If you can think of nothing better than a relaxing afternoon of bargain hunting or scouring thrift and antiques shops, check out Antique Row and Ivanhoe Row on North Orange Avenue (stretching from Colonial Dr./Hwy. 50 to Lake Ivanhoe) in downtown Orlando. This collection is a long way from the manufactured fun of Disney. The shops are an interesting assortment of the old, the new, and the unusual. Flo's Attic, 1800 N. Orange Ave. (tel. 407/895-1800), and A.J. Lillun, 1913 N. Orange Ave. (tel. 407/895-6111), sell traditional antiques.
Down the road, a handful of places offer less conventional items. Wildlife Gallery, 1219 N. Orange Ave. (tel. 407/898-4544; www.fredlundwildlife.com), sells pricey, original works of wildlife art, including sculpture. And the Fly Fisherman, 1213 N. Orange Ave. (tel. 407/898-1989; www.flyfishermaninc.com), sells -- no surprise here -- fly-fishing gear. Sometimes you can spot people taking casting lessons in the park across the street.
Most of these downtown shops are open from 9 or 10am to 5pm, Monday to Saturday; the owners usually run them, so hours can vary. All are spread over 3 miles along Orange Avenue. The heaviest concentration of shops lies between Princeton Street and New Hampshire Avenue, although a few are scattered between New Hampshire and Virginia avenues. The more upscale shops extend a few blocks beyond Virginia. To get there, take I-4 Exit 85/Princeton St. and turn right on Orange Avenue. Parking is limited, so stop wherever you find a space along the street.
Additionally, you can shop for fresh produce, plants, baked goods, and crafts every Sunday from 9am to 2:30pm at the downtown Sunday Eola Market. It's located at the intersection of Osceola and East Central. Get more information at www.downtownorlando.com.
