In the event that you are searching for a furnished apartment in Orlando, there's one thing that most people believe is certain to occur during your stay. That is, at some point while you are there, you will definitely have some fun! The theme park center of North America is broken up into four key sections. The southern and western sections of Orlando are where you'll come across a large number of hotels and tourist sites. The metro part is filled with neighborhoods that still possess historical importance which make for attractive places to live. Here at Short Term Stay Orlando, we're going to give you a brief overview of the areas crowds aren't often keen on going to, along with those in which they are, in hopes that you may locate the neighborhood in Orlando that can best meet your needs.

Lake Buena Vista:
When Walt Disney was looking for the right area to build his Florida dream park, his people came across a 39 square mile section of undeveloped, available land in the outskirts of Orlando. Disney purchased it, and soon after arranged to have it designated as a unique municipality. They named the place "Lake Buena Vista". This is derived from "Buena Vista Street" in Burbank California, which is the main street where the entrance to the Walt Disney Studios is located. The Walt Disney World Resort is located entirely here in this part of Orlando's southwest Orange County area. Interestingly, all Disney employees are designated as city workers here. Even the mayor and the police force in Lake Buena Vista work for Disney! They've established another area that's sort of separated from the Walt Disney World which they call Downtown Disney, and this is where you'll find many resorts, shops, and restaurants.

Metrowest:
Metrowest is a popular community, and may be one of the most requested locations for short term housing stays in Orlando. It is near some of the biggest Florida highways, including the Florida Turnpike. Primary shopping malls, Universal Studios, Sea World, and the Disney sights are all positioned in and around the Metrowest area. It also features a diverse real estate market, with many large condo developments, apartments, and single family homes. If you decide to stay in one of our furnished apartments in Orlando, this part of town could be one of the most convenient locations you'll find.

Downtown Orlando:
Orlando's downtown district is relatively small in size. It's located northeast of Walt Disney World, and is fairly close to the Metrowest area. Downtown has a nice mix of industrial, recreational, and residential, yet it has a surprisingly laid back feel for a central metro area. Most find it to be noticeably without the kind of congestion common in the Disney and theme-park locations. You'll find diverse places to eat, museums, athletics, clubs, and plenty of boutiques and shops. It's small enough to travel around on foot to many spots. And if you get tired of walking, there's always the local taxi cabs available, though you can't usually waive them down on the street. You must request a cab by phone.

Winter Park:
This location north of Orlando is popular among those looking to be in more of a quiet, upscale environment. Its small town charm combined with its sense of history and culture make it an potential escape from the "touristy" sections of town. Park Avenue is a well-known destination for individuals here because of the chic shops and restaurants. Winter Park has cobblestone roads, exceptional shopping and dining, and a stretch of lovely, picturesque lakes. Great for adults, but not especially popular with the younger set. So if you have kids, be forewarned that they may get bored quickly here.

Baldwin Park:
Should you decide on one of our short term rentals in Orlando in the Baldwin Park area, then you'll be roughly three miles from downtown in a community that's clearly inspired by the past. This is a relatively new, developed community with numerous real estate options and terrific schools. On top of that, it has several scenic parks and lakes. This, together with its many dining choices and shopping areas make it one of the most preferred locations to reside in Orlando, especially for families.

Kissimmee:
Kissimmee is a part of Orlando that is generally packed with visitors due to its reputation as a more affordable place to stay when traveling. Upon exploration of this town, you will also see a side of Orlando that appreciates its heritage. Indeed, this place has two rodeos and was a haven for cowboys long before any theme-parks were around! Kissimmee is full of budget-friendly hotels, informal places to eat, and various places of interest. The conveniences and relative low cost of the rents here make this a popular area for short term rentals Orlando.

Lake Mary:
Located about 18 miles north of Orlando, Lake Mary is considered one of the best small towns in Florida to reside in. It has a safe and harmonious atmosphere with a crime rate among the lowest in Florida. It's one of the fastest expanding places in Central Florida and is a very popular residential community due in part to its fine schools, it's many top business enterprises, and its broad assortment of retail stores and eateries. A stay in one of our furnished apartments Orlando is a good way of incorporating yourself into this community, even if only temporarily.

Maitland:
Maitland is a suburb of Orlando which is considered to be one of the oldest communities in Central Florida. It has a very strong residential character. Maitland is peppered with recreational areas along lakes which accentuate its spectacular natural beauty. Once the home of American Indian tribes, Maitland also has a rich heritage.

