Sunshine and Surprises

Located in the heart of Florida, Orlando welcomes approximately 75 million tourists from around the world each year. Best known for its famous theme parks — Disney World and Universal Studios — the city also boasts a thriving downtown, scenic outdoor escapes, diverse culinary offerings and no shortage of unique entertainment experiences.

Dubbed “The City Beautiful” in a 1908 nickname contest, Orlando lives up to the moniker with its vibrant flowers, towering palms and spacious parks. So, step into the Florida sunshine and get ready for a visit packed with world class amusement, fine dining and maybe even a night on the town.

BEYOND THE PARKS. Get your bearings and start your Orlando visit with a ride on the Orlando Eye at ICON Park — a 400-foot-tall observation wheel that boasts amazing 360 degree views of the city. After your 20-minute ride, check out what the rest of ICON park has to offer, which includes more than 50 shops, restaurants and attractions. Some highlights are Madame Tussaud's Wax Museum, SEA LIFE Orlando Aquarium and the Museum of Illusions.

While Florida is known for its sunny beaches, Orlando also is home to more than 100 lakes. While arguably the most famous, Lake Eola isn’t technically a lake. Located in downtown Orlando, it’s a sinkhole positioned 200 feet above an aquifer. The aquifer feeds water into the sinkhole from below, while rainwater fills it from above. Originally called Sandy Beach, it’s been a popular attraction since settlers first arrived in the early 1880s. The land surrounding the lake was donated for public use in 1883 and, by 1892, the lake was officially recognized as a public park. Today, the lake is known for its distinctive fountain, rainbow amphitheater and swan paddle boats available to rent — an ode to the lake’s population of resident swans. It also boasts scenic walking paths and countless spots to unplug from the daily hustle and bustle of the surrounding area.

Shift your Orlando trip into high gear at Dezerland Park. The indoor entertainment center is home to Florida’s largest pinball arcade, as well as laser tag, axe-throwing, bowling, indoor karting, a trampoline park and bumper cars. The park’s signature attraction, however, is the Orlando Auto Museum. The facility’s 20 themed rooms hold more than 2,000 vehicles, and the collection is valued at $200 million. See Hollywood screen-used automobiles from your favorite TV shows and movies throughout the years, including Batman, Mad Max, Ghostbusters, James Bond and Back to the Future. The museum also features military vehicles, foreign cars, Hot Rods, Harley-Davidson motorcycles and so much more.

Located just one hour outside of Orlando, a visit to the Kennedy Space Center is another well-known attraction that’s definitely worth the trip. Honor galactic explorers in the U.S. Astronaut Hall of Fame, get up close and personal with the space shuttle Atlantis, or head to space yourself with top-of-the-line simulation technology. Be sure to check the calendar for public launches ahead of your visit for potential viewing opportunities.

WHAT’S NEW AT DISNEY? No one does it like Disney. With a keen attention to detail and a knack for making the mundane magical, you can’t mention Orlando without including this entertainment behemoth. While its parks boast a plethora of classic rides and attractions, the Disney team is always dreaming up something new. So, what have the brand’s innovative “Imagineers” come up with this year? This July, Disney debuted Test Track 3.0. The highly anticipated overhaul of the long-standing attraction features a new partner — General Motors. The updated ride takes passengers on a journey through automotive innovation, personalization and the future of mobility, all while riders zip past scenic vistas and zoom off for a high-speed race.

Also in EPCOT, Disney has unveiled GEO-82, a new lounge for guests ages 21 and up, inside of that iconic geodesic sphere. The name is a nod to its neighbor, Spaceship Earth, which debuted in 1982. Inside of the modern, sophisticated lounge, guests will find specialty cocktails, a selection of small plates inspired by global cuisines and unparalleled views of the World Celebration Gardens below. This experience is not part of Disney’s dining plans, and advance reservations are required for your visit.

