40 Unforgettable Things to Do in Orlando, Florida

Many individuals plan a visit to Orlando to go to its world-famous theme parks, however there are lots of issues to do in Orlando to enrich a Disney trip. Orlando has been our household’s go-to vacation spot for many years. We Canadians can’t get sufficient of this central Florida metropolis’s sunshine and theme parks, and belief me, we’ve achieved all of it. From purchasing at flea markets to exploring Worldwide Drive, Orlando is a incredible all-round trip vacation spot for the entire household.

Finest Issues to Do in Orlando, Florida

It’s no secret that Orlando is the theme park capital of the world. The town is a whole leisure vacation spot for households and {couples} with points of interest galor. From museums to out of doors adventures, Orlando has a shocking variety of issues to do exterior the same old theme parks. Nevertheless, they’re fairly nice, too! So let’s go on a tour of all of the issues to do in Orlando.

1. Walt Disney World Resort

We gained’t spend too lengthy on Orlando’s theme parks since everyone knows about most of them, however let’s break down what you’ll be able to see and do at every of them, beginning with Walt Disney World Resort. It was this resort that made Orlando well-known and once you go to Orlando, it’s essential to cease right here a minimum of as soon as in your life.

Walt Disney World Resort is the last word household escape, encompassing 4 theme parks and two water parks. You possibly can go to Orlando repeatedly and nonetheless not see all of Disney World. Walt Disney World Resort is consistently altering and including to it to maintain individuals coming again repeatedly. Let’s break all of the theme parks down.

2. Magic Kingdom

The unique Magic Kingdom is the basic Disney theme park constructed across the fairytale fort (modeled after Neuschwanstein Fort in Germany). It’s right here that youngsters love seeing Mickey Mouse, the Haunted Mansion, and Pirates of the Caribbean, whereas dad and mom love the joys of Area Mountain. It’s a basic theme park and one of many high issues to do in Orlando for first-time guests. Learn extra Prime 10 Curler Coasters in Florida.

TRON Lightcycle Run is the most recent attraction at Magic Kingdom Park. Primarily based on the Disney sci-fi movie TRON. Trip one of many quickest coasters of all of the Disney theme parks whereas touring by means of The Grid in your very personal Lightcycle.

Be aware: A digital queue is in place for TRON Lightcycle / Run. Company should use the My Disney Expertise app to enter this attraction.

3. Epcot Middle

Epcot Middle takes you worldwide while not having to journey with the World Showcase that includes 11 international locations the place you’ll be able to immerse of their tradition. Go Soarin’ Across the World within the IMAX simulator, create your personal idea automotive to take a spin alongside the check monitor, or try the basic Epcot attraction that takes you on a journey by means of time. The all-ages attraction will permit friends to discover and have interaction with water because it travels from the skies to the oceans and again once more. 

4. Disney’s Hollywood Studios

We at all times love going to movie studios, and Disney’s Hollywood Studios has reworked from its unique MGM studio tour to a Hollywood setting, taking you thru worlds from the flicks. Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge allows you to expertise all the things Star Wars. Undergo 3D movement simulators to construct your personal droid. Youngsters will love the Toy Story and Pixar themes, too.

6. Hurricane Lagoon

Whereas Orlando doesn’t have seashores, it has loads of water parks. And if you’re a water lover, Disney has a water park! Hurricane Lagoon has water slides and surf swimming pools, seashores and lazy rivers.

So even in case you don’t make it to Daytona or Miami Seashore, you’ll be able to nonetheless have a seashore vacation. However Daytona Seashore does make an awesome journey for Orlando, we have now stayed in Daytona and made day journeys to Orlando up to now, learn extra: Finest Issues to do in Daytona Seashore, Florida

7. Disney’s Blizzard Seashore Waterpark

The second of Disney’s water parks is Blizzard Seashore. This 66-acre water park is a good place to sit back out. The theme of this park is a ski resort melted into heat and alluring waters. Because it takes place in a ski resort, many downhill slopes and slides might be loved. There are winter themes such because the snow fort fountain, Tikes Peak, Toboggan Racers, and the Downhill Double Dipper.

