Looking for something unique in Orlando, Florida?
You’ve been walking miles and miles of theme parks for days and can’t wait another second in line for your next ride?
Well this post will help you.
A Word About Orlando’s Theme Parks
So how do you find unique activities in a small city that receives 60 million visitors a year? From ghost tours to paddle boats to Florida’s largest rose garden, there’s always something to pique your interest.
There’s a reason Orlando Florida is known as the theme park capital of the world. Between Disney World and its many parks, Universal Studios and its many parks, and SeaWorld and Legoland, it’s easy to think that Orlando has it all.
We are big fans of big parks (watching the world of Harry Potter, we love finding quiet places to relax and experience other things.
That said, Orlando is America’s most visited city, and there are always people everywhere you go. However, compared to the larger theme parks, the locations on this list are generally quieter and give you something else to do in Orlando.
For this matter, many of the places on this list are not in Orlando itself, but are within a short driving distance of our hotel. Visit the Official Disney Resort Site If you’re visiting Orlando and looking for something close to all the action.
Unique activities in Orlando
Without further ado, here are 15 unique things to do in Orlando, Florida.
Angry at the Giraffe Ranch
Have you ever been licked by a giraffe, nipped by a zebra or ridden a camel? I’ve been lucky to do all three and have lived to tell stories.
At Orlando’s Giraffe Ranch, explore the wildlife on a driving safari tour, camel safari tour, or Segway safari tour.
What do they have in common? They all take you on rides to see a wide variety of animals from Africa, Asia, Australia and America, from rhinos to hippos to lemurs to ostriches. All tours include hand-feeding the giraffes, so keep an eye out for their two-foot-long blue tongues.
Go on a ghost hunt with American Ghost Adventures
Have you ever been on a ghost hunt before?
Ever been fascinated by the supernatural? Want to explore the darker (literally) side of downtown Orlando?
of american ghost adventure This tour takes you on a ghost tour that includes some history, some ghost stories, and a quick look inside one of downtown Orlando’s most haunted buildings. If it says you can provide ghost-hunting gear or bring your own, it indicates a unique experience.
Stroll through the Bock Tower Gardens
What do acres of trees and a singing tower have in common?
Both can be found at: Bock Tower Gardens Just outside Orlando on Lake Wales. The Singing Tower is a 205-foot-tall circular pink and gray marble building with a carillon on the top floor and 60 huge bells connected to a clavier (piano-like device) that, when played, The surrounding garden is filled with rich echoes. With more than 250 acres of trees, reflective pools, winding paths and a thriving bird sanctuary, there’s plenty to explore when the weather is nice.
Defy gravity in Spook Hill
What do gravity, illusions, and roads have in common?
Spook Hill (near Bock Tower Gardens) on Wales Lake is known as Gravity Hill. This anti-gravity phenomenon puts you at the bottom of a seemingly small hill. Perception is a wonderful thing.
Go indoor skydiving with iFly
Never been skydiving? A little nervous about jumping out of an airplane?
Well, iFly Orlando lets you go indoor skydiving. Experience the thrill of skydiving at just a few feet in our state-of-the-art vertical wind tunnel. It’s a great experience when you’re with a group, and whether you’re 5 or 105, you’re almost guaranteed to walk away with a smile.
Visit the indie-inspired Ivanhoe Village
Love the indie scene? Want to see where hipsters live, art lovers browse and wine lovers gather?
Ivanhoe Village is an eclectic group of retro retailers, museums, craft breweries, boutique wineries and delicious restaurants. Find records at Rock & Roll Heaven or browse vintage clothing at Deja Vu Vintage. Enjoy a beer at the Ivanhoe Park Brewing Company or a glass of wine at the Imperial Wine Bar. You can also walk or bike along the many lakes and trails that call this little part of Orlando home.
