Orlando is famous for its theme parks and tourist attractions. When people think about Orlando, they think about Disney. However, sometimes you need an adult adventure, and Orlando can be the perfect place. As an Orlando native, I’ve been all around town hunting for the best adult things to do in Orlando. After a lot of personal research, mostly because I don’t have children, Don’t miss out on this must-read list of fun things to do in Orlando, Florida for adults.
Fun Things To Do In Orlando, Florida For Adults Who Want To Experience New Things
1. Experience a New Sport at Top Golf
So I’m going to be honest and say that I don’t love golf, but I LOVE going to Top Golf. If you have never played Top Golf, it’s basically golf target practice mixed with bowling. What makes Top Golf great is that you and your friends can rent a “lane” and hit balls into the massive target area while enjoying drinks and food. There is no walking involved and there are fans and a shade-covered area where you can relax while waiting your turn.
As a Florida native, I’m a fan of anything that gets me out of the sun, heat, and humidity. Top Golf is a great chance to try something new and fun, even if it is a rainy day! Plus they have an awesome bar which makes everything even better.
2. Ride the Orlando Eye
The Orlando Eye is Orlando’s newest and largest attraction. This massive Ferris Wheel is located in Icon Park off of I-Drive near Universal Studios. The Orlando Eye (Also called “The Wheel’) sits at around 400ft. tall! This massive Ferris wheel is modeled after the very famous “London Eye” in England.
The total time of the ride is around 20 minutes which makes it the perfect and quick way to see Orlando from the sky before heading to a fancy dinner. This is also a great place to take a date, especially if you get an entire car to yourself.
Experience all that ICON Park has to offer!
3. Cirque du Soleil
Are you looking for something truly out of the ordinary? Then Cirque du Soleil is worth checking out! Cirque du Soleil is a music-themed circus show that is located in Disney Springs. The show periodically changes in order to keep it fresh and exciting. The show is set to music from various artists and composers. One year they even had a Beatles-themed show!
The circus itself boasts performers of incredible talent. From trapeze artists to tightrope walkers, you can see a little bit of everything at Cirque du Soleil. It is rated as one of the best shows in Orlando, and definitely one of the best things to do in Orlando for adults.
4. Orlando Museum of Art
The Orlando Museum of Art is one of those true hidden gems. Built in 1924, this incredible museum boasts 10-12 different exhibitions each year that range from popular African-American artists to famous impressionist painters like Monet. The Orlando Museum of Art is located in the Lockhaven Cultural Village which is about 10 minutes from downtown Orlando. Both the Orlando Science Center and the Shakespeare Theatre are located in the cultural village with the Orlando Museum of Art. If you are interested in art, this is an incredible museum to take some time and enjoy.
5. See a Show at the Dr. Phillips Center
The Dr. Phillips Center for Performing Arts is located right in the heart of downtown Orlando. If you are looking to get away from the “touristy” areas of Orlando, then this is a great spot to head to! The Dr. Phillips Center has rotating shows that come and go depending on what is popular at the time. Be sure to look at the schedule and buy your tickets in advance, especially if it is a popular show like Hamilton or Wicked.
The Dr. Phillips Center is the perfect place for those who love musicals and music-related shows. Many off-broadway renditions of broadway shows make their way through the Dr. Phillips Center, and there is always something interesting showing there.
6. Hamburger Mary’s Drag Show
Hamburger Mary’s is located in Downtown Orlando. While it may be a bit of a drive from the Disney area, I can promise you that it is worth it! Every Friday night (reserve in advance!) Hamburger Mary’s hosts an AMAZING drag show in their restaurant. It is not only full of talented hosts but also full of comedy and drinks to go around. I even spent the beginning of my bachelorette at their show and had a blast!
Side note: They also have a Broadway Brunch show on Sundays that is a MUST for any musical fans out there, but make sure that you call and book in advance!
7. See a Show at the Hard Rock Live or the House of Blues
Orlando has multiple concert venues that host a constant string of concerts. While the Amway Arena hosts the biggest concerts in the area and Camping World Stadium hosts musical festivals like Electric Daisy Carnival, the Hard Rock and House of Blues are still two of my favorite concert venues.
