6 Fun Things To Do in Orlando for an Epic Getaway
6 Fun Things To Do in Orlando for an Epic Getaway
From magical theme parks to serene wetlands, Orlando caters to all types of vacationers. This lively city is packed with endless possibilities for a fun-filled trip, whether you like to lounge around and rest or have an active holiday. Here are our top six picks for the most fun things to do in Orlando.
6 Fun Activities To Do in Orlando
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Stay at an Authentic Dude Ranch
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Experience the International Drive
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Trek Through State Parks
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Try Adventure Sports
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Take a Haunted Tour
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Explore Museums
Whether vacationing with your family, significant other, or friends, you’ll discover countless opportunities to make unforgettable memories in Orlando.
1 | Stay at an Authentic Dude Ranch |
Experience the genuine Florida lifestyle at Westgate River Ranch Resort & Rodeo. You can begin your outdoor adventures within this 1,700-acre property, which includes untouched tropical wilderness.
Take a hike through beautiful trails or cruise down the Kissimmee River. There are swamp buggies to ride, horses to take out, and fishing spots to relax in.
This resort offers many games, sports, and rides. Challenge your friends and family to ride a mechanical bull, navigate a maze, or break out of an escape room. Test your skills at archery, trap and skeet range, and air rifle shooting. There’s golf and tennis for sports fans and a pool to beat the heat. Kids and those who are kids at heart can explore the Cowboy Adventure Park and the Petting Farm.
Cheer for your favorite rodeo contestant on Saturdays and dance the night away at the after-match street party.
Take a break from the activities to recharge in luxury camping or cabin accommodations equipped with AC/heating units, comfortable beds, and kitchenettes.
WHERE: 3200 River Ranch Blvd, River Ranch, FL 33867 │WHO: 863-692-1321
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2 | Experience the International Drive |
From theme parks and shopping malls to restaurants and museums, the International Drive offers something for everyone.
Kick off your exploration in style by cruising across Orlando’s skies in a helicopter. Then, head over to some of the world’s best rides in incredible amusement parks.
Daredevils can touch the clouds on one of the world's tallest swings, the Orlando Starflyer. Those looking for aquatic thrills can hop onto Ihu’s Watery Fall in Aquatica, and those who need more adrenaline can let the ICON Park’s SlingShot launch them into the air.
The International Drive also hosts multiple indoor attractions, like arcades, sports venues, and go-karting spots. Try K1 Speed Indoor Kart Racing and dash along tracks or glide across an ice-skating rink at Funtania Orlando. Visit various escape rooms where you can evade zombies, navigate heists, or break out of prisons. Find golf courses, museums, galleries, and other exciting venues to make the most out of your vacation.
The nightlife is equally exciting. From exquisite restaurants and bars to nightclubs, you can stay awake till the morning.
WHERE: 7081 Grand National Drive, Suite 105, Orlando, Florida 32819
3 | Trek Through State Parks |
Orlando is home to some of the most beautiful forests and wetlands, which are fantastic for outdoor excursions. Minutes from Orlando International Airport, you’ll find the Tosohatchee Wildlife Management Area (WMA) and Orlando Wetlands, teeming with wild critters, dense swamps, and beautiful vegetation. You can birdwatch, photograph wildlife, catalog plants, or picnic in the lush expanse.
To take a break from the city, head north towards the sprawling Wekiwa Springs State Park, Kelly Park, Seminole State Forest, and Rock Springs Run WMA. Discover tropical hammocks, swim in emerald waters, and camp underneath the starry sky. There’s snorkeling, canoeing, and kayaking to cool the summer’s heat or hiking and fishing to spend your day leisurely.
If you want to explore Florida’s sprawling water bodies, visit Lake Louisa State Park and its nine glimmering lakes and 11 distinct ecosystems. Other lakes in and around Orlando have smaller nature reserves along their shores that are ideal for a retreat. For instance, Lake Jesup and Lake Monroe’s conservation area parks are perfect to visit after spending the day fishing.
You can also explore Orlando's scenic trails on horseback or by bike, enjoying the diverse landscapes and wildlife along the way.
WHERE: Orlando, Florida
4 | Try Adventure Sports |
Adrenaline junkies will have a wonderful time in Orlando. Multiple extreme sports venues that cater to all age groups and skill levels are available for an exciting vacation.
If you feel like whizzing across the skies, take a trip to Canyons Zip Line & Canopy Tours. Fly past sprawling lakes, majestic cliffs, and dense canopies in this beautiful park known for some of the highest, longest, and fastest zips in the state. You’re in for a journey of a lifetime on cables stretching up to 1,100 feet and tours spanning three to nine hours. The venue has monthly specials, like zipping and horseriding under the moonlight, so check the website beforehand.
For those who want to fly unrestrained without jumping off a plane, there’s indoor skydiving at iFLY. Experience being suspended in the air at iFLY’s state-of-the-art wind tunnels. It’s like flying at a constant velocity without falling, making it a one-of-a-kind experience.
To refresh with water sports, head over to Orlando Watersports Complex. Enjoy wakeboarding, kneeboarding, surfing, boating, water-skiing, and tubing under the guidance of expert instructors. If you’re already a pro, you can rent a jetski at Buena Vista Watersports.
WHERE: Orlando, Florida
5 | Take a Haunted Tour |
Orlando hides its fair share of haunted buildings and spooky stories. If you’re daring enough, get in touch with American Ghost Adventures for a walk of a lifetime. They offer two- and four-hour ghost-hunting walks, building investigations, haunted museum tours, and true-crime paranormal trips.
