The best things to do in Orlando go far beyond the theme parks: Kennedy Space Center, manatees at Blue Spring, airboat rides, Gatorland, the lakes of Winter Park and free evenings at Disney Springs. This list of things to do in Orlando, Florida, has 35 ideas in 4 groups: the top 10, free things, fun things and things to do when it rains.
Prices are for 2026. Many of the best things to do in Orlando, FL, are free or cost less than a theme park ticket.
The 10 best things to do in Orlando
1. Spend a day at Disney World
Disney World’s 4 theme parks are the reason most people visit. 1-day tickets cost $119 to about $209 in 2026, depending on the park and date. Our Disney World trip planner covers booking dates and costs.
2. Ride the coasters at Universal and Epic Universe
Universal Orlando has 3 theme parks, including Epic Universe, which opened in May 2025. Not sure which resort to pick? See our Universal Studios vs Disney World comparison.
3. Visit Kennedy Space Center
About an hour east of Orlando, Kennedy Space Center has the Space Shuttle Atlantis, a Saturn V moon rocket and a bus tour near the launch pads. Admission is $77 for adults and $67 for kids aged 3 to 11, plus $10 parking.
4. Walk around Disney Springs
Disney Springs is Disney’s free outdoor shopping, dining and entertainment area by the lake. It’s busiest in the evening, when the restaurants fill and street musicians play.
5. See the manatees at Blue Spring State Park
From mid-November to March, hundreds of manatees gather in Blue Spring’s warm water, about 45 minutes north of Orlando. Nearly 1,000 were counted on a single day last February. Entry is $6 per car, and you need a day-use reservation, required since July 2026.
6. Meet the alligators at Gatorland
Gatorland is an old-school Florida park with thousands of alligators and crocodiles, live shows and a breeding marsh with a boardwalk. Tickets are $34.99 for adults at the gate, or less online, and parking is free.
7. Ride the big wheel at ICON Park
ICON Park on International Drive has a giant observation wheel with views across Orlando, plus an aquarium, a wax museum and restaurants.
8. Visit SeaWorld Orlando
SeaWorld mixes big roller coasters with marine animal exhibits and shows. Prices vary by date, and it’s often cheaper than Disney or Universal.
9. Take the Winter Park Scenic Boat Tour
This pontoon boat tour glides through Winter Park’s lakes and narrow canals, past big lakeside homes. Afterward, walk Park Avenue’s shops and cafés.
10. Walk around Lake Eola in downtown Orlando
Lake Eola Park has a path around the lake, a fountain in the middle and swan-shaped paddle boats to rent. It’s free to visit.
Free things to do in Orlando
Disney Springs and Lake Eola from the top 10 are free. These 10 are free too:
- Universal CityWalk, Universal’s restaurant and nightlife area, free to walk around; parking costs extra
- The lobbies of Disney’s resort hotels, with huge trees and gingerbread displays at Christmas
- The Magic Kingdom fireworks, watched from the beach at Disney’s Polynesian Village Resort across the lagoon
- Old Town in Kissimmee, a small fair with shops and rides that’s free to enter
- Park Avenue in Winter Park, with its shops, cafés and Central Park lawn
- Mead Botanical Garden in Winter Park, with walking trails and a boardwalk
- Kraft Azalea Garden, a quiet lakeside park in Winter Park
- The Orlando Farmers Market at Lake Eola on Sunday mornings
- Orlando Wetlands Park, with boardwalks and hundreds of bird species, about 40 minutes east
- Lake Apopka Wildlife Drive, an 11-mile drive past alligators and birds, open on weekends and holidays
Fun things to do in Orlando
- Spend a day at a water park: Disney’s Typhoon Lagoon or Blizzard Beach, or Universal’s Volcano Bay
- Take an airboat ride through the wetlands to spot alligators
- Fly over the alligators on Gatorland’s Screamin’ Gator Zip Line, from $79.99 with park admission
- Visit LEGOLAND Florida in Winter Haven, about 1 hour away, best for kids aged 2 to 12
- Race go-karts and ride coasters at Fun Spot America on International Drive
- Try indoor skydiving at iFLY on International Drive
- Spend a beach day at Cocoa Beach, about 1 hour east
- Watch a rocket launch from the Space Coast; check the launch schedule before your trip
Things to do in Orlando when it rains
Summer afternoon storms usually pass within an hour, but for a fully wet day, try these:
- The Orlando Science Center, with 4 floors of hands-on exhibits and a dinosaur hall
- Crayola Experience at the Florida Mall, best for kids under 10
- The Morse Museum in Winter Park, with 1 of the most complete collections of Louis Comfort Tiffany’s glass
- SEA LIFE Orlando Aquarium at ICON Park, with a walk-through ocean tunnel
- Andretti Indoor Karting and Games, with indoor go-karts, arcade games and laser tag
- The Museum of Illusions on International Drive, with optical-illusion rooms made for photos
- The indoor rides and pavilions at EPCOT, if you already have a Disney ticket
Things to do in Orlando for families, teens, couples and adults
- Families with young kids: Disney World, Gatorland, LEGOLAND and the Crayola Experience
- Teens: Universal and Epic Universe, Fun Spot America, iFLY and a rocket launch
- Couples: the Winter Park boat tour, Disney Springs at night and a beach day in Cocoa Beach
- Adults: Kennedy Space Center, the manatees at Blue Spring and nightlife at CityWalk
Where you stay decides how far you’ll drive each day. See our guide to where to stay in Orlando.
Things to do in Orlando today
For last-minute plans:
- Disney, Universal and SeaWorld sell same-day tickets online; check the price for today before you go
- Disney Springs, CityWalk and Lake Eola are free and open late
- Check the Space Coast launch schedule; launches are often announced only a few days ahead
- Book Blue Spring’s day-use reservation before you drive there, especially on winter weekends
- If storms are forecast, switch to the rainy-day list
FAQ
Disney World, Universal and Epic Universe, Kennedy Space Center, Disney Springs, the manatees at Blue Spring, Gatorland, ICON Park, SeaWorld, the Winter Park boat tour and Lake Eola.
An airboat ride, Gatorland’s zip line, go-karts at Fun Spot America, indoor skydiving at iFLY and a water park day.
Kennedy Space Center, Blue Spring State Park, Gatorland, Winter Park, Lake Eola and a day at Cocoa Beach.
Disney Springs, Universal CityWalk, Lake Eola Park, Winter Park’s Park Avenue and the Magic Kingdom fireworks from the Polynesian beach.
What can you do in Orlando when it rains?
The Orlando Science Center, Crayola Experience, the Morse Museum, SEA LIFE Aquarium, indoor karting and the Museum of Illusions.
Final takeaway
Mix the theme parks with the things to do in Orlando that only Florida has: Kennedy Space Center, the manatees and an airboat ride. For airport transport, the best time to go and more, start with our Orlando travel guide.
Sources: Florida Review: Kennedy Space Center tickets 2026 · Florida Review: Gatorland 2026 · Florida State Parks: Blue Spring · WDWMagic: Disney World 2026 ticket prices
