Gatorland

The Write-Up

The full story

Old Florida, unpolished and proud of it: gators launch out of the water for chicken at the Gator Jumparoo Show while handlers work the sand nearby. A breeding marsh, rare white leucistic gators and the Screamin' Gator Zip Line overhead fill out a park running since 1949 on Orange Blossom Trail. Guests call it refreshingly non-Disney and easy on the wallet, though feedings, encounters and the zip line each cost extra on top of admission.

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Similar Feel

More places with this feel

Matched by vibe, not by neighborhood: the places across Greater Orlando closest in spirit to Gatorland.

Wild Florida

Attractions · Kenansville · $$

At the Headwaters of the Everglades, airboats skim protected marsh and captains know exactly where the gators bask.

3301 Lake Cypress Rd, Kenansville, FL 34739

Black Hammock Restaurant

Restaurants · Oviedo · $$

An Old Florida fish camp on Lake Jesup, where the menu leans into the setting: gator bites, fried gator tail, catfish nuggets, a gator burger.

2316 Black Hammock Fish Camp Rd, Oviedo, FL 32765

Aquatica Orlando

Attractions · International Drive · $$$

At SeaWorld's water park, the Dolphin Plunge clear tube passes Commerson's dolphins, and Roa's Rapids runs faster than a lazy river should.

5800 Water Play Way, Orlando, FL 32821

Boggy Creek Airboat Adventures

Attractions · Kissimmee · $$

From Southport Road, airboats skim East Lake Tohopekaliga into marsh grass where captains spot gators, turtles and wading birds.

2001 E Southport Rd, Kissimmee, FL 34746

Universal's Islands of Adventure

Parks & outdoors · Universal · $$$$

Eight themed islands ring the lagoon here, and guests keep calling the coaster lineup the strongest in Orlando.

Universal's Islands of Adventure, 6000 Universal Blvd, Orlando, FL 32819

Dinosaur World

Attractions · Plant City · $$

An old-Florida roadside classic in Plant City, where crossing into thick, shaded trees feels like walking into Jurassic Park.

5145 Harvey Tew Rd, Plant City, FL 33565

Keep Going

More in Kissimmee

Other places in Kissimmee, closest to Gatorland first.

Inchin's Bamboo Garden

Chinese · Chinese · $$

In Hunter's Creek, Indo-Chinese fusion built for strong flavors and real heat, wok fire meeting Indian spice in nearly every plate.

3900 Town Center Blvd, Orlando, FL 32837

Pienezza Pizza

Pizza · $$

Family-run and no-frills on John Young Parkway in Kissimmee, where regulars say the Grandma pie brings it home.

Pienezza Pizza, 3236 N John Young Pkwy, Kissimmee, FL 34741-7549, United States

Metro Diner (Kissimmee)

Breakfast & brunch · Breakfast · $

Metro Diner's Kissimmee room is a classic Florida diner, cozy and old school, doing comfort food without irony.

2714 Osceola Pkwy, Kissimmee, FL 34741

The Jersey Spot Pizza and Pasta

Pizza · $$

Small, family-run Kissimmee joint on Columbia Avenue serving thin-crust, New Jersey-style pies transplants say taste like home.

The Jersey Spot Pizza and Pasta, 1137 W Columbia Ave, Kissimmee, FL 34741-3202, United States

Puro Dulzor by Karolene

Breakfast & brunch · Breakfast · $

Cozy, family-run hole in the wall on East Vine Street where guests call the coffee the best in Kissimmee.

1354 E Vine St, Kissimmee, FL 34744

1881 Restaurant & Bar

Mediterranean · Middle Eastern · $$

In downtown Kissimmee's historic Makinson Hardware building, old-Florida bones and lively bar energy, and guests say the walls tell the story.

1881 Restaurant, 308 Broadway, Kissimmee, FL 34741-5718