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We at Tropical Villas Orlando think that the traveling world is broken into two separate and distinct demographics: those that travel during the holidays, and those that don’t. If you fall into the latter category, we understand. The holidays are supposed to be about family, about home and hearth, and for those who are lucky enough to live in colder climates, crisp and colorful fall days and white Christmases. There is a lot of stuff that needs to be crammed into days that are already full, however, and sometimes a little preparation is needed, which is why we have created this guide to five ways to explore Orlando before the holiday rush begins, giving you plenty of options on relaxation and preparation!
1. Skip the Big Parks, Head to the Local Parks While You Explore Orlando
This first idea could be quite controversial, especially as pre-holiday season is slower and less crowded, and of course, you can do both, but if you are using this time to prepare for what lies ahead, do you really want to spend all that money and exert all the energy that is standard for a day at Disney or Universal Studios? Some of our local parks, including Lake Eola Park, offer low-key ways to enjoy your peace, including picnic pavilions, playgrounds, and swan shaped paddle boats that will give you a relaxing day on the water. Lake Eola offers a beautiful fountain in the middle of its lake, walking paths, and a large number of ducks and swans, and an amphitheater that offers a wonderful concert experience.
2. Sip, Savor, and Soak at the Orlando Beer Spa
Wait, did your biggest dream just come true? The Orlando Beer Spa, located at 11787 International Drive Suite 106, is one of our most unconventional ways to enjoy a spa day, with all of its service revolving around beer. Experience a hop-soak that is created from their own proprietary beer blend and infused with minerals and antioxidants, all the while sipping an ice cold brew. Also offering an infrared sauna and private spa rooms with hay beds, TVs, and beer towers, we can assure you that this is a spa day that even your ever so masculine husband will obsess over!
3. Get in Fighting Shape for the Holidays with Seafood Dinners at These Restaurants
Halloween Candy, Thanksgiving pies and stuffing, Christmas cookies, and bottles of bubbly on New Year’s Eve, the holiday season is also the season of gluttony, and only the best survive with less than a few pounds of weight gain. If you go into the season in fighting shape, however, perhaps by eating nothing but seafood during your pre-holiday vacation in Orlando, the consequences may be fewer, and you will be able to eat without worry!
High Tide Harry’s, 4645 S Semoran Boulevard, is a laid-back child friendly restaurant serving the best grouper in town and fishbowl cocktails perhaps best indulged in when traveling without the kids. For those looking for an upscale meal, Ocean Prime, 7339 W Sand Lake Road #400, offers a fine dining experience that will certainly become the most memorable meal you will have during your stay!
4. Get a Head Start on Your Holiday Shopping
You know you are going to be out there visiting souvenir shops, cozy gift shops, and stylish boutiques anyway, shopping while on vacation is a tradition that is practically required, so why not start crossing names off your list? Finding unique gifts for family, friends, teachers, and everyone else you buy for will be easy when you take a day to explore the shops of Orlando.
Freehand Goods, 2445 Edgewater Drive features a beautiful selection of Florida focused gifts, including leather goods, perfumes, colognes, lotions, art, home goods, and so much more it may be possible to cross all the names off your list in one store! The House on Lang, located at 1308 Lang Avenue, is one of our favorite female-centric boutiques, offering clothing, shoes, and accessories all sold from the most charming 1920s bungalow.
5. Relaxing at Home with Tropical Villas Orlando
If we’ve said it once, we’ve said it dozens of times: Surviving the holiday season isn’t for the weak at heart, and as you explore all the ways you can relax and get comfortable in our pre-holiday hideaways, you will prepare yourself for all these next couple of months have to throw at you. Located in the best resort communities in our state, you can spend your days on waterslides and lazy rivers, sipping Mai Tais poolside, or exploring the community you have chosen as you stroll along walking paths that cut through the area. The amenities in our homes, however, will give you even more opportunities to relax, including private pools, hot tubs, game rooms, and comfortable sofas. Reserve your favorite property today!
Fall in Orlando will definitely look and feel different than it does in your hometown, unless you too are from Florida or another warm state, but even as the sun is shining and your are lounging by the pool of your Tropical Villas Orlando vacation escape, it will still be a cozy feeling. Because that’s how we gauge most seasons around here, by the vibe, the feel, the ambience, and although you will be pulling out your swimsuits instead of your flannels and will be turning on the air conditioning instead of the fireplace, your first sip of pumpkin spice latte and the warm fuzzies you feel upon entering the space that will be your home for the next week or so of your life will remind you that it very much is fall. This guide will show you all the cozy amenities you will find in your fall Orlando rental, serving as more reminders that summer has ended!
Feeling Cozy This Fall in Orlando
Walking inside for the very first time, the sense of welcoming is your first hint that this vacation rental is going to be something different. We have a passion for making guests comfortable and our rentals are filled with cozy amenities, found in every room. The plush sofas and chairs in the living room, drawn together to encourage conversations with your favorite traveling companions, are also placed so as to enjoy clear views of the state of the art television mounted to the wall or resting on its own stand. That overstuffed chair in the corner, placed where the lighting is best? It will be the spot where you sit with a cup of hot tea in hand and a book in your lap, falling into the magic of the words inside. These cozy moments could happen at any time of the year, but there is just something special when they happen in the fall, don’t you think?
Where Families Gather
The coziest moments are often those that we spend with family and while you may be spending your daylight hours running around the theme parks, when the sun sets and the moon rises, you and yours can be gathered around dining tables playing board games provided by the owner. Maybe the rain will be falling outside, and maybe the coffee you just brewed will have pumpkin spice creamer in it, and maybe—no, probably—this night will be your favorite. The chairs that surround our tables are going to be comfortable enough to play more than one game and the updated coffee maker in the kitchen (or Keurig) will never let you down.
