ORLANDO

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• CREATIVE SPIRIT ART GALLERY read more ›
  (820A Lake Baldwin Ln. Tel. 407-898-8343)
  creativespiritartgallery.com
  The local artists who display their work at this gallery are in a league of their own—the Artists’ League of Orange County. Visit to see Studio Six, a presentation of works from students of the Maitland Art Center.
• WRITE IN STYLE read more ›
  (451 E Altamonte Dr, Altamonte Springs. Tel. 407-831-4200)
  writeinstyle.net
  At this independent stationery shop, peruse everything from off-the-shelf save-the-date cards to customizable invitations.
• GINGER read more ›
  (444 W New England Ave, Winter Park. Tel. 407-599-0014)
  gingerstyle.com
  A fresh addition to the Winter Park boutique scene, this shop peddles classy clothes from Patricia Green, Small Town Denim and Liquid. The store is also green: It has bamboo fl ooring and totes made from recycled sails.
• IF WALLS COULD TALK read more ›
  (101 W First St, Sanford. Tel. 407-268-3741)
  iwctframing.com
  Co-owner Karen Casey can help you fi nd the picture-perfect frame to fi t your personal style as well as art, a photo or a needlepoint piece.
• RIVERHOUSE POTTERY AND ART GALLERY read more ›
  (118 S Palmetto Ave, Sanford. Tel. 407-323-9272)
  riverhousepottery.blogspot.com
  This charming shop is crammed with whimsical pottery, stained glass, gargantuan paintings and handcrafted jewelry. It also offers arts and crafts classes for adults and kids.

• BREVARD ZOO read more ›
  (8225 N Wickham Rd, Melbourne. Tel. 321-254-9453)
  brevardzoo.org
  Beat the heat by visiting the zoo for free on Saturday evenings in July and August. You can get a good look at animals until 9pm, and even paddle a kayak in restored wetlands.
• CRACKER CREEK PIRATE CRUISE read more ›
  (1795 Taylor Rd, Port Orange. Tel. 386-304-0778)
  oldfl oridapioneer.com
  A merry band of pirates attacks Cracker Creek’s tour boat looking for Spruce Creek treasure during weekend rides. Don’t worry: They haven’t made anyone walk the plank—yet.
• THE REPEATLES WITH DWIGHT ICENHOWER AS ELVIS read more ›
  (At Bok Tower Gardens 1151 Tower Blvd, Lake Wales. Tel. 863-676-1408)
  boktowergardens.org
  Enjoy dinner and a stroll down memory lane as the Repeatles and Dwight Icenhower entertain with 1950s and ’60s tunes. Ask about Bok member discounts. Aug. 21 and 22.
• STAR WARS CELEBRATION V read more ›
  (At Orange County Convention Center 9800 International Dr, Orlando. Tel. 888-334-8719)
  starwarscelebration.com
  Dust off that old lightsaber and commemorate the 30th anniversary of Star Wars: The Empire Strikes Back. This event features cast members, costumes and memorabilia. Aug. 12-15.
• INDIAN RIVER LAGOON PARK read more ›
  (700 Sandpiper Ave, New Smyrna Beach. Tel. 386-428-4828)
  cityofnsb.com
  The 200-acre park shows off the natural habitats found along the Indian River Lagoon. Enjoy a nature trail, picnic at the pavilion or launch a canoe from one of two docks.
• THE WIZARDING WORLD OF HARRY POTTER read more ›
  (At Universal Studios Florida. Tel. 407-363-8000)
  universalorlando.com/harrypotter
  Be one of the fi rst to experience Universal’s new Hogsmeade village, which opened June 18. In addition to themed shopping and dining, there are three rides, including the Dragon Challenge (two intertwining rollercoasters).

