Central Florida

Travel Guide

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

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

Bay Lake

4.5/5(64 area reviews)

Exciting theme parks plentiful wildlife and top sights from Epcot® to Walt Disney World® Resort – discover Bay Lake, a destination also famous for its entertainment.

Bay Lake
Universal Studios Florida® featuring night scenes, a city and signage

Florida Center

If you're spending some time in Florida Center, Universal Orlando Resort and Universal Studios Florida are top sights worth seeing.

Florida Center
Default Image

Downtown Orlando

3/5(6 area reviews)

Ample dining options, great live music, and fantastic lake views are just a few top things to explore in Downtown Orlando. A visit to Church Street Station or Orlando City Hall 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
Default Image

Reunion

The top golf courses and fun-filled water parks 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

While there might not be top attractions in Windsor Hills, you can explore the larger area and discover places like Mystic Dunes Golf Club and Island H2O Live!.

Windsor Hills
Default Image

Orange Lake

If you're spending some time in Orange Lake, Walt Disney World® Resort and Orange Lake Golf are top sights worth seeing.

Orange Lake
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 €231 per night from 25 Mar to 26 Mar
€231
includes taxes & fees
25 Mar - 26 Mar
Stay at this 4-star family-friendly resort in Four Corners. Enjoy free WiFi, 5 outdoor pools, and 3 restaurants. Our guests praise the pool and the helpful staff ...
8/10 Very Good! (7,085 reviews)
"The grounds are beautiful. The waterpark is really great. The staff were friendly and helpful. I didn’t like how you have to pay to have a chair in the front row by the pool."

Reviewed on 12 Mar 2025

The Grove Resort & Water Park Orlando
Holiday Inn Resort Orlando Suites - Waterpark by IHG
Holiday Inn Resort Orlando Suites - Waterpark by IHG
3.5 out of 5
14500 Continental Gateway, Orlando, FL
The price is €130 per night from 1 Apr to 2 Apr
€130
includes taxes & fees
1 Apr - 2 Apr
Stay at this 3.5-star family-friendly hotel in Orlando. Enjoy 2 outdoor pools, 5 restaurants, and 2 hot tubs. Our guests praise the clean rooms and the family ...
7/10 Good! (2,228 reviews)
"N/s"

Reviewed on 10 Mar 2025

Holiday Inn Resort Orlando Suites - Waterpark by IHG
Westgate Lakes Resort & Spa Universal Studios Area
Westgate Lakes Resort & Spa Universal Studios Area
4 out of 5
9500 Turkey Lake Rd, Orlando, FL
Stay at this 4-star spa hotel in Orlando. Enjoy free parking, 7 outdoor pools, and a full-service spa. Our guests praise the pool and the helpful staff in our ...
8/10 Very Good! (4,388 reviews)
"Nice property! Large! They have shuttle buses to get around! We enjoyed all 5 pools! (Not 7 as one is under construction and 1 is adults only) but they are all nice and hot tubs at most! It's a lot of walking but shuttle buses are around the property! They have beautiful views of the water! With ..."

Reviewed on 11 Mar 2025

Westgate Lakes Resort & Spa Universal Studios Area
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! (1,713 reviews)
"👍"

Reviewed on 10 Mar 2025

Vacation Village at Parkway
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! (8,416 reviews)
"Loved eating by the pool under the tiki hut. Parking was free and very easy to park."

Reviewed on 13 Mar 2025

Lake Buena Vista Resort Village & Spa
Margaritaville Resort Orlando Cottages by Rentyl
Margaritaville Resort Orlando Cottages by Rentyl
4 out of 5
8000 Fins Up Circle, Kissimmee, FL
Stay at this 4-star spa aparthotel in Kissimmee. Enjoy free WiFi, free parking, and a full-service spa. Our guests praise the pool and the helpful staff in our ...
8.6/10 Excellent! (1,247 reviews)
"We loved our stay!"

Reviewed on 9 Mar 2025

Margaritaville Resort Orlando Cottages by Rentyl
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