24 Things to Do in Central Florida (A Local’s Picks)

👉 Jump to: Best Things | For Adults | Family Friendly | Cheap Things | Hidden Gems | Animals & Outdoors

Central Florida spans the middle of the Sunshine State from Tampa to Daytona Beach. While a majority of travelers will visit Orlando attractions, there are tons more things to see and do when you venture out into the Central Florida area too!

As a Central Florida native, I’ve spent years exploring the region’s natural beauty and attractions. 

To help you explore the best of the region, I’ve put together my list of the best things to do in Central Florida.

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Best Things to Do in Central Florida

Theme Parks

Experience some of the world’s best thrill rides and family attractions for yourself.

🎢 Walt Disney World | Universal Orlando | Busch Gardens | SeaWorld | LEGOLAND

When visiting Central Florida, you can create an entire vacation itinerary around theme parks, including Walt Disney World, Universal Orlando, LEGOLAND Florida, SeaWorld, and Busch Gardens. There’s a reason that Orlando is known as the “theme park capital of the world”!

LEGOLAND, SeaWorld, and Busch Gardens can each be done with a one-day visit. With multiple parks (plus water parks and other entertainment destinations), Universal Orlando and Walt Disney World require a multi-day visit to see and do everything. If you can, go in September, which is my pick for the best month to visit Disney World and other theme parks in Orlando.

👉 Planning a Disney trip?: There’s enough things to do at Disney World to fill an entire week (or even longer), so check out my Disney World itinerary to plan your visit.

Kennedy Space Center

Test your skills in space, see real spacecraft, and even meet an astronaut!

📍 Google Maps | Phone: (855) 433-4210 | Website | Hours: 9 am – 5 pm daily | Entrance: starting at $77 for adults, $67 for ages 3-11 | 👉 Browse Space Center Tours on Viator

Visiting the Kennedy Space Center is an easy day trip from Orlando. The whole family will be able to learn about the history of space travel while exploring the Visitor Complex. Plan for a full-day visit because there are so many exhibits to see. You can even meet a real astronaut! 

Check out my other recommendations for where to take a day trip from Orlando. 

Kayaking, Canoeing, and Paddleboarding

Paddle through crystal clear waters on the area’s natural waterways.

🌐 Paddle Florida Website | 👉 Browse Orlando Kayaking Tours on Viator

I think the best way to experience the magic of wild Florida is from the water. Whether you prefer to stand or sit while you paddle, there is a place for you to wander under sunny skies and view the local wildlife. 

Some of my favorite places to paddle are Three Sisters Springs/Crystal River to see manatees, the Space Coast for bioluminescence, Rock Springs Run for crystal clear water, and Winter Park Chain of Lakes for stunning homes. Who needs a water park when you have so many natural waterways to enjoy? 

ZooTampa

Go wild with exotic animal encounters at one of the best zoos in the state.

📍 Google Maps | Phone: (813) 935-8552 | Website | Hours: 9:30 am – 5 pm daily (extended hours on select days) | Entrance: $50 for adults, $40 for ages 3-11 | 👉 ZooTampa Admission Tickets

Florida is home to plenty of zoos, but ZooTampa is one of the best. As a former zookeeper, I hold animal facilities to high standards and I love visiting ZooTampa. 

Not only is the zoo clean and easy to navigate, but it offers lots of up-close encounters with the animals. I recommend walking through the lory aviary and stopping by the giraffe feeding station.

ZooTampa has earned the highest accreditation from the Association of Zoos and Aquariums, so you’ll be happy to know that their animals receive top-quality care! You can buy your admission tickets to the zoo in advance.

Museum of Science and Industry “MOSI”

Investigate interactive exhibits that are fun and educational for both kids and grown-ups!

📍 Google Maps | Phone: (813) 987-6000 | Website | Hours: 10 am – 5 pm daily | Entrance: $20 adults, $15 ages 3-17

MOSI is more than just a museum. It is a place for kids (and grown-up kids) to explore and learn about science through interactive exhibits, including touching a moon rock and laying on a bed of nails. In addition to regular admission, you can add on experiences at the ropes course and the planetarium.

Check out their event calendar for special offerings because there are always fun things for the family to participate in. 

