ORLANDO SCIENCE CENTER PRESCHOOL REVIEW!!!! …read more Where do I even begin? I want to start with Ms. Juanita. She is one of those educators who you immediately know is doing what she was meant to do. She is incredibly passionate about STEM, education, and learning, but more than that, she is passionate about creating experiences for children that they simply cannot get anywhere else. She goes above and beyond every single day, and you can feel how much she truly cares about the children and their experience at school. I was incredibly lucky to have my oldest son accepted into the Orlando Science Center Preschool when some of our school friends decided to leave our previous preschool for what they felt was a better program. We had heard so much about the Science Center Preschool and knew what an incredible opportunity it would be if we could get a spot. And I am SO grateful we got that spot. My oldest son, who is now 7, truly developed his personality at this school. He wore dinosaur shirts constantly, brought his favorite animal figurines for show & tell every week, and fell completely in love with science, space, engineering, nature, and everything around him. But what I loved most was that the school gave him the freedom and confidence to just be himself. The preschool also taught him something I value tremendously: respect. They celebrated different cultures, values, backgrounds, and perspectives and taught children to appreciate what makes each person unique. That kind of foundation is priceless. My son is now enrolled in one of the top ranked charter schools in the state, and while I am incredibly proud of him and happy with his education and grades, I truly credit the Orlando Science Center Preschool with giving him the fundamentals and confidence that helped prepare him for where he is today. And I have to admit... I miss the dinosaur shirts. I miss the silly Mohawk. But most of all, I miss those daily updates with pictures and videos showing us exactly what our child was experiencing, learning, discovering, and enjoying throughout the day. Fast forward a few years, and I am reminded of all of those things again because my baby, now 3, is officially a Science Center Preschool student. There was absolutely no question in my mind that he would attend this school. He was enrolled in the 3 year old program as soon as we had the opportunity. I wouldn't have missed it for the world. Before starting at the Science Center, my youngest attended a part time church preschool. I want to be very clear that we loved that school and the people there. They were incredibly loving and sweet and will always hold a special place in our family's heart. But having now experienced both environments, I can already see such a difference in the learning style and opportunities when comparing the two side by side. (Ms. Chau, Ms. Michaela my baby loves you!) He WANTS to go learn. For a three year old, I can't think of a better gift than that. My oldest still remembers all of the things that made the Science Center so special. When I asked him what he thought about his little brother going there, his only wish was that he could still go there himself as a second grader. And that says everything. Ms. Juanita somehow always seems to be pulling strings and creating opportunities for our kids, from getting them into special events and theater experiences across the street, opd firetruck surprises, to sending home books, creating incredible show and tell experiences, plays/events for parents and finding ways to make learning exciting and memorable. I still have books that were given to us during my oldest son's preschool years. I still remember the excitement of his weekly show and tell. I remember the daily photos and videos, the weekly take home agendas with curriculum information, and all of the ways the school kept us connected and involved in our child's learning even when we weren't physically there. As a parent, that means so much. You aren't just dropping your child off and hoping they had a good day. You get to SEE it. You get to be part of it. You get to watch them discover something new, make friends, explore, ask questions, and grow. My oldest had such an incredible experience here that there was never a question about where his little brother would go. And now, only two weeks into this new chapter, I am already seeing that same excitement for learning beginning in him. I truly cannot give this school enough credit. Orlando Science Center Preschool is hands down the best preschool in Florida in my eyes. It is so much more than a preschool. It is a place where children are encouraged to be curious, confident, kind, creative, and completely themselves Thank you, Ms. Juanita, and thank you to the entire Orlando Science Center Preschool team, for giving my boys such an incredible foundation and for making school a place they genuinely love. My baby is already so in love!

We attended a birthday party here and had such a great time. The kids got to do two hands-on…read morescience experiments, and everyone was completely engaged -- my kid was still talking about it days later. After the experiments, we were free to explore the entire science center, and there's so much to see that we could have stayed for hours longer. The T-Rex theater show was the highlight -- genuinely amazing, and just as fun for the adults as it was for the kids. The staff really made the day. Every person we interacted with was helpful, courteous, and clearly enjoyed being there. Everything ran smoothly from start to finish. Highly recommend this place, whether you're going for a party or just visiting for the day. We'll definitely be back.

