FOMO is real! Do you worry about overlooking something incredible when travel planning? If so, then you’re in luck because this curated list of 100 things to do in Orlando Florida will ensure you create an unforgettable and personalized vacation. You will find landmarks, attractions, museums, outdoor activities, beaches, where to eat and shop, and where to get the perfect photos for lasting memories. Don’t skip the Plan Your Trip section for when to go, how long to stay, what to pack, how much to budget, where to stay, and how to get around. It’s all here, keep reading for 100 Things to Do in Orlando Florida.
100 Unforgettable Things to Do in Orlando Florida
Top Theme and Water Parks in Orlando Florida
- Meet your favorite Disney character at Walt Disney World’s Magical Kingdom
- Ride Spaceship Earth, the iconic Epcot Center attraction
- Check out Star Wars Galaxy Edge, the Tower of Terror, and Toy Story Land at Disney’s Hollywood Studios
- Go on an African Safari, Jungle Trek, and Mt Everest Adventure at Disney’s Animal Kingdom
- Spend a hot day splashing around at Disney’s Typhoon Lagoon or Blizzard Beach
- Shop for souvenirs, have dinner, listen to live music, or take in the view from a hot air balloon at Disney Springs
- Have dinner, shop for souvenirs, and watch the street performers at Disney Boardwalk
- Step into The Wizarding World of Harry Potter at Universal Studios, don’t miss the stunt shows
- Check out Jurassic Park River Adventure and Godzilla’s Skull Island at Universal Islands of Adventure Theme Park
- Ride the Krakatau Aquacoaster at Universal Volcano Bay Water Theme Park
- Swim with dolphins, snorkel through tropical reefs, and relax on white sandy beaches at Discovery Cove
- Ride the Mako roller coaster at Sea World
Must Do Attractions and Activities in Orlando Florida
- Zipline over alligators and watch the gator wrestling show at Gatorland
- Watch the feeding show at SEA Life
- Try out the trapeze swings at Tree Trek Orlando
- Play a horror themed round of mini golf at Hollywood Drive-In Golf
- Practice slam dunks at NBA Experience, Disney Springs
- Spend the day zooming down the waterslides or relaxing in the lazy river at Aquatica
- Spin 450 feet in the air at 45mpm on the Orlando Starflyer
- Explore the upside down house and interactive exhibits at WonderWorks Orlando
- Cool off at Nona Adventure Park, an inflatable aqua park
- Ride the wooden roller coaster at Fun Spot America
- Interact with exotic animals at the Exotic Animal Experience
- Hold a baby alligator and non-venomous snakes at Reptile World Serpentarium
- Attend the classic car show in Old Town Kissimmee (Fridays)
- See Orlando’s famous theme parks from above during a helicopter ride
Shows and Performances in Orlando Florida
- Watch the Disney inspired Cirque du Soleil Drawn to Life performance
- Catch the Blue Man Group at ICON Park
- See a opera, ballet, or Broadway show at the Dr. Phillips Center for the Performing Arts
- Watch a Shakespeare performance at the Orlando Shakes Theater
- Catch an Orlando Magic basketball game at the Amway Center
Themed Restaurants and Dinner Shows in Orlando Florida
- Dress up and attend the Titanic Dinner Gala cocktail and dinner party, which includes a tour of the exhibit
- Enjoy dinner and a Latin-inspired show at Mango’s Tropical Café
- Take the kids to the Pirates Dinner Adventure or Medieval Times Dinner & Tournament
- Step into Chicago during the 1930s while enjoying an Italian meal at the Capone’s Dinner & Show
- Book the Polynesian Fire Luau for a buffet followed by dancing and a fire knife performance
- Eat fried chicken and BBQ ribs during the Hoop-Dee-Doo Musical Revue wild west themed show
- Try to figure out who dunnit at the Sleuths Mystery Dinner Shows, check the website for the current menu
- Watch the Outta Control Magic Comedy Dinner Show while eating pizza
- Enjoy lunch in a rainforest at the Rain Forest Café in Disney Springs Marketplace
- Order a burger and explore the memorabilia at the Hard Rock Café Universal Studios’ CityWalk or Planet Hollywood Disney Springs
Where to Eat in Orlando Florida
- Orlando is full of Michelin Star Restaurants and Celebrity Chefs, too many for the purpose of this post.
- Here is a guide to Orlando’s Michelin Star Restaurants and here is one for Orlando’s Celebrity Chefs.
- If you are looking for a great meal without the hassle of research, simply choose one on Restaurant Row (Sand Lake Road).
