Snap up a visit to Gatorland
Gatorland is devoted to Florida’s scaliest residents, and you should definitely stop by when in Orlando with kids. Including shows where you’ll see those famous jaws snatching their lunch, up-close encounters where your kids can hold a baby gator, and Adventure Hour, where they can accompany park staff on important missions, there’s lots of reptile fun in store.
It’s not just alligators you’ll meet at Gatorland – there’s a petting zoo, snakes, turtles, birds, and other Florida animals. Take a ride on the Gatorland Express Train for a scenic tour of the park, then head to the adventure playground and Screamin’ Gator Zip Line, which soars over alligators and crocodiles for a thrilling zip with a difference.
International Drive, Orlando
Find multiple attractions at International Drive
International Drive, or I-Drive, is a thriving hub of mega attractions, entertainment venues, hotels, restaurants, and shopping centers. Universal Orlando Resort, ICON Park, SeaWorld Orlando, Fun Spot America, Madame Tussauds Orlando, and WonderWorks are among the big picks here. It’s served by the I-Ride Trolley, a transport system connecting hotels, attractions, shopping centers, and restaurants along the corridor, so getting around is super easy.
Staying on I-Drive is popular, with a wide range of accommodations from budget through luxury. Many hotels offer easy access to Orlando’s theme parks and other attractions. And as you’d expect, there’s an extensive selection of places to eat – for international cuisine, themed restaurants, fast-food chains, and generally family-friendly places to eat. You can shop-til-you-drop, if the kids will allow it, at shopping malls and outlet villages along International Drive – the Orlando International Premium Outlets and the Orlando Vineland Premium Outlets are where you’ll find some bargains. From dinner shows and theaters to entertainment venues and live music, there’s always something happening on I-Drive.
Go alligator spotting in the Everglades Headwaters
Airboat through the Everglades and spot wild animals in their natural habitat
The Everglades Headwaters are the source of the Everglades National Park, and a great introduction to this incredible ecosystem. Airboat rides are an exciting way to appreciate the scenery and spot native Florida wildlife: including alligators, manatees, wood storks, snail kites and turtles. There’s also the elusive Florida panther, should you get lucky.
The standard airboat rides are 30-60 minutes long, and special packages include a meal and are up to 4 hours. You can book VIP experiences, night-time rides, or a visit to a real Native American village, with the descendants of the Jororo tribe, which acts like a living museum to educate visitors about their way of life. Airboat captains are passionate advocates of the Headwaters, so your captain will also act as a guide, and tell you all about this amazing wetlands area.
The Orlando Science Center
Get interactive at Orlando Science Center
Orlando Science Center in Loch Haven park has all the interactive exhibits – covering everything from physics and engineering to the human body and natural world. It runs educational programs and workshops on topics ranging from astronomy and chemistry to robotics and coding, and you can catch shows on astronomy and space exploration in the Dr. Phillips CineDome, a state-of-the-art planetarium.
Younger visitors will enjoy the KidsTown exhibit, which has hands-on activities and creative play areas. There’s a mini cityscape, water tables, and Science Live! shows, where science comes to life through exciting demos and experiments. And stop by the outdoor science park, a beautiful space with interactive zones and play areas making fun from physics, biology, and ecology.
Wekiwa Springs State Park for a beautiful change of pace
Orlando vacations can be fast and frenetic, and sometimes you need to slow things down and breathe. And there’s no better place to do that than Wekiwa Springs State Park, just north of Orlando in Apopka, with crystal-clear natural springs pumping out around 42 million gallons of water per day, to maintain a year-round temperature of 72 degrees.
The park has a range of recreational activities, including swimming, snorkeling, canoeing, kayaking, hiking, and picnicking. There’s a Junior Ranger program, so check ahead of your visit. The lush vegetation and diverse wildlife may be just what your family needs need before heading back into the fray of theme parks and bustling crowds.
