Orlando isn’t just for family vacations! This vibrant city boasts much more to do than just the theme parks, with attractions, sights to see, and incredible restaurants to visit that are suitable for adults, as well as the younger people.
Whether you’re sunning it up as a couple, visiting as part of a group, or are planning to see the sights with friends, there’s plenty for everyone to enjoy.
Read on to find out the best things for adults to do in Orlando.
The best things for adults to do in Orlando
1. Check out Orlando nightlife
Nightlife may not be what first springs to mind when you think of Orlando, but there’s a decent party scene that heats up after dark and stretches all the way from Downtown Orlando to the suburbs. The main tourist centers (including the Disney and Universal theme parks) come alive each night with parties, concerts and one-off celebrations.
Rooftop bars, mega clubs and friendly local pubs attract party people to Downtown Orlando, and there are a few different spots to try. If you fancy a few drinks and a bit of bar-hopping, make a beeline for Wall Street Plaza. There’s a surprisingly ‘local’ vibe here compared with more touristy parts of town, and you’ll also find some great places to eat.
Otherwise, the Pointe Orlando entertainment complex has something for everyone, from dining and nightlife to world-class shopping. The BB King Blues Bar attract fans of live music, while the Minus5 Ice Bar provides the perfect place for a chilled-out evening (in every sense!), and you can always hit up the Imax cinema complex for a movie.
Disney’s daily firework displays are always a good option, and there’s plenty of after-dark excitement at Universal’s CityWalk. Alternatively, you can watch Cirque du Soleil perform at Disney Springs and be amazed by the array of acrobats, jugglers and contortionists performing right in front of your eyes. Another option is the Mad Cow Theater in Downtown Orlando, which puts on musicals and stage shows.
Want more things you can do at night in Orlando? Check out our guide here.
2. Visit one of the many fantastic Orlando restaurants
Whether you’re a massive foodie or just love eating out, there are thousands of restaurants to try in Orlando. Downtown Orlando is one of the city’s best-kept secrets. The incredible skyline provides the perfect backdrop to a romantic meal and the food scene is diverse enough that you’ll never have to eat the same type of meal twice.
You’ll find loads more dining options at Orlando’s theme parks. Some of the restaurants are aimed squarely at kids, offering character breakfasts and colorful decor, but there are also sophisticated bars and restaurants to explore, from nautical-themed watering holes to upscale fine-dining restaurants.
Over in the artsy Winter Park neighborhood, you’ll find chilled independent restaurants serving locally sourced meals. There are fine dining establishments, stylish wine rooms to sophisticated bistros – it’s the ideal place for a laid-back evening.
Another great option is Restaurant Row. Five minutes from the Orange County Convention Center, it serves up a selection of fine-dining restaurants and low-key eateries. There are top-class steakhouses here, and some of the upscale restaurants even put on live jazz performances.
Check out our guide to fine-dining in Orlando, or browse our best of the best restaurant list here.
3. Go kayaking in Orlando
At Weeki Wachee Springs, around 80 miles west of Orlando, you can rent a kayak or a stand-up paddle board and then explore 5.5 miles of calm, crystal-clear water. This one-of-a-kind river adventure will take you past old oak trees, Florida’s distinctive palms and even endangered West Indian manatees. It’s also worth keeping your eyes peeled for otters, turtles and pelicans as you soak up the scenery.
4. Enjoy dinner and a show at the Treasure Tavern
From burlesque dancing and comedy acts to big-name magicians, the dinner show at the Treasure Tavern has it all. Performers from across the globe take to the stage while world-class chefs serve up delicious steak dinners. As the name suggests, the whole place has a fun pirate theme.
5. Visit a museum in Orlando
Whether you’re into history, art, airplanes, or trains, Orlando offers a whole host of museums. At the famous Harry P. Leu Gardens, you can explore more than 50 acres of charming grounds, enjoying the ‘Old Florida’ vibe as you stroll along the winding paths. Cornell Fine Arts Museum and the Morse Museum of American Art both showcase works by local and international artists. Train enthusiasts will want to visit the Central Florida Railroad Museum, located Downtown, or head over to the Kissimmee Air Museum and learn all about aircraft dating back to World War II. The Holocaust Memorial Center and Orlando Science Center are also well worth a visit.
6. Pay a visit to the Orlando Amphitheater
The Orlando Amphitheater is one of the first places you should look if you are looking for some evening entertainment. With a jam-packed schedule with festivals, concerts, and other shows, there is bound to be something going on whenever you are looking. This is a fantastic option for things for adults to do in Orlando, as it the events are hugely varied, and you are certain to have a great time.