• UNCLE HENRY’S COUNTRY KITCHEN read more ›
  (1341 Howell Branch Rd, Winter Park. Tel. 407-645-0065)
  The traditional breakfast here is authentic country, right down to the steak and eggs and grits. If the coffee doesn’t wake you up, the lime-green awnings will. $
• WINDSOR ROSE TEA ROOM AND RESTAURANT read more ›
  (142 W Fourth Ave. Tel. 352-735-2551)
  windsorrose-tearoom.com
  At this eatery, you can enjoy traditional high tea served on fi ne china, or choose a dish from the English-style offerings. If pot roast and Yorkshire pudding are on the chalkboard as daily specials, don’t bother opening the menu. $$
• TU CASA RESTAURANT read more ›
  (9251 S Orange Blossom Tr. Tel. 407-856-3997)
  There’s little wonder why this restaurant is standing room only at lunchtime—the Dominican cuisine is top-notch. Try the crispy, garlicky roasted chicken. $$
• LA HACIENDA read more ›
  (At Mission Inn Resort & Club • 10400 Country Rd 48, Howie-in-the-Hills. Tel. 352-324-2024)
  missioninnresort.com
  Start your Sunday with the leisurely champagne brunch at this historic resort. It includes fruits, eggs, waffl es and fresh-baked breads, as well as complimentary champagne or mimosas. $$$
• NORVILLE BARNES read more ›
  (112 N Woodland Blvd, DeLand. Tel. 386-740-9060)
  norvillebarnes.com
  This restaurant’s American fare is made from scratch—down to the pasta. Whether you choose linguine in garlic-cream sauce or Cajun steak salad, consider a microbrewed accompaniment, such as the Holy Mackerel Golden Ale. $$$
• NORWOOD’S RESTAURANT & WINE SHOP read more ›
  (400 Second Ave, New Smyrna Beach. Tel. 386-428-4621)
  norwoods.com
  This Atlantic Coast fi xture is well known for serving prime aged beef and fresh seafood. Create your own surf and turf combo, and toast your fancy meal with a vintage from the expansive cellar. $$$

• AUSTINS COFFEE read more ›
  (929 W Fairbanks Ave, Winter Park. Tel. 407-975-3364)
  austinscoffee.com
  Good cocktails and great coffee—with a bit of counter-culture thrown in—are the draws at this nightspot. Come for discussions of art and fi lm over drinks; stay for live bands and poetry readings.
• BULLITT BAR read more ›
  (33 E Pine St. Tel. 407-841-1068)
  You know a night is going to end with a good story when there are bullet holes in the bar. They may not be real, in this case, but the feel is still very James Dean meets American Graffiti.
• DOWNTOWN POURHOUSE read more ›
  (20 S Orange Ave. Tel. 407-425-7687)
  Business folks and late-night partiers are attracted by drinks, DJs and musicians at this intimate space. There’s a roomy wooden bar and tables outside for smokers.
• THE HUMOR MILL read more ›
  (At Hollywood Bistro • 158 Tuskawilla Rd, Winter Springs. Tel. 407-414-0559)
  thehumormill.webs.com
  Friday nights at this comedy house feature two shows of local improv, with area jokesters churning out laughs for all ages. Hollywood Bistro offers a movie-themed menu to sample during the show.
• KATE O’BRIENS IRISH PUB read more ›
  (120 International Pkwy, Ste 188, Lake Mary. Tel. 407-829-2121)
  kateobrienspub.com
  As much as locals miss the downtown location of Kate’s, its new location is even better. The décor has been kicked up a notch to comfortably clubby, and it still serves popular brews and traditional bar food.
• PINE STREET LIVE read more ›
  (66 E Pine St. Tel. 407-872-1906)
  pinestreetlive.com
  In the space that AKA Lounge occupied not too long ago, this music venue boasts two stages and two bars. Live bands usually play rock or unplugged sets.

• BOK TOWER GARDENS read more ›
  (53 miles southwest of Orlando 1151 Tower Blvd, Lake Wales. Tel. 863-676-1408)
  boktowergardens.org
  This cool respite, designed by Frederick Law Olmsted Jr., consists of azaleas and oaks in a beautiful hilltop garden. Twice daily, you can sit on a bench in the shade and admire the neo-Gothic/Art Deco tower while the carillon gives a concert.
• MARJORIE KINNAN RAWLINGS HISTORIC STATE PARK read more ›
  (111 miles northwest of Orlando • 18700 S County Rd 325, Cross Creek. Tel. 352-466-3672 )
  fl oridastateparks.org/marjoriekinnanrawlings
  Fans of Rawlings’ novels (Cross Creek, The Yearling) are likely to fi nd a visit to the author’s home particularly moving. Her typewriter sits on a plain wooden table, and two hiking trails lead visitors into the wilderness she loved.

This month...

Fun Fact!
Since its creation in 1935, Florida’s state park system has grown from four to 160 parks.