We’re lucky to be in the theme park capital of the world, but sometimes theme parks can be exhausting! We’ve crafted the perfect list of the best things to do in Orlando besides theme parks.
Whether you’re looking for adventure, or just relaxation, we’ve got you covered!
Natural Springs
One of the greatest things about Orlando is that we live so close to natural springs! Just a few miles west or north, and you’ll find some of the coolest spots where you can swim, snorkel, glass-bottom boat, or even scuba!
Below are just a few of the springs closest to Orlando, but Florida has so many to offer, so be sure to check them out!
Also check out our blog on 5 Natural Springs Near Orlando.
Kelly Park/Rock Springs:
Monday-Sunday | 8AM-8PM
📍400 E. Kelly Park Rd. Apopka, FL 32712
King’s Landing:
Monday-Sunday | 8AM-5PM
📍 5722 Baptist Camp Rd. Apopka, FL 32712
Wekiwa Springs:
Monday-Sunday | 8AM-8PM
📍1800 Wekiwa Circle Apopka, FL 32712
Blue Springs:
Monday-Sunday | 8AM-8PM
📍 2100 W. French Ave. Orange City, FL 32763
Lake Eola
Right in the heart of downtown Orlando is the iconic Lake Eola. Surrounded by the City Beautiful, this lake has plenty of restaurants and bars around it, as well as a great path around the lake to walk around! You’re sure to run into real-life swans, or you can rent a swan-shaped paddleboard and enjoy a beautiful afternoon on the water!
Every Sunday, they have one of the biggest farmers’ markets, and there are always exciting events happening around the lake.
Monday-Sunday | 6AM-11:59PM
Swan Boats:
Friday-Sunday | 10AM-7PM
You’ve probably seen The Wheel from I-4, but did you know there is so much more to offer at ICON Park Orlando? Restaurants, bars, shops, museums, and even an aquarium are all in this 20-acre open-air entertainment district! It’s a great place to bring the whole family and eat and shop in one of the coolest places in Orlando!
Monday-Thursday | 1PM-10PM
Friday | 1PM-11PM
Saturday | 12PM-11PM
Sunday | 12PM-10PM
Another awesome place to check out in downtown Orlando is the Dr. Phillips Center for Performing Arts. Not only do they have a gorgeous theater for indoor performances, but they also now have their yard open, which can host socially distant concerts!
Enjoy live performances again in the safety of your own little section, complete with food and drinks! Stay up to date with their social media and website to see who’s performing next.
Check website for performance schedule.
Orlando sure does have a lot of sports to brag about! Basketball, men’s and women’s soccer, hockey, and UCF games are great ways to spend the day cheering for your favorite teams. This city loves to celebrate, so grab your jersey and head to the games! Check out the websites below for their schedules.
Orlando Magic Basketball
Orlando City Men’s Soccer
Orlando Pride Women’s Soccer
Orlando Solar Bears Hockey
UCF Knights Athletics
Botanical Gardens
Orlando has the perfect weather for gardens, and there are a few beautiful botanical gardens that are a great way to spend a day away from the theme parks. Leu Gardens and Mead Botanical Gardens are located near downtown, and Bok Tower Gardens is located in Lake Wales but is absolutely worth it to go see! Beautiful gardens, a delicious cafe, and a singing tower to explore.
Leu Gardens:
Monday-Sunday | 9AM-5PM
📍 1920 N. Forest Ave. Orlando, FL 32803
Monday-Sunday | 8AM-7PM
📍 1300 S. Denning Drive Winter Park, FL 32789
Bok Tower Gardens:
Monday-Sunday | 8AM-6PM
📍1151 Tower Blvd. Lake Wales, FL 33853
Central Florida Zoo and Botanical Gardens
Speaking of Botanical Gardens, if you head north of Orlando to Sanford, you’ll also get a chance to explore Central Florida Zoo and Botanical Gardens. Central Florida Zoo has amazing animals like giraffes, rhinos, llamas, and more! They also have a great conservation program, and you can learn about endangered and rare species from around the world.
Monday – Sunday | 9AM-4PM
📍3755 W. Seminole Blvd. Sanford, FL 32771
Love games? Andretti Indoor Karting and Games is the place to be! Go-karting, laser tag, ropes course, and a new VR game! Bring back your childhood nostalgia with some of the classic games, as well as learn something new with their news games! There’s also a full restaurant and bar so you can have your fun while you play!
Monday-Saturday | 11AM-11PM
Sunday | 11AM-9PM
📍9299 Universal Blvd. Orlando, FL 32819
Escape Rooms
Love puzzles? Put your mind to the test with escape games! Orlando has so many different escape games to choose from, whether you want to escape from a space-themed room, an evil scientist’s laboratory, or a mystery travel agency. Be sure to grab your smartest friends and see if you got what it takes!
