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The 18 quintessential greatest things to do in Orlando that aren't theme parks

By on Fri, Mar 15, 2024 at 10:12 am

Living in such close proximity to some of the most popular theme parks in the world can have its perks (sometimes). But it doesn't hurt to be reminded of all the things that make Orlando great otherwise. Locals and tourists alike have the opportunity to get up close and personal with Florida wildlife, zen out in a historic garden, explore the local arts scene, eat plenty and more.

Here are the 18 quintessential greatest things to do in Orlando — far, far away from Mr. Mouse.
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Drink your way down Mills Ave Mills Avenue, Orlando The singular Will's Pub, Lil' Indies, Tori Tori, Guesthouse, Sunroom, Wally's Bar, Uncle Lou's, Conrad's Shanty – the list goes on and on. From longstanding music venues to tiki-themed shacks to perfect patio cocktail spots, the Mills 50 main drag in Orlando seems to have it all for those looking to nightcrawl.
Photo via Will's Pub/Facebook

Drink your way down Mills Ave

Mills Avenue, Orlando
The singular Will's Pub, Lil' Indies, Tori Tori, Guesthouse, Sunroom, Wally's Bar, Uncle Lou's, Conrad's Shanty – the list goes on and on. From longstanding music venues to tiki-themed shacks to perfect patio cocktail spots, the Mills 50 main drag in Orlando seems to have it all for those looking to nightcrawl.
Take a tour through the Orlando Museum of Art 2416 N. Mills Ave, Orlando Soak in some art, learn a bit about your community's creativity and immerse yourself in all things inspirational at Orlando Museum of Art. Founded in 1924, the museum is home to a rotating series of temporary exhibitions and traveling shows complemented by mainstay works. Guests can also take advantage of the year-round workshops held on site, like art appreciation classes, lectures, films, guided tours, kids' events and more.
Photo via Orlando Museum of Art

Take a tour through the Orlando Museum of Art

2416 N. Mills Ave, Orlando
Soak in some art, learn a bit about your community's creativity and immerse yourself in all things inspirational at Orlando Museum of Art. Founded in 1924, the museum is home to a rotating series of temporary exhibitions and traveling shows complemented by mainstay works. Guests can also take advantage of the year-round workshops held on site, like art appreciation classes, lectures, films, guided tours, kids' events and more.
Test your courage at Gatorland 14501 S. Orange Blossom Trail, Orlando Gatorland is a 110-acre theme park and wildlife preserve located right here in Orlando, along South Orange Blossom Trail. The spot was founded 73 years ago by Owen Godwin on former cattle land, and has ever since been a wildlife adventure and adventure park. Guests can watch the gator feeding and wrangling shows, hold baby gators or hang out in the petting zoo.
Photo via Gatorland/Facebook

Test your courage at Gatorland

14501 S. Orange Blossom Trail, Orlando
Gatorland is a 110-acre theme park and wildlife preserve located right here in Orlando, along South Orange Blossom Trail. The spot was founded 73 years ago by Owen Godwin on former cattle land, and has ever since been a wildlife adventure and adventure park. Guests can watch the gator feeding and wrangling shows, hold baby gators or hang out in the petting zoo.
Swim, paddle or kayak Wekiwa Springs Wekiwa Springs, FL 32779 This stunning spring is less than 20 minutes from downtown Orlando, inviting locals to escape the city and enjoy all that nature has to offer. The emerald water is perfect to dive into and cool off with friends and family. There's ample space to have a picnic, making it a top contender for Orlando's best summer hangout. Wekiwa Springs also has its very own food truck for those who didn’t pack enough snacks.
Photo via floridastateparks.org

Swim, paddle or kayak Wekiwa Springs

Wekiwa Springs, FL 32779
This stunning spring is less than 20 minutes from downtown Orlando, inviting locals to escape the city and enjoy all that nature has to offer. The emerald water is perfect to dive into and cool off with friends and family. There's ample space to have a picnic, making it a top contender for Orlando's best summer hangout. Wekiwa Springs also has its very own food truck for those who didn’t pack enough snacks.
Admire the Lakeridge Winery and Vineyards 19239 U.S. Highway 27, Clermont Lakeridge Winery brings a tiny taste of Napa Valley to Central Florida. The more-than-80-acre plot of grape-planted vineyards is the perfect place to get lost in Central Florida. Traveling wine lovers and connoisseurs can sample local wines and spend the day in the sunny countryside.
Photo via Lakeridge Winery and Vineyards/Facebook

Admire the Lakeridge Winery and Vineyards

19239 U.S. Highway 27, Clermont
Lakeridge Winery brings a tiny taste of Napa Valley to Central Florida. The more-than-80-acre plot of grape-planted vineyards is the perfect place to get lost in Central Florida. Traveling wine lovers and connoisseurs can sample local wines and spend the day in the sunny countryside.
Stroll through Bok Tower Gardens 1151 Tower Blvd., Lake Wales Open 365 days a year, this historic landmark is known for its Art Deco singing tower and nearly 50 acres of scenic gardens to explore. Bok Tower Gardens single-day admission is $17 and will get you access to garden areas and the 3.5-mile Pine Ridge Preserve hiking trail.
Photo via Bok Tower Gardens/Facebook

