Top Things to do in Central Florida
Top Hotels in Central Florida
- 1. Universal's Endless Summer Resort - Surfside Inn and Suites
- 2. Universal’s Endless Summer Resort - Dockside Inn and Suites
- 3. Holiday Inn Orlando - Disney Springs Area, An IHG Hotel
- 4. Universal's Cabana Bay Beach Resort
- 5. Wyndham Grand Orlando Resort Bonnet Creek
- 6. Loews Sapphire Falls Resort at Universal Orlando
- 7. Holiday Inn Orlando - Disney Springs Area, An IHG Hotel
- 8. Hyatt Regency Grand Cypress
- 9. Hyatt Regency Orlando
- 10. Avanti International Resort
The 10 Best Specialty Museums in Central Florida, Central Florida
Discover the best top things to do in Central Florida, United States including Paquette's Historical Farmall Tractor Museum, Winter Garden Art Association, Eisenhower Regional Recreation Center, Wonder House, Fantasy of Flight, Don Garlits Museum of Drag Racing, Osceola County Historical Society Pioneer Village, Wycliffe Discovery Center, Polk County Historical Museum, Clermont's Historic Village.
Restaurants in Central Florida
1. Paquette's Historical Farmall Tractor Museum
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 95 reviews
Dedicated to the Preservation of International Harvester Farming and Construction Equipment. New Dates for Tractor Show & Pull: Feb 4-6, 2021. Show Barn & surrounding grounds available for weddings and events accommodating 250+. Museum Admission $20 per person, military & veteran ID $15 per person, children under 9 are free, groups of 10 or more $15 per person. Call for children organization rates (i.e. schools, scouts or camps).
Reviewed By T5010AZemilyc
Excellent. Many more treasures than I was expecting. We loved it! My dad has 2 pieces in the museum and it was so special for my son to get to see them, too.
2. Winter Garden Art Association
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 11 reviews
3. Eisenhower Regional Recreation Center
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 772 reviews
Reviewed By RobertWB - The Villages, United States
Military History Buffs should make plans to visit this regional recreation center in The Villages, Florida. This facility has what I would call real life history of the military on display on the walls and those items on display were donated by the veteran or the veterans family for display at the facility. There is so much military history to see one would have to spend all day viewing the items if they are serious about military history. Living the Life in The Villages Florida is so much fun and interesting, yall come.
4. Wonder House
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 227 reviews
Wonder House tours can only be booked online in advance by going to our website. Please note that the Wonder House is a private residence and we cannot sell tickets at the door.
Reviewed By terrypT7516FB - Cape Canaveral, United States
Absolutely amazing. To be honest, I didn't expect much, being a Florida native and never having heard of the place. I hate the theme parks and figured this is one of those "feed the lazy gator" deals. After a two-hour drive, my family & I (with a couple 20+ year olds) were stunned. Drew & Kris are involved in an absolutely fantastic journey renovating a fascinating piece of Florida history from the 1920's. And Drew's telling of the history of the house left us agape. Were I a younger man (& not two-hours away), I'd love to help Drew with the reconstruction. I'll not list out the inventor's devices & genius; that'd spoil the tour some. Instead I'll just say, "You MUST see this House". Drew and Kris will make you feel like family and take you on an amazing intellectual journey that you'll not soon forget. We're still talking about the House and the inventions days after the our tour. Thank you Drew & Kris. (fwiw, a keg and the townies could throw that shed roof up in one day. Piece of cake.)
5. Fantasy of Flight
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 348 reviews
Central Florida's premier aviation attraction. More than 100 rare vintage aircraft, themed immersion experiences, flight simulators, interactive exhibits, tram tour of aircraft maintenance areas, restoration and back lot tours and daily aerial demonstration (weather permitting). Audio tours, Biplane Rides are also available. Wing WalkAir A thrilling outdoor attraction featuring a 600-foot zip line suspended four stories above water and a three-level ropes course complete with 33 midair challenges to be performed while tethered to an overhead line at heights of up to 45 feet.
Reviewed By JayMcOtown
We all owe Kermit Weeks a big Thank You for all the work he has done to single handedly save many of our historical aircraft from the junk heap. Weeks has his airplanes meticulously restored and then allows us to come and see them. My only regret is that they are only open three days a week now to the general public. I have been to some other great aviation museums such as PIMA Air and Space Museum in Tucson and Mid-America Air Museum in Liberal, Kansas but Fantasy of Flight in Polk City, Florida is the only one I know of in which most of the aircraft are restored to air worthy condition. Fantasy of Flight is truly a "Must See" when you are in Central Florida and Mr. Weeks, THANK YOU for all you are doing to save and restrore so many aircraft!
6. Don Garlits Museum of Drag Racing
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 531 reviews
Reviewed By src1962 - Orange City, United States
All of Don Garlits cars are on display along with vintage drag racing and antique cars. Don is usually here and he will tell you stories of the old days if he has time.
