5 days in Orlando

The first of three big days. One park is enough: take a long break in the middle of the day and finish at a place where you can sit and eat. If you land late, swap this day with Day 2.

1. Breakfast

   A big breakfast before the park

   A park day runs long, so start with eggs, fruit and something hearty. Eat near the hotel, before the drive.

   Local tip Pack water bottles and a snack for the walk to the gate.
2. 1
   MorningA whole day

   Magic Kingdom

   The Walt Disney World park with a castle at the end of a main street. Pick a few things that matter to your group and leave the rest. Check the park's own schedule and tickets ahead.

   Go when Morning, then a long midday break away from the crowds before you come back.

   Local tip Pick two or three things that matter most and do those first. A big park day goes better when you stop for a rest before anyone is tired.

   

   About 20 min by car9.0 mi
3. 2
   EveningAn evening stop

   Disney Springs

   An open-air area of shops, restaurants and walkways beside a lake, away from the parks. A calm place to eat and rest your feet after a big day.

   Go when Early evening, when the lake paths fill with people strolling.

   Local tip Walk the whole length once before you choose where to eat, and let children run on the open lawns while the adults sit.

   

4. Dinner

   A long dinner by the lake

   A big park day deserves a table and a chair. Choose a restaurant with a view of the water and no rush.

   Local tip Walk the lake path after dinner, once the children have had time to settle.

The easy day. A leafy lake town with a main street made for strolling, a boat ride on the lakes and a city park to end on. Nothing here needs a plan.

1. Drive from Disney SpringsAbout 30 min by car25.8 mi

   Where Day 1 ended.
2. 1
   MorningWorth the time

   Park Avenue

   The main street of Winter Park, a few blocks of brick sidewalks, cafes and small shops under big old trees. Walk it slowly and sit down wherever you like.

   Go when Morning, before the cafes fill up.

   Local tip Walk one side down and the other side back, and duck into the side courtyards where the tables sit under the trees.

   

3. Lunch

   A sandwich on Park Avenue

   Winter Park's main street is lined with cafes. A salad or a sandwich at a shady table is the easy lunch here.

   Local tip Look for a side courtyard, which is quieter than the street.

   

   About 3 min walk0.2 mi
4. 2
   MiddayWorth a short visit

   Charles Hosmer Morse Museum of American Art

   A small museum in Winter Park known for its stained glass by Louis Comfort Tiffany. A short, quiet visit that suits a hot or rainy hour.

   Go when Late morning, or any hour when it is too hot to be outside.

   Local tip Go straight to the rooms of colored glass, and let your eyes adjust to the light coming through.

   

   About 8 min walk0.4 mi
5. 3
   AfternoonWorth the time

   Winter Park lakes

   A chain of lakes joined by narrow canals in the middle of town, lined with big houses and old trees. A scenic boat tour runs on them. Check ahead for the current schedule.

   Go when Afternoon, on a clear day when the water is calm.

   Local tip Sit on the shady side of the boat. The narrow canals between the lakes are the best part of the ride.

   

   About 12 min by car5.9 mi
6. 4
   EveningWorth the time

   Lake Eola Park

   The round lake at the heart of downtown Orlando, with a fountain, a path to walk and swan boats to watch. A gentle end to the day, with the city lit behind it.

   Go when Around sunset (about 7:33 PM), when the water turns gold and the fountain is lit.

   Local tip Walk the full loop around the lake, which is an easy stroll, and stop to watch the swans and the fountain.

   

7. Dinner

   Dinner around the lake

   Downtown Orlando has many restaurants within a short walk of the lake. Choose by the menu and the crowd.

   Local tip Walk the lake path before dinner, so you eat after the sunset light.

The second big day, by car to the east coast. A visitor complex built around the history of spaceflight, then the sea air of a beach town. Start early and keep the afternoon loose.

1. Drive from Lake Eola ParkAbout 56 min by car52.5 mi

   Where Day 2 ended.
2. 1
   MorningA big day

   Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex

   The public home of the space center, with rockets, spacecraft and exhibits on the history of spaceflight. Plan a good part of the day for it. Check tickets and the day's schedule ahead.

   Go when Morning, and start early, because the drive is the first part of the day.

   Local tip Read the park's own plan before you leave. Pick the exhibits that matter to your group and leave time to sit, eat and look up.

