Let’s be honest, Orlando is packed with so much to see and do that you could easily fill a two-week holiday – and still not run out of options! While the theme parks are major draws, we always recommend setting aside a couple of days to explore more of what Orlando and the surrounding area have to offer.
After all, you’ve traveled this far, so you might as well make the most of it!
And there’s no one better placed to offer advice on where to visit than you – our AttractionTickets.com community. We asked on our social media channels about the best places to visit in Orlando and added a few suggestions of our own for this article.
Read on to find out what should be on your must-visit list for your next trip to Orlando.
Should I Hire a Car in Orlando?
That really depends on your plans. If you’re focusing on central Orlando or the International Drive area, rideshares, taxis, and shuttle services often make getting around easy.
However, if you want to explore a wider area, including attractions farther out like Kennedy Space Center, LEGOLAND, or Cocoa Beach, hiring a car is highly recommended. Public transport options are limited, and driving is usually faster and more convenient than relying on Ubers or taxis.
If you feel comfortable driving in the U.S., renting a car is probably the best choice for flexibility and cost-efficiency.
10 top places to visit in Orlando
Summary – 10 top attractions to visit in Orlando
Place to visit | Distance from Walt Disney World Resort | Distance from Universal Orlando Resort |
Walt Disney World Resorts | - | 9 miles (15 km) Around 15 minutes by car |
Universal Orlando Resort | 9 miles (15 kilometres) Around a 15-minute drive | - |
Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex | 58 miles (93 kilometres) Just over an hour’s drive | 65 miles (105 km) Around 1 hour 10 minutes by car |
LEGOLAND Florida Resort | 42 miles (68 km) Around 45 minutes by car | 50 miles (80 km) Around 50 minutes by car |
SeaWorld Orlando | 11 miles (18 km) Around 20 minutes by car | 4 miles (6.5 km) |
Celebration | 5 miles (9 kilometres) Just over 10 minutes by car | 10 miles (16 km) Around 15 minutes by car |
Target (closest Orlando store) | 5–8 miles (8–13 km) | 4–7 miles (6–11 km) Around 10–12 minutes by car |
Gatorland | 12 miles (20 kilometres) Around a 20-minute drive | 8 miles (13 km) |
Discovery Cove | 5 miles (9 kilometres) Around a 15-minute drive | 4 miles (6.5 km) Around 10 minutes by car |
Cocoa Beach | 65 miles (105 kilometres) Around an hour and 15 minutes by car | 70 miles (112 km) Around 1 hour 20 minutes by car |
1. Walt Disney World Resorts in Florida
If you’re visiting Orlando, a trip to Walt Disney World Resort is an absolute must. The resort features:
- 4 amazing Theme Parks – Magic Kingdom Park , EPCOT, Disney’s Hollywood Studios, and Disney’s Animal Kingdom Theme Park
- Water Park Fun– Disney’s Blizzard Beach Wark Park or Disney’s Typhoon Lagoon Water Park
- 25+ Disney Resort hotels
- Endless dining, entertainment, and shopping options
You can spend so many days here as there’s more than enough to keep the whole family entertained. From thrilling rides like TRON Lightcycle / Run Presented by Enterprise to immersive experiences in Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge and Pandora – The World of Avatar, every visit is packed with magic and excitement. Staying at a Disney Resort hotel also gives you complimentary transportation to the Disney Parks, so you can easily explore without a car. Browse ticket options here: Walt Disney World tickets.
How to get to Walt Disney World Resorts: Walt Disney World Resort sits in the Lake Buena Vista/Bay Lake area of southwest Orlando, just off I-4. Most visitors arrive by driving or rideshare and enter through clearly marked resort gateways. Guests staying on property typically use Disney transportation such as buses, boats, or the monorail to move between areas.
2. Universal Orlando Resort
Recommended by: wanderlustlauren_ (and us!)