7. Take a romantic cruise
Clearwater Harbor is a beautiful setting for a boat tour. Whether you’d like to join a public cruise or would prefer a private boat tour, there’s a variety of options available. Why not board the 60-ft-long paddlewheeler, The Chief Waupacaor for an enchanting ride? You can learn about the history of the lakes with a narrated cruise or dine like a celebrity with the Sunday brunch cruise Our concierge team can help you book a place on this and other guided city tours.
Interested in what else Orlando has to offer for couples? Browse our guide here.
10. Or even enjoy your own boat rental in Orlando
If you love the idea of setting sail into the sunset, but don’t want to join a public cruise, you could consider hiring your own boat, either for an evening or for a longer period of time. Whether you’re after a power boat, a fishing boat, or something larger to hold an event on such as a yacht, there are several companies that offer boat rentals by the day and by the hour. You may need certain qualifications in order to rent some boat types or require someone to join you who can operate the vehicle – check ahead of time when you decide which kind of boat rental in Orlando, Florida, you would like to experience.
9. Visit Orlando Speed World
For a high-octane, adrenalin-fuelled experience, head to Orlando Speed World – Orlando’s premier race track where the Orlando World Street Nationals are held, along with a jam-packed schedule of drag racing, motorbike racing, and the destination to go to see some of the finest cars in the world in action. Whether you’re a huge car fan, love the atmosphere of the races, or simply want to experience something a little bit different, make sure Speed World is on your Orlando itinerary.
10. Explore the comedy shows in Orlando
What better way to spend an evening out on the town, than with your favorite drink in hand and a chest-achingly funny act on the stage in front of you? Orlando has plenty of venues that offer up some incredible comedy nights – from those who are new on the scene, to professionals testing out their latest jokes, to full-on comedy gigs from some of the most famous names in the business.
Famous venues for comedy in Orlando include the Improv Club at Pointe Orlando, who invite in a whole host of local comedians, as well as famous comics. There’s also the SAK comedy club, which has been named both one of Orlando’s most popular entertainment venues, as well as taking a place amongst the list of 50 best comedy clubs in America – those are some serious accolades! You can also pay a visit to the Bonkerz Comedy Club in Orlando’s Winter Park, where you can enjoy plenty of good food and drink along with the hilarious comedy sets. This is just for starters, however, and you will find comedy shows all over the city!
11. Try out axe throwing in Orlando
For something a little bit more unusual than the standard things to do in Orlando for adults, why not unleash your inner Viking and try out a spot of axe throwing in Orlando? There are plenty of venues in Orlando where you can try this up-and-coming activity, either in a couple, a group, or if you’re bringing the family. You will stand across from your target with an axe in hand, and it is your job to launch the axe through the air, and make sure it hits and remains in the target.
Choose from Epic Axe Throwing, Stumpy’s Hatchet House, and Batlgrounds, with plenty more across the city, and battle it out with your group to find out who the most formidable axe-wielding champion is amongst you.
12. Visit a hookah lounge in Orlando
A bit of a change of pace from the above axe throwing, visit a hookah lounge for a relaxing experience. This is the perfect activity to unwind after a long day, either as a couple or with a group of adults. Also known as shisha, a hookah pipe is a large water pipe, in which molasses or other specially-made flavored tobacco is placed, to produce a sweet-tasting smoke. Hookah bars also often provide a range of delicious drinks and tempting snacks and small plates you can enjoy alongside the flavored smoke. Some of the most popular hookah lounges in Orlando include Zaman Hookah Lounge, Midnight Hookah Lounge, and Gemini Hookah Lounge.
Please note, as this is a tobacco-smoking-based activity, it is not suitable for children and may impact your health.
13. Try out skydiving in Orlando
Are the other activities on this list not quite as daring and adventurous as you would like? Well, it doesn’t get much more daring or adventurous than plunging to the Earth from a plane in the sky, with nothing but a parachute strapped to your back. Not only is this certain to get your heart racing, and your adrenalin spiking, and is sure to induce a few screams, but this activity will be one of the most memorable of your life.
You can skydive in Orlando with Adrenaline near Tampa Bay, or with Skydive Deland near Daytona Beach. Whether you’re a skydiving veteran or a first-timer, there are a huge range of options at both of these companies, such a solo diving and tandem diving with a trained professional.
Where to stay in Orlando.
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