Top 10 Things to Do in Orlando's International Drive Entertainment District

Even if you’ve yet to visit Orlando, chances are you’ve heard of the International Drive Entertainment District, aka I-Drive. Whether you seek unforgettable experiences or just an open-air stroll in our gorgeous outdoors, our electrifying main strip is the place to be.

Learn more: International Drive in Orlando

Beyond providing quick access to Walt Disney World® Resort, Universal Orlando Resort and SeaWorld® Orlando, International Drive is a destination in its own right. It's home to all-in-one entertainment hubs, attractions both wild and mild, dining for every taste and budget, incredible shopping, and hotels and resorts that will satisfy everything from the thriftiest of travelers to those seeking the ultimate in opulent luxury.

Get our tips on the top things to do in the I-Drive Entertainment District, and choose your own adventure in Orlando!

Amazing Attractions

Orlando’s theme parks are always worth visiting, but they’re not the only place in town with unique ways to play — and some of the best options are on and around I-Drive. For starters, take a spin in the only go-karts endorsed by racing legend Mario Andretti at Andretti Indoor Karting & Games (save on discount tickets), or fly like a superhero at iFLY Orlando Indoor Skydiving.

Save on discount tickets: Orlando Attractions

One of International Drive’s most visually striking attractions is Ripley’s Believe It or Not!^®, which appears to be falling into a massive Florida sinkhole. (Don’t worry, it isn’t going anywhere!) Inside, explore hundreds of fascinating, interactive exhibits the whole family can marvel at together.

Outdoor fun awaits at I-Drive’s Pirate’s Cove Adventure Golf (save on discount tickets), which also has a picnic area when you’re ready to relax. For a fresh spin on golf, Topgolf Orlando uses elements of darts and bowling to create a fun, competitive game for all ages and skill levels, supplemented by a robust food and beverage menu. And there are still more I-Drive attractions where they came from. Speaking of which…

ICON Park^®

Offering entertainment, dining and shopping in one walkable, open-air plaza, ICON Park is the home of The Wheel (get discount tickets), the famous, 400-foot-tall observation wheel that provides breathtaking views of Orlando. For more fun, check out Madame Tussauds Orlando (get discount tickets), SEA Life Orlando Aquarium (get discount tickets), Museum of Illusions (learn more) and In The Game ICON Park, among others.

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You won’t go hungry at ICON Park, either, thanks to killer restaurants like Blake Shelton’s all-new Ole Red, Tapa Toro Tapas Bar & Paella Pit (headed by celebrity chef Roberto Treviño), Tin Roof, and Yard House, plus new additions like Gordon Ramsay Fish & Chips and legendary Key West saloon Sloppy Joe’s. Ready to dance? Ole Red and Tin Roof also serve live music. Before you leave, stock up on vacation wear, souvenirs and more at the venue’s eclectic lineup of shops.

Learn more: Orlando’s Top Chefs

Pointe Orlando

An open-air dining, entertainment and shopping hub close to the Orange County Convention Center, Pointe Orlando offers a lot of culinary variety. Savor a taste of Havana and late-night dancing at Cuba Libre Restaurant & Rum Bar, headed by two-time James Beard award-winning Chef Guillermo Pernot, or feast on fine Greek cuisine with a side of live belly-dancing entertainment at Taverna Opa.

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You can also opt for fresh catches at The Oceanaire Seafood Room and legendary steaks at The Capital Grille. Pointe Orlando constantly adds new flavors, too, such as Chicago’s famous The Hampton Social and Brazilian churrasco steakhouse Rodizio Grill. You can’t go wrong with British favorites at The Pub Orlando, either. Look for Kavas Taco & Tequila and JoJo’s Shake Bar to join the lineup in 2022.

Throw in fun attractions like WonderWorks (get discount tickets) and Main Event Entertainment — the latter of which also serves food — plus retailers offering a wide range of merchandise, and it’s easy to spend a whole day at Pointe Orlando.

Fun Spot America

For more than 20 years, Fun Spot America in Orlando has been a cornerstone of International Drive, presenting a classic amusement park with wild rides and addicting games for every member of the family.

Save on discount tickets: Fun Spot America

Thrill-seekers won’t want to miss the world’s second-tallest SkyCoaster, which is complemented by other fun attractions like Headrush 360, gravity-defying Enterprise, the White Lightning wooden roller coaster, inverted Freedom Flyer steel roller coaster and all-new Sky Hawk, among others. (Wondering where to find the world’s tallest SkyCoaster? FunSpot’s location in Kissimmee, just 10 minutes from Walt Disney World!)

FunSpot also offers go-karting, plus pint-sized action for children that includes Bumper Boats, Kiddie Swings, the Fun Slide and more. When you’re ready for a break from the action, test your skills at classic midway games and the onsite video arcade.

Pure Escape

Need an escape? I-Drive can help with multiple escape room attractions, each of which features a different set of challenges for you to conquer. The Escape Game Orlando (save on discount tickets) is  is a great example. Ranked as Orlando’s top escape room on TripAdvisor, it offers six challenging scenarios, including Mission: Mars, Prison Break, Gold Rush, The Heist, Special Ops: Mysterious Market and Playground.

