International Drive is in the heart of Orlando’s downtown area and is the perfect place to stay if you want to be close to the action of each theme park, as well as Florida’s other attractions. ICON Park as it’s known to locals, is a buzzing area full of great restaurants, larger-than-life attractions, great shops and luxurious hotels. It’s a great choice if you’d like to sample a little of everything that Orlando has to offer, and it has all the other attractions you’d expect from a 5 star holiday destination.
Shopping
A spot of retail therapy is the perfect daytime activity, as you’ll find over 500 shops across the whole of International Drive. There are several fabulous malls, which sell everything from top designer labels to sport shops and boutiques. For those looking for a bargain, travel to the Factory stores and designer outlets that have discounted prices for luxury clothing and accessories.
What is International Drive?
International Drive is Orlando’s huge 11.1 mile long road that hosts a wide range of entertainment and activities that the whole family can enjoy. It’s easy to navigate around as it’s split into five areas. North International Drive is the entertainment central with the Universal Orlando® Resort, iFLY Skydiving and outlet malls lining the streets.
Value International Drive is where you’ll find Universal’s Wet ‘n Wild® and several buffet restaurants and discounted shops. The Convention Side and its Convention Centre is where you can pick up souvenirs in the gift shops and outlets as well as enjoy fine dining at ICON Park after a family game of mini-golf.
South International Drive is a popular shopping district with its large upscale mall and it’s the nearest to the Walt Disney World Resort. International Drive South is slightly further afield from International Drive but it’s home to some exceptional golf courses.
If you don’t feel like driving, a great way to explore International Drive is by using the I-Ride Trolley shuttle service, which runs regularly throughout the day and travels to the majority of attractions.
Vibrant nightlife
International Drive has some exceptional nightlife. There are many hotspots that host a wide variety of entertainment such as comedy, live music, discos, magic and themed shows. Dance the night away in one of the several nightclubs and vibrant bars or sit down to an evening meal and watch a performance. There’s even an opportunity to get involved in one of the themed shows like the Titanic Dinner Event and Pirate’s Dinner Adventure. There’s a huge amount of dining options serving everything from fine dining to quick bites to eat, some of the best can be found in the ICON Park complex, which provides everything from steak to sushi.
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