Stroll through Bok Tower Gardens

1151 Tower Blvd., Lake Wales
Open 365 days a year, this historic landmark is known for its Art Deco singing tower and nearly 50 acres of scenic gardens to explore. Bok Tower Gardens single-day admission is $17 and will get you access to garden areas and the 3.5-mile Pine Ridge Preserve hiking trail.
Saunter through the Charles Hosmer Morse Museum of American Art 445 N. Park Ave., Winter Park This attraction remains a less touristy sight well worth seeing. The Morse Museum houses the most comprehensive collection of the works of stained glass pioneer Louis Comfort Tiffany in the world, including the masterpiece that is the Tiffany Chapel.
Photo via Charles Hosmer Morse Museum of American Art/Facebook

Saunter through the Charles Hosmer Morse Museum of American Art

445 N. Park Ave., Winter Park
This attraction remains a less touristy sight well worth seeing. The Morse Museum houses the most comprehensive collection of the works of stained glass pioneer Louis Comfort Tiffany in the world, including the masterpiece that is the Tiffany Chapel.
Soak up some sun with a hotel pool day pass Multiple locations There's plenty of local resorts and hotels offering pool day passes for locals to get some splashing in. At the Omni Orlando Resort at ChampionsGate, for one, there's a wave pool, a family pool with a 125-foot waterslide, an adults-only pool and an 850-foot lazy river. After a dip in the pool and a game of mini golf, guests can grab some food from one of 10 unique restaurants nearby.
Photo via Omni Orlando Resort/Facebook

Soak up some sun with a hotel pool day pass

Multiple locations
There's plenty of local resorts and hotels offering pool day passes for locals to get some splashing in. At the Omni Orlando Resort at ChampionsGate, for one, there's a wave pool, a family pool with a 125-foot waterslide, an adults-only pool and an 850-foot lazy river. After a dip in the pool and a game of mini golf, guests can grab some food from one of 10 unique restaurants nearby.
Grab a bite at one Orlando's cult-classic restaurants Multiple locations Orlando locals love to eat. The city is home to dozens of restaurants with cult-like followings, like Beefy King, the Briarpatch and, of course, Kappy's Subs. Family-owned since 1967, Kappy's offers a little glimpse into Orlando's restaurant history, serving classic American fare (like subs, burgers and dogs) across a good old-fashioned all American diner counter. If you're a big group, you might want to plan to pick up your sandwiches to go.
Photo via Kappy's Subs/website

Grab a bite at one Orlando's cult-classic restaurants

Multiple locations
Orlando locals love to eat. The city is home to dozens of restaurants with cult-like followings, like Beefy King, the Briarpatch and, of course, Kappy's Subs. Family-owned since 1967, Kappy's offers a little glimpse into Orlando's restaurant history, serving classic American fare (like subs, burgers and dogs) across a good old-fashioned all American diner counter. If you're a big group, you might want to plan to pick up your sandwiches to go.
Visit the Central Florida Zoo 3755 W. Seminole Blvd., Sanford The Central Florida Zoo & Botanical Gardens is a relatively cheap spot perfect for all ages. The zoo offers scads of animal viewings and tons of educational opportunities, with general admission tickets ranging from $15 to $25, depending on the time of year and age of the ticket holder (but the extra-little ones age 2 and below get in free).
Photo via Central Florida Zoo/Facebook

Visit the Central Florida Zoo

3755 W. Seminole Blvd., Sanford
The Central Florida Zoo & Botanical Gardens is a relatively cheap spot perfect for all ages. The zoo offers scads of animal viewings and tons of educational opportunities, with general admission tickets ranging from $15 to $25, depending on the time of year and age of the ticket holder (but the extra-little ones age 2 and below get in free).
Catch a show at Dr. Phillips Center for the Performing Arts 445 S. Magnolia Ave., Orlando The venerable arts venue in downtown Orlando has long drawn crowds and loving locals inside its halls. Whether it be for a musical showcase, fundraiser with a good cause, art show, live theater or something even weirder, creative hordes flock to this spot.
Photo via Dr. Phillips Center/Facebook

Catch a show at Dr. Phillips Center for the Performing Arts

445 S. Magnolia Ave., Orlando
The venerable arts venue in downtown Orlando has long drawn crowds and loving locals inside its halls. Whether it be for a musical showcase, fundraiser with a good cause, art show, live theater or something even weirder, creative hordes flock to this spot.
Eat your way through East End Market 3201 Corrine Drive, Orlando The Central Florida food hub and neighborhood market is jam-packed with food ranging from savory meats to tasty vegan biscuits, powerhouse smoothies and craft-roasted Lineage coffee. There's a patio outside for extra seating, but for too hot or too rainy days, we're planting ourselves right inside to enjoy seemingly endless food and shopping options.
Photo via East End Market/Facebook

