Central Florida Fair Returns for 2023

The Central Florida Fair will once again roll its way into Orlando for 11 days of entertaining thrills and delicious treats. The 111th annual fair begins on Thursday, March 2, and runs until Sunday, March 12, 2023.

Central Florida Fair Ferris Wheel

In addition to rides, food, and music, the fair will showcase the talents of Central Florida’s best and brightest students.

Rides and Live Entertainment

The Central Florida Fairgrounds on Colonial Drive will host the biggest midway in Central Florida.

The midway will include many crowd-favorite rides from years past. Food vendors will serve classic fair treats such as cotton candy, popcorn, and funnel cakes.

The fair will feature free concerts included with admission. Or rock out at separately ticketed concerts from some of today’s hottest musical acts. This year’s lineup includes Latin singer Melina León, R&B artist Keshi, and rapper Kevin Gates.

Melina Leon, who will perform at the Central Florida Fair

Event Admission

Regular admission to the Central Florida Fair costs $10 on weekdays and $15 on weekends. Guests can buy tickets on the fair’s website. Children 11 and under visit for free.

Ride wristbands are sold separately for $30 on weekdays and $40 on weekends. However, the fair sells a discounted Megapass ticket online for $35. It includes admission and a wristband valid for one day of unlimited midway rides. A “Family 4 Pack” Megapass is also available for $125.

Exhibits and Competitions

The Central Florida Fair celebrates the community’s art and agriculture skills through exciting contests.

The Central Florida Fair will have cattle and other livestock competitions.

  • Livestock – Local youth will showcase their cattle, swine, sheep, lamb, poultry, rabbit, cavy, and goat breeds.
  • Horticulture – Gardeners will display terrariums, cacti, and homegrown veggies in a plant care contest.
  • Confectionary Arts – Competitors will show off their ingenuity and steady hand skills in the cookie and cake decorating contest.
  • Food Arts & Sciences – Participants of all ages will present their baked goods, jams, and pickled goods.

Creative Arts – Artists can enter creative competitions like basket weaving, quilting, and pottery.

Comfortable Accommodations for the Central Florida Fair

If you plan on attending the Central Florida Fair, reserve your room at Rosen Plaza.

Our centrally located hotel is the perfect place to stay while enjoying the fair or any of Orlando’s other wonderful attractions.

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Disney Princess Half Marathon Weekend’s 15th Anniversary

Disney Princess Half Marathon Weekend’s 15th Anniversary

For over a decade, marathon enthusiasts have gathered at “The Most Magical Place on Earth” to run in the Disney Princess Half Marathon. To celebrate the event’s 15th anniversary, runDisney is hosting a weekend full of festivities. Runners of all experience levels will find a course to get their blood pumping and endorphins going.

The fun takes place from Thursday, February 23, to Sunday, February 26, 2023.

Here is what you can look forward to during the Disney Princess Half Marathon Weekend.

Disney Princess Yoga

The weekend offers sunrise yoga for those interested in a more serene exercise experience. This one-hour, instructor-led class starts at 5:30 a.m. on February 23, 2023. The peaceful views of Cinderella’s Castle and relaxing poses will leave you saying “namaste.”

Disney Princess 5K                                               

The Disney Princess 5K takes place at 5:00 a.m. on Friday, February 24, 2023. This race is great for beginners wanting to join in on the magical runDisney festivities.

Disney Princess Enchanted 10K

The Disney Princess Enchanted 10K is a 6.2-mile run starting at 5:00 a.m. on Saturday, February 25, 2023. This race is perfect for those looking for something longer than a 5K, but not as challenging as the half-marathon.

Disney Fairy Tale Challenge

The Disney Fairy Tale Challenge is for those willing to take on both the half-marathon and the 10K. The event runs from February 25 – 26 and totals 19.3 miles. This ambitious challenge awards racers with a special medal for finishing both events.

Disney Princess Half Marathon

The namesake event, the Disney Princess Half Marathon is a 13.1-mile course through Walt Disney World Resort. As you run through the parks, fan-favorite Disney characters will cheer you toward the finish line. The Disney Princess Half Marathon starts at 5:00 a.m. on Sunday, February 26, 2023.

Run Straight to Rosen Plaza

If you’re heading to Central Florida for the Disney Princess Half Marathon Weekend, book an affordable room at Rosen Plaza. Rosen Plaza provides clean and comfortable rooms and luxury amenities. Train at the on-site fitness center before the big race and unwind by our pool afterward.

Our hotel is on International Drive, close to Orlando’s top restaurants and attractions.

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2023 Daytona 500 at Daytona International Speedway

2023 Daytona 500 at Daytona International Speedway

The best week of the year for NASCAR fans is quickly approaching. Daytona Speedweeks brings five exciting racing events to Central Florida from February 16 to February 19, 2023. The annual event includes the world-famous Daytona 500.

Daytona Speedweeks Races

Daytona Speedweeks Presented by AdventHealth kicks off the regular racing season for all car series. The week’s exciting races include:

  • Bluegreen Vacations Duel

    This exciting split-track race determines the Daytona 500 starting lineup. The duel goes down on Thursday, February 16, at 7 p.m.

  • NextEra Energy 250

    The NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series begins on Friday, February 17, at 7:30 p.m. The 250-mile pickup truck race promises to thrill fans down to the last lap.

