Things to Do in Orlando

Orlando sits in the heart of central Florida, built around a collection of lakes and defined almost entirely by its relationship with fantasy. What started as a citrus-growing region transformed into the world's theme park capital when Disney arrived in the 1970s, followed by Universal Studios and a constellation of smaller attractions. The result is a city that exists primarily to entertain visitors, with an infrastructure designed around moving millions of people efficiently between hotels, restaurants, and attractions. Beyond the theme parks, Orlando has developed a surprisingly robust downtown area with decent nightlife, art galleries, and a growing food scene that extends well beyond tourist fare.

Orlando's food scene extends well beyond theme park fare, though you'll pay theme park prices inside the gates. International Drive offers everything from chain restaurants to surprisingly good ethnic food, particularly Vietnamese and Latin American options. Downtown Orlando has developed a legitimate restaurant scene with farm-to-table spots and craft breweries that cater to locals. The Disney Springs and Universal CityWalk areas provide upscale dining without park admission, though reservations are often essential. For budget-conscious visitors, the abundance of chain restaurants and all-you-can-eat buffets keeps costs reasonable.

Orlando's theme park season never really ends, but timing affects both crowds and costs significantly. Late January through early March offers the best weather with fewer crowds, though this is also when many attractions close for maintenance. Summer brings intense heat and humidity along with the biggest crowds and highest prices. Fall, particularly September and October, provides decent weather with manageable crowds, though hurricane season remains a consideration. Winter holidays are magical but expensive and crowded beyond belief.