As many things as there are to do in Central Florida, a lot of them involve drinking alcohol in some way. So for those of us looking to stay sober for a night or who don’t drink at all, here are some ways you can not drink and still have fun in the Orlando area.
Race around an indoor go-kart track
9299 Universal Blvd; 407-610-5020; andrettikarting.com
Andretti Indoor Karting & Games doesn’t just offer an indoor go-kart track, but also laser tag, bowling, a ropes course / zipline, an arcade, dining options and more for you to let out your inner child.
Photo via Andretti Indoor Kartin & Games/FacebookExperience flotation therapy
Multiple locations
Experience sensory deprivation at places like East Coast Floats, where you can float in saltwater in a “gravity free, sensory free environment.” This form of therapy is supposed to relieve anxiety, reduce some forms of pain (such as headaches and back pain) and more.
Photo via East Coast Floats/FacebookThrow some axes
47 E Robinson St #104; 385-429-3386; epicaxethrowing.com
Why let out your frustrations by drinking when you can throw some axes instead? At Epic Axe Throwing, you can engage in some friendly competition with your friends by throwing axes at targets.
Photo via Epic Axe Throwing Orlando/FacebookSee gators in the wild
2316 Black Hammock Fish Camp Road, Oviedo; 407-365-2201; theblackhammock.com
Located right on Lake Jesup, The Black Hammock provides airboat rides around the lake as well as a lakeside restaurant where you can relax and view the wildlife.
Photo via Black Hammock Adventures & Airboat Rides/FacebookGorge on some chocolate
11701 International Dr Suite 400; 407-778-4871; wocorlando.com
Located on I-Drive, the Chocolate Museum and Cafe offers a tour where you can learn about the history of chocolate and how chocolate is made, look at sculptures completely made of chocolate and (the best part) enjoy some free samples of fancy chocolates.
Photo via Chocolate Museum and Café/FacebookTrade a regular bar for a video game bar
8562 Palm Pkwy; 407-504-7521; player1orlando.com
Whether in the mood for retro arcade games or newer systems like the Wii U and Playstation 4, Player 1 Video Game Bar has something for every gamer. Get together with some friends and battle it out on Mario Kart, Mortal Kombat and more.
Photo via Player 1 Video Game Bar/FacebookRent some board games
875 Woodbury Road #108; 407-674-7435; cloakandblaster.com
The Cloak & Blaster is a geek/fandom-themed bar that offers a video game room as well as every kind of board game you can possibly think of. Though you might be tempted by their alcoholic options, their craft sodas are worth a try. They also hold trivia nights every Thursday night and “Cosplay Karaoke” on the first Wednesday of every month.
Photo via The Cloak & Blaster/FacebookGo skiing and snowboarding indoors
2950 Aloma Ave, Winter Park; 407-618-1123; winterclubski.com
At WinterClub, guests don’t let the fact that Florida’s the hottest state in the country keep them from skiing and snowboarding. With ski simulators and infinite slopes, it can be winter in Orlando too.
Photo via WinterClub Indoor Ski and SnowboardingTake a boat tour at Cracker Creek
1795 Taylor Rd, Port Orange; 386-304-0778; crackercreek.com
One-hour-long rides, custom boat tours and sunset cruises with a “freshly prepared dining extravaganza” are offered at Cracker Creek. Get a group together to get a good tour of this historic creek.
Photo via Cracker Creek Canoeing/FacebookCheck out a local art gallery
39 S Magnolia Ave; 407-648-7060; cityartsfactory.com
CityArts Factory offers Downtown Orlando’s largest collective of art galleries. Both local artists and works from around the world are shown at the gallery, which rotates every month. Admission is free.
Photo via CityArts Factory/FacebookGet naked in public
4425 Pleasant Hill Rd, Kissimmee; 407-933-5870; cypresscoveresort.com
Cypress Cove Nudist Resort offers a gym, spa, salon, restaurants, shopping and bike and golf cart rentals. All of these activities come with the added bonus of being able to be naked while doing them.
