Orlando and the encircling areas have heaps occurring! It’s the form of metropolis in the USA that’s constructed for leisure, and also you’ll be spoilt for alternative in your journey to the Sunshine State. Not solely that, however most of the finest issues to do in Orlando are additionally appropriate for households. Because of this there’s something for everybody right here.
Through the years, we’ve visited Orlando many occasions and all the time had a blast. It’s all the time a busy journey of hopping between Florida’s finest theme parks, shops and eating places, however there’s additionally a lot extra to Orlando than that. If you need, you’ll be able to simply go to Orlando and discover a few of the state parks or small communities and sister cities that make this space a lot enjoyable.
Additionally, don’t neglect in regards to the finest seashores in Florida which might be only a day journey (or perhaps a day journey) from Orlando itself. Truthfully, there’s heaps to do within the space.
So, that will help you plan your journey, I’m sharing our high locations in Orlando that I do know you’ll love! This fashion, you’ll be able to concentrate on all that enjoyment and never get slowed down with the planning.
1.) Downtown Orlando (and Lake Eola)
Orlando has some epic theme parks, that’s a given, however there’s additionally a central downtown space of Orlando that’s properly price visiting when you arrive. Now, for us, we love happening to the world round Lake Eola Park (Google Maps pin). The entire space is gorgeous for a stroll, however it’s additionally received heaps occurring, too.
You’ve additionally received the Walt Disney Amphitheater (Google Maps pin), which recurrently holds native performs and flicks all year long. Additionally, don’t neglect, you’ll be able to hire a swan boat to paddle round Lake Eola, too. It’s a lot enjoyable, and you may seize a ticket on the boat station itself. Every swan holds 5 individuals, which implies you’ll be able to go along with the youngsters!
Learn extra: Finest seashores in Florida to go to
2.) Walt Disney World
Okay, so Walt Disney World wants little introduction. It’s top-of-the-line issues to do in Orlando that, actually, isn’t only for youngsters. Huge children can take pleasure in Disney’s parks, too!
Now, there are heaps of theme parks to select from. You’ve received the long-lasting Magic Kingdom, with the attractive Cinderella Citadel. Additionally, you’ve Animal Kingdom with all its safari animals and Avatar-themed areas. Then, you’ve Epcot, which is full of totally different lands to go to; with the likes of England, Morocco, France, and so many extra, you’ll be able to go to. Lastly, you’ve Disney’s Hollywood Studios – a theme park that focuses on the magic of movie. They’ve a complete Star Wars space, and the Tower of Terror is as scary as it’s enjoyable! We liked it.
Now, let’s discuss tickets! Be certain to go to Disney’s Web site to seize the perfect offers and plan your journey. For us, we all the time advocate reserving as quickly as potential and ensuring to get reservations for eating places in every of the parks earlier than you arrive. Reservations for meals replenish so quick, and it was the one factor we received caught out on after we visited.
After a day on the park, you’ll be able to e-book this fireworks helicopter journey to observe Disney’s fireworks celebrations from the sky. It’s such a novel solution to see the present and completely good.
Learn extra: Finest theme parks in Florida to go to
3.) Common Parks
The opposite large participant when it comes to theme parks in Florida is Common. They’ve three wonderful theme parks to go to, with the most recent being Epic Universe.
Now, similar to Disney, be sure to e-book these superior Common tickets that safe your home to go to the parks. It’s so price reserving them upfront, because the parks can get tremendous busy, particularly with the newer Epic Universe being vastly well-liked. These tickets will get you into all of the parks, together with Common Studios, Epic Universe and Islands of Journey.
For an additional particular expertise, you’ll be able to e-book this VIP Common ticket, the place you’ll get an additional particular expertise inside the parks themselves.
Learn extra: Finest theme parks in Florida to go to
4.) Orlando Water Parks
So, it will get fairly sizzling in Orlando, and when you’ve such superb sunshine, there are heaps of water parks the place you’ll be able to sit back. Now, the large gamers listed here are Disney and Common, who’ve a few of the greatest (and arguably the perfect) water parks within the state.
For us, we liked Hurricane Lagoon and Blizzard Seashore at Disney. Although Common’s Volcano Bay is a should, too! You may simply spend a day in every of them, and there are heaps of slides and wave swimming pools which might be completely enjoyable for the entire household.
Visiting the water parks is a lot enjoyable and top-of-the-line issues to do in Orlando if you’d like a barely extra stress-free day in your vacation.
Learn extra: Finest locations to go to in Florida
5.) Winter Backyard, Florida
Proper on the shore of Lake Apopka, Winter Backyard is a metropolis that’s round 12 miles, or so, away from Downtown Orlando. Regardless that it’s thought-about a definite space, when it comes to governance and municipality, it doesn’t really feel such as you’ve left Orlando in any respect, because the city sprawl of each cities mixes collectively.
