Yesterday, I came upon an article on the Small Business section of CNN.com that was titled, “Little Orlando”. Seeing some flaws in this list of entertainment options for the “sophisticated business traveler”, I declared that Living Orlando could do better. So here we go …

Instead of Aquatica, reserve a day at Buena Vista Watersports
Buena Vista Watersports, a privately-owned recreational facility, offers chartered boats for water skiing, wakeboarding or tubing on a near-private lake in Lake Buena Vista. You can also rent jet skis or play some volleyball on their white sandy beach. It’s the perfect place for a sophisticated traveler - personal attention and no lines.

Why pretend when you can do the real thing?
Sky Venture Orlando might be fun, but I-Drive is no place for a sophisticated business traveler. Skydive City in Zephyrhills offers tandem dives, accelerated free fall training, and for licensed skydivers, regular charters up to 13,500 feet. If your type of adventure lies closer to the ground, you might try hiking, snorkeling, or even scuba diving at one of our local State Parks.

Spend money on memories, not junk
Magnets may be fun, but eventually they end up in a drawer or a yard sale. If you really need to take something home, head over to the gift shop at The History Center in downtown Orlando. Of course, you’ll want to spend some time walking through the exhibits, but on your way out, pick up some Florida-themed gifts like alligator jerky, Florida jams and salad dressings, orange blossom perfume, books on Orlando history and even Central Florida-inspired toys for the kids.

Since room service and pay-per-view movies are boring …
… head to the Enzian for dinner-and-a-movie. We’ve talked about the Enzian many times on Living Orlando and there’s no reason visitors should pass up a trip to this tiny theater in Maitland. There’s good food, great beer and wine, and an ever-changing selection of international and independent films available only here in Orlando.

Taste your way around the city
The dining options presented by the “Little Orlando” article are just fine. In fact, there are dozens (if not hundreds) of places around town that the sophisticated types will enjoy. For the wine-lover, head to The Wine Room in Winter Park. For the beer-lover, take a tour through the Orlando Brewing Company’s brewery. For the foodie, drive down Sand Lake Rd. in Dr. Phillips or visit one of the AAA Four-Diamond restaurants in town.

Photo credit: Skydive City

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