If you’re feeling fearless, you’ll be able to deal with Mount Gushmore, one of many world’s quickest and tallest waterslides. There’s additionally a lazy river and white sandy seashores to remind you that you just get pleasure from enjoyable within the solar. Learn 18 Finest Seashores in Florida for Enjoyable within the Solar

8. Disney Springs

Disney Springs can also be situated at Walt Disney World Resort. This expansive out of doors advanced has 4 distinct areas: Market, The Touchdown, City Middle, and West Facet. It combines purchasing, eating, and leisure in a single simply accessible location. Customers can discover varied shops, from big-name manufacturers to distinctive Disney-themed merchandise on the Market.

One of many coolest issues to do in there’s to take a scorching air balloon experience over Disney Springs. This exhilarating journey elevates guests excessive above the bustling streets, offering panoramic views of Disney Springs and the encompassing space. The tranquil ascent within the early morning or late night hours captures the essence of Orlando’s scenic magnificence, with the enduring Disney landmarks seen from a chicken’s eye view.

For leisure, Disney Springs presents stay music, avenue performers, and a state-of-the-art movie show. There are many eating choices accessible at The Touchdown, that includes all the things from fast bites to high-quality eating experiences.

What’s superior is that Disney Springs has free admission, and is open year-round, making it a handy and budget-friendly addition to any Orlando journey. You get the texture of being at Disney with out the hefty ticket costs.

The place to Keep at Disney

You’ll be able to guide resorts immediately at Walt Disney World Resort and we extremely advocate this to benefit from your keep. Try these resorts situated immediately inside Walt Disney World Resort.

9. Common Orlando Resort

The subsequent on our checklist of high issues to do in Orlando is to make your solution to Common Orlando Resort. It’s positively giving Walt Disney World Resort a run for its cash with seven island parks on Common’s Islands of Journey, Common Studios, 4 resorts and a water park. Common has some main thrill rides with quick rollercoasters and enjoyable digital actuality rides. Try: The Finest All Inclusive Resorts in Florida

10. Common Studios Florida

Film buffs will love Common Studios Florida with rides impressed by movie and TV. There are many 3D rides that can make your abdomen soar. From the Shrek 4D and Despicable Me Minion Mayhem (which I completely go sick on) to The Simpsons Trip, you’ll be immersed in animation. If you’d like curler coasters, that is the place to go together with the 70 mph Jurassic World Velocicoaster to the extra enjoyable 40 mph Revenge of the Mummy.

Get your 3 Park Ticket that give entry to Common Studios Florida, Common’s Islands of Journey, and Common’s Volcano Bay water theme parks. Problem-free cancelation as much as 24 hours prematurely to obtain a full refund.

11. Harry Potter and Diagon Alley

Common is a mixture of theme park and dealing studio and you can too try Harry Potter’s escape from Gringott’s financial institution. Harry Potter is so well-liked he crosses over two theme parks!

We have been fortunate sufficient to go to the opening of The Wizarding World of Harry Potter and Diagon Alley. At the same time as adults, we beloved this. It helps that I’m a Harry Potter fan!

What we love about Common is that its rides are geared to adults with some excessive curler coasters, and simulators. In truth, I used to be so nauseous after one experience I needed to take a couple of rides off as Dave went on a few of curler coasters with out me.

12. Common Islands of Journey

In addition to The Wizarding World of Harry Potter and Hogsmeade, Common Islands of Journey has seven different themed sections. Marvel Tremendous Hero Island, The Misplaced Continent, Port of Entry, Toon Lagoon, Jurassic Park, Cranium Island, and Seuss Touchdown are all locations you’ll be able to discover. Every of the island parks all has rides geared towards the angle film genres.

13. Minion Land

Minion Land opened at Common Studios, that includes the beloved Despicable Me Minion Mayhem attraction, a brand new Minion café and extra.

Try The Secret Lifetime of Pets: Off the Leash and head over Despicable Me Minion Mayhem to see your favourite characters.

