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<\/p>\nOrlando is a charming city located in the heart of Florida. Known for its theme parks and lovely weather, Orlando is a great city for any type of trip. While most people who visit Orlando go for the parks, this city is much more.<\/p>\n
You will find lagoons with clear blue water, stunning cypress trees, and enchanting walking trails, and it is one of the only places in the world with manatees!<\/p>\n
This guide to Orlando, Florida, will go over all of the best places to eat, stay, and things to do in the city! Read on to discover the best that Orlando has to offer.<\/p>\n
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I loved my time spent in Orlando! The stunning parks, natural beauty, excellent restaurants, and more make Orlando a great city to visit in the USA. I think that the actual city of Orlando is overlooked because of the theme parks.<\/p>\n
There are many hidden gems in the city that many travelers miss (like the manatees, cute downtown areas, and nature preserves). <\/p>\n
The only thing that I don\u2019t love about Orlando is the transportation system\/driving. If you have ever been to Florida, you will know that driving there is kind of terrifying as people are a bit reckless. The only way to get around is by car, so it can be challenging to get around Orlando if you are not confident behind the wheel, like me. <\/p>\n
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Orlando is filled with an abundance of hotels, resorts, golf resorts, and vacation rentals. With so many options, deciding where the best place to stay can be challenging. Attractions and things to do in Orlando are very far apart – keep this in mind when choosing where to stay.<\/p>\n
Whether you are looking to stay in a theme park hotel or downtown Orlando, we have got you covered with ten highly recommended hotels to stay at in Orlando.<\/p>\n
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Orlando is a vibrant city filled with a wide range of activities and attractions that cater to all interests and age groups. Whether you’re looking to experience the thrill of iconic theme parks, relax at beautiful water parks, or soak up the sun at nearby beaches, Orlando has it all.<\/p>\n
The downtown area features a lively atmosphere with plenty of dining, shopping, and entertainment options, making it perfect for both locals and visitors alike. <\/p>\n
Additionally, you can explore unique attractions like art galleries, museums, and cultural centers that showcase the city’s rich heritage. For those who enjoy shopping, Orlando offers everything from luxury boutiques to popular outlet malls, providing endless opportunities to find the perfect gift or souvenir.<\/p>\n
Here are my top ten things to do and see in Orlando.<\/p>\n
Theme parks are the number one reason anyone visits Orlando, and this is why Orlando is one of the most visited cities in the United States.<\/p>\n
I feel like I don’t really need to sell you on the parks (Universal and Disney), but they are truly a must-visit, especially if you are with kids!<\/p>\n
If you don’t want to pay for entrance to the parks but still want a taste of Disney Magic, you can visit Disney Springs – a shopping center right next to Disney World with Universal and Disney-themed eateries, theatres, and shops!<\/p>\n
Lake Eola Park and its surroundings are considered the downtown area of Orlando. The walk around Lake Eola is about one mile and offers sights of wildlife, views of the Walt Disney Amphitheater, and swan boats available to rent.<\/p>\n
The surrounding area of Lake Eola Park has brick streets lined with shops, cafes, and restaurants.<\/p>\n
Winter Park<\/a> is a small town located just north of Orlando. In Winter Park, you will find quaint brick streets, amazing restaurants, adorable local boutiques, and fairytale-like gardens.<\/p>\n Winter Park is the perfect spot for a day trip from the parks. While in the charming town, be sure to visit Park Avenue, Do a Scenic Boat Tour, Explore Hannibal Square, and wander through Mead Garden.<\/p>\n Situated in the northern part of Orlando, you will find the captivating Leu Botanical Gardens. The 50-acre oasis is home to rare and unique plants from all over the world, a historic museum, plant markets, butterfly gardens, and walking trails.<\/p>\n The gardens are open daily from 9am – 5pm and are the perfect place to escape the hustle and bustle of the city! You can book your tickets to Leu Gardens here<\/a>.<\/p>\n Located about 40 minutes north of Orlando, Blue Springs State Park is a must-visit while in Central Florida. Manatees are rare animals that are only found in parts of Africa, Brazil, and Florida. So if you have the chance to see the gentle giants, you must!<\/p>\n At Blue Springs State Park, you can see the Manatees from the top-notch viewing decks and swim with them. Manatees are super friendly and are on a vegan diet, so you have nothing to worry about.<\/p>\n The best time to visit the manatees is in the winter, as they venture out of the springs and into the ocean during the summer months. I went in February and there were hundreds of them!<\/p>\n Blue Springs State Park is free, but parking is five dollars.<\/p>\n East End Market<\/a> is a lovely spot located in the heart of Orlando. This award-winning market is home to food vendors, unique shopping, sit-down restaurants, ice cream shops, and plenty of outdoor space.