Congratulations! You’ve successfully booked your flight to Orlando and picked out the best pet-friendly hotel to stay at during the paw-packed week that is Global Pet Expo. But when you’re not trekking across the show floor learning about the thousands of pet brands in attendance, what is there to do? Luckily, there’s no shortage of fun to be had in Orlando and we’ve picked out the hottest attractions that you and your 4-legged travel companion can enjoy beyond GPE! 🐈🐕🦜🐠
RESTAURANTS
Rock & Brews 🎸🤘
After a long flight, there’s nothing better than indulging in some good ol’ comfort food (and your pet would agree)! Just outside Orlando International Airport is Rock & Brews, serving up classic American cuisine with a Rock ‘N’ Roll twist. From hot wings, to juicy baby back ribs and Bavarian soft pretzels bigger than your head, Rock & Brews’ menu won’t disappoint! Best of all, they have a special dog menu and an outdoor patio so both you and your bestie can walk out feeling like true rockstars that are ready to hit the show floor.
Pups Pub 🍻🐶
If you’ve ever wanted to enjoy a night out on the town but felt guilty leaving your pet out of the fun, look no further than Pups Pub, a dog lover’s dream come true! Orlando’s first and only sports bar and dog park all in one, Pups Pub is the perfect place to relax, have a drink and give the local pups ALL the pets. With patrollers on deck to ensure the pups are playing nice, visitors can have peace of mind that their dogs will be safe and sound while they enjoy canine-themed drinks like “Bad Mother Pupper,” “The Zoomies” and “American Bulldog Mule.”
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PARKS
Lake Eola Park 🌳🏙️
Need a quick escape from all the hustle and bustle of Global Pet Expo? Lake Eola Park is an excellent place to visit. Nestled right in the heart of downtown Orlando, the park features art installations, a Walt Disney amphitheater with live concerts and pop-up events like movie nights and the Orlando Farmers Market! Take a walk around the lake with your pet or rent a swan boat to get a glimpse of the historic Centennial Fountain, all while enjoying an unbeatable view of the gorgeous city skyline.
Icon Park 🎡🎮
For those looking for an exciting Orlando attraction for all ages apart from Disney and Universal, Icon Park is the place to be. Whether you want to unleash your inner gamer with VR experiences, fangirl over your favorite celebrities at Madame Tussauds, or have your world turned upside down at the Museum of Illusions, Icon Park has everything and more that any tourist could ever want! Although you can’t bring your pet along for the ride, you’re guaranteed to have a great time with family and friends. Even better, Icon Park is only located 1.5 miles away from the Orange County Convention Center, making it the perfect spot to hit up after a long day at GPE. You can even catch a view of Orlando from 400 feet in the air on The Wheel!
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ACTIVITIES
Epic Paddle Adventures 🌊🚣
A hidden gem in Orlando for nature enthusiasts, Epic Paddle Adventures offers a variety of paddle board and kayak tours for adventurers of all skill levels. Embark on a Glow-in-the-Dark Clear Kayak/Paddle Board tour and enjoy a leisurely night paddle with Orlando’s sparkling skyline as the backdrop, or if you’re visiting Global Pet Expo with your pup, take a Paddle with the Pups tour for a memorable adventure in Lake Ivanhoe’s clear, clean and most importantly, gator-free waters! Both of these experiences are located only 1.5 miles from downtown Orlando, making them the paw-fect side quest to unwind and let all your trade show worries melt away.
Mills Avenue Merriment Scavenger Hunt 🔍🗺️
Who said scavenger hunts are only for kids? Grab your Global Pet Expo team and head to downtown Orlando for this unique, two hour interactive team-building experience created by Let’s Roam. For $28.87 per person, players can solve puzzles, complete hilarious photo challenges and explore the rich history and culture of Orlando through its many art murals scattered around the city. All you need is a phone, some good walking shoes and the determination to top Let’s Roam’s city-wide leaderboard and become Orlando’s scavenger hunting champions!
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AMERICAN PET PRODUCTS ASSOCIATION EVENTS
Global Pet Expo’s Unleashed Party 🍾
Although there’s so much to do and see in Orlando, we can’t forget about the star of the show: Global Pet Expo! Inside the Orange County Convention Center, Global Pet Expo has created their own schedule of exciting special events like the Unleashed Party, featuring a live video DJ, 360-Selfie Photos, free food and drinks, giveaways and prizes, and more. Events like this are the purrfect opportunity to network with leading pet industry professionals, media reporters and pet influencers. If you want to make the most of your time at GPE 2024, then you won’t want to miss this!
The Pet Summit 🧑💼
Curated for pet industry professionals, The Pet Summit features three days packed with business, influencer and insight & analytics-related tracks, making it THE place to be to get all the best insider knowledge on the pet industry. No matter which specific niche you work in, whether it’s PR, social media, marketing, sales, manufacturing, etc., The Pet Summit is a space where all individuals are welcome to network and build a stronger community together within the pet business circle. To make things even better, we’re coming in clutch and providing a sweet discount code to those interested in attending! Just use the code MATRIX25 for 25% off any pass purchased between now and the end of February — you can thank us later. 😉
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Whether you’re in need of a quick bite to eat, an outdoor escape, or a thrilling adventure with your pet, we hope our list of Orlando attractions has made your travel itinerary action-packed so you can enjoy your trip to the fullest!
Starting to get the pre-pet expo jitters? We’ve got your back – email 💌 us at hello@matrix1.com to learn more about our specialized trade show services.
Safe travels and have fun on the show floor! 👋
Katrina