Windermere:
Found in SW Orlando, Windermere is considered to be the entrance to the lake area of Central Florida. It is a small but well known town, and has been home to many of the rich and famous residing in Orlando, including Tiger Woods, Arnold Palmer, and Shaquille O'Neal. The houses here (many of them small estates) are situated in a peaceful, ritzy location known for its many sand bottom lakes.

Winter Garden:
The West Orange District is a fast-growing part of Florida, with many distinctive subsections. One of the best known areas here is Winter Garden, which is situated about 14 miles from downtown Orlando. This area was once the number one shipping point for citrus fruits in Florida, and it's an area that still holds on to quite a bit of its cultural roots. A wide range of shops and places to eat can be found in its historic downtown area. The West Orange Trail, a 22 mile long bicycling trail, also feeds into downtown Winter Garden.

Public Transportation:
The following is useful information for anyone staying in a short term rental in Orlando regarding the city's public transportation system:

• The LYNX Bus Service the primary public transportation system for Orlando. It services almost all of Orlando including the theme parks, the Orlando International Airport, and nearly all of Orlando's various tourist attractions.
• You can also get around Orlando using the Greyhound bus services. Greyhound's station can be found close to the main tourist sites in the southwestern part of the city.
• All Disney resorts have free transportation services to and from the Disney theme-parks.
• Downtown Orlando offers their free LYMMO Bus services to those traveling within downtown parameters.
• The I-Ride Trolley is a cheap bus service that travels on one of the main tourist streets, International Drive. It travels to all of the major lodges and the area attractions along this street.

Taxis:
Some of the taxi companies in Orlando are: Diamond Cab Company, Mears Transportation, Oviedo Cab, Cesar's Taxi, and Martin Faynik Orlando Taxi Service. You will need to call to request the dispatch of a taxi ahead of time. Orlando taxi drivers do not drive around town looking for customers.

Driving:
Similar to nearly all U.S. towns, Orlando is a city in which automobiles are the main choice for transportation. While it is possible to vacation in the city without your own car, for anybody who'll be staying in one of our furnished apartments in Orlando, they are likely to prefer their own wheels. Even though traffic congestion is common in many parts of Orlando, driving yourself is still the most convenient way to get to where you're headed.

During your stay at your Orlando short term rental, you should know that open road tolling is used on several of Orlando's highways. Some major highways that include tolls are listed here: SR-528 (The Beachline Expressway), which is east of Interstate 4. SR-417 (Central Florida GreeneWay), which bypasses Orlando at Interstate 4 (I-4) just west of Disney World and charges a toll. SR-408 begins on the east side of Orlando and takes you through the west side, ending at the Florida Turnpike (also known as the Ronald Reagan Turnpike). Places like Sea World Orlando, Walt Disney World, Universal Studios Orlando, and Downtown Orlando are all located along or very close by Interstate 4, which is the only interstate which goes directly through Orlando.

Airports:
Orlando's three main airports: Orlando International Airport is the main airport in Orlando. Florida's busiest airport is set in the southeastern part of the town and has 72 non-stop flights within the U.S. Orlando Sanford International Airport is Orlando's secondary airport placed 30 miles north of Orlando International Airport in Sanford. Florida's third busiest airport offers commercial and general aviation flights like European charter flights. Executive Airport offers general aviation flights only and is situated 3 miles east of Orlando's downtown area.

For those staying in our furnished apartments Orlando, whether you're living alone or are part of a couple or a family, you will have no trouble finding things to do to fill your leisure time. Needless to say, Orlando is best known for its theme parks, yet the area also offers a remarkable number of activities for people in search of other things to do. You can do everything from visiting wild animals at Gatorland, to cheering on the NBA's Orlando Magic at Amway Center. You could play golf at one of Orlando's 150 plus courses, or if you're more of an adventurous type, you could even go skydiving. Or you might lean more towards cultural pursuits, like visiting museums, exhibits, and art galleries. Regardless of what sort of things you like to do, you'll find there's plenty of it here in Orlando.

Outdoor Activities:
There are many activities that Orlando is famous for which take place in the out of doors: Walt Disney World, Universal Orlando Resort, SeaWorld Adventure Park Orlando, and Aquatica are just the beginning. There are also other places to consider like Discovery Cove, Lake Eola Park, Richard Petty Driving Experience, Tibet-Butler Preserve, Coco Key Water Resort, Pirate's Cove Adventure Golf, Treasure Tavern, and Florida EcoSafaris at Forever Florida, among others.

