Nighttime on International Drive

International Drive could be considered Ground Zero for Orlando tourism. This more than 14 mile stretch of commerce encompasses outlet malls, hotels, chain restaurants, miniature golf courses, theme parks and water parks, with the densest population of pedestrian and vehicle traffic located between the Orange County Convention Center (just north of the SR 528 Beach Line Expressway) and Wet 'n Wild on Universal Boulevard.

On International Drive, also known as I-Drive, evenings tend to be the peak period for travelers. While many Orlando visitors spend the day at one of the theme parks-- SeaWorld, Discovery Cove and Aquatica are all located off of I-Drive just south of the Beach Line Expressway--by nightfall many tourists have returned to this bustling hotel and restaurant area for dinner and even more amusements. Some of the larger restaurants include TGIFridays, Chili's, Buffalo Wild Wings, Ponderosa, and the massive McDonald's on the corner of I-Drive and Sand Lake Road.

In many ways, it is easier to walk along International Drive than it is to drive down the most congested strip of this heavily traveled corridor. Gift shops and carnival rides from the nearby Magical Midway illuminate the nighttime sky, while sidewalk vendors beckon potential customers with theme park tickets and live animals. The atmosphere does live up to the roadway's "international" label in a uniquely Floridian manner--where else can visitors find a British pub right next to a miniature golf course featuring a stuffed alligator as its mascot?