Orlando Travelers Recommend

Easily accessible from Orlando, the subtropical Florida Everglades offer a change of pace from the theme parks of Orlando. Combine an airboat safari through the wildlife-rich wilderness with other nearby sights for a full-day experience—here’s how.

Airboat Tours

Half-day tours begin with a short drive from Orlando into the northern reaches of the Everglades. Here you’ll enjoy an airboat safari through the swamps and marshes of Wild Florida Airboats & Wildlife Park, looking for alligators, eagles, and wild boars along the way. Then learn more about alligators, their habits, and their dangers in a live alligator demonstration.

Combo Tours

Combine an airboat safari, either in the northern Everglades or at Everglades National Park, with other exciting experiences for a full-day excursion from Orlando. Visit the Kennedy Space Center and tour NASA’s launch headquarters; swim with manatees at Crystal River and watch a manatee-feeding session at Homosassa Springs Wildlife Park; or visit Miami to enjoy a cruise on Biscayne Bay and check out the art deco architecture on South Beach.

Things to Know

• Airboat safaris last between 30 and 90 minutes.

• Many tours include pickup and drop-off from select Orlando hotels.

• Note that not all tours enter Everglades National Park; some instead run airboat excursions in the northern Everglades.

• Full-day tours typically run from 11 to 15 hours long.

• Tour destinations are fewer than two hours from Orlando by road—except Miami and the official Everglades National Park, which are closer to four hours away.

Orlando is best known for its theme parks, from the Walt Disney World Resort to Legoland Florida. But parents and children can also enjoy a variety of other attractions within a short drive from Orlando. Here are a few to try.

• Ride an airboat through the Florida Everglades and watch an alligator handling demonstration.

• Participate in a simulated space shuttle launch at the Kennedy Space Center and tour NASA's launch headquarters.

• Spend a day at Clearwater Beach and enjoy a dolphin encounter cruise in the Gulf of Mexico.

• Tour the Wild Florida Wildlife Park and see as many as 200 different animals, including lemurs, sloths, and zebras.

• Kayak along the Indian River and try to spot manatees along the way.

• Make your own crayons and channel your creative side at the Crayola Experience.

Two days in Orlando lets you experience the thrills of a theme park, the chills of a water park, and some of the area’s natural and cultural attractions. Here are some options for how to spend two days in the theme-park capital of the world.

Day 1: Thrills and Chills

**Morning:**Pick your park and get an early start to enjoy all the rides and attractions before the crowds arrive. Thrill seekers should try Universal Studios and Universal’s Islands of Adventure, while travelers with young kids might prefer the milder attractions at Disney’s four parks: the Magic Kingdom, Epcot, Disney’s Animal Kingdom, and Disney’s Hollywood Studios. 

**Afternoon:**Cool off at a waterpark—no matter where you spent your morning, there’s likely one nearby. Disney guests can head to Blizzard Beach or Typhoon Lagoon, while Universal parkgoers will find Universal’s Volcano Bay nearby. Legoland is loaded with water features as well.

**Night:**Near the top parks, International Drive is where you’ll find the city’s heaviest concentration of restaurants, shops, and entertainment options. Take a spin on the ICON Orlando observation wheel to see the city illuminated at night, catch an improv comedy show, or attend dinner theater at one of the many shows located along I-Drive.

Day 2: Nature and Neighborhood Exploration

**Morning:**Commune with nature, Florida-style. The nearby Florida Everglades are a popular spot for airboat tours and alligator spotting. Alternatively, head to the Crystal River for the chance to swim and snorkel in the clear, warm waters where manatees are often seen. 

**Afternoon:**Spend the afternoon exploring Winter Park, one of Orlando’s most vibrant communities. Take a bike tour past the neighborhood’s most notable landmarks, try a paddleboarding lesson on the Chain of Lakes, or book a food walking tour. 

**Night:**Splurge on your last night in Orlando by pre-booking a table at one of the area’s many lavish hotel restaurants. For the ultimate night out on the town, snag an open bar card for Señor Frogs or a drinks discount card for savings at 50 Orlando locations. For something a little different, pedal a party bike down International Drive.

