10 Things to Do in Orlando in November

Although its theme parks are always at the top of the list when planning what to see and do in Orlando, the city has many other attractions for those who travel there. If you're visiting in November, you'll find events and activities to suit the season.

Orlando is a magical city beyond its spectacular theme resorts. From gastronomic experiences to 10 Things to do in Orlando at Christmas. I'm going to share with you the 10 experiences that will immerse you in the charm of this tourist destination. Get ready to make the most of your trip to Orlando next November!

In addition to Disney World, there is another great world reference resort in Orlando that brings together fans from all over the world. I'm talking about Universal Orlando Resort.

Harry Potter, The Simpsons, Fast & Furious and Transformers are some of the biggest entertainment franchises you'll find inside. In fact, especially for Harry Potter fans, discovering their recreations of the magical world at this time of year when Christmas is beginning to cover everything is going to be even more special.

Its grounds are even more illuminated in November with its night-time spectacle, a must-see on your visit. Book as soon as possible for your travel dates to Orlando and check the opening times to enjoy this unforgettable experience.

You'll enjoy stunning projections, spectacular music and iconic characters in a multimedia display that will immerse you in Universal Studios' signature fictional worlds.

One of Orlando's biggest landmarks is undoubtedly Disney World, one of the largest Disney resorts around the world. The Christmas magic starts here in November, and this particular fantasy kingdom celebrates Christmas with Mickey's Very Merry Christmas Party as its biggest holiday tradition.

This event includes several shows, choose which one (or ones) you don't want to miss!

• Mickey's Once Upon a Christmastime Parade. Marvel at the fireworks provided by Minnie Mouse herself.
• Minnie's Wonderful Christmastime Fireworks Show. Say hello to your favourite characters as they parade around bringing Christmas to every corner of Disney World.
• Mickey's Most Merriest Celebration. Cinderella's castle is the setting for this Christmas show starring Mickey.
• Disney Junior Jingle Jam. Children and adults enjoy Disney World, but this party is designed for the youngest members of the family.
• Club Tinsel. If you love to dance, this is the party for you - Club Tinsel is calling you to the dance floor!

In the United States, Thanksgiving is celebrated on the last Thursday in November. So if your visit coincides with this date, you have a unique opportunity to join this tradition with a typical dinner that you'll remember forever.

Do some research on restaurants in the city of Orlando that offer traditional cuisine and make your reservation for that night. Some of my recommendations are:

• The Melting Pot Undoubtedly one of the best restaurants in Orlando. If you are willing to invest a little more budget in a special dinner, this is the perfect place.
• Chatnam's place A restaurant with charm and high quality dishes to taste the essence of the city.
• Cooper's hawk Winery & Restaurants If you want to celebrate Thanksgiving with a more sophisticated experience, don't delay in making a reservation at Cooper's Hawk.

If you're a lover of the seventh art, you can't miss the opportunity to be part of the film festival that takes place in Orlando in November.

Don't expect to see blockbusters on the bill, but rather gems of the most independent and experimental cinema. Check out the films presented as soon as possible and choose which ones you want to see in this experience that will undoubtedly enrich your visit enormously.

Fans of indie cinema, you have an additional reason to visit Orlando this month!

Orlando is located in the state of Florida, so it's important to consider the weather when travelling. The cool November weather is ideal for exploring the natural wonders that surround Orlando.

You'll have some great options that you can organise by checking available transport or even hiring a car to get you to these places that will allow you to immerse yourself in the natural environment of the area.

Embark on a kayaking adventure through the crystal clear springs of the region. One of the most impressive is the Indian River, where you can discover the phenomenon of bioluminescence.

Another great idea is to visit a wildlife reserve where you can admire native wildlife in their natural habitat. For example, you can meet manatees on the legendary Crystal River by boat.

Autumn is one of the favourite times of the year for many people thanks to the symphony of colours in which nature is dressed, and Orlando's Harry P. Leu Gardens is a magnificent example of this.

You'll love strolling along its paths surrounded by camellias, palm trees and azaleas. I recommend you set aside a morning or afternoon, get a map courtesy of the gardens at the beginning of the tour, and stroll around the garden, lose track of time and connect with the warmth of its autumnal colours.

Near the gardens, you can also visit Lake Eola Park, the Orlando Museum of Art or Winter Park, so you can better organise your visit!

