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Have you ever taken a trip someplace and cherished it a lot, you ended up shifting there? That’s precisely what occurred to me after spending time in Central Florida!
With world-renowned theme parks, gorgeous nature reserves, and delightful seashores, Central Florida is a must-do vacation spot I’m proud to name residence. So, if you happen to’re in search of one of the best issues to do in Central Florida in accordance with a neighborhood, you’ve come to the precise place!
There is one thing for everybody on this lovely a part of the sunshine state, whether or not you’re seeking journey, magic, or somewhat R&R. I’ve rounded up one of the best of one of the best Central Florida has to supply, from family-friendly points of interest to one-of-a-kind experiences adults will love.
In this submit, we’ll cowl 20 enjoyable and distinctive issues to do in Central Florida (past simply visiting Walt Disney World; hopefully that’s already in your to-do checklist!), in addition to what you want to know earlier than you go.
Let’s bounce proper in!
If you might be in a rush
Central Florida is a wildly common trip vacation spot, so that you’ll wish to begin reserving your must-do’s ASAP!
Here are the principle issues to e-book prematurely:
Since Central Florida covers a much bigger space, right here’s a map to visualise the place every thing is positioned:
1. Make magical recollections Walt Disney World
Chances are, you’ve already heard of this one! Walt Disney World is a must-do on any Central Florida journey, however with a lot to see and do at its 4 iconic theme parks. I narrowed down my prime 3 unmissable experiences for you.
1.1 Eat and drink around the globe at EPCOT in Walt Disney World
Experience the tradition, delicacies, and cocktails (if that’s your factor ????) of 11 unbelievable international locations, all in someday! The World Showcase at EPCOT is my absolute favourite factor to do in Central Florida, and also you gained’t discover something prefer it anyplace else.
Each nation has its personal pavilion, the place you may immerse your self within the structure, be taught concerning the historical past, take pleasure in distinctive leisure, store for genuine items, and savor celebrated meals and drinks.
This is one thing you want to plan for prematurely although, since Walt Disney World operates on a reservation system. Before shopping for your ticket, verify availability to make sure your required day and park can be found. Once confirmed, purchase your ticket(s) and instantly make park reservations for you and everybody in your get together.
PRICE: Varies relying on date
1.2 Shop, sip, and dine at Disney Springs
Even as a neighborhood, I’m all the time prepared to courageous the crowds at Disney Springs as a result of I find it irresistible that a lot. Disney Springs is a walkable, out of doors procuring, eating, and leisure advanced with actions for folks of all ages! It presents the number of a mall, set towards a picturesque lake, with the customer support and a focus to element Disney is understood for.
Discover uniquely themed eating places and bars, like The Boathouse® (the place you may take a classic amphicar out on the lake!), T-REX™ (a dino eatery that takes you again in time to the prehistoric ages), Paddlefish (serving up phenomenal seafood on a reimagined steamboat with 360° views), and Jock Lindsey’s Hangar Bar (straight out of Indiana Jones).
PRO TIP: While there are many fast service choices for meals, you’ll wish to make reservations prematurely for signature eating.
PRICE: free admission
1.3 Go again in time at Disney’s Boardwalk
Disney’s Boardwalk is a nostalgic hub of bars, eating places, actions, and leisure based mostly on turn-of-the-century boardwalks, like these in Coney Island and Atlantic City.
While there are resorts on sight, you don’t have to be a visitor or actually have a park ticket to take pleasure in this distinctive Central Florida expertise. It’s a implausible possibility for the entire household, as there are numerous issues to do for adults and kids alike! My must-do’s at Disney’s Boardwalk are Jellyrolls, the 21+ dueling pianos bar, and dinner at Flying Fish Café.
PRO TIP: I extremely suggest making superior eating reservations if you wish to eat at any of the scrumptious sit-down Boardwalk eating places. You can achieve this as much as 60 days prematurely.
