Many individuals plan a visit to Orlando to go to its world-famous theme parks, however there are numerous issues to do in Orlando to complement 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 performed all of it. From procuring at flea markets to exploring International Drive, Orlando is a improbable all-round trip vacation spot for the entire household.
Best Things to Do in Orlando, Florida
It’s no secret that Orlando is the theme park capital of the world. The metropolis is an entire 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 standard theme parks. However, 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 received’t spend too lengthy on Orlando’s theme parks since everyone knows about most of them, however let’s break down what you may see and do at every of them, beginning with Walt Disney World Resort. It was this resort that made Orlando well-known and if you go to Orlando, it’s essential to cease right here no less than as soon as in your life.
Walt Disney World Resort is the final word household escape, encompassing 4 theme parks and two water parks. You might go to Orlando repeatedly and nonetheless not see all of Disney World. Walt Disney World Resort is consistently altering and including to it to preserve individuals coming again time and again. Let’s break all of the theme parks down.
2. Magic Kingdom
The authentic Magic Kingdom is the traditional Disney theme park constructed across the fairytale fortress (modeled after Neuschwanstein Castle in Germany). It’s right here that children love seeing Mickey Mouse, the Haunted Mansion, and Pirates of the Caribbean, whereas dad and mom love the joys of Space Mountain. It’s a traditional theme park and one of many prime issues to do in Orlando for first-time guests. Read extra Top 10 Roller Coasters in Florida.
TRON Lightcycle Run is the latest attraction at Magic Kingdom Park. Based on the Disney sci-fi movie TRON. Ride one of many quickest coasters of all of the Disney theme parks whereas touring by means of The Grid in your very personal Lightcycle.
Note: A digital queue is in place for TRON Lightcycle / Run. Guests should use the My Disney Experience app to enter this attraction.
3. Epcot Center
Epcot Center takes you worldwide while not having to journey with the World Showcase that includes 11 international locations the place you may immerse in their tradition. Go Soarin’ Around the World in the IMAX simulator, create your personal idea automotive to take a spin alongside the take a look at monitor, or try the traditional Epcot attraction that takes you on a journey by means of time. The all-ages attraction will enable visitors 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 all the time love going to movie studios, and Disney’s Hollywood Studios has reworked from its authentic MGM studio tour to a Hollywood setting, taking you thru worlds from the films. Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge enables you to expertise the whole lot Star Wars. Go by means of 3D movement simulators to construct your personal droid. Kids will love the Toy Story and Pixar themes, too.
6. Typhoon Lagoon
While Orlando doesn’t have seashores, it has loads of water parks. And in case you are a water lover, Disney has a water park! Typhoon Lagoon has water slides and surf swimming pools, seashores and lazy rivers.
So even should you don’t make it to Daytona or Miami Beach, you may nonetheless have a seaside vacation. But Daytona Beach does make a fantastic journey for Orlando, we’ve got stayed in Daytona and made day journeys to Orlando in the previous, learn extra: Best Things to do in Daytona Beach, Florida
7. Disney’s Blizzard Beach Waterpark
The second of Disney’s water parks is Blizzard Beach. This 66-acre water park is a good place to sit back. The theme of this park is a ski resort melted into heat and alluring waters. Since it takes place in a ski resort, many downhill slopes and slides could be loved. There are winter themes such because the snow fortress fountain, Tikes Peak, Toboggan Racers, and the Downhill Double Dipper.
If you feel fearless, you may 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 in the solar. Read 18 Best Beaches in Florida for Fun in the Sun
8. Disney Springs
Disney Springs can also be positioned at Walt Disney World Resort. This expansive out of doors complicated has 4 distinct areas: Marketplace, The Landing, Town Center, and West Side. It combines procuring, eating, and leisure in one simply accessible location. Shoppers can discover numerous shops, from big-name manufacturers to distinctive Disney-themed merchandise on the Marketplace.
One of the best issues to do in there’s to take a sizzling air balloon journey over Disney Springs. This exhilarating journey elevates guests excessive above the bustling streets, offering panoramic views of Disney Springs and the encircling space. The tranquil ascent in the early morning or late night hours captures the essence of Orlando’s scenic magnificence, with the long-lasting Disney landmarks seen from a chicken’s eye view.
For leisure, Disney Springs provides dwell music, road performers, and a state-of-the-art movie show. There are loads of eating choices out there at The Landing, that includes the whole lot from fast bites to superb 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.
Where to Stay at Disney
You can guide motels immediately at Walt Disney World Resort and we extremely suggest this to benefit from your keep. Check out these motels positioned immediately inside Walt Disney World Resort.
