The Best Orlando Summer Bucket List

1. Spend a Day on the Water with Luxe Rentals ✅

Do you have a need for speed?

Want to be the captain of your own boat and enjoy a day out on the water?

Luxe Rentals has got you covered—with jet ski and pontoon boat rentals for a number of different durations throughout the day. No matter what option you choose, Luxe Rentals will show you the best time to spend your best day out on the water!

2. Check Out the Natural Florida Springs ✅

Don‘t want to make the drive to the beach? No problem. Orlando has a ton of natural springs within driving distance to make a splash this summer. With so many options to enjoy, it‘s the perfect addition to your summer bucket list! Float down the river in an inner tube, kayak, paddleboard, canoe or jump on a glass-bottom boat!

3. Complete the Orlando Challenge ✅

Take your bucket list to the next level with the ultimate Orlando Challenge! You‘ve driven past by them on I-4, seen their billboards and advertisements, and are constantly bombarded with Orlando‘s biggest attractions. But have you done them ALL?

4. Get EXTREME ✅

Off-roading, zip-lining, and indoor skydiving—these are just a few extreme activities in Orlando calling your name. If you’re looking to get your adrenaline pumping, head to the linked guide to explore all things extreme in Central Florida!

5. Feed a Giraffe ✅

Aside from sunny weather and delicious food, Orlando is home to quite a menagerie of wildlife. While zoos and aquariums provide all day family fun, there are plenty of other animal encounters swimming around the Florida swamplands. Buckle up for a wild ride with animal encounters around Orlando for a great addition to your summer bucket list!

8. Sip on Some Mocktails ✅

📸: @bandboxorlando

Wishing you could go out on a weeknight, or just want a drink without alcohol? If you’re in the mood for the taste of an alcoholic favorite sans the boozy ingredients, not to fret—our favorite stops have got you covered. Raise a glass to the most delicious alcohol alternatives and mocktails in Orlando!

7. Ride the Wheel at Icon Park ✅

Think you have what it takes to make it to the top? The Wheel at Icon Park is an iconic attraction on International Drive that is perfect for a leisurely look at Orlando from up top. Enjoy the slow-moving, 400-foot tall observation wheel. When you’re done, don’t forget to explore the many shops and restaurants available at Icon Park!

8. Eat at our Fave Spots ✅

Welcome to Diners, Drive-Ins, and Dives: Orlando edition! No summer bucket list is complete without a great list of restaurants, and we’d love to see these ones on TV. Guy Fieri already visited a few places in the City Beautiful, but we think he should come back to check out more!

10. Visit a Water Park ✅

If you need to stay cool this summer, there’s nothing better than spending the day at one of Orlando’s many water parks! From Disney’s Blizzard Beach and Typhoon Lagoon, to Island H2O, Aquatica, or Universal’s Volcano Bay, there’s no shortage of water slides in this city.

11. Road Trip to the Beach ✅

Orlando is only a hop, skip, and a jump away from some of the best beaches in Florida and we added the perfect list to this summer bucket list so you can check them out! Pack your car for the day and hit to road to explore some of these amazing places. Explore space coast beaches like Cocoa Beach, New Smyrna, and Satellite Beach, or head to gulf coast to check out the beautiful Siesta Key!

12. Spend the Day at a Resort Pool ✅

No pool? No problem! You don‘t have to stay overnight to enjoy Orlando‘s best resorts! We’ve curated the perfect resort pools in Orlando that are perfect for a summer stay. Enjoy a lazy river at the Omni Resort, hidden caverns at the Hyatt Regency Grand Cypress, or the water park at the Gaylord Palms Resort. Many of these resorts you can find on Resort Pass, which allows for a perfect pool day trip!

13. Book a Staycation ✅

You‘re already living in a huge tourist destination—why not enjoy it?! A staycation is the next thing you’ll want to check off your summer bucket list, and Orlando has some of the greatest places. From the Grand Bohemian in Downtown Orlando, Ritz Carlton Grande Lakes, or Disney’s Animal Kingdom Lodge, the options are endless for any staycation!

14. Explore the Outdoors ✅

The outdoors are calling and we must go! Orlando may be famous for theme parks, but there are plenty of outdoor activities available for you to spend a summer day doing as well. If you love to bike you can check out the Orlando Urban Trail, or if wakeboarding is more your thing you can visit the Nona Adventure Park. If your idea of outdoors is drinking wine at Lakeridge Winery? We’ve got that too!

15. Go Brunching ✅

If you need a meal in between breakfast and lunch that also includes alcohol, we’re here to introduce the next option on our summer bucket list! An Orlando summer staple has got to be brunch at one of these awesome places—and of course bottomless mimosas are included. On this list you’ll find Santiago’s Bodega, American Social, Earl’s Kitchen and Bar, and so many more!

16. Find Cheap Things to Do ✅

We know Orlando can be expensive, so we’ve created this list of some of the best cheap things to do in Orlando to add to this summer bucket list. Many museums and gardens like Leu Gardens, Albin Polasek Museum and Sculpture Gardens, and Mennello Museum of Art are inexpensive. Not your thing? You can opt for a farm experience like Southern Hill Farms or Wildflower Farm!

17. Eat Ice Cream ✅

Summer is all about ice cream, right? We think so! And Orlando ice cream should be on your summer bucket list! Beat the heat with a delicious Cookie Monster from Kelly’s Homemade Ice Cream, or check out downtown’s Greenery Creamery! You can even try liquid nitrogen ice cream at Abracadabra or ice cream with booze at Mild to Wild Ice Cream Shop. This guide has everything!

18. Plan a Road Trip ✅

Being in Central Florida, we are so lucky to be surrounded by SO many incredible sights and activities! From theme parks to beach trips and everything in between, there’s a summer activity for everyone. Check out these adventures within driving distance that are a must for your Orlando Summer Road Trip Bucket List!