Orlando Beyond the Theme Parks

If, like me, you have visited Orlando’s many awesome theme parks more times than you would care to admit, there comes a time when the question “What else is there to do?” will be asked by someone in the family. For me, that question arose around the time the kids seemed happier lounging around the resort pool than they were lining up for hours for a spin on the latest Star Wars attraction.

Scrambling for ideas on how to keep them entertained, I turned to Google Maps, something I had used numerous times before to plan driving routes to the best theme parks in Orlando, Florida. What I found from that virtual online tour (and some quick online research) is that there is no end of great things to do beyond the amusement parks in Orlando.

From the fun vibes of Celebration, a master-planned community near the parks with a distinct Disneyesque vibe, to strolling through the laid-back neighborhoods of Winter Park and a fantastic farmer’s market, here are a few tried and tested alternative things to do in one of the United States most visited cities.

Cause for Celebration

Our very first non-theme park outing in Orlando was to the master-planned community of Celebration. Established in 1996 and designed by Disney architects, Celebration is only a 10-mile drive from the Magic Kingdom and is relatively easy to get to from the resorts that serve the parks. Covering nearly 5,000 acres of prime real estate, we found ourselves wandering one of the prettiest main streets in Florida. Though relatively short, this shop- and palm tree-lined street ends at Lake Rianhard and is picture-perfect.

Do as we did (and still do) and pick up a coffee and sweet treat from Fortuna Bakery, grab a seat at the waterfront, and see if you can spot any of the baby alligators that sometimes sneak into Celebration (the big ones, fortunately, are always moved). Still, a regular stop whenever we are in Orlando (with or without the kids) is Celebration’s superb network of walking trails. A mix of traditional boardwalk-style and concrete pathways, you can head out from Main Street in any number of directions.

We trekked around Lake Rianhard to the smaller Lake Evalyn along the perimeter of the community. The whole way, it was a lush, jungle-like vibe until we headed off into the charming, quiet neighborhoods with their luxury homes, eventually looping back to Main Street.

Celebration Tips and Tactics: While Celebration is pretty busy on weekends and special occasions like Christmas and Halloween, it is delightfully quiet if you are able to go for a mid-week morning stroll. Parking is plentiful (on-street parking is free), and you can stop into the Market Street Diner or Downtown Diner for a late breakfast. We have even stayed at the downtown Celebration Hotel, which is a lovely option outside of the hustle and bustle. It is minutes from the theme parks and quiet enough to make you feel like you are a million miles away.

Pay a Visit to Disney Springs

Formerly known as Downtown Disney, the revitalized Disney Springs is a wonderful dose of Disney without having to visit the theme parks. This 120-acre shopping, dining, and entertainment complex has become one of the top free attractions in Orlando… at least until you start spending. Parking is free and handled with typical Disney efficiency, with parking zones clearly marked and with easy access to all the fun. Once parked, we dive right in and get any shopping we need out of the way first. And even if we are not in the mood to splurge, we will always wander through must-visits like The LEGO Store, still a favorite for my now grown-up lads; The World of Disney for everything Mickey and Minnie, and a must-do for little princesses; and The Art of Disney for its souvenirs and prints.

We have also attended the superb Cirque du Soleil theater, a must-do for its exciting “human” circus entertainment, as well as enjoyed free live music at the Waterside Stage, a great amphitheater with talented performers strutting their stuff. The highlight of our visits, however, is having dinner at one of the many restaurants in Disney Springs. It has become a tradition for my family to enjoy an evening meal at Raglan Road Irish Pub. Not only are the food and drink offerings excellent (they serve great Irish beers and whiskies, and we always pick up a couple of loaves of Irish Soda Bread to take home with us), but there is always live music and traditional dancing in this Dublin-themed pub, too.

Another great place to eat in Disney Springs is The BOATHOUSE. Designed to look like a classic Lake Tahoe boathouse, you can even book a table in a vintage wooden boat and afterward take a lake ride in one of those amazing old Amphicars from the 1960s. Our other favorites for a sit-down meal include Chef Art Smith's Homecomin' for authentic Southern cooking and the Wolfgang Puck Bar & Grill. Prefer a quick meal? You can’t do much better than grabbing something from Wetzel’s Pretzels, Sunshine Churros, the Earl of Sandwich, or Cooke's of Dublin (they do great fish and chips).