<\/p>\n East End Market is a great place to stop by for coffee, drinks, dinner, and some shopping!<\/p>\n You can’t visit Florida without stopping by one of the state’s white sand beaches. There are a few gorgeous beaches a short drive from Orlando.<\/p>\n Cocoa Beach is the closest beach to Orlando (about one hour east). Situated right next to the Kennedy Space Center, Cocoa Beach makes a wonderful day trip from Orlando as you can lounge on the beach or explore Cape Canaveral and the space center!<\/p>\n Another nearby beach is New Smyrna Beach<\/a>. At New Smyrna, you will find that old Florida vibe with cool diners, tiki bars, and beachside surf shops. New Smyrna is also about a one-hour drive from Orlando.<\/p>\n On the Gulf side of the city, slightly further away, you can enjoy the warmer and calmer beaches of Clearwater, Sarasota, and Sanibel Island.<\/p>\n Located in the northern part of Orlando, Baldwin Park is a charming little neighborhood full of restaurants, shops, and parks. Baldwin Park is a great spot to grab dinner, go shopping, or go running or biking, as there is a stunning trail that goes around the lake.<\/p>\n Some of my favorite places in Baldwin Park include Setio Sushi<\/a>, Frosty Fox<\/a>, and Harbour Park.<\/p>\n Black Bear Wilderness Area is a nature preserve located about thirty minutes north of Orlando. You will find trails, mangroves, views of the Saint Johns River, and observation decks in the Black Bear Wilderness Area. The nature preserve is perfect for any fellow nature lovers.<\/p>\n There is an awesome seven-mile hike through Black Bear Wilderness Area that allows you to see all of the best wildlife and views in the park!<\/p>\n Tampa is a city in the Tampa Bay area, situated along Florida\u2019s Gulf Coast. Tampa has lots of things to do and see. Be sure to walk, bike, or take a boat ride along the Tampa River Walk or enjoy one of the many beautiful sandy beaches. Busch Gardens is also a large theme park located close to the city.<\/p>\n There is no shortage of great tours to take in and outside the city. We have rounded up five of the best tours to take with your friends or family.<\/p>\n Orlando has its fair share of local favorite places to dine, along with high-end dining options and everything in between. Here are some of the best restaurants in Orlando to dine at for either breakfast, lunch, or dinner.<\/p>\n Related Articles<\/strong> – 12 Best Coffee Shops In Orlando, Florida<\/a><\/p>\n Orlando is home to one of the biggest airports in the United States, Orlando International Airport (MCO). So finding a flight should not be too difficult.<\/p>\n The airport is only about twenty minutes from Disney World and thirty minutes from downtown Orlando. The best way to get to either is via car.<\/p>\n If you are looking to stay at the parks, there is no need to rent a car. However, if you are hoping to explore more of the city, you must rent a car in Orlando, as public transportation is pretty much nonexistent.<\/p>\n The best time to visit Orlando is in the winter or spring. It can be a bit chilly in the winter, but overall, the weather is great. The spring is the best time to visit anywhere in Florida as it is 80s and sunny for the most part.<\/p>\n I would avoid Florida in general during the summer and fall. The summer is extremely hot and it is hard to be outside for long periods of time. The fall is hurricane season, so you may have to cancel your trip if the weather doesn’t allow planes to fly.<\/p>\n Orlando is one of the most visited cities in the United States for good reason – the parks, the weather, and all the cool things to do make it a very fun destination!<\/p>\n I hope this guide to Orlando helps you plan an unforgettable trip to Florida<\/a>. For further trip planning please visit our Travel Resources<\/a> page or explore our travel resource suggestions below. <\/p>\n Planning your trip can be daunting. There is a lot to arrange between flights, hotels, travel insurance, choosing tour companies… the list goes on. Below we are sharing some of our go-to resources to help you plan your next adventure!<\/p>\n We hope this article has inspired you to go on an Orlando, Florida getaway! If you have questions about Orlando or tips to share with our readers, please leave them in the comments below.<\/b><\/i><\/p>\n Want to write for We Are Travel Girls? Visit our<\/i><\/b> Contribute Page<\/i><\/b><\/a> to submit your article.<\/i><\/b><\/p>\n4) Explore Leu Botanical Gardens<\/h3>\n
5) Visit The Manatees At Blue Springs State Park<\/h3>\n
6) Explore East End Market<\/h3>\n
7) Go To The Beach<\/h3>\n
8) Explore Baldwin Park<\/h3>\n
9) Hike in Black Bear Wilderness Area<\/h3>\n
10) Take a day trip to Tampa<\/h3>\n
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<\/p>\nBest Tours To Take In Or From Orlando<\/h2>\n
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<\/p>\nBest Restaurants In Orlando, Florida<\/h2>\n
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<\/p>\nGetting To & Around Orlando<\/h2>\n
Best Time Of Year To Visit Orlando<\/h2>\n
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<\/p>\nA Complete Guide To Orlando, Florida Wrap Up<\/h2>\n
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<\/p>\nTravel Resources <\/h2>\n
Booking Accommodations <\/h3>\n
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Tours & Getting Around<\/h3>\n
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Travel Insurance<\/h3>\n
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