Orlando is a beautiful city in Central Florida, a little too good to be real, in fact. It is also well-known for its magnificent weather, various attractions, and friendly community.
Orlando is the second most visited destination in the world, with over seventy-five million visitors every year. The city has been tinged with glamour and glitter since it came into being.
Apart from all the glamour, it also offers adventure and excitement. There are theme parks and iconic attractions like Sea World, the nightlife, and Universal Studios. So if you’re looking for a vibrant city that offers a little bit of everything, Orlando is the place to be.
Here’s your to-do list for Orlando.
Check into a Resort
Orlando is a beautiful city, but exploring every part of it and taking in all the experiences can be overwhelming. To make things easier, book your accommodation before you arrive.
Booking a place to stay is one of the first things you should do in advance. Since the city is bustling with tourists, consider finding accommodation in a resort. Why? Because resorts are designed to make you feel like royalty, compared to hotels. The best resorts in Orlando offer a wide range of amenities to make your stay as enjoyable as possible.
Those amenities include
- Pools, hot tubs, and fitness centers
- Fine dining restaurants, fast food joints, coffee shops, and bars
- A variety of activities, including golfing, tennis, and more
Remember, all these resorts are within 45 minutes of Universal Studios Florida, making it easy to commute to one of the city’s best attractions.
So, whatever you do, don’t forget these great things to do in Orlando if you want the whole experience.
Magic Kingdom Park
Magic Kingdom is the first park you will enter when you get to Disney World. The park is divided into two sections: Main Street and Tomorrowland.
- Main Street features shops, restaurants, and attractions anyone can enjoy regardless of age. You will find a variety of shops selling clothing or souvenirs at reasonable prices. There are also several places where guests can eat, like Cosmic Ray’s Starlight Café, Be Our Guest Restaurant, and Cinderella’s Royal Table.
- Tomorrowland is a Disney-styled theme land in Magic Kingdom Park. Popular attractions are:
- Tomorrowland Speedway
- Astro Orbiter
- Walt Disney’s Carousel of Progress
Apart from the attractions mentioned above, there are parades featuring floats decorated with princesses dressed up as fairytale characters.
Universal Studios Florida
It is a film production house and a theme park founded in Orlando, Florida. The park was initially known as “Universal Studios Florida” when it opened in 1990.
The Wizarding World of Harry Potter is one of two significant expansions added to Universal Studios Hollywood since its opening. The other expansion was Animal Kingdom, which opened in 1998. When both parks were completed, they were combined into one complex named “Universal’s Islands of Adventure.”
ICON Park
ICON Park is a beautiful theme park in Kissimmee, Florida. It is in the city’s heart, so you can easily walk to it from many different places downtown. If you are looking for family-friendly activities, ICON Park has plenty of rides and attractions for kids and teens.
The park has a beautiful setting that is perfect for any occasion. There are also many restaurants at this park, including burgers, hotdogs, and more!
Discovery Cove
Discovery Cove is a member of the Association of Zoos and Aquariums (AZA), which makes it one of the most respected zoos in the world. Due to its accreditation by the AZA, there are strict standards for animal care, safety, design, and operations.
The main attraction at Discovery Cove is SeaWorld Orlando’s Dolphin Quest program. The dolphins swim alongside their trainers as they learn new tricks like playing bows or barrel rolls—all while enjoying treats from their trainer!
Epcot
Epcot is a theme park (owned by the Walt Disney Company) in Orlando, Florida. It is divided into two main sections: Future World and World Showcase Plaza (formerly International Gateway).
In addition to those two sections, there are several other areas within Epcot, including:
- Test Track
- Mission SPACE
- Frozen Ever After
- Test Track 3D
Fun Spot America
If you have children, Fun Spot America is the place to be. The park has over one hundred games and rides, including a roller coaster, Ferris wheel, and many other attractions. You can also play in the water park or laser tag arena.
Sea World
SeaWorld is one of the most famous attractions in Orlando, Florida. Popular rides include the Dolphin Cove and Aquatica: Waterland Express.
There are also many animal exhibits at this park, such as a penguin habitat; sea lion habitat; dolphin pool; shark lagoon; manatee tank; walrus reef exhibit with Seals, and a Polar Bear pool.
Avatar Flight of Passage
Avatar Flight of Passage is at the Animal Kingdom in Disney World near Pandora. This attraction takes you on a journey through Pandora, where you can meet and interact with many characters from the movie. This ride has been described as “Disney’s best-kept secret,” and it is easy to see why!
Amway Center
Located in downtown Ontario, Amway Center is a famous venue for sports and entertainment purposes. It was built on a former parking lot near the Orange County Convention Center and broke ground in August 2010. The arena seats 20,000 for basketball and up to 25,000 for concerts or other events.
The arena is home to many profound sports teams, including:
- Orlando Magic
- Orlando Solar Bears
- Orlando Predators
The arena also hosts concerts and other events by major artists such as Mariah Carey, Taylor Swift, Justin Bieber, Adele, and more!
The Florida Mall
The Florida Mall is a large shopping center in Orlando, Florida. It is one of the largest malls in the United States, with more than 270 stores. Some famous stores are:
- Sears (which was formerly JCPenney)
- Macy’s, Target, Dick’s Sporting Goods
- California Pizza, Wasabi, Taco Bell, and Subway
Additionally, there are movie theatres, such as Regal Cinemas, which include food court areas too!
Museum of Illusions
This museum is one of the best educational and entertaining spots for children and adults. It has a lot of fun exhibits, including:
- The world’s largest aquarium that houses over four hundred species of fish, sharks, and other ocean creatures
- A four-story-high inverted house that allows you to walk upside down (on its roof)
- A theater where you can watch movies about illusions (such as “The Magician”) while they perform live on stage
Conclusion
There are many fun places to visit in Orlando, Florida. You can go on a tour, drive, or walk around to get the most out of your trip. But, before heading out, book a place to stay. Consider checking into a resort to get the full experience rather than a motel.
We guarantee a fantastic time in Orlando. If you think we missed something, let us know in the comments below.