1. Watch Some Real-Life Jousting At Medieval Times
Dinner out with the kids is much easier when they’re entertained the entire time with an awesome show. The Medieval Times Dinner & Tournament in Kissimmee gives you a front row seat at a tournament featuring swords, horses, fire, and plenty of action while you feast on hearty fare like chicken, potatoes and pastries.
2. See Why Everything Is Awesome In Legoland
Watch where you step here: The Legos are everywhere. With tons of epic Lego displays and plenty of hands-on activities, this is one place where the whole family can have a great time.
3. It’s Always Leg Day At Lake Eola
Next time you’re looking for a fun time outside without going too far from home, head straight to Lake Eola. There’s a mile-long walking path around the gorgeous lake, not to mention some sweet swan shaped paddle-boats. Plus the nightly water show at the fountain around 8 and 9:30 is spectacular.
4. Be Charmed By The Wizarding World Of Harry Potter
Built to look like it’s straight out of the books, a trip to the Wizarding World of Harry Potter at Universal Orlando is a must if you’re a fan of J.K. Rowling’s work. You’ll get a first-hand look at a humongous replica of Hogwarts and Hogsmeade, and can even try some butterbeer.
5. Spend The Whole Day At The Market
A great way to get outside and get moving, a trip to the local farmers market on a sunny day is always a great time. The one at Lake Eola Park is open every Sunday from 10am to 4 pm and consistently has a seemingly endless stream of stands for you to enjoy, filled with plenty of food, crafts, music, and more.
6. Believe In The Orlando Magic
Don your black and blue and head over to the Amway Center to cheer on the local NBA team, the Orlando Magic. They might not be the best team in the league, but their games are always a blast. The kids are sure to love it.
7. Turn Your Life Upside Down (Literally) At WonderWorks
One interactive museum experience kids are sure to love, your experience at WonderWorks Orlando starts in the parking lot when you walk into a building that’s been tossed upside down. Most of the exhibits inside are science themed and there’s a pretty sweet arcade making this the perfect rainy day activity.
8. Get Weirded Out At Ripley’s
A museum filled with strange things and oddities, the exhibits at Ripley’s Believe It Or Not! are some of the most unique things you can see in the Sunshine State. With over 10,000 square feet of space, you’ll see plenty of shrunken heads, several monster hunting tools, and you’ll even get to take a trip down their famous spinning vortex tunnel.
9. Marvel At Manatees At Blue Springs State Park
Sometimes better known by their “sea cow” name, these gentle giants are some of the coolest animals you can find around Florida, or anywhere. A trip to Blue Springs State Park will give you an up-close look at how they live and interact in the watery world around them.
10. Get A Little Wet N’ Wild
Located on the Universal Orlando Resort, a trip to Wet N’ Wild Orlando is the perfect way to cool off on a hot day. With 17 water slides and a number of other attractions, you’ll never get bored here.
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11. Watch Some Real-Life Swashbuckling
Floridians might not live in fear of actual pirates anymore, but a trip to Pirate’s Dinner Adventure around mealtime will give you a glimpse into the lives of these infamous villains. With a show set aboard a 46-foot long Spanish galleon anchored in a 300,000 gallon indoor lagoon, this place is the real deal.
12. Get A Load Of Some Serious Gator Wrestling
It’s no secret that Florida is home to thousands of gators and the safest way to get a good look at them is at Orlando’s Gatorland. Stretching across a 110 acre park, this crazy attraction is definitely worth checking out.
13. Lose Yourself In A Corn Maze
For something really unique, set your GPS to the corn maze at Long and Scott Farms in Mount Dora. Opening annually as fall starts to show, the corn mazes here are equal parts beautiful and difficult to get through. The designs they make are freakin’ sweet, but you’ll have to check them out for yourself.
14. See Every Animal On Your Bucket List
Housing over 400 creatures, there’s no better place in the Orlando area to see exotic animals than at the Central Florida Zoo and Botanical Gardens. Nestled near Sanford, a visit here will give you a chance to see rhinos, giraffes, howler monkeys, and more.
15. Take An Airboat Through The Florida Everglades
If you’re looking for an outdoor adventure that you can’t find in other states, taking an airboat ride through Central Florida’s Everglades is the perfect thing you for. Several companies are more than willing to take you out for a small fee, including Boggy Creek Airboat Rides, which also offers a Sunset Tour.