Made with Love
Kitchens are another place where you may find some cozy amenities, something that may surprise you. How can we consider a space of hard angles and cold surfaces cozy? Again, we are talking about the spirit of the word, and the amenities we provide that will make this fall vacation one you will wish never had to end. Sharing the secret recipes of family favorites with your daughter who is in her last year of high school and is leaving for college next year and watching her follow the steps you know by heart as you are perched on a cushioned barstool, sipping a glass of wine from the bottle you pulled from the wine refrigerator tucked away under the stone counters. And yes, we consider the wine refrigerator a cozy amenity, especially as the bottles inside will make you feel all soft and warm!
Cozy Magic
When it is time to close your eyes for the night, the bedrooms of our seasonal sanctuaries are where you will be the coziest, and their magic will charm even the most sleep resistant of children. We all know that FOMO (fear of missing out) is very real, and our littles always seem to have the biggest case of FOMO, but when they step inside bedrooms made magical, sleep will be their favorite. Themed for your children’s excitement and delight, as you tuck them into premium beds, pulling the covers tightly around their tiny bodies, chances are these will be the nights you don’t hear from them again until morning, as they will be enthralled by princesses, mice, wizards, and toys that come to life.
For the adults, they will find a magic of a different form, one that may include en suite baths with deep and/or jetted tubs. Slip into scented waters, stream your favorite Spotify channels (high-speed internet could be considered another cozy amenity), and sip another glass of wine as you relax, quiet your mind, and prepare for the best night’s sleep of your life in our most comfortable beds!
Reserve Your Favorite Fall Sanctuary Today
The seasons are changing, and you won’t want to miss what changes in Orlando in the fall!
Fall in Orlando may look and feel a little different than it does in your part of the world, offering warm temperatures, sunny skies, and quite often a quiet vibe. Fall is the shoulder season in Orlando, a time when fewer travelers make their way to our Tropical Villas Orlando doorsteps, and although the parks will still be exciting, wait times will be shorter and crowds will be smaller. One thing that doesn’t change is all the fun you will have. This guide to the top outdoor activities in Orlando this fall and all the wonders that await you in our seasonal sanctuaries will help you prepare for an adventure of a lifetime!
A Walk in the Parks
This is Orlando, so you have to figure that your outdoor adventures will start with a walk in the parks— the theme parks, that is! Known as the Theme Park Capital of the World and home to the Happiest Place on Earth, you could spend every day of your fall getaway exploring a different theme park and not see it all. Disney, Universal Studios, SeaWorld, LEGOLAND are the parks you know by heart, but don’t forget to check out Gatorland, a 110-acre theme park that is also a wildlife preserve, home to our state reptile, the American alligator. Offering meet and greets, crazy rides, and a zipline that will have you flying over the alligator’s habitats, this theme park may not be as well known as the big four, but it holds a place in our hearts!
Take a Hike
The weather is somewhat cooler now that summer has released its humid hold on us, and although we are more of an urban area, the Split Oak Forest Wildlife and Environmental Area, located at 12175 Clapp Simms Duda Road, is a wilderness area offering trails that will bring you through paradise. The Great Florida Birding and Wildlife Site can be found in this wilderness area, and a 6-mile loop will lead you through a variety of landscapes.
A Long Walk Spoiled
Yes, there will be a lot of walking during your fall vacation in Orlando, but this walk can be shortened with rides in the golf carts! Golf is a year round activity in this part of the world, but in the fall and winter months, it is hard to stay off the courses. There are nearly 200 golf courses in the Orlando area, and we haven’t tried them all, but they are on our list, and at this point in time, although we can’t claim any favorites, we will say we have a fondness for ChampionsGate Golf Club, a public course that you may be very close to, especially if you are staying in our ChampionsGate resort retreats!
Exploring Orlando on Two Wheels
We’re going to give your tired tootsies a break as we recommend exploring Orlando on bikes via the Orlando Urban Trail, although if you are dedicated, you can walk or jog along the path as well. Bikes can be rented through HOPR, offering hundreds of dockless bikes, or any bike shop which will also offer helmets, making your ride a little safer. The trail itself is only about 3 miles long, leading riders through a variety of neighborhoods and parks, but with the many extensions, can extend up to nearly 5 miles. Your ride on the Orlando Urban Trail will give you an up close and personal look at our beautiful city, something you might not have experienced if you just rented a car to get to and from all your different adventures.
A Taste of Orlando
Although there are many restaurants with patios that would satisfy the outdoor activity part of this tale, we are going all in with a suggestion that you visit World Food Trucks in nearby Kissimmee. Located at 5805 W Irlo Bronson Memorial Highway and reputed to be the only permanent food truck park in the nation, guests can dine their way around the world, without having to step inside a single establishment! Popular with late night diners, it stays open until 4 AM on Fridays and Saturdays, making it a great spot to hit after you’ve been out exploring Orlando’s nightlife!
Your Tropical Villas Orlando Resort Community
Our seasonal sanctuaries are located in the best resort communities, and whether you are swimming in the private pool in the backyard of your escape or are exploring all the community amenities, you will have the time of your life. The resorts offer wonderful outdoor amenities that include water slides, playgrounds, pools, hot tubs, and sports courts as well as walking paths that will lead you through the lush and verdant Orlando landscape. Reserve your favorite fall retreat today and fall in love with all we have to offer!
An Orlando vacation is something the whole world dreams about, and very soon you and your family of multiple generations are going to be making your vacation dreams come true, flying across the miles to land at our Tropical Villas Orlando doorsteps. But as grandma and grandpa, mom and dad, grown siblings, and young cousins all come together to enjoy this vacation of a lifetime, are you ready to enjoy activities that all generations will enjoy? Finding fun things that all ages love can be a difficult task for most travelers, but our company is your ace in the hole, and we’ve prepared this guide to a multi-generational trip to Orlando that everyone will love!
Ice Cream Cones on a Summer Day at The Greenery Creamery, 420 E Church Street Unit 112
Sometimes the best adventures are the simplest ones, and your first adventure may be enjoying an ice cream cone with the family on a hot summer day, sweetening even the crankiest of temperaments. It really is difficult to find a bad ice cream cone in Orlando, but one of the things we love about the Greenery Creamery is that they serve sweet treats for everyone, including vegan ice cream and gluten-free sugar cones on their menu. They also offer pup cups, so not only are they multi-generationally friendly, they are also pet-friendly, so if your pet is along for the ride, don’t leave them at home when you visit what is known as Orlando’s First Artisanal Ice Cream Boutique!
