FEATURE STORY
In Orlando for the PGA Show? Here's your can't-miss guide to the area
By Tim McDonald,
National Golf Editor
ORLANDO, Fla. (Jan. 26, 2006) - So, you're attending the 53rd PGA Merchandise Show and Convention, along with 40,000 other golf nuts, including Greg Norman, Jim Furyk and Paula Creamer, to drop a few names.
Maybe you've been to the tourist phenomenon known as Orlando, maybe you haven't. If it's been a while, trust me, it's changed. Some of us old-time Florida natives remember when Orlando was little more than orange groves and alligators. The orange groves are gone but the gators are still there, though they've pretty much been reduced to window dressing in theme parks.
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Orlando no longer even remotely resembles the place it was when Walt Disney World exploded in 1971. It's evolved into one of the biggest tourist destinations on earth, with some 44 million people arriving every year from nearly every point on the global compass. Like pilgrims to Mecca, these visitors are drawn by the lure of the Mouse and all he encompasses.
There are, by the latest count, at least 100 attractions here, big and small, from the wildly weird and technologically advanced to the cheap and cheesy. And, of course, the related tourist infrastructure has developed along with it - adults have to have something to do besides sing along to "It's a Small World."
It's impossible to list all the things to do and see in Orlando, especially since you'll probably only be there the last part of January, but in this guide we hit the highlights.
Golf
You'll probably want to put that fancy new equipment to use on some area golf courses, if you can break away. You're in a good place to do it. There are between 100 and 150 courses in the Orlando area, depending on who you ask. Here are a few of the best bets.
• Bay Hill Golf Club & Lodge: Arnold Palmer's home course and the site of the Bay Hill Invitational. Palmer whipped Jack Nicklaus in an exhibition match here back in the 1960s and was so impressed he ended up buying the place. There are three nines, with the Challenger and Champion nines hosting the tournament; both were designed by Dick Wilson, with later tinkering by Palmer and Ed Seay. It's a semi-private course with guests at lodge able to play at reasonable rates.
• Grand Cypress Resort: All Nicklaus, all the time. This is the golf epicenter of Orlando, with three original nines and the New Course, inspired by the Old Course at St. Andrews.
• Shingle Creek Golf Club: Lying just a half mile or so from the Convention Center, this David Harman designed track has undulating fairways and interconnected waterways. Conditioning is impeccable and the service is top-notch. A great option for those who are dying to get out into the fresh air but don't want to stray too fair from the action.
• Orange County National: Maybe you don't have time to play, maybe you just want to practice with your new sticks. The Golfer magazine called Orange County National's range the best in America. It's 42 acres with a 360-degree hitting area, with 600 total tee spaces. There is a 25,000-square-foot lighted putting green with an 18-hole putting course, and a short-game practice area. The facility also has two acclaimed 18-holers, Panther Lake and Crooked Cat, and a short course.
Restaurants
Criminy, the place has more than 5,000 restaurants, from world-class to low-class! Speaking of low-class - easy, I'm kidding - for you barbecue lovers, here's an inside tip: Try Cecil's Texas Style Barbecue, with locations downtown and on West Lee Road at Interstate 4.
For sports bars, try the ESPN Club at Disney's Boardwalk, Friday's Front Row Sports Grill and NBA City at Universal City/Walk Orlando.
For fine cuisine, head to Norman's at the Ritz-Carlton, Grande Lakes, named after chef and cookbook author Norman Van Aken, featuring new-world cuisine. Primo, also at Grande Lakes, offers farm-fresh produce and organic gardening.
For carnivores, there's the Old Hickory Steakhouse at the Gaylord Palms Resort and Convention Center, with certified Black Angus beef; Charley's Steak House on International Drive; and Ruth's Chris Steak House.
For seafood, try McCormick and Schmick's Seafood Restaurant, where the fresh seafood menu changes twice daily; Bonefish Grill; and the Venetian Room at the Caribe Royal All Suites Resort and Convention Center.
For the redneck in all of us
The Richard Petty Driving Experience at the Walt Disney World Speedway offers gen-u-wine stock cars! Eat at the NASCAR Café.
To totally appease your inner redneck, check out the Super Bowl of Motorsports Monster Truck Racing at the Citrus Bowl on January 28.
For the more refined
There will be some good festivals and events while you're in town, including the annual Zora Neale Hurston Festival of the Arts and Humanities in nearby Eatonville, now in its 17th year.
