International Drive, Orlando

Orlando is known for its world-famous attractions including Universal Studios, SeaWorld Orlando, Discovery Cove, and the most famous of them all: Disney World. And while these are all great reasons to visit the Florida city, Orlando has much more to offer visitors and residents, and much of it is located on and around International Drive.

Often referred to as I-Drive, International Drive is Orlando's main tourist strip. It's located just west of downtown and stretches approximately 14.5 miles. On those 14.5 miles you'll find over 100 hotels and resorts, more than 150 restaurants, and enough exciting attractions to entertain visitors of every age. International Drive is quite literally in the center of the action.

T-Rex: A Prehistoric Family Adventure, A Place to Eat, Shop, Explore and Discover® ©Disney

While most people head to Orlando for the purpose of visiting one of the major theme parks, it's entirely possible to spend one's entire vacation exploring this bustling and exciting tourist-heavy street.

Things to See and Do

International Drive might just be the most exciting street in the world, and there's no limit to the amount of fun that can be had.

Six of Orlando's - no, make that the world's - best theme parks can be found on International Drive. SeaWorld, Discovery Cove, Aquatica, Wet 'n Wild Water Park, Universal Studios and Islands of Adventure are all located on or next to the famous street, and all of them can be easily reached by taking a short trip on the I-Ride Trolley (a convenient trolley that makes stops at all of the major attractions). But there's even more to this great area than just the big six.

Wonder Works

Wonder Works is easy to find because it's located right on I-Drive and the building looks like it's upside down! Wonder Works is a popular attraction that invites guests to take part in the interactive fun. With over 100 exhibits visitors can lie on a bed of nails, fly a fighter jet, experience an earthquake, design their own roller coasters, and much more. There is also a magic show at Wonder Works that is perfect for all ages. Known as the "Outta Control Magic Show," the production is available twice nightly during the summer months. Check it out if you can.

Fun Spot Action Park

Fun Spot packs all the excitement of a big amusement park into a tiny area. Their signature Ferris Wheel can easily be spotted from quite a distance away, but what you can't see until you get there are the tons of go-carts, bumper cars, bumper boats, and thrill rides. There are also plenty of rides designed specifically for young kids, so they won't feel left out when they can't get on the big rides.

Ripley's Believe It or Not

Ripley's Believe It or Not is a museum that refers to itself as an "odditorium" because it houses some truly unusual items! Ripley's has over ten thousand square feet of exhibits that range from the odd to the really odd - that is if you consider a two-headed cat, a Rolls-Royce made of matchsticks, and a 20-thousand year old petrified corpse odd. Either way, you're sure to see something you've never seen before and be blown away by the bizarre exhibits. Whatever you do, make sure you set aside enough time to explore this weird and wonderful place. At least half a day is recommended.

Museums

The International Drive area boasts several great museums. The Charles Hosmer Morse Museum contains the world's largest collection of Tiffany stained glass, while the Mennello Museum of American Art has the most complete collection of works by American folk artist Earl Cunningham. There's also the Orlando Museum of Art which has several collections of 18th, 19th and 20th century American Art, including works by world-famous artist Georgia O'Keefe and photographer Ansel Adams. There's also a large collection of Art of the Ancient Americas, including artifacts from the Aztecs and many other cultures. Museum lovers won't be disappointed.

Shopping

As though the rides, exhibits, shows, and museums weren't enough, International Drive is also full of great shopping destinations. With more than 485 shops and outlets, there's something here to suit every style and budget. Whether you want to pick up a couple of trinkets, a brand new wardrobe, or do all your Christmas shopping for the next year, you won't have a problem finding exactly what you want.

Some of the malls and outlets in the area include Orlando Premium Outlets, Pointe Orlando, Prime Outlets International Orlando, and Festival Bay at International Drive. Together they run the gamut from discount stores to the major names in fashion. So, whether you're a bargain hunter or you demand the best designer labels, you'll be able to shop until you drop.

Dining

Hungry? You'd better be! International Drive has the biggest variety of dining options in just about all of Florida. When you're in a hurry you can grab a quick burger at one of the many fast food joints, or you can take your time and enjoy some fine dining. Why not combine food and entertainment and catch one of the dinner theatre shows? On I-Drive you can get anything you want, whether it's American, Brazilian, Caribbean, Chinese, Cuban, Indian, Irish, English, Italian, Japanese, Mediterranean or Thai. The cuisine of the world is at your fingertips.

From early morning until late at night, International Drive will wow you with its unending array of thrills and excitement. From go-carting to mini-golf; from water slides to swimming with dolphins; from carnival rides to brainy science fiction exhibits; International Drive has something to please everyone. Don't forget to schedule in plenty of time in this exciting area during your next Florida vacation.

See also Disney's Animal Kingdom | The Magic Kingdom | Disney's Hollywood Studios | EPCOT Center | The Rest of Walt Disney World | Islands of Adventure® | Universal Studios® | SeaWorld® Orlando | Discovery Cove® Orlando | Gatorland | Kissimmee and Lake Tohopekaliga

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