A Museum for Everyone, the Chocolate Museum & Café, 11701 International Drive #400
Museums can be an iffy adventure for the very young, but we think we found one that will be loved by every member of your traveling party, the Chocolate Museum & Café. Offering around the world tours of chocolate, including rainforest visits and a chocolate landmark room, you might want to fill up a little before heading into the museum. We wouldn’t want to see you bite the legs off the chocolate Eiffel Tower or the head off Lady Liberty because it would truly be a shame to miss out on the tasting portion of the tour that occurs at the end. Tickets range between $13.50 and $59.
Rub Shoulders with the Rich, Royal, and Famous at Madame Tussauds Orlando, 8387 International Drive
With the exception of the very young, everyone loves a visit to Madame Tussauds wax museum, wowing guests with their wax interpretations of the most well known people in the world. Offering the biggest selfie taking spot in the world, you won’t be able to stop yourself from taking selfies with Taylor Swift, The Rock, Justice League heroes, astronauts, presidents, even the inimitable Steve Jobs himself! Also offering the opportunity to come home with a wax “sculpture” of your own hands, tickets are just $30 per person, but you can save money if you purchase Sea Life Aquarium/Orlando Eye/LEGOLAND combo tickets, all adventures that will be enjoyed by every member of your traveling party.
Disney Is For Everyone
Yes, we are going there. Disney is for everyone no matter what your age and they have even come up with a name for grown ups who believe in the magic of the park, calling them Disney Adults. Walt Disney World is more than a place filled with rides, games, and costumed characters; it is a magical place where reality is suspended, nostalgia reigns supreme, and although we don’t know the actual numbers, we suspect that tens of thousands of marriage proposals take place within its boundaries every year, and you really can’t get more adult than that. And because everyone loves to play, there are rides for all age levels. Because everyone loves to eat fancy foods, there are Michelin Star rated restaurants. And because the best days involve a great bottle of wine, there is an International Food & Wine Festival that occurs at EPCOT, beginning August 28th and ending November 22nd. So yes, Disney IS for everyone!
Multi-Generational Adventures at Home with Tropical Villas Orlando
Your bodies will be physically exhausted, your brains may shut down from all the external stimuli, and after a day at the parks, you will definitely be glowing, but when you come home to our multi-generational escapes, all will be forgotten. Offering game rooms equipped with game tables, arcade games, and video game consoles, private swimming pools and hot tubs, and home theaters, we can assure you there is something that everyone in your multigenerational traveling party will love! And because you will be tired and hot, we know that our plush sofas, comfortable beds, and icy air conditioning will make you happy and help to revive you so that when you wake up the next day, you will be ready to face a new day of Orlando adventures. Reserve your favorite today!
An Orlando vacation is a dream that comes true for travelers all over the world. If this is going to be you and yours one day soon but you have yet to determine the exact dates of your vacation, we’d like to offer the suggestion that you march to the beat of your own drum and visit our magical town during the off-season. Offering the same excitement, happiness, and the same sunny skies, as a peak time vacation would, there are a surprising number of benefits to traveling during Orlando off season, many of which we will list below.
When Is Off-Season?
It might be helpful if we started out this tale by relaying exactly when off-season is in Orlando, and you might be surprised to know there are actually two off-seasons, giving you twice as many options to plan your journey. The first off-season takes place after the big holiday season has ended, taking place in late January through early March. You want to be sure not to start planning your travel until after Civil Rights Day (the third Monday in January) and to be concluded before Spring Break season officially starts, generally around mid-March. The second off-season quite logically falls just about the time our kids go back to school, mid-August, and ends in early October right before fall breaks begin to take place all over the country. Obviously, school days dictate family travels, but all parents realize that travel can be the best education of all, so if your kids miss a little school because you decided that Orlando is where you want to be, they will be fine!
The Weather Is Better
Unless you are visiting in mid-August when it will still be hot and muggy, the weather is so much cooler and nicer during the off-season, making your outdoor adventures much more bearable. If you have ever experienced Disney in the summer months, the humidity and heat can be as exhausting as all the walking is and although it is always fun in the parks, the fall or winter differences can be magical. Also, rainy season will be over by September and there won’t be much need to take cover when the daily thunderstorms roll into place each afternoon, something we know that no travelers will complain about. Winter visitors will appreciate the cooler weather, while also loving that cooler does not mean cold; t-shirts and jeans will be appropriate clothing options when exploring the parks.
Where Are All the People?
As most of the world is going back to school and dealing with reality, the crowds that flock to our Florida town begin to lighten, changing the vibe and giving travelers an entirely different vacation experience. Quiet, relaxing, and moving at a slower pace, an off-season Orlando vacation will bring peace to your soul, helping to prepare you for your abrupt reentry into real life at vacation’s end and the long list of benefits, as shown below, may convince you that off-season travel is really the only way to do it.
Shorter Wait Times at Restaurants
All the activities you engage in during your Orlando getaway will sure work up an appetite and hangry can become commonplace, especially when there is a long wait for a table at the restaurant you had your heart set on. During off-season, those wait times will be decreased, and although the most popular restaurants will also be busy, you can avoid the worst of the wait by making reservations, walking in at the appointed time and being led to your table pretty close to immediately.
Shorter Lines at the Theme Parks
We’ve been around long enough that we can remember when a 30-minute wait was considered a long line for a ride at Disney, but today that is actually considered super short. They offer fast track passes and the wrap-around lines often include fun surprises designed to make you forget that you have been in queue for an hour or longer, but there is no getting around it; the time spent waiting in line will be far more than the time spent riding the rides, unless you visit during the off-season. Yes, there will still be lines, but they will be far shorter, and you will be able to ride many more rides than you would during the peak season.