  • ARCA Menards Series Race

    This 200-miler on Saturday, February 18, features ARCA Menards Series cars. Watch as they go head-to-head in a high-octane race.


  • It’s What’s for Dinner. 300

    The action-packed Saturday doubleheader continues as rising NASCAR Xfinity Series stars hit the track. This 300-mile battle is the last race before the big event. It starts at 5 p.m.

The 2023 Daytona 500

Daytona Speedweeks culminates with the 65th annual Daytona 500 on Sunday, February 19, 2023. “The Great American Race” starts at 2:30 p.m.

Enjoy the UNOH Fanzone

Ultimate racing fans can upgrade their experience by purchasing UNOH Fanzone and Pre-Race Access.

During the pre-race show, VIPs will make appearances, and you can visit your favorite driver’s garage. You’ll also score perks like front-row access for driver introductions and the chance to sign the finish line.

Motor on Over to Rosen Plaza

While in Daytona, experience all the fun attractions Central Florida has to offer. Add a trip to Orlando to your weekend.

For a comfortable and affordable place to stay, make a pit stop at Rosen Plaza. Our hotel’s International Drive location puts you close to Orlando’s top restaurants, bars, and theme parks.

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4 Winter and Audubon Park Restaurants You’ve Seen on Food TV

It comes as no surprise that Orlando’s Audubon Park neighborhood and nearby Winter Park often appear on food TV shows.

Both neighborhoods boast lush landscaping and lovingly maintained historic buildings. And, of course, both are home to top-tier restaurants. Every time a food TV program features a local restaurant, viewers are left dreaming of stunning scenery and amazing cuisine.

Headed to Central Florida soon? Stop dreaming and experience Winter Park and Audubon Park’s food scenes for yourself.

Here are four Orlando area restaurants you may have seen on television.

1.      Ravenous Pig

From 2013 to 2017, Emeril Lagasse traveled around Florida to explore the state’s ever-growing culinary scene.

Food TV star Emeril Lagasse

In episode one of Emeril’s Florida, the celebrity chef picked up an apron at the Ravenous Pig in Winter Park. There, he met chef James Petrakis, co-owner of the gastropub and brewery. The two cooked mouthwatering pan-seared and cured fish dishes together. Meanwhile, Petrakis described the restaurant’s commitment to using fresh, seasonal ingredients.

Because the Ravenous Pig uses locally sourced meat and produce, new masterpieces are added to the menu all the time.

The menu currently features steak in bordelaise, fresh-caught Atlantic salmon, and gnocchi in a savory vodka sauce.

The Ravenous Pig’s delightful dishes pair exquisitely with their signature beers.

The restaurant brews everything from rich porters to refreshing rice lagers. If beers are the main draw for you, consider having a seat in the modern beer garden. While unwinding outdoors, you can enjoy a variety of beers and a crowd-pleasing menu of upscale bar food.

2.      Farm & Haus

In fall 2018, food critic Andrew Zimmern took a culinary tour of Orlando for his Travel Channel show The Zimmern List.

Food TV star Andrew Zimmern
Lbeck1945, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons

While there, he visited East End Market. Zimmern described the hip Audubon Park food hall as a “theme park for fantastic food.”

He started his day at Farm & Haus. Like the Ravenous Pig, this Orlando restaurant uses local ingredients to craft dishes rich in nutrients and flavor. Zimmern opted for a piece of avocado toast topped with fresh veggies and a farm-fresh egg.

Other breakfast options include buckwheat pancakes, hashbrown bowls, and crispy bacon cured in-house.

Later in the day, Farm & Haus serves salads, wraps, and rice bowls that make for a delightful lunch or light dinner.

3.      DOMU

After enjoying farm-to-table delights at Farm & Haus, Zimmern headed to fellow East End eatery DOMU.

He first feasted on a platter of massive chicken wings. His next course consisted of spicy tonkatsu ramen with bone broth, pork belly, and tender noodles made in-house.

DOMU also wows its guests with curry chicken, vegan miso, and broth-free ramen varieties.

In 2022, DOMU’s fresh takes on Japanese classics earned the restaurant a Michelin Bib Gourmand designation.

The restaurant’s Asian fusion flavors carry into its bar menu. Order a martini that pairs lychee syrup and boba with elderflower liqueur. Or travel the world with a New Japan cocktail, which blends Japanese whisky with French cognac and orgeat syrup.

In addition, DOMU serves expertly made mocktails that delight diners of all ages.

4.      Bem Bom

From 2011 to 2015, comedian James Cunningham hosted Eat St.

The fun food TV show gave Cooking Channel fans a look at North America’s best food trucks.

In the show’s final episode, he gets a taste of Portugal at Bem Bom. At the time, the business served Iberian sandwiches from a food truck that traveled around Orlando. Cunningham watched as chef Chico Mendonça prepared lamb burgers with freshly made feta compote and peri-peri sauce.

The juicy, flavorful burgers were a hit with Cunningham and Bem Bom’s customers.

In fact, the truck was such a hit that in 2018, Mendonça opened a brick-and-mortar spot in Audubon Park.

The restaurant’s large windows and ornate blue tilework give it a breezy, friendly feel. In addition to sandwiches on Portuguese prego rolls, Bem Bom has ventured into Mexican rice bowls and quesadillas. Round out your meal with a flavorful glass of Portuguese wine.

