We aren’t the only ones who have made a recent move to Orlando. Given that it's an immensely popular tourist destination, there are plenty of places to visit first after moving to Orlando, and it can be tough to pick where to start. From visiting fantastic theme parks to spending time surrounded by breathtaking nature, you will surely have access to everything. If you are moving to Orlando in the near future you must be so excited! To help you plan your adventure in one of the most fun cities in Florida, further in this article, you'll find a list of amazing places you absolutely shouldn't miss visiting. And to make your relocation to Orlando as smooth as possible, we've gathered some extra tips to help you prepare. Enjoy!
Things to know before moving to Orlando
Whether you're relocating for a job or you want a fresh start with your family in a sunny state, you will love Orlando. However, before you start packing and organizing your move, make sure to prepare and know what to expect when you get there.
SeaWorld is one of the places to visit first after moving to Orlando, especially if you love seeing animals. Photo by Leslie Driskill on Unsplash
Here's what you need to know about the O-Town:
The cost of living is 2% lower than the national average, so living in Orlando can be pretty affordable.
When it comes to weather, be prepared for mild winters and sweltering and sunny summers.
Orlando is home to 10 major theme parks. However, hundreds of smaller attractions draw over 51 million tourists each year.
The job market in Orlando is booming! In 2021, it was on a list of the best cities for job seekers.
If you are a parent, you will want your kids to have the best education and opportunities. In Orlando, you can be sure that's what they will get.
Lastly, there is always something to see and do in Orlando, and we'll discuss that further in this article.
Keep in mind that the key to your successful move lies in hiring experienced and reliable movers. But nowadays, there are so many attractive scams that make this task much more difficult. To ensure you're only searching among certified and verified movers, the team from bestlongdistancemovers.com recommends only doing your research on reputable websites.
Which places to visit first after moving to Orlando?
If one thing is sure about Orlando is that there is always something to do. We've selected several places we're sure you'll enjoy!
Harry P. Leu Gardens
Even though Orlando is mainly known for amazing theme parks (more on that below), it's also home to one of the most stunning gardens in America. It was established in 1930 and hosts tropical and sub-tropical species.
You will be able to see lakes, beautifully landscaped areas, statues, and shaded pathways spread on 50 acres. Take a romantic stroll around Lake Rowena or observe colorful butterflies and lovely hummingbirds in the Butterfly Garden. We guarantee you'll be left speechless.
The Magic Kingdom
Although there are ten major theme parks in Orlando, The Magic Kingdom is something special and deserves you to visit it first. The fact this is the most visited theme park in the world says it all! Since 1971 this fantastic place has brought joy by bringing Disney characters and scenes to life.
You will feel like you're in a fairytale during your visit to the Magical Kingdom. Photo by Alyssa Eakin on Unsplash
Caption: You will feel like you're in a fairytale during your visit to the Magical Kingdom.
Alt-tag: The Magic Kingdom is one of the places to visit first after moving to Orlando
Six themed areas offer different rides, shopping areas, shows, and places to eat. Disney characters stroll all over the park and bring smiles to children's faces, and no one is immune to feeling lively in jolly. We guarantee that after your visit, you will even feel inspired to decorate your new home with Disney-themed decor and put on your favorite Disney movie.
Kennedy Space Centre
Kennedy Space Centre is one of the most famous places in Orlando. It's also one of the world's leading facilities for space research and explorations. This place has seen many significant events, such as several Apollo missions or the launch of the Skylab space station.
Make sure to take one of the public tours as you'll gain fascinating insights and valuable knowledge. It might come as a surprise, but Kennedy Space Center is also a wildlife sanctuary. It's home to snakes, bald eagles, Florida panthers, and even alligators.
Epcot
Even though Epcot is another themed park, it's very different than the others as it's geared more towards adults. It's a place that celebrates various human achievements and where you can learn about world culture, nature, and various technological advancements. This park opened in 1892 and offers an assortment of shows, demonstrations, rides, and many other activities. Plus, there are some great restaurants there!
Don't miss out on seeing Spaceship Earth, as you can learn about different communication methods from cave paintings to smartphones. You can even experience life as a secret agent and try a hang-gliding flight simulator. If you want to learn more about world cultures, make sure to check out World Showcase.
And so much more...
If you are a movie fan, you don't want to miss out on Hollywood Studios and Universal Orlando. On a rainy day, visit one of many museums around Orlando. For instance, check out Madame Tussauds and come face to face with all of your favorite celebrities.
If themed parks are 'your thing,' you don't want to miss out on Islands of Adventure and Legoland. Riding The Wheel at Icon Park is a must, and if you really want to be blown away, visit Ripley's Believe It or Not!.
Make sure to take a photo in front of the iconic globe at Universal Studios in Orlando. Photo by Aditya Vyas on Unsplash
What will you visit first?
We hope you've enjoyed reading this article and that our list of places to visit first after moving to Orlando inspired you to create your itinerary and start your adventure around the O-Town. We're sure you'll fall in love with everything this city has to offer. So wait no more, put on your new cool T-shirt, and head out to explore this incredible city!