If you'd like to do something outside of your Orlando furnished apartment, but would prefer something a little more serene and relaxing than the theme parks, then you might want to visit some of Orlando's beautiful parks and gardens. One such place is the Arboretum of the University of Central Florida. It is here you'll find some very beautiful botanical gardens, with over 600 species of plants on display. Admission is free. You might also consider visiting the Harry P. Leu Gardens, or the historic Bok Tower Gardens and the Bok Mountain Lake Sanctuary. Admission here costs very little, and is well worth the tour of these very beautifully designed and landscaped outdoor gardens. There's also A World of Orchids in Kissimmee, which is a working greenhouse with many beautiful plants set amongst an impressive recreation of a small tropical rain forest.

In addition to theme parks and public gardens, Orlando offers many other opportunities for outdoor recreation. They have tons of country clubs in which you can play golf or tennis. They also have nature preserves, RV parks, and a multitude of lakes and rivers for boating adventures.

Sport for Spectators:
If you happen to be a sports fan, then when you're living in one of our short term rentals in Orlando, you won't want to pass up the chance to see the NBA's Orlando Magic playing at the Amway Center. You could also get tickets to see professional indoor soccer with the Orlando Sharks, who play at the Amway Center as well. If you're more of a football fan, you might want to check out the Orlando Predators of the Arena Football League (AFL).

You'll also have a great chance to see college sports, with teams completing in NCAA Division I at the University of Central Florida. The university's UCF Knights are now members of Conference USA and have outstanding athletics facilities, the most visible being their football team's Bright House Networks Stadium.

Arts and Culture:
Visitors to Orlando may want to attend theatrical shows, or visit some of the many art galleries and museums. We've comprised a short list below of some of the places we think our clients staying in our furnished apartments in Orlando might like to see:

Museums & Galleries:

• Orlando Museum of Art
• Wycliffe Discovery Center
• Mennello Museum of American Art
• Anita S. Wooten Gallery
• Train Land International
• Wells'Built Museum of African American History and Culture
• University of Central Florida Art Gallery
• The Orlando Science Center
• Winter Park Historical Association and Museum
• Orange County Regional History Center and Heritage Square

Performing Arts:

• Orlando Shakespeare Theater
• Garden Theater
• Orlando Repertory Theatre
• Plaza Theatre
• Sands Theater
• Theatre Downtown
• Winter Park Playhouse
• Mad Cow Theater
• Orlando Opera Company
• Orlando Philharmonic Orchestra

Dining:
Being such a major tourist center, Orlando has no shortage of restaurants of all types and for all taste levels. A stay in one of our short term rentals Orlando would typically place you close by areas of town where you could easily check out the many dining options.

The following is a list of some of the more popular restaurants in and around Orlando:

• At City Walk in Universal Orlando: Mythos Restaurant, Margaritaville, Pastamore Ristorante, and NASCAR Cafe, just to name a few.
• In Walt Disney World at Downtown Disney: Planet Hollywood, Rainforest Cafe, Le Cellier Steakhouse, Pecos Bill Cafe, Sci-Fi Dine-In Theater Restaurant, Jiko- The Cooking Place, Liberty Tree Tavern, and Tusker House
• Asian restaurants like Shakai Sushi Lounge, Napasorn Thai Restaurant, and Ming Court provide a variety of Asian cuisine.
• Latin-inspired eateries such as Cuba Libre in Orlando, Authentic Cuban Cafe, and Padrino's Cuban Bistroit offer great choices for good Cuban-style cooking.
• Cala Bella, Juliana's Fine Tuscan Cuisine, and Fresco's Fine Italian Dining are known for their Italian cuisine.
• For fine dining, there is Victoria and Albert's in the Walt Disney World Resort, Shula's 347 Grill in Lake Mary, The Boheme in Downtown Orlando, Christini's Ristorante Italiano, and Linda's La Cantina Steakhouse on Colonial Drive

Nightlife
If you're staying with us in one of our Orlando furnished apartments, you'll most likely find that you'll rarely have to hunt around much for something to do, especially during the nighttime. When the sun goes down, Orlando becomes lively and energetic. Plenty of opportunities exist for adults looking to go out for a night on the town.

The following is a partial list of night spots in and around Orlando:

For bars and lounges, there's The Hammered Lamb, Cleo's Lounge, Suite B Lounge, The Milk Bar, Bullitt Bar, Ember, Downtown PourHouse, and Tanqueray's.

