6 Facts About Kissimmee, FL

The town of Kissimmee is the largest town in Osceola County. Kissimmee was originally called “Allendale” after Major J. H. Allen and was nicknamed “Kowtown” and was originally known for ranching. With the establishment of railways and thanks to Hamilton Disston contracting the state of Florida to help drain the southern portion of Philadelphia, Kissimmee’s focus shifted from ranching to a more industrious nature. To support this the Kissimmee shipyard was contracted to construct steamboats for transporting people and goods as needed. As neighboring communities developed and world-class attractions such as Disney World were introduced, ranching became less essential to the local economy.

Did you know?

• The town’s name Kissimmee means “long water” which is fitting considering that the town is named after the Kissimmee River.
• It is the gateway to the Everglades, Shingle Creek flows through the town and into the Everglades. You can explore Shingle Creek by canoe, kayak, or stand-up paddleboard.
• Remember we said that the town had a history of ranching? Kissimmee is home to the largest rodeo east of the Mississippi River. The Silver Spurs Rodeo is held twice a year at the Osceola Heritage Park and is fun for the whole family. Watch for it in February and October each year.
• There are plenty of exceptional entertainment opportunities in Kissimmee. Osceola Heritage Park not only hosts the rodeo twice a year, but is also a great venue for concerts, sports, and equestrian events. The ESPN Wide World of Sports Complex hosts a variety of sporting events. The Medieval Times Dinner & Tournament is a family dinner event held within the walls of a castle. Arrive for your meal and cross the drawbridge to be crowned with your colors. Walk the halls and explore the castle prior to the show. The Capone’s Dinner and Show is a fun and exciting trip back to 1931 gangland Chicago, make sure you know the secret password to get in!
• Kissimmee is home to the world’s only accessible zipline at Gatorland. It is the first attraction of its kind to offer guests with disabilities access to a zipline adventure over alligators! Fly through the air over the marsh and take in the scenic sights from the air.
• The Orlando Fringe holds several festivals throughout the year. The main event is known as the International Orlando Fringe Theater Festival. This two-week event features uncensored, randomly selected, accessible and inclusive performers. If you are looking for a festival that features art exhibits, on-stage performances, and kid's arts and crafts then you won’t want to miss the Orlando Fringe Theater Festival.

Now for a bonus fact: True or false, Kissimmee has over 220 holes of golf? Golf enthusiasts rejoice, this is true! In Kissimmee, you will find 3 - 9 hole golf courses and 11 - 18 hole golf courses to challenge golfers of all levels. You’ll also be less than 20 miles from an additional 48 golf courses.

Do you have an interesting fact about Kissimmee? We’d love to hear it, please let us know in the comments.