Our List of 10 Must Do Things On International Drive
Orlando is famous for its large, world-renowned theme parks such as Walt Disney World, Universal Studios, and SeaWorld. These are the top attractions that draw millions of people to the city along with hundreds of other attractions, the natural beauty of plenty of parks, lakes, and rivers and of course, the golf.
There are also numerous kayaking, hiking, and fishing spots in Orlando, so most tourists are never lacking! What’s remarkable about this city is that the entertainment and theme parks are seemingly endless and there are tons of entertainment spots in the city for the whole family to enjoy.
Famous as one of the best places to start is International Drive, which runs vertically through the city with roads branching off to the major attractions. International Drive is close to all the major attractions, but is also a destination in itself, as home to many entertainment complexes, attractions, retail outlets, dining, and a full range of hotels and resorts.
International Drive is a multi-faceted highway where you can find many great Orlando, FL attractions. It’s 11 miles long and stretches from W. Oak Ridge Road in the north, winding down to World Center Drive down south. Known as I-drive by the locals, it’s where most of the city’s attractions are located.
These attractions may be smaller, but they still take anywhere from an hour to several hours or more each to fully experience everything they have to offer. They’re perfect for those individuals and families who want to have a unique Orlando experience, maybe don’t have a full day open, want to manage the budget, or even stay out of the rain. The following list of attractions are considered among the most prominent:
- ICON Park Orlando. The Wheel, formerly called the Orlando Eye, was rebranded and is now called The Wheel at ICON Park. Located on ICON Park, which is a walkable entertainment plaza containing great attractions, dining venues, and shopping, the observation wheel is the tallest in the country and provides stunning views across the city and theme parks. It has a stabilized-drive which keeps the capsules level at all times. Although technically it is a Ferris Wheel, it moves slowly so that the passengers do not feel the 400-foot rise and swing. ICON Orlando has 30 pods, each of which can carry up to 15 passengers, in air-conditioned comfort. It is an impressive sight and the main attraction of ICON Park.
- SEA LIFE Centre Orlando. Located in ICON Park Orlando is The SEA LIFE Aquarium. This attraction houses more than 5,000 species of marine animals from three different oceans. With interactive displays as well as walkthrough aquariums and bubble ports, this aquarium provides a captivating 360-degree view from inside the tanks. One of the key attractions is the tunnel walkway which passes through the main aquarium, providing the visitors with a top, bottom, and wall-to-wall view of the fishes and other sea creatures.
- Madame Tussauds Wax Museum. Also located within ICON Park, Madame Tussaud is famous for the wax duplicates of celebrities and is a branch of the famous Madame Tussauds Wax Museum located in London. The wax figures are life-sized copies made from the exact measurements of the celebrities and stars they represent. With these wax duplicates, many guests get the opportunity to get up close and personal with their idols. The displays include categories such as Justice League, History & World Leaders, Films, Parties, Sports, Music, and TV.
- Titanic: The Artifact Exhibition. Since the discovery of the remains of the Titanic, the artifacts from the dive have been on display at various exhibits. The Orlando Titanic: The Artifact Exhibition recreates portions of the famous ill-fated ocean liner. The exhibit includes more than 200 Titanic artifacts with staff and guides portraying actual notables from the Titanic. Besides the period pieces, there are also accurate replicas of the Grand Staircase, a first-class suite, the Promenade deck, and the Verandah Cafe.
- Pirate’s Cove Adventure 18-hole Mini Golf. Each mini-golf attraction represents a different theme and challenge. The Pirate’s Cove Adventure has a game of 18-hole mini golf which takes you through a delightful journey through a pirate’s lore. Players putt through lush vegetation, magical waterfalls, streams, and past pirates. The course has mountain caves, footbridges, routes, traps, and an opportunity where the players can also learn about pirate history. The family-friendly design is fun, exciting, and filled with surprises. The pirate-themed mini golf is located on International Drive just south of ICON Park.
- Chocolate Kingdom. Chocoholics would find Orlando a welcoming place. Chocolate Kingdom is one place to visit for a different chocolate experience where visitors experience the journey of a bean to a chocolate bar. The tour is guided by a personal chocolate tour guide, along with a prince and a dragon for a sidekick. Guests start with the Cacao Tree Greenhouse and continue the tour through the Chocolate Museum and Mystical River of Chocolate. The Chocolate Kingdom lives up to its name, and chocoholics can go crazy with the educational micro batch Bean-to-the-Bar Factory. If you’re not a chocolate lover, the Kingdom will surely make you one, with all the fascinating chocolates on display.
