Last Updated on April 21, 2024 by Ryan
It’s undeniable: Orlando consistently ranks among the world’s top tourist destinations. Every year, Orlando is flooded with visitors wanting to experience the myriad of both family-friendly and adult activities. From indoor to outdoor fun, Orlando has so much to offer, including a wide range of monetary expenses to suit any budget. Nicknamed “The City Beautiful”, Orlando is especially known for Disney and Universal Studios, but there are so many more things to do in Orlando besides the theme parks.
For example, if you seek adventure in a more urban environment, then the heart of downtown will allow you to ride public transportation and walk to many immersive and uniquely themed dining options. And while the appeal of theme parks is strong in Orlando, there is a rich tapestry of events that can entertain just about anyone year after year. So read on for some fun activities that will allow you to immerse yourself in the exquisite culture and natural beauty of this busy city!
Things to Do in Orlando Besides The Theme Parks: Family-Friendly Activities
Orlando Science Center
The Orlando Science Center is located in the heart of Orlando. It’s an interactive four-story building that houses fun for all ages. There are multiple exhibits, including some that rotate every season. In addition, there are live animals, live science demo presentations, and a fabulous gift shop that will get any child excited about science.
Topgolf Orlando
This destination includes a climate-controlled area with music and an awesome food selection, which is just the thing for a hungry family. The scoring system is similar to bowling and darts, so all members of the family can see their progress as they eat some yummy food. If you are more interested in watching a game, then enjoy the lounge.
Medieval Times Dinner and Tournament
Experience a unique dining experience with royalty, medieval-centric foods, and a real joust! This unique opportunity has varying levels of immersion and can include a meet and greet with the King and Queen. If you even want more immersion, upgrade to front-row seats for the opportunity to participate in the show!
Crayola Experience
This fun attraction has 26 hands-on activities, making it a great choice for younger audiences. This is a great place for hands-on learning, especially creating multicolor figures. Children can even watch crayons melt into new shapes other than crayons!
SEA LIFE Orlando Aquarium
This 360-degree underwater tunnel allows guests to see a wide arrange of fish, sharks, and rays. There is also a lovely maze and interactive area for younger guests. Another fun fact: every Tuesday, toddlers have the opportunity to have their own experience with special age-appropriate activities.
Boggy Creek Airboat Ride
This 45-minute tour for six allows guests to glide over unseen parts of Florida at 40 mph. There are also nighttime tours available for guests that offer a unique experience on the night creatures of swampy Florida. You can also have the option to dig into the 70 ft. mine to find some fossils left by sharks and alligators. Finally, guests can also immerse themselves in Native American Culture through cooking and tool-making.
Fun Spot Theme Parks
With two locations in Orlando, these vast amusement parks offer unique experiences with their roller coasters, arcades, and food choices. Fun Spot also happens to be the home of Orlando’s only wooden roller coaster. Besides that, there are plenty of options for all ages, including a splash pad, bumper boats, and cabana rentals for relaxation.
Gatorland
Guests will experience one of the largest collections of reptiles in one space and even have the opportunity to hold baby gators. There are also separate ticketed adventures for zip-lining and off-road adventures. Other great options include a lovely petting zoo and a splash pad to cool off from the Florida heat.
The Florida Mall
This is Central Florida’s largest mall with over 250+ options for shopping, dining, and entertainment. This inclusive mall has all of your favorite stores with experiences that cater to just about anybody. There’s even valet at this mall to help you avoid the incredibly large and busy parking lot. Another handy fact: this mall is very close to the airport, which is perfect if you’re trying to catch a flight!
Ripley’s Believe It or Not
It’s the unique (crooked) structure of this place that entices guests to enter. However, this 10,000 sq. foot venue allows you to explore 16 exhibits and interact with all the quirks of this strange and unusual space. The ability for self-guided tours means you can stay as long as you like, but be careful: sometimes the spooky hosts might entice you to stay forever.