Both venues are slightly smaller which allows for standing room and general admission. This means that you can get as close to the stage as you can (if you arrive early) for the same price as someone in the back. I’ve seen a lot of amazing artists at these two venues, and I never fail to have an amazing time. My most recent concert was Kesha at Hard Rock Live, and it was an amazing experience.
8. Relive Your Childhood at Hogwarts
If you grew up with Harry Potter, then Orlando has a truly magical experience that you will love. Even as adults, Harry Potter can touch a wonderfully nostalgic nerve with people. At Universal Orlando and Islands of Adventure, there are two Harry Potter sections of the parks that are unbelievably like the movies.
At Universal Studios, there is Diagon Alley which features the shopping district from the Harry Potter movies. This amazing recreation of the wizarding world includes the Weasley’s Wizard Wheezes shop, Olivander’s Wand Shop, Bourgin and Burkes, Gringotts, the Leaky Cauldron, and many other Harry Potter landmarks.
If you love all things Harry Potter, be sure to check out this Harry Potter-themed vacation rental as well!
Fun things to do in Orlando, Florida For Adults Who Like The Outdoors
9. Head to the beach
One nice thing about Orlando is that it is very centrally located in the state which means that you can hit the east and west coast beaches very easily. Located only 45 minutes from Port Canaveral, you can head east and hit up the surfer-friendly Cocoa beach and check out the Kennedy Space Center While you are at it!
If you are looking for a more “resort-like” beach experience, then you can head west to St. Petersburg which is located about an hour and a half from Orlando. The St. Petersburg/Tampa area makes for an awesome beach day trip to enjoy the waters, resorts, and bars.
10. Walk Around Leu Gardens
Harry P. Leu Gardens is located on the Orlando and Winter Park city borders. This famous tropical garden features 50 acres of gardens, trees, and flowers. Leu Gardens includes a historic house that was built in 1936 and given to the city of Orlando in 1961. The Gardens also feature multiple exotic plants. Twice a year, Leu Gardens hosts a semi-annual plant sale that features farmers, gardeners, and plants of all kinds. It is one of my favorite events of the year.
One of the best things to do in Leu Gardens is to attend one of their outdoor movie nights. About once a month, the gardens host a movie night outside under the stars and it is an amazing location for a date night. You can find their schedule of events here.
11. Go to the Springs
Did you know that Central Florida is a hub for natural springs! There are 19 Natural Springs Near Orlando that you can visit in under a two-hour drive from Downtown Orlando. One of the most famous nearby springs is Silver Springs State Park located about an hour away from Disney World. Silver Springs is famous for its crystal clear waters and its surprising stars: the monkeys! There are dozens of monkeys jumping around the state park because some guy thought it would be a good idea to import monkeys and keep them on an island, but he didn’t realize that they could swim! Now they are a famous attraction at Silver Springs.
Besides Silver Springs there is also Juniper Springs, Wekiwa Springs, Blue Springs, and multiple others. They are awesome places to bring a bathing suit and some beers and enjoy the sun and water. Most of the nearby springs offer paddleboarding, canoeing, and kayaking.
12. Explore Bok Tower Gardens
Bok Tower Gardens is a National Historic Landmark that is famous for its 250-foot, 60-bell carillon. If you don’t know what a carillon is, it’s basically a piano mixed with a pipe organ with a bunch of bells attached. It’s a really intense instrument and it is housed in the incredibly beautiful Bok Tower. Bok Tower Gardens is located in Lakeland, FL, which is about 40 miles from Disney World.
Even though visiting the gardens is a bit of a drive from Orlando, it is easily one of the most fun things to do in Orlando, Florida for adults because it incorporates 25 acres of nature trails. These nature trails feature views of the beautiful tower, lilypad ponds, flower gardens, and many other types of flora and fauna.
On a nice day, it is an amazing date location and a popular engagement spot as well. Make sure to plan plenty of time to walk around and enjoy the entire garden! Bok Tower Gardens is one of the most famous Florida landmarks and is worth taking a side trip to from Orlando.
It’s also important to note that Bok Tower Gardens is about halfway to Tampa/St. Petersburg. If you are looking to explore and vacation in Tampa/St. Petersburg in addition to Orlando, Bok Tower makes a great stop along the way.