- WonderWorks Orlando. Part of the WonderWorks chain of edutainment (educational entertainment) sites, WonderWorks Orlando, is housed in a building designed to look like it was picked up by a tornado and landed upside down by the side of the road. Its slogan is “Let Your Imagination Run Wild,” and it delivers on its promises because it is exciting, scientific, and educational. The exhibits are divided into six different WonderZones. WonderWorks Orlando has a 6D motion ride, a challenging indoor ropes course, and a laser tag course. The best part of it all is that you learn about science while having a lot of fun!
- Ripley’s Believe It or Not! Orlando. Visitors continue to be awestruck with the exhibits in this museum. Some of the things you’ll find at Ripley’s Believe It or Not! Orlando includes real dinosaur eggs, an oversized gorilla made of tires, a dog made of clothespins, and a Buddha statue made of money. The place is full of eye-catching objects, with the almost impossible, unbelievable facts, exhibits, and personalities.
- Fun Spot America Theme Park Orlando. This family-friendly attraction is reminiscent of past traditional theme parks. Among other things, it has the only wooden rollercoaster in the state, but don’t be put off, because it offers a very smooth ride. For those who prefer steel tracks, the park has the Mine Blower and the Freedom Flyer, offering something for every rollercoaster fan. The theme park also has unique multi-level go-karts with different tracks for speed and different kinds of drivers. Race tracks can go as high as 45 feet tall with curves and hairpins. The park was designed for the whole family to enjoy, and most rides have ratings for different ages and thrill levels.
- I-Drive NASCAR Kart Racing. NASCAR is all about speed, and one of the best ways to safely experience the exhilaration of racing is with go-karts. These small open vehicles are electric powered and can run at speeds of up to 45 mph. I-Drive NASCAR is a state of the art facility for the whole family or large groups for special events. The indoor facility has all the necessities that a day at the races entails. It also has other entertainment and gaming features, including an arcade, pool tables, and a bowling alley. Guests can also dine at the full-service restaurant, as well as have a great time at the bar with a view of the race track. There is even something for those with a sweet-tooth to enjoy because they have an ice cream shop.
Things To Do Near International Drive Orlando: Other Entertainment
Don’t forget these entertainment venues along I-Drive:
- I-Ride Trolley. This serves as a shuttle service running along International Drive and passing by the major attractions of this iconic street.
- Escape Game. There are several escape games on I-Drive. You can choose to go to one or to all of them. These include Lockbusters Escape Game, America’s Escape Game Orlando, and The Escape Game Orlando.
- Ifly Indoor Skydiving. Located at the ICON Park, the Indoor skydiving facility is like floating on air.
Things To Do Near International Drive Orlando: Golfing
For golfers lovers, there are plenty of golf courses near I-Drive. These include:
- 4 Seasons Golf Resort along Kingspointe Parkway
- Shingle Creek Golf Club located on Rosen Shingle Creek on Universal Drive
- Play Florida Golf on Parc Corniche Drive
- Ritz Carlton Golf Club along the Central Florida Parkway
- Arnold Palmer’s Bay Hill Club and Lounge along Bay Hill Blvd.
- Hawk’s Landing Golf Club located on Orlando World Marriott
- Orange Tree Golf Club on Woodgreen Drive
For visitors, there are more than 30 hotels located along or near International Drive. If you want to enjoy all of the attractions that I-Drive has to offer, you can choose a hotel in the area which fits your budget. Some of the more popular hotels include:
- Holiday Inn Express & Suites Orlando At Seaworld
- Avanti International Resort
- Rosen Inn at Pointe Orlando
- Hyatt Regency Orlando
- Rosen Plaza Hotel
- Rosen Centre Hotel
- Holiday Inn Express Hotel & Suites Orlando – International Drive
- Westgate Lakes Resort & Spa
- Homewood Suites Orlando-International Drive Convention Center
Visiting Orlando, Florida, should be on everyone’s bucket list. Whether you visit their famed theme parks or choose things to do near International Drive, Orlando is an attraction all on its own because of the bright lights and various entertainment venues.
The city’s hotels and restaurants are the best there is and comparable to those in other major cities. Other accommodations ranging from resorts, condos, and villas for rent are also available to accommodate all tourists.
