Orlando is easily the most exciting Florida city to visit, especially if you’re traveling with family. If you mention Orlando to any kid, their ears are going to perk up. It’s a world of endless entertainment and most of it is geared toward the younger crowd. But there are other amazing things to do in Orlando off the beaten path!
We all know about the most popular attractions, which include Disney World, Epcot Center, Sea World and Universal Studios, as well as a lot of other major attractions on International Drive (or I-Drive for short). If you have been to Orlando, you have likely been to at least one of these places and most likely more than one.
Even if you have been to Disney World or Epcot Center, chances are you haven’t seen everything. It can take a week to see just those two parks have . That said, there are many other attractions to consider, especially those in Orlando off the beaten path. Whether you’re looking for more variety or smaller crowds, the attractions below are ones to consider.
We will cover four different Orlando attractions that are off the beaten path, but the first thing you should do prior to planning your itinerary is look into a renting a car. This isn’t the type of city where you want to use public transportation. That will cost you a ton of money and will only add unnecessary stress. When you have access to rental car, you have the freedom to come and go as you please.
Orlando Off The Beaten Path Attractions
1. Lake Eola Park
If you want to visit the most relaxing attraction in Orlando, head straight to Lake Eola Park. You will never find big crowds here. This is a peaceful atmosphere where you can walk around the lake, go on paddle boats, let your kids play on the playground and watch the illuminated fountain at night.
2. Harry P Leu Gardens
If Lake Eola Park is your first stop, make Harry P Leu Gardens your second stop. These gardens offer a lot of variety, including a desert garden, a tropical garden, a butterfly garden and a rose garden. There is a lot of land to explore and much of it is accessible via a paved walkway.
3. Orlando Science Center
This is one of the most fun environments in Orlando, which is saying a lot. If you have children interested in science, then it’s a hands-down must visit. There are four floors of interactive exhibits. You can repair a toy car, investigate dinosaur skeletons, take part in the festival of chocolate, look through high-powered telescopes, watch fish in an aquarium and pet a baby alligator. The Orlando Science Center is spacious and kept clean at all times.
4. WonderWorks
This is an interesting attraction. It’s neat in two ways. One, it offers a lot of different exhibits that are fun to explore. Two, it’s retro. The reason WonderWorks falls into the “interesting” category is because it’s retro. The problem is that the retro vibe isn’t intentional. Therefore, some will find it cheesy.
If you go in with the attitude of not expecting too much or that you will find the old-school vibe humorous, then you will have a great time. The good news is that this only pertains to adults. Kids below the age of 12 are not going to know the difference between what exhibits are modern and which ones belong in the 1980s. The most popular exhibits here include a bed of nails, a 4D motion ride and a 3-story ropes challenge course.
Now you know about the four best Orlando off the beaten path attractions. If you have more time, you may want to look into some popular day trips from Orlando, too! Florida has so many great options for tourists and residents that you really will never get bored!
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