East Orlando: Orlando

East Orlando is home to thousands of college students thanks to two local community colleges, an acclaimed entertainment school (Full Sail University) and the University of Central Florida (UCF). Partially due to the growing prestige of these schools, East Orlando's commercial and residential population has exploded over the past ten years in a student-driven economy.

Just north of the UCF area is Oviedo, a town once known for its celery and citrus fields that now consistently ranks as one of the best places to live in the United States. Quirky, suburban and still slightly Southern, Oviedo is home to Black Hammock Adventures, which takes guests on an airboat journey through Lake Jessup – a haven for over 10,000 alligators. You don't get any more "real Florida" than that!

Plenty of shopping is available in the East Orlando area, whether it's the Oviedo Mall, Waterford Lakes Town Center, or Orlando Fashion Square Mall.

East Orlando guests are mainly here to visit students, to tour the schools, or because of its easy location between Cocoa Beach and Downtown Orlando. Because of this, the hotels in the UCF/East Orlando area tend to be budget-driven but comfortable, and the restaurants moderately priced as well. © NileGuide