PRICE: free admission
2. Step into the story on the Wizarding World of Harry Potter
The magic of those beloved books and flicks is dropped at life on the Wizarding World of Harry Potter, positioned at Universal Orlando Resort. Stroll via Hogsmeade and Diagon Alley, sip butterbeer at Three Broomsticks, take a thrilling journey via Hogwarts and Gringott’s, and far, a lot extra!
The Wizarding World of Harry Potter, sometimes called “Harry Potter World,” is break up between the two theme parks at Universal Orlando Resort: Diagon Alley in Universal Studios, and Hogsmeade in Islands of Adventure. I extremely suggest the Park-to-Park ticket, so you may take the Hogwarts Express from one to the opposite, however for a extra budget-friendly possibility, go to one or the opposite for a magical expertise full by itself.
PRO TIP: Universal Orlando Resort presents nice discounted offers year-round. Check their trip packages for alternatives to save cash in your subsequent journey. They actually have a bundle particularly for Potterheads. However, if you happen to like a single ticket then this one is a superb possibility as a result of you may cancel at any time.
PRICE: US$121 per particular person
3. Explore outer house at Kennedy Space Center
Looking for one thing to do in your trip that’s out of this world? Check out the Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex in Merritt Island. Its interactive, mind-blowing reveals take you thru the historical past of NASA’s house program and proper into the motion.
See legendary historical past in particular person on the Apollo/Saturn V heart, take a stroll via the U.S. Astronaut Hall of Fame, and expertise a state-of-the-art simulated rocket launch first hand! It’s the closest you will get to house with out leaving the environment.
PRO TIP: Sign up for the Apollo/Saturn V tour as quickly as you arrive! Since it’s a restricted space that you just’re solely in a position to see on the official tour, the excursions refill shortly!
PRICE: US$80 for adults, US$70 for kids
4. Cool off at Wekiwa Springs State Park
Swimming, mountaineering, paddling, and tenting are just some of the numerous adventures available at Wekiwa Springs State Park. It’s Orlando’s longest-running vacationer attraction (about an hour drive from the theme parks), and is frequented by guests and locals alike!
Picture your self floating fortunately within the crystal clear spring water surrounded by lush foliage– it’s heaven on Earth proper right here in Central Florida. Canoe and kayak leases can be found on website, however my favourite option to see Wekiwa Springs is on a guided tour. This Wekiva River Kayak Tour is a 4-hour scenic journey, the place you’ll be taught all about (and see!) the native wildlife, and revel in a picnic lunch!
PRO TIP: You should buy a single use day move on-line prematurely, however Wekiwa Springs is first come, first served, and has been identified to achieve capability. Your finest guess is to reach early, or go to on a weekday!
PRICE: US$86 per particular person
5. Get impressed at Bok Tower Gardens in Lake Wales
There is not any scarcity of pleasure in Central Florida, however if you happen to’re in search of some peace and tranquility, head over to Bok Tower Gardens in Lake Wales. The finest option to describe Bok Tower Gardens is awe-inspiring. Take a leisurely stroll via the attractive, historic gardens (residence to 126 species of birds!), hike the Pine Ridge Reserve path, and revel in a live performance on the unbelievable singing tower.
The Bok Tower Gardens Singing Tower is a 205-foot bell tower with 60 bells that’s really a uncommon musical instrument known as a carillon, and a real murals. Children can have some enjoyable within the solar on the Hammock Hollow Children’s Garden. For an extra value of round $7, you too can take a self-guided tour of a wide ranging 20-room Mediterranean mansion, El Retiro Estate.
PRICE: General admission is US$17 for adults, US$5 for kids ages 5 to 12, US$5 for canine
6. Kayak with manatees in Blue Springs
People come from everywhere in the globe to see Florida’s manatees, and the winter residence of the vast majority of the manatee inhabitants is correct right here in Central Florida, at Blue Springs State Park!
