Updated: May 22, 2025
From family vacations to anniversary trips, Kissimmee’s a great place to go for a mix of excitement and relaxation. You’ll be close to world-famous theme parks, while also having plenty to do right in town.
Staying in Kissimmee also means you’re close to Orlando, one of the top family vacation spots in the US. There’s no shortage of things to do and parks to explore when you’re here, but that can make it harder to plan your upcoming trip.
Our Kissimmee travel guide comes with tips, recommendations, and info to help you out. Our experts at AAA want you to have the best experience, and that starts with stress-free travel planning.
Having a car can give you the most convenient way to travel in and around this Central Florida city whenever you want. Making a road trip here means you’re all set with transportation. Flying into Orlando makes it easy to rent a car and drive to Kissimmee. Just note that the area does get heavy traffic, so add that time to your travel plans accordingly.
If you're not eager to deal with traffic, your hotel might offer free shuttle service around town or to nearby parks and attractions. Kissimmee also has the following forms of public transportation:
If you have a flexible schedule for your trip to Kissimmee, certain seasons might offer a better or less expensive experience than others. That depends on your budget, what you want to see, and what type of weather you like. Here are a few ideas to help you get started on making this decision.
If you want a vacation filled with water activities, plan to visit here during the summer months. You can escape the heat and humidity on water rides and in swimming pools. Keep in mind that this is the rainy season here, though, and it’s the most expensive and most crowded time to visit.
If you're looking for a fun-filled holiday season, winter’s the best time to come to Kissimmee for vacation. Temperatures during the day are usually in the 70s, so walking around is more comfortable than in summer. It’s also not as rainy. Winter brings lower prices and festive events, like the Festival of Lights and tons of holiday fun at Old Town Kissimmee and Gaylord Palms Resort and Convention Center.
If you want a combination of reduced prices and mild weather, then fall or spring are the ideal time to visit Kissimmee. You'll typically get lower rates on hotels and resorts. These seasons also have warm weather that doesn't get too hot. Visit in spring for Mardi Gras and other seasonal events or in fall for Halloween excitement.
One of the perks of visiting this Central Florida town is being near some of the top theme parks in the area. You’re just a short drive or shuttle/bus ride away from world-famous attractions. You might not have time to visit them all, but consider adding one or more of these to your Kissimmee trip itinerary.
Have a magical experience with a visit to Walt Disney World, which is just over 10 miles away from Kissimmee. Spend a day exploring one of the parks, or buy passes for multiple days here. Disney World includes all of the following parks:
This resort’s about 18 miles from Kissimmee and gives you a chance to enjoy thrill rides, movie-themed attractions, and much more. Your options here include:
This one’s a longer drive from Kissimmee, but it’s worth it. LEGOLAND is in Winter Haven, roughly 38 miles away. It’s got tons of rides and attractions for kids young and old, including roller coasters, water rides and live entertainment. A few notable attractions include:
For animals and entertainment, spend a day exploring SeaWorld Orlando. It’s just 12 miles from Kissimmee. You’ll get to see penguins, dolphins, and sea lions. There’s also a shark encounter and feeding. SeaWorld also has thrill rides and other attractions, including:
Now that you know which major parks are close by, it’s time to focus on what’s available right here in Kissimmee. The city has attractions you can enjoy during your stay. To help you decide where to go and what to do, we offer our recommendations for the city’s top attractions.
You don’t have to deal with crowds and high prices at the big theme parks. Stay in town and save money with a visit to Fun Spot America Kissimmee. The Kissimmee park’s got roller coasters, family-friendly rides for the little ones, go-karts, arcade games and much more. There’s even a wooden roller coaster with a thrilling barrel roll. If you'll be spending more time in Orlando, visit the other Fun Spot America Theme Parks location at 5700 Fun Spot Way.
If you're looking for a way to let the kids burn off energy during your stay, spend the day at Kissimmee Lakefront Park. The park’s playgrounds include climbing walls and other fun features. There’s also a splash pad for cooling off in the heat. Pack a picnic lunch, and take a walk over to the lighthouse while you’re here.
Old Town is a mix of a historic walking district and an amusement park. Stroll through the streets, visiting shops and eateries in this part of town. Or go on Old Town’s rides, like the Ferris wheel that overlooks the city from over 80 feet in the air or the Hurricane roller coaster.
Combine dining and live entertainment with a visit to Medieval Times Dinner and Tournament. Have a four-course meal in a castle-like dining area while watching knights engage in a jousting tournament. You’ll also get to see exciting falconry and swordsmanship demonstrations.
