13 Adventurous Things to Do in Orlando Beyond Theme Parks

Rollercoasters and thrill rides are fun, but sometimes, you need a break from the adrenaline. Luckily, Orlando has more than theme parks. A whole universe of off-the-beaten-path fun awaits thrill-seekers and nature enthusiasts! Whether you’re a local seeking hidden secrets or a visitor ready to step off the roller coasters and skip Walt Disney World lines, check out these offbeat Orlando things to do that don’t require a theme park ticket.

Get Up Close with the Gators at Gatorland

Walk on the wild side at Gatorland, a 110-acre theme park and wildlife preserve. View hundreds of alligators and crocodiles basking in their natural habitat and learn all about these powerful reptiles. These prehistoric exotic animals range from fresh-out-of-the-egg gators to monstrous 14-foot beasts that’ll flip a kayak or canoe. Here, you’re safe behind the fences that keep the alligators and crocs in their habitats.

The “Alligator Capital of the World” delights in its nickname, but Gatorland’s wildlife includes more than toothy, scaly predators. Walk into a free-flight aviary with native and tropical birds, or bring the kids to the petting zoo. No baby gators here, just adorable goats!

And if viewing ancient reptiles up close hasn’t enough to get your heart pounding, brave the Screamin’ Gator Zip Line. You’ll whiz above famously deadly Nile Crocodiles. And, if you dare, bite your teeth at the Close Up Encounters Show. The park keeps adding adventurous things to do, so check their website.

Relax at Lake Eola Park

In a city packed with manufactured amusement, Lake Eola Park in Downtown Orlando is a true counter to the mock-up buildings and the glitz of Universal Orlando. Locals visit this beloved greenspace to enjoy a picnic, catch an outdoor concert at the bandshell, or stroll around the picturesque lake on an almost mile-long circuit.

Besides the views of downtown Orlando, which admittedly are not impressive for a major city, Lake Eola’s most unique feature is the swan-shaped paddleboats. Rent one and take a cruise beside the real birds. Between the swan boats and the easy access to downtown shopping and dining, Lake Eola is one of the Orlando locals’ favorite parks.

Explore Science and Technology at Orlando Science Center

Get handsy at Orlando Science Center, where learning is fun for all ages. Little ones will delight in their interactive exhibits. A favorite is the KidsTown area, specific to kids ages 0-7, where they can move their bodies through the climb zone or play with water features. People of all ages will sit in awe at the captivating planetarium show. Or, add your hands to live science demonstrations in the Kinetic Zone. Other center exhibits educate about dinosaurs, our solar system, tiny home living, food production, and travel.

Visit Harry P. Leu Gardens for Horticulture Marvels

Feel the stress melt away inside the lush landscapes and tropical plants of the Harry P. Leu Gardens. The businessman gifted his home and immaculate gardens to the City of Orlando in 1961. This botanical oasis retreats from Orlando’s jam-packed highways and lines of tourist attractions. Explore over 50 acres of Southern-styled gardens, including rose and azalea gardens. Its unique collections include banana trees, orange groves, herbs, and magnolias. The butterfly garden buzzes with life and blooms during the season.

With so many garden areas, the blooms change with the season, meaning something will be in season whenever you visit. The Gardens also run annual special programming for adults and kids, including summer camps. And if you’re interested, the Leu’s beautiful home is open for tours Tuesday through Sunday from 10 am to 1 pm.

Enjoy the Arts at Dr. Phillips Center for the Performing Arts

Get ready to “not waste your shot” because “there’s no business like show business” at Dr. Phillips Center for the Performing Arts. The venue is where Orlando locals head when they want to see some of the best shows in town. Live performances range from Broadway shows and ballets to comedy nights and concerts. Naturally, the calendar changes constantly; 2024 had Blippi, Mandy Patinkin, Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet Street, and Derek Hough. Check who’s performing during your visit, and grab tickets before they’re gone.

AdventHealth was the Broadway season sponsor for 2023-2024. Besides the traveling shows, Dr. Phillips Centers runs a programming series. Buy tickets for its Great Orchestra or Jazz Series and save on access to a collection of shows.

In addition to the packed calendar of concerts and shows, the Center hosts workshops for youth and adults to learn about acting, musical performance, storytelling, playwriting, and more.

Adventure Awaits at Wekiwa Springs State Park

Escape into nature at Wekiwa Springs State Park, where Orlando residents cool off in the refreshing 68F natural spring waters. Unlike some Florida springs, this one is shallow, so it’s more accessible to all. The park is also one of the most popular camping spots in Central Florida. Reserve a campsite or cabin to spend the night under the stars surrounded by nature. Plenty of wildlife calls the park home, including black bears, manatees, alligators, and deer.

While at the park, hike the trails through sand hills and lush tropical hammocks. The longest loop goes for 13.5 miles. The off-road bicycle trail winds nine miles and has an eight-mile horse trail. You can even camp with your horses at the Big Fork site.

The Wekiva River is also designated a Wild and Scenic River. Rent a canoe or kayak to float these pristine, crystal-clear waters. Primitive canoe camping is available at two waterfront sites. A visit here shows what wild Florida was like long before central Florida became the world’s theme park capital. 

Be aware during high traffic times, the park can reach capacity. It will stay closed even to pedestrians and bicyclists until traffic flow reduces. If you can’t get in, try access around the park’s rim, like at the Wekiva Island where you can rent from Paddleboard Orlando to explore the headsprings and Wekiva River.

