Orlando Travel Tips

Seeing a live gator is a Floridian rite of passage. Here are a few places where you can spot alligators in Orlando - safely, of course.

Almost every night, the skies above Orlando light up with bursts of colors at world-famous theme parks.  But on July 4th you can expect even more dazzling displays as the city honors the red, white, and blue. Here’s your 2025 guide to the best places to watch Independence Day fireworks in Orlando. 

The season of sweltering heat is here, especially in Orlando. Luckily, the city’s world-famous theme parks are home to many refreshing and reinvigorating water rides. We’ve ranked them by how wet you’ll get, from a small splash to a super soaking.

Pop the Champagne! We're celebrating the 50th anniversary of Rosen Inn this year. 

If you are already dreaming of your summer vacation, we suggest visiting Orlando and experiencing all it has to offer. Follow these simple tips to plan your ultimate summer vacation in Orlando.

This Cinco de Mayo, if you’re looking to sip on something delicious, check out these spots known for the best margaritas in Orlando.

While sushi has Japanese origins, cultures around the world have put their spin on this delightful dish. Here are 4 big differences between Japanese and Western sushi.

Everyone can experience and enjoy Universal’s beautifully detailed and immersive Potter parks. Here’s a thorough breakdown of things to do at the Wizarding World of Harry Potter at Universal Orlando. 

Sometimes a vacation is so special that you want to relive it again and again. Here are the Top 10 Orlando Souvenirs to remind you of your getaway.

Universal Orlando’s fourth Orlando theme park, Epic Universe, opens May 22, 2025. Here's everything you have to look forward to when the park opens. 

St. Patrick's Day spent at Universal Orlando Resort is an annual celebration that transforms the theme park into a lively Irish haven.  

Orlando, Florida, is renowned for its world-class family entertainment. The City Beautiful offers an array of enriching experiences tailored specifically for kids, making it a great destination for a family vacation.

Mardi Gras at Universal Orlando Resort runs Feb. 1 - Mar. 30, 2025. This all-park party has decorations, street performers, delicious food, and an epic parade.

If you're single this Singles Awareness Day (Feb. 15), here are some ideas to show yourself a little extra love - because you deserve it.

Looking for ways to observe Random Acts of Kindness Week this year? Here are some suggestions of ways to show a little extra kindness to people, the planet, and yourself. 

Get ready to rejoice once more at Rock the Universe, an annual Christian-rock concert held at Universal Studios Florida. Fans of this event are gearing up for an unforgettable weekend of worship at Florida’s largest Christian music festival taking place January 24 and 25, 2025.  

With over two dozen restaurants, there is plenty to eat at Universal Orlando CityWalk. Here are our 5 favorite Universal Orlando CityWalk Restaurants to try first.

Have a long layover at Orlando International Airport (MCO)? Don't waste time waiting at your gate; check out these entertaining things to do near MCO on your next Orlando adventure.

Not even Santa can resist Orlando's beautiful weather, tropical palm trees, and theme park entertainment. If you're looking for picture-perfect opportunities to see Santa this holiday season, here are the 8 best places to see Santa in Orlando this Christmas. 

The end of December is already packed with exciting holidays, but did you know that between Christmas and New Year’s Eve, December 27 to be exact, is National Visit the Zoo Day? Take time between your holiday celebrations to visit the Central Florida Zoo, home to some of the Orlando area’s most distinguished residents.  

To help you celebrate National Pastry Day on December 9, we've put together this list of our favorite Orlando bakeries for you to try. Here's where you can find some of the City Beautiful's best baked goods and pastries. 

If you thought the only Macy's parade was in New York City, think again. Universal Studios Florida is hosting the magic of the Macy's Day Parade in Orlando. 

Universal Orlando Resort always has something in store for the holidays. This Christmas, get festive at both Universal Studios Florida and Universal Islands of Adventure.

 You never need an excuse to enjoy a sandwich, but if there’s any day to make a point to enjoy one, it’s National Sandwich Day on November 3. Whether you’re looking for breakfast, lunch, dinner, or a hearty between-meal snack, you've got to check out our list of the best sandwiches in Orlando.  

Christmas at Universal is incomparable to anything else you can experience in the area. Whether you’re hanging out with the Grinch in the afternoon or reveling in the magic of a Hogwarts holiday after sundown, unconventional Christmas is in this year– and it’s going to be epic.  

What do extravagant parades, Santa Claus, and a green furry guy who hates Christmas all have in common? You can find them all at Universal Orlando Resort this season. 

It’s no secret that we love Halloween in Orlando. But while we’re known for our truly terrifying and scream-worthy events, we also have plenty of activities for families to enjoy throughout the spooky season. Here are some of our favorite family-friendly Halloween celebrations in Orlando to consider exploring with your little ones this year.  

