Location: Orlando
Top Things to do in Orlando
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Things to do in Orlando, Florida (FL): The Best Nature & Parks
From the Magic Kingdom to magical spa treatments, Orlando sparkles with the promise of adventure. Spend a day exploring the world-famous Disney theme parks, giggling with the dolphins at SeaWorld, or screaming your head off on a Universal Studios roller coaster. For a less adrenaline-pumping afternoon, enjoy the quiet natural beauty of the Harry P. Leu Gardens, or enjoy a seaweed scrub at a luxury day spa. Savor fresh and local ingredients at one of Orlando’s James Beard-nominated restaurants.
Restaurants in Orlando
1. Lake Mary Jane
2. Lake Conway
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 8 reviews
Reviewed By Mayroom2 - Central Florida, United States
Very peaceful. Can't believe it is in Orlando. Feels like you are in one of the Caribbean island. Great for fishing and water activities. There are several public ramps around.
3. Exotic Animal Experience
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 386 reviews
Exotic Animal Experience is a TOTALLY interactive, hands on experience with exotic animals including lemurs, kangaroos, muntjac deer, kinkajou, bush baby, wallaby, fainting goat, zebra and most recently, our ADORABLE sloths, Saki and Blossom, our precious baby camel Baby Girl. All visits are BY APPOINTMENT ONLY, and only offered n the mornings. We offer group visits or private visits, please see our website for more details as far as current pricing and animals. Because of the extreme interaction we DO have an age restriction in place, and ask that you PLEASE visit the website for all details on the age restrictions and pricing. ALSO, please remember to call to schedule your visit before driving out without an appointment, visitation is strictly limited for the animals well being. Treat yourselves to a once in a lifetime experience like no other! Be prepared to fall in love many times over, as each animal will steal your heart with his/her silly antics and sweet personalities!
Reviewed By msmccuiston - Dallas, United States
Enjoy and up close experience with sheep, camel, sloths, kangaroos, lemurs, Muntjac deer and more. Leslie and her staff have GREAT care and concern for the well-being of the animals and it shows in their personal dedication. This is an opportunity that doesn't come often. And worth every $$$ to experience. My husband and I appreciate the personal experience we were given and LOVED the dogs. I wish everyone cared for animals the way Leslie and her staff do. The visit was quite a WONDERFUL experience. Thanks for a unforgettable experience.
4. Mako
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 269 reviews
Reviewed By mekopp - Middletown, United States
The first time I road this coaster in September I thought it would be very similar to Apollo's Chariot at Busch Gardens in Williamsburg. Wrong. This really earns it name as a hyper coaster. It's crazy intense. Even the lift hill is a little scary because you are pretty far back in your seat. The first hill is pretty intense, but it doesn't stop there. The entire ride is great. There is lots of air time. The second time I rode in November I knew what to expect, so I enjoyed it a bit more. The first time I was so scared I couldn't even scream. I highly recommend!
5. Harry P. Leu Gardens
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 1,367 reviews
Explore 50-acres of beautiful gardens and historic home minutes from downtown Orlando. Discover over 40 different collections including a tropical rain forest, Florida's largest formal rose garden, butterfly garden and much more! Leu Gardens is always blooming.
Reviewed By a-travelin-foodie
Lots of walking paths through the gardens. Almost every plant is labeled - amazing!! Tropicals and bromeliads galore, roses, camellias, Butterfly garden, idea garden, palm garden and natural woods. I am not a gardener, but I love walking through peaceful nature with an abundance of plants, flowers and trees that I might not usually see, and certainly not all at one time. Even a small vegetable and herb garden. Plenty of benches to sit and rest or enjoy. Right now (Oct 15 2018) the camellias are not in bloom yet and the home is still closed due to hurricane damage. $10 for entry, plenty of parking. You go into the white house/welcome center to enter into the gardens - it's all fenced in. Most paths are wheelchair accessible. Restrooms available. Some shade but lots of sun, so be prepared with a hat and sunscreen! Maybe some bug spray if it's that season.
6. Lake Eola Park
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 1,783 reviews
Lake Eola Park is located in the heart of Downtown Orlando. The sidewalk that circles the lake is 0.9 miles in length, making it easy for visitors to keep track of their walking or running distances. Other activities available to park visitors include renting swan-shaped paddle boats, feeding the live swans and other birds inhabiting the park, seeing a concert or a play in the Walt Disney Amphitheater, grabbing a bite to eat at Relax Grill on Lake Eola or relaxing amid beautiful flower beds and a spectacular view of Orlando's skyline. Parking is free on Eola Drive on the east side of the park and there is metered parking on Central Boulevard and Rosalind Avenue. There is also street parking in Eola Heights and Thornton Park, a two to five block walk to the park. You can also park in any of the garages within a few blocks of the park. These include the Post Parkside parking garage at Osceola Avenue and East Central Boulevard; the Paramount/Publix parking garage at Lake Avenue and East Central Boulevard; and the Library parking garage at 112 East Central Boulevard. Please note: swans can get sick eating bread and popcorn. Visitors to the park can feed them lettuce, spinach, duck food pellets or buy food from the new swan feeders.
Reviewed By gatorRPH1990 - Ormond Beach, United States
We found metered parking close by. This really is a nice city park. There is @ wide walking path around the whole lake. The swans were nesting. Lots of shade. Many restaurants nearby. Not sure about going at night because there was quite a few people sleeping on grass and benches.
7. Tibet-Butler Preserve
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 171 reviews
Reviewed By rachelbN748IC
Beautiful, 3.5 miles of well-maintained trails and boardwalks, perfect for a family outing. Follow part of the trail Hernando De Soto’s expedition traveled. The nature center is very nice and informative, with outdoor pens of rescued gopher tortoises.
8. Moss Park
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 69 reviews
Reviewed By libby9098 - Columbus, United States
This park is a gem. It is in a 1500 acre preserve and is fantastic. One huge plus is their no pet policy, YAY. The sites are huge and level with lots of shade. Restrooms are spotless. Deer and cranes walking through are fun. Raccoons are fearless. Water and electric at each site. Hiking trails, water access for boats and very quiet except for planes overhead. Fire rings and tables at each site. Dishwashing stations with very hot water. What’s not to like!
9. Tri-Circle-D Ranch
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 73 reviews
Reviewed By Signature100 - Brookhaven, United States
I reviewed the Tri-Circle-D Ranch in 2017. This review is for my recent visit on January 28, 2019. My sister, nephew (11) and I LOVED the trail ride. This is so much FUN--a great way to spend the morning. Our guides, Rachel and her partner were WONDERFUL! They were knowledgeable and informative and made sure we were comfortable with our horses and safe. They told us all about the trail and wildlife. We rode Dash, Cooper and Bart. All of the horses are well-cared for and loved. The facilities and equipment were very clean. The trail ride through the woods was so nice. We will make time for this EVERY trip to Disney!
10. Back to Nature Wildlife Refuge
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 54 reviews
Reviewed By katebH8774TL - Ipswich, United Kingdom
We visited here last week and although it is a small place, it is definitely worth the $5 especially when you know it goes towards helping the rehabilitation of wildlife and other animals. If you venture out the back, there is a short walking trail where there is an observation area. We saw baby alligators, lots of different butterflies and various birds including eagles. If you are in the area, definitely check it out :)
