Guys Can Shop, Too

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The Mall at Millenia in Orlando is a 1.2 million-square-foot complex with upscale stores and restaurants.

Photo Credit: Contributed Photo

Come on, guys. Your shoes from 1998 just aren't cutting it anymore. Orlando has several quick, easy and - gasp! - fun shopping options for you.

Is your guy the type of man who absolutely despises setting foot inside a mall? Or are you one of the fortunate ladies whose guy actually likes to shop?

In Orlando, it doesn’t matter what category he falls into because malls and outlet centers here will tempt the most unwilling and entertain the most stylish man in your life.

Festival Bay Mall at International Drive gets him as close to the Great Outdoors as he can get indoors, starting with Bass Pro Shops Outdoor World Orlando – voted the No. 1 outdoor gear retailer by readers of Sporting Goods Magazine. It is the leading hunting, marine, boating and fishing supply outfitter in Central Florida and features a wide variety of ATVs and Tracker boats; saltwater or freshwater fishing gear; beach and boating supplies; men’s, ladies’ and kid’s apparel; sunglasses; golf equipment; and more.

Practice your aim at the shooting arcade and watch the exotic fish in the 17,000-gallon super aquarium. 

Also at Festival Bay:

• Heroes Memorabilia is a collectors’ and dealers’ paradise, with rare autographed memorabilia from sports, music, movie and historical figures. The shop sells signed soccer memorabilia dealer, with treasures of leading players of the past and present.

• Vans Skatepark is not your usual skateboarder’s clothing store -- shoes, clothes and skateboards are a small part. Inside you’ll find Orlando's premier skateboard park with riding areas and obstacles for beginners to advanced skaters, multiple ramps, bowls, street courses and an arcade.

• Ron Jon Surf Shop offers the best of the beach in the heart of Orlando. The original Ron Jon Surf Shop opened in Long Beach Island, N.J., in 1961, when Ron DiMenna discovered his passion for surfing. Two years later, he opened the "One of a Kind" Ron Jon Surf Shop in Cocoa Beach.

The Orlando store features a stunningly realistic beach scene with a 1934-replica Ford Woody wagon, plenty of ocean sand and a 1960s-style lighted Ron Jon billboard. You will find all the great names and assortments in swimwear, casual clothing, surfboards, skateboards and beach accessories. They carry brand names aficionados of the sport expect: Quiksilver, O’Neill, Volcom, Rip Curl, Billabong and Roxy. Live music, demonstrations and autograph sessions with professional surfers and skaters are a few of the exciting events that normally take place here. 

If your honey prefers music and electronics, head to Downtown Disney. In the House of Blues Company Store, both of you can shop for original folk art, eclectic music selections and funky threads. Surround yourself with the sound of world beats on one of the listening stations. 

Once the rhythms of the music have put him in a thrill-seeking mood, your next stop should be the DisneyQuest Emporium, where five floors explode with cutting-edge technology, virtual reality and 3-D experiences – all fueled by Disney innovation and imagination.

The entry portal, Ventureport, leads to four different zones: the Explore Zone, a virtual Adventureland; the Score Zone, for superhero quests; the Create Zone, for artistic endeavors; and the Replay Zone for nostalgic fun. Anyway you cut it, he will be “in the zone.” 

He can purchase any artistic items he makes in the Create Zone. Or, visit the shop inside the Emporium to take home logo merchandise and unique items made exclusively by DisneyQuest.

If your man wants to take the adventure on the road, stop by the Orlando Harley-Davidson store. You both can get ready to ride into Disney’s Pleasure Island – an adult playground with some of the more unique shopping venues at Walt Disney World – revved up with renowned Harley-Davidson t-shirts, gifts and collectibles.

Check out the custom Harley on display, and discover why generations of riders enjoy the heart-pounding, pavement-thundering passion Harley-Davidson inspires. If he hears the call for the open road once you are there, store staff can direct you to a dealer to rent the real thing, whether it's for a day or many.

If you are one of the fortunate ladies whose guy actually likes to shop, Orlando will be not only your shopping paradise, but his as well.  

The Mall at Millenia offers the finest collection of luxury brands in Orlando. Made for those who surround themselves in the best, it is an experience that defines elevated living. Men will find the best looks at stores such as Gucci, Bloomingdales, Tommy Bahama and BOSS Store.

Inside, stores such as Neiman Marcus LAST CALL, Saks Fifth Avenue Off 5th, Cole Haan and Adidas have to be a stop on his shopping list. It is common to find up to half-off clearance prices on the latest fashions of the season.

Celebrity stylist Mark Alan-Harmon calls Orlando Premium Outlets International Drive the perfect place to go “value-shopping.” Alan-Harmon, who has worked with some of Hollywood’s most stylish celebrities and has earned a national following as a stylist on the Style Network and E!, says this is the place to find ridiculous bargains on world-renowned designer clothes and accessories. It’s the largest outlet shopping destination in the Southeast, featuring 180 of your favorite brands under one roof.

Inside, stores such as LAST CALL Neiman Marcus, Saks Fifth Avenue Off 5th and Adidas have to be a stop on his shopping list. It is common to find up to half-off clearance prices on the latest fashions of the season. If you are a frequent visitor to Prime Outlets, you should find out about VIP Shopper Club online or at the Information Center for exclusive offers and special benefits (or visit primeoutlets.com). It’s a great deal if you are both passionate about shopping and saving.

Finally, you cannot let your guy leave Orlando without a visit to The Florida Mall. What makes this mall different from all the others in Orlando? Simple. It’s the largest in Central Florida. It’s also an Orlando institution, with more than 250 specialty stores, 10 dining options and an on-site hotel.

It also has an array of internationally recognized stores, including A/X Armani Exchange, Abercrombie & Fitch, bebe, Cache, Lucky Brand Jeans and Hollister Co. You'll also find LUSH, Puma and M&M’s World (which little boys will love). The anchor stores include Nordstrom, Saks Fifth Avenue, Dillard’s, JC Penney and Sears.

If You Go:

• Bass Pro Shops Outdoor World Orlando, 407-563-5200, www.basspro.com
  
• Festival Bay Mall, 407-351-7718, www.shopfestivalbaymall.com
  
• House of Blues Company Store, 407-934-BLUE, www.hob.com
  
• Orlando Harley-Davidson Store, 407-351-3302, www.orlandoharley.com
  
• Orlando Premium Outlets International Drive, 407-352-9600, www.premiumoutlets.com/international
  
• Ron Jon Surf Shop, 407-481-2555, www.ronjons.com
  
• Mall at Millenia, 407-363-3555, www.mallatmillenia.com
• The Florida Mall, 407-851-7234, http://www.simon.com/mall/?id=139