To get a broad view of Orlando's past, you could start with a visit to the Orange County Regional History Center. Housed inside the city's grand 1927 Beaux-Arts courthouse, the museum covers more than 12,000 years of the area's history. There's also the Orlando Science Center, which explores the region's natural history, and the Wells' Built Museum, which examines Orlando's African American community, including its role in the Civil Rights movement. The 100-hectare Bok Tower Gardens offers a peaceful and pristine setting with a landmark attraction at its centre – a 62-metre bell tower from the 1920s that chimes daily.
Are you looking for attractions to visit while you're in the area? Venture out of your cozy vacation rental and experience everything that makes Orlando a fun place to get away. These are some of the major attractions to put on your list, all within 30 miles (48.2 km) of the city center:
Whether you're looking for adventure or just want to spend some time taking in the scenery, Orlando is a great place to get outside. Here are a few of the area's most eye-catching features, all within 30 miles (48.2 km) of the city center:
Fly into Orlando, FL (MCO-Orlando Intl.), the closest airport, located 8.7 mi (14.1 km) from the city center. If you're unable to find a flight that fits your schedule, you might consider flying into Kissimmee, FL (ISM-Kissimmee Gateway), which is 17.4 mi (28.1 km) away.
If you prefer train travel, the main station serving the city is Orlando Station.
There's a reason Orlando is the largest car rental market in the world – the sprawling landscape makes having a vehicle a necessity if you want to explore the region extensively. Travellers who plan on sticking to the major tourist attractions may be able to rely solely on public transportation by using the affordable city bus and trolley system. You'll find even more transportation options at Disney World, as monorails, buses, and water taxis provide service between the parks and the resort's hotels. There's also plenty of taxi companies available across Orlando, but you'll most likely need to call ahead to arrange for pick-up.
Orlando offers a wide array of cuisines, but if you really want to sample a variety of international flavors, Epcot is the place for that. Where else can you find Moroccan, Japanese, Italian, Mexican, and Norwegian foods all in one spot? There's also plenty of German beer and French wines on hand if you want to relax with a drink. To experience true local delicacies, however, adventurous eaters can try such unique dishes as fried gator bites, conch fritters, and rock shrimp. And nothing says Florida breakfast like a fresh squeezed glass of orange juice and toast with kumquat marmalade.
The Orlando metropolitan region features more than 2.3 million residents, making it Florida's 3rd largest metro area. English is the city's official language, although over 16% of the population speak Spanish fluently. If you plan to enjoy a night of dining and drinking, tips typically range from 15-20%, depending on the quality of service, and the legal drinking age is 21. Although crime in Orlando is low, tourists are typically the targets of most thefts, so stay alert. For immediate medical assistance, to report a crime, or in the event of fire, you should dial 911.
Our 2019 vacation rental listings offer a large selection of 40,884 house rentals around Orlando. From 14,616 Houses to 12,423 Villas, find unique vacation rental for you to enjoy a memorable holiday or a weekend with your family and friends. The best place to stay around Orlando is on HomeAway.
Whether you're travelling with family or friends, here are the areas with the largest selection of vacation rentals for a holiday trip or just for a weekend in Orlando:
For other neighbourhoods, please use our search bar to access the selection of vacation rentals available.
HomeAway offers a large selection of lodging choices near lovely places in Orlando. From HomeAway travelers, the most popular points of interest to stay for a holiday trip or just for a weekend are:
But there are many other points of interest around Orlando listed on HomeAway where you can find your place to stay. Please use our search bar to access the selection of vacation rentals available near the point of interest of your choice.
Yes, of course. HomeAway has 14,616 Houses in Orlando. Our other popular types of vacation rentals in Orlando include:
But you can also enjoy a great stay in one of our other vacation homes including Townhouses and more.
Yes, you can select your preferred vacation rental with pool among our 38,403 vacation homes with pool available in Orlando.