A true hidden gem, the Orlando Fire Museum is a great, free (Donations Accepted!) museum located…read morenear the Science Center and Shakespeare Theater in Loch Haven Park. While waiting for a show at the Orlando Shakespeare Theater during Orlando Fringe, a friend and I were exploring the theater grounds when we happened upon the Orlando Fire Museum nestled in the back courtyard. Surprised to see the building, and curious to find out more, we were happy to learn the museum was still open, and went inside to find out more. As soon as we entered, we were greeted by three very friendly firefighters (two retired, one still serving) who were the volunteer workers at the museum. They welcomed us in, explained a bit about the museum, and led us on a free tour of the building. Our tour guide explained everything in great detail from the years and features of the vintage trucks and equipment on display, to the way fires used to be relayed to the team (The museum features a working telegraph machine!) When we finished the downstairs part of the tour, he was gracious enough to take us upstairs and show us even more, including the old living quarters at the station. The tour was incredibly interesting and informative, and pictures were encouraged. Although it's only open on Friday & Saturday, If you get the chance, definitely try to swing by this wonderful facility. The museum is a great place to learn about not only Orlando's history, but the history of firefighting in general.

Checked the website before coming and it said it was open... drove one hour to get there and find…read morethe doors closed, my boy crying dressed up as a fireman full of expectations. As we approached I called... their voice system said nothing about being closed.. Please update the website information :(

This is a blockbuster exhibit currently taking place in the Orlando Science Center. Admission to…read morethe science center includes this exhibit. An adult ticket is $26 but I was able to attend for free except for the $5 parking garage fee. On the first weekend of every month, Bank of America offers free admission to select museums with their Museums on Us program. I was so excited to see that the Orlando Science Center was participating because it saved me the admission fee. You must purchase the tickets on the museums website with the promo code on the Bank of America website and when you get there show your BOA card and ID. The Pompeii exhibit is a traveling temporary exhibit and January will be the last month you can take advantage of the free admission for Pompeii. This museum is located in Loch Haven Park. If you haven't been here before the entrance is a little confusing. You can't enter the building from the ground floor. The only way in is to enter through a bridge that runs from the upper floors of the parking garage across the street into the museum. The Pompeii exhibit is located on the same floor as admissions. Orlando is only one of 3 states to host the exhibit and it is the last stop in the U.S.. it was brought to Orlando by the Orange County Government through the Arts & Cultural Affairs Program. In AD 79 Mount Vesuvius erupted destroying the town of Pompeii and nearby Herculaneum in 24 hours. Nearly two thousand people were killed by heavy ash, building collapse, and pyroclastic flow, a super heated hurricane force wind carrying ash and rock that can destroy anything in its path. The pyroclastic flow was a deadly river of gas, ash, and rock. Many people collapsed and died in place when the superheated poisonous gas and ash hit them. As the ash hardened the void their bodies made were left behind. After the eruption the city remained hidden and largely forgotten until an excavation in the 1740's. In the late 19th century archaeologists developed a method of injecting plaster into the holes in the hardened ash left behind by the bodies. The exhibit starts with a short 360 degree movie that gives you a glimpse into what it might have been like to have been in Pompeii on that day. After the movie you step into different galleries displaying artifacts and models of artifacts that explain what life was like in Pompeii. My favorite items were a delicate pair of gold drop earrings, a gold snake bracelet, and a loaf of bread that remained uneaten. The final room has the plaster cast of two bodies surrounded by the portraits of how people would have looked at that time. It is very poignant. Since I am not going to get to Italy anytime soon I didn't mind the drive to Orlando to see these precious objects. I was a little disappointed to see that some items were replicas but overall I was very impressed with the exhibit. I learned a lot about life in Pompeii and Herculaneum. After my visit to the Pompeii exhibit I was free to explore the rest of the museum. While it is more geared to children it was still nice to check it out. Food can be purchased at the 4Roots Cafe on the ground floor. If you have time to go, the Cornell Museum on the Rollins College Campus currently has a door knocker from Pompeii on display and it is free to visit. Before I left, I visited the gift ship where you can pick up a few souvenirs from the exhibit like postcards and magnets. I ended up purchasing a catalog of the items that were displayed. The exhibit leaves on January 24, so hurry before it is gone. Pompeii in 79 AD was nice city to visit but you didn't want to linger too long.

