When most people hear about Orlando as a vacation destination, they think of a place where families will take a swarm of children to visit the remarkable number of theme parks in the area, which has obvious ups- and downsides attached. However, there are some significant things to do and experience around the city that would still be a blast childfree:

From the gleaming birds taking flight over Lake Eola to the steel spires on Orange Avenue, downtown Orlando has eight new sculptures to call its own. Thanks to $1.5 million in private funding and hundreds of phone calls to sponsors and artists, See Art Orlando has brought a few new landmarks to the city core.

Launched by chairwoman Jennifer Quigley, the See Art Orlando initiative began two years ago with a mission to bring more art to the downtown area. The results are as solid as steel and stone: Six of the sculptures now stand around Lake Eola and two are just blocks away in prominent downtown plazas. Read More

Craft beer is usually not what comes to mind when thinking about Orlando. Walt Disney World, Universal Studios or another splashy theme park, yes, but not beer. Today, however, this landlocked central Florida city is getting a reputation for its growing craft beer scene. In the past few years, locals in the Orlando area have opened bars offering a wide selection of beers from small producers, and some are even opening spots that serve ales brewed in house. Read More

WHAT: Orlando Museum of Art's annual Festival of Trees returns this week full of holiday cheer. Presented by fundraising group Council of 101, this year's festival is titled "All That Glitters."

During the festival, the museum is bedecked with designer Christmas trees. Guests can admire them — or purchase one to take home. A festival shop also offers holiday decorations. Musical entertainment is scheduled throughout the day, and Santa Claus visits daily from 10 a.m.-2 p.m. (noon-2 p.m. on Nov. 18, 20 and 22). Read More