Top 100 things to do in Orlando beyond theme parks! In 2018, Central Florida was the most visited destination for the Holidays according to both Florida Today and USA Today. This is not surprising with the close proximity to the award winning Clearwater Beach, 4 major theme parks and the year-round warm weather. In addition to the wonderful major attractions, there are numerous great experiences that await you and your family. Enjoy our top 100 things to do in Orlando that go beyond theme parks.

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Things to do in Altamonte Springs

Cranes Roost Lake is at the center of Uptown Altamonte. The lake is encircled by one mile of a continuous walkway including a choreographed fountain show, a 62-foot picturesque tower and the Eddie Rose Amphitheater. 

Immerse yourself into the sights and sounds of nature. Enjoy fishing, have a picnic and walk a great nature trail at the nature preserve at Lake Lotus Park. 

Enjoy a popular movie at the Picture Show for only $1.75 EVERYDAY and only $1 on Tuesdays.

Things to do in Apopka

Go canoeing, kayaking, tubing, swimming or have a picnic at Kelly Park/Rock Springs.

It is an 11 mile driving trail inside of the 20,000 acre north shore of Lake Apopka. While you are here in the Lake Apopka Wildlife Drive, you could spot a bobcat, alligators, otters, snakes and up to 362 different species of birds.

Visit Lucky Monkeys 4 Kids, indoor children's amusement park! Here, one adult gets in free with a paying child.

Camp, picnic, observe wildlife or play your favorite sport and more, on 56 acres at  Magnolia Park.

Aim and fire paintballs with your friends and family at Orlando Paintball, a military based indoor and outdoor facility. 

Rebounderz Indoor Trampoline Park is dedicated to providing a safe, exciting and fun environment for friends and families to enjoy together.

Things to do in Clermont

Citrus Tower is one of Florida’s first “attractions.” The Citrus Tower was built in 1956 on one of the highest hills in Florida’s ridge section. This is a must, if you desire to see the skyline of the beautiful views of Lake County.

Lake Ridge Winery ranks as Florida's largest premium winery and remains a pioneer in the development of premium and sparkling wines from the native Muscadine grape varieties. 

An adventure for the Florida explorer: Ride a monster truck through the swamp, gem mine, pick citrus and purchase farm fresh honey, all in one place at Showcase of Citrus.

Things to do Daytona Beach

Enjoy a day of activities in Daytona Beach’s water park and entertainment center at Daytona Lagoon. 

Grind those gears at this car racing track, known for hosting NASCAR races at Daytona International Speedway. 

Explore the state of the art planetarium that includes a show with the purchase of your admission at Museum of Arts & Science.

Take a step back in time on this campus and national historic landmark honoring prominent civil rights leader at Mary McLeod Bethune House.

Come listen to live music, enjoy ocean adventures and be a daredevil on towering rides at Daytona Beach Boardwalk & Pier, where family fun is explored. 

Hang out with our sea friends and partake in Dolphin and Manatee Paddle Board Tours at the Three Brothers Boards. 

Sail the Halifax River while you feast on delicious entrees at Dine and Cruise.

Experience nature in a new way with horseback riding at the beach and state parks while visiting Equestrian Adventures of Florida. 

Leap into this 16,000 square foot trampoline spectacular and bounce into obstacle courses, dodgeball and extreme air sports at Hanger 15.

Things to do in Deland/Lake Mary/Sanford

Reserve a cabin to experience tubing, snorkeling, scuba diving, paddling, fishing, hiking and so much more! The experiences are numerous at Blue Springs State Park.

Swim in the cool clear springs of this historic site, De Leon Springs State Park.

Lakefront park offers fitness trails, public restrooms, BBQ grills, a playground & tennis courts. Enjoy the refreshing splash pad at Fort Mellon Park.

It is a key county run nature park. The lightly developed 210-acre site offers opportunities for outdoor activities such as: fishing, canoeing, walking and Gemini Springs & camping at Gemini Springs Park.

Stop in and walk through the impressive visitor center to learn more about the many inhabitants and uses of Hontoon Island. Boating, canoeing and fishing are popular activities and canoe rentals are available. Picnic areas include tables, grills and a playground at Hontoon Island State Park. 

My Gym is a fun fitness center for babies and children ranging from ages 6 weeks to 13 years old. 

The Museum of Art Deland is a source of cultural focus and community outreach. It is host to several rotating exhibits, gallery talks, receptions, educational programming, master artist workshops and special events throughout the year.

Planet Obstacle is the World’s Largest Indoor Obstacle Park. Created by two Cirque du Soleil veterans, the 50,000-square-foot park provides a day full of unique, challenging and safe courses for all ages. 

Park on Park is a pleasant little park located unsurprisingly on Park Ave. Sanford Park on Park is certainly not large and normally driven by unnoticed, due to the large old trees that tend to blend into its surroundings. 

The top rated landmark attraction in all of Florida is other than the Stetson Mansion. Florida's First Luxury Estate is the largest, grandest and most historic home ever built in Florida before the 20th century.