The lights in the Magic Kingdom are shining just a little bit brighter with the park’s spectacular new parade, Disney Starlight: Dream the Night Away. The shimmering processional, inspired by the Main Street Electrical Parade, is the resort’s first year-round nighttime parade in more than 30 years. Led by Pinocchio’s Blue Fairy, the parade is a lineup of breathtaking illuminated floats that bring stories like Peter Pan, Frozen, Encanto and Moana to life.

During your trip to Disney, set off on a culinary adventure spanning six continents — without ever leaving EPCOT. The renowned EPCOT International Food and Wine festival runs Aug. 28 through Nov. 22, featuring an array of festival-exclusive food and beverages inspired by countries and cultures across the world.

If you’re looking for a little Halloween fun, you’ll want to mark your calendars for Mickey’s Not-So-Scary Halloween Party at the Magic Kingdom. The after-hours event is available select nights from Aug. 15 to Oct. 31 and includes treats like an exclusive parade, fireworks, character meet and greets and even trick-or-treating.

MORE FUN AT UNIVERSAL. Universal Orlando has also been hard at work developing new thrills for its guests. The resort’s newest theme park, Epic Universe, opened in May. It is the resort’s largest park, with plans to develop 750 acres. Designed using a hub and spoke model, the central world, Celestial Park, acts as a long corridor connecting Super Nintendo World, Dark Universe, The Wizarding World of Harry Potter — Ministry of Magic and How to Train Your Dragon — Isle of Berk.

If you still have energy after exploring Epic Universe, head to the resort’s Halloween Horror Nights, available select dates from Aug. 29 to Nov. 2. The hair-raising annual event includes 10 terrifying haunted houses, sinister scare zones, outrageous live entertainment, themed food and drinks and, of course, fan-favorite rides and attractions.

EATS AND DRINKS. Orlando serves up a vibrant and expanding culinary scene. One trendy spot worth adding to your list is Domu. It’s best known for its inventive ramen, creative small plates and seasonal cocktails. The house-made noodles might be the star of the show, but the Domu Wings are hailed as a must-try on social media. In addition to rave reviews, Domu was also awarded MICHELIN Guide’s Bib Gourmand from 2022 to 2025 and was a 2025 James Beard Award semifinalist for Best Chef.

Enjoy a tasty combination of modern Floridian fare and old Cuban flavor at Otto’s High Dive, located in a bustling downtown neighborhood called the Milk District — an area packed with street art, shops, restaurants and bars. Highlights from the eclectic menu include the seafood tower, traditional Cuban ropa vieja and an extensive rum offering. In fact, the cocktails are so good, Otto’s received MICHELIN Guide’s Exceptional Cocktails award in 2024.

Tacos My Guey is another local favorite you won’t want to pass up. They’ve got the market cornered when it comes to authentic street tacos and rich beef birria.

While Orlando boasts a diverse — and delicious — culinary scene, your most memorable meal might not be at a MICHELIN-approved restaurant. The world’s largest Entertainment McDonald’s is located just 15 minutes from Disney World. This two-story fast food mecca has a host of products you won’t typically find at the golden arches, including brick oven pizzas, pasta, and a bakery case featuring whole cakes, ice cream and pastries; not to mention live entertainment, a large children's play area and an arcade. This is a perfect stop for the kid at heart, or someone craving a side of nostalgia with their burger and fries.

Looking for some fun after dark? Enjoy drinks, dancing and disco at The Robinson Cocktail Room in downtown Orlando. Their cocktail menu offers a modest selection of the classics – but they’re done right. Stop by early and unwind during happy hour or visit at night when the party really gets started.

NEVER A DULL MOMENT. With so many theme park, dining and entertainment attractions, a trip to Orlando is never a boring one. Whether you prefer to relax by the pool, take a scenic walk at a downtown park, or follow your carefully planned schedule of must-see attractions, be sure to find some time to experience local favorites in addition to the tried-and-true tourist stops.

The author is a Cleveland, Ohio-based writer and frequent PCT contributor.