Eat your way through East End Market


3201 Corrine Drive, Orlando
The Central Florida food hub and neighborhood market is jam-packed with food ranging from savory meats to tasty vegan biscuits, powerhouse smoothies and craft-roasted Lineage coffee. There's a patio outside for extra seating, but for too hot or too rainy days, we're planting ourselves right inside to enjoy seemingly endless food and shopping options.
Run wild at Wildflower Farms 2218 Carrington Drive, Orlando Wildflower Farms is a small farmstead located right here in Orlando. Reserve a spot for one of their special kid-friendly events, like Family Time on the Farm ($16 per person) and Fables on the Farm ($13 per person). There's also goat yoga and plenty of opportunities to run wild with cute critters.
Photo via Wildflower Farms/Facebook

Run wild at Wildflower Farms

2218 Carrington Drive, Orlando
Wildflower Farms is a small farmstead located right here in Orlando. Reserve a spot for one of their special kid-friendly events, like Family Time on the Farm ($16 per person) and Fables on the Farm ($13 per person). There's also goat yoga and plenty of opportunities to run wild with cute critters.
See a show (and grab a drink) at Enzian Theater 1300 S. Orlando Ave., Maitland Enzian Theater has a sizable and attractive patio surrounding its Eden Bar, perfect for enjoying a drink or small bite before catching a movie. From cult classics to the latest buzzing blockbuster, the theater offers daily showings sure to please. Check their schedule for occasional kids' showings and special events.
Photo via Enzian Theater/Twitter

See a show (and grab a drink) at Enzian Theater

1300 S. Orlando Ave., Maitland
Enzian Theater has a sizable and attractive patio surrounding its Eden Bar, perfect for enjoying a drink or small bite before catching a movie. From cult classics to the latest buzzing blockbuster, the theater offers daily showings sure to please. Check their schedule for occasional kids' showings and special events.
Have a laugh at SAK Comedy Lab 29 S. Orange Ave., Orlando Downtown Orlando’s own SAK Comedy Lab is the perfect spot to laugh away your troubles, with an always evolving calendar of shows and performances. The spot opened in 1991, but the minds behind it were brewing up the concept for decades prior. It's also cultivated some big players in the comedy world, most notably actor Wayne Brady, who went on to find fame as a performer on Whose Line Is It Anyway?
Photo via SAK Comedy Lab/Facebook

Have a laugh at SAK Comedy Lab


29 S. Orange Ave., Orlando
Downtown Orlando’s own SAK Comedy Lab is the perfect spot to laugh away your troubles, with an always evolving calendar of shows and performances. The spot opened in 1991, but the minds behind it were brewing up the concept for decades prior. It's also cultivated some big players in the comedy world, most notably actor Wayne Brady, who went on to find fame as a performer on Whose Line Is It Anyway?
Take a Winter Park Scenic Boat Tour It may not sound like the most thrilling activity to do around town, but these tours draw out crowds for a reason. Tourists and locals alike stand to learn something from these slow-traveling vessels and their brave, actually entertaining, guides. You'll get to see all the flora and fauna in the area, plus you'll get a front row seat to see the biggest, fanciest homes Winter Park has to offer. Learn a little, snoop a little — it's the perfect leisurely activity.
Photo via Winter Park Boat Tours/Facebook

Take a Winter Park Scenic Boat Tour


It may not sound like the most thrilling activity to do around town, but these tours draw out crowds for a reason. Tourists and locals alike stand to learn something from these slow-traveling vessels and their brave, actually entertaining, guides. You'll get to see all the flora and fauna in the area, plus you'll get a front row seat to see the biggest, fanciest homes Winter Park has to offer. Learn a little, snoop a little — it's the perfect leisurely activity.
Hike one of Orlando's natural trails Twin Oaks Conservation Area Orlando is home to an abundance of hiking trails and natural paths perfect for explorers of all abilities to take on. Twin Oaks Conservation Area, for example, is perfect for the less experienced hikers, although it is geared toward all abilities. Along the 1.9-mile path, hikers are almost guaranteed to spot plenty of birds throughout the tall grasses and oak trees that line the board walk trail.
Photo via Osceola.org

Hike one of Orlando's natural trails

Twin Oaks Conservation Area
Orlando is home to an abundance of hiking trails and natural paths perfect for explorers of all abilities to take on. Twin Oaks Conservation Area, for example, is perfect for the less experienced hikers, although it is geared toward all abilities. Along the 1.9-mile path, hikers are almost guaranteed to spot plenty of birds throughout the tall grasses and oak trees that line the board walk trail.
Get bubbly and boozy at Orlando Beer Fest Location varies Orlando's annual Beer Fest draws out brew enthusiasts and community members for a day celebrating all things beer, music, local food and festivities. Guests can dive into everything from crisp lagers to rich stouts and all the sudsy sips in between from a variety of local and national renowned breweries.
Photo via Media Geekz

Get bubbly and boozy at Orlando Beer Fest

Location varies
Orlando's annual Beer Fest draws out brew enthusiasts and community members for a day celebrating all things beer, music, local food and festivities. Guests can dive into everything from crisp lagers to rich stouts and all the sudsy sips in between from a variety of local and national renowned breweries.

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