The Best Places to Stay in Orlando
If you’re planning a trip to Orlando, you may want to consider staying in the International Drive area of the city. This neighborhood is home to many hotels and large theme parks. It’s also the location of Orlando’s convention center. Plus, it’s close to several premium outlet malls, as well.
ICON Park
ICON Park is a walkable entertainment complex in the heart of Orlando’s International Drive Entertainment District. The park boasts a variety of attractions and restaurants. It’s also the perfect destination for a night out with friends and family.
The ICON Park is anchored by The Wheel, a 400-foot observation wheel that offers spectacular views of the surrounding area. There are also a number of other rides and attractions. One of the rides is the Orlando SlingShot, which is the world’s tallest slingshot attraction. Another ride is the Starflyer, a swing ride that is 425 feet high.
Another major attraction at ICON Park is the Sea Life Aquarium, where you can get up close to sharks and other aquatic creatures. In addition to the aquarium, there are several shops and restaurants at the park. If you’re looking for something more casual, you can check out the Tin & Taco taco shop or Gordon Ramsay Fish & Chips.
The ICON museum, located inside the main building, is one of the best attractions at the park. This attraction has more than 40 exhibits, including life-like wax figures of famous people. Also, the museum features 450 skeletons of real animals.
SeaWorld Orlando
SeaWorld Orlando International Drive has a wide range of attractions. You can ride the tallest roller coaster in the Orlando area, watch dolphins and other marine life, and check out the latest shows and concerts. The park is a great place to spend the day with the family.
A visit to the park requires advance purchase of tickets. SeaWorld Orlando passes are available through SeaWorld Parks and Resorts and the official online store. For a more affordable price, you can also take advantage of discounts offered by Groupon and Undercover Tourists.
SeaWorld is an animal show that features both live and animated animal shows. Visitors can count shark teeth and get wet with Shamu. There are several exhibits with marine life such as the Sea Life Center, which features sea turtles, American alligators, and harbor seals.
Another must-do is the Orlando Craft Beer Festival. This event features the top microbreweries in Florida.
There are also several parks around the Orlando area. Universal Studios and Islands of Adventure, Magic Kingdom, and Disney’s Hollywood Studios are all within easy reach. Epcot, Universal Studios, and Disney Animal Kingdom are all located just a short drive from the SeaWorld Orlando hotel.
Coco Key Water Park
If you’re looking for an exciting Orlando water park to spend a day at, Coco Key Water Park is an option worth considering. Located on International Drive, Coco Key is just minutes away from several of Orlando’s most popular attractions.
If you’re traveling with kids, you’ll find that the water park at the Coco Key is perfect for keeping them out of the sun. There are a number of slides to choose from, including a tube slide, a body slide, and side-by-side water slides that are designed for toddlers and older kids.
In addition to the waterslides, the Coco Key also features a fitness center, poolside bar, and games room. It’s easy to see why Coco Key is one of the most popular Orlando resorts.
Guests can also take advantage of free shuttle service to Coco Key Water Park and nearby theme parks. The Coco Key Resort is located near Wet’n Wild Water Park and SeaWorld Orlando Aquatic Theme Park. Also, guests can enjoy the convenience of shopping and dining options at the Coco Key Hotel.
Whether you’re planning a wedding or a family vacation, Coco Key is the place to be. With 391 rooms, a 54,000-square-foot outdoor water park, and an arcade, it’s easy to see why this Orlando hotel and resort is so popular.
Discovery Cove
Discovery Cove International Drive Orlando is an all-inclusive resort, that provides one-on-one experiences with marine animals. It offers an exciting array of animal encounters, including dolphin swims and hand-feeding. Guests can also enjoy a variety of fun water experiences, including ray gliding, floating on the Wind-Away River, and snorkeling.
This tropical paradise is an island oasis in the heart of Central Florida. Visitors can take a dolphin or ray-gliding tour or just relax at Serenity Cove. If you want to stay in the sun, you can even choose to nap in a hammock.
