As the seat of Orange County, Orlando, Florida is the sixth largest metropolitan area in the Deep South and boasts a population of over two million residents. With its warm weather, beautiful scenery, and close proximity to the ocean, Orlando attracts millions more to the city each year.
In 2014, Orlando played host to more than 32 million tourists. You can find out for yourself why it remains one of the best U.S. cities to visit by checking out these top five reasons to plan a vacation to Orlando today.
Art and Culture
Many people who come to Orlando are pleasantly surprised to learn that this city offers some of the most beautiful and captivating art and cultural opportunities in America. It has its own ballet company that performs classics like The Nutcracker and Dracula. Along with the ballet, Orlando also is home to numerous museums where you can explore local and state history.
Amusement Parks and Attractions
One of the primary reasons that millions of people visit Orlando each year centers on its numerous amusement parks and family attractions. When you vacation here, you can indulge in thrill-seeking and one-of-a-kind fun at places like:
- Legoland
- Sea World
- Gatorland
- Universal Studios
- Disney World
All of these attractions are well-attended and recognized nationally for their shows, rides, and food. Disney World, for example, welcomes more than 10 million visitors annually while Sea World hosts close to five million tourists each year. Smaller attractions like Gatorland do well for the size of their facilities; Gatorland in particularly has an attendance of around 5000 visitors per year.
Cuisine
Orlando is the place to visit when you want to sample ocean-fresh fare like oysters, crab legs, mahi, and sea bass. Most restaurants like MoonFish use seafood that has been caught the same day in their menu offerings.
However, you can also enjoy global cuisine that rivals the fare found anywhere in the world. Some of the best rated restaurants in Orlando include First Watch, which holds Trip Advisor's Certificate of Excellence, and also the Ritz-Carlton Grand Lakes, which makes available gourmet steak and seafood dinners as well as mixed drinks, salads, and other top-notch cuisine.
State Parks
With its lush natural forests and deep, clear lakes, Orlando is home to some of the most beautiful state parks in Florida. One that tops many tourists' lists is Wekiwa Springs State Park.
This park is about 20 minutes from downtown Orlando and offers many activities designed to please any outdoor enthusiast. You can rent canoes from the marina, paddle boat in the springs, or just enjoy a swim in the fresh, clear lake. The park is also home to wildlife like turtles and egrets.
Beaches
No visit to Orlando would be complete without a day at the beach. Make sure your Orlando vacation includes a visit to any of the nearby beaches like:
- Cocoa Beach
- Daytona Beach
- Smyrna Beach
- Canaveral Beach
- Melbourne Beach
Many tourists fall in love with the beaches and more in Orlando and decide to move there permanently. When you want to make Orlando your home, you can make your move easier when you use facilities like the city's self-storage units.
A self-storage unit can come in handy when you want to take your time moving in or if you want to store seasonal items like winter clothing or holiday decorations. Orlando is ready to make your relocation as fun and easy as possible with facilities like affordable and convenient Orlando self-storage.
Orlando's many attractions, parks, and other sites draw millions of visitors each year. You may decide to visit or relocate entirely when you learn more of what Orlando has to offer.