More Orlando Restaurants You’ve Seen on Food TV

Orlando’s best restaurants have been on food TV so often, we couldn’t fit all our favorites into one blog.

Check out our guides to restaurants in:

Rosen Plaza: A Food TV Lover’s Paradise

As you embark on your Food TV tasting tour of Orlando, make Rosen Plaza your home base.

Our Orlando hotel is close to major highways, making it easy to reach Winter Park and Audubon Park’s delightful restaurants.

After you’ve savored the flavors these neighborhoods, keep your adventure going at our on-site restaurants. You’ll find everything from superb steak to fresh salads at Rosen Plaza.

Steak served at Jack's Place at Rosen Plaza, the perfect restaurant for food TV fans

For more dining options, walk down International Drive for a meal at Pointe Orlando’s many restaurants.

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8 Romantic Valentine’s Day Date Ideas in Orlando

It’s time to break out the flowers and candy — Valentine’s Day will be here before you know it.

If you’re planning a romantic getaway in Orlando on or around February 14, you’ll find many ways to celebrate your love. Whether you and your sweetheart want to go traditional, adventurous, or downright quirky, the City Beautiful has something in store for you.

Here are eight ways to celebrate Valentine’s Day in Orlando this year.

1.      Explore Lake Eola via Swan Boat

Many cultures view swans as a symbol of romance and devotion. So why not spend Valentine’s Day among the stately swans that live in Orlando’s Lake Eola Park?

Valentine's Day in Orlando - Swans form a heart while swimming on the water together.

While you can watch the park’s 60-odd swans from the shores, you’ll get the best views from the water. The only way to paddle out on Lake Eola is, fittingly, via swan boat. The grand vessels are available for rent from Tuesday through Sunday.

As you explore the lake, you’ll get a glimpse of city life in Orlando – impressive skyscrapers, lovely landscaping, and walkers, joggers, and picnicking families.

You may even meet Queenie and Big Boy, two rare black-necked swans who are total #relationshipgoals.

Lake Eola’s swan boats cost $15 for a 30-minute rental. Tickets must be purchased on-site at the park. The boats are pet-friendly and can fit up to five people, so feel free to bring the whole family or plan a fun double date for Valentine’s Day.

2.      Prepare a Valentine’s Day Feast at Aprons Cooking School

Studies have suggested that couples who cook together communicate better and are more satisfied with their relationship.

See the benefits for yourself by signing up for a cooking class this Valentine’s Day. Publix, the fan-favorite supermarket chain, runs beginner-friendly cooking schools at select stores. At each Aprons Cooking School, you can take classes in everything from knife safety to custard making to easy sheet-pan dinners.

Whether you take a course specifically made for couples or a general workshop, you’ll come away with a full belly and useful new skills.

In the Orlando area, you’ll find Aprons Cooking Schools at Publix locations in Winter Park and Dr. Phillips. Classes at these locations cost $55-65 per person.

3.      Create a Perfect Date Night at All Fired Up

If you and your sweetheart have built a solid relationship on your shared love of art, here’s an idea for you.

All Fired Up offers paint-your-own-pottery sessions out of their studio in the heart of Winter Park, FL. You and your partner can pick from over 250 pre-kilned pottery designs, including plates, piggy banks, jewelry boxes, and coffee mugs. Paint your item of choice any way you want using their assortment of colorful glazes. The studio will then return your piece to the kiln to seal your paint job.

At the end of the week, return to All Fired Up to pick up your pottery.

Prices vary depending on what you choose to paint, but most pieces cost $25-30.

All Fired Up is BYOB, so feel free to bring a bottle of wine. The pottery studio is within walking distance of the Wine Room on Park Avenue. Begin your Valentine’s date with a wine tasting in their regal bistro. Once you’ve found a vino you both love, buy a bottle of it, then stroll down scenic Park Avenue to begin your artsy adventure.

4.      Indulge in a Classic Valentine’s Treat at the Chocolate Museum

Chocolate and Valentine’s Day have been soul mates since the 1860s.

That’s when Richard and George Cadbury took over the family chocolate business from their father.

While, under their dad, Cadbury’s had mostly sold drinking chocolate, the brothers decided to focus on making solid candies. To sell more sweets, they started putting them in fun, seasonal boxes. In 1868, the company designed a heart-shaped box for Valentine’s Day. It was a huge hit.

If you’re fascinated by this morsel of chocolate history, you’ll love Orlando’s Chocolate Museum & Café.

Head to this unique International Drive attraction to learn about the history of chocolate and how it’s made. You’ll also see sweet sculptures of famous places and faces and, of course, taste some of the world’s best chocolates. Admission starts at $17 per person and includes a guided tour and chocolate samples.

You can also upgrade to a package that includes a wine or mimosa tasting.

Before you leave, stop by the on-site café for a chocolate pastry or cup of hot cocoa. If you’re all chocolated out, you can enjoy a salad, panini, coffee drink, or ice cream instead. If you and your partner are 60 or over and want to check out the café, consider buying Senior Combo tickets. This deal costs $19.90 per person and covers the guided tour plus a pastry and hot beverage.

5.      Find Higher Love at Icon Park

When you’re with the one you love, any setting can be a romantic one. But taking them somewhere with fantastic views definitely won’t hurt.

