The Ultimate Guide to Orlando: Outside the Theme Parks
- evesymington
- Jul 15
- 14 min read
So, what is there to do in Orlando besides visit the big theme parks? Plenty!
When you think Orlando, you think Disney World right? But there’s much more to the city than its ginormous theme parks. Work recently took me and the fam to Orlando for the first time, where we were determined to experience everything Orlando had to offer outside of the parks. We were pleasantly surprised to discover a huge variety of activities, sights, and food to enjoy off the beaten path, most of which has far fewer crowds than you’ll find elsewhere around the city. AJ loved it!
Orlando is known around the world as home to the world’s biggest theme parks and we learned some WILD facts about the city. For instance, 2024 saw a record 75 million annual visitors, putting it at the very top of the list for most-visited cities in the United States (seriously! Fact-check me!). It sees more annual visitors than the whole country of Italy! Mind blown.
The vast majority of those visitors head to the big-name parks, but the city has a ton to offer outside of its (insanely!) popular attractions.
So, if you have a few extra days around your theme park visit, or you’re visiting Orlando for work or family, OR you’re just not a theme park girlie/guy-ie, this guide is for you!
ORLANDO OUTSIDE THE THEME PARKS INDEX:
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Orlando Weather and When To Visit
Every season in Orlando has its pros and cons… the cons mainly being massive, massive crowds during the high seasons. But, since this is a guide to the lesser-known parts of Orlando, you really won’t face the same crazy crowding as the parks. So, there’s really no bad time to go if you’re prepared!
You’ll find the nicest weather in the winter (Dec–Feb), with temps in the 70s and much less heat/humidity. Spring (Mar–May) warms into the 80s with low humidity, making it one of the most pleasant times to visit.
Summer (Jun–Sep) is hot, humid, and stormy, with daily afternoon thunderstorms and highs in the 90s. We visited for a few weeks in June and the heat was no joke, though many (most!) attractions and restaurants blast A/C. The storms came frequently but didn’t last for long and often happened in the afternoon on a fairly predictable schedule. Fall (Oct–Nov) brings relief with cooler temps, lower humidity, and fewer crowds, so it’s a solid choice if you have the scheduling flexibility.
Packing Essentials
Orlando is a shorts-and-t-shirt kind of city, where even the more upscale spots don’t get too fancy. Maybe throw in a sundress or button-down if you’re planning to eat out. If you’re traveling in the summer, pack an umbrella. We opted for umbrellas over raincoats because raincoats were just too hot. Go for sandals that can get wet, and don’t forget your hat, sunscreen, and water bottle.
This is a good opportunity for a stroller fan too! AJ definitely heated up and her little cheeks got red sometimes (prompting us to take breaks inside), but she didn’t seem to mind the weather.
Getting There and Getting Around
Orlando knows what’s up when it comes to tourist infrastructure, so everything tends to be smooth sailing. The airport is on the small side given the crazy volume of visitors it hosts, but there’s a super easy tram which takes you to/from the gates, and then you can walk to baggage claim. One really nice thing about the Orlando airport is that you can walk right across the street to the rental car pickup area: no shuttles needed. Find the indoor rental car check-in areas, then exit from the doors directly opposite those counters. Listen to the crazed crosswalk sign, then enter the big parking garage across the way. Follow the signs to your rental car agency and badda boom!
We highly recommend renting a car in Orlando; if you want to explore beyond the walls of the parks, it’s really the only good option.
WS&T Kid Travel Tip: Orlando sees so many family visitors, that it’s singularly well-equipped for kid tourists. If you’d like to rent a car seat, stroller, or any other baby equipment, you can easily do so at the airport. In fact, some rental companies like Baby Quip even have counters at the airport!
Where to Stay in Orlando
Each of the major theme parks exists in its own zone in the Greater Orlando area, so if you’re going to Disney you’re most likely staying in Lake Buena Vista, or Southwest Orlando for Universal.
DOWNTOWN ORLANDO
We stayed right in the heart of downtown Orlando, right next to Lake Eola park. Downtown Orlando is curiously sleepy for such a major tourist destination, and while it has a certain seediness (and its fair share of unhoused people), we actually really enjoyed it. It’s walkable and weird, and felt plenty welcoming for all kinds of people. While you’ll still be driving a lot (because… Florida), it’s fairly central. It doesn’t draw a lot of visitors, but we really enjoyed our stay here.
WINTER PARK
Winter Park is a neighborhood a bit northeast of downtown Orlando, which is very lovely and charming. The neighborhood is walkable, with nice restaurants and a few museums right in town and several others a short drive away. It’s quaint, relaxing feel is worlds away from theme park chaos.
