9 ways to have a great time on Orlando I-Drive

Family TravelNorth AmericaOrlando

Orlando is famous for theme parks and various family attractions placed all around the city. Visitors unfamiliar with the popular central Florida convention city might assume that planning a well-rounded Orlando experience is challenging, yet you can have a fantastic time using a very simple strategy—head to International Drive in the southwest area of the city, next to the Orange County Convention Center and not far from several IHG Orlando hotels. With the recent completion of the I-Drive 360 entertainment complex, this vibrant street has become a destination in itself, and welcomes you with a convenient set of options for individual and family fun alike.

The Orlando Eye

Orlando Eye Ferris Wheel

Image via Wikimedia by Adellaguardia

Finished in 2015, this 400-foot Ferris wheel features 30 air-conditioned passenger capsules which offer various points of view to observe the Orlando skyline. Taking a ride on the Eye is a great way to get an aerial view of all the theme parks within the area, as well as the general landscape of the city and Cape Canaveral to the east.

Address:
8401 International Drive Suite 100
Orlando, FL 32819
(866)228-6438
https://www.officialorlandoeye.com


iFLY Orlando

Anyone who has always dreamed of flying can finally take the plunge at iFLY, where the sensations of floating, freefalling and indoor skydiving are simulated in a vertical wind tunnel. There’s a bit of engineering and science talk involved, but all you need to know is that a smooth column of air keeps you safely hovering above ground, and you don’t even have to push yourself out of a moving airplane to feel the freedom of human flight.

Address:
6805 Visitors Circle
Orlando,Florida
(407)903-1150
https://www.iflyworld.com/orlando/


Magical Midway Thrill Park

Zoom around in a go-kart, bumper cars or bumper boats, ride on a carousel, feel the 3-G, 180-foot lift of Space Blast tower, play in one of the city’s largest arcades, or behold the world’s largest Sling Shot. At Magical Midway, you’ll experience a range of powerful or speed-oriented thrills, and you can even reward yourself with a slice of New York-style pizza.

Address:
7001 International Drive
Orlando, FL 32819
(407)370-5353
www.magicalmidway.com


Wet ‘N Wild Orlando

Wet ‘N Wild Orlando

Image via Flickr by Jeremy Thompson

Pack an extra bag of dry clothing: the first water park in American history is ready for you to make a big splash. Wet ‘n Wild not only has Florida’s largest family water play area in Blastaway Beach™, which features two swimming pools, 160 interactive water activity elements, and a six-story castle; there are also plenty options for sliding through tunnels and tubes on your own, meeting soaked strangers winding through the Lazy River, or floating with a group of friends through the 1970s club-themed attraction Disco H2O.

Address:
6200 International Drive
Orlando, FL 32819
Tel: (407)351-1800
http://www.wetnwildorlando.com/


World of Chocolate Museum & Cafe

One of the sweetest gifts to anyone born with a mouth and good taste, World Of Chocolate Museum & Café is one of Orlando’s newest attractions for foodies of all ages, sending you on a tasting tour of gourmet chocolates from around the world. Children can gawk at 25 6-foot sculptures made of solid chocolate (look, don’t bite!), while grown-ups indulge in pairings of fine wine and gourmet chocolate pairings.

Address:
11701 International Drive,
Orlando, FL, United States
(407)778-4871
www.wocorlando.com


Madame Tussauds Orlando

Madame Tussauds Orlando

Image via Flickr by Jared422_80

The Orlando location of this historic wax museum franchise has a wide array of famous people throughout history preserved in statuesque form on I-Drive. Step inside and snap selfies with Brad Pitt, Angelina Jolie, Shaq, David Beckham, Steve Jobs, Andy Warhol and others.

Address:
8401 International Drive | Suite 100
Orlando, FL 32819
(866)630-8315
https://www2.madametussauds.com/orlando/en/


International Helitours

Various flights high above all of the theme parks and various sights of Orlando are available. Packages take you over every major theme parks of Orlando—Walt Disney World Resort, Universal Orlando, SeaWorld, Aquatica, Discovery Cove, and Wet n’ Wild!

Enjoy the comfort of an air-conditioned helicopter as you’re piloted hundreds of feet above Orlando’s vast landscape. You can choose to cruise over some (or almost all) of the city’s most popular theme parks (Walt Disney World, Epcot Center, Sea World, etc.), and the celebrity homes of Tiger Woods, Vince Carter and Ken Griffey Jr., and the natural beauty of Butler’s Chain of Lakes.

Address:
12651 International Drive
Orlando, FL 32821
(407)239-TOUR
http://www.orlandohelitours.com/


Wonderworks

Wonderworks

Image via Wikimedia Commons by Leonard J. DeFrancisci

Staged as a “top-secret laboratory” that was transported to I-Drive and dropped on its head, WonderWorks is a museum that doubles as an amusement park. Here you can entertain the kids (and have fun re-learning a few awesome things yourself) with more than 100 amusing and educational exhibits for the mind. There are physical challenges as well, so after hitting Wonder Zones that include Space Discovery, Natural Disasters and an art gallery, be sure to leave the kids plenty of time for playing laser tag and indoor rope-climbing.

Address:
9067 International Drive
Orlando, FL 32819
(407)351-8800
http://www.wonderworksonline.com/orlando/


Kings Bowl Orlando

A great place where adults can relax with upscale games with or without the kids, Kings offers premium bowling, bocce, billiards, shuffleboard, ping pong and foosball, with a tavern-style menu of American classics fused with international flavors, and a full bar with specialty cocktails, plenty of beer and non-alcoholic fountain beverages.

Address:
8255 International Drive
Orlando, FL 32819
(407)363-0200
http://kingsbowlamerica.com/orlando/


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