Things to do in Orlando besides theme parks

Don’t get us wrong. We love that we live where people vacation! And of course, the millions of people who visit Central Florida each year to experience our world-class theme parks aren’t wrong.

But if you’re ready for a change of pace, we’ve got you covered. Whether you’re looking for Orlando date ideas or Orlando family activities, there are plenty of things to do in Orlando beyond the theme parks.

Here’s our list of Orlando attractions we think you might want to check out.

Visit a state park

Florida has some of the most beautiful state parks. From camping out to hiking to relaxing by the water, there’s something for everyone. We suggest visiting Wekiwa Springs State Park for its wildlife trails or popular crystal-clear springs. It’s a go-to for many on a hot summer day, and this Apopka state park has sights you don’t want to miss!

Go to a dinner show

If you want a taste of the storytelling and theming of the parks, a dinner show could be a fun change of pace. From tales of knights to stories of pirates, Central Florida has several to choose from.The shows usually have plenty of interactive elements to keep the kids entertained, and the delicious food will keep you all full and satisfied.

Enjoy the live theater

The Dr. Phillips Centerin Downtown Orlando hosts a variety of shows every year, from local theater to national touring shows. We also love supporting our Sanford community neighbors at The Ritz Theater at the Wayne Densch Performing Arts Center. They have been entertaining the community for more than 100 years.

Check out a museum

You learn something new every day, so why nothit one of our local museums and prove it? The Central Florida area has many to choose from, from some zany options on International Drive to the more traditional Orlando Museum of Art or the fun Orlando Science Center.

Choose a beach near Orlando

Since Orlando is in the center of Florida, that gives you two options when looking for a warm place to relax on the sand or hit the surf. You can choose to go east and visit the likes of Daytona Beach, Cocoa Beachor New Smyrna Beach on the Atlantic side, or you can go head west and catch the sunset on the Gulf. The possibilities for the perfect beach day are endless.

Enjoy an amusement center

If we haven’t given you enough ideas, how do indoor go-karts, minigolf, bowling, arcade games,axe throwing, laser tag, a ropes courses and virtual reality sound to you? Elev8 Fun in Sanford covers all the bases. And believe it or not, everything is under one roof!

With two floors of adrenaline-inducing fun, Elev8 covers 125,000 square feet of entertainment, games, and experiences. At this fun zone, you can challenge a big group of friends on the go-kart track, in the laser tag arena or at our Sanford bowling alley. You can also play head-to-head games with a date at the arcade or avoid breaking a sweatand visit the indoor putt puttattraction for some friendly competition. Elev8 Fun’s family-friendly attractions entertain in every scenario. We can guarantee you’ll make many memories, no matter what you choose.

As you can see, theme parks are not theonly fun things to do in Orlando. There are so many options to explore—and even to explore just at Elev8!

Ready to see what we’ve got? Check out our website here for more information about our indoor amusement park.