Today’s travel tip sheet includes ideas for an Orlando summer getaway including water fun, lazy rivers, natural springs, the best ice-cold treats and new MICHELIN Guide restaurants. For interviews and media info: media@visitorlando.com. 

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In this Issue: 

  • Water Fun in Orlando
  • Orlando’s Unique Ice-Cold Treats
  • Central Florida’s Natural Springs
  • News: Orlando’s 34 MICHELIN Guide Restaurants
  • Relaxation Guide: Orlando’s Lazy Rivers
  • What’s New This Month
  • DYK? Orlando has fireworks 365 days a year

Water Fun in Orlando
From clear-bottom, bioluminescent kayaking tours to a floating ropes course, Orlando is overflowing with unique water activities from mild to wild.

FOR THE MILDLY ADVENTUROUS

  • NEW: Viking Ecotours offers pedal kayak tours at the most beautiful natural springs and waterways in Florida.
  • Get Up & Go Kayaking offers a view of crystal-clear waters or a nighttime bioluminescence experience in a tour aboard a 100% clear kayak.
  • At the Walt Disney World Resort, guests of all ages can reel in the fun with dockside fishing and guided bass fishing excursions on select waterways.

FOR THE THRILL-SEEKER

  • A classic Florida experience, airboat rides at Boggy Creek Airboat Rides and Wild Florida offer up-close and personal views into the beauty of the Headwaters to the Everglades.
  • Nona Adventure Park features a floating Aqua Park, Cable Park for wakeboarding/water skiing, one-of-a-kind 60-foot climbing tower and a ropes course.
  • At Discovery Cove, guests seeking a thrilling underwater adventure can upgrade their experience and step into a shark habitat, complete with over 20 sharks, for an intimate shark training session with expert Aquarists. 

Orlando’s Ice-Cold Treats
With National Ice Cream Day right around the corner (July 17), visitors can enjoy a scoop from one of Orlando’s most unique offerings - from artisanal ice cream boutiques serving plant-based ice cream to Japanese matcha treats.

LOCAL NEIGHBORHOODS

  • The Greenery Creamery, located just south of Lake Eola Park in downtown Orlando, is Orlando’s first artisanal ice cream boutique serving traditional, dairy-based ice cream and plant-based ice cream with specialties like black charcoal waffle cones and seasonal flavors like BlackBerry White Chocolate Pie.  
  • Kelly’s Homemade Ice Cream is an Orlando original known for rich, creamy, handcrafted ice cream with over 100 rotating recipes and original signature flavors including ore-dough, Mexican-chocolate, caramel scotchie and more. While its original location is in Orlando’s Audubon Park Garden District, several other locations can be found throughout the area, including The Hall on the Yard in Orlando’s Ivanhoe Village Main Street and Windermere near Universal Orlando Resort.
  • Matcha Cafe Maiko, located within downtown Orlando’s Mills 50 district, is the source for authentic Japanese drinks and desserts made with premium ceremonial-grade matcha from Kyoto, Japan. Signature treats include Matcha soft-serve, Matcha tea floats, shaved ice with Matcha syrup and more.

TOURISM DISTRICT

  • New at Disney Springs, Salt & Straw offers a rotating monthly menu including flavors like Goat Cheese Marionberry Habanero and classic flavors like The Salty Donut Guava + Cheese. They pride themselves on working with local makers, farmers and chefs who influence their ever-changing selection of scoops, pints and cones.
  • At The Toothsome Chocolate Emporium & Savory Feast Kitchen, a full-service restaurant, bar and confectionary in Universal CityWalk, visitors can enjoy Jacques’ Specialty Milkshakes and gourmet sundaes featuring flavors such as Banana Cream Pie and Strawberry Shortcake.

Additional information on Orlando’s best cold treats can be found here.

Natural Springs in Central Florida
From Scuba diving and snorkeling to swimming and fishing, visitors can explore the natural side of Orlando at pristine natural springs with crystal-clear water and incredible flora and fauna. And with a cost of only $6 per vehicle, it’s a great value.

