Beyond the Theme Parks: What to Do in Orlando
There's so much to do in Orlando beyond Disney and Universal.
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These quick service choices offer something much more adventurous than your typical theme park food.
Even a movie star might appreciate these quick and delicious choices.
Stop by these spots for a quick and delicious lunch with the family.
You're going to get on your family's safari. Here's where you can grab quick and tasty lunch.
Sample the flavors of the world with small, quick delicacies.
See Orlando like never before.
See why orlando is getting even more awesome and it's not about Disney.
Take the quiz to see if you can tell which celebrity is wax and which is real.
This 110-acre wildlife reserve is filled with gators and fun attractions. Zipline over a gator-infested lake, even pose for a wrestling photo.
Come for breakfast, pastries, and unusual ice cream flavors.
Remember when formal soda parlors were a thing? Well maybe not, but here's how you can relive soda's golden era in a Coney Island like setting.
If robots drank margaritas, this is where they'd come. This hip, modern bar has huge, circular lounges with soft colored lights.
In a romantic candlelit cellar, this French-Canadian restaurant serves gourmet steak and seafood.
A highly seasonal menu features simple, yet delicious dishes prepared from fresh California ingredients. It also offers a great view of Magic Kingdom fireworks.
Enjoy a delicious Hawaiian banquet with storytelling at dinner time and character brunches with Stitch.
Fireworks light up Cinderella's Castle, while you finish off the night with a dessert party over the lake in Tomorrowland.
It's "haute" cuisine, which is to say it's very fancy. This tasting menu only restaurant is $135 a pop and extremely delicious.
It's the Italian restaurant where the Lady and the Trap ate from the same plate. They serve pasta, pizza, and Italian classics.
Disney's newest restaurant is open for lunch and dinner. They serve delicious French food in the banquet hall of Sebastian's (the Beast's) castle.
This I-Drive attraction is an odd museum filled with all the unbelievable anomalies of the world like six-legged cows, vampires, and giants.
Kids get to learn about science, the fun way, by doing cool interactive experiments. The upside down building is quite a sight too.
This old-timey themed park and shopping mall has bumper cars, laser tag, an arcade, go carts, and haunted house, among stores and restaurants.
Tons of thrilling waterslides will keep you cool on a hot Orlando day. The park will close in Dec. 31, 2016 to make way for another, bigger one: Universal's Volcano Bay.
The water's always cool and clear in this natural spring. Take a scenic walk and then hop on in. Sure beats swimming with the gators.
They've got griddles by your tables where you can make your own pancakes. This 300-year-old mill at De Leon Springs was onced used by Spanish sugar plantations.
In this gorgeous coastal river, you have the opportunity to swim with hundreds of manatees. You can even kiss these loveable Sea Cows.
Sixty minutes from Orlando is a beach park, perfect for picnic. Bring your bathing suit and swim with dolphins and manatees in the warm ocean.
Stop for lunch or dinner on their gorgeous lakeside patio and admire the reflection of skyscrapers on the water.
Their calamari is amazing and the pan-fried Gator Tail Tenderloin is something you've gotta try. Sit outside by the lake or in their upscale, yet casual dining room.
It's a hipster's sports bar with creative burgers, big screen TVs, and an eclectic mix of graffiti art.
Twists on classic dishes include Smoked Salmon Flatbread, Herb Truffle Fries, and Cajun Lime Calamari. This spot is a downtown favorite.
The rustic wood and lamp-post lanterns make for an inviting atmosphere. Try the Smoked Black-Eyed Pea Tortellini or Hanger Steak with Molasses Glaze.
Kayak or paddle through a dense swamp forest at the headwaters of the Florida Everglades.
Take a boat ride on the canals that connect the lakes of Winter Park. You'll pass through a botanical garden and cruise by a sculpture garden. Then go explore the town.
With something for all ages, they have 8 unique ropes courses and one zipline.
You fly across over a mile of cables on a course of 8 ziplines. Set up as dual racing zips, you can race your friends and family as you go.
It's rustic southern food, locally grown at the restaurant's own garden. Flavors are fresh, seasonal, and bold.
Artists paint, musicians play, and you eat, very well that is, at this Florida-inspired, tapas restaurant.
