Orlando is more than theme parks—it’s a city of lakes, live oaks, and imaginative neighborhoods where nature and innovation share the spotlight. Founded in the 1800s as a cattle and citrus hub, it’s now a global destination with a creative local core: Winter Park’s museums, Mills 50 street art, and Ivanhoe’s vintage shops.

Fun fact: Orlando has over 100 lakes, including Lake Eola, formed by a sinkhole; the iconic swan boats glide over waters that are actually a natural spring. Space history hums nearby at Cape Canaveral, while wild Florida unfolds in airboat country and crystal-clear springs where manatees drift like gray zeppelins.

Practical notes: Expect warm weather and quick afternoon showers; bring sunscreen, a light rain jacket, and insect repellent for wetlands. A rental car makes day trips easy, though rideshares work well in-town. To fly into MCO, compare fares on Trip.com or Kiwi.com. Typical US domestic flights are 2–5 hours, often $120–$350 one way.

Orlando

Orlando rewards curiosity. Beyond roller coasters you’ll find Leu Gardens’ camellias, Winter Park’s Tiffany glass at the Morse Museum, and Audubon Park’s artisan food halls. Out east, rockets rumble at Kennedy Space Center; to the south, airboats fan through sawgrass as egrets lift overhead.

• Top sights & activities: Kennedy Space Center, Lake Eola Park, Leu Gardens, Winter Park Scenic Boat Tour, Orlando Science Center, Mills 50 murals, ICON Park’s The Wheel.
• Unique nature: Airboat rides and gator encounters, manatee and monkey sightings at Silver Springs, sunset walks around Ivanhoe’s lakeside docks.
• Local food scene: From Cuban sandwiches at Black Bean Deli to chef-driven spots like The Ravenous Pig and ramen at DOMU, the city eats well without blowing the budget.
• Getting there: Fly into MCO; compare options on Trip.com or Kiwi.com. A car is helpful for day trips (expect tolls on SR 528 to the Space Coast).

Where to stay (mid-range focus with options): Search broad inventories on VRBO and Hotels.com.

• Rosen Inn International (budget, International Drive): Free parking, pool, easy access to ICON Park and eateries.
• Holiday Inn Resort Orlando Suites - Waterpark (family-friendly): Suites with kitchenettes, splash zones, convenient for south I-Drive/Celebration.
• Waldorf Astoria Orlando (splurge, Bonnet Creek): Refined rooms, golf, tranquil pools near Disney.
• Four Seasons Resort Orlando at Walt Disney World Resort (top-tier luxury): Lazy river, kids’ club, fireworks views.
• Disney's Art of Animation Resort (immersive family theming): Skyliner access to select Disney areas.

Day 1: Arrival, Lake Eola, and Downtown Flavors

Afternoon: Land at MCO and check in. Stretch your legs around Lake Eola Park—watch black and white swans, snap the Linton E. Allen Memorial Fountain, and, if time allows, rent a pedal swan for a quick spin. Coffee fix at Craft & Common (bright, plant-filled) or Deeply Coffee downtown.

Evening: Dinner at The Stubborn Mule (modern American, great mac ‘n’ cheese and mule list) or Reyes Mezcaleria (Oaxacan moles, fresh tortillas, deep mezcal selection). Nightcap at Mathers Social Gathering, a vintage library-style cocktail den, or The Courtesy for classic drinks done right.

Day 2: Winter Park—Boats, Tiffany Glass, and Park Avenue

Morning: Breakfast at Buttermilk Bakery (flaky kouign-amann) or The Glass Knife (glossy cakes, coffee). Take the Winter Park Scenic Boat Tour to glide past cypress canopies and waterfront homes—guides share local lore as you weave through narrow canals.

Afternoon: Visit the Charles Hosmer Morse Museum to see the world’s most comprehensive Tiffany glass collection—jewel-toned lamps, stained-glass chapel, and intricate enamel work. Lunch at Black Bean Deli (Cuban sandwiches, maduros) or Prato (wood-fired pizzas and house-made pastas) along Park Avenue.

Evening: Browse Park Avenue boutiques and the Central Park rose garden. Dinner at The Ravenous Pig (gastropub classics, seasonal charcuterie) or The Wine Room (try-before-you-buy Enomatic pours, small plates). Gelato stroll to close it out.

Day 3: Kennedy Space Center—A Day with Rockets

Full-day: Drive 45–60 minutes to Cape Canaveral (allow for SR 528 tolls). Spend the day at the Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex: walk beneath the massive Saturn V, meet a veteran astronaut if schedules align, and ride the Shuttle Launch Experience. Budget roughly $75–$80 per adult for admission and plan 6–8 hours onsite.

Kennedy Space Center Cape Canaveral Admission

Food tip: The Orbit Cafe has solid sandwiches and salads; if you leave late, grab seafood in nearby Cocoa Beach before returning to Orlando.

Day 4: Wild Florida—Airboats, Gators, and Cypress

Morning: Head about 45 minutes south to Kenansville for an airboat ride that skims across prairie lakes and sawgrass marshes. Keep an eye out for alligators, purple gallinules, and bald eagles—your captain will pivot the boat for great angles and stories.

Florida Everglades Airboat Tour and Wild Florida Admission with Optional Lunch

Afternoon: Explore the Gator Park boardwalks and animal shows; if you want more animals, consider the Drive-Thru Safari next door (separate ticket). Lunch at on-site Chomp House Grill (fried gator bites, pulled pork, salads).

