A first-time guide to Orlando beyond the theme parks

Orlando isn't just theme park heaven. Yes, Walt Disney World, Universal Studios and Legoland are all here and draw thousands of tourists each year. But Orlando and the surrounding area have so much more going on that you'll want to experience. The city itself is ever-evolving with vibrant parks, public art and award-winning restaurants. Not to mention awe-inspiring day trips to the Kennedy Space Center or New Smyrna Beach.

Whether you're heading to Orlando for the first time or looking for something new to explore, here's how to make the most of your trip.

When should I go to Orlando?

There’s no wrong time to visit Orlando, but these facts will inform your decision. First, holidays are crowded and expensive no matter the time of year. (This includes the days framing the actual holiday.) Orlando also has a rainy season from May to October. Luckily, in a place as lovely as Florida, rainfall can be intense but mercifully brief.

Hurricane season usually runs from June through November. In recent years, weather systems like Hurricane Ian have caused theme parks like Disney World and Universal Studios to close for multiple days. If you’re visiting Orlando during these months, it’s best to book flexible airfare, lodging and rental car reservations.

The high tourist season in Orlando is from March to April and June to August. Kids are typically out of school for spring and summer breaks, so big attractions like theme parks are often crowded. Humidity is high, and temperatures are often in the 90s.

The shoulder seasons in Orlando are in May and September through November,and you'll usually find better deals on lodging. Temperatures reach the mid- to high 80s in May and drop to the upper 70s in November.

December is usually the low season (excluding Christmas through early January when kids are on holiday break). Temperatures are cooler but exceedingly pleasant, with averages in the middle 70s. This is the when you’ll usually get the best pricing as long you avoid school breaks and holidays.

How much time should I spend in Orlando?

The average visitor spends five to seven nights in Orlando, although you can easily spend longer and not regret it. A stay of at least five nights ensures you’ll have time to visit theme parks if they're on your itinerary, explore downtown Orlando and other neighborhoods (like Baldwin Park or the Milk District) and visit beyond city limits.

Is it easy to get in and around Orlando?

Most long-distance travelers fly into Orlando International Airport. If you’re staying at a Disney-area hotel and don’t plan to spend much time outside the resort, you might find it cheaper to take the Mears Connect shuttle over an Uber or rental car, although this largely depends on your group size. The shuttle operates 24/7.

If you’re a Florida local, the recently debuted Brightline offers fast train service connecting Orlando to cities like Palm Beach, Fort Lauderdale and Miami. Alternatively, the Sun Rail offers train service with stops in Poinciana (about half an hour from Disney World), downtown Orlando, Kissimmee and DeBary.

Downtown Orlando has an excellent public transportation system. LYMMO provides free Bus Rapid Transit service seven days a week to major downtown destinations like Lake Eola Park. (The Lymmo does not provide service to the airport or theme parks.) Or enjoy the beautiful Florida weather and utilize Orlando’s bike and scooter share program.

Top things to do in and around Orlando

Explore downtown Orlando

Don’t make the mistake of skipping downtown Orlando on your visit to the Sunshine State. Lake Eola Park is the heart of the city, with a paved, wheelchair-accessible walking trail circling the lake. Colorful gardens blossom against the backdrop of the Orlando skyline while swan boats (and real swans) swim in the water. A wheelchair lift was recently installed to make it easier for people with disabilities to enter the ADA-accessible swan boats. If you’re at Lake Eloa on a Sunday, check out the Orlando Farmer’s Market, where local vendors showcase seasonal produce, arts and crafts, plants and even homemade dog treats.

A whopping 59 Orlando restaurants were honored by the Michelin Guide in 2025, so be sure to arrive hungry. For a bucket list dining experience, the intimate Natsu Omakase has just two seatings per night and flies most of its seafood in from Japan. For a casual meal, it’s hard to beat Super Rico, with Columbian dishes like Churrasco or fried green plantains topped with steak, chicken and mushrooms.

While you’re walking around downtown, keep your eyes open for public art. Orlando boasts over 900 paintings, sculptures, tapestries and mixed media displayed in its city hall, neighborhood centers, public buildings and parks.

Visit Harry P. Leu Gardens

Harry P. Leu Gardens is a 50-acre plant-life paradise. Since this is Florida, there is always something in bloom, and each trip to the gardens is different than the last. Throughout the year, roses, hibiscus, bananas, tree orchids and citrus trees fill the grounds with perfume and color. This is also home to the Historic Leu House Museum, originally built in 1888. Today, the mansion has been restored to offer visitors a glimpse into the past.