13. Take a Walk Around Lake Eola
One of the best things to do in Orlando, Florida for adults on a date night is definitely to take a walk around Lake Eola. Lake Eola is located in downtown Orlando and is famous for its swan population. At night it is lit up with lights and showcases an amazing view of the Orlando skyline. There are several bars and restaurants around the lake that are perfect for a night out on the town.
If you go during the day, you can even rent a swan-style paddle boat that you can take out on the lake. This makes for a fun date activity for anyone who likes to be out on the water!
Fun things to do in Orlando, Florida For Adults Who Like To Drink
14. Fat Tuesdays
While Fat Tuesdays isn’t a “local joint,” it needs to be on this list. For anyone who wants to truly experience the adult things to do in Orlando, Fat Tuesdays at Universal’s City Walk is a great place to start. If you have never been to a Fat Tuesdays, it is where all great nights begin. They are famous for their frozen alcoholic drinks and trust me, they are ALCOHOLIC. Fat Tuesdays creates incredibly delicious and strong drinks that help you beat the Florida heat while also preparing for your night at the City Walk bars and clubs.
15. Central Florida Ale Trail
If you are interested in craft beer and breweries, then this is the ultimate thing for you to do in Orlando. The Central Florida Ail Trail takes you all over the greater Orlando area from Debary to Clermont. There are roughly 22 active breweries on the trail itself. If you visit any of these breweries, you can pick up an “Ale Trail” map to help you plan out your adventure. Just remember to drink responsibly!
16. Drink Around the World at Epcot
When people think “Disney World” they often think about kids and crowds. For adults without children, one of the best parts about going to Epcot is that is not a favorite for young children. Epcot is designed more for adults than for children and is centered around the idea of an “around the world” experience.
As an adult, Epcot can be a truly fun and unique experience. One of the favorite things to do at Epcot is to get a group of people together and “drink around the world.” Drinking around the world is simple, order one drink from every country around the Epcot loop.
This would be crazy to attempt on your own as you would be drinking like twelve drinks in a matter of hours so it is nice to have a group together and share drinks so that you can taste test a lot of different drinks from around the world. If you happen to go during the Annual Food and Wine Festival, then there are even more food and drink options to try. Drinking around the world at Epcot is one of the more popular fun things to do in Orlando, Florida for adults
Fun things to do in Orlando, Florida For Adults Who Like To Party
17. Perform Karaoke at City Walk’s Rising Star
Everyone knows that karaoke can be a *cough* *cough* “Unique” experience. It really depends on who is performing and how inebriated you are at the time. However, I LOVE Rising Star. It’s unlike any other karaoke that you’ve seen. I’ve even enjoyed the experience sober!
What makes Rising Star different is that it’s not just a person and a recorded track playing. The performer gets an ENTIRE LIVE BAND behind them. I’m talking about a drummer, guitarist, sometimes backup singers, the whole shebang! Performing on this stage will make you feel like you are actually a real rockstar. They even will do a light show while you perform. It’s definitely one of my favorite adult things to do in Orlando, and it always makes for a fun night. Just make sure you get your name on the list early if you want to perform!
18. Go to the Clubs
If dancing is your thing, then Orlando has a lot to offer you! There is a club out there for every style of dance you can think of. There is a gay club called Southern Nights which is located just outside of downtown Orlando in the milk district which has periodic (and awesome) drag shows. There is a Latin club called Salsa Heat where you can learn to salsa. If you go downtown, they have every type of club you can imagine. Just take an Uber to the Wallstreet area and walk around.
19. Go Line-Dancing at Cowboys
If line-dancing is your thing, then Cowboys is the ultimate experience in Orlando for you! This western-themed club features nightly line-dancing and country music. This club is a blast to go to with friends. Even if you have never line danced before, it is a friendly environment to learn! I had never gone line-dancing before, but I went to Cowboys with friends and had a blast. So go put on your cowboy boots and get out on the dancefloor!
