For anyone jumping in an RV rental and heading off toward Florida, you are no doubt in for a great experience. Florida has long been one of the top spots in the US for road tripping due to the year round great weather and abundance of beaches. But it turns out that one of the top attractions in the state happens to be right in the middle, and its name is Orlando. Of course you already know Orlando because of Disney, but there is much more to this vibrant and eclectic town that makes it an increasingly popular stop for road trippers. Should you plan on joining them in the Orlando tradition, then take into account these do’s and dont’s when traveling in the area.
Do’s
Check Out Pointe Orlando
This massive complex houses some of the finest shopping to be found in the city. A wide range of fashion stores from name brands to funky boutiques are located here, and you can easily spend hours browsing. There are also a number of highly rated restaurants and an indoor theme park, making this a destination for the entire family.
Visit Gatorland
Don’t miss the chance to check out Florida’s best known killer reptiles at Gatorland. Here you can get up close and personal with the gators in a safe but still incredibly thrilling environment. You can check out gators in their natural habitats and watch them swim, sun on rocks, and interact with one another. You can even feed them, and you won’t soon forget how cute baby alligators can be. For a unique experience on your RV rental journey, make one of your stops Gatorland.
Do The Theme Parks
Disney World certainly needs no introduction and remains the thing that Orlando is best known for. All four of its parks are located just a short drive from downtown Orlando. A one day pass to one of the parks can be had for less than a hundred dollars, so if you wanted to spend one of your days at the Parks then by all means do so.
Enjoy Winter Park
This hip and aesthetically pleasing neighborhood is an absolute must. Take a walk and check out the wide array of colorful, historic bungalows that line the streets. The shopping here is excellent as well, with dozens of cool local shops selling everything from boutique clothing to art to specialty foods. There are dozens of terrific restaurants to grab a bite in. Overall this is a hip and laid back neighborhood and a great way to get far from the chaos of the theme parks and spend a relaxing afternoon in a sophisticated setting. Winter park is just a short trip in your RV rental from downtown, so make sure to put this neighborhood on your schedule.
Dine At The Peabody
If you’re doing one big dinner during your Orlando stay, make it the Peabody. This isn’t your average tourist trap, as many locals dine here on a regular basis. The food here is top rated, especially the cioppino which has achieved legendary status in the region. Make sure to call ahead for a reservation on the weekend since the Peabody is a known hotspot.
Dont’s
Get Disneyed Out
One of the main mistakes that campers make when it comes to Orlando is getting so carried away visiting Disney that they lose sight of the rest of this city and end up spending all their time at the park. Although Disney is certainly fun and is a top attraction, there is just so much more going on here that you won’t want to miss out on the many great neighborhoods, shopping opportunities, museums, and other attractions that make Orlando a growing attraction in central Florida.
Dish Out Lots Of Hotel Money
With the eternal popularity of Disney, there have been many hotels erected over the years, some of which are just too expensive and will end up eating away your budget before you can truly enjoy the city. This is why it is extremely important to do a lot of research so that you can be sure you are getting the right hotel for the right price. Of course since you will have your campervan handy, you can always miss out on hotel costs altogether and spend your nights in your vehicle. There are a wide variety of RV parks in the area, so make sure to research these as well so that you can make certain you’re getting a good spot for your money.
Orlando is easily one of the top growing places for campervan travelers. If you should be planning a Florida journey and are unsure of where to stop, make sure you aim your RV rental in Orlando’s direction during your trip.