For nightclubs and dance clubs, check out Independent Bar, Club 23 Orlando, Icebar Orlando, Suite B Lounge, Pulse Orlando, Sky Sixty, The Peacock Room, Vintage Lounge, Wall Street Plaza, and Rok Room.

For the music scene, you can check out Bongo's Cuban Cafe, The Groove, Latin Quarter, and Hard Rock Live, The Beacham, & House of Blues

For those who may be staying in Orlando short term rentals close to the International Drive area, there are a few clubs and bars you might want to know about. Some popular ones are: Howl at the Moon, Velvet Bar at Hard Rock Hotel, Orena Sports Bar, Dave and Buster's Inc., and the Blue Martini.

Shopping:
Orlando is a shopper's paradise. With all the best department stores, including like Neiman Marcus, Saks Fifth Avenue, Neiman Marcus, and Bloomingdales, and some of the largest shopping centers in the Southeastern U.S., Orlando has something for everyone and every budget. Many of our short term rentals Orlando are situated near one or more of the Orlando area malls. Here below is a partial list:

• The Florida Mall, located at the intersection of Orange Blossom Trail & Sand Lake Road
• The Mall at Millenia, which is considered to be Orlando's main upscale shopping
• The Altamonte Mall in Altamonte Springs, also one of the largest malls in Orlando
• Orlando Premium Outlets, which is on Vineland Ave.
• Lake Buena Vista Factory Stores, which is just of SR-535 near International Drive

Here at Short Term Stay Orlando, we know that moving to another city can be filled with challenges, so we want to provide you with information that you may find useful during your stay. Below is a brief list of local medical centers, schools, and places of worship for those of you staying in one of our furnished apartments Orlando.

Hospitals:

• Florida Hospital
• M.D. Anderson Cancer Center Orlando
• Orlando Heart Center
• Orlando Regional Healthcare
• Nemours Children's Hospital
• Altamonte Springs Centra Care
• South Seminole Hospital
• Kissimmee Centra Care
• Florida Hospital Apopka
• Osceola Regional Medical Center

Schools:

During your stay at one of our short term rentals in Orlando, especially if you bring children with you, you may need to know about the area's schools. The following is a list of some of the public elementary, middle, and high schools in the area:

Elementary:

• Stone Lakes Elementary School
• Dr. Phillips Elementary School
• Windy Ridge K-8
• Palm Lake Elementary School
• Endeavor Elementary School
• Northlake Park Community Elementary School
• West Creek Elementary School
• Sand Lake Elementary School
• Timber Lakes Elementary School
• Cypress Springs Elementary School

Middle Schools:

• Hunters Creek Middle School
• Lake Eola Charter School
• Orlando Science Middle High Charter School
• Corner Lake Middle School
• Glenridge Middle School
• Legacy Middle School
• South Creek Middle School
• Central Florida Leadership Academy
• Chain of Lakes Middle School

High Schools:

• Boone High School
• Colonial High School
• Dr. Phillips High School
• Lake Nona High School
• Acceleration Academy
• FLVS Part Time 9-12
• Lake Highland Preparatory School
• Ingrams Academy
• East Orlando Education Center

Some of Orlando's colleges and universities include: Mid Florida Tech, Orlando Tech, University of Central Florida, Anthem College, Rollins College, Southern Technical College, Florida Hospital College of Health Science, Concorde Career Institute Orlando, Keiser University Orlando

Places of Worship:

Churches:
Some of Orlando's local churches are: Conway First Baptist Church, First Baptist Church of Taft, Azalea Park United Methodist, St. James Catholic Cathedral of Orlando, Kirkman Road United Methodist, Pine Ridge Presbyterian, Prince of Peace Lutheran Church Orlando, Spirit of Joy Lutheran Church Orlando, Mary, Queen of the Universe, and Woodbury Presbyterian Church.

Synagogues:

Orlando also has only a small handful of Jewish synagogues located in town. Some of them are: Congregation of Reform Judaism, Southwest Orlando Jewish Congregation, Congregation Ohev Shalom Orlando, and Chabad of South Orlando

Mosques and Islamic Centers:
There are only a few mosques and Islamic centers located in Orlando. Some of these are: Islamic Center of Orlando- Jama Masjid, Islamic Society of Greater Orlando, West Orlando Masjid, and Masjid Al-Ihsaan Orlando.