Welcome to the City Beautiful! Below, you can find a collection of maps of some of the areas around Orlando – after all, the town’s more than just our theme parks and attractions.
Each map focuses on a different section of the city with a brief intro of what is in that region, including entertainment options, restaurants, and the like. So click a map and get exploring!
International Drive area
International Drive is a hub of activity in Orlando. Home to scores of hotels and restaurants, including the Pointe Orlando shopping center, and very close to Universal Orlando Resort and SeaWorld, there’s something for everybody here. The Orange County Convention Center is also located on I-Drive, so if you’re in town for a conference, you’ll have great dining and lodging choices right nearby.
Even better, this 11-mile-long strip of tourist nirvana features great attractions and activities to enjoy by yourself or with friends and family, such as WonderWorks, escape rooms, putt-putt golf, and Ripley’s Believe It or Not. Then there’s Icon Park, which is home to The Wheel, Sea Life Orlando Aquarium, and Madame Tussauds.
Pro tip: to explore faster, hop on the I-Ride Trolley, which picks up and lets off at various locations.
Lake Buena Vista area
Lake Buena Vista is, of course, home to Walt Disney World Resort (well, parts of it, at least), with all of its various theme and water parks and its dining/shopping/entertainment district, Disney Springs (speaking of which, you have to check out Splitsville, a super-fun bowling alley and restaurant, and catch a flick at the AMC Dine-In Movie Theater).
Located not too far from International Drive, Lake Buena Vista is the vacation spot of Central Florida.
Downtown Orlando area
If theme parks aren’t your thing, definitely check out Downtown Orlando.
Lake Eola is home to the famous Lake Eola fountain, as well as the City Beautiful’s beautiful swans. Take a ride on a swan boat, or just walk around and enjoy the lovely park surrounding the lake. Downtown also has many bar and restaurant options, along with clubs and entertainment venues that include the Amway Center, Bob Carr Theater, and the Dr. Phillips Center for the Performing Arts. If you’re into sports, be sure and check out a game at Camping World Stadium or Orlando City Stadium, home to the Orlando City Lions soccer team.
Lake Ivanhoe Village is close by, too, and has a variety of places to eat and shop, and it’s also where you can find the Orlando Science Center, Museum of Art, and Orlando Shakespeare Theater, among other cultural attractions.
North Orlando/Winter Park/UCF area
If you want to get even farther away from the theme parks, check out the north side of town! Winter Park is just a stone’s throw from Downtown Orlando and another great area to discover lots more restaurants, like the James Beard Award-nominated Ravenous Pig and 4 Rivers Smokehouse (both of which are locally-owned and -operated). Shopping options are also plentiful along the picturesque Park Avenue and Central Park, and the city is host to the annual Winter Park Sidewalk Art Festival every spring, which features artists from all over the world.
Not too far from Winter Park is the University of Central Florida (go Knights!). As with any college town, you’ll find all kinds of fun stuff to do and places to eat. If you’re in town around the holidays, for instance, Light Up UCF is an event that’s not to be missed – it’s a 45-night festival that features ice-skating, a brilliant light show, live entertainment, carnival rides, and, even, snow!
Kissimmee area
South of Lake Buena Vista and off of I-Drive South is Kissimmee. An area mostly made up of neighborhoods, it’s a great quiet place to stay if you’re going to the parks but don’t want to linger on-property. Celebration Town Center is located here and is home to all sorts of shops and dining venues, and don’t forget about the farmers’ market that’s held every Sunday.
Also nearby are the Lake Buena Vista Factory stores, and, if you hop onto I-4 West, you’ll be on your way to the LEGOLAND theme park.
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