Have you ever noticed that everyone always says “we’re going to Disney!” but you rarely ever hear someone say “we’re going to Orlando?” Everyone pretty much assumes that if you’re in Orlando, you’re there to go to the theme parks (or maybe a work conference – but even then you’re probably gonna slip away for a park day while you’re there).
It’s easy to see why Disney and Universal steal the show when it comes to Orlando attractions. But what if you need a slightly more low-key day in between your hot and busy days at the parks. Or maybe you’ve been there so many times and want to stray off the beaten path a little?
We’ve put together a list of some great spots in and around Orlando – ranging from just down the street to about an hour’s drive – that are great alternative options for kid and family fun.
We’ve put together a list of our TOP 12 spots in and around Orlando – ranging from just down the street to about an hour’s drive – that are great alternative options for kid & family fun.
Orlando Science Center
We went to this museum for the first time when Hunter was about 3. He was in a big dinosaur phase at the time, and we saw that this place had an entire section devoted to dinos. When we realized it was part of our ASTC Passport program that we have through our children’s museum membership (meaning we could all get in for free), we were sold.
Hunter loved the dinosaur exhibit (of course), but the museum as a whole was actually enjoyable for everyone. It’s far from the biggest museum we’ve been to, but it wasn’t tiny either. We spent half a day there and got to see just about everything that we wanted to see. Now, we had a 3-year-old in tow, so our collective attention span was relatively short; if you and your family like to take your time to look at everything, then you could possibly make it a full-day activity.
Getting there is pretty easy (it isn’t far off of the interstate), and there’s a big parking deck across the street that connects to the science center via a walking bridge, so parking is a breeze (it’s a $5 flat rate to park in the deck, totally worth the convenience!). There is a cafe and coffee shop on site, and being close to downtown means there are plenty of dining options nearby. Or you can pack a lunch and have a picnic in the park next door!
So if you have nerdy kids like we do (and we’re proud of it!), then this is a great little attraction that might peak their interest!
LegoLand
We went here for the first time during our last Disney trip in October 2021. Hunter and Gage had just started to become interested in Legos, so we thought it would be a fun place to try out. We had actually spent a day at the original LegoLand during a trip to California in 2019. The boys weren’t old enough to fully appreciate it then, but we still thought it was really cool (Chance was a huge LEGO nerd as a kid).
When we visited LegoLand in Florida, we lucked out with having very sparse crowds that day, which was a huge plus. But even with that advantage, we could tell just how spoiled we had become with Disney World’s overall efficiency when it comes to operating rides and just overall logistics.
Showcase of Citrus (Orange Grove)
Hunter wanted to pick oranges on our last Disney trip, so Chance found this place for us to go do that. We were shocked at how much stuff they had there for us to do outside of just picking oranges. Going there in itself is free, but you can buy tickets to take a monster truck ride and then of course you pay for the orange grove picking. They had food, drinks, a bar, locally made goods and a nice-sized playground for the kids. We even brought a picnic lunch (picked up from Publix, of course).
Hang by the pool – so make sure you pick a hotel with a good one 😉
You’re in Florida, so there’s a good chance it’ll be warm. What better way to relax on your vacation than to spend time cooling off at the pool that’s right outside your hotel window? Always a favorite for the kids. Sometimes the kids actually prefer simpler days and activities – we as parents tend to overthink it! LOL
We usually do this on the last day because we end the trip on a relaxing note and I’m also able to go back to the room as needed for naps and packing (but make sure you keep an eye on the weather so you don’t wind up with a wash out and disappointed kids).
Orlando International Premium Outlets
Love shopping? Love saving money? Why not do both! It’s outdoors and has a great food court. Plenty of shops for mom & dad with some fun ones for the littles.
SEA LIFE Orlando Aquarium
Hunter has always LOVED animals, so whenever we travel somewhere new we always make an effort to check out the local zoo and/or aquarium. Before having kids, we lived in Atlanta, which has the Georgia Aquarium AKA the gold standard of aquariums. And while we don’t expect other ones to completely match up to it, it’s fun to see how each aquarium is different in its own way. SEA LIFE’s main attraction is their 360 Ocean Tunnel, which lets you immerse yourself in the undersea world without having to strap on any SCUBA gear. Hunter chose the orange grove over this last time, but we plan to do it in the fall.
Crayola Experience
A great option if the weather isn’t great. Lots of hands-on experiences for the kids, plus you can stock up on Crayola supplies to bring the creativity home.
Pirate’s Dinner Adventure
A fun dinner event that the whole family will enjoy! Shout out to Jessica Rasdall for this idea even though we couldn’t fit a show time in on our past trip. Cannot wait to take the boys to this one, though.
Gatorland
This place has been around since 1949, so they must be doing something right. If you don’t want to leave Florida without seeing an alligator, this is a must. Fun fact: part of the park was used as a filming location for Indiana Jones and the Temple of Doom.
If you’re not used to seeing gators or also want to see other reptiles and animals, this is for you. They have shows, zip lines, and feeding experiences (at additional costs). A major con for us here is that you can’t bring coolers in. We really appreciate being able to bring in food and drinks because it helps cut down on the cost so much.
Giraffe Ranch
Another cool attraction for the wildlife lover in your family. Take safari tours to see giraffes and other exotic animals up close and personal!
It’s currently drive thru with COVID regulations and $150 per vehicle. Secretly, I hope they keep it this way! LOL
WonderWorks
Another great indoor attraction (again, for that unpredictable Florida weather – rain or heat) that offers of 35,000 square feet of fun and educational activities for guests of all ages. It has a Space Discovery Zone, Imagination Lab, Extreme Weather Zone and more.
Dinosaur World
This one is a little bit of a drive – about an hour from the Disney World area – but if you have a dino lover in your family (we certainly do), it’s definitely worth checking out! They have life-sized dinosaurs, a playground, a fossil dig and a boneyard. You can bring your own cooler, and they even mention that they’re autism friendly which just makes my heart swell!
And if you are heading to Orlando and WILL be stopping by Disney World, make sure to check out some of our Disney-specific resources:
15 Quick Step Disney Planning Printable
33 Must Know Tips & Tricks for Disney World
Send us a DM on Instagram @Messy_Wonderful if you have any awesome Orlando activities you want to share 🙂
