The Florida Guide
Orlando, FL
Orlando is the theme park capital of Florida, with a lakeside downtown and neighborhoods spread across Orange and Osceola counties.
91 places This weekend in Central Florida
Today in Orlando
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Orlando is the biggest city in Central Florida and the world’s best-known theme park destination, with Walt Disney World, Universal Orlando and dozens of other attractions in and around the city. Beyond the parks, it has a walkable downtown around Lake Eola, a busy arts and sports scene, and lakes and springs close by.
Where is Orlando?
Orlando is in Orange County in the middle of the Florida peninsula, about 85 miles northeast of Tampa and roughly an hour west of the Atlantic beaches. Interstate 4 runs through the city on a diagonal and links downtown with the theme park areas to the southwest. Florida’s Turnpike, SR 408, SR 417, SR 429 and SR 528 (the Beachline) handle much of the rest. Orlando International Airport (MCO) is on the southeast side, about 20 minutes from downtown, and Orlando Sanford International (SFB) serves the north side.
Orlando neighborhoods and areas
Downtown Orlando is the city’s core, with Lake Eola Park, the Dr. Phillips Center for the Performing Arts and the Kia Center, home of the Orlando Magic. Southwest of downtown off I-4, Universal covers Universal Studios Florida, Islands of Adventure, Volcano Bay, CityWalk and, a few miles south, Epic Universe.
Walt Disney World spreads across about 25,000 acres southwest of the city, with four theme parks and two water parks. Its neighbor Lake Buena Vista is home to Disney Springs and a cluster of hotels along SR 535. On the south side, Grande Lakes is a 500-acre resort enclave near SeaWorld, and Kissimmee, the Osceola County seat, sits on Lake Tohopekaliga with ranching roots and easy access to the Disney area along US 192.
Things to do in Orlando
Plan theme park days first, then leave room for the rest of the city. Lake Eola Park’s fountain and swan boats, Orlando City and Orlando Pride matches at Inter&Co Stadium, and shows at the Dr. Phillips Center are local favorites. The Orlando Museum of Art sits in Loch Haven Park just north of downtown. For nature, Wekiwa Springs State Park is a short drive north.
When to visit Orlando
Spring and fall offer the best weather. Summers are hot with daily afternoon storms, and the parks are most crowded around school breaks and the winter holidays. Traffic on I-4 is heavy at rush hour, so allow extra time between the parks and downtown.
Orlando anchors the Central Florida region.
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