Learn more: Orlando Escape Rooms

At most of Orlando’s escape attractions, there’s a chance you’ll be teamed with strangers, but your group is always guaranteed a private room at Escapology. Games there include Star Trek: Quantum Filament, Scooby-Doo and the Spooky Castle Adventure, Murder on the Orient Express, 7 Deadly Sins, Lost City, Mansion Murder, Under Pressure, Antidote and Narco.

Dezerland Park

There’s a brand-new way to play indoors on International Drive courtesy of the 800,000-square-foot Dezerland Park! Inside, experience a full day of fun with affordably priced attractions for all ages, including Karting Orlando, Jump Start Trampoline Park, Bowling Orlando, The Pinball Palace, Arcade Orlando and Axecelsior Axe Throwing, which even has safety axes for little ones

Learn more: 25 Things to Do for $25 or Less in Orlando

Dezerland Park’s centerpiece is the 250,000-square-foot Orlando Auto Museum, where you can lay your eyes on more than 2,000 rare and exotic rides, including James Bond vehicles, micro cars, and the world’s largest collection of Batman vehicles. You can also grab a meal at the Bond Lounge & Exhibit, a sit-down restaurant with a massive collection of Bond memorabilia.

Learn more: Dezerland Park

Delicious Dining

Beyond the excellent eateries at Pointe Orlando and ICON Park, International Drive has many other venues worthy of gourmets’ attention, including those at area resorts. For instance, the AAA Four Diamond A Land Remembered and Cala Bella are part of the dining lineup at Rosen Shingle Creek. More great eateries await at other Rosen properties in the I-Drive district, including Jack’s Place at Rosen Plaza Hotel and Everglades Restaurant at Rosen Centre Hotel. They join Spencer’s for Steaks and Chops at Hilton Orlando and Fiorenzo at Hyatt Regency Orlando, among others.

Learn more: I-Drive Dining & Nightlife

Don’t skip the International Drive Entertainment District's standalone restaurants, either! Standouts include Ciao Italia Italian Ristorante, Cooper’s Hawk Winery & Restaurant, Del Frisco’s Double Eagle Steakhouse, Fogo de Chao Brazilian Steakhouse, Hanamizuki Japanese Restaurant, Joe’s Crab Shack, Seito Sushi, Vincenzo Cucina Italiana, and many others.

Electrifying Nightlife

The party never ends on International Drive — not with dynamic nightlife options up and down the strip! One of the most incredible is Mango’s Tropical Cafe, a two-story, 55,000-square-foot venue that lights up the night with live entertainment and dancing.

Learn more: Orlando Nightlife & Entertainment

A dueling piano bar like no other, Howl at the Moon is another I-Drive hotspot. When it’s time to cool down, nothing beats the chilly confines of ICEBAR Orlando. But the fact is, you’ll find lounges, nightclubs and more throughout I-Drive, including resort options such as 3NINE at Rosen Plaza, David’s Club Bar & Grill at Hilton Orlando, and others. And that’s on top of aforementioned live music joints such as Ole Red and Tin Roof.

Sensational Shopping

Orlando’s International Drive area is packed with places to shop for everything from mementos of your visit to the latest in jewelry and fashion, including retailers at ICON Park and Pointe Orlando. And thanks to the presence of two high-profile outlet malls, you can shop till you drop without breaking the bank!

Learn more: Orlando Shopping

Located close to Universal Orlando Resort and SeaWorld Orlando, Orlando International Premium Outlets^® is Florida’s largest outlet shopping center, featuring nearly a quarter-million square feet packed with more than 180 designer and name-brand outlets. On the south end of I-Drive near Walt Disney World, Orlando Vineland Premium Outlets^® has over 160 value-priced designer options, with savings as high as 65 percent off retail. A third outlet mall, Lake Buena Vista Factory Stores, is also close to I-Drive in the Walt Disney World area.

Learn more: Orlando Outlet Shopping

While you’re in the area, keep in mind that two of Florida’s best malls are just a short drive away. Focusing on luxury shopping experiences, The Mall at Millenia has more than 150 high-end stores and boutiques. And at The Florida Mall^®, choose from over 250 retail, dining and entertainment venues that include numerous market-exclusive retailers.

Learn more: Orlando Malls

I-Ride Trolley

The I-Drive Entertainment district is big, and even though the core is extremely walkable, you’ll need a vehicle to get out and see all of it. That’s where International Drive’s tours and transportation options come in, including numerous excursions by bus and bike.

One of the most affordable ways to get around I-Drive is also the most fun: the I-Ride Trolley. Priced at a maximum of $2 per ride, these smiling trolley buses will take you all over the International Drive area, with stops conveniently located throughout the district. It runs from 8 a.m. – 10:30 p.m. daily, so hop aboard and see everything waiting for you on Orlando’s famous I-Drive!