Kay's Guidebook for Central Florida
Sightseeing
Magic Kingdom Ferryboat station
Hub for all the Disney parks!
Great place for ice cream at Gasparilla Grill and seeing the Disney fireworks for free any night!
Most nights the "water pageant" is also visible.
Grand Floridian Cafe
4401 Floridian WayGreat place for ice cream at Gasparilla Grill and seeing the Disney fireworks for free any night!
Most nights the "water pageant" is also visible.
Universal Orlando Resort
6000 Universal BlvdUniversal Theme parks and City Walk Shopping
Universal's Volcano Bay
6000 Universal BlvdIn my opinion, the best of the Orlando-area waterparks
My favorite Florida beach. Clear, warm water, and generally less crowded than other beaches in the greater Tampa area. Worth the day trip.
798 locals recommend
Siesta Beach
My favorite Florida beach. Clear, warm water, and generally less crowded than other beaches in the greater Tampa area. Worth the day trip.
Home to a few shops and restaurants as well as the Orlando Eye, a small aquarium, wax museum, and an osteology museum. Also close to the Starflyer, a swing-type attraction.
396 locals recommend
ICON Park
8375 International DrHome to a few shops and restaurants as well as the Orlando Eye, a small aquarium, wax museum, and an osteology museum. Also close to the Starflyer, a swing-type attraction.
Cute science museum near Downtown. Also hosts occasional themed "Science Night Live" for adults on Saturday evenings.
289 locals recommend
Orlando Science Center
777 E Princeton StCute science museum near Downtown. Also hosts occasional themed "Science Night Live" for adults on Saturday evenings.
Famous home to the world's most comprehensive collection of works by Louis Comfort Tiffany
168 locals recommend
Charles Hosmer Morse Museum of American Art
445 N Park AveFamous home to the world's most comprehensive collection of works by Louis Comfort Tiffany
Wakeboarding and other fun! Frequently Groupons are available and staff is helpful. Rarely large crowds, a great alternative to the parks.
41 locals recommend
Orlando Watersports Complex
8615 Florida Rock RdWakeboarding and other fun! Frequently Groupons are available and staff is helpful. Rarely large crowds, a great alternative to the parks.
Classic & close. Comprised of countless resorts, restaurants, shopping, movie theater, bowling alley, air balloon, numerous dinner theaters and character dining, nightly campfire, a Cirque du Soleil, an NBA experience, ranch, wedding chapel, piano bar, nightclubs, a concert venue, countless festivals, sports stadiums, 4 major parks, 2 water parks, golf courses, 2 mini-golf courses, and a putting green.
3196 locals recommend
Walt Disney World Resort
Classic & close. Comprised of countless resorts, restaurants, shopping, movie theater, bowling alley, air balloon, numerous dinner theaters and character dining, nightly campfire, a Cirque du Soleil, an NBA experience, ranch, wedding chapel, piano bar, nightclubs, a concert venue, countless festivals, sports stadiums, 4 major parks, 2 water parks, golf courses, 2 mini-golf courses, and a putting green.
Crayola Experience
8001 S Orange Blossom TrlChildren's museum/activity located in the Florida Mall
NASA's facility in Florida. Home to many SpaceX and Boeing launches, visible from the coast and even sometimes Orlando. Additionally, the visitor complex is open year-round and a great day trip.
361 locals recommend
NASA Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex
Space Commerce WayNASA's facility in Florida. Home to many SpaceX and Boeing launches, visible from the coast and even sometimes Orlando. Additionally, the visitor complex is open year-round and a great day trip.
Historic springs and small water park home to "mermaids"! Very refreshing and pleasant in summer, but a bit chilly in winter as the springs keep the water temperature ~70 degrees year-round.
556 locals recommend
Weeki Wachee Springs State Park
6131 Commercial WayHistoric springs and small water park home to "mermaids"! Very refreshing and pleasant in summer, but a bit chilly in winter as the springs keep the water temperature ~70 degrees year-round.
Closest swimable spring. Clear cool water and a few hiking trails. Perfect for a picnic. In the summer sometimes weekends can be crowded, and there is a max capacity, so arrive early to secure your place.
256 locals recommend
Wekiwa Springs
Closest swimable spring. Clear cool water and a few hiking trails. Perfect for a picnic. In the summer sometimes weekends can be crowded, and there is a max capacity, so arrive early to secure your place.
A lesser-known Seaworld-operated park. A bit pricey but all-inclusive and provides incredible interactions with animals.
