View a Google Maps list of some of the best things to do in Orlando.
Basilica of the National Shrine of Mary, Queen of the Universe
“Queen of the Universe” makes the Virgin sound more like a Marvel superhero than the mother of Jesus. And to some she may be a superhero. You don’t have to be Catholic or even religious to enjoy this spot. The shrine museum exhibits some nice religious art. And the church itself is worth checking out. The transparent cross at the alter makes it appear that the crucified Jesus is actually floating.
8300 Vineland Ave.
iFly Orlando
If you’ve ever fantasized about skydiving but can’t bring yourself to actually launch yourself out of an airplane, there’s a place for you. Welcome to iFly, an indoor skydiving center. Here you can float in the air as if you were free falling to the earth. The good part at iFly is that you won’t come crashing down and won’t have to worry about your parachute not opening. Phew.
A post shared by iFLY Orlando (@ifly_orlando) on Oct 31, 2018 at 12:10pm PDT
8969 International Dr.
Gatorland
You couldn’t escape Florida, in general, and Orlando, in particular, without entrenching yourself with alligators, right? Right. At this alligator extravaganza, you can zipline over a swamp of gators, watch gator shows, watch a gator feeding frenzy and take a mini-train through the land of the gators.
A post shared by Official Gatorland Instagram (@gatorland_orlando) on Oct 5, 2019 at 7:34am PDT
14501 S. Orange Blossom Trail
Lake Eola Park
Generations ago, long before Orlando became associated with theme parks, farmers used to bring their livestock to Lake Eola for a bit of thirst-quenching in the summer heat. Today locals gravitate here to stroll around the lake or even better, ride on the lake on a swan-shaped paddleboat. Located near downtown, the park is a tranquil place to spend a few hours.
512 E. Washington St.
Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex
Didn’t we all want to be astronauts at some point when we were growing up? Now you can (sort of) be one. Take one big step for your inner kid and spend a few hours here. Thanks to KSP’s interactive features and exhibits you can get a sense of what it’s like to be in space and indulge yourself in all manner of rockets and space.
A post shared by NASA’s Kennedy Space Center (@nasakennedy) on Sep 11, 2019 at 12:45pm PDT
9339 Jeff Fuqua Blvd.
Mills 50 District
Once called “Little Vietnam” and then “Little Saigon,” these neighborhoods crammed with Vietnamese restaurants and businesses is now known as the Mills 50 District to reflect the intersection that is the hub of the ‘hood: Mills Avenue and Colonial Drive (aka State Route 50). Head here to tuck into a mean bowl of pho and some shrimp summer rolls.
A post shared by Mills 50 Mainstreet District (@mills50district) on Sep 20, 2019 at 10:46am PDT
Mills Avenue and Colonial Drive
Orlando Museum of Art
OMA, as locals call it, is a visual theme park for those who love art. And by that, we mean, it’s a very nice art museum with 2,400 art objects including works from the ancient Americas, Africa, and contemporary American paintings and sculptures.
A post shared by Orlando Museum of Art (@orlandomuseumofart) on Sep 16, 2019 at 10:45am PDT
2416 N. Mills Ave.
