Guidebook for Kissimmee
Parks & Nature
Right off a busy main road (192) is this idyllic park where you can rent kayaks or take a boat tour. The current is strong so I suggest you paddle upstream first and then you'll only have steer on the way down. Shingle Creek is quite long and if you're an experienced kayaker you can go all the way to Lake Toho to the south (with the current and have to paddle upstream on the way back) or up near Disney to the north (against the current and have minimal paddling on the way back).
213 locals recommend
Shingle Creek Regional Park - Steffee Landing
4280 W Vine StRight off a busy main road (192) is this idyllic park where you can rent kayaks or take a boat tour. The current is strong so I suggest you paddle upstream first and then you'll only have steer on the way down. Shingle Creek is quite long and if you're an experienced kayaker you can go all the way to Lake Toho to the south (with the current and have to paddle upstream on the way back) or up near Disney to the north (against the current and have minimal paddling on the way back).
This is a great place to kayak and/or swim. There are often Manatees in a protected area too. There are many lovely picnic pavillions.
407 locals recommend
Blue Spring State Park
2100 W French AveThis is a great place to kayak and/or swim. There are often Manatees in a protected area too. There are many lovely picnic pavillions.
There are many highly regarded airboat rides around, but this is one we've been on so we can vouch for it. The captains are very knowledgeable and can point out alligators, snails, birds, plants, etc.
59 locals recommend
Boggy Creek Airboat Adventures
2001 E Southport RdThere are many highly regarded airboat rides around, but this is one we've been on so we can vouch for it. The captains are very knowledgeable and can point out alligators, snails, birds, plants, etc.
This is a beautiful place to kayak or canoe. There's a lovely area for swimming and hiking trails too. There is plenty of wild life including alligators so don't swim outside of the designated area.
256 locals recommend
Wekiwa Springs
This is a beautiful place to kayak or canoe. There's a lovely area for swimming and hiking trails too. There is plenty of wild life including alligators so don't swim outside of the designated area.
With education programs for all ages, the Central Florida Zoo makes growing your knowledge of local, endangered and exotic species feel like an adventure you will never want to end.
132 locals recommend
Central Florida Zoo & Botanical Gardens
3755 W Seminole BlvdWith education programs for all ages, the Central Florida Zoo makes growing your knowledge of local, endangered and exotic species feel like an adventure you will never want to end.
Shopping
Visitors Flea Market
5811 W Irlo Bronson Memorial HwyThere are many vendors and many bargains to be had.
192 Flea Market
4301 W Vine StThere are many vendors and many bargains.
This is an upscale mall with many fine stores and restaurants.
1167 locals recommend
The Mall at Millenia
4200 Conroy RdThis is an upscale mall with many fine stores and restaurants.
A nice outlet mall where you can get bargains on name brand clothes, shoes, etc.
1162 locals recommend
Orlando International Premium Outlets
4951 International DrA nice outlet mall where you can get bargains on name brand clothes, shoes, etc.
An outlet mall where you can get bargains on famous brands.
1502 locals recommend
Orlando Vineland Premium Outlets
8200 Vineland AveAn outlet mall where you can get bargains on famous brands.
This is a large outdoor complex that has an 18 screen movie theater, restaurants and a large variety of stores with something for every price range.
256 locals recommend
Loop West Shopping Center
3208 N John Young PkwyThis is a large outdoor complex that has an 18 screen movie theater, restaurants and a large variety of stores with something for every price range.
Arts & Culture
There are many Broadway road shows here, as well as, classical music and concerts. Parking and traffic are not well thought out so go with the valet parking and leave a lot of time to get there.
263 locals recommend
Dr. Phillips Center for the Performing Arts
445 S Magnolia AveThere are many Broadway road shows here, as well as, classical music and concerts. Parking and traffic are not well thought out so go with the valet parking and leave a lot of time to get there.
Drinks & Nightlife
There is loads of shopping in a wide variety of specialty stores, bowling, movies, dining, and music at this location. Make a reservation at the restaurants well ahead of time as the wait times can be over two hours.
