Explore Orlando

Sights & Landmarks

Fun fact: four presidents have visited Winter Park, Florida, including Barack Obama in 2012. With those notable stop-ins, this former resort town exudes charm and encourages relaxation even today. The suburban city in Orange County showcases some of the best natural scenery in Central Florida, and nature lovers flock here to enjoy the more than 70 parks in the city. For those still looking for a resort feel, Winter Park also has top-notch golf courses and a popular shopping district.The city’s Main Street is a lively area. It serves as a cultural hub, complete with art galleries, a liberal arts college, museums, a cemetery and even a beach. Boaters enjoy having easy access to a launch nearby, and two of Winter Park’s most famous attractions are Rollins College and the Charles Hosmer Morse Museum of Art. The latter destination is home to the United States’ largest collection of Tiffany glass.

Wildlife & Zoos

With a visit to Wild Florida Wildlife Park in the Florida Everglades, you can get an up-close look at the unique ecosystem of the area on foot or on an airboat tour.Wild Florida is a combination of a wildlife park and a launch point for airboat tours of the Everglades. In the wildlife park, you can walk through a zoo-like atmosphere where you'll see animals from all over the world. There are exotic animals from Africa, Australia, South America, and elsewhere, which you can even feed. There's a special focus on Florida's native wildlife in the park, too, including alligators, white tail deer, and tropical birds. You can walk through the park on raised walkways overlooking the animal habitats, and then you can take off on an airboat tour of the Everglades. After your tour, you can get your picture taken holding an alligator.

Places of Natural Beauty

Clearwater Beach is a silky white-sand oasis along the warm, calm waters of the Gulf of Mexico. More low key than its southern neighbor, the bustling St. Pete’s Beach, Clearwater Beach hosts plenty of spots for kayaking, shelling, and biking. Families especially like its gentle surf, which is perfect for swimming and water sports.Restaurants, shops, and hotels line Mandalay Ave., which runs parallel to the beach. At about 1 mi (1.5 km) long, the strip is easy to stroll. Day visitors should head to Sand Key Beach & Park, a wide beach for swimming and watching dolphins leap out of the sea. For non-beach activities, watch sea otters at the Clearwater Marine Aquarium or watch jugglers and magicians perform at Pier 60.You can also get out on the water on dolphin-watching cruises or even take a pirate cruise. To get an overview of the area, jump on the Jolley Trolley, which travels around Clearwater Beach and up to Sand Key.

Museums & Exhibitions

You don’t have to be a space junkie to enjoy NASA’s Kennedy Space Center, the only spot in the United States from which humans have been hurled into space. The plethora of hands-on exhibits, IMAX movies, and sheer magnitude of the shuttles will surely impress the most passive fan. One of the highlights is the Shuttle Launch Simulator, where budding astronauts are strapped into a cockpit and given high-fidelity ride, which creates the impression of an actual lift-off.

Gardens & Parks

Boats glide alongside actual swans on Lake Eola, at the heart of Lake Eola Park. The site isn’t big by many standards – a mile around – but it packs a big punch as an oasis in the middle of bustling, crowded Orlando. Locals and visitors flock here – like the geese they feed out of hand – to take in a little nature. The Orlando skyline rises in the distance, a stunning contrast to the peace and quiet of the park and a beautiful reminder of the nearby city. There are countless things to do in Lake Eola Park, including a weekly farmers’ market to visit, complete with fresh produce and live entertainment. Children run amok on the Lake Eola playground, and the iconic swan boats are a favorite for all ages. The park also has its own performance space, the Walt Disney Amphitheatre, which hosts events throughout the year. There’s even a restaurant on the premises; the Relax Grill promises to live up to its name.

Sights & Landmarks

One of the most exciting and flashy strips in America, I-Drive is packed with restaurants, hotels, shopping, and dinner theaters. And if that’s not enough, six of the world’s greatest theme parks make their home on I-Drive: SeaWorld, Discovery Cove, Wet 'n' Wild, Universal Studios, Islands of Adventure, and Aquatica.I-Drive winds past Big Sand Lake, and part of the road is lined with palm trees and a pleasant walking district. Also here is Ripley’s Believe It or Not and Skyventure. Head to Pointe Orlando or Prime Outlets International for mega-mall shopping, or browse the quirky independent shops on Antique Row.

Gardens & Parks

The Everglades National Park, covering much of the southeastern tip of Florida, is more than a big swamp full of alligators. True, you will see alligators - lots of them - but this unique subtropical wilderness also supports such creatures as American crocodiles, bottlenose dolphins, manatees, snowy egrets, bald eagles and ospreys. And amid the mangroves, cypress, hardwood hammocks and miles of sawgrass, there are endless opportunities for hiking, bicycling, canoeing, kayaking, or taking an airboat ride. You can book Everglades tours departing from Miami, Fort Lauderdale and Fort Myers in addition to Orlando. Spot alligators on a day-trip along the Tamiami Trail or take a two-hour tram tour in Shark Valley. When hunger pangs set in, stop in Everglades City for a plate of gator nuggets and frog’s legs. The visitor center at Big Cypress National Preserve has great exhibits for kids and an outdoor, water-filled ditch popular with alligators.

