Orlando rose from citrus groves and lakes into the world’s theme park capital, but its story reaches further—Seminole trails, cattle country, and a space-age horizon where rocket launches still glow on clear nights. Today, neighborhoods like Mills 50 and Winter Park hum with indie restaurants, craft coffee, and galleries, while swans cruise past the downtown skyline on Lake Eola.

Beyond the famous parks, Central Florida is laced with glassy springs, oak hammocks, and wetland prairies ideal for airboat rides and manatee spotting. Museums like the Charles Hosmer Morse Museum shelter Tiffany glass treasures, and day trips to the Space Coast add NASA history—and sandy toes—to the mix.

Practical notes: Orlando is a year-round destination; late Oct–Apr brings milder weather. Summer afternoons can mean heat and thunderstorms—pack sunscreen, a light rain jacket, and refillable water bottles. Driving is easy but I‑4 traffic can snarl at peak hours; rideshares are plentiful. Popular restaurants and top attractions reward early reservations.

Orlando

Orlando is a mosaic of neighborhoods wrapped around more than 100 lakes. International Drive delivers ICON Park and big attractions; Lake Eola is your downtown postcard; Winter Park adds cobblestone charm, museums, and leafy brunch patios. Food-wise, expect inventive ramen, flawless omakase, Southern comfort favorites, and stellar Cuban and Puerto Rican spots.

• Top sights: Walt Disney World, Universal Orlando, ICON Park’s The Wheel, Lake Eola Park and swan boats, Winter Park Scenic Boat Tour, Charles Hosmer Morse Museum, Leu Gardens.
• Must-eats: The Ravenous Pig (modern gastropub), Prato (handmade pastas), DOMU (ramen), Kadence (omakase; reservations), Knife & Spoon (steak and seafood), Se7en Bites (Southern-leaning brunch), Black Rooster Taqueria (Mills 50).
• Fun facts: You can often see rocket launches from Orlando; the swans at Lake Eola descend from a royal English lineage; and “The City Beautiful” motto dates to 1908.

Where to stay (handpicked options):

• Waldorf Astoria Orlando — Refined stay near the parks with a serene pool scene and golf access.
• Four Seasons Resort Orlando at Walt Disney World Resort — Top-tier family luxury with a lazy river and acclaimed rooftop dining at Capa.
• Holiday Inn Resort Orlando Suites - Waterpark — Suite-style value with a splash area perfect for kids.
• Rosen Inn International — Budget-friendly, central to International Drive.
• Disney's Art of Animation Resort — Themed family suites and easy Disney transport.
• Prefer a home base? Browse stays on VRBO Orlando or compare hotels on Hotels.com Orlando.

Getting in and around: Fly into MCO. Search competitive fares on Trip.com flights or Kiwi.com. Typical flight times: NYC ~2.5 hours, Chicago ~2.5 hours, Dallas ~2.5 hours, L.A. ~5 hours. Rideshare from MCO to the attractions area runs roughly $25–$45; parking at major parks is about $30/day. A rental car is handy for the Space Coast and springs.

Day 1: Arrival, ICON Park, and Disney Springs Flavors

Afternoon: Land at MCO and check in. Shake off travel with a stroll through ICON Park—grab a cold brew at Foxtail Coffee’s I‑Drive outpost, then ride The Wheel for a sweeping view of Orlando’s lakes and skyline (best near sunset).

Evening: Head to Disney Springs for dinner. For smoky brisket and bourbon slushies, try The Polite Pig; for shareable tapas and a smart wine list, Wine Bar George excels; or go big on Spanish plates at Jaleo (paella over open flame on weekends). Dessert at Gideon’s Bakehouse is a must—half-pound cookies worth the hype. Nightcap at The Edison with live entertainment, or a serene lakeside stroll before turning in.

Day 2: Walt Disney World—Pick Your Park Day

Morning: Rope-drop your chosen park. Magic Kingdom first-timers should beeline Seven Dwarfs Mine Train and TRON Lightcycle/Run. EPCOT fans can tap into Guardians of the Galaxy: Cosmic Rewind and Remy’s Ratatouille Adventure. Consider Genie+ and Individual Lightning Lanes on crowded days.

Afternoon: Midday break: swim back at the hotel, or snack around EPCOT’s World Showcase—try croque glacé in France, tacos in Mexico, or smoky barbecue at Regal Eagle. If you’re at Animal Kingdom, Satu’li Canteen’s customizable bowls are top-tier quick service.

Evening: Return for nighttime spectaculars (Happily Ever After at Magic Kingdom; seasonal shows at EPCOT/Studios). For post-park dining, reserve Capa at Four Seasons for a Michelin-starred steak and seafood experience with rooftop views, or sit down to Florida-comfort fare at Chef Art Smith’s Homecomin’.

