By Janet Brindle
With a lineup of world-class attractions, theme parks, dining, and entertainment, Orlando continues to fascinate and tempt travelers from near and far. And with help from your VIP ConciergeSM, for Interval Gold® and Interval Platinum® members, you’ll be able to get into the most popular local restaurants, know the best places to shop, and get tickets to some of the most memorable experiences in The City Beautiful.
Year after year, Orlando sets itself apart as a travel destination with new experiences and unforgettable adventures to spark the imagination.
Casandra matej, president and ceo, visit orlando
For some families, a trek to Central Florida is an annual tradition. Others try to pack in the best of the best in one visit. Either way, Orlando has many more attractions than you could possibly fit in a single weeklong vacation — but it certainly is fun to try.
Orlando for Foodies
With 48 Michelin Guide restaurants from which to choose, the greater Orlando area is a delicious place to visit. And beyond those, there are a few that offer entertainment with appetizing food as well. Try Judson’s Live if you love intimate music performances, tasty bites, and expertly blended specialty cocktails. It’s the newest venue at the Dr. Phillips Center for the Performing Arts, and features artists who bring the best of blues, jazz, Latin, and soul to the 150-seat club space, making it a perfect spot for a vacation date night.
For more live music, but outdoors and under the blue sky, enjoy a complimentary tour and wine tasting at Lakeridge Winery & Vineyards in Clermont. On weekends, pair your favorite wines with delicious bites at their food court. Don’t forget to bring a lawn chair or blanket to enjoy the live entertainment on the rolling hills.
Is it even a trip to Central Florida if you don’t get fresh citrus? It doesn’t get any fresher than picking it yourself — and the best time to do that is between November and May. Believe it or not, there’s a 2,500-acre (1,012 hectares) citrus grove with 50 varieties of fruit just 25 minutes northwest of Walt Disney World. At Showcase of Citrus, you can pick in-season fruit, take a monster truck ride, sip on delicious frozen beverages, or enjoy other family activities.
Family Fun
Sure, theme parks are No. 1, but don’t rule out these options:
With more than 500 animals, the Central Florida Zoo & Botanical Gardens in Sanford has enough variety (from leopards, bears, rhinos, and otters to crocodiles, cobras, tortoises, and macaws) to keep everyone interested. Still, it’s small enough to easily see everything in less than a day. Make it extra special by feeding a giraffe for just an extra $6 per person.
If you’d rather pedal a bike, head west to Winter Garden to explore the 22-mile (35 kilometers) West Orange Trail with a bike rental from West Orange Trail Bikes & Blades. An hourly rental is only $10, but they also offer rates for the day ($40) or week ($125), and they’ll deliver to your resort.
For a larger, louder entertainment experience, Orlando is expected to welcome AREA15 Orlando in 2024 — and yes, it’s a version of the entertainment district made popular in Las Vegas. The new indoor/outdoor space will bring concerts, art exhibitions, food, retail space, and nightlife to the tourism district, in a building just east of Walt Disney World and southwest of SeaWorld®.
At the heart of downtown Orlando, just a short drive northeast of the theme parks, is Lake Eola Park, where you can find the Sunday farmers market, do some outdoor yoga, or pedal on the famous swan boats to get a better look of the city’s iconic fountain. (Depending on the time of year, it’s even lit up in distinct colors.) This charming activity is only $15 for a 30-minute rental, and boats can seat up to five people.
Maybe it’s one of those wet Florida days and you need to find indoor fun. No worries. Head to Dezerland Park on International Drive near Orlando’s popular outlet malls. It’s an eclectic collection of entertainment for all ages, based in what was formerly known as Artegon Marketplace. Inside are more than 20 attractions, including a go-kart track, laser tag, bowling, and a car museum. There’s also a movie theater, restaurants, and axe throwing. Most activities are individually priced, but some can be bundled.
Day-Trips From Orlando
About 60 miles (100 kilometers) southwest of Orlando in Lake Wales, Bok Tower Gardens offers some of the best views in the state, as it is at one of the highest elevations. In addition to offering delightful views, the blooms will delight your sense of smell, and you’ll be filled with a sense of peace as you hear the bells ring from the singing tower carillon daily at 1 p.m. and 3 p.m. Live concerts happen from mid-October through mid-May, Thursday to Sunday.
Florida’s oldest city is most beautiful in the winter during St. Augustine’s Nights of Lights — which typically runs from late November through late January — when 3 million lights adorn every tree in the Plaza de la Constitución, but there’s plenty to see and do year-round in the historic city. With brick-lined streets and Spanish-influenced architecture, you’ll feel like you’re stepping back in time.
All Aboard
Florida is embracing rail services as a means of getting around, too.
Central Florida commuters and visitors use SUNRAIL, a 49-mile (79 kilometers), four-county system with 16 stations that operates Monday through Friday and features low fares from $1.
For fees and schedules, visit sunrail.com. For a day-trip to South Florida, check out the high-speed BRIGHTLINE train, with stops in West Palm Beach, Fort Lauderdale, Miami, and more. Visit gobrightline.com for tickets and prices.
Cultural Side of O-Town
With permanent and rotating exhibits, the Orlando Museum of Art always has something new to see. American, African, Contemporary, and Art of the Ancient Americas collections will spark your imagination.
The Winter Park Sidewalk Art Festival isn’t your typical community show featuring “nice little doodles” created by people in their spare time. More than 1,000 artists in multiple media applied for the 2024 event in March, competing for 64 awards in categories for clay, digital art, watercolor, photography, and emerging artists. The show is one of the nation’s oldest and now draws as many as 350,000 people to the northern Orlando community. Pro tip: Take the SunRail train to get there — parking is not for the faint of heart.
Collectors and antique lovers flock to Mount Dora for great finds at Renningers Flea and Farmers Market on weekends. But three times a year, in January, February, and November, they host a three-day Antiques and Collectors Extravaganza featuring nearly 800 vendors selling anything you can imagine. Furniture, art, vintage clothing, pop culture kitsch, home decor, and handmade crafts are just waiting to come home with you.
Get advice on nearly any service or activity, from the everyday to the extraordinary.
With your Interval Gold and Interval Platinum membership, your Orlando (and any other) vacation will be more magical than ever, thanks to the personal assistance made available to you through VIP Concierge. These experts keep up with what’s happening around town so you can feel like you’re in the know.
Enjoy perks like: Discounted tickets to major attractions — with your concierge benefit, save 30 percent on admission to LEGOLAND — kids go free with a paid adult ticket. And new experiences: Imagine taking a professional chef–led cooking class and whipping up authentic German food while listening to traditional music and learning history. Or spend the day floating among the manatees during a manatee encounter kayak tour in Florida’s Blue Spring State Park. Your VIP Concierge can find activities like these and more.
What’s even better is you can use VIP Concierge when you’re not on vacation. While at home, your concierge can free up time by making restaurant reservations for the hottest new places, requesting golf tee times, booking show tickets, or even completing simple tasks like setting reminders or getting directions. It’s like having your own personal assistant at the touch of a button via phone or online. Take a vacation from these chores with this service that’s part of your Interval benefit.
Go to intervalworld.com to find out how to set up your concierge service or call 877-232-2814 and learn more about your benefits as an Interval member.