Evening: Detour to Celebration for a small-town stroll around the lake. Dinner at Columbia Restaurant (since 1905 in Tampa; here, order the 1905 Salad and paella) or Celebration Town Tavern for New England seafood.

Day 5: Silver Springs—Clear Kayaks, Manatees, and Monkeys

Morning: Drive ~1 hour 30 minutes to Silver Springs State Park, one of Florida’s oldest attractions. Paddle in a clear kayak over gin-clear water; look for gentle manatees (seasonal), turtles, anhingas drying their wings, and, occasionally, rhesus macaques along the banks.

Silver Springs Clear Kayak Manatee, Monkey & Wildlife Adventures

Afternoon: Picnic under the live oaks or grab lunch in nearby Ocala (Ivy on the Square for Southern plates). Stroll the park’s trails or take a glass-bottom boat tour if time allows.

Evening: Return to Orlando. Dinner at DOMU (rich tonkotsu, crispy wings) or Hawkers Asian Street Food (bao, roti canai, Singapore noodles). Dessert at The Greenery Creamery (creative small-batch ice cream).

Day 6: Mills 50 Murals, Leu Gardens, and Ivanhoe Vintage

Morning: Coffee at Lineage (Audubon Park) or Lobos Coffee Roasters (airy, plant-filled). Wander Harry P. Leu Gardens’ camellia and rose collections; the shaded oak alleys are bliss in warm weather.

Afternoon: Eat at Sticky Rice (Lao street food—crispy rice salad, coconut sticky rice) or Pig Floyd’s Urban Barbakoa (Latin-Asian BBQ). Mural-hunt through Mills 50; find the dragon mural on Mills Ave and the quirky utility box art. Pop into the Orlando Science Center if traveling with kids.

Evening: Antique and vinyl browsing in Ivanhoe Village (Rock & Roll Heaven for records). Dinner at The Strand (seasonal New American) or Santiago’s Bodega (tapas). Drinks at The Imperial (wine bar hidden inside a furniture store) overlooking Lake Ivanhoe.

Day 7: ICON Park, SEA LIFE, and Nighttime Mini-Golf

Morning: Head to ICON Park on International Drive. Ride The Wheel for skyline and lake views, then explore boutiques and photo ops.

Afternoon: Dive into marine life at SEA LIFE Orlando—Florida’s only 360-degree ocean tunnel with sharks, rays, and a rescued sea turtle. Budget ~1.5–2 hours.

SEA LIFE Orlando Aquarium Admission Ticket at ICON Park

Lunch at The Hampton Social (bright, coastal) or Tin & Taco (creative tacos). Save time for Museum of Illusions or an arcade session.

Evening: Dinner at Café Tu Tu Tango, where local artists paint as you share global small plates. Cap the night with neon-lit mini-golf at Congo River or techy putting at Puttshack on I-Drive.

Day 8: Choose Your Own Orlando: Art, Outdoors, or Sports

Morning: Option A: Lake Nona Sculpture Garden and neighborhood art walk, plus coffee at Foxtail Coffee’s farm-style cafe. Option B: Ziplining at Orlando Tree Trek Adventure Park (Kissimmee) for a ropes-course challenge.

Afternoon: Browse Audubon Park’s East End Market for artisanal bites (cheese, breads, seasonal stalls) and pick up edible souvenirs. Alternatively, lounge by your hotel pool to recharge.

Evening: If it’s basketball season, catch an Orlando Magic game downtown; otherwise check the Dr. Phillips Center calendar for touring Broadway or concerts. Dinner picks: Hunger Street Tacos (handmade tortillas, squash blossom quesadillas) or Se7en Bites in the Milk District (comfort-food plates, killer pie).

Day 9: Brunch, Last-Minute Finds, and Departure

Morning: Brunch at White Wolf Café (Ivanhoe—antique-filled, hearty plates) or The Monroe (downtown—fried chicken and waffles, airy space). Wander Lake Ivanhoe’s docks for final lake views.

Afternoon: Quick souvenir stop at East End Market or Park Avenue boutiques, then head to MCO. Check flight options again on Trip.com or Kiwi.com—weekday afternoon departures are common.

Bonus Unique Experiences (if you extend or swap a day)

• ICON Park add-ons: Madame Tussauds or The Wheel sunset ride.
• Neighborhood deep dives: Thornton Park’s bungalows and brunch patios; College Park’s Edgewater Drive indie shops.
• Nature at dusk: Baldwin Park lake loop for an easy golden-hour walk among herons and egrets.

Included Viator Experiences Summary

• Kennedy Space Center Cape Canaveral Admission (day 3)
• Florida Everglades Airboat Tour and Wild Florida Admission (day 4)
• Silver Springs Clear Kayak Manatee, Monkey & Wildlife Adventures (day 5)
• SEA LIFE Orlando Aquarium Admission at ICON Park (day 7)

Approximate Costs (per adult, mid-range budget 50/100): Meals $15–$30; coffee/pastry $6–$12; KSC ~$75–$80; airboat + park ~$35–$65; Silver Springs kayak ~$60–$90; SEA LIFE ~$30–$40. Gas/tolls for day trips: ~$10–$25 per day depending on routing.

Tip: If you won’t rent a car, base yourself near International Drive or downtown for rideshare access, and consider day tours with transportation for longer trips. For lodging value and flexibility, compare VRBO condos with Hotels.com hotel deals.

From rocket gardens to manatee waters, this 9-day Orlando itinerary layers nature, science, and neighborhood flavor for a trip that feels personal and memorable. With balanced costs and built-in flexibility, you’ll savor the city’s unique side—and still have room to come back for whatever you missed.