Photo via Cypress Cove Nudist ResortEscape a room
8145 International Dr #511; 407-501-7222; theescapegame.com
Whether repairing a spaceship to get off Mars or recovering stolen artwork, The Escape Game provides many adventures to choose from. So get a group together and solve some mysteries Scooby-gang-style by searching for clues before time runs out.
Photo via The Escape Game/FacebookTake a clear-bottom kayak tour
Multiple locations
Head over to one of Florida’s many gorgeous springs and grab a clear kayak. It’s a unique experience where you get to see even more of what Florida’s nature has to offer.
Photo via Get Up and Go KayakingFind your zen
6555 Hoffner Ave; 407-281-8482; orlandobuddhism.org
You can take a meditation class, learn Chinese or just tour the shrine, hall and tea house of Guang Ming Temple, Central Florida’s largest Buddhist temple.
Photo via Guang Ming Temple/FacebookTube down Rock Springs Run
400 E Kelly Park Rd, Apopka; 407-254-1902; floridasprings.org
Kelly Park’s free-flowing spring creates a natural lazy river, leading tubers on a tour through the park. Tube rentals and concessions are available.
Photo via Florida SpringsExplore Orlando’s botanical gardens
Multiple locations
Journey across Harry P. Leu Gardens’ 49 acres of land, which grows varieties of palms and flowering trees. Or visit Mead Botanical Garden, featuring a community garden and geocaching adventures. Either way, you gain a greater appreciation for nature with a walk through these gardens.
Photo via Harry P. Leu Gardens/FacebookAdopt a pet
2769 Conroy Rd; 407-836-3111; orangecountyanimalservicesfl.net
Whether a cat person or dog person (or both), Orange County Animal Services has hundreds of animals who need homes. So if you are ready to have an adorable fur child, pick one out and take it home.
Photo via Orange County Animal Services/FacebookVisit a farmers market
Multiple locations
Both the Winter Park and Lake Eola farmers markets take place every Sunday morning to early afternoon. At both locations, enjoy everything from fresh food to booths from local artists as well as performances from local musicians.
Photo via Orlando Farmers Market/FacebookGo paddleboarding
Multiple locations
Put your balancing skills to the test at various lakes around the Orlando area where you can rent paddle board equipment.
Photo via Paddleboard Orlando/FacebookSpend all the money you’ve saved by not drinking on vinyl
Multiple locations
From Park Ave CDs to Rock & Roll Heaven to Uncle Tony’s Donut Shoppe, it’s not hard to find good record shops in the Orlando area. Experience new music in a new way or listen to old music the way it was listened to when it first came out.
Photo via Park Ave CDs/FacebookExperience “Wreck-It-Ralph” themed virtual reality
1732 East Buena Vista Drive; 385-323-0090; thevoid.com
The VOID in Disney Springs brings “Ralph Breaks VR,” which is a virtual reality experience in which you “break into the internet” and interact with characters like Wreck-It-Ralph and Venelope Von Schweetz.
Photo via Disney ParksLaugh your worries away at a comedy show
Multiple locations
There are multiple places around Orlando, such as SAK Comedy Lab or Bonkerz Comedy Club, where you can enjoy live improvised comedy. You can even contribute to shows by suggesting characters, scenes and songs.
Photo via SAK Comedy Lab/FacebookGo swan-boating, since you have to be sober anyway
512 E Washington St; 407-246-4484; cityoforlando.net
Ride around Downtown Orlando’s iconic Lake Eola Fountain in swan-shaped paddle boats. You have to be somewhat sober to go on the boats so that you don’t fall into the lake (which has definitely happened in the past). Just make sure the weather’s good before you head to Lake Eola, as they can sometimes be closed for lightning or wind.
Photo via Downtown Orlando/FacebookPlay golf with a view of Orlando
9295 Universal Blvd; 407-218-7714; topgolf.com
Head down to TopGolf Orlando if you want to face off against your friends by hitting golf balls into targets. TopGolf provides a variety of types of games for all skill levels, plus dining options.
Photo via TopGolf (Orlando)/FacebookExplore Orlando’s many hiking trails
Multiple locations
As with the rest of Florida, the Orlando area is full of parks and nature preserves that you can hike or stroll through. Enjoy the nature in the place where summer almost never ends.
Photo via UCF Arboretum/Facebook