Life is not all about working and paying the bills. As a working parent, you need to take time off to enjoy yourself with your family. There are many fun family places in Orlando, Florida and nearby cities that do not require going to the famous theme parks. I will provide a list of 18 places you can visit with your family and make new memories.

Ready? Let’s dive in!

1. Orlando Science Center

If your family love science, technology, and interactive experiences, this is the place to visit. The Orlando Science Center has activities for all age levels, and it will be a great place for learning while having fun.

This amazing center has different exhibits on the 4 levels of the building. Exhibits include the following:

• Kids Town

• Life

• Food Heroes

• Kinetic Zone

• Tiny Green Home

• The Hive: A Makerspace

• Fusion: A STEAM gallery

• DinoDigs

• Our Planet, Our Solar System

• The Science of Guinness World Records

Orlando Science Center also offers different events such as Kids Night at the Museum, Spark Stem Fest, and birthday parties. The events and programs may be subject to change.

The ticket prices are:

• Adults ($27.99)

• Children ($20.99)

Note: If you are a Bank of America and Merrill Lynch credit card and Debit card holder, you will receive free entry.

2. WonderWorks

WonderWorks is a science-focused interactive park full of hands-on activities, games, and immersive experiences. My daughter absolutely loved exploring all the activities and being able to complete the laser tag, motion rides, 3D experiences, and rope course. We had a lot of fun!

The ticket prices are:

• Adults 13-59 ($36.99)

• Children 4-12 ($27.99)

3. Ripley’s Believe It or Not

Ripley’s Believe It or Not provides a fun environment with many hands-on activities that the whole family will enjoy. You will see many oddities, historical facts, and unusual artifacts. The reality is that you need to see it to believe it. This is another great place for fun photos and family memories.

The ticket prices are:

• Adults 12 + ($27.99)

• Children 3-11 ($19.99)

4. Museum of Illusions

The Museum of Illusions will immerse everyone in an unforgettable visual and sensory experience. The amount of time to complete the museum is short and mainly depends on how much time you spend reading or experiencing the activities. If you want fun, creative, and magical images, this is the place to go.

The Museum of Illusions is located at Icon Park in Orlando. I cannot say enough about this unique and fun museum. The museum is full of different illusions that will make you wonder how things are possible.

The ticket prices are:

• 4 Pack ($88.00)

• Adults 12+ ($24.99)

• Child ($20.99)

• Florida Resident Adult ($20.99)

• Florida Resident Child ($16.99)

• Groups 10-19 Guests ($20.99)

• Teacher ($20.99)

• Military/First Responder ($20.99)

5. Madame Tussauds Museum

The Madame Tussauds Museum is located at Icon Park in Orlando. This museum is a fun place to go with family and friends. You will see many of your favorite actors, singers, famous celebrities, and historical figures. If you can't meet them in person, why not snap a picture with their wax figure?

The general ticket prices are:

• Adults ($34.99)

• Children 2-12 ($ 29.99)

• Florida Resident Adults ($27.99)

• Florida Resident Children ($22.99)

The museum also offers 2-attraction or 3-attraction combos where you can visit the Orlando Eye or Sea Life Aquarium. The 2-attraction package is $44.99 for adults and $39.99 for children. The 3-attraction package is $54.99 for adults and $49.99 for children. Florida residents also have discounts for these combo packages.

6. Sea Life Orlando Aquarium

Sea Life Orlando Aquarium is a great place to take young children. This aquarium is also located at Icon Park. The aquarium has a 360-ocean tunnel where you can see different creatures such as fish, sharks, and stingrays. It also provides many interactive activities and exhibits that include facts about different species and ecosystems. It is amazing looking over your head and seeing these creatures closely.

The general admission cost and 2-attraction combo tickets are the same price as the tickets for Madame Tussauds Museum.

7. The Orlando Eye

The Orlando Eye is a 400 ft. tall Ferris wheel that allows families to experience Orlando’s amazing views in a comfortable and safe environment. The general admission, 2-attraction combo, and 3-attraction combo tickets are the same price as the tickets for Madame Tussauds Museum and Sea Life.

