15 Hidden Family Things to Do in Orlando That Locals Love for 2025

Orlando welcomes over 75 million visitors yearly to enjoy family activities. You might think you know everything about the "Theme Park Capital of the World." The city is home to 297 attractions, yet there's another side to Orlando that most tourists miss entirely.

The city goes far beyond its famous theme parks. Families can find interactive exhibits, wildlife adventures, and natural parks and springs everywhere. Local favorites include the Winter Park Scenic Boat Tour through winding canals and seasonal events like the Epcot International Flower and Garden Festival. Orlando's hidden spots are a great way to get unique experiences away from the usual tourist paths.

Want to experience Orlando like a local? We've put together 15 secret family spots that Orlando's residents love. These places help create lasting memories without the typical tourist crowds.

1. Lake Eola Park: Orlando's Urban Oasis

Lake Eola Park has proudly stood in downtown Orlando as the city's scenic urban oasis for over 150 years. This beautiful 43-acre park gives visitors a welcome break from busy theme parks and brings local families together to create lasting memories.

Best Activities for Families at Lake Eola

The park's waters are home to five different swan species, and the Australian black swan steals the show with its beauty. Kids love feeding these magnificent birds with lettuce, spinach, or duck pellets they can get from feeder machines around the park. Families can enjoy several other activities:

-Take a walk through the Chinese Ting gazebo and Japanese Rock Garden that blend shade with fantastic architecture. 

-Watch the fountain come alive with music and lights during shows at 8 pm and 9:30 pm each night.

-Join the fun at seasonal celebrations throughout the year, from July 4th fireworks to holiday light displays

2. Wekiwa Springs State Park: Natural Swimming Holes

Wekiwa Springs State Park sits just 16 miles north of Orlando, offering a natural oasis where crystal-clear water is a refreshing alternative to chlorinated pools. This hidden gem is one of the best family things to do in Orlando with spring water that stays at 72°F all year round.

Kayaking Adventures for Families

Families can explore beyond the swimming area with great paddling opportunities at Wekiwa Springs. You can rent canoes and kayaks right at the park to explore the peaceful Wekiva River and Rock Springs Run. The park's 15 miles of river passages create the perfect setting to spot wildlife from the water.

3. Winter Park Scenic Boat Tour: Hidden Waterways

A classic Florida experience, the Winter Park Scenic Boat Tour has delighted families since 1938. It provides a peaceful break from Orlando's busy theme parks. You'll float through hidden waterways that most visitors never get to see.

Best Times for Family Visits

Boats run daily from 10 am to 4 pm, with tours every hour. The price is $20 per adult and $10 for children ages 2-11 (under 2 ride free) - great value for a unique experience. Monday mornings are usually quietest, while pre-Christmas periods get crowded. Morning tours give you better chances to see wildlife. Winter months attract more visitors because of cooler weather. The tours work on a first-come, first-served basis, so plan to arrive 15-20 minutes early, especially during busy seasons.

4. Orlando Farmers Market at Lake Eola

The Orlando Farmers Market at Lake Eola has been a treasured Sunday tradition for locals since 1987. You'll find this vibrant marketplace at Lake Eola Park's southeast corner every Sunday from 10 am to 3 pm. It's a perfect family destination that brings the community together.

Kid-Friendly Vendors and Activities

Kids love the large fenced playground right next to the market. Families can enjoy impromptu frisbee or soccer games in the open green spaces after browsing through vendor stalls. Your four-legged family members can join too - just keep them on leashes no longer than eight feet. Many vendors have special treats and activities for children, making this one of the most budget-friendly things to do with kids in Orlando.

Live Entertainment Schedule

Live music fills the air every Sunday while families explore the market. Musicians rotate each weekend, so repeat visitors always get to hear something new. 

5. Leu Gardens: Botanical Beauty for Families

Harry P. Leu Gardens sits right in Orlando's heart, giving families a peaceful 50-acre botanical escape from busy theme parks. This natural garden showcases plants from all over the world and lets families enjoy nature just minutes from downtown.

