Most people come to Orlando to enjoy the magic of the city's theme parks. No place else on Earth can you ride the movies, or interact with your favorite animated characters from years past like you can in Orlando. There is, however, much more to Orlando than just rides and characters. Orlando is a city teeming with diversity, culture, and fun throughout its many neighborhoods. This broad overview is intended to familiarize visitors with the many different areas in Orlando, what they can expect to find in each area, and any important notes to remember when travelling around the city from place to place.

Kissimmee

Kissimmee lies just south of Orlando, and is located minutes from the Walt Disney World Resort. US Highway 192 runs through the center of the area. Along this road lie many hotels, restaurants, and smaller attractions, as well as access roads to the Walt Disney World theme parks. The area is easily accessible from Interstate-4, the main highway that runs through Orlando, as well as the Florida Turnpike.

Lake Buena Vista

This area is directly adjacent to Walt Disney World. It includes many hotels and shops, as well as access to the Downtown Disney area. This area includes many unique shopping and dining opportunities, as well as a large movie theater, a live music venue and the ever-popular Pleasure Island. There are also many hotels in the Downtown Disney Hotel Plaza. The area is easily accessible via Interstate-4.

International Drive

I-Drive, as it is commonly called, is a tourist strip that is home to many of Orlando's attractions. At the north end sits the Universal Orlando complex, as well as Universal's shopping and dining venue, CityWalk. The south end of the street is home to SeaWorld Orlando Adventure Park and the Orange County Convention Center. In between, visitors will find hotels, malls, restaurants, miniature golf courses and more. The area is also home to the World-famous Wet N' Wild. The Mercado and Pointe Orlando, two of the city's most popular shopping and entertainment complexes, also sit on I-Drive. International Drive is easily accessible via Interstate-4 at the north end near Universal Orlando.

Downtown Orlando

Like any major city, the downtown area is a bustling hub of activity during the week, and an exciting venue for fun on the weekends. Downtown is where guests will find many of the impressive cultural events the city prides itself on. The Orlando Science Center, The History Center and Orlando Museum of Art provide diverse opportunities for educational excitement, while the Harry P. Leu Gardens are a peaceful paradise of natural beauty. There is also plenty of electrifying nightlife to make your trip complete. The main downtown area is filled with shops, restaurants, and nightclubs where visitors can unwind, and the surrounding areas also have plenty of bars, clubs, and nightspots to check out. The area's simple grid design makes navigating the streets a breeze, and getting downtown is as simple as following any of the major roads in Orlando.

East Orlando

The other side of Orlando is a total change of pace from the attractions and downtown areas of the city. East Orlando is home to many residential neighborhoods, as well as many shops and restaurants. Much of the shopping in this area is located in Winter Park, an upscale area in the eastern part of the city. This area is home to many well-known stores and malls, as well as fine restaurants, and a relaxing atmosphere. East Orlando is also the place to find the University of Central Florida. The University's beautifully green campus is home to almost 40,000 students, as well as many notable faculty researchers. The University's sports teams are well known throughout the area, and many notable graduates have gone on to successful careers. This area of the city is accessible by taking Interstate 4 to the East West Expressway, which will lead visitors directly to the center of East Orlando.