Kissimmee, Florida sits right at the doorstep of Walt Disney World, but it is so much more than just a gateway to the theme parks. This vibrant Central Florida city has its own identity, its own culture, and its own collection of experiences that make it a worthy destination in its own right. Whether you are visiting for the first time as part of a Disney trip or planning a standalone weekend getaway to Kissimmee, this guide will help you make the most of every hour.
From world-class food truck parks and sprawling flea markets to lakeside trails, classic car shows, and some of the best international dining in Florida, here is your complete Kissimmee weekend guide for first-time visitors.
Friday Evening: Arrive and Explore the Night Scene
Check Into Your Hotel on Highway 192
The Highway 192 corridor, also known as Irlo Bronson Memorial Highway, is the main tourist strip in Kissimmee and offers the widest range of accommodations. Hotels here range from budget-friendly options under $100 per night to upscale resorts, and most are just 10-15 minutes from the Disney World gates. For first-time visitors, staying on Highway 192 puts you right in the middle of the action with easy access to dining, shopping, and attractions.
Dinner at World Food Trucks
Start your weekend right with dinner at World Food Trucks, located at Visitors Flea Market on Highway 192 at Mile Marker 9. With over 100 international food trucks, it is the largest permanent food truck park in the United States. On Friday nights, the trucks serve until 4 AM, so there is no rush. Sample Venezuelan arepas, authentic Mexican street tacos, Korean BBQ, Italian gelato, and dozens of other cuisines all in one stop.
The atmosphere on Friday nights is electric. Families, couples, groups of friends, and fellow visitors from around the world gather under the open sky to eat, socialize, and enjoy the experience. It is the perfect way to kick off your first time in Kissimmee.
Friday Night Bonus: Visitors Flea Market stays open until midnight on Fridays, so you can browse 225+ vendor booths in the air-conditioned building before or after dinner. Free admission and free parking make it easy to drop in.
Saturday: The Full Kissimmee Experience
Morning: Visitors Flea Market
Start your Saturday at Visitors Flea Market, which opens at 10 AM. This 50,000-square-foot air-conditioned market has over 225 independent vendor booths selling everything from unique handmade gifts and vintage collectibles to electronics, clothing, jewelry, and Florida souvenirs. It is nothing like a mall or tourist shop. Every vendor is independent, which means the selection is eclectic, surprising, and genuinely interesting.
The market is completely free to enter, pet friendly, wheelchair accessible, and all vendors accept credit and debit cards. Plan to spend at least two hours browsing. You will find things here that you simply cannot find anywhere else in the area.
Lunch: World Food Trucks
After your shopping session, step outside to the food trucks for lunch. With 100+ trucks, you will never eat the same thing twice. Try a different cuisine than you had Friday night. The beauty of this place is the variety. One person in your group can have Brazilian churrasco while another has Japanese ramen and a third has Caribbean jerk chicken, all for $8-$15 per person.
Afternoon: Explore the Local Scene
After lunch, head to one of these Kissimmee highlights:
- Old Town Kissimmee for a nostalgic stroll through shops and the Saturday night classic car show
- Kissimmee Lakefront Park for a scenic walk along Lake Tohopekaliga with nature and wildlife
- Celebration Town Center for upscale boutique shopping and a charming town center atmosphere
- Disney Springs for free-admission shopping, dining, and entertainment on Disney property
Evening: Old Town Car Show and Late-Night Food
Saturday evenings in Kissimmee have a special energy. Old Town hosts its famous weekly classic car cruise, where hundreds of vintage and custom cars parade down the main street. It is free to watch and is one of the most iconic Kissimmee traditions. After the car show, head back to World Food Trucks for a late-night meal. The trucks serve until 4 AM on Saturday nights, making it the ultimate late-night dining destination near Disney World.
Sunday: A Relaxed Finish to Your Weekend
Morning: Brunch and Lakeside Walk
Take your Sunday morning at a relaxed pace. Many restaurants along Highway 192 serve excellent brunch, from classic American pancake houses to Latin American cafes with traditional breakfasts featuring eggs, plantains, fresh juice, and strong coffee. After brunch, if you did not visit the lakefront on Saturday, Sunday morning is perfect for a peaceful walk along the shores of Lake Tohopekaliga.
Midday: One More Pass Through the Market
Before you head out, make one more stop at Visitors Flea Market to pick up any gifts or souvenirs you were thinking about on Saturday. Sunday hours run from 10 AM to 9 PM, so you have plenty of time. Many visitors find that their second visit is when they discover the booths they missed the first time around, and it is the perfect opportunity to grab those last-minute gifts at a fraction of theme park souvenir prices.
Afternoon: Disney Springs or a Theme Park
If your weekend includes a theme park day, Sunday afternoon is a solid choice. Weekend crowds at Disney World tend to thin slightly on Sunday afternoons as weekend visitors begin heading home. Alternatively, spend a few hours at Disney Springs, which is free to enter, for some final shopping and people-watching before you depart.
Essential Tips for First-Time Kissimmee Visitors
- The Florida sun is strong year-round, so bring sunscreen, sunglasses, and a hat even in winter
- Afternoon rain showers are common from June through September, so carry a light rain jacket
- Highway 192 can have heavy traffic during park opening and closing times, so plan accordingly
- Most Kissimmee attractions are very affordable or free, making it ideal for budget travelers
- The area is extremely diverse, so embrace the international dining and cultural experiences
- Visitors Flea Market is open 365 days a year, so no matter when you visit, it will be open
- Food trucks at World Food Trucks accept all major credit and debit cards
- Bring a light jacket or sweater if visiting between November and February
First-Timer Secret: The best time to visit Visitors Flea Market with the smallest crowds is weekday mornings. But if you are here on a weekend, Saturday morning when the doors open at 10 AM is the sweet spot before the afternoon rush.
Getting Around Kissimmee
Highway 192 is the central corridor, and most of the activities in this guide are located along it or just off of it. If you have a car, navigating Kissimmee is straightforward. The major intersections are well-marked with mile markers, and Visitors Flea Market is at Mile Marker 9, making it easy to find. Ride-share services like Uber and Lyft are readily available throughout the area, and many hotels offer free shuttle service to Disney World.
Why Kissimmee Deserves More Than a Drive-Through
Most first-time visitors to the Orlando area treat Kissimmee as a place to sleep between park days. That is a mistake. The food scene, anchored by World Food Trucks and the incredible diversity of restaurants along Highway 192, rivals anything you will find inside the theme parks. The shopping at Visitors Flea Market offers authenticity and value that tourist shops simply cannot match. And the natural beauty of the lakefront, the charm of Celebration, and the nostalgia of Old Town add layers of experience that make a weekend trip to Kissimmee genuinely memorable.
Come for Disney, but stay for Kissimmee. You will be glad you did.
Start Planning Your Kissimmee Weekend
Visitors Flea Market is located at 5811 W Irlo Bronson Memorial Hwy, Kissimmee, FL 34746, at Mile Marker 9 on Highway 192, just 15 minutes from Walt Disney World. Open Monday through Thursday from 10 AM to 8 PM, Friday and Saturday from 10 AM to Midnight, and Sunday from 10 AM to 9 PM. Food trucks stay open until 2 AM on weekdays and 4 AM on weekends. Admission is free, parking is available, all vendors accept cards, and the market is pet friendly and wheelchair accessible.