Located close to family-friendly attractions such as the Walt Disney World Resort, Universal Orlando Resort, and SeaWorld Orlando, Kissimmee is an ideal destination for a weekend getaway in central Florida. Adrenaline junkies visiting Kissimmee can look forward to thrilling activities like zip-lining, gliding across the Everglades, and helicopter rides, while shopaholics will have a chance to enjoy boutique shopping at places like Mall at Millenia and Florida Mall.
Apart from fun theme parks and shopping outlets, Kissimmee also boasts a vibrant historic downtown area well-known for its restaurants, bars, and live music. This list of things to do in Kissimmee allows you to experience the city from a unique perspective and takes you to some of its finest attractions.
1. Walt Disney World Resort
Walt Disney World Resort is without a doubt one of the most popular family attractions in all of Florida. If you are visiting Kissimmee with the little ones, this fabulous resort should definitely be included in your travel itinerary. Home to attractions such as Hollywood Studios, Epcot, and Blizzard Beach Water Park, Walt Disney offers something for everyone. Whether you are looking for a museum or a zoo and amusement park experience, they have it all. Expect to find numerous accommodation options in the area, as well as plenty of restaurants and bars.
2. SeaWorld Orlando
Located in Orlando, this world-class park is simply one of those must-visit family attractions in Florida. From exhilarating rides to the tallest river rapids in the world and activities like swimming with dolphins, there is no shortage of fun activities here at SeaWorld Orlando. Don’t forget to ride the famous Manta, snorkel with tropical fish, and see killer whales in action at the popular One Ocean show.
3. Gatorland
When it comes to fun things to do in Orlando, we recommend paying a visit to Gatorland. Nicknamed as “Alligator Capital of the World,” this lovely wildlife preserve and theme park is home to thousands of alligators and offers everything from reptile shows and a variety of educational programs. One of the park’s newest additions, 1,200 feet long zip-lines takes you over a pool of alligators. It is definitely not an attraction for the faint-hearted. There is also a nice pet zoo worth and an aviary worth checking out.
4. Discovery Cove
A marine life park and an inclusive day resort, Discovery Cove is a place where visitors can enjoy fun activities like hand-feeding exotic birds, swimming with dolphins, and snorkeling close to tropical fish. There is also a nice resort pool with amenities like bars and restaurants. The park’s lush landscapes, sandy beaches, and tropical reefs make an ideal setting for a memorable vacation in Florida.
5. Old Town
Kissimmee’s vibrant Old Town oozes charm at every turn. From awesome restaurants that serve local food delicacies to events like Little Darlin’s Street Party which is held every Wednesday and allows visitors to dance to rockin tunes from the 60s, there are many attractions and activities here in the Old Town to keep you entertained throughout the week. Don’t miss the popular car cruises which are a big thing here in Kissimmee. If you wish to purchase a souvenir to take back home, this area is home to nearly 100 locally-owned boutiques and shops.
6. The Holy Land Experience
How about a visit to Orlando’s first Christian-based theme park? Expect to find a wide range of award-winning live productions including everything from musicals to dramatic plays. The Holy Land Experience is also home to compelling historical exhibits including one of the largest indoor replicas of Jerusalem and an awesome bible museum where thousands of bibles can be found.
7. ICON Park
An entertainment district located in the center of International drive in Orlando, ICON Park is home to a wide range of attractions including SEA LIFE Orlando Aquarium, Madame Tussauds Orlando, and Orlando StarFlyer, which is the tallest swing ride in the world. With spectacular views from the observation tower and attractions such as the 7D Dark Ride Adventure and the Orlando StarFlyer, it’s an ideal place to visit with the whole family. The park also boasts many restaurants, bars, and boutique shops.
8. LEGOLAND® Florida Resort
LEGOLAND® Florida Resort is another excellent family-friendly attraction that you can include in your Kissimmee travel itinerary. This fabulous amusement park offers over 50 family-friendly rides including roller coasters, a two-story carousel, and much more. The Lego recreations of popular US destinations like Las Vegas and NYC look amazing. There is a nice waterpark which boasts waterslides, lazy rivers, and gentle wave pools. For the ultimate 3D viewing cinematic experience, make sure to visit the Lego Movie World.
