Location: Orlando
Top Things to do in Orlando
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10 Free Things to do in Orlando That You Shouldn't Miss
From the Magic Kingdom to magical spa treatments, Orlando sparkles with the promise of adventure. Spend a day exploring the world-famous Disney theme parks, giggling with the dolphins at SeaWorld, or screaming your head off on a Universal Studios roller coaster. For a less adrenaline-pumping afternoon, enjoy the quiet natural beauty of the Harry P. Leu Gardens, or enjoy a seaweed scrub at a luxury day spa. Savor fresh and local ingredients at one of Orlando’s James Beard-nominated restaurants.
Restaurants in Orlando
1. Corpus Christi Catholic Church
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 93 reviews
Reviewed By Pollydolly123 - Scottish Borders, United Kingdom
Been attending Corpus Christi for many years,even when mass was being held in Celebration High School.The service is always beautiful and the congregation are so welcoming and friendly. The church is absolutely beautiful and is well worth a visit
2. Castle Church Brewing Community
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 15 reviews
Castle Church, the only craft brewery owned by a church, is Orlando's premier destination brewery featuring a 20 BBL craft brewhouse and tasting room, tours, and indoor beer garden with food, games, and entertainment.
3. Disney's Boardwalk
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 2,807 reviews
"Disney's BoardWalk area contains more than 90,000 square feet of shops, restaurants and nightclubs. It encompasses Crescent Lake and is ""a village on the water"" near many Disney Resort hotels in Walt Disney World Resort. This quarter-mile entertainment, dining and shopping area is also conveniently close to 2 Disney Theme Parks.With sherbet-colored building facades, striped awnings, rising columns and archways, Disney's BoardWalk is designed after the boardwalks that were famous during the turn of the 20th century along such coastal cities as Coney Island, New York and Atlantic City, New Jersey.Stroll along Disney's BoardWalk during the day to explore the unusual shops and restaurants. When the sun cools down, the nightlife heats up with street performers, food vendors, midway games and lots of live entertainment.
Reviewed By newfeatures2002
In November - December 2018 I visited the Disney Boardwalk and was amazed. What an experience. The water way features, the light house, do you know that there are live ducks on the dock? Special features include a fabulous light show, boat rides, the Boardwalk bakery, gift shop, The ESPN Club, and more.
4. Disney Springs
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 13,461 reviews
Disney World's shopping and dining area consists of Marketplace, Pleasure Island and West Side.
Reviewed By djmes - Hilton, United States
Unique & varied shops, unique dinning & free entertainment (free parking too) all wrapped up in a sparkly Disney atmosphere is just a quick description of Disney Springs, oh, & it's huge, Disney clean & well staffed. One can gripe about the crowds, the prices in the shops (tho they are NOT that exorbitant) & $70 (minimum) dinner for 2 but you can eat at the many cheaper casual walk up eateries & it's fun to browse the stores, especially the gigantic Disney store! I'd suggest going online and checking out all the different stores & eateries. Half the fun of going there is deciding what stores you must visit & what themed restaurant you want to eat in. (the kids will love the raucous T-Rex restaurant!) On a warm night, when everything is lit up & twinkling the free entertainment starts & it's a great place to just stroll around. Highly recommended for its diversity in food choices, shopping & entertainment & you don't have to spend a fortune & still have a good time.
5. International Drive
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 4,751 reviews
Reviewed By Endak-Carlow - Carlow, Ireland
This is an amazing place to stay when in Orlando, you have every around you, restaurants, museums, the Orlando eye, attractions, pups & very close to all the theme parks, there’s always a great atmosphere here.
6. Basilica of the National Shrine of Mary, Queen of the Universe
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 1,539 reviews
Built by tourists, for tourists, this Roman Catholic Church was built in the 1980's to accommodate the 30+ million visitors to the Central Florida attractions yearly. The Basilica is not a regular parish church, but a tourist ministry that sits on 17 acres and offers a Rosary Garden, multiple Chapels, Museum, Pilgrimage Center, Gift Shop, bronze statues, oil paintings and art from the 16th century as well as amazing stained glass including a Rose window, Universe window, Rosary windows and The Magnificat windows.
Reviewed By U1949FEkarenw
The first sight I see when I visit is an impressive statue of St. Michael, followed by a massive bridge, leading to the church. The water on both sides is soothing, and ducks are frequent visitors. I am also always on the lookout for the resident turtles. Before entering the church, I often wander through the Rosary Garden or pray in the outdoor chapel. Within the Basilica, everyone who works there has always been friendly and helpful, and they have always gone above and beyond when staging an event. I love attending Mass in the huge and stunningly beautiful church which now boasts a grand pipe organ. I never get tired of the stained glass windows and the atmosphere. Backing up, Mass is sometimes held in a sweet, little chapel at the front of the church, just off the foyer. In the same said chapel, there is a special area where you can spend time with our Blessed Mother. If you just want to quietly worship and adore Jesus Christ without any distractions, you can spend all day or just minutes with his presence in the Adoration Chapel, located at the back of the church. Other pluses for me are a priest on duty all day for confession and blessings, and daily Mass at 12:05pm. If you are into shopping, there is a large gift shop next to the church. I can't stay away. I frequently buy books, but they have rosaries, chapel veils, statues, fonts, CDs, jewelry, games, wall crucifixes and much, much more. Did I mention the children's section in the shop?