More Availability for Lodging
Tropical Villas Orlando has been in the business of vacation property management for a very long time and we are good at what we do, offering an extensive inventory of luxurious sanctuaries located in the best resort communities. But when you consider that over 75 million people visit the “Theme Park Capital of the World” (that’s us!) every year, you can see how during the busiest seasons, accommodation availability may be limited. And just as you have dreamed about every detail of your Disney or Universal Studios vacation, down to the Pineapple Dole Whip you will be devouring after finishing your Jungle Cruise ride, you probably have more than a few ideas as to what constitutes your dream vacation sanctuary. During the off-season, fewer people visiting means more accommodations will be available, and your dream retreat—offering game room, private pool, themed bedrooms, and that Wolf range you’ve always wanted in your own kitchen—will more likely be waiting for you to book!
Exciting Events
There is always going to be exciting events taking place throughout the year, but if you don’t visit during the off-season, you won’t be able to explore the events we have listed below. It’s only logical that your vacation experience will be enhanced when you attend a local festival in a town that really knows how to throw a party, don’t you think?
Florida Central Fair, End of February/Beginning of March, 4603 W Colonial Drive
Yes, we have theme parks, exciting restaurants, and a host of attractions that all demand to be visited, but we think there is just something wonderful about a fair, and the Florida Central Fair offers everything that makes the event special. From carnival rides, games, and food to art competitions, baking competitions, and livestock shows, the fun may resemble what’s at the theme parks, but the differences are where the magic happens. Can the Ferris wheel at the fair compare in any way with the Tower of Terror in Disney? Of course, it can’t, but when you are sitting in the gondola, holding hands with your favorite human and enjoying the panoramic views from your swinging seat in the sky, it will transport you right back to the early days of your relationship, reminding you of the love you felt during your first time holding hands on a Ferris wheel and how much deeper the love you feel for that person is today!
Epcot Food & Wine Festival, September Through November
We were going to try and stay away from the parks when discussing the festivals and event during off-season, but quite frankly the Epcot Food & Wine Festival is just too good to pass up. Eat, drink, and shop your way around the world while engaging in food-oriented quests, not forgetting to get your passport stamped as you complete each activity, engage in a Ratatouille-style scavenger hunt, and search for hidden pumpkins to earn a spooky surprise. Also offering live concerts, incredible wines, and many photo ops, you really don’t want to miss a single delicious moment of the Epcot Food & Wine Festival.
Fall Fest, 2nd Sunday in October, Palmers Feed & Seed, 912 W Church Street
Fall Fest is a typical family friendly fall festival that will be cutting it close to the end of the off-season, but if you are flying home on Monday, it will make a great last hurrah! Offering everything that is charming, including picking your own pumpkin, games, live music, face (and pumpkin) painting, and some really cute farm animals to cuddle, this wholesome festival may not be as loud and rambunctious as your park visits, but a little low-key fun is always a good idea, especially as you are cranking things down in preparation for your return to real life.
Save Money
Did we just save the best for last? Maybe one of the biggest reasons for deciding to vacation during the off-season in Orlando is all the ways you can save money as you do. Airlines want your business, so these are the times they start offering the killer deals, shops are feeling the pinch and so they begin to offer the biggest sales, and restaurants often have their off-season menus that they fall back on, offering the same meals as they do during peak, but at lower prices. Ticket prices for the theme parks and other attractions will lower, rental car companies may offer seasonal discounts (and a larger selection of vehicles since not as many are being rented!), even grocery stores may offer better coupons, trying to lure in the business until the next peak season steps up to the plate. And wait, there’s still another way to save money, something we will talk about in the paragraph below, so get ready to finalize your plans for an off-season Orlando adventure that will change your life!
Specials Offered by Tropical Villas Orlando
And yes, even our luxurious, amenity loaded, and oh so very comfortable vacation accommodations will end up costing you less than you dreamed it could. Per night prices will lower, perhaps enough to entice you to add an extra day to your vacation adventures, and in some cases, our owners may decide to offer some last-minute specials, encouraging guests to visit with these incredible deals. Life is too short to skip out on the chance to enjoy an off-season getaway to Orlando, and because you chose Tropical Villas Orlando, your experience will be that much richer and more comfortable!
In Case We Haven’t Convinced You
Just because you are on this page, it doesn’t mean that you have decided to make our properties your own, so we’re going to throw in one last plug, enabling you to see all that you will get (at potentially discounted rates) when you choose Tropical Villas Orlando to come home to every night of your stay. Our condos, townhomes, villas, and private properties are located in the best resort communities in the area, so while your unit will offer a long list of amenities (including private pools, hot tubs, themed bedrooms, game rooms, and home theaters), the community amenities will make you wonder if you really want to leave the boundaries of the community, even for a day at Disney!
There may be water slides, splash pads, tiki bars, and playgrounds encouraging you to play and relax, and there also may be onsite restaurants, walking trails, shops, and fitness centers enticing you to experience them all. Enjoy quiet nights spent watching the sun set beyond the screened-in lanai while sipping wine and listening to the frogs sing and late mornings eating donuts at the breakfast bar while sipping coffee brewed just minutes before. Every adventure you experience outside the boundaries of our Florida sanctuaries will be exciting ones, and every comfortable adventure at home with us will make you wish you never had to leave!
Reserve Your Favorite Tropical Villas Orlando Off-Season Vacation Rental Today
Life is just too short to not live luxuriously. Reserve our comfortable and luxurious seasonal sanctuaries today and experience a vacation that will be unforgettable!
Orlando is known for its vibrant energy, sunshine-filled days, and endless opportunities for fun. While it’s a city famous for big-ticket entertainment, there are plenty of ways to enjoy your time here without spending a dime. Whether you’re visiting for a weekend getaway or a longer stay, you can fill your days with memorable experiences that cost nothing at all. Keep reading to check out the top free things to do in Orlando!
When you book your Orlando vacation rental with us at Tropical Villas Orlando, you’ll have a comfortable and convenient home base for exploring everything the area has to offer—both the big adventures and the little moments that make a trip special.
Why Visit Orlando?
