Family Vacation GuideOrlando

This 110-acre wildlife reserve is filled with gators and fun attractions. Zipline over a gator-infested lake, even pose for a wrestling photo.

Orlando International Airport is the gateway for most people visiting the area. It's a 25-30 drive from a majority of Orlando Resorts.

This I-Drive attraction is an odd museum filled with all the unbelievable anomalies of the world like six-legged cows, vampires, and giants.

Kids get to learn about science, the fun way, by doing cool interactive experiments. The upside down building is quite a sight too.

This old-timey themed park and shopping mall has bumper cars, laser tag, an arcade, go carts, and haunted house, among stores and restaurants.

Tons of thrilling waterslides will keep you cool on a hot Orlando day. The park will close in Dec. 31, 2016 to make way for another, bigger one: Universal's Volcano Bay.

The water's always cool and clear in this natural spring. Take a scenic walk and then hop on in. Sure beats swimming with the gators.

They've got griddles by your tables where you can make your own pancakes. This 300-year-old mill at De Leon Springs was onced used by Spanish sugar plantations.

In this gorgeous coastal river, you have the opportunity to swim with hundreds of manatees. You can even kiss these loveable Sea Cows.

Sixty minutes from Orlando is a beach park, perfect for picnic. Bring your bathing suit and swim with dolphins and manatees in the warm ocean.

Downtown Orlando is bustling with culture, great food, shopping, and other fun. It's definitely worth checking out on a day outside the parks.

Kayak or paddle through a dense swamp forest at the headwaters of the Florida Everglades.

Take a boat ride on the canals that connect the lakes of Winter Park. You'll pass through a botanical garden and cruise by a sculpture garden. Then go explore the town.

With something for all ages, they have 8 unique ropes courses and one zipline.

You fly across over a mile of cables on a course of 8 ziplines. Set up as dual racing zips, you can race your friends and family as you go.

Gather for great food, local art vendors, and family activities in this quaint historic town near Orlando.

Recognized as one of the best free art events in the country, you can walk the streets of beautiful Winter Park and see (and buy!) hundreds of works by local artists.

The rides, cotton candy, and petting zoo may seem puny next to the huge attractions at Disney and Universal. But they offer an interesting, local-centric change of pace.

Head south to downtown Kissimmee for their summer farmers market, held every Tuesday.

This hip town is brimming with great restaurants, boutique shops, and botanical gardens, all along three gorgeous lakes.

Earning the TripAdvisor certificate of excellence, this is probably one of the best outlet shops in the US. You'll find tons of deals and a large food court.

It might not be as big as Vineland, but this sister property has great savings from designer labels such Coach, Cole Haan, and Michael Kors.

It's geared towards value-minded shoppers and features top brands like Nike, Tommy Hilfiger, and Guess,

This 400-foot tall ferris wheel has changed the Orlando skyline forever. Get the best view of the city as you ride the loop.

It's soon to be the most happening spot of I-Drive! When completed, it will host a wax museum, aquarium, skeleton exhibit, and tons of shopping and dining.

It may be their first season, but the Orlando City Lions soccer team have exploded in local popularity. If you ever counted MLS out, think again.

This brand new, grand concert hall hosts musicals, ballets, and other shows by Lake Eola in downtown Orlando.

This upscale mall is all indoors, so you can shop 'till you drop and it won't be because of the Florida heat. Enjoy designer stores and a new dining pavilion.

There's a reason they're calling Orlando the City Beautiful. Its gorgeous center lake, reflects the skyline and has a natural park with fun events and outdoor restaurants.

They've got the Bass Pro Shop, which is fun to fantasize about buying a boat, and an indoor pavilion with boutique shops and gourmet food stands.

Madame Tussauds wax museum features shockingly life-like sculptures of history's famous icons. The museum is part of the I-Drive 360 area, which is also home to the Orlando Eye.