DK Travel : Orlando

One word describes Orlando’s transformation in the last three decades: stunning. The city and its suburbs have gone through a Cinderella-like metamorphosis, where plain Jane has become a worldly beauty. Millions of tourists are seduced every year by sophisticated resorts, a wide range of theme parks, must-see attractions, happening nightclubs, and winning restaurants. Here are Orlando’s best of the best.

More on the Top 10 sights in Orlando (see Thrill Rides)

Rainforest Café

American cuisine inspired by Mexican, Carribean, and Asian flavors is served in an indoor rain-forest setting. If you don’t like volume and kids, this isn’t for you.
Ralph V. Chisholm Park

This shady park, on the shore of East Lake Tohopekaliga, has various amenities including a beach, swimming area, horse trails, children’s playground, softball and baseball fields, sand volleyball courts, and picnic pavilions. Bring your own equipment, food, and drinks.
Ramada Inn Resort Eastgate

The Ramada’s rooms have balconies, two double beds, and Nintendos. Kids 12 and under eat free with a paying adult. Facilities include basketball and tennis courts.
Ran-Getsu of Tokyo

High-class Japanese tourists endorse Ran-Getsu’s authenticity, and enjoy dishes ranging from sushi to teriyaki.
Ran-Getsu of Tokyo

Sushi and sashimi are the big draw here. Try tekka-don (tender slices of tuna) or una-ju (grilled eel fillets), favorites of more adventurous diners. Yosenabe , a soup that blends seafood, chicken, and duck, is another popular choice. A Japanese drum group performs twice a night (Thu–Sat) and koi ponds and Japanese gardens outside help keep the mood peaceful.
Renaissance Orlando Resort

Both the amenity-filled rooms and their marble bathrooms in this snazzy hotel are massive. Even the atrium, filled with aquariums, waterfalls, and palm trees, is 10 stories high.
Renninger’s Antique & Flea Markets

Spread across a bucolic country meadow, Renninger’s offers a large, folksy flea market, and a diverse indoor and outdoor antique market. The flea market offers everything from clothing to vinyl. The antique market has permanent dealers who specialize in excellent furnishings and jewelry. Renninger’s also hosts the massive Antique Extravaganzas (see Renninger’s Antique Extravaganzas).
Renninger’s Antique Extravaganzas

From Victorian furnishings to vintage political campaign buttons, you can find all things old and valuable sold at the 1,400 antique stalls spread across a meadow here. The prime goods go fast, so get here early (it opens around 9am).
Reptile World Serpentarium

This is a unique and educational attraction providing all the right ingredients to make your skin crawl. Visitors can watch a snake handler extracting poisonous venom from cobras, rattlesnakes, and other deadly serpents. The indoor exhibits house more than 60 species of reptiles, and it’s the largest of its kind in central Florida.
Reptile World Serpentarium

This unique and educational attraction gives visitors the opportunity to watch a snake handler in action as he extracts poisonous venom from deadly snakes. It also contains the largest reptile exhibit in Florida. (see Gatorland).

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Hotel price categories

For a standard, double room per night (with breakfast if included), taxes and extra charges.
- under $90
- $90–180
- $180–250
- over $250
Restaurant price categories

For a three-course meal for one, a glass of house wine, and all unavoidable extra charges including tax.
- under $20
- $20–$30
- $30–$45
- $45–$60
- over $60