Are you looking for a guide to things to do in Orlando? As one of the most famous leisure cities in the world, Orlando has been a preferred destination for more and more people due to its clean streets, friendly indigenous people, comfortable temperature and countless tourist attractions. Besides going to tourism hotpots like theme parks, people can also have a more relaxed and memorable experience in other places in Orlando. Here, we compile 20 things to do in Orlando today.
Nature Things to Do in Orlando
1) Row a boat at Lake Eola Park
Located in the heart of Orlando, Lake Eola Park is an urban oasis close to nature. You can rent swan-shaped paddle boats and photograph swans and other birds inhabiting the park. In addition, taking pleasant evening walks here while enjoying the musical light fountain is one of the things to do in Orlando at night.
2) Encounter amazing animals at Safari Wilderness Ranch
Safari Wilderness Ranch is in an expansive and exclusive wilderness area. Here you can sit in custom safari vehicles going through over 260 acres of pristine wilderness and encounter large herds of unusual animals. Feeding animals personally can also bring you an adventurous experience.
3) Having a fantasy walk at Mead Botanical Garden
Mead Botanical Garden is a 48-acre oasis located in the heart of Orange County. It is free for the public and open every day. There are many botanical collections inside the Garden. If there are any relaxing things to do in Orlando, experiencing programs of the Garden is recommended. You can enjoy community gardening, horticulture in the greenhouse, guided bird walks and classroom field trips.
4) Explore more exhibits at SEA Life Orlando Aquarium
There are many exhibits at SEA Life Orlando Aquarium. You will be mesmerized by thousands of creatures like jellyfish and Axolotl. Relaxing at the giant Jelly Wall and finding out how fascinating the ecosystem are fun things to do in Orlando.
5) See manatees at Blue Spring State Park
Blue Spring State Park was established in 1972 with the help of Jacques Cousteau. It is the observation platform for manatees. The State Park opens every day from 8 a.m. until sundown. Select a time for yourself to enjoy the pristine beauty while walking through a lush hammock to Blue Spring. You can also go canoeing and swimming in this popular tourist destination.
6) Get close to nature at Everglades
The Everglades are known as the “Amazon of North America.” Covering 1.5 million acres, it is a vast wetland ecosystem known for its diverse flora and fauna and beautiful natural landscapes. There are vast wetlands, grasslands, mangroves, and cypress swamps, as well as many rare and endangered species, including the Florida alligator. Everglades provide visitors opportunities to participate in guided Tours and nature talks to gain insight into this unique ecosystem.
7) Go hiking at Tibet Butler Preserve
If you want to find some places and things to do in Orlando with kids, Tibet Butler Preserve should be put on your list. It is the home of the Vera Carter Environmental Center offering a variety of exhibits, displays and some educational programs for children and adults. It is meaningful for families to hike on miles of trails for hours of fun and entering your miles in a hiking log.
Entertainment Things to Do in Orlando
8) Swim with dolphins at Discovery Cove
Discovery Cove is a unique marine theme park known for its interactive experiences and natural attractions. Different from traditional theme parks, Discovery Cove focuses more on interaction with nature and animals. For example, visitors can have an experience of swimming with dolphins and interact intimately with them under the guidance of professional trainers.
9) Explore the mysteries of nature at Wonderworks Orlando
Having fun in Wonderworks Orlando is also one of the things to do in Orlando for adults. Wonderworks Orlando has a number of themed areas, including natural disasters, optical illusions, physical challenges, space exploration, etc. Each area here has a wealth of interactive installations and displays where visitors can learn scientific principles and explore natural mysteries through hands-on participation.
10) Watch “One Ocean”in Seaworld Orlando
Opened in 1973, Seaworld Orlando has become a popular destination for tourists to explore the mysteries of the ocean and enjoy thrills and thrills. Visitors can watch a variety of Marine animal exhibits, especially “One Ocean”, the killer whale show. There are also several interactive experience areas in the park, such as touch pools, where visitors can touch starfish and other Marine life by hand.
11) Feel magic in Universal Studios Florida
Universal Studios Florida was opened in 1990. It is divided into several themed areas, each designed based on classic movies and TV shows. “The Wizarding World of Harry Potter” allows visitors to experience the magic of the wizarding world in Hogwarts Castle and Diagon Alley. Visitors can participate in exciting rides themed around movies such as “Transformers,” “Despicable Me” and “The Mummy.”
