10 Stops in Orlando to Visit After Your Trip to Disney or Universal Studios Orlando

With the sunny city being the Theme Park Capital of the World, Walt Disney World and Universal Studios Orlando are undoubtedly the most popular tourist attractions in Orlando, Florida. But if you’re staying for a while, you can make the most out of it by visiting as many other destinations as you can!

The Wheel is a 400-foot-tall observation wheel, with air-conditioned capsules, where you’ll get fantastic views of Orlando! You can even see as far out as the Floridian theme parks and the Kennedy Space Center! You’ll also find a bunch of dining, shopping, and entertainment around the venue, making it a great attraction in Orlando, Florida for families.

A must-visit attraction in Orlando, Florida is Kennedy Space Center, NASA’s most important base. Many historical aeronautic events happened within the compound, such as the launch of Apollo, Skylab, Space Shuttle, and more. You can also take a stroll at the Rocket Garden, a massive outdoor display that will acquaint you with missiles and space launch vehicles such as Saturn V. At the Visitor Complex, you’ll also see the Space Shuttle Atlantis, which gives further insight into NASA’s space exploration. Don’t miss out on witnessing actual rocket launch simulations at the Rocket Launching Center!

Have a splashing good time at Island H20 Water Park, one of Central Florida’s newest, most innovative water parks! Aside from adrenaline-pumping rides, including Live Streaming, a trap-door slide with a heart-stopping vertical drop. Hashtag Heights is a boomerang thrill ride you can share with your besties. For both rides, you’ll even get a video recording to relive the moment and share with people!

You’ll also find interactive games where you can earn points to get discounts on food and merch, making it a unique attraction in Orlando, Florida. You also can’t miss a ride on the Profile Plunge, a waterslide where you and your friends ride a raft down a slide with many twists and turns!

Wild Florida is an attraction in Orlando, Florida, that offers a true Floridian experience: alligators galore and tours on swampy waters! After all, Gators are considered the stars of Florida. They also have a Gator and Wildlife Park that also showcases lemurs, sloths, and monster alligators. The animal shows where you can see gators up close are definitely a must!

Be a mermaid for a day and swim with the Manatees, a.k.a the gentle giants! Get up close with these friendly marine mammals in their natural habitat, then enjoy lunch at the American-style diner afterward. And get this, you can also have roundtrip transfers from Orlando, Kissimmee, or Disney areas — less worrying about commute, more enjoying time with the manatees!

Another can’t-miss attraction in Orlando, Florida is Madame Tussauds, home to numerous life-like wax figures of your favorite celebrities, superheroes, musicians, and other pop culture icons. Don’t miss out on posing with the presidents of the US, singers like Taylor Swift and JLo, and comic book heroes like Batman and Captain America! It’s the closest thing to meeting and taking a selfie with these global icons!

One of the best places to visit in Orlando for free is the West Orange Trail, a 22-mile paved trail where you can go biking, running, skateboarding, and even horseback riding! There is no need to bring your bike, as rentals are available. Along the trail, you’ll find Oakland Nature Preserve, a 150-acre forest preserve, as well as a butterfly garden at the Tildenville outpost. Another great stop is Winter Garden, home of Plant Street Market where you can refill with snacks like burgers, pizzas, donuts, and more!

If there’s anything Florida loves, it’s Gators! Gatorland is home to around 3,000 gators and crocs in all shapes and sizes. It has also been a leader in alligator safety education in Florida since 1949. Keep your eyes peeled for the extremely rare and eye-catching white leucistic alligators! You can also watch out for the shows that showcase the park’s daredevils and gator experts facing the giant reptiles and learn about their amazing defense mechanisms.

Want to beat the heat of Florida’s climate? Head to Nona Adventure Park at the lovely Lake Nona, a center for watersports and other fun activities. There’s an inflatable-filled aqua park, cable parks, 60 climbing towers, rope courses, and more. Give yourself a challenge and try wakeboarding if you like watersports, or see if you can conquer the climbing towers!

Orlando Museum of Art (OMA) is one of the State’s centers for arts and culture, which holds art exhibits and educational programs for adults and kids. The museum houses 10-12 exhibitions from different featured artists throughout the year. As of the moment you can view the Heroes & Monsters exhibit, which features the work of Jean-Michel Basquiat, The Thaddeus Mumford Jr., and more! Another exhibit to watch out for is the Florida Prize in Contemporary Art, which features the work of ten up-and-coming progressive artists from all over the state. 

OMA also has educational programs for your little ones and not-so-little ones in Grades 1-12, like the Summer Art Camp, to provide outlets for creative expressions and kickstart their journey towards art.

Klook Tip: You can also get FREE admission to this attraction in Orlando, Florida, on select days of the year.

Now that you know ten of the best stops in Orlando, we hope that you’ll have the best time doing the most fulfilling activities during your trip to the Sunshine State!