The biggest let down. A lot of photos on the wall, a few videos and a few statues. Not a lot of…read moreauthentic artifacts which is what we were wanting to see. I have seen far far more about Pompeii in National Geographic for free. There were way too many people and certainly no social distancing in the Pompeii exhibit. This is the third time I have driven all the way to Orlando to see an over rated exhibit which was mainly photos and maps on the wall. If you have children the center is worth the membership. Otherwise a waste of money since so much is online today

I went to an event Pet Pool Party in the Marilyn L. Mennello Sculpture Garden at The Mennello…read moreMuseum. 'Pools in the Park' was Free Admission sponsored by Valley National Bank. I did not bring my dogs because it was super hot and I had a few stops in this area. I arrived near the end of the event to see if this was something I could share with my dogs. I saw lots of happy owners and pups (some wet.). They had great raffles and fun tents to experience with your pet. Full disclosure I have been a member of Mennello in the past and attended their folk music events. I really like that they have events that empower patrons to participate in art, music and the community. They have another Pet event in Fall 2025.

If you have 20-30 minutes to kill and want to be in air-conditioning, this is a nice small place to…read moresee curated art. Admission is $8, although there are discounts that bring it down to $3-5. I'd say $5 is about right for the time you spend here. The staff were very nice and the permanent exhibits were great to see. The majority of the museum is dedicated to the childlike folk art of Earl Cunningham. The paintings are well lit and feature bright colors and really convey feelings of joy. Besides that, there are wonderful bronze sculptures as well as a few pieces from other artists. There's also the grounds of the museum that have several outdoor installations. We paid $8 a piece and were done in about 20 minutes but I did enjoy myself and felt I contributed to the arts in Orlando.

i came here on a day a lot of the exhibits were being worked on but i enjoyed the half off price…read morebecause of it (plus i can come back !!) this was a beautiful museum of art w/ such a variety of different types of art. i took my time as i walked around the rooms & it was lovely. they had a whole hallway dedicated to young artists which was sweet & they also have many art programs for the littles as well as adult events! i really enjoyed my time & will make another stroll soon, i'm sure of it. thank you for existing.

This museum is much bigger and more comprehensive than I expected. Orlando isn't typically known…read morefor amazing art museums on the scale of New York or Chicago, but I was pleasantly surprised when I visited! There's both pretty cool modern mart pieces as well as lots of ancient Latin American art and sculptures. I loved learning about the history of the Aztec, Mayans, and Incans through the preserved art pieces. I do wish there was an expanded area for Asian and African art, but I guess that leaves room for them to continue to grow and improve. Definitely check them out during Museums on Us through Bank of America! You can experience great art for free :)

The Winter Park Historical Museum is a small free museum located across the railroad from Central…read morePark. It is operated by the Winter Park Historical Association and resides in a former railroad freight depot. There is a one room exhibit hall that features changing exhibits. The goal of the museum is to engage people in the history of Winter Park. The current exhibit is about the hotels and motels of Winter Park throughout the city's history. The exhibit highlights include the luxury hotels of the late 1800s, like the Seminole Hotel, built in 1886 on Lake Osceola. It was a place that attracted northerners and had luxuries such as steam heating and gaslights. President Grover Cleveland was a visitor but it burned down in 1902. Also included in the exhibit is information about the roadside family motels, tourist courts and the boarding houses used by the workers who built Winter Park. The museum offers programs throughout the year. It is staffed by a volunteer so if you want to know more about the history of Winter Park you can actually speak to someone about it. It also has a small gift shop. If you are in the area it is worth stopping by.

If you wanna check out the beginnings of your neighborhood, the best place to start is the Winter…read morePark history museum on 200 New England Avenue. The current exhibit is motels and hotels. There is a volunteer who will answer your questions. This used to be the lobby for the Atlantic Railroad. There is free parking on the street and donations are recommended.

