About Jamie A
In addition to writing and taking photos during her trips, Jamie loves to find hidden gems, cheap eats, and kitschy Americana attractions. She hails from Oil City, Pennsylvania, went to college in the Finger Lakes Region of New York, studied abroad in Norwich, England, and moved to Boston in May of 2007. She also enjoys writing poetry and lyric essays, reading lots of books, being a foodie, listening to girl group tunes from the 1960s, crafting, and dinner parties with her friends.
Blog posts written by Jamie A
April 3rd, 2008 by jamie a
March of the Peabody Ducks Photo uploaded by
Aside from our Go Orlando Card that saves you big bucks while traveling to the sunshine state, there’s a ton of great ways to ’stretch your vacation dollars’ in Orlando. The Orlando Visitors Bureau points out some of their tips in the article
They offer tips on finding the best budget hotels, attractions, the cheap transportation with the I-RIDE Trolley, and how to pack for your trip. Additionally, they advise parents to take advantage of those “kids eat free” signs, and to seek out free attractions. These include the Lego Store at Downtown Disney, the Harry P. Leu Gardens, and the March of the Peabody Ducks at the Peabody Orlando Hotel.
Good luck with your quest for bargains on your Orlando vacation!
Planning a trip to
Orlando?
Read about attractions, tours, discounts, and more with the
Go Orlando Card.
March 28th, 2008 by jamie a
Table Setting Photo uploaded by
At the end of a big day of sightseeing with your Go Orlando Card, head out to one of these awesome eateries for some big time flavor!
For fresh seafood, head over to the Oceanaire Seafood Room, a place that’s reminiscent of the splendor of the 1930s and 40s. In the fall, Cuba Libra Restaurant and Rum Bar is a great place to sip on some delicious mojitos.
At B.B. King’s Blues Club, you can nibble on some ribs while you listen to some fantastic live music. For more ribs, be sure to check out Redrock Canyon Grill, which specializes in Southwest and American Cuisine.
For international fare, there’s Taverna Opa for Greek, Gol! for Brazilian steak, and Citrus Restaurant serves American food with a distinctive Latin flair.
For a complete listing of new places to try, check out !
Planning a trip to
Orlando?
Read about attractions, tours, discounts, and more with the
Go Orlando Card.
March 25th, 2008 by jamie a
Enzian Theatre Photo uploaded by
If you’re a film nut, you’re in luck. The is back! Presented by the Enzian Theatre, it celebrates the best in cutting-edge cinema combined with exquisite food and wine.
This year, celebrity chef Anthony Bourdain hosts the opening day ceremonies, complete with a book signing on March 29th. The opening night screening features the film Young @ Heart, a documentary about a New England senior citizens choir that sings covers of underground rock songs. The festivities also include over 160 films from 20 countries, chosen from over 1,400 submissions.
With celebrities, tons of parties, and fantastic independent cinema, this festival is an amazing event that’s not to be missed!
Planning a trip to
Orlando?
Read about attractions, tours, discounts, and more with the
Go Orlando Card.
March 21st, 2008 by jamie a
Hard Rock Cafe Photo uploaded by
After a day of sightseeing with your Go Orlando Card, be sure and check out these happenin’ spots for some !
Orlando’s three-story Hard Rock Cafe with its theater-like layout is a favorite of locals and tourists alike, making for a fun crowd. Boasting of multiple bars and 3,000 seat capacity, the Hard Rock Cafe brings in the best in music and comedy tours.
There’s also the House of Blues, with its eclectic schedule of bands, comedians, and spoken-word performers. This venue is standing room only and general admission, with a huge main bar for drinks and delicious food.
Finally, check out The Social, known as Orlando’s longest-standing independent music venue. Right on Orange Avenue in the heart of downtown Orlando, this is the place to see indie’s up-and-comers along with underground DJs.
Planning a trip to
Orlando?
Read about attractions, tours, discounts, and more with the
Go Orlando Card.