Illumination’s Villain-Con Minion Blast combines progressive display screen know-how, state-of-the-art gaming interactivity, and elaborate bodily units to create a one-of-a-kind, game-based journey the place friends encounter immersive environments, nefarious villains, and tons of mischievous Minions from Illumination’s blockbuster movie franchise.  

14. Common CityWalk

You don’t even should essentially go into the park to get pleasure from Common Resort, Metropolis Stroll has some enjoyable points of interest exterior the gate. Play a spherical of mini golf, catch a film or seize a chew. It’s a enjoyable place to take a stroll and really feel the power.

If you’re in search of one thing distinctive to do, Common’s Nice Film Escape at Common CityWalk is the first-ever escape room expertise that options two rooms with interactive state-of-the-art missions. It’s intricately detailed units have been impressed by Common Footage and Amblin Leisure’s blockbuster movies Jurassic World and Again to the Future.  

The place to Keep at Univeral Orlando Resort

15. Worldwide Drive (I-Drive)

Worldwide Drive (aka I-Drive) is without doubt one of the must-visit locations in Orlando. Worldwide Drive has a halfway really feel with indoor go-carting, indoor skydiving, arcade video games, and mini golf. This resort space has many points of interest, eating places, leisure, and purchasing. It’s dwelling to the Orange County Conference Middle, so there are many resorts making it a extra cheap place to remain than one of many theme parks in Orlando.

The place to Keep at Worldwide Drive – We stayed at Wyndham Orlando Resort, and it was incredible. It was inside strolling distance to a number of the finest points of interest on Worldwide Drive and close by eating places and the movie show. But it was far sufficient away from all of it, giving an upscale quiet retreat. Test it out on TripAdvisor

The realm has many resorts, making it straightforward to discover Worldwide Drive out of your resort. Let’s try a couple of of I-Drive’s high websites.

16. Enjoyable Spot America

Searching for an amusement park exterior Common and Disney? Enjoyable Spot America is situated at Worldwide Drive and is enjoyable for the entire household with go-kart tracks, Orlando’s solely wood curler coaster, children’ rides, and a splash park. Get your tickets prematurely, together with free parking and water park admission.

Not like our different Orlando theme parks, Enjoyable Spot doesn’t cost for non-riders – which is ideal for folks of older kids. As an alternative, dad and mom can watch their kids benefit from the rides free of charge and keep safely on the bottom.

17. The Wheel at Icon Park

The Wheel at Icon Park is a 400-foot-high statement wheel that takes 23 minutes to do a full rotation. This is without doubt one of the extra well-liked issues to do in Orlando at night time. Be sure to cease on the Sky Bar to select up some bubbly or beer on your experience. The pods are air-conditioned and maintain as much as 15 individuals.

You will get your tickets prematurely – Benefit from the metropolis views from the pod with this versatile ticket that allows you to go to when it fits your schedule. You’ll be able to improve to incorporate eating experiences or actions comparable to tickets to the Starflyer, Madame Tussauds Orlando, or SEA LIFE Orlando.(straightforward cancellation for full refund inside 24 hours of ticket entry)

18. WonderWorks

WonderWorks is a enjoyable interactive science heart with points of interest just like the Area Discovery Zone, Excessive Climate Zone, The Bodily Problem Zone, and the Creativeness Lab. It’s an indoor amusement park for the thoughts! It has 100 interactive reveals from the indoor ropes problem

19. Escape Sport

Escape Sport on Worldwide Drive was rated the #1 Escape Room in Orlando in case you love escape rooms. It has 7 Orlando escape rooms for all talent ranges, together with a jail break, the heist, Gold Rush, and Mission to Mars. There may be free parking, and you may mix it with different Worldwide Drive points of interest, adopted by dinner or a experience on The Wheel at ICON Park.

20. I-Trip Trolley

The I-Trip Trolley is a good way to get round Worldwide Drive. A single fare is $2 per experience, however it’s best to get a day move. Day passes vary from someday for $5 limitless rides to three,5,7 and 14-day passes. See the I-Trip Trolley for Particulars.

