What To Do In Orlando Besides Theme Parks
Fun and Unique Things To Do in Orlando
By Sascha Zuger | Published on September 1, 2025
Explore Orlando beyond the rides! From paddling amongst manatees in warm springs to craft brewery art and tastings nights, if you’re wondering what to do in Orlando besides theme parks, this pre- or post-cruise guide shows what to experience near Port Canaveral without a character parade in sight.
The Only Theme is Family Fun
With a bounty of kid-friendly cruises sailing from Port Canaveral, Central Florida is a perfect departure port for families. Parents wondering what to do in Orlando besides theme parks now have their answer. Everything!
Orlando Science Center
Jump into a Jurassic dig pit to unearth waiting fossils, head to an Orlando-inspired orange grove in KidsTown’s 110,000 sq ft of 0-7-geared engaging playscapes (complete with water tables and a theatre for hourly story time). You can also fly over to “DC Superheroes, Discover Your Superpowers” for a day of experimenting with the fun side of science.
Sleep At The Airport — Just Plane Fabulous
Central Florida’s Orlando International Airport has a fab hotel inside the terminal with a lovely tropical rooftop pool where kids can cavort and parents can enjoy a sip or snack from their lounger — all while watching the planes take off and land. The Hyatt Regency Orlando International Airport Hotel even offers rooms with runway views for fly-boys and girls.
Sea Life Aquarium
This family-friendly adventure boasts the state’s only 360° clear glass tunnel to fully immerse you in the world of the passing sharks, rays and turtles. A coastal rock pool attraction with a touch pool lets kids get truly hands-on Florida fun. Affordable ($5-$15) add-on experiences include nori-feeding tropical fish, shadowing an aquarist behind-the-scenes as they care for animals and making a sea turtle friend during a feed.
Orlando Tree Trek Or Nona Adventure Park
If you are wondering what to do in Orlando to burn a little kid energy, ignite friendly sibling rivalry or let kids take on the parents at these Orlando adventure parks. Tree Trek is part ropes course, part aerial obstacle course, all adventure in the treetops. Nona offers a chance to try wakeboarding, an inflatable aquatic playground attraction and rock climbing walls.
International Resorts, Sans The Park (Or Passport!)
Go international, without the pricetag or exhaustion of a theme park visit, at Orlando’s elaborately designed hotels:
- ● Loews Portofino Bay Hotel’s cobblestone plaza offers opera sung from a high window into the bay. Complimentary gondolas float past and an Amalfi beach-flanked pool with waterfall-slides and passed frozen fruit kebabs or blended sips delivered right to your chaise screams Italia.
- ● Disney’s Animal Kingdom Lodge boasts a savannah courtyard where zebras and giraffes wander right up to room balconies, with safari and African-themed eateries.
- ● Loews Royal Pacific Resort sets sail for a Polynesian family getaway, inspired by the South Pacific islands. Swim in the lagoon-style pool, sip a mai tai in the Orchid Court or release your inner island-child at the Wantilan Luau— dinner and a hula-happy show.
Go Wild for Orlando’s Nature Experiences
Wilderness lovers of any age enjoy exotic escapes into Florida’s flora and fauna:
- ● Kelly Park and Kings Landing- Rock Springs — Lazy tube or rent clear-bottom kayaks to explore this crystal clear natural spring with otter, turtle and fish spotting.
- ● Boggy Creek Airboat Adventures — Loud and exciting adventures get your blood pumping in the Everglades headwaters of Lake Toho.
- ● Blue Springs State Park — Snorkel or swim in the clear, warm water or view scores of manatees from a boardwalk in winter months— top among unique things to do in Orlando.
- ● Lake Louisa State Park — Ranger-led horseback riding, a fishing pier, 20 miles of hiking trails and a beach for swimming spell fun for the whole crew.
- ● Lake Apopka Wildlife Drive — View alligators in the wild from the safety of your car. Bird spotting is helped by an included audio tour with nature info.
- ● Wekiwa Springs State Park — Soak in the springs and the beauty — swim, hike or kayak amid lush tropical foliage.
- ● Mead Botanical Garden — Visit Florida ecosystems, walking trails or the butterfly house attraction.
Orlando Fun Is All Grown-up
Kids aren’t the only ones wondering what to do in Orlando besides theme parks. Fear not: Plenty of over-21 thrills and chills can be had for those clearly tall enough to ride the big coaster.
All Wine, No Whine
One of the unique things to do in Orlando for adults in the hip Thornton Park neighborhood is a Wine & Art Walk every 2nd Thursday. Pick up a glass and map to 20 spots for vino tastings, with art vendors, live music, DJs and a night market. Orlando Museum of Art often holds “Pinots and Palletes” afternoons of curated wines to match masterpieces.
