By Holly Kouns
We hope your mouse ears and sunscreen are packed for ALA Annual 2016 in Orlando, Florida. The NMRT Local Information Committee has compiled information, suggestions, and a map to help you make the most of your time in the sunshine state.
NMRT Local Info Map
This interactive map (http://nmrt.mapsandideas.com/nmrt.html) highlights the locations of hotels, restaurants, and attractions surrounding the Orange County Conference Center. Our selections focus on nearby restaurants and attractions for you to check out between sessions or after the day’s events end.
If you haven’t already booked a hotel, check out the ALA hotel list to take advantage of ALA blocked rooms located near the conference center.
Getting Around
Orlando is a sprawling city with clusters of shops and restaurants. To get from one area to the next, you will need to rent a car, grab a taxi, or take advantage of the local bus system Lynx. Prices for Lynx range from a $2 fixed route single ride pass to a $16 fixed route 7-day pass. You can purchase tickets online by visiting the Lynx site or stop by one of these retail locations.
Information and tips for Lynx in the International Drive area can be found here.
Routes to Disney and other popular stops and attractions can be found here.
Orlando Dining
There is a never-ending supply of delicious restaurants and attractions, ranging from the off-beat to world renowned in the Orlando area. As previously mentioned, the interactive map focuses on locations within a close perimeter to the conference center and along International Drive, but we encourage you to explore the city and take in all Orlando has to offer.
TripAdvisor’s list of top restaurants is a great place to start if you’re feeling adventurous and want to travel away from the area surrounding the conference center.
Local Attractions
If theme parks, shopping, and entertainment appeal to you, then Orlando is the place to be! This metropolis boasts world renowned theme parks like Walt Disney World and Universal Studios, countless malls, outlets, and attractions.
Listed below are a few popular attractions with links to their ticketing information and websites.
Additional information can be found at Trip Advisors Top Orlando Attractions or the Orlando Events Calendar.
NMRT Field Trip
Interested in oddities and curiosities? Want to get to know your fellow NMRT members? If you answered yes, join NMRT’s Annual Conference Local Information Committee on our inaugural field trip to Ripley’s Believe or Not!, Orlando. Ripley’s Odditorium features weird and unusual objects and illusions from across the globe, all packed into one very strange museum on International Drive.
Find out more information by visiting our blog post and sign up using the google sign-up form here.
We can’t wait to see you in the sunshine and summertime at ALA Annual 2016!