7 Surprising Things to Do Near Orlando

You’ve booked your trip to Orlando, Florida. You have your theme park tickets and a list of other things to do in Orlando. If you have a car, there are fun things to do near Orlando also. These places are all within an hour’s drive of Orlando.

A dream vacation to Orlando wouldn’t be complete without all of the normal stops – the Disney parks, Universal, SeaWorld. But there is so much more to Florida and to Orlando than the concrete jungle of theme parks. Sure, those are fun, and the kids will love them, but you want to spice up your trip a little, don’t you?

I recently outlined things to do in Orlando besides theme parks. While those are great for a few hours away from the theme parks, here I’ll show you full-day or overnight getaways from Orlando that will add a little extra to your vacation plans.

1. Kennedy Space Center

If you or someone in your family loves space and space travel, you must plan a day at Kennedy Space Center. One of ten NASA field centers, KSC delights kids and adults with a plethora of space memorabilia, exhibits, and rides. Attractions span space exploration from the very beginning to current rocket launches and projects. Many attractions are hands-on so visitors can really experience what space exploration is like.

Kennedy Space Center is divided into a couple of different sections. The main part houses the rocket garden, space simulations, and exhibits such as the Atlantis exhibit. There are gift shops, cafes, short films, and rides. A little something for everyone in the family.

My favorite part of KSC, however, is the Apollo/Saturn V Center. The Saturn V rocket is a beast and is suspended impressively in the main part of the Center. Attractions here include a simulation of the first moon landing and memorabilia from those early space flights. It’s truly amazing what those astronauts accomplished more than 50 years ago.

My other favorite part of Kennedy Space Center is the bus tour which is included with admission. This tour goes behind NASA’s gates providing a first-hand look at the launch pads, crawler, and more while pouring information into the narration.

2. Citrus Tower – Clermont

The Florida Citrus Tower once provided 360-degree views of mile after mile of citrus groves. Today, the 226′ tower lends its name to a shopping center, apartment complex, dental office, and road. It now provides 360-degree views of mile after mile of highways, shops, buildings, and homes. And yes, citrus groves.

The Citrus Tower opened in 1956, a popular tourist attraction. Located between Silver Springs and Cypress Garden, roughly a half million people visited annually. Visitors can still ride an elevator to the top to see the view. At the coin drop, drop a coin to the bottom of the tower and hear what how it sounds when it hits. On the ground floor, enjoy the gift shop and a museum of the tower’s history.

3. Cassadaga Spiritualist Camp

Do you believe in ghosts and goblins and all things occult? Then Cassadaga is the place for you. Okay, so ghosts and goblins are not a thing here, maybe. However, psychics and other occult things are.

Known as the “Psychic Capital of the World”, the official name of the village is Cassadaga Spiritualist Camp. The name, however, means “water under the rocks” in the Seneca Indian language.

Trance medium, George Colby, founded Cassadaga in 1894. Back then visitors were mostly the wealthy and well educated. Through donations of land from these patrons, Cassadaga grew to 57 acres.

Today, Cassadaga invites visitors to experience the beauty of the spiritualist camp. It is a community of spiritually-minded people who invite everyone to learn more about their religion, Spiritualism. When you visit, you can take a tour of historical buildings and learn more about their beginnings and the community. Visitors are invited to attend a church service, and self-exploration is encouraged. If you’re looking for something really different to round out your Florida trip, a day at Cassadaga certainly fits that bill.

4. Mt. Dora

This small town in north central Florida boasts a long history dating back to 1880. The town still maintains a small town vibe that attracts people who want to stroll down Main Street while browsing the antique shops. It’s also a fabulous place to book a B&B overnight and really experience everything Mt. Dora offers.

If history is your thing, Mt. Dora has several historic buildings, including the Mt. Dora History Museum which is housed in the first fire station and city jail. If museums are your thing, you’ll want to visit the history museum as well as the modernism museum and the museum of art. Antiquing, of course, is why people first began to flock to Mt. Dora a couple of decades ago. Or perhaps you prefer to take a boat tour on one of the nearby lakes.

