Things To Do in Orlando

Are you considering moving to Orlando or planning a trip? Keep reading to learn more about everything that Orlando has to offer and all the fun activities located within city limits.

As most people know, Orlando is known for its popular attractions throughout the city. Specifically, Orlando is known for Walt Disney World and Universal Studios. Both of these destinations brought thousands of residents and visitors to the area on a monthly basis. Keep reading to learn more about these two magical places and what they have to offer to their visitors.

Living in the city of Orlando grants you access to an abundance of things to do throughout the year. They have things for people of all ages and interests. A great thing about Orlando is that it is full of fun, family-friendly activities for the whole family to enjoy. But on the other hand, Orlando has destinations that are for adults only to enjoy, which is a great balance of the city.

We have put together this guide on the top things to do in Orlando, Florida. Whether it is a sunny, warm day in Florida, or a cloudy, rainy one, we guarantee that there is something for you to enjoy outside of your home. 

Here are the nine best things to do in Orlando, FL.

Walt Disney World

Where dreams come true, everyone knows and loves Disney World. This is one of the biggest attractions in the world and is located right here in Orlando, Florida.

Disney is a place that has an abundance of things to do right inside the gates. Sadly, exploring the entirety of Disney World takes more than three days. At Disney, you will find four large theme parks and two waterparks. The four major theme parks are Disney's Hollywood Studios, Disney's Animal Kingdom, Magic Kingdom, and EPCOT. 

Hollywood Studios is the park where you can experience what Hollywood is like behind the scenes. Some of the favorite attractions within Hollywood Studios are the Indiana Jones Epic Stunt Spectacular! and the Star Wars Tours. Within this park, you will also find Toy Story Land, which is a Toy Story-themed part that offers tons of rides and fun. And, of course, Hollywood Studios is where the famous Tower of Terrors stands. 

Animal Kingdom is where you will find animal-themed everything. This park is divided into five different areas based on different regions like Africa, Asia, DinoLand, Pandora - The World of Avatar, and Discovery Island, where all the lands meet. This park is very entertaining as there are rides, food, interactive activities, and, the best part, wild animals. 

Another park we will discuss is EPCOT. EPCOT is known for its showcase of inventions and innovations. This park is divided between two worlds, Future World and World Showcase. The Future World parts allow you to explore technology with a handful of entertaining rides. The World Showcase section is where you will find 11 different nations. As you walk around the "world" in this section, you will be met with true authentic architecture, food, and drinks that are specific to the countries. They have countries like Mexico, Norway, China, Italy, and more. 

Finally, Magic Kingdom. This park is the most known and most visited section of Disney World. It is divided between six different lands and where you will find Cinderella's Castle. The different parts of Magic Kingdom are TomorrowLand, FantasyLand, Liberty Square, FrontierLand, AdventureLand, and Main Street U.S.A. 

Universal Studios 

This park has been a favorite theme park since 1990 and is just as famous and fun as Disney World. Universal Studios is themed based on movies, television, and other aspects of the entertainment industry. There are three main parks within Universal Studios. Those parks are Universal Studios, Universal's Islands of Adventure, and Universal's Volcano Bay Water Park. 

The theme park Universal Studios consists of part of the Harry Potter World. Not only does this park have interactive Harry Potter aspects, but it also consists of other fun attractions. Some of the more famous attractions at this park are the Despicable Me Minion Mayhem, Transformers 3D, The Simpsons, and so much more. This park is easy to enjoy in a day, but you must do it at a good pace to see everything and experience it all. 

Universal's Islands of Adventure is the other part of Harry Potter World. This part of the park is where you will find Jurrasic Park-related rides and attractions. 

Outdoor Parks

If you are looking for something to do that is more relaxing and peaceful than going to an amusement park or museum, then check out these lovely parks that are located throughout Orlando.

Local Favorites:

• Lake Eola Park: This park is located in downtown Orlando and has a path that circles the lake. You can also enjoy the paddle boards that they have there for the public and paddle throughout the lake.
• Harry P. Leu Gardens: This park is 50 acres of gardens that are located minutes from downtown Orlando. Here you will find over 40 different collections of tropical rainforest, Florida's largest rose garden, butterfly garden, and more.  
• Moss Park: Moss Park is a perfect place for those who are looking for an area to go camping with their friends and family. With the abundance of trees throughout this park, there is plenty of shade. This park also has walking trails for you to enjoy.
• Bill Frederick Park at Turkey Lake: The perfect spot to go and enjoy a nice walk or jog with your friends, family, and even your pets. There is also tons of shade throughout the paths at this park which is the biggest perk of this park.

Museums

If you are looking for a fun activity to enjoy with your friends and families that is indoors, you're in luck. Orlando is home to tons of entertaining and fun museums throughout the city. Here are some of the local favorites.

Local Favorites:

• Albin Polasek Museum: This unique home is now a historic home of a Czech sculptor. This museum is full of information and amazing designs and sculptures for you to see and learn about. 
• Chocolate Kingdom: This museum is perfect for our chocolate lovers. Here you will be able to learn and watch how chocolate is made. You can even enjoy an abundance of chocolates.
• Kennedy Space Center: This is a NASA launch center. Here you will be able to see the original Atlantis Space Shuttle, a Saturn V moon rocket, an Astronaut Hall of Fame, and more. 
• Madame Tussauds Wax Museum: Here, you will get to explore tons of life-like wax figures from famous celebrities, sports stars, and historical figures. It is truly amazing at the realism of these wax figures. 

