Discover the best top things to do in Central Florida, United States including Discovery Cove, Charles Hosmer Morse Museum of American Art, The Wizarding World of Harry Potter, Farm Tours of Ocala, The Gypsy Gold Farm, Sholom Park, Avatar Flight of Passage, SeaWorld, Kelly Park, Epcot.
Restaurants in Central Florida
5.0 based on 17,200 reviews
Discovery Cove is a one-of-a kind experience where you can interact with bottlenose dolphins, feed tropical birds, play inches from a family of otters and even walk on the Grand Reef floor-all in one day. Between adventures, recharge with unlimited island fare and refreshments. With this all-inclusive experience your family can unwind, explore, learn, and create memories that will last a lifetime.
As part of our Orlando adventure, we (2 adults, 2 children) booked a day at Discovery Cove including a Dolphin experience. We arrived at around 7 am and were quickly ushered through security and checked in. First impressions were of a professional and slickly run organisation. The lady checking us in briefed us on how Discovery Cove works in terms of the food (buffet breakfast and lunch are included in the price), where to get towels, wetsuits, and snorkels (all complimentary) and details of our dolphin experience. Leaving the reception area we entered the resort, which was stunning. Just stunning. Immaculately presented with plenty of both shady and sunny areas around the water attractions and with all staff knowledgable, pleasant and helpful, Discovery Cove is a little slice of heaven. The aviary is fantastic, with opportunities to feed the birds, who are not shy in helping themselves from your hand, as are the otter and marmoset attractions. The highlights though are very definitely the dolphin experience, which is excellent and professionally conducted, and the "Great Reef" where you can snorkel and swim with literally hundreds of salt-water tropical fish, including enormous rays. The dolphin experience started with a brief from the trainers and a short video before we were led down, in groups of around 10, to meet the dolphins. The Cove has 3 dolphin areas each allowing 4 groups of 10 to interact with the dolphins. This may sound a little crowded, but these areas are huge and the other groups just feel like they're in the background. Following the trainers' directions we stroked, kissed and interacted with the dolphin before enjoying a "dorsal tow" from the deep water to the shallows. Although you can't take your personal cameras/phones into the dolphin areas, there is a photographer available to take pictures of the experience for you (which can be purchased for an additional charge). Fantastic! The Great Reef is just amazing and my family spent several hours exploring it, observing the fish and the adjacent shark and eel tanks (which have submerged glass walls). There was some disruption from the Florida lightning storms, but that's to be expected for this time of year. Unlike the dolphin areas, you can use your own cameras, etc., on the reef to capture the amazing sights. The fly in the ointment, however, is the minority of guests who don't seem to understand where they are and believe Discovery Cove to be some kind of playground or rubbish dump. After lunchtime, the resort looked like a hurricane had hit it (for clarification, as this is Florida in August, a literal hurricane had not hit the resort!), with discarded food, rubbish, towels, snorkels, nappies, and other crap littering all over the beach and food areas. The free buffet was seen by some to be an opportunity to take mountains of food which was then discarded on the tables and ground for the local fauna to scavenge. The gluttony and complete disregard for this beautiful environment were shocking. There isn't any excuse for this inconsiderate behaviour as there were bins absolutely everywhere and areas for dropping off used snorkels, wetsuits and towels strategically placed to be convenient for all. Additionally, some groups in the, now fairly busy, but not overcrowded, Great Reef area were acting like they were in the local lido, with children being thrown around by parents, adults (possibly drunk; alcohol is available on site) skylarking and aggressively trying to catch or harm the fish. These elements marred an otherwise perfect day and made me feel sad for those who had come here for an idyllic escape, as well as the staff and animals. What I do want to stress, though, is that the Discovery Cove staff worked tirelessly to rectify the mess and to try to dampen the boisterous behaviour, and that, by around 4 pm, there was little evidence of the gluttonous orgy left. Overall, we absolutely loved Discovery Cove and we are already planning a future trip when funds permit a second trip to Florida. Yes, it's expensive, but even without the dolphin experience, you'll not go wanting for anything. Superb.
5.0 based on 1,647 reviews
The Morse Museum is home to the world's most comprehensive collection of works by American artist and designer Louis Comfort Tiffany (1848–1933). Galleries feature works such as jewelry, pottery, paintings, art glass, leaded-glass lamps and windows; his chapel interior from the 1893 World’s Columbian Exposition in Chicago; and art and architectural objects from his Long Island country estate, Laurelton Hall. Exhibitions also include American art pottery, late 19th- and early 20th-century American painting, graphics, decorative art. Appointments required.
Though I must admit I love strolling the streets of Winter Park, a detour to visit the delightful Charles Hosmer Morse Museum is a delightful way to spend a couple of hours surrounded by exquisite Tiffany creations [and is also a nice air conditioned respite].
