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 selection 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. Which means there’s something for everybody right here.
Over time, we’ve visited Orlando many occasions and at all times had a blast. It’s at all times a busy journey of hopping between Florida’s finest theme parks, retailers and eating places, however there’s additionally a lot extra to Orlando than that. If you’d 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 overlook concerning the finest seashores in Florida which can be only a day journey (or perhaps a day journey) from Orlando itself. Actually, there’s heaps to do within the space.
So, that will help 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 deal with 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 realm round Lake Eola Park (Google Maps pin). The entire space is gorgeous for a stroll, but it surely’s additionally obtained heaps occurring, too.
You’ve additionally obtained the Walt Disney Amphitheater (Google Maps pin), which commonly holds native performs and films all year long. Additionally, don’t overlook, you’ll be able to lease 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 suggests you’ll be able to go along with the youngsters!
Learn extra: Greatest 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 youngsters. Large youngsters can take pleasure in Disney’s parks, too!
Now, there are heaps of theme parks to select from. You’ve obtained the long-lasting Magic Kingdom, with the attractive Cinderella Fortress. Additionally, you have got Animal Kingdom with all its safari animals and Avatar-themed areas. Then, you have got Epcot, which is full of 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 have got 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! Make certain to go to Disney’s Web site to seize the most effective offers and plan your journey. For us, we at all times suggest reserving as quickly as attainable 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 obtained caught out on once we visited.
After a day on the park, you’ll be able to e book this fireworks helicopter experience to look at Disney’s fireworks celebrations from the sky. It’s such a novel strategy to see the present and completely sensible.
Learn extra: Greatest theme parks in Florida to go to
3.) Common Parks
The opposite massive participant when it comes to theme parks in Florida is Common. They’ve three superb theme parks to go to, with the latest being Epic Universe.
Now, similar to Disney, ensure that to e book these superior Common tickets that safe your home to go to the parks. It’s so price reserving them prematurely, because the parks can get tremendous busy, particularly with the newer Epic Universe being massively 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: Greatest theme parks in Florida to go to
4.) Orlando Water Parks
So, it will get fairly scorching in Orlando, and when you have got such superb 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 the most effective) 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 may simply spend a day in every of them, and there are heaps of slides and wave swimming pools which can be completely enjoyable for the entire household.
Visiting the water parks is a lot enjoyable and among the best issues to do in Orlando in order for you a barely extra enjoyable day in your vacation.
Learn extra: Greatest 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. Although it’s thought of 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, ensure that to spend a while strolling Plant Road. Right here, you’ll discover heaps of little eating places, cafes and the Winter Backyard Heritage Basis. Additionally, don’t overlook to pop by the Central Florida Railroad Museum. Right here, you’ll be able to wander across the reveals 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 in the case of a brisket breakfast. You’ll go away stuffed.
Learn extra: Greatest 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 the whole lot 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 at all times suggest going to Toothsome’s Chocolate Emporium. You’ll go away stuffed, their truffles are large, they usually 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 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: Greatest 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 when you fancy time away from the cityscape and wish to benefit from the pure fantastic thing about Central Florida.
When you’ve arrived in Lake Louisa State Park, ensure that 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 stunning).
You may even spot some little tortoises on the banks of the lakes. So cute!
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8.) Kissimmee
Kissimmee, though thought of a special metropolis from Orlando, remains to be inside the Better Orlando space and feels similar to an extension of town itself. Now, through the years, Kissimmee has grow to be one thing of a staple for plenty of 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! For those who’re staying in Kissimmee, ensure that to cease by a number of the metropolis’s well-known foodie joints. For example, it’s a must to cease by Pastelitos Chips (Google Maps pin) on Smith Road for his or her iconic chips. They solely do takeouts right here, however they’re so price getting. Plus, their empanadas are at all times freshly-baked and so tasty.
Additionally, if it’s Mexican meals you’re after, then head to El Tapatio. They make some superb margarita cocktails, they usually actually have a stay mariachi band that performs most evenings.
Learn extra: Greatest day journeys from Orlando
9.) ICON Park
ICON Park, in Orlando, is properly price a gander when you’re not wanting to go to the area’s greater theme parks. You see, ICON Park is extra of an leisure complicated and offers an identical vibe to locations like Common’s CityWalk.
Right here, you’ll be able to experience 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 may simply spend a night right here, particularly if you wish to take advantage of the nightlife and eating places.
Learn extra: Greatest 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 exterior, it makes for a very easy cease for just a few hours round lunch, and it’s at all times obtained heaps occurring.
As soon as right here, ensure that to e book these tickets to Cirque de Soleil’s unbelievable present, Drawn to Life. The present is among the finest stay performances you’ll be able to see in all of Florida, and properly price going in order for you a while away from the hustle and bustle of the parks themselves.
Additionally, don’t overlook to pop by a number of the eating places, some well-liked spots like Planet Hollywood, but additionally extra native spots like Paddlefish which have some fairly superb seafood. Their shrimp cocktail was so good.
Learn extra: Greatest locations to go to in Florida
11.) Wekiwa Springs State Park
Need a while within the nice outside of Central Florida? Then get your self over to Wekiwa Springs State Park (Google Maps pin).
Now, for my part, it’s among the best 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: Greatest locations to go to in Florida
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