   

3. Lunch

   A seafood lunch on the coast

   The space coast is a fishing coast, and fish, shrimp and grilled seafood suit the day. Eat near the port, not at the visitor complex.

   Local tip Ask where the fish was caught, and order what is fresh.

   

   About 25 min by car17.2 mi
4. 2
   AfternoonWorth a short stop

   Jetty Park

   A park at the mouth of Port Canaveral, where you can watch big ships pass close to the shore. Walk out on the jetty and breathe the sea air.

   Go when Afternoon, when the big ships come and go.

   Local tip Walk out along the jetty and watch the ships turn in the channel. Bring a hat, because there is little shade.

   About 14 min by car or transit2.9 mi
5. 3
   EveningAn evening stop

   Cocoa Beach Pier

   A long pier reaching out over the surf in a laid-back beach town. A good place for a late walk and a sunset, then the drive back.

   Go when Late afternoon, around sunset (about 7:33 PM).

   Local tip Walk to the end of the pier and look back at the long beach, then stay for sunset before the drive home.

6. Dinner

   A beach town dinner

   A relaxed meal in a casual place near the sea, with sand still on your shoes. Choose a restaurant on a side street, away from the busiest road.

   Local tip Eat early, so the drive back is not too late.

The easy day after the space coast. A clear spring for a swim in the morning, then a quiet garden and a hands-on museum on the way back, with no hurry anywhere.

1. Drive from Cocoa Beach PierAbout 1 h 17 min by car73.2 mi

   Where Day 3 ended.
2. Breakfast

   Coffee and fruit for the springs

   Eat light before a swim: fruit, a muffin and a cold drink for the road.

   Local tip Pack a lunch if you plan to stay all morning, and a cooler for the way back.

   
3. 1
   MorningWorth the time

   Wekiwa Springs State Park

   A state park around a spring that stays cool all year, with a swimming area, a river for paddling and shaded trails. Check the park's own rules and any limits on visitors before you go.

   Go when Morning, before the day gets hot.

   Local tip The water stays cool all year, so bring a towel even in the warm months. Check the park's own rules before you go, because they can change.

   

   About 25 min by car16.4 mi
4. 2
   AfternoonWorth the time

   Harry P. Leu Gardens

   A garden beside a quiet lake near downtown, with a rose garden, huge old oaks and an old house. Slow, shady and easy for all ages.

   Go when Afternoon, when the oaks give deep shade.

   Local tip Walk the rose garden first, then the path along the lake, and stop on a bench in the shade.

   

5. Lunch

   Lunch near Leu Gardens

   The neighborhoods near the lakes have small cafes and diners. A simple lunch before the garden suits the pace.

   About 22 min walk1.1 mi
6. 3
   AfternoonPick your galleries

   Orlando Science Center

   A hands-on science museum for children and adults, in the park beside the city's museums. A good indoor choice if the afternoon storm arrives.

   Go when Late afternoon, or any time a storm rolls in.

   Local tip Choose two or three halls that suit your group and let the children lead the way.

   

The last big day, close to the airport. Pick one resort for the day, pace it with breaks, and finish on the lively strip of International Drive.

1. Drive from Orlando Science CenterAbout 17 min by car12.5 mi

   Where Day 4 ended.
2. 1
   MorningA whole day

   Universal Orlando Resort

   Two big theme parks and a dining and walking area side by side. Choose what suits your group and take a long break in the middle. Check each park's own schedule and tickets ahead.

   Go when Morning, with a long break in the middle of the day.

   Local tip Choose one park for the day and read its own schedule ahead. A swim or a rest at the hotel at midday makes the evening better.

   

3. Lunch

   A long midday lunch

   Eat before the lunch rush, sit in the shade and plan the afternoon while you wait.

   Local tip Share a few plates and rest for an hour, then go back out when it cools.

   About 8 min by car3.8 mi
4. 2
   EveningAn evening stop

   ICON Park

   A lively complex on International Drive with restaurants, shows and games, built around a tall observation wheel. Easy to reach and easy to leave.

   Go when Early evening, as the lights come on.

   Local tip Pick a place to eat first, then walk the grounds while you wait for a table.

   

5. Dinner

   A last dinner on International Drive

   A road lined with restaurants of every kind, so there is a table for every taste in your group.

   Local tip Pick a place close to your hotel so the last night stays easy.