Chicago-style deep dish is a great way to satisfy your hunger after a day at the parks.
Chicago-style deep dish is a great way to satisfy your hunger after a day at the parks.
Pancakes are the size of your dinner plate, which makes it easy for more than one kid to split an order. You can even grab breakfast to-go on your way to the parks.
Great sushi, bento boxes with teriyaki, and huge noodle bowls make this pan-Asian kitchen a great spot for exciting food with the family.
Gather for great food, local art vendors, and family activities in this quaint historic town near Orlando.
Recognized as one of the best free art events in the country, you can walk the streets of beautiful Winter Park and see (and buy!) hundreds of works by local artists.
Head south to downtown Kissimmee for their summer farmers market, held every Tuesday.
This storybook dining hall resembles the inside of a medieval castle. Five different princesses, and the delightful Mary Poppins come by to meet the little ones.
Sit outside at long tables for authentic German sausage and a stein, filled to the brim with crisp German beer.
An experience beyond the food, you get to watch Japanese chefs prepare your meal, how you like it, at your table.
Murals of the Italian countryside and crystal chandeliers help to set the mood in this old-world Italian restaurant.
Caramel treats of every kind imaginable line the glass displays of this German bakery and candy store.
Try to snag a seat near the large glass windows and you can watch people boarding It's a Small World. This charming restaurant serves flatbreads, sandwiches, and salads.
Along the water, this Animal Kingdom restaurant serves a delicious half-smoked chicken and St. Louis-style BBQ ribs.
It's light, refreshing, and tasty all at the same time, perfect for a hot day. They serve hummus wraps, shawarma, and a large selection of vegetarian options.
It's all about BBQ chicken and pork here. With indoor and outdoor seating, this Hollywood Studios restaurant is also a great spot to get giant turkey legs.
You'd expect to find a bakery this good on the streets of Paris. Their open faced sandwiches and pesto chicken are also quite satisfying.
Docked on the manmade Echo Lake, you're in the center of everything. They're known for their mac 'n cheese, pulled pork, and Buffalo chicken.
Try the decadent fried fish sandwich and lobster roll, or the healthy grilled salmon with couscous and steamed broccoli.
The best place to cool down and recharge in Epcot. Grab a sushi snack, or a beer, sake, or plum wine, and the legendary Kakigori shave ice.
A place for health conscious Hollywood types, they serve salads with salmon, couscous, quinoa, and arugula. They also have hot dogs and burgers just in case.
You'll find all the usual burgers, fries, and chicken strips, but the gem here is the Cantaloupe and Cucumber Salad, maybe one of the best things on a hot day.
Wraps and sandwiches, including their famous Brisket Sandwich and Spicy Chipotle Chicken Sandwich, is what you might imagine actors would nosh on between scenes.
People line up here for breakfast in Hollywood Studios. They've got pastries, bagels, and fruit in the morning, and sandwiches and sushi for lunch.
This isn't your county fair's funnel cake, it's a high-class funnel cake experience. If you go for funnel cake anywhere at Disney World, come here.
They have your regular burger and fries, but the real star of the show here is their perfectly cooked rotisserie chicken and healthy Greek salad.
Probably the best sandwich in Magic Kingdom, this restaurant serves hand-carved pork, turkey, and brisket that's been slow-roasted for hours.
Out in Adventureland, this is the spot to go when you need a simple, yet satisfying burrito, taco, or quesadilla.
This Magic Kingdom restaurant specializes in waffle fries. They've got BBQ Pork Waffle Fries, BLT Waffle Fries, and even Tex-Mex Waffle Fries.
You might not think that the Ham, Prosciutto, and Cheese Waffle Sandwich would be good. But it is! They also have classic chicken and waffles and plenty of sweet choices too.
Kids will love the concept of the breakfast pizza, which comes topped with eggs, bacon, and cheese. Open for lunch and dinner too, it's pizza any time!
With a variety of different Asian cuisine, this Animal Kingdom Restaurant serves many types of rice and noodle bowls.
You'll get stares of longing as you walk around with one of these family-sized cinnamon rolls.
Their tacos are actually pretty darn good, and you can't beat the lakeside view in the shade.
The winners here are the pretzels drizzled in icing and some seriously tasty Norwegian pastries. Their smoked salmon sandwich is quite delicious too.
