15 Things to Do in Orlando Besides Theme Parks

1. Winter Park Scenic Boat Tour

The Winter Park Scenic Boat Tour is one of the best off-the-beaten-path activities in Orlando. If you’re looking to get away from the theme parks in Orlando, this tour on pontoon boats is a perfect choice.

With a fleet of six boats carrying 18 passengers each, the boat tour takes approximately an hour and winds through the Winter Park chain of lakes and two manmade canals. Passengers can see beautifully landscaped shorelines, wading birds, and even alligators on occasion. One of the highlights of the Winter Park Scenic Boat Tour is seeing the luxury and historic homes which line Lake Osceola and the other lakes featured on the tour.

Of note for summer visitors, it gets hot out there so wear a sunscreen and a hat. Also, in the summer, because of frequent afternoon thunderstorms, the tours might be cancelled if there is a lot of rain and lightning in the area.

We had a wonderful time when we took the tour in June 2023. The captain of our boat was knowledgeable, dropping great history tidbits which had me scrabbling for more info on Google. Winter Park has a remarkably rich history. Captain was also funny with some great dad jokes. Despite being Floridians and boat people, we thoroughly enjoyed this Scenic Boat Tour.

Location: 312 E Morse Blvd, Winter Park, FL 32789

2. Basilica of the National Shrine of Mary, Queen of the Universe

This basilica in Orlando seats 2,000 and was built to service the Catholic tourists who visit the greater Orlando area. While it provides services for the faithful, it has become a tourist attraction, too. In 2009, it was designated as the 63rd minor basilica in the United States. Mary, Queen of the Universe does not have a parish so it does not distribute weekly bulletins and only the Sacraments of Reconciliation and the Holy Eucharist are celebrated.

Visitors to the shrine can see the main church, the Rosary Garden, the Mother & Child Outdoor Chapel, the Blessed Sacrament Chapel, the Shrine Museum, and a gift shop.

Location: 8300 Vineland Avenue, Orlando, FL 32821

3. Charles Hosmer Morse Museum of American Art

The Charles Hosmer Morse Museum of American Art houses the world’s most comprehensive collection of Louis Comfort Tiffany’s creations. The collection includes jewelry, pottery, paintings, glass art, lamps, windows, and architectural pieces.

Besides the extensive collection of Tiffany art, the Morse Museum exhibits other pieces of American art. Current exhibits include Portraiture in America; Iridescence, a collection of glass and pottery showcasing the iridescence found naturally in things like shells and feathers; American art pottery from the 19th century; Art Nouveau; and American Arts and Crafts.

Location: 445 N Park Ave, Winter Park, FL 32789

4. Nona Adventure Park

Nona Adventure Park is the water-based family entertainment center in Orlando. Located on Lake Nona, the adventure park includes activities for everyone in the family.

The most popular attraction here is the Aqua Park, an obstacle course on the lake with obstacles such as the Ninja Jump, the Whirlpool, and two Mt. Rainiers. Adventurers of all ages can jump, slide, climb, and splash their way around the course. If that isn’t exciting enough, try your hand at wakeboarding at the top ranked cable park, Wake Nona..

Nona Adventure Park Climbing Tower is a 60-foot tower on dry land which features a rope course, rock walls, and a zip line. For the littles which are too small to enjoy the other activities, there is Tot Town which features water misters, a mini obstacle course, a sandbox, and inflatables.

When everyone’s tired and hungry, relax on the beach lakeside at The Beach Club. And order your favorite food and drinks from Splashes Bar and Grill.

Location: 14086 Centerline Dr, Orlando, FL 32827

5. Albin Polasek Museum & Sculpture Gardens

Albin Polasek was a Czech-born American representational sculptor who created fig­u­ra­tive works based on the true struc­ture of nature. He was head of the Department of Sculpture at the Art Institute of Chicago for 27 years before moving to Winter Park in 1950. The museum was founded at his former home in 1961, four years before his death.

