See what each place is really like before you go: the GOHA Brief, videos and, soon, what visitors say.
Places whose GOHA page was written or refreshed most recently.
Silver Spurs Arena is an indoor, climate-controlled arena in Kissimmee and the home of the Silver Spurs Rodeo, a local tradition since 1944. It suits families and groups who want an evening of rodeo, and it also hosts concerts, family shows, graduations and sporting events.
See the full storyOrlando Helicopter Adventures runs scenic helicopter flights from Kissimmee over the Orlando area's theme parks and attractions. It suits families, first-time flyers and anyone who wants to see Disney, Universal or SeaWorld from the air, with routes ranging from short hops to longer loops.
See the full storyDisney's Animal Kingdom is a zoological theme park at Walt Disney World Resort, themed around the natural world, with hundreds of live animal exhibits alongside rides and shows.
See the full storyShingle Creek Regional Park is an urban natural area in Kissimmee at the headwaters of the Florida Everglades, with trails, creek paddling and a walk-through Pioneer Village. It suits walkers, cyclists, paddlers and anyone curious about old Osceola County homestead life.
See the full storyWonderWorks Orlando is an indoor science attraction on International Drive with more than 100 hands-on exhibits, which the operator calls an amusement park for the mind. It is marketed for all ages and suits families, curious kids and anyone looking for an indoor plan.
See the full storyLakeridge Winery & Vineyards is a vineyard estate in Clermont, about 25 miles west of downtown Orlando, known for sparkling and premium wines made from native muscadine grapes. A visit centers on a roughly 45-minute guided tour and tasting, which suits wine-curious couples, friends and large groups looking for an easy outing from the city.
See the full storyRipley's Believe It or Not! Orlando is a museum of odd relics and curiosities collected by traveler Robert Ripley, set on International Drive. It's a self-paced look at weird artifacts across 16 themed galleries, and it suits families looking for an easy one-to-two-hour stop.
See the full storyHoop-Dee-Doo Musical Revue is a country-and-western dinner show at Disney's Fort Wilderness Resort & Campground, running since 1974. It pairs a family-style, all-you-care-to-enjoy meal with about two hours of singing, dancing and comedy. It suits families with young kids and anyone happy to clap along, though one Disney fan blog thinks most teens may not take to it.
See the full storyDisney's Fantasia Gardens Miniature Golf has two 18-hole mini golf courses in the EPCOT resort area at Walt Disney World, both based on the animated film Fantasia. The Gardens course suits families and beginners, while the Fairways course is a tougher, more traditional layout for players who want a challenge.
See the full storyUniversal's Great Movie Escape is a pair of escape-room style adventures at Universal CityWalk, themed on Jurassic World and Back to the Future. One guide recommends it as a date-night outing for couples, and difficulty and group size can be adjusted to fit your party.
See the full storyOutta Control Magic Comedy Dinner Show is a 90-minute evening of magic, improv comedy and audience participation, staged inside WonderWorks on International Drive. Dinner is included, and the show is family-friendly, so it works for families, couples and mixed-age groups looking for an easy night out.
See the full storyOld Town Kissimmee is an 18-acre open-air entertainment district on US 192, open since December 1986, with more than 70 shops, restaurants, bars, rides and family attractions. It's a family entertainment destination a short drive from the big Orlando parks, with something for the whole family, and suits anyone who likes classic cars, independent shops and rides.
See the full storyThe big parks and the water parks, with how far each is from the main areas.
Aquatica Orlando is a tropical water park next to SeaWorld Orlando, with water slides, wave pools, rivers, sandy beaches and kids' areas. It suits families, including those with young children, as well as thrill-seekers after steep tower slides. The water is heated in cooler months, so it stays open year-round.
See the full storyDisney's Animal Kingdom is a zoological theme park at Walt Disney World Resort, themed around the natural world, with hundreds of live animal exhibits alongside rides and shows.
See the full storyGators, wildlife, lakes and open air.
Aerophile at Disney Springs is a tethered helium balloon ride that lifts a basket of guests up to about 400 feet above the West Side of Disney Springs. It suits anyone who wants a short, smooth look over Walt Disney World, including families, since there is no height requirement.
See the full storyAquatica Orlando is a tropical water park next to SeaWorld Orlando, with water slides, wave pools, rivers, sandy beaches and kids' areas. It suits families, including those with young children, as well as thrill-seekers after steep tower slides. The water is heated in cooler months, so it stays open year-round.
