9 Fantastic Outdoor Activities in Orlando You Must Try
9 Fantastic Outdoor Activities in Orlando You Must Try
One of America’s favorite vacation spots, Orlando, hosts an abundance of thrilling adventures and family-friendly attractions. You can explore world-renowned theme parks, vibrant nightlife, and majestic landscapes, promising diverse and memorable experiences.
Explore the best outdoor activities Orlando offers, both within the city and in nearby areas. Whether you’re in the mood to try adrenaline sports or spend your evening leisurely, you’ll find something you like here.
9 Orlando Outdoor Adventures for a Fun-Filled Stay
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Go Glamping at Westgate River Ranch & Rodeo
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Swim Alongside Manatees With Gray Line Orlando
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Surf on the Westgate Cocoa Beach Pier
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Zipline at Orlando Tree Trek Adventure Park
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Ride Waves at Orlando Watersports Complex
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Trek Through Wekiwa Springs State Park
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Enjoy Thrilling Rides at ICON Park
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Go Safari at the Giraffe Ranch
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Watch Live Soccer at Inter & Co Stadium
Animal lovers can venture into safaris, sports fans can watch live matches, and dare-devils can discover thrilling rides in this bustling city.
1 | Go Glamping at Westgate River Ranch & Rodeo |
Nothing lets you experience nature as a good old camping excursion, but that doesn’t mean you have to give up comfort. At Westgate River Ranch, you’ll find fully-furnished glamping tents, tepees, and Conestoga wagons for deluxe camping nights surrounded by Floridian wilderness.
Each spacious glamping pod is fully equipped with beds, AC/heating units, electrical outlets, and chairs and can comfortably accommodate up to four people. There’s a private kitchenette, propane gas grill, and bathroom for a glamorous camping trip.
You can also camp in your RV or, if you’re feeling more daring, go platform camping or tent camping on the resort’s 1,700 acres of pristine nature. Spend your evenings bonding over BBQ and campfires under the stars and make magical memories.
As the sun rises, you’ll discover some of the best outdoor activities in Orlando. Hop onto the river cruise or airboat and glide down the beautiful Kissimmee River. If you want to tour the grounds, try buggy and horseback rides or go hunting and fishing.
Sports lovers can play mini-golf and tennis, and those looking for challenges can do archery, rock climbing, air-rifle shooting, and trap and skeet games. There’s a cowboy-themed amusement park to explore and a weekly rodeo to attend.
This authentic Florida dude ranch is equipped for the perfect Orlando experience.
WHERE: 3200 River Ranch Boulevard, River Ranch, FL 33867 │WHO: 863-692-1321
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2 | Snorkel Alongside Manatees With Gray Line Orlando |
If you’re looking for outdoor activities near Orlando, take a day trip to swim with manatees in the Crystal River. These gentle river giants are in the region from November to March, and experts like Gray Line Orlando can help you spot them.
Gray Line Orlando’s 10-hour manatee snorkeling trip will take you to the Crystal River for a narrated boat tour. You’ll be provided with snorkels, masks, and fins to swim with these beautiful creatures under the supervision of a diving expert.
Once back on the ground, you can explore Ellie Schiller Homosassa State Wildlife Park. This sanctuary houses many precious endangered animals for rehabilitation or provides them with a permanent living space. The residents include bears, panthers, alligators, and hippos. There’s an underwater viewing chamber where visitors can observe manatees in their natural habitat.
The package includes a picnic lunch in this charming park, allowing you to unwind after your aquatic adventures. You can also try a 30-minute airboat ride on the Withlacoochee River—the tour to designated spots in Orlando.
WHERE: 7061 Grand National Dr # 139, Orlando, FL 32819 │WHO: 407-522-5911
3 | Surf on the Westgate Cocoa Beach Pier |
If you want to soak in Florida’s sun and chase waves to your heart’s content, Westgate Cocoa Beach Pier is the place to go.
This historic landmark on the Space Coast goes 800 ft into the Atlantic Ocean, offering some of the best views, outdoor activities, and food near Orlando.
Nature lovers can hop on a kayak or sunset cruise through the Banana River to reach the beach, meet dolphins, and discover bioluminescence along the way. Feel the breeze in your hair while you cycle along the beach or get surfing lessons to ride the crashing waves.
There’s a marketplace and a rental shop near the beach where you can get all the gear you need. You can rent umbrellas and chairs for a laid-back day watching pelicans flutter about or get a volleyball for an evening full of laughter and games.