Since moving to Florida we have become big fans of Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex. It’s only about a 40 minute drive from our house in Orlando and we enjoy going a couple times a year to explore various Space exhibits. (Check out our main guide to visiting KSC here.) During the Fall is one of our favorite times to visit, because this is the time for Taste of Space: Fall Bites! food festival. We recently took a trip to the visitor center to try various limited edition dishes. Read on to learn more about this fun festival…
Prepare for a swashbuckling adventure at Pirates Dinner Adventure Orlando. Recently we were invited to experience the seasonal show: Vampirates. Being Pirate lovers we were excited to check it out. Sword fights! Acrobatics! Mermaids! Harrowing escapes and breathtaking stunts! Tickets include a multi-course meal with a show performed on a huge pirate ship surrounded by water. Read on for all the details on this epic dinner show located in Orlando…
Guess where we went on a date night recently? The Orlando International Airport. Wait, what? Yup, we found an amazing hidden gem right within the MCO terminal: Hemisphere Restaurant. Being aviation enthusiasts we couldn’t wait to experience the elevated culinary menu, crafted cocktails, and of course some epic airport views. Read on to learn about our first class dinner experience found inside the Hyatt Regency Orlando Airport hotel…
Since the Pandemic we realized it has been awhile since we dressed up and saw any kind of stage performance. When the Orlando Ballet invited us out to see a show we thought that was a perfect idea for a date night. We love supporting the arts and were excited to check out a local company in Orlando. Read on to learn about the Orlando Ballet, the performances we saw, and the upcoming season…
We are always looking for creative ideas for date night ideas, so when Pinspiration South Orlando invited us to a special event to try some crafts and a revamped menu it sounded like a great excuse for a fun night out. While Julie is naturally artsy, Andrew is not so much and was curious what the evening would entail. We soon learned this was a great spot for creatives of all levels and we had a great evening trying three different activities and a variety of menu items. Read on to learn about our crafty date night…
We aren’t the only ones who have made a recent move to Orlando. Given that it's an immensely popular tourist destination, there are plenty of places to visit first after moving to Orlando, and it can be tough to pick where to start. From visiting fantastic theme parks to spending time surrounded by breathtaking nature, you will surely have access to everything. If you are moving to Orlando in the near future you must be so excited! To help you plan your adventure in one of the most fun cities in Florida, further in this article, you'll find a list of amazing places you absolutely shouldn't miss visiting. And to make your relocation to Orlando as smooth as possible, we've gathered some extra tips to help you prepare. Enjoy!
While not in Orlando, there is an attraction that is well worth the approximately 1 hour drive: The Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex. This educational attraction celebrates America’s Space program from the early days post World War II, through the Space Shuttle Program, and the next steps to Mars. While Julie had visited as a small child, Andrew (an aviation enthusiast) had never been. We were excited to mix in something new and explore how much the complex has changed since the 90’s when Julie last visited. Get ready to blast off with us and continue reading…
Recently we had a fun date night at ICON Park and explored an attraction we have been curious about for a little while: The Museum of Illusions Orlando. (Fun fact: this museum actually just celebrated it’s one year anniversary this month!). After a fun dinner we went to explore the mind bending world of Illusions and made sure to grab plenty of fun pictures too. Read on to learn more about this fun attraction in the heart of I-Drive’s entertainment offerings…
ICON Park is known for having a variety of fun attractions to try in Orlando. While we have previously experienced a ride on The Wheel, we had never gotten up the nerve to try the more thrilling ride on property: The Orlando StarFlyer. Last month two brand new thrill rides opened to guests as well: the Orlando FreeFall™ and Orlando SlingShot™. We went on assignment to try the Ultimate Triple Shot challenge: riding all three thrill rides. In a row. Read on to see if we successfully complete the challenge…
Raise your hand if you had an American Girl doll growing up. Julie sure did! She loved her Samantha doll and has many fond memories throughout her childhood. When we received an invite for Julie to attend a special adults only brunch at the American Girl store her inner child was ecstatic. Did you know there is an American Girl store in Orlando? Read on to learn all about it and get a peek at the nostalgic brunch Julie recently attended there…
When thinking of local brunch options a brewery isn’t usually the first thing that comes to mind for us. But our mind has been changed big time. Recently we joined some foodie friends to experience an awesome collaborative event by Persimmon Hollow Brewing Co. and The Dinner Party Project to try some new vegan brunch options as well as a selection of local brews. Read on for all the details…
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While we are pretty familiar with most major Orlando attractions, this week we got to see them from a whole new perspective: from 700 feet above the ground! We booked an adventure with a local Helicopter tour company thanks to Andrew’s family getting him a gift certificate for his birthday. Fun fact: while Andrew has his pilot’s license (make sure to check out some of our articles about flying too!) he has never been in a helicopter before and was pretty excited. Read on to learn more about this unique experience and check out plenty of our views of the parks from a bird’s eye view…
Florida attracts many domestic and international tourists as home to Disney World, magnificent beaches, top-notch resorts, and various attractions. The warm and sunny weather, fun amenities, and affordability of the Sunshine State make it a perfect place for a family vacation. Sadly, vacations end fast, and all you're left with are some great memories and souvenirs. To help you preserve the good times for as long as possible, here are some best Florida gifts and souvenirs to take home with you…
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If you enjoy traveling and immersing yourself in different cultures, you probably like a bit of adventure as well. Some of the most common tourist attraction spots are undoubtedly theme parks. However, although visiting a theme park is a pretty straightforward process, there could still be some complications and trouble along the way. If you wish to experience a successful theme park visit, we've gathered some tips that could be very useful…
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