Attractions

While Central Florida is widely known for its big three—Walt Disney World, Universal Orlando and SeaWorld (see our Theme Parks story in this issue)—there are many other attractions you’ll want to experience on your next visit.

In Lakeland, book a natural adventure tour of the 260-acre Safari Wilderness Ranch via safari vehicles, kayaks or camels. Nearby, you’ll find the American Water Ski Hall of Fame and Museum in Polk City.

For an airboat ecotour, check out Wild Florida Airboats & Gator Park in Kenansville on Cypress Lake. Activities include a 14-acre gator park, animal encounters and a drive-thru safari park. Old Town in Kissimmee offers a variety of rides and attractions such as The Great Magic Hall as well as themed restaurants, an arcade and shopping. For more rides and go-karts, head over to Fun Spot America in Kissimmee.

The Showcase of Citrus in Clermont is a family-owned roadside citrus farm and cattle ranch at which families can pick  lemons and oranges. At Clermont’s Lakeridge Winery & Vineyards—Florida’s largest winery—there are ample diversions from complimentary winery tours and tastings to live music sessions on weekends.

The Crayola Experience in Orlando’s Florida Mall is a family attraction offering dozens of hands-on experiences. Orlando’s International Drive is home to many attract-ions, including the SEA LIFE Orlando Aquarium, Madame Tussauds wax museum and The Wheel, a 400-foot-tall observation wheel at ICON Park. Dezerland Park is an indoor theme park featuring the Orlando Auto Museum which includes cars from James Bond and Batman movies. At nearby iFly Orlando, test your bravery at this indoor skydiving experience. Don’t tell the kids, but at WonderWorks indoor amusement park on International Drive, they can learn while having fun in this 28,000 square feet of edutainment. Fun Spot America, a family-owned theme park in the area, features multi-level go-karts, thrill rides, family rides and an arcade. (There is also a Kissimmee location.) Just north of downtown Orlando, the Orlando Science Center offers interactive, hands-on exhibits, an observatory, and two theatres for educational films. 

Venture over to Black Hammock Adventures in Oviedo for airboat rides on Lake Jesup, home to one of the largest alligator-infested lakes in Florida.

The Central Florida Zoo and Botanical Gardens in Sanford is home to more than 350 animals and the Barnyard Buddies Children’s Petting Zoo. Feed the giraffes then cool off in the Wharton-Smith Tropical Splash Ground. 

Near Ocala, a must visit in this region is the venerable Silver Springs State Park, Florida’s first attraction, known for its famous glass-bottom boats.

A 30-minute drive east gets you to another silver spot, the Silver Glen Springs where recreational activities are as popular as the enormous middens that bulge beneath a canopy of live oaks. These springs are one of the best!

Beaches and Outdoor Gems

Whether nature-made or artificial, the Central Florida region is home to plenty of options for the family to cool off or explore.

Sebring is home to nearly 100 crystal-clear lakes and the Highlands Hammock State Park, one of Florida’s oldest parks and a gem you must not miss. The park is renowned for its beautiful old-growth hammock and thousand-year-old oaks. If extra lucky, you may catch a glimpse of a black bear and the endangered Florida panther. An elevated boardwalk traverses a cypress swamp where you may observe alligators, birds and other wildlife. Birdwatching, catch-and-release fishing and ranger-guided tours are other popular activities and a fully accessible tram tour allows visitors to view wildlife relatively up close.

In Polk County, the Allen David Broussard Catfish Creek Preserve State Park covers more than 8,000 acres of scrub, sandhill and flatwoods land.

Like fishing? In Osceola County, Lake Tohopekaliga, known as Lake Toho, spans 42 miles in circumference, and is a hotbed for bass.

Take the family waterskiing, wake-boarding, wakeskating, wakesurfing, knee-boarding and tubing at the Orlando Watersports Complex. A short drive west, Lake Louisa in Clermont is the largest in a chain of 13 lakes and is designated an Outstanding Florida Water Way. Grab a pole or canoe and relish in the beauty of Lake County.

Excellent outdoor activities await north of Orlando, including the Lake Apopka Loop Trail, offering nearly 15 miles of family biking or hiking. Want to tube down a crystal-clear river fed by natural springs? Located in Apopka, local favorite Rock Springs Run at Kelly Park offers swimming, tubing and hiking trails.

Blue Spring State Park is home to hundreds of manatees. The clear, 73-degree waters welcome swimmers, snorkelers and scuba divers.

In the Ocala National Forest, the southernmost forest in the United States, dozens of campgrounds and 600 lakes, rivers and springs welcome visitors year-round.

Entertainment

With an impressive array of bars, clubs, live music venues, and themed entertainment districts scattered across the city, Orlando presents a bustling nightlife landscape teeming with energy. 

International Drive, known as I-Drive, features an abundance of shopping, dining and entertainment for daytime or nighttime activities. Mango’s Tropical Cafe showcases exciting live shows, dancing within a vivacious Miami-style club while Tin Roof offers live music performances by Central Florida’s best artists. Sip on a cocktail at a bar made entirely of ice at ICEBAR Orlando, enjoy a fiesta at Señor Frog’s or rock out to dueling pianos at Howl at the Moon. Pointe Orlando fuses dining and entertainment with spots ranging from the distinctive flavors of Cuba Libre Restaurant & Rum Bar to Greek Zorba and belly dancing at Taverna Opa. Nightly entertainment includes the Improv Comedy Theatre and Restaurant as well as Main Event Entertainment.