The Orlando Eye is a 400-foot-tall Ferris wheel that treats riders to dazzling views of Orlando’s theme parks, downtown neighborhoods, and stunning lakes. Before boarding with your sweetheart, grab a bottle of bubbly from the on-site bar.

Admission starts at $29 per person.

In previous years, Icon Park has celebrated Valentine’s Day with its “I’m Sweet on You” package. This unique holiday package includes a private wheel capsule for two, sparkling wine, a spread of sweet treats, and a digital photo package. As you ride, you can either listen to a romantic playlist curated by Icon Park or use Bluetooth to play your song on repeat.

6.      Take a Dreamy Stroll Through Leu Gardens

Valentine’s Day flowers usually come in the form of fragrant bouquets. But there’s also something romantic about a walk through a magically landscaped garden.

Leu Gardens is a stunning botanical garden east of downtown Orlando.

Thanks to Central Florida’s subtropical climate, tropical and temperate plants both thrive throughout the 50-acre attraction. Celebrate pollinators at the on-site butterfly garden. Admire the beauty and resilience of banana plants, bromeliads, and palm trees in the Tropical Stream Garden. You can find inspiration for your own yard at the idea garden, which showcases how home gardens can grow food, provide wildlife habitat, and beautify your neighborhood.

And, given the rose’s association with love, a trip to the rose garden is a must on Valentine’s Day.

Admission to Leu Gardens starts at $15 per adult.

7.      Swim in the Sea of Love at Discovery Cove

If you and your love have always dreamt of snorkeling through a gorgeous reef together, a trip to Discovery Cove is in order.

Discovery Cove is an all-inclusive day resort operated by SeaWorld. Its main attraction is a thriving coral reef teeming with tropical fish and majestic rays. General admission starts at $217 and includes your snorkel rental, unlimited lazy river rides, and bottomless food, beer, wine, and soda.

Spend your day snorkeling and lounging on the white-sand beach, or upgrade to a unique wildlife encounter.

At Discovery Cove, you can book experiences with everything from flamboyant flamingos to splendid sharks. The dolphin swim experience is one of the most popular add-ons. And if you’re one of the 6 million people planning to propose on February 14, Discovery Cove’s dolphins are ready to help.

Valentine's Day in Orlando - A dolphin helps a couple get engaged at Discovery Cove.

The resort offers several proposal packages, all of which culminate in a friendly dolphin swimming up to your sweetheart with a buoy inscribed with the all-important question.

8.      Enjoy a Romantic Date Night at Rosen Plaza

Valentine’s Day is the perfect chance to try a new restaurant. In fact, about one-third of American adults mark the occasion with a culinary adventure.

If you’re looking for an Orlando restaurant where you can have an unforgettable Valentine’s Day dinner, look no further than Rosen Plaza.

Our International Drive hotel is home to Jack’s Place, an award-winning steakhouse with a creative twist. The walls of the restaurant are adorned with caricatures drawn by Jack Rosen, the father of Rosen Hotels & Resorts founder and president Harris Rosen. If you’re early into your relationship, these pictures are a great conversation starter.

Valentine's Day in Orlando - Jack's Place Restaurant in Rosen Plaza

No matter how long you and your sweetheart have been together, our exclusive prix fixe Valentine’s Day menu will make for the perfect date night. You and your love can choose from mouthwatering seafood pescatore or filet mignon as your entre, alongside flavorful appetizer and dessert options.

If you’re looking for a laid-back Valentine’s Day dinner in Orlando, head to ’39 Poolside to enjoy perfectly prepared sandwiches, burgers, and salads in a peaceful poolside setting.

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Let the Good Times Roll at these 5 Orlando Mardi Gras Events

Updated Nov. 25, 2025

 

Every year, 47 days before Easter, people around the world gather for colorful celebrations. Many cultures call their celebration “Carnival.” Others call it “Shrove Tuesday.”

Here in the U.S., we call it Mardi Gras, French for “Fat Tuesday.”

 

A sparkly, feathery mask sits on a white surface beside green and yellow glittery Mardi Gras hats.

 

When the French settled along the Gulf Coast, they brought their Mardi Gras traditions with them. Over time, cities like Mobile, Galveston, and New Orleans developed their own customs. Soon, the rest of the country realized that they, too, wanted to let the good times roll. Today, you can find Mardi Gras celebrations across the U.S.

For some, Mardi Gras is a time to let loose before a period of reflection and sacrifice. For all, it’s a chance to enjoy traditions like parades, zydeco music, and king cake.

No matter what Mardi Gras means to you, you’ll find many ways to celebrate in Orlando. So, grab your krewe and live it up at one of these five Fat Tuesday festivities.

 

Key Takeaways

 

1.      Fun Spot’s HUGE Mardi Gras

 

An iced king cake surrounded by colorful beads, masks, and other Mardi Gras paraphernalia.

 

If you’re looking to do Mardi Gras with the whole family, go marching into Fun Spot.

The affordable and kid-friendly theme park has a location off International Drive and another in Kissimmee.

Every year in late winter, both spots come alive with festive music and purple and gold décor. Fun Spot’s HUGE Mardi Gras features a fun parade, themed photo backdrops, and mouthwatering Louisiana cuisine. In past years, attendees got a taste of the bayou through exclusive menu items like gator nuggets, Cajun fries, and king cake sundaes. Drink offerings included classic NOLA cocktails like the hurricane.