9. Universal Orlando Resort
The subsequent on our record of prime issues to do in Orlando is to make your means to Universal Orlando Resort. It is unquestionably giving Walt Disney World Resort a run for its cash with seven island parks on Universal’s Islands of Adventure, Universal Studios, 4 motels and a water park. Universal has some main thrill rides with quick rollercoasters and enjoyable digital actuality rides. Check out: The Best All Inclusive Resorts in Florida
10. Universal Studios Florida
Movie buffs will love Universal Studios Florida with rides impressed by movie and TV. There are loads of 3D rides that may make your abdomen bounce. From the Shrek 4D and Despicable Me Minion Mayhem (which I completely go sick on) to The Simpsons Ride, you’ll be immersed in animation. If you need curler coasters, that is the place to go along 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 Universal Studios Florida, Universal’s Islands of Adventure, and Universal’s Volcano Bay water theme parks. Hassle-free cancelation up to 24 hours in advance to obtain a full refund.
11. Harry Potter and Diagon Alley
Universal is a mixture of theme park and dealing studio and you can even try Harry Potter’s escape from Gringott’s financial institution. Harry Potter is so in style he crosses over two theme parks!
We had been fortunate sufficient to go to the opening of The Wizarding World of Harry Potter and Diagon Alley. Even as adults, we beloved this. It helps that I’m a Harry Potter fan!
What we love about Universal is that its rides are geared to adults with some excessive curler coasters, and simulators. In reality, I used to be so nauseous after one journey I had to take just a few rides off as Dave went on a few of curler coasters with out me.
12. Universal Islands of Adventure
Besides The Wizarding World of Harry Potter and Hogsmeade, Universal Islands of Adventure has seven different themed sections. Marvel Super Hero Island, The Lost Continent, Port of Entry, Toon Lagoon, Jurassic Park, Skull Island, and Seuss Landing are all locations you may discover. Each of the island parks all has rides geared towards the attitude film genres.
13. Minion Land
Minion Land opened at Universal Studios, that includes the beloved Despicable Me Minion Mayhem attraction, a brand new Minion café and extra.
Check out The Secret Life of Pets: Off the Leash and head over Despicable Me Minion Mayhem to see your favourite characters.
Illumination’s Villain-Con Minion Blast combines modern display know-how, state-of-the-art gaming interactivity, and elaborate bodily units to create a one-of-a-kind, game-based journey the place visitors encounter immersive environments, nefarious villains, and tons of mischievous Minions from Illumination’s blockbuster movie franchise.
14. Universal CityWalk
You don’t even have to essentially go into the park to get pleasure from Universal Resort, City Walk 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 vitality.
If you’re on the lookout for one thing distinctive to do, Universal’s Great Movie Escape at Universal CityWalk is the first-ever escape room expertise that options two rooms with interactive state-of-the-art missions. It’s intricately detailed units had been impressed by Universal Pictures and Amblin Entertainment’s blockbuster movies Jurassic World and Back to the Future.
Where to Stay at Univeral Orlando Resort
Where to Stay at Universal Resort
15. International Drive (I-Drive)
International Drive (aka I-Drive) is among the must-visit locations in Orlando. International 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 procuring. It is dwelling to the Orange County Convention Center, so there are many motels making it a extra cheap place to keep than one of many theme parks in Orlando.
Where to Stay at International Drive – We stayed at Wyndham Orlando Resort, and it was improbable. It was inside strolling distance to among the finest points of interest on International Drive and close by eating places and the movie show. Yet it was far sufficient away from all of it, giving an upscale quiet retreat. Check it out on TripAdvisor
The space has many motels, making it straightforward to discover International Drive out of your resort. Let’s try just a few of I-Drive’s prime websites.
16. Fun Spot America
Looking for an amusement park exterior Universal and Disney? Fun Spot America is positioned at International 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 in advance, together with free parking and water park admission.
Unlike our different Orlando theme parks, Fun Spot doesn’t cost for non-riders – which is ideal for fogeys of older youngsters. Instead, dad and mom can watch their youngsters benefit from the rides without spending a dime and keep safely on the bottom.
17. The Wheel at Icon Park
The Wheel at Icon Park is a 400-foot-high remark wheel that takes 23 minutes to do a full rotation. This is among the extra in style issues to do in Orlando at night time. Make positive to cease on the Sky Bar to choose up some bubbly or beer in your journey. The pods are air-conditioned and maintain up to 15 individuals.
You can get your tickets in advance – Enjoy the town views from the pod with this versatile ticket that allows you to go to when it fits your schedule. You can improve to embody eating experiences or actions reminiscent of 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 middle with points of interest just like the Space Discovery Zone, Extreme Weather Zone, The Physical Challenge Zone, and the Imagination Lab. It is an indoor amusement park for the thoughts! It has 100 interactive reveals from the indoor ropes problem
19. Escape Game
Escape Game on International Drive was rated the #1 Escape Room in Orlando should you love escape rooms. It has 7 Orlando escape rooms for all ability ranges, together with a jail break, the heist, Gold Rush, and Mission to Mars. There is free parking, and you may mix it with different International Drive points of interest, adopted by dinner or a journey on The Wheel at ICON Park.