If you are an art lover, and you can't visit a city without visiting one of its museums, you can't miss the Orlando Museum of Art. This museum has permanent collections of African art, American art, contemporary art and Ancient American art.

But there are always some very interesting temporary exhibitions. When planning your trip, check their website to see which ones are active on your November trip. That way, you'll have the chance to visit an exhibition that you probably won't be able to see on a future trip if you return to Orlando. The subject matter ranges from classical to contemporary to ethnic art, so be amazed by the OMA's artistic selection.

Fun fact: weddings are also often held here (imagine a wedding in a museum!), and since Christmas is around the corner, you're bound to find a Christmas tree inside. Don't expect a normal one though, they tend to be a bit more creative!

ICON Park is possibly a much lesser known amusement park than the ones I mentioned above. However, it has the charm of a classic amusement park and rides that will appeal to all members of the family. You can browse its Madame Tussaunds, ride its legendary carousel, get lost in its Museum of Illusions or enjoy spectacular views of Florida on its Ferris wheel.

All of these attractions are available all year round, but ICON Park has live shows that are constantly changing, so when you visit in November you'll find some of them on the bill that are impossible to see at any other time.

Complete your visit by dining at one of the park's restaurants - you'll love them! From my point of view, these are the best:

• Gordon Ramsay Fish & Chips. Yes, you read that right. Gordon Ramsay, the iconic British chef offers his own recipe for fish and chips in his restaurant at ICON Park.
• Yard House. This restaurant offers modern American cuisine, which translates into an extensive menu of beers, chicken wings, nachos, pizzas and salads. It's a chain of sports bars, so it's another interesting way to get a taste of American culture.
• Sloppy Joe's Orlando. This restaurant has dishes as appreciated by its customers as the Peel'N Eat shrimp, the Sloopy Nachos and its wide variety of sandwiches.

If you love the great outdoors, there's an amusement park for you in Orlando too!

Immerse yourself in a tropical paradise right in the heart of Orlando. At Discovery Cove, you can swim with dolphins, explore coral reefs and relax on white sandy beaches.

November is the ideal time to find ideal weather conditions to make the most of this aquatic and natural experience, as the temperature is milder than in Florida's summer, and it's not so cold that diving into the water is something to think about. Plus, the tropical atmosphere is very inviting for swimming among dolphins and feeding other marine mammals. Into the water!

The visit includes unlimited food and drink, enjoy the beautiful tropical lagoons, the equipment you need to dive in them, and be surrounded by tropical birds, colourful fish, flamingos, dolphins or armadillos, for an unforgettable experience surrounded by the local fauna and flora!

Do you like basketball? If so, in November you're sure to catch a Magic game at their home stadium, the Amway Center. In fact, if you're not a big NBA fan, I also recommend this experience.

The reason? Basketball games in the USA are a real spectacle, and beyond the talent of the players themselves, the national anthem before the game starts, and the time-out and half-time shows are a real treat. Here you will find more information on how to buy your NBA tickets in Orlando. Keep an eye out for one of their popular Kiss Cam!

In addition, the Amway Center also offers numerous concerts when there is no basketball game, so if you prefer music to baskets, you might find an interesting concert on their website during your travel dates.

The weather in November is mild and pleasant, with average temperatures ranging from 15-25°C.

Traveller Tip

I recommend wearing comfortable clothing and light layers to adapt to the morning, afternoon and evening temperatures (a short sleeve and a light jacket on top will suffice).

Remember that it is a city not far from the coast and surrounded by lakes, so you will find a similar climate to what a coastal area might be like in November, and it only rains about 2 days a month on average, so it is unlikely you will need an umbrella or mackintosh.

Another interesting fact is that Orlando, during November, you will have 10.7 hours of daylight. This means that sunrise will be a few minutes before 7am and sunset will be around 8pm. This will help you plan when to start getting going in the mornings and when you could say the night will have officially begun.

And one more thing! Remember that November marks the start of the Christmas season in Orlando, so you'll be able to admire the festive decorations all over the city. (And seeing Christmas decorations along with palm trees has its charm, don't you think?)

What did you think of all these tips to make the most of your next trip to Orlando in November?

I have tried to go over all the interesting aspects of the city and make suggestions for all tastes and ages: entertainment, gastronomy, nature and culture... I'm sure that with these experiences, it will become an unforgettable trip!