March 19th, 2008 by jamie a
Sunny Day in Orlando Photo uploaded by
Maps can cost a lot of money, but are beyond useful when trying to navigate a new city. After you’ve picked up your Go Orlando Card, check out these great maps for bargain travelers!
Budget Travel just alerted us to the concept of , which are free travel guides to places all over the world with local, zoom-able maps, and marked attractions.These guides are great for planning out itineraries based on your personal interests as well, providing all sorts of suggestions based on your preferences.
We’d love to hear what you think should be included for those traveling to Orlando! What are your favorite attractions? Let us know in a comment!
Planning a trip to
Orlando?
Read about attractions, tours, discounts, and more with the
Go Orlando Card.
March 12th, 2008 by jamie a
Sea World Show Photo uploaded by
We all know that Florida is swamped with Spring Breakers this time of the year, but it can also be a great time for your family to take a break as well! Ignore the throngs of crazy collegiates, grab a , and check out this open just in time for spring, as well as other Orlando fun that’s sure to please the whole family.
There’s Sea World’s new park, , the new Simpsons ride at Universal Studios, Busch Gardens Africa, and the continuation of Disney’s Year of a Million Dreams. Plenty of your favorite attractions are having special spring events, including “Hippity Hop Adventure” at the Central Florida Zoo, great shows at the Orlando Shakespeare Theatre, and NBA playoff battles at the Amway Arena.
Happy spring to you and your family!
Planning a trip to
Orlando?
Read about attractions, tours, discounts, and more with the
Go Orlando Card.
March 6th, 2008 by jamie a
Meeting King Louie Photo uploaded by
In addition to your for the whole family, you may want some more fun ideas for your vacation to Orlando.
The Convention and Visitors Bureau of Orlando has put together a list of for everyone that visits the city! Even if you’ve been to Orlando several times or even live there, there’s plenty on the list that even locals wouldn’t think of.
You can meet King Louie, sample over 150 wines, test new toys, learn about the art of glassblowing, and even touch a stingray. The list has something for everyone, no matter what your interests are.
If you’ve got a favorite activity in Orlando, let us know in a comment. We’d love to hear your suggestions!
Planning a trip to
Orlando?
Read about attractions, tours, discounts, and more with the
Go Orlando Card.
February 25th, 2008 by jamie a
Universal Studios Rollercoaster Photo uploaded by
As if the warm weather and amazing theme parks weren’t enticing enough, The Orlando Visitors Bureau put together a list of .
Included on the list are thrills such as rollercoaster rides, swimming with Beluga whales, fireworks every night, and rooting for the Orlando Magic NBA team.
If you’ve got reasons to add to the list, let us know in a comment!
Planning a trip to
Orlando?
Read about attractions, tours, discounts, and more with the
Go Orlando Card.
February 19th, 2008 by jamie a
Lounging in the Pool Photo uploaded by
The first full-sized theme park to open in Orlando since 2000 is coming this March!
, by Sea World, is a 59-acre “South Pacific” themed park with pools, animal shows, slides, and an 80,000 square foot beach. In addition, it will also boast of many new restaurants and shopping destinations.
The grand opening is scheduled in early April, but the month of March is full of special pre-opening events to entice visitors to check out the new park.
Planning a trip to
Orlando?
Read about attractions, tours, discounts, and more with the
Go Orlando Card.
February 12th, 2008 by jamie a
Classic Car Cruise in Old Town, Kissimmee Photo uploaded by
From delicious dining and plentiful shopping, along with and , is perfect for the whole family.
There’s over , from surf shops to beach wear, along with caricature artists to draw you a personalized souvenir to take home. Dine on fish and chips or classic hamburgers, and then grab a cone or sundae from Old Town Ice Cream Company.
Old Town also is home to many weekly and monthly special events. You can check out the , which ranges from Thursday Bike Nite to Latin Sundays.
Planning a trip to
Orlando?
Read about attractions, tours, discounts, and more with the
Go Orlando Card.