Orlando is a destination that blends year-round sunshine, a welcoming atmosphere, and an endless variety of experiences for all types of travelers. Its warm climate makes it appealing in every season, whether you’re looking for a winter escape, a summer adventure, or a relaxing getaway in between. The city’s lively energy is balanced by pockets of tranquility, giving you the flexibility to make your trip as active or laid-back as you like.
From its thriving arts scene to its abundance of outdoor spaces, Orlando offers something for everyone. It’s a place where families, couples, and solo travelers can each find their own version of a perfect vacation. And with so many opportunities to enjoy the area without spending much, Orlando proves that a memorable trip doesn’t have to come with a high price tag.
When you book your Orlando vacation rental with us at Tropical Villas Orlando, you’ll have the ideal home base to explore, relax, and make the most of everything this vibrant city has to offer.
Enjoy the Great Outdoors
Orlando’s warm climate makes it easy to enjoy outdoor spaces year-round. From early morning walks to evening strolls under the stars, spending time outside is one of the simplest and most rewarding ways to experience the city. Bring along a picnic, find a shady spot, and take in the fresh air. Even a leisurely day spent outdoors can be a refreshing change of pace from a busy schedule.
Explore Local Arts and Culture
You don’t have to spend money to appreciate creativity. Many places offer free opportunities to enjoy art, music, and cultural experiences throughout the year. Wander through public art displays, discover outdoor performances, or browse locally made crafts at community events. These experiences can give you a sense of the area’s character and charm without requiring an admission fee.
Take a Scenic Drive or Walk
Sometimes the best way to explore is simply to get out and see where the road—or path—takes you. Orlando has many beautiful areas to discover, whether you’re on foot, bike, or in the car. A self-paced scenic route lets you appreciate the natural surroundings, enjoy the sunshine, and even stumble upon a few unexpected gems along the way.
Make the Most of Free Community Events
Throughout the year, Orlando hosts a variety of free events that bring people together. From seasonal celebrations to neighborhood gatherings, these events are a great way to connect with others, enjoy live entertainment, and try something new without opening your wallet. Check community calendars to see what’s happening during your visit.
Spend Time by the Water
Orlando’s year-round sunshine pairs perfectly with a relaxing day near the water. Whether it’s a peaceful pond, a gentle stream, or a lakeside spot, simply being by the water can create a sense of calm and relaxation. Pack a snack, bring a book, and make a day of it.
Enjoy the City at Night
Once the sun goes down, Orlando’s nighttime atmosphere offers its own unique appeal. Explore well-lit walkways, enjoy the glow of city lights, or take in a local outdoor performance. The city’s energy shifts in the evening, and it’s a wonderful time to enjoy a different perspective without spending anything.
Capture the Moments
A camera—or even just your phone—can turn any free outing into a memorable experience. Take photos of the scenery, document your adventures, or simply enjoy the process of noticing details you might otherwise overlook. These snapshots will become keepsakes that remind you of your time in Orlando long after your trip is over.
Relax and Recharge in Your Vacation Rental
One of the best free things you can do is simply enjoy the space you’ve chosen for your stay. When you book your Orlando vacation rental with us at Tropical Villas Orlando, you’ll have the perfect place to unwind. Spend time lounging in comfort, cooking a favorite meal, or enjoying your rental’s amenities. Sometimes, the best memories come from the quiet, simple moments.
Book Your Orlando Vacation Rental with Tropical Villas Orlando Today
Orlando is a city full of life, and it’s entirely possible to enjoy it without spending much—or anything at all. From outdoor adventures and cultural experiences to peaceful evenings and quality time in your vacation rental, there’s no shortage of ways to make the most of your trip.
When you stay with us at Tropical Villas Orlando, you’ll have everything you need for a comfortable, convenient, and memorable visit. Book your Orlando vacation rental today, and get ready to experience the best of the city all year round—without breaking the bank.
Your Orlando journey is certain to be jam-packed with adventure and excitement, and you may be wondering how you are going to find the time to do anything more than what you planned. You chose Tropical Villas Orlando for your vacation accommodations, however, and we don’t do anything halfway, which is why we thought maybe we could tempt you with some day trips, encouraging you to take a mini vacation within a vacation and see all that this part of the world has to offer. This guide to the top day trips from Orlando will show you a side of Florida you may not have thought about, giving you even more ways to fill in any blank spots on your vacation itinerary!
A Day at the Beach
Orlando offers pretty much everything you could ever want from a vacation destination, except for the fact that is lacking beaches. That doesn’t mean you have to skip out on white sands and salty waters altogether, however; that just means you can add a day trip to Cocoa Beach to your vacation itinerary. Located just under an hour’s drive away from your Florida sanctuary, you can spend the entire day soaking in the serenity of the sea, splashing in the surf, and finding your center, something you will especially appreciate after some time spent in the chaos of Disney.
The Small Town Charms of Mount Dora
Main Street in Disney is supposed give off the vibe of small-town America, but if you want to experience a legitimate and charming all-American small town, a visit to Mt. Dora should be added to your schedule. Located just about 40 minutes outside of town, there isn’t anything specifically extra about this area, but we promise you will fall in love as you explore the historic district, shop antique stores and flea markets, and if you hang around long enough, maybe take part in a Mt. Dora ghost tour! 1921 Mt. Dora, an upscale restaurant housed inside a renovated home built in 1921 (what a coincidence!) offers a fine dining experience that would add a little extra shine to your small-town shenanigans.
Find the Fountain of Youth in St. Augustine
We’re moving a little further out on this day trip of excellence, pointing our guests in the direction of the St. Augustine, known as the oldest continually inhabited European-established settlement and also for being where the mythical fountain of youth is located. The history of St. Augustine truly is a rich one, and if you love ghost stories, you will love this town. The oldest wooden schoolhouse in the US resides here, established in 1702 and rumored to be haunted, and paranormal enthusiasts may remember a certain episode of a certain ghost hunting television series where the St. Augustine Lighthouse was investigated. Offering one of the most exciting “catches” on video, we still get goosebumps when we watch the show and have visited many times, hoping to have an encounter ourselves! And since we are on a kick of enjoying the oldest of everything, why not have dinner at the Columbia restaurant, serving Spanish style food from one of the state’s oldest restaurants, having opened its doors in 1905.
