee and several significant geographic areas and/or unincorporated communities, including: Poinciana, Celebration, Harmony, ChampionsGate, Campbell City, Intercession City, Narcoossee, Holopaw, Kenansville, and Yeehaw Junction.

Kissimmee

experiencekissimmee.com
Kissimmee is in the northwest border of Osceola County and is in close proximity to the region’s largest amusement park, Walt Disney World Resort. Southeast of the city is Lake Tohopekaliga (nicknamed Lake Toho), and its Kissimmee Waterfront Park which encompasses walking paths, playgrounds and a fishing pier. Shingle Creek, considered the headwaters of the Everglades, runs through the western side of the city. While a city of 66,000, nearly half a million visitors stay in Kissimmee’s commercial lodging facilities each month as well as dine and shop in the area.

St. Cloud

visitstcloud.com
St. Cloud is a family-oriented city with small town charm. It sits south of Lake Toho where championship bass fishing is held. With a population 40,000 residents, it is home to the Reptile World Serpentarium. The city was founded when Union soldiers retired to the area in 1909 and for a time it was governed by the Veteran’s group. Today, residents and visitors alike can stroll through the shops in the historic downtown where almost are the streets are named after states.

To learn more about
Osceola County
School District of Osceola County

Osceola County Map (PDF)

Osceola County Data Sheet (PDF)

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