There’s more to Orlando than roller coasters and mouse ears … here are just a few ways to explore your city, most of which don’t involve standing in a queue.

Hike at one of our many underrated spots Multiple locations From Bear Creek Nature Trail’s perfect loop shape ideal for beginners to the broad and open prairies of Hal Scott Preserve, Orlando has a lot of underappreciated hiking spots that any outdoor lover would love. Photo via shotbyhrbvn/Instagram
Ride on the airboats (and try eating gator) at one of our many fish camps Multiple locations With an abundance of water inside and out, Florida is home to its fair share of fish camps and seafood shacks. Welcome to the world of fried gator bites, air boats, cheap beers and sundecks. Photo via Black Hammock Adventures and Airboat/Facebook
Check out manatees at Blue Springs 2100 W. French Ave., Orange City, 386-775-3663 Blue Springs gets its name from the signature rich cerulean tint to the water. We hear you can even call in ahead and ask how many manatees are at the spring on any given day. Photo via Nic Peterson/Facebook
Kayak at Cracker Creek 1795 Taylor Road, Port Orange, 386-304-0778 Located in Port Orange, Cracker Creek offers one of the most “Florida” experiences in the area. Rent canoes or kayaks and float down the brackish of the Spruce River. Be on the lookout for manatee, gators, osprey, heron, jumping mullet and more. Photo via Cracker Creek Canoeing/Facebook
See an outdoor movie at the Enzian Theater 1300 S. Orlando Ave., Maitland, 407-629-0054 The Enzian, a small but adored arthouse theater in Maitland, is known for its outdoor movies and throwback screenings. Luckily, they usually host two different showings a night, with a little something for everyone. Photo by Michael Liesch
Feed the giraffes at the Central Florida Zoo 3755 U.S. 17, 407-323-4450 For $5, you can feed lettuce leaves to the long purple tongues of hungry giraffes. Feeding times are from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m daily. Photo via nedrubnayrin/Instagram
Check out the Gaylord Palms Atrium 6000 W. Osceola Parkway, Kissimmee, 407-586-0000 The hotel’s 4.6-acre glass-covered atrium features four sections that can surely kill a few hours. The St. Augustine section’s alligator exhibit is perhaps the hotel’s most noteworthy feature. Photo via antwainmoney/Instagram
Learn about Buddhism at the Guang Ming Temple 6555 Hoffner Ave., 407-281-8482 The temple holds a two-hour service every Sunday starting at 10:30, but for those who’d rather skip out on a sermon, Guang Ming provides classes and events that bring Buddhism and Chinese culture right to the heart of the Sunshine State. Photo via Guang Ming Temple/Facebook
Catch a local drag show at Hamburger Mary’s 110 W. Church St., 321-319-0601 A full menu of burgers and comfort foods are combined with special themed events such as Broadway brunches and Cabaret shows to give a full dining and a show experience. Photo via Hamburger Mary Orlando/Facebook
Rent a swan paddleboat at Lake Eola 512 E. Washington St., 407-246-4484 Lake Eola is symbolic of and to Orlando. Smack dab in the middle of downtown, you can walk, gawk at the city, feed some swans and even rent a paddleboat shaped just like them. Wonder if that scares them … Photo via Lake Eola Park/Facebook
Take a night tour at the Merritt Island National Wildlife Refuge Merrit Island, 321-268-2655 The Refuge offers bioluminescent tours, where every tiny movement produces a stroke of light. This makes for a dazzling evening, to say the least. Photo by Derek Demeter
Get cultured at the Orlando Museum of Art 2416 N. Mills Ave., 407-896-4231 Featuring exhibitions both modern and historical, the OMA is currently showing an exhibition of children’s book art by author-illustrator Eric Rohmann along with several other collections in its sleek gallery spaces. Admission for children 4-7 and college students is $5; adults, $15. Photo via Orlando Museum of Art/Facebook
Visit the Orlando Cat Cafe 532 Cagan Park Ave., Clermont, 352-989-4820 Order from an array of coffee, tea, and pastries, and then play with 12-15 adoptable purring cats. $8 for an hour with the kitties. Photo via Orlando Cat Cafe/Facebook
