Things to do in Orlando for self travelers
Enjoy self-guided audio tours with included attraction tickets in one appAll self-guided activities
Experience fame like never before, as you step into the hottest celebrity party in Orlando at Madame Tussauds. Star in Bad Bunny’s next music video, step onto a hot set with Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson, and drink champagne with Ariana Grande. Plus, the Justice League need your help to save the city! Harness the power of the sea with Aquaman, show off your speed with the Flash, and lift a real helicopter with Superman! Step onto the red carpet and get the ultimate selfie with your favorite celebs at the World’s Greatest Wax Museum!
Dive into adventure and come face-to-fin with thousands of sea creatures at SEA LIFE Orlando Aquarium! Explore Florida’s ONLY 360°ocean tunnel and watch in amazement as sea turtles, sharks, eels, stingrays, and tropical fish swim over, under, and all around you. Pop-up bubbles give kids and the young-at-heart a unique view of the inside of the habitats and the creatures inside them. The bravest explorers can even touch a real sea star or sea anemone at the coastal rockpool touch tank. Get your tickets today and experience the ocean like never before!
Step into Ripley's Believe It or Not! Orlando to explore 16 galleries filled with mind-bending exhibits and interactive experiences, covering art, science, and nature. From an ancient alligator to a shrunken head once owned by Ernest Hemingway, discover the wonderfully weird side of Florida. Bring the whole family along for a day of quirky fun at this captivating museum!
Imagine a kingdom of color the size of an NFL football field. You're imagining the Crayola Experience! Discover every shade of fun in this massive Crayola complex with as many as 27 hands-on activities for you and your little artists to enjoy. Young kids can enjoy a full day of play and learn how crayons are made in a captivating show. Dream up your own crayon creations in fun workshops and watch them come to life.
From 4D XD Motion Theater to Laser Tag, to a Glow-In-The-Dark Ropes Course, there's a world of wonderful weirdness to uncover at Orlando's WonderWorks! Explore six themed zones and more than 100 hands-on exhibits in a family day out that stretches the mind as well as the muscles.
Dive into adventure and come face-to-fin with thousands of sea creatures at SEA LIFE Orlando Aquarium! Explore Florida’s ONLY 360°ocean tunnel and watch in amazement as sea turtles, sharks, eels, stingrays, and tropical fish swim over, under, and all around you. Pop-up bubbles give kids and the young-at-heart a unique view of the inside of the habitats and the creatures inside them. The bravest explorers can even touch a real sea star or sea anemone at the coastal rockpool touch tank.
Immerse yourself in a different side of Orlando with this Self-Guided Audio Tour, perfect for history buffs and cultural explorers. Dive into the rich heritage that predates the glitz of theme parks and learn about the pioneers who shaped this city. This informative audio journey reveals the untold tales woven into the streets and landmarks of downtown Orlando. Beginning at the Orlando Public Library, this guided soundtrack escorts you through historical locales like the Rosalind Club and the serene Lake Eola, and concludes at the Orange County Regional History Center. The route navigates you through the corners of Orlando that echo the sounds of a bygone era, showcasing sites that played pivotal roles in the city’s development. As you walk, you'll be captivated by stories of Seminole Indian settlements, early settlers' struggles, and the vibrant transformation of Orlando. Memorable experiences include gazing at the Gothic Revival-style Cathedral of St. Luke, walking past the old Orlando rail depot, and uncovering the silent witnesses to pivotal events like the great freeze that rocked the citrus industry. Finish the tour with insights into Orlando’s role in a broader national story, illustrated by the evolution of its courthouse, all while absorbing the historical influence that shaped this city into a modern-day urban hub.
About Orlando
The best tours to do in Orlando with kids are:
The must-see attractions in Orlando for a first visit are:
The best walking tours to do in Orlando are:
Insider tips for visiting Orlando
WeGoTrip Inc is a local guide who has been publishing tours since for your discovery of hidden gems and local specialities of Orlando on their personal guide page (view profile). Explore their expert tips planning trip to Orlando.
