How to Plan a Perfect Work Trip to Orlando

There’s more to Orlando than theme parks, and when it’s work that brings you into town, knowing how to make the most of your time after you clock out is essential. Check out this itinerary for the best Orlando has to offer, from colorful street art to high-energy sporting events. As you explore, the city will surprise you with its innovative food scene, abundant nature and up-and-coming neighborhoods. You might even find yourself wanting to tack on an extra day or two to experience it all.

The Main Attractions

Get outdoors and explore Orlando’s state parks and nature trails during your next work trip in the city.

From an emerging arts and culture scene to an assortment of nature trails and parks, Orlando offers plenty to do outside of the amusement parks. On your next work trip, head to these three neighborhoods to get out and explore the city—no skip-the-line passes needed.

The Milk District

Named after the famous dairy farm that opened in the area in 1925, the Milk District has developed into a neighborhood known for its clutch of LGBTQ-friendly bars, restaurants and shops. Across the area, you’ll find dozens of art installations, including at Walls of Pho Hoa, a restaurant façade where a constant rotation of graffiti is not just permitted but encouraged. The Milk District is also home to Southern Nights, Orlando’s largest LGBTQ+ club, which has been operating off and on for over 40 years with a calendar of theme nights and drag shows.

City District

You’ll likely find yourself in the middle of Orlando’s downtown area—known as City District—at least once during your work trip. The neighborhood has a strong arts and culture scene, from the 300-plus theater, dance and music shows hosted annually at the Dr. Phillips Center for the Performing Arts to performances at the Orlando Ballet, the city’s only professional resident ballet company. There are also plenty of museums nearby to spend your free time exploring, including the Mennello Museum of American Art, the Orlando Museum of Art and the Orlando Science Center. If the arts aren’t your thing, City District is also home to five professional sports teams.

Mills 50

Mills 50 might be one of Orlando’s oldest neighborhoods, but it’s been transformed by its newer residents. The area boasts a growing Asian American and Pacific Islander community, making your options for restaurants and shopping exceptionally diverse. If you need some rest and relaxation after packed days at the office, many businesses here offer wellness services including yoga, massages and acupuncture.

Where to Stay

While there are plenty of great hotels in Orlando, many of them are known for their proximity to amusement parks, and aren’t close to the city center. These three stays will keep you in the center of everything, with plenty of food, shopping and other activities.

Lake Nona Wave Hotel
Lake Nona, Orlando

You’ll find Lake Nona Wave Hotel, a high-tech hideaway in the newly developed Lake Nona area, just 10 minutes from the Orlando International Airport (MCO). In addition to anchoring the outdoor entertainment district, nearly half of the neighborhood has been reserved for green spaces, including parks, trails and lakes. Your stay here includes free self-parking and access to a stacked events calendar filled with happy hours, mixology and workout classes, garden yoga and live music. Rooms have smart features like windows that block UV light, and there are also three on-site restaurants and two bars serving everything from French café fare to contemporary Japanese cuisine.

Grand Bohemian Orlando, Autograph Collection
Downtown Orlando

A stay at the Grand Bohemian places you in the center of downtown Orlando, less than a 15-minute walk from the arena for basketball games, the Dr. Phillips Center for the Performing Arts, SAK Comedy Lab and Lake Eola Park. Rooms here have dedicated workspaces and separate seating areas, but you can also catch up on work at the outdoor pool, which is heated for year-round use. From the moody jazz bar at Bösendorfer Lounge to the roast chicken roulade and Black Bee Honey Cheesecake at The Boheme, you’ll find plenty to eat on property when you aren’t up for exploring the local restaurants.

The Ritz-Carlton Orlando, Grande Lakes
Grande Lakes, Orlando

If you can’t make it to the amusement parks during your next work trip to Orlando, this Ritz-Carlton outpost is the next best thing. Comprising over 500 acres and an entire water park, the hotel also makes a compelling case for letting the whole family tag along. Fill your time outside the boardroom at the 18-hole golf course, on a sunrise boat safari expedition through the Everglades, with a treatment at the 40,000-square-foot spa or just exploring the lazy river and trio of waterslides at the on-site water park. For food, you’ll find yourself spoiled for options, with 13 restaurants and bars to choose from across the property’s two hotels. Standouts include the steak house at Knife & Spoon and savory Southern cuisine at Highball & Harvest.

Where to Eat and Drink

Enjoy Cuban-inspired cuisine and cocktails in the bustling dining room at Otto’s High Dive in Orlando’s Milk District.

There are some fantastic places to eat in Orlando, if you know where to look. Thankfully, our friends at The Infatuation have curated a variety of bars, cafés and restaurants you’ll actually want to try during your next work trip. Check out four of our favorites below.

Kaya
Downtown Orlando

Find fine Filipino dining right outside downtown Orlando at Kaya, located in the Mills 50 neighborhood. Choose from à la carte items like oxtail kare kare or try menu highlights with the multicourse Sama Sama Set Menu. Wash everything down with cocktails that feature Filipino ingredients like pandan and ube. The restaurant also hosts a slate of weekly events, from guest-chef pop-ups to karaoke night on Wednesdays.

Otto’s High Dive
Milk District, Orlando

On the edge of the Milk District, you’ll find Otto’s High Dive, a bustling Cuban rum bar covered in greenery. Enjoy ropa vieja, lechon asado, ceviche and flan from the menu alongside a guava pastelito or a Chancleta cocktail (a mix of mezcal, pineberry and hibiscus). Sundays here are nothing short of a celebration, with a Cuban pig roast and a dedicated brunch menu.

Norman’s
Doctor Phillips, Orlando

When you have clients or coworkers you want to impress, head to Norman’s, an Orlando mainstay. Its Restaurant Row location is just 15 minutes from the Orange County Convention Center, making it an easy next stop after all-day conferences. The menu here changes seasonally but always features a fusion of Latin, Asian and American flavors (think: chimichurri-marinated filet mignon, seared scallops and roast Caribbean chicken). Happy hour runs from 5 to 7 p.m. daily in the bar, lounge and terrace, and includes blue-crab beignets, oysters, martinis and margaritas.

Mathers Social Gathering
Central Business District, Orlando

Mathers Social Gathering has a casual atmosphere and a convenient Central Business District location. Let your hair down after a long day of meetings with the happy hour or weekly burlesque and magic shows. The bar menu includes twists on classics, like the blueberry basil gimlet and the mango mojito. The owners also recently opened The Phoenix Jazz Club right below Mathers, which makes for the perfect after-work nightcap.

Lead photo courtesy of Grand Bohemian Orlando, Autograph Collection.