21. Madame Tussauds

Madame Tussauds Wax Museums have endured the many years. There’s one thing that pulls individuals to well-known wax figures when on trip and Orlando has stuffed that requirement by having its personal Madame Tussauds. If you’re into that, test it out.

22. Church Road

Most individuals don’t consider spending time downtown Orlando on their Florida holidays, however there are many issues to see and do. Church Road is the center of downtown with the perfect eating places and nightlife. Make your solution to the East Finish Market to see artwork, meals and fruit and greens from throughout Central Florida or benefit from the bistros and cafes of Thornton Park. Downtown Orlando can also be dwelling to the Amway Sports activities Enviornment that’s dwelling to the NBA Basketball Group, the Orlando Magic.

23. Fringe ArtSpace

The most recent attraction in downtown Orlando is the Orlando Fringe at Fringe ArtSpace. The 9100 sq. foot area is a 12 months spherical performing arts venue with two theatre areas. A major stage and the smaller black field venue. Be sure to test it out to see its applications of live shows and theatres plus pop up occasions and workshops.

24. Amway Middle

If you’re a basketball fan, head over to the Amway Middle and choose up some tickets to see the Orlando Magic, Orlando’s NBA workforce. Winners of six division championships, that is one well-liked workforce! If you happen to can’t get tickets to a sport, try a live performance on the enviornment, there are common occasions, and performances and the hockey workforce Orlando Photo voltaic Bears name the Amway Middle dwelling as properly.

25. Lake Eola Park

Positioned within the coronary heart of downtown, Lake Eola is almost a mile of waterfront sidewalks circling a picturesque lake. The Linton E. Allen Memorial Fountain, aka Centennial Fountain, is the official image of Orlando. This serene park is a well-liked place for live shows and eating. You’ll be able to lease paddleboards within the park as properly.

26. Orlando Science Middle

Almost each main metropolis on this planet has a science heart and Orlando is not any exception. These interactive museums are a good way to spark curiosity in science and know-how for the little ones and to flee the warmth. ona scorching Florida day. Everyone loves the Kinetic Zone providing an introduction to physics or going again tens of millions of years to the age of the dinosaurs. It has all of it. Science is cool man.

27. Orlando Museum of Artwork

Simply since you are visiting the theme park capital of the world doesn’t imply you don’t require a little bit of tradition. The Orlando Museum of Artwork is a contemporary artwork museum housing all the things from native artists to French basic artists like Cézanne and Gauguin.

28. Titanic Artifact Museum

For Titanic Lovers, the Artifact Exhibition in Orlando homes practically 200 artifacts from the Titanic recovered by RMS Titanic Inc. We’re at all times fascinated with Titanic exhibitions. We’ve been to the Titanic Museum in Belfast the place the Titanic left from its port and in Halifax the place the most important rescue and restoration occurred on the time of its sinking off the coast.

Get your tickets prematurely to Titanic Artifact Museum – See artifacts recovered from the Titanic and immerse within the expertise by means of full-scale recreations of her Grand Staircase, First Class Cabin and extra whereas actors in interval costumes painting Titanic notables.

29. Morse Museum of American Artwork

See the works of Louis Consolation Tiffany, an American Artwork Nouveau artist, and designer who was the son of the founding father of Tiffany and Firm. He’s most well-known for working with glass designing lamps, stained glass home windows and mosaics. He was additionally the primary design director of Tiffany & Co.

This museum showcases his glass works together with a chapel inside that was on show on the 1893 World’s Columbian Exposition in Chicago.

30. Harry P Leu Botanical Gardens

One other tropical oasis simply minutes from downtown Orlando is the Harry P Leu Gardens. This 50 acre park is a good escape if you’re in search of one thing completely different to do in Orlando. There’s a butterfly backyard, a tropical rainforest and a wide range of unique vegetation from around the globe.