12) Go on vacation in Walt Disney World Resort
With the history of more than 50 years, Walt Disney World Resort covers 25,000 acres and consists of four main theme parks: Magic Kingdom, Epcot, Disney’s Hollywood Studios and Disney’s Animal Kingdom. Each park has a unique theme and a wealth of rides, attracting many people go on vacation here. This is one of the things to do in Orlando Florida.
13) Go for a wide ride at Gatorland
Gatorland is considered Breeding Marsh home. It is one of the best places to see alligators and crocodiles of all sizes. You can also have an experience the thrilling Screamin’ Gator Zip Line, which is one of the exciting things to do in Orlando. Gliding over the Alligator Breeding Marshand will bring you a special memories.
14) Drifting in Aquatica Orlando
Aquatica Orlando is owned by SeaWorld Entertainment Group. It features a variety of exciting water slides, such as the Dolphin Plunge and the Taumata Racer, and drifting rivers for visitors of all ages. If you are interested in some unique things to do in Orlando, the wonder of swimming with sea creatures in Dolphin Plunge and a high-speed racing slide in Taumata Racer will not disappoint you.
Cultural Things to Do in Orlando
15) Museum of Illusions Orlando
The Museum of Illusions Orlando has fantastic and interactive experiences focused on visual and sensory illusions. There are more than 50 exhibitions within the museum, each using light, colour, shape and space to create a variety of optical illusions and illusions. Visitors can experience visual wonders firsthand and take interesting photos.
16) Madame Tussauds Orlando
The world-renowned wax museum displays a large number of lifelike wax figures of celebrities, covering various fields such as entertainment, sports, history and culture. Each wax figure has been carefully crafted and detailed to truly reproduce the image and temperament of the celebrity. You can get close and take pictures with wax figures of your favorite stars, such as Brad Pitt, Taylor Swift and Justin Bieber, Serena Williams, and Martin Luther King.
17) The Orlando Museum of Art
There are a dozen exhibitions consisting of special and visiting exhibitions, as well as ones curated from the museum’s collections each year in the Orlando Museum of Art. Having a gallery tour is one of the things to do in Orlando for adults who are interested in art. The opening hour of the museum is: Tuesday – Friday: 10 am – 4 pm; Saturday – Sunday: 12 pm – 4 pm. It is closed on Mondays and Major Holidays.
Shopping Things to Do in Orlando
18) Orlando International Premium Outlets
Orlando International Premium Outlets is the largest outlet destination in Florida featuring more than 170 stores, such as H&M, Tory Burch, Champion, Forever 21 and Adidas. Opening from 10:00 am to 9:00 pm every day, the centre is only 5 minutes from Universal Orlando Resort and 10 miles from Walt Disney World Resort. Besides shopping, you can also enjoy dinners and convenient services and amenities here.
19) The Florida Mall
The Florida Mall is the largest shopping center in Central Florida located close to Orlando International Airport and Disney World. It has more than 250 stores and restaurants offering visitors and local residents a wealth of shopping, dining and entertainment experiences. Shopping here is one of the leisure things to do in Orlando for families.
20) The Mall at Millenia
The Mall at Millenia is an important and high-end shopping center, famous for its luxurious architectural design, rich international brand stores, excellent service experience and convenient transportation location, and is an important shopping and entertainment landmark in the Orlando area and even Florida. Its official opening hour is from 11:00 am to 9:00 pm, but the specific operation time of individual store and restaurant may vary. If you have a strong desire to consume, shopping here is also one of the recommended things to do in Orlando besides theme parks.
Conclusion
Above are the things to do in Orlando we recommended. People in Orlando have different ideas when they go out. Some like to go to popular attractions such as Disney World, SeaWorld Orlando and Universal Orlando. Others enjoy getting close to nature and animals. Whichever things you choose to do, Orlando’s diverse offerings can bring you an unforgettable experience and memory.
FAQ
Is there anything fun to do in Orlando?
Spanning from the magical realms of Walt Disney World to Universal Orlando, the list of things to do in Orlando is endless, catering to families and those young at heart across every direction.
When is approriate to visit Orlando?
The busiest periods typically coincide with school holidays and major holidays such as Thanksgiving, Christmas, New Year’s, and the 4th of July. Orlando is a destination that’s worth visiting year-round, but there are specific times that offer a more enjoyable experience due to weather and crowd levels. These are times when the theme parks are at their most crowded, so if you prefer to avoid the hustle and bustle, it’s best to avoid these dates.
Where can I waste time in Orlando?
- Take a Tour of Central FL Zoo & Botanical Gardens. …
- Visit a Museum. …
- Go for a Winery Tour and Tasting at Lakeridge Winery & Vineyards. …
- Take in a Concert at the Amphitheater at Lake Eola.
