Unlock spectacular travel destinations with your Palmera Vacation Club membership.
Known as The City Beautiful, Orlando is a hub for explorers of all ages. Endless attractions in and around the city appeal to visitors looking for adventure and dazzling entertainment. Much more than just the Theme Park Capital of the World, Orlando welcomes creative minds, nature enthusiasts, and culinary aficionados to enjoy all of what the area has to offer. One of the most-visited locations in the United States, it’s not hard to see why this city in Central Florida receives travelers from all corners of the world.
Chances are, you’re thinking about visiting Orlando for the theme parks—and trust me, you’re not alone. With so many different theme parks to choose from, you’ll have no problem finding parades or fireworks to watch, and of course rides and rollercoasters to get your fill of fun. So, for the sake of this guide, let’s talk about all of the other things you can do in Orlando.
Within city limits, you can watch a basketball, hockey, or soccer game at one of the impressive sports complexes. History buffs will ogle at Skeletons: Animals Unveiled, as much as they’ll find Orange County Regional History Center’s exhibits about Florida’s past, fascinating. A visit to the Orlando Science Center is always a great rainy-day activity, perfect for families looking to learn through hands-on activities. Art lovers will enjoy seeing exhibits at the Orlando Museum of Art and Cornell Fine Arts Museum Orlando. While in town, theater enthusiasts won’t want to miss the current Broadway production at Dr. Phillips Center in downtown Orlando.
Some might be surprised to learn that Orlando is also a great destination to explore more of the natural world and encounter wildlife up close. There are multiple wildlife centers, including aquariums, available to visit during your trip, not to mention theme parks designed to highlight wildlife alongside other attractions. If you want to see Central Florida and the local wildlife firsthand—and you have a rental car—visit one of the many natural springs or nature trails throughout the area. For a classic Florida experience, try going on an airboat ride through the marsh to see wildlife of all kinds!
It isn’t necessary to have a rental car during your stay in Orlando as ridesharing is widely available, however, if you do have access to a personal vehicle, you’ll be able to see and do so much more. Beautiful beaches such as Cocoa, Clearwater, and Canaveral National Seashore are all a relatively short drive away. While visiting the Space Coast, stop in to see the Kennedy Space Center. A truly memorable experience, you’ll be able to access the world’s most realistic shuttle launch simulator, see space shuttles up close, and possibly have lunch with a veteran NASA astronaut!
Quest Travel Club always has great deals on activities to do while on vacation, as well as rental cars and flights to and from your destination. Here are some of our favorite tours and activities:
When planning a trip to Orlando, keep these three factors in mind: weather, school schedules, and holidays.
More times than not, locals and frequent visitors to The City Beautiful will tell you that you’ll find the most beautiful weather from March to May. These months maintain average highs in the high 70s and mid-80s, obviously getting warmer throughout the month of May. This time period is hardly a secret, so keep in mind that you’ll be among many spring-breakers as well as those wanting to avoid Orlando’s sweltering summer heat.
If the heat and humidity doesn’t scare you, June through September is still an enticing time to visit—especially if you’re a fan of waterparks! In full swing, Orlando is a perfect summer vacation destination for all ages, which does make for more crowds. Central Florida’s rainy season starts late May and ends in October, so make sure to pack a rain jacket or poncho. Hurricane season begins in June and ends in November, so try to be as flexible as possible with your travel plans in case you have to end a trip early or postpone altogether.
Spring and fall bring countless festivals and special events to the area. Flowers, film, music, art, food, wine—the list goes on and on! Some specific festivals and events are hosted by theme parks, especially around holidays like Halloween and Christmas. Before booking your trip, check out the general schedule of events around town, or from any theme park you’re planning to visit.
With more than 450 hotels and resorts in the Orlando area, finding accommodations for your stay that fit your vacation needs will hardly ever be a challenge. And better yet, RCI’s 1,000-Points-or-Less filter makes it easy to find great deals on many properties in convenient locations. That being said, you need to study a map of the area before booking a hotel, simply because the Orlando area is vast and you may only be interested in a small part of it. Because of smart planning, you may not even have to reserve a rental car. On the other hand, renting a car does unlock Orlando in its entirety, as well as day trips to the beach and other towns and attractions.
Find your next stay in Orlando on the RCI Exchange, one of the Six Ways to Travel located on your Palmera Vacation Club Member Portal. Here are some great options we found with the 1,000-Points-or-Less filter:
