The usual appeal of Orlando and its nearby cities often comes from themed attractions, parks, and resorts. Children worldwide meet the area’s brightly colored signs, memorable characters, and top-notch theming with wonderment.
With Orlando’s magical childlike appeal, you may hesitate to think of the city as a place for adults to enjoy. Walt Disney World, Universal, and SeaWorld cater to families, but wanting to break away from the major attractions is understandable.
The Central Florida city applies its joyful atmosphere to almost every street, so there’s never a shortage of fun activities and experiences—even for adults.
We’ve compiled and categorized a list of things to do in Orlando for adults that scratches the surface of the metro area’s countless places to eat, drink, shop, explore, and adventure.
Expand Your Taste at Orlando’s Many Restaurants
With diverse restaurateurs in Orlando, the options are plentiful, and the theming is impeccable.
1. Hillstone Winter Park
This sophisticated restaurant overlooking Lake Killarney is an excellent dining experience for small parties and couples. Enjoy a burger, steak, and other American dishes in a relaxing Adirondack chair as the sun sets.
Location: 215 South Orlando Avenue
2. Enzo’s on the Lake
This Italian restaurant boasts scenic garden and lake views next to Fairy Lake in Longwood. The homey indoor space offers an intimate setting for delicious and beautifully presented Italian cuisine.
Location: 1130 S US Hwy 17 92
3. Canvas Restaurant and Market
This gorgeous dining venue on the water doubles as a market in Lake Nona with warm, colorful decor doubles. Walk around the market after enjoying some traditional and experimental American dishes focusing on regional seafood.
Location: 13615 Sachs Avenue
4. White Wolf Cafe
This small restaurant in Ivanhoe Village welcomes guests with eclectic antique decor and personality. The cafe offers American dishes for breakfast, brunch, lunch, and dinner.
Location: 1829 N Orange Avenue
5. The Greek Corner
The product of Greek immigrants, this restaurant serves as a slice of Greece in Orlando. With authentic Greek cuisine and decor, you’ll feel like you teleported to the Mediterranean.
Location: 1600 N Orange Avenue
6. Santiago’s Bodega
Experience small bites (tapas) from around the world in this restaurant and bar rich with culture, a rustic brick outdoor seating area, and thought-provoking paintings on the walls. The menu offers hot and cold tapas ranging from seafood and meat to charcuterie and pastries.
Location: 802 Virginia Drive
7. Reyes Mezcaleria
Dine at a Mexican restaurant dedicated to serving the best of the Latin American country’s cuisine and spirits in a setting using Mexican decor for a modern and clean aesthetic.
Location: 821 N Orange Avenue
8. Seito Sushi Baldwin Park
This modern restaurant serves traditional and experimental sushi and other Japanese dishes in a glossy, stylish setting.
Location: 4898 New Broad Street #32814
9. Pizza Bruno
Enjoy pizza that strives to be the best in Florida with a quirky personality in a family-friendly indoor and patio setting. The pizzeria has two locations, College Park focusing on New Jersey-style pizza and Hourglass District on Neapolitan style. Lively music and a casual atmosphere unite the two locations.
Locations:
Hourglass District: 3990 Curry Ford Road
College Park: 2429 Edgewater Drive
Check Out Orlando’s Nightlife
Who says you have to go back home after dark? Check out these unique spots to enjoy a memorable time in Orlando after the sun sets.
10. Hanson’s Shoe Repair
Does Orlando have nightlife? Sometimes you have to go looking for it.
Named after a 19th-century shoe repair shop of the same name, this speakeasy has a rustic hidden rooftop bar you can only access with a unique password. Visit the bar’s Twitter page for the daily password.
Location: Third floor of The Hanson Building at 27 E Pine Street
11. Sky Lounge
Whether you’re attending an event at the Amway Center or want to enjoy Orlando’s Downtown city views on a non-event night, this rooftop bar is a fun, modern place to hang out and let loose on the weekend.
Location: 400 W Church Street (in the Amway Center)
Hours: All event days, or Friday and Saturday from 9pm to 2am
12. The Block Orlando Entertainment Service
The Block is a group of Downtown nightclubs and dance floors where you can party, eat, play games, and drink. No matter how you like to jam out, The Block’s DJs have you covered. If you’re looking for new music and memorable experiences, The Beacham and The Social also host live music and notable artists.
Location: 44 N Orange Avenue
Venues at The Block:
- The Beacham
- The Social
- 64 North
- Planet Pizza
- The Corner
- Aero Rooftop Bar
- The Patio
Spend Time at an Orlando Museum
13. Albin Polasek Museum and Sculpture Gardens
Dedicated to the Czech sculptor, this museum exhibits Polasek’s artwork and other artists’ pieces from around the world. Check the museum’s events calendar for upcoming programs.
Location: 633 Osceola Avenue
14. Wells’Built Museum of African American History and Culture
This hotel-turned-museum shares a wealth of artifacts representing Orlando’s African-American community and the Civil Rights movement, as well as African arts and historical items.
Location: 511 W South Street
15. Orlando Science Center
If you marvel over scientific discovery headlines, explore technological and life science with interactive exhibits at the Orlando Science Center. While some exhibits cater to a younger audience, the center is open and beneficial to all ages.
Location: 777 E Princeton Street
16. Orlando Museum of Art
Browse several exhibitions at Orlando’s leading art museum, where the collections are geared to the diverse audience that visits. The museum also offers educational programs about art and how to create.
Location: 2416 N Mills Avenue
17. The Mennello Museum of Modern Art
Discover the folk art of Earl Cunningham and other traditional and contemporary artists in this museum dedicated to diverse American art.
Location: 900 E Princeton Street
18. Lake Nona Sculpture Garden
Appreciate this grand 50,000-square-foot garden featuring sculptures from The Lewis Collection, one of the world’s largest private art collections.
Location: 6100 Wave Hotel Drive (at Lake Nona Wave Hotel)
19. Rollins Museum of Art
This museum has an abundance of artwork along a centuries-long timeline of art history. Find inspiration and learn about pieces and artifacts from ancient times to the present.
Location: 1000 Holt Avenue, Box 2765
20. Charles Hosmer Morse Museum of Art
Learn about life in the late 1800s and early 1900s with American pottery, art, architectural pieces, and jewelry. The museum also hosts the world’s largest collection of works by designer Louis Comfort Tiffany.
Location: 445 N Park Avenue
Enjoy a Live Performance
Entertainment in Orlando for adults isn’t hard to find. With so many theaters and events going on, the only issue you’ll have is making a choice of what to watch!
21. SAK Comedy Lab
Work out your laughing box with trained improv comedy actors who take suggestions straight from the audience. The comedy troupe has been entertaining people for over 30 years, quickly inventing characters, songs, and skits on the spot.
Location: 29 S Orange Avenue
22. Dr. Phillips Center for the Performing Arts
Sit back and relax as you watch one of the countless performances and events at this performing arts center, including Broadway shows, ballet recitals, outdoor festivals, and educational programs. Check out the shows and events page for more dates and ticket information.
Location: 445 S Magnolia Avenue
23. Orlando Shakespeare Theater
In partnership with the University of Central Florida, Orlando “Shakes” is a theater that produces classic, contemporary, and children’s plays that leave audiences in awe. The theater also provides educational programs to engage the surrounding drama community.
Location: 812 E Rollins Street
24. Winter Park Playhouse
Experience new and underground musicals at one of Florida’s few professional musical theaters. The playhouse has a Florida Festival of New Musicals to encourage the development of new performances.
Location: 711 N Orange Avenue
Become One With Nature
Some of the best places to go in Orlando for adults involve a thrilling or relaxing outdoor setting. There’s no age limit on nature’s beauty!
25. Lake Eola Park
Find nature in the center of Orlando’s Downtown at this park about a mile in around Lake Eola’s perimeter, which is known for its population of swans. You can rent swan-shaped paddle boats; watch live performances, movies, and events at the Walt Disney Amphitheater; attend the Sunday farmers market; dine at a local restaurant; or sit and take in Orlando’s city skyline.
Location: 512 E Washington Street (in Downtown)
26. Gatorland
Central Florida wouldn’t be the country’s theme park hotspot without a gator-themed attraction. Gatorland features alligators and crocodiles; a petting zoo; off-road tours; a zip-line; and a free-flight bird aviary.
Location: 14501 S Orange Blossom Trail
27. Leu Gardens
Enjoy Orlando’s serene botanical garden near Downtown with over two dozen individual gardens and displays. Leu Gardens offers monthly movies on the lawn and several other happenings on its upcoming events page.
Location: 1920 N Forest Avenue
28. Get Up and Go Kayaking
Feel the thrill of a transparent kayak adventure from Get Up and Go Kayaking in Winter Park and Rock Springs, where the water is as clear as glass.
Locations:
Rock Springs: 5722 Baptist Camp Road (in Apopka, Florida)
Winter Park: 410 Ollie Avenue
29. Scenic Boat Tour on Winter Park’s Lakes
Relax on the affordable Winter Park Boat Tour and explore three of the city’s seven lakes. You’ll see Florida wildlife, view beautiful, high-class estates along the shore, and learn the city’s history from your tour guide.
Location: 312 E Morse Boulevard
30. Tibet-Butler Nature Preserve
Learn about the ecosystem at the Vera Carter Environmental Center, which is full of exhibits, and explore the hiking trails.
