Orlando is one of the world’s most visitor-friendly cities, thanks to its unrivalled collection of theme parks, its sun-drenched climate, and a bustling Downtown area. Family attractions indeed steal the limelight, but there’s a world of other possibilities in this Floridian city. If you’re looking for diverse shopping options, engaging nightlife, or exciting day trips to enjoy pristine nature – from the fascinating wetlands of the Everglades to some of the finest beaches on the Atlantic coast – then you’ll find it all here. Locals in Orlando are also famously friendly sorts, which you’ll no doubt experience for yourself when out and about in the city. 

Welcoming millions of visitors every year, both Walt Disney World and Universal Orlando® pack in an entire trip's worth of fun on their own. Just some of the experiences waiting for you include meeting and greeting legendary characters, getting the blood pumping on high-octane rollercoasters, and allowing yourself to be whisked away to imaginative new lands – it’s a touch of whimsy mixed with unmistakable Americana. But it would be a mistake to overlook Orlando's other activities because the rest of 'The City Beautiful' is full of similar family-friendly attractions like waterparks, giant aquariums and zoos, exciting shows, airboat tours around swamps, and golfing opportunities. Discover all of this, and much more, in our guide to Orlando!

What to see & do in Orlando

Featured stories & fun stuff

Looking for things to do in Orlando? Famously branded “the theme park capital of the world”, it’s no surprise that the likes of Disney and Universal consistently rank as the most popular attractions in Orlando, drawing in millions of children and adults of all ages every year. For a family vacation full of surprises and unforgettable experiences, Orlando is hard to beat. We’ve mapped out all the parks, waterparks, nature parks and...

Read more

Where & what to eat in Orlando

This Orlando restaurants guide offers some food for thought in terms of where to eat when visiting the City Beautiful. Whether you’re looking to dine out in style at a celebrity-affiliated restaurant in the suburbs or go more casual at one of the Downtown core’s more modest all-day diners, we’ve got you covered. Long gone are the days of Disney and Universal being all about the fast food (although there’s still...

Read more

Where to shop & what to buy in Orlando

Shopping in Orlando has become so popular that it’s practically become an activity in its own right. The reason? Outlet stores, of course! In fact, many day-trippers will travel across entire states just to get in on the outlet action, with many big-name designer brands offering discounts between 20-70% off retail prices. The most famous outlet brand is Orlando Premium Outlets, with one at either end of International Drive. For malls,...

Read more

Where to go & what to do at night in Orlando

The nightlife in Orlando is surprisingly lively and varied. Given that the city is basically the theme park capital of the world, partying isn’t usually the first thing on the mind when planning your visit. However, the Downtown core, outer suburbs and tourist epicentres such as Disney and Universal all promise an exciting mix of after-dark fun. Orlando’s Downtown area really comes alive at night, with plenty of local-style taverns, modern...

Read more

Useful information

Orlando may be the theme park capital of the world, but there's more to the Floridian city than just Walt Disney World and Universal Orlando®. The city itself has a party atmosphere and the sort of shopping opportunities that are worth travelling here specifically to take advantage of. Helpfully, Orlando also has great weather all year round, so there's never a bad time to visit. When it comes to getting into...

Read more

Where to stay in Orlando

More information about Orlando

Get your bearings

Orlando has been nicknamed as The City Beautiful and the world’s Theme Park Capital and it's easy to see why. The city hosts one of the most famous brands on the planet, Disney, with its 4 exciting theme parks that are fun for all the family. Movie-lovers will enjoy the Universal Studios with its movie-themed rides, while first-timers and regular visitors will relish getting stuck into the fantastic waterparks, golf courses in Kissimmee or the enchanting Everglades. The magic of Orlando is hard to resist, as millions of big kids and little kids the world over will testify.

What to see and do in Orlando

Known as the Theme Park Capital of the World, it’s safe to say Orlando provides no shortage of things to see and do. The premier attraction of the city is certainly the iconic Disney World Theme Parks, where you can buy a pass to see your favourite characters in Animal Kingdom, Hollywood Studios, Epcot Center and surrender to the magic of Cinderella's Castle in the Magic Kingdom. Movie buffs should head on over to Universal Studios, where you can recreate blockbuster movie moments. If it’s relaxation you’re looking for, take a stroll through the leafy district of Winter Park or take some time out in the sun to recharge your batteries. Those wanting to cool off have multiple waterparks to choose from; take your pick from Wet N’Wild, Aquatica, Blizzard Beach, Typhoon Lagoon and the Coco Key Hotel and Water Resort.

What to eat in Orlando

International cuisine is the focus of the dining experience in Orlando, where many of the diverse neighbourhoods thrive with eclectic cultural tastes. The City of Theme Parks caters for thrill-seekers looking for a bite to eat, besides the main attractions of Disney Downtown or Lake Buena Vista. Close by and accessible by monorail and I-RIDE, you can reach the major tourist strips of Restaurant Row and International Drive and help yourself to an array of delicious roadside snacks. If it is the calm, relaxing and cultural dining experience you're looking for, why not head down to Winter Park and chill out in one of the many boutique-style restaurants scattered amongst the tree-lined avenues.

What to shop in Orlando

Visitors are truly spoilt for choice when it comes to shopping in Orlando; faced with towering Disney stores dotted all around the districts. Visit the 50,000 sq ft Disney store that caters for the entire family. Take the I-RIDE to International Drive and discover bargains among the souvenirs from Universal Studios and Disney World, while taking in eccentric activities such as indoor skydiving or glow-in-the-dark golf in many of the malls on this tourist strip. For an upscale shopping experience, Winter Park has many trendy boutique shops ready for you to explore.

Where to stay in Orlando

For many visitors, Orlando is the perfect place to stay to experience the thrill-seeking rides of Disney World, Sea World, Pleasure Island or the Animal Kingdom. Many visitors choose to stay in neighbourhoods close to the major attractions, whether they are the Walt Disney World or the bustling Maingate district. For movie lovers, visitors may want to stay close to the iconic Universal Studios in the Universal Orlando district. Visitors looking to escape the theme park attractions may choose to stay in cultural Downtown or Winter Park instead, mingling with the locals and enjoying everyday city life.

Start planning your trip

Keep exploring

United States of America

Back to top
Image 1 of 10.