Disney Springs Tips and Tactics: A must-visit whenever we are in Orlando, the best time to visit Disney Springs is in the evening when most families with youngsters are all tucked up in bed. The stores, attractions, and restaurants all stay open late, so the crowds are a little thinner and generally less cranky. If you are planning a sit-down meal, be sure to book ahead, as it can be next to impossible to get a spot as a walk-in. Also, if you are staying at one of the many Disney resorts and hotels nearby, Disney Springs is accessible using the company’s buses, which are free to ride for guests.

Explore Winter Park

Located just seven miles north of downtown Orlando, Winter Park is one of the city’s most pleasant districts for a stroll. Our first visit a few years ago was an eye-opener as it truly seemed that this small community was a world apart from the tourist-centric, in-your-face theme park experiences we had enjoyed up to then. Park Avenue is the place to start exploring. One of the ritziest main streets in Florida, Park Avenue is lined with chic boutiques, classy art galleries, and numerous high-end restaurants.

The best of these, like Boca (American cuisine), Prato (Italian), and Blu on the Avenue (seafood), all have patio seating overlooking this leafy street and are perfect places from which to watch the world drift by. If, as you explore, you spot one of several nearly hidden alleys splitting off from Park Avenue, be bold and enter. I did during my last trip and discovered the excellent Atlantic Beer & Oyster Bar for great grub. Delicious, relaxed, and great value.

After all that food and shopping (check out The Ancient Olive Gourmet for its olive oils and Ten Thousand Villages for fair-trade crafts), cross Park Avenue for a stroll through Central Park. When the kids were smaller, we always enjoyed watching the commuter trains come and go from Winter Park Station… and it is still fun to do.

Other fun things I would recommend you do in Winter Garden include paying a visit to Mead Botanical Garden, a delightful spot with plenty of walking trails, a butterfly garden, and a picturesque boardwalk; taking a fun boat tour of the Winter Park Chain of Lakes for a unique perspective of the area's historic homes and gardens; and, for a little art fix, visit the Charles Hosmer Morse Museum of American Art with its impressive collection of works by Louis Comfort Tiffany, including stunning leaded-glass windows and lamps.

Winter Park Tips and Tactics: Given its location on the opposite side of town to the theme parks (they are actually located in Kissimmee, south of Orlando city center), you will have to take the I-4 highway to Winter Park. This major cross-state highway connects the east coast of Florida to Tampa, so can get pretty busy, especially around rush hour, so late morning or early afternoons are great times to visit. And forget street parking. It is always tight, but there is plenty of multi-story parking available.

Lake Eola Park and Orlando Farmers’ Market

Discovering the Orlando Farmers’ Market in Lake Eola Park was definitely a highlight of our early forays away from the theme parks. Located in downtown Orlando and held every Sunday throughout the year, it is now a ritual of ours to visit this fun, busy market as early on in a visit as we can. Why? Well, not only do we stock up on fresh produce (most resorts in the area offer units with kitchens, which is always a plus) from vendors, including Wild Ocean Seafood Market, but we also stock up on prepared foods, too, including La Empanada for its delicious savory and sweet empanadas, some of which, don’t make it out of the park.

A walk around Lake Eola itself is a must-do. A focal point for locals, it is a great spot for an impromptu picnic feasting on those tasty delicacies purchased at the farmers’ market. While we haven’t been out on the lake’s fun swan boats yet, it is definitely tempting to hop aboard one.

Eola Park Tips and Tactics: The Orlando Farmers’ Market does get busy, especially around lunchtime. Street parking is next to impossible unless you arrive early (it opens at 10 am), but many local businesses open their lots up for reasonably priced parking (expect to pay around $10, but it is worth it). And bring a cooler to keep your purchases fresh.

Reflecting on our various explorations in and around Orlando, I can say with the utmost confidence that whatever anyone else tells you, yes, there is plenty of fun to be had apart from Walt Disney World and Universal Studios. Whether it is strolling through the streets of Celebration, indulging in a delicious food and drink experience at Disney Springs, or exploring Winter Park and Lake Eola, there is something here for everyone curious enough to venture beyond Orlando’s big theme parks.