Top 12 Things to Do in Kissimmee for First-Time Visitors

Kissimmee, the entertainment hub of Florida, offers a multitude of adventures, activities, thrills, and enough ghost stories to keep things interesting! Whether you enjoy traveling with family, friends, or alone to get much-needed solitude, Kissimmee attractions are your best solution. From world-class theme parks, outdoor adventures, indoor activities, to the best hiking trails and haunted ghost tours, you're in for a wild and bumpy ride, but it's worth it!

How about we begin with every kid's childhood dream? Disney World! In the heart of Kissimmee, Florida, Walt Disney World is home to a variety of themed rides of your favorite superheroes and adventures like Space Kingdom, Stinky Dog Dash, Seven Dwarf Mine Train, Haunted Mansion, and many more. The visitors can enjoy free shuttle service, which is included in the ticket, as well as a great variety of restaurants serving unique Disney-inspired dishes and drinks. It's usually crowded, which is why we recommend visiting early to avoid long lines for rides.

If popular and crowded attractions like Disney are too much for you and you're looking for a good and a bit of quiet alternative, Aquatic World is the perfect choice! Located on the outskirts of Kissimmee, this adventure park features a large water park, which includes water slides that touch the sky, a lazy river, public pools, and wave pools. Visitors can easily spend a full day here, as the park also has on-site restaurants where a variety of food options and drinks are served. It’s a great place to visit with family, as it caters to people of all ages.

Overlooking the beautiful Lake Tohopekaliga, the Kissimmee Lakefront Park is a great choice for picnics, casual strolls, or a fun evening with kids. The park includes big playgrounds for children, scenic walking paths, and picnic areas, while fishing enthusiasts can spend their time fishing, catching fresh fish and bass from the lake. The park is also home to diverse wildlife, where visitors can enjoy spotting native animals and birds, which makes the experience even more unique. To conclude the activities here are some of the top fun things to do in Kissimmee when it comes to outdoor fun.

Want to do something out of the box? How about taking an epic airboat ride across the Everglades to see Florida's diverse wildlife? It's like turning the National Geographic Channel on, but instead, your eyes are the camera, capturing live views of alligators, wild lizards, deer, eagles, and other creatures. This unique adventure is cool, entertaining, educational, and provides an exciting real-world experience, especially for people who love nature.

If airplanes are something that tickles your inner child, then a visit to the Aviation Museum in Kissimmee is non-negotiable. This museum displays a wide range of exhibits related to aviation and guns, which are not easily accessible to the public. Moreover, it is a working museum, which means the visitors can see aircraft being restored live. Isn't that cool?

Need a much-needed spiritual break? Take a quick visit to Wat Florida Dhammaram, a late 1990s Buddhist temple in Kissimmee, offering a peaceful atmosphere for prayer and meditation. Upon the visit, visitors get to tour the whole temple and also join cultural experiences. The temple gardens are another great part of this architectural marvel, with beautiful statues and sculptures. Moreover, they host multiple events that are free to the public, as well as cultural festivals that promote Buddhist teachings and Thai practices.

For an all-in-one package, we recommend visiting the Promenade Sunset Walk in Kissimmee, which is a great outdoor area with many popular stores, eateries, and entertainment options. It's the perfect place to relax after a busy day and enjoy fresh tacos, specialty cocktails, sushi, and dessert at different dining spots. This city center spot especially becomes alive weekly thanks to the modern car exhibitions, live music concerts, and seasonal festivities, making it a must-visit if you are one of those people who get bored easily.

Those interested in history and culture should check out the Osceola County Historical Society, which offers an interactive vacation itinerary in a 19th-century building. This society aims to show the daily life of Osceola County, where visitors get to see farmers arranging their crops to packing them, and then their distribution to the markets. The main highlights of this tour are Crackle House and Tyson House, which belonged to Tyson and his family of 12. The motive of the tour to these houses is to show what the typical life of a normal family at that time was.

Fly across the blue skies of Florida with hot air balloon rides in Kissimmee. Many licensed companies offer hot air balloon rides with proper safety protocols and guidance. The visitors can enjoy the vibrant scenery of wetlands and marshes from high up in the sky as they float peacefully across the clouds. Although it is recommended not to join the ride if you have a fear of heights, if the realization hits a bit late, then try to focus on the beautiful landscapes and the sky (we just mean to say, distract yourself).

Gatorland is not your average Kissimmee attraction; it is a very distinctive Florida experience, which is known to combine adventure with real wildlife encounters (that means real alligators). Gatorland holds interactive activities and educational displays in an entertaining and safe environment, ranging from feeding food to the alligators to witnessing thrilling performances. It's a fantastic destination for both adults and children, offering a once-in-a-lifetime experience, so don’t miss it out!

Visiting Orlando Tree Trek Zipline is a great way to enjoy the Kissimmee wilderness without getting attacked by wild monkeys. Here, visitors can enjoy a ride across dense trees through suspension bridges, rock walls, Tarzan-style ropes, nets, and fast ziplines. And if your stamina does not call for multiple adventures, then you can also buy a ticket for only the zipline.

Orlando Science Center is a dream come true for every science and astronomy fanatic. The center provides interactive displays and science exhibits with a huge planetarium at the center, with astronomy-related shows. These activities give kids a hands-on experience to explore and gain knowledge. Open all day long, this is a perfect place to visit in Kissimmee for educational outings.

Escape to comfort—book your stay at Tuscana Resort Orlando by Aston for the ultimate Kissimmee retreat!