9 Best Things To Do Alone In Orlando - Updated 2023

Katie
Katie 
Updated

So you’ve found yourself alone in Orlando and you’re feeling a little overwhelmed? Fear not, we’ve found the top ten ideal activities to do as a solo traveler. Whether you want to immerse yourself in a mystery dinner party, set sail on the Titanic, soar high above the clouds, speed across waterways or get up close and personal with animals, Orlando will certainly keep you busy. The only problem is that, like us, you’ll want to do all of these activities. Make the most out of your time in Orlando and book one of these unique experiences today. Read on for the best things to do alone in Orlando.

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1. Experience paddleboarding or kayaking (from USD 23.0)

If you’ve always been intimidated by water sports or just being in a body of water in general, start small and get yourself acquainted with the lakes of Orlando by availing this four-hour stand-up paddleboard or kayak rental. If you already know the basics of using these pieces of equipment, paddle along the freshwater lakes at your own pace and take a break from the loud and spirited theme parks of the city. Get closer to nature with this tranquil activity. Rent a kayak or a paddleboard now and be the captain of your own adventure!

Lake Ivanhoe SUP Paddleboard or Kayak Rental in Orlando

Duration: 4 hours

28 reviews

2. Embark on a magical manatee-watching tour (from USD 148.0)

Join this tour for one of the most amazing things to do in Orlando by yourself. Ever wondered what it would be like to see Manatees in their natural environment? Well, now is your chance to find out. On this guided cruise, you can spend the whole day discovering more about these harmless majestic beasts. The day begins with a relaxing 1.5-hour boat ride on the Crystal River where you can enjoy some swimming and snorkeling. The river is also home to one of the world’s largest populations of endangered West Indian manatees. You’ll then be whisked away on an exciting airboat tour on the Homosassa River before hitting dry land at the Homosassa Springs Wildlife State Park. Not only will you be able to see manatees here, but also a whole host of other amazing animals from bears to alligators.

Crystal River Snorkeling, Everglades Airboat, Homosassa Tour

Duration: 12 hours

248 reviews

3. Have a magical experience with Mickey and Friends (from USD 68.19)

Who says you can’t enjoy a theme park by yourself? Disney World is one of those locations where the magic never stops, and contrary to popular belief, it is one of the most exciting solo things to do in Orlando! Even if you are traveling alone, you can never go wrong with spending a day or more at Disney World. With rollercoasters, amusement rides, and games along with all of your favorite Disney characters, you won’t feel lonely while visiting the park on your own! If you want to see all you can see and do all you can do at the multiple Disney parks in Orlando, make sure to get a park hopper pass so that you have unlimited same-day or multi-day entries for all the Disney parks.

Walt Disney World Ticket in Florida Orlando

245 reviews

4. Take a walk through Harry P. Leu Gardens

Harry P. Leu Botanical Gardens Rose Garden fountain
Source: Photo by Flickr user Jim Moore used under CC BY 2.0

Situated just north of downtown Orlando and along Lake Rowena is Harry P. Leu Gardens. A 50-acre (20.2-hectare) botanical garden with over 15,000 temperate and tropical plants, this beautiful location might take up a good portion of your afternoon! Expect to spend at least two hours exploring it. A visit on Tuesday through Saturday during the morning offers the opportunity to take a 25-minute guided tour of Leu House Museum starting at 10am, with the last entry at 12:30pm. Make sure to visit these beautiful gardens while you are in Orlando and see all of the beautiful tropical plants that Harry P. Leu Gardens showcases!

Harry P. Leu Gardens

Address: 1920 North Forest Avenue, Orlando, FL

Website: Harry P. Leu Gardens

Opening hours: 9am - 5pm (daily)

Price: 10 USD (Adults); 5 USD (children, ages 4 - 17)

5. Visit the animals at Back to Nature Wildlife Refuge

Editor's Note: Photo taken from the establishment's official social account


One of the fun things to do in Orlando besides theme parks is getting to meet different animals and seeing them be cared for responsibly. Located on the southeast outskirts of Orlando is Back to Nature Wildlife Refuge, a wildlife rehabilitation center that focuses on the four Rs: rescue, raise, rehabilitate, and release. This center features over 30 species of wild animals. Some animals end up calling the refuge home while others only pass through before being returned to the wild. If you are a nature lover who cares about conservation, make sure to visit and see some of the permanent residents including owls, foxes, lemurs, and bobcats, among others, as well as their transient residents from around central Florida!