This year, Halloween Horror Nights attendees can venture to Diagon Alley for a special spooky surprise. Death Eaters are descending upon Diagon Alley - and they're looking for any reason to attack. 

Figuring out your Halloween plans each year can be tricky — especially when looking to spend them at Universal’s Halloween Horror Nights.

No Fourth of July celebration is truly complete without fireworks. Luckily, there are fireworks throughout the Kissimmee, Florida area on Independence Day 2024. Many of these celebrations are free.

They’re family. Sometimes you get along with them better than your blood relatives and other human beings. They get you and they complete you. I’m talking about our beloved dogs.

Longing for a sweet treat? Look no further. We’ve got a list of the best donuts in Orlando to satisfy your sugary cravings. Come see what tastes await you around town.

We’re sharing all our tips and tricks to ensure you have a perfect day exploring, Universal's Volcano Bay, a tropical-themed water park only a few minutes from Rosen Inn Closest to Universal.  

Universal Orlando Resort is a treasure trove of hidden gems, offering guests a chance to uncover the magic beyond the surface.  From subtle nods to iconic figures to secret menus and interactive experiences, the park is rich with easter eggs waiting to be uncovered.  

Here’s how we’d tackle Universal Islands of Adventure with our cannot-miss list of rides.  

The good thing about vacationing alone is you decide what to do, when and where, and for how long. Plus you get the bed all to yourself. Traveling solo can be fun — especially if you know how to do it right.

Mardi Gras, a globally celebrated carnival, finds its vibrant home at SeaWorld Orlando in February 2024. 

The aquatic theme park proudly presents its extraordinary New Orlean’s inspired festivities—a fusion of culture and color that promises an unforgettable experience. 

Let the good times roll in a celebration that marries the depths of the ocean with the exuberance of a traditional Mardi Gras party. 

February is American Heart Month, and we’re all about finding different ways to ensure our hearts remain at their healthiest.

Whether you glide on ice with strength and grace or waddle awkwardly about like a penguin, there is no doubt about it – ice skating is fun. If you were worried you might miss out on ice skating while vacationing in sunny Florida, fear not. It may be warm outside but there are plenty of indoor and outdoor opportunities for ice skating in Orlando. Check out some of our favorite spots to enjoy this classic winter pastime all year long.

At Universal Orlando Resort, Christmas festivities are done a bit differently. 

It’s truly incomparable to anything else you can experience in the area –. Whether you’re hanging out with the Grinch in the afternoon, or reveling in a first-hand Hogwarts Holiday after sundown, unconventional Christmas is in this year– and it’s going to be epic.

The spooky season is almost here — do you have your Halloween costume yet?

Here are four tips for putting together an unforgettable Halloween costume during your Orlando vacation.

Halloween Horror Nights (HHN) at Universal Orlando is one of the world’s best Halloween events for those looking for thrills and frights. This year, the annual event runs on select nights from Friday, September 1, to Tuesday, October 31, 2023.

Halloween is one of those holidays that is best celebrated as a family, but when you’ve got little ones who are still figuring out their feelings about the world, it can be tough. 

Events like Universal Orlando’s Halloween Horror Nights may be too gruesome and gory for younger kids to handle, and even ordinary haunted houses can seem too scary.

If you’re headed to Walt Disney World this summer or fall, bring your appetite. From July 27 to November 18, 2023, the International Food & Wine Festival will bring worldly cuisine, live music, and family-friendly activities to EPCOT.  

Anyone even remotely familiar with American barbecue as a cuisine knows that there are several distinct regional styles. The competition between these regions for the best barbecue has been and always will be intense. Traditionally, barbecue hotspots have been places like Texas, St. Louis, Kentucky, Alabama, and the Carolinas. As the city of Orlando grows in size, so too does its presence in the world of barbecue, with several new entries to the local scene over the past few years.

If your kids (and you) love LEGOs, there’s only one place to be this Independence Day: Red, White & Boom at LEGOLAND Florida Resort. The event features LEGOLAND’s biggest fireworks display of the year, plus many other hands on activities. Red, White & Boom is family-friendly celebration of Americana. Even the youngest family members will be able to join in the celebration as well as ride many of rides in LEGOLAND.

A Central Florida favorite since the early 2000s, The Orlando Watersports Complex (OWC) is a watersports park designed for wakeboarding, wake skating, knee boarding, and waterskiing – with a twist. Guests can be towed by suspended cables or by top-of-the-line Correct Craft boats. Now nearly 20 years old, OWC is well-established as a venue for riders of all levels. Whether you’re wanting to try watersports for the first time or you’re a seasoned professional, OWC has you covered.