Location: 8777 Winter Garden Vineland Road
Go Shopping (or Window Shopping)
Need to grab a gift for your loved ones? Add a shopping trip to your Orlando itinerary. There is a healthy abundance of boutiques and outlet stores in the city to find anything you need and more.
31. The Heavy
Browse or buy plants, plant paraphernalia, and homeware at this aesthetic shop in Winter Park.
Location: 1152 Harmon Avenue
32. Rifle Paper Co.
Boost your office supplies style at this national stationery shop headquartered in Winter Park. Browse the shop’s famous floral-patterned notebooks, greeting cards, pens, planners, wallpaper, and more.
Location: 558 W New England Avenue #150
33. Freehand Goods
If you want a memento from Orlando or if you love artisan goods, this shop is for you. With hand-crafted men’s and women’s apparel, beard and hair products, and other Florida-themed accessories, you’ll find the perfect gift for yourself or a loved one.
Locations:
East End Market: 3201 Corrine Drive
College Park: 2445 Edgewater Drive
34. The Lovely Boutique Market
Step into the mid-19th century or bring a piece of the century back home with this vintage shop selling clothes, furniture, and homeware.
Location: 2906 Corrine Drive
35. Park Avenue in Winter Park
This street in Winter Park is bustling with over 140 small shops and cafes on either side, representing high-end apparel, eclectic gift shops, jewelry, and home goods. Try the trendy, colorful gift store Gasp; the chic women’s apparel boutique Tuni’s; or New General Cafe, which sells culinary items, candles, and more alongside coffee and food.
Location: W Park Avenue (next to Central Park)
36. The Mall at Millenia
Stroll around and browse almost 150 high-end stores at this luxury two-story mall. Add this iconic shopping center to your destination list, as it’s located near Universal Orlando Resort, Downtown Orlando, and other attractions. If it’s in your budget, you might even book an appointment with the mall’s personal shopping and styling services to help you find the perfect outfits.
Location: 4200 Conroy Road (just off Interstate-4)
37. The Florida Mall
Central Florida’s largest shopping mall offers over 250 retail store options, almost two dozen dining options, and plenty of amenities—including a hotel with over 500 rooms.
Location: 8001 S Orange Blossom Trail
Channel Your Inner Athlete
Sports fans can unite with plenty of athletic activities and events in Orlando for adults.
38. Basketball: Orlando Magic Game
If you’re in Orlando from October to April during the NBA regular season, watch the city’s NBA team play at the Amway Center Downtown.
Location: 400 W Church Street (Amway Center)
39. Golf
Looking to get your golf on? Check out Orlando’s best public golf courses, or try Tiger Woods’ mini-golf experience at PopStroke in Orlando Waterford Lakes.
Location of PopStroke: 321 N Alafaya Trail
40. Soccer: Orlando City SC
If you haven’t been to Exploria Stadium, make it a goal to attend a soccer game. Catch the men’s Orlando City Lions or women’s Orlando Pride during their respective seasons.
Location: 655 W Church Street
41. Tennis: US Tennis Association National Campus
Tennis players of all experience levels can enjoy the nearly 100 fully lit courts open to the public. The USTA National Campus hosts hundreds of collegiate matches annually and offers dozens of tennis programs.
Location: 10000 USTA Boulevard
42. Football: Camping World Stadium
With events like the Citrus Bowl in January and the Florida Classic game, Camping World Stadium provides the hype for football fans who moved to Orlando or are just visiting.
Location: 1 Citrus Bowl Place
Other Orlando Activities for Adults
Here are a few more Orlando thrills to pique your interest in this lively city.
43. Helicopter Ride
This private helicopter ride in a window seat offers incredible bird’s-eye views over Walt Disney World, SeaWorld, and Universal Studios theme parks. Enjoy the pilot’s tour talking points while taking memorable, hard-to-get photos.
Ride time: 8–25 minutes
Meeting and Pickup Point: 4010 4th Street (in Kissimmee)
44. Self-Guided History Tour
Download the VoiceMap mobile app to walk through Downtown at your own pace while learning about the city’s history with the Beyond the Theme Parks: Orlando’s Historical Highlights tour. Follow along, or get lost in the city’s many treasures.
Tour time: 1–1.5 hours
Starting Point: 101 E Central Boulevard (Orlando Public Library)
The Oohs and Aahs of O-Town
While this is not an exhaustive list, you can see just how vast the range of options is for adults in Orlando—and it’s not just all about food and drink.
You can have memorable experiences throughout the city, whether you want to relax, learn some history, or satisfy your urge for thrills.If you want more Central Florida activities, check out our articles on The Villages and Winter Garden.