If you love theme parks, then you really can’t miss visiting Universal Orlando Resort during your trip to Florida. The resort consists of:
- 3 incredible theme parks – Universal Studios Florida, Universal Islands of Adventure, and Universal Epic Studios
- 1 water park – Universal Volcano Bay
- 11 resort hotels
- 1 entertainment and dining complex – Universal CityWalk
We’d recommend spending more than just one day here during your Orlando holiday, as there’s so much to see and do. Choose from going behind the scenes of the movies with some fantastic shows, getting your pulse racing on the amazing thrill rides, and experiencing the magic at The Wizarding World of Harry Potter™️. Explore your options here: Universal Orlando Resort tickets.
How to get to Universal Orlando Resort: Universal Orlando Resort is located near the northern end of International Drive, close to the I-4 exits for Universal Boulevard and Kirkman Road. Visitors usually arrive by car, rideshare, or taxi and park in the large multi-level garages that lead directly to the central security hub. Guests at Universal hotels often take water taxis or shuttle buses.
Alternatively, you could get a taxi to one of the Universal Orlando Resort hotels and take the free transport from there into the parks.
3. Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex
An absolute must-do for any science nerds or space fanatics, Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex is like nowhere else on earth! Here, you’ll find one-of-a-kind interactive exhibits and attractions where you can learn more about humankind’s explorations in space.
Talk to real-life astronauts, touch a piece of Mars, and take part in a simulated rocket launch. If you time your visit right, you’ll even get to see an actual rocket launch – pretty cool, huh?
Check out your options here: Kennedy Space Center tickets.
How to get to Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex: Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex is on Merritt Island, about 45–60 minutes east of Orlando. Most travelers reach it by car via SR-528 or SR-520, crossing the causeways toward the Space Coast. If you don’t fancy driving during your Orlando holiday, then you can book a Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex tour with round-trip transportation from Walt Disney World Resort.
4. LEGOLAND Florida Resort
LEGOLAND Florida Resort is the ultimate destination for kids and LEGO fans. The park features:
- Theme park rides built around LEGO bricks
- Interactive building areas and play zones
- Miniland displays featuring famous landmarks
- Water park with slides, splash zones, and lazy rivers
It’s an ideal family day out, offering hands-on fun, creativity, and plenty of attractions designed specifically for younger guests. You can find ticket options here: LEGOLAND Florida tickets
How to get to LEGOLAND Florida Resort: LEGOLAND Florida Resort is located in Winter Haven, around 45 minutes southwest of Orlando. The easiest route is via US-27, with clear signs guiding drivers directly to the park entrance. Most visitors arrive by car or rideshare, though several Orlando tour operators offer dedicated shuttle services to the resort.
5. SeaWorld Orlando
SeaWorld Orlando is a marine-themed park known for its blend of thrilling rides, close-up animal experiences, and world-class shows. Highlights include:
- High-speed roller coasters such as Mako, Kraken, and Manta
- Dolphin, orca, and sea lion presentations
- Walk-through habitats featuring sharks, penguins, and manatees
- Family attractions, splash zones, and seasonal festivals
It’s a great choice for visitors who want a mix of entertainment, education, and big-coaster thrills. Explore ticket options here: SeaWorld Orlando tickets.
How to get to SeaWorld Orlando: SeaWorld Orlando is located on the southern end of International Drive, close to SR-528. Most visitors arrive by car or rideshare, and many hotels along I-Drive operate free or low-cost shuttle services. On-site parking is available directly in front of the entrance.
6. Celebration
Recommended by: Celebration was a really popular suggestion from our social media community and was recommended by natashagraham74, beverleysblue, and antoni_short.
When you think of the perfect neighbourhood in America, you’re probably picturing Celebration. The Walt Disney Company founded this charming town in the 1990s, and it has a beautiful downtown area inspired by traditional towns in America’s south. It’s also been named one of America’s prettiest neighbourhoods by Forbes magazine, and with its tree-lined streets, scenic trails, and red-brick buildings, it’s not difficult to see why.
Enjoy shopping in some of the independent boutiques, embark on a self-guided architecture tour, take in the scenery during a horse-drawn carriage ride, or rent bikes to cycle along Lake Rianhard.
How to get to Celebration: Celebration is a planned community located just south of the US-192 tourist corridor. Visitors usually access the town by car or rideshare, entering from the Celebration Avenue or Celebration Boulevard exits. Parking is available throughout the downtown district for those exploring shops and lakeside paths.