This magnificent place is only a short stroll from Westgate Cocoa Pier Beach Resort, and you can walk to the pier daily for picture-perfect vacation evenings.
WHERE: 401 Meade Ave, Cocoa Beach, FL 32931│WHO: 321-783-7549
4 | Zipline at Orlando Tree Trek Adventure Park |
One of the most daring things to do in Orlando is to explore the sky-high adventures at Orlando Tree Trek Adventure Park. Here, you’ll find around a hundred progressively challenging aerial obstacles for people of all ages and skill levels, making this a fun, family-friendly activity.
Unleash your inner dare-devil as you sway on ropes, conquer swerving logs, and balance on teetering suspended bridges. Scale ladders reaching 50 feet high, navigate suspended nets, and glide on hanging skateboards. In the grand finale, whizz through the pine canopy on a 425-foot-long zipline.
The friendly instructors will give you a detailed rundown of the best ways to keep yourself safe before you embark on your adventure. You’ll have three hours to complete their course while being fastened with safety ropes to ensure a secure experience.
WHERE: 7625 Sinclair Rd, Kissimmee, FL 34747 │WHO: 407-390-9999
5 | Ride the Waves at Orlando Watersports Complex |
In Orlando, you get the exhilarating chance to explore one of the largest cable waterboard parks in the U.S.—the Orlando Watersports Complex.
The park features a two-tower system and two full-sized cables for endless fun riding the waves. Glide across the water with wakeboarding and kneeboarding, and try your hand at boating, water skiing, surfing, tubing, and skating.
You can tailor your adventure to your pace with options ranging from two-hour tickets to all-day passes. If you’re coming with a large group, book a pavilion to lounge in between thrilling sessions.
Don’t worry if you’re trying watersports for the first time. There are boat and cable instruction sessions available, ranging from half-hour lessons to five-day boot camps. You can even learn from the four-time wakeboarding champion, Shaun Murray!
With amenities like a beach area and dock-side grill, the complex is fully equipped to host you for the day.
WHERE: 8615 Florida Rock Rd, Orlando, FL 32824 │WHO: 407-801-7977
6 | Trek and Swim at Wekiwa Springs State Park |
A 20-minute drive from Orlando will take you to a sprawling 7,000-acre park perfect for an escape into the wild. Wekiva Springs has been hosting tourists since the 19th century.
Let the emerald waters and lush greenery relax you as you escape the hustle of city life. You have 25 miles of tracks to trek, azure waters to swim in, and grassy slopes to picnic on. Discover sandhills to river swamps as you navigate the gently elevated trails. Keep your eyes peeled for a chance to spot deer, tortoises, rare birds, and even black bears.
You can snorkel and swim in designated areas. Older family members can use the swim lift. The park also offers canoe and kayak rentals.
WHERE: 1800 Wekiwa Circle, Apopka, FL 32712 │WHO: 407-553-4383
7 | Enjoy Thrilling Rides at ICON Park |
A visit to Orlando is incomplete without exploring ICON Park’s exhilarating rides. Cruise the skies on the Orlando Eye—a 400-ft Ferris wheel—and enjoy some of the best aerial views of the town.
Thrill-seekers can get on the Orlando SlingShot to get launched in the air at 100 mph. Meanwhile, little ones and those looking for gentler rides will love the magical Carousel on the Promenade. This 36-foot beauty features detailed, handcrafted work that you can admire while spinning among its glittering lights. For a relaxing tour of the park and its dining attractions, hop aboard the Pearl Express.
Should you want a break from the sun after an adrenaline-filled day, venture into Sea Life’s 360-degree ocean tunnel and enjoy its interactive pools. There’s VR gaming, 7D motion theater, a museum of illusions, and a wax art gallery.
For a fun night out, you can attend one of the park’s game screenings with cheerleaders, marching bands, free food, and more.
WHERE: 8375 International Drive, Orlando, FL 32819│WHO: 407-601-7907
8 | Go Safari at the Giraffe Ranch |
If you’re passionate about animals, you must take a day trip from Orlando to the beautiful Giraffe Ranch.
Not to be mistaken for a zoo, this facility is a park, wildlife preserve, and game farm, which is home to giraffes, zebras, monkeys, rhinoceros, and other majestic species. All animals have enough space to roam freely and are loved by their caretakers.
Safari through the lands with your vehicle, rent a jeep or a cyber truck, or explore the area on camel-back. For a more immersive and unique experience, hop on a segway or walk with one of the ranch’s llamas. As you cruise through this picturesque countryside, an expert guide will educate you on animals, their care, and the facility’s conservation efforts.
