Orlando Travel Guide

Welcome To Orlando

Orlando is a non stop adventure that never fails to amaze, there's an incredible mix of things to do, from the magic of Walt Disney World Resort to the hair raising coasters of Universal Orlando Resort, and so much more.

Whether it’s a trip for families, couples, single travelers or a group of friends, Orlando is the perfect destination that ensures an unforgettable vacation filled with unique experiences for every visitor.

Orlando is of course theme park capital of the world, and thrill seekers come here to experience our incredible theme parks, water parks and attractions.

Aside from so much to do, Orlando certainly won’t leave you hungry, not with more than 5,000 restaurants featuring celebrity chefs, local favorites, and food for every palate and price point.

And, when the sun goes down, we’re also home to sizzling nightlife and entertainment, including vibrant dance clubs, craft breweries, dinner shows and more.

Plus, shoppers will be in shopping heaven with world class shopping including high end malls, outlet shopping and more!

Of course and you can head to the great outdoors for unbeatable ecotourism adventures and one of a kind opportunities to watch and play sports

Art lovers will enjoy a number of museums, galleries and art studios sprinkled throughout the region.

And this is all just for starters, get ready to find your vacation inspiration, and discover your dream vacation the way you want it.

Discover The Real Orlando

While many folks visit Orlando for the tons of theme parks and never ending choice of attractions, Orlando is a vibrant and ever growing city, look just a little deeper and you'll discover a pulsating culinary scene that keeps growing.

Downtown Orlando features amazing nightlife, endless entertainment and a burgeoning arts scene.

Orlando is a city whose history goes way back to the Timucua and Tocobago Native Americans, and has now become a modern, multi-cultural beacon of diversity, with people coming together from around the world, creating a city that is a melting pot of foods, events, celebrations, and traditions.

The Main Tourist Locations In Orlando

For anyone heading to Orlando on vacation for the first time, Orlando can be a little daunting, but don't worry, once you've been a few times, Orlando is a very easy place to find your way around, and trust us, once you've visited for the first time, you will be hooked for life!

The main tourist areas of Orlando are International Drive, Kissimmee and Lake Buena Vista, this is where you will find the bulk of the world famous theme parks, attractions, and place to stay.

International Drive

International Drive or ‘I-Drive’ as us locals call it, is best described as Orlando’s ‘Vegas Strip’.

There are hundreds of hotels, restaurants, shops, amusement parks and attractions, all lined up beside each other for eleven miles of non stop fun.

International Drive is home to not one but two of our world famous theme parks, Universal Orlando Resort and SeaWorld Orlando, not to mention attractions like Fun Spot,, Wonderwork's, and Ripley's Believe It Or Not.

There is the ‘I-Ride’ bus service that runs the full length of I-Drive, so there is no need for a car to explore all that International Drive has to offer.

Lake Buena Visa

Lake Buena Vista is home to Walt Disney World, and an impressive choice of hotels and resorts.

Plus, Lake Buena Vista is only a few short minutes away from Disney Springs and it's amazing choice of shopping, entertainment and dining.

There is an endless choice of restaurants offering all kinds of food from Chinese, American, Italian, Spanish, Japanese, Mexican and many others.

The area is home to not one but two outlet malls, the Premium Outlet Mall, Vineland Road and the Lake Buena Vista Factory Stores.

Kissimme

Kissimmee is located only minutes from Disney and is a popular base for a vacation to Central Florida.

The area's popularity is in part due to its concentration of rental villas, with many located only 10 minutes from Walt Disney World.

Kissimmee is spread over a wide area with the Highway 192 acting as a useful benchmark for visitors with 'Mile Markers' assisting tourists in navigating there way around, but you will need a car!

Restaurants are a plenty in Kissimmee ranging from traditional American buffets to Italian or Chinese.

You will discover lots of shopping with flea markets, gift shops, strip malls and lots more, plus the area features many attractions including mini golf, airboat rides, amusement parks and go karts.

Orlando Attraction

Orlando is best-known as home to the world’s top theme parks and water parks including Walt Disney World Resort in Florida, where you will find Epcot, the Magic Kingdom Park, Disney’s Animal Kingdom Theme Park and Disney’s Hollywood Studios plus the two Disney water parks Disney’s Blizzard Beach and Disney’s Typhoon Lagoon.

Over at Universal Orlando; Universal’s Islands of Adventure, Universal Studios and Universal’s Volcano Bay, and at SeaWorld Orlando, enjoy the exciting rides at SeaWorld, the slides and more at Aquatica Orlando or enjoy a day of adventure at Discovery Cove. Plus a little further afield discover LEGOLAND Florida Resort, and the wild adventures at Busch Gardens Tampa Bay.

As for attractions you'll discover an endless choice with water parks, amusement parks, aquariums, roadside attractions, waxwork museums, bounce parks, mini-golf, go-karts, zip lining, car museums, and airboat rides.

Orlando Accommodation

With approximately 480 hotels and over130,000 guest rooms, Orlando offers more accommodation options than nearly any destination in the world, and with so many choices, we're sure you'll discover your dream place to stay.

Accommodations ranges from luxury resorts and themed hotels with family suites, to thousands of apartment and private villas with private pool.

The choice is endless, Orlando has somewhere to call home for everyone

Victoria and Alberts Restaurant in Walt Disney World

Orlando Dining and Nightlife

With a choice of thousands of restaurants, Orlando’s dining options are endless, offering cuisine from every region of the world. Orlando’s flourishing and local dining scene feature restaurant options from all over the world.

Whether you are the most serious of foodies or the most casual of diners, you’re in for a treat, because Orlando has plenty of delicious options to satisfy every taste and budget.

