Our family loves getting to visit Orlando, and not just for the theme parks. Yes, we enjoy getting to ride rollercoasters and be transported to another world, but spending time in a colorful, diverse city and the surrounding nature is delightful. We live just over an hour from Orlando, so when we feel the need for good city vibes and to feel welcome in a neighborhood besides our own, Orlando is a fantastic option for us.
We’ve picked our favorite things to in Orlando and the surrounding area that are either easy to add to a theme park trip or to just enjoy if you’re in the Orlando area. All of these activities are great with kids but are also awesome if you’re just an adult looking for fun, maybe to add to your downtime when you’re here for a conference or something. If you have any questions about our suggestions or need more recommendations, please leave a comment or send us a note. We’re always happy to share more and help others have a great visit to Orlando.
Sports, Arts and Culture in Orlando
Maybe it’s because we live in a small town now (St Augustine, FL) or maybe it’s because the city kid in me never grew up, but I love all the fun events that happen in Orlando. Often we’re coming into town to use our annual passes to Universal or something, but we also love to plan special events to attend. Some of our favorite things to do in Orlando are the sporting and arts events downtown, and they’re a great addition if you’re visiting for theme parks or whatever else.
Kia Center – Orlando Magic games or Solar Bears games
Sporting events might not seem like something our family would seek out when we’re traveling, but we enjoy them so much. Whether it’s Pride Night at an Orlando Magic game (basketball) or watching the Solar Bears (hockey) play our own local minor league team, we find ourselves mixed into the crowds of locals, cheering on the teams fairly often. I love that Orlando’s sports teams offer family-friendly ticket pricing, which is tough to find in many cities with pro and semi-pro franchises.
Tip: we like to get Magic tickets as gifts for our kids, because experiences are always better than stuff. Of all the sporting events we go to, Orlando Magic games are always the most fun.
Cirque du Soleil – Drawn to Life
There’s something special about seeing Cirque du Soleil with kids. We love to see Broadway shows with the kids, so this just fits right in with that. Our family seeks out experiences that draw diverse participants and spectators, and Drawn to Life at Disney Springs is just that. A nice change of pace from theme parks, seeing Cirque du Soleil is a great blend of both art and athleticism, with a Disney flare. The arts and performing spaces tend to be welcoming spaces for all, especially the LGBTQ community, so the whole experience of pre-show and post is delightful.
Tip: if you’re visiting Walt Disney World, plan for doing Drawn to Life on a day where you’re not also going into the parks. That will allow you to enjoy the free shows in the parks AND this experience on a chill day.
Get Drawn to Life tickets here!
Leu Gardens
There are a few beautiful botanical gardens in Orlando, but the Leu Gardens are our favorite. We like to visit when they are doing fun exhibitions (we loved the dinosaurs in the garden) but year round it’s great to visit with kids. The butterfly garden is one of our favorite spots, but touring the Leu House is also a highlight. It’s a nice addition to a visit and is easy to stop at on your way through Orlando as well.
Dr Phillips Center shows
Living in a small town, sometimes we really like being in a city atmosphere. Downtown Orlando is fun for an afternoon dinner, and then finishing the day with a show at the Dr Phillips Center is awesome. The Broadway roadhouse for the city, the Dr Phillips Center draws in the bigger, more popular touring Broadway shows, and during the holidays ballet and symphony performances. We’ve even seen the Orlando Philharmonic perform film scores while watching the movie!
Adding a Theme Park Visit
Of course you want to visit a theme park while you’re in Orlando. For a lot of families their whole purpose of visiting is to do Universal Orlando or Walt Disney World, and there’s nothing wrong with that. There are plenty of other fun things to do in Orlando, but if it’s important to you to have a theme park day or two, these are our top picks.
Day at Universal Islands of Adventure
I never thought we’d be Annual Pass Holders for a theme park but we have had Universal passes for years now. Whether we’re planning a full long weekend trip to Universal or just going for the day, Islands of Adventure is our go-to park. Whether we’re sporting our “Love is Universal” gear for an event or just hanging out as a family, having fun at Islands of Adventure is a favorite day trip for our family.
Universal Studios Florida is really fun too, and that’s where you’ll find the Wizarding World of Harry Potter Diagon Alley, but our preference for just one day is Islands of Adventure. And now that Universal’s Epic Universe is open, you could spend a day there, but I would recommend waiting until it’s not brand new before you plan your visit. The lines are still so very long and you’ll have more rides and attractions in your day at Islands of Adventure while the new park is mellowing out.
Day at Disney’s Hollywood Studios
We tend to take our theme park trips in small doses, so we’ll usually just do one park per visit. Disney’s Hollywood Studios has been our jam since the kids were little. If it’s just a “Dads Day at Disney” or if we’re visiting with friends from out of town, Hollywood Studios is the perfect mix of thrill and chill for us, keeping our Walt Disney World visits low-stress and all fun.
Yes, we love Magic Kingdom and Animal Kingdom is my favorite park for having a mellow Disney World visit, but for the most fun, easiest attraction lines, favorite dining and generally the best things to do, Hollywood Studios is our top pick for just one day at Disney, especially if you’re a Star Wars fan!