5. Safari Wilderness Ranch – Lakeland

An hour west of Orlando lies a 260 acre wilderness ranch guaranteed to delight every member of your family. Safari Wilderness Ranch in Lakeland limits the number of visitors on the ranch and is quick to let you know that it is neither a zoo nor a theme park. It’s 260 acres is nestled among more than 800 acres of the protected wetlands of the Green Swamp.

Visitors to Safari Wilderness Ranch enjoy a guided tour of the ranch and it’s many animals. The limited number of visitors means everyone experiences a close encounter with the animals. For who prefer a more adventurous style of safari, the ranch offers tours by kayak, camel, and ATV. Animals you’ll encounter include eland, water buffalo, kudu, zebra, oryx, and lemurs.

6. Bok Tower Gardens – Lake Wales

For the flower and garden lovers, we present Bok Tower Gardens. 150 acres features extensive gardens, a bird sanctuary, and the famous 205 foot tall singing tower. Founded in 1929 by Pulitzer Prize-winning publisher and author, Edward Bok wanted to create a place that would “touch the soul with its beauty and quiet.”

Bok Tower Gardens includes a 50 acre garden, 2.5 acre childrens play area, the 20-room mansion, and the tower (of course). The gardens were planned by famous land architect, Frederick Law Olmstead Jr, and they wind through informal settings that offer tranquil vistas at every turn. The woodlands setting provides a beautiful backdrop for acres of ferns and spectacular seasonal color from the many azaleas, camellias, and magnolias.

The grounds of Bok Tower Gardens are a designated site on the Great Florida Birding Trail. More than 125 species of birds call the Gardens home as does a variety of other wildlife. With many routes leading from the Visitor Center to the Singing Tower, you can be sure of a different delightful experience every time you visit.

7. Daytona Beach

You probably know Daytona Beach for one of two reasons – the beach or the NASCAR race. Chances are, though, that you’ll spend a day at the beach if you head over from Orlando. There’s really nothing quite like taking a refreshing day away from the heat of interior Florida, grab some sun and saltwater, and enjoy a cool ocean breeze. Daytona Beach is, of course, the perfect place to do that.

When you head to the beach, be sure to take advantage of a few iconic places. First, there’s parking right on the beach. Be sure to get there as early as possible (or stay overnight) to secure yourself a spot. Take a break from the beach on the Daytona Beach Boardwalk, a group of restaurants, rides, shops, and amusement centers. After playing in the sun and on the rides, be sure to indulge in some fresh seafood at one of the many restaurants along the beach.

Final Thoughts on Things to Do Near Orlando

It’s so easy to spend all of your time in Orlando playing at the theme parks. And there’s absolutely nothing wrong with that! Yet, if you decide you’d like to venture away from town to try out something different, you’ll find a number of things to do near Orlando that will delight every member of the family. Here I’ve only explored the best within an hour; however, if you have a little more time, you might also like some very Floridian, such as the springs and trails in the Ocala National Forest or diving in Devil’s Den Cave.

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Travel Resources:

These are the places I first go when planning or booking travel. They ARE affiliate links so if you use one I may earn a small commission (at no cost to you) and (bonus!) it’ll help me keep running this site. Visit my travel resources page to see all of the services and gear I recommend.

Flights: We always check flight prices and information on Way Away first.

Hotels: We use Expedia to compare and book hotels. We also love Booking.com for boutique hotels and B&Bs.

Vacation Rentals: For vacation rentals and other non-traditional lodging options, VRBO is our go-to.

Tours & Tickets: We use Viator for private tours and unique experiences.

Rental Cars: Though we prefer to experience a city through its public transportation, there are times when a rental car is needed and in those instances, we use Discover Cars.

Travel Insurance: No one wants to need it, but it’s great to have when you do. VisitorsCoverage is our go-to provider.