When we say that Fun Spot is fun for the whole family, we mean it.

At this Orlando theme park, parking and admission are free. Guests can pay per attraction or buy an all-day wristband. So if you’re traveling with someone who doesn’t like rides, they only need to spring for food and arcade credits.

And since Fun Spot is Orlando’s only pet-friendly theme park, even fido can join the fais do-do (Cajun slang for a party).

 

 

2.      Mardi Gras at SeaWorld Orlando

Every year, SeaWorld Orlando throws a jazzy Fat Tuesday celebration full of fun flavors and colorful beads.

After spending the morning riding coasters and hanging out with amazing marine life, geaux to Wild Artic Plaza for an epic dance afternoon dance party. Next, take your Mardi Gras celebration to new heights with a parade featuring stilt walkers and zydeco tunes. And because SeaWorld’s Mardi Gras party coincides with the fan-favorite Seven Seas Food Festival, tasty treats abound.

Last year’s food options included bourbon barbecue po’boys and airy beignets.

 

 

3.      Universal’s Mardi Gras

 

A group of people in Mardi Gras beads and costumes dance in the street at Universal Orlando.

 

As we mentioned before, the Big Easy isn’t the only place that parties it up in the late winter. From Brazil’s Carnival to Italy’s masquerade balls, cultures all over the world come together for lavish celebrations.

And at Universal Studios, you can experience it all.

Universal’s Mardi Gras will return to the Orlando theme park in early February 2026.

Last year’s headliners included Joe Jonas, T-Pain, Lawrence, TLC, and more.

Can’t make it to Universal during Mardi Gras season? There’s another way to celebrate Mardi Gras year-round.

Head to CityWalk, where you can enjoy a frozen delight at the Fat Tuesday daiquiri stand. Or go all out with a visit to Pat O’Brien’s. This CityWalk restaurant is a replica of the classic dueling piano bar in NOLA. Any time of year, enjoy a night on the bayou full of rollicking music, refreshing cocktails, and Creole cuisine like po’boys and etouffee.

 

4.      Tibby’s New Orleans Kitchen

 

A plate of fresh beignets topped with powdered sugar.

 

Like Pat O’Brien’s at CityWalk, Tibby’s New Orleans Kitchen celebrates NOLA culture all year.

The award-winning restaurant serves authentic Louisiana cuisine in the Orlando suburbs of Winter Park and Altamonte Springs. You’ll find delightful dishes like muffuletta sandwiches with a savory olive spread, blackened seafood platters, and andouille gumbo. Wash it down with a Sazerac, daiquiri, or frosty glass of Abita beer.

Save room for classic Crescent City desserts, including praline bread pudding and freshly fried beignets.

While Tibby’s delights diners year-round, those visiting on or around Mardi Gras are in for a real treat. The restaurant typically hosts a month-long celebration with live jazz music and event-exclusive food and drink options. Tibby’s Mardi Gras celebration also includes fresh-baked king cakes, plastic baby and all.

 

5.      Sanford Mardi Gras Street Party

Gorgeous historic architecture. Friendly locals. The chance to sip an ice-cold cocktail while strolling through town. These are just some of the things that have made NOLA’s Mardi Gras so iconic.

But if a trip to the French Quarter isn’t in the cards for you in 2023, there’s another way to experience Mardi Gras with an extra helping of Southern charm. And it’s right here in Central Florida.

Every year, the city of Sanford, Florida, hosts a très amusant Mardi Gras party. It starts with a parade complete with brass bands, stilt walkers, and golf carts decked out in baubles and beads. Join the procession wearing your Mardi Gras finest. Or find a spot on the street and watch it all go down.

After the parade, stick around historic downtown Sanford to enjoy authentic eats, live music, and unique vendors. Guests 21+ can purchase cocktails from stands around town. Or stop in one of Sanford’s award-winning craft breweries for a local brewski.

As a lagniappe, or bonus, proceeds from this Mardi Gras celebration benefit local charities.

 

Find Joie de Vivre at Rosen Plaza

 

A wide shot of the exterior of Rosen Plaza at sunset.

 

After a day spent celebrating NOLA style, head back to your cozy guestroom at Rosen Plaza.

Our Orlando hotel is located on International Drive, close to major highways, making it easy to get to your Fat Tuesday party of choice. And if Universal’s Mardi Gras is the fais do-do for you, you can get there on our free theme park shuttle.

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7 Places to Find Marvelous Mocktails in Orlando

Updated Nov. 25, 2025

 

Raise a glass — National Mocktail Week runs from January 11 through January 17, 2026.

 

A tall glass with an orange mocktail, garnished with citrus wedges against a botanical background.

 

Mocktail mixologist and blogger Marnie Rae founded the holiday in 2018. Her goal was to prove that zero-proof cocktails could be as refined, inspired, and delicious as any mixed drink.

And it seems to be working. In a 2021 survey, over half of respondents said that they were ordering more non-alcoholic (NA) cocktails than they were a year before.

Whether you avoid alcohol year-round, plan to do Dry January, or want to celebrate National Mocktail Week with a zero-proof creation, you’ll find delightful drinks all over Orlando.

This January, quench your thirst with a mocktail at one of these seven Orlando bars.