For Adults

Breweries

Sip new flavors at the many fantastic breweries in Central Florida.

Florida Brewery Map

There are too many fantastic breweries in Central Florida, so I won’t even try to list them all. The great news is that no matter where you are planning to visit, you will be able to enjoy some local, craft brews. I have to recommend my neighborhood brewery, Crooked Can, though.

Many breweries have a tasting room or even a restaurant. Check out social media or brewery websites for information about tours and events.

JC Newman Cigar Company

Learn traditional cigar rolling at this unique museum and factory in Tampa.

📍 Google Maps | Phone: (813) 248-2124 | Website | Hours: 9 am – 5:30 pm Weekdays, Closed Weekends | Tour: $15 

The Cuban influence in Tampa is easy to feel as soon as you arrive. Even in this big city, you find a warm community in Ybor City. In its heyday, Ybor City was home to many cigar factories.

The area is still home to the JC Newman Cigar Company. You can tour the factory and see how cigars are made by hand and by antique machinery. This is a unique experience in the “Cigar City.”

Cigar connoisseurs should also consider the Cigar Rolling Class ($75 per person) and the Tobacco Tasting Class ($50).

👉 Hungry For More?: Head a few blocks south to Historic Ybor City to find some authentic Cuban food and locally brewed beer. 

The Dali 

Take in art with a surreal perspective at this museum with an unmatched collection of over 2,400 pieces by Salvador Dali.

📍 Google Maps | Phone: (727) 823-3767 | Website | Hours: 10 am – 6 pm daily, closes at 8 pm on Thursdays | Entrance: $32 adults, $22 ages 13-17, $12 ages 6-12

The Dali is located on sparkling Tampa Bay in the art-loving city of St Petersburg. The museum houses an unmatched collection of over 2,400 pieces by Salvador Dali and features additional rotating exhibits. 

You should plan on grabbing lunch at the Cafe Gala in the museum. The cafe offers Spanish-style tapas and it is the best museum food I’ve ever had. Don’t forget to stop by the gift shop to pick up a surrealist souvenir.

Check out this list of the top things do in the state of Florida, which includes The Dali and other great attractions!

Family-Friendly

The Orlando Eye at ICON Park

Enjoy aerial views of Orlando from inside a spacious, air-conditioned cabin.

📍 Google Maps | Phone: (321) 209-9679 | Website | Entrance: Starting at $30 for adults, $25 for ages 2-12 | Hours: Varies by day and season | 👉 Orlando Eye Admission Tickets

The Orlando Eye (formerly The Wheel) is located in ICON Park on International Drive. The kids will love taking in the sights from above and you can even control the music inside your air-conditioned cabin!

The Orlando Eye is just one activity of the many attractions, restaurants, and mini-golf courses located on International Drive. You can spend a whole day at ICON Park and nearby Pointe Orlando. 

For more family fun on I-Drive, check out my list of things to do in Orlando. If you need to book accommodation still, see my guide to the best areas to stay in Orlando.

Dinosaur World

See prehistoric creatures up close at this roadside attraction with a cult following.

📍 Google Maps | Phone: (813) 717-9865 | Website | Hours: 10 am – 5 pm daily | Entrance: $25 adults, $20 under 13 | 👉 Get Dinosaur World Theme Park Admission Tickets

If you ask locals, Dinosaur World is either a joke or a cult favorite. The park is located between Orlando and Tampa, so it is a ways away from most other destinations.

However, Dinosaur World is a great Orlando-area thing to do with kids! If you have a child that can name every dinosaur and tell you fun facts about them, this park is a can’t miss destination. The whole family will enjoy wandering the trails, seeing lifesize dinosaurs, and learning about prehistoric times. 

👉 Read Next: 17 Best Day Trips from Tampa

Glazer Children’s Museum

Learn through play – meet Big John (a giant triceratops fossil), run an ice cream parlor, drive a fire engine, and much more.

📍 Google Maps | Phone: (813) 443-3861 | Website | Hours: 9:30 am – 5 pm daily | Entrance: $25 general admission

Museums might not be at the top of the list for families traveling with children, but Glazer Children’s Museum is an exception. This museum allows children to learn through play. Kids can meet Big John, a giant triceratops fossil, run an ice cream parlor, drive a fire engine, and much more!