KISSIMMEE
If you’re really into the wide array of outdoor activities that Orlando has to offer, you might want
to consider staying south of the city in Kissimmee. This area is a bit more remote; check Airbnb or VRBO for vacation rental options. If you want more of a suburban feel outside of the city, this area might fit the bill.
INTERNATIONAL DRIVE
Commonly known as I-Drive, is the major highway running through Orlando, along which you can find a ton of accommodation options and activities of all stripes. It’s also close to the parks, so it’s probably the top area for park visitors looking for slightly cheaper accommodation. If you don’t mind long-ish drives to many activities, this could be a good option, though beware the big ol’ highway and commercial feel.
OUR HOTEL RECOMMENDATIONS IN ORLANDO
Aloft Orlando Downtown: We don’t always recommend big chain hotels, but that is sort of the name of the game in Orlando. Aloft is a well-priced and very centrally located option in downtown Orlando, and it has sort of a fun, communal vibe.
Wellborn Hotel Downtown: This is a Marriott takeover of a beachy, coastal-feeling hotel with clean, homey rooms and a lovely garden. Well-priced and well-located, though you have the pros and cons of being close to the freeway.
Grand Bohemian Downtown: Another Marriott (get those points!) option that’s more of a splurge. Beware the expensive valet and dining options, but this is a very nice, swanky hotel with great facilities.
If you’d like to stay in Winter Park, the Park Plaza Hotel is a boutique hotel with old-world charm and great service. Also very well priced.
Where to Eat in Orlando
Thanks to a contingent of creative chefs and many robust immigrant communities, Orlando boasts a nice foodie scene. Here were our top picks, in a range of locations and price points!
Domu: One of our favorite meals in Orlando, this is a semi-upscale Japanese spot that won’t disappoint. Try their signature ramen and get the chicken wings. They don’t take reservations, so arrive early.
Pizza Bruno: Really good pizza.
The Monroe: American lunch/dinner spot which feels approachable with an art deco flair. Specializing in fancy fried chicken.
Kabooki Sushi: A little pricey but high-quality sushi. We got take-out, but it’s definitely a see-and-be-seen spot!
Hawkers: Fun Asian food court with a variety of options.
Coro Restaurant: Super creative and memorable meal, even for AJ! You can tell the restaurant staff is passionate about their food, and we loved the experience!
Smokemade Meats + Eats: Dig into some classic BBQ here.
Garp & Fuss: We had a very nice lunch here in Winter Park after the Morse Museum. Great sandwiches, salads, and burgers.
Caravan Uzbek & Turkish Cusine: Delish, authentic Uzbek/Turkish restaurant very close to the airport. It was our first stop off the plane.
Augie got some love from the ladies at Caravan Kaya: I was dying to go to this elevated Filipino spot but we didn’t make it… please try it for me!
Hunger Street Tacos or Black Rooster Taqueria for your Mexican fix.
So, What Should I Do in Orlando Outside the Theme Parks?
The great question is finally answered below! I’ve divided the activity recommendations into three broad categories: museums and culture, non-park family activities, and the great outdoors. I also included a section on visiting Eatonville, a unique place which was one of the first incorporated Black municipalities in the United States.
Let’s dive in.
Museums and Culture
There are quite a few unexpectedly cool museums dotted around Orlando, so you’ll want to check them out if you love interesting cultural experiences.
Winter Park:
The Winter Park area boasts several museums and gardens to visit, so it’s a great place to spend a full day, pop in from downtown, or even stay overnight.
First, the Morse Museum (aka the Charles Hosmer Morse Museum of American Cart) is a total must-see. I was floored by the beauty of the collection and the historic building itself. Mr. Morse and his wife Jeanette Genius McKean (great name) amassed the world’s largest collection of Louis Comfort Tiffany’s works, all gorgeously displayed in this museum, paneled and floored in velvety brown wood. You’ll see Tiffany stained glass, ceramics, lamps, and so much more, as well as works related to and inspired by Tiffany’s unique art. Even AJ loved it!
Grab lunch on the cute main street in Winter Park (try Garp & Fuss!), then drive a few miles to
the Harry P. Leu Botanical Gardens, where you can stroll through 50 acres of beautifully maintained flowers and plants. As with everything in Orlando, it’s stroller-friendly. The Gardens have long hours, but if you’re there during midday Tues-Sun (excluding July), you can also visit the 1888 Leu House Museum on the grounds.
You can also check out the Winter Park Scenic Boat Tour, a kid-friendly, 1-hour pontoon ride through the lakes, canals, and historic residences of the neighborhood. The tours are first-come, first-served and leave every hour from 10AM-4PM.
In Winter Park you’ll also find the Albin Polasek Museum and Sculpture Garden, which has a small contemporary gallery and a 40-minute guided tour of the skilled bronze sculptor’s historic home.
When we visited, the Casa Feliz Historic Home Museum was temporarily closed, but check back – it looked very cool.
