It’s no wonder that ‘The Sunshine State’ is one of the most popular visitor attractions in the US. The weather is usually hot and sunny, it has more theme parks than almost anywhere on the planet as well as a long list of attractions like beaches, exciting cities and natural wonders.
Florida is actually a long peninsular at the south-eastern corner of the US. Jacksonville is to the north and Miami to the south – but if you’ve landed at Orlando international airport, you’ve arrived in the middle. The airport serves the attractions and businesses of one of America’s biggest tourist destinations but also provides a gateway to both coasts and the cities of mid-Florida.
The marvels of mid-Florida
To the west, the Gulf Coast boasts glamorous beach resorts like St Petersburg, Clearwater and Sarasota, while the Atlantic Coast to the east offers the famous Daytona Beach plus the memorable attraction of Kennedy Space Centre at Canaveral. If you’re wanting to explore the whole of Florida, then look no further as we've got a great guide on the best seven things to see and do.
Visit the Parks
Mid-Florida’s main visitor attractions are the theme parks around Orlando and Kissimmee, which include some of the biggest tourism names in the world, like the Universal Resort, Busch Gardens and Walt Disney World Resort, the planet’s most visited theme park.
You’ll be able to drive to the Disney parks and hotels easily from the airport - it’s only 20 miles west and the 528 toll road gets you there in half an hour. The Universal Resort is even closer. Busch Gardens African-themed amusement park and zoo is a longer drive - it’s 85 miles to the west near Tampa. Other major attractions in the area include Gatorland – an alligator themed wildlife park – and Wet ‘n Wild, a massive water park.
Drive to I-Drive
You’ll find the central tourist highway through Orlando is called International Drive, known to locals as ‘I-Drive’. This four-lane, tree-lined road meanders roughly north to south for 11 miles and many hotels, restaurants and attractions are based on or near it. Look out for the Orlando Eye big wheel, the Wonderworks hands-on science centre, and Fun Spot children’s theme park.
You'll have an eating experience like no other if you choose to dine on International Drive. See if you can solve the puzzle at Sleuths Mystery Dinner Shows, or for a blockbuster line-up Treasure Tavern Dinner Theatre is the perfect way to spend an evening. The Orlando Improv Comedy Club & Dinner Theatre is well-suited to a more grown up crowd, with some of the city's finest comedians on show.
Working Orlando
Away from the attractions, Orlando is home to the University of Central Florida – one of the biggest in the USA. The downtown area, to the northeast of the tourist district, has an array of skyscrapers including the 441ft Sun Trust Centre. The combination of tourism and business with plenty of flights means that Orlando is also a major centre for business conventions. Try to spot the Orange County Convention Centre – it’s one of the largest in the USA.
Car hire at Orlando Airport allows you to make the most of your time in Florida and see all the attractions of the Sunshine State at your own pace.