 

Key Takeaways

  • Tori Tori
  • Hampton Social
  • Earl’s Kitchen
  • Domu
  • The Neighbors
  • The Edison
  • ’39 Poolside

    •  

    1.      Tori Tori

     

    Silhouetted figures stand at a dark and moody bar with beams across the ceiling and a modern bar stocked with liquor bottles.

     

    Just east of Ivanhoe Village, you’ll find Mills 50. The hip neighborhood is home to many of Orlando’s best Asian restaurants, including Tori Tori. This yakitori (chicken skewer) restaurant won “Best Zero-proof Cocktail” in Orlando Weekly’s 2021 best-of list.

    Tori Tori stocks its bar with unique ingredients like kumquat juice, ancho chiles, and rose syrup.

    Upon request, Tori Tori’s bartenders will skillfully craft a mocktail based on your favorite flavors.

    Tori Tori’s food and ambiance were also a big hit with Orlando Weekly readers. So be sure to pair your mocktail with delicious Japanese cuisine. In addition to freshly grilled yakitori, you can enjoy skewers of shrimp, beef, pork belly, or veggies. Other options include fried rice, crab croquettes, and fried chicken with citrus-pepper sauce.

     

    2.      Hampton Social

    After a busy day exploring International Drive’s amazing attractions, unwind with dinner and a mocktail at Hampton Social.

    The Pointe Orlando restaurant boasts a chic coastal vibe and a huge menu. Options like ceviche, avocado pizza, oysters, and lobster rolls pair perfectly with their NA drinks. The popular Carry On mocktail features lemon and pear juices, fizzy ginger beer, and blackberry and thyme garnishes.

    You can also enjoy a glass of non-alcoholic sparkling rosé.

     

    3.      Earl’s Kitchen

    If your Orlando trip involves a shopping spree at the Mall at Millenia, be sure to stop by Earl’s Kitchen for a tasty NA drink.

    The family-run restaurant chain has served unique and flavorful offerings in Orlando since 2016. Mocktails at Earl’s include a sparkling yuzu lemonade with orange essence, plus delicious NA takes on the Moscow mule and Aperol spritz. If you’d rather have a cold beer, try Athletic Brewing’s Run Wild NA IPA.

    Earl’s also serves fantastic food, from sirloin steak to shrimp curry to tofu tacos.

     

    4.      Domu

     

    A modern bar and restaurant interior.

     

    In 2022, Domu became one of seven Orlando restaurants to earn a coveted Bib Gourmand designation from Michelin. It’s maintained the designation every year since.

    And with good reason: their flavorful ramen bowls and crisp Asian-fusion wings make for an unforgettable meal.

    And if you dine at Domu’s flagship location, in Audubon Park’s East End Market, you can enjoy your noodles with an equally mind-blowing mocktail. Their bar menu includes the Lemony Snicket, which pairs lemon juice, orgeat syrup, and soda water. You can also enjoy a mango lychee lemonade with bountiful boba. Or sweeten your meal with a virgin pineapple daiquiri.

    Other NA bar options include Topo Chico and a dry-hopped seltzer by the brewmasters at Lagunitas.

     

    5.      The Neighbors

    Upstairs from Domu, you’ll find The Neighbors, a colorful lounge and gift shop.

    Pick up a delicious mocktail before browsing their superb selection of fun candles, art, and apparel.

    Sip on a Zephyr, a breezy drink with ginger beer, lime, and cinnamon. Or mellow out with a Lavender Pomojito, which features lavender, pomegranate, mint, and basil.

    In addition to a growing mocktail scene, Orlando has a great music scene. You can explore both if you visit the Neighbors on a Saturday or Sunday afternoon when they host live performers.

     

    6.      The Edison

    Light up the night at The Edison, a fan-favorite Disney Springs restaurant.

    The first thing you’ll notice when you enter the Edison is its steampunk and art deco décor.

    The second thing you’ll notice is its impressive mocktail menu.  Enjoy the fruit flavors of the Smoke & Mirrors, which features pineapple and lemon juice with orgeat. Or pick a freshly made Apple Propellant mocktail with apple cider, lemon juice, honey, and ginger ale.

    The Edison also serves unique Sprite-based drinks with fresh fruit syrups and botanicals.

    Come with an appetite. The restaurant offers a scrumptious menu of burgers, salads, flatbreads, and mouthwatering ribs. End your meal with an indulgent slice of chocolate cake or cheesecake.

     

    7.      ’39 Poolside

     

    A beautiful orange cocktail in a hurricane glass sitting on a pool deck beside a clear sparkling pool with a hotel and palm trees in the background.

     

    Complete Orlando’s tropical Florida vibe with a frozen drink by the pool.

    At ’39 Poolside on International Drive, you can vacation like a boss with a refreshing mocktail. Enjoy a virgin piña colada, daiquiri, or mudslide as you take in gorgeous views of shimmering water. Our outdoor restaurant also offers expertly made poke bowls, sandwiches, wings, and salads.

    Our restaurant is in Rosen Plaza, a centrally located hotel known for top-tier hospitality.

    We’re a short walk away from the Orange County Convention Center and Pointe Orlando. And we’re a quick car ride away from top Orlando theme parks, attractions, and bars with great mocktails.

