With many things to do in Orlando, Florida, it can be hard to narrow it down. Lucky for you, I’ve lived here for over seven years and have gotten to experience the many wonders this city has to offer. It was hard to nail down a top-five, but here we go. Here are my top five recommendations for things to do in Orlando.
Spend a Day at the Springs and State Parks
I’m a big nature lover, if you can’t tell by more photography. That’s why one of my favorite recommendations for things to do in Orlando is to visit a state park. And if you’re visiting during the warmer months, take a dip in one of our springs.
Lake Luisa
When it comes to State Parks nearby, one of my favorites is Lake Luisa State Park. It’s usually very cheap to enter, and you’ll get to experience the diversity of wildlife. They have a ton of hiking trails and other activities like canoeing, kayaking, paddleboarding, cycling, horseback riding, and much more. I also recommend camping at the park in one of their luxury tents. The park is close enough to Clermont and Disney.
Blue Springs and King’s Landing
Fancy a swim or kayak? Check out Blue Spring State Park. You might encounter a manatee there. If not, King’s Landing is fantastic for experiencing a self-guided tour through the waters of Rock Springs. Either one you end up choosing will be a unique and beautiful experience. I recommend King’s Landing for a more unique kayak or paddleboard experience through the mangroves that Florida has to offer. King’s Landing makes for a great date spot, especially if you pack a lunch to eat at a random portion of land.
Shop at Disney Springs or the Outlet Malls
Next up on the list of things to do in Orlando would be to shop. There are really only two choices that I recommend, and both are usually packed with people.
Disney Springs
Disney Springs is owned by Disney, of course, and it feels more like a theme park. There is a ton of security and waiting in lines to enter certain stores. They have the Cirque Du Soleil show, which is an absolute treat to watch, and a ton of nightlife and entertainment. There’s a diverse set of restaurants and stores for everyone, including World of Disney, the largest Disney store in the world. I love coming here on the weekends; however, it’s ALWAYS crowded.
Premium Outlet Malls
Another extremely packed mall, but without the entertainment, is Orlando International Premium Outlets. Here you’ll find plenty of stores with great prices. If you’re trying to get some shopping done, this would be the place for you. They have 2-3 enormous outlet malls within minutes of each other. Check out the link above to find the addresses and the stores at each outlet.
Try the Diverse Food Choices and Farmer’s Markets All Over Town
While there’s a lot to do in Orlando, there’s also more to do in the surrounding towns. To me, Orlando is almost all of central Florida; therefore, I want to include these neighboring cities in my to-do list because they are a short drive away. I will create a top list of places to eat and drink around Orlando in the future, but for now, you should visit the cities of Winter Park, Clermont, and Winter Garden. Those are the three cities I’m usually in because they have a vast selection of breweries and restaurants.
If you so happen to be visiting Orlando on the first Friday of the month, you have to check out Clermont’s First Friday Food Truck Events. It’s about four blocks of food trucks/markets with a brewery nearby.
Those same cities also love hosting farmer’s markets, which is great for checking out what the local scene in Orlando offers. You can find a variety of custom crafts and food at all these markets. If you haven’t seen one, I highly recommend it.
The Winter Garden Farmer’s Market will always be on my list of things to do in Orlando because it’s located near Crooked Can, which is a brewery with a food market. So, essentially, it’s like killing two birds with one stone. That area is also great to walk around in on a Saturday afternoon. It does get a bit crowded, so arrive early for good parking.
Rent a Car and Leave Orlando
You might be wondering why I would put to leave Orlando in a “Top 5 Fun Things To Do In Orlando” post, but that’s because you’re an hour to an hour and a half away from some really great things nearby.
East
To your East, you have Cocoa Beach, a beautiful beach located near Kennedy Space Center, where surfers enjoy their sport. One of my favorite things to do there is visit the Pier and grab a bite to eat.
West
To the West, you have the beautiful town of Tampa, Florida. They have events and entertainment going on at all times. I enjoy going to watch the hockey games and visiting breweries in the area.
Although not a brewery, one of my favorite locations is the Garagiste Meadery. If you haven’t tried mead and you drink alcohol, do yourself a favor and give them a try. It’s a small place with the tastiest meads I’ve ever had.
Visit the Theme Parks
No trip or list of “things to do in Orlando” is complete without including the theme parks. If not for Walt Disney bringing his theme park ideas to Florida, Orlando would be empty farmland. So, for my final item on the list, I highly recommend visiting the theme parks. Now, there’s a lot to say about the parks, so, I may go into detail in a separate post, but here’s a quick synopsis of my thoughts on the parks.
Walt Disney World
Magic Kingdom
This park is always jam-packed with people. It will have some of the longest lines of all the parks, but it has a nice mix of calm and thrill rides. Personally, I tend never to go here because it just takes too long to get to the main entrance, and leaving after the nighttime spectacular is a nightmare. This is because the parking lot is not connected to the park, and you have to take a mode of transportation to get to it.
EPCOT
One of my favorites. It’s a very chill atmosphere. This is usually considered the more “adult” park because you have a wide variety of food and drink choices from the 11 pavilions at EPCOT. This is a great park to visit at night and relax at.
There’s not much to ride at EPCOT; however, they have one of the best attractions in Orlando, Guardians of the Galaxy: Cosmic Rewind. It’s a high-speed rollercoaster in the dark.
Hollywood Studios
If you’re looking for thrill rides, Hollywood Studios is the place to be. And if you’re a Star Wars fan, this is the park you NEED to visit. When I first visited Galaxy’s Edge, I was so immersed that I forgot I was at Hollywood Studios. This park is perfect for those looking for a thrill.
Animal Kingdom
My favorite park, again, because I’m an animal lover. Animal Kingdom is home to Pandora – The World of Avatar, a must-see if you visit. Stepping into the world of Pandora, especially at night, is spectacular. And getting to ride on a banshee is a treat.
Another must-see at Animal Kingdom is the Festival of the Lion King. It’s by far one of my favorite shows in all of Orlando. My only issue is that it’s only forty minutes, but it definitely gives me goosebumps every time I watch it.
Universal Studios Orlando
Islands of Adventure
It’s probably the better of the two parks Universal has to offer. Islands of Adventure is filled with… adventure. It has the newer and better attractions of the two parks and it hits all the themes I love: comics, cartoons, adventure, exploration, and magic.
Universal Studios
It’s a great park overall, but what really makes it shine is The Wizarding World of Harry Potter – Diagon Alley. The details of this land are incredible if you’re a Potter fan. I recommend starting here before taking the Hogwarts Express over to Hogsmeade at Islands of Adventure.
Conclusion – Top Things To Do In Orlando
There are plenty of things to do in Orlando, which is ranked third in the most visited cities of the US. I’m truly blessed to live here as I can never get bored. There will always be something to do and new things to find. I hope that my list was informative and gives your visit that special touch.
To recap, my top five things to do in Orlando were:
- Spend a day at one of the springs or state parks and enjoy the beauty of nature.
- Enjoy the nighttime entertainment and shopping at Disney Springs of the Outlet Malls.
- Try fantastic food and beverages in the neighboring towns.
- Rent a car and visit sites away from the main city.
- And lastly, visit one of the plentiful theme parks that Orlando offers.
If you have any other questions or want to add to the list of things to do in Orlando, write a comment below or feel free to message me through my Contact Page.