Things to Do in Orlando
The theme parks are only the opening act. Here is how we'd spend a few days in the City Beautiful — the headline parks at a glance, then the gardens, gators, lakes and day trips that make Orlando feel like more than a ticket booth.
Updated June 2026
Everyone arrives in Orlando with a park list, and that's fair — this is the theme-park capital of the world, and on any given morning a few hundred thousand people are streaming through the gates of Disney and Universal. But spend a little time here and you learn that the city beyond the resorts is half the fun: prehistoric airboats gliding through the Everglades headwaters, a 1930s botanical garden, a hand-built wheel that lights up International Drive, and lakes you can actually swim in.
This is our master hub for the best things to do in Orlando, written for first-timers mapping out a big-park week and for repeat visitors who've already done the castle and want the rest of the city. We'll point you to the theme parks for the deep dives, line up the local favorites below, and flag the free and low-cost picks that round out a trip. Travelling with little ones? Our things to do with kids guide carries the load there.
The theme parks at a glance
The headliners, in plain terms — what each resort is, so you can decide where the days go. Ticket prices and ride lineups change constantly, so always check the official sites for current details.
The Orlando the brochures skip
Six of our favorite non-park days — wildlife, gardens, lakes and a wheel — most within a half hour of the resorts.
A perfect non-park day
Proof you don't need a ticket to fall for Orlando. Outdoorsy in the morning, easy in the afternoon.
- Start early with an airboat run at Boggy Creek in Kissimmee, before the heat and the storms build.
- Cool off and slow down in the shade of Harry P. Leu Gardens near downtown.
- Drive up to Winter Park for the Scenic Boat Tour, then lunch and a wander on Park Avenue.
- Late afternoon, paddle a swan boat or circle the fountain at downtown's free Lake Eola Park.
- Finish on International Drive with a sunset spin on The Orlando Eye at ICON Park.
The good stuff that costs nothing
Orlando does have a free side. A few of our reliable picks for the budget — there are plenty more.
For the full rundown, see our free things to do in Orlando guide.
Where to go next
Dig into the parts of Orlando that earned their own page.
Theme Parks
Disney, Universal, SeaWorld and Epic Universe — how to plan the big-park days without losing your mind.
Day Trips
Kennedy Space Center, the coast at Cocoa Beach, springs and small towns within easy reach.
Neighborhoods
From International Drive to downtown and leafy Winter Park — the areas that suit different trips.
Itineraries
Day-by-day routes that mix the parks with the gators, gardens and lakes for a balanced trip.
Book Orlando tickets & tours
Common questions
What are the best things to do in Orlando besides the theme parks?
Plenty. We'd point you to Gatorland for old-Florida alligator shows, a Boggy Creek airboat ride through the wetlands near Kissimmee, the Winter Park Scenic Boat Tour followed by Park Avenue, the 50-acre Harry P. Leu Gardens, downtown's free Lake Eola Park, and The Orlando Eye observation wheel at ICON Park on International Drive. Kennedy Space Center, about an hour east, is the standout day trip.
How many days do you need in Orlando?
For a first visit that includes the theme parks, four to six days is a comfortable range — roughly one day per park you want to see, plus a non-park day to rest and explore the rest of the city. If you're skipping the big parks and focusing on gardens, gators, lakes and day trips, three or four days is plenty.
Are there beaches in Orlando?
Not in Orlando itself — the city sits inland in Central Florida, so it has lakes and springs rather than ocean beaches. The nearest coast is Cocoa Beach, about an hour east on the Atlantic, while the Gulf beaches near Clearwater and St. Pete are roughly two hours west. Both make good day trips.
Is Universal's new Epic Universe park open?
Yes. Epic Universe opened on May 22, 2025 as Universal Orlando's newest theme park, joining Universal Studios Florida and Islands of Adventure. It's a separate gate a few miles from the original resort, with five themed worlds, so you'll want its own ticket and ideally its own day. Check Universal's official site for current pricing and hours.
What's the best free thing to do in Orlando?
Lake Eola Park downtown is our top free pick — a fountain-centered lake with a flat walking loop, lawns, a playground and a weekend farmers market (the swan paddle boats cost a little extra). The free-to-enter Disney Springs and Universal CityWalk districts are also great for an afternoon, since you only pay for what you eat or buy.
When is the best time of year to visit Orlando?
The mild, dry, busy peak runs from about November through April, with comfortable temperatures and the lowest rain. Summer (June through November) is hot and humid with near-daily afternoon thunderstorms, and it overlaps Florida's hurricane season, so build flexibility into outdoor plans. Either way, do outdoor activities early in the day during the warmer months.