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Orlando

TRAVEL GUIDE

Orlando

TRAVEL GUIDE

The Fodor's Five

The five things you need to know before traveling to Orlando

# 1

Venturing beyond the theme parks? You’ll want to rent a car.

    If you’re planning to check out Orlando beyond its famous theme parks–which we definitely recommend doing since the city is full of surprises that have nothing to do with one particular mouse–you’re going to want to book a rental car to make it easy and efficient to get around. Downtown Orlando, with its boutique shopping and international restaurant scene, is a solid 20-mile drive from the Magic Kingdom. And the beaches are even farther afield. Having your own car is hands down the best way to set out exploring in this diverse part of the state.

    # 2

    There’s more to eat than Turkey Legs and Butter Beer.

    The theme parks might be to thank for originally attracting some of the biggest names in the restaurant world to Orlando. But today, the city’s dining scene–which includes four Michelin-starred restaurants as of 2023–is making waves in every culinary category, from fine dining spots at glitzy hotels to hole-in-the-wall gourmet neighborhood pizzerias and incredible omakase and southeast Asian options.

    # 3

    Downtown Orlando and the surrounding neighborhoods are a world apart from the parks

    It might come as a shock that regular people actually live and move to Orlando while having nothing to do with Disney, Universal, or SeaWorld. But a tour of Orlando’s buzzy and youthful neighborhoods–Thornton Park, Winter Park, and College Park, for starters–will have you basking in pedestrian-friendly shopping restaurants, lively brunch scenes, European-style cafes, and glorious city parks ideal for picnicking or browsing a weekend market.

    # 4

    It’s worth driving to the beach for surf and rocket launches.

    Orlando can make all kinds of vacation dreams come true–but basking on an Atlantic Ocean or Gulf of Mexico beach is not one of them, considering the Central Florida city is a waypoint between the two coasts. That said, it’s just a 45-minute drive east of Orlando to reach the nearest stretch of golden sand at Cocoa Beach, where surfing-pro Kelly Slater came up riding mellow waves and you can often spot commercial rockets launching into the sky from launch sites at nearby Cape Canaveral.

    # 5

    The city’s surrounding nature is a real surprise.

    For all the fantasy fun that awaits at Orlando’s theme parks, the city offers some surprisingly accessible ways to get out and enjoy Florida’s great outdoors. You can ogle manatees at a crystal clear natural spring; paddle a kayak or canoe in a river home to alligators, turtles, and prehistoric-looking alligator gar fish; or hit the beach to see bioluminescence and nesting sea turtles lumber ashore to lay their eggs during guided ranger walks in the summer months.

    Recommended Fodor’s Video

    Top Neighborhoods

    Why is Winter Park the best neighborhood in Orlando?
    • You can take a scenic boat tour through the area’s chain of lakes
    • Shop for seasonal citrus and artisan crafts at the Saturday farmers market
    • Cafe-hop and browse boutiques along posh and pedestrian-friendly Park Avenue
    • Stroll the gorgeous oak and palm-lined campus of Rollins College
    • See the exquisite collection at The Charles Hosmer Morse Museum of American Art
    What makes Central Orlando so great?
    • You can have excellent Asian eating in the Mills 50 District
    • Beer garden fun and browsing great produce and crafts at the Orlando Farmers Market
    • Take in a world-class performance at the Dr. Phillips Center for the Performing Arts
    • Soak up the beauty of the city’s botanical oasis at Harry P. Leu Gardens
    • Eclectic boutiques, restaurants, and bars in indie Ivanhoe VIllage
    What's there to do in Lake Nona?
    • You can take the kids to Nona Adventure Park
    • Browse the incredible art collection at the Lake Nona Wave Hotel
    • Go rock climbing at world-class fitness facility Lake Nona Performance Club
    • Live music and food trucks in the lively surrounds of Boxi Park
    • Bike or hike 44 miles of trails
    What's special about Mount Dora?
    • You can antique shop at the epic Renninger’s Flea Market and Antique Center
    • Gorgeous lakeside parks for walking and picnicking, like Palm Island Park
    • Seaplane excursions for flightseeing and splashdowns on area lakes
    • Waterfront dining and swoon-worthy lakeside sunsets at Pisces Rising
    • Old Florida vibes everywhere
    Why visit Celebration?
    • You can feast on paella at the legendary Columbia Restaurant
    • Hit the Sunset Celebration for live bands
    • Stroll or bike along the tree-lined streets
    • Scout for wading birds and alligators at Celebration Lakeside Park
    • Get in a round of golf at the 72-par public course at Mystic Dunes

    Hotels

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    Language

    English

    Nearby Airports

    MCO, SFB, ORL

    Electrical Outlets

    120 V/60Hz; Type A plugs have two flat prongs. Type B plugs have the same two flat prongs with a third round prong; together the three form a triangular shape.

    Currency

    US Dollar

    Local Weather

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    Historic Weather: Powered by Dark Sky
    Weather info provided is using averaged daily data within the given month of the previous year.

    Language

    English

    Electrical Outlets

    120 V/60Hz; Type A plugs have two flat prongs. Type B plugs have the same two flat prongs with a third round prong; together the three form a triangular shape.

    Currency

    US Dollar

    Nearby Airports

    MCO, SFB, ORL

    Local Weather

    {{monthAverage.f_high}}° {{monthAverage.c_high}}° {{monthAverage.f_low}}° {{monthAverage.c_low}}°
    {{monthAverage.month}}
    Historic Weather: Powered by Dark Sky
    Weather info provided is using averaged daily data within the given month of the previous year.

    Discover the best neighborhoods in Orlando with curated recommendations from our editors.

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    Local Weather

    {{monthAverage.f_high}}° {{monthAverage.c_high}}° {{monthAverage.f_low}}° {{monthAverage.c_low}}°
    {{monthAverage.month}}
    Historic Weather: Powered by Dark Sky
    Weather info provided is using averaged daily data within the given month of the previous year.

    Discover the best neighborhoods in Orlando with curated recommendations from our editors.

    Explore All

    Local Weather

    {{monthAverage.f_high}}° {{monthAverage.c_high}}° {{monthAverage.f_low}}° {{monthAverage.c_low}}°
    {{monthAverage.month}}
    Historic Weather: Powered by Dark Sky
    Weather info provided is using averaged daily data within the given month of the previous year.

    Discover the best neighborhoods in Orlando with curated recommendations from our editors.

    Explore All

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