12 Outdoor Things to Do in Central Florida Right Now

Dreaming of a family vacation to Florida?

If you’re looking to skip the rides in 2025, you’re in luck—Central Florida attractions, activities, and adventures are everywhere.

And our favorite part of exploring Florida in the summertime? Coming back to Orange Lake Resort in Orlando, Florida to cool off with a dip in the pool, tubing around the lazy river, or just relaxing with a book in your air-conditioned villa.

Check out our list of Central Florida activities below. They’re full of family-friendly entertainment, fresh air, and fun.

Information’s always subject to change nowadays though, so just be sure to confirm the details of each attraction or activity before you head out.

1. Explore Natural Springs at Wekiwa

Dip into the naturally cool, emerald waters of Wekiwa Springs State Park, where 43 million gallons of water flow in daily to a natural pool framed by lush tropical greenery.

Rent a canoe or two and take the family paddling around the 16-mile Wekiva River (yes, slightly different spelling). You might even spot a wild turkey, white-tailed deer, or gopher tortoise as you glide past wooded areas.

Not into canoeing? There are walking and running trails, swimming areas, picnic spots, snorkeling, birding, biking, fishing, and even horseback riding, too.

Driving Distance from Orange Lake Resort

Approximately 35 miles

Price

Park entry is $6/vehicle
Canoes are $35/hour plus tax

2. Drive Through a Safari Park

Not quite ready for Disney’s Animal Kingdom® Theme Park? You’ll feel like you’re in Africa at Wild Florida as you cruise in the comfort of your own car around a two-mile loop while spotting wildebeest, zebras, and oryxes.

There are 150 exotic animals to look for throughout the 85-acre property. Be sure to grab the paper scavenger hunt sheet offered at check-in to identify and keep track of them all.

Another option is Safari Wilderness, which offers tours on a truck that is covered with a canopy. Visitors are protected from the sun while they spot waterbuck, antelopes, zebras, camels, cheetahs, lemurs, and more – all with the support of a helpful guide.

Driving Distance from Orange Lake Resort

Wild Florida: Approximately 34 miles
Safari Wilderness: Approximately 34 miles

Price

Wild Florida: Tickets are $34 per adult and $24 per child. Less for Florida residents.
Safari Wilderness: $119 per person.

3. Kayak Through Glowing Waters Off Cape Canaveral

Seasonally, after dark, the waters of Indian River and Mosquito Lagoon literally glow when your oar hits the Gatorade blue water.

That’s because little organisms called dinoflagellates light up. It’s called bioluminescence and seeing them is even more magical than it sounds.

If you’re visiting Cape Canaveral for a little couples’ getaway, this is the perfect date activity.

One tour operator option, A Day Away, hosts kayaking tours from several spots. And while Cape Canaveral is beautiful year-round, the best time to see the neon waters is at nighttime from June through early October.

Driving Distance from Orange Lake Resort

Approximately 65 miles

Price

$55 per person for a kayak tour

4. Sink Your Toes in the Sand at Four Great Florida Beaches

Head east for a day on the Space Coast sands of [Cocoa Beach, one the best Florida beaches][10, and its signature pier—where mom and dad can sneak in a fruity cocktail or two.

Steer northeast for quieter New Smyrna Beach—with an adorable downtown nearby and ice cream stands just about everywhere.

Take a family outing over to Daytona Beach with boardwalk rides a few steps from the sand and live music concerts at an outdoor bandshell.

Or, St. Pete Beach is worth the slightly longer drive if you crave great beachside restaurants, calmer Gulf waters, and sand that’s white, wide, and soft.

Driving Distance from Orange Lake Resort

Cocoa Beach: Approximately 73 miles
New Smyrna Beach: Approximately 80 miles
Daytona Beach: Approximately 79 miles
St. Pete Beach: Approximately 94 miles

Price

Free; parking may vary
Daytona Beach Bandshell concerts are $2/person and $10/person for VIP

5. Spot Wildlife at Central Florida State Parks

Take a break from smartphones and screen time by spending a day surrounded by nature—right near Orange Lake Resort. Lake Louisa State Park, a quick 20-minute drive away, has a whopping 10 lakes and 11 types of ecosystems.