Follow the Train Tracks to Winter Garden
We’re moving closer to Orlando with a road trip to Winter Garden, home of the Central Florida Railroad Museum. The lemon drop yellow building was once a railroad depot, so it’s only natural that today it holds decades of fascinating train paraphernalia. Offering tree-lined streets, a farmers market that allows leashed dogs AND cats, and a charm that is very similar to that of Mt. Dora, spending a day in Winter Garden may be one of your favorite activities. The Hangry Bison is our favorite dinner spot, serving up a menu filled with hearty and delicious bison based meals, but if you aren’t sure about eating bison, they also serve chicken, beef, and pork dishes.
Kiss Me in Kissimmee
You may not have realized this, but Kissimmee, located just minutes away from Orlando, is closer to Disney than Orlando is, and it is where we offer some of our most popular vacation rentals. Of course, if you are staying in Kissimmee, that isn’t going to be much of a road trip, but we will give you a few ideas on how to spend your day there anyway. Historic downtown Kissimmee is popular with travelers offering charming shops, delicious restaurants, and the Monument of States, a pyramid shaped monument built from stones that were harvested from all 50 states. The 1881 Restaurant & Bar, also located in its historic downtown area is a wonderful place to enjoy a fantastic steak and as you might have guessed, the building it is located in was built in 1881.
Plan Your Getaway Now
The best road trips begin and end at the doorstep of our Tropical Villas Orlando retreats. Reserve your favorite property with us today!
When you live in a place that almost never gets cold and the default temperature is usually toasty, you learn a few things about staying cool, and when you are traveling to Orlando, you will fall in love with our favorite tip. We aren’t going to reveal it at this moment, but we will say it involves a pool, and your Tropical Villas Orlando vacation retreat will enable you to explore for yourself if the tip works. And as you enjoy a family vacation filled with all the wonderful that our Central Florida town has to offer, we hope that you also schedule time in your busy itinerary to enjoy a day at home, perhaps even hosting a family pool party during your summer adventures, because we promise our Orlando vacation home rentals with pools will be one of the best parts of your vacation!
Located in the Best Resorts
Floridians have hosted vacationers practically since the first vacation was ever taken, and through the years we’ve learned all the ways to make visitors feel welcome. Also, we at Tropical Villas Orlando have learned how to make visitors at-home time as exciting and fun as their Orlando explorations. Our properties are located in the best resort neighborhoods in town, and our favorite way to make sure you are having a travel experience you want to post about is to ensure our guests have access to all the resort amenities in addition to in-home amenities. And yes, that means even standalone homes will be able to enjoy fun extras that almost anywhere else would only be available for those staying in condos. Below, we have listed some of the wonderful amenities you can expect to enjoy during your Orlando adventures while staying in your home sweet vacation home.
Resort Pools and Hot Tubs
If you grew up in a certain age, you may be imagining a single rectangular shaped body of water, crowded with so many kids that it just doesn’t offer any appeal, but our resort pools are surely not what you expect. In addition to a main pool, there may be water slides of various sizes and shapes, a lazy river that meanders lazily (it’s in the name) and even a kiddie pool with shallow water and a variety of colorful accessories. Splash pads may even be involved, offering the tiniest travelers fun water adventures while giving young parents peace of mind. And because less is never more in our resort communities, you can also count on being offered more than a few hot tubs to soak your tired muscles as well!
On Site Restaurants and Bars
Your Florida sanctuary will offer a fully equipped kitchen that will be a joy to utilize, but it is vacation, and if you are too tired to venture far, onsite restaurants may provide the delicious sustenance you seek. Order something to go and enjoy it at the dining table of your retreat, comfortable noshing in your new PJs and feeling your feet slowly regain sensation as you do. Additionally, the onsite bar we speak of will most often be a tiki one, and what is better than sipping a frosty daquiri while lounging on pool loungers as the Florida sun bathes your body with warmth? Absolutely nothing!
Game Rooms, Theaters, and Playgrounds
You came to Florida to have a good time, and you chose Orlando for your Florida vacation destination because you want to play hard, and when you picked our properties for your accommodations, the fun will not end when you walk through their doors. The community amenities alone—and remember each resort has its own set of unique amenities, so all may not be at the one you choose—are certain to be almost as fun as Disney and may included elaborately equipped game rooms, theaters with super-sized screens, and because tiny travelers deserve to have fun as well, playgrounds with play structures they can scramble all over while mom and dad can sit nearby enjoying the beautiful weather and the sun setting over the horizon.
Sports Courts, Golf Courses, and More
The list of amenities included with the resorts in the area is a long one, and your resort may offer basketball, tennis, volleyball, and pickleball courts as well as access to an attached golf course. As we stated at the beginning of this, no one knows how to show a traveler a good time better than the people of Orlando, and we think we have begun to give you a clue on how that is, even without discussing the family pool party you may want to host. But there is so much more to show you, including all the wonderful amenities you can expect from our charming escapes, so don’t leave now, you’re only about halfway through the story!
A Variety of Styles
No two traveling groups are the same, and as such, we offer properties that will fit all types of traveling parties. Condos that are cozy yet spacious and of course, feature access to community amenities, townhomes, villas, and standalone homes, each offering their own list of luxury extras. Step into spaces that are light, bright, warm and welcoming, and feel immediately at home even as you are far from your own home. Kitchens equipped with appliances that will bring a tear to the eye of professional chefs, living rooms furnished with large plush sofas and chairs while also offering state of the art televisions, books, game boards, and movies so you can relax and have fun together during your family vacation. Speaking of family, the family dinner doesn’t have to take place at local restaurants, the dining rooms of our vacation retreats will offer enough seats for every seat in your traveling party and you may want to take the meal outside to the screened in patio, again enjoying that fabulous Florida sunset as you do!
