Kissimmee is More Than Just Theme Parks

When guests visit Central Florida, they often think of just the theme parks like Disney World, Universal and Sea World.  However, there is so much more to our area…there is the Kissimmee Experience.  Kissimmee is one of the main cities in the tourist area of Central Florida.  The city of Kissimmee is right next to Orlando.  This city offers so much for the Florida visitor!  The Kissimmee Experience includes nature, fine dining, unique shopping, alligators, thrills, and so much more.  I am sharing my Top Kissimmee Experiences:

Hold an Alligator

I recently got to hold an alligator at Wild Florida.  Growing up in Florida, we would see alligators all of the time, but I never actually got to hold an alligator.  This was my first time and what an experience.  I learned all about gators from the Wild Florida Expert, before we got to hold the gator and snap some pictures.  It was certainly one of those experiences that you can only get in Kissimmee and unique to a typical Florida vacation.  You can hold an alligator at Wild Florida or Gatorland, both in the Kissimmee area.

Dining & Shopping in Downtown Kissimmee

Tucked away in Downtown Kissimmee is a quaint dining and shopping area.  When visiting Central Florida, you could completely miss this area.  It is a perfect way to enjoy an evening away from the crowds of the theme parks.  You may find a hidden gem like Savion’s Place (ranked as one of the Top Restaurants to Visit Outside of Disney) or

Take an Airboat Ride

Living in Florida, I am constantly asked if I own an airboat.  Nope!  Most people actually do not own an airboat in Florida.  However, it has certainly been on my bucket list.  There are so many rivers and lakes in Kissimmee, to take an afternoon and get out into nature to see wildlife; like birds, alligators, turtles and more.  One of the most popular air boat rides is actually with Wild Florida in Kissimmee.  This is one of those unique experiences that your whole family will be talking about for years.

Medieval Times Dinner Show

Imagine your evening of kings, queens and knights entertaining you with horses, birds, jousting and sword fights.  Then imagine this entertainment as your dine on roasted chicken, potatoes, soup, corn on the cob, and apple tarts.  Medieval Times Dinner Show is the ultimate dining experience with great food and a fun atmosphere, for the whole family!

Zipline Over Gators & Crocs

One of my favorite Kissimmee Experiences is ziplining over alligators and crocodiles at Gatorland!  The team at Gatorland will take care of you as you zip throughout the Gatorland park over all kinds of water, alligators and crocodiles.  You will be laughing and screaming the whole time!  Then at the end, you can race each other to end the zipline!  I have done tons of ziplining experiences over the years and the Gatorland Zipline is still my favorite!

There is so much more to visit in Central Florida then just the theme parks.  I hope you take a break on your next visit and Experience Kissimmee and all of the treasures this city has to offer your family vacation.

Thank you so much to the Kissimmee Convention & Visitors Bureau for sponsoring us during the Choice Hotels Ultimate People Person.  Learn more about Kissimmee.