Ritzel’s passion for all things Orlando beats a steady rhythm throughout this accessible guide, as she spotlights both high profile and lesser-known activities for locals and tourists. Readers interested in museums will delight in the Morse Museum—with a featured collection of Louis Comfort Tiffany’s stunning stained-glass lamps—or the Orange County Regional History Center, a noteworthy foray into the region’s early settlement cultures. Fitting for the Sunshine State, Ritzel features a feast of outdoor activities that range from biking trails to golf to produce picking (a side note into aquaponics farming as “a beautiful way to grow organic nutrient-rich produce in a sustainable manner” stands out), and she sprinkles handy links to maps and money-saving hints on nearly every page. Golf aficionados on a budget will appreciate Ritzel’s courses offering discounted rates, as will foodies looking to sample local cuisine, as Ritzel discusses Orlando’s “Magical Dining” program in lieu of in-depth exploration of individual restaurants.
What’s most entertaining about this brief guide is the well-rounded advice. Ritzel teases out hidden gems (the “World’s Largest Entertainment McDonald’s & PlayPlace” is fun for families with younger kiddos) alongside more conventional tourist opportunities, such as professional soccer league stadium INTER&CO, where fans can watch up-and-coming international players test their skills. Anyone eager to explore all Florida has to offer will find this debut appealing.
Takeaway: Handy, off-the-beaten-path guide to Florida’s lesser-known attractions.
Comparable Titles: April Lorenzi’s Travel Like a Local Orlando, Mike Miller’s Florida Day Trips by Theme.
Production grades
Cover: A-
Design and typography: A-
Illustrations: A
Editing: B+
Marketing copy: A-
