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 greatest issues to do in Orlando are additionally appropriate for households. Which means there’s something for everybody right here.
Through the years, 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 greatest theme parks, retailers and eating places, however there’s additionally a lot extra to Orlando than that. If you’d like, you may 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 greatest 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 will help you plan your journey, I’m sharing our prime locations in Orlando that I do know you’ll love! This fashion, you may 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 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 frequently holds native performs and flicks all year long. Additionally, don’t neglect, you may hire 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 individuals, which suggests you may go together 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 probably the greatest issues to do in Orlando that, actually, isn’t only for youngsters. Huge youngsters can get pleasure from 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 Fort. Additionally, you could have Animal Kingdom with all its safari animals and Avatar-themed areas. Then, you could have Epcot, which is full of 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 a complete Star Wars space, and the Tower of Terror is as scary as it’s enjoyable! We beloved it.
Now, let’s speak tickets! Be certain to go to Disney’s Web site to seize the most effective offers and plan your journey. For us, we at all times 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 may guide this fireworks helicopter trip to observe Disney’s fireworks celebrations from the sky. It’s such a novel solution to see the present and completely sensible.
Learn extra: Greatest 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, identical to Disney, ensure that 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 standard. 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: Greatest theme parks in Florida to go to
4.) Orlando Water Parks
So, it will get fairly sizzling in Orlando, and when you could have such superb sunshine, there are heaps of water parks the place you may sit back. 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 beloved Storm Lagoon and Blizzard Seaside 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 probably the greatest 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. Despite the fact that it’s thought of 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, ensure 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 on the subject of a brisket breakfast. You’ll depart stuffed.
Learn extra: Greatest day journeys from Orlando
6.) Common CityWalk
Proper subsequent to Islands of Journey and Common Studios, Common CityWalk is likely one of the greatest issues to do in Orlando after you’ve visited the parks. Right here, you’ll discover heaps of eating places, cafes and shops promoting every part and something you may think about.
Not solely that, there are heaps of bars, karaoke spots, and a lot extra to get pleasure from a night out in Orlando.
Now, for desserts, we’d at all times advocate going to Toothsome’s Chocolate Emporium. You’ll depart stuffed, their desserts are big, and so they conjure up a number of the greatest chocolate milkshakes I’ve ever tasted. Sure, it was like 7 million energy, but it surely was completely value it.
Afterwards, you may 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 probably the greatest issues to do in Orlando should you 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, ensure that to drive or stroll across the varied loops that encompass the park. We completely love the realm 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: Greatest day journeys from Orlando
8.) Kissimmee
Kissimmee, though thought of a distinct metropolis from Orlando, continues to be inside the Larger Orlando space and feels identical to an extension of town itself. Now, over time, Kissimmee has grow to be one thing of a staple for many resorts and lodgings for guests going to Disney or Common.
That being mentioned, Kissimmee additionally has so much going for it in its personal proper! If you happen to’re staying in Kissimmee, ensure that to cease by a number of the metropolis’s well-known foodie joints. As an example, 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 value 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 wonderful margarita cocktails, and so they also have a reside mariachi band that performs most evenings.
Learn extra: Greatest day journeys from Orlando
9.) ICON Park
ICON Park, in Orlando, is properly value a gander should 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 an analogous vibe to locations like Common’s CityWalk.
Right here, you may 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 may 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
Identical 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 a couple of hours round lunch, and it’s at all times received heaps occurring.
As soon as right here, ensure that to guide these tickets to Cirque de Soleil’s unbelievable present, Drawn to Life. The present is likely one of the greatest reside performances you may see in all of Florida, and properly value 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 number of the eating places, some standard 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: 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 probably the greatest 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 non-public tour to discover the unbelievable shores of Wekiwa Springs itself. The entire space is gorgeous.
Although, like I mentioned, guide these tickets earlier than arriving. Areas can replenish at peak occasions.
Learn extra: Greatest locations to go to in Florida
Test Out The Very Greatest Of Nice Britain!