20. I-Ride Trolley
The I-Ride Trolley is a good way to get round International Drive. A single fare is $2 per journey, however it’s best to get a day cross. Day passes vary from at some point for $5 limitless rides to 3,5,7 and 14-day passes. See the I-Ride Trolley for Details.
21. Madame Tussauds
Madame Tussauds Wax Museums have endured the a long time. There’s one thing that draws individuals to well-known wax figures when on trip and Orlando has crammed that requirement by having its personal Madame Tussauds. If you’re into that, test it out.
For extra Florida journey data, it’s your decision to try these articles.
22. Church Street
Most individuals don’t consider spending time downtown Orlando on their Florida holidays, however there are many issues to see and do. Church Street is the guts of downtown with the very best eating places and nightlife. Make your means to the East End 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 Arena that’s dwelling to the NBA Basketball Team, the Orlando Magic.
23. Fringe ArtSpace
The latest attraction in downtown Orlando is the Orlando Fringe at Fringe ArtSpace. The 9100 sq. foot house is a yr spherical performing arts venue with two theatre areas. A major stage and the smaller black field venue. Make positive to test it out to see its packages of live shows and theatres plus pop up occasions and workshops.
24. Amway Center
If you’re a basketball fan, head over to the Amway Center and choose up some tickets to see the Orlando Magic, Orlando’s NBA crew. Winners of six division championships, that is one in style crew! If you may’t get tickets to a recreation, try a live performance on the area, there are common occasions, and performances and the hockey crew Orlando Solar Bears name the Amway Center dwelling as nicely.
25. Lake Eola Park
Located in the guts 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 can lease paddleboards in the park as nicely.
26. Orlando Science Center
Nearly each main metropolis in the world has a science middle 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 escape the warmth. ona sizzling Florida day. Everybody loves the Kinetic Zone providing an introduction to physics or going again thousands and thousands of years to the age of the dinosaurs. It has all of it. Science is cool man.
27. Orlando Museum of Art
Just 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 Art is a contemporary artwork museum housing the whole lot from native artists to French traditional 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 are all the time 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 in advance to Titanic Artifact Museum – See artifacts recovered from the Titanic and immerse in 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 Art
See the works of Louis Comfort Tiffany, an American Art Nouveau artist, and designer who was the son of the founding father of Tiffany and Company. He is 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
Another tropical oasis simply minutes from downtown Orlando is the Harry P Leu Gardens. This 50 acre park is a good escape in case you are on the lookout for one thing completely different to do in Orlando. There’s a butterfly backyard, a tropical rainforest and a wide range of unique crops from around the globe.
Things to do Near Orlando
My dad and mom spend their winters in Winter Haven. Located 1 hour south of Orlando, it’s a in style Snowbird vacation spot and there are fairly just a few issues to do right here to add to your Orlando itinerary. My dad made a degree 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 verify them out.
31. Kennedy Space Center
With Elon Musk and Richard Branson beginning up the house race once more, curiosity in house journey is at an all time excessive. The Kennedy Space Center has been attracting guests to Cape Canaveral for many years. Check out the astronaut coaching middle and the Apollo / Saturn V race to the moon. There are loads of interactive shows and outdated rockets and house craft available.
Pick up your skip the road tickets to the Kennedy Space Center for entry to many reveals together with, Space Shuttle Atlantis, Shuttle Launch Experience, Rocket Garden, and IMAX Spacefilms. This Kennedy Space Center Day Trip consists of transportation from Orlando, Kissimee, Disney and Lake Buena Vista areas and with entry to Kennedy Space Centre points of interest and a go to to restricted areas.
32. Old Town Kissimmee
Step again in time and go to the Old Town of Kissimee. This city is modelled after a traditional Florida city crammed with eating places, retailers and tree lined streets resembling a bygone period. Make positive you go to on a Saturday night time for the Saturday Nite Classic Car Cruise and take a journey on the Old Town’s iconic Ferris Wheel.
33. Tree Trek Adventure Park
If you’re on the lookout for an journey, the Tree Trek Adventure Park is enjoyable for the entire household. Experience 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. Tackle the silver impediment course for the final word problem.
Tree Trek Adventure Park is positioned 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 “mom and dad should buy a place here!” This Orange County metropolis is crammed with parks and its major road Park Avenue has loads of procuring and eating. The Winter Park Scenic Boat Tour is considered one of Orlando’s prime 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 Universal points of interest. It is a means to expertise Orlando like an area with upscale eating, superb artwork museums and 2,781 acres of pristine waterways.
