Cool Small Attractions in Orlando
♦ Routes (free): Detailed travel itineraries in USA
Orlando is the most suitable city for a family vacation in the USA. There is no other place in the world that offers such a vast abundance of entertainment and recreation options for the family. In the following article, I will mention a variety of family attractions that are not the large amusement parks, about which I have a separate article: Amusement Parks in Orlando. Additionally, not far from Orlando, there are many recommended destinations and attractions that I recommend visiting, which you can read about in the articles: Star Trips from Orlando and in: Charming Towns and Nature Trips North of Orlando.
♦ Ordering entrance tickets to the parks of Disney, Universal, Legoland, SeaWorld in Orlando:
Discounted tickets for several days, each day to a different park:
General
In this article, I will detail a variety of family attractions that are not the major theme parks. It is important to remember that Orlando also offers many smaller, high-quality attractions that provide a refreshing break from the long days spent in the massive parks.
Ordering entrance tickets to parks and guided tours in Orlando from GetYourGuide.com:
Disney Springs
"Disney Springs", formerly "Downtown Disney", has undergone an extensive renovation and is now a very nice area for recreation, containing over 100 charming shops including luxury designer stores, cool restaurants, and additional entertainment sites. Don't miss a visit to the large Lego store where you can also play, the world's largest Disney merchandise store,
and also the lovely T-Rex Cafe dinosaur restaurant.
In the area are many other attractions, such as a carousel and a train for toddlers, a simulator and virtual reality attraction of "Star Wars", a hot air balloon flight, cinemas, blues shows, live performances, and more. In the coming years, the complex is expected to continue expanding, and soon the shows of Cirque du Soleil will arrive there. In 2019, the NBA Experience hall was inaugurated, featuring games, competitions, a souvenir shop, and more.
Among the shops, there is one where you create your own personal dinosaur doll, a shop where you can have face painting, a Lego store, a variety of shops with various Disney products, a Coca-Cola store, high-quality designer shops, and much more, all in the delightful atmosphere of Disney World. Entry and parking are free.
Address: 1590 Buena Vista Dr, Orlando, FL 32836
Ordering recommended tours in the Orlando area from the Viator site:
In Orlando:
Near Orlando:
Attractions on the water:
Land-based attractions:
Ripley’s Believe It Or Not
Located in a special building built at an angle and containing hundreds of unusual and incomprehensible exhibits. For example: a goat with four eyes, the shortest man in the world next to the tallest man. Films on rare natural phenomena and strange deeds. An interactive and enjoyable museum.
Open daily from 9:00 AM to midnight. Located on International Dr.
Address: 8201 International Drive Orlando, FL 32819
WONDER WORKS Museum
A recommended interactive museum that constitutes an interesting combination of a science museum and a children's museum with computer entertainment and simulators. Among the attractions in the museum you can find: a roller coaster simulator where everyone can choose their travel path (how many loops, which twists, angles, etc.), a hurricane simulator, an earthquake simulator, a sound and music room, and many other surprises. The museum is housed in an upside-down house (it appears to be standing on its head) on International Drive.
Additional attractions at the site, involving an extra fee, are an indoor rope park, laser tag, and a "4D" cinema. Open every day from 9:00 AM to midnight. Address: 9067 International Drive, Orlando, FL 32819. Phone: 407-351-8800. http://www.wonderworksonline.com The site also hosts The Outta Control Magic Comedy Dinner Show, a humorous magic show combined with dinner.
iFLY Flight Experience
Floating in a special "wind tunnel" thanks to a strong vertical air stream while wearing an inflatable suit. A pleasant and enjoyable experience intended for anyone who dreamed of flying and parachuting but doesn't want to jump from a plane or risk other extreme sports. Suitable for everyone, including children from the age of three. After a short briefing and receiving clothes and equipment (a special suit, wind goggles, and earplugs), you can feel the sensation of floating like those who do a free fall. Open daily between 10:00-22:30.
Ordering a flight experience in Orlando from the Viator site:
♦ Air flight experience - Orlando Indoor Skydiving Experience with 2 Flights & Personalized Certificate
Vertical air stream flight chamber:
Orlando Balloon Rides
An extremely experiential adventure: a flight in the early morning over Orlando (meeting about an hour before sunrise!). You will be partners in all the preparations for the flight. The flight duration itself is about an hour.
To order from the Viator site:
Orlando Sunrise Hot-Air Balloon Ride. Lasts 3-4 hours. Starts about an hour before sunrise. Includes a light meal.
Mini Golf
A pleasant and enjoyable family outing of about two hours at mini-golf. There is an abundance of lovely and designed mini-golf courses. For example: Pirate's Cove Adventure Golf. Address: 8501 International Drive, Orlando FL 32819
ICON ORLANDO 360
Spending time at the newest entertainment complex in Orlando, also located on International Drive.
Address: 8375 International DR, Orlando, FL 32819.
The complex features the Giant Wheel, the second largest in the USA.
And a giant tower with a spinning chair carousel called StarFlyer, which is the world's tallest spinning chair tower (height of 137 meters).
Also Madame Tussauds wax museum, SKELETONS: Museum of Osteology, and an Aquarium. All this alongside a wide array of electronic gaming machines in a huge arcade called Arcade City, as well as restaurants and shops.
Titanic: The Artifact Exhibition
A museum featuring a reconstruction of the most famous rooms of the legendary ship that sank on its maiden voyage. Includes the famous Grand Staircase, a first-class suite, the engine room, and the Verandah Deck, where you can feel the cold Arctic wind and look at the stars. A guided tour of about an hour is conducted on-site with guides dressed in period clothing. During the tour, you will meet well-known characters such as Captain Smith and Molly Brown. The museum has over 200 exhibits and historical treasures. This museum is also located on the attraction-filled International Drive. Open daily, between 10:00 AM-6:00 PM. Admission is for a fee. Discount for children up to age 11. Free for children up to age 4. There is an option to join the Titanic Dinner Show.
Address: 7324 International Drive, Orlando, FL 32819
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