As colors fade from tree leaves as they fall, and chill winds begin to blow both in North America and abroad, families begin to think of the warm Florida sun for a scenic, fun-filled and relaxing vacation. This winter sun shines most brightly on the seven county eastern Central Florida area known best around the world as ORLANDO. With golden beaches at its front door and theme parks in the center and toward the back, eastern Central Florida also sits astride an exciting array of high quality enriching experiences that include fine and folk art, diverse culture and heritage, festivals, performing arts, zoos, nature sites, science, pop culture and education.

“There is really good news to report about arts, cultural heritage and nature-based tourism. It is the fastest growing segment of the tourism industry in the world today, “ says Kay Burke, Executive Director of the Brevard Cultural Alliance and Executive Committee member and Culture Co-Chair of myregion.org.

Nestled within beautiful Downtown Orlando are wonderful historic neighborhoods as well as unique culture and arts venues of the Downtown Arts District and Cultural Corridor. Strung like pearls around the Orlando metro area, other similar cultural jewels are corridors featuring nature and wildlife tours, museums, performing arts centers, community theaters, orchestras, historic districts, community murals and pop culture.

Many visitors mistakenly think of Orlando-area tourism beginning in the 20th century as a "pop culture tourism destination" or relate the area's tourism history to beginning with steamboats on the rivers and Flagler’s railway tourism late in the 19th century. Others relate Florida vacations to automobile trips in the 1950's to Daytona Beach or Cocoa Beach to enjoy pristine beaches, roaring race cars, motor cycles, and rocket ships along the coast. Next came the arrival of Walt Disney in Central Florida to develop his theme park dreams in the late 1960's, with the grand opening of the first theme park in 1971.

“Now, Walt Disney World is just the tip of the iceberg and it takes more than one vacation to enjoy the many fascinating cultural treasures this region holds. Just look at this map - it will show you some of the cultural assets of this exciting region,” she concludes.

Click here if you want to explore our region’s cultural heritage.