Central Florida Travel Guide

Tourist Guide

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

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

Bay Lake

4.5/5(24 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
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Downtown Orlando

4/5(2 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 Church Street Station 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
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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
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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
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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
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 AU$203 per night from 22 July to 23 July
AU$203
22 July - 23 July
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this 4-star family-friendly hotel in Orlando. Enjoy free WiFi, 6 outdoor pools, and 3 restaurants. Our guests praise the pool and the helpful staff in ...
9.2/10 Wonderful! (3,095 reviews)
"I enjoyed the pool area. The"

Reviewed on 22 Jun. 2025

Sheraton Vistana Resort Villas, Lake Buena Vista/Orlando
Rosen Inn at Pointe Orlando
Rosen Inn at Pointe Orlando
3 out of 5
9000 International Drive, Orlando, FL
The price is AU$223 per night from 14 July to 15 July
AU$223
14 July - 15 July
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this 3-star family-friendly hotel in Orlando. Enjoy free WiFi, free parking, and 3 outdoor pools. Our guests praise the pool and the helpful staff in ...
8.4/10 Very Good! (4,525 reviews)
"Convenient location nearby restaurant selection. Rooms were small but clean and staff were friendly."

Reviewed on 21 Jun. 2025

Rosen Inn at Pointe Orlando
Marriott's Grande Vista
Marriott's Grande Vista
4 out of 5
5925 Avenida Vista, Orlando, FL
The price is AU$179 per night from 15 July to 16 July
AU$179
15 July - 16 July
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this 4-star spa hotel in Orlando. Enjoy free WiFi, 4 outdoor pools, and a full-service spa. Our guests praise the pool and the helpful staff in our reviews. ...
8.8/10 Excellent! (2,535 reviews)
"friendly staff, amazing property would stay again!"

Reviewed on 22 Jun. 2025

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.
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! (8,838 reviews)
"Was an amazing place for a family to stay. Shopping and entertainment just a short drive away. The rooms were top notch as any place we’ve ever stayed."

Reviewed on 20 Jun. 2025

Lake Buena Vista Resort Village & Spa
Vacation Village at Parkway
Vacation Village at Parkway
3 out of 5
2975 Arabian Nights Blvd, Kissimmee, FL
Enjoy free WiFi, a fitness center, and a 24-hour front desk.
8.4/10 Very Good! (2,248 reviews)
"It was clean. It was beautiful stores all over the place. Recommend anyone to stay at this place will come back again."

Reviewed on 21 Jun. 2025

Vacation Village at Parkway
Margaritaville Cottages Orlando with H2O Waterpark by Rentyl
Margaritaville Cottages Orlando with H2O Waterpark 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! (1,436 reviews)
"My family and I loved it here! Beautiful and super clean property & home. Only small complaint was there was always a long wait for the front desk staff. Limited information regarding trash and housekeeping was given upon check-in. Had to go back and ask questions to get the information needed. Will ..."

Reviewed on 21 Jun. 2025

Margaritaville Cottages Orlando with H2O Waterpark 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.

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Cities near Central Florida