Orlando is known as the “family friendly” vacation spot peppered with Theme Parks, but Orlando is so much more! Rooted in Native American history, Orlando is located in central Florida. Its large downtown metropolitan area offers a diverse commerce and culture in everything from business to pleasure. With the summer temperatures averaging in the 90’s, you better pack light clothes and plenty of sunscreen!
Orlando has attractions that will delight the very young and awaken the very old. If shopping is your vice, Orlando has you covered with something for everyone to drop a dime on. Orlando’s distinct flavor has plenty of delicious restaurants to satisfy every taste and budget from spicy to sweet and everything in between.
The American Society of Travel Agents recently named Orlando the No. 1 “Hot Spot for Summer Travel” in 2015. After a multi-year surge of blockbuster expansions at Orlando’s world-class theme parks, International Drive (I-Drive) is following suit with the addition of new retail, dining and entertainment venues. Visit Orlando, the destination’s official tourism association, is sharing 10 new ways this summer’s visitors to Orlando can experience I-Drive 360:
I-Drive 360
In the heart of Orlando’s tourism corridor, I-Drive 360 is a new entertainment complex and home of The Orlando Eye. The massive project will include attractions, restaurants, music venues and retail locations.
1. SEA LIFE Orlando delivers breathtaking views of over 5,000 underwater creatures from the three oceans of the world. Guests can experience face-to-face encounters with sharks in Orlando’s only 360° Underwater Tunnel as well as touch the velvety back of rays during the touch pool experience. Interactive educational talks will guide guests through the wonders of the Atlantic, Pacific and Indian oceans while providing majestic views of the creatures that roam these mysterious waters.
2. Madame Tussauds, the world’s most famous celebrity wax attraction, offers guests a star-studded experience with its signature red carpet treatment. Visitors will move through themed rooms where they can observe and interact with waxworks of their favorite film, music, sport and historical celebrities.
3. The Orlando Eye is a 400-foot-tall observation wheel providing breathtaking panoramic views of Central Florida within fully enclosed, air-conditioned glass capsules. Before entering the 20-minute ride, guests will enter a 4D theatre and watch a short film about Florida.
4. Skeletons Animals Unveiled!, a first-of-its-kind museum, exhibits over 400 skeletons in creative poses and dioramas. The 7,750-square-foot space will feature exotic animals from all over the world as well as eight human skeletons. The walk-through experience will last about 90 minutes and will include interactive exhibits.
5. Naru Restaurant & Sushi Bar, a Brazilian sushi chain, debuts its first U.S. location at I-Drive 360. The 140-seat restaurant blends the best of Japanese and Brazilian cuisine and features Sakerinhas, a perfect fusion of Japan’s sake and Brazil’s caipirinha drink.
6. Tin Roof is a bar, eatery and music venue welcoming its first Florida location on I-Drive 360. Promising live music every night, guests can expect local and regional rock and country bands on Thursdays, Fridays and Saturdays, with acoustic acts during the week. The legendary Nashville venue will bring an eclectic environment as well as creative food offerings and signature cocktails.
More information about I-Drive 360 restaurants and shops can be found on Visit Orlando’s blog.
Dining Hot Spots
7. Mango’s Tropical Café, one of Miami’s hottest dance clubs, will open a new location on International Drive. The 55,000-square-foot entertainment space features a stage, dance floor and restaurant serving Floribbean Cuisine and tropical cocktails. Drawing inspiration from Caribbean and South American carnivals, the nightlife destination features high-energy dance performances featuring diverse genres of Latin music.
8. Del Frisco’s Double Edge Steak House features chef-driven cuisine paired with the best aged, hand-cut USDA Prime Beef and fresh-off-the-boat seafood including Australian cold-water lobster tails with an extensive award-winning wine list and genuine hospitality.
Attractions and Shopping
9. Orlando International Premium Outlets adds four new stores to their retail lineup with DKNY, the retail store for fashion designer Donna Karan, along with high-end watchmaker, Citizen, handbag and accessory maker, Vera Bradley and Italian fashion brand, Diesel.
10. Escapology Orlando and America’s Escape Game, are the two escape game locations on International Drive. Both venues offer guests the exciting opportunity of being locked in themed rooms where they must rely on clues and their wit to solve puzzles and find the key to escape. With new rooms being introduced periodically, there’s always something new to unlock on International Drive.
But what is Florida without the beach right? The five closest beaches to Orlando include Cocoa Beach, Daytona Beach, New Smyrna Beach, and Canaveral National Seashore all about an hour drive away. Melbourne Beach is about an hour and half away.
Staying in Orlando is family friendly, or as romantic as you can imagine whether you chose a hotel, vacation home or campground. Flying into Orlando is easy and hassle free. A rental car offers views and stops that are not to be missed. Check out Orlando’s 2015 Calendar of events for even more travel ideas.
Your travel dollars can help someone else, when you rent a car from All Star Travel. For every booking we take, we make a donation to a pediatric cancer research center, so more kids have the chance to see Orlando with their families. We have fantastic rates on rental cars, and our many satisfied customers attest to our great customer service. Explore the full article Here, or follow our blog for frequent updates on travel hot spots.