With three days in Orlando, you’ll have time to experience a theme park or two, explore the galaxy at the Kennedy Space Center, and even venture further afield to take in the highlights of Miami, the sights of Central Florida, or the beaches on the coast. Here are some options for how to make the most of your three days in Orlando.

Day 1: Pick Your Park

A trip to the theme-park capital of the world wouldn’t be complete without a day at one of its famous parks. Pick a single park—Disney and Universal both have multiple options—for a thorough exploration, or spend the morning in one park and the afternoon in another. Pre-book admission with included transportation, and for the sake of making the most of your time, stick to Walt Disney World Resort or Universal Orlando Resort for your park-hopping rather than trying to transfer between the two. Each has its own water park if you’re in need of an afternoon cool-down.

After a day at the park, spend your evening on property at Downtown Disney or Universal CityWalk, or escape from the world of theme parks altogether by heading to nearby International Drive with its myriad assortment of restaurants, shops, and live entertainment options.

Day 2: Water, Earth, Air

More theme-park time is always an option in Orlando, but if you’ve had enough, you’re in luck. Spend some time communing with Mother Nature on an airboat tour of the Florida Everglades, take a self-guided sightseeing tour on the hop-on hop-off trolley (with stops all along International Drive), go kayaking, try stand-up paddleboarding, or spend the day learning all about space travel at NASA’s Kennedy Space Center. 

Alternatively, get a feel for the city on a guided sightseeing tour: Take a boat ride on the canals of Winter Park; shop the boutiques of Park Avenue; see the downtown skyline from Lake Eola; and travel through the quirky community of Celebration.

Day 3: Explore Florida

Orlando’s location in Central Florida makes it an excellent base for exploring surrounding destinations. One of the most popular day-trip options takes you to Miami for shopping at Bayside Marketplace, cruising on Biscayne Bay, and exploring the Art Deco architecture of South Beach. Those with an interest in American history might opt for a day trip to St. Augustine, one of the oldest towns in the nation, while sun seekers can get their daily dose of Vitamin D in sunny Clearwater Beach. 

Many visitors come to Orlando for the theme parks; it is after all the theme-park capital of the world. But there’s more to explore, from cultural attractions to outdoor pursuits, even if you only have a day in this sunny Florida destination. Here’s how to make the most of your short stay in Orlando.

Morning: Theme Park

Get an early start when temperatures are cooler and crowds sparser for a morning at one of the many world famous theme parks in the Orlando area. Walt Disney World alone has four parks to choose from and Universal Orlando another two, connected by the Harry Potter–themed Hogwarts Express. Families traveling with younger children might consider the Legoland Florida Resort.

Afternoon: Everglades or Outer Space

Many visitors can happily stay the whole day at the parks, but if theme parks aren’t your thing (or if you simply need a break), you have options. Get a taste for Orlando’s great outdoors and spot alligators on an airboat tour of the nearby Florida Everglades, or take a virtual moon walk and chat with a NASA astronaut at the Kennedy Space Center. Alternatively, ride the hop-on hop-off trolley to take in Orlando’s sights at your leisure 

Night: Dinner Show

After a day of sightseeing or park hopping, keep the entertainment rolling with an evening dinner show. Discover whodunit at a mystery dinner show, dine with Disney characters at Chef Mickey’s Restaurant, say “arrr” during a pirate-themed dinner adventure, or cheer on your favorite knight in a medieval-style jousting tournament. If you’ve spent the day at a theme park, definitely stick around for the nightly lineup of entertainment and fireworks.

With white-sand beaches, turquoise waters, and a variety of activities for all ages, Clearwater Beach makes a perfect day trip from Orlando. Go deep-sea fishing, look for bottlenose dolphins, party like a pirate, or just kick back on the beach. Here are your options.

Highlights

• Head out in the calm waters around Clearwater to try your hand at catching sea bass, grouper, tarpon, and more.