All safaris, except the drive-through one, include a hands-on giraffe feeding experience. You can feed otters, lemurs, and monkeys and meet giant tortoises and cheetahs as optional activities.
WHERE: 38650 Mickler Road, Dade City, FL 33523 │WHO: 813-482-3400
9 | Watch Live Soccer at Inter & Co Stadium |
Sports enthusiasts will love cheering for their favorite team at Inter & Co. This 25,000-seat stadium is home to Orlando City of Major League Soccer (MLS) and Orlando Pride of the National Women’s Soccer League (NWSL).
Enjoy the fast-paced, high-stakes drama of live sports in a supercharged atmosphere. There’s free wifi, as well as food stalls for your convenience. Don’t miss the chance to grab some team merchandise to commemorate the day.
Take some time to explore the surrounding area before heading to the stadium. You’ll discover a vibrant and bustling neighborhood with plenty of restaurants, bars, and shops that capture the spirit of Orlando’s sports culture.
Grab a bite to eat and soak in the local atmosphere while you wait for the match to begin. Many fans arrive early to enjoy pre-game festivities, mingle with fellow supporters, and get into the spirit of the match.
WHERE: 655 W Church St, Orlando, FL 32805 │WHO: 407-480-4702
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Frequently Asked Questions About Outdoor Attractions in Orlando
What is the best time of year to enjoy outdoor activities in Orlando?
Spring and autumn are the best seasons for outdoor activities in Orlando, with spring being the peak tourist season. If you’re used to the chilly temperatures of the northern states, you’ll find Florida’s winters rather pleasant as it rarely gets cold.
Are there any free or low-cost Orlando outdoor attractions?
Orlando’s parks are affordable, sometimes even free. Orlando Wetlands and Lake Eola Park are free to enter, whereas Wekiwa Springs charges a small fee per vehicle.
For a budget-friendly outdoor activity, drive to Westgate Cocoa Beach Pier for some volleyball and surfing. You’ll be charged for parking and equipment rentals.
If you’re looking for amusement parks that don’t break the bank, check out Fun Land Orlando. It offers multiple unique rides and Go-Kart tracks at a fraction of the cost of other theme parks.
Are there parks or nature reserves that offer nature-based activities in Orlando?
There are numerous parks in and around Orlando for wildlife spotting, walks, picnics, photography, and leisure. If you want a large area to trek in, explore Orlando Wetlands or Wekiwa Springs State Park. For shorter strolls near downtown, try Lake Eola Park for fantastic skyline views.
If you feel like checking out botanical collections, there’s Harry P Leu Gardens, which has extensive plant collections from around the globe. For swimming or snorkeling, head to Kelly Park.
Are there animal-related experiences in Orlando suitable for young children?
Kids will love the petting zoo at Westgate River Ranch Resort & Rodeo. Exotic Animal Experience also houses many fascinating animals that guests of all ages can feed and play with.
Sea Life at the ICON Park has pools where you can interact with marine life. If you want to get up close to exotic or rare animals, you can take your kids to Ellie Schiller Homosassa State Wildlife Park or the Giraffe Ranch.
Are there music festivals or events in Orlando?
Orlando hosts numerous music festivals, including Punk In the Park, Home Bass, Florida Groves, and Electric Daisy Carnival. The city is also a popular spot for concerts by famous musicians. To track upcoming events, you can use websites like EventBrite and Music Festival Wizard.
What adventure sports facilities can I find in Orlando?
You can try ziplining and navigating aerial obstacles at Orlando Tree Trek Adventure Park and Florida Zip Line Adventures. For a gravity-defying thrill, explore indoor skydiving with iFly. If you’re into watersports, visit Orlando Watersports Complex or Freedom Wake Park.
Where can I see the rodeo in Orlando?
You can enjoy the oldest-running Saturday night rodeo in the U.S. at Westgate River Ranch Resort & Rodeo. Nearby, there’s Silver Spurs Rodeo and Kissimmee Rodeo & Cowboy Experience.
Orlando—Outdoor Fun for All Ages
From excursions into the wilderness and adventure sports to tranquil picnics and theme parks, there are a lot of fun things to do in Orlando. No matter your age or preferences, you’re sure to find activities and attractions to suit you. Follow the Westgate Travel blog for insider tips on Orlando and the surrounding area.
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* Aside from Westgate River Ranch Resort & Rodeo and Westgate Cocoa Beach Pier, 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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