Summer is officially here.  Central Florida is filled with so many things to do other than the theme parks and now is the perfect time to explore them all. You can enjoy thrill rides, live music, museums, parks, and so much more.  We have some great ideas for you and the family to enjoy the city of Orlando and the surrounding areas.

Summer Fun in Orlando

Here are 10 fun activities that you can do with the fam in Orlando and the surrounding areas this summer.

Visit the Beach

Central Florida doesn’t have a local beach, but just a quick drive and in less than an hour you’ve got sand, sun, and fun!  Cocoa Beach, in Brevard County, is about an hour’s drive and is a great beach town.  In addition to the gorgeous beach, enjoy lunch at the world-famous Cocoa Beach Pier.  While having lunch at one of the local eateries, you may see cruise ships launching off to great adventures.  Make it a great day trip for the entire family and visit other attractions like the Kennedy Space Center, deep sea fishing, or beautiful Port Canaveral.

Grab Some Cool Eats

Cool down by eating up some cool, delicious treats!  The temperature is always rising in central Florida and there is no other perfect way to beat the heat than by grabbing some cool ice cream treats. Orlando is home to a lot of great ice cream places including ones with over-the-top sundaes, over-the-top shakes, bubble waffles, vegan ice cream and more. No matter what you fancy, there is a cool treat for you to enjoy.

Visit an Entertainment Center

When it is too hot outside, but you still want to get the family out to enjoy so summer fun, then take them over to an entertainment center. Orlando has a few different options including Dezerland, Main Event and Andretti’s Karting and Games. Each location has a variety of activities including video games, go-karting, laser tag and more. Kids, and adults too, can stay entertained for hours.

Go to Disney Springs

There is nothing better to do during the hot summer months than hanging out somewhere cool.  Disney Springs offers the entire family something to enjoy!  Shopping, music and live entertainment, and a very cool art walk.  The dine-in movie theater experience is a popular attraction at the Springs too.  The Springs are open daily starting at 10 am so the whole family has time to enjoy a day trip filled with fun!

Visit the Attractions on International Drive

Visit International Drive and pick your adventure!  International Drive is in the heart of Orlando filled with attractions and entertainment. From date night to family fun, I Drive has something for everyone in the family.  ride the trolley for a history tour of International Drive, or visit iFly for some high-flying adventure.  Head over to ICON Park and ride The Wheel, the forty-story observation wheel.  Parking and park admission is free and the park is open daily 10 am to 2 pm.

Visit a Natural Spring

The state of Florida has many natural springs, and central Florida is no exception.  The Orlando area has a few of these natural beauties and Rock Springs in Apopka is a local favorite.  Located in Dr. Kelley County Park, the water in Rock Springs is beautifully crystal clear.  If you are looking for the perfect lazy river, then look no further than Rock Springs.  In great weather conditions, the park is great for a day trip with the family to enjoy outdoor games and activities.  Launch a kayak or paddleboard for chilling on the river instead of in the river.  The cost for a day filled with family-friendly activities on a summer day is just $3 for a car of two people and $5 for a car holding three to eight people.  If you choose to ride a bike or motorcycle, it is only $1.  Fun awaits your family just around the corner.

Visit a Botanical Garden

Calling all nature lovers!  If you didn’t think that the Orlando area was filled with as much natural beauty as there were theme parks, then think again.  The Orlando area has great gardens to explore with the kids.  Two options are Mead Botanical Garden in Winter Park and Leu Gardens in Orlando. Gather up the entire family and take a day trip through the lush natural habitat and see what the “growing on” in the gardens. Both gardens have walking trails, a boardwalk, and a butterfly garden.  Leu Gardens also has a children’s garden that kids will enjoy as well as fun events such as movie nights, Dinosaur Invasion, story times and more.

Go on an Airboat Ride

Want to feel the wind in your hair? Want to see some natural beauty and some alligators (from a safe distance)? Then you should go on an airboat ride. If you are not a “outdoorsy” person, this is a great way to experience the outdoors. Kids will love seeing and learning about the different wildlife and plants as you zip along in the airboat. If you want to do something extra special, we recommend doing a sunset tour. There is nothing better than watching the sun set on the water.

Cool Off at a Water Park

What better way to cool down on a hot summer day than at an awesome water park?  With the average temperatures in central Florida during the summer at about eighty degrees, cooling off has never been more fun.

The Orlando water parks have thrill levels and rides suitable for the whole family, including the little ones.  Break up the day and stop at the local eateries throughout the park to refill and refuel.  This time of year, the water parks get busy so make sure to plan your day trip accordingly.  The park hours vary daily so checking the website before heading out is highly recommended.

Go Ziplining

Seeing Central Florida from above is an experience all its own.  Ziplining is one of the many fun things you can do in the Orlando area. There are a bunch of different outdoor courses such as the Screaming Gator Zipline at Gatorland, Zip the Canyons and Orlando Treetop Adventure to choose from. Ziplines are perfect for families with older kids and will give you a day of adventure that you won’t soon forget.