Many folks plan a visit to Orlando to go to its world-famous theme parks, however there are various 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 completed all of it. From purchasing 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 sights galor. From museums to outside adventures, Orlando has a stunning variety of issues to do exterior the same old 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’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 whenever you go to Orlando, it’s essential to cease right here at the least 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 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 maintain folks coming again time and again. Let’s break all of the theme parks down.
2. Magic Kingdom
The unique Magic Kingdom is the traditional Disney theme park constructed across the fairytale fort (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 with no need to journey with the World Showcase that includes 11 nations the place you’ll be able to immerse in their tradition. Go Soarin’ Around the World in the IMAX simulator, create your individual idea automotive to take a spin alongside the take a look at observe, or try the traditional Epcot attraction that takes you on a journey by means of time. The all-ages attraction will permit company to discover and interact 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 remodeled from its unique MGM studio tour to a Hollywood setting, taking you thru worlds from the films. Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge permits you to expertise the whole lot Star Wars. Go by means of 3D movement simulators to construct your individual 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 if you’re a water lover, Disney has a water park! Typhoon Lagoon has water slides and surf swimming pools, seashores and lazy rivers.
So even in the event you don’t make it to Daytona or Miami Beach, you’ll be able to nonetheless have a seashore vacation. But Daytona Beach does make an ideal 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 relax. The theme of this park is a ski resort melted into heat and welcoming waters. Since 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 take pleasure in enjoyable in the solar. Read 18 Best Beaches in Florida for Fun in the Sun
8. Disney Springs
Disney Springs can be positioned at Walt Disney World Resort. This expansive outside advanced has 4 distinct areas: Marketplace, The Landing, Town Center, and West Side. It combines purchasing, eating, and leisure in one simply accessible location. Shoppers can discover varied 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 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 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 hen’s eye view.
For leisure, Disney Springs provides stay music, avenue performers, and a state-of-the-art movie show. There are loads of eating choices accessible at The Landing, that includes the whole lot from fast bites to fantastic 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 ebook inns straight at Walt Disney World Resort and we extremely suggest this to take advantage of your keep. Check out these inns positioned straight inside Walt Disney World Resort.
9. Universal Orlando Resort
The subsequent on our checklist of prime issues to do in Orlando is to make your method to Universal Orlando Resort. It is certainly giving Walt Disney World Resort a run for its cash with seven island parks on Universal’s Islands of Adventure, Universal Studios, 4 inns 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 can make your abdomen soar. 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 together with the 70 mph Jurassic World Velocicoaster to the extra stress-free 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 may also try Harry Potter’s escape from Gringott’s financial institution. Harry Potter is so widespread 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. Even as adults, we cherished 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 truth, I used to be so nauseous after one experience I had to take a couple of 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’ll be able to 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 revolutionary 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 company 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 take pleasure in Universal Resort, City Walk has some enjoyable sights 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 might be searching 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 have 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 likely one of 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 sights, eating places, leisure, and purchasing. It is residence to the Orange County Convention Center, so there are many inns 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 greatest sights 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 inns, making it straightforward to discover International Drive out of your resort. Let’s try a couple of 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 folks of older youngsters. Instead, dad and mom can watch their youngsters 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 commentary wheel that takes 23 minutes to do a full rotation. This is likely one of the extra widespread issues to do in Orlando at evening. Make positive to cease on the Sky Bar to decide up some bubbly or beer on your experience. The pods are air-conditioned and maintain up to 15 folks.
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 similar 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 middle with sights 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 in the event 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 is free parking, and you’ll mix it with different International Drive sights, adopted by dinner or a experience 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 experience, however it’s best to get a day move. Day passes vary from sooner or later 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 folks to well-known wax figures when on trip and Orlando has crammed that requirement by having its personal Madame Tussauds. If you might be into that, test it out.
For extra Florida journey info, you might have considered trying to try these articles.
22. Church Street
Most folks 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 one of the best eating places and nightlife. Make your method 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 be residence to the Amway Sports Arena that’s residence 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 essential stage and the smaller black field venue. Make positive to test it out to see its packages of concert events and theatres plus pop up occasions and workshops.
24. Amway Center
If you’re a basketball fan, head over to the Amway Center and decide up some tickets to see the Orlando Magic, Orlando’s NBA crew. Winners of six division championships, that is one widespread crew! If you’ll be able to’t get tickets to a sport, try a live performance on the area, there are common occasions, and performances and the hockey crew Orlando Solar Bears name the Amway Center residence 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 concert events and eating. You can hire 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 main rescue and restoration passed off 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 if you’re searching for one thing totally 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 widespread Snowbird vacation spot and there are fairly a couple of 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 sights. So let’s test 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 readily 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 sights 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 full of eating places, retailers and tree lined streets resembling a bygone period. Make positive you go to on a Saturday evening for the Saturday Nite Classic Car Cruise and take a experience on the Old Town’s iconic Ferris Wheel.
33. Tree Trek Adventure Park
If you might be searching 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 peak and issue. Tackle the silver impediment course for the last 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 full of parks and its essential avenue Park Avenue has loads of purchasing and eating. The Winter Park Scenic Boat Tour is certainly one of Orlando’s prime sights taking guests by means of seven lakes and two canals.
Winter Park has an upscale feeling that’s utterly totally different from the Disney and Universal sights. It is a method to expertise Orlando like a neighborhood with upscale eating, fantastic 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 totally 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 mix theme park and waterpark in one. This is certainly a park for the entire household. A really cool truth is that Legoland is on the location of the previous Cypress Gardens which was well-known for its water exhibits since 1939. While 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 company 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 in search of 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 widespread and extremely probably to promote out providing an up-close take 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 totally recognize the world’s wealthy biodiversity and to be taught concerning the Everglades’ ecological significance. Besides airboat rides, guests can interact in mountaineering, hen watching, and pictures, immersing themselves in the tranquility of nature. This tour provides a refreshing distinction to the same old 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 will not be to be missed. It is the premier place to view manatees as they make their method 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 even 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 one of the best methods to stand 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’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 in their pure habitat is our most well-liked method of experiencing wildlife. We recommend airboat excursions, kayaking excursions or snorkeling excursions over locations such because the Central Florida Zoo, SeaWorld or Gatorland.
40. Animal Welfare
We should not followers of zoos and don’t suppose that animals needs to be placed on show for folks’s leisure. We want visiting sanctuaries and seeing animals in their pure habitat. However, we wished to embody these animal sights as different Orlando guides point out them and we wish to give our opinion as a way to make up your individual minds.
Disney’s Animal Kingdom – When it comes to Disney’s Animal Kingdom, we’d fairly see lions on the African savanna fairly than in a theme park. I do know not everybody can do that, however there are superb digital actuality and documentaries on the market. But at the least 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 take pleasure in animal encounters in the wild.
Seaworld Orlando – We by no means suggest a go to to Seaworld Orlando. While they declare to do quite a lot 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 best choice. Unlike 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 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, supply an immersive method to study marine ecosystems and the significance of preserving them.
Does Orlando have Beaches?
While Orlando itself will not be residence 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 seashore 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 sights 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 folks in cost are perpetually considering of recent methods to entice guests to the State. And an ideal 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 countless Orlando actions, it’s the proper vacation spot to go to Central Florida’s prime sights. Or you by no means want to go away the town, the chances are countless.
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