2430 locals recommend
Disney Springs
1486 Buena Vista DrThere is loads of shopping in a wide variety of specialty stores, bowling, movies, dining, and music at this location. Make a reservation at the restaurants well ahead of time as the wait times can be over two hours.
Food Scene
This has mini golf, a movie plex, shopping and many, many restaurants. It's the gateway to Universal Islands of Adventure and Universal Studios. Unfortunately, they charge for parking..
991 locals recommend
Universal CityWalk
6000 Universal BlvdThis has mini golf, a movie plex, shopping and many, many restaurants. It's the gateway to Universal Islands of Adventure and Universal Studios. Unfortunately, they charge for parking..
Entertainment & Activities
There is a great show and don't be surprised if the staff is rude--it's on purpose and you can dish it right back to them. The buffet is passable, but the entertainment is very good. We went twice, the first time just the two of us and the second time there were five of us and we had a much better time with our own group. The more the merrier!
62 locals recommend
Capone's Dinner and Show
4740 W Irlo Bronson Memorial HwyThere is a great show and don't be surprised if the staff is rude--it's on purpose and you can dish it right back to them. The buffet is passable, but the entertainment is very good. We went twice, the first time just the two of us and the second time there were five of us and we had a much better time with our own group. The more the merrier!
New attractions have opened and more are planned for next year. There's still plenty to see and do. There are restaurants, but some are pricy. We've been happy at the NBC Commissary. If you want to splurge though, go to Hollywood & Vine for an incredible buffet.
1079 locals recommend
Disney's Hollywood Studios
351 S Studio DrNew attractions have opened and more are planned for next year. There's still plenty to see and do. There are restaurants, but some are pricy. We've been happy at the NBC Commissary. If you want to splurge though, go to Hollywood & Vine for an incredible buffet.
Many new attractions have been added to this park recently including the Na'vi River and the Banshee Flight. Wait times are outrageous so take advantage of the FastPass, if you can. Don't miss the Safari!
1272 locals recommend
Disney's Animal Kingdom Theme Park
2901 Osceola PkwyMany new attractions have been added to this park recently including the Na'vi River and the Banshee Flight. Wait times are outrageous so take advantage of the FastPass, if you can. Don't miss the Safari!
While there is plenty for kids, this park has loads for adults. The food is way more sophisticated and you can purchase alcohol everywhere. There are different festivals throughout the year such as the Food & Wine Festival and the Home & Garden Festival. The many countries offer some time of live entertainment and there are many places for children to get signatures from their favorite characters.
1229 locals recommend
Epcot
200 Epcot Center DrWhile there is plenty for kids, this park has loads for adults. The food is way more sophisticated and you can purchase alcohol everywhere. There are different festivals throughout the year such as the Food & Wine Festival and the Home & Garden Festival. The many countries offer some time of live entertainment and there are many places for children to get signatures from their favorite characters.
This is a paradise for kids. They can get autographs from many of their favorite characters and everybody can enjoy rides, shows, parades and fireworks. Tip: use the train to get around from one land to another. It will save a lot of walking.
1355 locals recommend
Magic Kingdom Park
1180 Seven Seas DriveThis is a paradise for kids. They can get autographs from many of their favorite characters and everybody can enjoy rides, shows, parades and fireworks. Tip: use the train to get around from one land to another. It will save a lot of walking.
This park has Harry Potter's Gringots Bank ride located off of Diagon Alley. Buy a special wand and you can make magic happen at several locations. Ride on the Men in Black live video game and shoot aliens. Race Jimmy Fallon though NYC. There's many restaurants and live entertainment. Throughout the year there are even live concerts.
1423 locals recommend
Universal Studios Florida
6000 Universal BlvdThis park has Harry Potter's Gringots Bank ride located off of Diagon Alley. Buy a special wand and you can make magic happen at several locations. Ride on the Men in Black live video game and shoot aliens. Race Jimmy Fallon though NYC. There's many restaurants and live entertainment. Throughout the year there are even live concerts.