Water & Amusement Parks

Take an unforgettable journey through uniquely themed islands where your favorite adventures come to life. Soar above Hogwarts™ in The Wizarding World of Harry Potter™ - Hogsmeade™, help save the city on The Amazing Adventures of Spider-Man®, and escape the jaws of a T-rex on the Jurassic Park River Adventure®.Plus, with a Park-to-Park admission ticket you can ride between both lands of The Wizarding World of Harry Potter™ on the HogwartsSM Express.*HARRY POTTER, characters, names and related indicia are trademarks of and © Warner Bros. Entertainment Inc. Harry Potter Publishing Rights © JKR. (s14)*Additional restrictions apply. © MARVEL. Jurassic Park River Adventure ® Universal Studios/Amblin. Universal elements and all related indicia TM & © 2014 Universal Studios. All rights reserved.

Water & Amusement Parks

Spider-Man®, now in high-def 3-D; and the Jurassic Park River Adventure®. Take a starring role in some of the biggest movies and TV shows ever created at Universal Studios®, home of the 3-D ride Despicable Me Minion Mayhem, Shrek 4-D, Revenge of the Mummy®, Universal’s Superstar Parade, Universal’s Cinematic Spectacular nighttime show, and the Hollywood Rip Ride Rockit® coaster. And enjoy the best in restaurants, nightclubs, shopping and movies at Universal CityWalk®. It’s all at Universal Orlando Resort, where vacation becomes adventure. TRANSFORMERS: The Ride – 3D – NOW OPEN! Embark on a daring adventure that redefines thrill rides. Opening Summer 2013, TRANSFORMERS: The Ride - 3D is an ultra-immersive sensory experience that puts you on the front lines of an intergalactic war between the Autobots and Decepticons. You’ll lose sight of the difference between fantasy and reality as ground-breaking high definition 3D film is fused with flight simulation technology on this epic ride.

Water & Amusement Parks

Universal Studios Florida is home to top Universal attractions, including the Wizarding World of Harry Potter, complete with its own rendition of Harry Potter’s Diagon Alley. Other popular attractions include the MEN IN BLACK Alien Attack, the Hollywood Rip Ride Rockit roller coaster, Race Through New York Starring Jimmy Fallon, and Despicable Me Minion Mayhem™.Universal Studios is one of Orlando’s most popular parks, and guests have several options for visiting. Park-to-park tickets include admission to Universal’s Islands of Adventure™ and Universal’s Volcano Bay™. Single- and multiple-day options are also available. Save time with a Universal Express Pass, which includes skip-the-line access to major rides.Universal Studios Florida tours are available as part of the VIP Experience. This guided tour provides visitors with an exclusive, behind-the-scenes experience. It’s a good way to learn about the park's inner workings and skip ride lines.

Water & Amusement Parks

Florida is well-known for having some of the country’s best theme parks, and the 150-acre LEGOLAND Florida is one of them. Located in the city of Winter Haven -- 45 minutes from Orlando -- the park features over 50 rides, shows, attractions and impressive LEGO models, there is a lot for visitors, especially families with children, to explore. Additionally, because the original site of the park was Cypress Gardens, there are also vibrant botanical gardens littering the grounds. Immerse yourself in the world of legos by wandering through the 10 different “lands” comprising the park, including The Beginning, Fun Town, Miniland USA, Castle Hill, Land of Adventure, LEGO® City, Xtreme, Imagination Zone, Pirates Cove and DUPLO® Village.

Sights & Landmarks

Located in Lake Buena Vista, about 25 minutes from Orlando, Downtown Disney is an outdoor complex featuring retail shops, restaurants and entertainment. Unlike the Disney theme parks, Downtown Disney is free to enter and explore. The attraction is separated into three distinct areas including the Downtown Disney Marketplace, Pleasure Island and Downtown Disney Westside. The Downtown Disney Marketplace is where you’ll find the main shopping hub -- including World of Disney, the planet’s largest Disney merchandise store -- as well as restaurants and attractions. Indulge in an ice cream sundae and admire antique chocolate-making equipment at the Ghiaradelli’s Chocolate Shop and Soda Fountain, dine with life-sized wildlife at the Rainforest Cafe or get in touch with your inner child and ride the carousel.

Fun & Games

Orlando may be known as the land of magic thanks to a mighty kingdom that offers up fun for the whole family. But just down the street there’s a massive Mecca for shoppers known as the Orlando International Premium Outlets. Home to more than 180 retail stores with designer names and high fashion items, this retail destination offers up some of the best deals in town with up to 65 percent off suggested retail prices. Travelers can comb through the stores in search of epic deals on designer duds. And more than a dozen snack shops and restaurants mean visitors can regroup and recharge between hitting the sales racks in the morning and returning to the shops in mid-afternoon.

