Even though Orlando is known for its theme parks, there’s more to the City Beautiful than thrilling attractions, famous characters and those notoriously long lines. In fact, if you ask locals what to do in the city outside of the parks, they will likely give you a laundry list of activities in and around Orlando that have nothing to do with a famous character or going on a ride.
Whether you’re looking for a chill afternoon wandering through the historic neighborhoods, want to take a boat tour to see some of the most charming houses in the city, or want to cheer on a professional sports team, Orlando really does have it all. And if you’re still on the hunt for something more unique, feeding giraffes or zip-lining over live gators may be the perfect alternative outing for you. Here are the 17 best things to do in Orlando beyond the theme park gates.
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One of the newest entertainment offerings in the city is Judson’s Live, which is part of the Dr. Phillips Center for the Performing Arts. The casually cool space hosts live music of all types in a moody speakeasy-style setting. Of course, no speakeasy is complete without a good cocktail, and at Judson’s, the drinks are shaken and stirred to perfection. Don’t miss the live-music brunch that happens every Sunday, and has a distinct theme like Latin fusion or southern gospel.
Winter Park is a historic neighborhood with plenty of shopping and dining along the main downtown street. In fact, some of Orlando’s best restaurants are located in Winter Park, like The Ravenous Pig and Prato. The cute neighborhood hosts a large farmers’ market every weekend, as long as the unpredictable Florida weather cooperates. After walking around downtown, consider hopping on my favorite hidden gem, the Winter Park Scenic Boat Tour, which takes passengers on an hour-long tour of the area’s many lakes with an expert driver who shares lively stories about Winter Park.
If you’re traveling to Orlando with kids who love science (or if you’re just looking for an indoor activity during lousy weather), consider the Orlando Science Center. The interactive museum has four floors of exhibits and hands-on demonstrations. One of the newest exhibits to open at the museum is “Life,” showcasing conservation efforts and how we share the planet with animals. You can even see live animals like fish and alligators, giving folks the opportunity to learn about the environments where they live.
One of my favorite places to hang out in Orlando is Crooked Can Brewing Co. The brewery has an ever-changing menu of beers, and it’s located inside the Plant Street Market food hall, which features vendors dishing out everything from sandwiches and pizza to sushi and ice cream. This is a great spot to grab a drink with friends, then head outside to the patio and enjoy the evening in Winter Garden.
Did you know that Orlando is home to the headwaters of the Florida Everglades? Because of Orlando’s unique position in the state, not only can you visit theme parks that were built from swampland, but you can also travel through the swamp on a 30- or 60-minute airboat ride with Boggy Creek Airboat Adventures. Each ride is guided by a knowledgeable captain who will help you spot anything from alligators to birds. I love to do this in the cooler months since animals are likely to be more active, and the weather is more pleasant.
The Kia Center is an arena-style facility that plays host to the NBA’s Orlando Magic. The games are high-energy, even if you don’t like basketball. Even better is that the arena is in the heart of downtown, so you can make a night of it by heading to some of the best clubs and nightlife in Orlando, just a few blocks away.
Take a leisurely stroll through the Leu Gardens, a lovely botanical garden in the middle of the city. The garden is home to a plethora of flowers and butterflies that are all vying for your attention as they bloom. Throughout the year, the garden hosts events like kid-friendly scavenger hunts, holiday light displays and rotating exhibits. There are typically on-site experts to answer any questions you may have about the plant life in the garden. Be sure to keep an eye out for lifelike outdoor sculptures, too.
There really is nothing better than a warm cookie to make your day brighter (or, shall we say, sweeter). At Gideon’s Bakehouse, their half-pound cookies (yes, we said half-pound) are guaranteed to give you a boost. While there's a newer and busier location at Disney Springs (the wait to get inside can take hours), the original Gideon’s Bakehouse is located in Orlando's East End Market and allows customers to pre-order cookies for pick-up or just walk in and try their luck at what’s left. I prefer to go to the East End Market location for the ease of pre-ordering and because parking at Disney Springs can be hectic.
Just past the Kia Center, you’ll find a large outdoor stadium that hosts the Orlando City Soccer Club. The team is the 21st franchise of Major League Soccer and has continued to build a large fan base in Orlando. Games are played from February through October, so there’s a wide window of opportunity to don the team’s signature colors (gold and purple) and cheer on a match. For the best experience, aim for games in March, April, May and October for better weather (expect cooler temperatures with less chance of rain). I love that the team hosts themed nights too, like military appreciation and ’90s night.
Gatorland is a sprawling 110-acre park and wildlife preserve that’s been operating for decades. Here, you can see everything from alligators and crocodiles to birds and wild cats. For a real thrill, zipline across a few of the exhibits and see them from the air before gliding over the alligator breeding marsh (there are 130 gators below, but you’ll be safely high above). You can also take a tour of the breeding marsh and get up close to the gators and create a feeding frenzy with the help of your expert guide.
If you’re looking for a unique experience, try My Beer Spa, which specializes in couple and group sessions. The quirky concept is all centered around beer and beer ingredients. Each room has a sauna, jetted tubs, a hay lounge, and self-serve beer on tap. After a soak in the tub, which can accommodate up to two people, relax on the hay bed to allow your skin to absorb the nutrients from the soak. Just be sure to bring a swimsuit that you don’t mind possibly throwing away since it will smell like hops and yeast when you’re done in the tubs.
Madame Tussauds is known around the world for its lifelike wax figures that look almost identical to celebrities. In Orlando, you’ll find figures of people like Walt Disney, characters from The Justice League, and plenty of famous athletes and movie stars. The museum also has plenty of photo-ready backdrops that allow you to get up close to select wax figures to snap the perfect selfie.
There is no shortage of outlet malls around Orlando, but the Orlando Vineland Premium Outlets and the Orlando Outlet Marketplace are hard to beat. At the Orlando Vineland Premium Outlets, you’ll also find the Disney Character Warehouse, where discounted Disney Parks merchandise is all up for grabs. The merchandise is typically from previous seasons or simply items that were moved to the outlet to make more room for new merchandise—lucky you!
Giraffe Ranch has been a staple in the city for over 20 years, and people still flock to the ranch to get up close with towering giraffes. While at the ranch, take a guided safari and learn about the conservation efforts at the ranch, not to mention the animals that call the ranch home. At the end of the safari, you’ll be allowed to feed a giraffe and you can even take photos of a camel, rhino, and pygmy hippo.
About an hour away from Orlando, Kennedy Space Center at Cape Canaveral is the Florida home of NASA. It’s also a place where families can enjoy a day together learning about the history and future of America’s space program. While at Kennedy Space Center, be sure to take the bus tour—you’ll drive by the launch pad and you’ll even see a real rocket. Before leaving check out the Astronaut Hall of Fame and the exhibit on the Space Shuttle Atlantis. As someone who loved learning about space as a kid, seeing some of the exhibits and rockets up close is a lot of fun.
ICON Park can be seen from I-4, the interstate that runs through the middle of Orlando, because of the large observation wheel that towers over the trees. The Orlando Eye at ICON Park towers over the city at 400 feet tall and lets riders see the downtown skyline, theme park fireworks, and more. Florida residents get discounted tickets, and there is complimentary parking just a short distance away.
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If you’ve ever wanted to walk through a tunnel of water—or feed an entire school of fish all at once—make your way to the Sea Life Orlando Aquarium. The family-friendly spot is home to thousands of creatures and 250 species. There are nine exhibits that allow visitors to get up close with some of the creatures that call the aquarium home, including turtles, sharks, rays, seahorses, and more. Tickets can be reserved online in advance, along with your entry time for the day.
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