GALLERIES AND MUSEUMS
Albin Polasek Museum and Sculpture Gardens
633 Osceola Ave., Winter Park, polasek.org
Former artist residence is now a gallery, surrounded by gorgeous lakeside gardens full of bronze sculptures.
Art and History Museums – Maitland
231 W. Packwood Ave., Maitland, artandhistory.org
The cultural complex includes the Maitland Art Center, a gorgeous Mayan-style artists residence that is a National Historic Landmark.
The Charles Hosmer Morse Museum of American Art
445 N. Park Ave., Winter Park, morsemuseum.org
This museum features an astounding collection of stained glass windows, lamps and more by Louis Comfort Tiffany.
CityArts Factory
29 S. Orange Ave., cityartsfactory.com
This downtown arts space is home to a number of independent galleries and arts spaces.
Cornell Fine Arts Museum
1000 Holt Ave., Winter Park, rollins.edu/cfam
Tucked away on the campus of Rollins College, this museum recently received a major gift of contemporary art, the Alfond Collection, from a pair of alums.
Crealdé School of Art
600 St. Andrews Blvd., Winter Park, crealde.org
The school, set in lakeside bungalows with a sculpture garden, is known for creative classes as well as gallery shows.
The Falcon
819 E. Washington St., facebook.com/thefalconbar
Revolving shows from emerging local artists, specializing in lowbrow, street and graffiti art.
Faith Arts Village Orlando
221 E. Colonial Drive, faithartsvillage.com
An old motel provides individual artists' studios and hosts a monthly art market.
Gallery at Avalon Island
39 S. Magnolia Ave., avalongallery.org
The historic building recalls Orlando's past; the sophisticated exhibits within feature local, national and international artists.
Henao Contemporary Center
5601 Edgewater Drive, henaocenter.com
Roomy new visual arts facility in a lesser-known part of town also hosts music, spoken word, dance and other art events.
The Mennello Museum of American Art
900 E. Princeton St., mennellomuseum.org
The space is small, but it packs a lot of punch with works by folk artist Earl Cunningham and an eclectic mix of traveling exhibitions. The outdoor sculpture garden is one of the best deals in Orlando: beautiful and free.
Orlando Museum of Art
2416 N. Mills Ave., omart.org
Nestled into Loch Haven Park, the newly reinvigorated OMA shows work by major artists as well as homegrown talent. Do not miss the annual Florida Prize in Contemporary Art show.
Redefine Art Gallery
29 S. Orange Ave., redefinegallery.com
A tiny space within CityArts, Redefine is the area's most reliable purveyor of cutting-edge graffiti and street art.
Snap Space and Snap Downtown
1013 E. Colonial Drive and 420 E. Church St., snaporlando.com
Slick photography-centric galleries – one in Mills 50 in the historic Cameo Theatre and one east of downtown in the 420 East building – host the best art parties in town.
Wells' Built Museum
511 W. South St., wellsbuilt.org
Housed in a historic hotel, Wells' Built is a trove of local African-American artifacts.
THEATERS AND PERFORMING ARTS
Dr. Phillips Center for the Performing Arts
445 S. Magnolia Ave., drphillipscenter.org
Brand-new and beautiful, downtown's airy glass-and-steel cultural facility offers various multi-use spaces and theaters hosting touring Broadway productions, comics, dance and local theater.
DRIP
8747 International Drive, ilovedrip.org
Dance troupe is known for flinging colored liquids and powders about the stage and on each other. Good clean (well ...) fun.
Footlight Theatre at the Parliament House
410 N. Orange Blossom Trail, parliamenthouse.com
The legendary gay resort is home to this small theater, which thrills audiences with drag delights and original comedies, musicals and guest productions.
Improv Orlando
9101 International Drive, theimprovorlando.com
Touring and local stand-up comedians get up here to make with the funny.
Mad Cow Theatre
54 W. Church St., madcowtheatre.com
The established and well-regarded Mad Cow Theatre features regular stage productions, classes and workshops as well as an annual cabaret festival.
Orlando Ballet
445 S. Magnolia Ave., orlandoballet.org
Orlando's professional ballet company has settled gracefully into its new home at the Dr. Phillips Center for the Performing Arts.
Orlando Philharmonic Orchestra
425 N. Bumby Ave., orlandophil.org
Wider fare than just classical music keeps the only professional orchestra in action: pops, film scores, opera and distinguished guest artists.
Orlando Shakespeare Theater
Lowndes Shakespeare Center, 812 E. Rollins St., orlandoshakes.org
One of the top Shakespeare companies in the country, OST produces a regular season of the Bard's works, as well as challenging classics and the annual PlayFest, which showcases new works.
The Venue
511 Virginia Drive, thevenueorlando.com
Theater and performance space is the home of Blue Star and her VarieTease troupe, but also hosts plays, concerts, dance performances and cabarets.