From theme park dining to upscale, gourmet restaurants, we suggest that you arrive hungry! Experience local favourites inspired by a variety of global and regional cuisines.

Once the sun goes down things get hotter as Orlando’s thriving nightlife comes alive. From ultra-hip bars and high-energy dance clubs of downtown Orlando to laid-back pubs on I-Drive, to thea multi-venue entertainment districts at Disney Springs, Pointe Orlando, Icon Park, Universal Citywalk, and The Promenade at Sunset Walk, Orlando offers plenty of hot spots to live it up.

Orlando Shopping

Shopping is a huge draw for visitors Orlando. In the heart of Orlando’s attractions area, visitors will find huge shopping malls including The Florida Mall, the biggest in Central Florida, plus the upscale Mall At Millenia, plus a choice of thee outlet malls including not one but two massive Premium Outlet Malls, plus the Lake Buena Vistas Factory Outlets

No other destination in the U.S. offers fashionistas the world’s most sought-after brands including Burberry, Chanel, Dior, Giorgio Armani, Louis Vuitton, Jimmy Choo, and Rolex, among hundreds of other brands all in one city.

Shoppers will also find major department stores, along with plenty of trendy, independently-owned boutiques.

For a change of pace, three key shopping districts showcase Orlando’s eclectic side: Winter Park, Ivanhoe Village and Thornton Park in downtown Orlando.

Plus don't forget to check out Disney Springs including the world’s largest Disney character store!

Orlando Sports and Adventure

If you like sports, then you gotta check out a sporting event when your in town, cheer on the NBA Orlando Magic, the Orlando Solar Bear ice hockey team, or the Orlando City Soccer Club and the Orlando Pride Soccer Club.

Plus, the city offers many unique outdoor attractions and sporting activities that everyone can enjoy. Between the massive, state-of-the-art United States Tennis Association (USTA) National Campus, the NFL Pro Bowl, acclaimed golf courses and tournaments, professional sports teams, miles of running terrain, and other outdoor adventures for the whole family, Orlando is a premier destination for sportsmen and sportswomen alike.

With mild temperatures and sunny blue skies year-round, outdoor activities are virtually limitless for adventure enthusiasts. More than 2,000 lakes, rivers and springs invite visitors to enjoy Orlando for fishing, kayaking or waterskiing. The surrounding national parks and acres of lush foliage are a paradise for hikers, cyclists, horseback-riders and those who enjoy adventure trekking, off-road driving and ziplining.

Best Time To Visit Orlando

Spring, from March through May is a great time to travel to Orlando. The weather is mild and comfortable for being outdoors. Plus, as an added bonus, prices may be lower than in the summer when school vacations bring more visitors to the attractions.

Summer weather is hot and humid, with temperatures reaching the low 90's. But the advantage is that the theme parks can actually be quieter as the locals tend to avoid the parks in the summer heat.

Fall offers a break from summer's heat and humidity, but hurricanes are a possibility and unpredictable part of living with an active weather system here in Florida. But don't let that put you off, Orlando offers the best spooky season fun, with Halloween Horror Nights, Howl-O-Scream and more!

Winter, from November through February, is a popular time with the year-end holidays, school vacations, and snowbirds escaping from colder climates. Prices are higher, but the weather is pleasant, especially when it means a getaway to somewhere warm if you live someplace cold, and the holiday celebrations at the theme parks are spectacular!

Frequently Asked Questions

How can I get a list of events in Florida?
Check out our event page

What are the average monthly temps in Orlando?
Check out the temperatures on our weather page

When is the busy season in Orlando?
Orlando is so popular that it is busy no matter when you decide to visit, although it's busiest during the holidays and throughout the summer months.

Should I reserve my hotel rooms in advance?
You should always reserve a room for at least the first two or three nights.

Which beaches are closest to Orlando?
Daytona, New Smyrna Beach and Cocoa Beach are all about an hour east of Orlando on the Atlantic, with Clearwater Beach the closest Gulf coast beach, about two hours west of Orlando.

When are school vacations in Florida?
There are no set school vacation periods in the U.S. Some summer school vacations begin in the middle of May and end in the middle of August while others begin June and end September.

When is Spring Break?
Spring Break vacation times vary school to school. Some start as early as late February however March through April are the months when most Spring Breaks occur.

What do I need to know about Florida’s wildlife?
Florida is home to a wide variety of the most amazing wildlife in the world, alligators, crocodiles, sharks, snakes, bears and other wildlife are all prevalent.

When is hurricane season?
The Atlantic hurricane season is June 1 to Nov 30, the peak of the season is from mid Aug to mid Oct.

How can I travel within Florida?
One of the most efficient ways to travel is by car.

Do international travellers have to apply for an international driving permit?
You don't need an international driving permit to drive in Florida, you just need a valid driver's licence issued in your name, from your state of residence.

How can I travel from the airport to area hotels?
Transportation options includes car rentals, local bus service, shuttle service and taxis.

What are the requirements for a car child seat?
All children 5 years old or younger must use a restraint device when riding in a motor vehicle.

What should I do if my car breaks down?
Turn on the car’s hazard lights, which will flash to alert other drivers and police that you need help.

Dial FHP on Florida interstates and highways in an emergency to reach the Florida Highway Patrol.

Be aware that Florida has a Move Over Law.

This means that if there is a car stopped on the side of the road with a police car behind it, you must either slow down to 20 mph or get over.

What should I do if I’m stopped by the police?
If you are pulled over by the police for a traffic violation, you will be issued a ticket. Do not offer to pay the fine directly to the office this could be construed as bribery.

What should I do in a medical emergency?
Dial 9-1-1 for an ambulance. The call is free. This number is also used to contact the police or fire department.

Orlando Travel Guide

Welcome To Orlando

Orlando News, Events And Things To Do