From mid-November to March, a whole bunch of manatees congregate at Blue Springs for the nice and cozy, persistently 72-degree waters. You can kayak alongside these light giants and numerous different wildlife in an incredible 3-hour tour led by a neighborhood skilled. It’s an unforgettable sight, and among the best issues to do in Central Florida!
PRICE: Starts at US$80 per particular person
7. Stroll down Park Avenue in Winter Park
Ladies, you might wish to depart your husbands at residence for this one.
Park Avenue is among the most charming streets you’ll ever see – filled with cute retailers, eating places, wine bars, and artwork galleries. It’s positioned within the prosperous and completely attractive metropolis of Winter Park, about quarter-hour away from downtown Orlando. You’ll discover loads of domestically owned and cherished boutiques, in addition to common shops, like Pottery Barn and Lululemon.
My go-to for a chew to eat on Park Ave is Briar Patch, a beloved neighborhood brunch spot serving up ice cream and waffles. When you’ve wrapped up consuming and procuring, take the Scenic Boat Tour via Winter Park’s enchanting lakes. It’s first come, first served, and departs on the hour every single day besides Christmas.
Anyone in search of journey ought to undoubtedly try the glow-in-the-dark kayak tour via Winter Park. Get out on the water in an LED-lit kayak and discover the Winter Park canals’ implausible wildlife at evening!
PRICE: US$70 per particular person
8. Make a splash at Aquatica Orlando
Central Florida is residence to some fairly superior waterparks, however Sea World’s Aquatica Orlando has been acknowledged because the #1 waterpark within the United States by USA Today, and for good motive.
Aquatica ranges up the standard waterpark expertise by including in unparalleled shut encounters with marine life. We’re speaking waterslides with views of colourful fish and playful dolphins! Float alongside the lazy river, make a splash within the wave swimming pools, or make the leap down one in every of Aquatica’s many thrilling and distinctive points of interest.
PRICE: US$53 per particular person. Varies relying on time of yr.
9. Spend a day in lovely Mount Dora
Visiting this lovely lakeside city is one in every of my favourite issues to do in Central Florida! Just an hour drive from Orlando, it’s an amazing day journey if you happen to’re staying close to the theme parks and need a break from the crowds. Cafés, eating places, wineries, vintage shops, and boutiques all line the downtown streets, with a sweeping view of Lake Dora.
Grab a wine slushie from Julianne’s Coastal Cottage and stroll via the picturesque Old Florida neighborhood!
PRO TIP: Mount Dora is understood for his or her distinctive festivals hosted all all year long. Check the competition schedule previous to your journey!
10. Get wild on the Safari Wilderness Ranch in Lakeland
Did you understand you may cross an genuine safari off your bucket checklist proper right here in Central Florida?
Safari Wilderness Ranch is the second largest wildlife house in Florida (the primary is the Everglades), with 260 acres of pristine wilderness. It’s not a zoo or a theme park, however a reserve the place conservation and schooling is on the coronary heart of every thing they do.
Take a safari via Safari Wilderness Ranch to stand up shut and private with these unbelievable animals, each native and unique. You can choose to journey in a customized safari car, ATV, kayak, on camel-back, and even from the consolation of your individual car.
You may add superb extras, like glamping in a single day on the ranch, cheetah encounters, or feeding the ring tailed lemurs. Make certain to e-book your safari properly prematurely, as instances refill shortly and excursions are restricted to smaller teams.
PRICE: Varies relying on tour
11. Meet mermaids at Weeki Wachee Springs State Park
Yes, you learn that proper– mermaids! Explore the great thing about Weeki Wachee Springs State Park, a pristine pure spring with the deepest freshwater cave system within the nation. Weeki Wachee is known for its reside mermaid present, one in every of Central Florida’s unique roadside points of interest and nonetheless a favourite to this present day!
Watch lovely mermaids carry out, swim or paddle via the gorgeous water, zoom down the 4 huge water slides of Buccaneer Bay, or take a calming boat tour to be taught concerning the space’s ample wildlife. Admission consists of all three!