35. Bok Tower Gardens
This lovely day journey from the town is positioned between Tampa and Orlando. Birders love Bok Tower Gardens with its 126 completely different species of birds, making it a chosen cease on the Great Florida Birding Trail. There are 50 acres of gardens, together with a youngsters’s backyard across the neo-Gothic Singing Tower carillon. There are solely 600 carillons in the world! Professional Carillonneurs play this bell tower. It’s value visiting for this alone!
36. Legoland
Legoland has come a great distance child and Legoland Florida is a mixture theme park and waterpark in one. This is unquestionably a park for the entire household. A really cool reality is that Legoland is on the location of the previous Cypress Gardens which was well-known for its water reveals since 1939. While Cypress Gardens is formally closed, it lives on in Legoland’s Botanical Gardens the place the enormous Cypress tree nonetheless stands.
Leggoland’s latest attraction is opening quickly. Pirate River Quest is a treasure hunt journey that sees visitors comply with a pirate in search of treasure by means of the waters of Cypress Gardens to discover its canals.
37. Florida Everglades Tours
Exploring the Florida Everglades is an exhilarating day journey from Orlando, simply three hours away. This huge, pure wetland is a prime attraction for guests searching for an journey past the town’s theme parks. Book this Everglades tour to see alligators, birds and the surroundings as you skim by means of the excessive grass of the Everglades.
Tours of the Everglades are extremely in style and extremely probably 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 spot alligators, unique birds, and native flora.
Guided excursions are really helpful to absolutely recognize the world’s wealthy biodiversity and to be taught concerning the Everglades’ ecological significance. Besides airboat rides, guests can have interaction in mountain climbing, chicken watching, and images, immersing themselves in the tranquility of nature. This tour provides a refreshing distinction to the standard Orlando itinerary, making it a must-do for these wanting to expertise Florida’s wild aspect.
38. Blue Spring State Park
Located 45 minutes exterior of Orlando in Orange City, Blue Spring State Park is just not to be missed. It is the premier place to view manatees as they make their means 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 may also get in the water at Blue Spring State Park and do some swimming, paddle boarding and river tubing in designated areas.
39. Manatee Day Trip
One of the very best methods to rise up shut and private with Manatees is to take a tour in the Great Outdoors. If the Manatees aren’t in Blue Spring State Park (since they’re solely there seasonally) you may go to Homosassa State Park to see the Manatees of Crystal River. It additionally features a 30 Minute airboat journey on the Withlacoochee River.
Visiting animals in their pure habitat is our most popular means of experiencing wildlife. We counsel airboat excursions, kayaking excursions or snorkeling excursions over locations such because the Central Florida Zoo, SeaWorld or Gatorland.
40. Animal Welfare
We aren’t followers of zoos and don’t suppose that animals must be placed on show for individuals’s leisure. We favor visiting sanctuaries and seeing animals in their pure habitat. However, we wished to embody these animal points of interest as different Orlando guides point out them and we wish to give our opinion so that you could make up your personal minds.
Disney’s Animal Kingdom – When it comes to Disney’s Animal Kingdom, we’d quite see lions on the African savanna quite than in a theme park. I do know not everybody can do that, however there are wonderful digital actuality and documentaries on the market. But no less than Disney provides animals loads of room to roam. Disney says that it celebrates the earth’s animals plus just a few from Avatar’s Pandora. We personally, haven’t been to Animal Kingdom and like to get pleasure from animal encounters in the wild.
Seaworld Orlando – We by no means suggest a go to to Seaworld Orlando. While they declare to do loads 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 have to carry out and work together with strangers. I want Seaworld would change.
SEA Life Orlando Aquarium
If you need to go to an aquarium, SEA Life Orlando Aquarium is the most suitable choice. Unlike conventional marine parks like SeaWorld, SEA Life locations a robust emphasis on training and conservation.
The aquarium is famend for its efforts in rescuing and rehabilitating injured marine animals, together with its initiatives to shield ocean habitats. Visitors 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 means to study marine ecosystems and the significance of preserving them.
Does Orlando have Beaches?
While Orlando itself is just not dwelling to seashores, it’s ideally positioned inside driving distance of a few of Florida’s most picturesque coastlines. To escape the Florida warmth, a day on the seaside is simply the ticket. Just an hour’s drive east, guests can attain the Atlantic shores of Cocoa Beach, well-known for its surf-friendly waves and family-friendly ambiance. A two-hour journey west leads to the Gulf Coast’s Clearwater Beach.
And these are simply among the improbable points of interest in Orlando. After visiting time and again, we all the time discover one thing new. Florida has catered to vacationers down to a science and the individuals in cost are endlessly pondering of recent methods to entice guests to the State. And a fantastic place to begin is Orlando!
Orlando is a improbable trip vacation spot for the entire household. With world-class leisure, glorious location for day journeys, and limitless Orlando actions, it’s the right vacation spot to go to Central Florida’s prime points of interest. Or you by no means want to go away the town, the chances are limitless.
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