Day 3: Universal Orlando—Wizards, Coasters, and CityWalk

Morning: Start early in The Wizarding World. With a Park-to-Park ticket, ride Hogwarts Express between Diagon Alley (Universal Studios Florida) and Hogsmeade (Islands of Adventure). Secure entry with Universal Orlando Park to Park Tickets - USA / Canada Residents (price varies by date; Park-to-Park is required for Hogwarts Express).

Afternoon: Prioritize Hagrid’s Magical Creatures Motorbike Adventure, Jurassic World VelociCoaster, and The Incredible Hulk Coaster. Lunch inside the lands: The Leaky Cauldron (Brit pub classics) or Three Broomsticks (roasted meats and butterbeer). Use Single Rider queues to trim waits.

Evening: Explore CityWalk dining: VIVO Italian Kitchen for house-made pastas, The Cowfish for sushi-burger mashups, or Antojitos for tableside guac and mariachi. End with a warm blueberry cake at Voodoo Doughnut or catch the nighttime lagoon show if running.

Day 4: Wild Florida, Winter Park Charm, and a Fiery Luau

Morning: Glide through sawgrass on an airboat, spotting gators, herons, and turtles on the One-Hour Airboat Ride Near Orlando (about 45–60 minutes from the attractions area; tours typically 9 a.m.–4 p.m.).

Afternoon: Head to Winter Park (25–30 minutes). Lunch at Prato (brick-oven pies, silky cacio e pepe) or The Ravenous Pig (spiced pork belly, house charcuterie). Drift past lakeside mansions and bird islands on the Winter Park Scenic Boat Tour, then see dazzling Tiffany glass at the Morse Museum. Grab a pick-me-up at Lineage or Foxtail Coffee.

Evening: Make it a dinner-and-show night at the Orlando Polynesian Fire Luau and Dinner Show Experience—a lively mix of island dance, fire-knife performances, and a buffet-style feast.

Day 5: Kennedy Space Center and Cocoa Beach

Morning: Drive ~1 hour to Cape Canaveral (tolls ~$3–$5; parking at KSC Visitor Complex ~$10). Spend the day with Kennedy Space Center Cape Canaveral Admission—don’t miss Space Shuttle Atlantis, the Shuttle Launch Experience, Rocket Garden, and the bus tour to the Apollo/Saturn V Center.

Afternoon: Refuel at Orbit Cafe or Moon Rock Cafe on-site and catch an IMAX film. If time allows, swing by Cocoa Beach Pier for ocean breezes and a quick shoreline walk before returning to Orlando.

Evening: Celebrate with Orlando’s dining scene: DOMU for rich tonkotsu ramen and crispy wings, or Knife & Spoon at The Ritz-Carlton for a Michelin-starred steak and raw bar. Cocktails at The Courtesy (craft classics) or Mathers Social Gathering (speakeasy vibes).

Day 6: Lake Eola, Last Bites, and Departure

Morning: Brunch on the city side. Se7en Bites bakes legendary biscuit sandwiches and salted caramel pecan pie; The Glass Knife in Winter Park plates buttery pastries and avocado toast; or The Strand in Mills 50 serves seasonal comfort with finesse. Walk off brunch at Lake Eola—snap the fountain, rent a swan boat, and browse the Sunday farmers market (if applicable).

Afternoon: Swing through East End Market for artisanal snacks to-go (think cheeses, small-batch sweets) before heading to MCO. Aim to arrive 2 hours before domestic flights; budget 30–45 minutes from the attractions area depending on traffic.

Evening: Wheels up. If you have a late departure, add a quick stroll through Leu Gardens’ camellia-lined paths or a breezy coffee at Craft & Common downtown.

Insider tips: Arrive at parks 30–45 minutes before opening; mobile-order meals during peak lunch hours; carry a compact battery pack and a reusable water bottle; book headline restaurants 30 days out (longer for Michelin-starred rooms and Disney/Universal signatures). On launch days, watch the sky at dusk—you might catch a rocket ascent from the city.

Handy booking links in one place:

• Flights: Trip.com | Kiwi.com
• Hotels: Hotels.com Orlando | Vacation rentals: VRBO Orlando
• Theme parks and experiences: Universal Park-to-Park, Airboat Tour, KSC Admission, and Polynesian Fire Luau linked above.

In six days you’ll taste Orlando’s greatest hits—Disney and Universal thrills, a shimmering Space Coast detour, and the stillness of cypress-lined wetlands—balanced with standout local dining and coffee. With smart timing and a few insider moves, you’ll leave knowing both the headliners and the hidden tracks of Central Florida’s playlist.