Orlando area
Around Orlando area
Photo: OrlandoThings.com · CC BY-SA 4.0 · Wikimedia Commons
Greater area · Florida · 4.7M people
Orlando area
Locals say Central Florida · “The City Beautiful”, “O-Town”, “Theme Park Capital of the World”
The City Beautiful, alive with light
Magic BlueOrangeDeep Green
Welcome to Central Florida, where the magic is real and the springs are always cool. Whether you're a theme park pro or just here for the sunshine, you'll find your people. Grab a Publix sub and let's talk about the best spots to beat the heat.
Clubs for Orlando area
No clubs for Orlando area yet.
The room
Orlando area is big: its rooms are its areas'. This is Orlando's; the others are below.
One room for everyone around Orlando. It never closes; when it's busy it splits into tables. Once you're in, you stay until you leave.
Ask the neighbours
AllA good plumber, the best tacos, a lost cat: nobody has asked yet. Be the first.
Coming up
No events in the next month. Events made in the room show up here.
Marketplace
Things for sale, free and wanted, and rooms for rent, from people around Orlando area. Sign in to sell something.
Things to do
- Walt Disney World Resort The world's most visited theme park resort, with Magic Kingdom, Epcot, and more.
- Universal Orlando Resort Home to The Wizarding World of Harry Potter and thrilling rides.
- SeaWorld Orlando Marine life park with roller coasters and animal encounters.
- Lake Eola Park Iconic downtown lake with swan boats, a fountain, and a weekly farmers market.
- Harry P. Leu Gardens 50 acres of tropical and subtropical gardens, a favorite for walks and events.
- Wekiwa Springs State Park Natural spring with swimming, kayaking, and hiking trails.
- Outdoors Swim at Wekiwa Springs
- Outdoors Kayak the Econlockhatchee River
- With kids Spend a day at Walt Disney World
- With kids Explore Universal Orlando Resort
- Evenings Downtown Orlando on Wall Street Plaza
- Evenings International Drive entertainment district
- Locals love Theme parks
- Locals love Natural springs
Through the year
- EPCOT International Food & Wine Festival Fall (late August through November) Global food and drink kiosks across the park, with concerts on weekends.
- Orlando Fringe Festival May The largest unjuried fringe theater festival in the US, with hundreds of performances.
- Florida Classic November Annual college football game between FAMU and Bethune-Cookman at Camping World Stadium.
- Central Florida Fair March Regional fair with rides, livestock, and local food vendors.
- Orlando Calling Music Festival Fall (seasonal, check schedule) Multi-genre music festival held at Tinker Field (when active).
Subtropical climate with hot, humid summers and mild winters. Expect afternoon thunderstorms in summer and the occasional hurricane threat in fall. Best: October through April is the most comfortable, with mild temperatures and lower humidity.
Talk like a local
- “I-4”
- The main interstate that connects Orlando to Tampa, often congested.
- “The Mouse”
- Nickname for Walt Disney World, as in 'going to see the Mouse.'
- “The springs”
- Any of the natural springs in the area, like Wekiwa or Rock Springs.
- “Orlandoan”
- A local resident of the Orlando area.
Getaways
- Day trip to Deltona Explore the springs and hiking at Gemini Springs Park.
- Visit Wildwood and The Villages Golf cart culture and the historic downtown.
- Lakeland's lakes and gardens Hollis Garden and Lake Morton for a quiet afternoon.
- Palm Bay and the Space Coast See rocket launches and the beaches at Cape Canaveral.
Local flavour
Teams
- Orlando Magic NBA
- Orlando City SC MLS
- Orlando Pride NWSL
- UCF Knights NCAA
Also rooting for Miami Dolphins (NFL), Tampa Bay Buccaneers (NFL), Florida Gators (NCAA), Florida State Seminoles (NCAA)
Eat and drink
- Cuban sandwich Common across Florida, popular in Orlando
- Key lime pie Florida staple
- Fresh-squeezed orange juice Citrus capital
- Publix subs Iconic Florida supermarket chain
Where people go
- Theme parks Disney World, Universal, SeaWorld
- Natural springs Swimming, kayaking, tubing
- Lakes Lake Eola, Lake Apopka, many more
- Orange groves Historic citrus landscape
- Golf courses Numerous public and resort courses
Heritage and traditions
Central Florida is proud of its role as the world's theme park capital, but also of its diverse cultural roots, from the citrus groves and cattle ranches to the vibrant Puerto Rican and Cuban communities that have shaped its food, music, and festivals.
This time of year in Orlando area
- Football season fall UCF Knights games and high school football.
- Orlando Latin Jazz Festival October Showcases Latin jazz artists from around the region.
