If you are exhibiting at the city of Orlando, then there is plenty to do in your leisure time. Ask one of your newly found business connections to join you as you discover this great city. Historically rich and steeped in culture, Orlando has a lot to showcase to the history buff in you, particularly if you are fond of revisiting old monuments and structures.
If it is art and history that interests you, then Orlando has a lot to offer. Try one of the many museums and sites of historical significance so that you can get a fix of what this great city was back in the days of our forefathers. Here is a brief list of some top places you should visit.
Looking for a place that combines history with nature? Then your best bet is the Osceola County Pioneer Village. Located at Shingle Creek Regional park, get set for some time travel as you visit the restored cottages that were inhabited by Osceola’s first settlers. The furniture in each of these dwellings is reminiscent of the 19th century. The Seminole Settlement is a nice throwback to the past where you can relive the lives of Florida’s first inhabitants. If you are looking for activities, you can hit the biking, hiking and paddling trails on the headwaters of the Everglades. You can also sample the natural history of Osceola by crawling through a gopher tortoise burrow and even getting into a life sized eagle’s nest. Have yourself a live tour of the early industries in Osceola, including citrus farming, cattle ranching and tourism.
Right on Rollins College campus, you can visit the Cornell Fine Arts Museum where you can learn about art through art. There is a huge collection at the museum and at Alfond Inn, where you can take a look at innovative exhibitions and educational programs. The Winter Park cultural program is free of charge. You can sample over 5000 works of art that are hundreds of years old, comprising European old masters as well as contemporary American art. There are several modern art installations all over the campus. The Watch Key collection is also one that should not be missed. The museum is completely free, with tours, family friendly programmes and an education gallery with interactive play booths. You can even avail free parking at the campus. You can purchase your own works of art to take home from the Museum Shop.
American designer Louis Comfort Tiffany (1848 – 1933) features widely in the Charles Hosmer Morse Museum of American Art. You can take a look at the restored Byzantine-Romanesque chapel interior designed by Tiffany for the 1893 World’s Columbian Exposition in Chicago. There are also several works of art from Tiffany’s home in Long Island. You can view a lot of Tiffany’s famous works, including his stained glass art, Tiffany lamps as well as custom made furnishings. There is American pottery art on display, furnishings and graphics from the late 19th and early 20th centuries.
Enter this breathtaking 1927 built and restored county courthouse that is located in the heart of Downtown Orlando. The center is present in this 5-storey marvel and is a lot of fun for visitors of all ages. There are three floors of dynamic permanent exhibitions. You can take a first hand look at over 12,000 of Central Florida History at this history center. There are several educational programs that can be enjoyed at the venue, including lectures, camps, workshops and themed events. It is one of the premier attractions at Orlando, and certainly one that you wouldn’t want to miss.
Once a hotel, the Wells Built Museum is a 6000 foot museum that is dedicated towards African-American history. You can view period furniture from 1930 at the museum, while there is a casino nearby for entertainment. You can view displays from the Civil War time as well as view African art that is borrowed from local collectors of these artefacts.
You can visit the city and see the history come alive. If you are an exhibitor on an official trip and know little about setting up your exhibit in a foreign city, give Exponents a call. We know the city and its convention centres pretty well. We can help you abide by the rules and woo the Orlando audience. Exponents is an award-winning exhibit house with a wide array of exhibit choices. We can be your partner in InfoComm or IBS show!