Wonderworks
A massive interactive exhibit to entice the senses will encourage all sorts of inquisitiveness. With over 100 exhibits, lasers tag, a 3-story ropes course, and an XD 4D motion ride, this attraction is fun for all ages. This fun upside-down attraction will have you immersed for hours, leaving you with memories that will last a lifetime.
Things to Do in Orlando Besides The Theme Parks: Adult Activities
Cocktails and Screams
This unique bar caters to Halloween year-round, offering delectable drinks with spooky decor. This setting is also perfect for guests to indulge in spooky trivia and take the most adorable pictures. The spot is especially well-known for throwing themed parties, like the “Thriller” dance-offs and Zombie parties. They pay homage to the Addams family every Wednesday with a costume contest!
Vault 5421
One of the first bars inside of a comic book shop, this place allows guests to immerse themselves in the settings of some of their most beloved series. So enjoy this post-apocalyptic bar that serves craft beer and regularly has its employees dress up for all occasions. Every Saturday night is themed, where costumes and cosplay are encouraged.
Central Florida Ale Trail
Visit several Central Florida breweries and receive a free growler. You can get a physical copy of a passport brochure and collect stamps for visiting every brewery listed on the trail. There are tours offered by bus that help can help you complete the trail in record time with either a group of your choosing or strangers.
Orlando Museum of Art… After Hours
If you feel inclined to witness art in new and inspired ways, then visit the museum on the 1st Thursday of every month and witness new exhibits based on monthly themes. This event also has drinks for purchase, and you can view several longstanding exhibits. However, much of the art is for sale, and artists are frequently even in attendance to answer any questions you may have about their art and process.
ICE BAR Orlando
This unique bar is the only permanent ice bar in the world with over 70 tons of hand-carved ice, making it a memorable experience. The bar itself is kept at 22 degrees, and all guests are provided with a warm thermal parka and gloves. Once guests have their drinks, they can enjoy the ice lounge, listen to the incredible music, and gaze at the unique ice sculptures that decorate the space. It’s just the perfect place to visit when you want to escape the Florida sun!
The Escape Room Orlando
The Escape Game Orlando offers seven distinctive and interactive adventures, featuring their latest ocean-themed room, The Depths, and their most challenging escape game, Prison Break. Large parties have the opportunity to begin their escapades simultaneously, accommodating up to 89 players at once. Each escape game provided by The Escape Game Orlando is family-friendly, with unique themes, high levels of immersion, and multiple rooms to conquer.
Conclusion
In summary, it’s virtually impossible to get bored in this incredibly alive city. With so many different kinds of immersive experiences available, it’s easy to keep yourself completely entertained with the multitude of things to do in Orlando besides the theme parks. However, since everyone is drawn by different things, let us know which one of these YOU think is the most fun!
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What are the non-Disney parks in Orlando?
Sea World Orlando Florida. …
Wet ‘N Wild Orlando Florida. …
Busch Gardens at Tampa Florida. …
Kennedy Space Center.
Universal Studios Orlando. …
Islands of Adventure, Orlando Florida. …
What can you do at Disney instead of parks?
Have fun with live entertainment.
View the on-site Disney attractions.
Watch the fireworks from the street.
Take to the water.
Characters, please.
Enjoy specialty cuisine.
Activities and classes are held on-site.
Relive a Park Day from the Outside.
Is CityWalk free in Orlando?
There are no entrance fees for CityWalk other than the parking costs. You can take a stroll, look around the shops, eat, or locate free late-night entertainment. Click here if you need tickets for Universal Studios or Island of Adventure!
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Meet Kourtney, a fashion and beauty enthusiast who tells stories through style. To her, clothing is a language, and every accessory adds punctuation to her narrative. Kourtney explores vintage fashion markets on weekends, blending classic with contemporary to create a signature style that reflects her vibrant personality. Beyond aesthetics, she's a passionate advocate for body positivity and inclusivity in fashion, celebrating diversity to ensure everyone feels seen and embraced.