Tip: if you’re visiting Orlando for work and only have the evening to visit Disney World, you can actually get a special Events Ticket that allows you into the park after 5:00 pm. The park allowed may vary by date, but it’s an option!
Aquatica Water Park at Sea World Orlando
We haven’t been to Sea World and don’t have any recommendation for it, but I can tell you that visiting Aquatica, their awesome water park, is a really fun day. There’s such an array of waterslides of every level or thrill and there’s the added aquarium element, making it a unique place to spend the day. I like that you can often get discounted tickets as a Florida Resident, and because so many people are in Orlando for the theme parks, Aquatica tends to not be as busy as you might suspect.
A day at Aquatica is one of our favorite things to do in Orlando, but that doesn’t mean that it’s fool-proof. Between needing sun protection all day to dealing with temporary closures for the inevitable thunderstorms that roll through, each visit can be a little bumpy. It’s still really fun though and we never regret spending the day here.
Favorite Orlando Parks and Nature
Orlando has a good downtown and lots of things to do and see, but as you leave the immediate city core you come to some of our favorite places in Orlando – the PARKS! Whether it’s city parks to escape to for a part of your day or if you want to get into nature, there are some wonderful spots to enjoy. And of course you can always seek out alligators when you’re enjoying the nature around Orlando.
Lake Eola Park
One of our keys to easy travel with kids is including downtime and playground time whenever possible, even in a place like Orlando. Lake Eola Park is just off downtown and is great for letting the kids break free. Us dads get to relax while our kids hit the playground, and then we can wrap up our time with paddle boating on the lake. It’s a great activity for any time of year.
And as cheesy as it may look, renting one of the swan boats is one of the most popular things to do when you’re at Lake Eola Park. There are kayaks and other paddle craft too, but the swans boats are kind of iconic (and hilarious).
Paddling at Shingle Creek
Our family is all about finding slices of nature near the city, and Shingle Creek is a great one! The park has trails for walking through the cypress swamp or biking, but we like to bring kayaks and paddleboards. Exploring the cypress forest on the water is a quintessential Florida experience, and since Shingle Creek is so close to other Orlando activities it’s easy! The staff at the rental station is super friendly and helpful too.
As far as paddling close to the city and really feeling like you’re a world away, Shingle Creek is really THE spot for it. It’s technically located in Kissimmee, but it’s easy to get to and absolutely worth the visit.
Lake Apopka Wildlife Drive
People who are visiting Florida for the first time usually think there will be alligators around every corner, and they’re not wrong. One of our favorite places to go for gators, birds and more is the Lake Apopka Wildlife Drive. Our family never gets bored with this self-led mini-safari, and then we ALWAYS go to Wekiva Springs State Park nearby afterwards for swimming.
What makes Lake Apopka Wildlife Drive such a cool place to visit and one of our favorite things to do in Orlando is how much wildlife there is. It’s very aptly named and even if you’re not into birdwatching, you’ll be amazed at what you can see here. Allow yourself 90 minutes to enjoy the drive, as there are plenty of places to get out and explore on foot. And there are so many baby gators all year, you’ll love the experience!
Winter Park Chain of Lakes Paddling
We always feel welcome on the water, no matter where we go, and the Winter Park Chain of Lakes is perfect for both enjoying the sights and hanging out with the locals. We’ve brought our own gear and we’ve done a tour. Each time we go paddling here, navigating the canals between the lakes and waving at everyone working in their yards or sitting on their patios having coffee, it’s such a unique experience and it feels a little magical.
This can be a really long day on the water or a shorter one, so you decide just how far you want to paddle. If you’re doing the clear kayaking tour (book it here) it’s a shorter version than doing all of the lakes. The longer paddle you can do yourself gives you the chance to stop on an island in the middle of the largest lake for a nice break. It’s fun whichever way you do it!
Tibet-Butler Nature Preserve
The thing that always surprises people who visit us from out of state is the number of boardwalks and nature preserves we have everywhere, including Orlando. The Tibet-Butler Nature Preserve is one of the best places to go with kids that’s really close to everything else you’ve got planned in Orlando. You can see turtles and birds from the boardwalks and trails, and if you’re lucky alligators and armadillos, making it a fun family stop that brings in a nice dash of nature.
There are a lot more boardwalk parks over in the Pensacola or Sanibel areas, so having a nice one like this in the middle of the state is a treat. I’m a big birdwatcher, which is why this is one of my favorite things to do in Orlando, but even if you just want a break from the theme parks or city stuff, this is a great option. And PS, there’s an air conditioned visitor center with some good exhibits too, just in case you want to add some learning to your visit.
Mead Botanical Garden
Hidden deep in the neighborhoods of Orlando is the Mead Botanical Garden. This is one of those hidden gems that you have to intentionally seek out. A free public garden with different horticultural areas and styles, including a small amphitheater, it’s a quiet and fun place to visit with kids. There are boardwalks and trails in addition to the botanical garden element. I love it here and it’s one of my favorite parks in Orlando.
