The Top Attractions and Activities in Orlando, Florida

Lake Eola Park

Need a break from the theme parks in Central Florida? Lake Eola Park is a great place to take it easy. The beautiful urban oasis is one of the best places to visit in Orlando. It is in downtown Orlando.

To get the most out of Lake Eola Park, rent a boat in the shape of a swan. Paddle out and take in the scenery as you float alongside the lake’s five species of swans.

If you don’t want to swim, you can walk along the 0.9-mile-long paved path. It goes all the way around the lake and has great views of the skyline of Orlando.

Around Lake Eola, there are many places to get something to eat or drink. Beer fans will love the World of Beer, which is close by. The popular pub has 500 different kinds of beer from all over the world.

Find out what’s going on at the Walt Disney Amphitheatre if you want to have fun. The venue is used for concerts and festivals all yeartre if you want to have fun. The venue is used for concerts and festivals all year. Every Sunday morning, the Orlando Farmers Market is also on the shores of Lake Eola.

ICON Park

Forbes picked ICON Park as one of the seven best places to visit in Orlando, FL. It’s a one-stop shop for fun for the whole family. The 20-acre ICON Park has a lot of things to do, shops, and places to eat that are good for families.

At the top of The Wheel at ICON Park, which used to be called the Orlando Eye, you can get a 400-foot-high view of Orlando. The famous London Eye was used as a model for the old Orlando Eye, which was on International Drive. It has private capsules with air conditioning and amazing views of the city.

Try the world’s highest swing ride, the 450-meter-high Orlando Starflyer, if you’re up for an adventure. The thrilling ride could be one of the best parts of your trip to ICON Park.

Not interested in getting over your fear of heights? Stop by the Sea Life Orlando Aquarium or Madame Tussauds Orlando to take a picture with a life-size replica of your favourite celebrity.

When you’re done with the shows, you can walk down the strip and enjoy the restaurants, shops, and boutiques in the park.

The Boggy Creek Airboat Trips

Want to see the nature of Central Florida? Boggy Creek Airboat Adventures will help you find its wildest spots. The outfitter is based in Kissimmee, which is close by. It takes people on floats through the wild Central Florida Everglades.

On the airboat ride, you’ll get to see Florida’s wetlands up close and see how beautiful they are. Keep your eyes open as you fly by alligators, turtles, and birds on your way.

Orlando has SeaWorld.

At SeaWorld Orlando, you can skip the scary rides and get close to sea life. SeaWorld is one of the most popular things for families to do in Orlando. It lets you touch the ocean. There are many kinds of aquatic animals in the park, such as killer whales, orcas, and penguins.

Don’t miss Shamu Stadium’s famous Orca Encounter show. Killer whales will splash the water with their huge fins as orcas jump out of the water.

SeaWorld Orlando has rides in addition to the dolphin and whale shows. Mako is best for people who like to be scared. The Hypercoaster is the tallest and fastest roller coaster in Orlando. It opened in 2016.

Visit SeaWorld’s sister park, Discovery Cove, to get even closer to the sea creatures. Discovery Cove is right next door, and everyone in the family can swim with bottlenose dolphins there. There is also an aviary at Discovery Cove. The habitat is home to more than 250 tropical birds, such as parrots and toucans.

Charles Hosmer Morse Museum

If you like art and are looking for things to do in Orlando, you should go to the Charles Hosmer Morse Museum. The museum is in Winter Park, which is about 15 minutes from downtown Orlando. It is known for its Art Nouveau collection. There are many famous pieces from the 19th and 20th centuries on display.

The largest Louis Comfort Tiffany collection in the United States is at the Charles Hosmer Morse Museum. There are paintings, jewellery, ceramics, glass art, mosaics, lead-glass lamps, and pieces of furniture among the works. There is also the inside of a Byzantine-Romanesque chapel in the collection. In 1893, Tiffany made it for the Columbian Exposition.

The Museum of Art in Orlando

Still haven’t tamed your love of art? There is a wide range of ancient and modern art at the Orlando Museum of Art. This popular museum is one of the best places to visit in Orlando if you like art and culture.

At the Orlando Museum of Art, there are 2,400 pieces to see. Some of the most interesting things on display come from Mesoamerica and Africa. In its collection of American art, you can look at paintings and sculptures from as far back as the 18th century. The Art of Ancient Americas collection shows art from 35 different cultures from the past. It is the largest collection of its kind in the Southeast of the United States.

Want to try your hand at painting? This Central Florida cultural centre has workshops and classes on art appreciation all year long.