7. The Florida Mall
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 3,487 reviews
Conveniently located minutes from the Orlando International Airport, Walt Disney World Resort and popular area attractions, The Florida Mall® is Central Florida’s largest shopping center, spanning 1.8 million square feet and welcoming more than 20 million visitors annually. An all-encompassing, family-friendly shopping experience is just one of The Florida Mall’s most noteworthy features with a compelling list of exclusive stores including American Girl®, Carlo’s Bakery, Crayola Experience®, M&M’s WORLD and The Disney Store. The center’s experiential environment complements more than 250 retail and dining options, including Macy’s, Dillard’s, JCPenney and Dick’s Sporting Goods, as well as best of brand stores like Tesla, A|X Armani Exchange, Apple, Microsoft, H&M, Morphe, Michael Kors, Mayors Jewelers featuring Rolex, Victoria’s Secret and ZARA.
Reviewed By mohammadk274 - London, United Kingdom
Went shopping to catch up on the Black Friday deals Went to Jc penny amazing shopping deals and then walked across to Macy’s Fantastic day shopping The mall was amazing very busy and lots to do plenty of things going on to keep all the family happy
8. Orlando Vineland Premium Outlets
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 5,740 reviews
Orlando Premium Outlets - Vineland Avenue offers an exciting collection of 150 outlet stores from the world’s finest designers and name brands, featuring high profile names like Burberry, Coach, Cole Haan, Diesel, Dooney & Bourke, Giorgio Armani, Joe’s Jeans, Kenneth Cole, Nautica, Nike Factory Store, Reebok, Tod’s, Tommy Hilfiger, Vera Bradley and more, offering savings of 25% tp 65% every day. Conveniently located with access from Interstate 4 (exit 68) and International Drive.
Reviewed By kourtneyc2017 - San Juan, Philippines
We were in town for a conference and decided to check out the nearby outlet shops as recommended by our Hotel front desk. We found tons of great deals at this place. Creating an account with the Simon Premium Outlets offered additional discounts. My husband scored some great summer suits at 75% off and a small travel back pack at a super steal. The food court is well curated and it was easy to get a Lyft anywhere there. The shops are more mid to high end. That said, there are plenty of deals to be had.
9. Lake Eola Park
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 1,783 reviews
Lake Eola Park is located in the heart of Downtown Orlando. The sidewalk that circles the lake is 0.9 miles in length, making it easy for visitors to keep track of their walking or running distances. Other activities available to park visitors include renting swan-shaped paddle boats, feeding the live swans and other birds inhabiting the park, seeing a concert or a play in the Walt Disney Amphitheater, grabbing a bite to eat at Relax Grill on Lake Eola or relaxing amid beautiful flower beds and a spectacular view of Orlando's skyline. Parking is free on Eola Drive on the east side of the park and there is metered parking on Central Boulevard and Rosalind Avenue. There is also street parking in Eola Heights and Thornton Park, a two to five block walk to the park. You can also park in any of the garages within a few blocks of the park. These include the Post Parkside parking garage at Osceola Avenue and East Central Boulevard; the Paramount/Publix parking garage at Lake Avenue and East Central Boulevard; and the Library parking garage at 112 East Central Boulevard. Please note: swans can get sick eating bread and popcorn. Visitors to the park can feed them lettuce, spinach, duck food pellets or buy food from the new swan feeders.
Reviewed By gatorRPH1990 - Ormond Beach, United States
We found metered parking close by. This really is a nice city park. There is @ wide walking path around the whole lake. The swans were nesting. Lots of shade. Many restaurants nearby. Not sure about going at night because there was quite a few people sleeping on grass and benches.
10. Thornton Park
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 61 reviews
This charming neighborhood is home to some of Orlando's best restaurants and shops.
Reviewed By Charming_Karl - Charleston, United States
If like me all you knew about Orlando previously was the highways and the big attractions (DisneyWorld, SeaWorld, PlasticButtonWorld...), you would probably be just as excited as I was to learn about Thornton Park, a suburban area with lovely homes, etc. I walked down Washington Avenue from Valhalla Bakery over to Lake Eola Park, stopping along the way at Graffiti Junktion for lunch, and it was a lovely walk.