Issues to do Close to Orlando

My dad and mom spend their winters in Winter Haven. Positioned 1 hour south of Orlando, it’s a well-liked Snowbird vacation spot and there are fairly a couple of issues to do right here so as to add to your Orlando itinerary. My dad made some extent of telling me that if I ever wrote about issues to do in Orlando, I need to embody these different Central Florida points of interest. So let’s test them out.

31. Kennedy Area Middle

With Elon Musk and Richard Branson beginning up the area race once more, curiosity in area journey is at an all time excessive. The Kennedy Area Middle has been attracting guests to Cape Canaveral for many years. Try the astronaut coaching heart and the Apollo / Saturn V race to the moon. There are many interactive shows and outdated rockets and area craft available.

Choose up your skip the road tickets to the Kennedy Area Middle for entry to many reveals together with, Area Shuttle Atlantis, Shuttle Launch Expertise, Rocket Backyard, and IMAX Spacefilms. This Kennedy Area Middle Day Journey contains transportation from Orlando, Kissimee, Disney and Lake Buena Vista areas and with entry to Kennedy Area Centre points of interest and a go to to restricted areas.

32. Outdated City Kissimmee

Step again in time and go to the Outdated City of Kissimee. This city is modelled after a basic Florida city full of eating places, retailers and tree lined streets resembling a bygone period. Be sure you go to on a Saturday night time for the Saturday Nite Basic Automotive Cruise and take a experience on the Outdated City’s iconic Ferris Wheel.

33. Tree Trek Journey Park

If you’re in search of an journey, the Tree Trek Journey Park is enjoyable for the entire household. Expertise arial challenges above the forest cover and a large 425 foot lengthy zip line. There are programs for all ranges together with 2 children programs and grownup programs ranging in top and problem. Sort out the silver impediment course for the last word problem.

Tree Trek Journey Park is situated at 7625 Sinclair Rd in Kissimmee, Florida 34747

34. Winter Park

When touring round throughout a go to with my dad and mom, we stopped in Winter Park and my first thought was “mother and pa can buy a spot right here!” This Orange County metropolis is full of parks and its major avenue Park Avenue has loads of purchasing and eating. The Winter Park Scenic Boat Tour is certainly one of Orlando’s high points of interest taking guests by means of seven lakes and two canals.

Winter Park has an upscale feeling that’s utterly completely different from the Disney and Common points of interest. It’s a solution to expertise Orlando like a neighborhood with upscale eating, high-quality artwork museums and  2,781 acres of pristine waterways.

35. Bok Tower Gardens

This lovely day journey from town is situated between Tampa and Orlando. Birders love Bok Tower Gardens with its 126 completely different species of birds, making it a delegated cease on the Nice Florida Birding Path. There are 50 acres of gardens, together with a kids’s backyard across the neo-Gothic Singing Tower carillon. There are solely 600 carillons on this planet! Skilled Carillonneurs play this bell tower. It’s price visiting for this alone!

36. Legoland

Legoland has come a good distance child and Legoland Florida is a mixture theme park and waterpark in a single. That is positively a park for the entire household. A really cool truth is that Legoland is on the positioning of the previous Cypress Gardens which was well-known for its water reveals since 1939. Whereas Cypress Gardens is formally closed, it lives on in Legoland’s Botanical Gardens the place the large Cypress tree nonetheless stands.

Leggoland’s latest attraction is opening quickly. Pirate River Quest is a treasure hunt journey that sees friends observe a pirate looking for treasure by means of the waters of Cypress Gardens to discover its canals.

37. Florida Everglades Excursions

Exploring the Florida Everglades is an exciting day journey from Orlando, simply three hours away. This huge, pure wetland is a high attraction for guests looking for an journey past town’s theme parks. E-book this Everglades tour to see alligators, birds and the surroundings as you skim by means of the excessive grass of the Everglades.

Excursions of the Everglades are extremely well-liked and extremely prone to promote out providing an up-close have a look at this distinctive ecosystem by means of airboat rides, which glide over the marshes, offering a chance to identify alligators, unique birds, and native flora.

