Visitors to Orlando come to a shopper’s paradise. First, of course, they can visit every Orlando theme park in the area and purchase as many souvenirs as they like. But there are also plenty of malls scattered throughout the city that offer premiere shopping, dining and even entertainment experiences. Here are the 8 best Orlando malls!
- The Mall at Millenia. 4200 Conroy Road
The Mall at Millenia, usually just called Millenia, is one of the most popular shopping destinations in Orlando, not the least because it’s situated in southwestern Orlando and is only minutes away from the theme parks so you could book a Disney World packages, Universal Studios Orlando packages or SeaWorld Orlando package, in the south, and downtown Orlando to the north. It’s just 6.4 miles (or 14 minutes on a good-traffic day) from International Drive (which is home to hundreds of shops and restaurants along its 11-mile length, including a couple of other shopping malls on our “best” list).
Millennia has over 150 shops on two floors. Its “anchors” are Bloomingdale’s, Macy’s and Nieman Marcus. In addition to over a dozen clothing stores (BOSS, Versace, Carmen Steffens, Louis Vuitton, Abercrombie & Fitch, H&M and J. Crew), there are jewelry stores (Cartier), luxury watch (OMEGA) and even writing implement stores (Mont Blanc). Restaurants include the fast-food offerings of Chick-Fil-A, Starbucks and Mrs. Field’s Cookies, pizza places, and fine dining locations such as The Capital Grille.
The architecture of the mall delights the eye, and makes Millenia a must-see stop for any visitor to Orlando.
2. Orlando International Premium Outlets. 4951 International Drive
International Drive, at times four-lane (two in each direction) at other times six (three in each direction) is similar to the Las Vegas Strip – individual shops, restaurants, and entertainment venues line its 11-mile length – including the theme parks Volcano Bay (due to open in June 2017 to replace the Wet ‘n’ Wild Waterpark), Aquatica and Sea World.
I-Drive as the locals call it, begins in Orlando’s southwest, with exits to the Florida turnpike and Interstate 4 which leads to Walt Disney World, and continues south into Orange County, ending at Orlando Vineland Premium Outlets (which is next on our list of 10 Best Orlando Malls!)
At the very northern tip of I-Drive is Orlando International Premium Outlets®, Florida’s largest outlet mall – featuring over 150 different outlet stores running the gamut from 7 For All Mankind (a Florida denim lifestyle brand), to Adidas and Aeropostale to Jared Vault (jewelers) and J. Crew to Saks Fifth Avenue Off Fifth and Samsonite to Zales and Zumiez, and everything in between.
There’s clothing, there’s jewelry, there’s candle stores (the Yankee Candle Store) there’s cut crystal (Swarovski), there’s sunglasses, there’s shoes, there’s children’s toys, and there’s perfumeries. And when you need a break from saving 25% to 65% off these name brand stores, there’s restaurants such as Jack’s Eatery, the Japan Café, Edy’s Ice Cream, Sbarro’s and more.
- Pointe Orlando. 9101 International Drive.
The outdoor mall Pointe Orlando is located on I-Drive midway between its start with the Orlando International Premium Outlets mall and the theme parks Aquatica and SeaWorld. It is known more for its restaurants and its entertainment venues than its shopping, but it has shops you’ll find nowhere else.
Ready to Pedi isn’t a pedicure place, it’s where you can purchase a wide variety of scooters, skateboards and bicycles. 1 For the Road offers die cast collectible cars as well as racing jackets, hats and shirts. At Design by U, you can custom design whatever you’d like embroidered on a hat, t-shirt or polo shirt. There’s also a jewelry boutique – Tharoo & Co, a Tommy Hilfiger and a Victoria’s Secret.
For dining, try the Oceanaire Seafood Room, the Capital Grille or The Pub (for British cuisine) among many other restaurants.
For entertainment, check out B.B. King’s Blues Club, or the Fat Fish Blue & Improv Comedy Club. Or check out the minus5° ice bar, where everything is made of ice, the Main Event which offers bowling and billiards, and Hard Knocks, a combat sports facility. Monkey Joe’s is a hit with kids who love the wall-to-wall inflatables. And then there’s Regal Cinemas with its 20 movie theaters.