The Bob Carr Performing Arts Center hosts the Cleveland Orchestra Jan. 26 and the Orlando Philharmonic, paying tribute to Mozart and Beethoven, on the 28th. Enjoy a little tipple with your tunes at the Winter Music Series at Lakeridge Winery and Vineyards in Clermont.
Orlando has a number of museums, including the Orlando Museum of Art, the Charles Hosmer Morse Museum of American Art, featuring a comprehensive collection of Tiffany pieces, and the Maitland Art Center with its traveling exhibitions.
The Orlando-UCF Shakespeare Festival is currently presenting Moliere's The Imaginary Invalid. Mad Cow Theatre and the Orlando Repertory Theater offer dramatic alternatives.
For the adventurous
Universal's Islands of Adventure has some wild rides, including the Incredible Hulk-Coaster and Jurassic Park River Adventure. Try Indoor Skydiving at SkyVenture (no experience necessary); take an airboat tour with Boggy Creek or Glades Adventures; or get a bird's-eye view from a vintage biplane at the Fantasy of Flight Museum in Polk City.
And no self-respecting Orlando visitor can skip Gatorland, the self-proclaimed "Alligator Capital of the World."
For the just plain nuts
The Wallaby Ranch Hang Gliding Flight Park in Davenport will tow you into the sky by ultralight airplane then release you to god knows what.
For the more sedate
Drive to nearby Winter Park for the Winter Park Scenic Boat Tour, a slow float through lakes and canals, or go to downtown Orlando's Lake Eola Park to paddle giant swans around and pretend you're in some sort of British movie.
For the outdoorsmen
Most of Orlando has been paved over, but there are still 300 lakes, springs and rivers. There are also parks, gardens, wildlife sanctuaries and zoos. If you really work at it, Orlando still has some great places to fish.
For Hells Angels
The Art of the Motorcycle exhibit is at the Orlando Museum of Art Jan. 22-23.
For the kids
Of course, there is always the Walt Disney Resort or SeaWorld Orlando, but there are dozens of easier-on-the-wallet attractions too, like miniature golf, water rides and go-karts at places like Magical Midway or FunSpot Action Park.
For those needing retail therapy
Orlando has nine shopping malls, including The Mall at Millennia, the Florida Mall and Festival Bay Mall at International Drive.
For those in need of a laugh
What, you're bored with all the spiels about the latest golf gizmos? Get a does of improve or stand-up at The Comedy Warehouse at Disney's Pleasure Island, SAK Comedy Lab or The Improv Comedy Club & Restaurant.
If you go
GOLF
Bay Hill Club and Lodge
Tel: (888) 422-9445
Grand Cypress Resort
Tel: (877) 330-7377
Shingle Creek Golf Club
Tel: 866-521-2331
Orange County National
Tel: (407) 656-2626
RESTAURANTS
Cecil's Texas BBQ
Tel: (407) 423-9871
NASCAR Café
Tel: (407) 224-7223
ESPN Club
Tel: (407) 939-3463
Friday's Front Row
Tel: (407) 363-1414
Norman's
Tel: (321) 303-0068
Primo
(407) 393-4444
Old Hickory Steakhouse
Tel: (407) 586-1600
Ruth's Chris Steak House
Tel: (407) 226-3900
McCormick and Schmick's
Tel: (407) 226-6515
Bonefish Grill
Tel: (407) 355-7707
The Venetian Room
Tel: (800) 823-8300
NBA City
Tel: (407) 363-5919
ACTIVITIES
Boggy Creek Airboat Rides
Tel: (407) 334-9550
Glades Adventures airboat tours
Tel: (407) 891-2222
Wallaby Ranch Hang Gliding
Tel: (800) 925-5229
Winter Park boat tours
Tel: (407) 644-4056
Universal's Islands of Adventure
Tel: (877) 688-8011
Richard Petty Experience
Tel: (800) 237-3889
SkyVenture Orlando
Tel: (800) 759-3861
Gatorland
Tel: (800) 393-5297
MUSEUMS
Orlando Museum of Art
Tel: (407) 896-4231
Charles Hosmer Morse Museum
Tel: (407) 645-5311
Maitland Art Center
Tel: ( 407) 539-2181
Any opinions expressed above are those of the writer and do not necessarily represent the views of the management. The information in this story was accurate at the time of publication. All contact information, directions and prices should be confirmed directly with the golf course or resort before making reservations and/or travel plans.
