Central Florida

Travel Guide

Universal Studios Florida® showing night scenes, a city and rides
Central Florida
Central Florida featuring night scenes and signage
Gatorland® featuring dangerous animals and zoo animals
Central Florida featuring zoo animals

Families love Central Florida with good reason, as the region is packed with exciting theme parks, outdoor escapes and fascinating museums.

The exhilarating family attractions of Central Florida dominate many itineraries for people visiting the region. Away from the excellent theme parks, however, you’ll discover architectural wonders, artistically minded cities and pleasant, tourist-free pockets of natural beauty.

Explore the Polk County History Museum for an overview of the history of Central Florida. Replica Seminole Chickee Indian homes explain the stories of Florida’s Native American communities.

Stay in Polk County to enjoy more of Central Florida’s best cultural attractions. Marvel at the masterpieces from around the world in the Polk Museum of Art or watch touring Broadway performances in the atmospheric and outdoor Polk Theatre.

Experience the cinematic magic and thrills of Orlando’s theme parks. Enchanting Walt Disney World® Resort features six different parks. Travel around the world at Epcot®, meet princesses in the Magic Kingdom® Theme Park or look backstage at Disney’s Hollywood Studios®. Ride thrilling roller coasters at Universal Orlando® Resort, which also features The Wizarding World of Harry Potter™.

Orlando offers more entertainment outside of its popular theme parks. Walk down Central Boulevard in the Downtown region to enjoy multiple public art installations. Browse a vast collection of African, Ancient American and contemporary paintings and sculptures in the Orlando Museum of Art.

Stroll between 13 different Frank Lloyd Wright buildings at Florida Southern College. Take a docent-led tour through the stunning campus to learn about the great architect’s involvement with the university.

Find some tranquility in the gardens and forests of Central Florida. Bok Tower Gardens covers 150 acres (60 hectares), featuring children’s play areas and a historic monument in the center. Canoe or hike around the lakes and rivers of Ocala National Forest for a scenic escape from the cities. Disappear into Circle B Bar Reserve and watch the trees for rare bird life.

Fly into Orlando International Airport to land in the heart of Central Florida. The region remains warm and accessible in every season, making it a fun destination throughout the year.

Where to stay in Central Florida

International Drive showing landscape views

International Drive District

Visitors to International Drive District rave about its breathtaking beach views, exciting theme parks, and popular shops. You might also want to make some time to see Aquatica or The Orlando Eye at ICON Park while you're exploring the neighborhood.

International Drive District
Universal Studios Orlando featuring signage, a city and night scenes

Florida Center

While visiting Florida Center, you might make a stop by sights like Universal Orlando Resort and Universal Studios Florida.

Florida Center
Magic Kingdom® Park showing rides and interior views as well as a couple

Bay Lake

4/5(4 area reviews)

A noteworthy feature of Bay Lake is its exciting theme parks. While you're in town, be sure to stop and check out Epcot® and Walt Disney World® Resort.

Bay Lake
Downtown Orlando

Downtown Orlando

Ample dining options, great live music, and fantastic lake views are just a few top things to explore in Downtown Orlando. A visit to The Social or Church Street Station might round out your trip, and you can jump aboard the metro at Church Street Station or Lynx Central Station to get around town.

Downtown Orlando
Reunion which includes golf and landscape views as well as a small group of people

Reunion

The waterparks and pristine golf courses are top of the list for many visitors to Reunion. A stop by Reunion Resort Golf Course or Jack Nicklaus Course might round out your trip.

Reunion
Default Image

Windsor Hills

If you're looking for some top things to see and do in Windsor Hills and surrounding area, you can visit Mystic Dunes Golf Club and Island H2O Live!.

