21 Things To Do in Orlando With Kids

Blue Spring State Park is a 2,600 acre natural wonderland just 45 minutes from downtown Orlando. At the center is a brilliantly clear natural spring surrounded by trees layered with Spanish Moss. From mid-November to March, hundreds of manatee gather on the spring's overlook. At other times of the year, tubing, swimming, snorkeling, scuba diving, canoeing and boating are permitted. Within the park you'll find miles of trails, playgrounds, picnic areas, and a historic mansion built in 1872.

Vanessa M. said:  We visited here in January. Loads of manatees, a nice playground for the little ones, and clean bathrooms! It was a beautiful and peaceful place to visit.

Silver Springs Glass Bottom Boat Tours offer a unique way to view the crystal-clear springs and underwater wildlife of one of Florida’s oldest tourist attractions. Riders can see fish, ancient artifacts, and dramatic limestone formations through the boats’ transparent floors. The tour blends natural beauty with a bit of history, making it a memorable experience for all ages.

From watching the greater one-horned Indian rhinoceros relax in his pool to feeding a giraffe and seeing snakes slithering up close, discover the world’s most magnificent creatures with a day at the Central Florida Zoo & Botanical Gardens. Aside from their residents with feathers, scales, and fur, the Zoo is home to many unique and native plants. Throughout their grounds, they’ve created beautiful gardens, abundant with beautiful wildflowers, majestic trees, and more. Don’t forget to visit the butterfly garden to watch these delicate creatures fly from flower to flower for a truly breathtaking sight.

Vanessa M. said:  Children's zoo, butterfly garden, carousel, splash playground, and train rides makes this zoo a great destination for families.

A visit to Kennedy Space Center any time of the year is a one of a kind chance to learn about the history of the US space program right where it happened, surrounded by real life shuttles, moon rocks, astronaut experiences, training equipment and more. On rocket launch events, your family can have access to a free outdoor viewing area with live commentary. Launch announcements are posted online.

This clear natural spring 30 miles from Orlando is one of the few local springs suitable for tubing. Visitors are permitted to bring their own flotation device or you can rent tubes from vendors just outside the park. You're likely to see a wide array of wildlife during the relaxed 15-20 minute float down a 1/4 mile section of river. The water in this part is generally 2-4 ft deep. Kids also love swimming in the natural pools, the playground, and the kayak rentals.

Soak up some Florida natural history on these hour long cruises through three lakes and two, narrow man-made canals in Winter Park, just 10 minutes from downtown Orlando. Along the way you'll see alligators, fish, cranes, and a variety of other flora and fauna. A tour guide answers questions and points out interesting sites along the way.

Cocoa Beach is a lively Florida beach town known for its wide sandy shores and excellent surfing conditions. Visitors can enjoy a relaxed coastal vibe with plenty of shops, restaurants, and activities along the iconic Cocoa Beach Pier. It’s also a great spot to watch rocket launches from nearby Cape Canaveral.

Orlando Science Center has all the staples you'd expect in a world class museum, but enhanced with the theatrics and over the top programming that defines Orlando. Scattered among the dinosaurs, maker spaces, water play areas and big screen movies, you'll find numerous Live Science! activities where kids can ask questions, go on a safari, feed alligators, or take part in real science experiments. An entire floor is devoted to hands-on activities for kids seven and under.

The swan boats at Lake Eola Park offer a fun and scenic way to enjoy views of downtown Orlando from the water. Visitors can pedal around the lake at their own pace, often alongside the park’s real swans. It’s a relaxing activity that adds a bit of charm and nostalgia to any visit.

This 35+-year-old market in a scenic park in the heart of downtown Orlando attracts a healthy mix of tourists and locals. One of the largest and longest-running markets in the US, it's the place to find the best in fresh produce, baked goods, crafts, gifts, jewelry, plants, food, shopping, and fun for all ages, making it the perfect family afternoon while supporting the thriving agriculture community of central Florida.

Sundays

The Orange County Regional History Center, housed in a historic courthouse in downtown Orlando, offers four floors of exhibits exploring 14,000 years of Central Florida’s rich heritage. A Smithsonian affiliate, the museum also offers visiting exhibitions and a wide range of programs for families, children, and adults.

Anybody intrigued by the Titanic may want to consider visiting this museum dedicated to the famous ship, featuring many artifacts directly from the wreck site, as well as room recreations for admiration and photo ops. On weekends, all ages can attend the Titanic Dinner Gala, where costumed actors reenact those iconic upper-class parties.

The World’s Largest Entertainment McDonald’s, known as Epic McD, combines a massive menu with arcade games and unique attractions for a one-of-a-kind dining experience.

WonderWorks is an amusement park for the mind with 28,000 square feet of “edu-tainment”. The attraction combines education and entertainment with more than 100 hands-on exhibits that challenge the mind and spark the imagination. With the ceiling under your feet and the ground above your head, WonderWorks will turn your world upside down. 

The Chocolate Museum & Café in Orlando offers guided tours that showcase the history of chocolate and feature impressive chocolate sculptures. Visitors can learn how chocolate is made from bean to bar while sampling treats from around the world. After the tour, the café provides a cozy spot to enjoy artisanal desserts and gourmet drinks.