5.0 based on 40,966 reviews
Step inside a world where magic is real. Within Universal’s Islands of Adventure™ theme park you can visit the iconic Hogwarts™ castle and explore Hogsmeade™ village. And, at Universal Studios Florida™ theme park, you can enter Diagon Alley™ to enjoy a multi-dimensional thrill ride, magical experiences, and more. Get ready to explore more of Harry Potter’s world than ever before. With a Park-to-Park Ticket, you can board the Hogwarts™ Express* and travel between both Hogsmeade™ in Universal’s Islands of Adventure™ and Diagon Alley™ in Universal Studios Florida™. *Park-to-Park admission ticket required and additional restrictions apply
escape from gringotts in universal and the forbidden journey in islands of adventure are both amazing rides - the butterbeer is a refreshing treat as you stroll through Diagon Alley after you have stopped at ollivanders to have your wand pick you so that you may test your magical abilities along your journey
5.0 based on 287 reviews
We are doing Private tours with 6 days a week. Private Groups will ride in our van with the guide or have option to follow. Min 3 people max 10. We visit 3 locations! Get "Behind the Gates" to get an Insider`s look behind the gates of Ocala`s Magnificent Farms! . Close Encounters with foals, different breeds, disciplines and meet the people train and care for them. Between the farm stops, we will note points of interest, and facts about different farms, disciplines during the drive. Each stop is about 20 to 30 Mins with a " WALKING TOUR" of each facility. Children are loved and welcome but, please THIS TOUR IS NOT SUITABLE FOR SMALL CHILDREN . You will see this in reviews of past guests. Tour meets at Tack Shack of Ocala 481 SW 60th Ave. Ocala.
We would highly recommend Farm Tours of Ocala. The owner, Karen, provided a wonderful tour of several horse farms where we were able to see the full spectrum of caring for and breeding thoroughbreds and Arabian horses. With Karen's decades of experience and invaluable connections, we got beyond the gates and behind the scenes, providing us with a very rare opportunity well worth the price of admission! If you love horses, you will love this tour.
5.0 based on 819 reviews
Our founders, the Thompsons, connected over a mutual love of animals, and thereafter discovered an unknown breed of horse, developed by British Gypsies, while traveling through the English countryside. After a four-year journey to understand these horses and the culture that created them, they took part in naming them, the Gypsy Vanner horse. The Gypsy Gold Farm is home to the first 16 registered horses of a breed that's now 6,000 animals strong with registries . Their 40-acre farm is a Central Florida Trip Advisor favorite, education and cultural oasis, where visitors learn about one of the most colorful and least understood societies on earth and the magical Vanner Horses they envisioned. Farm tours are available every Monday, Wednesday, Friday and Saturday at 10:00 am and last for two hours. Tickets may be purchased on our website.
When you visit Gypsy Gold Horse Farm you are not just going to see a very special breed of horses, but you are going to learn about a way of life. Dennis has such a knowledge and obvious passion for the Gypsy Vanner horse that I could have listened all day as he told us about the origins of his beautiful horses and the lives of the peoples who bred them As we toured the paddocks and spent time with the beautiful gentle horses Dennis gave visitors time to pet and photograph them. We learned more about the characteristics of the breed, and were able to experience their personalities for ourselves. Is Gypsy Gold Horse Farm worth visiting again? That has to be a resounding yes, once is never enough to see the Gypsy Vanner Horses.
5.0 based on 604 reviews
Sholom Park is a non-profit, privately owned, 44-acre botanical garden in Ocala, Florida. Opened to the public in 2004, the park features more than 2 miles of paved trails and more than 100 species of plants and trees. Sholom Park seeks to become a model of land stewardship and the preservation of open space for education and public enjoyment. Guests are invited to experience a true feeling of serenity, contentment, joy and inner peace.
Beautiful and peaceful gardens and paths to enjoy nature and the outdoors while providing park benches for reflection or finding inner peace.
5.0 based on 1,756 reviews
Hands down one of the best attractions in the Disney complex....fun theme, amazing views, puts you in the movie... definitely try to get a fast pass as the wait times can be LONG
4.5 based on 33,056 reviews
Immerse yourself in wonder at SeaWorld® Orlando, where the aquatic world comes alive. Only here can you experience Orlando's new tallest, fastest and longest roller coaster, Mako, named for one of the ocean’s fastest known sharks. Then, see the world through the eyes of a penguin in the thrilling, chilling adventure of Antarctica: Empire of the Penguin™, and laugh to the all-new Clyde & Seamore’s Sea Lion High™ show. Here you can also climb aboard and ride the mighty Manta®, experience the power and grace of killer whales in the awe-inspiring Shamu® show One Ocean®, and share an epic voyage with sea turtles on the 3D 360 TurtleTrek®.
Don’t listen to the negativity about this place! Absolutely love sea world! Love all of the animals that you can sea, the perfect mix between aquarium/zoo and theme park! Roller coasters here are immense and the animal shows are amazing! Just immerse yourself and enjoy!!
4.5 based on 489 reviews
Camp among deer and otter after you tube the river.
What a Beautiful Park. Can enjoy the day with love ones float down the river and have a wonderful day with nature’s beauty and take amazing pictures!
4.5 based on 29,062 reviews
One of 4 theme parks at Walt Disney World Resort, Epcot theme park sprawls across 300 acres—twice the size of Magic Kingdom park—and is divided into Future World and World Showcase. Here, creativity is encouraged, imagination is celebrated and countries are united. Be amazed, inspired, enlightened and entertained!
We enjoy visiting Epcot just the food and the drinks are amazing and the flowers at this time a year are so pretty with the flower exhibits. Also the entertainment and the different countries from different times during the day is always nice. We’ve been here several times and enjoyed them all. Love visiting all the different countries and seeing the different cultures all in one park it’s just incredible what they have done it’s definitely worth a day’s visit and probably more than a day to truly see everything fully.
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