Central Florida

Travel Guide

Universal Studios Florida® featuring rides, night scenes and a city
Universal Studios Florida® featuring rides, night scenes and a city
Lake Eola Park featuring a park and theater scenes
Central Florida featuring night scenes and signage
Gatorland® which includes dangerous animals and 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

International Drive showing landscape views

International Drive District

Visitors to International Drive District rave about its breathtaking beach views, exciting theme parks and popular shops. You might also want to make some time to see Pointe Orlando or Aquatica while you're exploring the neighbourhood.

International Drive District
EyeEm Custom Shoots Q4 2018

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
Default Image

Champions Gate

Ample dining options and top golf courses are well-reviewed features of Champions Gate. Make a stop by top sights like ChampionsGate Golf Club while you're exploring the area.

Champions Gate
Central business district in Orlando city, is the 23rd largest metropolitan area in the United States of America.

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
Downtown Orlando

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 The Social 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
Reunion which includes golf and landscape views as well as a small group of people

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
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 RM619 per night from 26 Feb to 27 Feb
RM619
RM910 total
26 Feb - 27 Feb
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this family-friendly resort in Four Corners. Enjoy free Wi-Fi, 6 outdoor pools and 3 restaurants. Our guests praise the pool and the helpful staff in ...
8/10 Very Good! (9,120 reviews)
This place was OK. The water park was nice.

Reviewed on 25 Feb 2026

The Grove Resort & Water Park Orlando
Sheraton Vistana Resort Villas, Lake Buena Vista/Orlando

Sheraton Vistana Resort Villas, Lake Buena Vista/Orlando

4 out of 5
8800 Vistana Centre Dr Orlando FL
The price is RM510 per night from 22 Mar to 23 Mar
RM510
RM574 total
22 Mar - 23 Mar
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this family-friendly hotel in Orlando. Enjoy free Wi-Fi, 6 outdoor pools and 3 restaurants. Our guests praise the pool and the helpful staff in their ...
9.2/10 Wonderful! (4,704 reviews)
Clean roomy nice stocked kitchen only thing was a line checking in at 11 pm

Reviewed on 25 Feb 2026

Sheraton Vistana Resort Villas, Lake Buena Vista/Orlando
DoubleTree by Hilton at the Entrance to Universal Orlando

DoubleTree by Hilton at the Entrance to Universal Orlando

4 out of 5
5780 Major Blvd Orlando FL
The price is RM522 per night from 22 Mar to 23 Mar
RM522
RM587 total
22 Mar - 23 Mar
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this family-friendly hotel in Orlando. Enjoy free Wi-Fi, 2 restaurants and 2 bars/lounges. Our guests praise the pool and the helpful staff in their ...
8.4/10 Very Good! (6,921 reviews)
I've gotta start with the staff, they were super helpful. Rooms were clean, amenities were nice. I'd like to go back in warmer weather as it was too cold at night to use the pool and hang out by the pool

Reviewed on 25 Feb 2026

DoubleTree by Hilton at the Entrance to Universal 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.
Sheraton Vistana Resort Villas, Lake Buena Vista/Orlando

Sheraton Vistana Resort Villas, Lake Buena Vista/Orlando

4 out of 5
8800 Vistana Centre Dr Orlando FL
Stay at this family-friendly hotel in Orlando. Enjoy free Wi-Fi, 6 outdoor pools and 3 restaurants. Our guests praise the pool and the helpful staff in their ...
9.2/10 Wonderful! (4,704 reviews)
Clean roomy nice stocked kitchen only thing was a line checking in at 11 pm

Reviewed on 25 Feb 2026

Sheraton Vistana Resort Villas, Lake Buena Vista/Orlando
Vacation Village Orlando, Celebration

Vacation Village Orlando, Celebration

3 out of 5
2975 Arabian Nights Blvd Kissimmee FL
Stay at this family-friendly condo in Kissimmee. Enjoy free Wi-Fi, 7 outdoor pools and 7 hot tubs. Our guests praise the helpful staff and the clean rooms in ...
8.6/10 Excellent! (3,471 reviews)
This is an OK place. the aptos are decente size and the beds were clean. the floors are cleaned in a way that is sticky if you are barefoot and the old dirt will stick to you foot.

Reviewed on 25 Feb 2026

Vacation Village Orlando, Celebration
Marriott's Grande Vista

Marriott's Grande Vista

4 out of 5
5925 Avenida Vista Orlando FL
Stay at this spa hotel in Orlando. Enjoy free Wi-Fi, 4 outdoor pools and a full-service spa. Our guests praise the pool and the helpful staff in their reviews. ...
9/10 Wonderful! (3,935 reviews)
Staff very helpful and friendly. Loved the security measures to property. Room very clean. Lots of activities and amenities.

Reviewed on 24 Feb 2026

Marriott's Grande Vista
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

Explore a world of travel with Expedia