Dr. Phillips Center for the Performing Arts 

Located downtown, the Dr. Phillips Center for the Performing Arts creates experiences that educate, entertain and inspire creativity across the community. Its modern, multi-venue campus hosts concerts, comedy events, community performances and family-friendly productions year-round. You’ll find everything from ballet and Broadway shows to kids’ shows, outdoor festivals and smaller performances from regional artists, making it a reliable destination for live entertainment in Orlando. 

Orlando Museum of Art

Founded in 1924 and located in Loch Haven Park, the Orlando Museum of Art is the city’s flagship museum and a leading provider of visual art education in the region. Its rotating exhibitions feature American art, African artifacts, contemporary works and major traveling shows. The permanent collection includes notable pieces by Georgia O’Keeffe, Richard Diebenkorn, Kerry James Marshall, Nick Cave and Andy Warhol. It’s great for anyone seeking things to do in Orlando, not theme parks, or simply looking for museums in Orlando.

Orlando Shakes

Founded in 1989 by University of Central Florida (UCF) professor Stuart Omans, Orlando Shakes in partnership with UCF produces classic, contemporary and children’s plays. Under artistic director Jim Helsinger, it has become one of the region’s most acclaimed professional theaters, earning national recognition.

Pirates Dinner Adventure

At Pirates Dinner Adventure, guests watch a live-action show staged on a replica pirate ship while having a meal. Set aboard an 18th-century Spanish galleon with 40-foot masts that sits in a 300,000-gallon indoor lagoon, it features detailed atmospheric touches like night-sky lighting. The story follows the villainous Capt. Sebastian the Black as he battles the heroes, Benjamin Blue and Princess Anita. Acrobatics, stunts, music and audience participation make it a theatrical evening perfect for groups of all ages.

Gatorland

Often called the Alligator Capital of the World, Gatorland is one of Central Florida’s long-standing wildlife attractions, beloved for its petting zoo and free-flight aviary. It’s one of the best places to see alligators and crocodiles of all sizes, from tiny hatchlings to 14-foot giants. And if those thrills aren't enough, there's always a ride on the Screamin’ Gator Zip Line or Stompin’ Gator Off-Road Adventure.

Museum of Illusions Orlando

Part museum and part interactive photo studio, the Museum of Illusions Orlando uses visual trickery, optical illusions and hands-on displays to challenge your sense of perspective. This family-friendly space features more than 50 exhibits (think holograms, immersive rooms and playful visual setups) to inspire both curiosity and creativity.

Orlando Science Center

Founded in 1955, the Orlando Science Center is Central Florida’s award-winning, hands-on science museum and one of the region’s most popular cultural destinations. Multilevel exhibits explore astronomy, engineering, paleontology and more. With labs, live demonstrations and dedicated spaces for younger children, it’s an excellent choice for rainy days or a much-needed break from the Florida heat. 

Harry P. Leu Gardens 

Spread across 50 acres, Harry P. Leu Gardens features camellias, roses, tropical plants and paved pathways lined with benches. They wind through peaceful landscaping designed to engage the senses through scent, sound and touch.

 

Pointe Orlando

Pointe Orlando is an outdoor shopping center adjacent to the Orange County Convention Center. This open-air complex features a movie theater, shops and a range of restaurants along International Drive. Visitors often pair a stop here with nearby attractions or spend an afternoon browsing and enjoying the plaza-style setting. 

Ivanhoe Village

Ivanhoe Village, part of Orlando’s cultural corridor, mixes independent shops, galleries, antique stores and breweries in a walkable neighborhood along Lake Ivanhoe. The district focuses on long-term revitalization of the area’s history, community character and local businesses through collaboration with residents and partners. Visitors can browse antiques or settle in at neighborhood restaurants with views of the lake.

Downtown Orlando

As the city’s historic core and central business district, Downtown Orlando is home to startups, high-rise apartments and historic homes. Visitors who take a stroll around Lake Eola Park will have much to discover, including shopping, food, entertainment and public art.  

Lake Nona

Known for its modern design and outdoor gathering spaces, Lake Nona is a contemporary mixed-use community with sleek homes and lush gated neighborhoods. The U.S. Tennis Association National Campus hosts major tennis events and offers lessons, while family-focused Nona Adventure Park features a floating obstacle course and wakeboarding. To the south, Boxi Park brings together food-truck-style eateries, live music and volleyball courts. Throughout the district, you’ll also find public art, fitness trails, green spaces and a growing number of wellness-focused businesses.

Old Town Entertainment District 

In nearby Kissimmee, Old Town is an outdoor entertainment area known for classic American fun and family-friendly attractions. For more than 30 years, it’s been offering a nostalgic mix of amusement rides, retro-inspired storefronts, car shows and weekly events. Visitors can stroll along its 18 acres of tree-lined, brick streets and explore shops, restaurants and bars. A recent renovation added 15,000 square feet of new retail and dining, giving guests even more options for sit-down meals or quick bites. Throughout the week, Old Town also hosts free, family-friendly events and live music on the Main Stage.

Celebration

Initially developed in collaboration with the Walt Disney Company, Celebration — about 25 minutes southwest of Orlando — feels like a small town, with architecture inspired by traditional Southern communities, complete with picket fences, lakeside paths and a walkable downtown core. It sits along a lakeside promenade and features boutique shopping and restaurants on walkable, brick-lined streets. Visitors can also explore the area by bike or even by horse-drawn carriage along Lake Rianhard.