7. Osceola County Historical Society Pioneer Village
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 164 reviews
History meets nature at Pioneer Village at Shingle Creek Regional Park! Step back in time as you tour the fully-restored dwellings of some of Osceola County's earliest settlers, furnished to depict lifestyles in the late 19th century. Visit the Seminole Settlement to see how Florida's natives lived off the land. Explore the hiking, biking and paddling trails to get in touch with Florida's nature on the Headwaters of the Everglades.
Reviewed By keithc950 - Davenport, United States
Well what a find. How can you live near something for donkey's years and not know it exists. We really only found out about it by going into a Tourist Office for info on something else. They even gave us dicount tickets for it. Not that it is expensive anyway but it was a bonus. You need to look it up on the web to get the low down on the attraction. The way I would describe it is an Old Wild West Original Town. It has the buildings of homes, church, farming, railway station etc. Some origional and some built to exact copy. This is not only a place for adults but is wonderful education for children of all ages. If you get a chance then please put it on your list of things to do. Once you know it exists then it is a doddle to find. Thanks for a fantastic visit. One down side : If only you could get a coffee there, perhaps something to think about. Keith C
8. Wycliffe Discovery Center
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 47 reviews
Reviewed By ljmsweets - Central Florida, United States
There was a lot of information given about translating the different versions of the Bible into the various languages around the world. Their staff is extremely knowledgeable and friendly. Always eager to answer any questions and offer assistance when they can. There is a cafe and gift shop at the center that’s reasonably priced. Different groups were there doing tours but it wasn’t very crowded. There’s something for the adults and kids and I liked being able to translate my name into several different languages. That was cool. Definitely recommend.
9. Polk County Historical Museum
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 57 reviews
The Polk County Historical Museum collection includes natural and cultural objects related to Polk County and the greater Central Florida area that represent our history from pre-Columbian to present day eras. The artifacts on display at the Museum represent individuals, cultural groups, and events significant to the region. Some artifacts include: Fossils Hand-made Personal Objects Clothing Art Tools Agricultural Equipment Military Objects Communication Objects Household and Science Objects Admission is Free.
Reviewed By Arielfl - Coconut Creek, United States
The Polk County History Center is located in the historic 1908 Courthouse located on Main Street in Bartow. I love this trend of turning these historic courthouses into history museums when their cities outgrow the space. These old courthouses are designed in an elegant Neoclassical design. They also made courthouses into museums in Orlando and West Palm Beach. The 1908 courthouse in Bartow served as the Polk County Courthouse from 1908 until 1987. In 1988 the building was turned into the Polk County History Center and Genealogical Research Library. In 1989 the courthouse was listed on the National Register of Historic Places. Admission to the museum is free and there is free street parking. You start your self guided tour with a video exhibition guide. The museum has 11 permanent and four temporary galleries over two floors.On the first floor is a gift shop and 7 galleries that cover history from the pioneers to the industrialists. Displays include what school was like at the turn of the century, early 1900's women's fashion, World Series championships, area landmarks, fishing, lost attractions, historic Dixie Hwy, Publix, Coke a Cola, trains, the citrus industry, cattle ranching, pioneers, and African-Americans in early Polk County. On the second floor there are two restored courtrooms, one from 1908 and one from 1926, the genealogical library, displays about Polk County's military history and the paleo Indians including, a dugout canoe from 400-570 AD, an arts and culture gallery, and displays about women's suffrage, In the temporary gallery they were having a quilt exhibit. I love that the courthouse is rumored to be haunted. A lady in white has been reported on the second and third floors and screams have been heard in the basement. Some guests have reported cold spots. As you walk around the galleries it is not too difficult to imagine that this building is haunted. I had a very nice time exploring the museums collection of fossils, clothing, military relics, and household items. The Polk County History Center is accredited by the American Alliance of Museums. This is a really great museum with a wide range of items s that will appeal to everyone and it's free. Come out and learn about the history of Polk County and Florida's heritage.
10. Clermont's Historic Village
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 99 reviews
Reviewed By 186400Caroline - Warwick, United Kingdom
Check before you arrive here as it’s only open for limited hours and I guess it’s manned by volunteers. There is free parking and they simply ask for a donation. We were warmly greeted by an older gentleman who happily explained about the area and buildings. The position of the museum on the lake side is lovely. There are 2 old houses, a school room, library and war hut. Each building is interesting in its own right and they have great photographs of them moving the houses to this spot which to an English person is fascinating as at home houses are dismantled brick by brick not put on a lorry and moved. Loved the displays in the houses and the interesting stuff in the library. Loved looking at the old magazines in the library. My friend finds the war very interesting and the museum in the war hut was very interesting. We were there about 90 minutes and whilst it’s a tiny place it’s worth a visit.
