Orlando and the encircling areas have heaps occurring! It’s the type of metropolis in the USA that’s constructed for leisure, and also you’ll be spoilt for selection in your journey to the Sunshine State. Not solely that, however lots 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 would like, you’ll be able to simply go to Orlando and discover a number 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. Actually, there’s heaps to do within the space.
So, that can assist you plan your journey, I’m sharing our prime 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 nicely value visiting when you arrive. Now, for us, we love happening to the realm round Lake Eola Park (Google Maps pin). The entire space is gorgeous for a stroll, but it surely’s additionally received heaps occurring, too.
You’ve additionally received the Walt Disney Amphitheater (Google Maps pin), which recurrently holds native performs and films all year long. Additionally, don’t neglect, you’ll be able to lease a swan boat to paddle round Lake Eola, too. It’s a lot enjoyable, and you’ll seize a ticket on the boat station itself. Every swan holds 5 folks, which implies you’ll be able to go together 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 among the best issues to do in Orlando that, truthfully, isn’t only for kids. Huge children can take pleasure in Disney’s parks, too!
Now, there are heaps of theme parks to select from. You’ve received the enduring Magic Kingdom, with the attractive Cinderella Citadel. Additionally, you’ve gotten Animal Kingdom with all its safari animals and Avatar-themed areas. Then, you’ve gotten Epcot, which is crammed with completely 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 gotten 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 horrifying as it’s enjoyable! We cherished it.
Now, let’s discuss tickets! Be sure that to go to Disney’s Web site to seize one of the best offers and plan your journey. For us, we all the time advocate reserving as quickly as doable and ensuring to get reservations for eating places in every of the parks earlier than you arrive. Reservations for meals refill so quick, and it was the one factor we received caught out on once we visited.
After a day on the park, you’ll be able to guide this fireworks helicopter trip to look at Disney’s fireworks celebrations from the sky. It’s such a singular solution to see the present and completely good.
Learn extra: Finest theme parks in Florida to go to
3.) Common Parks
The opposite huge participant when it comes to theme parks in Florida is Common. They’ve three wonderful theme parks to go to, with the latest being Epic Universe.
Now, similar to Disney, be certain to guide these superior Common tickets that safe your house to go to the parks. It’s so value reserving them prematurely, because the parks can get tremendous busy, particularly with the newer Epic Universe being vastly widespread. 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 guide 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 scorching in Orlando, and when you’ve gotten such wonderful sunshine, there are heaps of water parks the place you’ll be able to relax. Now, the massive gamers listed below are Disney and Common, who’ve a number of the greatest (and arguably one of the best) water parks within the state.
For us, we cherished Hurricane Lagoon and Blizzard Seashore at Disney. Although Common’s Volcano Bay is a should, too! You’ll be able to 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 among the best 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. Despite the fact 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 certain 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 residence.
For a chew to eat, cease by Rosallie Le French Cafe (Google Maps pin). These guys know their stuff with regards to a brisket breakfast. You’ll go away stuffed.
Learn extra: Finest day journeys from Orlando
6.) Common CityWalk
Proper subsequent to Islands of Journey and Common Studios, Common CityWalk is among 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 go away stuffed, their muffins are enormous, and so they conjure up a number of the finest chocolate milkshakes I’ve ever tasted. Sure, it was like 7 million energy, but it surely was completely value it.
Afterwards, you’ll be able to cease by locations just like the Laborious 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 among the best issues to do in Orlando in the event you fancy time away from the cityscape and need to benefit from the pure fantastic thing about Central Florida.
When you’ve arrived in Lake Louisa State Park, be certain to drive or stroll across the numerous loops that encompass the park. We completely love the realm round Dixie Lake and Bear Lake (which is equally as lovely).
You would possibly 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 distinct metropolis from Orlando, continues to be inside the Higher Orlando space and feels similar to an extension of the town itself. Now, over time, Kissimmee has turn out to be one thing of a staple for many motels and lodgings for guests going to Disney or Common.
That being stated, Kissimmee additionally has so much going for it in its personal proper! Should you’re staying in Kissimmee, be certain to cease by a number of the metropolis’s well-known foodie joints. As an example, you need to 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 value 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, and so they actually have a reside mariachi band that performs most evenings.
Learn extra: Finest day journeys from Orlando
9.) ICON Park
ICON Park, in Orlando, is nicely value a gander in the event you’re not wanting to move to the area’s greater theme parks. You see, ICON Park is extra of an leisure advanced and offers the same vibe to locations like Common’s CityWalk.
Right here, you’ll be able to trip 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 number of the bars and eating places across the park space. You’ll be able to simply spend a night right here, particularly if you wish to benefit from the nightlife and eating places.
Learn extra: Finest theme parks in Florida to go to
10.) Disney Springs
Identical to Common’s CityWalk, Disney Springs (Google Maps pin) is an space crammed with outlets, eating places, cafes and leisure multi functional easy-to-reach space. With parking exterior, 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 certain to guide these tickets to Cirque de Soleil’s unimaginable present, Drawn to Life. The present is among the finest reside performances you’ll be able to see in all of Florida, and nicely value 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 number of the eating places, some widespread spots like Planet Hollywood, but in addition 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 outdoor of Central Florida? Then get your self over to Wekiwa Springs State Park (Google Maps pin).
Now, in my view, it’s among the best locations to go kayaking across the larger Orlando space, and you’ll 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 personal tour to discover the unimaginable shores of Wekiwa Springs itself. The entire space is gorgeous.
Although, like I stated, guide these tickets earlier than arriving. Areas can refill at peak occasions.
Learn extra: Finest locations to go to in Florida
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