- Lake Buena Vista Factory Stores. 15657 S Apopka Vineland Road (State Road 535)
Lake Buena Vista Factory Stores, located quite close to Disney World, is “Orlando’s best-kept secret for outlet deals.”
There are over 40 outlet stores in this outdoor strip mall, including Aeropostale, Calvin Klein, Gap, Oshkosh B’Gosh, Tommy Hilfiger, Old Navy and Under Armour. There’s also a food court, and a currency exchange.
This outlet mall is situated adjacent to Lake Buena Vista Resort Village & Spa, and just a few minutes east of Walt Disney World (so you’ll take I-4 to Exit 68).
5. The Florida Mall. 8001 S Orange Blossom Trail
The Florida Mall has over 250 retail shops and is the largest shopping center in central Florida. Over 20 million visitors come through the Florida Mall every year, on their way to nearby attractions such as Disney World, SeaWorld, Aquatica and so on.
Only the Florida Mall has the Crayola Experience attraction (otherwise you need to travel to Minneapolis, MN or Easton PA) and the M&M’®s World store (otherwise you need to travel to Las Vegas or New York!)
The Florida Mall, in addition to the luxury clothing and jewelry shops, features such stores as Billabong (for surfers), Aroma of Light (aroma therapy), Mulco (watches and sunglasses) and Virtual Adventures.
Restaurants include such old standards as A&W All American Food, Five Guy’s Famous Burgers and Fries, Sbarro’s and Star Bucks, and fine dining such as Amaretto Bistro Cucina Italiana, the American Girl® Bistro, Buca di Beppo, Carvera Argentinean Grill and la Madeleine Country French Café.
- Altamonte Mall. 451 East Altamonte Drive in Altamonte Springs.
Altamonte Mall is located ten minutes north of downtown Orlando (given good traffic on I-4) in the suburb of Altamont Springs. Here you’ll find such stores as Abercrombie & Fitch, Aeropostale, Aldo, Dillards, Banana Republic and Barnes & Noble. Granite Transformations is a remodeling company for kitchens and bathrooms. Macy’s and Penney’s are familiar friends.
The food court includes favorites such as Taco Bell and Mandarin Express, and the full-service restaurants Miller’s Orlando Ale House and Bahama Breeze (Caribbean-inspired cuisine.)
- Winter Park Village. 1030 W Canton Ave in Winter Park.
The suburb of Winter Park is north of Orlando, but is easy to reach via I-4. Winter Park Village is a charming and sophisticated outdoor mall with luxury retailers such as J. Jill, Jos. A Bank, White House Black Market and Soma.
Restaurants include Ruth’s Chris Steak House, Mitchell’s Fish Market, Brio Tuscan Grille, and the Cheesecake Factory among others.
Winter Park Village is also home to Regal Winter Park Village Stadium 20 movie theaters.
- Disney Springs. 1486 Buena Vista Dr.
Disney Springs was called Downtown Disney until 2015. Although the name has changed, the wide variety of shops -not just Disney related, restaurants and entertainment venues attract hundreds of thousands of visitors in a year. There is no charge to enter Disney Springs – although the entertainment venues do charge entry fees.
It’s easy to drive here, and parking is free.
There are dozens of shops here – clothing stores of course, gifts, art and collectibles. Really fun stores include the Cirque du Soleil Boutique, the Coca-Cola Store, the DisneyQuest Emporium, Disney Pin Traders, Happy Hounds, and Lefty’s – the Left-Hand Store.
Restaurants include AMC – McGuffins, the Boathouse, Blaze Fast-Fired Pizza, House of Blues Restaurant and Bar, Portobello Country Italian Trattoria and Ragland Road Irish Pub and Restaurant. There’s also the Rainforest Café.
Entertainment includes an AMC Movie Theatre, La Nouba™ by Cirque du Soleil, House of Blues, live shows at Riverboat Square, and Splitsville Luxury Lanes bowling center.
