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Located in Central Florida, the city of Orlando offers a varied look at the Sunshine State through world-renowned theme parks, professional sports, beach fun, and much more. Browse our encompassing list of attractions and start putting your vacation plans together today!

Theme Park Attractions in Orlando, FL

There is no denying that theme parks are one of the major reasons to visit the Orlando area. And regardless of the experience you're looking for, you're bound to find a theme park setting just right for your Orlando vacation.

Without a doubt, Disney World stands as one of the premier theme parks in Orlando, if not the world! Featuring four separate parks - Animal Kingdom, Disney-MGM Studios, EPCOT, and Magic Kingdom -, Disney World can be an entire vacation experience in itself! Add to the general theme parks attractions separate on-site attractions including Chef Mickey's Character Dining, Disney Character Breakfast and live shows such as Cirque du Soleil® La Nouba, and you'll find a setting that warrants multiple visits!

Of course, Universal Studios is equally famed for its abundance of thrill rides and movie magic, and also offers additional shows and activities on-site, such as Fear Factor Live!

Those looking to keep their vacation cool in sunny Orlando may want to turn to a few of the area's more popular water parks for a thrilling and refreshing experience. Aquatica, Adventure Island, Splash Island, Wild Waters, and Wet 'n Wild is just a sample of the water park options available, each being renowned within the area.

Those looking for a smaller, carnival-style experience will find just that as well. Magical Midway and Fun Spot Action Park both present fair-style rides and carnival games for traditional Americana fun.

And for those that would like a theme park experience more focused on exhibits than rides, Orlando is also home to a plethora of zoological theme park attractions. While SeaWorld may carry the national recognition, and rightfully so, travelers can still find a variety of other popular area options including both Gatorland and Gatorland with Transportation, Silver Springs, and Cypress Gardens.

Zoological Attractions in Orlando, FL

Those that would like to completely forego the theme park experience and want to focus strictly on animal exhibits, Orlando has options ranging from international collections to those that care for the local species in particular.

Both the Brevard Zoo and Central Florida Zoo offer a traditional zoo setting, though that certainly isn't to say they're any less grand than the other zoological attractions in the area.

For a more niche experience, you'll find the Green Meadows Petting Zoo offers a hands-on time of learning; Jungle Adventures and Jungleland can present a walk on the truly wild side; the Miami Seaquarium, Parrot Jungle Island, and Reptile World place heavy emphasis on their respective focuses; and the University of South Florida Botanical Gardens, Harry P. Leu Gardens and Historic Bok Sanctuary can all present a more vegetative look at our natural world.

Dinner Shows & Live Entertainment in Orlando, FL

Aside from theme parks, the Orlando area is also blessed with a plethora of dinner shows. Travelers will find a variety of nationally known dinner show attractions, as well as a few that are specific to Orlando itself. Certainly, Medieval Times Dinner & Tournament catches the most spotlight on a national level, though shows including Arabian Nights Dinner Attraction and Pirate's Dinner Adventure can definitely fulfill your need for high-adventure and great dining as well. Those looking for a show that places you directly in the middle of the action, Sleuth's Mystery Dinner Theatre is a great way to become engaged in the show and even interact with the fellow diners. And with the Magic Comedy Dinner Show you'll find a light-hearted, though none the less impressive, time of pizza, magic, comedy and more!

Dining & Nightlife Attractions in Orlando, FL

If you'd like a fun night out without the structure of a dinner show, then perhaps the typical dining and nightlife of Orlando is more your style. With themed restaurants like Hard Rock Cafe and Planet Hollywood you can find a lively dining experience coupled with sights of unique rock n roll and movie memorabilia, respectively. For Planet Hollywood, there is even a special Planet Hollywood VIP package that includes being picked up by limousine.

And for those that would like all the action without the dining, there is the Orlando Night Life Pass This flexible pass comes in 1 to 5 night denominations, and offers admission to four of Orlando's hottest clubs!

Sports Attractions in Orlando, FL

Sports fanatics could easily plan an entire vacation itinerary revolving around their passion for competition, though even the average traveler is sure to find fun times at one or two of the area's sports attractions. Directly in Orlando, travelers will find the Orlando Tinker Field to be a classic summer experience. As host to the Orlando Rays, Orlando's minor league baseball team, Orlando Tinker Field offers the chance to see some of baseball's future stars before they hit the limelight. For the fall/winter season, you'll find few activities in all of Orlando more exciting than an Orlando Magic basketball game. Regular tickets are available, but for those looking for the total package Orlando Magic Basketball Games by Grayline offers the option for both a game ticket and tour of the arena, or even a VIP treatment!

Taking to the surrounding area, sports fans will find even more to enjoy! Even if you're not a huge sports fan, there are few things more exciting than cheering on the home team with 75,000 fans, and that is exactly what a trip to see the NFL team Jacksonville Jaguars can offer. What's more, you can even receive round-trip transportation from Orlando to Jacksonville so that you can kick back and enjoy every second of the experience.