PRICE: US$13 for adults, US$8 for kids 6 to 12, free for youths underneath 5
12. Go glamping at Westgate River Ranch
If you wish to spend an evening in nature with out giving up the comforts of a contemporary lodge, I’ve bought an amazing suggestion for you: glamping at Westgate River Ranch! This is among the most original issues to do in Central Florida, and one you’ll always remember.
Guests keep in an expensive tent full with a porcelain clawfoot bathtub and bathe, personal patio and grill, air con to maintain it your ultimate temperature, and a hearth for chillier nights. Westgate’s glamping makes sleeping underneath the celebrities fashionable, and you’ll expertise this elevated tenting expertise proper right here in Central Florida.
PRICE: Luxury tents begin at US$300 an evening
13. Experience Old Florida attraction on Anna Maria Island
Anna Maria Island is the sunshine state’s finest saved secret! Old Florida attraction meets laid again island vibes on this cozy slice of paradise, the place you may relaxation and recharge on the white sandy seashores or take a dip within the glowing blue Gulf. It’s actually a slice, as your complete barrier island is barely 7 miles lengthy, and simply one in every of my favourite locations to flee from the hustle and bustle of on a regular basis life.
Explore downtown Anna Maria’s retailers and eating places, catch a beautiful sundown at secluded Bean Point, and savor contemporary caught seafood on the Historic Bridge Street Pier. Whether you go for the day, or spend a number of nights on Anna Maria Island, one factor is for certain: you’ll wish to return!
14. Take a tiki boat cruise in Clearwater
No journey to Central Florida is full with out spending time on the water! But if you happen to’re in search of a novel option to take pleasure in Central Florida’s lovely coast, you’ve bought to strive a tiki boat cruise in Clearwater. Grab your folks/household and set sail on the Gulf aboard this floating tiki bar!
Bring your individual drinks and snacks, hook up your telephone to play music, and expertise a “booze cruise” not like some other. You might spot some dolphins, manatees, and different wildlife!
Traveling with youngsters? What you eat and drink on the tiki boat is as much as you, so be at liberty to swap out your bottle of wine for fruit juice, or carry each alongside so mama’s comfortable, too. These excursions promote out quick, so make sure that to e-book as quickly as potential earlier than your journey.
PRICE: Starts at US$60 per particular person
15. Dine along with your mateys on the Pirates Adventure Dinner Show
If you’re in search of issues to do in Central Florida with youngsters, take your little swashbucklers to the Pirates Adventure Dinner Show for a fun-filled, immersive eating expertise aboard an 18th century Spanish galleon!
Tickets embody a 3 course meal, limitless gentle drinks, and an epic, interactive pirate spectacular with loads of alternatives to sing, cheer, snicker, and dance. Even adults will fall in love with this Central Florida attraction.
PRICE: US$50 per particular person
16. Build lifelong recollections at LEGOLAND® Florida Resort
Kids (and children at coronary heart) will delight at seeing this beloved childhood toy delivered to a larger-than-life scale at LEGOLAND® Florida Resort. This LEGO® theme park is among the finest issues to do in Central Florida with youngsters, and options over 50 rides, reveals, and points of interest.
Drive LEGO® automobiles down the streets, marvel on the miniature LEGO® cities, put out fires on the LEGO® City Rescue Academy, take an exhilarating journey on the Conquer the Dragon Coaster, and way more!
PRO TIP: Save with mixture tickets! You can entry LEGOLAND® Florida, their superb water park, and Peppa Pig Theme Park for one discounted bundle worth.
PRICE: US$112 per particular person
17. Cruise with wild dolphins in Madeira Beach
Nature lovers will adore seeing bottlenose dolphins swim and play from aboard the Dolphin Quest cruise in Madeira Beach. Sit again and calm down on this 40-foot tour boat as you watch the playful dolphins, be taught native legends, and get a glimpse of the attractive houses on Treasure Island.