Loch Haven Park
Just north of downtown Orlando, you’ll find a cluster of lakes (though that doesn’t narrow it down in Orlando…): Lake Formosa, Lake Rowena, and Lake Estelle. After a short, picturesque drive, you’ll arrive at an area with two interesting museums: the Mennello Museum of American Art which houses a small, quirky art and sculpture collection and the Orlando Museum of Art. The latter has rotating exhibits of contemporary art in a lovely building.
This is also where you’ll find the Orlando Science Center – more on this below!
Downtown Orlando
If you’re staying downtown, there are several great activity options. First, take a stroll around Lake Eola, a charming lake with a circular path which will take you through a plethora of absolutely enormous swans and ducks (we were there during gosling/cygnet season!), many waterbirds, ibises (the pigeons of Florida), and more. It was a veritable zoo out there; AJ had a blast!
Downtown Orlando has the Dr. Phillips Center for the Performing Arts, a stunning, new-ish addition to the cultural landscape which boasts several different venues, from a symphony hall to a Broadway-caliber stage to a more intimate concert venue (Judson’s Live). Check out the offerings to see if there are any performances during your visit; it’s well worth it!
Right in the heart of downtown, you’ll also find the Orange County Regional History Center, which is actually an offshoot of the Smithsonian Museum. There are a whopping five floors of regional history, with some kid-friendly interactive activities and a ton of interesting historical and ecological information.
You can also check out the CityArts Factory, a collection of small galleries featuring rotating artists – for free!
Just outside downtown Orlando, you’ll find the Wells’Built Museum of African American History & Culture in the Parramore District. The museum is housed in a well-preserved former hotel which hosted many famous Black musicians during the Jim Crow era. Now you can browse fascinating exhibits on Black history and culture in the region.
Non-Theme Park Family Activities
If you’re traveling with kids or want to mix up your museum/kayaking adventures with more big-scale fun, there are several great places to visit which I’d call “theme park adjacent.”
The Kennedy Space Center lies about an hour east of downtown Orlando. It’s a bit on the pricey side ($77 for adult standard ticket, $67 for kids) but it ends up being a full day if you explore everything, so we found it to be a great splurge. T was so excited to go and I have to admit that I was a little bit skeptical, not being a big space-head (?) myself. But the Space Center is genuinely awesome and awe-some; they do a great job of making you feel amazed and inspired by space exploration. It’s also just so cool to see these giant rockets up close. You can even see an actual rocket launch if you’re there on the right day! We really enjoyed it and now AJ wants to be an astronaut!
Gatorland! I know I said no theme parks, but Gatorland is actually Orlando’s original theme park and it’s definitely more laid-back and user-friendly than the big ones. It abounds with huuuuge gators, many of whom are rescues and/or part of the organization’s conservation efforts. You can do a zip line over gator-laden waters, feed the gators, or just gaze at the impressive beasties and many other animals. The staff is very passionate about the animals, and you’ll learn a lot – and demystify the big reptiles a bit. There’s also a splash pad for the littles! It’s located about 19 miles south of downtown Orlando and is well priced at $35 for adults and $25 for kids aged 3-12.
The Orlando Science Center, located in Loch Haven Park, is an epic science discovery center geared towards kids (but fun for the whole fam). There are tons of interactive exhibits exploring STEM, a planetarium, live science demos, and a huge zone for kids to run around. Like the Kennedy Center, this can easily be a full day. This is a popular spot and draws quite a lot of visitors, so arrive early (especially if visiting on the weekend).
These were our top picks, but friends and fellow parents have raved about the Crayola Experience (70,000 square feet of play space, oh my!), Dinosaur World (especially for littler kids), and the Orlando Watersports Complex (especially for older kids with lots of energy).
The Great Outdoors
Orlando has over 100 lakes within the city limits, and many more in the surrounding areas. When you fly into the city, you’ll get a great overhead view of the watery terrain. It’s quite beautiful and makes for some twisty roads! Not only are the lakes picturesque, but they provide many opportunities for outdoor activities – great for all ages.
If you want a little nature immersion, Orlando offers plenty of spots to kayak, canoe, paddleboard, boat, or bike!
Kayaking and Stand-Up Paddleboarding:
You’ll find no shortage of places to rent kayaks or SUPs and explore on your own or take a guided tour. There are a ton of options, but we had a great experience with Epic Paddle Adventures, one of a small group of companies that offers clear kayak tours in various locations in and around Orlando. I’ve done a lot of kayaking in my time (my family used to do Spring break in southwestern Florida, way back in the day) but I’d never experienced a clear kayak before – it was so cool!
