Popular for its lakes, the city of Orlando is famous among tourists for its beauty, grandeur, and wide range of entertainment destinations. Interestingly, the city’s nickname is “The City Beautiful” and it is also known as “O-Town”.
Be it an adventure junkie, a heritage seeker, a watersports lover, or a just for fun tourist, the city offers a lot to explore. Some of the top Orlando Attractions include-
If being with aquatic animals excites you, then Gatorland is a must-visit. Gatorland is home to crocodiles, alligators, and reptiles which perform shows and demonstrations for visitors.
The facility also houses some of the rare leucistic alligators. Visitors can have a complete view of the breeding marsh by climbing on the observation tower or simply hop on the train which does rounds around the region. If you wish to explore your adventurous spirit, then Gatorland has recently added a zipline that runs over the top of crocodiles and alligators.
Those visiting the park with kids can take the self-guided swamp walk tour and play at the Gator Gully Splash Park.
While rockets are exciting, learning about them is no child’s play. However, at the Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex the job has been made a whole lot simpler.
The park has been built in such a way that visitors can learn and explore about rockets at their own pace and even take a free guided tour. Moreover, the complex offers the largest collection of personal memorabilia. The guests have the option to tour the launch control center, have lunch with an astronaut, and pose with the colorful theme-park heroes.
While imagination runs high at the complex, the collection of artifacts and amalgam of history and science at the park is sure to leave the visitors spellbound.
Budding scientists and those with a scientific bent of mind are sure to enjoy the Orlando Science Center. With scientific exhibits spread over four floors, a planetarium, dinosaur skeletons, space artifacts, and a 3D movie theatre, the Orlando Science Center is an excellent place to spend a fruitful day.
Visitors can also have the first-hand experience of gale-force winds, witness live gator feeding, and also discover sea monsters who once single-handedly ruled the prehistoric seas. Another popularity of the center is Dr. Phillips CineDome which is known for its laser shows and giant-screen.
Last but not least, guests can also make reservations for an evening SkyWatch at the Crosby Observatory. Exploring the skies at the observatory is one of the best things to do in Orlando.
One of the most premier Orlando attractions is Discovery Cove. It is the place where visitors can dive deep into the realms of the ocean and interact with the natural ocean life.
The popular activities at the cove include swimming with the dolphins, snorkeling along a coral reef, and exploring the sea creatures with a full-dive helmet. Not only is the Discovery Cove an excellent place to be with aquatic animals, but it is also one of the places where guests can also interact with exotic birds.
The cove also has a tropical swim area, lounge chairs and relaxing river to provide them a luxurious beach experience. Owing to the popularity of the Discovery Cove, it is suggested to make reservations in advance.
Walt Disney World has been Orlando’s most popular family attraction. Special events, parades, and night events are conducted all-year-round. Visitors must-avail the fast pass options when visiting Disney World to avoid long queues.
The list of popular attractions is a bit too long, visitors must ensure that they have plenty of time at hand when visiting the venue. The venue comprises four parks namely the Magic Kingdom, Epcot’s Spaceship Earth geosphere, The Hollywood Studios park, and The Kilimanjaro safari.
The Magic Kingdom is the most popular among all the four parks, and is home to Cinderella’s castle which stands proudly at the center of the park. While the Epcot’s Spaceship Earth geosphere provides the visitors a chance to meet popular Disney characters like Belle, Mary Poppins, and Mulan. Visitors keen to see exciting stunts, special effect shows, or exploring the studio space must-visit the Hollywood Studios park.
Last but not the least, the Kilimanjaro Safari experience offers the visitors a unique way to explore the wildlife. African animals can be seen roaming freely in a natural habitat and the massive Tree of Life makes for the perfect background for family photos.
Not only is the Disney Park a popular entertainment option for kids, but it is also an excellent place for adults to have a fine evening. For the same purposes, Downtown Disney caters to the likes of adults and has music venues, shopping destinations, restaurants, and theatres. Undoubtedly, visiting the Disney world is one of the best things to do in Orlando.
Designed in collaboration with Steven Spielberg, Universal Studios Florida has been developed to provide the visitors with a hands-on and interactive experience with the filmmaking industry.
The park has been divided into seven themed island parks and each one is purpose-built for a film franchise. These include Marvel Superhero Island, Seuss Island, The Lost Continent, Skull Island, Jurassic Park, Diagon Alley, and The Wizarding World of Harry Potter.
Moreover, the studio regularly hosts family events, concerts, and performances. As a matter of fact, the popular city walk is also a part of the studio complex and houses several entertainment options like dining, shopping, movie theatres, and bars.
Volcano Bay is an ideal place to unleash the water baby in you. The park offers a truly lavish experience to visitors who wish to rejuvenate themselves. Some of the exciting attractions at the park include thrill rides, waterslides, tubing, and a dedicated play area for kids.
Recently, the park has introduced a waterproof wearable device, TapuTapu which allows guests to electronically get “inline” for rides rather than waiting under the hot sun. As a matter of fact, the device is free and is given to all guests on entry.
The most popular feature at the park is the Aqua Coaster thrill ride and is located at the center of the park. Another exciting attraction at the park is the Waturi beach which faces the volcano. Guests here can either relax at the beach or do swimming at the pool. Moreover, guests can also rest on the lounge chairs and even upgrade to the padded loungers and rent a cabana.
If you wish to spend a quiet evening, then visiting Lake Eola Park is a must which lies at the heart of Downtown, Orlando. Visitors have a plethora of entertainment options when it comes to Lake Eola. Solace seekers can take a ride on a swan boat and enjoy the serene surroundings.
Additionally, waterfowl, turtles, wading birds, and other wildlife can be seen at the lake. Some of the rare species including trumpeter swans, Australian black swans, whooper swans, and royal mute swans are also present at the lake. Visitors can also buy pre-approved food for the birds from the feeders which can be easily found near the lake.
Another interesting idea is to mingle with the locals and be a part of the fairs and festivals organized by the park throughout the year. Also, the park organizes a weekly farmer’s market.
Spread over 50 acres, the Harry P. Leu Botanical Gardens have been built to help visitors learn all about plants. Moreover, the gardens are one of Orlando’s favorite destinations to host events, weddings, and business meetings. As a matter of fact the garden and name were donated in 1961 to the city of Orlando by Mr. Harry P. Leu and his wife, Mary Jane.
When it comes to the coffee scene at Orlando, Foxtail coffee boasts of a loyal following and has several visitors visiting the café in droves. Foxtail’s ethically sourced beans satiate the diverse palettes with class. Moreover, it is not just a plain café as you won’t find any flavored syrups here. The menu at the café resembles that of a European- café with some of the special espresso-based drinks. Needless to say, a coffee shop in Florida cannot simply survive without a cold brew, the café serves it in growlers, sized to store a gallon. The coffee is served by well-styled and dressed baristas, making it a place where guests can sip coffee with style.
The city of Orlando provides a wholesome experience to tourists exploring the city. Owing to several markets, shopping destinations, museums, and waterparks, there is hardly a dull moment in the city.
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