This sightseeing tour via Boca Ciega Bay is really gorgeous. You even have the choice to take this cruise at sundown, which I extremely suggest because the sundown views off the west coast of Central Florida are unparalleled. Be certain to e-book prematurely, because the sundown excursions refill the quickest.
PRICE: US$30 per particular person
18. “Sea” the superb creatures on the Florida Aquarium
Whether or not Tampa is a part of Central Florida depends upon who you ask, however I’d be remiss if I didn’t embody the Florida Aquarium on our checklist of issues to do right here. Less than 1.5-hour drive from Orlando, it’s persistently ranked among the many finest aquariums within the USA!
From the ocean to the wetlands, get to know Florida’s various wildlife and marine life, discover the 500,000-gallon Coral Reef habitat and different superior reveals, and take a look at the 4D theater!
In their dedication to sustainability, the Florida Aquarium is now not printing paper maps, however you may entry the digital map right here to plan your time there.
PRICE: US$33 per particular person
19. Explore Orlando’s ICON Park
ICON Park is taken into account among the best issues to do in Central Florida, and as a neighborhood, I’ve to agree. It’s an out of doors leisure and amusement park with a whole lot of enjoyable issues for the entire household to take pleasure in.
It’s residence to over 40 eating places and bars (I like Sugar Factory for excessive sweets and treats!), numerous procuring, and Orlando’s iconic ferris wheel overlooking the theme parks, lakes, and downtown from 400 toes within the air.
Admission to ICON Park is free, however extras are paid moreover with The Wheel costing $29, and Madame Tussaud’s Wax Museum priced at $35. You can lower your expenses by buying bundles that embody a number of points of interest.
PRO TIP: Time your journey on The Wheel to catch the Magic Kingdom fireworks!
PRICE: US$54
20. Experience the legacy of Frank Lloyd Wright at Florida Southern College
Architecture lovers, this one’s for you! The historic district of Florida Southern College was named a nationwide historic landmark in 2012 for being the biggest single-site assortment of Frank Lloyd Wright’s structure in your complete world.
Take a tour of the campus buildings and study Wright’s legacy and life. For an extra charge of $10, you may take a tour of the Usonian House, an idea designed by Frank Lloyd Wright to carry fashionable, inexpensive housing to American households in 1939, and not too long ago accomplished.
As far as issues to do in Central Florida go, that is one thing you actually can’t expertise anyplace however right here, and is properly definitely worth the detour! Tours have to be reserved at the least 24 hours prematurely.
PRICE: Start at US$5 per particular person
FAQs about issues to do in Central Florida
???? What is Central Florida finest identified for?
???? What are some enjoyable issues to do in Central Florida for {couples}?
Some enjoyable issues to do in Central Florida for {couples} are discover the Discovery Cove, an all-inclusive day resort the place you may stand up near unbelievable marine life, or take a romantic journey at evening on the ferris wheel in ICON Park.
????♀️ What are some distinctive issues to do in Central Florida?
Nature lovers ought to take the glow at the hours of darkness kayak tour via the attractive lakes of Winter Park. For some Old Florida enjoyable, try the one in every of a sort mermaid spectacular at Weeki Wachee Springs State Park.
Conclusion
In only one journey to Central Florida, you may expertise 11 completely different international locations, discover outer house, go on safari, stand up shut and private with wildlife, dine in among the world’s most original eating places, all whereas making recollections that may final a lifetime!
Have I satisfied you to e-book your journey but? I recommend making Orlando your house base whereas visiting Central Florida and to not miss out on these 2 issues to do that are my absolute favorites:
I hope you discovered this checklist of issues to do in Central Florida tremendous useful! Be certain to e-book early, for points of interest I famous refill quick and also you don’t wish to miss out!
If you could have any questions, be at liberty to go away a touch upon this submit. I’m all the time right here that will help you out!
Happy exploring!
Montana
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