More Ways to Play
As you may have suspected, the fun will continue once you step through the front door of your Florida sanctuary, including the amenities we are going to discuss in greater detail below!
Game Rooms
Even as the resort offers its own game room, many of our larger properties will provide one of their own, equipped with a selection of game tables (foosball, pool, ping pong), arcade games that will transport you back to your high school gaming days (Ms. Pacman is a very popular arcade game in our homes), and video game consoles so your teens can avoid the tragedy of not keeping up with his gaming community. Some properties may just offer one of the above—most commonly, a pool table—and although everything listed here may not appear in yours, we can still assure you there will be enough games to keep the entire family happy.
Home Theaters
You may notice some duplication in these amenities, but honestly, can you ever have too much of a good thing? Our home theaters may be furnished with plush sectionals instead of rows of recliners, and the screen may not be as large as the one belonging to the resort, but being able to watch a movie in your jammies on a rainy night is an amenity the community theater won’t be able to provide!
Private Pools & Hot Tubs
Here on the large screened-in back patios is where the big surprise often occurs for our guests. Stepping outside to find a private pool and occasionally a private hot tub, even in properties that are not standalone homes, can be quite a wonderful surprise, and of course, will make it far easier to host your family pool party that we still haven’t spent any time talking about. (Be patient, we are getting there, we promise!) These spaces will offer patio tables for dining, barbecues for grilling, and the time you spend out here will bring you some of your most cherished vacation memories. Lounge chairs may surround the pool or may be lined at one end, offering the perfect spots to sip, sun, and savor your Florida vacation.
The Family Pool Party
Obviously, we aren’t talking about inviting a bunch of strangers to party the night away. You don’t need that; you already have the most important people in your life sharing this vacation with you! You also have all the necessary ingredients for a pool party with the family, including the pool, towels, and in some cases, fun pool floats that add a little extra charm to your party experience. Music is always essential, and if your rental doesn’t offer a whole-house speaker system that continues out to the deck, it will offer internet and everyone has their favorite music apps on their phone, so set your Spotify to yacht rock. Although you need to keep the volume at a reasonable level, the music will still set the mood for an amazing time! Grilling burgers and hot dogs, floating on that slice of pizza raft as your kids practice holding their breath under water, and of course, singing along to your favorite songs. A family pool party doesn’t need much to become the event that everyone will remember for years to come.
Sleep Well
Swimming, watching movies, playing video games—your time at home with Tropical Villas Orlando is destined to be filled with fun, and after the last note of music has faded away, the credits are rolling on the screen, and you are starting to feel water-logged and ready to wash the chlorine off your skin, it will be the time to start thinking about bed and sleep. Our bedrooms are perhaps going to be your favorite luxury, offering themed bedrooms that will excite the imagination of your children and luxurious suites that parents will be able to retreat to and shut the door to the rest of the world. En suite baths may offer deep tubs, jetted, tubs, showers with multiple showerheads or steam showers that will become your new obsession. Our mattresses are top of the line and the linens that top those mattresses will feel silky soft against your slightly sunburned skin. Some rooms will have their own private sitting area, some will feature a doorway to the patio, and most will have their own bathroom; our properties often include as many bathrooms as they do bedrooms, lessening the chance of a traffic jam in the morning.
And Most of All, Relax
There is so much to do in Orlando, you may feel pressured to get it all done in the week or so that you are here, but we can assure you, that’s not going to happen. Instead, focus on what excites you, and know that it will still tire you out, but that’s ok. When you walk into the air conditioned coolness of our Florida retreats at the end of every long day, the quiet will wipe away the chaos that can be Disney, the peace will make you feel happy and at home, and everywhere you turn, there will be a new way to relax, enjoy, and recharge your batteries, enabling you to wake up the next day and do the whole crazy thing all over again!
Every Day Is a New Adventure in Comfort
You have a lot of choices when it comes to choosing a vacation property, and we thank you for looking in our direction. We understand there is a lot of competition out there, and we work harder to make Tropical Villas Orlando travelers’ first and only choice for their home sweet vacation home, and we start by adding comfort. You will sink into the plush softness of our sofas, go back for seconds when dining at dining room tables, and of course, sleep deep and dream happy every night of your stay. The best vacations begin and end in the best vacation homes and when in Orlando, Tropical Villas Orlando is better than the best. Reserve your favorite retreat today!
Summer still has its tight grip on Orlando in August, but that doesn’t mean we locals just lock ourselves inside and wait for cooler days to release us from our cocoons; it just means we are a little smarter about what we do, and more importantly, WHEN we do it. And for travelers making their way to our doorstep during the warmest month of the year, we can assure you that you too will have a vacation you will never forget, doing all that you dreamed of doing and seeing all that you wanted to see. We at Tropical Villas Orlando have created this guide on how to do August in Orlando like a local, enabling you to see all the possibilities and create an itinerary that will bring you joy, especially when you come home to relax and play in our seasonal sanctuaries at the end of every day!
Water Parks Are Our Best Friends
If you remember long summer days spent frolicking at a water park, you will instantly understand why we have put visiting water parks at the top of our list. We are fortunate, there are a large number of waterparks in Orlando, but if you are loyal to Disney, Disney’s Typhoon Lagoon Water Park in Lake Buena Vista may be where your heart will take you. Offering a surf pool, multiple water slides, and Ketchakiddee Creek, a children’s water park within the larger park, during the summer months they also offer Disney H20 Glow After Hours event! Universal Studios and its water park, Universal Volcano Bay, may be where your loyalties lie, however, providing a lazy river, rainforest village, and an erupting volcano that will excite and thrill. Also located in Lake Buena Vista, you may decide to visit both parks over a couple of days and double your H20 fun while you do!
Air Conditioned Activities That Help Us Stay Cool
We tend to do anything we are doing outside in the morning hours, but when the sun rises high, we take our adventures indoors, exploring art and history museums. If you want to stay really cool, however, Titanic: The Artifact Exhibition, located at 7324 International Drive, takes a voyage through an American tragedy while also offering the opportunity to touch an iceberg and feel cold temps that are similar to what the passengers would have felt. It’s definitely a chilling experience!