For families staying in Tampa or on the Gulf Coast, this is the perfect rainy day activity. The museum also offers special events throughout the year, so check out their calendar before your visit. 

Airboat Tour

Fly over land and water to explore the abundant wildlife of the Florida Everglades.

🌐 Visit Florida’s Airboat Website | 👉 Browse Airboat Tours on Viator

Airboat rides are fun adventures for the family to explore the abundant wildlife of the Florida Everglades. Most people don’t realize that the headwaters of the Everglades actually begins in Central Florida at Lake Kissimmee. 

The whirr of the fan will take your boat gliding over water, marshes, and even land. Airboat rides are great for a family that loves adrenaline but has children who are too small to ride roller coasters. 

Cheap Things To Do

Visit the Beaches

Enjoy the white sand beaches on both the East and West coasts of the state.

📍 St. Pete Beach | Clearwater Beach | Cocoa Beach | Daytona Beach

The main beaches in Central Florida are St. Pete Beach and Clearwater Beach on the Gulf Coast, and Cocoa Beach and Daytona Beach on the Atlantic Coast. Even traveling from Orlando in the middle of the state, visits to the beach are easy day trips. 

The west coast of the state offers unbelievable sunsets and sugar sand beaches. The east coast is known for surfing and endless beaches along most of the coast. 

Want more beach recommendations? Check out our article on the most beautiful beaches in Florida, a list put together by locals!

Bok Tower Gardens

Listen to carillon bells at this National Historic Landmark.

📍 Google Maps | Phone: (863) 676-1408 | Website | Hours: 8 am – 6 pm daily | Entrance: $20 adults, $10 ages 6-17

Bok Tower Gardens is a National Historic Landmark that is best known for its iconic singing tower. Enjoy the carillon bells that play throughout the day while you wander through endless gardens. In addition to native plants, you can see citrus groves, endangered plants, and an edible garden. 

The gardens are located southeast of Lakeland/Winter Haven in Lake Wales (Polk County), which is between Orlando and Tampa. To explore all of Central Florida, you’ll need a rental car to get around. Discover Cars Orlando is a great search engine for comparing agencies to find the best price.

State Parks

See the real Florida at one of the state’s 175 state parks.

🌐 Website | Phone: (850) 245-2157 | Entrance: Prices vary 

Florida is home to 175 state parks. Visiting these parks gives you a chance to experience the natural side of Central Florida. The parks are also a great budget destination because they usually cost less than $10 per vehicle. 

Many of the parks (and my favorite ones) are home to natural springs and waterways. I recommend visiting:
• Wekiwa Springs State Park
• De Leon Springs State Park
• Silver Springs State Park
• Honeymoon Island State Park
• Weeki Wachee State Park

For more cheap activities in the Central Florida region, check out my tips to do Orlando on a budget.

Hidden Gems

Silvermoon Drive-In Theater

Watch old-school entertainment and snack on classic treats from the snack bar.

📍 Google Maps | Phone: (863) 682-0849 | Website | Hours: evenings | Entrance: $8 ages 10+, $3 ages 4-9 

If you want an evening of good old-fashioned nostalgia, pull the car up to the Silvermoon Drive-In. Every night offers a double-feature of current movies and the selection rotates each week. You can even enjoy classic movie treats from the snack bar. 

Westgate River Ranch

Glamping meets rodeo – live the cowboy life for a few days at this fun resort.

📍 Google Maps | Phone: (863) 692-1321 | Website | 👉 Browse Accommodations on Expedia

Westgate River Ranch is a resort that offers glamping, teepee and wagon camping, and cabin accommodations. However, you don’t need to be staying at the resort to partake in their activity offerings.

This is a great place to get outside and live a cowboy life. Go horseback riding, test your skill at clay shooting, and ride a mechanical bull. Don’t forget about the rodeo every Saturday night. If traditional entertainment is more your speed, there is also miniature golf, tennis courts, and a pool.

Florida’s Natural Grove House

Learn the secrets of citrus while getting to enjoy the fresh smell of blossoms and fruit.