The Wizarding World of Harry Potter, Universal Studios Florida
Universal Orlando Resort is in the top things to do in Orlando
Another unmissable entertainment complex, Universal Orlando Resort consists of two major theme parks: Universal Studios Florida and Universal’s Islands of Adventure. Each park has state-of-the-art rides, immersive attractions, live shows, and character meets. Universal Studios Florida gets you into the worlds of movies and TV shows, with The Wizarding World of Harry Potter – Diagon Alley, Transformers: The Ride 3D, Despicable Me Minion Mayhem, and Revenge of the Mummy. Universal’s Islands of Adventure has more rides and immersive lands, including The Wizarding World of Harry Potter – Hogsmeade, Jurassic Park River Adventure, The Amazing Adventures of Spider-Man, and Skull Island: Reign of Kong.
Volcano Bay is a tropical paradise with water slides, lazy rivers, and beach areas. The centerpiece is Krakatau, a towering volcano with water slides and an amazing nighttime show. Universal CityWalk does food and entertainment, with restaurants, live music, dancing, and movies at the AMC Universal Cineplex 20. The onsite hotels include the luxurious Hard Rock Hotel, Loews Royal Pacific Resort, and Universal’s Cabana Bay Beach Resort. Staying at an on-site hotel will give you easy access to the theme parks, Early Park Admission, and other benefits.
Aquatica Orlando
Splash around at Aquatica Orlando
Aquatica Orlando is housed in the SeaWorld Orlando complex, and you can buy a ticket for the waterpark only. This is still an epic experience, with a wide range of water rides and attractions suitable for all ages and thrill levels. There are high-speed water slides, lazy rivers and wave pools, with names like Dolphin Plunge, Roa’s Rapids, and Ray Rush.
You’ll find animal exhibits and experiences here too so, depending on your views on marine captivity, you can interact with dolphins and tropical fish, learn about conservation, and participate in animal encounters and feeding sessions.
If you have young children, head to the designated areas for little ones. These feature shallow pools, gentle slides, and interactive play structures, for safe and happy splash time. Or rent a cabana in one of the lounging areas, and if you’re feeling fancy, you can reserve seating and have a private cabana host. There’s plenty of dining options too, for grabbing a quick snack or more leisurely lunch. Just make sure you leave some time afterwards before getting back on those slides.
The Orlando Eye, ICON Park
See Orlando from up high on The Wheel at ICON Park
The Wheel at ICON Park is an iconic landmark on the Orlando skyline. At 400 feet tall, it offers breathtaking views: of downtown Orlando, the theme parks, and the wild Florida landscape. Capsules are air-conditioned throughout the gentle 20-minute ride, with floor-to-ceiling glass windows, so you can enjoy unobstructed 360-degree views of the city below. On a clear day, you’ll see for miles, even spotting glimpses of the distant Kennedy Space Center. If you opt for a nighttime ride, you’ll get dazzling views of the city lights and illuminated attractions – just as lovely, but very different.
The Wheel is part of the ICON Orlando entertainment complex, which houses Madame Tussauds Orlando, SEA LIFE Orlando Aquarium, and many dining and shopping options.
Orlando Museum of Art
Enjoy Orlando attractions which won’t break the bank
There’s plenty to do in Orlando which doesn’t involve spending exorbitant amounts of money, and you may want to stretch your budget and mix things up a bit. There are free events and festivals throughout the year, which often feature family-friendly activities and live entertainment. Scenic nature trails are everywhere, like Tibet-Butler Nature Preserve and Shingle Creek Regional Park, for a free or cheap day out.
Culture-wise, many public libraries in Orlando offer free storytime sessions, crafts, and educational programs for children. Plus some museums and galleries offer free or discounted admission on certain days or for specific exhibitions, so check out places like the Orlando Museum of Art and the Cornell Art Museum for potential free or low-cost options.
And you can always enjoy Orlando’s free splash pads and water play areas, as many parks and recreational facilities have these – they may not have the slides, but they won’t cost you a cent.
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