Fun things to do in Orlando, Florida For Adults Who Like To Eat
20. Sugar Factory
The Sugar Factory is famous for its INSANE desserts. Located in Icon Park near the Orlando Eye, this restaurant features desserts that are too big to be true and sweeter than you can imagine. The Sugar Factory serves more than food though as it also has a very large and unique co*cktail menu. Every item on the Sugar Factory’s menu is unique and Instagram-worthy. If you are looking for some delicious and beautiful food, then make sure to stop at the Sugar Factory for dinner, drinks, or desserts!
21. Better Than Sex Desserts
If the name doesn’t give you a hint as to the theme of this restaurant, the decor sure will. Located in a few different locations around Orlando, this restaurant is one of the top-rated dessert restaurants to try and things for adults to do in Orlando. You definitely shouldn’t bring kids into these restaurants.
What makes this restaurant unique is its sexual flair and unique food names. The dessert is delicious, but the names make the delectable chocolates almost sound like foreplay. Better Than Sex can make for a great date night.
22. Visit Boxi Park
Boxi Park is a food truck park that is located east of Orlando in the city of Lake Nona. Lake Nona is only a few miles from the Orlando International Airport. Boxi Park is a trendy location for both food and hangs. The park features multiple “food trucks” to choose from as well as a volleyball court, dog park, and playground. The venue hosts live events on the weekends, and you can find the schedule of events on their website.
23. Gordon Ramsay’s Fish and Chips
One of the newest additions to Orlando’s foodie scene comes from the world-famous chef, Gordon Ramsay. Gordon Ramsay is famous for his TV shows like Hell’s Kitchen (read more about eating in Hell’s Kitchen), Kitchen Nightmares, Gordon Ramsay Uncharted, and Masterchef. The Fish and Chips restaurant is located in Icon Park by the Orlando Eye. The restaurant is fast-casual and does not take reservations. Be prepared for a long line due to the fame of the chef, but prepare to enjoy some delicious food.
Save over 45% on admission with the ICON Play Pass
24. Try Voodoo Donuts
Voodoo Donuts is famous for its crazy donut creations. These Instagram-worthy sugary concoctions range from fruity cereal flavors to maple bacon donuts, to really anything you can think of. Located in Universal’s City Walk, this donut shop is a must-visit attraction if you are looking for a cool snack to show off to your friends. Just be aware that the lines can be LONG. Take advantage of their online system and order ahead.
25. Raglan Road
Raglan Road is an Irish-themed restaurant and bar in the Downtown Disney shopping area. They bring in live Irish step dancers and Irish-themed folk bands. They also have incredibly delicious Irish-themed food and drinks. Raglan Road makes for a fun date location or place to go out with your buddies. It mixes food and fun and it is located in an area full of activities. I highly recommend eating here before heading out to a concert at the House of Blues or in the middle of your Disney shopping trip!
Fun things to do in Orlando, Florida For Adults Who Like Sports
26. Go to a UCF Football Game
If you have never experienced a college football game, then you are missing out. UCF is an up-and-coming powerhouse in college football. Although I may be a little bit biased since I attended and graduated from UCF, the energy in the UCF football stadium is hard to beat. They call the stadium “The Bounce House” because it shakes when everyone bounces in unison to songs like “Zombie Nation.” If you are looking for a fun game to go to or an awesome tailgate, definitely look into going to a UCF football game.
27. Watch an Orlando Magic Basketball Game
One of the most famous Orlando sports teams is the Orlando Magic. If you are a basketball fan, then you can’t miss the opportunity to go to a Magic game while you are in town. The Orlando Magic arena is located right in the heart of downtown and only a block away from the Orlando City Soccer Stadium. If you are interested in buying tickets to a Magic game, you can do so here.
28. Experience an Orlando City Soccer Game
Orlando’s newest sports club also has one of its strongest fan bases. Orlando City Soccer Club is located just outside the heart of downtown and features both the men’s Orlando City soccer team as well as the women’s Orlando Pride team. Going to a soccer game is more than just watching the game.
In Orlando, they take soccer seriously and the Rukus fan base brings drums, chants, and fun to the game. If you choose to sit in the supporter’s section, you will get the party experience and really get invested in the game. Going to an Orlando City game easily makes the list of fun things to do in Orlando, Florida for Adults.
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