Go to Hogwarts! Ride through NYC with Spiderman, or go to Jurassic Park. There are just some of the adventures you can have.
750 locals recommend
Universal's Islands of Adventure
6000 Universal BlvdGo to Hogwarts! Ride through NYC with Spiderman, or go to Jurassic Park. There are just some of the adventures you can have.
A wonderful place to learn about the animals we share the earth with. Part of your admission fee goes toward animal rescue. The food at this park is pretty good and much more reasonably priced than other parks.
2110 locals recommend
SeaWorld Orlando
7007 Sea World DrA wonderful place to learn about the animals we share the earth with. Part of your admission fee goes toward animal rescue. The food at this park is pretty good and much more reasonably priced than other parks.
This quaint park is a short drive away. There are rides for children and adults. Weekends there is a classic car show. There's live music and many restaurants.
621 locals recommend
Old Town
5770 W Irlo Bronson Memorial HwyThis quaint park is a short drive away. There are rides for children and adults. Weekends there is a classic car show. There's live music and many restaurants.
Visit some of Florida's natives--alligators! Go on the zip lines over the alligator pits, then ride the train and watch the live shows. There is a small area for kids with sprinklers so pack extra clothes for them.
417 locals recommend
Gatorland
14501 S Orange Blossom TrlVisit some of Florida's natives--alligators! Go on the zip lines over the alligator pits, then ride the train and watch the live shows. There is a small area for kids with sprinklers so pack extra clothes for them.
Go back in time and watch a classic love story play out while knights joust. Cheer on your favorite knight and enjoy a full dinner.
346 locals recommend
Medieval Times Dinner & Tournament
4510 W Vine StGo back in time and watch a classic love story play out while knights joust. Cheer on your favorite knight and enjoy a full dinner.
This is a great show that gets the audience involved. It's has love, romance, adventure and audience members of all ages helping out with tasks. The food is included in your admission and it is pretty good too! Drinks are extra, but they're reasonably prices--and delicious!
61 locals recommend
Pirate's Dinner Adventure
6400 Carrier DrThis is a great show that gets the audience involved. It's has love, romance, adventure and audience members of all ages helping out with tasks. The food is included in your admission and it is pretty good too! Drinks are extra, but they're reasonably prices--and delicious!
Experience the history of the U.S. Space Program on your visit to the Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex. This Center is about an hour and a half away, but for a budding or wanna be astronaut, it is worth it.
361 locals recommend
NASA Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex
Space Commerce WayExperience the history of the U.S. Space Program on your visit to the Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex. This Center is about an hour and a half away, but for a budding or wanna be astronaut, it is worth it.
Zoom Air introduced Florida to European-style aerial adventure, and we look to expand and refresh that innovation to continue pleasing amateur adventurers of all ages.
132 locals recommend
Central Florida Zoo & Botanical Gardens
3755 W Seminole BlvdZoom Air introduced Florida to European-style aerial adventure, and we look to expand and refresh that innovation to continue pleasing amateur adventurers of all ages.
Essentials
You can buy food, souvenirs, sunscreen and just about everything else you need here. There is an adjacent liquor store too.
859 locals recommend
Walmart Supercenter
3250 Vineland RdYou can buy food, souvenirs, sunscreen and just about everything else you need here. There is an adjacent liquor store too.
This is an upscale market where you can find just about anything you need for a simple meal or a gourmet meal. High quality foods, but at a price.
83 locals recommend
Publix Super Market at Water Tower Shoppes
29 Blake BlvdThis is an upscale market where you can find just about anything you need for a simple meal or a gourmet meal. High quality foods, but at a price.
A personal favorite of ours. The prices are incredible, the quality is good, but you won't find too many name brand items here as they have their own brands.
47 locals recommend
ALDI
4425 W Vine StA personal favorite of ours. The prices are incredible, the quality is good, but you won't find too many name brand items here as they have their own brands.