- Popular at Universal Citywalk: Margaritaville, Bubba Gump Shrimp Co, Hard Rock Café, Bob Marley
- Popular at Disney Springs: House of Blues, Rainforest Café, Planet Hollywood, Wolfgang Puck Bar and Grill
- Popular at Icon Park: Blake Shelton’s Ole Red, Sugar Factory, Gordon Ramsay’s Fish & Chips
Orlando Florida Nightlife: Pubs, Cocktails and Nightclubs
- Dance the night away at EVE Orlando, Tier Nightclub, The Beacham, Vain Nightclub
- Spend the night out at Church Street Station bar hopping
- Listen to dueling pianos while sipping a cocktail at Jewel Orlando
- Stop by Trader Sam’s Grog Grotto, a tropical tiki bar
- Take the Orlando Brewing Company tour and sample locally brewed beers
- Sample your way through the Central Florida Ale Trail
- Have rooftop cocktails with panoramic views at the Attic Orlando
- Stop for drinks at Cocktails and Screams, a Halloween themed bar
- Dance the night away at Wall Street Plaza
- Catch a show at The Social
- Dance to Latin beats at Cuba Libre Restaurant & Rum Bar
- Go line dancing at Cowboys
Best Museums in Orlando Florida
- Browse the collections of American, African, and contemporary art at the Orlando Museum of Art
- Explore the interactive exhibits, planetarium shows, and live demonstrations at the Orlando Science Center
- Check out Earl Cunningham’s folk art at the Mennello Museum of American Art
- See the largest collection of Louis Comfort Tiffany’s works at the Charles Hosmer Morse Museum of American Art
- Walk through a vortex tunnel at the quirky Ripley’s Believe It or Not Museum
- See vintage fire engines, equipment, and memorabilia at the Orlando Fire Museum
- Follow the life of an escape from the Czechoslovak army at The Holocaust Memorial Resource and Education Center
- Learn Central Florida’s history at the interactive Orange County Regional History Center
- Play around in the exhibits and optical illusions at the Museum of Illusions
- Check out 500+ real skeletons from around the world at the Museum of Osteology
- See the works of Czech sculptor Albin Polasek in a serene garden setting at the Albin Polasek Museum and Sculpture Gardens
- Check out the Kessler collection at the Grand Bohemian Hotel Orlando
- Tour the historic home of businessman Harry P. Leu and walk the landscaped gardens at the Harry P. Leu House Museum
Outdoor Activities in Orlando Florida
- Browse the street art and murals in the Mills 50 District
- Wander 50 acres of botanical gardens featuring landscapes, historic homes, and scenic walking trails at the Harry P. Leu Gardens
- Cruise through picturesque canals past beautiful homes on a Winter Park Scenic Boat Tour
- Kayak or swim in crystal-clear springs at Wekiva Springs State Park
- Walk the elevated boardwalk above the marsh at Orlando Wetlands Park
- Search for alligators from the safety of your car on the Lake Apopka Wildlife Drive through wetlands and marshes
- Rent a swan boat and peddle your way around Lake Eola Park
- Grab your morning coffee and take a walk under the moss-covered oak trees at Kraft Azalea Garden or Dickson Azalea Park
- Do some fishing, boating, and picnicking in Bill Frederick Park at Turkey Lake
- Survive the tree-top obstacle course, zip lines, suspended bridges, nets & Tarzan swings at the Orlando Tree Trek Adventure Park
- Wiz around the track at 45mph at the Orlando Kart Center
- Head to the Orlando Watersports Complex for wakeboarding, waterskiing, and a water obstacle course
- Go paddleboarding at Lake Ivanhoe Park
- Book Boggy Creek Airboat Adventures to explore marshes and swamps on an airboat tour
Shopping in Orlando Florida
- Shop for Disney merchandise and souvenirs at Disney Springs
- Wander the Pointe Orlando outdoor shopping complex on International Drive
- Shop the boutiques on Park Avenue in Winter Park
- Browse farmer’s market stalls at the Winter Park Farmer’s Market (Saturday), Orlando Farmers Market (Sunday), or Celebration Town Center (Sunday)
- Spend a rainy day exploring 250+ stores at The Florida Mall
- Do some upscale shopping at The Mall at Millenia
- Score designer deals at the Orlando International Premium Outlets
Romantic Things to Do in Orlando Florida
- Book the Orlando Eye private capsule with champagne and enjoy Orlando’s skyline
- Enjoy a romantic rooftop dinner with a Capa at Four Seasons Resort Orlando or The Boathouse at Disney Springs
- Relax with drinks at the high-end Mathers Social Gathering cocktail bar, the dress code is enforced
- Be serenaded by a singing gondolier on a Gondola Ride at Disney Springs
- Book a couples massage or spa treatment at The Ritz-Carlton Spa or Waldorf Astoria Spa
Things to Do in Orlando Florida with Young Children
Legoland, Crayola Experience, Orlando Science Center, and Green Meadows Petting Farm are a few of the best things to do with young children in Orlando Florida.