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    4 Ways Rosen Hotels Makes Every Day GivingTuesday

    GivingTuesday is coming up on November 29, 2022.

    The day is a time to give what you can — be it time or money — to causes you care about.

    It’s no coincidence that it comes a few days after the chaos of Black Friday. GivingTuesday is a chance to slow down and remember that the holidays are all about giving. And the day isn’t just for individuals. Companies worldwide use the day to boost their corporate social responsibility (CSR) work.

    At Rosen Hotels & Resorts, we don’t limit giving to a single day. Rather, we embrace the spirit of GivingTuesday all year.

    Here are four ways our company gives back on GivingTuesday and every day.

    1.      We support community spaces in Orlando.

    Harris Rosen, founder and COO of Rosen Hotels & Resorts, is an avid swimmer. He has swum at the same gym on International Drive for decades.

    One day in 1992, he arrived for a dip in the pool. But a lending company had shuttered the facility. Mr. Rosen learned that the closure left local Special Olympians heartbroken and without a place to train. So, he took action, leading local fundraising efforts. The space became a YMCA.

    Today, it is a thriving swim club known as the Rosen Aquatic & Fitness Center.

    In 2009, Harris Rosen revitalized another community space, a nearby Jewish community center.

    When the JCC needed a larger facility, Harris Rosen stepped in with a generous donation. Today, the Rosen JCC hosts a preschool, gym, after-school clubs, and camps.

    2.      We uplift those battling cancer.

    In November 2018, Harris Rosen’s son, Adam, died of brain cancer at age 26.

    The Rosen family turned their grief into action. And the Adam Michael Rosen (AMR) Foundation was born.

    This nonprofit honors Adam’s legacy by aiding others battling the disease. Patients and their families can apply for help with living expenses. Harris Rosen has also raised funds for cancer research at UF Health, where Adam went for care.

    GivingTuesday - Rosen family and associates outside theAMR Oncology Lab at UF

    The AMR Foundation proudly works with local nonprofit Runway to Hope. Together, they plan well-attended fundraising events for childhood cancer.

    They’ve raised as much as $1.5 million at a single event.

    3.      We empower young people through education.

    When he was growing up, Harris Rosen’s family stressed the value of education. This guidance led him to study at Cornell University. But Mr. Rosen realized that many children lacked access to quality schooling.

    So, in 1993, he started the Tangelo Park Program.

    GivingTuesday - Cornell Students at Rosen Preschool

    Children in the underserved Tangelo Park neighborhood can attend preschool for free. Upon graduating high school, they can also go to college at no cost. Today, nearly every child in Tangelo Park finishes high school. In the early ‘90s, the area’s dropout rate was almost 25%.

    In 2017, Harris Rosen started a similar program in Orlando’s Parramore neighborhood.

    These programs gave Mr. Rosen a chance to engage students at his alma mater. Every spring break, Cornell students volunteer at the preschool.

    Harris Rosen has also worked to foster the next generation of hospitality leaders. In 2004, UCF founded the Rosen College of Hospitality Management. Thanks to a donation from Mr. Rosen, the college could open its own campus near Orlando’s top attractions.

    In 2022, the college was named the country’s best hospitality school and one of the best in the world.

    4.      We give back to the global community.

    At Rosen Hotels & Resorts, we believe that generosity knows no borders.

    For decades, we have reached out to help international communities in need.

    The Harris Rosen Foundation first sent school and medical supplies to Haiti in the 1990s. In 2005, the foundation helped raise funds for water filtration systems. They raised enough for 250 filters and distributed them across rural Haiti.

    The foundation sent more supplies after the 2010 earthquake. In the aftermath of Hurricane Matthew, the organization helped rebuild homes in Haiti.

    GivingTuesday - Mr. Rosen in Haiti

    When an earthquake hit Japan in 2011, the Harris Rosen Foundation again got to work. The foundation worked with local students to raise over $86,000. This money was sent to the Tōhoku region and to Urayasu, one of Orlando’s sister cities.

    In 2022, we again reached across oceans, this time in response to the crisis in Ukraine.

    The AMR Foundation hosted Feeding Ukraine in May 2022. More than 600 people came out to support the World Central Kitchen. That August, Rosen Hotels co-sponsored a National Ballet of Ukraine performance.

    Proceeds from the sold-out show went to nonprofits working to support Ukrainians.

    GivingTuesday Every Day at Rosen Plaza

    On GivingTuesday and all year, a stay at Rosen Plaza on International Drive helps us help others.

    Just as we’re dedicated to serving the world, we’re dedicated to serving our guests.

    From the moment you check in, you’ll experience our world-class hospitality. Our Orlando hotel features spacious guestrooms and top-tier amenities. Our location makes it easy to get to the convention center and area attractions.

    To read more about our CSR initiatives and how they align with GivingTuesday, visit Rosen Gives Back.

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    Life at Rosen

    Ask anyone, here at Rosen Hotels & Resorts we are known for going above and beyond for our associates, their families and their well-being.
    Now, we’re going next level with higher wages and a new and improved benefits package.

    But did you know we are more than hotels?

    We are currently hiring for positions in hospitality, IT, preschool/early learning, medical professionals, food & beverage and a whole lot more!
    We could go on and on, but we figured it’s best to hear about Life at Rosen from our associates themselves, the lifeblood and pride of our little company.

    ...

