Shop Till You Drop in Orlando, Florida

Orlando is not just about spectacular theme parks; the city is also considered by many as a shopping mecca. The area is filled with upscale malls that house designer boutiques as well as outlet centers, factory stores and specialty shops. There is a shopping spot for everyone, even for those with moderate budgets. To give you an idea where to spend your hard-earned money and get some well-deserved retail therapy, take a look at this list of the most popular shopping areas in Orlando.

The largest mall in Central Florida, The Florida Mall houses more than 250 shops, which means you can find practically anything and everything you need in this gargantuan complex. The mall has seven anchor department stores and also houses the Florida Mall Hotel & Conference Center Tower. Those who are looking for sports gear will have a grand time shopping here. There are lots of specialty athletic stores in the mall, including the Paiva, which was created exclusively for women. The Florida Mall is more than just a place where you can shop for stuff; it is also an amusement park of some sorts and features the Flowrider, where you can test your surfing skills by riding the artificial waves.

Going inside The Mall at the Millenia is a lot like stepping inside a very posh hotel. The mall houses the finest, most luxurious shops in Orlando. If you have a thing for upscale shopping, then you will go crazy passing through the mall’s shops and stores. Here you will find the only Bloomingdale’s and Neiman Marcus anchor malls in Central Florida. Macy’s can also be found right here at the mall. Brand name stores such as Chanel, Louis Vuitton, Tiffany & Co., Burberry, Salvatore Ferragamo, Zara, Jimmy Choo and Juicy Couture can be found in The Mall at the Millenia.

For those who do not have the cash for upscale shopping or those who simply prefer to get the best deals out of their hard-earned bucks, then the factory stores in Lake Buena Vista are the place for them. Located just one mile from Disney World, the Lake Buena Vista Factory Stores offer your favorite brands at discounted prices. Stores include Eddie Bauer, Aeropostale, Claire’s, Carter’s for Kids, Converse Shoes & Apparel, Rawlings Factory Store and Nike Factory Store. There is a food court within the cluster of stores, so you can take a break and eat after an exhausting shopping expedition.

This is another shopping haven for those looking for discounted designer items. There are more than 125 brand names here, including the only Victoria’s Secret outlet in this part of Florida. Factory outlets for brand names such as Hugo Boss, Converse, Esprit, Gap, Coach, Nike, Saks Fifth Avenue, Neiman Marcus Last Call and Ann Taylor are all here. The Prime Outlets is the place to be for those dedicated fashionistas on a budget.

Location of one of only three Dior outlets in the U.S., this Mediterranean-style shopping village houses a large collection of designer brands in marked down prices. You can save as much as 65% off on brand names such as Burberry, Coach, Fendi, Giorgio Armani, Diesel, Ralph Lauren and Salvatore Ferragamo. The shopping complex is just minutes away from Walt Disney World and has restaurants and food stands for those who will get famished after a long day of shopping.

If you are shopping with kids in tow, then you should look for places with child-friendly stores. A lot of kids hate shopping for a reason. When they are asked to tag along with their parents’ shopping trips, they immediately imagine themselves looking through household stuff and items for grown-ups. To prevent your kids from being bored on shopping trips, take them to stores that cater specifically to children and teens. For that, there is no better place to head to than Downtown Disney Marketplace, where they can find all the Disney toys and paraphernalia of their wildest dreams. Girls and boys alike will go nuts at the LEGO Imagination Center, which features displays of the newest play sets and life-size models inside and outside the store. The World of Disney store sells not just toys but also food and apparel as well. Little girls can get a royal makeover at the Bibbidi Bobbidi Boutique. The boys meanwhile can get their pirate on at the Adventure Room, where they can create their own pirate hat and fill their pirate skull and treasure chests with booty.

For something that also adults can appreciate, the Virgin Megastore at Downtown Disney West Side has some of the largest music selections in the state.

Another place where you can take the kids is the Universal CityWalk, where you can shop, dine and get entertainment without going inside the theme parks. Your kids will have a grand time looking at the toys, souvenirs and novelty items that are on display at the Universal Studios Store, Dapy and Cartooniversal. You can teach your kids to be eco-minded by buying them stuff at The Endangered Species Store, where proceeds of the sales will go to The Nature Conservancy Fund. And when the little ones start to look for food, you can take them to Bubba Gump Shrimp Co., for some tasty shrimp dishes and Sugar, Sugar, where you can satisfy their sweet tooth with handmade candies.

The Festival Bay Mall at International Drive is perfect for those looking for indoor attractions that will keep the kids occupied while the adults go shopping. The mall has a 20-screen theatre, miniature golf course and the Vans Skatepark for indoor skateboarding. Teens will have a wonderful time shopping for clothes and stuff at the Ron Jon Surf Shop, Steve & Barry’s University Sportswear, Charlotte Russe and PacSun. Other shops at the Festival Bay Mall include outlets for Nine West, Kasper and Jones New York. There are many restaurants here as well, including the popular Bergamo’s Italian Restaurant and The Cricketers Arms.