Orlando Science Center

Since it opened more than 60 years ago, the Orlando Science Center has been one of the city’s most popular tourist spots. It has four floors of fun, interactive exhibits and 3D movies for the whole family to enjoy.

Young scientists can make their own immersive experiences at the Orlando Science Center. There are places to work together, 3D printing, and places for animals to live.

Loch Haven Cultural Park is where you can find the Orlando Science Center. Bring a picnic basket and eat your meal by one of the park’s beautiful lakes.

Harry P. Leu Gardens

Want to get away from the noise and crowds of Central Florida’s theme parks? Harry P. Leu Gardens beckons. The garden is one of the most relaxing places to go in Orlando. It is north of Colonialtown.

The Harry P. Leu Gardens have botanical gardens that cover fifty acres. It has winding hiking trails that go along the Rowena River. There are exotic flowers, peaceful ponds, and old oak trees in the subtropical gardens. The butterfly garden in the park is also very well known.

Around the Leu House Museum are gardens. The museum shows interesting things about how people lived in Florida at the start of the 20th century. At the outdoor tables, it’s a great place to eat a lunch you brought from home.

Chocolate Museum & Cafe

The Chocolate Museum & Cafe is a great place for people who love chocolate. The museum is one of the best places in the world for chocolate lovers to visit. It is on International Drive.

Take the 45-minute guided tour to learn about chocolate’s history. You’ll learn about its history and how it’s made as you go. At the end of the tour, you’ll get to try chocolate treats from all over the world, of course.

Bok Tower Gardens

Bok Tower Gardens is one of the most peaceful places to get away from the city. It is south of Lake Buena Vista and close to Lake Wales. On the 250 acres that make up the gardens, you can find pines, oaks, palms, and azaleas.

The Singing Tower is the most important part of the garden. The 205-foot tower is a National Historic Landmark, and its Gothic Revival and Art Deco styles are very interesting. The carillon in the tower is only one of 185 in North America. Stop by at 1 or 3 p.m. to hear one of the daily concerts.

The fastest way to get to Bok Tower Gardens from Orlando takes just over an hour.

Crayola Experience

The Crayola Experience is one of the best places for families with young children to visit in Orlando. It’s a fun place for the whole family to spend a day. The activity was made so that kids could express themselves in bright, creative colours.

The 70,000-square-foot Hall of Color is a place to have fun and try out art. It is in the Florida Mall. There are 27 different ways to have fun. Children can make their own colourful keepsakes and put themselves in the pictures they make.

Cocoa Beach, Florida

If you go to Orlando, you have to spend some time at the beach. Head east to Cocoa Beach to see some of the most beautiful beaches near Orlando. One of the best day trips from Orlando is to the well-known town on the Space Coast.

At Cocoa Beach, you can do a lot of things, like surf or just lay out in the sun. You’ll also like the laid-back restaurants and coffee shops in the area.

Cocoa Beach is a great place to surf because the waves are always there. Because the water is shallow, surfers can walk out past the waves. If surfing isn’t your thing, you can take a kayak out on the water or use a kiteboard to fly through the air.

Visit the Ron Jon Surf Store in Cocoa Beach. It is the most well-known surfing store in the world. Ron Jon is the world’s biggest surf shop, with an amazing 52,000 square feet.

Cocoa Beach has more than 800 feet of boardwalk that has places to shop and eat. Enjoy a drink outside in the sea breeze as the sun goes down.

State Park Blue Spring

Blue Spring State Park is the largest park on the St. Johns River. It is west of Orange City and a short drive from Orlando. If you like nature, the park is one of the best places to visit in Orlando.

You can canoe, scuba dive, and fish in the park’s waterways. There is also a campsite and a number of chalets where you can spend the night in comfort.

During the colder months, manatees gather at Blue Spring State Park to swim in the warm water of the spring. You can watch them from the boardwalk or get closer by going on a kayak tour.

Groups of hikers and paddlers will enjoy the wild area along the river’s banks and the many birds that live there. Blue Spring State Park also has a paved bike path for people who like to ride bikes.

Wekiwa Springs State Park

Wekiwa Springs State Park is away from the crowds and offers 8,000 acres of peace and quiet. All year long, people swim and dive in the clear, cool water of the natural springs. You can also rent a canoe and paddle along the Wekiwa River.

Wekiwa Springs State Park is a wonderful place to see wildlife. White-tailed deer, wild turkeys, and Sherman’s fox squirrels live in the park. You might also see black bears and alligators.

Thirteen miles of trails invite hikers, cyclists, and horseback riders to go out and explore. Rent a bike or have a picnic lunch on the grassy banks of the spring. If you want to fish in the park, you can buy a fishing licence there.