You can rent boats or take an “urban tour” right in town on Lake Ivanhoe, or you can go a little bit further afield to Silver Springs. Silver Springs is about 90 minutes north of downtown Orlando, but well worth making a day trip. The Silver Springs tour will take you through mangrove forest where year-round you can spot manatees, gators, turtles, monkeys, and many, many waterbirds. All ages and skill levels welcome. During manatee season (Nov 15-March 31) you can also take a special manatee tour to see these big, sweet cows of the sea up close.
WS&T Tip: If you’re really into manatees (or you want to be), check out Blue Springs State Park which is a major migration area for manatees during the season!
At certain times of year, you can also go on an evening bioluminescence tour – we didn’t get the chance to do this as AJ was too little, but we’ve heard it’s amazing.
Get Up and Go Kayaking offers similar tours as well as a Winter Park option – you can’t go wrong either way. So many of Orlando’s lakes offer kayaks or paddleboards for rent, so if you’re in a specific area you’re likely to find options very close by.
Airboat Tours:
There are a few spots to do airboat tours, but we picked Wild Florida – located about an hour south of downtown Orlando in Kenansville, right on the headwaters of the Everglades. The guides are super passionate and experienced, and they’ll take you bird and gator spotting through the area’s beautiful wetlands.
Wild Florida also has a small zoo with some fun animal encounters and a drive-through “safari” where you can experience the fun of a giraffe sticking its head in your window. They have really big tongues.
Tubing:
At Rock Springs Run State Reserve – a tributary feeding the Wekiva River Basin – you can rent inner tubes at Kelly Park and enjoy this 68-degree natural oasis.
Ahhhh.
Hiking:
Depending on how crazy hot it is while you’re visiting, you may want to explore Orlando’s natural world on foot. Try the Orlando Wetlands Park in the town of Christmas for 1600 acres of preserved wetlands. In this peaceful setting, you’ll find boardwalks, birdwatching towers, and not-infrequent alligator sightings – it’s a hidden gem.
You can find relatively easy, well-manicured boardwalk trails at the Tibet-Butler Nature Preserve, the Oakland Nature Preserve, the Hal Scott Regional Preserve, and the Split Oak Forest.
Biking:
Rent bikes and enjoy 22 miles of paved road on the West Orange Trail, with entry points all along the route. Along the way, check out the butterfly garden at the Tildenville outpost.
All-In-One:
Wekiwa Springs State Park has attracted visitors to its scenic, natural setting for over 100 years. Here you can find pretty much all the activities I listed above, from hiking trails to kayaking to swimming and snorkeling. It’s a very beautiful spot, but popular – reservations are required during peak season (March 12-Sept 1).
De Leon Springs State Park adds in a dose of history to the untamed natural environment. The park has a 6000-year history dating from its days as an oasis for the Macaya Native Americans. You can swim, snorkel, kayak, canoe, or go on a guided scuba tour. If you arrive early, you may be able to land a table at the Old Sugar Mill Pancake house, where you can customize and flip-your-own flapjacks.
If You’re Just Crazy Enough to Do It:
You can actually swim with a gator through Crocodile Chris’s Underwater Gator Tour. Book an appointment, pay $250, meet at the Everglades Outpost Wildlife Rescue and voilà… unbeatable Florida story.
Eatonville
Just six miles north of Orlando, you can stop in historic Eatonville: one of the oldest incorporated Black municipalities in the United States, and famously the home of author/national treasure Zora Neale Hurston. In Mules and Men, Hurston describes her hometown thus: “It was a city of five lakes, three croquet courts, three hundred brown skins, three hundred good swimmers, plenty guavas, two schools, and no jailhouse.” In the hostile Jim Crow south, Eatonville was a true oasis.
Visit The Hurston, the Zora Neale Hurston National Museum of Fine Arts, which showcases rotating exhibits focused on Black and African diaspora art. (Note: it has limited hours—open weekdays only, 11 AM to 2 PM, and closed on weekends.) You can also explore the Moseley House Museum, a beautifully preserved 1888 home that brings Eatonville’s past to life. The town blossoms during the annual ZORA! Festival, a celebration of Black culture, arts, and storytelling that draws artists from across the country.
You’ll eat well during your visit to Eatonville! Try the bold veg Caribbean fare and creamy vegan ice cream at Dajen Eats Café & Creamery. Hit up BBQ Boys for ribs, pulled pork, and classic sides.
Check out Nikki’s Place in nearby Parramore for smothered pork chops and oxtails, or Shantell’s Just Until in Sanford for Jamaican-meets-Southern comfort food.
Enjoy Your Visit!
We had a great time during our sojourn in Orlando – even better than we’d imagined. We hope you and your family enjoy exploring the city’s many offerings outside the big parks. There are so many unexpectedly wonderful experiences to be had!
But don’t stop here… check out our guides for trips in the United States and beyond for endless adventure inspiration!
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