If "Orlando vacation" makes you think of tacky souvenirs and mouse ears, think again. The City Beautiful is turning into The City Cthulhu-ful as Orlando becomes a destination for gamers, comic-book nerds and pop-culture enthusiasts. Add these places to your vacation itinerary and get your geek on.
1. Wizarding World of Harry Potter
Muggles can finally experience the magic in this recreation of Harry Potter's universe. At Platform 9 3/4, climb aboard the Hogwarts Express to travel between Diagon Alley and Hogsmeade. Browse the enchanted shops, choose a wand at Ollivanders -- or let the wand choose you -- and have some butterbeer while checking the latest Quidditch scores.
2. BART
, located in downtown Orlando, intersects the Venn diagram of passion for craft beers and old-school arcade games from the 1970s-1990s. Sip on an OBP Toasted Coconut Porter while getting it on like Donkey Kong. Don't worry if you're a beer novice - the BARTenders will help you choose your brew.
3. The Geek Easy
Tucked away inside
, in a strip mall in Winter Park, the Geek Easy is a popular venue for geek-culture music acts, with live performances by local favorites. Regular events include Geeky Trivia and Nerdy Karaoke nights, open mics and campy movie screenings. Come for the Super Mario Bros-inspired decor, stay for the Tetris-shaped tater tots.
4. Gods & Monsters
Located in Artegon Marketplace on International Drive, Orlando's largest comic store offers a wide variety of pop culture memorabilia, high-end comic-related toys and original art.
also features ample seating areas for tabletop gamers and free-to-play games for visitors.
5. Orlando Science Center
If you're more into Neil deGrasse Tyson than Neil Gaiman, take a trek to the
for some real science fun. The OSC features nature exhibits, a planetarium and observatory, and seasonal laser light shows for anyone craving a little Laser Zeppelin.
6. Epcot
No geeky getaway is complete without a visit to Walt Disney World's home for technological innovation. From Mission: Space to World Showcase, this never-ending world's fair is a mecca for nerds of all kinds. Epcot's epic IllumiNations light show, featuring fireworks, lasers and LED screens, will spoil you for all other firework shows.
7. Escape Rooms
The escape-room boom has arrived, with numerous locations popping up around International Drive, home of the largest selection of
. Escape the Florida heat while immersed in a live-action locked-room game at Escapology or
. Work with teammates to solve clues and challenges in hour-long story-driven scenarios.
So let your geek flag fly, and consider planning a geeky getaway this summer.
Our 2024 Coverage Needs You
It's Another Trump-Biden Showdown — And We Need Your Help
The Future Of Democracy Is At Stake
Our 2024 Coverage Needs You
Your Loyalty Means The World To Us
As Americans head to the polls in 2024, the very future of our country is at stake. At HuffPost, we believe that a free press is critical to creating well-informed voters. That's why our journalism is free for everyone, even though other newsrooms retreat behind expensive paywalls.
Our journalists will continue to cover the twists and turns during this historic presidential election. With your help, we'll bring you hard-hitting investigations, well-researched analysis and timely takes you can't find elsewhere. Reporting in this current political climate is a responsibility we do not take lightly, and we thank you for your support.
Contribute as little as $2 to keep our news free for all.
Can't afford to donate? Support HuffPost by creating a free account and log in while you read.
The 2024 election is heating up, and women's rights, health care, voting rights, and the very future of democracy are all at stake. Donald Trump will face Joe Biden in the most consequential vote of our time. And HuffPost will be there, covering every twist and turn. America's future hangs in the balance. Would you consider contributing to support our journalism and keep it free for all during this critical season?
HuffPost believes news should be accessible to everyone, regardless of their ability to pay for it. We rely on readers like you to help fund our work. Any contribution you can make — even as little as $2 — goes directly toward supporting the impactful journalism that we will continue to produce this year. Thank you for being part of our story.
Can't afford to donate? Support HuffPost by creating a free account and log in while you read.
It's official: Donald Trump will face Joe Biden this fall in the presidential election. As we face the most consequential presidential election of our time, HuffPost is committed to bringing you up-to-date, accurate news about the 2024 race. While other outlets have retreated behind paywalls, you can trust our news will stay free.
But we can't do it without your help. Reader funding is one of the key ways we support our newsroom. Would you consider making a donation to help fund our news during this critical time? Your contributions are vital to supporting a free press.
Contribute as little as $2 to keep our journalism free and accessible to all.
Can't afford to donate? Support HuffPost by creating a free account and log in while you read.
As Americans head to the polls in 2024, the very future of our country is at stake. At HuffPost, we believe that a free press is critical to creating well-informed voters. That's why our journalism is free for everyone, even though other newsrooms retreat behind expensive paywalls.
Our journalists will continue to cover the twists and turns during this historic presidential election. With your help, we'll bring you hard-hitting investigations, well-researched analysis and timely takes you can't find elsewhere. Reporting in this current political climate is a responsibility we do not take lightly, and we thank you for your support.
Contribute as little as $2 to keep our news free for all.
Can't afford to donate? Support HuffPost by creating a free account and log in while you read.
Dear HuffPost Reader
Thank you for your past contribution to HuffPost. We are sincerely grateful for readers like you who help us ensure that we can keep our journalism free for everyone.
The stakes are high this year, and our 2024 coverage could use continued support. Would you consider becoming a regular HuffPost contributor?
Dear HuffPost Reader
Thank you for your past contribution to HuffPost. We are sincerely grateful for readers like you who help us ensure that we can keep our journalism free for everyone.
The stakes are high this year, and our 2024 coverage could use continued support. If circumstances have changed since you last contributed, we hope you'll consider contributing to HuffPost once more.
Already contributed? Log in to hide these messages.
