Action-packed, sporty, charming, energized, and authentic—however you define family fun, downtown Orlando has got you covered. We’re the opposite of an ordinary destination. And that’s the appeal of it all. We’ve created a few curated experiences to help launch your family adventure in downtown Orlando. And because getting around can be half the fun, check out our recommendations for your method of mobility.
Caution: may create memories and return visits.
Adventure 1: Relax, pop, grow, pedal
Craving a simple Sunday? Start with a casual lakeside lunch at the Relax Grill, located at the northwestern edge of Lake Eola with menu options that will make everyone happy. From there, rent a swan boat and pedal around the lake for unique skyline and park views. After docking your swan boat, stroll over to the Orlando Farmers Market to check out the variety of local goods and enjoy live entertainment. For a refreshing treat, hop into the Pop Parlour for handcrafted ice pops in seasonal flavors.
Adventure 2: Eat, watch, dream, scoot
Begin your day at Artisan's Table where hospitality takes center stage and there are menu options for everyone. From there, it’s just a two-block walk to the Dr. Phillips Center for the Performing Arts, where the whole family will enjoy a Broadway show, concert, or a special youth theater production with a cast of kids from the AdventHealth School of the Arts. After the show, rent scooters and head to the Greenery Creamery to indulge in small batch specialty flavors made with local love. For bonus points (and kids who will sleep well), swing by the playground at Lake Eola Park.
Adventure 3: Learn, see, ride, walk
Originally opened as a hotel in 1921, the Wells’Built Museum in the Parramore Heritage Neighborhood is a great place to reflect on some of our local African American history. The displays include artifacts, turn-of-the-century décor, memorabilia, and a guest room featuring authentic furnishings of the 1930s. Bring the family to the Orange County Regional History Center to explore four floors of dynamic exhibits covering 12,000 years of Central Florida history in addition to nationally run traveling exhibitions throughout the year.
Florida’s largest public library is just around the corner from the History Center. Inside, families can enjoy free events, computers, and story rooms for young readers to wind down while they discover word power.