Kissimmee, Florida

Kissimmee, Florida is located in Central Florida and is on Orlando’s doorstep, being 20 miles south of Orlando, and is an attractive home base when visiting Disney World, as well as other attractions in the central Florida area. Kissimmee is one of the largest towns in Florida and is home to almost every type of restaurant, attraction and shop.

Kissimmee, formerly known as Allandale, was incorporated in 1883 by a 3 to 33 vote of what would be called the Town Council today. The territory was first settled by Major J. H. Allan, a former confederate soldier, who was also a riverboat captain. Major Allan’s boat, the Mary Belle, was the first cargo steamboat on the Kissimmee River.

The population of Kissimmee is 59,682 people, made up of 17,130 households and 11,800 families. The city is a total of 17.32 square miles with 16.7 square miles being land and 0.6 square miles being water. The downtown area of Kissimmee is located along US Highways 192 and 441 and situated on the northwest shore of Lake Tohopekaliga.

Kissimmee is accessed by Amtrak, Kissimmee Gateway Airport, Greyhound bus and local bus service is provided by Lynx. Orlando International Airport is 15 minutes by car from Kissimmee. The city is also traversed by Osceola Parkway, Florida Turnpike and US Route 192, as well as US Route 17/92, US Route 441 and State Route 423.

Sports fans will find Kissimmee inviting with the presence of the Houston Astros spring training camp, the Osceola County Softball Complex, Austin Tindall Regional Park, all of which hosts numerous baseball, softball and soccer tournament and championship events.
Kissimmee is an action packed city with family friendly activities including more than 70 attractions and 600 restaurants.

History buffs will love the museums and a stroll through the historic downtown. Nature lovers will find an airboat ride through the swamps educational, and no visit to Florida is complete without a visit to Gatorland, and an up close and personal meet and greet with Florida’s most famous cold blooded residents. Golfing fans will enjoy the many golf courses that will challenge duffers of every skill level.

Travelers will find many deals in the Kissimmee area, For those that long for the good old days will find a trip to Old Shopping Town an adventure in spending, especially at the Old Town General Store and when shopping is done, there are 15 amusement park rides to fulfill the visitor’s adventurous side.

Vacationers planning a trip to Kissimmee will have has numerous discounts available, a wide selection of accommodations at a number of national motels and hotels, vacation homes and condos, suites and villas and time shares and campgrounds for a total of 45,000 accommodations that will fit almost any budget and desire.