For couples, I always recommend an evening at Winter Park, just north of Orlando. When I visit, I start with the Scenic Boat Tour through the chain of lakes around sunset, then walk Park Avenue for wine, tapas, and people-watching under the oak trees strung with lights. It feels far more intimate than the big attractions in Orlando. If you’re sorting out things to do in Orlando, this area gives you a romantic side many visitors miss. Locals know it’s also one of the smartest answers to what to see in Orlando, especially if you prefer charming tours in Orlando over crowded theme-park energy.
When I visit Orlando, I skip the chain restaurants and go straight for the city’s strongest flavors: Cuban sandwiches, fresh Florida citrus, and Puerto Rican dishes like mofongo and lechón. Locals know the best bites are often in neighborhoods like Mills 50, the Milk District, and Kissimmee’s Puerto Rican spots just outside central Orlando. If you visit Orlando, I’d also try swamp-inspired dishes like gator tail once, but the real story is the mix of Latin, Southern, and old-Florida food traditions. In any travel guide Orlando deserves more credit as a food city, and tasting your way around is honestly one of my favorite things to do in Orlando.
I usually tell friends to give Orlando at least 4 to 5 days, and a full week if they want more than just theme parks. In my travel guide Orlando always works best when you leave room for neighborhoods like Winter Park, canoeing at Wekiwa Springs, and an evening around Lake Eola, not just the big-ticket stops. If you visit Orlando for only a weekend, it can feel rushed and very car-to-parking-lot. Orlando rewards slower plans. Some of my favorite things to do in Orlando are the smaller local experiences, and they’re what make the city feel more balanced and memorable.
When I’m in Orlando, I send people to Winter Park, Mills 50, Thornton Park, and Audubon Park before I mention the bigger attractions in Orlando. Winter Park has boat canals, Rollins College, and Park Avenue cafés; Mills 50 is where I go for late-night pho and murals; Thornton Park is best for a walk around Lake Eola with bungalow-lined streets nearby. Audubon Park feels especially local, with indie shops and the East End Market. For me, that mix gives the clearest answer to what to see in Orlando beyond the parks. If you’re comparing tours in Orlando, these neighborhoods show the city’s real personality.
For families, I usually recommend Orlando Science Center over the bigger-name attractions in Orlando, especially with younger kids. When I go, the hands-on exhibits, giant screen movies, and kid-focused play areas keep everyone engaged without the long waits and sensory overload. It’s right by Loch Haven Park, so you can pair it with a picnic or a short walk if the weather’s good. For parents searching for things to do in Orlando, it’s one of the easiest, most flexible picks. I’d include it high on any list of what to see in Orlando, even among the better-known tours in Orlando and major park options.
When I visit Orlando for food, I head first to Mills 50 for Vietnamese, ramen, and late-night bites, then to Audubon Park for bakeries, coffee, and East End Market. If you want Puerto Rican food, I’d go toward Kissimmee just outside Orlando, where the mofongo and lechón feel far more local than the tourist corridors. Winter Park is my pick for a slower meal on Park Avenue, especially for brunch or wine bars. If you visit Orlando, these neighborhoods tell you more about the city than the resort bubble does. In any travel guide Orlando should be treated as a neighborhoods-and-flavors city, and eating through them is one of my favorite things to do in Orlando.
In my travel guide Orlando, I usually suggest Winter Park or Downtown/Thornton Park if you want the city to feel local, walkable, and more relaxed after dark. When I visit Orlando for more than parks, I like staying near Lake Eola or Park Avenue, where I can walk to coffee, bars, and shaded streets instead of spending every evening on busy resort roads. If your main plan is theme parks, staying near International Drive is practical, but it won’t show you much of real Orlando. For travelers who want a better mix of things to do in Orlando, those central neighborhoods make Orlando feel far more personal.
When I want a quieter side of Orlando, I head to Mead Botanical Garden, Kraft Azalea Garden, and the Tibetan-style Bok Tower Gardens if I have a car. They’re not the headline attractions in Orlando, but they’re the places that make the city feel layered and local. I also love the Winter Park canals and the old brick streets around Thornton Park, especially early in the morning before Orlando heats up. If you’re deciding what to see in Orlando beyond the obvious, these spots stand out for calm scenery and local character. Even among well-known tours in Orlando, these are the places I remember most.