EDSee Orlando

So, you’re coming to EDC Orlando, but you have no idea what to do during off-hours. You know Orlando is the home of every theme park imaginable, but maybe you’re looking for some more relaxed hangs? Perhaps you’re wondering where a kandi kid can get a beer or keep the party going? Maybe you still need to find the finishing touch for your festival look, and you want something really unique?

Lucky for you, we’ve got O-Town covered. Check this list of suggestions, and you’ll be hanging like a local in no time.

Milk District

Orlando’s hippest hood is named for the old T.G. Lee Dairy that used to take up residence. It’s a must-hang destination when you’re looking to kill some time before the festival kicks off. Check the crates at Retro Records, and stop by Etoile Boutique for some unique consignment clothes. Have lunch at Pom Pom’s Tea House & Sandwicheria, perhaps a scrumptious pressed sandy, and take in the local art on display. After the sale, kick it with your homies at Spacebar for a little music and brews, or take the party to Sportstown Billiards for noms and bar games.

Downtown Scene

Downtown is an obvious hub of activity in any city, and Orlando is no different. Here you’ll find the highest concentration of nightclubs. Firestone Live is a big stop for lots of national acts, and there’s sure to be something of interest when the last note of EDC knells for the night. The Midnight Mass Dance Party at BackBooth Saturdays doesn’t even get started until midnight. The Social is your destination for a little rock’n’roll, and I-bar brings the best in nostalgiac indie and new wave with two levels and two dance floors. Still beggin’ for beats? Vain, Ono, Tier, Sound Bar, Attic, Basement, and more are delivering four-on-the-floor until last call. Need some noms? Try Whitewood Grill for authentic, lamb-rotating Mediterranean food with a side of hookah. There’s also Harry Buffalo, best wings in town, and Mama B’s Giant Subs will fill you up like nothing else. Stick around for Sunday Funday, when streets are shut down just so you can bar-hop. You can start the drive home later—just sleep off the booze first.

College Life

A lot of you are still in college, which is great because college is one big party where all the attendees are sexy and looking to make mistakes. Cruise the University of Central Florida campus lookin’ for love or something like it—like the best fried chicken in town at Huey Magoo’s. Pig out, then hit the on-campus gym. It’s the largest in the country, complete with a giant rock-climbing wall, pool, indoor track, basketball courts, and every manner of machine you need to be in top physical EDC condition. Did you hear beer is now considered a great post-workout snack? Try a pint at Knight Library (no studying allowed), Bar Louie, or World of Beer, conveniently located in the UCF area. Maybe you’ll find a date to the fest.

Audobon Park

This is Orlando’s Garden District, so if you’re looking for a great place to take that pre-festival #selfie, start at Leu Gardens. This whole place is gorgeous, even romantic, so take your honey-bunny out for a stroll, why don’t ya? While you’re wandering around, stop by Park Ave CDs. Despite the outdated name, it’s actually considered by many to be Orlando’s best record shop. Audobon Park is also home to Stardust Video and Coffee, one of the coolest places in town to grab a bite and a beverage. Its creative and eclectic atmosphere will have you feeling inspired in no time.

Parliament House

If you’re looking for a fun party palace where the humor is off-kilter, the glitter is plentiful, and everyone is welcome, definitely stop by Parliament House. It’s the best damn LGBTQ-friendly bar in town, right in the heart of Orange Blossom Trail territory. Friday is the big drag show, and these gender-bending ladies and gents take the business of entertaining to heart. Plus, sexy dudes are always dancing on the bar in nearly nothing.

Mills 50

Another local fave is the Mills 50 area, where some of Orlando’s oldest and raddest bars are still in business. Wally’s Liqour is the epitome of O-Town realness. You might not actually have been to Orlando if you don’t stop in this classic hole-in-the-wall at least once. This is where you will find weird, awesome people at all hours of the night. Will’s Pub is another great destination that caters to people of all types, and right next to it is Lil Indie’s, run by the same people but with a higher-brow atmosphere. The Peacock Room is a stylish lounge where good house music reigns and the vibe is classy but off-center, and if you get the late-night munchies, you have to try Tako Cheena. Their Asian-Latin fusion grub is to die for and available as late as 3am.

VietTown

Also in the Mills 50 neighborhood is VietTown, the result of an influx of thousands of refugees in the 1970s who decided to settle near Mickey Mouse. It’s 10 blocks of shops and markets, the perfect place to get that statement piece for your EDC look at a good price. While you’re at it, stop in one of VietTown’s nom-worthy authentic restaurants. We suggest the family-owned and operated Pho 88 for its extensive menu of under-$10 deliciousness.

Theme Parkopolis

It almost goes without saying, but we’ll tell you anyway: Orlando is the county’s #1 destination for theme-park fun. Consider this: The entirety of Disneyland is only the size of the Magic Kingdom’s parking lot. This is Disney Fucking World. And besides the big MK, we’ve got MGM Studios, Epcot, Animal Kingdom, and a host of satellite attractions to choose from. Maybe you think Disney is for babies? Try Universal Studios or the crowd-favorite Islands of Adventure (this is where roller-coasters rule and Harry Potter hangs his cape). If that wasn’t enough, there’s SeaWorld for aquatic animal fun, and Legoland for, that’s right, giant freakin’ Legos.

Downtown Disney / City Walk

Oh! You thought you had enough Disney? Wrong. Downtown Disney is like Disney World without the furry mascots and admission fee. Walk up and down, where you can catch a movie or shop until you drop, and here, everything is not necessarily Disney-themed. The coolest attraction is, though, and that’s Disney Quest. Imagine four levels of virtual-reality video-game insanity. Ride a magic carpet as Aladdin, play a game of human pinball, or create and ride your own space-age roller coaster. It also features a standard arcade, complete with DDR. Once you’ve worked up an appetite, stop in at a fun-themed restaurant like Planet Hollywood, Rainforest Café, or T-Rex.

Alternatively, there’s City Walk, Universal’s version of the downtown nightlife experience. This is where you’ll find Emeril’s Restaurant, the Hot Dog Hall of Fame, Jimmy Buffett’s Margaritaville, and a Bob Marley-themed restaurant. It also boasts tons of bars and clubs and a Hard Rock Live offering musical entertainment all day and night.

Water Wonderland

All this stuff sounds fun, but nothing beats the Florida heat (you’re not ready for this) like a water park. Trust us—we live in a perma-summer, and we know how to do water parks better than anyone. There’s Wet’n’Wild, in conjunction with Universal Studios. Disney offers two themed water parks, Blizzard Beach for some fake skiing action, or Typhoon Lagoon for something more tropical. We’d also highly recommend Discovery Cove, which is less on the water-slide angle and more like “holy crap, just swam with dolphins.” There’s also a submerged pirate ship you can explore and beautiful coral reefs. Not a bad way to prepare for a day in the heat.