3 Days in Orlando for First Timers

South Florida is full of sunshine and entertainment. From animal attractions to water parks and fairgrounds, Orlando is a great getaway spot. Here are our top tips for first-time visitors.

Published: July 18, 2024
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Heading to Orlando for a long weekend without any firm plans? Check out our suggestions for things to do during three days in Orlando. This itinerary is filled with tons of fun for the whole family and is designed to give you a great overview of the area’s best attractions.

This 3 day itinerary includes:

  • WonderWorks
  • SEA LIFE Aquarium Orlando
  • Gatorland: The Alligator Capital of the World
  • The Wheel at ICON Park
  • Gray Line Orlando Tour
  • LEGOLAND® Florida Resort
  • Fun Spot America
  • Madame Tussauds Orlando

Only have a few days in Orlando? We’ve also put together a sample 2 day itinerary.

DAY 1 Stop #1:WonderWorks

WonderWorks Orlando is one amazing attraction. For starters, everything is upside-down! With more than 100 fun and interactive exhibits to explore, you’ll never tire of this place. Some highlighted exhibits include a 36-foot-tall indoor ropes challenge course, a 4-D Extreme Motion ride, simulated earthquakes and hurricanes, a machine that allows you to measure the speed of your baseball pitch, and many more!

Among these many delightful activities, a few of our favorites also include an awesome glow-in-the-dark ropes course and the always-enjoyable laser tag. We recommend reserving about 2 hours for this attraction.

Stop #2: SEA LIFE Orlando Aquarium

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Home to more than 5,000 diverse sea creatures from vibrant, tiny little fish to a Giant Sea Octopus, SEA LIFE Aquarium Orlando is an excellent place for those who love animals and all things aquatic. Filled with multiple themed habitats and several interactive components – including a very popular rock pool filled with sea anemones – this aquarium is a must-visit.

You should also make sure not to miss Orlando's only 360-degree ocean tunnel, which allows you to walk *under* majestic sea creatures.

Stop #3: Gatorland

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There’s no other place quite like it in the world – Gatorland is a truly unique destination dedicated to the most iconic of all Floridian creatures, the alligator. Of course, they’ve got a few crocodiles, too! You’ll experience everything from tours and performances to exhibits and nature walks, all contained within this 110-acre wildlife preserve. There’s even a petting zoo! (Don’t worry – there are no alligators there.)

Be sure to also check out their Gator Gully Splash Park, which turns this already awesome attraction into a delightful place to be amid Florida humidity. This attraction is a quintessential destination for the Orlando traveler. We recommend reserving between 2-3 hours for this attraction.

Stop #4: The Wheel at ICON Park

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You've got to make sure you spend some time at the tallest observation wheel on the East Coast! The Wheel at ICON Park offers truly astonishing views of Orlando – stretching far and wide. No matter what time of day you plan to visit, we are sure you will have amazing sights of the Central Florida.

This place is an amazing addition to I-Drive. You're also very close to a number of other fun attractions that you could explore, either in addition to today's itinerary, or on another day. From an aquarium to a museum to a golf course, there is plenty to love about this area!

DAY 2 Stop #1: Gray Line Orlando Day Tour

Since you spent most of yesterday indoors, dedicate today to exploring the great outdoors. This day-long excursion provides a comprehensive perspective on the city of Orlando and its surrounding environs.From Lake Eola and charming Winter Park to the shopping distinct of Park Avenue and Disney’s City of Celebration, you’ll get a great overview of the area’s biggest highlights.

You’ll even get plenty of time on your own to spend exploring each distinct neighborhood. This tour lasts for approximately 7 hours. Because the tour does last all day, plan to each lunch along the way – perhaps along Park Avenue?

DAY 3 Stop #1: LEGOLAND® Florida

LEGOLAND® Florida Resort is actually the biggest LEGOLAND® park in the world, and that’s saying something! This 150-acre theme park features more than 50 rides, shows, attractions, restaurants, and gardens for you to explore – all of which are LEGO®-themed.

We should also note that this is primarily designed for children ages 12 and under, so if you're a party of all adults, or with older children, you can substitute another attraction for LEGOLAND -- perhaps the iconic Kennedy Space Center?

Check out our guide for tips on visiting LEGOLAND Florida before your visit. We recommend reserving between 3-4 hours for this attraction.