Seasonal Events and Movie Nights

Leu Gardens hosts family events that locals love all year long. "Movie Night in the Gardens" stands out as a favorite where families pack dinner and blankets to watch films under starlit skies. Summer brings pottery camps with fun themes like "Once Upon a Time" and "Sweet Life" that spark children's creativity.

Butterfly Garden Adventures

The special Butterfly Garden grows over 150 plant types that draw hundreds of butterflies throughout the year. Kids get excited when they learn about nectar plants with bright flowers that feed butterflies and larval plants where butterflies lay their eggs. Signs help children spot these differences, turning their visit into a fun science lesson.

Free Admission Days

The 2025 free days are April 7, May 5, June 2, July 7, August 4, September 1, October 6, November 3, and December 1. Regular tickets cost $15 for adults and $10 for children (4-17), while kids under 3 get in free. Military families get special perks with free admission on specific holidays.

6. Boggy Creek Airboat Rides: Local Everglades Experience

Boggy Creek Airboat Adventures sits on Kissimmee's East Lake Toho and gives families a unique experience through Florida's untouched wetlands. This 30-year-old attraction shows both tourists and locals the authentic Florida ecosystems. The location is just a short drive from Orlando's busier attractions.

Native Wildlife Encounters

Your airboat adventure will bring you face-to-face with wildlife in their natural habitat. The experienced captains say January and February are perfect months to spot alligators, though wildlife appears throughout the year. 

Educational Tours for Different Ages

US Coast Guard Certified Master Captains lead every tour with safety as their top priority while sharing their deep knowledge of Florida's ecosystem. The guides, many former wildlife officers, share their passion about wetland conservation with visitors. Each tour adapts to the group's size, age, and educational level. This makes the experience perfect for people of all ages and abilities.

7. Orlando Science Center: Interactive Learning

The Orlando Science Center welcomes visitors with four floors of interactive learning that locals love, whatever the weather. This educational playground makes learning fun and entertaining, ranking it among the top things to do in Orlando for kids throughout the year.

Best Exhibits for Different Age Groups

KidsTown spans 11,000 square feet and caters to children under 7. Kids splash around water tables to learn physics concepts and build motor skills at the Orange Grove. The Orange Grove's moving citrus fruits teach them measurement and teamwork. School-age children become paleontologists at DinoDigs where they dig up bones and eggs. The Kinetic Zone gets them excited about engineering design activities. Teens love the immersive flight simulators and spend time in the Hive's collaborative maker space.

Special Events Calendar

The center runs exciting programs year-round. Adults can enjoy Science Night Live with kid-free programming, while Science & Wine events mix learning with tasty food and drinks. Daily shows feature live encounters with chameleons and snakes, high-voltage demonstrations, and liquid nitrogen experiments. Most presentations begin at noon and end around 4 pm, so check the online schedule before your visit.

8. Kelly Park Rock Springs: Natural Lazy River

Kelly Park's Rock Springs lets you escape Orlando's hustle. The crystal-clear water stays at 68 degrees and flows naturally at 26,000 gallons per minute. Locals love to call this spot "a natural lazy river," and families find it a refreshing change from commercial water parks.

Tubing Adventures for Families

The gorgeous spring run makes tubing the park's main attraction. Here's how to enjoy it:

-Start your tube ride at the spring vent

-Float down a beautiful natural stream under shady trees

-Take a paved path back up when you're done to float again

Swimming Areas by Age Group

The park has different swimming spots that work well for all ages:

-Kids love the shallow, sandy area with its beach-like setting

-Older kids can enjoy deeper waters in the main pool section

-Most of the spring stays between 1-4 feet deep

9. Mennello Museum of American Art: Family-Friendly Culture

The Mennello Museum of American Art makes art come alive for young visitors. Its engaging programs have made this cultural gem one of the best things to do with kids in Orlando. Young families will find this intimate museum a perfect spot to create lasting memories beyond typical tourist attractions while celebrating diverse American art.

