Kayla A.

Orange Public Library

This library is really convenient because it's located right downtown. It's really nice and roomy and they have a huge selection of books (surprise, surprise.) They also have a cafe inside and comfy chairs. It's great to take a lunch break here once in a while. What I really like about this library is that you don't have to have a Florida I.D. to get a library card there. However, if you park downtown and go there, make sure you put enough money in the parking meter because I have a friend who have got too comfortable in the library for too long and then she went out and found a boot on her car.

Restoration Hardware

This place has really cool furniture and off-the-wall but classy stuff. I found an antique record player in there with really good speakers at a great price. It's a great place to shop for your parents or find a gift for that person who already has everything. The sales associates are helpful and informative and you're bound to find something you like in this store.

Wakeboard Camp

This is the best wakeboard camp on the East Coast. I first came to Florida five years ago to go to this camp and I left happy. The instructors were all enthusiastic, energetic, and really helped me improve my skills. The food was delicious, I got plenty of wakeboarding in, and they even had a massage therapist come by. I loved having the chance to hit sliders and watch the instructors ride. It was nice to be able to take a week vacation and do something I love while getting a strenuous workout in. The Wakeboard Camp is definitely one of the leaders in the sport of wakeboarding.

Citgo Gas Station

Citgo has decent gas prices but they are the only place I can find closeby that has good boiled peanuts! They have the jumbo cajun boiled peanuts wading in a crackpot. The prices of their other products are comparable to other gas stations and the service isn't good, but I really go there only for the boiled peanuts.

Aloma Cinema N Drafthouse

I went to a wakeboarding video premiere here and I really liked the layout of this place. Bright cherry red chairs and small circular tables are spread thoughout the theater, with a huge screen right in front. They serve really cheap beer and it's nice to relax with a pitcher and watch a movie. There's also a balconey upstairs with more tables. This is a great place to chill and enjoy a movie. (It's also a great place for a premiere.)

Everybody's A Decorator

The name of this furniture store says it all. They have really cool vintage and retro couches in great condition and fine polished wood desks and tables. Most of the time I only see the front rooms open with most of the furniture outside (on nice days) but once I went in there and they had a lot more upstairs and farther back in the building. They have great wicker furniture- once I found a spinning coffee table made of wicker and glass that I absolutely loved.

PROS: worth it
CONS: a little expensive

Health Service For Travelers

When I broke my ankle I was able to get surgery right away and Dr. Burgess did an excellent job. Everyone in the hospital took really great care of me and made everything as simple and painless as possible. When I went back to Dr. Burgess for a follow-up, all of the nurses were really sweet and my ankle had healed well. They helped me with my insurance and any questions I had. It sucks to get hurt when you're far away from home, and when doctors treat you with that kind of service it alleviates the pain and helps heal the bones.

Dots Fashions

This store just opened up next to the Ross on Michigan and it has great prices on weekend-night wear. They are like any other boutique, with the new spring and summer fashions. Their clothes tend to be a little tight, but their clearance rack always has great lounge wear. If you don't feel like going to the mall, then stop here to shop for clothes.

Homevest Realty

Homevest Realty has the best real estate agents in town, where their upmost concern is matching you with the perfect home. They find the nicest houses at the best prices and will bend over backwards to find a house that's right for you. Their real estate agents are really easy to deal with and are great for finding you the perfect home. I'm sure they've had many satisfied customers.

A Novel Idea Book Shop

This bookstore has that vintage used book smell, but has a ton of books and great service. They have a lot of romance novels and children's books. Literature is hard to find but the few books that they have in that category are usually top-notch. They also have a few bestsellers in there. I've found books there that I haven't been able to find anywhere else for great prices.