Florida · United States
Where to stay in Orlando
Orlando is a city in Florida, United States, home to about 335,000 people.
- Best months
- November to February
- Nearest airport
- MCO14 km · Orlando International Airport
- Currency
- USDUnited States dollar
- Time zone
- America/New York
- Language
- Carolinian, Chamorro, Hawaiian
About
About Orlando
Orlando ( or-LAN-doh) is a city in and the county seat of Orange County, Florida, United States. Part of Central Florida, it is the fourth-most populous city in the state and its most populous inland city, with a population of 307,573 at the 2020 census.
The Orlando area contains some of the world's largest and most famous theme park resorts. However, only one, Universal Orlando, is within the city limits. Walt Disney World and SeaWorld are in the immediate area, as are many of the more minor tourist attractions, and as Orlando is most associated with these popular attractions, you will find details and descriptions of them below. Until the Civil War, Orange County was widely considered a rural backwater.
Wikipedia and Wikivoyage contributors, CC BY-SA 4.0; excerpted.
Things to do
What to see and do in Orlando
See
The Go Orlando City Pass is very useful to pay one price to visit many of these attractions.
- UCF Arboretum
- Harry P. Leu Gardens
- The Orlando Museum of Art
- The Orlando Science Center
- Orange County Regional History Center
- Ripley's Believe It or Not!
- Orlando Auto Museum
Do
Orlando is one of the biggest tourist destinations on the planet because of the nearby theme parks and resorts. Close to International Drive is Universal Orlando, which includes two theme parks, a water park, several hotels and a shopping and dining district. Not far from Universal lies the small Fun Spot America Orlando, home to the only wooden coaster in the area. South on International Drive lies SeaWorld Orlando, a marine theme park featuring several thrilling roller coasters and a rapidly dwindling amount of animal shows. About 25 minutes southwest of downtown Orlando is Walt Disney World.
- Walt Disney World
- Universal Orlando
- SeaWorld Orlando
- Discovery Cove
- Gatorland
- Fun Spot America - Orlando
- Basilica of Mary, Queen of the Universe
- Orlando Magic
- Orlando City SC
- Orlando Solar Bears
- Orlando Predators
- Orlando Pride
Wikivoyage contributors, CC BY-SA 4.0; excerpted.
Where to stay
Which part of Orlando to stay in
With a hotel around virtually every corner (actually 4 or 5 around every corner) it seems impossible to throw a rock and not hit a hotel. There are hotels to meet every traveler's need, whether it be a hostel or a 5-star resort, although many visiting families often prefer to rent a private villa as they usually provide much more personal space and have their own private facilities. There are also a lot of lodgings in the surrounding cities and towns.
Wikivoyage contributors, CC BY-SA 4.0; excerpted.
Where to stay
Hotels in Orlando
32 hotels within 25 km of the centre, as recorded in Wikidata. Each name links to its encyclopedia article where there is one.
| Hotel | Opened | From centre |
|---|---|---|
| The Peabody Orlando Hyatt Hotels Corporation | 1986 | 14.3 km |
| Well'sbuilt Hotel | 1926 | 0.5 km |
| Loews Portofino Bay Hotel at Universal Orlando | 1999 | 9.3 km |
| Loews Royal Pacific Resort | 2002 | 10.7 km |
| Orange Court Hotel | 2.2 km | |
| Rosen Shingle Creek | 12.9 km | |
| Seminole Hotel | 8.1 km | |
| Best Western Orlando Gateway Hotel | 11.3 km | |
| Castle Hotel, Autograph Collection | 13.1 km | |
| Crowne Plaza Hotel Orlando Downtown | 2.1 km | |
| Crowne Plaza Hotel Orlando-Universal | 12.0 km | |
| DoubleTree by Hilton at the Entrance to Universal Orlando | 9.2 km | |
| Embassy Suites Orlando - Airport | 11.3 km | |
| Florida Hotel and Conference Center | 9.9 km | |
| Grand Bohemian Hotel Orlando, Autograph Collection | 0.9 km | |
| Hard Rock Hotel | 9.9 km | |
| Hilton Orlando | 13.9 km | |
| Hyatt Regency Orlando | 14.3 km | |
| Hyatt Regency Orlando International Airport | 13.9 km | |
| Las Palmeras by Hilton Grand Vacations | 13.2 km | |
| Loews Sapphire Falls Resort | 11.1 km | |
| Marriott Orlando Airport Lakeside | 11.7 km | |
| Renaissance Orlando Airport Hotel | 10.8 km | |
| Rosen Plaza Hotel | 14.3 km | |
| The Alfond Inn | 7.9 km | |
| Universal’s Aventura Hotel | 2018 | 11.2 km |
| Universal's Cabana Bay Beach Resort | 2014 | 11.4 km |
| Universal's Hard Rock Hotel ® | 9.8 km | |
| Universal's Loews Portofino Bay Hotel | 9.3 km | |
| Universal's Loews Royal Pacific Resort | 10.6 km | |
| Universal's Loews Sapphire Falls Resort | 11.1 km | |
| Vista Cay Resort by Orlando Resorts Rental | 13.1 km |
When to go
The best time to visit Orlando
The most comfortable months for a city stay in Orlando are November to February. July is the warmest month, with average highs of 33 °C; July is the wettest, with about 192 mm of rain.
