“Good things come in small packages,” a phrase that flatteringly describes Orlando, a small city in Florida more famously known for its Disney theme park. Don’t go by its size because Orlando is one city that every child in America knows. Needless to say, no visit to Orlando can be considered complete unless you make the mandatory stop at the theme park. However, that doesn’t mean there are no other things to do here. Orlando is full of thrills that you can even experience outside its many theme parks. A great way to discover them firsthand is by joining a fabulous city tour. From posh neighborhoods to nature preserves, these tours let you explore the best of Orlando. If you dare to steer clear of obvious tourist choices such as Universal Studios, Disney World, and Seaworld to uncover more, you’re in the right place. Scroll down to see this incredible list of the top city tours in Orlando, Florida.
Good to know:
- If you're planning on booking multiple tours to make the most of your time, it might be helpful to know the best methods to get to each tour's starting point. Orlando's government portal has a handy guide to public transport in the city that you can use to figure out the best way for you.
- On the other hand, if you're using your own car to get around, the government website's list of parking lots might be more useful. You'll find both private and public garages here, along with a list of charging points for electronic vehicles.
- If you're just looking for more information about the city's layout, check out the interactive map from Visit Orlando, the official tourism portal for the city.
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1. Visit Orlando's landmarks through the ICONic city tour of Orlando
If climbing aboard a helicopter makes you nervous but you don’t want to be cheated out of a stupendous view of Orlando then choose the ICONic city tour of Orlando. Begin the day with a tour around pretty Lake Eola and a pleasant drive through Orlando’s vibrant downtown city center. Next, explore the historic and comely Winter Park area via a guided boat cruise. Back on terra firma, you can take time out to explore Park Avenue’s charming specialty shops and interesting boutiques. Next stop is Disney Springs, an outdoor shopping, dining, and entertainment complex. While at Disney Springs don’t miss taking a ride in a vintage amphibious Amphicar or Italian water taxi. The tour’s last leg is at the ICON Orlando, a giant 400-feet (121.9-meter) tall observation wheel that affords expansive views of Orlando’s skyline and so much more!
Book Tours : ICONic City Tour Of Orlando
2. Discover Orlando through a city sightseeing tour
A wonderful excursion that offers an exploration of Orlando by land and sea is the Orlando city sightseeing tour. Guests will learn about the rich history of Orlando. Enjoy places like Celebration, an idyllic setting built by the Walt Disney Company that’s modeled after small American towns. You’ll tour lovely Lake Eola in downtown Orlando. This tour offers a chance to browse Park Avenue, Central Florida’s top shopping, dining, and cultural area. The highlight of Orlando City Sightseeing Tour is a picturesque boat ride through the sparkling lakes and network of canals of historic Winter Park, called the ‘Venice of America’ by locals!
Book Tours : Orlando Sightseeing Tour with Optional Boat Cruise
3. Listen to live gospel music through the city tour of Orlando with Gospel Brunch
City tour of Orlando with Gospel Brunch is a standard Orlando city tour but with an added bonus of a delicious brunch complimented with live gospel music. Start off the tour at the wonderful House of Blues, where participants can relish an amazing all-you-can-eat buffet that features a feast of tasty breakfast favorites, an abundant carving station, and sweet dessert treats. While dining, listen to local talent perform energetic traditional and contemporary gospel songs. The tour hits all the hot tourist spots like Disney’s Celebration town, Orlando’s renowned shopping and dining neighborhood of Park Avenue, downtown standouts around Lake Eola, and an engaging narrated boat cruise around pretty Winter Park and the Chain of Lakes.
4. Tale your curious kids on a Kennedy Space Center day trip
If you’re an absolute fanatic about space exploration or just someone who’s curious about NASA and its inner workings, then the Kennedy Space Center day trip is a perfect adventure. You’ll take an in-depth tour of the distinguished NASA facility and enjoy the ride of a lifetime in the fantastical simulated Shuttle Launch Experience. The Astronaut Encounter Show allows guests to meet veteran astronauts and get genuine out-of-this-world stories from the people who experienced space flight. You can even upgrade your package to have lunch with one of these former Nasa shuttle pilots!
5. Visit the vibrant city of Miami with a full-day hop-on-hop-off city tour from Orlando
Orlando is centrally located within the state so it makes it easy to explore many great areas. Why not take advantage of this fact and see one of Florida’s most dynamic cities: Miami. Luckily the full-day hop-on-hop-off city tour From Orlando makes it very convenient. This package begins with an early morning pickup from select areas of Orlando. Once in Miami guests board fabulous, open-top, hop-on-hop-off buses of their choice. Tours are divided into three groups, Beach Loop, City Loop, and Uptown Loop. Each tour lasts 1 to 1.5 hours and all provide live interesting and expert commentary. Guests are always given plenty of time to explore on their own as well.