These immersive events go beyond traditional ghost tours, giving you a chance to participate in live paranormal investigations and learn techniques used by real ghost hunters. Scrutinize eerie buildings with ghost-detection equipment under the guidance of expert supernatural investigators. Learn Orlando’s spine-tingling urban folklore, haunted history, and chilling stories as you embark on an adventure of a lifetime.
These otherworldly excursions also offer a unique way to celebrate birthdays and bachelor/bachelorette parties, conduct team-building events, and enjoy family reunions. Make sure to book your slot well ahead, as they run out of spots fast.
WHERE: Location changes depending on the tour │WHO: 407-256-6225
6 | Explore Museums |
If you have a penchant for history, art, and exhibitions, Orlando is the place for you. Here, you’ll find some of the most unique museums displaying artifacts ranging from historical treasures to artists’ personal collections.
There’s the Mennello Museum of American Art if you want to explore culturally diverse works of local American artists spanning centuries. The museum also regularly hosts yoga, family days, and other fun group sessions for a quality bonding time.
Should you want to see a more intimate, curated collection, visit the Charles Hosmer Morse Museum of American Art and enter the world of Louis Comfort Tiffany. Here, you can walk down his memory lane with exhibits that depict his journey from painting to glassmaking. It also hosts paintings by celebrated artists like John Singer Sargent and Carl Fabergé. You’ll find eclectic glass and ceramic artifacts by multiple talented artisans.
Those looking for scientific curiosities can experience the Orlando Science Center’s and WonderWork’s interactive, awe-inspiring displays. You can tour the Chocolate Museum and Cafe to learn about the fascinating history of chocolate while sampling delicacies. There’s the Orange County Regional History Center for local history and Wells'Built Museum of African American History and Culture for insights into the lives of Black Americans in the segregated South.
WHERE: Orlando, Florida
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Use Our Handy Map To Find Your Way Around
Frequently Asked Questions about Fun Things To Do in Orlando
Are there good escape rooms in Orlando?
You’ll find many escape rooms in downtown Orlando, especially on the I-Drive.
Hatch a Loch Ness monster in the Bureau Escape Room’s Lab or repair a broken rocket to escape Mars at The Escape Room. Solve Agatha Christie’s crime stories or take down an evil minister at Escapology’s 7 Deadly Sins. If you’re up for a spooky thrill, try America’s Escape Game’s scariest puzzle, Asylum.
Lockbusters Escape Game, Will To Escape, The Underground Game Show, and Escape Game Orlando are also located nearby.
What are some fun things to do with teens in Orlando?
There are multiple world-famous theme parks you can explore with teens, like the Icon Park, Fun Spot, and Aquatica. Many adventure sports venues in Orlando also have specialized courses and activities for teenagers, so your kids can go zip lining, wakeboarding, and indoor skydiving.
At state parks and lakes, like Wekiwa Springs State Park and Lake Louisa State Park, you can go trekking, canoeing, kayaking, fishing, and swimming. For fun yet educational activities, visit the NASA Kennedy Space Centre Visitor Complex or enjoy interactive exhibits at WonderWorks, Orlando Science Centre, and Ripley’s Believe It or Not Museum.
What are the best camping spots in Orlando?
Almost all state parks in Orlando have excellent camping spots. If you feel like pitching a tent by the lake, you can explore Bill Frederick State Park and Lake Louisa State Park. There’s also Silver Springs State Park, where you can camp by bubbling springs.
Should you feel like venturing into dense forests, there’s Little-Big Econ State Forest and Hal Scott Regional Preserve and Park. For luxury glamping and RV camping, Westgate River Ranch Resort & Rodeo is the best spot.
Does Orlando have good nightlife?
You’ll find games, clubs, music, shows, and various other nightlife attractions in Orlando for people of all ages.
The award-winning King’s Dining and Entertainment Complex features interactive games, excellent food, and tasty beverages. You can relive the old times in speakeasies like The Courtesy Bar and High T or enjoy drinks at popular breweries, bars, nightclubs, and wineries.
You’ll also find plenty of live shows to keep you entertained. Try Outta Control Magic Comedy Dinner Show or Mama's Comedy Show, or visit the SAK Comedy Lab. For dinner and entertainment, discover Mango's Tropical Cafe and become a star at CityWalk's Rising Star’s karaoke.
What’s the best time of year to visit Orlando for fewer crowds?
Families love visiting Orlando when their kids have school breaks, so it gets quite crowded during spring, summer, and end-of-year breaks. If you want to visit off-peak season, try September to mid-October for milder weather and fewer crowds. January and early February are relatively calm as well.
Orlando—Where Excitement Never Ends
Whether you’re looking for adrenaline-fueled adventure or laid-back family nights with live entertainment, Orlando will deliver. Follow our Westgate Resorts Travel blog to discover hidden gems, experience new places, and get more local insights into this vibrant city.
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At Westgate Resorts, when you Check-In, there’s a LOT to Check-Out! Your Orlando vacation awaits! Explore our Branson resorts today or talk with a vacation planner at 888-852-2959 or 407-355-2690.
* Aside from Westgate River Ranch Resort & Rodeo, Westgate Resorts is in no way affiliated with the attractions featured in this article. Items or places listed are current as of the publishing date of this article. Please call or visit the respective website for the most up-to-date offerings and details.
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