Want to get away from the city? Stay at Wekiwa Springs State Park for the night. Set up a camp or hook up an RV. Even pets are welcome.

Kennedy Space Center

If you go to Central Florida, you have to stop by the Kennedy Space Center. The Kennedy Space Center is on Merritt Island, 44 miles from Orlando. It lets people experience the thrills of space travel. It’s no surprise that it’s one of the best places to visit and things to do near Orlando.

At the Kennedy Space Center, you can play games that teach you about the moon or walk through the Rocket Garden, which is full of real rockets. Book a guided tour of the building to find out everything you need to know.

Visit the US Astronauts Hall of Fame and use simulators to try your hand at flying a spaceship. You can also watch a space shuttle take off, meet the new Mars Rover Navigator, and do other things.

Have time after your day trip to Kennedy Space Center? The Merritt Island National Wildlife Refuge is to the north. On the refuge’s Black Point Wildlife Drive, you can see many different kinds of wildlife.

Central Florida Zoo & Botanical Gardens

If you’re looking for things to see and do, the Central Florida Zoo and Botanical Gardens have a lot to offer the whole family. The zoo opened in 1923 and has more than 400 different kinds of animals.

At the Central Florida Zoo, you can zipline through the trees or go to the Tropical Splash Ground waterpark and have fun on the slides and in the pools. Spend some time in the park’s 26-acre botanical gardens to unwind.

Need a great way to end the day? Adults can enjoy happy hour drinks and food trucks at Sunset at the Zoo. The event happens every week on the third Thursday.

Winter Park

Spend some time shopping in Winter Park when you’re not at a theme park or on a roller coaster. The beautiful Orlando suburb is only a few minutes from the city centre. It’s a great place to get away from the crowds of tourists and enjoy some peace and quiet.

Winter Park has the feel of a small town because flowers grow in window boxes and fountains tinkle. Take a boat ride through the Chain of Lakes to see its luxurious homes and subtropical gardens.

Park Avenue is full of unique shops and well-known brands. Stop at one of its trendy outdoor restaurants or bistros after a day of shopping. Central Park is on the other side of Park Avenue. If you’re lucky, you might catch one of the park’s regular concerts or events while you’re there.

Visiting on Saturday morning? Put a trip to the Winter Park Farmers’ Market on your calendar. The market is held at the old train station at the south end of Central Park.

Kelly Parks

Want to get away from the noise of the city? Kelly Park is in the northwest, where you can enjoy the beauty of nature. The 325-acre park in Apopka is one of the best pieces of nature in Central Florida. It is only 30 minutes from Orlando.

Rock Springs Run is an 8-mile natural spring run that runs through Kelly Park. It is part of the Wekiwa River’s headwaters and is known for its beauty. The clear waters are a popular place for Floridians to swim, kayak, and float on a tube.

Kelly Park is a great place to see birds in addition to the famous spring run. Put on your hiking boots and head for the Kelly Loop Trail. On the 2-mile hike, you might see egrets and woodpeckers, which are birds that live in the area. If you’re lucky, you might see wildlife like white-tailed deer, wild turkey, otters, or even a bald eagle, which is hard to find.

LEGOLAND Florida Resort

Looking for family-friendly things to do outside of the Walt Disney World Resort? The famous LEGOLAND Florida Resort is in the town of Winter Haven. At this popular Central Florida theme park, both kids and adults will find a lot to do.

There are more than 50 rides and attractions at LEGOLAND Florida Resort. All of them are based on LEGO’s famous characters and blocks. There is also a beautiful botanical garden with both native plants and plants from other parts of the world.

Want to get out of Florida’s hot sun? Bring your swimsuits to LEGOLAND Water Park and float along the lazy river, zoom down the water slides, or splash around in the wave pools. Or, you can relax and put your toes in the warm water at the LEGOLAND Beach Retreat.

WonderWorks Orlando

Need something strange to spice up your trip? Step into WonderWorks Orlando’s strange world. The popular indoor amusement park is right on International Drive. It has more than 100 hands-on science exhibits and family entertainment options.

There are six different “wonder zones” at WonderWorks Orlando. These zones cover everything from extreme weather to space exploration. In the Hurricane Shack, you can feel the force of hurricane winds on your face. Or, at the Astronaut Training Challenge, you can ride the two-person gyroscope to feel like you have no weight.

After getting your mind going, go to the basement for some fun that the whole family can enjoy. In the black-lit Laser-Tag Arena, you and your family can have a battle. On the three-story Indoor Ropes Course, you can face your fear of heights, and the 4D XD Motion Theater is a fun place to go for a spin.