Things to do in Orlando
We moved to the Orlando area in November 2022, we picked it over other destinations partly because we figured friends and family would be more than willing to come visit. That turned out to be true, so we started this list to help our visitors decide where to go.
Orlando draws 75 million visitors a year, the most of any city in the US! The metro population is just over two million, but the restaurant scene, the entertainment, and the things to do here reflect that visitor volume. This city knows how to keep people entertained.
Jon is a huge Disney fan, so the parks were always part of the plan. But there’s so much more here than Disney and Universal. This list covers what we’ve done so far and what’s still on our list — everything from genuinely great dining to wildlife that will surprise you. There are entire websites dedicated to the theme parks, so I’ll keep those sections brief and focus on the stuff that’s harder to find.
Looking for more Orlando content? Browse all my Orlando posts here.
Dining and drinks
Bourbon Steak by Michael Mina — Replaced Shula’s at the Walt Disney World Swan and Dolphin in mid-2025. I went in with low expectations and left genuinely impressed. The old fashioned is tied for the best I’ve ever had — and the lobster pot pie is not to be missed.
Lakeridge Winery and Vineyards — Florida’s largest premium winery, out in Clermont. Free tours and tastings daily on a 127-acre estate. Worth the drive if you have a wine-loving visitor to entertain.
Dinner shows
Dinner Shows in Orlando — I’ve written up the full list — everything from the Titanic Gala Dinner to Medieval Times to the Polynesian Fire Luau. If you’re looking for a fun evening that isn’t a theme park, start here.
Wildlife and nature
Gatorland — Do not skip the Stompin’ Gator Off-Road Adventure — it costs $10 and is absolutely worth it. Also home to some of the rarest alligators in the world: leucistic, with white skin and blue eyes.
Crystal Springs — The only place in the world you can legally swim with manatees. I cannot recommend this enough and wrote about different options (snorkeling, boating). Go in winter when they’re concentrated in the springs.
Lake Apopka Wildlife Drive — Free, and one of my favorite things to do in Orlando with my dogs. It’s an 11-mile one-way drive through 20,000 acres of wetlands about 30 minutes from Orlando, open Fridays, Saturdays, Sundays, and most federal holidays. Plan on two hours, more if you stop a lot or it’s a congested day.
The alligators are the obvious draw — I’ve counted 30-40 on a typical visit, and some people report seeing twice that. But honestly the birds might be the bigger story. Over 360 species have been documented here, and you’ll see why it’s considered one of the top birding spots in Florida. The birders with their long lenses are a fixture. Herons, egrets, anhingas, ibis, ospreys — they are everywhere. There’s also a free audio tour you can access from the website that adds good context as you drive.
There’s a housing area with a walking path right near the entrance, so we always stop there first to let the dogs stretch their legs. Once we’re on the drive itself, they stay in the car. The alligators would consider them a snack. For humans, there are portable toilets at two different stops along the wildlife trail — they are usually pretty clean but basic.
Showcase of Citrus — Citrus grove tours, a petting farm, and u-pick options on a working farm in Clermont. Small and a bit quirky. They also sell an orange-infused honey that makes an excellent old fashioned if you swap it in for simple syrup. You’re welcome.
Wild Florida Drive-Thru Safari — About an hour from Orlando. Giraffes, zebras, bison. It’s on my list. From past safaris I can tell you: bring towels. Bison slobber is real.
Airboat rides — Multiple companies operate near Orlando. I haven’t landed on a favorite yet.
Entertainment and attractions
Icon Park — An open-air entertainment hub on International Drive with no gate fee. Inside: the StarFlyer (world’s tallest stand-alone swing ride — I haven’t ridden it yet but I want to), Sea Life Aquarium, Museum of Illusions, FunnyBone comedy club, and more. There is a lot to do at Icon park and it has some great restaurants including Sugar Factory, Gordon Ramsay’s Fish & Chips, Blake Shelton’s Ole’ Red, Jo Jo’s Shake Bar, and many more.
Titanic Artifact Exhibition — I’m not a Titanic enthusiast and I still loved it. It tells the story through the people, not just the ship. The dinner gala is worth doing — we’ve been twice. I wrote a bit more about that on my write-up of dinner shows in Orlando.
Kia Center — Home to the Orlando Magic and a surprisingly intimate concert venue. The Trans-Siberian Orchestra plays here most Christmases — several members are from the area. We were blown away. If you go, check out the club seats. They cost a bit more than the normal seats, but you can have food and drinks delivered to you during the show, the seats are padded and more comfortable, and there’s no line for the restrooms!
Hot air balloon rides — I looked up one Saturday morning and one floated right over my backyard. Several companies operate in the area. A fun way to see the parks from the air.
Orlando Haunts ghost tour — Nightly walking tours through Orlando’s darker history. Their tagline: “this magic kingdom has a hidden history filled with tragedy, murder, suicide, and mystery.” On my list.
Cirque du Soleil: Drawn to Life at Disney Springs — Disney plus Cirque du Soleil. I’ve been several times and take every visitor who’ll let me. It’s genuinely beautiful and unlike any other Cirque show I’ve seen.
Theme parks
Jon’s happy place. There are entire websites dedicated to these — here’s just our take.
Walt Disney World — Four parks. If you only do one ride at Animal Kingdom, make it Flight of Passage in the Avatar section. It genuinely feels like you’re riding a Banshee over Pandora. I’ve done it at least four times and would go back tomorrow.
Universal Orlando — The new park Epic Universe opened in 2025 and is a must-see if you’re a Universal fan. So there are now four Universal parks in town — Epic Universe, Islands of Adventures, Universal Studios, and Volcano Bay (water park). When you move between them Universal Studios and Islands of Adventure, take the Hogwarts Express rather than walking — it’s part of the experience. Epic Universe opened in 2025.
SeaWorld — Haven’t been yet.
This list gets updated as we explore. Know something I’ve missed? Leave a comment.