We Tend to Eat Out a Lot
The culinary landscape of Orlando is an exciting and delectable one, and because we don’t want to heat up our homes by turning on stoves and ovens, we tend to eat out a lot. There’s a seemingly never-ending selection of restaurants to try in and around Orlando, and you may be feeling unsure about where you want to pull up to the table, making Wandering Palm Adventures the hero of this story. Offering quite the selection of food tours, including our personal favorite, the Downtown Orlando Art & Food Tour, you will be able to savor a sampling of what makes our town so special, and if you fall for the taste, you can return later for a more in-depth exploration of the menu at a later date! There are limited dates available in August, however, so you might want to sign up for your ideal tour today, reserving a spot at many tables and dreaming about what delicious adventures await.
We Sip Even More
Don’t judge us, we are just doing our best to do what the doctors all tell us: to stay hydrated! One of our favorite ways to hydrate is with a wine tasting at Imperial Wine Bar, located at 1800 N Orange Avenue. Maybe a wine tasting isn’t quite what the doctor meant, but the peace, quiet, and air conditioning makes this spot very appealing, as does the live music offered on select days. Also offering beer, this wine bar has done more for couples of opposite tastes than any therapist could, and we think your stay wouldn’t be complete without a stop at the Imperial!
August in Orlando Is the Best Time to Be Lazy
Once fall tiptoes into the picture, the craziness of the holidays begins in earnest, and if we take a few days here and there to stay home and be lazy, we have no shame. Our Tropical Villa Orlando seasonal sanctuaries are air conditioned, many offer pools, and all offer ways to play and have fun. Relax on comfy couches as you watch your favorite sitcoms, hang out by the pool sipping frozen margaritas and letting the water cool you down, and because our properties are located in the best resort communities in Florida, you can play games in arcades, watch movies in resort theaters, and count your blessings that you chose our properties for your August accommodations. Reserve your favorite today!
Orlando is always buzzing in the summer, but July 2025 is especially packed with fun. Whether you are traveling with family, friends, or just looking for a great getaway, there are plenty of events that make Orlando the place to be this month. From glowing water parks to concerts, fireworks, parades, and world-class sports, here are the best events happening in Orlando in July.
Disney H2O Glow After Hours
Disney knows how to do summer right and the H2O Glow After Hours event at Disney’s Typhoon Lagoon is one of the best ways to beat the heat. On select nights throughout the summer, Typhoon Lagoon transforms into a glowing nighttime water park. The rides stay open with much shorter wait times, and the entire park lights up with neon colors, special lighting effects, and upbeat music that turns the whole experience into a nighttime beach party.
This is a great option for families who want to enjoy the park without the usual daytime crowds or for couples looking for a fun and different nighttime activity.
Fourth of July Celebrations in Orlando
Orlando takes Independence Day celebrations to another level, and there are several events across the area to check out.
Sunset Walk Orlando is hosting its Fourth of July Star Spangled Celebration starring DFALC The Legends Tour 2025. This event is packed with live music, DJs, food, drinks, and more. DFALC will perform live along with special guest DJ Scotty B and the DFALC Guitar Army and Promenade. The night wraps up with the Sunset Walk Independence Day Fireworks Spectacular that lights up the sky in true Orlando fashion.
Another great option is Red, White and BOOM at LEGOLAND Florida Resort. LEGOLAND creates a fun and family-friendly atmosphere with patriotic LEGO-themed activities, live entertainment, and a fireworks show that features special 3D glasses to give the fireworks a LEGO brick effect. It is a fun way for families with younger kids to celebrate the holiday.
21st Annual All American Kids Parade
For a more small-town experience, the 21st Annual All-American Kids Parade in Winter Garden is a must-see. This local tradition is hosted by the Winter Garden Masonic Lodge No. 165 and supported by the City of Winter Garden. Kids and adults alike are encouraged to dress in red, white, and blue and walk, bike, or scooter through the historic downtown area. Some bring wagons and strollers decorated with flags and streamers, creating a true hometown parade feel.
The day kicks off with a free pancake breakfast for kids and continues with family-friendly activities, music, and plenty of opportunities to connect with the community. It is a laid-back event that gives you a break from the usual big crowds while still celebrating the holiday in a festive way.
FIFA Club World Cup 2025 Quarter Finals
Sports fans will not want to miss the FIFA Club World Cup 2025 Quarter Finals coming to Camping World Stadium in downtown Orlando. This is the first time the tournament will be held in the United States, and Orlando is one of the key host cities. The quarter final matches will bring some of the best club soccer teams from around the world to compete right in the heart of the city.
This event is a huge draw for international visitors and locals alike. The atmosphere will be electric, with fans from all over the world filling the stadium and the surrounding area with excitement. Whether you are a die-hard soccer fan or just looking to experience something unique, the FIFA Club World Cup is a major highlight in Orlando this July.
Book Your Summer Rental with Tropical Villas Orlando
While the events are exciting, where you stay can make or break your Orlando vacation. That is where Tropical Villas Orlando comes in. Why rent a room when you can have the whole house to yourself? Instead of squeezing into a hotel room, you can enjoy the space, comfort, and privacy of your own villa.
Tropical Villas Orlando offers a wide selection of beautiful villa rentals located near Orlando’s best theme parks, restaurants, and shops. Many of our villas are located in resort-style communities where you can enjoy private, screened pools and spas, themed bedrooms that the kids will love, fully-equipped kitchens, and game rooms for hours of entertainment. Whether you are traveling with your entire family, a group of friends, or just want a little extra space for a romantic getaway, we have options that suit every need.
Plan Your Orlando Vacation Today
Orlando in July 2025 is filled with events you do not want to miss. Whether you are enjoying a glow-in-the-dark water park, watching fireworks with the family, catching world-class soccer, or joining a hometown parade, there is something for everyone. Browse our wide range of beautiful vacation homes and find the perfect spot for your summer getaway!
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