Best Things to Do in Orlando, Florida
Orlando is a place that’s known for many things. Theme parks, sunny beaches, and alligators in the sewers are probably the most prevalent. However, there are many things to enjoy in Central Florida aside from the world-famous attractions of The Mouse and Universal Studios.
Walt Disney World Resort is a great place to visit if you’ve got kids (or if you’re still a kid at heart). We all know that it’s just one of the most amazing places on earth – but did you know these fun facts?
Disney is home to more than 30,000 cast members. That means that every time you visit the park, about 100 new people will be working there.
The average age of Mickey Mouse is 63 years old! Walt Disney created this iconic character back in 1928, which makes him almost 90 years old in cartoon years.
See more facts about Disney here.
There’s a lot more to see and do in Orlando than the theme parks! Here are the top ten things to do after you get off of your magical vacation:
1. Make friends with pirates at Pirates Dinner Adventure (great for adults too).
2. Visit Ripley’s Believe it or Not Museum.
3. Ride some roller coasters at Fun Spot America (Orlando has some great amusement parks, like this one and Fun Spot, that give you a ton of bang for your buck.)
4. Go kayaking on Lake Eola (It’s free!)
5. Fish from a pier with Jack’s Fishing Pier. You can fish from most piers without a license or permit for a few hours, but check regulations before you go.
6. Go to the Air Force Armament Museum at the Cape Canaveral Airforce Station.
7. Watch a film at the Enzian Theater – they show independent films from all over the world here!
8. Explore Gatorland (Orlando is full of wildlife refuges and parks, like this one).
9. Visit Universal City Walk after dark.
10. Volunteer with Second Harvest Food Bank.
Each year, Second Harvest provides more than 46 million pounds of food to over 300 hunger-relief programs in Central Florida…most of it donated by supermarkets and food drives! Follow their Facebook page for volunteer opportunities too!
FAQs:
Q: Where can I go to send postcards?
A: You can buy postcards at all of the theme parks. There are also postcard vending machines in most stores and restaurants around Orlando. If you’d like to write your own, there’s a 24-hour Walmart Supercenter where you can purchase stamps and mail your cards.
Q: Where is the best place for seafood?
A: Check out Gator Joe’s (located on International Drive) or Castaway Cafe if you’re looking for good eats!
Q: Where should I get my souvenirs?
A: Many hotels sell small items like magnets, toys, shot glasses, etc., but these tend to be overpriced. The theme parks also have gift shops that sell everything from mouse ears to plush toys. If you’re looking for locally made goods, check out these Orlando shops:
Q: Where should I go shopping?
A: There are a ton of great places to buy souvenirs and such around Florida – check Yelp or Trip Advisor for reviews on local boutiques and malls! Orlando’s Premium Outlets is a great place to shop if you’re looking for deals on designer labels. Walt Disney World and Universal Studios both have outlet stores in their respective theme parks where you can get merchandise at discounted rates.
Q: Where can I go if I want to watch the sunset?
A: There are so many great places in Orlando where you can enjoy a spectacular view of the sun setting over the horizon, but here are our recommendations for best views of the city at different times throughout the day:
Q: Where can I get a baller view of the city?
A: Some great places to view the Orlando skyline are located on top of high rises near Lake Eola, but you’ll have to pay for parking in most cases or go during happy hour. If you’re looking for something free, head over to the SunTrust building downtown! You have an unobstructed 360° view from here! Be sure to check out their schedule before visiting though – there isn’t much time between sunset and when it gets dark.
Conclusion:
Orlando has a ton to offer, and we’ve only just scraped the surface on some of the awesome things you can do in this town! We hope you enjoyed reading our top ten must-do’s after a trip to Universal Orlando.