16. Get Some Perspective At The Orlando Science Center
Located at the Orlando Science Center, the Crosby Observatory gives you a great look at outer space. By looking through their telescope’s 10-inch lens, you can see cool stuff like Jupiter’s moons, the rings of Saturn, and other galaxies that are truly far, far away.
17. There’s Something For Everyone At Universal Studios
The largest resort owned by Universal, the Universal Studios Orlando Resort is home to two theme parks, a night-time entertainment complex, and plenty of hotels for your overnight stays. With tons of rides themed after classic movies you probably love ranging in all levels of intensity, it’s easy to see why Universal Studios is so famous around the country as a family vacation destination.
18. Take To The Skies On A Zipline
Sometimes it can be a little difficult to get any elevation in Florida, the flattest state in the country. However, Zip Orlando offers you a great chance to get a little higher. With 8 ziplines stretching from 225-950 feet, you’ll really feel like you’re flying as you speed around at heights of up to 65 feet off the ground.
19. Hit Up Some Of The Best Beaches In Florida
Just because Orlando isn’t a beach town doesn’t mean you have to skip family days on the coast altogether. A couple of the closer options are Cocoa Beach and Daytona Beach, both only a little over an hour away.
20. Unleash Your Inner Thrill Seeker
Home to Florida’s only wooden roller coaster, Fun Spot America, Orlando is full of fun activities for the whole family, provided your children meet the height requirements. Aside from plenty of roller coasters and thrill rides, Fun Spot also has multi-level go karts and a collection of kiddie rides to try out.
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21. Bounce Sky High On Trampolines
You might have a backyard trampoline, but you don’t have backyard trampolines like this. With huge rooms filled with bouncy floors, AirHead USA is perfect for an impromptu visit or the next youngster’s birthday bash you’re hosting.
22. Join The Star Wars Celebration
No childhood is complete without having a little bit of Star Wars in your life. There’s no better place for a young fan to develop their love for this series than at Orlando’s annual Star Wars Celebration. Attracting thousands of visitors every year, this is one of the most entertaining things to do in O-Town.
23. Sea The Ocean Like Never Before At Discovery Cove
Dolphin lovers rejoice! You’ve finally found the perfect place to give you a great hands on experience. At Discovery Cove, you’ll get the chance to swim with dolphins, play inches away from otters, and even walk the ocean floor.
24. Ditch The Car, Ride A Horse
One cool way to discover Florida’s nature is from the back of a horse. There are plenty of stables around the Orlando area offering guided tours to places like the beautiful Rock Springs Run Trail.
25. Paddle The Day Away At Wekiwa Springs State Park
A little exercise is never a bad thing, and one of the coolest ways to explore all of the water surrounding the Orlando area is by kayak or canoe. If you’re interested, a great place to check out is Wekiwa Springs State Park. Keep in mind that if your kids are younger, going for the canoe might be your best bet.
26. Behold A Real-Life Battlefield (And A Not-So-Real Battle)
For an almost real blast of historical Floridian culture, check out the annual reenactment of Battle at Narcoossee Mill. Typically occurring at the end of March, visitors get to see mock soldiers duke it out with guns, cannons, and horses.
27. See The World On Two Wheels
Another great way to explore the Orlando area is from the saddle on a bicycle. With over 150 miles of paved “off-street” paths in the local area, city biking isn’t quite so stressful around here, making it much safer for younger kids. A couple cool trails to start with are the Cady Way Trail and the Little Econ Greenway trail.
28. Forget The Waterparks And Take A Dip In The Springs
If you don’t have time to make it to the beach and don’t want to pay for access to a waterpark, a visit to one of the many springs in the Orlando area can be a great way to spend an afternoon. A couple cool springs that are nearby can be found at Kelly Park and State Reserve and the Blue Springs State Park. Plus you’ll also get a close-up look at Florida nature.
29. Just Try To Resist Being Happy At Disney World
It goes without saying, but obviously Disney World is one of the best family attractions in the Orlando area—especially if you can find some discount tickets. Tired of the big crowds? Try visiting from January to February or September to October.
