Central Florida, FL

Travel Guide
Lake Eola Park showing a park and theater scenes
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

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
Downtown Orlando

Downtown Orlando

4/5(769 area reviews)

Orlando's historic core boasts art galleries, retail, restaurants, and nightclubs, with attractions like Lake Eola Park, Linton E. Allen Memorial Fountain, and performing arts theaters, all accessible via public transportation.

Downtown Orlando
Magic Kingdom® Park showing rides and interior views as well as a couple

Bay Lake

4.5/5(2,826 area reviews)

Home to all four Walt Disney World Resort theme parks and one water park, this city offers endless entertainment, including Disney's Fort Wilderness Resort & Campground and Magnolia and Palm Golf Courses.

Bay Lake
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Windsor Hills

4.5/5(6 area reviews)

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
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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
Had a lovely lunch.. relaxing and wonderful view outside ❤️

Lake Nona

Mixed-use planned community near Orlando International Airport, Lake Nona offers golf at the prestigious Golf & Country Club and a glimpse into the future with its biomedical research hub, Lake Nona Medical City.

Lake Nona
The Grove Resort & Water Park Orlando
The Grove Resort & Water Park Orlando
4 out of 5
14501 Grove Resort Avenue, Winter Garden, FL
The price is $199 per night from Jun 4 to Jun 5
$199
$274 total
includes taxes & fees
Jun 4 - Jun 5
Stay at this 4-star family-friendly resort in Four Corners. Enjoy free WiFi, 3 outdoor pools, and 3 restaurants. Our guests praise the pool and the helpful staff ...
8.2/10 Very Good! (5,462 reviews)
"Nice"

Reviewed on Jun 2, 2024

The Grove Resort & Water Park Orlando
Holiday Inn Resort Orlando Suites - Waterpark, an IHG Hotel
Holiday Inn Resort Orlando Suites - Waterpark, an IHG Hotel
3.5 out of 5
14500 Continental Gateway, Orlando, FL
The price is $86 per night from Jun 6 to Jun 7
$86
$146 total
includes taxes & fees
Jun 6 - Jun 7
Stay at this 3.5-star family-friendly hotel in Orlando. Enjoy 2 outdoor pools, 2 spa tubs, and water park access (surcharge). Our guests praise the clean rooms ...
6.4/10 (5,502 reviews)
"It was a nice weekend getaway, water park was good, very crowded, more people than chairs available. The room was average, missing batteries for the tv remote and the ceiling fan worked with a remote, which we did not find until the morning of check out. There was a large soft spot on floor near ..."

Reviewed on Jun 2, 2024

Holiday Inn Resort Orlando Suites - Waterpark, an IHG Hotel
Hyatt Regency Orlando
Hyatt Regency Orlando
4.5 out of 5
9801 International Dr, Orlando, FL
The price is $142 per night from Jun 6 to Jun 7
$142
$209 total
includes taxes & fees
Jun 6 - Jun 7
Book a stay at this spa hotel in Orlando. Enjoy free WiFi, 2 outdoor pools, and a full-service spa. Our guests praise the pool and the restaurant in our reviews. ...
8.8/10 Excellent! (1,659 reviews)
"Awesome"

Reviewed on May 30, 2024

Hyatt Regency Orlando
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.
Avanti International Resort
Avanti International Resort
3 out of 5
8738 International Dr, Orlando, FL
Book a stay at this family-friendly aparthotel in Orlando. Enjoy free WiFi, breakfast (surcharge), and a free theme park shuttle. Our guests praise the pool ...
7.6/10 Good! (2,136 reviews)
"Excelente and create attention and clear"

Reviewed on Jun 1, 2024

Avanti International Resort
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! (7,144 reviews)
"Trash cans were little had to change often"

Reviewed on May 31, 2024

Lake Buena Vista Resort Village & Spa
Hyatt Regency Orlando International Airport
Hyatt Regency Orlando International Airport
4 out of 5
9300 Jeff Fuqua Boulevard, Orlando, FL
Book a stay at this business-friendly aparthotel in Orlando. Enjoy free WiFi, 2 restaurants, and breakfast (surcharge). Our guests praise the pool and the restaurant ...
9.4/10 Exceptional! (4,758 reviews)
"Extremely convenient, clean room and grateful for the restaurant service till midnight."

Reviewed on May 30, 2024

Hyatt Regency Orlando International Airport
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

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Cities near Central Florida