I love this state, and I love the things that make it unique. That includes our roadside attractions, past and present. Remember Boardwalk and Baseball, Mystery Fun House, Cypress Gardens and Splendid China? They may be gone, but many others remain.
This month, we take you to 10 incredible roadside attractions across Florida that you can still visit today. A trip to Sunken Gardens as a child is forever ingrained in my memory. Visiting the Venetian Pool made me feel like an old Hollywood movie star. There are pancakes served in an old sugar mill, and a Polynesian dinner show that rivals even the famed Orlando mouse.
These experiences are quintessential Florida. They are worth preserving, worth revisiting and worth supporting. This is your chance, Orlando. If we want to save these places, we need to show up for them.
And speaking of spaces, let’s talk about third places. A third place is a space outside of home and work where people gather to connect, socialize and relax, a concept defined by sociologist Ray Oldenburg. These spaces are typically free or low-cost, accessible and designed to foster conversation and community, from cafes and libraries to gyms and parks. Brendan O’Connor explores several welcoming third places across Central Florida, including Stardust Coffee and Blackbird Comics. These are the kinds of places that help build the sense of community we all need.
May also features our annual Women of the Year honorees. As we do each year, we asked you, our readers, to nominate outstanding women in our community, and you delivered. The nominations were filled with powerful stories of impact, leadership and service. Thank you for sharing them, and thank you to the women who make a difference every day.
May is also Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month. In this issue, Ricky Ly of TastyChomps highlights the local AAPI community, accompanied by original photography from Roberto Gonzalez. For those planning a getaway, Gonzalez also takes us to Key Biscayne for a look at the newly renovated Ritz-Carlton through his lens.
Our Food & Drink section is bigger than ever, featuring a review of Corner Chophouse in Hannibal Square, a ramen roundup based on your top picks from the 2025 Orlando magazine Dining Awards, and a deep dive into the science of spicy foods by Brendan O’Connor.
Finally, Cynthia Van Gaasbeck rounds up the best events happening across Central Florida this month.
It’s all happening this May in Orlando magazine.