The capsules of the Orlando Eye are spacious and secure and can carry 15 passengers. The Ferris wheel has a slow pace perfect for enjoying the views and taking photos. The capsules have a Bose system for music and iPads that allow you to use your own playlist.

8. Crayola Experience

Crayola Experience has many fun and colorful activities to choose from. There is a color playground, a craft studio, photo booth, and painting, design, and coloring activities that will ignite your children's imagination. Your family can also enjoy different shows and photos with characters.

General admission ticket prices are $29.99 for adults and children 3 +. When purchased online, the admission price is $26.99. Annual passes cost $39.99.

9. Central Florida Zoo

Central Florida Zoo is a great place to visit to learn about over 300 different animals, including amphibians, birds, reptiles, invertebrates, and mammals. If your children are animal lovers, they will be excited to know they can feed different animals for an additional fee.

The zoo attractions consist of the following:

• Rhinoceros Encounters

• Giraffe Feeding

• Barnyard Buddies

• Wharton-Smith Tropical Splash Ground

• Train Ride

• Seminole Aerial Adventures

• Keeper Chats

• Private Experiences

• There are different gardens throughout the zoo such as:

• Butterfly Garden

• Health and Wellness Garden

• Browse Collection

• Spines, Thorns and Prickles Garden

• Bromeliad Collection

• Fern Collection

The zoo provides spring camp, summer camp, and adult programs. Events such as Asian Lantern Festival and Nighttime Adventures may be of your interest too.

The zoo admission prices are:

• Adults ($23.95)

• Children 3-12 ($18.95)

• Children 2 and under (Free)

• Seniors 55+ ($19.95)

Note: If you purchase online, you will save $2.00 per ticket.

10. Wild Florida Safari Drive-Thru

Wild Florida Safari Drive-Thru offers a different experience where you can view exotic wild animals from the comfort of your own car. There are over 150 wild and exotic animals. At the end of the drive, you will find a giraffe feeding area where you will come up close to beautiful giraffes. With the purchase of the safari ticket, you will have admission to Gator Park too!

The ticket prices are:

• Adults and Children 13+ ($35.00)

• Children 3-12 ($25.00)

• Florida Resident Adults ($25.00)

• Florida Resident Children ($20.00)

Note: Florida residents will need to provide a valid Florida ID at check-in.

11. DreamCatcher Horse Rescue

DreamCatcher Horse Rescue is a non-profit horse rescue founded in 2006 that offers the public different experiences with animals. This is a family-owned business that truly cares about animals and goes above and beyond to protect them.

Your family can participate in activities such as:

• Horse/Pony Riding

• Animal Feeding

• Animal Petting

• Private Lessons

When you visit this amazing sanctuary, you will be contributing to their mission. However, to be able to give the rescued horses the best care possible, donations are needed and appreciated.

12. Kennedy Space Center

If you want your family to dive into the world of astronauts and feel inspired, visit the Kennedy Space Center. This is a place where your family will have fun while learning about astronauts that have gone to the moon and how they prepared themselves. You will also learn about different space innovations and can experience immersive activities and simulators.

There is a lot to see, so arrive early. The 1-day general admission ticket prices are:

• Adults 12+ ($75.00)

• Children 3-11 ($65.00)

Note: Military personnel with valid ID receive a $5.00 discount for adults and children.

The general admission includes the following experiences:

• Gateway: The Deep Space Launch Complex featuring Spaceport KSC

• Space Shuttle Atlantis and the Shuttle Launch Experience

• Kennedy Space Center Bus Tour

• Apollo/Saturn V Center

• Heroes and Legends featuring the U.S. Astronaut Hall of Fame

• Astronaut Encounter

• Planet Play

• Rocket Garden guided tours

• Journey to Mars

• 3D Space Films

There are additional experiences you can purchase such as the following:

• Chat with an Astronaut

• Special Interest Tours (extended bus tours)

• Astronaut Training Experience

• Astronaut Training Experience Training Stages

13. Southern Hills Farms

Southern Hills Farm is not only beautiful, but also fun for the whole family. You can buy blueberries, strawberries, peaches, zinnias, and sunflowers when they are in season. There is plenty to do at the farm. Some activities include:

• Food Trucks

• Live Music (weekends)

• Playground

• Yard Games

• Kid Zone (weekends)

• Farm Wagon Rides

  

The owners host different events during the year, including the Fall Festival, Ten Days of Christmas Festival, and Spring Break U-Pick with Kid Zone.

