If you have chosen to visit the fabulous city of Orlando, Florida, for your holiday, there's a good chance you came to play! And there's no better place to play than on International Drive Orlando. The heart of the tourism district is often likened to the famous strip in Las Vegas is home to some of the most unique and best experiences in the city.
I-Drive (as the locals call it) is an exciting entertainment hub with dining, attractions, and accommodations to suit every taste and budget. Soar 400 feet over the city in a private capsule on The Wheel at ICON Park, take the ultimate selfie at Madame Tussauds Orlando Wax Museum, or get your adrenaline surge from a ride on the world's second-tallest SkyCoaster at Fun Spot America. Whether you like it wild or mild, International Drive Orlando Attractions are sure to thrill and entertain you and your gang.
ICON Park - This walkable open-air entertainment plaza is a great place to kick off the fun. This spot offers one-stop entertainment, dining, and shopping with plenty of parking. Start with a ride on their signature attraction, The Wheel at ICON Park. The 400-foot-tall observation wheel provides the best views of Orlando you'll find. The 20-minute ride in an air-conditioned capsule is a treat and a great spot to celebrate a special occasion. (Hint, hint - What an excellent place for a proposal!) For the fearless, the nearby 450-foot-tall Orlando Star Flyer is the tallest swing ride in the world.
Take a stroll over to SEA Life Orlando Aquarium and get up close and personal with thousands of fish, stingrays, sharks, sea turtles, and more sea life. Take the plunge into a 360-degree ocean tunnel or go behind the scenes to see how marine life is cared for. A perennial favorite is the iconic Madame Tussauds Orlando, where you can grab a selfie with Taylor Swift or be a sidekick to superheroes like Superman and Wonder Woman. Be sure to make your own wax hand to take home.
There's no need to go away hungry with great eateries like Blake Shelton's Ole Red, Tapa Toros Tapas Bar & Paella Pit, and more.
The Escape Game Orlando - When you're ready for a fun family challenge, head over to this immersive escape room. They offer 60-minute experiences that are suitable for all ages and skill levels. Each experience provides a different mission. You'll choose from Special Ops: Mysterious Ops, Playground, Gold Rush, Prison Break, The Heist, or Mission Mars. Experiences are rated based upon difficulty level and suit various numbers of players. Upgrade to a private experience and play exclusively with your party.
Fun Spot America is an anchor of the I-Drive area and offers excellent International Drive Orlando attractions. The entire family will love this classic amusement park that offers it all from thrilling rides to traditional bumper boats for the little ones. Enjoy the sights and sounds of a classic arcade and midway, or take a ride or two on some of Orlando's most exciting thrill rides like the world's second-tallest SkyCoaster, Headrush 360, or the White Lightning wooden roller coaster. There are plenty of attractions that are appropriate for the little ones like bumper boats, kiddie swings, the fun slide, and more. When you're ready to beat the heat, hit the splash pad. A fun-filled day is guaranteed at Fun Spot America.
Dezerland Park - One of the newest International Drive attractions in the district is Dezerland Park, an 800,000-square foot indoor recreation center. This is the perfect way to beat the heat or stay out of the rain. The attractions are affordable, suitable for all ages, and certainly worth a full-day visit. Some highlights include the bowling alley, glow-in-the-dark minigolf, go-karts, and a cinema. The Jump Start trampoline park, Arcade Orlando, Pinball Palace, and Axecelsior Axe Throwing all offer exciting and high-energy experiences for "kids'' of all ages. Car fans won't want to miss the Auto Museum with Orlando's most extensive collection of automobiles and vehicles, including the Bond Museum, Gatsby Lounge, Cars of Europe, and the Duesenberg Lounge.
Pirates Cove Adventure Golf - Play through innovative hole designs, lush landscaping, and unmatched pirate theming. This one has been voted the best course in Florida, so don't miss it. Pirates and their legends come alive as you play through a world of 18th-century buccaneers with sunken ships, cascading waterfalls, pirate dungeons, and lush tropical vegetation. The golf courses are designed to be fun and challenging for all ages.
I-Drive NASCAR Kart Racing - When you're feeling the "need for speed," head over to this state-of-the-art go-kart spot for some go-kart racing. Another rain or shine "best bet," you'll find go-karts that can go up to 45 mph, a 4 lane bowling alley, an arcade area with over 60 games, and 3 pool tables. Grab a bite trackside at the full-service restaurant and save room for a treat from the ice cream shop.
Chocolate Kingdom - Take the interactive Factory Adventure Tour at the Chocolate Kingdom, where you'll discover how chocolate is made from a bean into our favorite creamy treat. Your Personal Chocolate Tour Guide, along with a handsome Prince and his Dragon, will take you through a Cacao Tree Greenhouse, the Chocolate Museum, the Mystical River of Chocolate, and you can even create a customized chocolate bar for a small extra fee. Calling all chocoholics!
Wonderworks Orlando - This 35,000 square foot venue is an "amusement park for the mind, " offering the best in ‘edutainment.” They combine education and entertainment with more than 100 hands-on exhibits designed to challenge and inspire the imagination. Legend says the top-secret laboratory was located in the Bermuda Triangle, and an "experiment gone wrong" lifted it and dropped it upside down in Orlando. You'll pass through the inversion tunnel to explore six wonder zones, all loaded with family fun. Visit the Extreme Weather Zone, Physical Challenge Zone, Space Discovery Zone, Wonder Art Gallery, Light and Sound Zone, and Imagination Lab. In addition to the zones, enjoy the indoor ropes course, 4D XD Simulator Ride and the Laser Tag Arena.
Nightlife - If you're in for some nightlife, you're in luck on International Drive Orlando. There are tons of restaurants and bars, and here are a couple of our favorites.
- ICEBAR Orlando - Stay cool at this unique spot where you'll find over 70 tons of hand-carved ice and a unique arctic atmosphere. This winter wonderland is the largest ice bar in the world and is full of gorgeous ice sculptures. An Ice Princess will greet you with thermal coats and gloves, and you'll enjoy tasty cocktails in custom carved ice glasses. Head over to The Fire Lounge when you're ready to take a break from the cold and enjoy a flaming cocktail. The dance floor lights up, and the food is yummy. This is a truly unique experience.
- Mango's Tropical Cafe This is the hottest club in the area and has excellent live entertainment. The nightclub offers a different format nightly. Latin Thursday, Rumba Friday, Caliente Saturdays, or Ladies Night Sunday make for a great lineup. You get the idea! The non-stop show is family-friendly and has been awarded the best nightclub and best live music for several years. Stop by the Voodoo Room on the second floor for hip hop, R&B, and more.
- Howl at the Moon - This live music bar is always an excellent bet for after-dark fun and entertainment. Their live music shows are high-energy and are centered around dance hits and party anthems. You're sure to be on your feet.
Read here for more The Top 10 International Drive Restaurants.
Tips to get the most from the International Drive Orlando attractions.
- I-Ride Trolley: Grab a ride on the I-Ride Trolley. It is convenient and a fun way to get around I-Drive. Check out the I-RIDE Trolley Route Map to plan your itinerary.
- Where is International Drive? International Drive runs roughly parallel to Interstate 4 south of Orlando. Interstate 4 is the main artery that runs north-south through Orlando, and many of the attractions on ICON 360 Orlando can be seen while traveling on this part of I-4. International Drive is a major Orlando thoroughfare that is used by locals, convention goers, and tourists.
Read about more Epic Things to Do in Orlando Outside the Parks.