See the real Florida! Enjoy lunch and dinner cruises aboard the Barbara-Lee. Savor chef-prepared dishes and endless hospitality in climate-controlled comfort on St. John’s River Cruise.

Looking for a place to be immersed in art with more than 2000 square feet of classrooms? At The Art Studio Lake Mary, students have an opportunity to explore a multitude of arts including drawing, painting, cartooning, sculpting, pottery, sewing and cooking. 

Things to do in Kissimmee

This is the mini Lighthouse in Kissimmee Lakefront Park during sunset over Osceola County Florida. HDR image created using Photomatix Pro for high dynamic range.

Join the Beast’s enchanted castle for a quick-service breakfast, lunch or an unforgettable sit-down dinner at Be Our Guest Restaurant in Magic Kingdom.

Drink, eat, relax and learn while at the Island Grove Wine Company at Formosa Gardens.

Island H2O Live is a fun in the sun waterpark filled with interactive slides, a wave pool and much more to keep your family entertained. The park hours are from 9:00am - 7:00pm.

The Museum of Military History was designed to educate, increase awareness, build knowledge and understanding of the American military experience through interactive, interpretive exhibits for visitors of all ages.

Old Towne is an entertaining place that has shopping, dining and plenty of family friendly rides. This walking district offers weekly car shows and special events.

Calling all dinosaur lovers! T-Rex Cafe features a prehistoric menu with an opportunity for your youngster to be an archeologist and dig for dinosaur bones. 

Immerse yourself in the heart of an active rainforest experience with delectable food and captivating sights and sounds, all while you dine at the Rainforest Cafe.

At Villa De Flora, delight in the delicious buffet of Mediterranean goodness inside of the Gaylord Palms Hotel.

Enjoy delectable international dining with wonderful African cuisines at Tusker House Restaurant in Disney’s Animal Kingdom.

Things to do in Lake Nona

Boxi Park is your hotspot for family fun, live music and amazing eats created by world class chefs. 

Golf and Country Club is one of the Top 100 Golf and Country Clubs here in the Central Florida area.

There is no better location to experience the joy and fun of tennis than the world renowned USTA.

Things to do Maitland

Enzian Theatre 🎭 The Enzian Theater is a nonprofit arthouse movie theater located in Maitland, Florida. 

Jazz Tastings was created to bring joy to people through the love of music & food. Created for Orlando’s live music lovers.

Go-kart fun, thrills and excitement at Lil 500 Go Karts.

Fitness exploration is endless at RDV Sportsplex. With state of the art equipment and an array of options for you and your family to get physically fit.

Things to do in Mount Dora

The 1921 Mount Dora restaurant and museum collaboration encompasses the totality of the State of Florida from its cuisine, art, culture and beyond.

Explore the Kids Castle at Gilbert Park and picnic on the beautiful lawn. 

Have some old-fashioned fun at Long & Scotts Farm, which has a seven-acre corn maze, jumping pillow, zip line, super slide and much more fun!

Renningers Antique Mall in Mount Dora is home to hundreds of dealers. Shoppers can find products from fresh produce, clothing, crafts, fresh meats, pets and pet supplies, foliage, collectibles, jewelry and a whole lot more. 

Welcome to the Royal Palm Railway! Experience Central Florida’s premier tourist railroad. Hop on board the beautifully restored 1940’s vintage lightweight passenger cars for a journey back in time. 

Ready for an adventure? wWell check out the Jones Brothers Air and Seaplane Adventures. Providing Seaplane Tours for the Tavares and Lake County area. Departing from Wooton Park in Downtown Tavares, Florida and Lakeside Inn in Mount Dora, Florida.

Cool off at seaplane themed water adventure at Wooton Park Splash Pad.

Yo Ho Ho Nitro Ice Cream & Tasty Grub is for ALL pirate mates of any age. Tasty vittles and nitro ice cream complete this land adventure.

Things to do in Orlando

Andretti’s Indoor Racetrack includes indoor karting, bowling, laser tag  and arcade Games. The perfect place for your family to enjoy endless fun.

Congo River Golf is an award-winning miniature golf course with eight locations in Florida to choose from. There's an adventure for everyone to enjoy day or night!

Experience art and technology through a world of colorful magic at Crayola Experience.

Find your favorite clothing stores, eateries, catch a movie and listen to live music all in one place, here at Disney Springs. This oasis of fun is located right next to your Disney theme park adventures. 

Be captivated by the visual arts with broadway style productions at Dr. Phillips Center for the Performing Arts. This is a wonderful thing to do in Orlando

Are you a chocoholic? Well, get ready to indulge in a unique and fun experience to indulge and create your own chocolatey designs at Farris & Foster.

If you’re looking for multiple attractions in one location, visit ICON park which houses the Orlando Eye, Madame Tussauds, Sea life and more. This is a 3-in-1 thing to do in Orlando

Defy gravity as you float in this indoor skydiving spectacular at iFly. 

