Orlando and the encompassing areas have heaps occurring! It’s the form of metropolis in the US 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 instances and all the time had a blast. It’s all the time 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. In order for you, you may 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 concerning the finest seashores in Florida which are 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 manner, you may give attention to 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 beautiful for a stroll, however it’s additionally acquired heaps occurring, too.
You’ve additionally acquired the Walt Disney Amphitheater (Google Maps pin), which recurrently holds native performs and flicks all year long. Additionally, don’t neglect, you may 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 may go along with the children!
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. Large children can take pleasure in Disney’s parks, too!
Now, there are heaps of theme parks to select from. You’ve acquired the enduring Magic Kingdom, with the attractive Cinderella Fortress. Additionally, you could have Animal Kingdom with all its safari animals and Avatar-themed areas. Then, you could have Epcot, which is crammed with totally different lands to go to; with the likes of England, Morocco, France, and so many extra, you may go to. Lastly, you could have Disney’s Hollywood Studios – a theme park that focuses on the magic of movie. They’ve an entire Star Wars space, and the Tower of Terror is as horrifying as it’s enjoyable! We cherished it.
Now, let’s speak tickets! Ensure that to go to Disney’s Web site to seize the very best 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 refill so quick, and it was the one factor we acquired caught out on after we visited.
After a day on the park, you may guide this fireworks helicopter experience to observe Disney’s fireworks celebrations from the sky. It’s such a singular strategy to see the present and completely sensible.
Learn extra: Finest theme parks in Florida to go to
3.) Common Parks
The opposite huge participant by way of 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 certain that to guide these superior Common tickets that safe your house 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 massively 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 may 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 could have such superb sunshine, there are heaps of water parks the place you may sit back. Now, the large gamers listed below are Disney and Common, who’ve a few of the largest (and arguably the very best) water parks within the state.
For us, we cherished Hurricane Lagoon and Blizzard Seaside 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 are completely enjoyable for the entire household.
Visiting the water parks is a lot enjoyable and top-of-the-line issues to do in Orlando in order for you a barely extra enjoyable 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, by way of 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 that 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 may wander across the displays and even see some historic carriages and engines that now name this Winter Backyard house.
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 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 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 the whole lot and something you may 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 big, 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 may cease by locations just like the Onerous 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 if you happen to 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 certain that 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 stunning).
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 special metropolis from Orlando, remains to be inside the Larger Orlando space and feels similar to an extension of town itself. Now, through the years, Kissimmee has turn out to be one thing of a staple for many accommodations and lodgings for guests going to Disney or Common.
That being mentioned, Kissimmee additionally has rather a lot going for it in its personal proper! In the event you’re staying in Kissimmee, be certain that to cease by a few of the metropolis’s well-known foodie joints. As an illustration, it’s a must 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 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 dwell 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 if you happen to’re not wanting to move to the area’s greater theme parks. You see, ICON Park is extra of an leisure complicated and offers the same vibe to locations like Common’s CityWalk.
Right here, you may 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 may head to a few 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 retailers, 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 acquired heaps occurring.
As soon as right here, be certain that to guide these tickets to Cirque de Soleil’s unimaginable present, Drawn to Life. The present is likely one of the finest dwell performances you may 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 neglect to pop by a few of the eating places, some widespread 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 outside of Central Florida? Then get your self over to Wekiwa Springs State Park (Google Maps pin).
Now, for my part, it’s top-of-the-line locations to go kayaking across the larger 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 personal tour to discover the unimaginable shores of Wekiwa Springs itself. The entire space is gorgeous.
Although, like I mentioned, guide these tickets earlier than arriving. Areas can refill at peak instances.
Learn extra: Finest locations to go to in Florida
Test Out The Very Finest Of Nice Britain!