Stop #2: Fun Spot America

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Looking for some extreme fun? Then check out Fun Spot America, one of Orlando’s more accessible theme parks. It’s a great way for everyone to burn off some steam and to keep the kids entertained after lunch.

Some of the things to do at this amazing theme park include include go-karts, bumper boats, bumper karts, the White Lightning roller coaster, a Ferris wheel, and a suspended car called the Paratrooper. We recommend reserving between 1-2 hours for this attraction.

Stop #3: Madame Tussauds Orlando

Madame Tussauds Orlando

For a final excellent I-Drive option to round out your three days in Orlando, Madame Tussauds Orlando is a fine choice. This international sensation offers excitement, inspiration, and just plain fun in one fun attraction.

Come here to see your favorite celebs in their signature scenarios, from Taylor Swift mid-concert to Shaq hitting a layup. Other themed areas include Film, History and Leaders, A-List, TV, and more. Don't forget to snap those perfect photos for Instagram!

Save up to 50% on Orlando attractions  

Remember, this 3 day Orlando itinerary is just one of many ways to experience Central Florida. A pass with Go City® gives you the flexibility to create your own itinerary, so you can choose from dozens of top attractions and create a vacation tailored to your interests.

Discover our full line-up of Orlando attractions from Kennedy Space Center to Fun Spot America.  

🤩 >> If you want to see and do as much as you can, our All-Inclusive Pass is for you.    

😎 >> If you want to pick just a few attractions and visit at your own pace, our Explorer Pass is the perfect option. 

Pick whichever Orlando attraction pass suits you, and save as you sightsee!

Katie Sagal
Go City Travel Expert

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2 Days in Orlando - A Weekend in Orlando Itinerary That's Fun for Everyone

Planning a weekend in Orlando, but unsure what to do to maximize your time? We've got you covered. We put together a great itinerary for 2 days in Orlando that will show you some of the most fun and exciting things to do in this popular Central Florida destination in just one weekend! This weekend itinerary allows you to enjoy some of Orlando’s exciting theme parks without spending all your money on pricey admissions. This itinerary includes: Gatorland Fun Spot America Orlando Brewing Company Kennedy Space Center American Police Hall of Fame We’ve also put together a 1 day and 3 day itinerary, should you be spending more or less than a weekend in town. Save on Attraction Admission Pick up a 2-Day Go Orlando Card and save off combined admission vs paying at the gate. Remember, this 2 days in Orlando itinerary is just one of many ways to experience the area during your trip. Our pass gives you the flexibility to create your own itinerary, so you can choose from dozens of top attractions and create a vacation tailored to your interests. Stop #3: Orlando Brewing Company To close out your day, hop in the car for a quick ride up to downtown Orlando and take a tour of the Southeast’s first organic brewery and taproom. They specialize in beers that abide by the German standards for pure, authentic beer, meaning they only utilize water, hops, yeast, and malted barley as ingredients. A tour here is a great chance to try some of their delicious brews for free. Tours are currently offered Monday through Friday at 6 pm, although that schedule may change. As an added bonus, the Orlando Brewing Company also features free live entertainment on the weekends. It’s bound to be great fun for traveling couples or friends. People of all ages are welcome on this tour, although only those 21+ can sample the beer. We recommend budgeting at least an hour for this stop. Getting In: This attraction is free, although additional purchases will incur costs not covered by the Go Orlando Card. Stop #2: American Police Hall of Fame Conveniently located just a few short miles west of the Kennedy Space Center, the American Police Hall of Fame is an often overlooked and one of the most underrated Orlando attractions. Home to thousands of artifacts and interesting displays, you'll learn all about the who, what, when, and where of police investigation work with entertaining and informative exhibits. It's an important attraction for anyone with family who work as first responders, or those who might be interested in pursuing a career in criminal justice themselves. Plan to spend about 1-2 hours at this attraction. Getting In: American Police Hall of Fame tickets are included on the Go Orlando Card. Let’s Recap So there’s a great example of how to spend a weekend in the Orlando area – filled with the best alternative theme park options. This 2 days in Orlando itinerary will truly make you feel like you’ve made the most of your limited time without sacrificing any of the attractions you really wanted to see. Remember, the Go Orlando Card All-Inclusive Pass includes admission to over 30 attractions--so it's easy to tailor an alternate itinerary to your sightseeing style. Pick up a Go Orlando Card and save on combined admission when you visit Gatorland, Fun Spot America, the Kennedy Space Center, and the American Police Hall of Fame.
Casey Makovich

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