Orlando Attractions

Downtown is the city’s historic core and central business district. It’s also one of the top attractions in Orlando, thanks to the wealth of dining and entertainment venues conveniently clustered there. Start on Church Street near the city’s iconic Rail Depot. Built in 1889, it’s likely the oldest building you’ll see during your trip to Florida. From the rail depot, you’re within easy walking distance to some of the best dining, bars, theatres and nightclubs the city has to offer. Most of the venues worth exploring are within a two-block radius of Church Street between Garland and Magnolia. Why not walk around, take in the energy of the city at night and see what calls out to you?

NBA fans can’t visit Orlando without catching the Magic play a game. Being a fan of this team is as wild a ride as a theme park rollercoaster. Okay, so they’re not the best team in the NBA, but their roster has had more than its fair share of superheroes too, from Shaquille O’Neal to Penny Hardaway to Tracy McGrady. Put on your blue and white and head out to Amway Center to catch this team on their home court. You’ll be on the edge of your seat watching them play: after all, with Magic, anything can happen.

I-Drive, as it's more commonly known, is an 18-kilometre stretch of Orlando thoroughfare that makes up the city's main tourist strip. It's stuffed with popular Orlando attractions, including the Pointe Orlando entertainment complex, Seaworld Orlando, Fun Spot America, and Universal Orlando to name a few. Tee off at Topgolf. Jump for joy at Outer Limitz trampoline arena. Gawk at gators at Gator Spot. And definitely, spring for a ride on the I-Ride Trolley: you're going to need a breather.

Home to the NBA’s Orlando Magic and ECHL’s Orlando Solar Bears, Amway Center is Orlando’s premier destination for large-scale entertainment and sports events. Do yourself a favour and reserve a parking spot in the GEICO Garage on Ticketmaster or at the box office. The prices are similar to what you’ll find at city lots, and the location is much closer. Once you arrive, check out the Orlando on Demand interactive info garden on the West Terrace Level. It’s an easy way for visitors to learn about what’s going on in Orlando, plus upcoming events in and around Amway Center. If you’re there for a basketball game, swing by the Fan Fest on Church Street right outside the arena. Fans can pregame with live music, prizes, giveaways, and games. That’s what we call a slam-dunk.

From Orlando’s early days as a citrus farming town to its present form as a rapidly growing metropolis, Lake Eola Park has always been one of the best Orlando attractions. Surrounded by the dining and shopping of Thornton Park, South Eola District and the Central Business District, this picturesque natural playground is truly the centrepiece of downtown. The sidewalk bordering the circular lake is a popular destination for a scenic walk or jog. Park visitors can also enjoy paddling out in a swan-shaped boat, feeding the black and white swans, seeing a show in the Walt Disney Amphitheater, and sprawling on the lawn with a sandwich from Relax Grill. The peaceful ambience and placid tempo of this oasis make it a restful counterpoint to Orlando’s hustle and bustle. 

Affectionately nicknamed the “Purple Palace,” Orlando City Stadium is the home venue for Major League Soccer’s Orlando City Soccer Club as well as their National Women’s Soccer League sister club, the Orlando Pride. Situated just two blocks from Church Street’s lively bars and restaurants, there isn’t a stadium in the whole of MLS with a better location. And though this soccer stadium only opened in 2017, it’s already considered to be one of the best in the country thanks to its cutting-edge design and electrifying atmosphere. Go Lions! 

The Camping World Stadium began its storied history all the way back in 1936 when President Franklin D. Roosevelt commissioned it. In the years since, it’s hosted NFL preseason games, Wrestlemania, and legendary artists like Pink Floyd and Paul McCartney. In 2014, the stadium underwent a major modernisation campaign. Among the new amenities are individual chair backs and increased legroom in the lower bowl seats, two 360° main concourses, and multiple giant video displays. There are always exciting music, sports, and cultural events being held at Camping World Stadium, so check the schedule to see what’s coming up during your visit.