For an exploration of history and the cost of freedom, visit the Museum of Military History. You’ll see artifacts and exhibits from military conflicts, including the American Civil War, World War II and more recent conflicts. Active-duty military can visit for free.
No guide to Kissimmee would be complete without recommendations on where to book accommodations. The ideal choice for your trip depends on how much you want to spend, what kind of accommodations you want and what activities your travel plan includes. We’ve narrowed down the list to some of the top places to stay in Kissimmee based on different travel goals, and all of them are AAA Diamond properties, indicating a clean and well-kept place to stay.
If your travel plans include a visit to Disney World or Universal Studios, you’ll be right nearby at Gaylord Palms Resort. But the resort itself offers so much to see and do that you may want to adjust your plans. In winter, it's home to ICE!, the hotel's signature holiday attraction with ice carvings and winter programming, but there's also fun to be had year-round. The resort features multiple places to eat, outdoor recreation and spa facilities, and the location can't be beat. You can catch rides to and from Disney World when you stay here.
If you want your own place to stay while you’re in town, Margaritaville Cottages gives you all the space you and your group will need for a comfortable and pleasant vacation. With trails on-site, along with a hot tub and tons of other amenities, you’ll have lots to do here. There’s also an on-site water park, and some units have a private pool.
If you're bringing the kids on vacation, Holiday Inn Resort has its own kids' activity center. It also has virtual sports and other amenities to keep everyone in the family busy. You’ll also have complimentary transportation to some of the area’s biggest attractions.
If you're exploring accommodation options that help you save money, consider SpringHill Suites. It might not have resort amenities or a waterfront location, but it’s got great rates for budget-conscious travelers. You can also save on transportation with the hotel’s complimentary rides to and from the Disney parks.
You’ll have no trouble finding great places to eat in and around Kissimmee. The problem is deciding which restaurants to visit during your trip, but luckily there are many AAA Diamond restaurants, which indicate the quality food and service that you can expect. Check out the following recommendations for dining establishments in the area, according to our AAA experts.
You can choose à la carte entrées, but the real highlight is the Brazilian churrasco experience with over 10 meats served tableside. Explore the gourmet table filled with cheeses, fruits, salads and more, or indulge in Brazilian desserts that pair perfectly with their wine list. Adega Gaucha's spacious dining area is ideal for groups and celebrations.
For a retro dining atmosphere, have a meal at Ford’s Garage. Order a plate of their classic wings to start, but save room for their car-themed entrées, like the Model A burger or the American Roadster. Enjoy an old-fashioned milkshake and a slice of key lime pie while you’re there.
Make a quick trip over to neighboring Celebration for a tasty meal at one of the oldest Spanish restaurant establishments in Florida. Columbia Restaurant serves the award-winning 1905 salad that's prepared right next to your table. Dine on Spanish dishes before finishing your meal with white chocolate bread pudding made from a cherished family recipe.
If you want to try out another Kissimmee restaurant, dine at The Wharf at Sunset Walk for delicious seafood dishes and live music. Try a seafood pot pie or jambalaya pasta while listening to dueling piano music or other musical acts.
Visiting the area allows you to take pics in front of Cinderella’s Castle, Hogwarts Castle, and Spaceship Earth at EPCOT. But even if you don’t visit these nearby theme parks, you can get plenty of great pics right in Kissimmee. Our AAA team recommends checking out the following places for vacation pic backgrounds.
1. Old Town Clock in Downtown
Kissimmee’s downtown area offers many potential photo spots, but one that stands out is the clock in Old Town. Have the whole family pose in front of this decorative, vintage clock for a memorable photograph. Old Town also has several other places that make good backdrops, so have your camera app ready.
2. Brinson Park
If you're planning to do some fishing or have a picnic at Brinson Park, you’ll be able to capture images with the blue waters of Lake Tohopekaliga behind you. Or you can snap pics while walking on the park’s tree-lined trails. You can also walk or bike over to Lakefront Park from here.
3. Kissimmee Lakefront Park
Spending an afternoon at Kissimmee Lakefront Park gives you a chance to go boating or fishing, stroll along the lake’s shores, and take lots of photos. Stand with the park’s lighthouse behind you for scenic images, or visit in the morning or evening while the sun sets or rises over the lake for beautiful pics.
4. Cypress Trees Along Shingle Creek
If you're looking for impressive landscape spots, check out the tree-lined shores of Shingle Creek. The creek has rows of towering cypress trees along its banks, giving you majestic backdrops for your vacation photographs. Hike through the area or explore via water in a kayak to get some amazingly scenic shots.