Say it like a local: “fixin' to” — about to
Festivals
- Zora Neale Hurston Festival of the Arts and Humanities January Celebrates the author and African American culture in Eatonville.
- Winter Park Sidewalk Art Festival March One of the top outdoor art shows in the US.
- Osceola County Fair February Traditional county fair with livestock and rides in Kissimmee.
- Zellwood Sweet Corn Festival May Celebrates the local sweet corn harvest with corn-themed activities.
- Puerto Rican Day Parade June Colorful parade in downtown Orlando celebrating Puerto Rican culture.
- Central Florida Scottish Highland Games February Bagpipes, dancing, and athletics celebrating Scottish heritage.
Landmarks with a story
- Eatonville Historic District One of the first all-black towns in the US, home to Zora Neale Hurston.
- St. James Cathedral Historic Episcopal cathedral in downtown Orlando, built in 1913.
- Hindu Temple of Central Florida A vibrant Hindu temple in Apopka, serving the South Asian community.
- Islamic Center of Orlando A major mosque in the area, reflecting the diverse Muslim community.
- Congregation of Reform Judaism A historic synagogue in Orlando, founded in the early 20th century.
- Wells' Built Museum of African American History and Culture Housed in a historic hotel that served African American travelers during segregation.
Food traditions
- Boiled peanuts A Southern snack of green peanuts boiled in saltwater, often sold at roadside stands.
- Cuban coffee (colada) A strong, sweet espresso that is a daily ritual in Cuban-American households.
- Mofongo A Puerto Rican dish of mashed plantains with garlic and pork, reflecting the large Puerto Rican community.
- Gator tail Fried alligator meat, a taste of Florida's wild side.
- Zellwood sweet corn The region's famous sweet corn, celebrated at the annual festival.
Music and arts
- Salsa and reggaeton Vibrant Latin music scene reflecting Puerto Rican influence.
- Cuban son Traditional music from Cuban immigrants.
- Folk art Celebrated at the Mennello Museum of American Art.
- Mural painting Public art in neighborhoods like the Milk District.
A little history
- 1835-1842 Second Seminole War
- 1857 Orlando founded as a cattle town
- 1887 Eatonville incorporated
- 1890s Citrus industry booms with the railroad
- 1965 Walt Disney announces plans for Disney World
Rivalries
- UCF Knights vs USF Bulls The War on I-4, a heated college football rivalry.
- Orlando City SC vs Inter Miami CF Florida soccer derby with passionate fan bases.
- Orlando Magic vs Miami Heat NBA rivalry between Florida's two teams.
- Florida Gators vs Florida State Seminoles Statewide college football rivalry, though not based in Orlando.
- Game day UCF Knights tailgating
- Game day Orlando City SC supporter section
- Outdoors Airboat ride on the St. Johns River
- Outdoors Horseback riding in the countryside
- With kids Gatorland
- With kids Central Florida Zoo and Botanical Gardens
Central Florida speech blends Southern drawl with Northern transplants, and Spanish is increasingly common. Locals say 'y'all', 'fixin' to', and refer to Disney as 'the Mouse'.
Only here
- The Theme Park Capital of the World - home to Disney, Universal, and SeaWorld.
- The City Beautiful - a nickname for Orlando.
- The Orange Blossom Trail - a historic route for citrus shipping.
- The Central Florida Zoo - in Sanford, a local favorite.
New here? A few tips
- Embrace the heat: stay hydrated and expect afternoon thunderstorms in summer.
- Avoid I-4 during rush hour; it's notoriously congested.
- Try a Cuban sandwich and fresh orange juice as soon as you can.
- Learn to pronounce local names: Kissimmee is 'kih-SIM-ee', Apopka is 'ah-POP-kah'.
- Get a SunPass for toll roads.
Make this page better
Know a place, a festival, a word locals use, or something here that's wrong? Suggest it; someone at Popchat checks every one.
Sign in and join a club here to suggest.
Areas in Orlando area
Nearby
Every areaOcalaFloridaWhere horses and springs set the pace.Tampa BayFloridaWhere the Gulf breeze meets the city lights.WauchulaFloridaWhere the Peace River winds through cattle countryHomosassa SpringsFloridaWhere the springs meet the GulfSebringFloridaWhere the race never ends and the lakes are always calm.PalatkaFloridaWhere the river blooms with azaleas.GainesvilleFloridaGator country, cool springs, warm heartsArcadiaFloridaWhere the Peace River meets the rodeo
Orlando-Lakeland-Deltona, FL CSA. Areas from the US Census Bureau and Statistics Canada; places from GeoNames. Local flavour was written with a model and may have mistakes. Team names identify teams; no endorsement.