A memorable, inexpensive date idea that takes just 1 to 2 hours! This museum is home to the world's…read morelargest collection of works by Louis Comfort Tiffany, including the stunning Tiffany Chapel. If you're a student, definitely check the museum's website before you go. Admission was only $6 for me, and check-in was quick and easy. The staff were so friendly, informative, and helpful. The museum has a quiet, calm atmosphere that makes it easy to take your time and really enjoy everything. I was honestly surprised by how big it was. I didn't expect there to be more than 30 rooms to explore! Each room has pamphlet guides, and complimentary audio guides are available on your phone with admission. I also loved the museum shop and picked up a few postcards to take home. There are so many great photo opportunities throughout the museum, too. If you're looking for a fun date, a peaceful afternoon, or simply appreciate art and history, this museum is absolutely worth a visit in Winter Park!

What a great museum and way bigger than I was expecting! It cost $8 for admittance and they have…read morebrochures in each section to assist for a self guided tour if you prefer to take your time. The selection was larger than I knew it would be as I thought only of Tiffany Lamps, but it is the glass making, pottery and even art as well! It is a beautiful, picturesque gallery that is worth a look. Only major downside is finding parking but that is really a winter park issue and not the museums fault.

One of my favorite museums. Beautiful maintained and friendly staff. The history and art are…read morebreathtaking. I like to take a minute to stroll through the tropical gardens that overlook a lake. A great visit!

They were celebrating Czech heritage, so admission was free, and they also offered free snacks and…read morefree tours. We wandered through the art gallery and enjoyed a lovely mosaic display, then headed outside for a Czech snack and explored the sculpture garden. They even had a Czech sculpture scavenger hunt, which was fun, and the garden itself was beautifully maintained with many impressive statues.

This museum is very small but a nice thing to do indoors. They have some cool exhibits and I like…read morethat it's not just all paintings, I just wish there was more to see! There is parking outside of the museum, but it's very limited and the other option is a garage about a 5 minute walk away. They will validate your parking if you park at the garage so at least you won't have to pay. The lady working the front desk was friendly and helpful, and I love a free activity!

This museum is free to get in. It is very small and…read moreprobably would take you less than 30 minutes to get through. The part I really liked is the grounds you can go out in the back and hang out by the water. They do have sculptures throughout the campus but we only saw one or two in this area. We were doing museum day so we hit this one just to check it out. It did have an interesting piece a Pan Am bag. My mother worked for this company when she was in her twenties she was the Secretary to the CEO so this was interesting to me. Super friendly staff I'll check it out again to see if they change out the displays.

As a random, spur of the moment activity a friend and I decided to pop in to see what they have on…read moredisplay. We had actually arrived about 15 minutes prior to opening time but was able to hang out in the cool lobby while the workers finished their opening protocols. Standard admission is currently $10 and the building has 4 floors, with displays on floors 2-4. The main floor has a small gift shop. It was recommended that we start on floor 4 and work our way down. There was a mix of very interesting displays on Florida history including ranches, orange groves, the native people including some early interactions with those that escaped slavery, black history, a court room. Disney and NASA. There was even a tribute to Florida's 150th birthday. Quite the selection of history snippets for the limited space. It was an ok way to spend $10 and about 1.5 hours of time in Downtown Orlando. Worth visiting at least once.

Who knew Orlando had a history before Disney? Maybe smart people do but I sure didn't. It wasn't…read morenamed after Orlando Bloom or even Tony Orlando. It has a rich history and the Orange County History Center highlights this, as well as the rest of Orange County (of which I think a good chunk of it). I was here for an event so I didn't really get to explore everything it has to offer. I saw a few exhibits and I could definitely spend some time here learning about this area of Florida. It used to be the courthouse and they still have that courtroom as part of the center. It's neat to see although man, the echo's in there are crazy. I didn't see any parking close by so I parked at the Library garage and made the short walk over. Not too bad actually. But keep that in mind if you're planning a visit. Also, you can totally walk to Taco Kat from here. Reason enough!