Kissimmee

Understand

Just south of Orlando in what is commonly referred to as the "Kissimmee-St. Cloud" area, due to the short distance between it and the adjacent city of St. Cloud. It is centered directly between St. Cloud and Disney World on Highway 192 and leads into SR-535, which leads directly into Disney World theme parks. Most tourist activity is centered around Highway 192 (also known as Irlo Bronson Memorial Highway and Vine Street in the city of Kissimmee). Since the opening of Disney World in 1971, Kissimmee has been primarily a tourist-driven town. Before that the town relied on agriculture and ranching, with a population of just over 4,000 through the 1950s.

Getting there

By plane Orlando International Airport (MCO IATA), your entry point for most international and domestic flights. It is about a 25-minute drive down I-4 from Kissimmee. Be aware that airport security lines can become extremely long (1 hour), especially during the summer tourist season and near holidays. Combined with long check-in lines, it is advisable to arrive 2-3 hours before your scheduled departure. 1 Kissimmee Gateway Airport (ISM IATA). The closest general aviation facility to Walt Disney World, Sea World, Universal Orlando, the Orlando-Orange County Convention Center. Used primarily for private business jets or small commercial aircraft.

By car Most visitors arrive on the Florida Turnpike by taking exit 242 (going north) or exit 249 (coming south). The turnpike uses automated toll collection booths on many exits that require exact change, so be sure to have a pocketful of quarters with you when driving.

By train Kissimmee is served by two daily Amtrak trains, the Silver Star and Silver Meteor. Both run between New York City and Miami, taking slightly different routes. Also the Silver Star makes a detour to serve Tampa, adding two extra hours for southbound services. 2 Kissimmee station is in downtown at 111 E Dakin Ave. The regional commuter rail system SunRail has hourly trains from Orlando, with a journey time of 25 minutes.

Getting around

By bus Kissimmee's public transportation is the Lynx bus service. Trips cost $2 per ride (transfers included). Check out Go Lynx for routes and fares. +1 407-841-LYNX.

By car Interstate 4 is the most preferred route, and carries a driver toward Tampa going west and downtown Orlando and Daytona Beach going east. The road can get very congested at times. The Osceola Parkway is a toll road that runs parallel to 192. The primary surface highway in Kissimmee is US 192, running west to east through the area. From Hoagland Blvd. (near the city's municipal airport) to the west, it features large purple "mile marker" towers which serve as reference points through their tourist area. (The main entrance to Walt Disney World is at mile marker 7.)

See

1 Osceola Heritage Park, 1875 Silver Spur Ln, ☏ +1 321-697-3333. Events and recreation complex that includes Osceola County Stadium, Silver Spurs Arena, and other facilities. (updated Apr 2019) 2 Osceola County Stadium, 631 Heritage Park Way, ☏ +1 407-933-5400. Home of the Gulf Coast League Astros, a Rookie-level affiliate of the Houston Astros. (updated Oct 2025) 3 Silver Spurs Arena. A multipurpose events arena which hosts shows ranging from rock concerts to competitive rodeos. The annual Silver Spurs Rodeo is hosted here every year in late February. (updated Oct 2025)

Do

1 Boggy Creek Airboat & Swamp Buggy Rides, 2001 E Southport Rd, ☏ +1 407-344-9550, [email protected]. Daily 9AM-5:30PM. Naturalists often refer to Boggy Creek wetlands as, 'The Central Florida Everglades'. Take one of these airboat or swamp buggy rides for an up-close look at exotic birds, turtles. 2 Lake Tohopekaliga. Known locally as "Lake Toho," it is the largest lake in Osceola County, and is renowned for some of the best bass fishing in the state. (updated Oct 2025) 3 Shingle Creek Regional Park (Steffee Landing), 4265 W Vine St (7 mi (11 km) E of I-4 on US 192 (exit 64A), on US 192 on right side near marker 15), ☏ +1 407-742-7800. Oct-Mar: 8AM-5PM, Apr-Sep: 8AM-7PM. A nature park that encompasses 1,033 acres (418 hectares) of natural Florida along the banks of beautiful Shingle Creek-Headwaters to the Everglades. The park features hiking/canoeing trails, picnicking and play areas placed amongst the remnants of the historic Shingle Creek community's pioneer homes and farms. 4 Babb Landing, 2491 Babb Rd (7 mi (11 km) E of I-4 on US 192 (exit 64A); turn left on Old Vineland Rd, right on Babb Rd). Park entrance at the termination point of some of the hiking and canoeing trails. 5 Art In Motion LLC Custom Motorcycles, 14 W Neptune Rd, ☏ +1 407-847-0119, [email protected]. Here you can see custom motorcycles being built. At their 6 acre (2.4 hectares) facility, you can visit a working motorcycle shop with 100% custom motorcycles, motorcycle customizing, a full parts counter and gifts. The "three-wheeler" restroom offers a "magic spot" where if you park your vehicle in the right place out front, you can see it projected upside-down on the silver wall inside. Also offers a "build your own bike while on vacation" service for people with the inclination to build a motorcycle but not enough time or knowledge to do this on their own.

Buy

1 The Loop. Large shopping center, opened in 2007, with a wide variety of anchor stores, restaurants, and specialty retailers, including a movie theater. Disney Springs (2 minutes off of 192; N on 535) in Lake Buena Vista offers a wide range of specialty stores.

Eat

1 Capone's Dinner and Show (Capone's), 4740 W Hwy 192 (4.5 mi (7 km) E of I-4 on US 192, between Everglades Cir and Lake Cecile Dr), toll-free: +1-800-220-8428. Gangster themed dinner show featuring period costumes and comedy. (updated Apr 2019) 2 Fat Boys' Bar-B-Q, 1606 W Vine St (less than a minute W of US 17, on US 192 between N Palm Ave and N Emory Ave), ☏ +1 407-847-7098. Traditional, quality Bar-BQ. A local favorite. $6-8. 3 Medieval Times, 4510 W Vine St, toll-free: +1-888-WE-JOUST (93-56878). Dinner show with medieval reenactments including horseback jousting, all set in a huge castle. $58.95. 4 3 Sisters Speakeasy, 226 Broadway (on the corner of Broadway and E Dakin Ave, on US 441 headed S), ☏ +1 407-201-3270. What started out as a historical speakeasy from the Prohibition Era has found its place in Downtown Kissimmee as a hip eatery serving eclectic American fare. Hosts Trivia Night Tuesdays, live music four nights per week, and other special events. $11-22. (updated Apr 2019) 5 Paul's Italian Deli and Restaurant (Paul's Deli), 812 E Vine St (on US 192 between N Carson Ave and E Magnolia St), ☏ +1 407-933-0766. Authentic Italian deli serving customizable subs and related lunch specials. Small seating area often fills up on busy days. Closed Sundays. Under $10. (updated Apr 2019)

Drink & nightlife

The local tap water supply is rumored to correlate to increased cancer rates.

1 Breeze, 7 E Dakin Ave, ☏ +1 407-201-4909. Offers a large selection of whiskey as well as craft beers. DJs and live mus