Today the Albin Polasek Museum and Sculpture Gardens include Polasek’s historic home and gallery, the sculpture gardens, and the historic Capen House which was moved across Lake Osceola by barge to Polasek Museum. The permanent art collection includes Polasek’s work while the changing exhibitions celebrate a wide range of “art that tells a story.”

Location: 633 Osceola Ave, Winter Park, FL 32789

6. Disney Springs

Anyone who’s a Disney fan knows about Disney Springs, the giant shopping, dining, and entertainment complex at Walt Disney Resort. With 99 shops, 68 restaurants and bars, and 19 attractions, visitors can easily spend an entire day (or more) at Disney Springs.

Some of the most popular stores at Disney Springs are the Disney store, the largest in the world; the Lego Store; and the Marketplace Co-op which some liken to “Etsy come to life”. For restaurants, you can’t go wrong with The Chicken Guy, Morimoto, or Raglan Road. Our favorite activity at Disney Springs is the vintage Amphicars Tours. Take a 45-minute ride around the lake in an amphibious car, the only place in the world which offers this kind of tour.

We last visited Disney Springs when it was still called Downtown Disney. Yep, it’s been a hot minute. Still, it was a great entertainment spot then and still is. At that time, Nick was in love with Legos. We ate at Rainforest Café, a thrill for him as he had never eaten in a restaurant like that, and then we played at the Lego store until he was exhausted.

Location: 1486 Buena Vista Dr, Lake Buena Vista, FL 32830

7. Harry P Leu Gardens

Leu Gardens is 50 acres of tropical and semi-tropical botanical gardens minutes from downtown Orlando and one of the best botanical gardens in Florida. The gardens are the work of Harry P. Leu and his wife, Mary Jane. They traveled the world for many years, bringing back exotic plants from their travels for their gardens. The Leus also specialized in camellias, and the gardens house nearly every known variety.

Harry P. Leu, born in Orlando in 1884, worked his way up to business owner and was one of Orlando’s most interesting citizens in the early 1900s. He worked for a boiler maker as bookkeeper, salesman, and trouble shooter and eventually purchased all stock in the company. From there, he expanded the business into one of Florida’s major suppliers of fencing, building supplies, hardware, metal, engines and motors, and machinery.

Leu Gardens includes Leu House Museum, Harry and Mary Jane’s home until 1961 and Orlando’s social center. The house has been restored to it’s original splendor, including period furnishings and decor. The gardens are divided into several smaller gardens, each with a mission to improve guests understanding of and appreciation for the many plants on the property.

Location: 1920 N Forest Ave, Orlando, FL 32803

8. iFly Orlando

If you’re like me, the thought of skydiving thrills you. Until you consider the whole jumping-out-of-an-airplane thing. Then it’s a no-go.

Fear not, there’s an alternative that doesn’t require you jump out of a perfectly good airplane. And that’s iFly Orlando, indoor skydiving. It’s one of the many things to do in Orlando besides theme parks, and it’s 100% thrilling.

iFly gives you the feeling of skydiving without the need to jump or fall. The wind tunnel provides a controlled cushion of air on which flyers float. Experienced flyers can even do flips, turns, and other manuevers. It’s as thrilling as a roller coaster, but totally different.

Location: 8969 International Dr, Orlando, FL 32819

9. Lake Eola Park

Lake Eola Park is a park in downtown Orlando which has at it’s heart a 23 acre lake, aptly named Lake Eola. The land where the lake is located was first settled in 1873 by a cattle farmer, Jacob Summerlin, who purchased 200 acres in what is now downtown Orlando. At the time, a sinkhole was forming on part of the property, and this would soon become Lake Eola. The lake is spring-fed so offered a cool respite to Florida’s hot summers in the days before air conditioning.

After Lake Eola was donated to Orlando, the city relocated swans there from a breeding program at nearby Lake Lucerne. Today several species of swans populate the lake and are a big attraction to the park. One of the more popular things to do in Orlando besides theme parks is to rent a paddle-powered swan boat and paddle around Lake Eola. The park also offers guests a Japanese rock garden and the historic Eola House.

