10 Things To Do In Orlando Besides Theme Parks

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10+ Things To Do In Orlando Besides Theme Parks

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The hours in this post are as up to date as possible. Be sure to double check them with the attraction before going.

Madame Tussauds Wax Museum

The rapper Pitbull did a one million dollar campaign to promote Florida in 2018, the year I originally wrote this and the year that I first went to Madame Tussauds Wax Museum (8387 International Drive). So, it made sense that the Florida born rapper greeted you as you walked into the wax museum.

He’s not the only Floridian there, though.

Florida born Tiger Woods, adopted Floridian and former Miami Dolphins QB Dan Marino, and former Orlando Magic star Shaquille O’Neill are on display. Plus, there’s Florida favorite Walt Disney.

You can also pose with Selena Gomez and Justin Bieber (although, probably separately now. The power couple was basically in the same display when we went, but now that the Biebs is happily married to Hailey Baldwin, I can imagine this has changed).

You can ride on a bike with ET, pose with former presidents Trump and Obama, and don a wig with Albert Einstein.

What’s actually so fun is that almost every wax figure is in a full display room — with props for you to use to set the scene and get the perfect photo for social media.

Ponce de Leon is looking at maps, Audrey Hepburn is having breakfast at Tiffany’s, and Uncle Sam has a recruiting poster, top hat, and jacket for you to wear. This was so much better than I expected, and we loved it so much.

Madame Tussauds Orlando info:

Hours: Sunday through Thursday 11 am to 5 pm, Friday and Saturday 11 am to 6 pm
Cost: Starting at $34.99
Tickets: Purchase here

Harry P. Leu Botanical Gardens

If you like flowers, you’ll love the Harry P. Leu Gardens (1920 North Forest Avenue). There’s just something so calming about a botanical garden.

This one is 50 acres of gardens with flowers and plants. There’s also a super famous (for the area) Historic Leu House Museum. There are a bunch of gardens and displays, like the butterfly garden, citrus grove (something that’s huge in Central Florida), a rose garden, and more.

There are different themes and special events during the year, so you can go multiple times and see different displays, including the Holidays at Leu Gardens event with a holiday gnome hunt and more.

This garden is part of the American Horticultural Society Reciprocal Admissions Program, so if you have a botanical garden pass for another garden, you can get complementary admission to the Harry P. Leu Botanical Gardens.

Quick note: The Albin Polasek Museum & Sculpture Gardens in Winter Park, which is a short drive from Orlando, is in the program as well.

Harry P. Leu Botanical Gardens info:

Hours: The gardens open at 9 am daily. The closing time varies between 4 pm and 6 pm seasonally. It is open at night on some days.
Cost: $15 for adults, $10 for children 4 to 17, kids 3 and under and active-duty military are free
Tickets: Purchase here

Shopping Outlets

When you go on vacation, you probably need to bring home some souvenirs. There are a ton of shopping outlets in Orlando. Some of them even have Florida-centric gift shops, so you can get those expensive theme park knickknacks without paying the expensive theme park prices.

There are actually two major outlet shops on the same street in Orlando: Orlando Vineland Premium Outlets (8200 Vineland Avenue) and Orlando International Premium Outlets (4951 International Drive).

Before you head out, I would advise you to visit each one’s website and then decide where to shop. They are close to each other, though, so you could shop at both if you wanted.

What’s great about them is they are outdoor markets, so you’re getting some Florida sunshine, then walk inside a store for some air conditioning, which you need on those hot summer days in Florida.

Orlando Vineland Premium Outlets info:

Hours: Monday to Thursday: 11 am to 8 pm; Friday and Saturday: 10 am to 9 pm; Sunday: 11 am to 7 pm
Stores: Coach Outlet, Converse, Disney Outlet, Gap Factory, Old Navy Outlet, Timberland Outlet & more

Orlando International Premium Outlets info:

Hours: Monday to Thursday: 11 am to 8 pm; Friday and Saturday: 10 am to 9 pm; Sunday: 11 am to 7 pm
Stores: Bath & Body Works, Bose, Coach Outlet, Disney Outlet, Fanatics by Lids, H&M & more

Church Street District

If you’re planning a trip to Orlando, you’ve probably heard of Disney Springs. It’s free to go to and it’s the perfect place to get some great Disney-themed photos without going to Disney. The only bad thing about it is it gets super crowded.

Instead, head over to the Church Street District (Church Street). The area is filled with shopping, restaurants, clubs, and more.

