2025 Orlando Travel Guide: Must-see attractions, popular food, hotels, transportation routes (updated in April)

Reputed for being the number one tourist destination in the US, Orlando is the home to seven of the world’s top theme parks, Kennedy Space Center on Cape Canaveral, dozens of golf courses, and unique wilderness. It’s no surprise that every year tens of millions of tourists flock to this sunny Florida city for their dream vacations.Located in Central Florida, Orlando is the county seat of Orange County. As the third-largest metropolitan area in the state, over 2 million people live in Metro Orlando. The most prominent districts and neighborhoods include Central Business District, City District (downtown’s entertainment district), South West Orlando (home to world-class theme parks), and Lake Eola Heights (one of the oldest and architecturally diverse areas).Originally settled by aboriginal natives, Orlando as a settlement began about 1843 around Fort Gatlin. A regional center for cotton, cattle, and later on the citrus industry, the area’s population and the economy grew after the development of the Cape Canaveral aerospace complex (1950s) and Walt Disney World (1970s). Today, the city’s economy is heavily dependent on tourism, conventions, manufacturing, high-technology, and citrus industries. Known as the theme park capital of the world, Orlando’s first theme park was Cypress Gardens, which was opened in 1936. Then in 1949, Gatorland, a theme park and wildlife preserve welcomed its first visitors.Orlando is also the home to so many attractions and exciting experiences. Fun for the whole family, visitors can step back in time in Old Town Kissimmee, learn about Florida’s native animals in Exotic Animal Experience, paddleboard your way to the beautiful Wekiva Island, be curious in Orlando Science Center, or watch the knights battle it out at Medieval Times dinner show.The most common way to reach Orlando is by air via Orlando International Airport (MCO) and Orlando Sanford International Airport (SFB). But it is worth noting that there are several alternative options to reach the city from other US locations. To drive to Orlando from the east coast of the US, take I-95 south; from elsewhere in the country, take I-75 south. Visitors can take the Amtrak train to Orlando from Tampa or Miami in Florida, or board the direct "Silver Star" or "Silver Meteor" train from New York City. And the cheapest option is the Greyhound bus, with a direct bus from Tampa, Miami, or Jacksonville, a connection required from elsewhere in the US.