“Orlando Skyline” by U.S. Department of Energy.
Orlando, Florida, home of Disney World, Universal, Sea World, and other smaller parks. Every year more than 60 million people visit Orlando. I am a Florida native who spends a decent amount of time in Orlando (where my dad lives) and I very rarely visit the parks. The awesome thing about Orlando is there is so much to do there without spending a ton of money on park admission.
Here’s a list of 9 things to do in Orlando besides going to a theme park:
1. Downtown Disney
Me hanging out with one of the super cool Lego sculptures.
There’s so much to do in Downtown Disney, and it’s generally packed. You can visit this area (beware of the parking) for free and check out the shops and restaurants that have Disney or other themes. There’s a movie theater, a bowling alley, DisneyQuest, Cirque du Soleil, the House of Blues and a ton more to do. There are character (sculptures) all over this area, as well as many really cool Lego creations.
This is a great place to bring kids, but be warned: bringing kids here might cause you to spend more money on Disney-themed souvenirs. The restaurants are pretty cool as well. You can even dine next to dinosaurs in the T-Rex Cafe. After walking around Downtown Disney, you can also check out the BoardWalk that features some cool restaurants as well.
2. Universal City Walk
Much like Downtown Disney, Universal City Walk is the section just outside of Universal that you can hang out in without actually paying park admission. There’s plenty of cool shops and restaurants to check out, and it’s also a great place to go out at night. Bars line the road; and apparently it’s a pretty cool place to be.
3. Disney’s Monorails
Disney’s Monorail
The Walt Disney World Monorail is a public transit system. Averaging more than 150,000 daily riders, is one of the most heavily used monorail systems in the world.
The monorail is an excellent option if you have kids. Great for a day when you want to just relax, or maybe just have a couple hours. The monorail goes through several Disney resorts and even to a couple parks. It will take you through Epcot and to the entrance of the Magic Kingdom, as well as to resorts such as the Disney’s Contemporary resort.
4. Find an Event in Orlando
Being that Orlando is in Central Florida and it has a plethora of hotel rooms and tourists, there’s always a lot of cool events going in the area. For example, last weekend I headed to Orlando to conquer the Tough Mudder (You can see more details of my adventure on Instagram @Laureny.OCR).
Orlando tends to host a lot of races, including many Disney races, and other events. Also because it is a big city (even a big college town – with the University of Central Florida) there are always a ton of events going on. You can see what is happening by checking out the city’s Calendar of Events.
5. Visit Winter Park
“Sunrise over Lake Virginia” by tschimmelfing.
Just outside of downtown Orlando, this more upscale city, also home to the beautiful Rollins College, is a lovely town to explore. You can check out all of the little boutiques and restaurants on Park Avenue, or go explore the college campus. Either way, it’s a neat place to check out.
6. Go Shopping
Whether you want to spend some serious cash or just window shop, Orlando has a little for everyone. There are hundreds of souvenir shops all around the theme park areas you can check out, or you can do some serious shopping at one of the many malls. If you’re looking for designer brands and don’t mind designer prices, check out the Mall at Millennia. For some serious deals, go explore one or both of the Outlet Malls. However, in these outlet malls you might hear more Spanish or Portuguese than English. Many travelers from Brazil and South America visit Orlando specifically for shopping, so you’re sure to run into a bunch of them.
7. Watch some sports
If you’re a sports fan, you can go check out a game at the Amway Center. Orlando is home of the Orlando Magic, as well as some other smaller sports (like arena football).
8. Explore the restaurants.
Orlando is visited daily by people from all around the world. This being said, you’re likely to find any kind of “cultural” restaurant possible in the area. If you’ve got the time, go explore what the area has to offer. I’d personally suggest checking out a Brazilian Steak House if you’ve never been. Make sure you show up hungry!
9. Visit Wekiwa Springs
Located in Apopka, just outside of Orlando, this is a great place to go if you want to escape the crazy tourist atmosphere. Wekiwa Springs is a place to visit if you like to enjoy nature and springs. You can go swimming, hiking, canoeing, kayaking, fishing, or just relax and enjoy the atmosphere!
What are some of your favorite things to do in Orlando besides going to a theme park? Scroll down and leave your answer in a comment below.
This post was written by Lauren Youngerman, a student at the University of South Florida studying international business with a focus on Spanish and Info Systems.
She is a member of her school’s sailing team, and also works as a sailing coach at a nearby club.
Lauren is an adventure seeker who has had the opportunity to live abroad in both Brazil and Nicaragua, as well as to being a part of the U.S. Army.
Currently completing a social media internship for VentureTime Travel, Lauren seeks a career in marketing after graduation. Learn more about Lauren’s work experience via her LinkedIn profile.
To learn more about things to do in Orlando, Florida, you may want to check out these books:
Beyond Disney: The Unofficial Guide to Universal Orlando, SeaWorld & the Best of Central Florida – Bob Sehlinger
Orlando & Central Florida – Jim Tunstall & Cynthia Tunstall
A Walking Tour of Orlando, Florida – Doug Gelbert
Orlando & Central Florida – 2015 (The Food Enthusiast’s Complete Restaurant Guide) – Sebastian Bond
If you are planning to visit Florida, you might want to check out these other posts:
- 6 “Can’t Miss” Beaches in Florida
- 10 Fun Facts About Tampa, Florida
- 13 Favorite Things to Eat, Drink, and Do in St. Augustine, Florida
- Eating Local at the Southport Raw Bar in Fort Lauderdale, Florida
- Visiting One of Guy Fieri’s Diners, Drive-Ins and Dives in Jacksonville, Florida
- 10 Family-friendly Activities for the Ft. Myers, Florida Area
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