  • Blue Springs State Park is a designated winter home of the Florida manatee. Visitors can enjoy the 72-degree water with activities including, scuba diving, kayaking, a boat tour of the historic St. Johns River and inflatable tube rentals to float down Blue Springs Run.
  • De Leon Springs State Park offers narrated boat tours, swimming, canoeing and birdwatching. After building an appetite making a splash, guests can experience making their own pancakes at the on-site Old Spanish Sugar Mill Restaurant.
  • Wekiwa Springs State Park, as the oldest tourist attraction in Central Florida, has been a top hidden gem for more than a century. The park offers 7,800 acres of outdoor experiences for the whole family with a natural spring for swimming, canoes for rent and an opportunity to experience the natural environment of the area’s Timucuan Indians.

Additional information on natural springs in Orlando can be found here.

Orlando: Home to 34 MICHELIN Guide Restaurants
Orlando continues to excel as a top-tier foodie destination with 34 Orlando restaurants recently included in the inaugural edition of the MICHELIN Guide Miami, Orlando and Tampa. The Orlando winners include four Starred, seven Bib Gourmands and 23 Recommended dining options. The announcement serves as another milestone in the evolution of Orlando’s world-class culinary scene — seasoning up even more reasons for travelers to plan an Orlando getaway. Additional information and a map of the MICHELIN Guide restaurants in Orlando can be found here.

Relaxation Guide: Orlando’s Lazy Rivers
Visitors seeking maximum relaxation will not want to skip out on scheduling downtime during their next visit to Orlando. With a variety of water parks and unique resort pools, guests can transport to uniquely theme rivers or enjoy a tranquil oasis that celebrates Florida’s lush nature as they spend their days drifting away on the destination’s best lazy rivers. 

THEME PARKS

  • At Disney’s Blizzard Beach Water Park, the 3,000-foot-long Cross Country Creek winds through the entire park, featuring polar caves, a grotto and showers from Mount Gushmore.
  • Aquatica Orlando’s Loggerhead Lane river course takes guests through a grotto filled with a school of cichlid fish, the park’s dolphin exhibit, a waterfall and other fun features.
  • At the Kopiko Wai Winding River in Universal’s Volcano Bay at Universal Orlando Resort, after finding one of the endless loop’s semi-hidden entrances, guests can drift seamlessly between wide open spaces and secluded caverns.

RESORTS

  • River Falls Lazy River, located at Orlando World Center Marriott’s all-new River Falls Water Park, offers 575 feet of enjoyment for guests as they wade into it through the park’s zero-entry pool.
  • The winding, twisting, gently meandering lazy river at Hilton Orlando is 892 feet long and includes traditional amenities such as waterfalls and fountains and even water cannons.
  • A ride along the lazy river at Four Seasons Resort Orlando at Walt Disney World Resort means enjoying scenery that celebrates Florida’s lush nature. The river includes a waterfall towering at 9 feet tall, as well as a run of bubbling rapids.

Additional information on Orlando’s lazy rivers can be found here.

What’s New in Orlando this Month?
Stay up to date on Orlando's most recent announcements and openings - from accommodations and attractions to restaurants and events - available here.

Did You Know?
In Orlando, fireworks can be enjoyed 365 days a year. From the nightly “Disney Enchantment” show at Walt Disney World’s Magic Kingdom and “Harmonious” at Epcot, to Universal Orlando’s nightly “Cinematic Celebration,” visitors will spot gorgeous pyrotechnics whether they’re in the theme parks or even nearby. Additional seasonal shows take place at SeaWorld Orlando, with the “Ignite” display, as well as during select holidays across the destination. Restaurants including California Grill at Disney’s Contemporary Resort, Capa at the Four Seasons Resort Orlando at Walt Disney World Resort and illume at JW Marriott Orlando Bonnet Creek Resort & Spa also offer diners memorable views of the nightly fireworks.