International Drive
Orlando's neon main street — a few miles of observation wheels, outlet malls, dinner shows and hotel towers between Universal and the convention center, all strung together by a $2 trolley.
Updated June 2026
Everybody who comes to Orlando ends up on International Drive sooner or later. Locals just call it I-Drive, and it's the city's tourist main street: a long, lit-up corridor of observation wheels, outlet malls, mini-golf volcanoes, dinner shows and a hundred-thousand hotel rooms, running roughly parallel to the parks between Universal Orlando and the Orange County Convention Center. It is loud, a little gaudy and unapologetically a vacation place — and that's exactly the point.
It's the easiest home base in town if you want to be near everything without staying inside a single park's bubble. Families love it for the off-park rainy-day attractions, conventioneers fill the south end, and anyone watching the budget appreciates that you can park the car and ride a cheap trolley up and down the whole strip. Come for a day, or use it as your launch pad for ICON Park and the theme parks beyond.
What to see & do
The anchors of the strip, from the 400-foot wheel you can see for miles to the outlet malls that bookend the whole drive.
A perfect I-Drive day
Outlets, the wheel and a dinner show, with the trolley doing the driving.
- Beat the heat with a morning at one of the Premium Outlets — the international end for everyday brands, Vineland for luxury.
- Hop the I-Ride Trolley to the middle of the strip and grab lunch at one of the I-Drive restaurants.
- Ride the Orlando Eye and poke through ICON Park as the afternoon storms (and the lines) pass.
- Cool off and play indoors at WonderWorks or the shops at Pointe Orlando.
- Cap the night at a dinner show — pirates or magic — then watch the strip light up on the trolley ride back.
Where to go next
From the heart of the strip out to the parks, the eats and a place to sleep.
ICON Park
The Orlando Eye, SEA LIFE, Madame Tussauds and thrill rides in the middle of I-Drive.
I-Drive Dining
Where to eat along International Drive, from steakhouses to all-you-can-eat fun.
Hotels on I-Drive
The biggest cluster of rooms in Orlando, from budget motels to convention towers.
All Neighborhoods
From the parks to Winter Park and downtown, find the right corner of Orlando.
Find an International Drive hotel
Common questions
What is International Drive in Orlando?
International Drive — known locally as I-Drive — is Orlando's main tourist corridor, a multi-mile strip of hotels, restaurants, outlet malls, dinner shows and attractions running roughly parallel to the theme parks between Universal Orlando and the Orange County Convention Center. It's the city's most concentrated visitor district and a popular home base.
What is there to do on International Drive?
Headliners include ICON Park with the 400-foot Orlando Eye observation wheel, SEA LIFE aquarium and Madame Tussauds; two Premium Outlet malls; Pointe Orlando for dining and nightlife; WonderWorks; and several dinner shows. It's also packed with mini-golf, go-karts and rainy-day indoor attractions that make a good break from the parks.
How do I get around International Drive without a car?
The I-Ride Trolley is the easy, inexpensive option. Its Red Line runs up and down International Drive and the Green Line shadows it on Universal Boulevard, stopping near the outlets, ICON Park, Pointe Orlando, the convention center, SeaWorld and Aquatica. Buy a single fare or an unlimited multi-day pass; transfers between the two lines are free. Rideshare is handy for longer hops.
Is International Drive close to Universal and Disney?
Yes to Universal — Universal Orlando is just minutes from the north end of I-Drive, within a few miles. Walt Disney World is farther southwest, near the Vineland end of the drive, and is a longer drive or rideshare. The corridor's central position is a big part of why so many visitors stay here.
What's the difference between the two Premium Outlets?
Orlando International Premium Outlets, near the north end of I-Drive, is the larger, everyday-brand center with stores like Nike, Polo, Coach and Levi's. Orlando Vineland Premium Outlets, toward the Disney end, leans more luxury, with names like Gucci, Burberry, Prada and Ferragamo. Both are Simon outlets and get very busy in season.
Where should I stay on International Drive?
I-Drive has the biggest concentration of hotel rooms in Orlando, from budget motels and mid-range chains to large convention resorts clustered near the Orange County Convention Center at the south end. Staying mid-strip keeps you close to the trolley, the attractions and an easy hop to Universal. See our guide to where to stay on International Drive for picks.