Know Before You Go: About Kissimmee

Enter the otherworldly, cypress-shaded swamps of the wild Florida Everglades headwaters and explore the shops in the park-like setting of Old Town, with its weekly classic car cruises. An expressway away from Orlando’s crowds and world-famous attractions (it is 10 miles from Walt Disney World), Kissimmee beckons all. Get your fill of the outdoors and relax with a shopping spree all in a day’s time as you discover Kissimmee.

Plenty of Sunshine

Enjoy the warmth of Central Florida's subtropical climate, which is sunny on most days but not as humid as the tropics. The only outerwear you ever need is a light jacket. Winter daytime temperatures average in the 70s with nights in the low 50s. Spring averages daytime temps in the 80s and 60s at night. During the summers, bring tanks and shorts; temps average 90s in the daytime and 70s at night. Fall days average in the 80s with nights in the 60s, so bring a light jacket. Expect rain in summer, with afternoon thundershowers. Winter gets the least amount of rain (3 inches in January).

A Sight to See

Disney loves Orlando’s backyard town of Kissimmee, so much so that it established its 11,500-acre Wilderness Preserve here, bordered by the pristine shores of Lake Russell. Hike its tranquil trail for close-up views of hundreds of plant and animal species, from warblers and sand cranes to big-eared bats and Eastern indigo snakes. Or, take in the calming, tree-lined views of Shingle Creek Regional Park, headwaters of the Everglades, by boat. For butterflies-in-the-stomach, exhilarating fun in the wild, zip through the canopies over swamps; zip Orlando offers over 4,500 feet of zip lines and 350 feet of aerial bridges. Have a budding pro golfer in the family? Try a round of miniature golf at Disney's Fantasia Gardens Miniature Golf Course or—if you’re feeling adventurous—at Congo River Golf with its live alligators. Another must-do: fly over the Florida Everglades headwaters on a thrilling airboat tour, and look for animals like gopher tortoises and, of course, the Florida favorite—gators.

Southern Hospitality in Kissimmee

With 60 million visitors each year, it's no surprise that hospitality and tourism is the leading industry in Kissimmee. Other top industries include transportation, retail and health. Major employers in Kissimmee include Disney, Osceola Regional Medical Center, Walmart, Florida Hospital, Tupperware and grocery store chains McLane Suneast and Publix. The city also offers incentives to attract companies representing the following industries: aeronautical, clean technologies, alternative energies, manufacturing, life sciences and higher education.

Get Around Easily

Getting around Kissimmee is easy, thanks to a large range of transportation, which includes all national car rentals, mass transit, and an array of shuttles and taxi cab services. Walk or ride a bike through town; there are eco-friendly parks on the city's increasing number of paths. All Central Florida highways can take you to Kissimmee's doorstep; from U.S. Hwy 27 east to Vine Street, guide signs point to places of special interest. Public transportation includes Central Florida's Regional Transportation Authority (LYNX). Ride Amtrak or Greyhound to Kissimmee, or fly into Orlando International Airport.

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