There are plenty of places in Orlando perfect for sticking it to oppressive politicians and parties, but there's only one that so flawlessly doubles as a picturesque community hangout. Lake Eola Park offers activists of all degrees the Lake Eola loop for marching, the Walt Disney Amphitheater for rallying and the fountain-adorned and swan-populated lake itself as a scenic backdrop for powerful photo-snapping. No matter the noble cause, there's a safe space for civic engagement here.
Thornton Park's Veranda event space has seen a lot of shuffling and change in the last few years of operation, but in the last 1 2 months the venue found its groove as the spot of choice for a diverse slate of only-in-Orlando events. If we're leaving out any, apologies — they've got a whole lot going on — but any venue that hosts the very popular Gala of Ghouls alt-drag showcase, the Moon Mercado lunar-themed night market, and the surreal and thrilling pro-wrestling spectacle that is Mayhem on Mills is one worth keeping on your radar.
111 N. Summerlin Ave., verandaevents.com
From relatable content about Florida's scorching heat to memes and updates on major weather events, whoever runs MCO's social media at this point is effectively an influencer of their own merit. Interspersed with posts relaying basic updates and information about the operations of MCO, the airport's social media person inserts a refreshing jolt of personality into its professional communications without alienating Boomers or making Gen Z cry "cringe!"
We're not sure what's keeping this capitalistic relic alive, but we're here for the fever dream fuel. Of all the abandoned retail space in Orlando, Fashion Square is the most aesthetically pleasing: eerie parking lots, a fenced demolition site, a handful of stores barely hanging on and a certain overall post-apocalyptic charm. If you're looking to take the otherworldly feels a step further, pop into the mall's Premiere 14 theater, which hasn't seen a touch of modernity past 1999.
3201 E. Colonial Drive, orlandofashionsquare.com
Are you a bookworm who wants to be able to go read a book out in the wild, like a bar or brewery, without getting strange looks or an eye-roll? Then Orlando's new Silent Book Club chapter is for you. It's no-cost, volunteer-run, and a no-strings-attached meetup that sets up monthly/bimonthly group reading events for locals. You bring your own book to read (whatever you'd like). Afterwards, folks are free to stick around and discuss. RSVPing for events is strongly encouraged — links are posted to the Instagram account, @silentbookclubdtorl — mostly to accommodate venue owners and make sure they're not exceeding capacity.
