Orlando City Guide

Orlando, the seat of Orange County in Florida, is an urban oasis that boasts the nickname "the city beautiful." The downtown area is centered around Lake Eola, a swan-filled lake featuring a lighted fountain that has become an icon for the city. Brick-lined roads flanked by rows of live oaks border the area. Orange Avenue, Orlando's main road, is one-way for the most part, running south through the city. The numerous high rises are quite prominent during the day, but at night Orange Avenue comes to life with bars, clubs, restaurants, theaters, and concert venues. The main strip is closed to automobile traffic most nights due to the sheer number of pedestrians.

The first permanent settler in the area was Aaron Jernigan, who acquired his land along Lake Holden in 1842, following the Second Seminole War. The settlement was named Jernigan in his honor, and it slowly grew over the next few decades as pioneers drifted to the area to make a living as cattle ranchers. It wasn't until 1857 that the U.S. Post Office officially adopted the new name of Orlando.