📍 Google Maps | Phone: (863) 679-4110 | Website | Hours: 10 am – 5 pm Monday-Friday

Old Florida is all about citrus groves and producing top-quality fruit juices. By visiting Florida’s Natural Grove House, you can see that history for yourself. After learning about Central Florida’s citrus industry, take a walk through the groves and enjoy the fresh smell of blossoms and fruit. 

The Grove House is open seasonally, October through May.

🌴 Read Next: Best Florida Vacation Spots (according to locals)

Devil’s Den 

Make a splash underground at this enchanting destination.

📍 Google Maps | Phone: (352) 528-3344 | Website | Hours: 9 am – 4:30 pm Monday-Thursday, 8 am – 5 pm Friday-Sunday | Entrance: starting at $25/person

Despite the name, Devil’s Den is just another ordinary natural spring. Well, I guess it’s not that ordinary since it is located underground. To snorkel or scuba dive in Devil’s Den, you have to make your way down a set of stairs and onto a platform in the middle of the water.

There is an enchanting but eerie glow in the cave since only a small opening lets sunlight in. This one-of-a-kind destination should definitely make your Central Florida bucket list.

Animals & Outdoors

West Orange Trail

22 miles to enjoy whether you want to ride, skate, or run.

📍 Google Maps | Website | Entrance: Free

The West Orange Trail runs 22 miles from Oakland to Apopka. This is one of my favorite family activities because the trail is wide enough for everyone to ride, skate, or run. A portion of the trail is even horse-friendly.

For those visiting the area, bike rentals are available at the Killarney Station and the Winter Garden Station. 

Florida Aquarium

Under the sea fun featuring both local aquatic life and exotic fish.

📍 Google Maps | Phone: (813) 273-4000 | Website | Hours: 10 am – 5pm Mon-Thu, 9 am – 5 pm Fri-Sun, with additional hours seasonally | Entrance: Starting at $34 for adults | 👉 Aquarium Tickets on Viator

The Florida Aquarium is located on the water in Tampa and is one of the top things to do in Tampa. You can see local aquatic life and exotic fish. I recommend checking out the great Pacific octopus which can be seen breaking into shellfish and squeezing into grooves in the coral. 

🍔 Getting Hungry? Walk next door to Sparkman Wharf, where you can find plenty of food and drink vendors. 

Circle B Bar Reserve

Check out the “real Florida” and relax in nature.

📍 Google Maps | Phone: (863) 668-4673 | Website | Hours: 5:30 am – 8 pm daylight savings time, 6 am – 6:30 pm standard time | Entrance: Free

Located an hour outside Orlando, Circle B Bar Reserve is a pristine example of Central Florida wilderness. This is the perfect location for bird-watching and seeing native animals, like wild turkeys and white-tailed deer. 

👉 Safety Tip: I don’t consider this a dangerous area to hike, but visitors should be mindful of the native wildlife. Bobcats, alligators, and feral pigs are regularly seen crossing the trails. Believe it or not, the pigs tend to be the most aggressive in that group. 

Tampa Electric’s Manatee Viewing Center

Observe the gentle giants that gather in the warm waters here during the cooler months.

📍 Google Maps | Phone: (813) 228-4289 | Website | Hours: 10 am – 5 pm November 1 – April 15 | Entrance: Free

TECO is a local electric plant that realized manatees were congregating where the plant released clean, warm water into the bay. The company funded the creation of the Manatee Viewing Center so visitors could observe the large herds of sea cows.

The Manatee Viewing Center is open from November 1 to April 15, because the manatees come to the area during the cooler months. 

Safari Wilderness 

Use your own vehicle or take a guided tour to see exotic animals at this safari park.

📍 Google Maps | Phone: (813) 382-2120 | Website | Hours: 8 am – 5 pm daily | Entrance: Varies by tour, Drive-thru safari $119 per vehicle

Safari Wilderness Ranch is a safari park where guests can see exotic animals up close. You can choose from a drive-thru safari in your own vehicle or a guided tour in one of their covered trucks.

To make the experience even more memorable, add on a feeding experience to enjoy a personal encounter with the animals.

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👉 Keep Reading: The Best Things to Do in Florida (By Locals!)

Whether you are heading to Daytona Beach, Orlando, or Tampa, make sure you get out and explore the rest of Central Florida. Let us know in the comments where you’re most excited to visit!