Be Mysterious at the Orlando Science Center
do you like science? Do you want to discover the secrets of the universe and answer age-old questions in a fun environment?
then Orlando Science Center It’s your ticket to happiness. With four floors of interactive exhibition halls, observatories, theaters, laboratories and workshops, there’s no better place to learn than at the Science Center. With ever-changing exhibits, 3D movies on giant screens, dinosaur exhibits and a huge playroom for little ones, it’s also great for indoor activities on rainy days and is located in Ivanhoe Village.
Stroll around Lake Eola
What do swans, ducks, turtles, and amphitheaters have in common?
They can all be found around Lake Eola in Orlando. There is a mile-long boardwalk around the lovely little lake, which can be easily walked in less than an hour. Between artisan markets, local wildlife, and nearby restaurants, it’s easy to spend a few hours here.
If you want to go on a tourist route, go out on an electric swan boat at night, but if you want to relax with the locals, sit on one of the many benches and watch real swans swim and roam. Please see
Ride a rowboat on Lake Fairview
Scared of land and speed?
Afterwards, a rowboat ride on Lake Fairview is sure to put a smile on your face. In fact, there are a wide variety of boats you can rent to spend an afternoon on Orlando’s Lake Fairview. You can rent everything from kayaks and canoes to pontoon and fishing boats.
Posing at Madame Tussauds Orlando
Ever wanted to stand next to your favorite superstar? Want to know how tall or round a particular celebrity is?
Well, you can see their doppelgangers at Madame Tussauds in Orlando.
gimmick? yes. Quirky? absolutely. Individual? Well, unless you happen to be a world-class wax carver or painter and have the uncanny skill to create lifelike replicas, the answer is definitely yes. Orlando is worth checking out if your curiosity about celebrities runs out.
Sink the Bruce aboard the Titanic Orlando
Ever wondered what life was like on the Titanic?
Whether you’re a history buff or just a movie buff, the Titanic: Artifacts Exhibition will take you back to the beginning of the last century with a display that shines a light on the wonders of that fateful ship.
In this 2-hour romp, step aboard a historic ship and become a passenger and receive a replica boarding pass. If you love the Titanic, featuring over 300 artifacts and room-wide recreations, this should be on your list of things to do in Orlando.
Work on the incredible with Wonderworks
Have you ever stepped into an upside down building?
I tried to stay away from amusement parks, but this place left a lasting impression. Complete with over 100 hands-on exhibits, Wonderworks is more entertainment than education, but that doesn’t mean you can’t learn something along the way.
From walking through a 100 mph hurricane to experiencing a 5.1 earthquake, playing a giant piano, sleeping on a bed of nails, experimenting with a giant Tesla coil, and more, there are other activities worth checking out. There are also some
Go hiking with Tibet-Butler Preserve
What do the world’s largest amusement parks and reserves have in common?
Nothing, except that both were found in Orlando. If you need to escape the chaos known as theme parks, there’s no better place in Orlando than Tibet He Butler Sanctuary.
With raised boardwalks, numerous trails, wetlands, trees and plenty of birds, turtles and small animals, this reserve is a great free way to get away from the crowds and get back to nature. There is a small visitor center with clean bathrooms, perfect for a quiet morning after a busy day.
Walk among the roses in the Harry P. Leu Gardens
Have you ever been to a rose garden so vast that you don’t know where it came from?
Florida’s largest rose garden is located in the Harry P. Leu Gardens. Just minutes from downtown Orlando, this sprawling 50-acre property features over 40 different botanical collections and a variety of private gardens, from butterfly gardens and herb gardens to bamboo gardens. If you like camellias, he is one of the places you can’t miss. He also has one of the largest collections of camellias in North America.
Glide through the swamps on Boggy Creek Airboat Adventures
What do giant fans and small flat-bottomed metal boats have in common?
Both can be found together at Boggy Creek Airboat Adventures. Whether you choose to take a personal tour or board a large 16-passenger boat, an airboat ride through the swamps is a unique adventure.
As you cruise, you can see everything from giant crocodiles to red-crowned cranes to piles of sunbathing turtles. You might tell yourself you’re there to experience nature, but the reality is that these airboat rides are a lot of fun.
Do you have other unique places in Orlando worth sharing? We’d love to hear about them!