Go birding in the Orlando Wetlands

The artificial Orlando Wetlands Park in Christmas, about 30 miles east of downtown Orlando, was designed to provide advanced treatment for reclaimed water. An education center houses seasonal exhibits that include live animals and interactive displays. From the center, set off on the 2-mile Birding Loop, one of many trails that wind through the park. There are more than 220 bird species to see, including osprey, hawks and bald eagles.

Not all trails are open to cyclists, but many are accessible to horseback riders. Be cautious of alligators while traversing the park – they're especially attracted to the sun-warmed, lime-rock surfaces that line many trails.

Hike through Bok Tower Gardens

In Lake Wales – about 53 miles south of Orlando – trails in Bok Tower Gardens lead through four diverse native Florida ecologies: a pine savanna, oak hammock, wetland prairie and bog, home to 126 species of birds. Designed by famed landscape architect Frederick Law Olmsted Jr, the gardens have azaleas, camellias and magnolias that burst into bloom in the spring. Twice a day the 23 bronze bells of The Singing Tower – a 205ft-tall carillon – ring with a melody that reverberates among the magnificent flora.

Kayak in Wekiwa Springs State Park

Cool off in emerald springs at Wekiwa Springs State Park, about 20 miles northwest of downtown Orlando in Apopka. You might spot some of the 190-plus species of birds that can be found here while hiking miles of trails meandering through woods and swamplands and along the banks of the Wekiwa River.

You can rent a kayak or canoe from Wekiwa Springs State Park Nature Adventures to paddle the scenic, still waters. It's possible to kayak 8.5 miles from the state park through neighboring Rock Springs Run State Reserve into Kelly Park. Along the way, enjoy the beauty of the turquoise waters and fairytale-like, Spanish moss–laden trees, all while keeping an eye out for birds, fish, turtles and the occasional alligator. Be sure to arrive early, as parking can regularly reach maximum capacity.

Take in a show at Dr. Phillips Center for the Performing Arts

The Dr. Phillips Center for the Performing Arts has been recognized as one of the world's most acoustically sound arts venues. The building takes up two city blocks, offering multiple performance spaces, a school of the arts, event rooms and an outdoor plaza with a welcoming lawn. An ever-changing calendar of events includes family-friendly programming, Broadway touring productions and local theater groups.

Geek out at Kennedy Space Center

The Kennedy Space Center is only 50 miles from Orlando, and it’s worth a side trip. You can easily spend an entire day exploring, so don’t short yourself on time. Attractions include encounters with real astronauts, hands-on activities like astronaut training simulators and virtual reality experiences. Kids love visiting here, and so do adults.

Explore New Smyrna Beach

Drive about an hour to New Smyrna Beach, where you’ll find 17 miles of sugar sand beaches, some of Florida’s best surfing waves and a cute, walkable downtown brimming with boutiques, art galleries and restaurants. Nearby Blue Springs State Park is a designated manatee refuge with hundreds of manatees from mid-November through mid-March that visitors can see via a wheelchair-accessible path and viewing platform.

My favorite thing to do in Orlando

My favorite thing to do in Orlando might seem a little cheesy, but I always recommend Titanic: The Artifact Exhibition. Yes, there are Titanic museums elsewhere, but that doesn’t make this one any less worthwhile since each exhibition is different. This one has more than 300 artifacts recovered from the wreckage and 500 personal items from passengers.

Costumed actors wander through full-scale room recreations of the Titanic’s interior, pulling you into an eerie, immersive experience. A regular roster of programs includes dinner galas, formal teas and guided tours with rotating themes.

How much money do I need for Orlando?

• Basic room for two: $100 a night (and up)

• Basic Airbnb for two: $150 a night (and up)

• Ticket for Mear Connect: $32.00 roundtrip for ages 10 and up, $26.00 roundtrip for ages 3–9 years old, children under 3 are free

• LYMMO Bus Rapid Transit service in downtown Orlando: Free

• Theme park ticket: varies, but expect to spend at least $120 per person per day

• Cup of coffee: $3.00

• Sandwich: $8.00

• Dinner for two: $60 (and up)

• Cocktail in downtown Orlando: $14 (and up)