Kissimmee Diamond Resorts

Situated right in the middle of central Florida's entertainment attractions, Kissimmee is a small, attractive resort city located just outside of Orlando. Kissimmee is part of Polk County and hosts millions of travelers from around the world every year.

From the theme parks and family entertainment of Orlando and the art and attractions of Kissimmee to the beaches of Daytona, Ormond and Clearwater, Kissimmee hotels make the perfect home base from which to explore any number of Florida sites. The cruiser's destination of Port Canaveral is about an hour away.

Things to see and do

Theme parks and attractions

Boasting more theme parks and entertainment venues than anywhere in the world, the Kissimmee area is close to Walt Disney World Resort, SeaWorld, Universal Studios Orlando, LEGOLAND and the entertainment, dining and shopping complexes of Downtown Disney and CityWalk. The musical and acrobatic extravaganza of Cirque du Soleil has a permanent venue at Downtown Disney.

Beaches

Daytona Beach and Ormond Beach are both within about an hour and a half of Kissimmee. Take a beach cruise down the hard-packed sand of Daytona or visit the famous world of NASCAR at Daytona International Raceway. Clearwater Beach, on the Gulf Coast, is just under two hours from the Kissimmee area but is well worth the drive for its white sand beaches and turquoise water. Gentle waves and warm water make this Gulf of Mexico beach the perfect destination for travelers with small children.

Nature, sports and outdoors

Visit Florida's resident reptiles at Gatorland, take an airboat tour through the Everglades or learn to water ski among the 50 interconnected lakes in Winter Haven. Nature lovers will appreciate the variety of animals and coastal birds that make their home in Winter Haven. Travelers can expect to see bald eagles, alligators and great blue heron. The area is also great for bass fishing.

Disney's ESPN Wide World of Sports Complex is the preeminent multi-sports facility in the world. More than 60 different sports—including track and field, cheerleading, baseball, soccer and martial arts—are represented. The complex hosts competitions, championship games and other special sporting events.

Special events

Osceola Fall Art Festival

The Osceola Fall Art Festival takes place in downtown Kissimmee in November. Talented artists from around the United States come to the area to display and sell jewelry, photographs, paintings, sculpture, and many other forms of arts and crafts.

ICE! at the Gaylord Palms Resort and Convention Center

Kissimmee hotels include the Gaylord Palms Resort and Convention Center, which is the home of the winter wonderland known as ICE! This spectacular event, held November through the first of January, brings two million pounds of intricately hand-carved ice sculptures to the Sunshine State. See beloved stories like "Frosty the Snowman" and "The Nutcracker" as well as favorite characters from Shrek and Madagascar in carved, dyed and LED-lit ice.

Florida Citrus Festival

January's Florida Citrus Festival in Winter Haven celebrates the history and heritage of Florida's citrus and agriculture industries. Livestock shows, arts and crafts, homemade goods, horticultural exhibits, and the Miss Florida Citrus contest are just a few of the activities and events that take place during this family-friendly event.

Travel information

Kissimmee area hotels include five-star resorts, luxury accommodations and themed hotels within walking distance of restaurants, shopping and attractions. The closest airport to Kissimmee is Orlando International Airport (MCO), which offers shuttle service to many of the area's best hotels and resorts.

Best time to stay

Kissimmee, like much of Florida, enjoys a warm, subtropical climate. With mild weather conditions during the winter, Kissimmee and the surrounding areas are popular destinations for those looking to escape the ice and snow of colder locales. The summer months of June through September are the rainy season.