The park is located just a few miles away from SeaWorld and Aquatica. Discovery Cove is a full-day adventure that is a great experience for anyone with a love of animals. With a capacity of only 1300 guests per day, it ensures a personal experience.
Animal experts are available for visitors to ask questions. Discovery Cove is certified by the Continuing Education Standards and is a Certified Autism Center. A team of Animal Ambassadors leads 30-minute tours of the park.
Guests can also get an all-inclusive, fully immersive experience, complete with unlimited food, drinks, and snacks. You can upgrade your package to include a number of additional experiences, such as feedings, underwater tours, cabanas, and day beds.
Pirate’s Cove Adventure Golf
Pirate’s Cove is one of the best mini-golf experiences in the state of Florida. You can play up to 36 holes of adventure putt-putt. The best part is, it’s free. Located on International Drive in Orlando, it’s easy to get to by car or I-Drive trolley. So, it’s no surprise that the place has been a popular choice for a few years now. If you’re a golfing enthusiast, you might want to plan your next trip around this location.
In terms of putting, there are several courses to choose from in the Orlando area. One of the more notable is Congo River Golf, which features a scavenger hunt, live gator feeding, and an arcade to boot. They also run a Putting for Patriots fundraising event. This is a great way to help out the military while having a little fun on the course.
Pirate’s Cove has two 18-hole courses. Their Captain’s Course is definitely worth a look. It’s located south of Sand Lake Road on International Drive, which is a short distance from the Orange County Convention Center. As for the course itself, the design is a mix of the old and new. Having a pirate theme may be a big draw for some, but the greens are kept relatively clean.
Hash House a Go Go
This Hash House A Go Go serves up the best of both worlds. Not only does it have the best-fried chicken you’ll find anywhere, but it also offers some of the most unique cocktails and drinks you’ll ever encounter. You’ll be able to dine in a modern dining room with a barn-like exterior and 60 seats at the bar. With a variety of menu items, it’s no wonder Hash House A Go Go is a popular choice for locals and visitors.
The aforementioned sage-dusted fried chicken, which is a la carte or accompanied by a basket of the best fried green tomatoes you’ll find on the Central Florida culinary scene, is not for the faint of heart. In fact, the restaurant is known for its oversized portions and shockingly unmodified recipes. So, you know you’re in for a treat when you see a server in the kitchen spouting out the aforementioned sage-encrusted delights in a language that only a seasoned veteran can appreciate.
Hash House A Go Go International Drive Orlando is just one of seven Hash House A Go Go locations around the country, so you can take the good old-fashioned route, or opt for the less traveled road and make use of Uber Eats to get your meal to you on time and in the form of a delicious hot dog.
Ripley’s Believe it or Not!
Ripley’s Believe It or Not is a series of family-friendly family attractions. The company’s family attractions operate in countries across the globe. These include museums, aquariums, amusement parks, and carnivals. They feature pop-culture memorabilia, interactive games, and other oddities.
In 2006, the Philippines launched a local adaptation of Ripley’s Believe It or Not! Featuring Raymond Bagatsing, the local version of the series was short-lived.
Ripley’s Aquarium is a family-friendly, hands-on attraction featuring animal oddities and optical illusions. The museum also features an exhibit on mutant animals and a miniature golf course.
As part of the family-friendly attractions, Ripley’s also operates a candy factory. This popular location is one of the most visited attractions on the Gatlinburg strip.
A museum, aquarium, and candy factory are just a few of the family-friendly attractions that make up Ripley’s Believe It or Not! franchise.
At the museum, you will discover hundreds of unique artifacts from around the world. You can also enjoy a self-guided tour. Here, you’ll see incredible pieces of artwork, including a giant cactus made out of a twig, and an eye-catching micro-sculpture that fits into the eye of a needle.
While at the museum, you can also explore the life masks of famous celebrities and shamanistic apparatus from around the world. There are also unusual objects to observe, such as a shrunken head, a real six-legged cow, and a spider made of scissors.