Instagrammable Places in Orlando Florida: Lookouts, View Points, and Selfies
- Enjoy panoramic views from The Citrus Tower, Orlando Eye, or the ICON Orlando observation wheel
- Photograph the Orlando’s skyline from Lake Eola Park and see the iconic fountain at night
- Take selfies with your favorite star at Madame Tussauds Museum
Special Events
Note: Be Sure to check the Orlando Florida Board of Tourism website for upcoming festivals, special events, and what’s happening this weekend.
Day Trips from Orlando Florida
- Explore historic spacecraft, meet astronauts, and maybe witness a rocket launch at Kennedy Space Center
- Spend the day splashing around in the ocean at Cocoa Beach
- Take the glass bottom boat tour through one of America’s largest springs at Silver Springs Park
- Tube down a 9-mile natural lazy river at Kelly Park (arrive at least 2 hours early to gain access)
Plan your Trip to Orlando Florida
Why Visit Orlando Florida
Around 75 million people visit Orlando each year. Orlando is known as the theme park capital of the world. The city is also full of history, museums, fun attractions and great shopping.
How Many Days in Orlando Florida is Enough
A week is a good amount of time to spend in Orlando, depending on the number of theme parks you wish to visit. A good balance is to alternate theme parks with pool and beach days. Add another day if you plan to attend a special event or wish to take a day trip.
Is Orlando Florida Safe for Solo Travelers
According to Travel Safe Abroad, the overall risk of travel in Orlando Florida is medium. The violent crime rate was twice the US national average in 2021. Stay aware of your surroundings and guard against pickpockets. Use a small cross-body purse, keep your wallet in your front pocket, and carry only one credit card and your ID. Check their website for more information.
How to Get to Orlando Florida
Several airlines fly nonstop to the Orlando International Airport (MCO). A nonstop flight from LAX to MCO is 5 hours; nonstop JKF to MCO is 3 hours. Many hotels offer free transportation from the airport to the property. Prepare for your flight!
How to Get Around Orlando Florida
Many hotels offer free transportation from the property to theme parks, check with your concierge. Orlando is spread out; car rental may be the easiest way to get around. Remember you will wait in line to enter theme parks and there will be additional parking fees. Uber could easily be more convenient and cost-effective when combined with public transportation. The city is well connected by LYNX bus lines and the I-RIDE Trolley operates two routes along International Drive.
Accommodation in Orlando Florida
Spending the night? Search Booking.com and VRBO in one place to find the perfect property! I stayed at Margaritaville Resort Orlando and loved the pool. As a bonus, the resort is near many restaurants and bars.
What Should I Budget for Orlando Florida
Orlando Florida is not a budget destination. According to Budget My Trip, the daily cost of travel is $321 per person per day. As always, the cost is based on your travel style. Check their website for more information.
Be aware, the average entrance fee to a theme park in 2024 is $110, and expect to spend around $50 for food and drinks while there.
What Should I Pack for Orlando Florida
Orlando Florida is hot and humid in the summer. Pack lightweight and light-colored clothing. Bring comfortable shoes to wear while at theme parks. Expect brief rain showers during the day and be sure to bring swim gear!
Visiting More Florida Cities?
Check out our related Florida posts with links to must-see destinations and itineraries!
Bookmark and Pin 100 Things to Do in Orlando Florida, a Bucket List City
Booking Resources for Orlando Florida
Orlando Florida Travel Guide Books
Pick up an Orlando Florida Travel Guide from Amazon.com to browse on the plane.
Book Your Accommodation in Orlando Florida Now
Spending the night? Search Booking.com and VRBO in one place to find the perfect property!
Orlando Florida Attractions and Day Tours
The best attractions sell out! Don’t chance it, get your tickets now and relax when you arrive.
Travel Essentials
Need a universal travel adaptor, power bank charger, or packing cubes? Save time at my Amazon shop and have travel essentials delivered to your home.
Have a great vacation!