Orlando is famous for its incredible theme parks and attractions, such as Walt Disney World, the place of eternal happiness; the Seaworld Orlando or the Universal Orlando Resort. However, Orlando is a place where the discoveries are almost infinite.
It’s practically impossible to get bored in this city full of places, stories, nature and activities to do.
Here are some curious facts about Orlando:
- Orlando was not always Orlando. Before taking that name it was called Jernigan, the name of the first settler in the area.
- In Orlando you can find more than 100 lakes. In some of them you can fish, go by boat or watch the sunset from their docks.
- You can find more than 100 parks with century-old trees, fairy-tale forests, flora and fauna to enjoy once and a thousand times. There are thousands of instagram worthy places to take photos or record videos and immortalize their moments of relaxation or tourism.
- Lake Eola is the main attraction of Lake Eola Park, a place where the Walt Disney Amphitheater, a Chinese pagoda and a playground are located.
- Actually, Lake Eola is a sinkhole or cenote about 23 feet and 8 inches deep. In it, a light show is held at night that is worth enjoying.
- The SunTrust Center skyscraper is 221 feet tall, making it the tallest building in Orlando. It is located in the city’s central business district and was completed in 1988.
- If you like aerobic and anaerobic sports, you can grab some skates to go to Orlando’s public skating park.
- If learning from history is your thing, you can find in Church Street Station a place to satisfy your desire for knowledge. Also known as the Old Orlando Railroad Deport, it was built in 1889 and is listed on the National Register of Historic Places.
- In the first scene of the movie “Lethal Weapon 3”, starring Mel Gibson and Danny Glover, in which a bomb explodes the ICSI building, it was shot while the old Orlando City Hall was demolished. Millions of people witnessed the event, as the film was the second most seen in 1992.
- During 2017, some 72 million people visited Orlando. In 2018 the number amounted to 75 million visitors, but with the arrival of the coronavirus Covid-19 visits decreased in 2019 and 2020.
- Before Covid-19, 875 flights arrived in Orlando daily, while Orlando International Airport served approximately 35 million passengers per year.
- According to Business Insider, this city was considered the best location for first time home buyers.
- A plaque commemorating the death of Orlando Reeves can be found at Lake Eola after a battle with the Seminoles Indians in the 19th century. Different sources argue that the city owes its name to Mr Reeves; however, there is not enough data to prove such a myth.
- At Big Tree Park on North Thornton Avenue is the oldest tree in Orlando. You can visit it and enjoy a long-standing plant that is between 350 and 400 years old.
- Technology is the second industry in the city, behind tourism.
- At Lake Eola you can find more than 50 swans of five different breeds: black-necked swan, trumpet swan, black swan of Australia, singing swan and mute swan.
- Classes and programs are offered at the Downtown Recreation Center for anyone of any age who wishes to learn pottery.
- The Camping World Stadium has a capacity of more than 65 thousand spectators.
- In the wetlands of Orlando you can find more than 30 wildlife species that are listed by the Florida Endangered and Threatened Wildlife Conservation Commission.
- An excellent plan is to enjoy a day at Dudsdread Golf, the oldest public golf course in town.
- Another interesting appointment is to visit the two art galleries that Orlando’s city hall has, which are free and open to the public.
- Greenwood Cemetery is the final resting place of more than 100 prominent personalities. Guided moonlight walks are offered at the facilities.
- In addition to being known as the Beautiful City, Orlando is also known as the Phenomenal City and the City of Light.
- How about a stroll around the African American History Museum? The former Wells’s Built hotel, located in Paramore, is now a place that tells the story of the African American people in the United States. B.B. King, Ray Charles, Thurgood Marshall and Jackie Robinson were among the guests.
So if you’re thinking of taking a trip or moving to Orlando, these fun facts could help you make up your mind.