Entrance and parking are free for regular u-pick events. You will need to pay for what you pick up and any additional activities such as Kid Zone.

14. Once Upon a Creation

Once Upon a Creation is a magical creative space in Clermont. The owner is a mompreneur that converted her passion for art into a dream business. I discovered this amazing place when my daughter was a toddler and was so happy I did.

This craft studio provides many toddler and young children activities during the weekdays. They also provide after-school activities for older children. I attended many workshops with my daughter. The employees would first read a story, then provided instructions for the creation of a craft and the decoration of a cupcake or brownie. Parents helped their children during the activity. My daughter enjoyed it so much. It was a great bonding experience for us in a different context.

If your child has a food allergy, do not be afraid to sign up for a workshop. Be sure to specify any allergies. The staff will make the necessary accommodation so your child can also participate and enjoy.

Once Upon a Creation offers girls night out activities, birthday parties, baby showers, and holiday themed workshops. The price of the workshops and activities offered varies.

15. Dezerland Park

Dezerland Park is a great place to visit if you have people from different age ranges in your group. There are many indoor activities for everyone to enjoy. Some activities include:

• Orlando Auto Museum

• Pinball Palace

• Toxic Blast – Blaster Arena

• Axe throwing

• US Simulation

• Indoor Karting

• Jumpstart

• Laser Tag

• Mini Golf

• Express Train

• Bumper Cars

• Arcade

• Bowling

• Skating (seasonal)

• Cinemark 

The cost of activities varies.

16. Game Time

If you just want to go to an arcade to play games and have fun, visit Game Time. I celebrated my daughter's birthday here and she absolutely loved it. There are different games to play from driving cars and riding motorcycles to playing bowling and using the prize machines.

The prices vary if you select a timed play pass or an all-access pass. The prices for timed play are:

• 1-Hour ($25.00)

• 2-Hour ($40.00)

• 3-Hour ($50.00)

The prices for the all-access pass are:

• 100 Credits ($25.00)

• 225 Credits ($50.00)

• 475 Credits ($100.00)

• 1225 Credits ($250.00)

• 2500 Credits ($500.00)

17. Sky Zone

If you want your children to have fun and to sleep in the car afterwards, go to Sky Zone Trampoline Park. This place is full of trampolines and fun activities such as the following:

• Basketball

• Dodge Ball

• Foam Zone

• Sky Ladder

• Zip Line

• Free Climb

• Drop Zone

• Toddler Zone

If you have a toddler, Sky Zone has a designated Toddler Zone, which is a safe space for younger children.

The ticket prices vary according to the time frame selected as indicated below:

• 90 Minutes ($26.00)

• 120 Minutes ($28.00)

• All Access ($169.99)

Note: You need to purchase Sky Zone socks for everyone that will be in the trampoline area.

18. Urban Air

Urban Air has trampolines, rope courses, arcade games, race cars, climbing, and other fun activities. Urban Air locations that are close to Orlando are Altamonte Springs and Hamlin, Winter Garden.

The tickets vary in pricing based on the package you select. See the following packages:

• Platinum package ($49.99)

• Ultimate package costs ($39.99)

• Deluxe package costs ($29.99)

• Children 5 and under ($15.99)

Note: You need to purchase Urban Air socks for everyone that will be in the trampoline area.

Email Subscriptions

If you subscribe to the emails of your favorite places, you may receive special offers during the year. I was able to purchase tickets for WonderWorks for only $15 dollars when the park celebrated an anniversary. I also saved on tickets to The Orlando Science Center when I received a special discount via email.

Pay attention to Black Friday deals or other holiday deals for some of these fun spots. Every year there are great deals on 1-day tickets and even annual passes.

Final Thoughts

Who said having fun as a family meant only going to Disney World and Universal Studios? There are many other family-friendly options that your family can enjoy. Remember to keep exploring new places and creating memories with your family. What other fun places do you recommend near Orlando?

Best wishes,

Mel