9. Florida mall
To satisfy your shopping cravings, spend an afternoon at the extraordinary Florida Mall. The largest shopping center in central Florida, this shopping venue is home to more than 250 stores and attracts more than 20 million visitors every year. Add nearly 30 dining establishments and a bunch of cool and chic bars and you got yourself a perfect setting for an unforgettable shopping experience. Some of the permanent department stores include names like the Banana Republic, Michael Kors, The Apple Store, Macy’s, and many others. In case you get hungry, we recommend on-site eateries such as California Pizza Kitchen and Auntie Anne’s.
10. Kissimmee Lakefront Park
Nature lovers can spend the day at the picturesque Kissimmee Lakefront Park. Located on East Monument Avenue, this scenic park is a perfect place to visit with the little ones.
From shaded playgrounds and dozens of docks and piers to a lovely splash area with nature sculptures and fountains, the park has many amazing features. You can bring your own picnic or purchase food from the on-site snack stand.
11. Boggy Creek Airboat Adventures
Hop inside an airboat with Boggy Creek Airboat Adventures to discover all those murky swamps and glades in Florida. There are many excursions to choose from ranging from short half-hour rides and sunset tours to hour-long day trips that bring travelers close to alligators, turtles, and a bunch of bird species. Boggy Creek Airboat Adventures specializes in animal sighting tours and has dozens of airboats that can accommodate up to 20 people. If you wish to discover Everglades headwaters, going on an airboat adventure is simply a must.
12. Busch Gardens Tampa
One of the best theme parks in the US, Busch Gardens Tampa is a lovely outdoor theme park and a zoo that features everything from amusement rides to animal encounters. Whether you wish to hop on a rollercoaster ride or close to animals such as zebras, giraffes, cheetah, sloths, and rhinos, this theme park offers something for every traveler. Take your kids on the Serengeti Safari which is conducted in an open-air car and allows you to take some cool photos of the animals. Busch Gardens Tampa features several restaurants, as well as a multitude of shops.
13. Universal CityWalk™
A collection of famous-named eateries, music venues, themed bars, special events, Universal CityWalk™ is one of Florida’s best entertainment areas and the epicenter of everything that can be described as awesome. Located between two popular theme parks, this place has it all. Have lunch at Jimmy Buffett’s Margaritaville or Bubba Gump Shrimp Company, listen to live music at clubs like the Rising Star and Red Coconut, and attend special seasonal events including Caribbean Carnival, Halloween, and Mardi Gras. To sum it all up, a visit to Universal CityWalk™ is a memorable experience.
14. Hard Rock Cafe Orlando
Located within the CityWalk entertainment complex, Hard Rock Café Orlando is the world’s largest hard rock café. Home to a large collection of rock and rock memorabilia includes rare items from popular artists like Bob Dylan and Elvis Presley, this awesome café and restaurant is an excellent place to visit on the weekends. Their burgers are extremely delicious and live music events are plentiful. This multi-level café is so large that it also has a giant concert venue that can accommodate up to 3,000 visitors.
15. Medieval Times Dinner and Tournament in Orlando
Want to travel back to the 11th century and have a memorable experience? Medieval Times Dinner and Tournament in Orlando is one of the most popular dinner attractions in Florida. The game is simple. Six knights are fighting in a tournament of swords and jousting with her Majesty Dona Maria Isabella who presides over the event. Guests can enjoy the competition and indulge in a true medieval feast. It’s an excellent event for history buffs who wish to see custom-designed armor and handmade costumes from medieval times.
16. Titanic – The Artifact Exhibition
There are many fun things to do in Kissimmee Florida for adults and a visit to the Titanic: The Artifact Exhibition is one of them. With more than 300 artifacts, actors in period costumes, and re-creations, this fabulous museum also offers guided tours. Whether you wish to navigate the “Unsinkable” exhibition, learn more about the events that occurred on the night the ship sank in the middle of the Atlantic Ocean, or see nearly 500 pieces from the original ship, a visit to the Titanic Artifact Exhibition is one of the best things to do in this part of central Florida.