205 locals recommend
Discovery Cove
6000 Discovery Cove WayA lesser-known Seaworld-operated park. A bit pricey but all-inclusive and provides incredible interactions with animals.
Home to shopping and restaurants, as well as a small water park.
63 locals recommend
Margaritaville Resort Orlando
8000 Fins Up CirHome to shopping and restaurants, as well as a small water park.
Gatorland
14501 S Orange Blossom TrlKitschy roadside Gator park and small zoo.
Another kitschy roadside attraction of old Florida. Baby gators, a monster truck tour, orange groves...
76 locals recommend
Showcase of Citrus
15051 US-27Another kitschy roadside attraction of old Florida. Baby gators, a monster truck tour, orange groves...
For major thrill-seekers! I have personally done this through Groupon and highly recommend. Very comfortable and professional staff. I hate heights and still had a fantastic time.
Jump Florida Skydiving
9002 Paul Buchman HwyFor major thrill-seekers! I have personally done this through Groupon and highly recommend. Very comfortable and professional staff. I hate heights and still had a fantastic time.
Home to Detroit Tigers' Spring Training games and the Orange League
22 locals recommend
Publix Field at Joker Marchant Stadium
2301 Lakeland Hills BlvdHome to Detroit Tigers' Spring Training games and the Orange League
Amway Center
400 W Church StHome to Orlando Magic and many major concerts and events
Once one the largest wave pool in the world. Small but beautiful park; I especially highly recommend the surf school held most mornings before the park opens. Yes, it's that huge. Surfing lessons in a pool!
11 locals recommend
Typhoon Lagoon Surf Pool
1145 E Buena Vista DrOnce one the largest wave pool in the world. Small but beautiful park; I especially highly recommend the surf school held most mornings before the park opens. Yes, it's that huge. Surfing lessons in a pool!
Essentials
Closest place to grab essentials; within walking distance. I have even provided a small wagon in the garage to make carrying your purchases back easier :)
422 locals recommend
Walmart Supercenter
2855 N Old Lake Wilson RdClosest place to grab essentials; within walking distance. I have even provided a small wagon in the garage to make carrying your purchases back easier :)
Food Scene
Tasty and casual pan-Asian cuisine for eat-in, takeout, or delivery.
28 locals recommend
Sakura Asian Fusion
7618 W Irlo Bronson Memorial HwyTasty and casual pan-Asian cuisine for eat-in, takeout, or delivery.
volcano hot pot & bbq
5877 W Irlo Bronson Memorial Hwydelicious Korean BBQ & hot pot
My favorite Orlando-area craft brewery. Lovely family-friendly atmosphere and outdoor seating area. Brunch served on weekends, as well as a regular weeknight menu of light bites and sandwiches.
17 locals recommend
Sideward Brewing
210 N Bumby AveMy favorite Orlando-area craft brewery. Lovely family-friendly atmosphere and outdoor seating area. Brunch served on weekends, as well as a regular weeknight menu of light bites and sandwiches.
Kadence
1809 Winter Park RdBest sushi in Orlando!
Otto’s High Dive
Death In The Afternoon
Shopping
Disney Springs
1486 Buena Vista DrShopping and Entertainment nearby
Orlando Vineland Premium Outlets
8200 Vineland AveNearby outlet stores
La France
1612 E 7th AveA fantastic vintage store to visit on a day trip to Tampa.
Largest mall in the Orlando area with many common stores and some not-so-common.
656 locals recommend
The Florida Mall
8001 S Orange Blossom TrlLargest mall in the Orlando area with many common stores and some not-so-common.
Drinks & Nightlife
Tasty New England food in the quaint, nearby town of Celebration.
55 locals recommend
Celebration Farmers Market
721 Front StTasty New England food in the quaint, nearby town of Celebration.
Trendy Japanese-style pub on popular Mills Ave serving light fare, highballs, other craft cocktails, and beer
52 locals recommend
TORI TORI
720 N Mills AveTrendy Japanese-style pub on popular Mills Ave serving light fare, highballs, other craft cocktails, and beer
Sunroom
1319 N Mills AveAnother hip cocktail bar on Mills featuring a small craft package store
Cosy speakeasy located on the second floor of another bar downtown. Purportedly one of the oldest buildings in Orlando. Be sure to call ahead for the password.
32 locals recommend
Hanson's Shoe Repair
27 E Pine StCosy speakeasy located on the second floor of another bar downtown. Purportedly one of the oldest buildings in Orlando. Be sure to call ahead for the password.