Stadiums & Arenas

Ladies and gentlemen start your engines! The Daytona International Speedway, a 60,000 sq-ft (18,000 sq-m), interactive motor-sports attraction, hosts Winston, Nascar, stock and sports-car, go-cart, monster truck, and motorcycle races. The place goes crazy in February when the “World Center of Racing” hosts the Daytona 500, one of the biggest car racing events in the world. When there aren't any races, you can get a peek of the track for free. Adjacent to the speedway, race-car fans can take a Pit Stop Challenge, a 30-minute tram tour of the track, or roar up to 200 mph (320 km/h) in a spectacular simulator for a virtual reality-like race against other passengers in Acceleration Alley. Other attractions include an action-packed IMAX film, a 30-minute tram tour of the track, and the actual winning car from the Daytona 500 every year - scratches, dents and all!

Water & Amusement Parks

A firm departure from the everyday, WonderWorks Orlando offers what most attractions cannot – a spin on this thing we call reality. Built to resemble an upside-down laboratory, this science museum offers over 100 hands-on exhibits built to test your belief of what is real and what is illusion. Filled with “oh, wow” moments that include rope obstacle courses, zip lines and laser tag, WonderWorks Orlando is an engaging step into science and discovery – one that will leave the whole family full of wonder.

Art Galleries

Pressed in our collective memory, the Titanic means more to us than a giant ship that simply sank—its sinking was the defining moment for an era, the end to runaway idealism while signaling a return to pragmatism for the American people. With 10 full-scale room recreations, over 100 artifacts recovered from the real Titanic (including 21 that have never been seen by the public until now), character actors and tour guides, a dinner show and intense interactive exhibits, Titanic the Experience in Orlando offers what other museums cannot—a gripping, immersive and real-world connection to this defining moment in history.

Museums & Exhibitions

Also known as the Orlando Odditorium, Ripley’s Believe It or Not! Orlando is on normal attraction, a fact you’ll discover as soon as you walk up. Designed to look off kilter, the appearance of Ripley’s is the first of many interesting oddities you’ll find here.This wild and wacky world is filled with wonder, and families can experience it all without leaving the city of Orlando. Filled with bizarre exhibits and mesmerizing optical illusions, Ripley’s includes life-size Terracotta warriors, a real shrunken human head, a two-headed dog skeleton, a shooting range and much more. Perfect for a step outside of the ordinary, Ripley’s Believe It or Not! Orlando has got the market cornered on quirky Florida attractions.

Restaurant

Established in June 1990 and located at the Universal Studios in the CityWalk entertainment complex, the Hard Rock Cafe in Orlando, Florida remains a hugely popular entertainment attraction in a city where there’s always something to see and do. In fact, Orlando’s Hard Rock Cafe is the largest in the world. It features huge, grand pillars and a vast collection of rock memorabilia to rival all other Hard Rock Cafes. The complex boasts a multi-level version of the famous cafe, as well as a Hard Rock Live music venue, which has a 3000-person capacity and hosts all types of concerts and other events. In the restaurant itself, diners can feast on classic burgers, nachos, wings, ribs, salads, and steaks as they take in the music memorabilia that adorns the walls and rock out to the non-stop Hard Rock beats.

Fun & Games

The Orlando Eye is the brand new Ferris wheel in Orlando and is the biggest observation wheel on the east coast of the United States. At 400 feet above the ground, the Orlando Eye offers a completely new vantage point of Orlando and the rich landscape of Central Florida. On a clear day, you can see from the lively theme parks, glittering lakes and the downtown skyline all the way to Cape Canaveral on the coast. Additionally, iPads inside the 30 capsules let visitors learn more about the surrounding landmarks in several languages. The Ferris wheel is part of a whole entertainment complex, which apart from the ride with a view, also includes Madame Tussauds wax museum, the Orlando Sea Life Aquarium, shops and a food court. At night, the Eye lights up in a rainbow of colors and adds another 64,000 LED lights to the theme park capital of the world.

Gardens & Parks

Get up close and learn about Florida’s wildlife at Homosassa Springs Wildlife State Park. Visitors flock here in droves to see manatees, in particular, that can be seen twisting, turning, diving and playing from the park’s underwater observatory. The park provides a safe habitat for black bears, bobcats, alligators, crocodiles and river otters, among other animals, and works to educate the public about Florida’s wildlife. There is a children’s education center on the premises to further this goal, while a specific educational program about manatees is offered three times every day.In addition to education, Homosassa is a great place for outdoor recreational activities. Bird watching is the most popular activity here, and bird walks are offered, during which guides will point out various species. Families also enjoy picnicking and taking nature walks, and if you don’t bring your lunch, that’s okay—the park has a café and concessions stand on the premises.

Museums & Exhibitions

The SKELETONS exhibit of Orlando is the first specialized museum of its kind, with more than 400 complete animal skeletons in its collection. It examines the function and form of the skeletal system with specimens from all over the world.The museum is family owned, having begun with one child’s fascination with a skull he found in the woods. Over the years he collected bones, including those of very rare species, and then decided to make them available to the public to see (and even touch!) The family has cleaned and articulated every single one of the hundreds of skeletons on display, which can take months at a time depending on the intricacy of the skeletal structure. Some of the larger animals of the world offer the most impressive skeletons, as demonstrated by the whale and elephant skeletons at this fascinating museum. Visitors can both learn about the lifecycle of the animals and appreciate the complex composition of nature.