The 6 Coolest Things To Do In Orlando

Beyond the perfectly manicured theme park grounds, Orlando boasts a world of excitement waiting to be explored. This city overflows with charming cafés nestled along tree-lined streets, extraordinary museums, a thriving art scene, and a seemingly endless program of world-class sporting events. With an average of 233 days of sunshine a year, you may be inclined to spend your day perched by the resort pool, but then you’d miss out on all this marvelous city has to offer, from rocket launches to ’gator wrestling. If you’re looking to cobble together the ultimate vacation hit list, here’s our pick of the coolest things to do in Orlando right now.

The Coolest Things To Do In Orlando

Walt Disney World Resort

Four of the five most visited theme parks in the United States are at Orlando’s Walt Disney World Resort.

In order, these are the Magic Kingdom, Disney’s Animal Kingdom, Epcot, and Disney’s Hollywood Studios, and what’s incredible is that attendance at all four continues to rise year on year at this city within a city.

As Disney World grows, so do the prices, but the sense of wonderment and undeniable charm will win over the most cynical parents.

And now for a breathless rundown of what else is on the Disney World Property: There are two water parks (Typhoon Lagoon and Blizzard Beach), three 18-hole golf courses (and one 9-hole), 34 contained resorts and hotels (many with spa facilities), the dining and entertainment of Disney’s Boardwalk and Disney Springs, and lastly the ESPN Wide World Of Sports Complex with nine different sporting venues.

Universal’s Island of Adventure

While other theme parks around town tend to cater more towards certain age groups or tastes, Universal’s Islands of Adventure™ has got it all. There are live-action stunts to entertain the kids, while rollercoasters and themed rides tower overhead. Immersive simulators place you in the middle of your favorite movie – ideal for those who prefer their adrenaline fix to be a bit closer to the ground.

Aquatica Park

One of the best waterparks in Orlando is Aquatica, located next to the larger SeaWorld complex. Alongside all the waterpark essentials like head-to-head slides, rapids, and high-speed flumes, it also delivers a few slightly more unique attractions.

A must-try is Dolphin Plunge, where your transparent flume passes through a pool full of dolphins (if you’re lucky, they’ll even try to race you as you zip over them). If you want an adrenaline rush, try the oblivion-style drop at Ihu’s Breakaway Falls.

Kennedy Space Center

NASA’s main launch center for human spaceflight since 1968, the Kennedy Space Center is an hour out of Orlando on the east coast.

That drive is nothing for an experience this momentous.

Arrive as early as you can, to give you enough time to take a bus tour (included with admission) and discover all there is to see at the visitor complex.

At the dumbfounding Space Shuttle Atlantis Exhibit the namesake shuttle is suspended at an angle from the ceiling as if floating in space.

You’ll find out about the vital missions carried out by this orbiter and can get a taste of lift-off at the Shuttle Launch Experience.

On the narrated bus tour you’ll venture out into NASA’s immense compound to visit the launch sites for the Apollo and Space Shuttle missions, combined with stops at the surrounding nature reserve to see alligators and bald eagle nests.

Universal Studios

Universal Studios Florida draws in the bumper crowds with its long line-up of Hollywood-inspired rides and attractions. Part of the wider Universal Orlando complex, the theme park focuses on delivering an immersive movie experience, with state-of-the-art technology used throughout the range of simulators.

This theme park lets you get up close with those naughty yellow minions from Despicable Me, fly across Springfield with The Simpsons, ward-off alien attacks in the Men in Black simulator, or get lost in a world of magic at Harry Potter’s Escape from Gringotts ride.

SeaWorld Orlando

SeaWorld has long been a firm fixture on Orlando’s list of big-name attractions, with plenty of shows, aquatic themed-rides, and hands-on animal experiences to keep the family occupied for the day. Venture through the shark tunnel to uncover an underwater world, get up close to the dolphins and rays at the Sea of Shallows, or watch orca whales showcasing their skills at the famous Shamu Stadium. It would be one of the coolest things to do in Orlando for your trip.

Admission price varies between weekdays and weekends (starting around $80 a ticket). SeaWorld also has a range of multi-day options with various add-ons for entrance into the adjacent Aquatica waterpark and Discovery Cover.

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