Within close proximity to Orlando’s world-famous theme parks, “Restaurant Row” is a one-mile stretch of Sand Lake Road featuring over 25 exquisite restaurants. Many feature extensive bars, comprehensive wine lists and live music.

Universal CityWalk is another vibrant place to grab a quick snack, relax over dinner, mingle over cocktails, take in an electrifying concert or dance the night away. Select from a variety of dining options, such as The Cowfish Sushi Burger Bar, Antojitos Authentic Mexican Food and VIVO Italian Kitchen. Nightclubs and other after-hour hot spots include CityWalk’s Rising Star karaoke club, where on select nights visitors take center stage and perform with a live band complete with backup singers. Classic American cuisine hits the spot at the world’s largest Hard Rock Cafe, while world-famous names in music and comedy perform at the adjacent Hard Rock Live Orlando. Drink in paradise at Jimmy Buffett’s Margaritaville. A little of the Big Easy is offered at Pat O’Brien’s, the original home of dueling pianos. Savor one-of-a-kind gourmet treats at the Toothsome Chocolate Emporium & Savory Feast Kitchen. Sports fans can catch the big game on almost 100 HD Screens at NBC Sports Grill & Brew while grubbing out on hearty dishes.

Disney Springs is an entertainment-shopping-dining complex at Walt Disney World Resort. There are four distinct neighborhoods to explore here: The Landing, Marketplace, West Side and Town Center—built around bubbling springs.

For a unique evening, board the Rivership Barbara-Lee in Sanford, an authentic stern-wheeler, for a three-hour tour along Lake Monroe and the St. Johns River.

And while there is little casino action in Central Florida, Ocala Gainesville Poker in Reddick hosts poker tournaments and live games as well as simulcast wagering.

Road Trips

Take a break from the parking lots and embark on a scenic drive to experience some of Old Florida at its finest.

The Ridge Scenic Highway travels more than 38 miles along the Lake Wales Ridge, through the historical communities of Sebring, Frostproof, Lake Wales, Dundee and Haines City. While in Lake Wales, be sure to visit Spook Hill, a natural phenomenon that gives the illusion that cars are coasting uphill.

A drive west of Orlando to Clermont brings you to the Florida Citrus Tower built in 1956 on one of the highest hills in Florida’s ridge section. An elevator ride to the top gives way to panoramic views of eight counties in Central Florida.

In Sumter County, explore the Dade Battlefield Historic State Park where, on December 28, 1835, a Native American ambush started the Second Seminole War.

Look for the Green Mountain Scenic Byway near Lake Apopka that shows off the region’s little-known rolling hills. Among the rural towns and villages, you’ll pass by the historic moss-covered Sadler Oaks in the community of Tildenville.

Ocala, in Marion County, is the center of the thoroughbred horse industry in Florida and beautiful rolling farmlands. Hop on the Florida Black Bear Scenic Byway, which travels through the heart of Central Florida to the Ocala National Forest. Look for springs, kayaking and fishing spots.

Shopping

If you are looking for a taste of Florida, there are several outdoor markets selling fresh local produce, preserves and products, including the Lakeland Downtown Farmers Curb Market and Main Street Bartow Farmers Market. For mall shopping, hit the Lakeland Square Mall with over 90 shops.

The Loop in Kissimmee is a popular outdoor mall offering retail outlets including Sunglass Hut and Old Navy.

Disney Springs is home to over 100 shops, ranging from Anthropologie to the LEGO Store and the Art of Disney.

Want big? The Florida Mall in Orlando is Central Florida’s largest shopping center that offers more than 250 stores to shop ‘til you drop. The Mall at Millenia in Orlando is Central Florida’s largest shopping center that has become a favorite for locals and visitors. This shopping mecca features some of the most stylish shops in all of Central Florida: Tiffany & Co., Gucci and Louis Vuitton, to name a few. The Orlando International Premium Outlets and Orlando Vineland Premium Outlets offer discounts in brand-name stores.

Park Avenue in Winter Park is the quintessential place to shop in Central Florida. Wander in and out of shops, such as Tuni, Siegel’s and Ten Thousand Villages as you walk the brick-lined street. Nearby Winter Park Village features upscale shopping and dining.

North of Orlando, Renninger’s Vintage Antique Center Farmer’s & Flea Market in Mount Dora is worth the trip. The family-owned business features hundreds of vendors.

Nearby, Lake Square Mall in Leesburg features some 45 stores, while Paddock Mall in Ocala has more than 90, anchored by Macy’s, Belk and JC Penney.

Explore the shops and boutiques on First Street in historic Sanford, once a major Central Florida hub. The town is also home to Seminole Towne Center with anchor stores such as Dillard’s and JCPenney. The local hub is a one-stop destination for shopping, socializing and finding deals.