    Curate a Perfect Vacation at These 7 Artsy Spots in Orlando

    Updated Nov. 24, 2025

     

    Galleries and museums let you see the world through new eyes. Art can take you to a different time and place. Or, when visiting a new city, it can make you feel more connected to your surroundings.

    During your next Orlando vacation, get to know the city through its inspiring museums, galleries, and other artsy hot spots.

     

    A colorful mural of a child covering their eyes with a golden crown, one example of art in Orlando.

     

    Key Takeaways

     

    Loch Haven Cultural Park

    Loch Haven Park, north of downtown Orlando, is itself a work of art. Its serene lakeshore and moss-draped trees are as pretty as any painting on a gallery wall.

    The park is also home to some of the city’s best art museums, like the Orlando Art Museum (OMA).

    OMA has enchanted art lovers since 1924.The massive museum’s permanent collection has everything from African textiles to pop art. OMA also attracts world-class traveling exhibits.

    Loch Haven Park is also home to the Mennello Museum of American Art.

    The Mennello has the world’s largest collection of paintings by folk artist Earl Cunningham. You’ll also find pieces by many contemporary American artists.

    At the end of your museum day, head outside to the pet-friendly sculpture garden. It boasts a magnificent view of Lake Formosa.

    The Mennello Museum costs $5 for adults, with discounts for children, seniors, students, and military families. Admission is free on the second Sunday of each month. On these “Free Family Fundays,” you can partake in guided tours and kids’ art lessons.

     

    WonderGround Gallery

    If you want to bring some Disney magic home with you, head to WonderGround Gallery at Disney Springs.

    This enchanting gallery sells Disney-themed art, including limited edition items. Expect fun theme park posters, colorful prints of Disney characters, and whimsical paintings by Thomas Kinkade Studios. Some pieces are by Disney animators and illustrators. Others were created by rising stars in the local art scene.

    WonderGround also hosts artist meet-and-greets where you can get your purchases signed.

     

    CityArts

    CityArts is the heart of the thriving downtown Orlando art scene.

    The multi-story art venue, a few blocks away from Lake Eola Park, is impossible to miss. It is housed in one of the area’s oldest and most distinctive structures. The emerald-hued Victorian building was constructed in 1886.

    Once you’ve taken in the building’s beauty, there’s more to explore inside.

    CityArts sells a wide range of contemporary art. The downstairs gallery houses traveling exhibits. In summer 2022, you can see the work of two Italian artists, one an illustrator and the other a multimedia creator.

    Upstairs, you’ll find pieces by local and international artists. There’s also a gallery showcasing art by local high school students.

     

    Sam Flax Orlando

    Sign up for short, beginner-friendly art workshops in subjects like calligraphy and stenciling at the family-run art supply chain Sam Flax.

    Sam Flax operates a huge store in Orlando’s hip Mills 50 neighborhood. It sells everything from kids’ crayons to top-grade printmaking gear.

    Mills 50 is known for its fantastic street art, so be sure to walk around when you’ve finished shopping.

    Over 30 buildings in the area feature murals lovingly painted by local artists. Many of these walls were created during events organized by Sam Flax. Even the neighborhood’s dumpsters and storm drains are adorned with vibrant brushstrokes from some of Orlando’s best local artists!

     

    Albin Polasek Museum & Sculpture Gardens

    In 1950, famed sculptor Albin Polasek retired from his teaching job at the Art Institute of Chicago and headed to Florida.

    Polasek bought land on the shore of Lake Osceola in Winter Park, north of Orlando. He helped design his new home, drawing inspiration from his native Czech Republic. The house had a large art studio where he made sculptures like the award-winning “Victory of Moral Law.”

    In 1961, Polasek and his wife Emily opened the house’s art gallery to the public.

    After the sculptor died in 1965, the entire property became a museum. It features 200 Polasek sculptures and a picturesque 3-acre garden. The Polasek Museum also hosts visiting exhibits. In summer 2022, you can see playful works created by Florida Sculptors Guild members.

     

    Crealdé School of Art

    Down the road from the Polasek Museum, you’ll find the Crealdé School of Art.

    Since 1975, this Winter Park art center has offered fun classes and locally focused art exhibits. They offer day-long workshops in everything from traditional figure drawing to macramé.

    If you like your instructor’s work, stop by the gift shop, which sells art made by Crealdé faculty.

    The school also gives tours of its studios, sculpture garden, and photo galleries.

     

    Jack’s Place Restaurant & Lounge

     

    A lobster tail and steak on a white plate beside a glass of red wine on a restaurant table, surrounded by other tables and a wall full of art.

     

    An award-winning steakhouse may not be the first place you’d associate with art. But Jack’s Place Restaurant & Lounge is not your typical steakhouse.

    At this Rosen Plaza restaurant, you can enjoy mouthwatering rib-eye steak or roasted salmon with Babe Ruth or Elizabeth Taylor.

    Jack’s Place is named after Jack Rosen, the father of Rosen Hotels & Resorts president Harris Rosen. Jack Rosen created over 100,000 caricatures in his lifetime, some of which featured famous faces. He drew them at the Waldorf Astoria Hotel, where he worked for 30 years. Today, many of these caricatures hang on the walls at Jack’s Place.

    Before joining us for an unforgettable meal, see where your favorite stars are sitting using our floorplan.

     

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