Are you looking for other fun attractions in Orlando besides theme parks? We know not everyone is a fan of Disney World, Universal Studios, and other theme parks. They can get overcrowded, particularly during school holidays. So where else can you go in Orlando where everyone can still have fun? We’ve compiled a list of the best places to visit in Orlando besides theme parks, and we’re sure kids will love them too. Check out the Orlando attractions below and you’ll have plenty of exciting options for your next trip! We’ll also show you how to save a load of money if you want to visit more than one Orlando attraction.
1. Kennedy Space Center
The Kennedy Space Center is the primary launch site for NASA’s space program since the 1960s. The visitor complex is open to the public, with daily tours of this famous spaceport. Kennedy Space Center offers visitors a variety of different experiences. You can meet real astronauts and experience a simulated space flight. There are also artifacts from the Mercury, Gemini, and Apollo programs. Each era of space exploration is its own Mission Zone. Choose which Mission Zones you want to see from “Race to the Moon” to “NASA Now and Beyond”. Kennedy Space Center Day Trips with transportation from Orlando start at $56.99.
- Opening Hours: Daily 10am-4pm
- Address: Space Commerce Way, Merritt Island, FL 32953, United States
2. SEA LIFE Orlando
SEA LIFE Orlando Aquarium offers a variety of underwater adventures with sea life from around the world. There’s a 360-degree ocean tunnel, a rockpool, and over 5,000 exotic sea creatures. Inside the ocean tunnel, you can admire sharks and exotic fish while rays swim by overhead. The coastal rockpools are micro-habitats, home to starfish, anemones, and other sea life. The best time to schedule a visit to SEA LIFE is during feeding times. Feeding times are when the fish are most active and kids will love it. SEA LIFE admission packages start at around $33.00.
- Opening Hours: Sunday to Thursday 11am-6pm; Friday & Saturday 11am-7pm
- Address: 8449 International Dr, Orlando, FL 32819, United States
3. The Wheel at Icon Park
When you visit ICON Park you can view all the attractions Orlando has to offer from 400 feet in the air. The Wheel at ICON Park gives visitors a bird’s eye view of greater Orlando. From the top of the wheel, you can see Disney World, Universal Orlando, and all the area lakes and nature preserves. You can take the 20-minute ride with your partner, or in a private capsule that seats up to 10 people. No Orlando vacation is complete until you see it from 400 feet! Each capsule is air-conditioned and cleaned after every ride. Tickets start at $19.99 For adults and $15.99 for kids.
- Opening Hours: Sunda to Thursday 1pm-9pm; Friday 1pm-10pm; Saturday 1pm-11pm
- Address: 8375 International Dr, Orlando, FL 32819, United States
4. Madame Tussauds Orlando
Madame Tussauds Orlando features wax replicas of celebrities and historical figures. You can get up close with your favorite movie star or sports hero. Walk down the red carpet with an Oscar winner, or save the world with a famous superhero. Get on stage with your favorite band or shake hands with a popular president. Each figure is completely lifelike and the attention to detail is perfect. Unlike many attractions, Madame Tussauds encourages visitors to take photos. There are even professional photographers available to help guests get that “perfect” picture. Standard admission is $20, and there are combo pricing packages available.
- Opening Hours: Sunday to Thursday 11am-6pm; Friday & Saturday 11am-7pm
- Address: 8387 International Dr, Orlando, FL 32819, United States
5. WonderWorks
Wonderworks is an amusement park bringing together education and entertainment under one roof. There are over 100 interactive exhibits that challenge the mind in a hands-on, yet fun way. On arrival, you’ll see an upside-down building – a scientific experiment gone wrong. Inside are 6 “wonder zones”, each with its own interactive and educational exhibits. Highlights include the space zone, the earthquake simulators, and the hurricane hole. The $36.20 admission includes access to all exhibits as well as the “Outta Control Dinner Show”. It’s recommended to book your tickets in advance since Wonderworks can get crowded.
- Opening Hours: Sunday to Friday 10am-10pm; Saturday 10am-11pm
- Address: 9067 International Dr, Orlando, FL 32819, United States
6. Titanic: The Artifact Exhibition
Titanic: The Artifacts Exhibition is a museum in Orlando dedicated to the Titanic. On display are over 200 artifacts, all recovered from the wreck of the Titanic. The artifact exhibition includes full-scale re-creations of famous parts of the ship. Guests can tour The Grand Staircase, The Parlor Suite, and The Promenade Deck. Interactive exhibits feature actors recreating scenes from the Titanic’s voyage and sinking. You can choose to take a full guided tour or explore the exhibition on your own. Tickets start at $21.95 for adults and 15.95 for children. Guided tour packages are also available starting at $24.00
- Opening Hours: Wednesday to Sunday 11am-5pm
- Address: 7324 International Dr, Orlando, FL 32819, United States
7. Medieval Times Dinner & Tournament
Medieval Times is a family dinner attraction, part fairy tale, and part action movie. It’s a two-hour dinner show inspired by an 11th-century feast and jousting tournament. Once the audience is seated in the grand arena, the queen and her knights make their entrance. They serve the guests a four-course feast, medieval style with no utensils. For the next two hours, you’ll be entertained by sword fights and knights on horseback. After the show, guests move into the Hall of Arms where they can meet the queen and her knights. The Hall of Arms also features a collection of medieval arms and weapons. Dinner packages start at $65 for adults and $37 for kids.
- Show Times: Generally weekends. Check package deals for updated schedule.
