International Drive Orlando
International Drive, otherwise known as I-Drive, is the main tourist strip in the Orlando area. It is located southwest of Downtown Orlando and stretches approximately 15 miles over two counties, Orange and Osceola. It is home to many tourist attractions, restaurants and shopping areas.
If you have your own transport then you’ll find it easy to navigate your way from one venue to another but if you’re on foot you’ll want to utilize the I-Ride trolley that runs along I-Drive at regular intervals.
The north end of I-Drive is where the action starts or finishes, depending which direction you are going and its the home of Prime Outlets Orlando. Just south of there are other outlet malls as well as the increasingly popular Festival Bay Mall. As you journey south you’ll come across such attractions as Fun Spot, Titanic – the Experience, Wet and Wild, Ripley’s Believe It or Not!, WonderWorks, Congo River Golf, Train Land International, as well as over 485 designer, brand name and outlet stores.
Food wise you’re absolutely spoilt for choice as there are over 150 fabulous restaurants as well as two dinner shows at Pirates and Sleuths to enjoy.
There’s so much to see and do, I thought I’d just make a list of the Top 25 for you to pick from:
25. Visit Monkey Joe’s where kids can let loose and bounce around like a Monkey.
24. Beat the heat in the Iceberg Room while discovering treasures of a sunken ship at Titanic – the Experience.
23. Enjoy a cold, swirly, Twistee Treat with sprinkles on top on a hot summer day or night.
22. Sit back, relax and experience the sights, sounds and tastes of the Caribbean while watching the Junkanoo dancers and musicians perform at Kafe Kalik.
21. Have your picture taken in front of a 1934 replica Ford Woody at Ron Jon’s Surf Park at Festival Bay Mall.
20. Take a ride from the air in an Air Florida Helicopter Charters and see world famous attractions.
19. Learn to Belly Dance or just fill your belly with authentic Greek food at Taverna Opa.
18. Experience an explosion of dynamic effects on the all new BLACK HOLE; The Next Generation at Wet ‘n Wild.
17. Satisfy your inner pirate at the giant galleon at Pirate’s Dinner Adventure.
16. Eat a burger and fries in the world’s largest McDonald’s Play Place!
15. Sing pop classics at Howl at the Moon.
14. Enjoy dinner while listing to the Great Blues of yesterday and today at B B Kings.
13. Watch live European sports via satellite at a British pub, Cricketers Arms Pub, at Festival Bay Mall.
12. Be serenaded by singing waiters at Bergamo’s Italian Restaurant at Festival Bay Mall.
11. Escape the ordinary at Ripley’s Believe it or Not with its Orlando Odditorium filled with the unusual.
10. Let your imagination run wild at WonderWorks, Orlando’s only upside-down building! Land the space shuttle. Design a roller coaster. Fly a fighter jet.
9. Been bowling lately? Check out the 32-lane bowling alley right in the heart of the I-Drive area, the World Bowling Center. The wacky decor features murals of astronauts bowling, among other whimsical touches.
8. Enjoy nonstop recreation at Vans Skate Park at Festival Bay Mall, Orlando’s premier skateboard park.
7. Skydive in a wind tunnel at iFLY Orlando.
6. Golf under a waterfall at Pirate’s Cove Adventure Golf.
5. Solve a murder mystery at Sleuths Mystery Dinner Theater
4. Catch a movie at Regal Cinemas Stadium 20+ IMAX.
3. Have an elegant dinner in the highly acclaimed Capital Grille at Pointe Orlando.
2. Check out the nation’s second largest convention center, Orange County Convention Center.
1. Shop for bargains at designer outlets ( Prime Outlets Orlando, Festival Bay at International Drive, Orlando Premium Outlets and Pointe Orlando)!
Here’s a video tour of the I-Drive area:
