• Log in
    NewsVoicesExpertsEat & DrinkTravelogueExclusivesTravel TipsPrint IssueVideo
    ADVOCATEOUTPridePLUSADVOCATE CHANNEL
    SubscribeSubscriber ServicesEmail Newsletter Signup
    CONTACTCAREER OPPORTUNITIESADVERTISE WITH USPRIVACY POLICYPRIVACY PREFERENCESTERMS OF USELEGAL NOTICE
    © 2023 Pride Publishing Inc.
    All Rights reserved
    OutTravelerOutTraveler
    Scroll To Top

    By continuing to use our site, you agree to our Private Policy and Terms of Use.

    Accept

    A LGBTQ+ Guide to Orlando

    Joey Amato
    | 08/30/22

    A LGBTQ+ Guide to Orlando

    This travel expert learns there is more to Orlando than theme parks.

    Travel expert Joey Amato learns there is more to Orlando than theme parks.

    Orlando has always been a place close to my heart. Back in 2002, I attended graduate school there as well as working in the music industry for a company that launched the careers of Backstreet Boys, *NSYNC, O-Town, and other stars. I even managed a boy band of my own around that time. Needless to say, I really enjoyed living in Orlando. It was also the place where I finally admitted to myself that I was gay, although I didn’t officially come out to my family until a few years later.

    When I heard U.S. Travel’s IPW convention was going to take place in Orlando this year, I knew I had to go.

    The pool complex at the Hyatt Regency Grand Cypress

    • This travel expert learns there is more to Orlando than theme parks.
    Travel expert Joey Amato learns there is more to Orlando than theme parks.

    I stayed at the Hyatt Regency Grand Cypress, which is perfectly situated within minutes of Walt Disney World parks and just a short drive from Universal Studios. The property is massive and contains a separate fitness building, resort-style pool with bar and live music as well as a convention area.

    Epcot was always my favorite park to visit as a child, so I was excited to learn that one of the main events for the conference would take place there. We got to experience the park without the crowds, which was quite pleasant, especially when it came to the newer rides Frozen Ever After and Guardians of the Galaxy: Cosmic Rewind. Seeing the iconic globe lit up at night is as magical now as it was when I was younger.

    Travel expert Joey Amato learns there is more to Orlando than theme parks.

    Ironically, the conference coincided with One Magical Weekend, so I also had the opportunity to visit two LGBTQ parties while there, the first being the annual Red party at House of Blues and the second being OMW’s Therapy Pool Party at Sheraton Lake Buena Vista Resort. People from around the country travel to Orlando for this event, so I ran into many friends during that weekend, some of whom I hadn’t seen in years.

    My visit wasn’t all fun and games though. I think we all remember where we were when we heard the news of the Pulse massacre back on June 12, 2016. A few years ago, the owner of the club opened an interim memorial with the goal of raising the funds to open a permanent space that would pay homage to the forty-nine beautiful souls lost that day. Located at the site of the original club, the current memorial contains an offering wall where visitors can leave flowers or mementos.

    There are three viewing areas of the building. Visitors will be able to see the waterfall at the entrance of the club, a wall of the building where the forty-nine names are inscribed, as well as the area where people were rescued from the restrooms by first responders.

    The Pulse Memorial

    Travel expert Joey Amato learns there is more to Orlando than theme parks.

    The memorial also has a Ribbon Wall of Photographs, filled with pictures of the community and the world’s response of love and support and artifacts collected from the Orange County History Center. It’s a very emotional experience but one you need to do if you’re ever in the area.

    A few miles away is the new Hall on the Yard development, an upscale food hall venue. One of the highlights is a restaurant called The Chef & I, which is owned by my friends Erica and Chris Rains from Nashville. Every time I visited their restaurant, I knew I was about to experience something special. The Chef & I is one of my favorite restaurants in Nashville and I’m sure it will be a hit with the Orlando community. The restaurant throws a delicious brunch, featuring menu items like Duck and Waffles, Brined and Smoked Salmon Benedict, as well as their Hot Salt Chicken.

    The Hall on the Yard

    Travel expert Joey Amato learns there is more to Orlando than theme parks.

    People often forget that Orlando isn’t just theme parks. There are many beautiful towns in the metro area that are worth visiting. Antique collectors will really enjoy the charm of Mount Dora, while Dr. Phillips has emerged as a culinary epicenter boasting a variety of fine dining restaurants.

    However, my favorite neighborhood to visit is Winter Park and more specifically, Park Avenue. The cobblestone street is lined with wonderful boutiques and outdoor cafes and is adjacent to Rollins College, my alma matter. Located in Winter Park, The Charles Hosmer Morse Museum of American Art is home to the world’s most comprehensive collection of works by Louis Comfort Tiffany. The Museum’s Tiffany collection includes jewelry, pottery, paintings, art glass, leaded-glass windows and lamps, and the chapel interior the artist designed for the 1893 World’s Columbian Exposition in Chicago.

    The extensive Tiffany collection at The Charles Hosmer Morse Museum of American Art

    Travel expert Joey Amato learns there is more to Orlando than theme parks.

    Orlando is known for having a wonderful LGBTQ+ scene. One of my preferred low-key places to enjoy a cocktail is Savoy, located just north of downtown. Every time I visit, I usually end up there with friends. Some other popular spots include Stonewall Bar Orlandoand Southern Nights.

