The Best of Orlando’s International Drive

International Drive is a welcome respite for the park-fatigued, home to countless t-shirt and souvenir shops, putt-putt golf courses, and all you can eat rib joints. The following unique attractions, all of which reside on I-drive’s main drags, rival the theme parks for family fun.

SkyVenture Indoor Skydiving



An entertaining and cost-effective way to pass a rainy afternoon indoors, SkyVenture approximates the sky diving experience safely and painlessly for people of all ages. It claims to be “the closest thing to skydiving you'll ever do without having to jump out of an airplane,” so similar to the real thing that its wind tunnels serve as practice grounds for professionals. SkyVenture’s participants will most certainly feel the thrill of sky diving without the threat of broken bones.

Visit: http://www.skyventureorlando.com


SeaWorld’s Aquatica



SeaWorld’s newest I-Drive venture is at once a water park and an aquarium, providing its guests with thrill rides through various sea-creature habitats. Attractions notably include a raft ride through a tropical fish exhibit and a speed slide alongside a group of Commerson’s Dolphins (who apparently enjoy racing human riders). Aquatica also enjoys a reciprocal relationship with SeaWorld and Busch Gardens, so visitors will benefit from multi-park pass deals.

Visit: http://aquaticabyseaworld.com/


Festival Bay Mall



Festival Bay is a theme park-mall hybrid, housing extreme attractions like Ron Jon’s Surf Park and Vans’ Skate Park on its grounds. The Surf Park’s premises include several wave- and surf-pools in addition to its retail center, attracting both longtime surf enthusiasts and curious first-timers. Kids will also love the mall’s “Putting Edge,” a glow-in-the-dark mini golf course. For the pleasure of a slightly older crowd, Festival Bay also hosts a movie theatre, several restaurants, and the impressively large Bass Pro Shops.

Visit: http://www.shopfestivalbaymall.com/


Wonder Works



Wonder Works’ appealing premise is as follows: The distinctive, upside-down building was once a laboratory in the Bermuda Triangle, uprooted by a violent tornado and dropped in Orlando with all its experiments intact. Its indoor exhibitions include fighter jet flight simulators, earthquake simulators, virtual sports, and virtual combat. Visiting families can also enjoy laser tag and comedic dinner shows.

Visit: http://www.wonderworksonline.com/


Orlando Premium Outlets and Prime Outlets International



No I-Drive visit is complete unless you take home some outlet steals. These two complexes offer a huge array of stores, though they specialize in discounted designer goods. The Prime Outlets host a large Saks Off 5th outlet, while the Premiums have Dior and Armani. Outlet shoppers should consider the extensive I-Ride trolley for transportation; rides are a dollar apiece, and the trolley hits all the major malls.

Visit: http://www.internationaldriveorlando.com/thingsToDo/shopping.asp