Be Lazy at Rock Springs

Lazy rivers are one of Orlando’s water parks’ most popular attractions. But why pay for a crowded, chlorinated experience when you can ride nature’s lazy river? Beat the Florida heat and have a unique experience on the natural blue waters of Rock Springs at Kelly Park. Float down a crystal-clear spring-fed river, where you can see the sandy bottom of a gently flowing creek. The scenery is all-natural: lush Florida palms and palmettos, bromeliads, and tropical plants. A single run typically takes 25 minutes.

And what is the entry fee for this unique wild Florida experience? Just $3-5. That makes this park a high-demand experience, especially in the summer. It is known to reach capacity on weekends and holidays within an hour of opening.

Bring your tube or rent one from a vendor outside the park. The park also has concessions, picnic pavilions, and a playground. Note that the swim area will close in the case of inclement weather, so plan accordingly for those summer thunderstorms. This is definitely one of the more adventurous things to do in Orlando.

Orlando Watersports Complex

Want to be near the water, but a more adventurous thing to do than sitting in an inner tube? Enter the largest cable-driven wakeboarding parks in the U.S. The park has two cabled runs where you can learn to wakeboard or try your hand at jumps and slaloms. The watersports complex has an aqua park with slides and bouncing elements, a beach area, a pro shop, and lessons. It’s another way to beat the central Florida summer heat.

Appreciate Stained Glass Art at Morse Museum of American Art

Home to the world’s largest collection of Tiffany glass, the Charles Hosmer Morse Museum of American Art is an eye-catching display of stained glass, pottery, and paintings. It’s a must-visit for art enthusiasts.

One of the museum’s most significant pieces is a chapel interior Louis Comfort Tiffany created for the 1893 World’s Columbian Exposition in Chicago. His creations in jewelry, pottery, art glass, and leaded-glass lamps are paired with these. The galleries also have works by other American artists working in the 19th and 20th centuries.

Admission is free on Friday evenings from 4-8 pm during November through April. It is open from Tuesday through Thursday and Saturday.

Cheer on Orlando City Soccer Club

Join the local purple and gold at an Orlando City Soccer Club game. Get caught up in the excitement of this increasingly popular sport as you join the avid fan base known as “The Wall.” The OCSC quickly won the United Soccer League Pro Championships a few years after its 2010 launch and joined the MLS in 2015. Its new stadium opened in 2017 and won the US Open Cup Championship in 2022. The Lions also have a companion team in the National Women’s Soccer League, the Orlando Pride. All in all, expect the sport at its finest in Orlando.

Experience the Magic with Orlando Magic

For sports fans, catching an Orlando Magic basketball game is as much about the experience as the basketball. The Amway Center comes alive during game days, so prepare for an energetic evening. And even if basketball isn’t your thing, the performances, interactive games, and fan experience will make it a fun night out.

Since its debut in 1989, the team has made it to the playoffs several times despite struggling to win the championship. Part of that is the team’s history of rapidly hiring and firing coaches and trading players. Nonetheless, the Magic games continue to be a popular thing to do in Orlando.

Go Wild at Central Florida Zoo

Meet the residents of Central Florida Zoo & Botanical Gardens. With over 500 animals and plants, it’s the perfect way to experience wildlife in Orlando–and we don’t mean the tourists! Get up close with giraffes and rhinos, cheetahs and leopards. Children delight in the petting zoo at Barnyard Buddies. They love to cool off on those blazing summer days at the tropical splash pad. Those looking to level up the excitement for the older kids can try the Zoo’s aerial adventure course.

The Zoo regularly hosts special events and educational programs, like its close-up animal encounters and Zoo After Dark. Check out its spring break and summer camps for the kids.

ICON Park

This attraction may be skewing more toward developed entertainment, but ICON Park is so many things. The International Drive attraction mixes the outdoor shopping mall with museums and amusement rides. Get a bird’s eye view of the city from the Orlando Eye Ferris wheel. Take the kids to the carousel or blow their minds at the Museum of Illusions. A Madame Tussaud’s is here, as is the Orlando SeaLife Aquarium, a gaming arcade, and a 7-D theater. Yes, you read that right: a fully immersive experience in seven dimensions! ICON also has restaurants, music venues, a candy factory, and nightclubs. ICON Park can be entertainment for people of all ages.

Not Theme Park Orlando

This handpicked selection of Orlando activities is here to enhance your Florida experience beyond the usual Disney World visit! So take your pick. Nature, science, arts, sports, or all of the above, Orlando has an adventure tailored just for you.

FAQ

What are some fun day trips out of Orlando?

We get it when you want to escape the traffic and crowds. Sometimes a day away from home is what you need to recharge! Luckily being in central Florida puts you near some excellent attractions.  Try:

• Blue Spring State Park, north on I-4 and off the St. Johns River, this is another wild Florida experience. Be on the lookout for manatees that come for the spring waters in the winter.
• Cape Canaveral is just over an hour due east on Highway 50. Watch rockets launch into space or visit the NASA museums.
• Airboat rides launch in every direction, from Lake Kissimmee to the St. Johns River.
• Castillo De San Marco in St. Augustine is a national heritage site and an amazing fort to explore.
• Mount Dora has old Florida vibes, excellent shopping and dining, and many a fun street fair.
• Silver Springs, west towards Ocala, still has its zoo and attractions remnants. Florida’s first theme park is a beautiful state park with peacocks and monkeys.

Updated July 2024