    Orlando Pride is also one of the largest pride events in the state. This October, Coming Out With Pride will take place on Saturday, October 15 at Lake Eola Park in downtown, and will be surrounded by a host of other events throughout the week leading up to the festival. While downtown, try to catch a show at the Dr. Phillips Center for the Performing Arts. The sparkly new building hosts a variety of touring Broadway shows as well as performances from major artists in addition to Orlando’s many local performing arts organizations.

    The Dr. Phillips Center for the Performing Arts

    Travel expert Joey Amato learns there is more to Orlando than theme parks.

    The next time you visit Orlando in sunny Florida, I would encourage you to venture outside of the amusement park areas to get to experience the city. I met so many wonderful people when I lived there, so I would love for you to get to know the locals the way I did.

    Enjoy the Journey!

    The author with friends at Epcot

    Joey Amato is a travel writer and publisher of Pride Journeys.

    Latest Stories

    4 Dead, Several Injured After Helicopters Collide on Australian Beach
    News
    Badge
    gallery

    4 Dead, Several Injured After Helicopters Collide on Australian Beach

    January 02 2023 11:14 AM
    These 8 Destinations Will Have You Dreaming of a Warm Christmas
    Destinations
    Badge
    gallery

    These 8 Destinations Will Have You Dreaming of a Warm Christmas

    December 24 2022 11:12 AM
    Times Square in New York City at night
    Best of Travel
    Badge
    gallery

    Sniffies Reveals Horniest Cities

    December 22 2022 4:15 PM
    Turkish Oil Wrestling: Male Bonding at the Kirkpinar Festival
    Travelogue
    Badge
    gallery

    Turkish Oil Wrestling: Male Bonding at the Kirkpinar Festival

    December 20 2022 2:20 PM
    Sniffies investigates the queerness and homoeroticism inherent in frat culture \u2013 and here are the mouthwatering pics to prove it.
    Events
    Badge
    gallery

    20 Thirsty Pics of #SniffiesRush Campaign Celebrating Frat Life

    December 16 2022 3:19 PM
    Reno Gold and his doctor boyfriend Austin in their new travel show “Boyfriends Big World”
    Exclusives
    Badge
    gallery

    OnlyFans Star Reno Gold on His New Boyfriend and Travel Show

    December 16 2022 3:10 PM
    Intro to Mid-Atlantic Leather Weekend January 13-16
    Events
    Badge
    gallery

    Intro to Mid-Atlantic Leather Weekend January 13-16

    December 13 2022 3:00 PM
    Making a Case for a Much-Hated Ingredient
    News
    Badge
    gallery

    Making a Case for a Much-Hated Ingredient

    December 13 2022 4:00 AM
    Spend the Holidays in West Hollywood
    News
    Badge
    gallery

    Spend the Holidays in West Hollywood

    December 11 2022 4:30 PM
    50+ Sexy Photos from Provincetown’s 25th-Annual Holly Folly
    Virtual Travel
    Badge
    gallery

    50+ Sexy Photos from Provincetown’s 25th-Annual Holly Folly

    December 11 2022 12:31 PM
    The 7 Most Cringeworthy Moments in ‘The White Lotus’
    News
    Badge
    gallery

    The 7 Most Cringeworthy Moments in The White Lotus

    December 10 2022 1:50 PM
    Gay Couple Finds True Love While Waiting at Airport
    News
    Badge
    gallery

    Gay Couple Finds True Love While Waiting at Airport

    December 06 2022 10:30 AM
    Make the Most of Napa’s ‘Cabernet Season’
    Eat & Drink
    Badge
    gallery

    Make the Most of Napa’s ‘Cabernet Season’

    December 05 2022 4:00 AM
    14 Hotels That Go All Out for Christmas
    Resorts
    Badge
    gallery

    14 Hotels That Go All Out for Christmas

    December 04 2022 4:00 AM
    Pics Show Dueling Eruptions, Lava Flows Threaten Key Hawaiian Highway
    News
    Badge
    gallery

    Pics Show Dueling Eruptions, Lava Flows Threaten Key Hawaiian Highway

    November 30 2022 4:30 PM
    Two New Lava Flows Cascade Down Mauna Loa
    News
    Badge
    gallery

    Two New Lava Flows Cascade Down Mauna Loa

    November 30 2022 7:00 AM
    Plane Crash Survivors Suspended in Power Lines for Over Seven Hours
    News
    Badge
    gallery

    Plane Crash Survivors Suspended in Power Lines for Over Seven Hours

    November 28 2022 4:15 PM
    Jinkx & DeLaCreme Holiday Show Best Yet
    Drag
    Badge
    gallery

    The Queens of Christmas Will Leave You Laughing

    November 26 2022 5:49 PM
    El Coyol is an exclusive, LGBTQ+ welcoming private island on Lake Nicaragua
    Destinations
    Badge
    gallery

    Escape Winter on This Stunning Private Island

    November 25 2022 12:00 PM
    More Black Friday & Cyber Monday Resort Sales
    Resorts
    Badge
    gallery

    More Black Friday  & Cyber Monday Resort Sales 

    November 25 2022 11:24 AM