See the full storyAirboats, helicopters, balloons and guided tours.
Big Toho Airboat Rides runs airboat swamp tours on Lake Toho in Kissimmee, with alligators, birds and other Florida wildlife along the way. It suits families and anyone who wants to see nature up close, and it's a short trip from Orlando and Walt Disney World.
See the full storyBob's Balloon Charters runs customized hot air balloon rides over the Orlando, Kissimmee, Walt Disney World and Davenport areas, with a sunrise flight as its signature trip. It suits early risers, couples marking an occasion, and small groups or families with kids 5 and up who want a quiet look at Central Florida from above.
See the full storyDinner shows, entertainment and things to do after dark.
Capone's Dinner & Show is a speakeasy-style dinner theater on International Drive, set in 1931 Chicago gangland, where you get in with a password. The venue pitches it at a wide age range, from young children to older adults, and it suits anyone who likes a meal with singing, dancing, comedy and a bit of audience play.
See the full storyDrawn to Life is a Cirque du Soleil show built with Walt Disney Animation Studios and Walt Disney Imagineering, staged in its own theater on the West Side of Disney Springs. It mixes live acrobatics with new Disney animation, and it suits families, since the venue is listed for all ages and you don't need a theme park ticket to go.
See the full storyIndoor things to do for storms and hot afternoons.
Escapology Kissimmee is a live escape room venue in the Promenade at Sunset Walk, where your group works through a themed mission and tries to get out before time runs out. It suits families with kids aged 7 and up, groups of friends, and anyone planning team building or a party.
See the full storyEscapology Orlando is a live escape room venue on International Drive where your group gets a private themed room and 60 minutes to solve its puzzles. It suits families, friend groups and team-building outings of up to eight players.
See the full storyHow GOHA ranks: by kind of place for now. Visitor ratings will shape them once reviews open. Sponsored spots will always be labeled.
Disney's Blizzard Beach is a water park in the Walt Disney World Resort area of Bay Lake, themed as a ski resort that melted after a freak Florida snowstorm. With 12 attractions across more than 60 acres, it suits thrill-seekers chasing big drops as well as families who want rafts, a lazy river, a wave pool and a kids' play area.
See the full storyDisney's Hollywood Studios is a theme park inside Walt Disney World Resort near Orlando, built around film-inspired lands and the Golden Age of Hollywood. It suits Star Wars and Toy Story fans, thrill riders and families with small kids, since there is a good mix of big rides, gentle rides and stage shows.
See the full storyTyphoon Lagoon is one of two water parks at Walt Disney World Resort, themed as a tropical bay left wrecked by a typhoon. It suits families with a mix of ages, from toddlers who need a gentle play area to older kids and adults after fast slides and big waves.
See the full storyEPCOT is a Walt Disney World theme park, opened in 1982, that combines rides with a lagoon-side loop of country pavilions full of shops and restaurants. It suits travelers interested in food and world culture.
See the full storyFun Spot America Kissimmee is a family-owned amusement park with roller coasters, thrill rides, kiddie rides, go-karts and an arcade. It suits families with a mix of ages, from small kids on gentle rides to thrill-seekers heading for the coasters and the SkyCoaster.
See the full storyFun Spot America Orlando is a family-run amusement park on the north end of International Drive, with roller coasters, go-karts, family rides, arcades and a reptile exhibit. It suits families looking for a flexible day out, from small kids on the splash pad to thrill-seekers on the SkyCoaster.
See the full storyIsland H2O is a family-oriented, island-themed water park in Kissimmee, set inside The Promenade at Sunset Walk next to Margaritaville Resort Orlando. With more than 20 rides, a wave pool, a lazy river and dedicated splash areas for younger kids, it suits families looking for a full day in the water.
See the full storyMagic Kingdom is the original theme park at Walt Disney World Resort, near Orlando, built around classic attractions, parades, fireworks and Disney characters. It suits families and first-time Disney visitors who want the fairy-tale side of the resort, with Cinderella Castle at its center.
See the full storyOld Town Kissimmee is an 18-acre open-air entertainment district on US 192, open since December 1986, with more than 70 shops, restaurants, bars, rides and family attractions. It's a family entertainment destination a short drive from the big Orlando parks, with something for the whole family, and suits anyone who likes classic cars, independent shops and rides.
