Orlando Apartment Living

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In the southern states, college football is like a religion, and central Florida is no exception. Of course, Florida teams – the University of Florida Gators, Florida State University Seminoles and the University of Miami Hurricanes – are local favorites, but where are you to watch the game in Orlando if you’re an Auburn, Georgia or Alabama fan? What about if your alma mater is farther away, say Ohio State or Penn State? Have no fear; Orlando has plenty of college-specific bars to help you get through the big game. When you want to be surrounded by hundreds of similarly minded fans either celebrating or lamenting over the action on TV, you can find a bar that honors your college.

Orlando college football fans, take note: Many university alumni clubs in Orlando share the same bars during football season, so keep that in mind if you have an intense rivalry with a particular school. However, since these bars have been hosting football game events for years, more than likely, you’ll have no problems while you watch the game.

Auburn University
Where: Brix Eurobistro, 50 E. Central Blvd., Ste. C, Orlando, FL 32801
Neighborhood: Downtown

Clemson University
Where: O’Boys BBQ, 565 W. Fairbanks Ave., Winter Park, FL 32789
Neighborhood: Winter Park

Florida State University
Where: One-Eyed Jack’s, 15 N. Orange Ave., Orlando, FL 32801
Neighborhood: Downtown

Georgia Institute of Technology (Georgia Tech)
Where: O’Boys BBQ, 565 W. Fairbanks Ave., Winter Park, FL 32789
Neighborhood: Winter Park

Louisiana State University
Where: Gator’s Dockside Dr. Phillips, 5142 Dr. Phillips Blvd., Orlando, FL 32819
Neighborhood: Doctor Phillips

Ohio State University
Where: Bufalo Wild Wings, 7004 International Dr., Orlando, FL 32819
Neighborhood: Sand Lake

Pennsylvania State University (Penn State)
Where: Miller’s Orlando Ale House, 101 University Blvd., Winter Park, FL 32792
Neighborhood: Winter Park

University of Alabama
Where: JB’s Sports Bar, 4880 S. Kirkman Rd., Orlando, FL 32811
Neighborhood: Windover

University of Florida
Where: Gator’s Dockside Dr. Phillips, 5142 Dr. Phillips Blvd., Orlando, FL 32819
Neighborhood: Doctor Phillips

University of Georgia
Where: JB’s Sports Bar, 4880 S. Kirkman Rd., Orlando, FL 32811
Neighborhood: Windover

University of North Carolina
Where: Legends Sports Bar and Grill, 1315 S. Orange Ave., Orlando, FL
Neighborhood: Downtown

Photo Credit: iStockPhoto/juuce

In the character-heavy world of Disney, Epcot and the Magic Kingdom, it can be difficult to find a bit of “real.” While theme parks run rampant in Orlando, surprisingly, delicious, environmentally-friendly restaurants do, too.

All restaurants listed use environmentally friendly packaging, but how good is the food? Don’t worry; only the best of Orlando’s green eats made the list, so feel free to stop by and indulge after a trip to one of the parks the area is famous for, or just if you don’t feel like cooking at home that day.

Ethos Vegan Kitchen
What: Top-notch vegan food and bakery items meets local, organic beer and wine at this establishment. Try the brunch on Sundays, Philly cheesesteak, spinach salad, coconut curry wrap and any of the vegan cookies.
Where: 1235 N. Orange Ave. #101, Orlando, FL 32804

Infusion Tea
What: This vegetarian restaurant not only has a regular ala carte menu, but gourmet four-course meal events on certain days (check the Web site). If you’re in need of a multi-course vegetarian menu designed for vegetarians, you’ll love Infusion Tea’s special event dinners.
Where: 1600 Edgewater Dr., Orlando, FL 32804

Sweet by Good Golly Miss Holly
What: Indulge in free WiFi, cupcakes and frozen yogurt at Sweet, run by “Miss Holly” of Food Network “Cupcake Wars” fame. On Mondays, get mini-cupcakes in all combinations of dark chocolate, white chocolate, vanilla, fruit and more for $1 each (regularly $18/dozen), and order the tart fro-yo topped with cereal, nuts, fruit or candy anytime.
Where: 711 N. Alafaya Tr., Orlando, FL 32828

Dandelion Communitea Café
What: Set in a bright green house, Dandelion is an organic vegetarian restaurant and tea house in one, serving up food free of saturated fats, trans-fats, refined sugars, additives, artificial sweeteners and genetic modification. Gluten-free selections are also available. You can’t go wrong with any of the sandwiches or soups, particularly the chili.
Where: 618 N. Thornton Ave., Orlando, FL 32803

Green Day Café
What: Marketing itself as a healthy restaurant that serves up nutrient-dense meals, Green Day Café has jam-packed brown rice bowls (such as the mushroom and brie one) with whole grain, vegetables and protein, as well as a variety of sandwiches and wraps served with terra chips or the broccoli crunch salad.
Where: 1515 Lee Rd., Orlando, FL 32810

Drunken Monkey Coffee Bar
What: The coffee at Drunken Monkey is all fair trade and organic or Rainforest Alliance verified. Soups are fresh, and though the food offerings seem somewhat random, there are plenty of choices for vegan and non-vegan eaters alike.
Where: 444 N. Bumby Ave., Orlando, FL 32803

Has your holiday spending left you feeling a little blue? As you look over your bills and check book, do you need to tighten up on your fun money for a few months. One way to save money is to enjoy just a few of the great attractions in and around your Orlando apartment that are FREE! Whether admiring the scenery at a park or enjoying an outdoor concert, here are 10 attractions your whole family will appreciate at no cost to you!

Photo by: Scott Miller

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