Photo by Roberto Gonzalez

Orlando Science Center

WINNER: BEST MUSEUM

Step into the Orlando Science Center. There’s a little something for everyone, from kids to adults who are young at heart.

Check out the traveling exhibition on dogs, which runs through Sept. 4. Wander about the Kidstown exhibit that has more than 10,000 square feet of space for kids 7 and under. End the day at the 4Roots Cafe, an urban farming concept from John Rivers. And then come back for the Science Night Live event for those 21 and older.

“The core audience obviously is families with kids 12 and under, but our mission is to inspire science learning for life, and that’s everybody,” said Jeff Stanford, Vice President of Marketing at Orlando Science Center.  “If you’re curious, we want you to come in and check it out. We’ve got something available for you.”

Stanford and his colleagues at the Science Center offer a unique experience in a competitive community market driven by large-scale tourist destinations. Locals and visitors still may keep their eye on Disney, Universal and other attractions, but there most definitely is a welcoming spirit at the Science Center.

Consider this: The center hosts 670,000 annual visitors and also reaches 153,000 students and educators each year through the STEM Discovery Center educational programs. An estimated 85 percent of the center’s audience are locals.

Indeed the center has come a long way since it opened in Orlando Loch Haven Park in 1960. It has expanded exponentially over the years, including a current renovation that involves re-imagining the nature area on the first floor. The size will be doubled, bringing in more animal habitats and more immersive environments.

In the meantime, there are plenty of other ‘to do’ options, including “Dogs! A Science Tail,” an immersive 7,000 – 9,000-square-foot traveling exhibition  that explores the bond between humans and dogs—and how they evolved from wolves to domesticated pets. It offers insights into the senses, behavior and communication of our canine friends.

“It exemplifies what’s best about the Science Center,” Stanford said. “Take something that people are really passionate about, whether it’s dogs, whether it’s food, whether it’s guitars, whether it’s beer, and show them where the science is involved in that.”

“Everything we do at the Science Center is exploring how you can be involved in your world. And so, we try to do everything in a way that is not intimidating, that is engaging and fun for all ages.”

BROWSE WINNERS BY CATEGORIES

Museum
Art Gallery
Charity Gala
Entertainment Experience
Live Music Venue
Movie Theater
Non-Theme Park Attraction
Performing Arts Group
Performing Venue
Place to Get Married
Private Golf Course
Public Golf Course
Business Hotel
Staycation

Museum

1 Orlando Science Center
Orlando
osc.org

2 Rollins Museum of Art
Winter Park
rollins.edu

3 Morse Museum
Winter Park
morsemuseum.org

Art Gallery

1 Mills Gallery
Orlando (Mills50)
millsgalleryorlando.com

2 Redefined Art Gallery
Downtown Orlando
redefinegallery.square.site

3 Snap! Orlando
Downtown Orlando
snaporlando.com

Courtesy of kids Beating Cancer Hats & Heroes Ball

Charity Gala

1 Kids Beating Cancer Hats & Heroes Ball
kidsbeatingcancer.com

2 Runway To Hope Spring Soiree
runwaytohope.org

3 AdventHealth
Golden Gala
adventhealth.com

Entertainment Experience

1 The Escape Effect
Orlando
theescapeeffect.com

2 Andretti Indoor Karting & Games
Orlando
andrettikarting.com

3 Cirque du Soliel Drawn to Life
Lake Buena Vista
cirquedusoleil.com

Live Music Venue

1 The Social House
Orlando
socialhouseorlando.com

2 The Plaza Live
Orlando (Milk District)
plazaliveorlando.org

3 Hard Rock Live
Orlando
hardrock.com

Movie Theater

1 AMC Disney Springs
Lake Buena Vista
amctheatres.com

2 Regal
Multiple Locations
regmovies.com

3 Enzian
Maitland
enzian.org

Non-Theme Park Attraction

1 Congo River Golf
Multiple Locations
congoriver.com

2 The Escape Effect
Orlando
theescapeeffect.com

3 Scenic Boat Tour
Winter Park
scenicboattours.com

Orlando Ballet. Photo by Kelliw Fulton Zavesco Photography

Performing Arts Group

1 Orlando Ballet
Orlando
orlandoballet.org

2 Bach Festival Society
Winter Park
bachfestivalflorida.org

3 Escuela de Bomba y Plena Tata Cepeda
Kissimmee
puertoricoesbomba.com

Performing Arts Venue

1 Dr. Phillips Center for the Performing Arts
Downtown Orlando
drphillipscenter.org

2 Orlando Family Stage
Orlando
orlandofamilystage.com

3 Winter Park Playhouse
Winter Park
winterparkplayhouse.org

Place To Get Married

1 Hyatt Regency Orlando
Orlando
hyatt.com

2 Leu Gardens
Winter Park
leugardens.org

3 Venue 1902
Sanford
venue1902.com

Private Golf Course

1 Arnold Palmer’s Bay Hill Club & Lodge
Orlando
bayhill.com

2 Tuscawilla Country Club
Winter Springs
tuscawillacc.com

3 Interlachen Country Club
Winter Park
interlachenccfl.com

Public Golf  Course

1 Orange County National Golf Center and Lodge
Winter Garden
ocngolf.com

2 Dubsdread Golf Course
College Park
historicaldubsdread.com

3 Forest Lake Golf Club
Apopka
forestlakegolf.com

Courtesy of JW Marriott Orlando Bonnet Creek Resort & Spa

Business Hotel

1 JW Marriott Orlando Bonnet Creek Resort & Spa
Lake Buena Vista
jwmarriottorlandobonnetcreek.com

2 Grand Bohemian Hotel
Downtown Orlando
kesslercollection.com

3 The Alfond Inn
Winter Park
thealfondinn.com

Staycation

1 Walt Disney World Swan Reserve
Lake Buena Vista
swandolphin.com

2 Gaylord Palms Resort
Kissimmee
gaylordpalms.com

3 Loews Portifino Bay Hotel
Orlando
universalorlando.com

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