See the full storyOrlando StarFlyer is a swing ride on International Drive with a tower about 450 feet tall, promoted as the world's tallest swing ride. It's billed as a family-friendly thrill ride that works for both bold riders and more cautious ones, as long as everyone is at least 44 inches tall.
See the full storyBob's Balloon Charters runs customized hot air balloon rides over the Orlando, Kissimmee, Walt Disney World and Davenport areas, with a sunrise flight as its signature trip. It suits early risers, couples marking an occasion, and small groups or families with kids 5 and up who want a quiet look at Central Florida from above.
See the full storyClermont Waterfront Park is a city park on the shore of Lake Minneola, about 35 minutes west of Orlando. With a splash pad, playground, public beach and paved lakefront paths, it suits families, walkers, cyclists and anyone who wants an easy day by the water.
See the full storyDisney's Blizzard Beach is a water park in the Walt Disney World Resort area of Bay Lake, themed as a ski resort that melted after a freak Florida snowstorm. With 12 attractions across more than 60 acres, it suits thrill-seekers chasing big drops as well as families who want rafts, a lazy river, a wave pool and a kids' play area.
See the full storyScreamin' Gator is a zip line course inside Gatorland, the alligator park in Orlando, with lines that run over alligators and crocodiles. It adds height and speed to a day at the park. It is sold separately from regular park admission.
See the full storyIsland H2O is a family-oriented, island-themed water park in Kissimmee, set inside The Promenade at Sunset Walk next to Margaritaville Resort Orlando. With more than 20 rides, a wave pool, a lazy river and dedicated splash areas for younger kids, it suits families looking for a full day in the water.
See the full storyKissimmee Lakefront Park is a waterfront park between historic downtown Kissimmee and the shore of Lake Tohopekaliga. With playgrounds, a splash pad, a fishing pier and paved walking paths, it suits families, anglers, birdwatchers and anyone after an easy lakeside walk.
See the full storyOld Florida Riverboat Company runs The Lillie, a 75-foot restored sternwheel paddleboat that cruises East Lake Toho from St. Cloud Lakefront Park. The 90-minute sunset cruises, with a full bar and live music on some sailings, suit couples, special occasions, or anyone after a calm end to the day.
See the full storyPainted Horizons Hot Air Balloon Tours runs sunrise balloon flights over Central Florida, including the Disney World area, from its base in Lake Buena Vista. It suits couples, small groups and anyone aged seven or older who wants a quiet, early-morning view of the region from above.
See the full storySEA LIFE Orlando is an aquarium in the ICON Park complex on International Drive, home to more than 5,000 marine animals, from sharks and stingrays to sea turtles and a Giant Pacific Octopus. It's a family-friendly outing that suits kids who like to touch, explore and watch feedings, and adults who want a relaxed indoor stop between other I-Drive plans.
See the full storyShingle Creek Regional Park is an urban natural area in Kissimmee at the headwaters of the Florida Everglades, with trails, creek paddling and a walk-through Pioneer Village. It suits walkers, cyclists, paddlers and anyone curious about old Osceola County homestead life.
See the full storyCatboat Escapes runs guided self-drive catamaran tours on the Clermont Chain of Lakes, near Orlando, where you steer your own small two-seat boat while a guide leads the group. The company says it suits solo adventurers, couples and families looking for a hands-on way to see the lakes.
See the full storyDisney's Keys to the Kingdom is a five-hour walking tour of Magic Kingdom that covers how the park was created and grew, with stops in backstage areas Cast Members usually see. It suits guests 16 and older who want a deeper behind-the-scenes look at Walt Disney World, rather than thrill-seekers hoping to fit in lots of rides.
See the full storyInternational Heli-Tours runs scenic helicopter flights over Orlando, showing visitors the theme parks and local landmarks from the air. It suits families and first-time visitors who want to see several parks in one short trip.
See the full storyKissimmee Ghost Tours runs walking ghost and history tours through historic downtown Kissimmee. It suits anyone who likes local history with a spooky twist and doesn't mind about ninety minutes on foot.
See the full storyLeading Edge Helicopters is a helicopter sightseeing operator based on West Irlo Bronson Memorial Highway in Kissimmee, flying over Orlando landmarks like Disney World, Universal Studios and SeaWorld Orlando. It suits visitors who want to see the theme parks and the wider area from above, whether on a short introductory hop or a longer route.
See the full storyOld Florida Riverboat Company runs The Lillie, a 75-foot restored sternwheel paddleboat that cruises East Lake Toho from St. Cloud Lakefront Park. The 90-minute sunset cruises, with a full bar and live music on some sailings, suit couples, special occasions, or anyone after a calm end to the day.