Tours Around Orlando

Orlando is a huge city, but it also has tons of cool things throughout the city that you may miss. Finding a great tour guide that is able to walk you through all the cool buildings, facts, history, and more about Orlando is a great activity to do with your friends and family. Here are some of the best tour guides in Orlando.

Local Favorites:

• Manatee Adventure: This is a full-day tour out on an airboat where you can explore crystal-clear waters and manatees. A perfect way to do something fun with your family.
• Clear Kayak Adventure Tour: This unique excursion is a perfect way to take in the nature and wildlife of Orlando. Paddle around the crystal clear waters in a clear kayak so you can see everything beneath you . 
• Private Helicopter Tour: This tour allows you to fly in a helicopter with your friends and family over the theme parks in Orlando. You can enjoy this tour during the day and even at night.
• Food Tour of Local Orlando's Ivanhoe Village: This is the tour that teaches you about Orlando as a whole. Come with an empty stomach because you will be trying food from all sorts of restaurants while learning about Orlando. 

Miniature Golf

This is the perfect activity that people of all ages can enjoy. Taking your family to miniature golf can be a great experience and a time to bond with your children. It can also be a great idea for a date night for you and your significant other to spend quality time together. And, it is also a good destination for you to bring your friends and enjoy a game of friendly competition.

One thing you will always find while driving around Orlando is miniature golf courses. Some of the local favorite places to visit are Pirate's Cove Adventure Golf, Congo River Golf, and Hollywood Drive-In Golf. Each of these golf courses is different in its own way. One of the courses is a pirate theme, and another one is a retro movie-themed course. All of these golf courses are just down the road from one another, so if you finish one course and want to keep playing, drive a few minutes down the road, and you will run into more.

SeaWorld

This is a known attraction of Orlando as well, but if you need to learn more about it, keep reading. 

SeaWorld is a theme park and marine zoological park located in Orlando. It has been around since 1973 and covers around 200 acres of land. This theme park is very known for the animals that they home within the gates of SeaWorld. If you are looking for a place to go with your friends and family, SeaWorld is the perfect spot. 

Not only is SeaWorld quite entertaining for those who love animals, specifically water animals, but it is great for those who also enjoy theme parks. SeaWorld has a variety of roller coasters and kid-friendly rides throughout the park for everyone to enjoy. They also have live presentations and shows with their animals. Our favorite part about SeaWorld is the Dolphin shows. SeaWorld does a great job of showcasing how smart some of these animals truly are. 

Grab a Quick Bite

Throughout Orlando, you will run into an insane amount of delicious and unique restaurants. Here is a quick list of some great places to grab a quick bite to eat while out and about in Orlando.

Local Favorites:

• McDonald's: Yes, you heard that right. We know there are plenty of McDonald's in every corner of the world, but this one is different. This is the world's largest entertainment McDonald's and PlayPlace with a second-story arcade.
• Grilled Cheezus: A delicious homemade grilled cheese sandwich shop located in Brew Theory in downtown Orlando.
• Chicken Fire: Here, you will find some of the best chicken sandwiches you have ever eaten.
• Tacos My Guey: This is a lowkey quick-serve restaurant that offers an array of Mexican dishes, from tacos to burritos.

For more restaurants to visit with your friends and family, check out our guide on the best restaurants in Orlando, Florida.

For the Night Owls

If you love exploring late at night and enjoy nightclubs, bars, live music, and more, we have the perfect spot. Orlando's main strip, International Drive (I-Drive), is full of entertainment for adults. If you are looking for a night out, you will find almost anything you desire on this 11-mile road. Here are some of the popular places to visit on this strip and around.

Local Favorites:

• ICEBAR Orlando: This is the largest permanent ice bar in the world, with over 70 tons of hand-carved ice. Here you will be able to taste the one-of-a-kind cocktails, carvings, and fun music. They provide you with a warm parka, gloves, and delicious drinks for you to enjoy. 
• 3NINE: Here, you will find high energy and an enticing atmosphere with two full-service bars. This is the perfect place for those who enjoy nightclubs and DJs.
• Deadwords Brewing Company: Located in the Paramore District of downtown Orlando you will find this brewery that serves the highest quality beers. Perfect spot for our beer lovers.
• Howl at the Moon: This bar is famous for its Dueling Pianos. Open 7 nights a week, full of high energy and good music. The perfect place to visit if you are looking for good vibes and music of all sorts to enjoy.

Things to Do in Orlando, Florida - Our Final Thoughts

This is just a simple guide that walks you through the most common things people enjoy doing in Orlando, Florida. We discussed the top nine things to explore and enjoy throughout the city, but there are also so many different attractions, restaurants, nightclubs, museums, and more in Orlando. If this guide helped you navigate the city better, then feel free to check out our other similar blogs.

If you are considering moving to Orlando, FL, contact us today to get connected with a local real estate professional to better assist you in the moving process. Check out the best neighborhoods in Orlando to find the perfect place for you.