Hike a short half-mile trail, or better yet walk, bike or horseback ride along the 20 miles of unpaved trails. You’ll even find rolling hills, which are rare in Florida.

You can rent canoes, kayaks, bicycles and paddleboards. You might even spot a bald eagle or osprey overhead.

While Lake Louisa is the closest state park to drive to from Orange Lake, we also love:

• Little Big Econ State Forest, where you can hike a bunch of stunning and very different landscapes.
  
• Blue Spring State Park, which is the place to see manatees at play, especially in cooler seasons.
  
  

(And while they’re much further away to qualify as “day trips,” don’t forget Florida is home to three national parks, if you’re up for tacking an adventure onto your trip before or after your stay at Orange Lake. They are Biscayne National Park in the Miami area, Dry Tortugas National Park in Key West, and Everglades National Park in Miami, Naples and Homestead.)

Driving Distance from Orange Lake Resort

Lake Louisa State Park: Approximately 18 miles
Blue Spring State Park: Approximately 57 miles

Price

Admission is $5/vehicle, per day

6. Have a Drive-in Family Movie Night (Yes, in 2025!)

Enjoy a good old-fashioned family movie night at the drive-in, from the comfort of your own minivan or car. Silver Moon Drive-in Theatre has been offering this now-nostalgic service since 1948.

(Pro Tip: It also tops the charts as one of the most romantic Orlando date night activities)

Park yourselves in front of one of two screens—show up half an hour early to get a good spot—and watch a first-run film, a classic or even a double feature. The sound comes through your FM radio.

Driving Distance from Orange Lake Resort

Approximately 40 miles

Price

Tickets are $8 for adults and kids 10 and older. $3 for kids ages 4-9.

7. Catch and Release Bass Fishing (Multiple Places!)

Local Central Florida lakes are filled with bass for catch-and-release fishing, especially in Lake Kissimmee and Lake Toho. Pack your rod and try it yourself, or head out with a guide.

You can pre-book on the fishanywhere.com website. (Just be sure to bring a smartphone or camera because you’ll want a photo of your big catch!)

Or if you’re looking for a little Disney magic, Walt Disney World® Resort offers Take Me Fishing charters at eight marinas throughout the resort.

Driving Distance from Orange Lake Resort

Big Toho Marina: Approximately 16 miles
Disney’s Fort Wilderness Marina: Approximately 11 miles

Price

Fish Anywhere: from $275
Disney Take Me Fishing: from $270

8. Stroll Through Bok Tower Gardens

Central Florida has a “central park” of its own, and it’s both beautiful and musical. Designed by Frederick Law Olmsted Jr., the landscape architect behind New York City’s Central Park, this floral oasis is called Bok Tower Gardens.

The flowers, herbs and greenery spread out around a 205-foot-tall, European-style carillon tower—with 60 bells! —that plays music in bursts throughout the day.

Wander around the 200 acres of azaleas, ferns, palms, camellias, gardens of rare endangered plants and more. Dig into a family picnic on the grounds or grab a bite to eat at the Blue Palmetto Café with safe online ordering and outside pick-up service.

Driving Distance from Orange Lake Resort

Approximately 38 miles

Price

Adult general admission is $20, children ages 6-17 are $10, and children 5 and under are free. Dogs are $10.

9. Golf on World-Class Courses

Orlando is warm year-round, so golf courses are just about everywhere. There are way too many to name, but it’s safe to say you won’t find the options lacking.

A popular course and tee time “finder” while on vacation is GolfNow. Bring your clubs and keep to your own group or rent clubs and take lessons—whatever you’re most comfortable with.

And remember, you don’t have to leave Orange Lake Resort to experience a championship golf course. The Legends at Orange Lake is an 18-hole course designed by Arnold Palmer, surrounded by towering pines and majestic oaks, with Scottish-style golf featured on the front nine and flowing waters and Carolina-esque fairways on the back nine.

