 Church Street Station is an entertainment
complex in the vein of Universal’s
CityWalk
and Downtown Disney.
It is located in
downtown Orlando and was constructed around Orlando’s original train station. The
restored station along with old-fashioned bars like Rosie O’Grady’s Good Time
Emporium swelled in popularity until eventually a whole complex of restored buildings was
created.
Like the major theme parks, the designers
paid a lot of attention to detail and historical accuracy. The Train Depot is listed in
the National Registry of Historic Places and contains numerous historical artifacts. The
most impressive artifact is "Old Duke", a steam locomotive that was in the movie
"Wings of Eagles" with John Wayne.
Like Pleasure Island, you pay a fee at the
entrance to the complex and you are admitted to all the shows. Food and drinks are not
included and seem to be especially priced for tourists. It’s still worth the price of
admission because you can choose from several entertaining options. Weekend nights are
usually very crowded, but in that good way.
Besides just bars, Church Street Station
offers live entertainment, fine dining and the Church Street Exchange Shopping Emporium -
a three story complex that has over 50 shops, restaurants and midway games.
Admission is $17.95 for adults,
$11.95 for kids 4-12. Call (407) 422-2434 for more information.
Here is a list of some of Church Street
Station’s more popular attractions.
Rosie O’Grady’s
Good Time Emporium
This is Church Street Station’s original bar, and in many ways it’s still the
best. It evokes the feel of turn of the century San Francisco with a dark wood bar and
brass fixtures. The two real draws at Rosie’s are the Dixieland Jazz Revue (complete
with bartop Can-Can girls) and a specialty drink called the Flaming Hurricane.
Although you won’t be in Disney, if you have more than one you’ll see (and be)
Goofy. Shows are daily at 7:15, 8:30, 10 and 11:30.
Phineas Phogg’s Balloon
Works
This is where the 20&30 -something tourist should go to dance the night away. Weekend
nights are crowded with a good mixture of tourists and locals. The sound system is
incredible; it pumps out top 40 and techno hits and keeps the dance floor crowded until
closing. 21 and over.
Cheyenne Saloon and Opera
House
This immense building is one of the staples of Church Street Station. Built inside a
former opera house, the Cheyenne Saloon attracts a large crowd almost every night. It is
spread out over three levels and is decorated with tons of old west memorabilia. There is
plenty of foot stompin’ country music and you won’t feel out of place with a
ten-gallon hat.
To get to Church Street Station take I-4 to
Downtown Orlando (Exit 38-Anderson St). Turn left on Boone St.; left on South Street;
right on Garland Ave. It’s really obvious and there are plenty of signs.
Visit the official Church Street Station
website @
www.churchstreetstation.com
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