6. Zoom through Orlando on a Swampbike and explore the many pubs
Aboard the eco-friendly Swampbike, participants can pedal their way to an awesome time in Orlando. Cruising International Drive, or I-Drive as its known to the locals, you’ll be in the heart of numerous Orlando attractions. At this lively destination, pedalers will enjoy an array of fun diversions. Bar stops along the way include The Pub on I-Drive, a British-inspired establishment featuring pour-your-own beer taps and a wait staff donning kilts, and The Ice Bar Orlando, comprised of a mind-blowing, below-freezing room with a bar built from ice and an adjoining lounge with dancing for warming up!
Book Tours : Swampbike Pub Crawl Party Fun Bike
7. Admire Orlando from a vantage point through a helicopter tour
Offering six different exhilarating helicopter tours, Orlando helicopter tour from International Drive area provides a fantastic bird’s-eye view of Orlando and its wonderful attractions. Participants have choices to fit their time and budget. There are tours that include flyovers of SeaWorld, Universal Studios, Disneyland, and more. You can also opt for the 25-minute Celebrity Grand tour which takes you over prime theme parks, in addition to the beautiful Butler Chain of Lakes and the upscale houses of Florida’s elite. The expert helicopter pilots are knowledgeable and experienced, so simply sit back and drink in the glorious sights of Orlando.
Gastronomic adventures: Food tours to fuel you up in and near Orlando
8. Let you kids enjoy free meals with the Kids Eat Free Card
By availing this Kids Eat Free Card, they can dine for FREE at more than 100 restaurants in Orlando. This card is good only for kids 11 years old and under and they can enjoy breakfast, lunch and dinner.
Some of the participating restaurants are Ponderosa, Dominos Pizza, California Pizza Kitchen and more. This card is valid for 90 days upon the first day of use. So it is much more fun for the family especially for kids without worrying where they’re going to eat their favorite food.
9. Tour Celebration and try its specialties
This tour runs for approximately 2.5 hours in Celebration, about 25 minutes from Orlando. You will be visiting 5 popular dining locations in Celebration. Enjoy a walk through the town center stopping to taste food and drink, all while learning about history, culture, and architecture from your local guides.
Book Tours : Food Tour of Celebration
10. Enjoy great restaurant discounts with the VIP Dine 4Less Card in Orlando
This one is great since it can save money for not only you but for 4 people for just one VIP Dine 4Less Card. Guests can save up to 25% and of course enjoy sumptuous foods in their favorite restaurants. It is valid for up to 90 days from the first time it is used.
Book Tours : Orlando - VIP Shop & Dine 4Less Card iCity Hopper
11. Save on drinks with the Dollar off Drinks Card: Orlando
This gives you a dollar savings on every beverage you order in Orlando. Choose from more than 50 locations and then download the free companion app to find those participating establishments. Remember this is good for beer, wine, soft drinks or cocktails. So grab this Dollar off Drinks Card and enjoy your visit to Orlando.
Book Tours : Dollar Off Drinks Card: Orlando
12. Have a musical evening at Hard Rock Cafe Orlando
As we all know the Hard Rock Cafe is very famous because of their meals, theme and knowing that it can be found in more than 63 countries. For this food tour you can enjoy a 2 or 3 course fixed-price meal with music themed dinner options, dine at Universal Orlando Resort, and see rock “n” roll memorabilia. Each meal comes with a delicious dessert and your choice of tea, coffee or soda. This tour is flexible, meaning the duration may vary.
Book Tours : Hard Rock Cafe Orlando
13. Experience fine dining with Titanic The Artifact Exhibition Dinner Gala
This tour provides you a interactive theater experience recreating the events of the eve of the Titanic’s sinking. Once you avail for this tour in advance, you’ll be sure to have seat in this interactive show. You’ll also have the chance to enjoy a 3-course meal while enjoying this 3-hour dinner theater gala at Titanic The Artifact Exhibition.
This tour includes entrance fees, a 3 course dinner, and gratuities. Take note that alcoholic drinks are not included and guests can purchase those separate.
Book Tours : Titanic: First Class Dinner Gala Tickets in Orlando
14. Learn how to make a pizza through the deep-dish cooking class in Orlando
Editor's Note: Photo taken from the establishment's official social account
Posted by Uno Pizzeria & Grill on Thursday, September 21, 2023
For those pizza lovers, this is the right food tour for you! Availing for this tour will give you the chance to learn and create your personalized deep-dish pizza from the restaurant that invented it, at UNO Pizzeria and Grill in Orlando.
