20 Orlando area tourist attractions locals actually love

Being in the tourist capital of the known universe, there are a few tourist spots that we Orlandoans don't mind revisiting on occasion. Here are…

By Orlando Weekly Staff

Bok Tower 
    Bok Tower is another one of those local attractions that the usual tourists overlook in their quest for thrills but this National Historic Landmark is a must-see for anyone who has the time to visit it. The tower has long been an icon of Central Florida. At 205 ft. tall it towers over the beautiful gardens surrounding it. Swans, Sandhill Cranes and numerous other birds call the gardens home.
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The best places to eat along Orlando's 'Restaurant Row'

There's a reason a certain stretch of Sand Lake Road is nicknamed "Restaurant Row." This patch of real estate is filled with…

By Orlando Weekly Staff

Rasa
    7730 W. Sand Lake Rd., 407-930-0402, http://www.eatatrasa.com  
     The authentic taste of Southern Indian and Indo Chinese cuisine shines bright here. This is not your typical Asian hawker joint, this place delivers elegant cultural street food on a platter. 
    Photo via Rob Bartlett
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21 beautiful springs and beaches within an easy drive from Orlando

Any description of Florida is incomplete without the word hot, but luckily, it's also incomplete without mention of its suite of awesome…

By Orlando Weekly Staff

Alexander Springs Recreation Area
    Estimated driving distance: 1 hours, 15 minutes
    Sitting in the massive, 383,000 acre Ocala forest, Alexander Springs is among Florida’s most popular freshwater destinations. It is the only Ocala forest spring that permits scuba diving. If you prefer staying above water, though, don’t fret: Alexander Springs also has plenty of places to swim, canoe and hike. 
    49525 County Rd 445, Altoona
    Photo via eyes_for_iris/Instagram
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20 Orlando area tourist attractions that are actually worth the struggle

Orlando might be home to the most magical place on Earth, but sometimes it's hard to believe that when you're backed up…

By Orlando Weekly Staff

Bok Tower Gardens
    Bok Tower Gardens, 1151 Tower Blvd., Lake Wales, boktowergardens.org
    Find all the natural wonders of Florida in one place, right on the outskirts of Orlando's suburbs. Tour the botanical gardens designed by famed landscape architect Frederick Law Olmsted Jr. as you listen to the carillon bells coming from the iconic neo-Gothic Singing Tower.
    
    Photo via Bok Tower Gardens/Facebook
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25 Orlando destinations you need to visit to call yourself a local

Despite popular belief, there's more to being an Orlandoan than hating I-4, chowing down on Pub subs and hitting up the theme…

By Orlando Weekly Staff

Wekiva Island
    1014 Miami Springs Drive, Longwood, 407-864-2003
    We all like to visit the beach, but you’re not a real Central Floridian until you cannonball into one of the springs or rivers that offer refreshing relaxation during the hot days. Wekiva Island is a staple because of all the amenities it offers: A bar, boardwalk and a firepit to roast marshmallows on summer nights. 
    
    Photo via neroexplrs/Instagram
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