Each year, over 50 million travelers arrive at Orlando airport, many eager to enjoy their vacation in this spectacular part of Florida. Sunshine, theme parks, and great food—what more could you want?

There’s seriously so much things to do in Orlando that it can be hard to plan your vacation. From fine dining to hair-raising roller coasters, Orlando has it all, so how should you start your trip?

Deciding what to do in Orlando as soon as you arrive is tough—but we can help! Keep reading to find the nine best things to do in Orlando.

Whatever you decide, we have a feeling that your Orlando vacation is going to be epic!

1. Head Straight to Disney World

For many people, Orlando is all about Disney World—one of the world’s best theme parks. With so many parks to choose from, like the Magic Kingdom, Epcot, and Animal Kingdom, Disney is truly another world.

Our top tip—make a plan well in advance, working out which parks you’ll visit on which days. Then, book your FastPasses and dining reservations in advance, so you don’t miss out on your favorite attractions.

Just be warned—there’s nowhere else quite like Disney, so you might find yourself coming back year after year! New rides and attractions are always opening up in the happiest place on earth, so there’s always something new to discover.

2. Explore the Magical World of Harry Potter

If you grew up reading the Harry Potter books, you’re going to be blown away by The Wizarding World of Harry Potter, part of Universal Studios.

Universal has brought the world of Harry Potter to life, with rides, attractions, and shows that make you feel like you’ve stepped into the books. And yes, you can even drink a butterbeer!

3. Learn About Marine Life at SeaWorld

Florida is all about the beautiful beaches surrounding its coastline, so it makes sense to head to SeaWorld to see some of the region’s marine life. You can see all sorts of amazing creatures here, like fish, turtles, and dolphins, so it’s sure to be a memorable day out.

If you’re looking for somewhere close to stay, the Hilton SeaWorld timeshare resort is a great choice.

4. Make a Splash at Aquatica Orlando

Let’s face it—Orlando can be seriously hot, especially in the summer months! Of course, that’s part of the excitement, so for fun travels, you’ll want to spend some time cooling down.

In that case, head to Aquatica Orlando, one of the city’s best water parks. It was voted “Orlando’s Best Water Park” by the Orlando Sentinel paper, and it literally has something for everyone.

Whether you prefer gentle pools and slides for the kids or more extreme adventures, you can find plenty of water fun here.

5. Visit the Central Florida Zoo

A zoo is a great place to spend a day out, learning more about animals and observing them earring, resting, or just relaxing.

At the Central Florida Zoo & Botanical Gardens, you can see plenty of amazing animals, including giraffes, leopards, cougars, and rhinos.

There are also plenty of free talks and attractions, designed to help you learn more about animal conservation. Oh, and if you can’t get enough thrills, there’s a zipline course as well!

6. Hit the Outlets

One of the greatest things about Orlando is that you can shop til you drop—Orlando is all about shopping! You’ll find plenty of outlet malls, where you can find your favorite brands for low prices.

The outlets can be a great place to cool down as well, enjoying the air conditioning after a morning out in the sun.

7. Dine at Disney Springs

If you’re in Orlando, you definitely want to spend some time at Disney Springs. This is a huge shopping, dining, and entertainment precinct that’s part of the Disney complex—it was formerly called Disney Marketplace.

This beautiful outdoor space is home to some of Orlando’s best restaurants, including Planet Hollywood, The Boathouse, Wolfgang Puck’s, and House of Blues. These restaurants can be pretty popular though, so it’s always better to make a reservation before you go.

8. Check Out an Orlando Magic Game

If you love sports, you’ve come to the right city! You can grab courtside seats to the Orlando Magic, the city’s NBA team.

This popular franchise is always fun to watch, so make sure you have time for a game while you’re in town.

9. Go Deep Sea Fishing

If the ocean is calling your name, you might want to jump on board a deep sea fishing charter. Deep sea fishing is popular throughout Florida and you’ll find a number of charter companies based near Orlando.

Your experienced guide will take you to all the best spots and help you get set up, even if you’re new to fishing. You might reel in fish such as grouper, snapper, or kingfish.

Have an Amazing Vacation With These Things to Do in Orlando

With so many amazing things to do in Orlando, you’ll probably wish you had more vacation time! You’re sure to love your time in the city, but it helps to make a plan, so you don’t miss out on anything.

Using the guide above, work out the attractions you want to see the most, then decide what to do on each day. It will help you save time and money, as it can sometimes be faster and cheaper to buy tickets to shows or parks in advance.

Start planning your trip and then pack your bags—Orlando is calling your name!

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