Spa The Day Away
Day Spas are a fave way to unwind before or after a cruise — keep it local with an Orlando-centric Citrus & Verbena White Blossom body polish. Go full glam with one of the upscale Ritz-Carlton, Waldorf Astoria, Conrad or Four Seasons spas to gain bonus access to onsite hotel amenities such as tropical water garden pools, lazy rivers, day beds or cabanas.
Get Your Culture On
Top picks include:
- ● Orlando Museum of Art.
- ● Mennello Museum of American Art.
- ● The Charles Homer Morse Museum of American Art.
- ● Bach Festival Society, Orlando Ballet.
- ● Sr. Phillips Center for Performing Arts’s touring Broadway shows and concerts.
Look for adult-only Art Night Out Wednesday events at OMA to create art under a teacher’s direction.
Free Theme Park Entertainment Centers
Kids might be too bummed to skip the adjacent theme parks, but adults can take advantage of free live entertainment, concerts, nightlife and unique restaurants. Don’t miss Voodoo Donuts or Raglan Road Irish pub with its spontaneous fiddle and Irish step performances. It’s great practice for the nonstop fun of a cruise.
Miles of specialty store shopping and endless over-21 activities — hipster-friendly bowling, cars that drive in a lake, dine-in and cocktail-service theaters, sky-diving, hot air balloon floats, Cirque du Soleil shows — call Disney Springs and Universal Studios CityWalk home.
Orlando Eats and Libations
Belly up to a bar set quite high at Orlando’s unique dining and drinks hotspots:
- ● Old Sugar Mill Pancake House — If you ever wondered just how many pancakes your kid could put away if allowed, this is the place to find out. This historic 1830’s-style pancake house where you cook the flapjacks at your table serves up an “all you can eat” batter delivery until the tots tap out. Bonus is the location in beautiful De Leon Springs State Park.
- ● World Food Trucks — The first and largest permanent food truck park in the USA has what you want. How could it not, with 86 food trucks serving up treats from around the world? Placate the pickiest eaters at this wheeled wonderland. Late-night cravings? The park is open until 4 am on Friday and Saturday nights.
- ● Arts and Craft Beers — Visit culture hotspots such as the diverse Mills 50 neighborhood for public art installations and murals, while enjoying Ten10 Brewing Company’s offerings— a prominent leader of craft beer culture in the city.
- ● Follow the Smoking Volcano — If your family has an appetite for themed fun, Disney Springs offers restaurants such as Rainforest Cafe and T-Rex Cafe where simulated jungle storms and meteor showers send the critters surrounding your tables into a tizzy.
- ● Food Tours — Walk off your weakness for great bites on these strolling food tours of Orlando’s best. Try the eclectic Milk District food tour, Sip and Sample East End Market & Brewery Tour or Wandering Palms’ Ivanhoe Village tour.
Launch an Out of This World Cruise
One of the most unique things to do in Orlando and nearby Port Canaveral is to visit the Kennedy Space Center. When timed right, you might even see a launch from the decks of your ship. Cape Canaveral’s space place attractions include:
- ● Meet an Astronaut — Veteran astronauts share their stories of space.
- ● Shuttle Launch Experience — Strap in for a chance to experience an ascent into orbit.
- ● Spaceport KSC — Embark on incredible space journeys to Mars, Saturn, Jupiter and more on a motion theater ride.
- ● Kennedy Space Center Bus Tour — View restricted areas of the working spaceflight facility from the coach; stop to see Space Shuttle Atlantis and its 60 interactive exhibits.
Insider Tips to Plan Your Orlando-Based Cruise
- ● When to go — Shorter weekend cruises can be a draw for lively passengers — which can be a pro or a con depending on your crew. Choose to add your Orlando fun for pre- or post-cruise accordingly. Check online Orlando Crowd Calendars and the Kennedy Center Launch Schedules for the perfect pick. Be mindful of the RunDisney marathon event crowds and road closures.
- ● Value — Orlando evening arrival flights are a pre-cruise bargain as many visitors are looking to get the most theme park bang for their buck without extra hotel nights.
- ● Weather prep — Winter can be surprisingly cool, so add layers and long-sleeve rashguards for the kids to help with sun and brisk breezes.
- ● How to get to Port Canaveral — Private shuttles and bus transfers are plentiful from MCO to the port. Extremely discounted one-way car rentals can be had, due to companies needing to shift vehicles to the coast for incoming cruiser pick-ups.
Cruise To A Perfect Park-free Vacay In Orlando
Orlando is so much more than “the mouse.” Just what is there to do in Orlando besides theme parks? Natural wonders, unique culinary experiences, culture, cocktails and campy local fun keep visitors of all ages entertained. Choose a Port Canaveral-based cruise to add a dose of unexpected memory-making before or after you sail.
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