Orlando Florida Community Information

Orlando is the fifth largest city in Florida, located in Orange County in the center of the state. The city proper has a population of approximately 200,000, but the entire Orlando metropolitan area consists of over two-million residents. This makes it the third largest metro region in the state. Once a quiet farming town and center of a major citrus growing region, Orlando now receives more visitors than any other city in Florida. It’s home to Universal Orlando Resort and SeaWorld, and famous Walt Disney World is located just 21 miles southwest of Orlando at Lake Buena Vista. These three attractions form the backbone of the tourist industry, although dozens of other theme parks and recreational opportunities are located within a few miles of the city. Called the “capital of thrills, excitement, and non-stop fun,” Orlando showcases Walt Disney World’s Magic Kingdom, MGM, EPCOT, and Animal Kingdom. The city of Orlando is ranked one of the top vacation destinations in the world and has more theme parks than anywhere else in the world. Cultural and educational attractions abound in Orlando, too, such as the Charles Hosmer Morse Museum of American Art and the Orlando Science Center.

Orlando has the second largest number of hotel rooms in the U.S., after Las Vegas. Most of the hotels are found along International Drive, Highway 192. or, in and around Disney World. Many of the city’s hotels cater to budget-conscious families, but there are plenty of luxury options, as well. Downtown Orlando is known for its’ nightlife, from cozy pubs to sports bars, comedy clubs and neighborhood bars that feature local bands. Historic “Old Orlando” is located along Church Street, between Orange Avenue and Garland Avenue. Centered around Lake Eola, it is home to some of the city’s oldest homes that sit along picturesque oak-lined brick streets. Downtown Orlando Historic Walking Tours are available. Numerous golf courses are found in the city, along with swimming pools, waterslides and water parks, parasailing over Central Florida’s chain-of-lakes, water skiing at Lake Buena Vista - the list is endless. Another of Orlando’s attractions is its’ year-round mild climate. Central Florida has two major seasons - hot and rainy, which lasts from June until late September, and the dry season, October through May.