It’s a great area to meet up with friends and hang out without really dealing with crowds.

The Wheel at ICON Park Orlando (Formerly known as the Orlando Eye)

If you want to see Orlando, you want to see it from the top of The Wheel at ICON Park Orlando (8401 International Drive). It’s formerly known as the Orlando Eye, but the name was changed in 2019. The Wheel at ICON Park Orlando is actually the fourth name the Ferris wheel has had since it opened in 2015. 

It was also known as the Coca-Cola Orlando Eye and then the ICON Orlando, in case you’re wondering.

Regardless of its name, the 400-foot tall observation wheel is so cool.

There’s a seat in the center of each cage, but I’m sure you’ll be on your feet the entire time. There is a solid floor and roof, but the walls are completely windows. It’s a great spot to get a great view of downtown Orlando, the theme parks, and more.

If you’re not an Orlando-native, you might not be sure what you’re looking at.

But worry not.

Each passenger capsule is equipped with two touch screen maps that scroll. There are landmarks on each map, and you can push them for additional information (in case you’re heard of the Everglades but don’t have any fun facts about it). You can scroll the map to match up with your view to know exactly what you’re looking at.

The entire loop takes just about 25 minutes, which is the perfect amount of time to absorb it all.

The Wheel at ICON Park Orlando info:

Hours: Monday to Thursday: 2 pm to 10 pm; Friday: 1 pm to 11 pm; Saturday: 12 pm to midnight; Sunday: 12 pm to 10 pm
Cost: Starting at $29.99
Tickets: Purchase here

Sleuth’s Dinner Mystery Show

Who doesn’t love dinner and a show? You can see a bunch of them in Orlando, although most are chains that you can see anywhere. But, you can only see Sleuth’s Dinner Mystery Show (8267 International Drive) in Orlando.

You get a full meal (entrees, salad, rolls, and dessert), plus unlimited beer, wine, and soda. Even better, though, is you can be part of the show. There’s lot of audience participation, and you spend your night trying to solve the mystery.

I heard there’s a different show nightly so if you went once, you can still go again and enjoy yourself just as much.

Sleuth’s Dinner Mystery Show info:

Showtimes: Tuesday through Saturday: 6:30 pm; Sunday: 5:30 pm
Cost: Adults $58.95, children ages 3 to 11 are $29.95
Tickets: Call (407) 363-1985

Sea Life Orlando Aquarium

If you’re a fan of fish, this is the perfect aquarium. Sea Life Orlando Aquarium (8449 International Drive) is sectioned off into different oceans, and you’ll see fish native to that area. There’s also a String Ray center, turtle cove, and various interactive exhibits.

The best part is there is a 360-degree water tube that you walk though as fish, sharks, turtles, and other sea life swim above your head and below your feet.

When you enter the aquarium, you get a schedule of talks and feedings for the day so hopefully there are ones close to the time you enter. The aquarium is pretty big for where it is, but it’ll take you less than an hour to go through the entire attraction.

What sets this apart from other aquariums is that each display has an electronic touch screen that tells you what’s in the display and gives facts about each animal. Personally, I was missing the standard displays that you usually see at aquariums and zoos, but this seems like the way of the future.

Sea Life Orlando info:

Showtimes: Daily from11 am to 6 pm, most days
Cost: As low as $34.99
Tickets: Purchase here

Amway Center

If you’re traveling with a sports or music lover, check out the schedule at Amway Center (400 W Church St #200). This is the home of the Orlando Magic, so you might be able to catch them while they’re playing your favorite team.

During the off-nights and off-season, you might be able to see your favorite rock band. Check the schedule online and you can see who is in town.

I would suggest ordering tickets before you go on your trip to Orlando. I would hate for you to get there to find the event you want to go to is sold out.

World’s Largest Entertainment McDonald’s

If you like novelty attractions, you need to stop at the World’s Largest Entertainment McDonald’s (6875 Sand Lake Road), even if it’s just to say you were there. Of course, the fast food restaurant sells burgers and fries, so you can have a meal. But after, it’s time to play.

We went a ton of years ago, and I remember rushing through our meals to get to the arcade games (so pack your quarters if you’re a gamer). There was also a huge PlayPlace, and that is a lot of fun for younger kids. And it’s sort of a novelty in itself because not too many McDonald’s have a PlayPlace anymore.

You can even see this McDonald’s from the highway.

