Many people only know Orlando as the home of Mickey Mouse, Harry Potter, and immersive fantasy lands. It is packed with budget chain hotels, chain restaurants, and roughly a billion gift shops. Except the reality of Orlando is equally as enticing as these fantasy worlds, if not more!


Most of the most fascinating aspects of Orlando predate its theme park persona by decades.


111 Places in Orlando That You Must Not Miss reveals the city’s true backstory and dramatic modern face, highlighting how the first settlers survived in the 1830s, and the area’s role as the hub of Florida’s 19th century citrus industry. Explorers will find out what’s left of the city’s front-line Strategic Air Force Base from the Cold War; and the iconic “gator mouth” that has swallowed up tourists since 1949.


Unearth the offbeat sites and hidden gems of The City Beautiful and discover all the ways it didn’t begin – or end – with a mouse.

Photographs by: Kayla Smith