CONTACTCAREER OPPORTUNITIESADVERTISE WITH USPRIVACY POLICYPRIVACY PREFERENCESTERMS OF USELEGAL NOTICE
© 2024 Pride Publishing Inc.
All Rights reserved
All Rights reserved
Scroll To Top
By continuing to use our site, you agree to our Private Policy and Terms of Use.
A LGBTQ+ Guide to Orlando
This travel expert 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
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.
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
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
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
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
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
Ashland and its Oregon Shakespeare Festival is the Pacific Northwest’s hidden gem
September 27 2024 3:30 PM
Top 15 LGBTQ+ safe spots for travel this fall
September 16 2024 10:53 AM
55+ photos of hidden gems at Gay Wine Weekend
September 13 2024 12:41 PM
15 sensual male portraits from Luke Austin
September 09 2024 1:26 PM
Sun, surf, culture: discover San Diego
September 06 2024 5:00 AM
Explore these solo-friendly resorts and destinations
September 04 2024 11:17 AM
Oahu's first adults-only hotel
September 03 2024 5:00 AM
Thirsty pics from URGE Miami 2023
August 26 2024 1:11 PM
Discover Alpine bliss in the Swiss Alps
August 19 2024 7:55 AM
American Airlines bans lesbian for alleged in-flight sex with a man
August 16 2024 3:58 PM
Copenhagen: your gay guide
August 14 2024 3:12 PM
Luke Evans: sexy swimwear king
August 13 2024 9:53 AM
Washington, D.C. readies for WorldPride 2025
August 12 2024 11:37 AM
35+ pics from LA LGBT Center's Senior Prom
August 08 2024 12:30 PM
Meet Munich's hot men in Elska
August 08 2024 10:44 AM
25 Electrifying Photos: Team USA in Paris 2024
August 05 2024 5:42 PM
Out Traveler's updated guide to essential gear for travel pros
August 05 2024 2:24 PM
These are the guest judges on 'RuPaul's Drag Race Global All Stars'
August 02 2024 10:02 AM
Dive into Pandora Boxx's debut album
July 30 2024 6:00 PM
Out and About with… Mo Welch
July 30 2024 10:42 AM