7. Target
Recommended by: We had a couple of suggestions to visit Target from our social media community, including thehappygirlies and zoealexandrahughes.
Target is a rite of passage for anyone visiting the United States for the first time. It’s one of the largest retailers in the US, with almost 2,000 stores across the country. It offers a variety of products, including food, clothing, and general merchandise, all available at discounted prices. Basically, whatever you need, you can find it at Target!
Reddit users from the UK describe Target as a “culture shock” as we literally have nothing like it in Great Britain. Blogger Belle About Town says, “Each category is neither too small to not have what you need nor too big to overwhelm you into not shopping it. Target is witchcraft.”
If you’re planning to buy clothing while you’re in Orlando, then you could do a lot worse than picking up some new threads at Target.
If you’re just getting used to the idea of Target, then brace yourself. There is also Super Target. These stores are larger than regular Targets, featuring extras such as on-site bakeries, delis, and butchers. If you’re self-catering during your trip to Florida, then a Super Target is for you.
How to get to Target: Most Target stores in the Orlando tourist area are positioned along major roads such as US-192, Vineland Avenue, and International Drive. These locations are typically reached by car or rideshare, with large surface parking lots and easy roadside access. Some I-Drive hotels also run shuttles that stop near retail centers.
8. Gatorland
One of our favourite things to do in Florida is to get up close and personal with some of the local wildlife…well, not too close! Gatorland Orlando is known as the alligator capital of the world as it’s home to over 2,000 American alligators. Not only that, but there are also crocodiles, birds, turtles, zebu, deer, and more.
Enjoy learning more about these incredible creatures and how they’re cared for at talks from their keepers, and you’ll even get the chance to feed the gators.
How to get to Gatorland: Gatorland is located on South Orange Blossom Trail (US-441), southeast of downtown Orlando. Visitors typically drive or use rideshare services, entering via the main roadside entrance where parking is provided on-site. Public transit is limited, so most guests rely on private transport.
9. Discovery Cove
Discovery Cove is home to some of the best underwater animal encounters in Orlando, and it’s a great day out for the whole family. Enjoy relaxing on what feels like a tropical island and do as much or as little as you want during the day.
Snorkel with tropical fish and stingrays, hand-feed exotic birds, and float through the rainforest on the Wind-Away River. Choose whether to add a dolphin swim to your day for a once-in-a-lifetime experience that you’ll never forget.
How to get to Discovery Cove: Discovery Cove sits adjacent to SeaWorld Orlando in the International Drive resort district. Access is straightforward via I-4 or SR-528, with dedicated parking at the front of the property. Most guests arrive by car or rideshare, and entry is controlled through a check-in process due to its reservation-only model.
10. Cocoa Beach
Recommended by: chadder_family_travels_ on social media
A holiday isn’t a holiday without spending a bit of time on the beach, and Cocoa Beach is one of the nearest beaches to Walt Disney World Resort. Here, you’ll find miles of coastline and plenty of opportunities for water sports, including kayak tours and boating. Keep your eyes peeled for dolphins, manatees, and turtles swimming off the shore.
Just off the beach, you’ll find Ron Jon Surf Shop, the largest surf shop in the world, so you can stock up on some gnarly threads. A short walk away is Cocoa Village, which has more than 50 shops, restaurants, and art galleries.
How to get to Cocoa Beach: Cocoa Beach is on Florida’s Atlantic coastline, about an hour east of Orlando. Travelers generally take SR-528 (the Beachline Expressway) directly to the coast, where Cocoa Beach’s main areas branch off A1A. Driving is the primary transportation method, though some tour companies offer beach day shuttles.
Top tip: If you are planning to visit both Walt Disney World Resort and Universal Orlando Resort during your trip, then the best value tickets are the Orlando Combination Tickets. You only need to purchase one ticket to enjoy thrills and spills at various theme parks and water parks in Orlando.
There’s no end of things to see and do on a trip to Walt Disney World Resort in Florida. There’s something to suit everyone from the biggest Disney fan to sunshine seekers and wildlife-lovers. Now that you’ve got some inspiration, it’s time to book your once-in-a-lifetime holiday. Check out our hotel and ticket packages to get started.