Tour the wonderful Lake Eola on a beautiful power pedaled swan boat at Lake Eola’s Swan Boat Dock.

Main Event Entertainment at Point Orlando is an epic entertainment location for the entire family. It combines dining, state-of-the-art bowling, high ropes adventure courses, billiards, Virtual Reality and the first U.S. free-roam, multiplayer virtual reality game. Don’t miss it!

Enrich your knowledge of the arts at Orlando Museum of Art. 

Lights, camera, action! Orlando Repertory Theater hosts fun, entertaining and engaging theatrics for your entire family. 

Explore the world of science with a hands on experience for the entire family at the Orlando Science Center. 

Orlando Watersports Complex  is one of the largest cable wakeboard parks in the U.S. and the most recognized parks in the world!

Bounce, swing and play all day at Monkey Joes.

Delight in a taste of New York style dining at NYPD Pizza. 

Available in select Publix locations, their kitchens are a place to have fun learning, practicing skills and enjoying great food. Covering a world of cuisines and a baker's dozens of techniques, get cooking at the Publix Apron Cooking School!

Ripley’s Believe It or Not is full of oddities like rare animal skeletons, shrunken heads and tons of beautifully odd exhibits. 

Are you an adrenaline junkie? Then, the Slingshot at Magical Midway will deliver the heart pounding thrill that you seek. 

Upscale dining with a sweet and exquisite twist is served at the Sugar Factory.  

This Rock and Roll style dinner will sure be a hit! The Kitchen at Hard Rock features large delicious portions that may require sharing. The Kitchen even has a special area called the “Kid’s Crib” for the little ones to play. 

If you’re looking for things to do in Orlando, look no further! Try Topgolf, an amazing experience, that is the perfect spot to dine, wine and play with your friends.

Challenge your physical skills with obstacle courses, zip lining and other adventurous activities for all ages at Tree Trek Adventure Park. 

Wonder Works is 35,000 square feet of indoor edu-tainment that is sure to blow your mind!

Indulge in your sweet tooth while you marvel at beautiful chocolate sculptures at the Chocolate Museum and Cafe.

City walk welcomes you to stroll along this walkway of wonderful restaurants that leads to an amazing and fun night life until 2am!

Things to do in Winter Garden

Are you a railway or train enthusiast? Then visit the Central Florida Railroad Museum, which is committed to the education and preservation of railroad history.

Cinepolis Luxury Cinemas offers fully reclining leather seats, in-theater dining with a gourmet menu, full bar, an elegant lobby space and cutting-edge projection & sound technology.

Allow your child to explore their culinary skills at the Kids Cooking Connection.

See what’s on tap at the Crooked Can Brewing Company; featuring 20,000 square feet of indoor/outdoor space for you to get your brew on!

Garden Theatre hosts plays, concerts and movies, plus great education and summer camps. 

The 22-mile West Orange Trail is great for biking and running, with playgrounds along the route.

Things to do in Winter Park

Audubon Center for Birds of Prey hosts a conservation for rehabilitation and education of our most beautiful birds. 

Central Park  is an 11-acre park that hosts numerous events and activities throughout the year. This includes the annual Winter Park Sidewalk Art Festival and the Olde Fashioned 4th of July Celebration.

Tap into your creative and artistic skills with classes and workshops for your family at Crealde School of Art. 

Learn about the contributions and history of African Americans in Central Florida at Hannibal Square Heritage Center. 

Enjoy the beautiful botanical views at Harry P Leu Gardens while you picnic, bike or host an amazing event. 

Mead Botanical Garden has 47 acres to explore in Winter Park. Here, your senses will come alive with the sights, sounds and scents of the garden. It is a place where you can find tranquility and interact with nature.

The Charles Hosmer Morse Museum of American Art houses the most comprehensive collection of the works of Louis Comfort Tiffany.  

Learn or perfect your craft in winter sports with indoor interactive simulation slopes at  WinterClub Indoor Ski & Snowboard.

Set sail on a tour of the Winter Park chain of lakes at Winter Park Scenic Boat Tour.

Things to do in Orlando: Neighboring Cities

Casselberry

Glide your way into some family fun with good old fashioned skating at Semoran Skateway. 

Brevard

Launch into outer space and learn about our universe at Kennedy Space Center.

Longwood

Amaya Papaya is an eco-conscious, Montessori-learning inspired PLAY & PARTY space for children 0-5 years old.

Stoccata Sword Masters Club and Fencing Academy is open to fencers of all ages and they specialize in all aspects of sport fencing. 

Oakland

Get up close and personal with nature at the Oakland Nature Preserve on a hiking trail, field trip or at their annual Heritage Festival.

Theme Parks are major attractions in Central Florida. If you want more things to do that do include theme parks, then here are the top local favorites. Legoland, Sea World, Disney World, Aquatica, Discovery Cove, Gatorland and Fun Spot.