Among the many popular Orlando attractions available at I-Drive 360, this museum chain stands out as a real crowd-pleaser. That’s probably why Madame Tussauds has been in business for over 200 years and remains beloved to this day. There’s no better place to goof off and go selfie-crazy than here: you’ll see dozens of incredibly lifelike replicas of celebrities, sports stars and historical figures. There are tons of props to interact with in each exhibit, so there’s no limit to how silly and creative you can get. Your best bet? Buy a bundled ticket for Madame Tussauds, the Coca-Cola Orlando Eye, and SEA LIFE Orlando Aquarium. You’ll have easily half a day’s worth of entertainment for a reasonable price!

This architecturally stunning, multilevel performing arts venue is another jewel in downtown Orlando’s glittering skyline. The Barton Myers-designed facility plays host to Broadway musicals, chart-topping musicians, comedians, ballets, jazz ensembles, symphonies, and more. Guests enjoy the comfortable seats, excellent acoustics, friendly staff, and locally procured concessions here. Make the most of a magical night by taking advantage of discounted valet parking at nearby Kres Chophouse. Stop in for a drink or dinner before the show, and you’ll pay only $8 to $10 to valet. That way, parking woes won’t dampen a dreamy experience.

You’re on vacation — treat yourself! As Florida’s largest outlet shopping destination, this complex is a great choice for bargain hunters. Find serious steals at department store outlets Neiman Marcus Last Call and Saks Fifth Avenue Off Fifth. There are also more than 180 designer and name-brand outlet stores, including Adidas, Calvin Klein, Karl Lagerfeld, Tory Burch, Michael Kors and Coach. When you get peckish, you’ll have more than 20 dining options to choose from, from quick and casual to elegant and full-service.

Ladies and gentlemen, start your engines, and buckle up for an adventure that will thrill all your senses. Daytona Beach is known by auto racing aficionados around the world thanks to this racetrack, the home of NASCAR’s Daytona 500. Come early so you can walk the starting grid before the race, inspect the cars up close, and even get a photo or autograph from your favourite driver. You’ll be able to check out the garage too, and get a first-hand look at how racing teams prepare for a 24-hour endurance race. Take a pit stop in the FanZone to enjoy live music and karaoke, and don’t forget to explore the vendors and exhibitions along the main access road through the infield. With so much to do throughout the entire venue, it’s likely you’ll end up doing a few laps yourself

When you’re in need of some serious retail therapy, this is the place to get your fix. The Florida Mall is Central Florida’s largest shopping center, and is located mere minutes from the Orlando International Airport and Walt Disney World Resort. When you visit, make a beeline for the Simon Guest Services booth near Build-a-Bear. There, you can snag a Style Savings Booklet containing over $900 in savings at the mall’s retailers and restaurants. You should also take advantage of Guest Services’ complimentary package check service, which allows you to browse freely without lugging shopping bags around. You’ll appreciate that convenience, since there are more than 250 stores to peruse here.

No list of Orlando attractions would be complete without the Mall at Millenia, a contemporary, upscale shopping mall located just off of Interstate 4. Reward yourself with an extravagant indulgence, or bring home a gift to someone special. This is the best place in the city for shopping internationally renowned luxury designers like Gucci, Versace, Prada and Chanel. You’ll also find in-demand American retailers like Victoria’s Secret and Macy’s. Their full-service concierge desk can assist you with foreign currency exchange and just about anything else you might need to enhance your shopping experience.

Pack a picnic and set out for these botanic gardens, which contain more than 20 hectares of landscaped grounds and lakes. Wander down serpentine trails shaded by 200-year-old oaks and forests of camellias and look out for the LEGO sculptures scattered throughout the grounds. Visitors from less mild climes will be especially interested in the colourful semi-tropical and tropical flora on display, including azaleas, bamboo, bananas, bromeliads, hibiscus and magnolias. In the heart of the garden, you’ll find the 19th century Leu family home, a National Historic Register site that allows you to imagine what life was like in turn-of-the-century Florida. For just $10, the Harry P. Leu Gardens makes for an affordable and idyllic place to while away a warm day.

