Things to Do in Orlando
Ten stops running from a theme park that opened in 1971 with a single castle to a butterfly garden most visitors never realise sits right next to the roller coasters.
Orlando runs on theme parks, this list heads past what the quiz already covers toward some of the specific experiences within the major parks worth prioritising, alongside a few properly worthwhile stops away from the crowds entirely. Ten stops below, plus a quiz elsewhere on this site if you fancy testing what stuck.
Magic Kingdom
The original Walt Disney World park, opened in 1971, Cinderella Castle remains the park's central landmark, considerably larger up close than photos convey. Space Mountain, an indoor roller coaster running almost entirely in the dark, has run continuously since 1975, one of the longer-running attractions still operating anywhere on Disney property.
This park draws the heaviest crowds of any Disney property, book a specific arrival strategy, either an early morning start or the park's virtual queue system, given how quickly the most popular rides build long waits.
Hours Daily, hours vary seasonally
Address 1180 Seven Seas Dr, Lake Buena Vista, FL
Universal's Islands of Adventure
Home to the Wizarding World of Harry Potter, two distinct sections recreating Hogsmeade and Diagon Alley in properly detailed, immersive design, alongside the Jurassic Park and Marvel-themed sections. The Incredible Hulk Coaster, launching riders to 60 miles per hour in under two seconds before flipping through multiple inversions, ranks among the more intense coasters at any Orlando park.
This runs well combined with Universal Studios next door, a single park-to-park ticket lets you move between both, a good option given how directly connected the two parks sit.
Hours Daily, hours vary seasonally
Address 6000 Universal Blvd, Orlando, FL
Disney's Animal Kingdom
A theme park built around a real, substantial animal collection, over 8,000 animals across 500 species, the Kilimanjaro Safaris ride drives directly through open savannah where giraffes, lions, and elephants roam with considerable space. The Tree of Life, a 145-foot sculpted tree with hundreds of carved animal figures worked into its trunk, remains the park's central landmark.
This park runs a properly different pace from the other Disney parks, allow a full day given how much of the experience involves slower, more observational attractions rather than rides alone.
Hours Daily, hours vary seasonally
Address 2901 Osceola Pkwy, Bay Lake, FL
SeaWorld Orlando
Combines marine animal exhibits with properly serious thrill rides, Mako, the tallest and fastest coaster in Florida, launches to 73 miles per hour, while the park's rescue and rehabilitation programme runs real conservation work behind the scenes. Manatee Rehabilitation Area lets visitors see actual manatees recovering from injuries before their eventual release back into the wild, a properly meaningful stop beyond the entertainment side of the park.
This park runs noticeably less crowded than Disney or Universal on most days, consider it if you'd rather avoid the heaviest queues elsewhere.
Hours Daily, hours vary seasonally
Address 7007 SeaWorld Dr, Orlando, FL
Blue Spring State Park
A natural spring producing over 100 million gallons of 72-degree water daily, warm enough relative to the winter ocean that manatees gather here in properly significant numbers each winter to avoid the colder water elsewhere. A boardwalk runs along the spring run, offering close viewing of the manatees without needing to get in the water yourself, though swimming is permitted in warmer months when the manatees have moved on.
This runs as one of the better free-ish natural wildlife stops near Orlando, the drive pays off if a break from the theme parks appeals, particularly for anyone properly interested in seeing manatees up close.
Best time November-March for manatee viewing
Address 2100 W French Ave, Orange City, FL
Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex
The actual launch site for NASA's Apollo and Space Shuttle missions, roughly an hour's drive from Orlando, holds real flown spacecraft rather than replicas, including a real Space Shuttle Atlantis displayed at a dramatic angle as though still in orbit. The Apollo/Saturn V Center houses an actual Saturn V rocket, lying on its side, longer than a football field, one of only a few surviving examples anywhere.
Rocket launches still happen from this site regularly, check the current launch schedule, a real launch viewing adds a considerably different dimension to the visit if the timing lines up.
