Some cities have Chinatowns. Orlando has Little Vietnam, home to a large Vietnamese population that began arriving in the 1970s. The neighborhood, north of downtown along East Colonial Drive and North Mills Avenue, has lots of cheap and casual restaurants where you can feast on banh-mi (an Asian sandwich), shrimp rolls and pho (beef noodle

For a good introduction to Orlando's grown-up side, take a seat at the Eola Wine Company (500 East Central Boulevard, 407-481-9100; www.eolawinecompany.com), a wine bar and store at the edge of Lake Eola, the city's most prominent body of water. It has an urban-chic feel, with polished wooden surfaces and stylish wine racks. But the

Even if you're not into eating sprouts or saving the planet, there's plenty to appreciate at the Dandelion Communitea Cafe (618 North Thornton Avenue, 407-362-1864; www.dandelioncommunitea.com). There is the funky, artsy décor with hand-painted chairs and fabric-covered ceiling. There's the menu, which includes the outstanding Happy Hempy Hummus ($6), topped with hemp seeds, and an

Discover a city where real estate titles date back to the Kings of Spain. Stroll the palm-lined streets and discover gingerbread mansions, tin-roofed conch houses, the John Audubon House and Ernest Hemingway's home. Walk in the footsteps of Thomas Edison, Lou Gehrig, Harry Truman, and Tennessee Williams. Gaze at the fabled treasure of the galleon Atocha.

No visit to the “other” Orlando would be complete without a stop at the Mennello Museum of American Art.

For something on the more grown-up side, step downstairs to Tanqueray’s. The popular nightspot is housed in a former bank vault and has the secluded feel of a speakeasy.

Trawl the bookstores and shops in Thornton Park, an old pedestrian-friendly neighborhood in downtown Orlando.