Wear purple to an Orlando City or Orlando Pride soccer game 1 Citrus Bowl Place, 407-480-4702 Soccer has taken Orlando by storm within the past couple of years. Come see what the fuss is all about. Photo via Orlando City Soccer Club/Facebook
Spend a night at Player 1 Video Game Bar 8562 Palm Parkway, 407-504-7521 Open until 2 a.m., this retro video game lounge offers arcade games, drink specials and a ladies’ night with $1 cover. Photo via Player 1 Video Game Bar/Facebook
Go “suns out, buns out” at Playalinda nude beach Canaveral National Seashore, Titusville, 321-267-1110 Playalinda beach on Florida’s space coast is a popular place for locals and tourists to bear it all. Not only is the beach fairly remote, it also offers really pretty views. Nudity only allowed in certain areas. Photo via steve_torres111/Instagram
Climb the Ponce Inlet lighthouse 4931 S. Peninsula Drive, Ponce Inlet, 386-761-1821 Venture to the top of this historical lighthouse to see some breathtaking views, and explore the Florida history museum once you have returned to the ground. Admission is $7. Photo via Ponce Inlet Lighthouse/Facebook
See improv and stand-up at downtown’s SAK Comedy Lab 29 S. Orange Ave., 407-648-0001 The launching pad of Wayne Brady (Whose Line Is It Anyway?, Kinky Boots), is a 200-seat improv theater in the heart of downtown Orlando. With a family-friendly early show and a bluer late show, this venue is an Orlando classic. Photo via SAK Comedy Lab/Facebook
Horseback riding at Split Oak Forest Clapp Simms Duda Road, 407-254-6840 Run by the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission, this park offers wildlife watching (woodpeckers, gopher tortoises) and horseback riding with permit on Saturdays. It’s also great for a simple afternoon hike. Photo via kelseyostyn/Instagram
Tailgate at a UCF Knights football game 4465 Knights Victory Way, 407-823-1000 Orlando’s flagship college, the University of Central Florida, hosts football Sundays that are part-athletic event, part-bacchanalia. Warning: The colors black and gold are expected somewhere on your person. Photo via Audrey Davila/Facebook
Take a brief road trip to one of the many hidden beaches near Orlando Multiple locations We know the entire state of Florida is pretty much one huge beach. But rather than deal with the crowds at Cocoa or Daytona, why not check out a nearby beach that’s just off the beaten path? There are at least 25 hidden beaches scattered along the Florida coastline, and we’ve compiled them in a list for you. Photo via shelby_clark8/Instagram
Antiquing at the Village Antique Mall 405 N. Highland St., Mount Dora, 352-385-0257 This 12,000-square-foot building is a sight to see. Featuring everything from jewelry to kitschy modern antiques, this Central Florida store is a legend unto itself. Even the most frequent of visitors haven’t managed to explore every inch. Photo via Village Antique Mall/Facebook
Hang out on Wekiva Island Reserve a cabana at Wekiva Island and make new friends while partying your ass off. Credit: Photo via Wekiva Island/Facebook
Explore Winter Park’s lakes on the Winter Park Scenic Boat Tour 312 E. Morse Blvd., Winter Park, 407-644-4056 The experienced and knowledgeable staff provides tours of the historical area’s adjacent lakes on 18-person boats departing on the hour. Tickets are $14 for adults and $7 for children. Photo via Winter Park Scenic Boat Tour/Facebook
See an NXT Wrestling Show at Full Sail University 141 University Park Drive, 800-226-7625 Mark out (a pro wrestling term for “go crazy”) and chant along with the rest of the crowd for WWE’s minor league promotion. Hailed by critics as one of the best wrestling promotions in the world, NXT gives you a chance to see superstars who might go on to main event Wrestlemania one day (which will be in Orlando next year!). Photo via WWE NXT/Facebook
Go tubing at Kelly Park 400 E. Kelly Park Road, Apopka, 407-254-1902 Kelly Park’s natural spring is 68 degrees year-round, no matter what your weather app says. This is a pretty calm way of unwinding after a day at a theme park, or just a long week at work. Photo via Ron’s Tube Rentals for Kelly Park/Facebook