Fun-packed, exhilarating, surprising, magic… it is easy to find out why Orlando is the most visited city in the United States. Visted by over 70 million tourists every year, Orlando is that of cities that has it all for everyone. While the kids will feel like inside a dream, the adults will have a fantastic journey of nostalgia, discovery, and unforgettable experiences.
Things to do in Orlando
- Live the magic at the city’s extraordinary theme parks, with hundreds of activities and shows for everyone.
- Go on a shopping spree in one of the city’s malls and outlets, with most of the world’s most renowned brands.
- Assist to one of their professional sports games and visit the world’s largest tennis facilities.
- Go on an outdoors adventure, while you explore the amazing natural sanctuaries close to the city like Wekiwa Springs State Park.
Traveling to Orlando
By plane
The Orlando area is served by 3 airports: Orlando International, the main one and closest to the city (6 miles) receiving over 50 million passengers (about twice the population of Texas) a year, and the secondary hubs at Sanford (26 miles north) and Melbourne (74 miles south).
It is more likely that you will find options to arrive via Orlando International (MCO) since it connects the city with over 130 destinations worldwide, while to other 2 serves secondary airports as well as charter flights.
By car
As the largest inland city in Florida, Orlando is well connected to other main cities in the state:
Miami: 235 miles through Florida’s Turnpike.
Tampa: 85 miles through I-4 E
Jacksonville: 140 miles through I-95 S & I-4 W
Fort Myers: 140 miles through US-17 N & I-4 E
Tallahassee: 260 miles through I-10 E & I-75 S
The road is great for a road trip, and it can be even better if you book an intercity ride that will allow you to start the fun since you leave home without having to focus on the wheel. Elife provides comprehensive ground transportation service, so you can avoid public transportation and relax while you get your way to Orlando.
What to do in Orlando
Theme Parks!
It is no brainer than most of Orlando’s come because of its iconic theme parks, let us take a quick walkthrough on them:
- Walt Disney World: it seems that Disney has become a synonym for magic, and you can confirm that the moment you step into this place of dreams and stories. Divided into 4 parks (Magic Kingdom ® Park, Epcot®, Animal Kingdom® and Disney’s Hollywood Studios® (where Star Wars Galaxy’s Edge attractions is) along with 2 water parks (Disney’s Blizzard Beach and Disney’s Typhoon Lagoon), this gigantic complex offers an almost endless set of shows, rides, stores, and places to explore.
The complex also offers a wide variety of theme-lodging options at Walt Disney World Resorts according to your expectations and budget, so you can be always near the magic. We suggest you take at least one full day to explore each park, it is much better to discover what each park has to offer and plan ahead each day based on what you want to see and do. - Universal Studios. You saw them in TV and cinema, now take a closer look at your most beloved characters and fictional universes as they come alive here. Divided in 2 main parks: Universal Studios and Islands of Adventure – along with Volcano Bay water park- Universal Studios offers a unique set of incredible attractions and spots that will take your breath away, sometimes literally.
Wizards, dinosaurs, giant robots, and superheroes collide in this amazing complex, that will delight the kids and will make you feel like one. Universal also has affordable lodging alternatives for you to be a few minutes away from all the excitement contained here. - Seaworld Orlando. Discover the wonders of the ocean, walk down Sesame Street, and experience the most thrilling coasters all in the same place. The renowned sea park and aquarium also has its own Water Park (Aquatica) and displays one of the most incredible and diverse sea species on earth.
Seaworld is fun but is also enlightening to learn and respect more our oceans, a one-of-a-kind experience you do not want to miss.
Other theme parks such as LEGO land and Busch Gardens are located nearby the city. For any intercity ride, you can rely on Elife to book a nice, comfortable ride in Orlando to visit one of this amazing places.
Outdoor adventure
It is not everything about thrilling attraction when Orlando belongs to one of the most natural diverse states in the country. Due to its fantastic location at the heart of the State, Orlando has easy access to many activities for the outdoorsy: birdwatching, kayaking, fishing, snorkeling, air boat riding and more.
Take some time away from the crowds and explore Orlando’s natural wonders:
- Take a kayak tour on Shingle Creek, heart of the Everglades.
- Take a swim with the lovely manatees at Blue Spring State Park.
- Fly above the gators at Gatorland’s Screamin’ Gator Zip Line.
- Take a thrilling air boat tour at Boggy Creek.
Shopping in Orlando
Souvenirs, anyone? The city has many options to please your shopping spree cravings. Disney Spring offers free access to an amazing variety of places for any taste and budget, as well as Universal CityWalk.
Outside the parks, places like the mall at Millenia, the Florida Mall and outlet shops at Lake Buena Vista, Vineland and International Drive will surely fulfill your expectations. There is no complete trip without some good shopping!
Take a sports tour in Orlando
Home of the NBA’s Orlando Magic and the MLS’s Orlando City Soccer Club, along with some of the college football’s most important championships like the Citrus Bowl, game days are something you will love to experience in the city.
Besides the game excitement, Orlando is home of the USTA National Campus, the largest tennis facilities in the world. Whether you are a first timer with a racket or a rising star, the Campus is an extraordinary place to learn and see more of this exciting sport.
