John & Rita Lowndes Shakespeare Center

Lonely Planet review

The John & Rita Lowndes Shakespeare Center underwent extensive renovations in 2004-05 and is now a sprawling combination of buildings dedicated to preserving and performing the works of the old bard. Appropriately, the center is home to the Orlando-UCF Shakespeare Festival (Sep-May), which is actually a performing group rather than an annual event, and has performances here and at the Lake Eola amphitheater.

Among the center's more notable features, the Darden Courtyard is a leafy yet minimalist spot in which to wander before heading inside for a show. But you'll have to pass through the lobby and the frighteningly large, life-size portrait of Queen Elizabeth - we swear her eyes followed us. There are two theaters: the 118-seat Marilyn and Sig Goldman Theater that stages locally produced plays and musicals; and the intimate Ken and Trisha Margeson Theater, a 300-seat 'thrust' theater where all seats are no more than 30ft from the stage.