It used to be a better drive-by attraction because it had a huge box of French fries on the front, but that building was actually torn down in 2015 and was rebuilt (into something more modern and boring).

World’s Largest Entertainment McDonald’s info:

Hours: Open 24 hours

Orlando Slingshot

During my senior year of high school, my physics class went on a trip to Six Flags. And there was a temporary bungee launch. I remember being equally intrigued and scared.

My friend and I went on it, and I remember telling her all my last wishes in case we didn’t make it. I also remember telling her to pull the string on two, rather than three, so I wasn’t ready for it. It was so much fun though, and years later, I’m still glad I did it.

You can have that same memory in Orlando if you go to the Orlando Slingshot (7001 International Drive). It’s actually park of Magical Midway, which has go-karts, bumper cars, the slingshot, Star Flyer, and more.

The attractions light up at night, so you can see other riders on the Slingshot and Star Flyer, even when you’re far away. It’s so fun to watch.

If you do want to ride the Orlando Slingshot, keep in mind that you must be 44-inches tall or taller.

Orlando Sling Shot info:

Hours: 12 pm to 1 am
Cost: $30 per person
Tickets: Purchase here

Medieval Times Orlando

Medieval Times is so much fun. If you don’t live near one, you should definitely check out Medieval Times Orlando (4510 W Vine St, Kissimmee).

It’s a knights of the round table-themed dinner show, with actual feats of strength, jousts, and a full story that you follow while you’re eating your dinner. Which you eat with your hands. It’s not as bad as it sounds, I promise. You can incredible tomato soup in a large bowl that you can easily pick up and drink, chicken, bread … essentially finger foods.

It’s such a fun experience for the entire family.

​For more details, check out our Medieval Times review to see if it’s something you family will enjoy.

Medieval Times Orlando info:

Hours: 5 pm on Sunday, Tuesday to Friday; 5 pm and 8 pm on Friday and Saturday
Cost: $67.95 for adults; $40.95 for kids 12 and under
Tickets: Purchase here

Crayola Experience Orlando

The Crayola Experience Orlando (8001 S Orange Blossom Tr) is one of the best family-friendly attractions to check out on a rainy day because it’s indoors.

There are a ton of hand-on exhibits. You can make your own crayons, do spin art, and make personalized coloring pages. There’s a jungle gym, tons of places to color, and more.

There’s 70,000 square feet of fun here. You can spend hours at the Crayola Experience and not get bored. It’s definitely one of the best things to do that’s not a theme park.

The Crayola Experience is located within The Florida Mall, in a wing that also has The Play Park, a multi-sensory children’s play area — that’s free.

Crayola Experience Orlando info:

Hours: Wednesday to Friday: 10 am to 6 pm; Saturday to Tuesday: 10 am to 8 pm
Cost: $38.99
Tickets: Purchase here

More things to do in Orlando besides Disney:

Of course, this list isn’t filled with all the fun things to do in Orlando besides Disney. They’re just some of (what we consider to be) the best places in the Orlando area to spend some of your trip.

There are plenty of things to do in the area that didn’t make our list, since we haven’t visited them personally. But, we wanted to give you a couple more ideas (that are just less fleshed out than the ones above).

If you’re into adventure, you can go on an airboat ride via an Airboat Everglades Adventure Tour. Check out Andretti Indoor Karting for fun on a go-kart track. Don’t forget the Orlando Tree Trek Adventure Park with challenging ropes courses, ziplining, and more. And of course, there’s Gatorland Orlando, the self-proclaimed alligator capital of the world, which has an alligator breeding marsh, petting zoo, and more.

If you’re into science, the Orlando Science Center is hands-on museum that the whole family will enjoy. Also, the Kennedy Space Center is in Cape Canaveral (a little drive outside of Orlando), but if there’s a rocket launch scheduled for when you’re in the area, that’s a really unique experience you won’t get anywhere else.

And of course, if you’re into the paranormal and all things haunted, there are a few ghost tours in Orlando that you’ll want to add to your schedule.

Things to do in Central Florida:

If you are planning a trip to Orlando, you might be looking for some other things to do in Central Florida. If you have a car, you can take a road trip to Bok Tower Gardens in Lake Wales. You can also plan to stay at one of the Florida State And National Park Campgrounds in the surrounding areas.

Orlando Theme Parks:

If you do want to check out some Orlando theme parks, we have a few posts that might interest you about all day dining at SeaWorld Orlando, the water park Aquatica Orlando, and a few about Disney World.