Favorite Unique Orlando Dining Picks
Since most of the people coming to Orlando are going to be around the theme park and hotel areas, it’s likely that finding unique food is going to be a struggle. I mean, a lot of people are fine with the mass produced dining experiences that you can find in any city, but Orlando has a ton of really good local spots to enjoy as well, you just have to know where to look.
Se7en Bites
Some people seek out famous eats, but we just go where we know we get good food and it’s extra local. Se7en Bites is a favorite for us for several reasons, from its Southern yums to its Diners, Drive-Ins and Dives hits, and then being LGBTQ owned is a bonus. Although we feel welcomed and appreciated as patrons all around Orlando, supporting our LGBTQ counterparts is something we’re passionate about while traveling, including close to home.
Don’t stress if you show up and there is a line. They move pretty quickly and have an efficient way of getting food out to everyone. Think of it as an indoor food truck vibe and you’ll understand what I mean. It’s open for breakfast and lunch only, but I bet they’d put together a killer dinner menu if they ever chose to extend their hours.
Cafe Tu Tu Tango
We don’t eat at too many places along I-Drive because we like to dig into the neighborhoods or Orlando, but Tu Tu Tango is wonderful and very near Universal, so it’s easy for us to add to our frequent visits. Good food and local performers are the driving force behind the charisma of Cafe Tu Tu Tango. It’s “the arts” meets great cooking in an unexpected locale, I-Drive.
What really sets the dining experience apart at Cafe Tu Tu Tango is actually the immersive experience of eating here. Yes, the food is really good and I love the selection of tapas available, but having the whole restaurant full of local art, artists actually actively drawing and painting in the building, and staff that LOVES art makes it a wonderfully unique place to dine. I love it so much.
Boxi Park Evenings (Food trucks)
We try hard to find restaurants and food trucks that are super unique to the city we’re in, and Boxi Park is exactly that. Having dinner out and finding something different for everyone is a fun way to mix it up when we visit Orlando. Street tacos, fried chicken and live music make a night at Boxi Park a mixed bag of an outing, and the crowd is wonderfully diverse as well.
I’ll admit that Boxi Park is not in a convenient place (Lake Nona off the 417), but it’s worth getting out of the downtown and theme park areas to have a nice night in the open air enjoying food, drinks and fun away from the normal Orlando scene. It’s very family friendly, including yard games. It’s one of my favorite places to find dinner and the kids know they’ll have a fun night when we’re there too.
Our Favorite Orlando Area Hotels
Honestly we usually are coming to Orlando specifically for theme part visits and then we end up planning the other activities to accompany that, so that means we’re usually staying in the theme park areas, if not actually in one of the resort hotels. Even though we’ve stayed at all of the Universal hotels and more than half of the Disney World resort properties, we’re just recommending a few of our favorites.
Universal’s Cabana Bay Beach Resort
Universal’s Cabana Bay Beach Resort has been our go-to place to stay when we visit Orlando for years! We actually stay here even when we’re not spending any time at the Universal Parks. The kids love the two gigantic pool areas and we love the family-style hotel suites that are like vintage studio apartments. You can’t beat the location or the vibes at Cabana Bay. As an added bonus, there’s often a Florida Resident discount available for Cabana Bay which helps it stay at the top of our Orlando favorites.
Universal’s Endless Summer Resort
For one of the most budget-friendly and fun stays in Orlando, we like to stay at Universal’s Endless Summer Resort. We’ve stayed at both Beachside and Dockside, and both were great with kids. It’s really nice to feel at home with other families all in that same mindset: fun and relaxation in a low-key setting. Even with the newer Stella Nova and Terra Luna hotels, I still like the Endless Summer hotel more.
Disney’s Fort Wilderness Resort and Campground
Completely different from any other place we’ve stayed in the Orlando area, Fort Wilderness Resort at Walt Disney World is a really fun place to feel like you’re camping, but then have all the fun of the theme parks. Our kids like all the outdoor activities around the resort, including the golf cart rentals, and us dads like staying in a Florida pine forest and waking up in nature each day. I really enjoy the whole experience here, including the boat ride and the dinner shows.
Disney’s Coronado Springs Resort
It may be an absolutely huge resort, but Disney’s Coronado Springs Resort is one of my favorite places to stay on property at Walt Disney World. I love the layout of the resort, the pools, the restaurants, and even the shuttles around the property. Giant chess and fountains make it a fun place to walk around during down time, and then enjoying evenings at some of the best restaurants within the whole of the Walt Disney World Resort makes it one of my favorite places to stay in Orlando.
Whether we’re here for a summertime day trip, visiting for Pride Month or if we’re enjoying the holidays, we always feel welcome and have a great time visiting Orlando. It’s been a long-time favorite weekend escape and we never run out of things to do. If you have any questions about our activity picks or need more recommendations around the Orlando area all the way to either coast, please leave a comment or send us a note. We’re always happy to share more!
I had no idea there were so many cool places to explore in Orlando besides the parks! This post opened my eyes to what else the city has to offer—can’t wait to check some of these out.
Wow, I had no idea Orlando had so many hidden gems! This blog really opened my eyes to some cool spots off the beaten path. Thanks for showing a different side of the city!