Kissimmee makes more dreams come true for vacation, holiday, business and sports travelers. More than a marketing slogan, Kissimmee literally is a dream destination for millions of yearly travelers who rest, relax and rejuvenate themselves at the area’s vast assortment of accommodations.
Easy access to all the action, on the threshold of the ‘real Florida’. The Kissimmee area lies to the south of I-Drive, not far from the magic of Walt Disney World Resort. This means that not only does it have easy access to all the major theme parks, it also has a huge range of attractions and amenities that are all on its own.
Kissimmee Old Town
Top billing goes to Kissimmee Old Town, a winning mix of shops, restaurants, and amusement rides that are guaranteed to entertain the whole family. The various roller-coasters and rides (including the Old Town Catapult, which shoots riders 365feet into the air!) are sure to get the adrenaline flowing, while the bumper cars, live music, quaint shops, and interesting dining options make this an entertainment complex that everyone will enjoy. Don’t miss the Friday and Saturday Night Cruise, when classic cars and hot-rods parade down the main strip to a soundtrack of 50’s and 60’s-style rock’n’roll music.
Dinner Shows in Kissimmee
There’s also plenty of fun to be had at the area’s excellent dinner shows. Head to Arabian Nights for a fairytale storyline with music, magic, incredible acrobatics, and beautiful performing horses; or perhaps try Capone’s Dinner and Show for a thoroughly entertaining evening of wacky characters, hilarious songs, and a never-ending Italian buffet. Also popular is the long-running Medieval Times Dinner & Tournament, where a new storyline and script now include even more action, romance and chivalry.
‘Real’ Florida
Gatorland, Kissimmee
It’s not all magic and theme parks through — Kissimmee’s other major appeal lies in its proximity to a more authentic, ‘real’ Florida. Get completely off the beaten track at Kissimmee Prairie Preserve State Park, a pristine wilderness reserve of open grasslands and palm forests that’s crisscrossed with excellent hiking trails. For something a little more mainstream, how about a high-speed airboat ride across a shimmering lake, or an alligator-spotting tour at Boggy Creek? Wherever you go in the Kissimmee area, you’ll find many opportunities to experience what Florida was like before Mr. Disney arrived on the scene.
Gatorland
Alligators also feature heavily at Gatorland, a one-of-a-kind attraction that’s recently undergone a multi-million dollar makeover. Get up close to hundreds of alligators and other Florida natives, or let the kids run wild at the Gator Gully Splash Park, whose water cannons and splash-and-dash thrills will keep them entertained for hours.
More to see…
More grown-up-style fun can be found at The Loop shopping complex for mid-to-up-scale purchases, or try Wal-Mart or Target for cut-price goods. There are golf and fine dining to be found throughout the area; plus if you’re hankering for home, you can get your fix of all things British at The Rovers Return, The Fox and Hounds, or one of the other British pubs that can be found on Highway 192.
All in all, Kissimmee offers a fantastic mixture of small-town charm and big-time attractions, making it the ideal choice for those looking to fill their holiday with the widest variety of experiences. From wildlife to wild times, you’ll find it all in Kissimmee!
Kissimmee lodging properties are an ideal place to return to after a day of soaking up the fun and thrills of world famous Central Florida theme parks. Visitors also find a broad spectrum of man-made and nature-based attractions and an impressive array of shopping and dining options to round out their dream vacation.
Kissimmee is minutes away from Walt Disney World, SeaWorld Orlando and Universal Studios, and a short drive to Kennedy Space Center and the improved Cypress Gardens Adventure Park. But that’s not all. Kissimmee also is centrally located to a host of smaller attractions that bring dreams to life. Classic car fans can’t miss the weekly car cruise at Old Town. Drop in at Gatorland for a look at the state’s famous cold-blooded residents. Name it and visitors will find it in Kissimmee: miniature golf, balloon and helicopter rides, vintage military planes and a whole lot more.
A day on the links is a day in paradise for some and Kissimmee has more than its share of golf courses that will challenge any skill level. Many courses were designed by legends of the game, including Johnny Miller’s course at Harmony Golf Preserve, Tom Watson and Arnold Palmer at Reunion Resort and Greg Norman at ChampionsGate Golf Resort. Plus there are more than visitors can imagine of public and resort courses, including Mystic Dunes, Falcon’s Fire Golf Club and Celebration Golf Club.
Concerts, professional and amateur sports, traveling children’s shows, spectacular dinner attractions, theatrical performances and live music at local eateries, Kissimmee’s nightlife appeals to visitors of all ages.
Silver Spurs Arena at Osceola Heritage Park has hosted headlining acts such as Maroon5, Hilary Duff and country superstar Alan Jackson, as well as “Sesame Street Live!” and “Bob the Builder Live!” Championship tournaments for Olympic-class gymnastics, equestrian events, martial arts competitions and indoor football also have been held on the arena floor.
The arena is also home to the Florida Seals minor league hockey with non-stop action from October to March. The Osceola County Stadium at OHP is the spring training home to the Houston Astros. Outside of OHP, crowds also enjoy cheering for their favorite knight at Medieval Times or swooning at the love story at Arabian Nights, or a good-natured North v. South rivalry at Dolly Parton’s Dixie Stampede, only a few among a number of Kissimmee-area dinner attractions.
Kissimmee has carefully preserved its natural environment, and various attractions offer visitors a chance to get away from the bustle of modern life and reconnect with nature. Forever Florida, Green Meadows Petting Farm, Horse World, The Nature Conservancy’s Disney Wilderness Preserve are just some of those. Boggy Creek Airboat Rides and Scenic Lake Tours provide spectacular tours of Lake Tohopekaliga. The Kissimmee Chain of Lakes also provides anglers with world-class fishing year-round, and Kissimmee is also a short drive from beautiful sandy beaches along Florida’s coasts, where travelers can soak up the sun.
Before Walt Disney came to town and changed the face of Kissimmee forever, the area was best known for its cattle industry and the Silver Spurs Rodeo. Today, that heritage is still evident in the preserved downtown areas of Kissimmee and St. Cloud, and in the Silver Spurs event still held every year but which is now housed in a new climate-controlled arena at OHP and in the weekly rodeos at Kissimmee Sports Arena. Visitors also will enjoy one of the many special events throughout the year, including a monthly art and concert in Toho Square, and cultural, food and music festivals.
Travelers with visions of great deals on designer bags and clothes, of finding hidden treasure among the shelves of an antique store or indulging their shopping passion at a high-end boutique will find it all in Kissimmee. Stop by Kissimmee’s newest shopping, dining and entertainment center, The Loop, with 400,000-square-feet of retail options — and more to come — in a pedestrian-friendly, open-air atmosphere.
Go outlet shopping at Lake Buena Vista Factory Stores and Orlando Premium Outlets, antiquing along the historic downtown streets of Kissimmee and St. Cloud and find unique gift ideas around Market Street in the neo-classical town of Celebration.
Also find familiar favorites at Florida Mall, unique specialty stores at Festival Bay and high-end department stores and shops at Mall at Millenia.