This is your spot for sesame chicken, spring rolls, and other sweet and sour comforts. On cold winter days, the Beef Noodle Soup really hits the spot.
There's no shame in settling for a hot dog when you're in Germany. They've got brats, franks, currywurst, and lots of German beer.
It's not your typical burger and fries. It's New York strip steak, Louisiana shrimp and rice, and those famous Maryland crab cakes.
They've got teriyaki, udon noodles and the always tasty Chicken Cutlet Curry. It's a great intro to Japanese food, hot and raw.
It's prime time at your family's house in the 1950's. Watch old sitcoms as you nosh on delicious fried chicken and meatloaf. Just keep your elbows off the table!
This Hollywood Studios restaurant is modeled after the original Brown Derby, a favorite lunch spot of Hollywood stars from the 1930's.
Stop by for a quick meal of burgers and fries in the Jurassic Park section of Universal Studios.
The food is different from your normal burger and fries, and it's not as crowded as other spots. Thunder Falls Terrace is one of your best quick lunch options.
Stalactites hang from the ceiling in this gourmet restaurant that resembles a cave out of Greek Mythology.
One of the best fine dining options in Universal, this place features comforting Italian cuisine with one recipe from the chef's Italian grandmother.
With inventive creations like a pork belly flash-seared at 1,000 degrees, and baby back ribs cooked over kiawe coals, this place will treat your palate to something special.
Set in front of the canal of an Italian town, this restaurant is as impressive as any cosmopolitan restaurant in New York or Tokyo.
It's a great place to enjoy a gourmet meal with friends and family. This vibrant restaurant specializes in good old surf and turf.
This is the best spot for a grab-and-go breakfast with pastries and coffee.
Cool down and delight your tongue with a refreshing slushie, soda, or beer.
Ah, the air-conditioning can make a big difference come lunch time. This casual SeaWorld restaurant has a little something for all ages and tastes.
It's SeaWorld's go-to spot of BBQ. There are also great options for the little ones of course, with mac-n-cheese, hot dogs, and fries.
How often can you say you've dined with a whale? This unique dinner show offers a buffet of organic food hosted by the orcas and their trainers.
Dine in a restaurant surrounded by wrap-around shark tanks. It's a memorable dining experience, to say the least, and the food is delicious too.
Their mango fruit salad and cold sandwiches are perfect for when the weather outside is hot and humid.
Earning the TripAdvisor certificate of excellence, this is probably one of the best outlet shops in the US. You'll find tons of deals and a large food court.
It might not be as big as Vineland, but this sister property has great savings from designer labels such Coach, Cole Haan, and Michael Kors.
It's geared towards value-minded shoppers and features top brands like Nike, Tommy Hilfiger, and Guess,
This 400-foot tall ferris wheel has changed the Orlando skyline forever. Get the best view of the city as you ride the loop.
It's soon to be the most happening spot of I-Drive! When completed, it will host a wax museum, aquarium, skeleton exhibit, and tons of shopping and dining.
It may be their first season, but the Orlando City Lions soccer team have exploded in local popularity. If you ever counted MLS out, think again.
Orlando's east side is a haven for foodies. If you like to eat well, you should consider making the trip out here.
This brand new, grand concert hall hosts musicals, ballets, and other shows by Lake Eola in downtown Orlando.
Thought Astro Pops were as good as it gets? Think again. These handcrafted popsicles come in fruity, creamy, and boozy varieties.
They just enacted Prohibition and this innocent pharmacy has transformed into a secret bar.
With lots of gourmet tacos and an extensive list of tequila, it's a great place for the adults to unwind.
With homemade guac and gooey quesadillas, it's a delicious Mexican grill that the whole family will love.
They're known for their wood-fired preparations of fish from rainbow trout to Chilean sea bass. This is a fish lover's happy place.
For something a little adventurous, but equally accessible to kids, try this Turkish restaurant on Orlando's Restaurant Row.
They put on quite a show with belly dancers and cool decorations at this delicious Lebanese restaurant.
They source grapes from sustainable vineyards around the world to create wines worth tasting.
Madame Tussauds wax museum features shockingly life-like sculptures of history's famous icons. The museum is part of the I-Drive 360 area, which is also home to the Orlando Eye.
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