Hidden Gems in Orlando - What Else to Do Other Than Theme Parks?

Of course, it is difficult to look beyond Disneyland and Universal Studios. Of course, it is tough to look away from the magical experience of Harry Potter or the towering Castle of Cinderella. But it is only when you look for the offbeat destinations to visit in Orlando that the true hidden gems of the city come out. Orlando is a storehouse of excitement. Although the theme parks have gradually risen to become the city’s ambassadors to the world, tourist still buy flight tickets to Orlando for its other attractions. If you indeed decide to explore the city where your itinerary does not include Orlando’s theme parks, be sure that this Floridan city has no dearth of options and will never disappoint you.

So, the next time you book London to Orlando direct flights and plan a vacation in this tropical urban hub, go for the unusual places and the less-visited spots. Whether its food or theatre, museums or nature escapes, Orlando has it all and at driving distances. Pick your stops from this rich list and design an itinerary that included the best of Orlando, excluding the theme parks.

Eat in Orlando

Orlando is a foodies’ paradise. You will get every cuisine from around the world here that will take your taste buds on an expansive tour and leave you hungry for more. Options are galore here and it is only fit that you start your Orlando holiday by sorting out your hunger pangs first.

Dine fine in Orlando

Downtown Orlando is dotted with restaurants that are enough to spoil your diet plans. From mouthwatering Sushi at Kadence to wood-fired pizzas at Prato, Orlando is truly the place to dine fine. Restaurants like the Ravenous Pig and Luma on Park are perfect to indulge in American cuisine while Cocina 214 will serve you Mexican in an impressive ambiance. You want Ramen, you can have it. You want barbeque ribs, you can have that as well. All of these in classic restaurants with some memorable service.

 Join the Orlando Foodie Tours

You read that right! You can actually receive a guided tour through Orlando’s streets and indulge in all the delicacies the city has to offer. Save your appetite and join the Foodie tour to dig into Orlando’s fluffiest doughnuts or freshly baked cookies from the Gideon’s Bakehouse. End your food journey with juicy coffee-smoked bacon from Swine and Sons and a sit-down meal at Osprey Tavern. Every bite is sure to blow your mind for food is taken seriously here. And you will be with a bunch of fellow foodies, what else can you expect but the best.

Visit the Saturday Market at Lake Eola Park

Lake Eola Park is a green oasis that sits right at the heart of downtown Orlando. And every Saturday, farmers from around the city bring their fresh produce to serve some of Orlando’s best street foods. Head over here to experience food in a scenic backdrop at prices that are alarmingly low. There are also provisions for live music that keep you engaged while you take your pick from all the stalls around. Satiate your evening hunger here and munch on some truly good food.

Activities in Orlando

Whether you are booking flights from London to Orlando for a solo business trip or a family vacation, your itinerary has to include the following activities that are put up in and around the city. Sure, Disney and Lego Land have far more fun in store for you, but these do not starve you on any count as well.

Drive to the Kennedy Space Center

You need to drive for 2 long hours to visit NASA’s oldest space facility. The exhibitions here are meant to humble you and compel you to marvel at human intelligence. You can see actual rockets and the parts that were used in the famed Apollo and Gemini missions along with others kept at display. There are also simulated flight experiences of tourists and an Astronaut Gallery to visit. And if you can time your visit right, you can witness an actual rocket launched to outer space from this very center, a view you will remember your entire lifetime.

5.      Head to WonderWorks

This is Orlando’s upside-down building. Yes, the exterior is actually upside-down. And inside, there is an interactive museum and exhibitions that often packs more fun that the Disneyworld. Here, you can build your own rollercoaster and ride it. Or try sleeping on a bed of nails. There are also activities like rock climbing and other amusement-park like thrillers and the queues are generally less. WonderWorks is truly a marvel to anyone’s eyes and a must-visit while in Orlando.

Fly high on Balloons

Hot-air balloons! Just outside the city’s perimeter, you can book a balloon for your yourself and fly off into the sunset with a spectacular view of others joining the party as well. In this activity, it is all about the view and the silence. No humdrum of theme parks, no traffic of the bustling city. Only the transforming shade of the sky as the sun bids farewell in the horizon. Down below, Florida’s tropical greenery will paint a colourful picture for you while you soak in the warm breeze that gives your balloon direction.

Explore nature in Orlando

And you cannot end your vacation without visiting some nature trails. While booking your flights to Orlando from UK, make it a point to shift things around and have space for the following explorations. Some are serene and tranquil while others are as exciting as the highest of rollercoasters in Orlando.

Spend a day with alligators

Not at Gatorland where the alligators are trained and put on a show. For some adrenaline-filled wildlife exploration where these gigantic reptiles roam in the wild, you will have to head over to the Black Hammock. Thrill will greet you immediately as you get on a cruise and ride on to the water where the alligators will either start to flock around you or stay at a distance soaking the sun. Or you can become more adventurous and take a walk down the Alligator Alley Trail on foot.

 Kayak at Rock Springs Run

However, if you prefer your nature indulgence to be free from wild animals, then Rock Springs Run is the perfect place for you. This destination presents you with your much-needed escape to nature. Kayaking is a famous activity here where you can hire one and milk your way through the pristine lake of the location. Enjoy the greenery around and see fishes swim past you. And then when you are done with the waters, camp at night here amidst the harmless nature dwellers and soak in the silence that nature has to offer. In the morning, 17 elaborate trails will tempt you to hike and every path offers you an ocean of picturesque sceneries that Orlando has to offer.

Take a stroll in Tibet-Butler Nature Preserve

This is the home to Orlando’s wilderness. Just nature and nothing more. Right on the banks of the Butler river, this 440-acre preserve can give you the true serenity and tranquility that nature has to offer. Several short trails will give you memorable views of long-leaf pine trees and scenic strolls will destress your entire system. At the Tibet-Butler Nature Preserve, you can truly connect with nature activity-less.

Bonus cruise

And just when you thought that the list is finished and that is all Orlando has to offer, here is the bonus and probably the best activity why you should book London to Orlando direct flights and fly out now. This is better than Lego Land.

Cruise in an amphicar

Exactly like the James Bond movies where the car continues to speed on road and suddenly takes to the water and becomes a boat. That is what is an amphicar. Orlando is one of the few places where you can experience this movie-like activity in the Boathouse which owns 10 such cars. You can ride one and actually see it convert into a jet boat from a land vehicle. Your excitement will continue for a full 30 minutes where you can explore a lake in a vintage car. That is Orlando for you.

Visit Orlando for its marvels

So, ready to skip the queues, the rides, and the fantasy-lands? Orlando is the place of hidden gems. Book cheap flights to Orlando from UK in TravelDecorum and travel to the Floridan city inside your budget. Save money on your travel and indulge in the above activities. In a single website, you can compare flights to get the best deals, hire car rentals, sort out your accommodation and even select complete holiday packages. TravelDecorum is the place to plan your visit to Orlando and explore the city in its true sense.

Even without the theme parks, Orlando has a face. There is so much to do right in the city that will completely fill up your vacation days. Pack and fly out now.

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