Free Family Fun Days

The museum opens its doors for free on the second Sunday each month during Free Family Funday. Visitors can join docent-led tours at 12:30, 1:30, and 2:30 pm and create their own miniature fine art project. These events make art available to everyone and let families bond through creative experiences. The museum stands out as one of the most budget-friendly family things to do in Orlando Florida.

10. Tibet-Butler Nature Preserve: Hidden Hiking Trails

A peaceful 438-acre Florida wilderness awaits just minutes from Disney World's gates. Tibet-Butler Preserve lets families take a break from theme park crowds to experience authentic natural Florida.

Kid-Friendly Trail Options

The connected trail system works great for families with kids of all energy levels:

-Fallen Log Crossing Trail (0.5 miles) has a scenic boardwalk over a bay swamp ecosystem

-Osprey Overlook Trail (0.13 miles) takes you to a beautiful pavilion with lake views

-Pine Circle Trail (0.86 miles) shows kids Florida's typical pine flatwoods

-Tarflower Loop Trail (0.5 miles) highlights Florida's endangered oak scrub community

The trails are laid out so families can do shorter walks while staying close to the Environmental Center. You won't need any special hiking gear - regular walking shoes will do just fine.

11.East End Market: Culinary Adventures for Families

East End Market stands as a neighborhood culinary paradise in the vibrant Audubon Park Garden District. Local food entrepreneurs, artisans, and chefs showcase their talents here. This two-story food hall gives families a perfect escape from Orlando's mainstream attractions and a chance to experience genuine culinary adventures.

Kid-Friendly Food Vendors

The market's sweet treats from popular vendors make children happy:

-Gideon's Bakehouse serves half-pound cookies that often sell out before closing

-Dochi offers Japanese mochi donuts with unique flavors

-Winter Park Biscuit Company satisfies with pillowy biscuits

Cooking Classes for Children

East End Market serves as more than a food destination - it's an educational space where children learn culinary skills through cooking classes. The market's Audubon Park Exchange and Boardroom spaces host family-friendly cooking demonstrations regularly. Children get hands-on experience with food preparation in a fun, engaging environment.

12. Harry P. Leu Gardens: Movie Nights Under the Stars

Movie Nights at Harry P. Leu Gardens stands out as one of the most magical family things to do in Orlando, going way beyond typical tourist spots. The 50-acre botanical garden turns into a magical outdoor theater under the stars where families create memories that last forever.

Upcoming Movie Schedule

The 2025 movie lineup brings family favorites to life on the first Friday of each month. Your family won't want to miss these upcoming screenings: May 2nd features the classic "Twister" (1996), and June 6th will show "Toy Story" (1995). Adult tickets are $8 while children aged 4-17 pay $6, and kids under 3 get in free. You'll need to grab tickets online a few days before each event since they sell out fast. The good news for Leu Gardens members is they get free entry without tickets—just show your membership card and ID at the gate.

Garden Exploration Before Films

Movie nights kick off at 7:00 pm, giving families a full hour to wander through the gardens before the show starts at 8:30 pm.. This time lets you discover different themed gardens or scout out the perfect picnic location. Visitors who need mobility help can borrow wheelchairs at no cost.

Local Food Trucks

The Foxtail Marketplace & Café saves you from packing your own dinner with fresh food, drinks, and ice cream. The Welcome Center also has vending machines stocked with quick snacks to keep hungry kids happy before the movie starts.

Conclusion

Orlando has much more to offer than its famous theme parks for families who want authentic experiences. These 12 hidden gems highlight the city's natural beauty, cultural richness, and local charm without breaking the bank. To make the most of your adventure, book your stay with VacationCentralFlorida.com. Our family-friendly rentals include cozy condos, townhomes, and houses with heated private or community resort-style pools in popular communities like Windsor Hills Resort, Windsor Palms, Encantada, Paradise Palms, and Championsgate.