|
Most Viewed Areas
Fort Walton Beach, FL
Destin, FL
Highway 30-A, FL
Panama City Beach, FL
Gulf Shores, AL
All Beachguide Areas
Biloxi, MS
Gulf Shores, AL
Orange Beach, AL
Perdido Key, FL
Pensacola Beach, FL
Navarre Beach, FL
Fort Walton Beach, FL
Destin, FL
Highway 30-A, FL
Panama City Beach, FL
St. George Island, FL
Steinhatchee, FL
Orlando, FL
Clearwater Beach, FL
St Pete Beach, FL
Bradenton, FL
Anna Maria Island, FL
Longboat Key, FL
Sarasota, FL
Siesta Key, FL
Venice, FL
Fort Myers Beach, FL
Sanibel-Captiva, FL
Bonita Springs, FL
Naples, FL
Marco Island, FL
Key Largo, FL
Islamorada, FL
Key West, FL
|
|
Orlando, “America’s family fun capital,” is best-known as the home of huge theme parks that offer a variety of activities: among these, Walt Disney World, Epcot Center and Disney’s Hollywood Studios; Sea World Orlando; Sea World’s water park, Aquatica; Busch Gardens Africa; Discovery Cove and Universal Studios. New rides are added yearly, drawing new guests as well as welcoming return visitors. This inland Florida city is a water lover’s paradise. Daytona Beach, an hour’s drive to the coast, along with the theme parks, offer many opportunities to splash and cool off.
Nature lovers can stroll through the Harry P. Leu Gardens, fifty acres in the inner city filled with beautiful flowers, palms, and a butterfly garden. The Arboretum and botanical garden of the University of Central Florida, located in East Orlando, offer three miles of walking/biking trails. An 18-hole disc golf course meanders through the longleaf pines. With only a small percent of developed, the Kennedy Space Center, approximately fifty miles east on the coast, is an important wildlife sanctuary: the Merritt Island National Wildlife Refuge is the gateway to the Great Florida Birding Trail and Canaveral National Seashore is home to a twenty-four mile long beach, the longest undeveloped strand on Florida’s eastern shore.
Winter Park, a suburb of Orlando, is a unique, historic old Florida town built as a resort for the wealthy in the 1800’s. One can stroll along the small, winding brick streets of the Olde Winter Park area and explore the many shops, boutiques and galleries. The moss-draped branches of live oaks and camphor trees shade the streets and the town’s many parks.
The arts are well-represented. Fine museums abound, including Orlando’s Museum of Art which features fine contemporary exhibitions. The Orlando Science Center features hands-on interactive exhibits for visitors of all ages. Winter Park’s Morse Museum of American Art of houses the world's "most comprehensive" collection of the works of Louis Comfort Tiffany: art glass, jewelry, pottery, and the chapel interior designed for the 1893 World's Columbian Exposition in Chicago. In addition to the visual arts, the performing arts abound: the Orlando Shakespeare Theater, Orlando Repertory Theatre (a professional theater for young audiences), Winter Park Playhouse, among others associated with the theme parks.
At nearby Port Canaveral, Carnival, Disney and Royal Caribbean International cruise ships dock at the terminals. For those who like to gamble, Sun Cruz Casinos also operates out of the port, offering both day and evening offshore cruises.
Orlando is a year-round destination with temperatures that insure off-season outdoor fun. Special events include Epcot’s International Food and Wine Festival and a variety of Fourth of July and Halloween celebrations. Winter Park is famous for its Bach Festival, the nationally ranked Sidewalk Art Festival, and the Winter Park Concours d'Elegance, a judged invitational event featuring classic, high-end automobiles.
|
Where to stay
|
Accommodations include vacation rentals for every budget. To see photos, amenities, and other details on Orlando vacation rentals, choose from our list of condos, hotels, and resorts. Or use our custom search feature to find the Orlando vacation rental that's best for you.
|
restaurants
Orlando has an expansive selection of dining opportunities, from family-friendly eateries to gourmet restaurants. Italian bistros, Japanese steakhouses, barbecue and seafood cafes abound in the metropolitan area. The theme parks also offer a variety of dining options ranging from fast foods to larger restaurants such as those located in Epcot Center.
To discover Orlando’s delectable dining experiences, take a look at our list of area restaurants.
|
golf
Golf enthusiasts can choose from over one hundred highly-rated public courses and outstanding private golf resorts in the area. Bay Hill has hosted the PGA tour for thirty years while Grand Cypress features a beautiful course designed by Jack Nicklaus. Orlando’s year-round sunny climate makes this area a golfer’s haven.
Take a look at our list of golf courses and resorts to plan your Orlando golfing vacation.
|
fishing
shopping
|
A shopper’s paradise, Orlando offers large malls with upscale stores as well as small boutiques and galleries. The Florida Mall has over 250 stores with seven anchor department stores. The Mall at Millenia is the upscale home to Bloomingdale's, Macy's, and Neiman Marcus with IKEA Orlando next-door. If a shaded, leisurely outdoor experience appeals, Winter Park is filled with small boutiques, specialty shops and galleries that offer unique items in a lovely setting.
|
Entertainment
At the end of an activity-filled day, relax at one of Orlando’s low-key pubs or quiet restaurants. Too tame? Then visit the contemporary lounges featuring hip-hop, metal and rock music, reggaeton and Latino music. The city is also home to the Florida Breakbeat movement. Take in a live concert or stroll Orange Avenue, particularly the intersections of Church Street, Magnolia Street, Central Boulevard and Pine Street, where numerous clubs are located.
Board the “Rivership Romance” for a luncheon or dinner cruise on the St. John’s River. Couples can enjoy a moonlight dinner with dancing and cocktails and hors d’oeuvres. Tour Orlando’s historic downtown via horse-drawn carriage. Indulge at a spa, or take a cooking class at Truffles and Trifles, where Caribbean and French cooking classes have been offered for two decades. The options are endless.
View our list of Orlando clubs, nightspots and entertainment options while planning your Orlando vacation.
|
Other things to do
Special events
|
|
|