Orlando and the encircling areas have heaps happening! It’s the sort 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 lots of the greatest issues to do in Orlando are additionally appropriate for households. Which means that 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 greatest theme parks, shops and eating places, however there’s additionally a lot extra to Orlando than that. If you would 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 overlook 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 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 nicely 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, but it surely’s additionally obtained heaps happening, too.
You’ve additionally obtained the Walt Disney Amphitheater (Google Maps pin), which often holds native performs and flicks all year long. Additionally, don’t overlook, 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 folks, which implies you may go together with the youngsters!
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2.) Walt Disney World
Okay, so Walt Disney World wants little introduction. It’s probably the greatest issues to do in Orlando that, truthfully, isn’t only for kids. Large children can take pleasure in Disney’s parks, too!
Now, there are heaps of theme parks to select from. You’ve obtained the enduring Magic Kingdom, with the gorgeous Cinderella Citadel. Additionally, you’ve gotten Animal Kingdom with all its safari animals and Avatar-themed areas. Then, you’ve gotten Epcot, which is stuffed with completely different lands to go to; with the likes of England, Morocco, France, and so many extra, you may go to. Lastly, you’ve gotten 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 perfect offers and plan your journey. For us, we at all times 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 obtained caught out on once we visited.
After a day on the park, you may e-book this fireworks helicopter trip to observe Disney’s fireworks celebrations from the sky. It’s such a singular approach to see the present and completely sensible.
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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 latest being Epic Universe.
Now, similar to Disney, make sure 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 vastly common. 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 e-book this VIP Common ticket, the place you’ll get an additional particular expertise inside the parks themselves.
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4.) Orlando Water Parks
So, it will get fairly sizzling in Orlando, and when you’ve gotten such superb sunshine, there are heaps of water parks the place you may relax. Now, the massive gamers listed below are Disney and Common, who’ve a number of the greatest (and arguably the perfect) water parks within the state.
For us, we cherished Storm 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 probably the greatest issues to do in Orlando in order for you a barely extra stress-free day in your vacation.
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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. Though 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, make sure 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 overlook to pop by the Central Florida Railroad Museum. Right here, you may 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 with regards to 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 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 little thing 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 at all times advocate going to Toothsome’s Chocolate Emporium. You’ll go away stuffed, their truffles are enormous, they usually 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 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.
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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 in case 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, make sure 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!
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8.) Kissimmee
Kissimmee, though thought-about a special metropolis from Orlando, remains to be inside the Better Orlando space and feels similar to an extension of town itself. Now, over time, Kissimmee has turn out to be one thing of a staple for many inns and lodgings for guests going to Disney or Common.
That being mentioned, Kissimmee additionally has lots going for it in its personal proper! In case you’re staying in Kissimmee, make sure that to cease by a number of the metropolis’s well-known foodie joints. As an illustration, 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 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, they usually also have a dwell mariachi band that performs most evenings.
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9.) ICON Park
ICON Park, in Orlando, is nicely price a gander in case you’re not wanting to go to the area’s greater theme parks. You see, ICON Park is extra of an leisure advanced and provides the same 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.
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10.) Disney Springs
Identical to Common’s CityWalk, Disney Springs (Google Maps pin) is an space stuffed with 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 obtained heaps happening.
As soon as right here, make sure that to e-book these tickets to Cirque de Soleil’s unimaginable present, Drawn to Life. The present is among the greatest dwell performances you may see in all of Florida, and nicely 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 common 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: Greatest 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 probably the greatest locations to go kayaking across the higher 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 unimaginable shores of Wekiwa Springs itself. The entire space is gorgeous.
Although, like I mentioned, e-book these tickets earlier than arriving. Areas can refill at peak occasions.
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