Driving Distance from Orange Lake Resort

Steps away on property
Varied locally

Price

Legends at Orange Lake starts at $30 per player, depending on the season and tee time. Other courses in Central Florida vary.

10. Paddleboard Orlando Lakes

Orlando has many lakes, and their calm waters are perfect for paddleboarding beginners. You can rent a board at Ski World Orlando and walk it right across the street to Lake Ivanhoe near the city’s downtown.

Plus, when you’re done, there are plenty of outdoor, counter-service places nearby to enjoy a nice cold beer after your paddle.

Or stay a bit closer to your Orange Lake home away from home at Central Florida Watersports and Boat Rentals. Rent pontoon boats, runaround boats, or go skiing, wake surfing, or tubing around 19 interconnected lakes.

Or really stay close to Orange Lake and join us for a paddleboard rental ride, Jet Skis, swan boats, tubing, kayaks and pontoon boats at Water’s Edge Beach Club in West Village.

Driving Distance from Orange Lake Resort

Ski World/Lake Ivanhoe: Approximately 30 miles
Winter Haven Watersports: Approximately 27 miles

Price

Ski World Orlando: $35/hour for paddleboards

11. Take a Family Bike Ride Through the West Orange Trail

Explore the West Orange Trail, a 22-mile stretch that goes through historic downtown Winter Garden, which has a craft brewery (with outdoor seating!), wooded areas, parks with playgrounds, a garden, nature preserve, neighborhoods and more.

You can rent bicycles—even tandems—or walk, jog and skate your way around, stopping for lunch at an outdoor café along Winter Garden’s Plant Street. There’s a lot to do in Winter Garden, if you’re inclined to make a day out of it.

Driving Distance from Orange Lake Resort

Approximately 23 miles

Price

Trail access and parking are free
Bike rentals vary

12. Drive on the Wild Side with Revolution Adventures

This is your spot for a taste of outdoor adventure for both adults and kids. At the secluded trails and tracks of Revolution Adventures, you can steer an off-road ATV along the 220-acre area’s property, led by a guide.

Or you can even drive an amphibious Mucky Duck (kids 3+ can be passengers) from dirt road through water and back to land. Round out your day with archery, clay shooting and fishing.

Driving Distance from Orange Lake Resort

Approximately 17 miles

Price

ATV experience: $175 per person
Mucky Duck: Two-seaters are $275, Three seaters are $355.

Bonus Activities and Attractions in Central Florida

Orlando has so many incredible things to do outdoors that listing 12 just wasn’t enough! Here are a few more favorites. (You might want to plan on staying for an extra day or two to try them all.)

• Lake Apopka North Shore Wildlife Drive: Free drive-through scenic area with birds, alligators and more. Only open some days.
• Pioneer Village at Shingle Creek: Historic buildings and replicas.
• Nature preserves: The Tibet-Butler Nature Preserve, the Oakland Nature Preserve and, when it reopens, The Nature Conservancy’s Disney Wilderness Preserve are all walkable spots to see local wildlife.
• Shingle Creek Regional Park: Nearby park with part of a 23-mile creek running through it, plus picnic areas, paddling, bird watching and fishing.
• Soul Haven Ranch: Meet some horses, book a walk and some one-on-one time with miniature horses!!!, or take a local tour in an open-air, horse-drawn princess carriage.

Really, we could go on and on. More parks. More watersports. Airboat rides. Hot air balloon experiences. Strolls along the Kissimmee lakefront. Window shopping in the town of Celebration.

And of course, spending some quality time right at Orange Lake Resort. The Orlando and Central Florida area has something for everyone to do under these sunny skies.

We hope this is a helpful start for planning your family Orlando vacation this summer.

Wishing you Safe Travels!

All information is subject to change. This article is a curated guide and is neither sponsored nor considered an official endorsement. Please be sure to check information directly with any/all tours, guides or companies for the most up-to-date details.