Hours Daily, roughly 9am-5pm
Address Kennedy Space Center, FL
Disney Springs
A free-to-enter shopping, dining, and entertainment district, considerably more relaxed than the theme parks themselves, no admission required to walk through and enjoy the atmosphere. The World of Disney store runs as one of the largest Disney merchandise shops anywhere, and dozens of restaurants range from casual to properly upscale dining across the district.
This works well as an evening stop after a day at the parks, allow a couple of hours to properly browse and eat without the crowds and heat of the parks themselves.
Hours Daily, roughly 10am-11pm, hours vary
Address 1486 Buena Vista Dr, Lake Buena Vista, FL
Wild Florida Airboats & Wildlife Park
An airboat tour running through real Florida wetland roughly 30 minutes from Orlando, alligators turn up regularly along the route, a proper contrast to the theme parks' controlled environments. The adjacent wildlife park runs a drive-through safari section and hands-on animal encounters, including the chance to hold a baby alligator under staff supervision.
This runs well as a half-day break from the theme parks, a good one specifically if you want a taste of real Florida wilderness without a longer drive to the Everglades.
Hours Daily, tours run on a set schedule
Address 3301 Lake Cypress Rd, Kenansville, FL
Medieval Times Dinner & Tournament
A dinner theatre built around a full jousting tournament performed on horseback, knights competing across various challenges while guests eat a full meal without utensils, a properly immersive, hands-on evening rather than a standard restaurant experience. This runs well for families specifically, the live-action performance and audience participation hold attention considerably longer than a typical dinner out.
Book ahead, this runs on a set show schedule and doesn't accept walk-ins without a reservation.
Hours Evening shows, check current schedule
Address 4510 W Irlo Bronson Memorial Hwy, Kissimmee, FL
Florida's Key Lime Pie
Key lime pie, made with the small, tart Key limes native to the Florida Keys, runs as the state's official pie and shows up throughout Orlando's restaurant scene, from theme park counter service stands to sit-down restaurants specifically known for their version. The real thing runs a pale yellow-green rather than the bright green colouring sometimes used elsewhere, worth knowing if you want the authentic version rather than a dyed imitation.
Several Disney and Universal resort restaurants run particularly well-regarded versions, try one specifically during a park visit rather than seeking it out separately.
Address Widely available across Orlando restaurants
Best time to visit Orlando
January through April and September through November cover the most comfortable window for this list, milder temperatures and smaller crowds than the peak summer holiday season.
November through March specifically suits Blue Spring State Park's manatee viewing, time a wildlife-focused trip around then if that's a priority.
Getting around Orlando
A car works best for this list, the distances between the major theme parks and the outlying stops like Kennedy Space Center run considerably further than they appear on a map, ride-share also works well within the main resort area.
Frequently asked questions
- Is Orlando worth visiting beyond the main theme parks?
- Yes, easily, Kennedy Space Center and Blue Spring State Park's manatees both offer experiences considerably different from anything inside the parks themselves.
- How many days do you need in Orlando?
- Seven days gives a comfortable pace to cover two or three major theme parks properly without excessive rushing between them.
- Is Orlando expensive to visit?
- Yes, one of the pricier vacation destinations in the country, theme park tickets and on-site accommodation both run considerably above the national average.
- What's the best Orlando trip for kids?
- Magic Kingdom and SeaWorld's manatee rehabilitation area both rank as the most reliably kid-friendly stops on this list.
That's ten decent slices of a city built almost entirely around the art of the theme park.
A note before you plan around this: prices, opening hours, booking requirements and admission details in this guide were correct at the time of writing, but venues change these often and sometimes without notice. Always check directly with the attraction or its official website before you travel or build a schedule around a specific time or price.
Before travelling to any destination featured on this site, please also check your government's latest travel advice, as safety situations, entry requirements and travel warnings can change.