Guided excursions are really useful to totally admire the world’s wealthy biodiversity and to study concerning the Everglades’ ecological significance. In addition to airboat rides, guests can interact in mountain climbing, chicken watching, and images, immersing themselves within the tranquility of nature. This tour provides a refreshing distinction to the same old Orlando itinerary, making it a must-do for these eager to expertise Florida’s wild aspect.

38. Blue Spring State Park

Positioned 45 minutes exterior of Orlando in Orange Metropolis, Blue Spring State Park is to not be missed. It’s the premier place to view manatees as they make their manner up the St. Johns River throughout the winter months to keep away from the chilly ocean waters. The pure springs stay a balmey 72 levels all through the winter. Take a stroll alongside the 1.3-mile boardwalk to see manatees swimming. You can too get within the water at Blue Spring State Park and do some swimming, paddle boarding and river tubing in designated areas.

39. Manatee Day Journey

Among the finest methods to stand up shut and private with Manatees is to take a tour within the Nice Outside. If the Manatees aren’t in Blue Spring State Park (since they’re solely there seasonally) you’ll be able to go to Homosassa State Park to see the Manatees of Crystal River. It additionally features a 30 Minute airboat experience on the Withlacoochee River.

Visiting animals of their pure habitat is our most well-liked manner of experiencing wildlife. We propose airboat excursions, kayaking excursions or snorkeling excursions over locations such because the Central Florida Zoo, SeaWorld or Gatorland.

40. Animal Welfare

We’re not followers of zoos and don’t suppose that animals needs to be placed on show for individuals’s leisure. We desire visiting sanctuaries and seeing animals of their pure habitat. Nevertheless, we wished to incorporate these animal points of interest as different Orlando guides point out them and we wish to give our opinion with the intention to make up your personal minds.

Disney’s Animal Kingdom – In the case of Disney’s Animal Kingdom, we’d moderately see lions on the African savanna moderately than in a theme park. I do know not everybody can do that, however there are superb digital actuality and documentaries on the market. However a minimum of Disney offers animals loads of room to roam. Disney says that it celebrates the earth’s animals plus a couple of from Avatar’s Pandora. We personally, haven’t been to Animal Kingdom and like to get pleasure from animal encounters within the wild.

Seaworld Orlando – We by no means advocate a go to to Seaworld Orlando. Whereas they declare to do lots of conservation and rescues, they put marine life on show for human leisure and this isn’t proper. It causes stress on marine life to should carry out and work together with strangers. I want Seaworld would change.

SEA Life Orlando Aquarium

If you wish to go to an aquarium, SEA Life Orlando Aquarium is the most suitable choice. Not like conventional marine parks like SeaWorld, SEA Life locations a robust emphasis on schooling and conservation.

The aquarium is famend for its efforts in rescuing and rehabilitating injured marine animals, together with its initiatives to guard ocean habitats. Guests can discover a wide range of reveals that showcase a variety of marine species, from colourful fish to majestic sea turtles, in environments that mimic their pure habitats. Interactive experiences, such because the 360-degree ocean tunnel, provide an immersive solution to study marine ecosystems and the significance of preserving them.

Does Orlando have Seashores?

Whereas Orlando itself will not be dwelling to seashores, it’s ideally positioned inside driving distance of a few of Florida’s most picturesque coastlines. To flee the Florida warmth, a day on the seashore is simply the ticket. Simply an hour’s drive east, guests can attain the Atlantic shores of Cocoa Seashore, well-known for its surf-friendly waves and family-friendly ambiance. A two-hour journey west results in the Gulf Coast’s Clearwater Seashore.

And these are simply a number of the incredible points of interest in Orlando. After visiting repeatedly, we at all times discover one thing new. Florida has catered to vacationers all the way down to a science and the individuals in cost are endlessly pondering of latest methods to entice guests to the State. And an awesome place to start out is Orlando!

Orlando is a incredible trip vacation spot for the entire household. With world-class leisure, glorious location for day journeys, and infinite Orlando actions, it’s the right vacation spot to go to Central Florida’s high points of interest. Otherwise you by no means want to depart town, the probabilities are infinite.