Location: 512 E Washington St, Orlando, FL 32801

10. Medieval Times Dinner & Tournament

Medieval Times Orlando is family-friendly, immersive experience which includes a jousting tournament and dinner show that transports you to 11th century Spain. The castle-like building is the Queen’s castle and knights compete for her favor with the audience cheering for one of the six knights.

Adding to the entertainment, majestic Andalusian horses perform tricks and choreographed dances. These maneuvers have an historic basis with similar movements used for defense in medieval times. Falconers also show off the speed and skills of their falcons.

Dinner includes a four-course meal which includes bread, soup, roasted chicken, dessert, and beverages. Much to the delight of kids, you eat with your hands just as people did back in the 11th century.

Location: 4510 W Vine St, Kissimmee, FL 34746

11. Orange County Regional History Center

The Orange County Regional History Center is a museum located in an historic courthouse in downtown Orlando. 12,000 years of Florida history spreads across four floors of exhibits, starting with indigenous tribes and continuing to the present day. Artifacts, photos, videos, and interactive displays bring the history of the central Florida region to life.

The History Center also includes the Joseph L. Brechner Research Library, Heritage Square Park, and a gift shop. Programs and events for the public include lunch and learn lectures, history alive days, and themed events like Sally’s Night.

Location: 65 E Central Blvd, Orlando, FL 32801

12. Orlando Shakespeare Theater

If you’re a fan of theater and literature, the Orlando Shakespeare Theater is a great place to get away from theme parks for a few hours. Also known as Orlando Shakes, the theater produces classic, contemporary, and children’s plays in partnership with UCF. In these high-quality performances, actors, directors, designers, and technicians bring to life the works of Shakespeare and other beloved playwrights.

Orlando Shakespeare Theater also offers educational programs such as workshops, camps, and classes. Special events include themed shows like A Christmas Carol and Halloween Spooktacular as well as galas and fundraisers.

Location: 812 E Rollins St, Orlando, FL 32803

13. Wells’Built Museum of African American History and Culture

In the 1920s, Dr. William Monroe Wells, a prominent physician in Orlando’s African-American community Parramore, opened the Wells’Built Hotel. At the time, visitors to the community were not allowed lodging at area hotels due to segregation. A few years later, Dr. Wells built the South Street Casino where prominent musician, such as Ella Fitzgerald, BB King, and Louis Armstrong, performed at the the enertainment center.

Today, the Wells’Built Museum is housed in the former hotel. Exhibits throughout the building showcase African culture as well as the rich heritage of the African-American community in Orlando. Thousands of photos, articles, videos, pieces of art, and memorabilia keep this history and heritage alive.

Location: 511 W South St, Orlando, FL 32805

14. Exotic Animal Experience

Calling all animal lovers who want a personal and unforgettable experience! That’s exactly what you’ll get at Exotic Animal Experience in Orlando. A privately-owned facility open by appointment only on Saturdays, Exotic Animal Experience offers interactive and hands-on encounters with exotic animals, such as lemurs, kangaroos, monkeys, sloths, camels, and more.

During a visit, guests can pet, hold, feed, and play with the animals in a safe and comfortable environment. Learn about the animals and their conservation through guided tours, and experience one of the most unique activities in Orlando.

Location: 19530 Quinlan St, Orlando FL 32833

15. Gatorland

The Alligator Capital of the World.

Gatorland is definitely one of the more unusual attractions you’ll find…anywhere. There are few places in the country where you’ll find this level of entertainment combined with education about alligators.

Gatorland has been open since 1949 and has grown to include animals besides alligators, such crocodiles, birds, tortoises, wild cats, and snakes. Daily shows educate visitors about the truth behind alligators. (Spoiler: They are not mindless killing machines.) Guests can experience an up-close encounter, play on the zipline, or take an off-road adventure.

This unusual attraction offers visitors an amazing opportunity to get close to baby gators, watch staff handle adults, and get great photos of the reptiles, especially the very white ones. Gatorland houses the largest collection of those.

Location: 14501 S Orange Blossom Trail, Orlando, FL 32837