Attractions

Here are some of the things we recommend in the Orlando area! Check out the map for a comprehensive list.

Many of the attractions require a car to get to. If you choose to rent a car, please note all highways apart from I-4 are toll roads. East coast passes work on all Florida toll roads. Anyone flying into Orlando can pick up a free Visitor Toll Pass from Level 1 of Terminals A and B or Level 4 of Terminal C. This is a much cheaper alternative to car rental toll passes.

Theme Parks

Orlando’s eight major theme parks by Disney, Universal and SeaWorld will be in their off-season in January, but that doesn’t mean the parks – particularly the four Disney parks and Epic Universe – will be slow.
 
We highly recommend upgrading your ticket with Lightning Lane (or each park’s equivalent) for a better experience.
 
At this time, Universal has not announced a release date for single-day tickets for Epic Universe.

Kennedy Space Center

Orlando’s other major attraction is 45 minutes east along the Atlantic coast. Get up close to the rockets and equipment that built our dominance in space, from Apollo to the Falcon 9.
 
This is a full day’s experience. Lines will be longer on days that have rocket launches. If you want to check out one of those, you can get a good view without paying extra.

Downtown Winter Park and boat tours

Winter Park is the locals’ downtown, with many of the best restaurants in the Orlando area. Take a walk down Park Avenue and check out the farmer’s market on Saturday mornings in the central park.

Boat tours are popular among locals and visitors. There are the scenic boat tours that depart hourly from a nearby dock that wind their way through the canals and chain of lakes around the city. Guides will talk about the history of Winter Park and the many famous homes (and residents) on the lake.

For a more active experience, two-hour guided glass bottom kayak tours through the canals are also available.

Lake Apopka Wildlife Drive

Want to see some alligators? Take a car through the free one-hour Wildlife Drive on the west side of the metro area. This preserve is teeming with life. Tours are self-guided, so you’re able to stop and get out of the car at any point to get a closer look.

Golf

Winter Park’s municipal golf course is adjacent to Casa Feliz and offers nine relaxing holes to walk between. Tee times book up to a week in advance and cost $24 per person (as of March 2024).

Charles Morse Museum

Known for its large collection of Tiffany lamps, the Charles Morse Museum is located on the north end of downtown Winter Park.

Beaches

We recommend two beaches along Florida’s Atlantic coast if you’re in the mood for some sun and sand. Head to New Smyrna Beach’s Flagler Avenue, which has a large public parking lot, for a more active scene.
 
If you don’t want to be around as many people, set your GPS to Cherie Down Park in Cape Canaveral.
 
Both beaches are approximately 45 minutes’ drive from Winter Park.

Harry P. Leu Gardens and Audubon Park

Orlando’s botanical gardens, located south of Winter Park, are open year-round. After you’re done, consider checking out Audubon Park, which is anchored by the quaint East End Market with lots of small shops and Domu, a well-known Ramen restaurant.

Downtown Orlando and Lake Eola

Downtown Orlando doesn’t get much foot traffic these days, but there are several things to do. Our city is anchored by Lake Eola, with its iconic fountain and dozens of swans. There is a farmer’s market located on the southeast corner of the park every Sunday from 10 to 4.
 
Downtown is also the home of the Kia Center and the Orlando Magic NBA team and the Orlando Solar Bears minor league hockey team, as well as the Dr. Phillips Center, home our Broadway theater and several other performing arts venues.

Boxi Park and Lake Nona

Live music and food trucks can be found approximately 30 minutes southeast of Winter Park, at Lake Nona’s Boxi Park. The park does not charge a cover before 5 p.m.
 
A very relaxing sculpture garden can be found a short walk away!

Blue Spring State Park manatees

One of the biggest gathering places for Florida’s manatees in the winter is Blue Spring State Park, located an hour north of Winter Park in Orange City.
 
Manatees gather by the hundreds after multiple days of cold weather in a row. Please be prepared to wait in the car line to enter the park for up to 90 minutes. Manatee counts can be found daily on the park’s Facebook page.

Airboat tour

See the waterways that give Florida its unique geography! Located 30 minutes east of Orlando, this company has the best reviews and the most reasonable prices.

Baldwin Park and lake walk

If you’re simply looking to take a nice walk in the Florida sunshine, we recommend Baldwin Park, an upscale shopping district on a former military base. It’s anchored by a 3-mile trail looping around a lake that we walk most weekends before treating ourselves at one of the cafés.