SD › Best Places to Stay in Orlando for Families, Couples, & First Timers Show
Orlando is known throughout the world as America’s theme park capital, home of Walt Disney World, Universal Orlando Resort, SeaWorld, and more. There’s more to it than this, however – Orlando is actually a big, sprawling city with a modern downtown, a sophisticated culinary scene, and fascinating museums. As well as encompassing the region’s commercial center, downtown Orlando blends into several artsy neighborhoods – Milk District, Mills 50 – as well as the museum hub around Loch Haven Park. Southwest Orlando is where all the theme parks are based, anchored by International Drive (I-Drive) and a string of huge shopping malls. Disney and Universal are so big they have their own mini downtowns, Disney Springs and CityWalk respectively. To the north of downtown Orlando lie 2 quite different neighborhoods, the upscale enclave of Winter Park and the historic African-American community of Eatonville, childhood home of Zora Neale Hurston.
The Best Places to Stay in Orlando
Where to Stay in Orlando for…
The 6 Best Neighborhoods in Orlando for Tourists1. Downtown OrlandoThe historic heart of the city, Downtown Orlando is a modern business district set prettily on the west side of Lake Eola. It was here that settlers first arrived in the mid-19th century, with Orlando officially incorporating as a town in 1875. In addition to a smattering of skyscrapers, the district features the old Church Street Station, now transformed into a dining and nightlife hub, Wall St. Plaza, a bar complex, the arts district, and the Orange County Regional History Center, housed in the stately 1927 Orange County courthouse. The Amway Center is home to the Orlando Magic, while the Exploria Stadium hosts the Orlando City SC of the MLS. Adjacent to Downtown, Loch Haven Park is home to several major museums, including the Orlando Museum of Art and Orlando Science Center. Just east of downtown, the Milk District – named after the T.G. Lee dairy plant – is an up-and-coming neighborhood of restaurants, bars, and live music hubs, while the smaller Mills 50 district – a burgeoning nightlife spot – clusters around the junction of Mills Avenue and State Road 50 (aka Colonial Drive).
2. Walt Disney WorldMost people coming to Orlando come to visit Walt Disney World – some 17 miles southwest of Downtown Orlando, it’s so vast it counts as it’s own sprawling mini city. Since opening in 1971, it has expanded from the original Magic Kingdom theme park and iconic Cinderella Castle to encompass 3 additional “worlds” – Epcot, Disney’s Animal Kingdom, and Disney’s Hollywood Studios (home of “Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge”), each one worth at least a day of exploration. There’s also Disney’s Typhoon Lagoon and Disney’s Blizzard Beach Water Park, 4 golf courses, and Disney Springs, a “downtown” area of restaurants and malls. With over 25 official hotel options on Disney property, park and accommodation packages can help to lower the hefty costs involved – and make it tempting never to leave the resort (cars are definitely not required).
3. Universal Orlando AreaDisney World’s principal competition comes from the Universal Orlando Resort, another vast theme park complex halfway between Downtown Orlando and Disney itself. The park comprises 3 main areas: Universal Studios Florida, Islands of Adventure (with the Wizarding World of Harry Potter split between them), and Volcano Bay (an incredible waterpark), with CityWalk acting as a shopping and entertainment hub (a bit like Disney Springs). Like Disney World, Universal encompasses several on-site hotels, but we’ve also looked at several independent properties nearby.
4. Southwest Orlando/International DriveSouthwest Orlando – the home of Universal and DisneyWorld – is also where the majority of Orlando’s family-friendly attractions can be found, most of them on or near International Drive — aka I-Drive (and the I-4 corridor). Staying here means easy (often walkable) access to WonderWorks Orlando, SeaWorld Orlando, Chocolate Museum & Café, Ripley’s Believe It or Not!, Titanic: The Artifact Exhibition, Madame Tussauds Orlando, Orlando Starflyer, and many other attractions. West Sand Lake Road is known as “Restaurant Row”, but I-Drive itself is lined with restaurants and malls.
5. Winter ParkSome 6 miles northeast from Downtown Orlando, Winter Park is the area’s most upscale neighborhood, with tree-lined, cobbled streets, fine dining, and a spread of intriguing museums and galleries. The main drag is Park Avenue, which runs north-south along Central Park to Rollins College at the southern end, home to Cornell Fine Arts Museum. Other highlights include the Charles Hosmer Morse Museum of American Art, featuring a big collection of Louis Comfort Tiffany works, and the Albin Polasek Museum & Sculpture Gardens. Taking the Scenic Boat Tour is the best way to appreciate Winter Park’s chain of lakes (there are 12 major ones). There are only a handful of places to stay in the center – most folks visit on day trips or stay out near I-4.
6. EatonvilleHistoric Eatonville, just northwest of Winter Park and some 7 miles north of downtown Orlando is a fascinating town. Incorporated in 1887, it’s one of the oldest self-governing African-American municipalities in the country. It’s major claim to fame is being the childhood home of celebrated author Zora Neale Hurston (1891–1960), commemorated at the Zora Neale Hurston Museum of Fine Arts and the annual Zora Neale Hurston Festival of the Arts and Humanities (aka Zora! Festival). We also love the restaurants here: Soul Food Fantasy and DaJen Eats Cafe & Creamery are favorites.
Where to stay in Orlando if you don't have car?Orlando Without a Car: Overview of The Area. Hyatt House across from Universal Orlando Resort.. Embassy Suites by Hilton Orlando.. Sonesta ES Suites.. Floridays Orlando.. Quality Inn.. Avanti International Resort.. Drury Inn & Suites.. Magic Moment Resort and Kids Club.. Is it better to stay in Orlando or Kissimmee?In terms of tourist expenses, Kissimmee ranks below Orlando. As per reports, Orlando is slightly above the national average, while Kissimmee is slightly below. Tourists can enjoy the voyage to the Magic World and its neighborhood and explore the state's finest scenery without breaking the bank by staying at Kissimmee.
Is it worth staying in downtown Orlando?The biggest benefit to staying in downtown Orlando on your vacation is the nightlife. A fun place to start is Wall Street Plaza, a strip of bars in the middle of the entertainment district. Some of my other favorite bars are around the corner from the plaza – The Lodge and Latitudes Rooftop Tiki Bar.
How many days are enough for Orlando?If you plan to travel to Orlando, this 3 days in Orlando itinerary will be the best place for you to start planning your trip!
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