Experience Orlando, FL
From world-famous theme parks to the subtropic Everglades wilderness, Orlando is a playground for kids of all ages.
Allegiant flies directly from MidAmerica St. Louis Airport to Orlando Sanford Airport—and the connection between the two smaller airports makes your next trip more convenient than ever. Nicknamed as “The City Beautiful” for its vibrant mix of palm trees, oak trees and colorful shrubbery nestled in a bustling metropolitan area, Orlando offers the best moments of fast-paced city life with the relaxation of a beach vacation.
Good to Know
Airport: Orlando Sanford International Airport (SFB)
Average Flight Time: 2 Hours 10 Minutes
Book a Trip: allegiantair.com
High Speed Thrills
With a total of nine theme parks in the Orlando area that offer plenty of family fun, it’s no wonder the city is hailed as the theme park capital of the world. Four different theme park resorts call Orlando home, including Walt Disney World Resort and Universal Orlando Resort. Catch Disney’s world-famous fireworks over Cinderella’s Castle at The Magic Kingdom and make some new furry friends at Disney’s Animal Kingdom. Fly with Harry Potter at Universal Studios or plan your vacation to Universal’s new Epic Universe theme park that opens in 2025. Orlando’s impressive theme parks aren’t just reserved for summer vacations either. With holiday festivals taking place during Halloween and Christmas, Orlando’s theme parks offer fun year-round! Epcot, Legoland, and Hollywood Studios round out Theme Park Row, but there’s still so much to explore.
Nestled in the heart of Orange County, Orlando’s location makes it the perfect spot for adventure enthusiasts to branch out and explore central Florida. Look to the sky during a space launch on America’s Space Coast and get your speed fix at the Daytona 500 or Daytona Supercross.
Make a Splash
Pulse-pounding drops and high-speed thrills not your style? Cool off at one of Orlando’s show-stopping water parks! Float down the Castaway Creek lazy river at Disney’s Typhoon Lagoon Water Park, relax in the ocean waves of Waturi Beach at Universal Volcano Bay, and swim with dolphins at Aquatic Orlando’s Reef Plunge. Make a splash at SeaWorld or hang loose at Discovery Cove.
Orlando’s premium location in Florida means a beach is never more than a short car ride away. Just an hour east on the Atlantic coast sits the white sand shores of Cocoa Beach. Head northeast from Orlando to catch some waves at Daytona Beach or even plan a day trip to Clearwater Beach on the Gulf Coast of Florida.
Downtown Orlando
Nearby Downtown Orlando is home to a variety of shopping centers, restaurants, and nightlife guaranteed to excite and entertain. In the center of Downtown Orlando sits Lake Eola Park with lots of fun activities for all ages. With just under a mile of paved path surrounding the lake, pedestrians and bikers alike can enjoy the picturesque scenery right in the heart of downtown. Lake Eola also offers paddle swan boats for visitors looking to see the park from a new perspective. If you find yourself in the park on a Sunday, stop by the weekly Farmer’s Market to find fresh produce and handmade gifts. With concerts, festivals and food truck events weekly, there’s something for everyone at Lake Eola Park.
For those looking to shop until they drop, Downtown Orlando has a shop even for the most particular buyers. From hand-crafted souvenirs found at Church Street, to the wide variety of shops and brands at The Florida Mall, you’ll find options galore.
Work up an appetite shopping? Head over to Orange Avenue, home to many great restaurants with food for every taste. Seafood, bakeries, Mediterranean, steakhouses, Spanish restaurants and more call the busy city center home. After dinner, head over to Pointe Orlando, one of downtown Orlando’s premium nightlife experiences.
Sports fans may want to plan a trip around an Orlando Magic basketball game or an Orlando Pride (NWSL) soccer game. For history lovers, pay a visit to the Orange County History Center to learn more about the history of Orlando and central Florida. For the art lovers, Downtown Orlando is home to nine contemporary sculptures spread across the streets of downtown. Grab a map and enjoy them all while taking in some of the best public art instillations in Florida.
Natural Wonders
Orlando is not short of more natural amusements, either. For those who would rather explore wilderness instead of dealing with wait times at theme parks, Orlando’s natural sites will satisfy. With more than a dozen state parks that offer low park ticket admission prices, preserves, and wilderness areas, Orlando offers plenty of options to explore the authentic Florida landscape by airboat, zipline, or horseback. Eco-touring is a popular way to see Seminole County, with up-close-and-personal encounters with tropical plants and plenty of wildlife—including gators.
Just a stone’s throw away from Walt Disney World sits Tibet-Butler Preserve, a completely free nature reserve that does not require visitors to buy tickets. Enjoy scenic hiking trails and bike paths of varying ruggedness, and float down Florida’s rivers and streams in a canoe or kayak – all for free. Kissimmee, Orlando’s next-door neighbor in Osceola County, is also home to Lake Tohopekaliga. Called “Big Toho” by local Floridians, it’s famous for its bass fishing and birdwatching. Explore Lake Tohopekaliga’s unique flora and fauna on an airboat or take an aerial tour by helicopter.
Whether you’re seeking theme park thrills or wanting to relax on Florida’s sunny beaches, Orlando’s diverse offerings make it an unforgettable vacation destination. Fly from BLV to Orlando and experience the city’s unique mix of theme parks, urban city life, beaches and subtropical wilderness, perfect for travelers of all ages.
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