- Address: 4510 W Vine St, Kissimmee, FL 34746, United States
8. Ripley’s Believe It or Not! Orlando
Ripley’s Believe It or Not Orlando is a collection of all things weird and unusual. Also known as the Orlando Odditorium, Ripley’s is no ordinary attraction. It starts with the building itself which looks like it’s actually sinking. Inside are 16 galleries, each one filled with bizarre exhibits and optical illusions. There is a vortex tunnel, shrunken human heads, and two-headed animals. There’s also a shooting gallery and a vampire killing exhibit. Families can visit this weird and whacky world without leaving Orlando. Ticket Packages start at $21.99 for adults and $14.99 for kids.
- Opening Hours: Daily 10am-12am
- Address: 8201 International Dr, Orlando, FL 32819, United States
9. Museum of Illusions Orlando
The Museum of Illusion features over 50 mind-twisting and eye-tricking exhibits. Located in ICON Park it’s the perfect adventure for family or friends. Here, you can be part of and interact with the exhibits. They’re all designed to trick your senses! It’s all about perception, as the eyes see one thing and the brain sees another. Defy gravity in the Reverse Room, or become miniature in the Ames Room. Be sure to keep your phone handy because these weird and eerie illusions make for great photo ops. Tickets for this brain baffling experience start at around $27.00
- Opening Hours: Monday to Thursday 12pm-8pm; Friday 12pm-9pm; Saturday 11am-10pm; Sunday 11am-8pm
- Address: 8441 International Dr Suite #250, Orlando, FL 32819, United States
10. Harry P. Leu Gardens
The Harry P. Leu Gardens are semi-tropical and tropical gardens, minutes from downtown Orlando. Inside are 50 acres of plants from around the world. There’s also Florida’s largest rose garden, a tropical rainforest, and a butterfly garden. Each garden is designed to inspire visitors to appreciate and understand plants. There are regularly scheduled events at Leu Gardens. The most popular are movie nights, live jazz, and kids’ storytime. Most families bring a small picnic to eat on the patio of the Garden House. Admission is $10 for adults, $5 for kids, and free on selected Mondays.
- Opening Hours: Daily 9am-5pm
- Address: 1920 N Forest Ave, Orlando, FL 32803, United States
11. Crystal River National Wildlife Refuge
Crystal River Wildlife Refuge is the winter home for Florida’s West Indian Manatees. Every winter hundreds of manatees come to Crystal River for the warm spring waters. The elevated boardwalk around Three Sister Springs is the best way to see the manatees. It is accessible by shuttle from mid-November until early March. The most popular way to see the manatees is to swim alongside them on a snorkeling tour. With an expert guide leading the way, you can swim alongside the manatees in King’s Bay. The tours include wetsuits, masks, snorkels, and hot showers. Swimming tours start at $64 with photos and videos of the tour available for sale.
- Opening Hours: Daily 8am-4pm
- Address: 1502 SE Kings Bay Dr, Crystal River, FL 34429, United States
12. Central Florida Zoo and Botanical Gardens
The Central Florida Zoo offers an adventure-packed day out for families of all ages. You’ll see a variety of animals, including some of the rarest and most endangered species on earth. There are Indian rhinos, giraffes, leopards, and of course Florida alligators. The Botanical Gardens feature beautiful wildflowers, exotic plants, and trees from all over the world. Be sure to visit the butterfly garden and watch as they fly from flower to flower. Smaller children can visit Barnyard Buddies Children’s Zoo and the small water park built for kids. The zoo’s flexible entrance tickets start at $19.50 Flexible tickets let guests arrive whenever they like, with full access to all the attractions.
- Opening Hours: Daily 9am-3pm
- Address: 3755 W Seminole Blvd, Sanford, FL 32771, United State
How to Save Money with Go Orlando Explorer Pass
The Go Orlando Explorer Pass is the best way to save on admission to popular Orlando attractions. Choose from 2 to 5 attractions on International Drive and save up to 40% off admission. The pass is good for entry to attractions like the Wheel at Icon Park or Titanic: The Artifact Exhibition. Passes are valid for two years and become activated when you visit the first attraction. After activation, the Go Orlando Explorer Pass is valid for 60 days. Save your pass on your mobile phone and get direct entry to all your attractions.
Orlando Attractions Map
Also read:
- 14 Non-Disney Hotels near Disney World (Free Shuttles)
- 11 Best Orlando Hotels with Hot Tub in Room
- 17 Best Orlando Hotels with Fun Water Parks
- 8 Best Orlando Theme Parks with Roller Coasters
- 26 Romantic Things to do in Orlando for Couples
- 17 Things to Do In Orlando At Night With Your Family
Find More Fun Things to do in Orlando
FAQs
The best places to visit at night are ICON Park and Medieval Times.
ICON Park has over 40 restaurants, bars and amusement park rides.
The best night time view in Orlando is from the top of the Wheel at ICON Park.
If you’re after live entertainment, The Medieval Times Dinner show is a great option too.
You can enjoy a medieval feast, and watch knights on horseback in an 11th century tournament.
The best place to visit with toddlers is the Central Florida Zoo or Botanical Gardens.
They have special attractions just for the little ones.
For example, at Central Florida Zoo there is a zone called The Barnyard Buddies Childrens Zoo, designed just for kids.
There’s also a small water park where toddlers can play and cool off.
The best place to visit with teenagers is Wonderworks and Museum of Illusions.
Wonderworks has over 100 interactive exhibits that challenge the mind in a fun way.
While Museum of Illusion’s exhibits play tricks on the senses in a fun way.
Teenagers love to have fun and be challenged.
Wonderworks and Museum of Illusion lets them do both.
The best place to visit for adults is ICON Park.
There are over 40 bars, clubs and restaurants for adults to enjoy.
And the view from the wheel can be very romantic.
Once the kids are in bed, it’s the perfect spot for an adult’s night out.
