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Orlando's
Gay Friendly Neighborhoods
| Vi-Mi
District |
Map |
| VI-MI
District The home of GLBCC - "THE CENTER" and a true Les-bi-gay
shopping district, with many fine gay owned and operated shops offering
LesBiGay-specific wares. Also great ethnic eateries, LesBiGay friendly
cafes, and galleries. Even a store that specializes in large ladies
sizes for the cross dresser, transgendered, or drag queen. The Vi-Mi
is located in city district four, represented by newly elected commissioner,
Patty Sheehan, who ran as an openly gay candidate. |
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| Thornton
Park |
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| THORNTON
PARK Neighborhood, Orlando. Orlando's trendiest little area! Funky
shops, fun places to eat, and a revolution in renovation primarily
attributed to forward thinking LesBiGay real estate developers and
neighborhood planners. Lots of beautifully-restored homes from the
'20s, '30s and '40s. Orlando's Signature Lake Eola Park (gateway to
the downtown area) is just around the corner. |
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| Downtown
Orlando |
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| Stroll
around beautiful Lake Eola with it's landmark fountain, or take a
horse and buggy ride by moonlight. Swan (peddle) Boats are available
to rent by day. (Michael Jackson purchased two of them as a wedding
gift for Liz & Larry). Eat, drink, and be Mary - er, merry, whatever!
There's plenty to do downtown and it's all contained in a compact,
walkable area. Great restaurants, the world famous Club at Firestone
(Saturday night is gay night), and an eclectic mix of smaller, alternative
clubs, bars, and coffeehouses. Most downtown clubs are not exclusively
les-bi-gay, but have historically welcomed a very mixed crowd. Very
close by, on Bumby Ave. at Hwy. 408, you'll find "Southern Nights,"
where Wild Wednesday constitutes one of Orlando's longest running
weekly gay party dates. |
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Park
Avenue, Winter Park Map |
| Not
necessarily gay, but as friendly as you can get. Lots of small restaurants,
Central Florida's toniest shopping, and the beautiful Morse Museum
of American Art featuring fabulous Tiffany! With it's European street-scape,
mini-Central Park, and nearby Rollins campus, this is a terrific place
to walk, window shop, and check out the locals. Need a new 'do'? Gary
Lambert Salon (407-628-8659) rivals any big city upper crust cutlery
with the addition of high-camp stylists. Don't miss Scott Laurent
Galleries (in the Hidden Gardens shops at the north end) for an impressive
mix of art jewelry & glass, home decor, and fine art. |
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| Lake
Ivanhoe |
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| LAKE
IVANHOE, Antique Row -Orange Ave. between Virginia & Princeton.
Several blocks of Antique dealers, and stores which specialize
in collectibles and memorabilia, as well as art deco furniture,
and faux creations. Here also is Theater Downtown, the fabulous
White Wolf Cafe, and a place called Rock 'n Roll Heaven which
is a very la Champion Vynal. Be sure to have a cocktail at Savoy,
a lively neighborhood gay bar where men and women are welcome. |
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