Legend has it that WonderWorks began as a top-secret research laboratory on a remote island in the Bermuda Triangle. During an experiment gone awry, a man-made tornado was unleashed in the lab, carrying the building thousands of miles away and landing it upside-down on Orlando’s I-Drive. The zany spirit of that origin story permeates all of WonderWorld’s 100-plus interactive “edutainment” exhibits. Feel category 1 hurricane-force winds whip through your hair, touch 100,000 volts of electricity, dare to lie down on a bed of nails, blow bubbles the size of basketballs and more!

Ignite your imagination! The Orlando Shakespeare Theater specialises in Shakespeare but also produces contemporary plays from West Side Story to Peter and the Starcatcher. The small, intimate Goldman Theater puts you in the middle of the action as though the show is just for you. The production values are top notch, and patrons frequently describe the performances as “Broadway-worthy.” Afterwards, hang out in the lobby and you’ll likely get the chance to chat with some of the actors! No diva behaviour here–just passionate, hard-working artists with a commitment to providing cultural enrichment for their community. Bravo!

Housed in a historic courthouse in downtown Orlando, the History Center offers four floors of exhibits encompassing 12,000 years of Central Florida heritage. Uncover how Florida’s indigenous peoples lived for thousands of years before the arrival of European settlers in the 16th century. Explore Florida’s unique flora, fauna, and geography, and learn how Winter Park’s famous sinkhole swallowed an entire city block. Investigate Central Florida’s long role in aviation history, from bomber planes to space flight. And, if the timing works out, catch one of their History in a Glass events. Cocktails and history are a shockingly fun combination!

Escape the crowds and experience Florida’s natural bounty. Just an hour’s drive from most central Florida attractions, Wekiwa Springs State Park is an outdoor enthusiast’s haven. Its wild, untrammelled vistas will transport you to the untamed Florida where Timucuan Indians fished and hunted centuries ago. Wekiwa Springs also offers visitors the opportunity to canoe down the tranquil Wekiva River, cycle meandering trails, enjoy a spring-side picnic, or revitalise with a cool swim. The playground, volleyball court, and horseshoe pit located near the spring provide more fun ways to spend quality time outdoors.

Merritt Island National Wildlife Refuge comprises 57,000 pristine hectares on the Atlantic coast of Florida's largest barrier island. Its coastal dunes, scrub, saltwater marshes, freshwater impoundments, pine flatwoods and hardwood hammocks provide habitat for an abundance of Florida fauna. Birdwatchers, bring your binoculars: this is a gateway site for the Great Florida Birding Trail. To date, 358 bird species have been identified on the refuge. You’re also likely to see armadillos, gators, manatees, river otters, tortoises, and deer. Drive slowly, stop frequently, quietly look and listen, and wait for the wonders of natural Florida to reveal themselves to you.

SKELETONS: Museum of Osteology is a first-of-its-kind museum experience located beneath the Orlando Eye in I-Drive 360. As you enter, you’re handed a scavenger hunt, which adds a fun game element to this fascinating, educational attraction. Over 500 real animal skeletons from all over the world are on display, posed to illustrate their natural movements and interactions with their habitat. Exhibits are organised by categories, such as African Safari, Marsupials, and Florida Wildlife. Placards explain how each skeleton’s unique characteristics benefited the animal in life. No bones about it, you’ll leave here with a deeper appreciation of the natural world. 

Conveniently located in the I-Drive 360 entertainment complex, SEA LIFE is an interactive water world geared towards family fun. At the touch pool, you can stroke sea anemones, starfish, and crabs. The hosts of this exhibit will divulge all kinds of interesting facts about the amazing marine life that inhabit natural rock pools. You’ll also see turtles, octopi, sharks, seahorses, stingrays and more fish than you can shake a palm frond at. In keeping with the aquarium’s immersive style, there are dive shows, talks and public feedings, a 180° view tunnel and even a 360° view tunnel. And for a mere five dollars extra, you can go on a 25-minute behind-the-scenes tour to discover how the aquarium cares for its creatures.