Comfortable means average daytime high between 18 °C and 29 °C and under 80 mm of rain in the month. Averages for 1991–2020 over the surrounding area, a grid square about 50 km across, so a coast or a nearby mountain can make the town itself warmer or cooler. Data: CRU TS v4.10, Climatic Research Unit, University of East Anglia (Open Database License).
Getting there
Getting to Orlando: airports and arrival
The nearest airport with scheduled flights is Orlando International Airport (MCO), about 14 km from the city centre in a straight line; Orlando Sanford International Airport (SFB, 31 km) and Daytona Beach International Airport (DAB, 79 km) are also within reach.
Getting in
Almost every mid- to high-priced hotel in the city offers airport transfers. Additionally, there are several shuttle services options that run from the airport to various points, including Kissimmee, the theme parks, the University of Central Florida, and the cruise port at Cape Canaveral. Approximate rates for shuttle vans range from $18–26 depending on your destination (see OIA website for details on local transport). You may wish to contact your hotel to inquire about discounts on certain shuttles or possible free airport transfers.
Getting around
The highway is omnipresent in Orlando, and it is a very easy and convenient (if sometimes congested) way to get to your destination. Orlando is a sprawling city, with most attractions lying far to the south of downtown and spreading into adjacent cities like Kissimmee. The roads are all wide and easy to drive on, with all major attractions well-signed. However, traffic jams around downtown are common during the morning and afternoon rush hours, and around the tourist areas when the theme parks close up each night.
Wikivoyage contributors, CC BY-SA 4.0; excerpted.
MCO · Orlando International Airport
SFB · Orlando Sanford International Airport
DAB · Daytona Beach International Airport
Local knowledge
Eating, drinking and staying safe in Orlando
Eat
A wide variety of restaurants can be found in CityWalk at Universal Orlando, including Margaritaville and Hard Rock Cafe. Parking is $20 during the day and free after 6PM (except during holidays or special events, such as Halloween Horror Nights). Much choice can also be found in Disney Springs, including Rainforest Cafe, Planet Hollywood, and Wolfgang Puck Cafe. Texas de Brazil, is a Brazilian steakhouse in the heart of downtown, serving beef, chicken, lamb and pork in many preparations.
Drink
Orlando nightlife away from the theme parks is centered mostly around Central Boulevard and Orange Avenue in downtown Orlando. Here you can walk and find many bars. A short walk away is the tiny Thornton Park District, near the intersection of Washington and Summerlin. Among the dozens of cafes and pubs, you might stop in for a drink and a quick bite at Dexter's on Washington. For local flair head across the street to Burton's Frosty Mug, or sample the hip urban environment at the trendy HUE at the corner of Washington and Central.
Stay safe
Like most cities in America, there are certain areas of Orlando which are more dangerous than others.
Wikivoyage contributors, CC BY-SA 4.0; excerpted.
Questions
Orlando: questions travellers ask
When is the best time to visit Orlando?
The most comfortable months for a city stay in Orlando are November to February. July is the warmest month, with average highs of 33 °C; July is the wettest, with about 192 mm of rain.
Which airport is closest to Orlando?
The nearest airport with scheduled flights is Orlando International Airport (MCO), about 14 km from the city centre in a straight line; Orlando Sanford International Airport (SFB, 31 km) and Daytona Beach International Airport (DAB, 79 km) are also within reach.
What currency is used in Orlando?
United States dollar (USD).
Nearby
Destinations near Orlando
Sources: city facts from Wikidata and Wikipedia; airports from OurAirports; climate from CRU TS v4.10 (University of East Anglia Climatic Research Unit), 1991–2020 monthly means, 0.5° grid; places to stay, guest scores and amenities from each operator's own public pages. How this guide is made.