The Escape Game:
Check website for hours.
📍 8145 International Drive Suite 511 Orlando, FL 32819
Escapology:
Sunday-Saturday | 11AM-11PM
📍 11951 International Drive Unit C3 Orlando FL, 32819
The Great Escape Room Orlando:
Monday-Thursday | 4PM-9:30PM
Friday-Saturday | 12PM-9:45PM
Sunday | 12PM-4:30PM
📍32 1/2 S. Magnolia St. Orlando, FL 32801
The Bureau Escape Room:
Sunday-Saturday | 11AM-11PM
📍5400 International Drive Orlando, FL 32819
Top Golf
If you love golf, or even if you’ve never tried it, Top Golf is the coolest experience for anyone! Each party has its own bay, and from there, you’re able to hit the ball and aim for the targets! Whether you’re good or bad, it’s always fun to shoot your shot! There’s also a full restaurant and bar, and it’s a great place for group parties!
Sunday-Thursday | 10AM-12AM
Friday-Saturday | 10AM-1AM
Photo Studios - Selfie World Orlando / Wall Crawl
Love selfies? Who doesn’t? If you’re looking for the perfect Instagram picture, then be sure to check out these photo studios! Self WRLD just opened up in the Florida Mall and is one of the coolest new spots in town to pose for that perfect selfie.
Wall Crawl is also a great place for photos, and they have over 20 different themes walls that constantly change with the seasons. We love to see it!
Selfie WRLD Orlando:
Monday | Appointments Only
Tuesday-Thursday | 1PM-8PM
Friday-Saturday | 12PM-9PM
Sunday | 12PM-6PM
📍8001 S. Orange Blossom Trail Orlando, FL 32809
Wall Crawl:
Monday-Thursday |10:30AM–2:30PM, 3:30–7:30PM
Friday-Sunday| 10:30AM–2:30PM, 3:30–9PM
📍 1016 W. Church Street Orlando, FL 32805
Farmers Markets
A great way to support local Orlando vendors is by heading out to your local farmers’ market! Orlando has so many different ones to choose from whether you’re in downtown Orlando, Winter Park, Winter Garden, or even Celebration!
Enjoy delicious local produce, artisan vendors, and even local food trucks! It’s the perfect way to spend your weekend!
Orlando Farmers Market:
Sunday | 10AM-3PM
📍 Corner of E. Central and N. Eola Dr. Orlando, FL 32801
Winter Park Farmers Market:
Saturday | 8AM-1PM
📍150 N. New York Ave. Winter Park, FL 32789
Winter Garden Farmers Market:
Saturday | 8AM-1PM
📍104 S. Lakeview Ave. Winter Garden, FL 34787
Celebration Farmers Market:
Sunday | 10AM-2PM
📍631 Sycamore St. Celebration, FL 34747
Did you know that there’s a Drive-Thru Safari located near Orlando? Wild Florida Airboats and Drive-Thru allow you to pack up the car and head out to go see amazing animals without even getting out of your seat.
Not only can you drive through the safari park, but be sure to check out the other amazing animals as well!
Monday-Saturday | 9AM-6PM
Sunday | Closed
📍3301 Lake Cypress Road Kenansville, FL 34739
Thrifting
Thrifting is a great way to spend the day that helps not only local shops but also is great for the environment! Orlando has some really awesome and eclectic shops whether you’re looking for vintage clothing, furniture, or even knick-knacks for your home. Everyone will be asking where you got that!
Out of the Closet:
Sunday-Saturday | 10AM-7PM
📍 1349 N Mills Ave. Orlando, FL 32803
Etoile Boutique:
Monday | Closed
Tuesday | 6PM -10PM
Wednesday | 12PM-4PM
Thursday-Saturday | 12PM-7PM
Sunday | 11AM-5PM
📍2424 E. Robinson St. Orlando, FL 32803
The Lovely Boutique Market:
Monday-Saturday | 11AM-5PM
Sunday | 12PM-4PM
📍2906 Corrine Dr. Orlando, FL 32803
Owl’s Attic:
Sunday-Friday | 12PM-6PM
Saturday | 11AM-6PM
📍3106 Corrine Dr. Orlando, FL 32803
Ladies‘ Self-Defense Classes at Shooter‘s World
Learn from experts in a range of courses tailored specifically for women. Whether you are learning how to best carry to stay protected, the requirements to obtain a Florida Concealed Carry License, or self-defense classes with an intro to handguns, there are informative courses for everyone.
Monday | 9AM-9PM
Tuesday | 9AM-9PM
Wednesday | 9AM-9PM
Thursday | 9AM-9PM
Friday | 9AM-9PM
Saturday| 8AM-9PM
Sunday | 8AM-7PM
📍4850 Lawing Lane, Orlando, FL 32811
Best Things to do in Orlando besides Theme Parks
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