Orlando's Museums, Theaters And Cultural Events

Orlando is not all Disney and theme parks. There is a vibrant theater community and many museums and the opera, as well. Downtown Orlando has several venues, which host everything from the current “pop star of the day” to Shakespearean plays to ballet and stand-up comedians.

The Bob Carr Performing Arts Centre is located downtown and this location sponsors the yearly Broadway Series, which brings some of the most popular Broadway plays and musicals to Orlando. This venue also hosts the Orlando Philharmonic and the Southern Ballet Company.

Nearby is the TD Waterhouse Centre where the Orlando Magic and the Orlando Predators play. The Waterhouse building also hosts many live events including concerts by big names and the most popular artists and performers of today and yesterday.

Orlando's annual Shakespeare Festival is held at the Walt Disney Amphitheater. On the second Tuesday of every month the Walt Disney Amphitheater also hosts a comedy series. These comedy performances are free and are very enjoyable and make a wonderful break from all of the shopping, golfing and amusement park hopping. Cirque du Soleil is also a very popular performance to attend and it is located in its own performing arts building at Downtown Disney at the West End of the complex. This is a very popular show that regularly sells out. If you are interested in seeing this show while you are in Orlando make sure to purchase your tickets as soon as possible.

The Official Orlando Visitor Center on International Drive near the Convention Center offers tickets to most of these venues at half price for all seats that have not been sold by the day of the performance. Simply choose any performance that is available that peaks your interest. This is a clever way of being able to attend a professional concert or play at the last minute and save money at the same time.

Orlando is abundant with museums. First and foremost is the Orlando Museum of Art. The museum houses many American works of art dating from the 18th to the 20th centuries, as well as early Native American art and African artifacts. The museum also plays host to many traveling exhibits. The Mennello Museum of Folk Art is another popular museum that has an impressive collection of many well-known American folk artists.

Another must see museum is the Orlando Science Center. It is located about 10 minutes north of downtown Orlando. The Science Center is a great attraction for the entire family. You can spend the day experimenting with hundreds of educational programs and learning activities. Make certain to view the movie feature at the 8-story CineDome. The CineDome is the world's largest domed theater and planetarium. An experience not to be missed. It usually plays short, but interesting movies on subjects such as dinosaurs, Egyptian mummies, caves, and mountains. Each different showing is as interesting as the last.

The University of Central Florida Arena also hosts a tremendous variety of lecturers, comedians, plays and musicals. Event calendars for the University's events and all of the other venues can be found on their websites or an Orlando Cultural Event Calendar. Simply type these words into any search engine and you will be directed to the most current schedules of all of the performances happening in and around Orlando.