Map of Orlando Florida Area
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Often known as the home of theme parks like Disney World and SeaWorld, Orlando is full of exciting attractions. From the wide variety of theme parks, the Kennedy Space Center, the great weather, and the thriving arts and culture scene, there is something in Orlando for everyone.
The Basics: Where is Orlando?
Orlando is located in central Florida, near the Atlantic Coast. The city has a population of around 290,000, with a metro area of around 2.13 million people.
Orlando is the 32nd largest urban area in the country and the third in Florida, after Miami and Tampa. It is known as part of the Sun Belt, an area that stretches across the Southern US, and is experiencing rapid population growth due to its good weather and smaller cities. Orlando is one of the country’s growing urban areas and its population has grown by around 22% since 2010.
What is Orlando known for?
Tourism
Orlando has been known as “The City Beautiful,” as well as “The Theme Park Capital of the World,” alluding to its variety of attractions that wow tourists from across the world.
Orlando gets more than 51 million tourists every year, with almost 4 million coming from countries outside the U.S. to experience what the city has to offer. From sunny Florida beaches to prestigious art museums, to the most extensive selection of theme parks in the world, it’s no wonder that Orlando is a tourist hot spot.
Theme Parks
Orlando is truly where the magic happens. The area is home to ten major theme parks, including Disney World, Sea World, Universal Studios, Epcot, and LEGOLAND Florida. Each of these parks has a variety of exciting attractions for both kids and adults, and offers opportunities to step out of your normal life and make dreams come true.
You can be a princess for a day at Disney World, swim with dolphins at SeaWorld, or discover your magic powers at the Wizarding World of Harry Potter.
In addition to the ten main theme parks, many, such as Disney World, have multiple parks and resorts that you can explore. The area also offers a variety of smaller attractions and theme parks if you’re looking to go off the beaten path. It goes without saying, you’ll need multiple trips to do it all!
If you’re overwhelmed by the array of exciting attractions, we recommend you take a look at some of the top resorts, see what there is, and pick the ones you’d like to visit first.
Great Weather
Florida’s warm, sunny weather is one of the many things that makes it a paradise to visit or live in. In many parts of the world, you may spend a lot of your year daydreaming of sunshine and palm trees, and Florida is somewhere you can find that all year long.
You can experience Florida sunshine in Orlando’s magical parks, or drive to a nearby beach destination like Cocoa Beach, Clearwater Beach, or Daytona Beach. It’s the kind of weather that will make you want to sit back, relax, and enjoy yourself no matter where you are.
The NASA Experience
The Kennedy Space Center is worth its own section as one of the most unique attractions that Orlando has to offer. About an hour from the city, this center gives visitors a chance to learn about the history and future of space travel, and even experience every part of a shuttle launch except for actually leaving Earth.
The Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex houses pieces of NASA history like the Space Shuttle Atlantis and the Saturn V moon rocket, and even has an immersive experience that brings stories of NASA pioneers to life.
The Space Center is a must-see for anyone who’s ever wondered what it’s like to be among the stars, and another one of the many exciting attractions Orlando has to offer.
Arts and Culture
Orlando’s arts and cultural attractions may not be as famous as its theme parks, but they offer a whole new dimension beyond the resort experience. Whether you’re looking to add some variety to your trip or discover Orlando’s vibrant art scene, there are so many options available to you.
The art scene in Orlando is too full of things to do, whether it’s seeing a ballet at the Dr. Phillips Center for the Performing Arts or seeing an Augmented Reality (AR) experience through CITY unseen.
Orlando also offers unique cultural experiences, like visiting the beautiful and culture-rich Winter Park community, or Historic Eatonville, home of the Zora Neale Hurston National Museum showcasing artists of African descent.
The Orlando area is also home to a variety of outdoor art shows, like the Winter Park Sidewalk Art Festival, where you can experience the area’s art scene while also enjoying the weather.
Outdoor Activities
Perhaps the perfect way to balance the immersive experience of Orlando’s theme parks and art scene is to immerse yourself in the great outdoors. Central Florida offers a variety of outdoor activities like nature trails, fishing, kayaking, and even thrills like airboat rides and zip-lines.
If you’re looking for an iconic Florida experience, Gatorland is the best place to see Florida’s famous gators. Gatorland is the perfect cross between the theme park and outdoor adventure experience, with thrills like the opportunity to meet a gator, go on the Gator Zip-Line, or even experience being a gator trainer for a day.
If getting up close and personal with alligators is not your thing, the Orlando area also offers a variety of nature parks and wildlife resorts where you can hike, walk, or bike to experience Orlando’s beautiful climate and natural landscape.
So, what is Orlando known for? Theme parks, arts and culture, outdoor activities, beautiful weather, and having so many amazing attractions that we could never finish describing them all! The area is also home to a wide variety of hotels, tour companies, transportation options, and all the resources you need to plan your next trip.