5. Shingle Creek Regional Park
This huge park gives you over 1,000 acres to explore. That’s a lot of opportunities to take family vacation pics to cherish. But one of the top spots within the park for great backgrounds is Steffee Landing. Snap photos with historic Steffee Homestead behind you, or capture images with the waters of Shingle Creek as your backdrop.
Traveling to Kissimmee gives you plenty to do, but you may still want to save room in your schedule for a day trip. If you're looking for something other than theme parks, this part of Florida puts you close to all sorts of other attractions and activities that are within a couple hours of Kissimmee. Any of the following would make a great day trip.
1. Kennedy Space Center, Titusville, FL
If you've always wanted to see spacecraft in person, you can do that and more at Kennedy Space Center. It’s a little over an hour to get there from Kissimmee. Once you’re there, take your time exploring all of the center’s attractions, like the U.S. Astronaut Hall of Fame, the Rocket Garden, and Apollo 8 and the Firing Room.
2. Clearwater Beach
Kissimmee’s not a coastal town, but you can get your ocean fix at Clearwater Beach. It’s a couple of hours away, so leave early enough to spend the day lounging on the sand or swimming in the Gulf waters. You can also visit Clearwater Marine Aquarium and Pier 60 while you’re in the area.
3. Central Florida Zoo and Botanical Gardens
Take a drive up to Sanford to see hundreds of animals, including Indian rhinos, Amur leopards, crocodiles, and more at the Central Florida Zoo. The park also has picturesque gardens throughout its grounds, including a butterfly garden and bromeliad collection. It takes a few hours to see everything here, so plan on heading out from Kissimmee early.
4. Wild Florida Airboats and Gator Park
If you're hoping to see some of Florida’s most famous critters, make a trip to Kenansville near Orlando to visit Gator Park. Do the drive-thru safari park to see zebras, giraffes, and other exotic animals, or walk through Gator Park to see alligators, lemurs, sloths, and more. You can also take an airboat tour of the area.
5. Orlando
Going to Orlando doesn’t mean you have to visit a theme park. In fact, the city’s got tons of hidden gems and other off-the-beaten-path attractions and things to do. Spend the day at Orlando Loch Haven Park to enjoy the outdoors, or visit East End Market to eat or purchase locally made goods.
If you're trying to limit how much you spend while you’re in town, you’re already ahead by staying in Kissimmee instead of at one of the big theme park resorts. But there are other ways to cut down on the amount you spend on dining, accommodations, and other parts of your trip. Check out the following for some money-saving ideas.
1. Save on dining with careful planning - Dining out gives you a chance to try out many local eateries, but those meal costs can add up fast. How can you keep costs down while still being able to go to restaurants? Aim to have bigger lunches and smaller dinners. Lunch prices in Kissimmee may be a bit lower than dinner entree prices. Check for lunch deals and specials or other discounts, like “kids eat free” days.
2. Find free things to do in Kissimmee - Save your money for theme parks and other attractions, and fill the rest of your itinerary with free attractions. Kissimmee has a lot you can do and see without paying a dime. Explore local parks, like Kissimmee Lakefront Park. Wander through the Lake Nona Sculpture Garden. Stroll through Old Town’s streets, and stop and admire the Monument of States landmark in the heart of the city.
3. Stay nearby in a neighboring town with lower-priced accommodations - You don’t have to book a room right in Kissimmee to enjoy its attractions and amenities. In fact, it might just be cheaper to stay in accommodations in neighboring towns and communities. Compare hotel options in Titusville, West Melbourne, St. Cloud, Clermont, and Plant City to see which offers the lowest rates.
4. Use your available AAA member benefits to save on travel costs - Let your AAA membership help you enjoy deals and discounts for every part of your trip. Go through all of your benefits to look for ways to save. With a AAA membership, you can reduce travel expenses on the following:
5. Go to Kissimmee in spring or fall, not summer or winter - Summer is when rates are at their highest in Kissimmee, so it’s the most expensive time to visit. Winter prices tend to be lower, but holiday events tend to draw crowds, leading to a bump in rates. Plan for spring or fall to really save money on airfare, accommodations, and other travel costs.
Once you’ve gathered inspiration for your dream Kissimmee trip on Trip Canvas, contact one of AAA’s Travel Agents today to start making your dream a reality, using your AAA membership to access exclusive deals. No matter your budget, they can help you simplify the planning process with prepackaged trips or à la carte options.
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