The Best Places To Cool Off in the Orlando Area

The sunshine state of Florida is a place of tourist attractions. Be it summer or winter, you’ll always find places and activities to relax your soul. Summer in Orlando is typically hot and humid. But it’s filled with pristine beaches, water and splash parks, and natural springs for you to beat the heat.

To stay cool in Florida’s summer, and have a delightful vacation, read along and find out the best places and ways to chill.

Take a Dip in Orlando’s Springs

Nothing can beat Central Florida's springs when it comes to cooling off. Central Florida has over 700 springs, all ready and set to give the tourists and locals a splashing refreshment. The springs are undeniably the best places to swim in Orlando.

Wekiwa Springs State Park

The emerald green water of Wekiva springs awaits the visitors to come swim, kayak, and canoe here. What’s more, is that you’ll see Central Florida’s wildlife around you everywhere in the Wekiwa state park.

Ichetucknee Springs and River State Park

This 2241-acre state park with its crystalline blue water is perfect for a refreshing summer dip in 70 degrees water.

Silver Glen Springs Recreation Area

The greenish-blue water of Silver Glen Springs surrounded by large shady trees is perfect for swimming in cool water with a windy atmosphere.

Madison Blue Springs State Park

You can go snorkeling, scuba diving, cave diving, canoeing, kayaking, and tubing in the Madison Blue Springs. The mesmeric beauty of this spring will soothe your soul.

 Most of the springs are within state parks. So, you get to enjoy many park entertainment activities besides swimming in the springs; Some have hiking trails, some have picnic spots, and some have museums or old historic places within the parks. All in all, a summer vacation in Orlando is incomplete without a visit to its springs. Check out our list of Top 9 Springs to Visit in Orlando, Central Florida to have the best Florida springs experience.

Don’t Forget the Water Parks

Summer in Orlando won’t feel hot and humid with all the water parks here and there. Orlando’s water parks are a great attraction of Central Florida. They keep your souls and body chilled and refreshed.

Disney’s Blizzard Beach

The Blizzard beach is a unique theme park with a snowy atmosphere. Long waterslides, the thrilling Summit Plummet, Mount Gushmore, slides in Snow Stormers- everything adds up to a chilling summer fun zone.

Aquatica Orlando

Water rides with encounters with sea animals- that’s what you’ll find in Aquatica Orlando.

Disney’s Typhoon Lagoon

Disney Typhoon Lagoon’s water coasters and raft rides will add new dimensions to your adventurous soul.

Universal Orlando Resort

We don’t even have to talk about it. The Universal Orlando Resort is world-famous for its amazing themed water park and rides. When you get there, make sure to go to Universal’s Island of Adventures and Universal’s Volcano Bay for exciting water rides.

Discovery Cove in SeaWorld Orlando

SeaWorld Orlando has a “SeaVenture” which is an underwater walking tour. Surrounded by fishes, it’ll be a once-in-a-lifetime experience for anyone.

Nona Adventure Park, CoCo Key Water Park, Magical Midway Thrill Park, and Orlando Watersports Complex are some of the most famous water parks in Orlando. Thrilling water slides, fountains, pools, and waterfalls- you’ll find everything you need to beat the scorching heat of the Florida sun. 

Trip to the Splash Pads

You can also have a trip to Orlando’s splash parks for fun rides with water splashes and pools. Fountains and waterfalls- you’ll find all sorts of cool water features in the splash pads. Most of them have no or a small entry fee. The most amazing thing about Orlando is that some resorts have their splash parks for the guests such as the Windsor Hills Resorts splash parks.

Capehart Park

Capehart Park has a free splash pad, a butterfly garden, a basketball court, and a playground.

Downey Park Splash Pad

Downey Park in Orange County has a splash playground, a baseball court, a softball court, and a picnic pavilion along with many other amenities.

Winter Garden Splash Pad

Winter Garden has an interactive splash pad for kids and grownups.

Lake Mary Trailblazer Park

With a fee of only $2, you can enjoy the Splash pad of Lake Mary Trailblazer Park.

The theme parks also have splash areas. Take the kids to

• Gatorland’s Gator Gully Splash Park
  
• Duplo Splash Safari at Legoland
  
• Universal Studios Florida’s Barney’s Backyard
  
• Casey Jr. Splash ‘N’ Soak Station at Disney’s Magic Kingdom Park  
• Rubber Duckie Water Works at SeaWorld’s Sesame Street Land for the best water slide rides.

What About Some Frozen Treats?

If you’re looking for toothsome ways of cooling off, Orlando has so much to offer! They have heaps of cafes, bars, and restaurants for frozen delicacies like ice creams, iced teas. and mojitos, slushies, frappes, shakes, cocktails, and mocktails.

Kelly’s Homemade Ice Cream

Kelly’s has a list of mouthwatering ice cream flavors that we’ll list as the must-not-be-missed items.

Ice & Bites Cafe

Bubble teas, tea concoctions, and delicious ice creams- that about sums up the menu of Ice & Bites Cafe. The refreshing items will help you cool off.

Frostville Chamoyadas

This place sells the delicious Mexican Dessert Chamoyada along with many other tasty dessert items.

The Greenery Creamery

This is Downtown’s most famous vegan ice cream shop. Don’t forget to check out their unique flavors.

Butterbeer at The Wizarding World of Harry Potter

If you go to Universal Orlando’s, be sure to taste the famous frozen butterbeer! It’s sure

to lift your mood in the summer of Central Florida.

While you’re in Orlando, check out Purple Ocean Superfood Bar, Ginther’s Swirls Ice Cream, The Soda Fountain, Ben & Jerry’s, Icebar Orlando, La Isla Del Frappe, I.CE.NY Baldwin Park, and Twistee Treat of I-Drive as well. These are some of the most popular places for delicious cold drinks and desserts.

River Raft Rides

Rafting and kayaking can calm your mind and body and enhance your tour experience.

The Paddling Center at Shingle Creek

They give kayak, cane, and sup rentals and also provide guided eco-tours. They also take on offsite tours to Blue Springs.

Kali River Rapids on Disney’s Animal Kingdom

Raft down a roaring river of raging current and plummet down a 20-feet slope. Water splashing from the sides will get you wet, so, better take extra clothes.

Sailing Orlando

Take private sailing tours with Sailing Orlando. Enjoy these educational tours in the 25-foot rigged sailboats

Wekiva Island

Rent a canoe, kayak, or paddleboard in Wekiva Island to observe the rainforests and the wildlife of Central Florida.          

Stay Indoors and Enjoy the Resort Pools!

If you want to laze around instead of roaming around Orlando, you can cool off at your resort’s pool instead. Many of Orlando’s vacation resorts have pools with modern amenities. Check out this list of resorts in Kissimmee, Orlando that have private pools. Some resort properties have their very own water and splash parks. Hence, beating the heat gets more effortless. The temperature of the pool water is maintained at a warm rating. If you want more privacy, check out this list of rentals with private pools.

Final Words

So, this was a list of places you can go to cool off while you’re having a vacation in Orlando, Central Florida. A trip to Central Florida in summer is worthwhile for the refreshing and soul-soothing experiences you’ll find here. Have you planned your Orlando trip already? Check out our Orlando travel guide for more!