Along with Jacksonville, Daytona also offers major league sports excitement in the form of NASCAR. And with actual tickets to NASCAR at Daytona International Speedway, a Daytona International Speedway Day Tour, and even an activity park named Daytona USA that can extend the fun beyond the racetrack, any NASCAR fan is sure to find a full day of thrills.

And for those that would like to participate in athletics that are uniquely Florida, there is both a Deep Sea Fishing in the Gulf of Mexico or Deep Sea Fishing on the Orlando Princess, as well as Surf Lessons to ensure a unique and participatory time of sporting action, and even a few skate parks including the Orlando Skate Park and Van's Skate Park.

Sightseeing Tours in Orlando, FL

Those looking to explore the Orlando area in-depth will find a wide array of sightseeing tours ranging from encompassing to highly focused.

For a quintessentially Florida experience, you'll find tour options such as the 1 Hour Night Airboat Tour, Nighttime Airboat Safari, Boggy Creek Airboat Tour, Half-Hour Airboat Ride to offer both a thrilling and educational look at the area's Everglades.

If you're looking to get away from Central Florida and hit the beaches, Captain Memo's Pirate Cruise, Clearwater Beach Day Tours, Cocoa Beach Thousand Islands Eco-Tours, and the Dolphin Encounter Tour can all offer their own, unique look at the coast of Florida. Other tours stretching out throughout all of Florida include Cocoa Beach & Airboat Adventure Tour, Miami Everglades Day Tour, Sea Screamer Speedboat, Sealife Safari Tour, Monkey Business VIP Jungle Safari, and the St. Johns River & Lake Poinsett Airboat Tour. Along with tours of the coast, cruise options such as the Paddlewheel Adventure Dinner Cruise and Rivership Romance can both offer a time of nautical sightseeing without leaving the Orlando area.

Adding a walk on the wild side to the typical sightseeing tour, tours including Swim Where the Manatees Live, Florida Alligator Adventure Tour - Sun, Sand & Scales, Florida Manatees Adventure Tour, Miami Dolphin Tour, and Swim with the Dolphins each offers its own unique look, and in many instances interaction, with some of the local wildlife of Florida.

Switching from the typical sightseeing to a time of finding the best buys in Florida, the Orlando area is also home to a variety of shopping tours! Whether looking to visit a certain mall or even looking for an entirely themed time of shopping, there are numerous options available, including Divas on a Dime, Festival Bay Mall Shopping Tours, Macy's Mall at Millennia Star Shopper, Orlando Premium Outlets Shopping Package, Orlando Shopping Extravaganza, and Orlando Shoppers Paradise Tour all offer a great, guided way to bring back souvenirs for both your loved ones and yourself!

For those that dream of flight, Orlando offers a variety of aeronautic tours ranging from actually flying in the sky with the Orange Blossom Balloons Hot Air Balloon Rides or Orlando Balloon Ride to exploring the workings of space travel with the Kennedy Space Center Tour and Shuttle or Rocket Launch Tour.

And for first-time Orlando visitors simply looking to find all the area has to offer, the Orlando City Tour can present a time generic, yet in-depth, enough to introduce the average traveler to the history and current wonder of Orlando, FL.

General Family Attractions in Orlando, FL

If you're not entirely sure what you'd like to take part in during your next visit to Orlando you may want to look into a general attraction that can appeal to a wide range of traveler.

Mini-golf is always a fun and competitive option, and there is certainly no shortage in the Orlando area. Congo River Adventure Golf and Hawaiian Rumble Adventure Golf can both offer an active afternoon, with Congo River offering two 18-hole courses at one site and Hawaiian Rumble featuring two separate locations!

For even more competition, you can take your family to the Fun Spot Family Action Park for go-karts, arcades and more!

Those looking for something a little more on the wild side should have no problem finding a wide array of general attractions. From haunted-house settings such as the Haunted Grimm House to Skull Kingdom's interactive show experience, frights abound without being too much for the kids. Of course, those traveling with younger children may want to opt for a less frightening, though none-the-less bizarre experience with popular attractions such as Ripley's Believe It or Not Odditorium and Wonderworks. Additionally, the Zellwood Festival Fairgrounds.

For the traveler that simply can't decide on any one attraction, there is the Go Orlando Card! Cards can be purchased in two to seven day increments and offers admission to over two dozen of Orlando's most popular attractions, museums and more.

And if you'd like to actually stay at an attraction, there is the impressive Gaylord Palms Resort, featuring four acres of lodging, dining and shopping!

Educational Attractions in Orlando, FL

Education may not be at the top of your mind when on vacation, but these unique attractions can interject education without ever taking away from the fun! The Orlando County Regional History Center offers an intriguing look into Orlando itself, while attractions including Dinosaur World and the Discovery Science and Outdoor Center provide a more encompassing time of educational entertainment. Additionally, travelers will find a variety of education exhibits focused on very specific topics including The Holy Land Experience and Titanic - The Experience.

Those hoping for a look into the inner workings of government can visit the Casselberry City Hall, which not only serves as a base of public business, but also routinely hosts art and history exhibits. And for the adults, the Lakeridge Winery and Vineyards can provide both an educational look into the processing of wine as well as a relaxing day while in Orlando!