Orlando and the encompassing areas have heaps happening! It’s the form of metropolis in the USA that’s constructed for leisure, and also you’ll be spoilt for alternative 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 that there’s something for everybody right here.
Over time, we’ve visited Orlando many instances 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 would like, you possibly can 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 finest seashores in Florida which might be only a day journey (or perhaps a day journey) from Orlando itself. Actually, there may be heaps to do within the space.
So, that can assist you plan your journey, I’m sharing our high locations in Orlando that I do know you’ll love! This manner, you possibly can 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 effectively price visiting when you arrive. Now, for us, we love taking place to the world round Lake Eola Park (Google Maps pin). The entire space is gorgeous for a stroll, nevertheless it’s additionally bought heaps happening, too.
You’ve additionally bought the Walt Disney Amphitheater (Google Maps pin), which usually holds native performs and films all year long. Additionally, don’t overlook, you possibly can 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 possibly can 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 probably the greatest issues to do in Orlando that, truthfully, isn’t only for kids. Massive children can take pleasure in Disney’s parks, too!
Now, there are heaps of theme parks to select from. You’ve bought the enduring Magic Kingdom, with the attractive Cinderella Fort. Additionally, you will have Animal Kingdom with all its safari animals and Avatar-themed areas. Then, you will have Epcot, which is crammed with totally different lands to go to; with the likes of England, Morocco, France, and so many extra, you possibly can go to. Lastly, you will 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 scary as it’s enjoyable! We cherished it.






Now, let’s discuss tickets! Be sure to go to Disney’s Web site to seize the very best 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 bought caught out on after we visited.
After a day on the park, you possibly can ebook this fireworks helicopter experience to look at Disney’s fireworks celebrations from the sky. It’s such a singular strategy 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, identical to Disney, be sure to ebook 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 in style. 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 possibly can ebook this VIP Common ticket, the place you’ll get an additional particular expertise throughout the parks themselves.
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4.) Orlando Water Parks




So, it will get fairly scorching in Orlando, and when you will have such superb sunshine, there are heaps of water parks the place you possibly can relax. Now, the large gamers listed here are Disney and Common, who’ve a number of the greatest (and arguably the very best) water parks within the state.
For us, we cherished Storm 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 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 if you would like a barely extra enjoyable 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. 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 sure 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 possibly can wander across the reveals and even see some historic carriages and engines that now name this Winter Backyard dwelling.
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: 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 every little thing and something you possibly can 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 depart stuffed, their muffins are big, they usually conjure up a number of the finest chocolate milkshakes I’ve ever tasted. Sure, it was like 7 million energy, nevertheless it was completely price it.
Afterwards, you possibly can 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.
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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 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 sure to drive or stroll across the numerous 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 unique metropolis from Orlando, continues to be throughout the Better Orlando space and feels identical to an extension of the town itself. Now, over time, Kissimmee has turn into one thing of a staple for plenty of inns and lodgings for guests going to Disney or Common.
That being stated, Kissimmee additionally has loads going for it in its personal proper! For those who’re staying in Kissimmee, be sure 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 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 actually have a dwell mariachi band that performs most evenings.
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9.) ICON Park
ICON Park, in Orlando, is effectively price a gander in the event you’re not wanting to go to the area’s larger 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 possibly can 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 possibly can 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 profit from the nightlife and eating places.
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10.) Disney Springs


Similar to Common’s CityWalk, Disney Springs (Google Maps pin) is an space crammed with outlets, eating places, cafes and leisure multi function easy-to-reach space. With parking outdoors, it makes for a very easy cease for a couple of hours round lunch, and it’s at all times bought heaps happening.
As soon as right here, be sure to ebook these tickets to Cirque de Soleil’s unbelievable present, Drawn to Life. The present is likely one of the finest dwell performances you possibly can see in all of Florida, and effectively price going if you would like 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 in style 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 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 personal tour to discover the unbelievable shores of Wekiwa Springs itself. The entire space is gorgeous.
Although, like I stated, ebook these tickets earlier than arriving. Areas can refill at peak instances.
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