Windsor Hills
Hyatt Regency Orlando International Airport
Hyatt Regency Orlando International Airport
4 out of 5
9300 Jeff Fuqua Boulevard, Orlando, FL
The price is P10,995 per night from Jul 16 to Jul 17
P10,995
P12,369 total
Jul 16 - Jul 17
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this 4-star eco-certified hotel in Orlando. Enjoy free WiFi, 2 restaurants, and breakfast (surcharge). Our guests praise the pool and the restaurant ...
9.4/10 Exceptional! (3,371 reviews)
"Clean"

Reviewed on Jul 12, 2025

Hyatt Regency Orlando International Airport
DoubleTree by Hilton at the Entrance to Universal Orlando
DoubleTree by Hilton at the Entrance to Universal Orlando
4 out of 5
5780 Major Blvd, Orlando, FL
The price is P4,753 per night from Aug 4 to Aug 5
P4,753
P5,347 total
Aug 4 - Aug 5
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this 4-star family-friendly hotel in Orlando. Enjoy free WiFi, 2 restaurants, and 2 bars/lounges. Our guests praise the pool and the helpful staff in ...
8.2/10 Very Good! (6,442 reviews)
"The pool was very nice. The shuttle to Epic Universe was great. The American Grill's food was excellent. My room was comfortable and clean. All around a great choice for me."

Reviewed on Jul 11, 2025

DoubleTree by Hilton at the Entrance to Universal Orlando
Marriott's Grande Vista
Marriott's Grande Vista
4 out of 5
5925 Avenida Vista, Orlando, FL
The price is P5,377 per night from Aug 3 to Aug 4
P5,377
P6,050 total
Aug 3 - Aug 4
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this 4-star spa hotel in Orlando. Enjoy free WiFi, 4 outdoor pools, and a full-service spa. Our guests praise the pool and the helpful staff in our reviews. ...
8.8/10 Excellent! (2,613 reviews)
Very nice, clean and friendly
"Beautiful place, really clean, secured and friendly. The only thing I did not care for was having to go from check to corceige for parking space. Also having to check in at 4pm and check out at 10am, you don't have time to even check out the place, also is not like hotels from 3pm check-in and 11pm ..."

Reviewed on Jul 11, 2025

Marriott's Grande Vista
Lowest nightly price found within the past 24 hours based on a 1 night stay for 2 adults. Prices and availability subject to change. Additional terms may apply.
Vacation Village at Parkway
Vacation Village at Parkway
3 out of 5
2975 Arabian Nights Blvd, Kissimmee, FL
Stay at this 3-star family-friendly condo in Kissimmee. Enjoy free WiFi, 7 outdoor pools, and 7 hot tubs. Our guests praise the helpful staff and the clean rooms ...
8.4/10 Very Good! (2,448 reviews)
"Awesome love it"

Reviewed on Jul 10, 2025

Vacation Village at Parkway
The View Studio Suites and Event Venue
The View Studio Suites and Event Venue
3.5 out of 5
9309 S Orange Blossom Trail, Orlando, FL
Stay at this 3.5-star aparthotel in Orlando. Enjoy free breakfast, free WiFi, and free parking. Our guests praise the helpful staff and the clean rooms in our ...
8.4/10 Very Good! (1,188 reviews)
"easy to find and great location, near local attractions"

Reviewed on Jul 11, 2025

The View Studio Suites and Event Venue
Lake Buena Vista Resort Village & Spa
Lake Buena Vista Resort Village & Spa
4 out of 5
8113 Resort Village Drive, Orlando, FL
Stay at this 4-star spa condo in Orlando. Enjoy free WiFi, free parking, and 2 outdoor pools. Our guests praise the pool and the helpful staff in our reviews. ...
8.2/10 Very Good! (8,937 reviews)
"Nice hotel terrible elevator experience you have to wait 30 for the elevator. Housekeeping doesn’t have a service elevator so they have to use the guest elevators. This is a major inconvenience"

Reviewed on Jul 10, 2025

Lake Buena Vista Resort Village & Spa
Lowest nightly price found within the past 24 hours based on a 1 night stay for 2 adults. Prices and availability subject to change. Additional terms may apply.

Popular places to visit

Things to do