As soon as right here, be sure to spend a while strolling Plant Avenue. Right here, you’ll discover heaps of little eating places, cafes and the Winter Backyard Heritage Basis. Additionally, don’t neglect to pop by the Central Florida Railroad Museum. Right here, you’ll be able to wander across the displays and even see some historic carriages and engines that now name this Winter Backyard dwelling.
For a chew to eat, cease by Rosallie Le French Cafe (Google Maps pin). These guys know their stuff in relation to a brisket breakfast. You’ll depart stuffed.
Learn extra: Finest day journeys from Orlando
6.) Common CityWalk
Proper subsequent to Islands of Journey and Common Studios, Common CityWalk is likely one of the finest issues to do in Orlando after you’ve visited the parks. Right here, you’ll discover heaps of eating places, cafes and shops promoting all the things and something you’ll be able to think about.
Not solely that, there are heaps of bars, karaoke spots, and a lot extra to take pleasure in a night out in Orlando.
Now, for desserts, we’d all the time advocate going to Toothsome’s Chocolate Emporium. You’ll depart stuffed, their muffins are large, they usually conjure up a few of the finest chocolate milkshakes I’ve ever tasted. Sure, it was like 7 million energy, however it was completely price it.
Afterwards, you’ll be able to cease by locations just like the Exhausting Rock Cafe, The CowFish for his or her sushi burgers or pop into Common’s official merch shops.
Learn extra: Finest day journeys from Orlando
7.) Lake Louisa State Park
North east of Walt Disney World Resort is Lake Louisa State Park (Google Maps pin). It’s top-of-the-line issues to do in Orlando for those who fancy time away from the cityscape and need to benefit from the pure great thing about Central Florida.
When you’ve arrived in Lake Louisa State Park, be sure to drive or stroll across the varied loops that encompass the park. We completely love the world round Dixie Lake and Bear Lake (which is equally as lovely).
You may even spot some little tortoises on the banks of the lakes. So cute!
Learn extra: Finest day journeys from Orlando
8.) Kissimmee
Kissimmee, though thought-about a unique metropolis from Orlando, remains to be inside the Better Orlando space and feels similar to an extension of the town itself. Now, over time, Kissimmee has turn into one thing of a staple for many lodges and lodgings for guests going to Disney or Common.
That being stated, Kissimmee additionally has loads going for it in its personal proper! For those who’re staying in Kissimmee, be sure to cease by a few of the metropolis’s well-known foodie joints. As an example, you must cease by Pastelitos Chips (Google Maps pin) on Smith Avenue for his or her iconic chips. They solely do takeouts right here, however they’re so price getting. Plus, their empanadas are all the time freshly-baked and so tasty.
Additionally, if it’s Mexican meals you’re after, then head to El Tapatio. They make some wonderful margarita cocktails, they usually also have a reside mariachi band that performs most evenings.
Learn extra: Finest day journeys from Orlando
9.) ICON Park
ICON Park, in Orlando, is properly price a gander for those who’re not wanting to go to the area’s larger theme parks. You see, ICON Park is extra of an leisure complicated and provides an identical vibe to locations like Common’s CityWalk.
Right here, you’ll be able to journey the Orlando Eye, go to the Museums of Illusions and go to Madame Tussaud’s, that proper within the coronary heart of ICON Park itself. Not solely that, you’ll be able to head to a few of the bars and eating places across the park space. You may simply spend a night right here, particularly if you wish to take advantage of the nightlife and eating places.
Learn extra: Finest theme parks in Florida to go to
10.) Disney Springs
Similar to Common’s CityWalk, Disney Springs (Google Maps pin) is an space full of outlets, eating places, cafes and leisure multi function easy-to-reach space. With parking outdoors, it makes for a very easy cease for a number of hours round lunch, and it’s all the time received heaps occurring.
As soon as right here, be sure to e-book these tickets to Cirque de Soleil’s unbelievable present, Drawn to Life. The present is likely one of the finest reside performances you’ll be able to see in all of Florida, and properly price going if you’d like a while away from the hustle and bustle of the parks themselves.
Additionally, don’t neglect to pop by a few of the eating places, some well-liked spots like Planet Hollywood, but additionally extra native spots like Paddlefish which have some fairly wonderful seafood. Their shrimp cocktail was so good.
Learn extra: Finest locations to go to in Florida
11.) Wekiwa Springs State Park
Need a while within the nice open air of Central Florida? Then get your self over to Wekiwa Springs State Park (Google Maps pin).
Now, in my view, it’s top-of-the-line locations to go kayaking across the higher Orlando space, and you may simply go to and head on a guided tour by reserving these tickets. After your information picks you up from Orlando, you’ll get whisked away on a non-public tour to discover the unbelievable shores of Wekiwa Springs itself. The entire space is gorgeous.
Although, like I stated, e-book these tickets earlier than arriving. Areas can replenish at peak occasions.
Learn extra: Finest locations to go to in Florida
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