Decided to make a separate thread for those coming to Orlando in just over a month for the LSU/FSU game. I'm a Saints and Tigers fan who lives in Orlando so I figured I would give my advice to those visiting for the game:

Theme Parks: No real need to go into specifics here, many of you all know the theme parks and I'm sure will be staying at a Universal or Disney resort. Universal is closer to Camping World Stadium than Disney. For those who are arriving early and want to drink on Saturday or those who want to drive on Sunday without tailgating the Food and Wine Festival will be on at Epcot. It will be busy with it being a holiday weekend but definitely a good time!

Beaches: Besides those staying at theme park resorts I'm sure many of you might also be staying by the beach. In general I prefer Flagler Beach or New Smyrna Beach over Daytona Beach (Daytona Beach is pretty trashy) and I prefer Melbourne over Cocoa Beach. The Beach Front Inn in Flagler Beach in particular gives you a great beachside motel with an old Florida feel. If you are looking to go over for just a day I recommend the Canaveral National Seashore. It's part of the National Park Service and is a great natural beach without all the big condos. You have to pay to get in but it's a relaxed environment with mostly families (outside of the few areas of the beach that are nude/clothing optional, just to make you aware). Very different than what I'm sure many of you see on 30A and in the Panhandle in general.

I-Drive: The bane of Orlando's existence. Locals go to I-Drive about as much as locals in New Orleans go to Bourbon Street. Chain central. If you are staying on I-Drive though there are a few decent places. At ICON Park (the big wheel) there is Ole Red which is a good spot for country music. There is also Tin Roof and Sloppy Joe's at ICON Park. You can also do a Dinner and Show at Mango's which is on I-Drive just north of ICON Park. Mango's is one of the few things that would get me on I-Drive.

Hotels: For those looking to get in and get out without making a weekend of it I recommend staying north of Orlando. There are a cluster of hotels off Exit 92 on I-4. By staying north of Orlando you'll miss a lot of the terrible traffic around the attractions area and you can easily take I-4 up to I-95 and then I-95 up to I-10. There aren't any hotel close to the Florida Turnpike so if you need to go that direction you would have to stay all the way up in Ocala which would be difficult considering what time the game will end.

For those staying downtown, be advised some hotels you will be able to walk to Camping World Stadium (or take the buses they usually have running from Amway Arena to Camping World Stadium) and others are not within walking distance. I've seen where some of you have posted where you are staying. If you are staying at the Doubletree in Downtown Orlando or the Hampton Inn in South Downtown Orlando by the Orlando Regional Medical Center you really aren't within walking distance. I would still recommend driving or getting a Lyft/Uber. If you are staying at the Marriott, Embassy Suites, Hilton Garden Inn, Home 2 Suites, Grand Bohemian, Aloft or AC Hotel you are within walking distance.

If you are looking to save money and don't mind a slightly longer drive and not as much around hotels for that weekend around the airport are pretty affordable.

Stadium: As many of you know Camping World Stadium is in the Parramore section of Orlando. While not as bad as the 9th Ward in New Orleans I would say it's comparable to the 7th Ward or Central City, meaning you should be aware of your surroundings. It is the worst part of Orlando for crime. Due to this I do not recommend walking from Downtown Orlando to Camping World Stadium unless you are in a large group or can kind of walk with a large group. For big events like this the city of Orlando typically has free buses running from the Amway Center to Camping World Stadium. Unless you are planning to tailgate in one of the main lots near the stadium I recommend parking at one of the parking garages or surface lots in Downtown Orlando and then taking the buses to/from the stadium. There is typically significant security/police right near the stadium so incidents right near the stadium are very rare.

Nightlife: Orlando obviously isn't New Orleans but there is still some good nightlife. If you are looking for an upscale bar downtown Mather's Social Gathering is a very nice higher end bar that does have a dress code. It's actually a really cool speakeasy bar and it's located at Pine and Magnolia on I believe the 3rd floor (it's been a little bit, lol) of the Phoenix building. Most unique bar in Orlando.

If you don't want all the work of finding Mather's (you have to go through a library room as well to get to the bar) there's always Wall Street Plaza which has several bars, the best of which is Hooch. One thing to remember is too is that unlike Louisiana there are open container laws in Florida. Unlike the Gainesville police though the Orlando police aren't trying to make your experience bad. Just remember that you can't take your drinks outside of the bars. Wall Street Plaza is nice though because all the bars have a little promenade type area so you can take your drinks there.

As I'm 39 I'm well past my clubbing days so I really can't comment too much on clubs. Unlike New Orleans they are all largely going to play the same top 40/pop/dance/techno/club music. The Beachem and The Social are probably the best spots for music in Downtown Orlando.

If you're more into country music then you can head to Cowboys Orlando (but be aware they are not open on Sundays) which is just south of downtown on Orange Blossom Trail (or OBT as you will hear it called locally). It looks like a terrible part of town and honestly it is but then you'll see it pop up. They have great well lit parking and it's the best place in Orlando for country music and line dancing.

Drinking: For craft beers I enjoy Persimmon Hollow Brewing Company. It's at Lake Eola which is east of Downtown Orlando but still within walking distance. Lake Eola also has a more relaxed vibe and is less crazy than Downtown Orlando. For non-craft beers World of Beer is also good and is also at Lake Eola.

Eating: This is where it gets fun. I know many (including many on here, lol) like to trash Orlando for its food scene but many don't realize that if you get out of International Drive and the Attractions area Orlando has a decent food scene. It's not New Orleans of course but it's still good.

Most of these are north of Downtown Orlando. Luke's Kitchen and Bar in Maitland, Prato in Winter Park and Hunger Street Tacos in Winter Park are among my favorites. If you are looking for New Orleans style food Tibby's (which is in Winter Park as well as near I-4 off Exit 92) has very good New Orleans food by Florida standards. They also have a nice Sunday brunch with good live music. For seafood High Tide Harry's north of the airport is really good as well. In Downtown Orlando I would recommend Kres Steakhouse or The Rusty Spoon.

This was long but I hope you all found it informative. If you all do have any questions feel free to ask and I'll try my best to answer them. Hopefully you all will be coming over for a big LSU win!!

This post was edited on 7/30/23 at 9:40 pm