I'm here for a while on business, so other than co-workers, hangout buddies are hard to come by. Do any of you locals have any good recommendations on fun places for a single female in her late twenties that's not too sketchy? I'm not very excited about exploring the multitude of theme parks on my own, but any ideas about interesting sights to see, lakeside parks to enjoy, restaurants to indulge in, or bars to hang out and have fun in would be great. Thanks!

The best way to find places in Orlando that you're looking for is to get the local "free papers" from the news racks at your hotel, browse through them, and then ask the concierge for their recommendations. The locals usually have good suggestions and are up on the latest activities.

Having done it several times, I encourage you to try exploring some of Disney on your own. Look into buying an annual or season pass, so that you can come and go freely. You could spend an evening or weekend day at EPCOT, walk around a bit, and have a nice dinner. There is also a fair amount to do at Pleasure Island, DisneyQuest, etc. even if you're alone (stop in at the Adventure's Club).

You could hang out in Downtown Disney/Pleasure Island, or Universal CityWalk, or Church Street Station (Downtown Orlando) if you like the night life. Or visit Winter Park's scenic boat tour and Park Ave shopping/old houses for the "semi- elegant" way, or stop by the Florida Mall or Mall at Millenia for mega mall shopping. There's always plenty of outlet centers on I-drive too.
Also, just want to hang out by a lake/park, visit Lake Eola in Downtown Orlando (perhaps before the night at Church Street Station?) You could feed ducks, ride in a swan boat, or relax in a gazebo. Just note: Parking is hard sometimes and don't go alone at night unless you like homeless people.

Or better yet you could hang out with me ;) :D

Or better yet you could hang out with me ;) :D

Hang out with a FTer? In person?? I've never done that before. Is that safe? ;)

Pleasure Island is pretty cool since there's a bunch of different kinds of clubs in there. Interesting to walk around the Marketplace too...

Pleasure Island and Downtown Disney would be my recommendation. To the person who recommended Church Street Station, it is no more. Just as well, considering the lameness to which it sunk in those last few years...

Pleasure Island and Downtown Disney would be my recommendation. To the person who recommended Church Street Station, it is no more. Just as well, considering the lameness to which it sunk in those last few years...
The folks in O-town are always trying to revive the nightlife in Church Street, so sometimes it is "there" and sometimes it isn't. And of course it's safe to hang out with me! hehe

Get a copy of the Orlando paper on a Friday. They have an excellent listing of all the things (concerts, clubs, exhibits, restaurants, etc) going on fot the next week.

Two restaurants to try are K's on Edgewater Drive and Aubergine Bistro on 436 in Casselberry. You may also like Don Pepe (cuban) on 436 in Altamonte Springs.

>>Two restaurants to try are K's on Edgewater Drive and Aubergine Bistro on 436 in Casselberry.<<

I'll second the recommendation for K's. It's in College Park near downtown Orlando and thus not convenient to the area frequented by tourists. Of course, for some that is a good thing...

Here's another recommendation for Pleasure Island -- I'd try the Adventurer's Club.

I did a solo trip to Disney a few months ago, and had a great time. If you want to meet other people, you could look on www.disboards.com -- there are often meet-ups scheduled there.

Here's another recommendation for Pleasure Island -- I'd try the Adventurer's Club.

You can definitely have a good time by yourself in the Adventurers' Club, especially if you have an outgoing personality. Interact with the regular players and before you know it, it will be closing time and you'll wonder where the night went (but you'll have plenty of memories). There is quite literally no place else like it on earth!

Here's another recommendation for Pleasure Island -- I'd try the Adventurer's Club.

I did a solo trip to Disney a few months ago, and had a great time. If you want to meet other people, you could look on www.disboards.com -- there are often meet-ups scheduled there.

Another recommendation from me too.

@:-) The Disney properties solo might not be so hot, but one park is not only IMHO the best in MCO-land, sure its better with company, but you can enjoy yourself solo: Sea World.

You can buy an unlimited one year Silver pass online for the price of 1.5 days admission. If you plan to go more than about 4 times total, get the plus or whatever its called that includes parking so they don't rob you $7 at the toll booth.

When I fly out of MCO I drive by Sea World on the way home. I often stop if only for a couple hours. After a journey of shoe carnivals and pillow less blanket less and peanut less hard seats in cattle class, hand feeding a few sting rays and dolphins puts it all behind you and brings you back to reality. Forget the imitation sharks in the TSA and FA and yellow cab uniforms by watching some real ones. ;) Plus something you didn't get in Y: free beer.

Better therapy than a shrink, and you get a whole year cheaper than a single 45 minute session on the couch.

You don't even need a companion to take your picture. While you're petting a dolphin the park photo touts will take your pic and offer to sell it to you.

Hang out with a FTer? In person?? I've never done that before. Is that safe? ;)

As long as he's not requiring a Saturday night stay.