• Spend an hour on the sea watching bottlenose dolphins in the Gulf of Mexico.

• Speed around the Gulf of Mexico on one of the largest speedboats in the country, the Sea Screamer.

• Cruise for a couple hours on a pirate-style sail boat with live music and unlimited drinks.

Things to Know

• Clearwater Beach is set about 108 miles (174 kilometers) west of Orlando, a journey of about two hours by road.

• Tours typically include transportation to and from your Orlando hotel.

• Most tours include about eight hours in Clearwater Beach, excluding transportation time.

• It's possible to rent snorkeling gear, umbrellas, and bodyboards at the beach.

Site of the longest continuously inhabited European settlement on American soil, the historic Spanish outpost of Saint Augustine is located only a short two-hour drive from the city of Orlando. Here’s what you need to know about day-tripping to this former Spanish colony.

Highlights

• Forgo the theme park crowds for a daylong deep-dive into Florida history.

• Explore the cobblestone streets at your leisure.

• See St. Augustine from the waters of Matanzas Bay aboard a sightseeing cruise.

• Get around the city with ease on a hop-on hop-off trolley tour.

Things to Know

• Day trips from Orlando to St. Augustine can last upwards of 10 hours, depending on what you do.  

• Most tours include pickup and drop-off from your Orlando hotel.

• Don’t forget to bring sunglasses, sunscreen, and a hat. 

• Wear comfortable shoes suitable for walking over uneven surfaces, as many of St. Augustine’s streets are cobbled.

It should come as no surprise that the Theme Park Capital of the World is also home to a dazzling assortment of evening entertainment, ranging from family-friendly fun to rather risqué affairs meant only for adults. Here are some shows to consider to cap a day at the parks.

Themed Dinner Shows There’s a dinner show for just about every type of traveler in Orlando, from mystery theater (Sleuth’s Mystery Dinner Show) and historical reenactments (Titanic: The Artifact Exhibit Dinner Gala) to Latin-Caribbean-themed musical reviews (Mango’s Tropical Cafe). Most options are kid friendly, though older kids and teenagers will appreciate the more interactive offerings.

Musical Theater Orlando’s musical theater performances offer a great night out on the town for both couples and families. The Blue Man Group Show, which performs at Universal Orlando Resort, is one of the most popular tickets in town.

Stunts & Sports One thing’s for sure: You won’t get bored at one of Orlando’s stunt shows, which are perfect for kids and adrenaline junkies alike. Take a historic bent with a visit to the Medieval Times for some feasting and jousting, or go modern with a night of professional wrestling and live music.

Magic & Standup Comedy Couples will enjoy an evening of belly laughs at an Orlando stand-up stage; magic shows, meanwhile, are a hit with kids. Some shows, like The Outta Control Magic Comedy Dinner Show, combine the two into a single interactive experience that’s suitable for all ages.

Adult Revues Put the finishing touch on a girls’ getaway or bachelorette party by booking tickets to an adults-only event like the Magic Mike –inspired Rock Hard Revue.

Having a car in Walt Disney World may make your vacation more convenient. Yet you can get the full park experience without one—while avoiding stress and saving money on car rental and parking fees. From airport transfers to park shuttles, here’s how to get around Disney World without a car.

Ways to Visit Disney World Without a Car

• Book transfers between Orlando Airport and your hotel for easy-breezy arrival and departure experiences.

• Ride the Theme Park Express for hassle-free transfer to both Walt Disney World and Universal Orlando Resort from Orlando’s International Drive.

• Get to your favorite Disney parks the easy way—with pre-booked round-trip transfer from Orlando area hotels.

• If you are staying on a Disney resort property, take advantage of the free Disney’s Magical Express airport shuttle from Orlando International Airport.

• Enjoy a day at the parks from Miami with a combo admission ticket to Magic Kingdom Park, Epcot, Hollywood Studios, Animal Kingdom, Blizzard Beach, or Typhoon Lagoon with hotel pickup and drop-off.