26 summer bucket list activities to do in Orlando

By on Thu, May 25, 2023 at 9:16 pm

All of us true Floridians know it's really never not summer in the Sunshine State. But with June just around the corner, it's the perfect time to start making some summer plans to stay cool and avoid  jam-packed tourist traps at all costs.

Lucky for us, Orlando has plenty of summery festivities fit for all ages. Some must-dos are more low-key (like a peaceful picnic) and others are made for thrill-seekers (alligators! roller coasters! hot air balloons!) Either way, Orlando is a pretty good place to spend your summer months.

Here are 26 essential bucket list activities for your summer in Orlando. And if you really want to prepare for sunny days ahead, check out Orlando Weekly's complete Summer Guide.
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Go horseback riding Various locations Live out your wildest Wild West dreams with a guided horseback ride through Central Florida. Some ranches, like Hidden Palms Ranch, offer private rides, if you want to be truly alone (with your trail guide, of course).
Photo via Hidden Palms Ranch/Facebook

Go horseback riding

Various locations
Live out your wildest Wild West dreams with a guided horseback ride through Central Florida. Some ranches, like Hidden Palms Ranch, offer private rides, if you want to be truly alone (with your trail guide, of course).
Go zip lining 8045 NW Gainesville Road, Ocala Who knew Florida is home to some actually cool zip lining? Zip the Canyons, located in Ocala, takes its bravest guests flying over natural springs as (they say) Florida's only true canopy zip tour. The adventure park offers a variety of zip lining packages, including a late-night ride, as well as horseback riding and kayaking.
Photo via Zip the Canyons/Facebook

Go zip lining


8045 NW Gainesville Road, Ocala
Who knew Florida is home to some actually cool zip lining? Zip the Canyons, located in Ocala, takes its bravest guests flying over natural springs as (they say) Florida's only true canopy zip tour. The adventure park offers a variety of zip lining packages, including a late-night ride, as well as horseback riding and kayaking.
Face your reptilian fears at Gatorland 14501 S. Orange Blossom Trail, Orlando The 110-acre theme park and wildlife preserve is located right here in Orlando, along South Orange Blossom Trail. The preserve was founded 73 years ago by Owen Godwin on former cattle land, and has ever since been a wildlife adventure and adventure park perfect for a summer day of Florida fun.
Matt Keller Lehman

Face your reptilian fears at Gatorland


14501 S. Orange Blossom Trail, Orlando
The 110-acre theme park and wildlife preserve is located right here in Orlando, along South Orange Blossom Trail. The preserve was founded 73 years ago by Owen Godwin on former cattle land, and has ever since been a wildlife adventure and adventure park perfect for a summer day of Florida fun.
Get wild on an airboat tour Get some super-fast and breezy sightseeing done with one of Orlando’s airboat tours. Available on several different Central Florida bodies of water, tours in one of these classic Florida vehicles give you a rare angle to see gators, water birds, and all kinds of flora and fauna.
Photo via Adobe

Get wild on an airboat tour


Get some super-fast and breezy sightseeing done with one of Orlando’s airboat tours. Available on several different Central Florida bodies of water, tours in one of these classic Florida vehicles give you a rare angle to see gators, water birds, and all kinds of flora and fauna.
Discover mermaids at Weeki Wachee Springs State Park 6131 Commercial Way, Weeki Wachee Florida: the only state with very, very real mermaids and an iconic state park to visit them in. The springs also offer swimming, kayaking and all the other Central Florida watersports fun you can imagine. (Well, almost all.)
Photo via Weeki Wachee/Facebook

Discover mermaids at Weeki Wachee Springs State Park


6131 Commercial Way, Weeki Wachee
Florida: the only state with very, very real mermaids and an iconic state park to visit them in. The springs also offer swimming, kayaking and all the other Central Florida watersports fun you can imagine. (Well, almost all.)
Catch a wave with SeaWorld’s new Pipeline: The Surf Coaster Ride The park's first and only standing roller coaster opens May 27, to the delight of parkgoers and thrill seekers alike. Be one of the first to catch a wave on this gnarly new attraction.
Photo via SeaWorld/Facebook

Catch a wave with SeaWorld’s new Pipeline: The Surf Coaster Ride


The park's first and only standing roller coaster opens May 27, to the delight of parkgoers and thrill seekers alike. Be one of the first to catch a wave on this gnarly new attraction.
Get high on a hot air balloon ride 12375 FL-535, Orlando It's fun, it's beautiful, it's quite possibly the ideal summer fantasy. Visit one of Central Florida's many hot air balloon locations and get really, really high for a sunset skyline ride.
Photo via Painted Horizons Hot Air Balloon Tours/Facebook

Get high on a hot air balloon ride

12375 FL-535, Orlando
It's fun, it's beautiful, it's quite possibly the ideal summer fantasy. Visit one of Central Florida's many hot air balloon locations and get really, really high for a sunset skyline ride.
Catch an Orlando Fringe show while you still can Only through May 29, Orlando Fringe brings all things artsy and weird to town. It only comes once a year, so make sure to get to a show or two before it's too late.
Photo by Brian Harris/courtesy of Orlando Fringe

Catch an Orlando Fringe show while you still can


Only through May 29, Orlando Fringe brings all things artsy and weird to town. It only comes once a year, so make sure to get to a show or two before it's too late.
Sing your heart out to some live music Orlando always has plenty of live music, from names both big and small, rolling through town. This summer, though, might just take the cake for shows we're itching to see. And with venues of all shapes, sizes and vibes, there's definitely a show for everyone happening soon.
Photo by Gianna Aceto

Sing your heart out to some live music


Orlando always has plenty of live music, from names both big and small, rolling through town. This summer, though, might just take the cake for shows we're itching to see. And with venues of all shapes, sizes and vibes, there's definitely a show for everyone happening soon.
Glide the waters of Legoland's new Pirate River Quest Become a pirate (or a Lego brick) for the day and ride this park's newest attraction. It's pretty mellow, so it's a great activity for a more chilled-out thrill in Orlando.
Photo via Legoland/Facebook

Glide the waters of Legoland's new Pirate River Quest


Become a pirate (or a Lego brick) for the day and ride this park's newest attraction. It's pretty mellow, so it's a great activity for a more chilled-out thrill in Orlando.

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