See the full storyOrlando Helicopter Adventures runs scenic helicopter flights from Kissimmee over the Orlando area's theme parks and attractions. It suits families, first-time flyers and anyone who wants to see Disney, Universal or SeaWorld from the air, with routes ranging from short hops to longer loops.
See the full storyOrlando HeliTours runs scenic helicopter flights over Orlando and Kissimmee, with routes over the major theme parks, the Butler Chain of Lakes and well-known residents' homes. It's a popular choice with Florida families and visiting tourists who want to see the parks from above.
See the full storyPainted Horizons Hot Air Balloon Tours runs sunrise balloon flights over Central Florida, including the Disney World area, from its base in Lake Buena Vista. It suits couples, small groups and anyone aged seven or older who wants a quiet, early-morning view of the region from above.
See the full story[GOHA Brief for Boggy Creek Airboat Adventures coming soon.]
See the full storyHoop-Dee-Doo Musical Revue is a country-and-western dinner show at Disney's Fort Wilderness Resort & Campground, running since 1974. It pairs a family-style, all-you-care-to-enjoy meal with about two hours of singing, dancing and comedy. It suits families with young kids and anyone happy to clap along, though one Disney fan blog thinks most teens may not take to it.
See the full storyMedieval Times is a family dinner theater in Kissimmee, set in a European-style castle, where you eat a four-course feast while knights joust and sword fight. It suits families who want a loud, cheer-along night out, and the company says it is fun for all ages.
See the full storyOutta Control Magic Comedy Dinner Show is a 90-minute evening of magic, improv comedy and audience participation, staged inside WonderWorks on International Drive. Dinner is included, and the show is family-friendly, so it works for families, couples and mixed-age groups looking for an easy night out.
See the full storyPirate's Dinner Adventure is a dinner show near Universal Studios, staged on a replica 18th-century Spanish galleon in a 300,000-gallon indoor lagoon. You eat a three-course dinner while pirates fight, fly and fire cannons around you. It is built for families, date nights and celebrations.
See the full storyShowcase of Citrus is a family-owned working citrus and cattle ranch in Clermont, open as a fresh-air attraction since 1989. It suits families with kids who want a few hours outdoors with monster truck tours, animal feeding, gem mining and seasonal fruit picking, a short drive from the Disney area.
See the full storySleuths Mystery Dinner Shows was a comedy murder mystery dinner theater on International Drive, beside ICON Park. It ran from 1990 until it closed for good in November 2025, so it is no longer an option for an evening out in Orlando.
See the full storyMadame Tussauds Orlando is an indoor wax museum in ICON Park on International Drive, where you can pose with more than 90 lifelike figures of stars. It's built for photos and hands-on fun, and it welcomes guests of all ages, which makes it an easy pick for families and anyone staying nearby on I-Drive.
See the full storyThe Museum of Military History is a veteran-run museum in Kissimmee that traces American conflicts from the Revolutionary War to the Gulf era through uniforms, weapons, vehicles and photos. It suits history fans, families and couples looking for a mostly indoor stop along the US-192 corridor.
See the full storyRipley's Believe It or Not! Orlando is a museum of odd relics and curiosities collected by traveler Robert Ripley, set on International Drive. It's a self-paced look at weird artifacts across 16 themed galleries, and it suits families looking for an easy one-to-two-hour stop.
See the full storySEA LIFE Orlando is an aquarium in the ICON Park complex on International Drive, home to more than 5,000 marine animals, from sharks and stingrays to sea turtles and a Giant Pacific Octopus. It's a family-friendly outing that suits kids who like to touch, explore and watch feedings, and adults who want a relaxed indoor stop between other I-Drive plans.
See the full storyThe Escape Game Orlando is a live escape room venue on International Drive, next to ICON Park, where small groups solve puzzles to get out of themed rooms. Its family-friendly games suit families, friends, birthday groups and work teams looking for an hour of shared problem-solving.
See the full storyWonderWorks Orlando is an indoor science attraction on International Drive with more than 100 hands-on exhibits, which the operator calls an amusement park for the mind. It is marketed for all ages and suits families, curious kids and anyone looking for an indoor plan.
See the full story[GOHA Brief for Museum of Illusions Orlando coming soon.]
See the full story[GOHA Brief for Osceola County Welcome Center & History Museum coming soon.]
See the full story