Runners, set your alarms for the 5K SHM Fun Run at 6 a.m. on April 10. The Harringtons said they will sign up and be at the start line after a quick visit to the resort’s in-house Starbucks.
“If you want to unwind after a day of meetings and workshops or rejuvenate after a workout, make an appointment (as soon as possible) at the resort’s full service spa,” Mrs. Harrington advised. Spa services include manicures/pedicures, facials, and even couple’s massages, she noted.
Other activities for individuals and families include ZE Segway Tours, the nearby town of Celebration, and the Basilica of the National Shrine of Mary, Queen of the Universe.
Spouses seeking some shopping during meeting time may enjoy nearby outlet malls, the Florida Mall, and the high-end shops of the Mall at Millenia, Mrs Harrington said. One of her favorite “hidden gems” for out-of-town shopping is Park Avenue in Winter Park, which has many boutiques and restaurants. Mount Dora, a small town once known as the Antiques Capital of Florida, includes a wide variety of specialty shops, she noted, and foodies should explore the East End Market, an Orlando neighborhood market and cultural food hub inspired by Central Florida’s local farmers and food artisans.
When it’s time for dining out in Orlando, Mrs. Harrington recommended the Big Fin Seafood Kitchen, a family-owned upscale casual restaurant serving lobster, snow crabs, fresh raw oysters, sushi rolls, steaks, and pasta with an option for outdoor dining on a covered balcony. Christini’s Ristorante Italiano, the most-awarded fine dining Italian restaurant in Orlando for more than 30 years, is consistently popular, and Vines Grille and Wine Bar, “a gem on Orlando’s Restaurant Row,” Mrs. Harrington said, is a great choice for happy hour and features jazz and blues in the evenings starting about 7 p.m.
Finally, “I would recommend meeting some SHM staff members either at registration or between meetings,” Mrs. Harrington advised. “They have been so welcoming to me over the years and have been a great resource and support system. Also, be open to meeting other spouses at group outings, dinners, or networking events whenever you have the opportunity, as they might become a treasured friend,” she said.