Highlights of this tour are making pizza at UNO Pizzeria, learning how to build a customized deep-dish pizza, and tasting the finished product with a salad and beverages.
Uno Pizzeria and Grill: Deep-Dish Cooking Class with Lunch in Orlando
Price: from 45 USD
Website:
15. Have fun with friends on the Sanford Pedal-Powered Pub Tour
This tour is approximately a 2 hour pedal around downtown of Sanford, 27.7 mi (44.58 km) from Orlando. You will be enjoying free beverages after pedaling along the shore of Lake Monroe. This tour is strictly for ages 21 years up and you need to bring ID for proof.
Highlights of this tours are 2 hours in Sanford on a pedal-powered pub crawl, stops at three pubs for a free drink, and learning about history, people, and culture from your guide.
Sanford Pedal-Powered Pub Tour
Price: from 39.99 USD
Website:
Outdoor escapades: Experiences for thrill seekers in and near Orlando
16. Try your hands at deep-sea fishing in the Gulf of Mexico
Spend a relaxing day in the sun as you experience deep sea fishing at Clearwater Beach. Look for gray snappers, sea bass, and varieties of fish in the crystal clear waters of the Gulf of Mexico. When you are done deep-sea fishing, spend some time exploring the natural splendors of Clearwater Beach with a sumptuous meal at a local restaurant. No need to worry about the equipment because the tour operators provide everything from the rod and bait to the license to fish, including the hotel pick up and drop off.
17. Explore Blue Springs State Park in a three-hour kayak tour
Blue Springs State Park is known to one as the largest inhabitation of manatee population. So if your idea of a holiday is to meet wildlife in person, then this tour will fulfill that objective beautifully. You can spend some time paddling in this kayak adventure and also walk along the spring-side trail to enjoy its marvels at your own pace.
Book Tours : Orlando: Kayaking Tour with Manatee Encounter
18. Take in Florida’s Gulf Coast on the Sea Screamer
Nothing like spending a fun-filled day navigating Florida’s Gulf Coast on one of the fastest speedboats on the American east coast. While you are at it, don’t forget to spot the playful dolphins. This 11-hour tour also offers you complimentary pick up from select locations across Orlando.
19. Kayak into Florida’s Everglades
Shingle Creek is the tributary to Florida’s Everglades covered on all sides by lush forestry of Cypress Trees, giving you a perfect opportunity to kayak through the green tunnel. Don’t worry if this is your first time because people of all skill levels can do this activity. This guided tour is the perfect opportunity to interact with Florida’s wildlife and spend some peaceful time in the old forests. The tour provides all equipment and certified guides. You can either paddle in a single kayak or choose a tandem.
Book Tours : Cypress Forest: Guided Nature Kayak Eco-Tour
Wetland thrills: Scenic airboat tours from Orlando and Kissimmee
20. Explore mossy swamps with lurking gators
Start in Orlando and wade through mossy cypress swamps in the Central Everglades. In the south of Orlando, where lurking alligators are the soundtrack to your summer adventure, the creatures bask in the sun and give you the stares and the creeps. The airboat tour lasts for about 30 minutes to an hour. It is a fun and thrilling adventure that is also budget-friendly!
Book Tours : 30-Minute Airboat Ride near Orlando
21. Hop on a Boggy Creek airboat ride from Kissimmee
You can avail of this tour in Kissimmee, less than half an hour away from Orlando by car. Cruising through Florida’s tall grasses at up to 45 mph (72kph), this ride is great for the entire family, whether you just want to see the greens or spot some gators. Tour the Florida Everglades with a U.S. Coast Guard Captain and while you’re enjoying the breeze, keep your eyes peeled for Alligators, turtles, and birds in this natural wonderland.
22. Join a one-hour Boggy Creek airboat night expedition
This night-time adventure from Kissimmee, about 22.1 mi away from Orlando, could be the most adventurous one hour of your life! Amidst the ruffles and the pushes of the tall grass and the swamp leaves, make sure you inspect all the glittering dots in the water- there’s a chance it could be an alligator waiting to hunt its prey and consider yourself lucky if you get a chance to watch the fight. A certified master captain will navigate through the marshes and make the best of his experience spotting mush monsters!
Book Tours : 1-Hour Evening Airboat Ride
Delightful tours in Orlando
Go a step further in Orlando and experience a city tour. You’ll discover there’s more to this city that makes it magical than just a wizardry trip to the Harry Potter experience at Universal’s Islands of Adventure. You’ll uncover natural beauty, as well as a lot of fun diversions along the way. So what are you waiting for? See another side of Orlando that will also surely put a smile on your face.
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