Back to Nature Wildlife Refuge

Address: 10525 Clapp Simms Duda Rd. Orlando, FL 32832

Website: Back to Nature Wildlife Refuge

Opening hours: Tue - Sun: 9am - 4pm (closed on Mon)

Price: 5 USD (donation)

6. Relish an Orlando City sightseeing tour (from USD 64.0)

Your solo trip to Florida just got better with this tour! This full-day sightseeing bus and boat cruise is an ideal way to learn more about the history of Orlando. You’ll begin the tour at the stunningly beautiful Lake Eola before heading to the self-proclaimed ‘Venice of America’, officially called the Winter Park. Here you’ll join a one-hour scenic cruise on which you can see the many canals and cobbled streets. With a quick stop to the infamous Park Avenue, you’ll have time to pick up some souvenirs before traveling through the Disney’s Celebration Town. A fun-filled, packed day awaits!

Orlando City Sightseeing Tours

Duration: 7 hours

88 reviews

7. Get wet, wild and speedy on the airboat tour (from USD 37.0)

If you’re looking for a ‘wet’ and 'wild’ adventure then this exciting airboat ride sounds like a perfect match. This boat ride can last for up to 30 or 60 minutes, depending on your preference, with cruises through the mossy cypress swamps in Southern Orlando. Your onboard guide and navigator will help you discover local wildlife such as watchful alligators, turtles, birds and many creatures on the lush shoreline. You’ll race across the water surface at speeds of up to 45 mph (72 kph) so be prepared to get a bit wet!

30-Minute Airboat Ride near Orlando

Duration: 30 minutes

370 reviews

8. Discover the scientific, kooky and obscure at WonderWorks Orlando (from USD 38.0)

At WonderWorks Orlando, you can explore over 100 exciting exhibitions such as the earthquake cafe, anti-gravity chamber, a glow-in-the-dark-ropes course or even Orlando’s only upside-down amusement park! WonderWorks is where you can find the scientific, kooky and downright obscure. Your tour will give you access to all 100 exhibits which you can explore at your own pace. If you wish, you can upgrade to include the 90-minute comedic Outta Control Dinner Show.

WonderWorks Orlando

Duration: 3 to 4 hours

411 reviews

9. Become a wizard for the day (from USD 145.58)

become a wizard for the day

With a multitude of rollercoasters and attractions, Universal Studios Florida and Universal’s Islands of Adventure are perfect for chest-pounding adrenaline and adventure! If you are a die-hard fan of the Harry Potter series, your only course of action must be visiting The Wizarding World of Harry Potter. Start your adventure at Platform 9 ¾ and get whisked away on the Hogwarts Express to experience all that Hogwarts Castles, Hogsmead, and other famous locations have to offer! Make sure to try a butterbeer while you are there and also let a wand pick you as its wizard. Some wands are even specially outfitted so that you can perform spells around the park with surprising results! Make sure you get your tickets in advance so you can avoid the ticket lines.

Universal Orlando: Base Ticket & Combos w/ Easy Cancellation

772 reviews

A blast for solo-travelers

Whoever said that traveling solo is boring obviously hasn’t discovered this article. Traveling alone is a great way to meet new people and we know that you’ll have an absolute blast taking part in any (or all) of these amazing activities. With plenty of adventure tours and Disney resort packages, Orlando should be your next destination. So, get booking and look forward to a fantastic time.

Disclosure: Trip101 selects the listings in our articles independently. Some of the listings in this article contain affiliate links.

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A full-time global wanderer and volunteer. Strong compass leading to random and remote pockets of Earth; exploring jungles, abandoned villages and the open seas. Passionate about documenting on my...Read more

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