14 Fun Things to Do in Orlando Besides Disney
Mickey Mouse gets all the attention, but Orlando’s best experiences happen outside famous gates.
These 14 fun things to do in Orlando besides Disney will show you a completely different side of the city.
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1. Explore Leu Gardens for Beautiful Botanical Scenery
Harry P. Leu Gardens gives you 50 acres of gorgeous plants and flowers just minutes from downtown Orlando. More than 40 different collections are spread across the property, including a tropical rainforest and Florida’s largest formal rose garden.
The gardens stay green year-round thanks to Orlando’s climate, so you can visit any season and see colorful plants. Walking through the butterfly garden and checking out the historic Leu House Museum adds extra interest to your trip.
2. Visit the Orlando Science Center for Interactive Exhibits
The Orlando Science Center spans four floors packed with hands-on activities that make learning fun. Exhibits cover everything from physics to biology, and each one lets you touch, experiment, and explore at your own pace.
Kids and adults alike can spend hours discovering interactive displays on topics like natural disasters, the human body, and space exploration. There’s also a planetarium and a giant screen theater showing educational films.
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3. Stroll Through Winter Park and Enjoy Upscale Shopping
Just north of Orlando, Winter Park offers premier dining and shopping along its tree-lined streets. Boutiques and specialty shops here feel worlds away from the theme park crowds.
Park Avenue anchors the upscale shopping districts with elegant storefronts and outdoor cafés. Window shopping is a sport here, and grabbing coffee between stores is a must. Locally owned boutiques sit next to national retailers, giving you plenty of variety.
4. Discover Art at the Orlando Museum of Art
The Orlando Museum of Art offers a break from roller coasters and shows you a different side of the city. Galleries are packed with American art, African art, and ancient artifacts that span thousands of years.
Current exhibitions rotate regularly, so there’s always something new to check out. The museum hosts special programs and events that let you connect with local artists and other creative folks in the community.
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5. iFLY Orlando Indoor Skydiving
Ever wondered what skydiving feels like without jumping from an actual plane? iFLY Orlando lets you float on a cushion of air inside a vertical wind tunnel that hits speeds up to 120 mph.
The whole experience takes about 90 minutes. Professional instructors stay right next to you the entire time, so you’re safe while you’re flying.
Kids as young as 3 can participate, so it’s a pretty great family activity. No special skills are needed — just show up with a sense of adventure and let the wind do the work.
6. Walk Around Lake Eola Park and Feed the Swans
Lake Eola Park sits right in downtown Orlando and gives you a break from theme park crowds. The paved path circling the water is exactly 0.9 miles, so you can track your walk while enjoying city skyline views.
Real swans live here year-round, along with ducks and turtles you can feed. Bring some bird-friendly food and watch the swans glide up to say hello.
If you want to get on the water, rent one of the famous swan-shaped paddle boats that fit up to five people. Each boat has a shade canopy, which helps on sunny Florida days.
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7. Charles Hosmer Morse Museum of American Art
The Charles Hosmer Morse Museum of American Art in Winter Park holds the world’s largest collection of Louis Comfort Tiffany’s works. His famous stained glass windows, lamps, jewelry, and pottery are all under one roof.
The museum features Tiffany’s chapel from the 1893 World’s Columbian Exposition in Chicago — it’s absolutely stunning. You can also see art and objects from his Long Island estate, Laurelton Hall.
8. Catch a Show at Dr. Phillips Center for the Performing Arts
Downtown Orlando’s Dr. Phillips Center for the Performing Arts puts world-class entertainment right at your fingertips. The venue hosts everything from Broadway productions to jazz concerts, dance performances, and opera.
The acoustics are top-notch, and there isn’t a bad seat anywhere. The center’s location in downtown Orlando means you can grab dinner nearby before the curtain rises.
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9. Play Mini Golf at Pirate’s Cove Adventure Golf
Pirate’s Cove Adventure Golf brings two challenging 18-hole courses packed with creative obstacles and pirate decorations. You’ll putt around sunken ships, cascading waterfalls, and dungeons filled with skeleton bones and firing cannons.
It’s one of Florida’s best mini golf courses, and the tricky hole designs challenge both kids and adults. The lush landscaping and pirate theme make every hole feel different from your typical mini golf spot.
10. Relax at Wekiwa Springs State Park
Just 20 minutes north of downtown Orlando, Wekiwa Springs State Park offers a refreshing escape from the city. The park’s crystal-clear springs stay a cool 72°F (22°C) year-round, making them perfect for swimming on hot Florida days.
Paddle down the Wekiwa River by canoe or kayak, spotting turtles, deer, and even the occasional black bear along the way. Multiple hiking and biking trails wind through the property, so there’s plenty to explore in the natural landscape.
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11. Explore the Murals in the Mills 50 District
About a mile northeast of downtown, Mills 50, Orlando’s eclectic neighborhood, is where street art takes over. This area has more murals than any other spot in Orlando, and they’re all free to check out.
The Mills 50 district gets its name from the intersection of Mills Avenue and Colonial Drive (State Road 50). Bright, cheerful artwork covers building walls throughout the neighborhood, and each mural tells a different story about life in Orlando.
12. Visit Gatorland To See Wildlife Up Close
Gatorland has been showing off Florida’s wild side since 1949. Thousands of alligators and crocodiles roam here, including rare white leucistic gators you just won’t spot anywhere else.
The park gives you wildlife encounters without the usual theme park chaos. Watch gator feeding shows, wander through the breeding marsh where 14-foot giants lurk, or, if you’re feeling bold, try the Screamin’ Gator Zipline for a bird’s-eye view.
There are plenty of birds and other native Florida creatures to check out, too. Tickets are more affordable than the big-name parks, so it’s a solid pick if you’re watching your wallet.
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13. Browse Unique Finds At East End Market
East End Market puts Orlando’s local food creators and artisans right in the spotlight over in the Audubon Park Garden District. It’s a two-story, European-inspired market with about a dozen vendors — artisan cheeses, craft beer, and gourmet pastries.
The original Gideon’s Bakehouse calls this place home, along with other Orlando food makers who are definitely serious about their craft. The market features shops, a demonstration kitchen, and event spaces all tucked under one roof.
14. Spend Time at the Central Florida Zoo & Botanical Gardens
The Central Florida Zoo & Botanical Gardens offers a refreshing escape from the usual theme park scene. Hundreds of animals from all corners of the globe call this place home, and the botanical gardens are a surprisingly peaceful place to just wander and decompress.
Kids seem to love the interactive animal encounters, especially when they get to meet creatures they’ve only seen in storybooks or on screens. On Florida scorchers, the tropical splash pad is a lifesaver. For anyone craving a little more adrenaline, the aerial course weaves some adventure right into your day at the zoo.
Families searching for affordable fun in Orlando without the wallet shock of the big parks might want to give this place a shot.
